Stephanie's (mostly green) Design

Stephanie's (mostly green) Design: Bohemian Design

2012-01-11T12:42:00.000-06:00

Stephanie's (mostly green) Design: Bohemian Design

Bohemian Design

2012-01-11T08:45:00.007-06:00

Bohemian boho hippies artsy drifters spiritual nonconforming vibrant colors pattern patchwork

{ photo courtesy of http://www.bohemiantwilight.blogspot.com/ }

I've always loved the mix-matched, vibrant colors and patterns of Bohemian design. It's so non-conformist, carefree and exciting!!

{ Photo courtesy of Home Decoration }

{ Pillows from India, photo courtesy alibaba }

But what exactly is this style and where did it originate? It originated in France in the early 19th century when artists and creators began to concentrate in lower rent, lower class gyspy neighborhoods. It's actually the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, those who move from place to place, may not care about materialistic things, may be involved in music, arts or literary pursuits. They may be wanderers, adventurers, vagabonds. In the United States, it can be seen in the 1960's hippie counterculture. {I've always loved peace symbols and rainbows; I truly am a hippie at heart}

This beautiful rug is one that my clients picked up while on a recent trip to Turkey. Honestly, my photography does not do these rich, beautiful colors justice! Laying area rugs or a rug over carpeting invites a warm, cozy feel. I love layering an area rug over sisal.

Robert Kaufman's Bohemian Rhapsody line of fabrics shown below are eclectic, and filled with beautiful, rich, jewel toned colors. It definitely has this Boho vibe.

{ Robert Kaufman's Bohemian Rhapsody line of fabrics }

Moroccan furnishings, when jux-tapositioned with Bohemian style interiors are a great combination. These light fixtures' intricate designs throw shadows on the walls, creating pattern and interest, especially when it's dark outside or all other lights are out.

~ I hope that 2012 brings you all much happiness and inspiration!! Whatever you endeavor, try adding a little bit of fun and boldness to your life!

Looking forward,

~ Stephanie

One Of A Kind Show At The Chicago Merchandise Mart

2011-12-06T12:23:00.004-06:00

earth; without art, life is just "eh"... I'm not sure where I got this quote from, but I love it.

Last week, I had the priviledge of attending Chicago's One Of A Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart. Although pressed for time, I got to see some of the best crafters that I have ever seen. I'm spotlighting some of them here. I only wish that I could have spent a few days there to see all 600 exhibitor's creations. I'll link to each website for more info on each artist. Kudos to etsy, an unbelievable online marketplace showcasing artists from all over the world. On their site, you can read their blog, see thousands of artists work, sell your own stuff, buy from others, or just get inspired! As they say, there is something unique for everyone.

me at the etsy booth

I can't say enough about etsy, so please check them out at www.etsy.com They had a make-your-own paper ornament table that was so creative and fun.

Goods are made from recycled bottle glass

Bentbottle's owner, Bryan Northup, is based out of Oak Park, IL. His company fabricates beautiful home furnishings such as lighting and bowls made of colored recycled glass bottles. www.bentbottle.etsy.com

Michael Szabo's beautiful metal vases

Michael Szabo, based out of San francisco, is an incredibly creative sculptor. The medium he works with inludes stainless steel and bronze metals. His work ranges from these beautiful vases to large commissioned works, such as a large fountain design at the California Avenue Caltrain Station in Palo Alto, CA.

http://www.szaboworks.com/

waterfall metal sculpture by Michael Szabo

Kristen Kruchowski's tree stump furniture

Kristen Kruchowski creates tree stump furniture that she sands down giving the stumps a smooth finish and coats the tops with a metallic silver paint. I love the eco-glam combo! (She's also based in Chicago, another fact that I love; local) Her products can be seen and purchased at www.TheElizabethElement.etsy.com

Tom Sourlis is the creator of beautiful glass pieces that are one-of-a-kind with an organic vibe. He designs a plethora of products; from lamps to architectural tiles to jewelry bits. Very stunning pieces! To view more, go to www.sourlisglassstudio.com

Sourlis Glass Studio

You just can't get any greener than this! Great gifts for the holidays or any other time, just because.

May the holidays bring you close to your family and friends. Wishing you all peace and happiness. Until next time, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

~ Stephanie

So Very Thankful for Family, Friends, Colleagues and Readers

2011-11-11T08:51:00.004-06:00

I'm so thankful for so many reasons. Too many to list, in fact. I'm working on some exciting projects! So when my friends at Hooker Furniture asked if I would share this holiday blog by Wanda Horton as my guest blogger with my readers, I was more than happy to. I'll take a break from blogging myself and resume in December. Until then, a very happy, healthy Thanksgiving to you all.
~ Stephanie

To view the full blog, go to: http://blog.hookerfurniture.com/2011/11/delicious-thanksgiving-dining

How To Cheer Up A Sad (or Boring Room) With Patterns

2011-10-13T11:22:00.174-05:00

With the holidays coming up so soon, take a look around the rooms in your house. Are you bored with them or do they need some cheering up? Maybe it's time to add some excitement to the mix. You can achieve this by adding PATTERN to your walls, ceilings, fabrics, art, etc. to bring some life into your space! Patterns are everywhere and they're HOT... Here's some tips on finding them and how to incorporate them into your interior:

{ Graham & Brown's Diva/Beige }

{ MDC Wallcovering's Kimora/Beige }

I Love these wallcovering by MDC, Graham & Brown and Schumacher

Many wallcovering companies are offering exciting patterns that you can install on one accent wall or all of them if you are so inclined to do so.

{ Schumacher fabric and wallpaper, Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler }

The Stark carpet can be bound and made into an area rug or installed wall to wall. A bound rug looks great if it's going over a nice wood or tile floor.

Patterns can be tone on tone or more neutral with a pattern; they don't have to be colorful, as the pattern makes a statement in itself and creates visual interest.

