An American In Paris

Untitled from AphroChic on Vimeo.

I am back from a wonderful trip to Paris!  I thought I would show you some of the sights I saw while there, so here's a little video to give you a view into the experience.  I also have some fantastic designs from Maison + Objet to share with you this week.  You are going to love them!

And if you didn't see it while I was away, I was over on HGTV Design Happens posting daily about the show. You can view the posts here:

- Maison + Objet: Design and Innovation
- Modern Tabletop + Old World Tradition
- Ethnic Design
- Modern Home Accessories

Enjoy!

Day 1: Maison + Objet

Get a peek into my first day at Maison & Objet over at HGTV Design Happens.

Style Talk: David Bromstad

I'm passing through Miami today, and even though I won't get to see much more than the airport, it's still the perfect place from which to bring you a Style Talk with Color Splash: Miami host, David Bromstad.  The original HGTV Design Star, David's energy is absolutely contagious!  We spoke on the phone last week about his show, the move to Miami, and some exciting new projects he's working on in 2011.  If you love David (and how could you not?), then you are going to love learning about what's next from this fantastic interior designer.

I am a huge of fan of Color Splash: Miami.  What is your design philosophy, and how does it drive the show?

The show is based on color and showing America that you don't have to be afraid of color and you can use it in lots of fun ways.  The biggest change in Color Splash this season is the South American and international influence.  Miami is driving the show to be different.  Clients in miami are sophisticated and well-educated about design, and everything in the city is brand new.  This is a city that is embracing the Color Splash philosophy.

Miami is such a vibrant city with so many different cultures.  What are some of the major cultural influences that Miami has brought to your personal design aesthetic?

Miami pushes me beyond my comfort zone with design.  When we were in San Francisco for six seasons, the aesthetic was more casual, with a focus on warm color, and tones like brown and blue.  In Miami everyone wants pink, lime green, and drama.  When people in this city go to a new bar or restaurant, they see amazing international designers who are here.  That international influence impacts the way they think about design and color.

Talking about pink, what do you think about Pantone's new color for 2011- Honeysuckle?  

Pantone threw us a loop this year with rich pink, a really fun color that is relevant to what's happening right now.  Pink and purple have been in style for the past 3 years, and they're sticking around for some reason.  People are more educated about color, and anyone can tap into pink, and their feminine side.  It's a fun, sexy color!  Think pink!

Any thoughts on where color is going in 2011?

Looking at trends, color is more saturated, bright and bold.  We are definitely not shying away from color in 2011.  People are wanting to see great color and we're seeing it.  Even with neutrals, we're seeing soft hues with a richness to them.  The 80s are also back in a more updated and classic way.  We're seeing the saturation of fluorescents in more useable ways.  Saturation is the theme of at least early 2011.  

One of the best parts of your show is when you add your own art pieces to liven up a space.  What does painting mean to you as a designer?  And what are your tips for readers who are looking for original art to set their own spaces apart?

Painting is where I'd like to set myself apart from other designers.  I trained as a painter and illustrator, not as an interior designer.

For original pieces, find art in your local community, go to art shows, and you can find work that is really inexpensive.  You can find pieces at these shows that are original and that no one else has.  In Miami, I connect with students in the local arts district.  Go to where the artists are - local art schools, art parties, places where artists come to together to display and showcase their work.

How did you go from art to interiors?

By pure accident.  I was a formally trained artist, and did what I could to make ends meet.  I built props for Disney and Universal.  I worked on prop styling, and then on creating theme rooms for kids with an interior designer.  That's how I got into interior design, and then Design Star came alone.  I learned how to do adult interior design on national television.  It was a real experience and one of the best things I've ever done.

What can we expect to see next from you in 2011?

2011 is an exciting year for me and my corporation.  I'm doing a special for HGTV, the biggest design show they've ever seen.  I will be surprising one lucky homeowner with a very luxe makeover.  Also look for a new art line that will be coming out in the Spring, with prints of my work in varied sizes, and at affordable prices.  And look for my bed and bath line that will be coming out in the Fall.  

Wow!  2011 is going to be a very busy year David!  We can't wait to see it all unfold.  If you live in California, you can see David in Dublin, CA this Saturday:

January 22, 2010 
Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home INSIDE Best Buy 
DUBLIN 
4820 Dublin Blvd. 
Dublin, CA 94568 
David's Appearance: 2:00pm - 4:00pm 

{Images furnished by David Bromstad and HGTV}

AphroChic In Paris

Beginning on Friday, January 21st, I will be posting from the Maison + Objet trade show in Paris.  Find out about the latest trends in home decor from Europe, and follow my posts on HGTV Design Happens.  And check in here for special updates and video from my Paris trip!

Pupcakes

I first met Jackie Starker through Design Philadelphia.  She was the talented graphic designer who designed an event postcard for an AphroChic event.  A year later it was so nice to hear from her and find out about her new venture, Pupcakes, Bits & Pieces.



In the most adorable packaging and shapes like little miniature cupcakes, Jackie has married her talent for graphic design, industrial design, and baking, and her love for her dog Amelie to create one cute company.



These absolutely adorable homemade doggie goodies are made with all natural ingredients and are baked fresh to order for the pup in your life.



Stay up on the Pupcakes news and treats via the Pupcakes Tumblr site.  Congratulations Jackie!

