Souda: Award-Winning, Entrepreneurial and Right Outta School!

 In searching the NY Gift Show this week for amazing new products, the company that touched our hearts most was Souda (pronounced "soh-duh" and is a Japanese exclamation that roughly translates as "Oh, yeah!")

Souda is a group of 3 guys who graduated from Parsons design school in the summer of 2012. They launched their design studio in Brooklyn and Poof! There they are at the NY Gift Fair 6 months later.

These boys were handpicked by a jury to be one of three newbies to showcase their work. And we're not the only ones enthralled by them. Souda received a Bloggers Choice Award for their Bubble Chandelier. (Given by Alexandra Zwicky, Design-Calendar.com)

We concur, the Bubble Chandelier is a brilliant concept derived from the use of plastic bottles from a local non-profit called Sure WeCan. They are NYC's only homeless-friendly redemption center for cans and bottles. The sale of Souda's beautiful chandelier supports the Non-profit, by donating some of the proceeds back to them. This is what we call a beautiful sustainable loop. In addition to reusing material resources, this product is sustainable in giving back to its surrounding community.

 Please check out Souda's growing product line. This new collection focuses on one-offs by creating hand-made, process-driven pieces. www.soudasouda.com

Made in the USA!

Recently I've been making a conscious move towards specifying more eco-friendly furnishings and fixtures. The greenest thing you can do is re-use what you already have. The next is to buy something that's made locally...especially out of local materials. There are a lot of things to consider when trying to be a responsible consumer and it will almost always require making hard decisions.

For instance, you may find something made of recycled materials but it's produced in China. Or the insulation you've chosen for your home is incredibly good for your lungs and electric bill, but may take a lot of energy to manufacture. I really only point these things out to get you thinking. This paragraph doesn't even need to be here.

Unfortunately, as a designer, not everything I need is available right in the Hudson Valley, so my next step is to shop within the United States (and btw, I do think about all of the above when shopping for my clients).

Here are three companies that are new to my library that I am pretty excited about. They are all at the very least, made right here, in our country.

The first is a lighting company (they also produce furniture) based out of South Carolina named Ro Sham Beaux. Their collection of light fixtures is a modern and fresh take on traditional form. My personal favorites are the beaded and hemp chandeliers-casual enough for a beach house and glamorous enough for a room of sophistication.

When it comes to their table lamps, they run the gammet in style. From the frilly "Ananas" lamp that resembles something out of Regency France to the "Thomas" lamp that is more masculine and streamlined. Honestly? I love them all.

However, the wonderful thing about Ro Sham Beaux is that their product is made in this country and they have a mindset for sustainability. Their materials are of natural and-when possible- recycled matter.

Next we have a company that has a product line that is very straightforward, but very needed by design professionals-lamp finials. In fact, it was created by an interior designer that I admire very much-Hillary Thomas. Their styles range from acrylic cutouts resembling an Asian design motif to faceted gems and slices of stone. The selection is unique and sure to add another layer of style to your table lamps.  They are easily accessible through their online shop.

Finally, my last of the three is Red Egg furniture based in North Carolina. "Fun!" is exactly how I would describe their collection. Their Double Happiness line definitely falls into this category, as it totally offers a fresh take on Asian design. While the shape and form of these pieces have an Asian feel to them, they are available in bright colored lacquers such as highly saturated orange and turquoise.

While some of their furniture is still produced in the Phillipines, Double Happiness is made in North Carolina. The company is also making every effort to bring more and more production to the United States in the coming years.

Well there you have it! My top three new introductions to my design library and they all go a little further than just looking pretty.

E-Decorating Project-Red Hook, NY

Equestrian Piquant, that's what I call this. The client for this project grew up in horse country in northern Dutchess County and now teaches at the uber artsy Bard College. So it's really not any wonder that she wanted a whimsical take on preppy for Living Room. 

She wanted a glamorous, feminine twist to a look that stems from traditional England. I thought to myself, "if Coco Chanel were playing in a polo match, what would she wear?" And THAT was the inspiration for this room.

The textiles in this space could be sewn into a suit for a golf or polo player-a female player, that is. Mocha colored velvet and pink wool for throw pillows play nicely with a brown and white tweed that will be used for plywood wrapped wall panels on one wall. (Please note, this client was willing to do a little extra work as my E-Decorating normally involves simple installation.)

All these plush textiles plays off dusty pink walls as the main room color which is broken up by plaid drapes flanking the windows.

Plaid makes a big statement in this space and has been a trend inside the home for a few years. It is probably on its way out. I always give my clients the proper "trend alert," but I also tell them if they love something, it doesn't matter. So we're goin' for it!

