Naples Casamore Virtual Tour
Casa Bella Vita Model at Naples Casamore
Enjoy the stunning detail and superb decor from Collins & DuPont Interior Design with the new Casa Bella Vita model at Naples Casamore offering sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and Hurricane Harbor. Developed by Gulf Shore Development II, designed by Stofft Cooney Architects and built by BCB Homes, this prestigious power team has surpassed the expectations for these luxurious Caribbean styled homes offering three generous floor plans ranging in size from 3743 to over 4100 square feet of air conditioned space and total space from 6500 to over 8000 square feet. Each residence is complete with a custom swimming pool and spa, boat dock , four car garage and private beach access. All in the heart of Naples just steps away from quaint shopping, charming art galleries, entertainment and fabulous dining. For sales information please contact Premier Sothebys International Realty at 239-963-4242 or visit the web at www.naplescasamore.com
HUE
Kelly Wearstler’s new book, HUE, is coming out in November! I just learned this and saw a great sneak peak on the Material Girls blog site. Check it out! 
Eclecticism and the City, Part 2
Being in a large city always helps broaden my horizons and refreshes my perspective. Seeing many people from all walks of life and cultures coexisting drives you toward more open-minded design. Eclecticism is good! Things don’t need to be too matchy-matchy; mixing it up a bit adds interest. I think a master of eclectic design is Kelly Wearstler and I love her book Modern Glamour. Wearstler uses color boldly and mixes old and new style elements in a way that looks like they were meant to be together. She isn’t afraid to spice things up and add touches that you wouldn’t expect.
Below are a few of my favorite snapshots of Wearstler’s designs. I love the fabulous bar with interesting molding and mirrors, the unique library, and hotel common area. By the way, The Viceroy in Santa Monica, CA, which Wearstler designed is a cool spot to have a cocktail. When I went, there was a fun loungey vibe around the pool and Eddie Murphy was dining under a beautiful white tent on the patio.
Naples Illustrated Article ‘Design of the Times’
The October Issue of Naples Illustrated features an article on the latest trends in Home Design. The trends include Graphic Prints, Indian Influence, Botanicals and outdoor living. I have attached the article below. Yes, it really is me being quoted although there was a slight typo with my last name!
Collins and DuPont Features Adriana Hoyos
Sherri DuPont, Kim Collins, and Lana Knapp attended the Mod Pod party given by Adriana Hoyos, at her showroom, located in the Design District in Miami Florida. She was showing her new fall introductions. Her line is for the modern thinker with a philosophy of Nature’s gifts reborn for the home. Her furnishings are made from exotic and natural materials found in her native country, Ecuador. The style of her furniture is transitional with a bold and controlled silhouette. The rich contrast between dark and light finishes enhance the geometric lines and unexpected features to each piece. Collins and DuPont is the exclusive design firm carrying the Adriana Hoyos line.
Here is a shot of our showroom that I just redesigned. It features an Adriana Hoyos shelving unit which is actually two pieces joined together in the middle. The joint is seamless due to its unigue, geometric structure. Also seen in this photo, is the high back chocolate chair, cafe cocktail table, and cocoa bench. What a show stopper!
Pictured here are Kim Collins, Vice President of Collins and DuPont, Adriana Hoyos Design Vice President of Adriana Hoyos, Sherri DuPont, President of Collins and DuPont, and Priscilla Baldin, U.S. Business Manager of Adriana Hoyos
These nude sculptures are currently in the line. The skirts are hand knotted of palm seeds and other materials. The sculptures come in three different poses.
Girls just want to have fun! Sherri DuPont and I are toasting in front of the sculptures. My favorite is the red skirt and of course Sherri likes the green one. Cheers to the colorist, a job well done!
New mirrors offered this fall. I love the dimensional appeal of these mirrors. They compliment any room and make a bold statement.
This round table is shown with a bone mosaic top. It exemplifies the stark contrast of light and dark as well as smooth and tactile which Adriana Hoyos is known for. The top appears to be textured but is quite smooth.
This is just a sneak preview of the new offerings by Adriana Hoyos. To see more go to www.adrianahoyos.com.
Sherri, Kim, and I, all had a wonderful time at the party and look forward to working with the new fall collections. The Adriana Hoyos style is transitional with an organic appeal. Her designs are original and can be used in a contemporary setting or a more natural setting with a Zen or East meets West sensibility.
To see Collins and DuPont’s newly designed showroom featuring Adriana Hoyos, visit us 8911 Brighton Lane, Bonita Springs, Fl. 34135
…..More on Tony Duquette
After finishing my blog on malachite, I went home to find my October issue of Harper’s Bazaar waiting for me and look what I found inside! Tony Duquette has a fine jewelry collection sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and they did a feature story on him under Editor’s Obsession!
Designer’s choice: Malachite!
