I was interviewed by fellow interior designer and blogger, Danielle, of A Design State of Mind in July 2010 and forgot to share with you prior to jetsetting off to London for three months. Please click on the link and get to know me a bit more. Cheers!!!!!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Color Mix for a Teen Girl
These colors are fitting for a teen girl who has grown quite tired of pastel pink, or pastels for that matter, and want something more grown-up. Well, here's a nice color combo. It's colorful but not overbearing.
Inspiration room: Love the mixture of colorful patterns for drama, depth and movement. The white walls serve as a nice backdrop for the popping colors about this room. The pink wall is perfect as it serves as the focal point and because it's paint on one wall (for those of you who are afraid of putting color on your wall). This an adorable room.
Any one of these colors would do nicely. Just make sure it's not pastelly (is that a word). The most efficient method of tying all these colors together is through a mixture of patterned textiles as shown in the image above. What teenage girl wouldn't love this color mix.......
Marilyn
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Why you should visit London - Syon House
Not just because London has great museums, sidewalk cafes or style but because of its great history.
It's been a little over a month since I came back from London and I miss it more than ever. Especially since I've developed some lifelong friendships with people who live there. Anyway, this is one of the country houses we visited, Syon House. The Syon house, built in 1547, sits on 200 acres and is the last of the country houses to remain in the occupation of its ancestral owners: The Northumberland family.
In 1750, Robert and James Adam were commissioned to remodel the interiors.
Robert Adam was the first to move towards the picturesque design style with movement, depth, niches to create illusions of a grand space
The Great Hall - Neo-Classical design by Robert Adam. Notice that the ceiling pattern mimics the pattern of the floor. One of Adam's hallmarks.
The interior court - A central rotunda was intended but was excluded due to cost. I think it looks quite nice open.
The dining room - "Syon House is feted as Adam's early masterpiece and has been recornized as the finest surviving evidence of revolutionary use of color."
The Great Conservatory designed and built by Charles Fowler in c1828 - 1830. It was the first conservatory built from metal and glass on a large scale (during the industrial era).
The conservatory is a popular venue for weddings, receptions, dinners, balls, etc. It was featured in the Gosford Park and The Madness of King George.
The Conservatory inspired Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace
Hermes - The flying mercury by Giovanni Da Bologna, 1580
I really enjoyed visiting this house, touring the inside and learning about its great history and the architects/designers during that time. It is one of my favorite country houses.
Marilyn
Monday, October 25, 2010
Weekend Wrap-Up
This weekend I had every intention of painting one of my office walls and putting together my first "how to post" for a few friends. However, that did not happen. I kind of got side tracked by the Orlando Home Show, which turned out to be a dud. Nothing exciting to blog about. I was quite disappointed to be honest.
Instead, I rearranged my family room in preparations for my two favorite holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember what it looked like before: bright orange area rug (below). I wanted to tone down the color to allow for the addition of holiday colors and open the space to the kitchen, which is directly across from this room. The space is more neutral with sputters of green and allows for easy addition of another color. This year, I'm expecting quite a few family members therefore I rearranged the seating to allow for placement of additional chairs during movie watching, rock-band playing or board game challenges. Every inch of this room is used and I love it.
I left a few dots of orange because it's a nice fall color, an added punch of color and my favorite color. Afterall, I didn't want a room that was too neutral. After I rearranged the family room, guess where I headed next:
Yup, for a helicopter ride. This was a birthday gift from my husband and something I've always wanted to do. I was so scared but I had to try it at least once. Will I ever do this again, I'm not so sure. It was so worth the experience.
Marilyn
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Time for a Change
If you've been a reader since the inception of my blog, then you've probably noticed that I've changed it several times; colors, layouts, designs, etc. you name it. Like many of my creative peeps, I'm constantly changing something. Nevertheless, I was never truly satisfied with the look and the message behind the look I wanted my blog to convey. It's all about presentation, right!
Therefore, I have employed the assistance of some creative web professionals to come up with something for my blog. The redesign should be alive next month.
So stay tuned
Irrespective of the upcoming changes, regular posting will continue.