{ Stark patterned carpet, Hadera White/Bay Sand }

Shown below is a custom wallpaper that I designed to go along with the curves in the custom carpet installed on the client's stairs. The soft pastel pattern on the walls mirrored the more intense colored curves in the carpet. They're actually two separate photos; one to spotlight the wallcovering, the other to zoom in on the carpet. This is an example of a more permanent design statement {and a bold one at that! I design for my clients and work with their taste}

{ Custom wallpaper designed by Stephanie and hand painted by Designs By Michael (Now Transitions Studio) Custom carpet designed by Stephanie and fabricated by Custom Carpet Artistry }

I'll have to showcase art in a future blog as it is so integral to a room and can be the "icing on the cake"; the artwork here is fabulous with the decor. And, of course, art is all about pattern. (In most cases)

{ Custom rug designed by Stephanie and fabricated by Custom Carpet Artistry }

{ An array of pillows; design and photo by Stephanie Nickolson }

{ An eclectic mix of pillows by Duralee }

I love mixing different fabrics in the way of pillows strewn across a chair or sofa. It's a creative way of making a statement and not following the norm of two matching pillows on either end of a sofa. It can tie a variety of colors into the room and highlight a piece of art or other focal point in the room.

Pattern includes, but isn't limited to: stripes, damasks, florals, geometrics, flamestitch, herringbone, trellis, animal prints and much more. Be creative!

* FYGI { For your green information } : I can provide a list of wallpaper and paint companies who manufacturer eco-friendly products that do not outgas in the air, use vegetable dyes and no formaldehyde in their composition. I can also suggest no VOC adhesives for wallpapers and non-PVC (vinyl) alternatives for the walls.

Create An Oasis In Your Residential Bathroom Spa

2011-09-13T14:06:00.008-05:00

outdoor bath

It wasn't that long ago that the meaning of the word "spa" conjured up an image of traveling a distance, to escape to a destination, a resort or spa or other place away from home to enjoy relaxation or spa-like treatments. Today, you can create your own respite or spa retreat in the convenience of your own home. It can be done in many varying degrees; from the fully-loaded spa, equipped with the latest technology to simply wrapping your body in the softest bamboo or 100% organic cotton towel or bath robe to be comforted. For the sake of this blog being technology-free, I'll save the tech part for another blog, another day. (For example, the mirror that turns into a TV when turned on...ok, no more) This blog is more about relaxing, connecting yourself to nature, using water and energy-saving products; eliminating technology and just clearing your mind from clutter and stresses of the day.

What exactly is the meaning of an "eco-friendly" bathroom spa? There are many factors that contribute to this meaning, but a few examples are: environmental codes are dictating that brass fixtures are now lead-free. Plumbing companies are manufacturing toilets that are as low as 1.2 gallons a flush, down from 5 gallons. Basically, it means using water and energy saving fixtures, incorporating green products that don't harm your health or the environment, while relaxing, enjoying silence and being connected with yourself and nature. I'll break it down here:

~ Water and energy-saving:
WaterSense label: Established in 2006, this is an unbiased, 3rd party certification developed by the EPA for fixtures, toilets and shower heads that save water by 20%, thus saving money. Bathrooms, by far, use the most water in the house. So if you're interested in saving water and money, look for this label. Water is elemental and essential and has the power to soothe, heal and rejuvenate our bodies. Ancient cultures in Greece, China and Japan were among the first to develop hydrotherapy, which is the practice of submerging your body in water for medicinal purposes. The natural minerals in water help to detoxify the body, and in general, help relieve pain and sore muscles. Some companies offer bathtubs with everything from massaging air jets to hydrotherapy and LED chromotherapy. Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses the visible spectrum of colors' electromagnetic waves to heal the body. The hues include blue for serenity and calming, white for clarifying and green for balancing. One of the leaders in eco-friendly bathroom fixtures is the company TOTO, http://www.totousa.com/ which manufactures baths with air jets that provide massages with different settings from a gentle massage to a more vigorous one. It has an integrated silencer on the motor so that you can enjoy a quiet bath.

MTI Whirlpools' Elena tub

According to the company MTI Whirlpools, http://www.mtiwhirlpools.com/, "simple is good", offering a freestanding tub called "Elena" from their Boutique Collection. According to MTI, the water of the bath relieves some of the gravity's stress on your body, and the heat helps create deep relaxation, slows internal organs and increases circulation in the body.

Native Trails copper tub

Offering artisan-crafted, earth friendly, freestanding tubs made of recycled copper melted down from electrical wiring, pipes, etc is the company Native Trails. This company suggests that copper has anti-bacterial properties. (I didn't know that!) The copper products often show nicks and other imperfections since they are made by hand by these skilled workers.You can learn more at http://www.nativetrails.net/

More on water: Also certified by WaterSense, the company Jaclo http://www.jaclo.com/ offers the true spa experience with their Quadrato showerhead which has 350 jets that stream a rain shower from the 16" metal plate mounted from the ceiling. You have the option of going from one color to the changing color mode of all 12 LED lights; once again, incorporating the chromotherapy treatment into the total shower experience.

Chromotherapy rain shower offered by Jaclo

~ Bathroom Vanities:
Replacing the wall to wall counter tops with single or double sinks are the furniture style vanities. Some have elaborate carved legs while others are simpler styles; they range from rustic to glamorous and everything in between, but the bottom line is that freestanding bathroom vanities are in. Exciting combinations of wood, bamboo and metal bases support these glass and stone vessel sinks as well as solid tops. Again, Native Trails offers great products in this category. Their 36" wide Chardonnay Vanity is made in the U.S.A. of reclaimed white wine-stained oaking staves, used for flavoring wine during the fermenting process. The result is, it infuses tannins and aroma, giving it a grape-colored, natural stain.

An example of a glamorous style spotlighting MTI's mirrored vanity

MTI's 36" transitional vanity with antique mirrored door panels

Native Trails Chardonnay Vanity

Xylem's bambu vanity is part of a collection with an eco-renewable bamboo veneer over solid poplar wood that can be wall-mounted or floor-standing. It comes equipped with two large drawers. Xylem uses a finishing process that reduces waste in manufacturing and eliminates harmful chemicals from the staining and coating process.

Xylem's bambu vanity

~ Faucets:
Delta Faucet offers Touch2O technology (this is the only time I'll mention technology here) You can touch it to make it go on or off, and after seconds of removing your hands, automatically shuts off. It senses your presence within 4" and helps conserve water. If your hands are messy, you simply tap it with the back
of your hand. Great for kids!