Yes, it is true, Malachite has found its way back into today’s design and is stronger than ever. Tony Duquette, an Interior Designer, Jeweler and Costume Designer, cornered the Malachite market in the mid-1900s. He was known for his “Natural Baroque” style because of his extensive use of malachite, shells, antlers, coral, bones and feathers. He mixed a countless array of styles and periods into his designs. As an Ode to Tony Duquette, Baker Furniture has teamed up with Duquette’s long time business partner, Hutton Wilkinson, to reproduce a few of Duquette’s original works. But Baker Furniture is not the only company to recently make headlines regarding the comeback of Duquette’s one-of-a-kind design. Jim Thompson, who was a personal friend to Duquette and his wife, Elizabeth, has also invited Hutton Wilkinson to create an exclusive collection of woven and printed textiles for both commercial and residential use. Among the selected prints pulled from the Duquette archives is a malachite print called Gemstone (shown below).
Top Ten Reasons to Add an Indoor Plant to Your Home
Recently, Collins & DuPont asked Connie Shipley, LEED AP and President of Paradise Potted, to teach her Continuing Education Course on the health benefits of indoor plants to its designers. It was an interesting presentation and we all learned a great deal.
In a nutshell, here are 10 Great Reasons To Have A Plant In Your Home:
1.) Plants reduce toxins and harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide) that are given off from carpet, paint and indoor furnishings. Plants act as the lungs of an indoor environment.
2.) Plants not only remove VOCs from the air, they actually break them down into harmless compounds and use them as nutrients.
3.) Plants have been shown to increase alertness, innovation, and attention span. When plants are present we generate more creative, flexible ideas.
The 10 Commandments of Happy Chic
I’ve got to hand it to Jonathan Alder. Not only is he a talented designer, he’s a great source of entertainment too! My adoration for Jonathan began recently with an article in this past May 2009 issue of House Beautiful featuring the house he designed for Liz Lange. I have attached a few pictures from the article below.
Of course, I knew of Adler and his infamous design style but I had not spent time truly acquainting myself. After a quick google, I found his website www.jonathanadler.com. He has such a whimsical and occasionally risqué way about his design but somehow he pulls it off flawlessly. What I love the most about his website are his 10 Commandments of Happy Chic. Jonathan Adler, I solemnly swear to follow your commandments as if they are my own from now until eternity! See below:
#1
Thou shalt embrace maximalism.
Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps – these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad.
#2
Thou shalt not deny thyself hotelish comfort at home.
Thou shalt furnish thy rooms with paw-pampering, hand-loomed llama wool rugs, luxurious lighting and our fabulous furniture.
Thy rooms shalt feel like the most opulent hotel rooms in which thou hast ever stayed.
Thou art worth it.
Trend Alert: Quatrefoil
Quatrefoil is an age-old term used to describe a four-lobed ornament, similar to a four leaf clover, that historically was used in window tracery, architectural detailing and furniture from the Gothic period. Today, however, we most commonly see it used in an updated, stylized manner. The most talented designers of the past and present have reinvented quatrefoil and freed it from the “Gothic” stereotype. This transformation with its somewhat mod twist has been a true success. My quatrefoil inspiration originated from an infatuation with the Alhambra Collection from Van Cleef and Arpels. The legendary French jewelry designer has recently joined forces with Chloe to create a limited edition collection of leather goods, jewelry and evening bags. You can see these one-of-a-kind creations by clicking here Van Cleef and Arpels. My personal goal is to one day own a piece from the Alhambra collection. Of course, there is a pretty hefty price tag that goes along with it so, unfortunately, it won’t be anytime soon.
The quatrefoil items I have chosen to showcase below can all be custom ordered through your favorite interior design firm, Collins & Dupont!
This Asilah Chandelier by Ironies features a lattice patterned shade available in shell (shown), bone or shagreen. The standard size is 28.5″ Diameter x 20″ High.
The Alexandra Chair is from the Suzanne Kasler Collection offered by Hickory Chair. This chair would be the perfect addition to any woman’s vanity.
The Opera Rug from the Tibeta Collection by Kravet is shown above in color Ruby. Available in a variety of colors and sizes.
The Rhodes mirror from Cyan Design is finished in a black ebony with red accents. Available in three different sizes: small, medium and large (shown). Size shown:20.5″ high x 20.5″ wide.
This Quatrefoil armoire with antique mirrored panels from Niermann Weeks is a true beauty and can be custom finished. Size: 61″ wide x 28″ deep x 92″ high.
This Gothick bench, by Hickory Chair adds dramatic seating to any room. Fanciful seat for two, featuring arch and quatrefoil motifs. Shaped arms end in a slight scroll; the slatted seat rests on stout Marlboro legs. Adapted from an antique found at the Winterthur Museum. A simple pad in your choice of fabric or leather is available along with your choice of finishes. Overall dimensions: 39″ high x 50″ wide x 22″ deep.
These white ceramic pierced cylinder lanterns by Two’s Company are perfect for creating a little candlelight ambiance. Sold as a set of three. Sizes: 5.5″ x 13″ h, 5.5 x 14.5″ h, 5.5 x 17″ h.
