Keeping the Warehouse Fashionable

It's Elaine and Jenna, at Credit River Granite right here in Burnsville. I noticed Jenna's sparkly beaded pocket on her T shirt the minute I saw her...she works in the granite warehouse helping select granite pieces. See? you can be stylish even in a warehouse. And of course, there's Elaine in her animal print, always looking stylish too!

Second post capturing style in the Twin Cities. We may not have an ocean anywhere near us, nor a European address, but we've still got style, and I'm going to be showing it to you...fashion and design, that's what this is about. And hopefully, inspiration. All ways to add joy to your life.

I saw this fashionista in Rubble Tile Shop, I was not bold enough to ask if I could take her photo! I have to get better at that. She was very cute in the leggings and long sweater, just out looking for new tile. What would you think if I tapped you on the shoulder and said, "you look so cute, may I take your photo for my blog?" I'm going to be bold and try it. Stay tuned for what responses I get!

Design On The Streets

With a nod to the blog, "The Sartorialist," I begin a new inspiration for this design blog: "On the Street." Check out The Sartorialist, I think you'll love it too, and hopefully be inspired. I have to add, however, that great design, beauty, color, etc...is not limited to the streets of London and/or Paris. Great design knows no boundaries! You can actually find it right here on the streets of the Twin Cities! I will post what I find, and I would love your comments. I was alerted to this woman by my friend and fellow designer, Holly, who also showed me "The Sartorialist," so, many thanks Holly. I will be out and about this afternoon, so stay tuned for the great design I find in Bloomington, Burnsville, and Apple Valley. I will be checking in for your comments!

Piping...Pipe Up!

Take a look at your sofa. Chances are, it's got some piping on it. What is piping? It's a thin strip of covered cord or material, used to edge cushions or hems. To be more thorough, piping has many meanings. Another definition is "to utter in a shrill tone; to pipe a command." which is an appropriate manner of describing why an interior designer might specify contrasting piping on a sofa or chair. Interior designers use piping a lot to get that one-of-a-kind look. Piping adds a detail that makes a tremendous difference; it even makes a sofa or chair "pipe up" in a room. Here's an example of some contrasting piping:














Why do I bring this up? Because today I noticed that "piping" is not a new idea...it's all around us. I saw that piping occurs in nature, and took this photo:

I literally walked right over this and couldn't help but notice. Don't you love the "contrasting piping" the yellow leaves made on the concrete sidewalk? It makes a statement! And so, I felt the inspiration to share the statement with you.

Take a look around you, let me know if you find some inspiration, I 'd love to hear all about it.

The Power of Red

Just read this in The St. Paul Pioneer Press, September 22, 2010:

Our hummingbirds, ourselves
Maplewood Nonna: "On September 15th, I was sitting on my deck reading, with my legs extended on the lounge chair, and my feet bare, with my toenails painted red, when a female hummingbird came along and tested every one of my toes."

See? Red is a powerful accent color. Try it somewhere...you never know what will happen!

On a recent trip to Philadelphia, I spotted this tree, all dressed up! Is it a trend? Or a work of art? I haven't seen any other trees (or bushes) dressed up at all. Let me know if you spot any.

A Settee for The Sidelines!

It's been a month since I last blogged! I've been busy... I just found this adorable settee--its new to one of my favorite lines--wish I had it on the soccer sidelines, it would have been a much more comfortable seat. It's only 55.5" wide! Such comfortable and good looking seating and fits in a small space. It's got a complementary chair too.

Here's a lovely new sofa. I'm seeing more and more in white, off white, cream and especially linen. Best news on this one, it's totally customizable! Need it shorter? Longer? One cushion? It's all doable. Even better, this company has its own forest; for every tree harvested, a new one is planted. AND, the forest is in the USA and the manufacturing is done in the USA. I think I'll start searching and posting more sofas...let me know what you think, what you want, what you find!

Addison Interiors recently participated in a sale, and while I was in the space helping set things up I spotted the sign below, posted on a mirror. I totally agree with its message. What are your thoughts?

Drumroll.....Check out our new website:

addinsoninteriordesign.com/mn

We're still tweaking it, so stay tuned for improvements big and small. Let us know what you think!

Interior Designista Alert! Check out the Designer Sample Sale at Hirshfield's Design Center Friday May 14 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday May 15 9 a.m to 3 p.m. right across from International Market Square, near the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, at 721 2nd Ave. North in Minneapolis. Fabulous designer accessories from art to lamps, rugs, sculpture, and furniture. NO charge!

Sculpture Inside and Out

I visited Chicago last week with a school group, and went on the Architectural walking tour. It was one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. The giant red steel sculpture outside the Federal Center was reflected in the windows of the building, and inside was a miniature version of the sculpture. It's not talked about on the website or the tour, but I thought it was fabulous...another "celebration of steel and our ability to craft it."

Just found a couple of fabulous new lines yesterday, one upholstry line, one casegoods. Isn't this the cutest end table you've ever seen? If you've seen a better looking one, please let me know! Send me a photo!

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut...

Got hardwood floors? Got a scratch in your beautiful hardwood floor? Take a nut, either an almond, or a walnut--the real thing--break it in half, and rub the exposed inner piece of the almond or walnut on the scratch. The oils in the nut will disguise the "white" scratch, and the scratch will not be noticeable. It's a quick fix until it's time to get those floors resurfaced. This is a tip straight from from Addison Interior Design, stay tuned for more!

Madam Butterfly

This just in from the International Home Furnishings Market in HighPoint. Stay tuned for more!

Life is about fabric!

Look at these new fabrics! They are the tip of the iceberg, not to mention my favorites...the softer palette would be great for the bedroom window treatments I need to do. If you like color, stay tuned, I've got some more new fabrics to post in big, beautiful patterns, with a side trip to the 60's.

Diamonds Are Forever

Guess who's on Oprah?
One of our design friends, Michael! His photograph was selected for Oprah's Breathing Space March 2010. The copy that goes with the photo is below. Now we can say we're friends with someone famous! Here's the web address http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Breathing-Space-March-2010/10#slide

St. Paul, Minnesota
I call this "Diamonds Are Forever." Amazing beauty is all around us at every moment. Simple morning dew upon canna leaves facing the morning sunlight are truly jewels to behold. Also a nice place to have your morning java.

Forecast for the week here is rain...good news is, the snow will be gone soon! We got our flowers out and we're arranging them; our peonies will be in bloom sooner than anyone elses! How do you perk up a gray day? Here's what I found today...want to bring the outside in? How about a bright flower pillow, it obviously had it's inspiration.

All the designers at Addison got a look at new fabrics today, and we couldn't help but "Oooo and Ahhh" when they were unfurled before our eyes. Linens, silks, irresistible velvets, pure cottons, soft wools, and blends in greys and light burgundy (don't even think mauve), luscious greens and of course Elaine's favorite chocolate browns. What's new is grey and burgundy in soft, rich, masculine but at the same time feminine plaids, linens rich in color but light as a whisper, silks with tiny threads of complementary colors and richly embroidered fabrics in classic motifs (see the photo!) and textured nubby blends in browns, greys, chocolates and black. Giant motifs in dramatic colors are making statements, and they are paired with just the right textures and tones to make any room a unique, comfortable, balanced space. One of the pleasures of design is familiarizing ourselves with new trends in colors and textures, cataloguing them in our memories so we have the perfect answer for whatever project we're working on...sofa, chair, chaise, pillow... Today it was fabric, tomorrow, we'll be looking into something else new and intruguing. We'll keep you posted!