Designer to the Stars Martyn Lawrence-Bullard visits the Washington Design Center

Schumacher unveils his new collection

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Hollywood celebrities often pass through DC to promote one cause or another. But we rarely get a Hollywood celebrity’s interior designer in town. So it’s no wonder that Martyn Lawrence-Bullard attracted a full house at the Washington Design Center yesterday. Lawrence-Bullard is not only one of the stars of BRAVO’s “Million Dollar Decorators,” he is also designer for the likes of Cher, Kid Rock, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne and Sir Elton John, to name a few.

Cher’s living room in Hollywood’s Sierra Towers designed by Lawrence-Bullard

Sporting jeans, a tweed jacket and his signature scruff, the London-born, L.A.-based Lawrence-Bullard appeared to talk about the new fabric collection he’s designed for Schumacher. He was joined by Susan North, Schumacher’s senior vice president and creative director of design, of whom he is clearly a fan. “Susan is the empress of fabric,” he mused. “She made sense of my madness.”

Highlights from Martyn Lawrence-Bullard’s collection for Schumacher.

The collection includes an eclectic mix of patterns and textures, from paisleys and ikats to embroidered chevrons to handspun raw silks. Inspired by frequent travel India, Morocco and Turkey, Lawrence-Bullard put a modern spin on traditional motifs. “The designs are quite varied, but work together in my eye,” he said. “Susan and I came up with color palettes that would mix but not match, which I love.”

Lawrence-Bullard, who believes that “interiors go hand in hand with fashion,” honed in on colors that just happen to be all the rage on the runways this season: orange, lime, cerise. “There are colors that you like to wear and look good in, so why wouldn’t you surround yourself in those colors at home?” he reasoned.

Lawrence-Bullard designed a bedroom in the L. A. home of real estate guru Chris Cortazzo

When he is not jetting around the globe for his clients, Lawrence-Bullard keeps busy on myriad projects, from creating a line of men’s jewelry for women to designing rugs for The Rug Company. Season 2 of “Million Dollar Decorators” will film Lawrence-Bullard at work in London, India, New York and Paris. And this Sunday, BBC viewers will find the ever-fashionable designer presiding a la Ryan Seacrest over the red carpet on Oscar night.

Lawrence-Bullard’s own dining room in Hollywood

Before he dashed off to catch a plane, Bullard signed copies of his best-selling book, Live, Love, and Decorate, in the Schumacher showroom and chatted with local designers. “To me,” he said, “the biggest compliment I get is to see how other designers take something I’ve worked on and make it their own.” —Sharon Jaffe Dan, Editor-in-Chief, HOME & DESIGN Magazine.

Photos © Ben Droz

Italian Style – Boffi Georgetown Celebrates its Anniversary with a Visit from Chairman Paolo Boffi!

Designed by Luigi Massoini and CRS Boffi, the Xila ST kitchen is a series of modular bases, wall units and taller cabinet units that are available in a variety of different finishes. The cabinet units have no handles, but are instead fitted with push-to-open mechanisms for a seamless, sleek appearance.

On November 29th, Boffi Georgetown celebrated its first anniversary with a special reception and visit from Paolo Boffi, the co-owner and chairman of the company. Mr. Boffi’s father, Piero Boffi started building kitchen cabinetry in Italy in 1934. By 1948, Boffi was producing the first modular cabinetry for kitchens in its original factory.  It was in that year his sons—Dino, Pier Ugo and Paolo—joined the company.

In the Georgetown showroom, Mr. Boffi spoke to guests about the evolution of the Boffi brand and its innovative collections of modern kitchen, bathroom and wardrobe systems.

H&D had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Boffi that evening via a translator to discuss the latest kitchen and design trends. Following are some highlights from our interview.

Assuming Europe sets the trends in kitchen design, how long does it take for the latest styles to reach the U.S.?

Certainly, Europe is now more cutting-edge [than the U.S.]. But don’t forget that 50 years ago we were building American-style kitchens the American way in Italy. We were particularly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1920s.

Then Europe developed further, especially its the appliances industry. Europeans were very concerned with built-in appliances. (This is evident in our 2008 Launch of The Duemilaotto Kitchen, which featured bi-folding, coplanar and pocket doors to conceal appliances such as the refrigeration units and ovens behind finished panels.) I think regardless of the financial crisis, the U.S. is a great market for European appliances and kitchens. (We continue to inspire new ways of utilizing and viewing this very important part of the home.)

Are modern kitchens on the rise in the U.S.?