Marilyn
Friday, October 22, 2010
To My Surprise - via Olioboard Newsletter
| |||
this week's top olioboardHere's a look at the design that's grabbing everyones attention. |
 | Orange is my fave by marilyngrg |
That's pretty cool!!!!
Thanks Olioboard!!!!
Marilyn........
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
THANKS MARCEY FOR THE BIRTHDAY CHEERS!!!!!!
Although I said I wasn't going to blog today, I had to share. I got this really cool birthday wish from my dear Londonite friend, Marcey!!!! Sure made me smile a whole bunch!!! Thanks lady, you're the best, for sure........
happy birthday marilyn...
This last term was so much fun and one of the reasons why is this lady.
Here she is in one of my favorite cities.
I was so glad to have met her and I know that we'll be friends for a long time.
Mainly because we both roll our eyes at the same things.
Here we are on a class tour
The look on her face says it all really.
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite ladies!
PS I stole both photos from her.
Today is my Birthday [Oct. 20th]
I would love a room all done up for me like this one. But I'll settle for....
......this instead. Being the apple geek that I am; yes, I want one.
I'm taking the day off to enjoy in the spoils I'm about to receive and eat a whole slice of double-layered chocolate cake.
Enjoying Life........
Marilyn
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Ceiling fans
We're talking ceilings fans today because I don't hear them mentioned too often in the design community. A fellow design mate and I were conversing about ceiling fans. I can't recall how we got on the subject in the first place. IMHO, I like ceiling fans. I use them in my own home. The cost of operating my central air is ridiculously high and seems to be getting worse. While I love my ceiling fans, it has to be the right style, color and form to fit the aesthetics of the interior. On the technical side, the motor, efficiency, blade span and pitch and airflow ratings is also a necessary consideration.
I think ceiling fans are a necessay evil (for those who don't like them) especially in humid climates such as Florida. Ceiling fans saves on the cost of operating an air conditioner continiously, which can be astronomical. Ceiling fans have evolved quite a bit over the years. They are no longer only brown or white and have five blades.
From uni-blade to curved blades to the retro mod look, ceiling fans can serve as the drama piece in any space. Personally, I like the cyclops-looking fan for its unique and modern flare. I am quite happy to see new styles in the market, which is set apart from the typical builder installed ceiling fans or the bland products offered at our local home improvement stores.
Not to mention, there are many parts of the world that don't have the luxury of a central air-conditioned system and therefore, fans are great alternatives.
What I like about these two rooms (the one above and the one below) is that it sort of disappears into the ceiling and therefore, is not the focal point of the room.
Ceiling fans shouldn't take away from the room but make a statement.
What are your thoughts on ceiling fans? Love them or hate them?
Marilyn
Monday, October 18, 2010
Design by Ghislaine Vinas
For the love of color......
If you've been hanging around my blog for while, by now you know I am a die-hard color lover; addicted really. When I saw this colorful home on the September issue of my Interior Design magazine I got really stoked. Just look at the colors!!!! From pop art to colored pieces of furniture, this house is in it's own realm. Interior design by Ghislaine Vinas, who doesn't hold back when it comes to color. Check out some of her interiors.
My latest mood board
I was inspired to put my own little color fusion together.
Marilyn
Friday, October 15, 2010
Yay, It's Friday and it's Green
End your work week with a dose of color at Marilyn's Design Studio!!!!
Often synonymous with a soothing atmosphere, did you know
Neolithic people tried to make green dyes from the leaves of trees; didn't work
Egyptians figured it out by mixing Egyptian blue & yellow ocher
The Mexican Teotihiacan people from created frescoes with greens from crushed malachite
The blending of blue & yellow was not prevalent until the 18th century
In Mongol pantheon, the color green is a blend of white, yellow & blue
At one time green meant danger; recall the term "Green with envy"
Today, green is associated with growth, fertility, expectation, hope, freshness, nature, calm & youth
GREEN
These assorted shades of green are courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Mix and match your greens through use of various shades, tints, tones, textures and shapes to create a layered, monochromatic color scheme that is visually dynamic and stimulating, yet calm and inviting space.
Have a fantastic green day.....
Marilyn
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