~ Materials:
Walls and floors: stone, glass, porcelain or slate are other natural materials that look beautiful and are durable and offer practicality for bathrooms which inevitably get a lot of water. Mosaics are very popular now and natural scenes using mosaic tile designs such as flowers, leaves and birds can be installed to help bring the outdoors in. Mixing glass and stone enhances a room with color and natural beauty. A great company for no-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free caulks and adhesives for your spa retreat is http://www.afmsafecoat.com/

~ Other suggestions:
Bamboo or 100% organic cotton towels and bath robes
Radiant heat flooring (easier to have installed prior to tile flooring installation or best during new construction or renovation)
Candles, candles and more candles
Towel warmer racks; freestanding or wall mountable.
Shower sprays
Steam Room and Sauna Room additions

~ Enjoy your peaceful, sensory spa experience!

Express Yourself ~ Designing With Typography

2011-07-26T13:59:00.005-05:00

L'Inspiration Script chest by Hooker Furniture

TYPOGRAPHY stems from the Greek words (typos)=form and (graphy)=writing and is the art of arranging type. It includes different size letters, fonts and adjusting the space between letters and pairs of letters.

In design it relates to graffiti and other expressions of lettering on walls and wall coverings, print on fabrics, directly painted onto furniture, tufted into area rugs or painted on canvas for wall hanging. It's a style that may be trendy, but I hope it's here to stay. I think it adds comfort to a room and of course, personalization to a space.

The "Inspiration Chest" here is offered by Hooker Furniture company, one of my favorites, and has a nice story behind it. Cindy Hall and Erica Wingo, two Hooker Furniture employees, spent hours searching through magazines and shopping boutiques and art galleries internationally to create the Melange Accents Collection for the company. Each unique piece has it's own inspirational story. L'Inspiration Chest is covered with French script describing the nature of the collection, with such descriptive words as "witty, edgy, pretty and bold." See the entire collection at http://www.hookerfurniture.com/

Manuscript rug by Joaquim Ruiz Miller

Talented architect, writer and designer, Joaquim Ruiz Miller has created this rug made of New Zealand wool. Written in Catalan, the inspiration is from a page from a novel that he is currently working on.

Another rug, also inspirational, is a more contemporary version, shown below. It's from Prudelskern. A rose infused and dyed rug, the color and scent is meant to complement words of Shakespeare's Sonnett 54. The letters partially fade and blend into the background, as it's meant to give the illusion of an aged parchment. Very neat!

Shakespeare's Sonnett 54 rug

A true artist and talented decorative painter, Kristin Korjenek will customize inspirational typography for residential or commercial applications based on the mood or theme of that client.

Flourish Decorative Painting inspirational wall typography

Always one of my favs, Etsy, the online artsy site sells these 12" x 16" pillows with a french theme. You can order it at http://www.reneesfabrics.etsy.com/ as shown below. Other very cool products can also be viewed and purchased on this site.

Etsy's French Script Accent Pillow

I think that it's really interesting that typography traces its origins between 1850 and 1600 BC. The principle was that letters were all identical characters and was realized back in Crete, Greece. Originally, punches and dies used to make seals and currency were used in ancient times and now we are using this concept today to furnish our interiors.

FYGI ( For Your Green Information): You can go greener with typography and create your own products by using natural fabrics such as hemp, burlap, cotton or linen and stencil onto them using vegetable dyes.

Until next time,

~ Stephanie

The 10 Commandments of Good Interior Design

2011-06-24T09:14:00.002-05:00

The 10 Commandments of good design according to Stephanie :

1. Thou shalt not select a paint color based on the teeny fandeck colors supplied by paint stores. (Stephanie can order 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of color to tape to your wall).
2. Thou shalt not let an interior designer dictate trends or their taste upon others. Everyone has their own individual taste and their home should be a reflection of them.
3. Thou shall minimize the different transitions in flooring throughout a space. The more different types of flooring used, the eye will stop at each transition and make the space appear smaller.
4. Thou shall always maintain a sense of humor and add something whimsical to every serious room.
5. Thou shalt not allow an interior designer to select artwork for one's personal space. Art is very personal and should be a reflection of oneself. An interior designer should never tell a client (or friend) that the artwork doesn't "go" or "match".
6. Thou shalt not always believe that ceilings should be painted white. Dark colors can add drama, a shade in the same color family can add depth, and ceilings painted in metallics, faux finishes or embellished in painted designs add excitement and sophistication.
7. Thou shalt not only consider interior decorating but exterior decorating as well, especially now that it's summer!
8. Thou shalt not feel the temptation to decorate their dwelling in a hurry or all at once. Take your time, find treasures that you love, decorate slowly and if necessary, in phases, but with an overall design concept in mind.
9. Thou shalt try not to line furniture up along one wall. Angle it, if the room allows, center it in the room and create individual conversation areas.
10. Thou shall think twice about discarding unwanteds. Repurpose, reuse, donate, recycle...everything looks beautiful in the right place. (If not, donate or recycle)

Among all, have fun! CELEBRATE SUMMER!!

Not Just Your Boring Everyday Wall Coverings...

2011-06-17T08:08:00.006-05:00

Bisazza Showroom Chicago

Gone are the days when the mention of "wallpaper" conjured up the image of small country floral patterns paired with coordinating borders for the kitchen walls. In this day and age, they just keep getting more and more exciting and unique... A plethora of awesome choices awaits the creative decorator. I'm talking about wall coverings here; wall paper and wall tiles that decorate, make statements and allow a room or wall to come alive!

I just had the opportunity to attend Chicago's Neocon, a world trade fair where manufacturers unveil their new products. Wall coverings were hot!
Shown above are gorgeous mosaic designs created with tiles by Bisazza, an italian company known for their unique blends of pattern, design and color varieties. The chest, stools, wall and lamp are all made with interspersed metallic, iridescent and solid tiles.
Glass tiles are so hot now; the color and pattern choices are so vast and they're a recyclable product, another advantage.

Capiz Shell wallcovering by Maya Ramanoff

One of my favorite wall covering companies, based here in Chicago, is Maya Ramanoff Wallcoverings. This capiz shell product gives a wall such an intense iridescence to it, it makes a room glow, creating such a calm beauty to a space.

