one of those days...

i wish i was here....instead i'm here....but then she army crawls into my office and i can't help but smile.

love at first sight....

pink smeg dishwasher is like a girlie girl's dream come true (i mean check out that utensil holder)! you know what is really funny about this- last night i was sitting at the dinner table w/ my husband and i ask him "did you picture yourself marrying such a girlie girl"? which seems like a weird question to ask your husband of 4 yrs but this was my thought process...when i was driving home from a job yesterday, i started recapping "the hills" in my head as i was loudly singing along to what my husband calls "a high school mixed cd" i made. i got a smile on my face thinking about my poor husband and wondered if 10 years ago did he picture himself marrying someone who would love to own this.....

*the bottom pic is of my husband (probably 10 yrs ago) on his road trip across country. he slept in a tent for two wks and showered maybe twice in a river...do you think he thought one day he would have to share a bed w/ someone who wanted to own a pink utensil holder?

driving myself crazy....

ok, i am not one that has this compulsive instinct about matchy/ matchy...in fact, i am far from that. but i am driving myself crazy trying to figure out if i feel like the lighting, hardware, and plumbing fixtures have to match....like do you think that if you have oil-rubbed bronze lighting and hardware, then should your plumbing (faucets, shower heads, etc.) be the same or are you at peace w/ making them something completely different like satin nickel?? i don't feel like in a house you have to be alllll one way or the other but in a space/ room i'm torn....

angie hranowsky...

i was so excited when i was flipping through a magazine and ran across angie hranowsky. i was even more shocked that she was a local designer. the interiors of her mother's home was so hip that i couldn't resist emailing her to find out more....angie couldn't have been any sweeter and agreed to do a little Q & A....

Q: I totally stumbled upon you while flipping thru house beautiful looking for something inspiring for a current project. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that you lived here! You are a breath of fresh air in a town full of traditional designers…what inspires your design style?
A: I would say the main things that inspire my design style are vintage/modern furniture and architecture and color. I have been a collector of vintage furniture for years. I am constantly seeking out interesting pieces and furniture designers that are more rare.

Q: You had a wonderful client to work for- your mother! Her house is so hip and with it…did you both come up with the feminine concept or did you just tell her to trust you!??

A: Doing my mom's house when she moved here was a great experience. We did talk first about what she wanted, feminine and comfortable. She was great and really followed my instincts. I would show her what I was doing for her approval, but she was pretty open about it all.

Q: I have to know more about the amazing chandelier that you painted for the master bedroom….i think I read that you did it yourself…please share!!

A: Yes, I got a glass chandelier and painted it myself with car paint. Getting paint to stick to glass even with priming it first was not easy. I loved the idea of a colored glass chandelier and decided I could get the look for a lot less and make it more interesting.

Q: I adore the hallway with the O & L paper…everything looks so effortless…are the lamp and console vintage?

A:Yes, the lamp and cabinet in the hall are vintage, although I had the cabinet refinished with a
fresh coat of white lacquer.

Q: What is your favorite local place to shop?
A: My favorite local place is Antiques in South Windermere in the South Windermere shopping center. I stop in there almost every week. There are really no places in town that sell a lot of vintage, but that antique store always has a good mix of furniture and accessories and I have been fortunate to stumble on some good finds. Ultimately I don't get a lot things in town. I am constantly searching and looking for good finds when I am traveling.

Q: What is the one design trend you can’t get enough of and what is one you hope to never see again??

A: I'm not sure it's a trend, but I can never get enough of turquoise. I love the color whether its paint, fabric or jewelry.
I don't like country... themes, decor, nothing country.

Thanks so much for taking time out angie for this interview! Keep up the great design!!

happy b'day....

sunday is easter and my husband's b'day! he has the day off and we have a babysitter for the weekend so i am playing with him today. have a great weekend.

love her....

for obvious reasons...victoria's interiors are far from contrived and the furniture exudes coolness.

touring urban electric....

well i know that i have covered them in the past but i just can't say enough about urban electric. missy lappinen was nice enough to invite me to the showroom for a personal tour of the space and to get another look at the amazing lights. i must say, the showroom is awesome. the company fits right in one of the warehouses that belong to the old naval yard. the front is the where the offices and lights are displayed but then you look over and there is an entire glassed in wall and behind that are the craftsmen making the actual lights. it's really fascinating. there is nothing better then seeing a craftsmen at work locally. each craftsman has a set of lights that they specialize in so anytime they see it in a magazine or home, they have the honor of knowing they made it. the lights really do speak for themselves- i just can't stress how beautiful they are. the mirror accents, milk glass, and detailing in them are remarkable. another cool aspect with the company is that you can customize the lights with any ben moore color for little up charge. urban also makes a line for baker and i just would die to get my hands on tatiana light (is person it is unreal). thanks urban for the wonderful tour and lunch! and keep up the amazing work!