Summer Reading… New Lonny!

Here’s one to add to your summer reading list! Lonny Magazine’s July/August issue is live and they are celebrating the season in a big way.

Loving theses chic entryways by designers Hillary Thomas {top with console table} and Jennifer Dyer. Jennifer found the fabulous octagonal table with elephant truck legs at an estate sale. The best!

Happy Sunday!

Friday Finds: Stylish Cribs for Baby’s Nursery

A well designed nursery room needs to be high-functioning, but it doesn’t have to sacrifice on style. Choosing the right crib is the first step.

When selecting a crib, expecting parents have a lot of terrific styles and options today. Classic cribs are always in style, but many are now designed to grow with your child and transition from crib, to toddler bed, to full-sized headboard. I encourage clients to think ahead and purchase items that will represent a smart, solid investment — one that will last beyond baby’s first years and become a permanent part of the home.  

For an impressive round-up of stylish cribs {including the Noe Crib from PetitNest seen above}, visit my ideabook on Houzz! Here’s a sampling:

{Savannah Crib by The New Traditionalists}

{Newport Cottages Ricki Crib}

{Nurseryworks Uptown Crib}

Shopping for baby-to-be? Check out my favorite resources for chic baby nursery décor.

This Monday I will be announcing a fabulous giveaway from a talented artist on Etsy. Please drop by!

*Are you a design blogger in the San Francisco Area? Join us July 21st! Here's the invite.

Veranda’s The House of Windsor

If you are in the Los Angeles area or plan to be there in the next couple weeks, don’t miss a tour through Veranda's design showcase, The House of Windsor. Spearheaded by the very talented Windsor Smith, the house was designed inside and out with the demands of the modern family in mind, while being luxuriously beautiful.

Ten LA-based interior designers were selected to be on the elite roster which included  Candace Barnes, Richard Shapiro, Peter Dunham, Tara Shaw, Richard Hallberg, and the fabulous Million Dollar Decorators, Kathryn Ireland and Martyn Lawrence-Bullard. Martyn’s black and gray game room with kelly green accents is below. Love his daring use of the wallpaper!

And of course, Windsor Smith took a lead role in designing the home. The fabulous kitchen is her design and has a delightful mix of old and new. I just love the open shelving and stunning white marble farm sink.

“We call it a concept house, but it’s really more than that. It’s an intersection of heartfelt ideas and sophisticated execution, with results that are at once soulful, stylish and enlightening.” says Dara Caponigro, Veranda’s Editor-in-Chief.

It’s for a great cause too - all proceeds from The House of Windsor will benefit the Children’s Action Network and P.S. ARTS. Don't delay! Tours run now through July, 17, 2011.

{hmm, I’m thinking of a way to sneak down there! Are you with me?}

*all photos and images via Veranda Magazine

Interview with San Francisco Interior Designer Martha Angus

In addition to her distinguished career in interior design, Martha Angus studied at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts in France, Carnegie Mellon University and Sotheby’s Restoration in New York. Martha began designing interiors in New York City for Naomi Leff & Associates where she worked on projects for well known clients including Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and the Lauder family.

Today the seasoned designer, leads the full-scale San Francisco firm, Martha Angus, Inc. Her fresh, classic and refined approach to interior design attracts clients from around the world.

Simplified Bee: Your designs are inviting, sensible and timeless. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Martha Angus: After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in painting I panicked because I had no way to make a living. My AHA moment came from my mom’s suggestion; she asked me why not go into design?

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

MA: Classic mixed with fun, strong art. This also describes my wardrobe – classics mixed with fun strong jewelry!

SB: What type of architecture are you personally drawn to?

MA: Neoclassical or clean Modern.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?

MA: Jeff Koons!

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

MA: Absolutely. I always go straight to my Farrow and Ball paint deck.

Skimming Stone #241 – Hallways and/or trim

Charleston Gray #243 – Kitchen and/or dining room

Light gray #17 – bedroom (I used this for my bedroom in my old apartment and it created an instant serene feeling)

Middleton Pink #245 – feminine office or a girl’s room

Charlotte’s lock #268 – this makes the most fabulous accent wall

Tunsgate Green #250 – children’s room – it’s perfect for boy’s or girl’s

Arsenic #214 – powder room

Blue ground #210 – bathroom and/or powder room

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save?

MA: Splurge on great art! Save on the items like end tables and desks.

SB: You are embracing social media and are on Facebook, Twitter and recently started blogging. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?

MA: I prefer blogging and reading other blogs. My Silicon Valley clients kept telling me that I needed to do this! Throughout the years I’ve always saved cool ideas by tearing images from magazines and taken tons and tons of pictures. Post + Grant is the perfect place to use all of these fabulous ideas.

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without…

MA: Something that makes you smile.

SB: What’s next for Martha Angus Inc.?

MA: A lot and it’s a bit of a secret…I’ll keep you posted.

*all photos used with permission from Martha Angus, Inc.