Luna Bella

"Mamushka Wolf"

I discovered Luna Bella recently at the New York Gift Show. I can't believe it! They have been at the show for years, how did I miss them?

The merchandise they offer is nothing short of sensational. It seems to be an amalgamation of so many different styles-Art Nouveau, Steampunk, Jacobean, Rococco and Regency. What does all this mean in plain English? Swirly lines, ominous shapes, dark and serious colors and sometimes all of this seems to be from outer space.

To me their designs are fantastical. Even the designs I find to be down-right odd, I cannot stop staring at. I would love to dream like the designer of these pieces. Other than the fact that all of this is made by hand, right here in the United States, that is all I have to say. Enjoy the pics!

"Cyrano"

"Bugle"

"Ansel"

"Allegre"

"Wheat Side Table"

Tourmaline the Dream

Yesterday I spent an hour and a half at Tourmaline Home searching for pillows for one of my projects. It was a godsend! Tourmaline is a national wholesaler of pillows. They're the biggest little home decor company right here in the Hudson Valley. Their pillows were just published in Better Homes and Gardens. Not once, but three times across multiple design projects.

For this particular client I needed an upscale, ethnic feel that wasn't too pricey. I found what I needed, had a great chat with owner, Karen Reiter and I was able to walk away with pillows on loan for my client to try out.

Above are amazing floor pillows made out of recycled rugs.Tourmaline also has some great accessories. Karen travels the world to buy them. And I just might purchase some of those too!

Please note: Tourmaline Home is to the trade only.

Natural Translation

Rich, deep hues, provide pops of color in a space that is primarily black, white and teak.

This is a bedroom for my best friend. He is a man who likes to saturate himself with life and all the many wonderful things the world has to offer. He grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons. As a teenager he found beauty in everything (still does) and in art class, he skipped the obvious and rendered the grotesque in any medium he could get his hands on.

A few years ago, his eyes opened to design. He spends his life on the road with top-performing bands. He wanted a space that he could wrap himself up in when he finally had time off.

This room concept was inspired by Europe from the renaissance all the way through the late 1800's. I pulled from Victorian times, The Age of Discovery, all things natural, Darwin, Ernst Haeckel and Chinoiserie (in short, Westerners creating Asian decor).

Of course there is a very modern slant to all of this. I envision the floors done in black lacquer with an oriental style rug (or a Dhurrie with a bold pattern).

My dear friend is a grown man now, but he still likes his dragons. It's a good thing, they'll be watching over him while he sleeps.

The shopping list follows (left to right):

Three tiered tree root table by Roost. Most modern furniture stores can get their hands on something from Roost if you need it. In the Hudson Valley, go to Global Home. (FYI, I don't think this table is available anymore.)

Robert Abbey Issis Lamp in Peacock Blue at Lamps Plus

Long Arm Wall Sconce (low-end sconce option) by West Elm

Velvet Grommet Window Panel in Regal Blue by West Elm

Curtain Rod made from plumbing supplies. Home Depot or West Elm if you're lazy.

Art print of original work by painter Michelle Aramas

Large, French repro brass wall Sconce (high-end sconce option) by Julian Chichester (sorry, to the trade only).

Pillow by Tourmaline Home-a Hudson Valley Company! (also to the trade, but check website for local merchants).

Black and rattan, Island Retreat End Table, Google it. It's very accessible.

Iguana wallcovering by Timorous Beasties

When he's ready to do his to do his living room, there's this:

www.michaelwilsondesigns.com

East Meets West in China

This tableware is so much fun and ridiculously cool. Thank you to Dezeen for reporting on this amazing new china which was launched by Seletti at the NY Gift Fair last week. The collection, called Hybrid, was designed by CTRLZAK.

On a deeper note than "fabulous", here's a quote from the makers: "The Hybrid collection looks at the present while reflecting on the irony of history-proposing, consequently, an evocative contemporary interpretation." So they're basically saying it's more than just pretty china, which is probably why it's such a successful design.

This is hot off the press, so unfortunately, I cannot tell you where to buy it just yet.

Vignette for My Dream Client...well sort of

Sometimes I like to create vignettes just for the fun of it. I make up a fictitious client and curate a collection of objects and furniture to suit them. I look at this one and think to myself "a therapist would have a field day with this." So I'm just going to admit it. This isn't for a dream client, this is for my dream man!

Note: Book titles are In the Spirit of Las Vegas and Racing Style both by Assouline. The center title is a Diane Arbus book offered by DAP.

