My darling little protoge!

Along with another successful event last night, a darling friend and long time follower, Amy, came in with her ever so grown up and stylish daughter. Rachael has been shopping in my store since she was a toddler and many a cute thing has gone home to her room and her mother's home!

Rachael was the youngest guest to attend and one of the most attentive! The class was the annual and well attended (25+), "Tray Chic". We talked and walked the store discussing many trays that I had designed with holiday themes. Silver trays, metallic leather croc trays, rustic trays, metal trays, basket trays, mirrored trays...just to name a few!

Rachael was on a mission! She scoured the store for her favorite things, assembled them on a silver tray that she had brought in with her, and asked for my opinion. There wasn't a person in the store who wasn't totally taken by this darling girl's ideas and talent! (BTW, she has announced that she wants to work at the store in due time, and my thoughts of retirement nearly went by the wayside in anticipation!)

We snapped this photo of her displaying her creation and I thought you would enjoy seeing it!

So there you have it! We talked and I made the most minor suggestions for change. Rachael had her own opinion about scale and placement...all good! 

I'm thinking this young follower might be worth waiting for!

She was, indeed, the hit of the night.

Atlanta Market Day 3

I just have one thing to say about the new jewelry trends...

IT'S ALL ABOUT COLOR!  And to be exact, coral and turquoise! I've got plenty of it on order, so if you want to be singing the spring color pallet, you'd better hurry in!

This is what we found, booth after booth;

 Color, color, color. Bright, beautiful color!

These are a few of the items I ordered! Wow. It's going to be a fun spring and summer!

 Here's Linda modeling one of the cute enamel selections. Move over, Nordstrom...it's all about Bucks County local shopping!

About 6:30pm, I had to resort to walking in my stocking feet. Luckily, I had a long skirt on and it went largely unnoticed! By the way, that's our haul from the cash and carry...the stuff we didn't have shipped!

 (Closeup of Susan's shoes after 9 hours of shopping...)

Here is the photo of Linda and I from the first day. It was floating around "in the cloud" until yesterday!

 So, we've had a quick room service salad, organized the purchase orders, sorted the jewelry purchases, detailed a new list for tommorrows stops and reviewed our needs for the next few days. It's time to turn in and refresh for another day. Stay tuned for more style reports.

Goodnight. 

The Power of Pattern

 Pattern is making such a statement in Interior Design! It's pretty exciting too. Today, we spent the day shopping and selecting rugs for my retail store, Black-eyed Susan (and a few for my new personal interior project at home!)

Like many of my clients, my house of 10 years really needs a face lift. There is nothing that doesn't match or isn't interesting...that being said, it's just not stylish anymore! Traditional patterns have given way to modern graphic patterns. The new neutral is greige instead of gold. Pops of color give interest in accents and bold wall coverings. Where a few years ago, it was just emerging and showing a "trend", today it is full blown style. I like style! I'm feeling like right now, there is nothing stylish about what I am living with, so I'm changing that. You can watch for more details about that.

My friend and sales rep, Barbara, helped me jump in today with a vast selection of graphic rugs, all sizes, colors and patterns. I purchased a great selection for the store as well, so my clients and followers can jump on board too!

In the intensity of the day, I left my camera tucked in my rolling cart...at the end of the day I flogged myself for such silliness.  I texted Barbara and she sent me a few photos. I hope you'll watch the retail floor as it changes seasons and incorporates a nice selection of new rugs-all styles and colors, something for everyone. Prices are great and selection will not be beat. We'll have a bevy of professionals to help you make selections and a fantastic catalog of additional choices for quick delivery and immediate gratification.

The second part of my day was spent oooohing and aaaahing over the most fabulously stylish and realistic succulents ever! Really. They just keep getting better. I had a difficult time resisting any of them and walked away with a great selection that will be exciting to incorporate with our 4th quarter mix.

Lastly, we came up with an alternative to our famous signature wreaths. About six months ago we stopped offering our custom designed signature wreaths. After repeated requests, and realizing that our customers were not very happy with that, I came up with the idea of creating showy door baskets that can be changed out with seasonal impact floral selections. I designed my offerings for fall, holiday and spring today! I'm excited to share the first design with you as soon as they arrive.

Here is a quick look at some of the pattern direction and color in rugs, indoor and out.

Tomorrow...Cash and Carry Jewelry! I'm coming home with a stash.

Got to get bed earlier tonight to be ready for the onslaught tomorrow.

    bold color and pattern...eggplant, orange and graphite

These rugs are outdoor rugs! Once a gain, bold pattern reigns.

And just to let  you know, we are not to be left out...take a look at our closet! Bold colors... and graphic design! It's all about style.

Day 3 Jewelry Overload!