A framed Degas print is the focal point on the walls. Brass streamlined shapes exist in the lamp and the marble-top coffee table. And the large furniture pieces echo traditional English pieces-including the Campaign style side table and leather stool (not shown). The cherry on top of this sundae are the gold ceramic stallion and the needlepoint, Shih-tzu dressed as a Duchess. If only the client actually owned this breed, it would have been perfect...."The Duchess of Dutchess".

For more information and pricing on E-Decorating please click HERE.  

The Woman Behind Burlock Interiors

If you were to look at the photos on my personal Facebook page, you might find smoothies from my vitamix blender, images and quotes from Rumi, the perfect mint julep, a garden restaurant in Piermont, a boating adventure, talk of recycling, vintage furniture, beautiful artwork, sprouted lentils and maybe a yoga pose or two.

My big passions (other than design) are food, nutrition, our planet and yoga. Along with these passions comes a love of cooking, entertaining and adventures to find vintage furniture with stops at farm markets and roadside ice cream stands.

I have a lust for life, and an integrative approach to living it, but I  haven't shown it professionally.

Until now.

I have over 14 years design experience, but being out on my own is still new. I spent the first two years very focused on building my client base, marketing and promotion. I am at a point now where I am ready to be true to who I am, and lay the groundwork for the design practice I want to operate.

Luckily, I live in a place that supports all of it. This was no accident. The Hudson Valley is chock full of amazing artisans, vintage and antique furniture stores, talented artists and a "buy local" attitude.

These are all the things that are integral to running my company. However, I am not just selling design services, I'm selling a lifestyle. It can all be summed up as leading a happy, balanced, stress-free life, that supports who you are as well as the planet we live on.

I chose Seattle over Austin for my masters in architecture because it was one of the greenest cities in the U.S. I learned about passive heating and cooling, grey and black-water systems, I have built models to test at a daylighting lab and I've worked in Mexico building a solar kitchen. No one knows this. It's not the side of me I chose to show.

I'm coming out of the closet.

The state of the earth is very important to me. However, it doesn't mean that my clients need to live like Thoreau and wear patchouli. It doesn't mean my love of lacquer and brass disappears and has their place taken by bamboo and hemp.  It just means making better decisions.

By taking my passions and fusing it with my work, I can have a more integrative approach. It means losing the disconnect between my business and me. I am Nicole Amanda Romano (my birth name) and I can improve people's lives.

In my career, how we live is more important than ever.

Confucius said "choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life". I have always loved what I do, but now I can eat, sleep and breath it. Awesome.

For a visual essay that supplements this blog, please click here.

How to Make An Awesome Bed

This is my first video on YouTube. I'm no show host, but I'm happy with the results. I hope you enjoy it.

How to Have a Simple Cocktail Party

Recently I had a few girlfriends over for some cocktails before heading out on the town. This post is dedicated to them. Kit, Deb and Tina, this is for you! They truly went nuts over what I put out for them. So nuts, that it was a little over the top. They demanded recipes. They talked about it all night. You would think I put out an intricate four course meal that required three days worth of prep. It didn't.

Their response prompted me to write this blog. I thought it would be fun to share the recipes with everyone. I also thought it was a good opportunity to prove that simple can be, and often is, downright delicious.

To just get down to it, here's what I served:

Cucumber Cape Codders

Poached Shrimp with Spicy Mayo and Garlic Breadcrumbs

Lemon Thyme Dip & Crudite

Your Basic Cheese and Crackers

That's it! For the deets and some feedback on these recipes, see below.

My basic rule? Make one thing that requires a little effort and is something you think is over-the-top delicious. The rest of the menu? Keep it simple. 

My one "complex" dish was the Poached shrimp with Spicy Mayo and Garlic Bread Crumbs. The mayo adds a spicy richness and the breadcrumbs, a crunchy texture. There are a few steps to this recipe, poaching shrimp, making the mayo, the breadcrumbs and frying garlic. All the steps are simple, but just time consuming. You can do all of them ahead, but I would poach your shrimp the day-of your event so they're fresh. Also, I used Ezekiel bread instead of white bread, for better nutrition.

My cocktail was a Cucumber Cape Codder. This also had a couple of steps, but I thought it was quick and made pouring a friend a cocktail as easy as a gin and tonic or Jack and coke. I love complicated cocktails, but when you have a group of friends over, you actually want to interact with them, ya know?

So, I had a pitcher of the cucumber cranberry mixer ready to go and just asked "tequila or vodka?" That's right, tequila goes surprisingly well with cranberry. There's also something about using unsweetened cranberry juice for this recipe that adds a layer of depth. It also affords you the opportunity to make this less sweet if you wish, just by using less sugar.

For our final recipe, we have the Lemon-Thyme dip. All I have to say, is that it's perfect for summer. Light and refreshing. Simple. Straightforward. It goes great with sliced fennel. I think eating raw fennel outside of a salad was a first for most of us and we loved it!

