Patti Johnston Designs

Kitchen Renovation - Part II

2012-02-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

With the gutted kitchen a blank slate, it was time to make decisions about fixtures, colors, and materials. The layout of the room had been decided - the wall between the kitchen and living room was opened up and functional plans for the placement of cabinets, appliances, and a new island were set.

The kitchen's hardwood floors would be replaced and stained to match that of the other rooms for continuity and a seamless transition between the first floor spaces. For the walls, I chose Benjamin Moore's Grey Owl - a cool, soothing neutral to compliment the grays, navies, apple greens, and fuschias in the adjoining rooms. For the cabinets, I chose Benjamin Moore's White Wisp.

White Wisp

Grey Owl

Instead of a traditional stone countertop, I chose a beautiful white glass material. Like granite, it is stain-proof and heatproof and is an excellent workspace. And it is more beautiful and unique than many stone options. The backsplash is also glass. It's colors pick up the grey of the walls and cabinets.

Backsplash

The light fixture that used to hang above the kitchen table was moved so that pendant lights could be installed above the new island. For this purpose I chose two delicate Juliska glass pendants.

Island Pendant

The hardware for the cabinets was an important choice. I chose something modern to contrast the more traditional cabinets in a shiny polished nickel finish. The latches are more interesting than a more traditional knob or pull and add further interest in the kitchen.

Ice Box Latch

Finally, having given up my kitchen table and chairs to rely on my formal dining room more regularly for large family dinners, counter stools at the island were a must. I chose a wire net basket stool for this job, with a durable faux leather seat cushion.

Basket Stool

Next up: photos from the finished room!

Kitchen Renovation - Part I

2012-02-08T00:41:00.000-08:00

Despite a busy client schedule, I am always inspired to update my own home with the latest designs. This fall, we undertook a major renovation of my kitchen. Although it was always cozy and comfortable, the kitchen was small with inadequate counter space and a tiny oven. As an avid baker, the kitchen's limited space did not afford me the space to really enjoy my time there. And as the heart of the home, with family often gathered around, the kitchen was too small for entertaining.

The kitchen's seating area, before

The project was long and extensive, but the results are beautiful. Here I'll begin to detail the process of the renovation, from start to finish, with photos to document the process.

A lucite table helped to create the illusion of more space in the kitchen, which was separated from the living areas by walls and doors

The gut renovation begins - the cabinets without appliances before they too disappear

Stay tuned for Part II and all the thoughts behind the design!

Lighting

2012-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Patti Johnston Designs! Even though the days in the northeast are slowly getting longer, I always appreciate—during the midwinter months—the importance of great lighting. Light fixtures are an integral part of every room’s design, and most lighting showrooms don’t offer pieces special enough to really shine. The best lighting sources are available to designers only. Here I’ll share some of my favorite overhead fixtures available only to the trade.

Juliska

Currey and Company

Ikat

2011-11-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ikat is a near universal weaving style common to many world cultures and possibly one of the oldest forms of textile decoration. This age-old dying technique used to pattern textiles is at once traditional and modern due to its long history but its continual rebirth in new lines of fabric. Here are some of my favorite new ikat prints!

Luce, from Madeline Weinrib's New Fabric Line

From Robert Allen

From Scalamandre

Showhouse!

2011-11-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

After a busy summer, the latest Patti Johnston Designs fall undertaking was the 2011 Mansions and Millionaires Design Showcase 2011. Patti Johnston Designs took a second-floor foyer and closet and turned it into a sparkling “Boudoir” - an intimate, elegant dressing room combining classic and modern elements.

The Space, Before

Boudoir is a space that combines the elegance of classical furniture with modern color and details—preserving the old world feel while bringing the room into the 21st century for today’s woman and man. I chose a color pallet of gray and white, infused with pops of bright turquoise. The closet doors were painted gunmetal grey to ground the room in tradition and are labeled “his,” “her’s,” and “ours.”

The Space, After

I discovered the ornate vintage picture frames in the attic of a "frame hoarder.” After determining the ideal layout of the frames for the wall, I had them lacquered a glossy white.

The Frames, Arranged, Before

I wallpapered the ceiling with a modern botanical. The ferns are reminiscent of the home’s beautiful grounds, and introduce an organic motif in the space, which is complemented by the spectacular installation on the wall. The Sculpt du Fleur is a custom floral element created by Nina Helms, incorporating both European influence and contemporary shapes.

The turn-of-the century vanity and the pier mirror were finds I discovered during an antiques shopping trip in France. They have been restored and rejuvenated with fresh paint and metallic leaf detail. The black lacquered legs of the stools are reminiscent of French design as well.

