1-800- FAKE MUNTINS

I live in a neighborhood in the suburbs that is known for McMansions, large imposing houses that lack architectural integrity. I have a small peeve about the majority of these houses that I formerly blamed the uneducated Joe Blow builder for; however, I have come to realize that that blame lies in that of the buyer because they are obviously willing to plop down several hundred thousand to a couple of million for FAKE ALUMINUM TRIMMED WINDOWS. Why aren't consumers savvy enough to know that the builder just put trailer house windows in a million dollar home? Oh my GOD!! Not only are their windows fake and super cheap looking, but the are inoperable and during Hurricane IKE the owners of many of these ugly window bearing McMansions roasted inside their houses during the day and night. Rather than shelling out twenty thousand dollars on plantation shutters after the fact, put the money in the windows to begin with.

When aluminum windows are in a juxtaposition with wood French Doors... WOW!

This builder not only used fake windows, but didn't even trim out the interior. This would be acceptable for a lower budget home I suppose, but his one is almost a million.

Notice the windows specified for the turrett, the main architectural focus of this home.




I am at a loss for words.

Sunshiney Day at Crave

I recently discovered CRAVE CUPCAKES in Uptown Park. Not only are the cupcakes super Marsha Brady dreamy, but the interior design makes you happy to be alive. The aqua vintage aesthetic is very 1950's main street. It is clean and fresh and they sell vintage sodas in a a bottle. I find myself popping in several times a week just to be in the presence of Sunshine! If you are in Houston, stop by and perhaps I will see you there!

Back in Black... it is good to be back!!!

black walls contrast so beautifully with Chicago Brick

before.. blah builder colors

I actually have a quiet house and a sleeping baby, so I wanted to share with you some photos of a design job I did. My client built a beautiful custom home, but was "bored" and wanted her home to be les cliche`. The last photo is the "before". It is amazing what creating contrast will do for interiors. I had to do some coaxing when I first presented black, as it is a bit unconventional. In the end the client was so super pleased.

Namaste

I am on the road to enlightenment. I put my computer aside and have spent several weeks on an intense spiritual quest. I almost feel like my old self; however, much less ambitious and much more Zen. I am thoroughly engrossed in yoga, meditation, religion, deep study, nutrition, and chiropractic healing, with a little Reiki on top. I have come to a crossroads and I decided "to take the road less traveled" again...

By the way, if any of you find yourself smothered in light blue and brown, substitute the brown with bit of kelly green and happy orange. It make your space smile again. "Nothing brown can stay."

Have your cake and eat it too!

Attention: buyers, designers, architects, and artists.. .2008 -2012 will be a Rococo Revival. Here is something you can take to market! Occasionally, I get a call from a certain magazine editor asking me to give her a heads up on the next "big" trend. I may be a "has-been", but I still have a idiot sevantish-ability to predict trends 1 - 2 years in advice. Several times I have thought I no longer possessed this ability, and somehow it always hits me when I least expect it. This time; however, I am going to publish this so all of my designer friends can profit off of it since I no longer have the energy to so.

From late 2008 stretching all the way to 2012 the main trend in design, fashion, and living is DECADENCE. Very Baroque, Rococo, Louis XIV furniture upholstered in lots of red, pink, and gold large-scaled damask. Just for the heck of it, indulge in fine chocolates and pastries that your have ordered from France even though they look way too beautiful to eat. You know that gold flat wear that you ostentatious aunt may have owned? It will be way hot! It is going to be perfectly acceptable to indulge a little and enjoy the finer things in life. How about forgoing a video rental and splurging on tickets to the opera? We may only have until 2012, right?

Ahoy, It's Yachting Season!

Its time to drag out my black and white nautical shirts and accessories and attempt to squeeze into my white linen pants. This is a great 60's fad, that will forever be en vogue. I have not found a source to buy these in the US lately other than Restoration Hardware's sale catalog; however you can peruse http://www.brittanyboutique.com/ or http://www.bretonshirts.co.uk.

KISS MY..... BLACK SATIN NAILS!

I recently made a business trip to Pennsylvania to meet with the Dutch and they sucked the life out of me; hence no recent posts. The only thing that has gotten me through is the subliminal message that my black satin nails send. They give me power; similar to that that a certain finger gesture, but in a non offensive manor. Bob would be proud. This great fad is sooooo 60's and soooooo reminiscent of UTOPIA. I just need to find some some pink frosted lip stick.