Mansard Mirror

I have not had much time to blog this past week so thank you for your patience. I am so excited to announce that the Mansard Mirror from Restoration Hardware that I selected for my clients guest bedroom has arrived early after being backordered until May 11th! The mirror is 41.5" wide and 38" high so I think it will make a wonderful statement in this guest bedroom. I love the reclaimed wood and the design of the mirror is inspired by late 19th century windows which adds architectural detail to the room. I will photograph as soon as I can, I can't wait show you the before and after photos, it looks absolutely beautiful. 



Restoration Hardware
Mansard Mirror

Have an excellent weekend!

Inspiring Design: Nuvrei Patisserie & Cafe

I was so excited to see the latest blog post from Bright DesignLab on Friday! This creative design firm is located in Portland, Oregon, they do interior design, graphic design, architectural photography as well as have a retail shop with furniture and accessories for the home. They just recently finished the interior design of Nuvrei Patisserie & Cafe in the Pearl District on 10th & Flanders. When I lived in Portland I used to walk down 10th Street and smell the aroma of fresh croissants. It was coming from a window below street level (seen at bottom of the photo below). I was so excited to learn that Nuvrei now has a retail location!

Here is how the wonderfully talented designers at Bright DesignLab describe the space: "We decided to keep the palette simple and work with the natural characteristics of the space (brick walls, wood ceiling) and used those textures to contrast with some of the more modern elements. To bring in some of the French flair (which Nuvrei is known for), we selected the Marais chair in a bright yellow - which is a classic french industrial design, and industrial inspired pendants."

The bakery is so inviting from the exterior...

The exterior signage is genius! What a terrific way to bring customers to the entrance.

Love the design details!

The original brick walls are paired with stainless, steel, wood and glass to create a space that is full of rustic charm and modern touches.

The simple straightforward design of this newspaper hanger is gorgeous.

The yellow was a great choice for this space.

The yellow chairs balance nicely with the open shelving above the bussing station.

The Marais chairs, industrial pendants and the carrera marble-top tables were the perfect choice to give a "French Industrial" look. The yellow is so sunny and inviting, they will be sure to brighten any cloudy day in the NW!

Do you see the yellow arrows on the floor? This is a great way to show people

which way the traffic is meant to flow. They also mimic the arrow at the front entrance.

Clean, crisp and modern display case fits the design perfectly.

The smooth glass is a high contrast to the rough wood planks on the bottom of the case.

The croissants speak for themselves, they look so delicious!

All photos courtesy of Bright Design Lab.

I hope you enjoyed this design as much as I did. I think that a simple interior design can go along way. I have always thought that overly designed spaces often become outdated quickly. The simple design of Nuvrei Patisserie is elegant and classic, I am certain they will be serving croissants for a long time to come!

Define: Interior Design

The term "Interior Design" is relatively new and many people are not familiar with it or sure what the difference is between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Here are the definitions according to the National Council For Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), and when it would be appropriate to hire either of these professionals: 

• Interior Design: "Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability." - NCIDQ
  
  
• Interior Decorating: "Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. Interior decorators require no formal training or licensure." - NCIDQ

The other thing I see, is many people choosing not to hire an interior designer for their design project because they are under the impression that it would cost them to much money. This can be a huge mistake! By hiring an interior designer even for a simple one hour consultation you have access to a professionally trained design eye. First off an interior designer can draft floor plans for remodels to submit for permitting which is a huge benefit if you are remodeling. When you hire an interior designer you can ensure that any furniture ordered will fit appropriately in the space, you have assistance coordinating colors and patterns, choosing tile for a backslash and last but not least, there are resources that are only available to the trade and when you are working with a designer you have access to some of the best materials, furniture and sometimes even discounts!

In my business I offer various interior design services including: a one hour consultation, e-design services where we work via e-mail and full hourly interior design services, to fit the needs of any project. I enjoy nothing more than to create innovative and cost effective design solutions for private residences or businesses and I believe that by hiring a professional the outcome of the project can be unexpected and amazing!

I look forward to hearing from you at Blaiseadkisondesign@gmail.com when you are ready to get started on your interior design project!

And now for a little treat...

In addition to my interior design "101" I wanted to share an amazing recipe with you from Sunset Magazine that I will surely be making for Thanksgiving! I love the presentation in mini pumpkins, so creative!
 

Ingredients:

SOUP: 

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 4 1/2 cups peeled, 1-in. chunks pumpkin or other orange-fleshed squash (from a 2 1/2-lb. squash)
• 4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper 

PESTO

• 1 small garlic clove
• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus slivered leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds

Preparation:

• 1. Make soup: Sauté onion and ginger in oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until golden, 5 minutes. Add garlic and coriander and cook until softened, 1 minute, then add pumpkin, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, until pumpkin is very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Purée in batches in a blender until very smooth.
• 2. Make pesto: Pound garlic, whole mint leaves, salt, and 1 tbsp. oil in a mortar into a coarse paste (or use a food processor). Add remaining oil and pumpkin seeds and pound until coarsely crushed.
• 3. Drop small spoonfuls of pesto over bowls of soup, garnish with slivered mint, and serve remaining pesto on the side.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the recipe! and be sure to check back later in the week for some great interior design tips and even more recipes for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner,