Long time, no blog...

So, I admit, my aspirations of being a great online blogger have been sadly carried out the past couple years. I have had 2 babies and countless wonderful client projects in that time, and somehow blogging about it all has gone way down the list! I will try to be better as 2011 is coming to a close. I have so many beautiful projects to share and can't wait to post pictures here and to my website portfolio! Some of the exciting new projects include 2 ultra-cute nurseries, a gorgeous toddler room, 2 modern kitchen and family room renovations, and a beautiful dining room. Such diverse and unique clients and styles but all equally as exciting to design! I can't wait to share pictures of each of them, so please check back often to see pics! Happy September!!

Happy Holidays!

image from vithouse.com

Lilli Design would like to wish you a happy holiday season! May your holidays be merry and bright, and may 2011 bring lots of exciting and wonderful things your way. Thank you to our wonderful clients in 2010, and we are looking forward to another great year in 2011. Cheers!!

Modern serenity

New design alert! Here are a few photos of a recently completed project from Lilli Design. The grey and white color palette is so serene and peaceful. We love the client's colorful touches around the room. Turquoise & black patterned bedding is fun and unexpected- and shows a great mix of modern and traditional patterns! Lessons for all- don't be afraid of going bold on the walls- big scale stripes look amazing even in this cozy space; gray is a beautiful neutral that will make everything else pop- and can be the perfect serene shade for a nursery; look for bold crisp patterns in a few key pieces and keep everything else quiet. My favorite line from this new mommy: "I want to live in this room"! Lucky her, with a new baby, she almost certainly will!

Evening at the Lake 2010

Join Lilli Design in supporting the Evening at the Lake 2010. Evening at the Lake is an annual fundraiser supporting the efforts of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Design services from Lilli Design will be a featured item in the silent auction, so don't miss your chance to place a bid! You can purchase tickets or make a donation at http://www.eveningatthelake.org/.

French script... Ooh la la

Ok, I have had design obsessions before- tufting, nailheads, mother of pearl, antique mirror.... to name a few. Add another one to the list- printed French script on everything! I am sooo loving the vintage look of beautiful cursive script and printed text on furniture, pillows, upholstery, pillows, lamp shades, etc. I have to remind myself that not everything in a room can have this look and to use it sparingly, but it's such a classic and effortlessly casually elegant compliment to any decor. And when your little one draws on the furniture, one less thing to worry about- it blends right in! I would love to see a beautiful linen crib set with gorgeous cursive writing on the textiles- tres chic!!

Summer brights

As the weather warms I feel more and more like adding pops of bright colors to liven up my client's interiors. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon the new introductions by Trina Turk at Modern Chic Home. The pillows and rugs in summer brights are like the perfect nail polish colors- crisp, bold, and ready for a summer cocktail party!

Going green

So you recycle, turn off the water when brushing, use earth friendly household products.... but did you know there is a whole world of eco-friendly design opportunities out there? I love it when a company touts their replantable forests, or proximity to my project to save on freight emissions. But who has the time to research and compare the sustainability practices of your decor faves? Rather than getting overwhelmed in all the green chatter going on out there, pick one thing you can do relating to home design and stick to it. Here are a few ideas to remind you of ways you can make a difference:

1. Replace all incandescent ceiling lights with LED or CFL fixtures. More expensive up front but way longer life and saves you big $$$ in the long run.

2. Buy local! There are so many great resources in our backyard. I try to specify and buy local furniture manufacturers when possible. And even if you cheat a little and buy from a local importer, at least you save on the additional trucking emissions rather than trucking your finds across the country.

3. Use no or low VOC paints. Widely available at paint stores such as Sherwin Williams and Home Depot, this one is a no brainer especially for nurseries.

4. Buy antiques! What better way to recycle than to repurpose and redo an old piece. No toxic new furniture fumes, no more trees cut down, and saving one more thing from the landfill. How simple is that?

With Liberty for All!