Candice Olson's Brilliant sand wallpaper

A leader in the interior design arena and very talented product designer as well, Candice Olson adds a beachy feel to this new line of wallcoverings, designed for MDC Wallcoverings, called Brilliant. I think the pattern is stunning and would punctuate a wall in an enclosed porch or sun room beautifully. By pairing this with glass jars filled with shells, it would create such a great summer look.

Bird feathered wallcoverings by MDC Wallcoverings

Yes, these are REAL bird feathered wallcoverings! How do you clean them? Very carefully! The best way is to use a vacuum attachment and carefully vacuum them. For dirt or stains, an extremely mild soap and water solution would work. Never rub, always blot.

FYGI: (For your green information) Vinyl wallcoverings have gotten some very bad press due to their non-green characteristics. Now, the first company to change this material is MDC Wallcoverings. They're introducing new technology built into the product with their "LEN-TEX". They call it Clean Vinyl Technology, or the next generation of vinyl wallcovering. It is free of:
Phthalates, heavy metals, arsenic-based biocide, antimony (used as a flame retardant and harmful!) and formaldehyde. Very exciting news!

Until next month, happy hanging! Please contact me if you need a professional hanger.

~Stephanie

Curve Appeal

2011-05-17T12:58:00.005-05:00

Did you ever stop to wonder if you're a geometric, straight, linear design kind of person, or a curvilinear, more rounded type? Well, me? I love anything curved, loopy, rounded, swirled...you get the idea. I do appreciate geometrics and linear design elements, however, for me to find balance in it, it must be infused with some type of rounded element. Take a look at some ways I've added curve appeal to my interiors that I've designed (and an interior that I just love, but didn't design):

Photo by Artografi
Custom carpet designed by me and fabricated by Luzern Carpets. Installed by Floor Decor, Lindenhurst, IL. The installer inset the wavy patterned carpet into an installed stone tiled border. The faux finish on the wall is a painted frame around a framed piece of art. Artist is Art View, Wheeling, IL.

Photo by Artografi
Custom area rug that I designed and had fabricated by Custom Carpet Artistry, Arlington Heights, IL. The hand carving and curved edges mirror the scalloped sheer draperies. Private residence.

Photo by Stephanie Nickolson

Bedroom furniture and decor at Christopher Guy showroom, Winnetka, IL. I didn't design this room, but ask me about how it can be yours! Take a look at their other collections at www.christopherguy.com gorgeous stuff!

Photo by Stephanie Nickolson

Another custom carpet that I designed and had Custom Carpet Artistry fabricate and install on a staircase. Private residence.

Photo by Artografi
Same artist, Art View, painted a curved faux finish accent on wall to delineate the office/loft area.

Photo by Stephanie Nickolson
As you can see, I do have a lot of fun with carpet~ Same designer, same rug fabricator!

And now, I'm running out of time and I haven't mentioned anything GREEN in this blog, so here's FYGI: (for your green information) I attended Chicago's Green Festival this past Sunday and it was really a great show. So many products were labeled as "fair trade". To define what "fair trade" really means, it's products that were produced under socially, environmentally, environmentally and economically sustainable conditions. TransFair USA is the only independent, non-profit certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. The Fair Trade Certified label provides a way for consumers to know that these products meet these global standards. Oh, and yes, I bought a cool, curvy cuff bracelet!

Happy Spring!

Celebrate Earth Day in the outdoors!

2011-04-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

This is a really exciting time for me now; this month marks the 2nd anniversary of my design blog on my website. I first started blogging the week of Earth Day, how apropos. Even though it's cold and rainy here in Chicago, almost all of the snow that fell the other day has almost disappeared and the first flowers of the season are optimistically trying to lift from the ground. The season of lounging around outdoors in the sun is looming ahead. Thoughts of entertaining friends and family, eating delicious grilled food, sipping festive drinks and the music of chirping birds fills my mind. Whether acres of land surrounds your home or you live in a dwelling with a small patio or deck, there are so many ways to celebrate spring and decorate your exterior sustainably and comfortingly. The white furniture shown above is newly introduced and
available through the company Trex. You may be familiar with this company, as it's known for it's outdoor decking products. Recently, they've introduced outdoor furniture into the marketplace. It's made of 90% recycled content, incorporating the use of recycled milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles.

Shown above is a rug to add pattern and color to your deck or patio, giving a warm feeling of indoor coziness. It's offered in two colorways; Rust (as shown) or Aqua. These decorative rugs are reversible, handcrafted by Thai artisans who receive fair wages for their craft and made 100% of recycled soda bottles. They're durable, just need to be hosed down to clean and come in sizes 4' x 6' or 6' x 9'. They are available through http://www.gaiam.com/

Also through Gaiam, is a line of furniture which is actually made from recycled wine barrels. The chair shown here is part of that collection.

Who wouldn't want to be enveloped in the hammock shown above? (OR any other hammock for that matter) This hand-woven option is available through The Hammock Company and is called Pawleys Island Presidential Size Hammock. This, along with other eco-friendly styles, can be seen at http://www.hammocks.com/ I would love to be resting here right about now!

How ever you choose to decorate the exterior of your home, whether it be a living area, fully furnished with furniture, rugs and a hanging light fixture, or it includes an outdoor kitchen, fully equipped with a stove, or you simply use a grassy area and punctuate it with a small bistro table and chairs, it's the season to be outdoors and celebrate time with friends and family.

Are you into gardening? A great book titled "Organic Garden" authored by Christine and Michael Lavelle (shown in photo above) offers great tips on this topic. It also makes a great coffee table book!

What ever way you choose to celebrate Earth Day, I hope it includes some outdoor activity or something that includes being kind to our earth. Please share your ideas, questions or thoughts on how you'll be celebrating it.

Until next month, CHEERS!

~ Stephanie

Spring Forward...Fall Back Into RETRO!

2011-03-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

Pendant light fixture by Nuevo

Rug offered by The Rug Market, Kathy Ireland Young Attitudes, "Love Safari Ivory Coast/Sandy Beach"

Butterfly Chair by RALPHLAURENHOME, called " New Safari Camp Chair"

Bar stool by Nuevo

Fabric by Mod Green Pod Wallpaper by designer

While we've all sprung forward, let's take a moment to roll back in time. I love some of the old design eras, including the one from the '50's that evokes a feeling of happiness; simple floral designs (ones that I used to doodle on paper when bored) sunbursts and overlapping large-scaled geometric shapes...flourescent colors were trendy during this era; shades of yellows, greens, turquoises, oranges and pinks were all hot...

