Folino Design

Ok let's take a break from fashion/interior design romances. The release date of my interior decorating company is fastly approaching. Well the release date is a tad loose: Summer 2009. So technically I have until September 21st. I only have a few more weeks left of my certificate program and am almost complete my CID license (Certified Interior Decorator). I've designed a logo for the company, based off the logo and name of the home company I work for. It will basically be a branch of Folino Homes. I've included the FH logo below for better comparison purposes. I'd love feedback on what everyone thinks about the new Folino Design logo!

Stripes Again!

I know I already posted the trendy stripe blog, but I found another piece that would have been perfect! It's a Pottery Barn piece on clearance. Just in case you've forgotten (or don't feel like scrolling down further), I've added the fashion pieces again. Excuse my oversight:

Sherwin Williams Ad

The latest issue of Lucky magazine had this ad that totally caught my attention. Sherwin Williams is definitely a #1 resource for interior designers around the country, but I never really thought of them as being "trendy" so to speak. Props to whoever designed this ad for the company. How awesome, right? If I didn't already have a blue office, I'd be considering now! (P.S. Eventually, I'll be posting pics of my office and featuring an outfit that matches it.) Bravo to Sherwin Williams for going after the trendy fashionistas/interior designers of the world!

Fashion Constructed from Interior Design

Hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Too bad it's back to work, but at least you get to read the latest interior design/fashion marriage! I came across this article, a tad old, about a fashion show that was held in Seattle. The show, called "Product Runway", featured fashions constructed from home interior materials. Check out the dress below made of waterproofing underlayment, a translucent polyester material used in tiling:

Hey not bad for a construction material, I'd wear it! Click on the website below to check out more pictures and read up on the show:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2004379407_productrunway29.html

Stripes: Trendy on your Couch and in Your Closet

Perusing the Elle Decor website, I came across an article "Trend Alert: Stripes". I was so excited because I feel like everything I buy lately is striped, solidifying my inkling that stripes are cool again. There is just something so Parisian chic about wearing black and white stripes, with a touch of red, perhaps? I know I have this serious J.Crew obsession, but really I don't care! Check out some of their striped pieces (of which I have both of and again don't care!!) AND how awesome would this couch be in a living room?? Click here to check out the Elle Decor article. I have a feeling I will be looking very nautical this summer! (and check out the swimming suit, too!) And yes I have it!! HELP ME!

Prepster Style

I can't seem to figure out how to make these two photos be next to each other for better comparison purposes. Maybe I will have to begin photoshopping them. Anyway, there's something very prep about the above room, with it's pink and green motif, which I happen to love. As soon as I saw the palm leaves above the bookshelves, I was reminded of, who else? J.Crew. Over the holidays, they sold this Fontaine Dress above (for a very hefty amount if I may say). All the model needs are some floral shoes and this could have been a match made in heaven!

Wallpaper Dress

Ok I might be cheating a little bit on my blog marriage of fashion and interior design with this entry, BUT in my defense, wouldn't these wallpapers all make cute fabrics for dresses/skirts? The image below is scanned in from the latest issue of House Beautiful. Surprisingly, I really like this wallpaper considering my parents had really ugly wallpaper in our house when I was growing up that is reminiscent of this. (Ours was like very 1776 America, though ICK!)

Trove is an unbelievable wallpaper company that makes wallpaper look like a piece of art. In fact, I'm considering purchasing an 18 in. square sample and framing it. They also just came out with this wallcovering that is printed wood-veneer made from sustainably harvested wood and bonus! is also low VOC. It comes in a variety of species including bamboo. How cool is this interior design world we live in???

Brian Atwood

So I'm extremely jealous of Brian Atwood for two things. One, he is an awesome shoe designer and gets to decorate with them in his home, and two he lives in Milan. I was in Milan this past summer and loved it. The ancient architecture surrounded by modern shops is such an amazing juxtaposition. I have some good pics I'll post at a later date. Anyway, Elle Decor's website contains an article accompanied by photos of Brian Atwood's chic home. To see additional images and read the full article, click here.

Lucite Love

Lucite has really made its way into the limelight lately, as far as furniture goes. I feel like it can fit into almost any interior style, because it adds something without being in your face (possibly because it's see-through). Anyway, J.Crew previously sold Selima glasses that reminds me of lucite furniture, pictured below. I'm also reminded of lucite heels, but let's just say I'm not a fan.

Eat off of Bottega Veneta's Creation

Bottega Veneta, one of the most covetable bag designers, apparently has released a home collection based on its iconic weave design. I've included a photo of the bag's design for comparison purposes, just in case any crazy people reading my blog don't know what a Bottega bag looks like. The above table scape contains this element multiple times, including the placemat, the lamp and the pillow in the background. I believe the designer's home collection is sold through Bergdorf Goodman and includes much more than table items.

Sewing Pattern turned Floral

Have old sewing patterns you don't know what to do with? Turn them into a floral bouquet! I came across this craft on Country Home magazine's website. It's an interesting addition to a room that will definitely peak people's curiosity.

Step 1: For each flower, cut six 7-inch squares from the pattern. Stack and fold them accordion-style six times, forming a one-by seven-inch rectangle. Snip off the corners of the rectangle with scissors.
Step 2: Tightly twist a wire floral stem around the center of the rectangle.
Step 3: Fan out the paper, then pull apart each layer, creating the blossom.

Ikat Craze

I have always been an admirer of Ikat print, yet I own nothing in this pattern. Last week, I received the latest issue of Lucky, which featured this dress from Ann Taylor Loft. A steal at $69, I'm very much considering purchasing it. It also falls in line with one of my earlier blogs, stating I need more blue in my wardrobe. As soon as I saw this dress, I remembered a pillow from Crate and Barrel that I had come across a few weeks ago. Yes, Ikat has become a very influential pattern in both the fashion and interior design worlds.

P.S. Look out for a yellow Ikat print coming to J.Crew! Super cute...

Fashion Designer Milly's Studio

Michelle Smith is the founder and designer for the clothing line Milly and turns out she has some pretty awesome interior design skills on top of her fashion sense! Her design asthetic tends to be bright colorful prints, which is really reflected in her studio's design.

http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/bodyandsoul/tailormade_ss1.html

Marie Claire Awesomeness

These layouts are from the last issue of Marie Claire (April 09). A perfect example of what my blog is all about!

Basic Blue

So I have not blogged in going on 2 months, but have recently been inspired by Katy Elliott's blog. She is a master blogger, and I hope to be as good a blogger as her when I grow up. Anyway, I have found another awesome outfit/interior match! When I reflect upon my own wardrobe, blue does not appear in it very often. But, when it's put together like this, it makes me think I should add more of it. Check out how well these two feed off of eachother.