Except for England and France, kitchens in the rest of Europe are modern. What has happened in Europe is going to happen in the rest of the world. In the U.S. market, we have not reached the 10 percent [saturation] point of modern kitchens and have no doubt that they are just going to become more and more popular..

What are the latest trends in European kitchens?

Surely, minimalism is here to stay. As far as materials, lacquered, opaque and wooden kitchens are popular.

And there’s always time for a great trend to return. It’s like women’s skirts; they get longer or shorter every 10 years.

How has bathroom design evolved in recent years?

What happened in the bathroom is the same thing that happened with kitchens. Years ago, the kitchen was only a place where you cook but it’s become a place where you live. Bathrooms are becoming bigger and more personalized. Before, everyday items such as tubs, mirrors and washbasins all looked the same, but now there is a greater choice in materials and models.

Also, with new technology today we can install freestanding tubs in the middle of the bathroom instead of against a wall. It’s has evolved like the island in the kitchen.

What is new on the horizon for Boffi?

We have a new architect working on a very high-tech product designed for younger people on the move. It will be ecologically sound and made with recycled materials. It will contain no wood—not even a centimeter. It will probably be on the market in late 2012.

Boffi is also further developing our lighting collection and bringing sanitary fixtures (toilets and bidets) into the U.S. soon.

And now, a few images from the wonderful event!

Boffi Georgetown showroom manager Julia Walter, Paolo Boffi and Home & Design editor in chief Sharon Jaffe Dan.

Toni Thomas of Boffi Georgetown and Keisha Banks of Project 4 Gallery.

Alison Tilley of Bulthaup and Oliver Kindling of Euro Installations LLC.

Christina Athanasiades of Contemporaria, Vincent Baylor and Brian Fell, Design Within Reach.

For more event coverage, see “Out and About” in the January-February 2012 issue of HOME & DESIGN.

Design Insight Guest Blog Series: Choosing the Perfect Bathroom Vanity

No bathroom design is complete without some forethought given to the sink area. It’s where you begin the day — washing your face, brushing your teeth, shaving or putting on makeup. Therefore, the functionality of the space is vital. It needs to have adequate lighting, storage options and counter space all while looking attractive and supporting the overall look and feel of the bathroom.

While pedestal sinks are popular in powder rooms, vanities have remained a staple for master and guest bathrooms. Luckily, today’s manufacturers have combined both style and function to create beautiful vanities to compliment any design aesthetic. The recent trend in vanities is clean, crisp lines with either a white or dark wood finish, like espresso. They are more casual in design — nothing too ornate or formal — a good mix between minimalist cabinetry and a warm piece of furniture.

The size of the vanity is clearly dictated by the size of the space. Since master bathrooms are getting larger, many homeowners opt for a double sink vanity. However, for a custom look, consider splitting the vanities into two freestanding structures and mount on the wall instead of sitting on the floor. Vanity heights can also be personalized to accommodate a tall or short homeowner; or mix the heights for a double sink. Heights range from the standard 30 inches up to 36 inches.

Another consideration when choosing the perfect vanity is storage. Keeping clutter like lotions, brushes, makeup, etc., off the counter is ideal for a clean, fresh look. From full extension drawers that allow you to see everything inside to tilt-down drawers at the front of the sink, there are many new options to choose from. Drawers with power outlets for hair dryers and curling irons are a popular choice. If space allows, a wire basket laundry hamper can be hidden in a deep cabinet.  For towel storage, many manufacturers sell coordinating linen cabinets to match the vanity. Soft close drawers and doors prevent slamming and unnecessary noise.

The mirror above the vanity should coordinate and, ideally, the width should be smaller than the cabinet width. This provides flexibility on where to place the lighting. While there are many custom options, manufacturers make it easy by selling framed mirrors in the same finish as the vanity. In-set medicine cabinets have also made a comeback in the modern bathroom, providing even more hidden storage. Some medicine cabinets even include an electrical outlet, which is great for an electric razor or toothbrush. For those that love TV, the newest must-have mirror includes a vanishing LCD HDTV.

Lastly, lighting the sink and vanity area is another important element in creating the ideal bathroom. The most common mistake homeowners make is placing a lighting fixture directly above the mirror. This position illuminates the top of the head and casts a shadow on the face. It is recommended that a wall sconce be placed on each side of the mirror. It is also best to pick out your lighting at the same time as your faucets and other fixtures to ensure the finishes all coordinate.