According to Urban Dictionary, the term retro is a style from the past representing something nostalgic such as an article of clothing or decorative item. It gives me a warm feeling, thinking of these sunbursts and floral motifs, a period of time that I enjoy revisiting...

These products are all retro, cool and current. They can be intermixed into different styles of design as a focal point or as an accent.

* FYI: The Butterfly chair was created in 1938 by the architect Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy and was originally called the Hardoy chair. Now, the popular style's frame can be covered in everything from hot pink faux-fur to polka-dotted and canvas fabrics. I really like this Ralph Lauren version of distressed-rustic-goes-great-with-turquoise look.

A lot of these products look great in teenager's rooms as well as rec rooms or basements. Pottery Barn does a great job of offering these products for teens. Check them out at: http://www.potterybarn.com/

* FYGI (For Your Green Info): Mod Green Pod manufacturers fabrics and wallpapers that are ALL eco-friendly. Check them out at: http://www.modgreenpod.com/

Red, White or Honeysuckle??

2011-02-23T13:16:00.000-06:00

I'm a bit behind schedule with posting my blog, but it is still February, so this is all about the color choices: Red, White or Honeysuckle? Check out Pantone Color Institute's color of the year, 2011: Honeysuckle... This leader of the world's color trends, PCI, has chosen this hue to create a calming effect on the public's psyche after all of the economic challenges that we've seen the past few years. This color is popping up everywhere; from the fashion runways to appliances as well as home decor. I'm also quite sure that a lot of companies are pitching in to raise breast cancer awareness by selecting this color for their products. They'll usually donate a portion of their proceeds to go towards cancer research and/or treatment.

For all of the men reading this; do not be afraid to wear or use pink! It will make you so in style...

I LOVE this dog wallcovering, left photo; it's a bit over-the-top but great for a child's room or "pet room" ;-) Any veterinarians out there??

The "birdcage" light fixture, above photo adds whimsy also to any room in the house. It especially goes well in a four-seasons room or porch.

This chair is a great look for a living room, family room or reading area. I would incorporate it into a contemporary setting, eclectic or traditional. Pair it with a zebra print, a chocolate brown leather piece of furniture or a white flokati rug and you've created a fabulous look!

For those of you who in live in the Chicagoland area, the magazine House Beautiful is hosting a pink chair giveaway from February 26-28. They will be dropping 20 different chairs off in different locations in Chicago. The first to grab them gets to take them home! For additional info, you can read more at http://www.housebeautiful.com I've decided to wait a few months to showcase my newly recovered furniture, as the process takes a bit longer than I had anticipated...stay tuned for some exciting pieces that will be available for purchase.

I'm still blogging for Natural Home magazine. If you didn't have a chance to read my posts, here are links to the past few:

http://http//www.naturalhomemagazine.com/green-decor-and-design/healthy-green-design-man-cave.aspx

http://http//www.naturalhomemagazine.com/green-decor-and-design/healthy-green-design-decorating-pebbles-rocks-stone.aspx

Would love to hear from you: What do you want to learn about? Please share your design dilemmas and questions!

~FYGI (for your green information) A great site to search for green information and products is: http://www.green.yahoo.com/

Welcome 2011...and reflecting on 2010...

2011-01-02T18:47:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, here we are, 2011. I haven't made any "resolutions" per se, but I've rather focused on a few goals that I hope to have accomplished by year's end. They're both room renovations in my home; both powder room and kitchen. I've pondered, reflected and eventually zeroed in on ideas, now they just need to be implemented. Results and progress to be posted as we go along.

As we move forward into 2011, I like to reflect on the past year... what did I want to achieve but didn't quite complete? What would I have done differently?

Along with these thoughts on reflection, I'd like to spotlight one of my favorite companies: Christopher Guy, a manufacturer of fine furniture and stunning mirrors. They are shown above (single mirrors, not fireplace setting) You can view more of them at http://christopherguy.com/

According to Webster, reflection has multiple meanings: 1.the fixing of the mind on some subject and 2. the throwing back of a surface of sound, light, heat, etc. This seems appropriate as a New Year's topic, as it is a time to reflect on life and "fix the mind on" goals, as well as come up with ideas of how to beat the winter doldrums, ie; how to brighten up an interior with metallic or reflective items.

With winter upon us, here are some bright ideas to add sparkle to a room. By adding metallics and iridescence to a space, it creates openness and alters a mood from drab and flat to shiny and having depth. Walls painted an all matte finish can make a room appear drab and boring. Just as adding textures creates warmth and interest, by throwing in some fringed metallic accent pillows, it gives a sofa or chair dimension. Mirrors always give the illusion of space as well as add that reflective quality to a room and make it appear larger than it actually is.

Another idea is to wallpaper an accent wall a light metallic or pearlized choice which infuses an effervescent quality. You can even stripe it by painting an alternating high gloss/matte finish in the same color family. I would recommend larger stripes, about 6"-8" wide, to open up the space. Placing clear glass bowls or tall vases on a cocktail table with metallic colored balls in them is very festive and also another way to incorporate metallics in a room.

In closing, I'll share an old Ugandan proverb with you that I love: the task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you...

~ Wishing you all success with your reflections and goals for the new year...

~ Please check back next month where I'll start featuring refurbished furniture with funky, fabulous new upholstered fabrics that will be available for purchase. ~

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2010-12-02T15:33:00.000-06:00

December 3, 2010 Time has been flying by as is evident that I haven't posted here since October...My exciting news is that I've been guest blogging for Natural Home magazine. If you didn't get a chance to read them, here are the three that have been posted so far:

Natural, Organic Fabric:

http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/green-decor-and-design/healthy-green-design-natural-organic-fabric.aspx

Repurpose a Blank Wall with Eco-Friendly Paint:

http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/green-decor-and-design/healthy-green-design-repurpose-blank-wall-eco-friendly-paint.aspx

Naturally Scent Your Home:

http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/green-decor-and-design/healthy-green-design-naturally-scent-your-home.aspx

CANDLES for the holidays; brighten your home by adding the warm glow of beautiful candles~ perfect for when you're entertaining company or great for just some quiet alone time; create a mood of warmth and comfort. Some nice sites to check out for eco-friendly ones are:

http://www.alohabay.com/

http://www.pacificacandles.com/

If you're celebrating Hanukah, here is a company that offers Hanukah candles for sale. They also have candles for meditation altars or shabbat observances; all are 100% natural beeswax with cotton wicks and contain no lead or heavy metals. Read more about them at

http://bigdipperwaxworks.com/

~Have a beautiful, celebratory holiday with those you cherish. Please check back for a new blog in 2011.

