One Kings Lane Style Spotlight Outdoor Rugs: a sacred backyard space

MoD Must Haves

stylish, tactile, novel 

for backyard lovers

Sometimes I come home from work exhausted.  I would just love a space in my backyard where I can quiet down from my day, relax, reflect and feel centered; basically a sacred space. Well, drinks usually come to mind too. Next spring we plan this kind of a renovation and it just so happens that One Kings Lane asked me to participate in their Style Spotlight Outdoor Rugs campaign asking me to share what my outdoor space would like with one of their rugs. 

Thinking about how my outdoor space should be a seamless extension of my homes modern interior, I started to peruse the One Kings Lane site for some key  items that can help transform my yard into a dreamy retreat. 

Besides lots of bug spray, all it takes is some awesome lighting, a fire pit, a bar and a cool swing. See the One Kings Lane picks below:

#1) Bette Outdoor rug

#2) Ray 5 piece set

#3) Amelie bar cart

#4) Brooklyn Lights

#5) Personalized slate coasters

#6) 10" camping lantern yellow

#7) 31" Classic Firepit

#8) Canopy Swing bed

#9) Stainless Steel Straws

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MoD Must Have: Emma Gardner Contemporary Rugs

MoD Must Haves

stylish, tactile, novel 

for textile lovers

Fun, colorful and modern describes the hip rugs by contemporary rug maker Emma Gardner. Based in Petaluma California, Emma Gardner's rugs are sourced in over 40 showrooms and posh properties all over the United States. Wynn Las Vegas (Hirsch Bedner), Condado (The Rockwell group) and WestHouse NY (Jeffrey Beers International) just to name a few. Her handmade designs are vibrant and would add a real pop to any living space. The rugs are hand-knotted, hand spun and pot dyed Tibetan wool. Each design has a wonderful movement due its construction and luxurious depth. I really love her geometric series. See some images below:

Fire-Island

Racing Stripes

Tiny Stripes

Amoeba Squared

 Basic Blocks

Japanese Squares

You can contact Emma Gardner on her WEBSITE and FACEBOOK page.

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Dann Foley Lifestyle

There's something about Designer Dann Foley. I felt like we hit it off as soon as we met at High Point Market this past Spring and that I had a friend for life.  His magnetic and energetic personality is compelling and any client would be lucky to work with him!  The world got a glimpse of his charisma and talent on the Nate Berkus' reality hit show American Dream Builder. He was awesome on the show and I got to hear some behind the scene stories from him too. Sorry,I don't kiss and tell....

Kim Salter of DesignThoughts, Dann Foley, Beau Stinnette 
and me at High Point Market 2014

World-renowned for residential and commercial/ hospitality design, Dann is unique and so are his collections: Phillips accessory collection, Loloi rug collection and Skyline Outdoor furniture collection are all fresh and sophisticated. 

Phillips collection Broken Egg wall art

Phillips Collection, a leading manufacturer of high end contemporary and creative furnishings launched Foley's broken Egg wall spheres. I right away fell in love with their organic form and craftsmanship. My face was almost inside the egg when Dann's marketing agent Christi came over to me and asked me if I liked the design? Embarrassed as I pulled away but I got to meet Dann! Each egg is different and makes a great focal wall for any space. 

Dann brought his modern eye to outdoor rugs for his Palm springs collection for Loloi, a family owned rug company. These striped patterns and bright colors are as dynamic as Dann's personality.

Skyline chair: Hancock Chair

Inspired by Southern California outdoor living, Dann designed a luxury outdoor furniture collection for Skyline design. I really liked his collection. The scale of the furniture is bigger than anything I have seen on the market. I can attest to its comfort as I sat in his Hancock chair. Designer Dann's message is clear which is to consciously choose to live well in comfort and sophistication.  


I'm excited to share an interview with Dann Foley today:

YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

I am known for my use of color and layering of pattern.  My signature style is truly unique to each client.  I create interiors that are meant to look layered, collected & timeless, not decorated. 

WHAT IN DESIGN FIRES YOU UP

I get jazzed by unique products.  They don't have to be the most expensive, they just have to speak to me.  As well as fabric, fabric, fabric!  I LOVE working with fabric!

Skyline: Hollywood Collection

GOALS YOU SET TO START YOUR DESIGN LINES 

I did not want to just lend my name to products.  I wanted to actually design them and I refused to allow anything that I didn't love go into production.

Loloi: Palm Spring Collection

ANY CHALLENGES WHILE DEVELOPING YOUR LINES  

Design is challenge.  I wanted to create products that I loved and wanted to have in my own home and at the same time, they still needed to be appealing to everyone.  I believe I found that sweet spot!

LESSONS LEARNED ON YOUR AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS EXPERIENCE 

LOL where do I begin?  I loved my time on ADB and I would not trade the experience for the world!  I have not a single regret and I left inspired by my incredibly talented teammates.  Their individual abilities and expertise has made me a better designer and image some lifelong friends.

American Dream Builder -room designed by Foley

BIGGEST DESIGN IMPACT  

For me in my own design business, technology has the biggest impact.  From flat screen TV's to smart houses they have changed not only the way we live but, the way we decorate.

American Dream Builder - room designed by Foley

MOST IMPACTFUL SPACE THAT INSPIRES YOU 

If I am to choose only one inspiration I would have to say that old movies are my greatest influence.  From rooms, to stylish living, to product development, I am constantly inspired by great old films from Hollywood's golden age.  With today's technology I can do research anywhere I have my tablet.  MGM films are my go-to pleasure and first choice for inspiration.

BEST DESIGN ADVICE YOU FOLLOW WHEN YOU ARE UNDER THE GUN

Do what I know to be right.  When I am under the gun or feeling stressed about any decision in a project, my business partner, Beau always says, "you know what's right, just do that."  That advice has never once failed me. 

Thank you Dann for the wonderful interview!

You can connect with Dann Foley on his
WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST

IMAGE CREDITS: Beau Stinnette + Christi Tasker 

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Watercolor Trends in home design

Black Crow- Angelino

Reminiscent of the works of watercolor impressionists, designers today are taking a more free-spirited approach with fluid layers of color. When I think of watercolor, I think of a watery, subdued and calming feel. But lately, I have noticed a more vibrant, painterly design experimented across  home design.... 

via

I ADORE Tracy Hiner's Black Crow Studios watercolor collection that showcases large scale murals with a watery effect. They are wonderfully modern and beautiful...absolutely gorgeous blending of colors! Tracy sent me some of her latest works...

(images via Blackcrow studios)

Designer Aino-Maija Metsola of Marimekko created a bold collection of fabrics, home textiles and tableware entitled Sääpäiväkirja meaning Weather journal- where  she drew  inspiration from the Nordic weather such as rain, fog, light and wind. Rain showers and crisp cool days are common days in the Nordic. I'm loving the many layers of splotchy watercolor dispersed between scratchy pen lines. Surya manufacturer of area rugs and home accessories are making some beautiful pillows and rugs with a watercolor effect.

 

via

Surya manufacturer of area rugs and home accessories are making some beautiful and fresh designs too with a painterly effect....At BDNY, I met Satya Tiwari, the son of Surya Tiwari and president of Surya's U.S. division. He was great...friendly, down to earth and excited about their new colorful collection that merges fluid layers of pinks, fuschia and orange...

Satya Tiwari

Loving the artistry in the pillow collection showcasing flowing brushstrokes.

 (HH-016)

Banshee (BAN-3347) has stunning colors of fushia, plum and magenta

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