-Meredith Minor, Ferguson Annapolis Showroom Consultant
www.ferguson.com

Design Insight Guest Blog Series: Kane Landscapes – Bringing the Kitchen Outdoors

With the holidays looming, this may seem like an odd time to be planning your outdoor kitchen. In fact, it’s the perfect time to do so! Starting an outdoor project now means it will be finished by the time the warm weather rolls around again—and you’ll have the whole summer to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Prepare your outdoor spaces for spring and summer early—especially if you enjoy being outdoors with your friends and family.

Cooking (and eating, too!) is one of the most enjoyable activities to do in a patio space. Many homeowners today are replacing portable grills with fully equipped outdoor kitchens. This is a direct reflection of people’s interest in maximizing their usable living space, including their outdoor spaces.  Whether the goal is to entertain guests or to have a place to cook and eat outdoors after a long day in the office, an outdoor kitchen can provide all the conveniences of cooking inside, while allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your landscape.

The questions I hear most often from homeowners are, “Where should I put my outdoor kitchen and what appliances should I include?”  The answer to these questions depends on the layout of the rest of your landscape and the reason you want an outdoor kitchen.  So, the two questions I reply to the homeowners with are:

1)    Where do you plan on spending most of your time while you are outdoors?

2)    How do you plan on using the outdoor kitchen?

If you plan on spending much of your time on the deck or patio right off the back of your home, are you close to the main kitchen?  If so, you may only need the basics such as the grill and drawers, or what we refer to as a grill island. If you plan on using the grill mainly to cook for yourself and your family this is also a good option. Food and beverages can easily be transported from the indoor kitchen, and clean-up is easy with small parties.

If you plan on spending most of your time down by the pool or plan on entertaining on a regular basis it would make more sense to have all the mainstays of your kitchen.  In this circumstance a client’s wish list often includes a grill, side burner, drawers, built-in trash receptacle, sinks and refrigerator.  With all these amenities, everything from preparation to clean-up can be done outdoors, allowing you to spend more time with your guests.

Maybe you want to keep the entire party outdoors with a wide variety of amenities, or you are looking for an outdoor entertaining area that can be used in any season. There are outdoor features and appliances to meet any desire. Smokers add wonderful flavors to all types of meat and fish by utilizing a slow, cool-smoke cooking process. This also frees up the grill for cooking vegetables and side dishes. Side burners and warming drawers are other increasingly popular features that allow the entire meal to be made outdoors. Wine coolers, ice makers, and even dishwashers provide all the luxuries of indoors, while a  fireplace or fire pit make your outdoor kitchen area usable year round.

Remember to work with experienced contractors when designing and installing an outdoor kitchen.  Plumbing, electric, and either propane or natural gas will need to be installed by a professional.  It is important to obtain all the required permits to ensure your safety and to make sure your investment does not come into question when you sell your house or have other work done where a permit is required. Also, make sure your contractor uses quality outdoor appliances such as Viking, Wolfe or Kalamazoo. These appliances are made to withstand the harsh environment and are therefore usually more expensive than their indoor counterparts.  It is important to choose what you will need, but it is not necessary to get everything you have inside.

-Julie Kane
Kane Landscapes, Inc.

Design Insight Guest Blog Series: Shopping DC with Interior Designer Barbara Franceski

I just returned from High Point Fall Market, the preeminent home furnishings trade show in North Carolina, where I saw hundreds of new product debuts. Over 2,000 exhibitors presented the latest and greatest, and I made many fun discoveries I can hardly wait to work into my designs. As exciting as that may be, I do find time and again that my go-to resources for personal touches are local stores. Décor shops where I can hunt for one-off items that bring life and amusement straight home.

With so many great shops right around the corner, it is impossible to leave empty-handed! Here are a few of my favorites…

Verdigris Antiques & Interiors
1215 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 518-5301
verdigris.bondandbowery.com

Chock full of treasures, Verdigris is the place to go for a bit of quirk and the unexpected. When done in balance and with counterpoint, whimsy can lend a sophisticated surprise to your rooms. The two-story shop is a maze of accessories, artwork, light fixtures and small furnishings. For both of the DC Design House rooms I recently designed, I came here to find the perfect accents. Not too long ago, I spied a fencing mask, a pair of Italian gilded Rococo mirrors, and a gorgeous antique brass inkwell. You never know what you may chance upon and that’s half the fun!