ENERGIZE Your Home While Saving Energy!

2010-10-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

above wall photos were painted with Sherwin Williams' no-VOC Harmony paint and low-VOC Modern Masters metallic paint applied over it. A border was created with a painted frame.

ENERGIZE your home by infusing a warm color palette using oranges, golds, yellows and fuchsia. When I need to feel energized or creative, these hues make me feel alive, motivated and inspired! As our temperatures are dropping and we're approaching winter, it's nice to add these tones to make us feel positive and relaxed, yet at the same time, it sparks fire to our souls. A combination of color and the following tips on energy savings should help with mood altering states of mind. (If these don't work or simply aren't applicable to you, you can purchase the mood altering "full spectrum " light bulbs manufactured by Blues Buster. ( http://www.bluesbuster.com/)

TIPS on receiving your energy tax credits by December, 2010:

If you're interested in qualifying for energy tax credits, you better start planning now as the deadline is the end of this year. There are different products that you can purchase but they must also be installed by year's end as well. Consumers can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $ 1,500.00. Read on...

Some products are: Levolor's Accordia cellular shades with Energy Shield. This product has a built-in feature that adds an additional insulation factor to the product. Pella has windows that meet this credit criteria. The links to their sites are:

http://pellareplacement.com/

http://www.levolor.com/

And, go to Energy Star to see a listing of products at http://www.energystar.gov/ Another site for information is www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm to learn more about other energy improvement tax credits.

Green tip: (FYGI) For the holidays, cut some branches from outdoors and spray paint them with Modern Masters metallic paint to add to your table decor.

Fall and Color!

2010-08-30T14:07:00.000-05:00

ikat print fabrics

It's hard to say farewell to summer, but the kids are back in school, fall is in the air and I'm excited that I now have time to write my September blog.

ON COLOR: According to Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute's Executive Director, we won't be seeing a huge shift in color trends from 2010 to 2011 due to consumers still being uncertain with our economy. Consumers are combining color a little bit differently. With neutrals still being center stage, at least for main elements such as carpeting or a sofa, the exciting news is that metallics are still hot, hot, hot. The key to using metallics is to pay attention to their temperature correctly. For example, It's great to use gold and silver, but one should predominate over the other. Silver is cool and gold is hot. If they are equal, the space becomes too overstimulating. By infusing metallics into an otherwise neutral space, it creates visual interest and depth.

My Thoughts on color: (If you didn't already know) Please don't be colorphobic! Color is everything! If you're unsure, I can help. You can still use neutrals as a base or background, while accessorizing with color. Not only can you accentuate the neutrals with color, but large scale prints are also very hot right now. A few scattered patterned pillows on a sofa or a new bold drapery treatment can be very dramatic. You can change these things seasonally or simply whenever you tire of them.

ikat prints: what are they?? It is the method of weaving a fabric that uses a resist dyeing method process similar to tie-dye. The dye is applied prior to the threads being woven to create the final design. The word itself literally means tied, bound or knotted. See the photos above to see how these beautiful unique fabrics can create excitement to a room.

Green product idea: On the topic of bold patterns and color, One Thread At A Time is a fair trade company that employs female artisans worldwide. These women may be impoverished or have been battered, and by hiring them to produce these beautiful pillows, it enables them to improve the quality of their lives. Contact me for more info, or you can go to their website: http://www.onethreadfairtrade.com/

~ Please check back next month for our next blog.

July; Enjoying the freedom of being an independent designer!

2010-07-02T11:03:00.000-05:00

Notes from neocon: One of the world's largest trade fairs... Exciting things are happening in the design world. TMC Furniture's innovative "ImPrinted" allows chairs, tables or paneled surfaces to be embellished with text, photography or graphics using digital imaging as shown below. The beautiful photography above is done by famous nature artist Henry Domke. He is now photographing nature and in collaboration with MDC Wallcoverings, is showcasing his fine art using digital imaging technology onto backlit panels and murals. They are simply stunning!

On a fun note: Designtex has come up with a new product called "writeUp h2o", an environmentally preferable dry erase paint. It's a clear, non-toxic product that can be easily applied to any properly prepared painted surface and dries completely clear. What a great idea for an office, children's playroom or conference room.

Still going strong are pearlized and metallic wallpapers. They add so much to a room. You can use these to add drama to a powder room, dining room accent wall or install it in a niche built into the wall. Add MR16 lamps to spotlight a sculpture on a pedestal; what a dynamic accent!

Drab, nondescript rooms are out; exciting, eclectic spaces are so in! In this ever increasing global world that we live in, different cultures, styles and periods can be combined to make an overall aesthetically beautiful space.

Green tip: To kill off weeds on your lawn or garden, add salt to boiling water and spray it on! It's healthier for people, animals and the earth!

~ please check back next month for a new post!

Spring !! Have you edited your home lately??

2010-05-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new faces on my blog and Facebook page. I'm so glad that you found us! Last month, I offered a complimentary color consultation to whomever referred the most followers to my blog or Facebook page. I'm not sure who actually recruited the newcomers or if they just found us on their own, but thank you all! Please read on to learn about editing the space in which you live...

May is my favorite month. Not only because it's my birth month, but because it's a time for spring cleaning while the scent of the outdoors fills the air inside. It's definitely the time for home editing. When you hear the word edit, you probably think of images of books, newspapers or other reading materials. I call it decluttering. Take a closer look at details and treasures that you love, while eliminating items that are visually distracting. Display part of a collection, or cut fresh flowers and place them around your home in important areas, highlighting them for all to see. So basically, editing in this context means taking a magnifying glass to the areas that surround you to focus on simple details rather than placing various insignificant items in your space.