Three Faves from The NY Gift Fair

This week was the NY Gift Fair. It's always exciting to see what's new to market before the general public. There were a few companies that had some really exceptional products that I absolutely fell in love with.

My first love was the reclaimed pine collection by Lostine. The lines are clean and lend themselves to a Colonial feel. They have a reclaimed pine top with matching feet attached to a metal base. They come in two shades, light and dark, aka White Washed and Oxidized (shown above). Both are equally beautiful. This unique look is available as a bench, a desk, a dining table and coffee table. I love them so much, I want a console, a gueridon, a stool,...call me spoiled.

Another beauty was the Soho Lamp by Julian Chichester. It's a faithful reproduction of a mid century, French wall lamp made of solid brass. It has an extendable arm and it swings (it dances!) so you can put your light where you need it.



And last, but certainly not least, is the amazing Restoration Mirrors, a company who offers mirrors that are hand-made just a hop, skip and a jump from the Hudson Valley on Long Island. I definitely call that locally made. Restoration Mirrors is also committed to the environment by offering sustainably harvested woods.


Outside of the sustainable production, they're pretty special because there is an array of options available to allow you to create a completely custom mirror. First, you get your pick of wood species-Tigerwood, Brazilian Cherry, Peruvian Olivewood, to name a few.

Then, you have your choice of mirror finishes. Yes! You read that right, mirror finishes. From plain, old reflective glass to 10 different varieties of antiqued glass such as Gold Antique, Pink Antique (below), Heavy Cloudy Antique...and the list goes on.



I bet you thought that was it, but you can also add a leather inlay to your piece as well. Click here to check out the different patterns and of course,...colors.

So there you have it, some really great finds from the gift show and if you see any of these show up in my portfolio, you know exactly where they came from.

2010 Year in Review

Lots of great things took place in 2010, but I'm happy it's done. "Onwards and upwards" as they say. It's been a long time since I've posted any news. Here is a recap and a list of highlights for Burlock in 2010.


A Feature Article in The Poughkeepsie Journal
In July, Burlock received some great press. The Poughkeepsie Journal did an article on me--focusing on my journey as a young decorator. From architect's apprentice, to retail shop owner, until now, this story tells the tale of how chose my career. Click here to read the article.



Electric Windows 2010
Also in July, Electric Windows took place. I was one of four organizers (along with Jeff Ashey and Kalene Rivers and Daniel Weise of Open Space Gallery) for this amazing public art event. For the second time, we installed giant murals in the windows of a vacant 19th century factory building. Thousands of people attended to watch the artists paint, listen to music or shop our vendor village. The project received attention from the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal in addition to a full article in The Poughkeepsie Journal, Southern Dutchess News and tons of online press.

Quoted in an Article on Retail Design
In August Sarah Bradshaw of the Poughkeepsie Journal needed an expert opinion on designing for retail. As a designer and former shop owner, I definitely had a lot to say. It was nice to be asked to assist with this. Here's the article.

Above image by Paul O'hanlon

My First Gig with Toll Brothers
It was very exciting to work with Toll Brothers for the first time. What's even better is that Burlock connected this giant company with local artists.

Burlock was hired as their art consultant for the property known as Fishkill Woods. Toll Brothers had a weekend long event called the Luxury Home Showcase. Each of their properties in the area had a different theme. The theme for Fishkill Woods highlighted the artists of Beacon.

Burlock replaced the existing wall decor in one of their model homes with original art by local artists. There were 42 pieces of artwork by 28 different artists and 5 different galleries. We added sculpture inside and out, wall art and even hand-made glass pieces for the dining table by Hudson Beach Glass. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun!

Writing about Design
There was also a lot of writing going on in October and November. It was so great to discuss my favorite topic in a public way and the fact that it was on paper for mass distribution made it even better. Here's the three articles I wrote.


Seasonal Table Settings, October, "Hudson Valley Life". Click here to read the article.



Industrial Evolution-Industrial remnants as home decor, October, "Hudson Valley Merchantile". Click here to read the article.


Stylish Gifts for the Hudson Valley Home, November, "Hudson Valley Merchantile" Click here to read the article.

Working with Matthew Robbins
In the beginning of October, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with event planner, Matthew Robbins, on two events. One of them was a wedding at The Plaza Hotel. It was definitely a full day. I should have worn better shoes!

Above, Matthew is working on one of his favorite projects of the year, a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas. Read all about it in his segment of The Brides Guide for "Martha Stewart Weddings".



Accountants can Be Fun
I completed an office makeover for Leona Chan, CPA. This project was so great because it was completed with a super-fast turn-around and on a really tight budget. It also proved that an accountant's office does not need to be bland!