The first day of the Cash and Carry jewelry buying is always exhausting, while exhilarating at the same time. This market, both Linda and I felt that there were much larger crowds than usual. Good and bad. Good, because that may mean the buyers are more confident in consumer shopping. Bad because you just can't take a step due to crazy crowds. And, I might say that the crowds can be quite entertaining to say the least!

Every year, I chide myself for not documenting how the crowds are, really. Cameras are strictly forbidden on the sales floor, so sneaking a photo was challenging...thus, I didn't get the perfect shot to give the real picture.

I mean, really, the crowds are more like a sea of shoppers. It might be rather like that trampling sale at David's Bridal...this photo just can't give you the real feel of things. It's back to back women and a few men here and there. (As you can see, not everyone wears fashionable shoes...)


This is a view of just one of the isles. Can you tell that graphites/ grays and pearls were the item of the day? Don't worry, I'm bringing back plenty to choose from.


At one of our favorite booths, we found out next hairdo. Do you keep a "hair-file"? My hairdresser always loves it when I pull mine out...but how cute is this cut? I did nearly get thrown off the sales floor by a "fashion police" for sneaking this one, even with her permission!

Side shot of seriously cute new haircut! It's definitely a consideration!

Next stop, a favorite ribbon vendor. Silk hand-dyed ribbons, wonderful colors and fabulously luxurious. I first came to know this vendor when I designed a hat and hair accessory line for Nordstrom some years ago...we reconnected and it was love all over again. The purpose of our stop? I am planning to carry these ribbons by the yard for your use in embellishing your own jewelry! Linda and I brainstormed a class to be held when the new jewelry stock comes in with demonstrations and ideas using the silk ribbons to personalize your own jewelry selections. Fun!

This delicious silk velvet ribbon was to die for! The owner of the company was a delight and cut several generous lengths for me to "play" with and delight over. So darling.

Don't you agree that these beautiful taupe-y gray silk ribbons will be perfect for the graphite metals we picked out?! Oh, yes.

This is called "rat-tail". It is a wondrous silk cord used for many details. Fabulous colors.

After a long day, we returned to our room around 8:30p.m. Linda started to sort her personal purchases. I snapped this cute photo totally out of focus. I guess that sort of sums up the way we felt after half a day on the jewelry floor and the remaining doing accessory and floral buying-slightly out of focus! She can be seen here modeling a few of our graphite selections.

Okay, I just had to show you this...Linda's personal stash, yes personal. I mean all for her use, to give, to own ,and to be overwhelmed by! She began sorting and it lasted for some time.

I had to stand on my bed in order to get the bird's eye view I needed to try to show the reality of her purchases! (If you've ever seen Linda in person, you'll understand!)

Well, the trends are coming to Black-eyed Susan soon. Massive amounts of metal, charms, ribbon, embellishments, pearls...layers upon layer of jewels. Just wait till you see!

Tomorrow we hit the floors early to find the best art, lamps, mirrors and accents at the market.

Wonder what shoes will take me through the day tomorrow....

Everything Old is New Again!

There are always trends in interior design. Some come. Some go. Some come back. Some are classic. Some are way out there. Some are stupid. Some are timeless. But sooner or later, interior styles come full circle. What's old is new again.

Retro style is one of those. Modernism has a strong influence in almost all room settings today. Basically, I like it! Of course,you all know how I feel about orange...a totally retro color, back in full swing. 50's and 60's chairs are cool in any book. (Remember the chairs I had reupholstered for the Princeton Designer House this year?!)

Well, tonight, I paid a short visit to my cute friends Wayne and Bonnie. I couldn't help but look around their charming home and this is what I saw!

These vintage retro chairs upholstered in velvet...orange,of course!! Ah, my heart sings.

Okay, so the feet take them a little out of "cool"...but that's nothing my great upholsterer can't take care of. The modern, low profile of these lounge chairs speaks for style, and fairly current I might add!


I queried Bonnie about their age. Promptly, without a moment's delay, she told me she had purchased them in 1966. Brand new when they moved into the house. Orange. Velvet. Couldn't get much better.

And take a look at this lamp in the room! Bonnie just shook her head when I told her how popular this shade was! I rehearsed with her how many times I tell a client to update their rooms by changing up their lamp shades for drum shades. Yep, once again, perfect style! And natural burlap shades-so cool!

As a designer in the trade, it was so fun to see the "real McCoy" so to speak . Bonnie loved my stories of current style and felt amazed to have come full circle.

Look around your mother's or aunt's home. You'll find treasures of your own.

Thanks for sharing a little retro style, Bonnie! I'll take them all.

fresh take

Day two of my week with Denise began with a set-up at an upscale brownstone-style town home in Newtown. Denise dubbed this bit of mantle decor a Glitter Sputnik (a cute color, to-boot!).