I'd like to share with you a fabulous company and new source of mine, Fireclay Tile. They're the leading ceramic tile company using recycled materials and their products are lead-free. I absolutely LOVE their "Vitrail" tile in color Green Tea. I'm thinking of using this tile in my powder room or kitchen. Check them out at : http://www.fireclaytile.com/. Their impressive list of clients includes Whole Foods.

GREEN TIP:

CARPET CLEANING FORMULA:

Combine 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar. Rub paste into carpet, leave for a few hours, then vacuum area.

~ Please check back next month to hear about all of the latest products after I've attended NEOCON in Chicago, one of the world's largest interior design markets.

APRIL

2010-04-05T14:25:00.000-05:00

HAPPY EARTH DAY!! April 22 is Earth Day and it's springtime! Hopefully, the weather will continue to improve in Chicagoland. I just returned from a wonderful trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale, where the colors used in interior furnishings seemed to mirror the beauty of all of the earth tones in the environment. These hues included a warm slate blue, rich milk chocolate brown along with sand tones, including very pale yellows and golds. Glass tiles mixed with ceramics, slates and stone could be seen everywhere. Very zen and spa -like. What an awesome blend! It was as though the interiors were the backdrop of all of the amazing colored foliage and florals outdoors.

David Bromstad, of HG TV and I at the eco
paint store in Chicago, Colori. He introduced his no VOC
color line for Mythic Paint company. He is full of energy and so inspiring! For those who are Facebook fans, you've already seen this photo. If you're not a Facebook fan, please check out my fan page at Stephanie Nickolson Design.

I love his color name selections. They range from (kids's room collection) " green eggs" and "yellow brick road" to (kitchen and bath collection) "Pearadise" and "Black Eyed Pea"
The colors are so rich, and of course I love that they are non-toxic and don't have that I can't stand being in this room smell.

On the subject of non-toxic and healthier for you ideas, you may have heard of the innovative Microban technology. Many interior products are partnering with Microban by incorporating it into their products. Silestone, a solid surfacing countertop material and the largest producer of natural quartz, was one of the first companies on board. Now, Dal Tile has infused some ceramic tiles with it, touting its "Outstand Technology", DAP Kwik Seal Plus is a basement paint that seals out moisture by applying it to the floor, and even a solar shade is on the market with Microban built into the window treatment. The product protection is engineered to fight the growth of damaging microbes such as bacteria and mold. I believe you'll be seeing more and more products being introduced with this protection.

Have a healthy April! Please do something good for the environment...

~ Check back next month for a new blog posting. (oops, I did skip March) And, feel free to comment about what you like, don't like and want my next topic to be.

FEBRUARY BLOG

2010-02-11T09:22:00.000-06:00

CONGRATULATIONS to our free interior design consultation winners David and Kate Kreiman of Glenview, IL ! By becoming a fan of our business on Facebook or following our blog, they were automatically entered to win.

With less of a focus on homeowners selling their homes and moving, we are seeing a trend in home renovations, changing existing things around and staying at home these days. On this snow-filled February day, whether you reside in Chicago or a warmer climate, here are some predictions for design in 2010:

COLOR: TURQUOISE! Not just limited to Southwestern in style, turquoise is hot now. Actually, it's quite versatile in it's use. It can be paired with browns and oranges for a rustic Southwestern tone or with blacks, tans or grays to create a classic, contemporary style. Mix it in a bathroom or kitchen by using stunning glass tile blends for an oceanlike, zen ambiance. When mixed with green hues and wood tones, this exudes an earthy, natural vibe.

MIX interior furnishings up. If your style is traditional, add an unexpected bold splash of color by simply adding new pillows in an Ikat or large geometric print. This adds an element of surprise.

BRING the natural light from the outdoors in. To achieve this, you can add skylights or order new window treatments (my favorite is natural woven woods) with the top down option. With this option, you can have it open from the top down, allowing light to filter into room yet retaining privacy from the bottom.

And now FYGI: (For your green information) Let's support the following companies who are among the top 20 leaders for their efforts in lowering their carbon footprints:

~ Aveda

~ Benjamin Moore

~ Whole Foods

~ Timberland

~ Method

~ Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

~ Clif Bar

~~ Please check back next month for our March blog

2010-01-05T10:13:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!! ...2010...
Welcome back to my blog. I guess the end of 2009 got really busy and I didn't post for awhile.

For the month of January, I'm going to have a special drawing for all of my blog followers and Facebook fans. The winner will receive a FREE (2) hour design consultation for your home or business. For all Illinois residents, I will travel to your location. For those who are outside of Illinois, we can communicate via e-mail and internet. (The winning follower/fan may transfer the consultation to someone else if design services are not needed, or if they feel someone else would benefit from it.) Drawing will take place February 3, 2010 and the winner will be contacted via e-mail. For every referral received, the winner will gain another entry into the drawing.

GREEN TIP: Don't know what to do with your leftover gift wrappings? shred them! You can then use it for packing material or for other packages that you send out.

And, on the subject of green...You've heard the term VOC's but not sure what exactly they are? They are toxic byproducts released from synthetic materials and chemicals such as flame retardants and include the following: toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene and acetone. These VOC's are released steadily into the air that you breathe. Manufacturers are coming up with new ways to eliminate these contaminants by making products organic and non-synthetic. My design firm offers these such products. Please inquire about them!

~ Wishing you all the best in 2010! Please check back soon for my next blog.

2009-10-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

October Blog

When I envision the relatively new coined term "man cave", with Halloween right around the corner, I conjure up an image of a natural dwelling made up of dirt and stone. (Perhaps with men holding bats, Flintstone style along with live bats flying around) On the contrary, this room or area actually refers to a man’s space in the house, garage, attic or basement utilizing the highest technology that he can afford. A bar, game table, home theater, stereo system or other electronics can be enjoyed here. A gathering place for men or "buddies" to recline or convene at. Since goth is somewhat "in", black can be masculine and adapted in an aesthetic way, but I’d prefer not to overdo it. Black or brown leather paired with a "hot" accent color such as red or orange can be an effective palette for the space.