{Images: Pupcakes, Bits & Pieces}

THE NEW traditionalists

I recently moved into a new place in Philadelphia, and am on the hunt for great furniture that makes an impact. My search took me to THE NEW traditionalists.  A Soho Showroom that offers furniture that is every bit modern as it is traditional, mixing classic silhouettes with modern finishes.



All of the furniture from THE NEW traditionalists is designed in New York and manufactured right here in the US in New England.



"Connecting traditional and today" as the owners say, this savvy furniture design company extends that concept into furnishings for both adults and youth.  I love this classic crib that feels sleek in modern in white and navy.



As you can see a modern pop can be found in each piece.  See more from THE NEW traditionalists on their website.

{Images: THE NEW traditionalists}

The Parks House: Inspired Modern Living

I love design that serves as inspiration, and this home built by Michael Parks, is truly inspirational.  Michael began his journey on building this home in the Hollywood Hills in search of a contractor, and realized he couldn't get the work done professionally with his limited budget.  Did that stop him?  No.  Instead, Parks, with no design or architectural experience, took the project on himself.



Creating a gorgeous California abode with clean lines, The Parks House showcases beautiful integration of the outdoors, and was constructed using eco-friendly materials.



You can't help but be inspired by this novice designer who built a home, and decided to become an architect after completing the massive project.  As Parks says, "I remodeled the house and the house remodeled me."





See more photos of this gorgeous modern home right here.  Enjoy!

{Photo credit: Billy Marchese & Michael Parks)

Pulp Design Studios

There's a new interior design firm in town.  I am so excited to introduce you to Pulp Design Studios.  Founded by one of my blog friends, Beth Dotolo, formerly of Nest.  Beth is stepping out on her own with design partner, Carolina Gentry to run their boutique design firm in Dallas, Texas.



Pulp Design Studios not only offers a refreshing take on design, infusing color, pattern, modern and classic style into each space, but also offers an array of design services including e-design and furniture design.



I am absolutely in love with each space.  No matter how luxe, there's an approachable feel to every room this team designs.





See more from Pulp Design Studios on their website.  You are going to love their portfolio!

{Images: Pulp Design Studios}

Celebrate!

Today is the start of something very new and exciting!  Today I begin my job as a full-time designer and owner of my own company.  I have officially left my day job.  Woo hoo!  With leaving the job my husband and I have also made some major life changes.  As you know we were planning to move to Washington DC, and I was going to continue working a day job as a lawyer.  After the holidays, life circumstances changed and we have decided to stay here in Philadelphia.  It's a great city, since its just hours from both DC and NYC, and a place where we can really focus on building our company.  I have been waiting for this moment for so long and am so happy to take this leap!  Thank you all for your incredible support.  2011 is going to be a fantastic year!

With more good news, you can also see me in the San Francisco Chronicle.  I was featured in the Stylemaker Spotlight over the weekend.  This was such a fun photo shoot.  The pillow on my head was the photographer's idea.  Cute, huh?

{Image: Russell Yip/San Francisco Chronicle}

Original Art: Paris versus New York

In just two weeks I leave for Paris to attend Maison + Objet.  As I was thinking about my trip, I thought back to these cute prints from one of my fave blogs - Paris versus New York.



A fun visual look at the difference between these two cities, the site has expanded to selling art prints of some of the most popular images.





I can't wait to explore Paris for myself, and see with my own eyes the beauty of the City of Light.

I also wanted to let you know about some other fun things that have been going on at AphroChic this week. If you have a moment this weekend, check out these sites:

- ElleDecor.com featured the latest AphroChic pillow, The Beat.  We're still on cloud 9!
- The amazing folks at Apartment Therapy listed me among the 10 Women Designers to Watch in 2011. Visit the site to the see the list of women who are doing some inspiring work.
- I'm on BlackEnterprise.com this week sharing tips on how to go from blogger to business owner.
- You can also see my latest post on HGTV Design Happens.  It's all about decorating with one of my fave colors - Color Me Turquoise.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

AphroChic Featured On Elle Decor!

I am so excited to tell you that you can see AphroChic pillows on the front page of ElleDecor.com under the What We Love section of the website!  Our newly released Beat pillows take center stage on the site.  And you can also find our brand new Vibe pillows for 2011 over at AphroChic.com.

If you live in the Bay Area, you can find these newly released pillows at Lotus Bleu in San Francisco.

Thank you Elle Decor!

{Image: Geoffrey Sokol}

Style Talk: Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I am so excited to bring you our first Style Talk interview of the new year with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, the Co-Founder and CEO of one of my favorite sites, Apartment Therapy!  Right before the Christmas holiday I spoke with Maxwell by phone to discuss his new project with Duracell that's all about "techorating" and positive ways to integrate technology into your home decor.  Click on the video below to view the full interview.

If you received any technology over the holidays - a new flat screen TV, an IPhone, or a computer, Maxwell has some fantastic tips on how to bring these items into the home and avoid the bundle of wires and unattractive cables that can make your space look disheveled and disorganized.



Great pieces to help you get organized include the Phonofone III by Science and Sons.  This sculptural piece is great for docking your IPod.



Cute and colorful Cable Drop clips will keep all of those pesky wires in order.



And the Duracell MyGrid is a great way to charge everyone in the family's phones using a single power source.



And don't forget to check out Maxwell's new book - Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces for design and techorating inspiration.

So, what cool tech will you be integrating into your home decor this year?

{Images furnished by Duracell and Apartment Therapy}