ISLAND LIVING: PALM FRONDS SWAYING IN THE BREEZE

In order to capture the sea breezes, cool colors and azure ocean in island inspired interiors, it is all about the simplicity. By using soft soothing or bold sunny colors, easy living is at your fingertips. Think batik sarongs, tall glass vases filled with nautilus shells, grasscloth and simple furnishings.
Photo Courtesy of Island Living by India Hicks




The new Brunschwig and Fils collection was great, especially this tropical floral pattern. Climbing blooms in a fresh color palette is always energizing in a room scheme.


Keep it cool with this printed fan from Areo Home. This is also great for a tropical wedding to keep the cool breezes flowing. What a chic detail-- the guests will surely want to take theirs home.


Put some John Robshaw batik bedding in your guest room. The intricate Indian-inspired patterns, embroidery and saturated colors look great when mixed and matched. See all the new introductions at John Robshaw


This new bed from Oly Studio is just the thing to offset the brightness of the sheets. The wingback headboard is a popular shape, and I like the clean lines this one has.

Photo Courtesy of Century Furniture
Water hyacinth looks good in desk accessories, storage boxes and yes, even chairs. This piece from Century Furniture can be used around the dining table and on a covered loggia.


Every time Quadrille launches a new collection, I just want everything in it. This easygoing print is intricately detailed yet simple with just 3 colors. Such a great combination to build a room around. A cushion for the chair above, perhaps?

Photo Courtesy of Century Furniture
Wingback chairs are a mainstay around a fireplace. This fresh take on the classic is reinterpreted in a casual, lighter material.
Find out where you can get yours at Century Furniture



Sky blue and coral are still hot colors this season. Dransfield and Ross work the palette with these woven stray mats. D and R uses ribbons, embroidery and unique prints in their line, which really sets them apart from the rest. Very Kate Spade beach bag for the table. In a word, adorable.

ANIMAL PRINTS AT HOME: GETTING IT RIGHT

Go for broke with animal prints. Upholster the walls, settee and pillows in it. Or else use less and go for the accent pieces. Working with spots and zig zags can be a challenge. As long as you use the same fabric throughout, do not fear. The pops of zebra shown here are ways to get the look without feeling like you are at the zoo.

Black and white has again come around in a big way, just look at what is coming from Maison et Objets. Clean crisp and comfortable, the combination comes and goes every few seasons, each time it gets more creative.


Quadrille has 2 great new animal prints on cotton. They are striking and casual--perfect for a sunroom or study. Because the print is simple, it can have a lot of impact used on everything.

Photo Courtesy of Thistle and Bee
A Cheetah never loses it's spots and this beautiful frame from Thistle and Bee has spots galore.


Quadrille Fabric's other great new print has a pretty border that can be used creatively, as the leading edge on a window treatment, a skirt for a sofa....

Photo Courtesy of Thistle and Bee
This zebra is clean and classic. The silver edging makes the pattern stand out. Check for a retailer near you at Thistle and Bee

Photo Courtesy of DwellStudio for Target
Brand new from Target, DwellStudio brings it's whimsical bedding for big and little people to Target. Their creative prints are current and use interesting color combinations. Founder Christiane Lemieux began Dwell in 1999, bringing modern textile design and pattern to bedding in a fresh new way. She has a great design background and would always amaze me with her bold new introductions at the Gift Shows. The design sleuths at Target sought her out, and voila, it is a great match. Get this adorable, soft and cozy rug now, from Target

Photo Courtesy of Toss Designs
When serving guests dessert, isn't is nice to do it in a fun way? Serve black and white cookies on these sweet little plates from Toss Designs

Photo Courtesy of The New York Times
Scalamandre, the wonderful fabric house I worked for way back when, made a great decision to relaunch its famous Zebra wallpaper. Gino's Italian Restaurant, here in New York, is known for the running zebra's on its walls (lest we forget the spaghetti that is going cold because of staring at them). The paper was then used in the Royal Tannenbaums, and its place was again secured as a new old classic.

Photo Courtesy of Postobello Home for Drexel Heritage
A touch of stripes may be all you need. The Kenya mirror of zebra printed cowhide from Postobello Home for Drexel Heritage is just that.


The pattern is great, but then again, the animal is also adorable. This regal zebra in a round frame just might look better on the wall then your relatives. Hunt him down at Natural Curiousities

WALL TO WALL: JONATHAN ADLER HAS GOT YOURS COVERED

YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO STARE AT WHITE WALLS AGAIN!




Photos Courtesy of Jonathan Adler
Going where he has never gone before, Jonathan Adler is out to cover your walls. His retro, geometric patterns oft seen on his needlepoint pillows have finally made their way onto the wall. This punchy collection will turn your house into the party house! Available through Jonathan Adler.