The last thing was the cheese and crackers. Can't get any more simple right? However, I do need to point out that I'm in love with TraderJoe's Unexpected Cheddar. It is creamy, salty, and a bit gritty as if an Italian, hard cheese married a cute, little Wisconsin cheddar and had a baby.

Okay girls, you have your recipes. Now when are you going to invite me over for a re-do? Because I can eat this menu all over again, especially with my feet up on YOUR coffee table.

Behind the Scenes at The Show House

My Room, Untouched

Mission Accomplished!

It was opening night at the show house. I am standing next to four people who worked their proverbial asses off for me. We were being interviewed to document the process of the show house. It was through this on-camera interaction, that I realized how lucky I was to be part of this project.

I sit down at my computer today, not to talk about color and texture, but about lessons and relationships.

For the Artfull Living Show House, I had no client directing me. This project sprouted purely from my own imagination and the suppliers and artists I worked with were my partners in bringing it to life. Each person used their expertise for their craft to make my ideas far better.

Two heads work better than one.

I've always said that my vendors are the life-line of my business. During this project old relationships were strengthened and new ones forged.  

On February 29th of this year, all the designers were given a list of about 40 local artists to work with. Our goal was to include as many of them as possible in our designs and to complete our rooms in time for the press opening on May 9th.

Mind you, most custom pieces take about 12 weeks. We had about eight.

I spent the first week or two developing my concept and meeting with artists and artisans. This project definitely pushed some of them out of their comfort zone as they looked at me with a raised eyebrow. They were hesitant. Uncertain. "Who is this crazy woman that wants brass bugs crawling everywhere?"

Now we have a much better understanding of each other and there's lots of mutual respect floating around.

The ArtFull Living Show House, put artists and designers together that may have not met otherwise. It also, put designers in touch with one another. For me, as the youngin' in the group, I appreciate this. All my cohorts stem from my city days. I now have a handful of friends, locally, that I can turn to for information or even good old fashioned advice.

Bill Miller kept saying, "after this, your next show house will be a breeze." Eight weeks to create something totally amazing, with lots of custom pieces and as little money as possible--ummm yeah--now I am thinkin, "after this, any project will be a breeze!"

Mary Ann Syrek said "you'll be a seasoned designer after this show house." She was right in the sense that there were times this project tested me. Recently, I had a friend comment on how flexible I am. I was on a deadline, he was helping me and a table I needed wouldn't fit in my car. I forget what my solution was, but I certainly didn't freak. He was impressed.

I've opened two retail stores and worked on a handful of other large projects. I've always known that I am resourceful. If something doesn't work, I find a way to make it work. The show house really put that trait under a magnifying glass and I have to say, that I am pleased with what I saw.

Yes, at times I could have definitely handled things better. One lesson I learned is that I am really just an editor. Yes, I may be putting my name on this, but with all the egos floating around a show house, I grounded myself with "it's not about me, it's about the design." Which led me to my next lesson: I can definitely grab hold of the reigns a little tighter. I absolutely CAN control the outcome of a piece without taking away the fabricator's artistic freedom. If I'm not clear on what I want, how does someone create a piece that works for the space?

I did learn and experience so much on this project. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity.

To my suppliers who gave it their all, to the artists who took a leap of faith, I don't know where I am going, but I am most certainly taking you with me. Thank you.

BEDROOM Wainscott & Loft, Quatrefoil Renovations Specialty Finisher, Irene Gindera Headboard, Rope Ladder & Stump Table, Gus Pedersen Bedding & Pillows, KC Lim Armoire, Curtains & Chair Cushions, R. Ramos Upholstery Dresser, Gothic Cabinet Craft Dresser Hardware, Hudson Valley Kitchens Chair Finish, Jerry's Auto Body Rug, Kashan Rugs Lighting, LAM Lighting Valance, M&R Designs Ceramic Mushrooms, Green  Miniature Glass Creatures, Hudson Beach Glass All Toys, Echo Toy Store Tree Sculpture & Cocktail Table, Stuart Sachs Little Girl's Dress in Armoire, 4 and 7 Bronze Unicorn & B&W Photography, Cali Gorevic Small Abstract Painting, Carol Flaitz Large Abstract Painting, Martee Levi "Choosing a Path", Richard Harper Color Macro Photography, Jane Soodalter BATHROOM Wallpaper Hanger, Wallpering by Julie "Bird of Paradise", Eric David Laxman, Inc. Chandelier, Hudson Valley Lighting Muralist, Rick Price Faucet & Hardware, Hudson Valley Kitchens Soap and Soap Dish, Hudson Beach Glass "Shy Fern", Jane Soodalter