Eco materials can be utilized or adapted in the design. Cork flooring is not only green but extremely acoustical. In addition, no VOC paints on the walls and ceiling along with that leather furniture that I mentioned is a great way to incorporate green elements.

TIP : LED televisions are hot right now. They are more costly due to new technology, however, they’re also more energy efficient and take up less depth. This is a nice feature when being mounted on a wall.

~Please check back next month for more design ideas.

2009-09-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

September 6, 2009

Change life. One room at a time. That is a manufacturer’s tag line and I love it. It is so true. I highly recommend designing or redesigning your home, or your own personal space exactly how you love it. Yes, there should definitely be an overall scheme, whether it be weaving color or design elements by a common thread, but do ONE room at a time until it is perfect for you.
In this economy, in order to get the most out of your home‘s equity, I suggest renovating your kitchen or bathroom. That is where you’ll increase the value of your property the most. By installing a new hardwood floor, it can increase the value of your home as much as 10%, and it’s NATURAL!
Speaking of renovating bathrooms...VANITIES!! It used to be that the bathroom vanity was a built- in unit in the bathroom. Now, vanities are more furniture-like and are standing on their own to make a huge statement. Since being green and the earth are really "in" now, the same applies for these furniture vanities. Earth-friendly materials are having a lasting effect on kitchen cabinetry as well as bathroom vanities. Low VOC and no added urea formaldehyde are hot now. Examples of these are bamboo and FSC certified wood. (Forest Stewardship Council)
Intertwining modern electronic technology and design technology in today’s world, here’s a tidbit of info. Not that this feature will be applicable and beneficial to everyone, but it is so outstanding. (As well as a little plug for Sherwin-Williams paint company) Thanks to Colorsnap, a free Apple iPhone application from Sherwin-Williams, you can use the iPhone camera to take a picture and match it with one of the 1,500 Sherwin-Williams paint colors. WOW ! How neat is that?
　
~ Please check back soon for more design trends and information.

July 13, 2009

2009-07-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

I attended a conference in Chicago last month, NeoCon World's Trade Fair 2009. Of course, the main topic was green products and design. Although not as highly attended in previous years, it was highly exciting! Exciting because I wasn't crammed into an elevator with 30 other people but also because of the new product offerings.

To name a few:

~ A children's line that uses formaldehyde-free, 100% recycled wood fiber furniture
~Eco laminates that achieved GREENGUARD certification. (GREENGUARD certification is awarded to those products that emit low levels of chemicals under prolonged use.)
~Terrazzo countertops made of recycled glass. They look as if you're looking through a kaleidoscope! Beautiful...
~Ceramic square tiles that look like real wood random planks, very neat!
~Fabrics made with vegetable dyed patterns printed on natural fabrics.
~Bamboo and leather rugs as well as recycled rubber floor tiles.

Contact me for more detailed information if you're interested in any of the above mentioned products.

If not in the market to purchase new products, I like this concept:

REPURPOSE: Why not take an area in your house or office that you're not using and give it a whole new purpose? For example, take a closet and remove the door, paint the interior a dramatic or calming color, depending on the mood you're trying to achieve, and add wooden shelving at different heights. It becomes an art gallery when adding spotlights (Mr 16 bulbs) or an exhibit of your favorite collection. In any case, it's giving space a new meaning.

Product idea: Do you have an old shower curtain that you just don't want anymore but hate to see it end up in a landfill? You don't have to throw it away. Instead, use it as a dropcloth for your next painting project or use it under a table for kids to paint on.

~ Please check back next month for new ideas and feel free to comment or start a discussion.

2009-06-10T08:25:00.000-05:00

RECYCLING...

I just love the idea that I read recently in the newspaper about groups of people convening to "swap" stuff. What is one person's trash is another's treasure, as the saying goes. They're swapping toys, home goods and other items. Here's another idea: Why not swap garden plants and flowers when yours are getting overcrowded??

There's also a website called www.freecycle.org where in many locations, you can join a group and get rid of unwanted items. The items are free~~all you have to do is contact the person who has the item and if you are first on the list it's yours! You can also post items you don't want and know that they are going to someone who needs them. The group was formed with the idea that conscientious donators don't want to burden the landfills with items that could be used by others.

TIP:

~~ Is your furniture making you sick? Some furniture contains hidden chemicals called Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) which are added to the polyurethane foam that is used to manufacture some upholstered furniture and other household goods.

In animal studies, these compounds can negatively affect the thyroid gland, the reproductive system, the immune system and can even interfere with learning and memory. The good news is that some companies have reduced or eliminated the use of PBDEs. A partial list of those companies include Apple, Canon, Dell and IBM.

Furniture companies are also paying closer attention to the environment and consumer's health. Some of these companies include Bob Timberlake, Rowe, and Bean Products. To view a hemp sofa from Bean Products, visit the "featured products" section of our website at www.snickolsondesign.com

Please check back for our future postings!

2009-04-30T09:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my first blog. When I first sat down to write this, it was Earth Day and I thought, how appropriate! But I didn't get it to my proofreader in time to post. Then, on second thought, why wait for Earth Day? I want to promote GREEN all year round!

In general, this blog will spotlight GREEN ECO-FRIENDLY articles, products, ideas and information. But I won't exclusively focus on being a Greenie--I will also include what's hot, what's not so hot, what's in and what's heading out in all design arenas.

Ever since the Clean Air Act in 1963, our country has made some pretty significant strides in cleaning up our outdoor air. And I'm sure you heard recently the EPA declared greenhouse gasses a threat to public health and a principle cause of unwanted climate change. But, did you know that approximately 90% of our time is spent indoors? We need to clean up our indoor air as well as our outdoor air in order to be healthy!

A great and simple way of bringing the outdoors in, as well as cleaning up our indoor air is growing certain house plants...there are indoor plant varieties that actually cleanse the air that you and your family breathe. These include, but aren't limited to:

holy basil (balances adrenal glands and also good for lowering stress)

boston fern

rosemary

english ivy

peace lily

weeping fig

reed palm

* GREAT RECYCLING/DETOX TIP: If you have old paint that you don't want to have to wait to dispose of properly, you can take corn husks and put them in the blender and grind to a pulp. Add them to your paint and mix well; this will detox the paint and make it harmless to the environment.

** Please check back soon for more exciting ideas!