Wow Factor with Wallcoverings
Wallcoverings are an easy way to give a space a wow factor. They add color, pattern, texture and style to a room and make a big impact. Wallcoverings can turn boring bathrooms and kitchens into exciting spaces. You can use them in many areas and as accent walls.
Today’s wallcoverings are made from or incorporate a slew of interesting materials: grass cloth, sisal fibers, jute, mica, sand, glass beads…even Swarovski crystals! They vary in style from traditional damasks, toiles, stripes, and solids with different washing effects, to tropical prints, woven textures, florals, abstract designs, and geometric patterns. Here is a gallery for some inspiration!
For more information, check out the following links: Romo, Ronald Redding, Casamance, Phillip Jeffries, Omexco
Bringing the Outdoors In
Sherri DuPont was kind enough to share this article in the latest issue of Garden Design with Collins & Dupont designers and I felt it was worthy of passing along to our fellow bloggers. This article is written not only about the fabulous floral designs of Clover Chadwick, but also in regards to how these designs come into fruition. Her process begins by selecting a container. “It’s like the shoes in the outfit – it totally changes the look of the arrangement,” she states in the article. Coming from a background in apparel merchandising, design and production, I can appreciate her sentiments! 
Clover owns a naturally chic floral design company, called Dandelion Ranch , based out of a quaint barn in the Artist District of Los Angeles. Although the average person does not consider floral arrangements as a form of interior design, Clover Chadwick begs the contrary. Her designs are a visual testament that art comes in many forms. The tall branches with white blossoms (show at right) are a dramatic arrangement that brings the warmth of nature inside while maintaining the minimalistic feel of the surrounding interior. Simple, yet brilliant!
Moroccan Influence in Modern Interiors
Last week I was vacationing in Northwest Florida and came across a fantastic clubhouse at Alys Beach. The design was heavily influenced by Moroccan architecture and I found it very inspiring. I really enjoy eclectic styles that combine classic Moroccan elements such as intricate patterns or bold colors with a simplified modern approach.
Donghia is a vendor we often use that offers a wide range of fabrics with Moroccan influence. They use bright colors, fun patterns, and a variety of texture to achieve a whimsical feel.
Mosaic tiles are a huge part of Moroccan design and really punch up a space. Although costly, they last a lifetime and instantly transform a space. These mosaics from Sahara Designs would be great in a ceiling detail, as flooring, or even as wall accents.
The wood side tables are from Baker’s Studio Collection, and are very simple but the carved detailing makes them interesting and eclectic.
The white lanterns below are by Wunderly and have peirced patterned detailing that screams Morocco. These would really make a statment hanging in multiples at varying heights.
Southwest Florida is a great place to use the modern Moroccan style because you can keep it light and airy, while adding pops of bright color that we love to see in Florida interiors.
This grasscloth wallcovering from Philip Jeffries would be great in a Florida home. It is casual, cool, and yet Moroccan – fantastic!
Natural Curiosities: Images for the Inquisitive
We have been buying art and accessories from Natural Curiosities for about two years now but they are still my favorite because every piece is conversational. I am getting ready to order these seahorses for a client with a Coastal interior. Not only am I able to choose from a large variety of frames but I can also specify the exact size I need. They can also change the coloring for a small up-charge, of course.
Architectural Inspiration
I love this gallery that was featured in Florida Architecture. It is contemporary without feeling harsh and cold. The dark java baseboards and column accents add enough interest so there is no need for crown. Simply genius!
Palecek
Palecek is one of my favorite furniture and accessory manufacturers. Here contemporary and classic style meets natural materials and hand woven manufacturing — very cool. And, as a LEED AP, I appreciate companies that are environmentally responsible. Palecek’s woods are largely plantation grown, and they use abundant, quickly renewable materials like rattan, abaca, and seagrass. They also rely on water-based finishes in their line of paintable furniture, making them safer for consumers and their employees. Here are
a few of my favorite pieces:
Talk about “Wow” factor! The Adelaide Lounge Chair is so cool and organic looking. It has a twisted pole rattan body, contrasting darker pole rattan frame, and hand stitched leather on the arms and top edge.
Take Home Fashion
Recently, I was flipping through my J.Crew (June 2009) clothing catalog. I found myself feeling very inspired by the fantastic casual elegance of their clothing. It seemed only natural to want this feeling translated into a design scheme for an interior. I began pulling fabrics together that represented the way the clothes looked. I quickly discovered how simple it is to translate a clothing ensemble into a home environment.
The catalog pages that inspired me are shown above, along with a photograph of the fabric scheme I created based on the colors, textures, and simple elegance I found in the clothing featured in J.Crew. This could easily be done on a multitude of levels and is a very fun way to think about interior design.
For some of our clients who have a difficult time communicating their personal style, they may find it helpful and easy to start with their preference of color and style in clothes. It can be overwhelming to start a color scheme for a room from scratch. Why not find inspiration in what you wear?
