The Vanilla Ice Project

Courtesy of DIY Network Website

I have a guilty confession to make...I kinda dig the "The Vanilla Ice Project" on DIY Network.  Go ahead, laugh, but I know you remember and love the infamous early 90's rapper and his catchy "Ice, Ice Baby" song.  You're singing it now, aren't you?

Now in it's second season (it just started January 21st, so it's not too late to tune in), the 30 minute show follows Vanilla Ice and his team as they renovate and flip foreclosed upon mansions in Palm Beach, Florida.  It's so sad (that's the bleeding heart designer in me) to see these beautiful homes in a state of disrepair - yards overgrown, swimming pools neglected and full of algae and worse yet, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures and kitchen cabinets torn out by angry former homeowners, etc.  Thankfully, the fun-loving, yet hardworking, team of guys are there to bring these homes back to their former glory! 

I enjoy watching the cool, high end and often custom-made products being installed.  And, I hate to say it, but I love it when trouble strikes and they have to put their thinking caps on to come up with a creative solution to the problem.  "Handsome Dan"- as he's known on the show - is very handy (no pun intended) when it comes to thinking outside of the box AND is knowledgeable enough to be able to correct almost any wrong.

And finally, I digg it when Vanilla Ice himself breaks out the "rhythm and the rhyme" and busts into a little jam session amidst the middle of the work day.  Check out the preview below and set your DVR's to record Saturday nights at 10pm Eastern Time on DIY. 

Blogfest 2012 Here I Come!

Blogfest is being held by Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig and Fils in NYC, May 21st through 23rd!

I missed out on registering for Blogfest 2011 the inaugural event last year and am so excited that I was on the ball and registered for the event as soon as registration went live at noon today!  Now I just need to cross my fingers that all of my Facebook posts, tweets and blogs make me worthy (in their eyes) to attend and meet some fellow interior design bloggers and people in the design industry.  I could use a little "inspiration" for my business these days! 

Check out the amazing agenda:
http://www.blogfest2012.com/agenda.htm

All the best and I hope you have a great day!

Are you hibernating?

P-Doodle napping in my office on a cold winter's day.

These cold, rainy, snowy, icy and dark winter days often find many of us hibernating inside our homes. Nicki was the inspiration for this post as she was curled up in my home office the other day. Normally she likes to sit at my front storm door and look outside and watch anything and everything that goes on in my neighborhood. But on this particular chilly day, she decided to just take a nap instead - after all, there couldn't be anything outside that trumps a nap on a warm rug!

Now that you are spending more time (or shall I say hibernating? We Virginians don't tolerate the cold very well!) inside of your home, what creature comforts are lacking? What design projects are on your new year's resolutions list?  Let me know...post a comment here! I'd love to hear your ideas so that I know what topics to blog about in the coming months.

Honolulu Confidential

A great example of Hawaiian decor.

Happy New Year!  I'm turning over a new leaf and vowing to update my blog more often in 2012.  I'm starting with a link to a Traditional Home article on Honolulu.  Having just returned (and still coming off my jet-lag) from a trip to the Big Island and Oahu, I can speak to how amazing this 50th state is.  It's January... and the low temperatures were in the high 60s, low 70s and the highs were in the low 80s each day.  There was sun, sun, sun and more sun!  Literally the perfect place, weather wise, let alone the stunning sights.  I'll be sure to post some of my own photographs and share my thoughts on this unique place in my coming blog posts, that is, since I'm turning over a new (palm) leaf and posting more to my blog more often.

** Note, all photos used in this post are taken from Traditional Home, "Honolulu Confidential."

Traditional Home - Honolulu Confidential

A view of Diamond Head Crater from the roof of Royal Hawaiian.

A beautiful breezeway at the Royal Hawaiian.

Nicki, the Spokesdog, Says Hello

While I was in the great town of High Point, NC this weekend to attend the Fall 2011 Furniture Market, I saw a black standard poodle all dolled up with bows in her ears and painted toenails.  She was serving as the spokesdog for a furniture company!

When I told Nicki about this, she was very jealous and insisted on getting some face-time here on my blog.  She said she hadn't been well represented recently.  And I agree!  So here's a cute picture of Nicki to start off your work week. 

And be sure to check back later this week when I post pictures and commentary from my travels to High Point...

Falling for More 2012 Color Trends

Benjamin Moore just posted 4 color trends for 2012, so I thought I'd piggyback on last week's post and share them with you! 

Falling for Fall Color Changes

Now that fall is officially in full swing, nature is beginning her annual change of colors.  There is nothing like the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of leaves turning on a gorgeous, sunny fall afternoon!

Recently, while in Pittsburgh, PA (my home away from home) picking up a gallon of Pony Tail (#315-4) paint for a client, I was browsing the PPG Pittsburgh Paints display at Rollier's Hardware.  I always welcome design inspiration as well as insights from my favorite vendors as to the upcoming trends, be it furniture, fabrics, lighting or, in this case, paint!  I picked up a fabulous little brochure entitled "Wow Color Now; Color Trends 2011/2012."  This brochure features 4 color schemes that Pittsburgh Paints chose to say "color is back in a big way!"  They go on to explain that "we are rediscovering the joy, beauty and optimism that we need to overcome adversity, and our color choices for home will reflect that.  We see trends gravitating towards deep, bold and bright colors to invigorate the greys and beiges of past years.  The headwind of color enthusiasm will encourage us to make highly charged personal choices like lipstick reds and azure blues, setting the stage for a vibrant 2011 and 2012."

Below, I have featured their 4 schemes - Instinct, Glamour, New Bohemia and UpCycle - below.  Which is your favorite?

P.S.  Nicki says "hi" and sends her love as the Inspired Interiors official "spokesdog."  You'll be hearing more from her soon.