This being the third year for this client's set-up, we had the routine down, and other than having to light the tree ourselves (we're spoiled, and are used to pre-lit trees) things went smoothly. The most interesting projects are the ones in which we are given creative license to work our magic, putting a new twist on even our repeat customers' traditions.

Day three found us at a darling cottage owned by the vice-president of the company that manufactures one of our well-used pain killers--something we've needed a fair bit of this week. We transformed their comfortable home, arranging an extensive collection of Santa's (many purchased over the years at Black-Eyed Susan). With a dinner party planned for this weekend, the house stands ready to welcome friends.

This project proved particularly rewarding because of the client's directive to make changes and/or additions at our discretion, even encouraging us to do so. Not wanting to disappoint, we took a quick trip back to the store, where I hand-picked a few personal favorites to add just the right finishing touch.

Stay tuned for Thursday's wrap-up--day four, where we found a treasure trove of cuttings in the client's own back yard--ready for the picking, and just the thing to create holiday style.

after-hours design

My sister Denise arrived from Denver late Sunday night to spend the week helping with client Christmas set-ups. Each year we do approximately 20 such gigs for those fortunate enough to book early.

After a grueling airport experience, we started bright and early Monday morning at Lani's house(having had a refreshing 2 1/2 hours of sleep). We couldn't have asked for a more pleasant start to our week! We hadn't been working more than a couple of hours before Lani announced that it was lunchtime--and we're not talking Taco Bell. Our sweet hostess/client had a beautiful sit-down lunch catered for us! We ate in her elegantly set dining room, using Holiday Lenox china and sparkling lead crystal goblets. Talk about graciousness and style!

Lani's tree is a beautiful flocked one, done in shades of aqua and brown. We transformed the music room into a serene holiday retreat, as well as decked her banisters with garland, and gave her holiday mantle a new look using my new favorite holiday color scheme--sparkling graphite and persimmon.



















The finished mantle is definitely a sophisticated touch to a lovely living room.

After wrapping up at Lani's, we went home for a two-hour power nap in preparation for the all-night set-up at the historic Yardley Inn. Armed with chenille wraps, the leftover lunch Lani sent home with us (including delicious chocolate-dipped strawberries--Denise wondered if all my clients are so generous and thoughtful), and a crew of six, we went to work decking the restaurant in its yearly holiday splendor.

The inside entry, downstairs and upstairs dining rooms, exterior--heck, even the restrooms--get a touch of holiday glam and sparkle.

We finished up around 4 a.m., just in time to sleep for a few hours before our next appointment, which I will have to share in another post, as it is already almost 1 a.m. and we've got another early day tomorrow--I mean today.

The Language of Style

I promised to keep you posted about style, that's what Black-eyed Susan is all about-STYLE! Every day, during the course of work in the world of design, we are searching for, creating, and documenting style. It's a great gig.

Here are a few "style sitings" I've been collecting. Style. It's everywhere.

I took a shot of this stylish sign while in Connecticut! WAY cute name. Style.

Check out this stylish closet of a recent client I went to see! I love vintage books, and this vintage ledger was only made more fabulous by being used as a prominent accessory! Style, for sure.

Stylish Lisas---yes, two! Lisa on the left and Lisa on the right, flanking another stylish shopping friend at my last Black-eyed Susan event. (Note Lisa left holding my stylish "glitter kix" in silver metalic)!

Meet this beautiful Black-eyed Susan regular! Sharone always sets the tone for style (a NYC model) and I just couldn't resist taking her photo with those stylish birch logs! Great find, Sharone! (Right out of the front window).

Not sure which is the best example of style here! Nick, our one stylin' male Black-eyed Susan employee (if you don't count Sneelock!) or Nina, the adorable and stylish miniature rescue greyhound. I guess the only thing that could be better would be a stylish Nick holding a stylish pup! See what I mean?! Meet Connie, ever the example of a stylish office manager! We could always take a cue from her sense of style, and talk about efficient! Now that's what I call style! (And here she is being one-upped by that dang stylish puppy!

My cutest of cute clients, Sue, showed up the other day with a fabulously stylish new car! Wait! I mean, a seriously stylish car! Usually seen in her own stylish tennis gear, she indulged me while I photographed and detailed pure style.

Interior leather with white topstitching!! Yes! I said topstitching. Did I say style?!!

Here's the dashboard. Again, pure style! Brushed chrome. (I think it's only trumped by Sue's super stylish kitchen!)

And here's the true test of the stylish new car! Color=Metallic charcoal with a two-tone top. (I'm pretty sure there is a real "car-talk" term for this, but I only know style when I see it! I seriously want this car! Test drive it for yourself at Haldeman Ford.

The MOST stylish living! My penthouse project on Rittenhouse Square! Absolutely fabulous, stylish living. Wait till you see the Christmas decor! (coming......)

Like I said, it's all about style!