Vintage Jewelry Displayed on the Vanity

In keeping with the room’s true purpose, I “dressed” the window treatment in filmy white fabric trimmed with gorgeous turquoise satin, fabric reminiscent of a beautiful ball gown.

Window Treatment Detail

My Favorite Things

2011-06-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my must-have list . . . the ten things I couldn't conceive of living without.

1. Volcano scented candles from Anthropologie

Volcano Candle

2. Vintage jewelry

Pink Schreiner Pin

3. Decorating with shells

4. Dune fragrance

Dune Fragrance by Dior

5. My beautiful bathtub - "Tea for Two" by Kohler

Patti Johnston Designs Porfolio

6. Going out to breakfast

7. My KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

Susan G. Komen KitchenAid Stand Mixer

8. Weekly reflexology massages

9. Searching for and purchasing mid-century furniture

Century Design Ltd, Midcentury Slipper Chairs

10. Junior League cook books

New York Junior League Cookbook

Paper Projects

2011-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Wallpaper can be a misnomer, because limiting wallpaper to the walls would be so restricting! I also like to think of wallpaper as…

…ceiling paper.

Papered Ceiling

…on the back of a simple bookshelf, for a striking backdrop to a collection.

Lucky Magazine

…on furniture. Furniture pieces can be custom upholstered in textured paper and then painted. This one is a lacquered grasscloth.

Bungalow 5, on Polyvore

…on the treads of your staircase.

Moroccan Stencil Staircase, via Style-Files.com

…as art. A great statement idea if you are renting your space, so you can take your wallpaper with you if you move.

Credits: Domino Magazine

Of course, wallpaper is beautiful on the walls. Here are a few Patti Johnston Designs wallpaper favorites for all your paper projects.

Romo

Nina Campbell

Sanderson

Designer's Guild

Cole and Son

Perfect Purples and Blues for Spring

2011-05-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

Spring on Long Island always brings to my mind rich blues and purples . . . from the sunny skies reflecting off the sound, to brightly hued purple hyacinths popping up on the front lawn, to the robins’ eggs that reappear each year on our back deck.

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

Last year, during one of my favorite annual New York City events - the biannual New York Junior League House Tour - one of the featured homes was the Grammercy Park town home featured on the magazine page below. The otherwise neutral kitchen's spectacular ceiling was painted a rich hyacinth purple, which was complemented by purply hues in the art, on the painted floor, and in accessories.

Better Homes and Garden Magazine

True blues are so fresh and inspiring after the icy whites of wintry skies, and I’m turning to a few favorite blues in my springtime design plans. (All swatches courtesy House Beautiful.)

Benjamin Moore 'Blue Wave'

Benjamin Moore 'Glass Slipper'

Benjamin Moore 'Iceberg'

Benjamin Moore 'Paladian Blue'

Benjamin Moore 'Silver Grey'

Benjamin Moore 'Silvery Blue'

Farrow & Ball 'Borrowed Light'

A P.S. to any New York based blog readers. The New York Junior League Sixteenth Annual Spring House Tour is Saturday, May 7th, and is an exceptional event that I always enjoy! Details of the event are on the below invitation.

Lots of Dots

2011-04-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

I love the shape of a circle and I use it over and over in my design projects. I find comfort in the round edges and the idea that there is no beginning or end (very Zen!). Whether it’s a print on a fabric or wallpaper, the rounds in an art piece, or accessories, I can’t think of a dot I’ve ever met that I didn’t like!

Art by Damien Hirsht

A few examples of my dot obsession:

Egg prints.

A bowl full of interesting accessories.

Dishes on display.

The medallion shape on this great pillow fabric.

Right now I’m working on selecting a fabric for a glamorous bedroom marrying rich black lacquer with luxurious metallic grays. You guessed it! A beautiful fabric with dots is what I think will do the trick. It’s hard to decide; they are all so beautiful in their different scales!

Loving Lucite

2011-04-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

Spring is a great season to visit local tag sales since your neighbors are likely doing their spring-cleaning like the rest of us! Some of my favorite accessories and furniture pieces have been from tag sales and flea markets-from the Patti Johnston Designs headquarters in Long Island, New York, to antique markets in Paris!

Recently I found two incredible Lucite items at local shops. The first is this unique men’s valet. Unless a suit and accessories are draped on it, it almost disappears into the background.

Lucite Valet

It’s clean lines and practicality makes it perfect in a guest room. It’s a modern, welcoming piece that allows guests to make themselves—and their clothes—comfortable!

Lucite Valet, dressed

This interesting table base was also a local find. When I first saw it, I knew I had to have it but wasn’t sure how I’d use it! I considered putting it’s two pieces front to back, instead of as a round, to use as a console, but the result was a bit too modern for my home-and I couldn’t part with this find! Instead I positioned them back to back, had a piece of glass cut, and swapped out my traditional mahogany kitchen table for this great, fresh new table.