Tone on Tone
7920 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 497-0800
tone-on-tone.com

The impeccably styled selection at Tone on Tone uplifts the senses, and the words grace and calm come immediately to mind. You may find yourself circling the store so you never have to leave. A visit years ago confirmed my decision to have all the wood floors in my own home bleached, and to this day they make me happy every time I open my front door. If you are looking for Swedish painted furniture, urns, statuary, vintage garden furnishings, creamware, or antique mirrors, this is the place to shop. You can even take items out on approval.

The Brass Knob
2311 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3370
thebrassknob.com

Sconces, table lamps, chandeliers…these are but a glimpse into the variety of fixtures that bring a warm glow to our rooms. The more we layer lighting the better we enjoy our spaces and each other. The Brass Knob stocks an impressive amount of antique and vintage pieces which add character, especially to newly-built homes. You can also find unique hardware, brackets and hooks. A few weeks ago, I saw a fantastic metal shelf that I may have to go back and buy myself. If you are a big fan of Reuse and Recycle, the salvaged inventory here fits the bill.

With so many fantastic local shops, this small peek into the DC design scene only scratches the surface. May you be inspired to go explore!

- Barbara Franceski
Founder and Principal, Barbara Franceski LLC
www.barbarafranceski.com

Design Insight Guest Blog Series: the Season’s Best Accessories

Often at a cocktail party, guests will talk to me about the interior design of their home—frequently lamenting its current state.  The questions and comments that I get the most center on accessorizing. I always hear things like, “I have everything in place but it just doesn’t look right…something’s missing.”

Finding the right accessories is all in the design basics: It’s about balance, proportion, color, and then adding touches of texture here and there. Below are some tips on how to accessorize your home—with a nod towards the crisp autumn days we’re enjoying right about now.

Mirror Image:

Every room needs at least one mirror—for sparkle and to make the space look bigger.  My favorite style of mirror is a sunburst style mirror. Very dynamic, it will add a stylish element to your home.

A room I designed for the Washington Design Center's Design House, in which I used a large sunburst mirror as a focal point.

In years past the only sunburst mirrors out there were beyond most people’s budgets, but now there are many to choose from at reasonable prices.  One of my favorites is this one below:

A mirror by Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs.

This mirror is about as dynamic as you can get.  Hang it above a chest or console table and add some of the accessories below, which reflect the fall season, to finish the look.  Here are some of my favorite accessories this season.

An interesting accessory from Restoration Hardware.

A pair of cast iron Han Horses, also from Restoration Hardware.

Multi-colored pumpkins from Pottery Barn.

Amber Luster Glass Vases with Dots from Pier One.

In addition to mirrors, artwork can also serve as a focal point in a room. Try the abstract painting paired with the pillow below (both from Crate and Barrel) to pick up the vibrant, fall palette:

Happy Fall!!

—Margery Wedderburn

Margery Wedderburn Interiors, LLC

margerywedderburninteriors.com

Design Insight Guest Blog Series: The Finishing Touches

If you have ever been curious about creating a beautiful room with a cohesive color palette here are some quick and easy steps to follow:

1.  Floor plan, floor plan, floor plan!  This is the roadmap for the rest of your design. Once you understand the floor plan and the scale of the room you can select furniture that is well suited for the space.

2.  Select permanent finishes – tile, wood flooring or carpeting – that stand the test of time.  These are the finishes that you will live with for some time so don’t select anything that is overly trendy.

3.  Choose a rug that fits your palette.  If you are considering a patterned area rug make sure your selection works with the permanent finishes that you have chosen.

4.  Furniture and Fixtures – start searching for your furniture and fixtures with a defined shopping list to guide you.  Collect pages from your favorite design magazines with pictures of rooms that you love.

5.  Look for fabrics that compliment the furniture pieces you chose and look for your soft-goods — draperies and pillows.  As you are shopping for these fabrics use samples of your permanent finishes and your rug colors as a guide.  Size usually makes it impractical to drag an area rug with you as you shop but don’t rely on photos alone because they never produce accurate color.  A good tip is to match paint chips to the colors in the rug and staple them onto the photo for reference.

6.  Once you’ve decided on your design and finishes now you can consider your color scheme.  Wall paper, faux finishes or paint – there is a limitless palette of paint colors out there.  Take all of your finishes with you and find a hue that compliments what you’ve selected, but doesn’t take center stage.  If you are hesitant to go bold throughout the entire house, pick a room and take a leap of faith!  Ask for a low-VOC or no VOC paint.  These paints have had the toxic chemicals that are used as drying agent removed or reduced and as a result they are much healthier for your home.  Paint is the least expensive change you can make to your room however it can provide the perfect finishing touch.

Good luck!

- Shanon Munn
Principal, Ambi Design Studio