Yay Target! Who are the geniuses behind your product selection??? Liberty of London has arrived at Target and I am so excited. I have often mused at how many Targets there are within a 5 mile radius of my house (3 to be exact). As I comb each one for the fanciful introductions from Liberty of London this week, I find my shopping cart full, my wallet empty, and my house full of floral patterns. I'm thinking all white playroom with lots of natural light highlighting floor to ceiling cubbies with floral bins, these cute little floral chairs, and a brightly hued rug. Flower Power!!!

Glam nursery

We recently completed another nursery for a wonderful client and her brand new baby Mia. This little girl's nursery is all glam, all the time! From the bold eggplant color walls, the sumptuous silks and velvets, and the elegant mirrored end table, this nursery is anything but ordinary. The client's choice of dark, rich woods are in perfect harmony with the deep jewel tones, and adding pops of ivory added the right amount of contrast. This nursery uses a layered look to give it luxury and depth, such as the stenciled damask panels behind the crib layered with colorful art hung from silk ribbon. I am so excited about how this project turned out, and I hope it provides lots of inspiration!!

Pretty pom poms

How many great things can I say about Etsy? The website is a crafty girl's paradise. We found these pom poms and thought the color pallettes were totally inspiring!! A grouping of these super cute pom poms would be lots of fun hanging in a playroom or toddler's room. I love the mix of bold brights and soft grey, and the tangerine is such a fun and unexpected burst of color. An inexpensive way to add color and life to an otherwise boring ceiling.

It's paint, it's wallpaper, it's both!!

This is one of my favorite products from Graham & Brown. It is a paintable wallpaper! The product is applied just like a standard wallpaper and gives a basic painted wall surface instant pizzazz. Patterns range from traditional damasks and florals to mod squares and lines. Our faves include the retro mod versions- so hip when painted a soft blue in a modern boy nursery, or in a bold magenta for you hip little diva. Use it on a focal wall or all over!

Fashion for the Home

I love how fashion and design are inextricably linked. Metallics, the fabulously bold colors purple and yellow- they all appeared in fashion before being seen everywhere in home design. This sheepskin ottoman from West Elm reminds me of the Rachel Zoe-esque faux fur vests that are so hot this season. I may never find the courage to wear that much fur but would love to curl up on this comfy yet effortlessly stylish pouf. The website beckons you to "lounge in exotic splendor". 'Nuf said.

Today's Top Ten List

Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Nursery Designer

10. Between doctor's appointments, babyproofing your home, and researching the best stroller, who has time to create the perfect nursery?
9. You know what you like but don't know how to go about putting it together.
8. You'd rather spend your time cramming in old episodes of Project Runway than coordinating furniture shipments, because let's face it, once baby arrives those days are over!!
7. Pastels- been there, done that.
6. Ummm, how does something so little require so many things?
5. Who knew a designer could actually save you more money that it costs to hire one?
4. No more rookie mistakes, like ordering furniture that is too big for the room, or spending all weekend painting the absolute ugliest shade of green only to repaint the following weekend.
3. You want a room that functions like it is supposed to and will grow with your child.
2. You will be the envy of your friends as they comb the aisles in search of the perfect shade of pink crib bedding, while your perfect shade was researched, ordered, and delivered to your door by a designer.
1. Because it's your baby! Let your imagination run wild, and work with someone who can make big dreams a reality.

White out

White- forget boring, it is anything but! White is clean, crisp, modern, and I love the way it makes everything else "pop" when combined with bold colors and textures. Accessories and lighting in shades of white, ivory, and cream are everywhere. Why not paint a bright hue on your little darling's walls and hang a big white mirror? Or paint a tired old bookshelf in a shade of white and allow the color objects placed inside pop. Here are a few of my favorite objects in white. I can't get enough!!

Let it Rock

Rockers and gliders can be a bit, well.... blah. Or downright ugly. But every nursery needs one, right? Relax, there are options out there for those who won't let a little function get in the way of fabulous form. If you are a fan of modern design, with a flair for beautiful proportions, sumptuous button tufting, and timeless style, this elegant nursery rocker may be for you. Blending clean lines and a touch of Scandinavian design with romantic traditional elegance, the Empire rocker from Nurseryworks will be as stylish as it is comfortable. Love it!!!

For more product information, visit http://www.nurseryworks.net/