New Tattoo... Do we have any artist recommendations?

I've been thinking about this for well over a year now... I'd love to get a forearm tattoo based off the beautiful fabric I highlighted in my very first blog entry...

 

Is that just crazy?  I love the pattern...  I would probably punch up the colors... Something along these lines...

 

Am I completely crazy?  I just love the look of it... :)  I just need to find the right artist to really capture the details of the pattern when you're right next to it, but still maintain the boldness of it so from afar it doesn't look like a mashup of colors...  Recommendations?

Cool inexpensive chair...

Just had to share this chair I saw from IKEA... I love a good swivel chair.  They are so useful because of the swivel, but they are mostly found as large bulky pieces of furniture... A pair of these would look phenomenal near a standard sofa in pretty much anyone's living room, since they are so compact in scale.  They are architectural looking, neither modern nor traditional... A definite option for those on the fence about what to group with your sofa.

 

I think this is a pretty smart looking piece of furniture for under $300...  Check out the PS Brygga...

Inspiration...

I saw this rug the other day at Safavieh, and was just blown away... So beautiful, so simple, so chic... I love it!  I have absolutely no where to use it, or a client in mind for it right now, but I will certainly keep it in mind for future!

 

I don't really know what's up with me lately, but I'm so into anything tie-dyed or batik looking... LOVE.

Wallcovering Bliss...

The other week I ran into the gorgeous and uber talented designer Amy Lau at Stark Carpet.  I was checking out a couple of the new designs and patterns...  One of the new things Stark is coming out with is a line of tie dyed flat weave rugs... Simply spectacular; which reminded me of the amazing collection Amy Lau collaborated on with the master of wallcoverings, Maya Romanoff.  This creation was called the Anniversary Collection, and is beyond beautiful...  There was a large installation in Bergdorf Goodman, and I just wanted to share some of the images again...  This just goes to show that bold patterning on the walls can be so chic, and just such a powerful design tool...  I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this...

Outdoor furniture that is beyond cool...

So people, Memorial Day Weekend is finally upon us, and I just wanted to share two of the coolest outdoor pieces on the market...

This gorgeous, and people-sized bird house could only come from the creative minds over at Dedon... This is Nestrest.  These incredible pieces of sculpture can be hung as shown, or placed on a base.  The amazing form and extreme functionality of the Nestrest is essential for that person who's got everything!

And brought to you by Gandia Blasco, is this outdoor pergola system for those of you who need an outdoor space, that is still protected from the elements, but most importantly ridiculously chic...  This is the Cristal Box.  It comes in several configurations, so you can customize it to fit your needs.  Need enough room to accommodate just a chaise, or a dining table that seats 10, the Cristal Box is an architectural way to bring the comforts of inside out...

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Take me home!...

I've designed a couple of fun little things just for my personal use, but I figured that it would be fun to see others with a Team Wisler or NYDesignGuy t-shirt on... So check it out!  Get your summer wardrobe started here!

Complete home office for less than the price of a month's rent...

So with a lot of businesses down sizing, or new businesses just starting up, it's tough to really gather enough funds up to rent out a space and out fit it with all the workings of an office.  Why not start off in that corner of your home that needs a new use.  I found 4 items all ON SALE to get the entrepreneurial spirit going... 

West Elm's Triad Sawhorse Desk

West Elm is offering this super simple and functional desk for a reduced price of $199.99!  How crazy it that?  The Triad Sawhorse Desk is a nice substantial piece that will integrate into any environment... The perfect anchor to get business done.

Crate & Barrel's Rattan Dining Chair

 Next, for only $71.95 Crate & Barrel's Rattan Dining Chair is a perfect throw back to the gorgeous mid-century rattan pieces that go for a hundred times more...

CB2's Crane Grellow Desk Lamp

 One does need light on a desk, so why not this industrial and fun colored Crane Desk Lamp from CB2 in this "Grellow" color, for a mere $79.95.

CB2's In Bloom Rug

Lastly to ground the whole "office" space, a wonderful rug in multiple colors to brighten up any space.  CB2's In Bloom Rug keeps things playful, since all business and no play doesn't make for a happy existence.  This is just $299.

With all of these items you're looking at about $650... That's not even going to cover the security deposit on a new office space.  Get your new business venture going in style...

Customize it!...

This is really just a little bit of advice... I know that we all can't just go out and buy really expensive pieces of furniture, but that's not a reason to just go into any old furniture store and buy as seen, or the "stock" option.  Come on people, if you're going to invest in a piece of furniture at least make it special and one that you LOVE!  Every major retailer out there, ie. Crate & Barrel or Room and Board shows on their floor what is easily attained in their stock program.  Why do you need to settle for that, or even stick to the fabric they show you even if in a different color?  These places all offer you hundreds of options to get their pieces custom upholstered in.  There might be an upcharge of a  few extra dollars and a bit longer leadtime, but just think about it though, you'll have this piece for probably a good 10 years.  Is the 4-6 week wait really going to be the make it or break it deciding factor?  Make use of the stores resources and really make your home pop with the PERFECT fabric which is right there for your choosing... CUSTOMIZE!  Your home deserves perfection!

Giveaway from an awesome site...

Awesome giveaway from the phenomenal site, Design for Mankind. Erin is giving away an iPad2...  Seriously folks!  Really awesome, really simple to enter... I'm hoping I win though...

So sculptural...

Check out this line of furniture from Lopfurniture...  This is the Zun chair... How much fun is that?!...

Love a good Parallelogram!...

Shape by any other name is just not the same... and definitely not the same as these gorgeous ceramic tiles I discovered at Ann Sacks...  This is just one of the amazing options found within their Nottingham Collection.  I'm dying to use this...

So super chic, this particular board shows a mix of four colors...  LOVE!

Drawing on the furniture!!! Not always a bad thing...

Check out these super fun Tulip Chairs that got a personal touch from an artist I just found on Etsy... Hand drawn in permanent ink, these iconic chairs got an urban facelift... So cool, and really a great price considering the work done them...

I love using what's already known and loved, and making even better with an unexpected twist!  Props to the artist...

Said if before... I love a good IKAT.

What is an IKAT, one might ask... Good question.

Wikipdia says:
Ikat, or Ikkat, is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres.
The dye is applied prior to the threads being woven to create the final fabric pattern or design.
 
So if that is still leaving a bit of confusion, just look...  I think the definition above just translates to gorgeous.

Here is one of the many beautiful area rugs designed by Charlotte Moss for Stark Carpet, just the most wonderful way to liven up any dull room...

Next is this fabulous collection presented by Donghia.  Just the most traditional of designs updated in such a modern fashion with its slight modernization of design, but also the sexy color ways they offer.

Lastly, what better way to introduce a bold fabric into a room but in small contained quantities.  These pillows done by Bermingham & Co is the perfect baby step into the world of pattern!

Mixing Textures = Visual Interest & Balance

I'm a believer in always mixing not only colors, but more importantly textures, to keep your eyes happy happy...  Textural changes gives spaces depth, and movement. It helps bounce your eye around, because the textural changes all play on the light differently.  Don't have a flat room with single notes, jazz it up, and use things that are smooth and bumpy, silky and nubby...  Texture texture texture!!!