PICTURE THIS:
Bamboo and lacquered linen are chic, clean and refined. The picture frames by Jonathan Adler for frame company Larson Juhl use the materials to great effect. The detail of the frames are jewelry for your walls, just as hardware can bring a dresser drawer that needed sparkle, these frames do the same.

Photos Courtesy of Larson Juhl
The Meurice collection is a natural extension for Adler, who made the chinese chippendale chair one of his signature pieces. Chunky, brightly painted shiny bamboo is a fun accent to a room and it provides loads of personality.




The Thornhill collection showcases a lacquer gloss and great texture from the linen.

Photos courtesy of Larson Juhl
I am partial to the chocolate brown. Wouldn't a deep navy and a cherry red make great follow up colors for additions to the collection? Jonathan, something to bear in mind when that time comes! Find out your local Larson Juhl dealer through Larson Juhl

WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR WARM WINTER GETAWAY

Photo Courtesy of Liz Victory
The perfect tote and soft towel for your trip to the islands! By melding bright graphics and good materials, these accessories will get you noticed. Liz, a chic New Yorker, has expanded her range to include more cosmetic bags in great patterns such as coral, yellow caning and great graphics. Find out where to get yours from Liz Victory Designs

AWNING EDGE ADDS ZIP TO A CANOPY BED

Photo Courtesy of Century Furniture
This Oscar de la Renta Collection bed for Century Furniture creates a retreat. The turret and awning edge make it stylish but not too crazy. Pull the black accents back into your scheme with other elements around the room.


Take your breakfast in bed on this tabletop pattern or save it for the breakfast room. Keep the palette neutral with Home, James! Caning pattern.Home, James!Caning with Chinese Chippendale, what could be more au courant?


This piece is a great addition to the Chinese Chippendale out there. From Jardins en Fleur, this furniture- designing duo debuted their collection at the International Gift Fair recently. The clean lines and dark color make this piece about the form.


Add some clear glass obelisks to your tablescape and this soothing black and beige palette is ready. Brand new from Two's Company, these objects add a lot of dash. A few monkeys never hurt either.

MOORISH INFLUENCE: GEOMETRIC AND BRIGHT WAYS TO ADD A GLOBAL FEEL

Photo Courtesy of Casamidy
San Miguel de Allende's Casamidy does it again! This furniture company, based and produced in Mexico uses metal beautifully, creating furniture with a unique lightness to it. This time, with the Almidi Star Tea Table the the influence is Moorish, and the silhouettes are inspired by archways and lantern patterns, painted in a shock of color. See the whole collection at Casamidy

Photo Courtesy of ABC Carpet
Madeline Weinrib has great patterns in her Amagansett collection. Shown here is the Brooke Tibetan carpet, in a geometric star pattern that will bring new life to any floor.


Photo Courtesy of Casamidy
Add a star to the room with this incredible lime green piece. The best ways to add instant color to a room easily are through a mirror, lamps, throws and pillows.

Photo Courtesy of Casamidy
Great indoors or out, these pieces provide punch and a unique silhouette to the space. Look out for Casa San Miguel, a new book out in April from Rizzoli. Jorge and Anne-Marie Almada of Casamidy wrote the forward to it, all about life and design in this artistic region of Mexico.

Photo Courtesy of Nathan Turner
Two gals with style galore, Lisa Fine and Carolina Irving, have teamed up to create fashion and home accessories. Exotic blouses are available at Charlotte Moss. Collections are based on travels to India, from the patterns and textiles there. Their line, Irving and Fine has brand new patterned flatweave rugs that are available through Nathan Turner

ESCAPE TO A WARM CLIMATE WITH SUNNY YELLOW

Who can resist the punchy jolt of energy sunny bright yellow adds to a room? Especially in the throws of winter, this hot color is on trend and looks great with black accents.


Raynaud
Small cherry blossoms adorn these chic Raynaud china plates. Because the pattern is in white on a yellow ground the flowers and branches add a graphic touch. Add some blooms to your dining table from Michael C Fina



Sferra Brothers
Sferra brothers 1891 line, an energized, colorful, trend forward collection, recently introduced bright bold patterns that played with tradtional patterns on a larger scale. They were great introductions. But it is also nice to add touches of color to an all white bed, like shams and a neck roll in a great shade of yellow with a nice pin dot accent, from 1981 by Sferra. Mix this with whites you already have and bring your bed into the tropics.


Studio Printworks at Hinson
This printed wallpaper with freely scattered flowers and stems add a sense of whimsy and youthfullness in a very French 1940's way. The hand drawn feel of the blooms has just the right amount of sweetness.

Photo Courtesy of Jack and Lulu
Add sunny yellow to your desk with your writing papers. This sunny geometric from Jack and Lulu is bright and uplifting, get yours Jack and Lulu


A printed floral pillow spices up a sofa and works well with chocolate brown, black, red and teal. What a great new piece! This was recently launched at the International Gift Fair. See the other new goodies from Hable Construction