Kitchen Table

If you’re inspired to add the look of Lucite to your home, you might try your luck on an upcoming Spring Saturday. You might also consider this contemporary acrylic coffee table from Crate and Barrel. It would disappear in a small space but would by no means be transparent! It’s great shape and functionality would make it a great piece in any room!

cb2

Fabulous Finds

2011-03-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Abacus Gallery calendar designs by Dana Heacock, a Maine artist with a very colorful, graphic style, are one of my favorite things! These calendars are made of individual prints featuring each month of the year as they would appear in New England. Each one is a work of art in and of itself.

Red Rocker by Dana Heacock

Displayed individually, or in a grouping as I did in the installation below, makes for a powerful graphic statement on a kitchen wall. The design is so great, all that’s needed is a simply gallery frame to see the whole year at a colorful glance!

Kitchen Calendar Installation

Find Me on Facebook!

2011-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dear blog fans,

Patti Johnston Designs is on Facebook! Please friend PJD for updates, information, and photos! We’ll be updating the page alongside the blog and will feature lots of great information and inspiration. See you there!

The Amsterdam

2011-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of my most recent Patti Johnston Designs installations is now complete! I recently completed two model homes in the Amsterdam at Harborside, a beautiful retirement community. Featuring a fresh color palette, furniture that blends traditional elements and modern living, and bright, open spaces, the Amsterdam project demonstrates functionality in design and welcomes visitors with bright, inviting color palettes.

This post is dedicated to a large, two-bedroom unit that combines some of my favorite current color combinations.

Master Bedroom Window Treatments

The window treatments in the master bedroom are bold in their large scale, but pull together the colors used throughout the room: neutral walls and carpet with a bold green chair and pillows. Yellow lamps carry the color throughout the room, and the pattern is repeated on the lumbar pillow on the bed.

Master Bedroom

The large open living space brings in more sunny yellow, but varies the color palette with the incorporation of aqua—a Patti Johnston favorite, and touches of warm tangerine orange. Antique lamps bring all the colors together for a traditional touch. Plenty of seating will accommodate a large family gathering or an evening of relaxing on the ample sofa with a good book or television show!

Living Room

The yellow and aqua is incorporated into a second bedroom, which could function as a guest room and an office. The showpieces of this room include the fantastic butterfly art and the yellow leather upholstered ottomans with nail head designs that feature their unique shape.

Office/Guest Room

Stay tuned for more updates from the Amsterdam project, and check out my updated Portfolio to see more images from the installation.

The New York International Gift Fair

2011-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite events in New York City is the not-to-be-missed bi-annual International Gift Fair, which fills up the Javits Center in midtown Manhattan with plenty of design inspiration. This February I spent two days combing through booth after exciting booth to find treasures for current and future projects.

This year, the handmade exhibits featured some truly amazing handmade items. My eye was immediately caught by the eye-popping colors of hand-woven throws draped around a small booth. Made with care by South American artisans in Bolivia and Guatemala, the natural alpaca wools were died colors that perfectly fit my signature color palate.

Carpenter + Company

Baskets from Senegal presented the perfect storage solution for some of my current design projects. The most wonderful feature of the companies showcasing these handmade products, beyond the great design they offer, is that they support talented artisans across the globe.

Swahili Imports

Other wonderful finds included this versatile contemporary bookcase. A pair would be great in any room! I was particularly drawn to the Greek key cutout design, allowing a sneak peak of the collection showcased on its shelves.

Adler Radcliffe Etagere

These candy colored pillows literally called to me from across the convention space! The collection is full of bold and bright geometric patterns embroidered or printed on high quality fabrics. Sometimes I'll base an entire room's design around a great pillow or bold fabric.This collection of pillows could have inspired many!

Trina Turk

I am looking forward to incorporating some of these great items into the Patti Johnston Designs Portfolio.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

Happy new year, blog readers! 2011 has started off as a snowy year on Long Island, and lots of indoor time combined with the fresh-start feeling of a new year and a new decade has inspired me to make some design resolutions at home. With the guests gone and my holiday décor stored away, I’m taking inventory. A great design exercise is to walk through your house with a notebook and a camera. Looking at your spaces in photographs may call attention to areas you often overlook. Observe and note any necessary repairs, like chipped paint, but also reconsider any areas that seem tired or outdated. In many cases, these problem areas may be an easy fix that breathe new life into your space. I have planned some updates in my own well-used family room. I’m going to repaint and order a new carpet due to ordinary wear and tear. But I’ve also rethought the room's dining area.

Before, Photo by Liz Glasgow

By switching out a set of botanical prints I’ve owned for years with an incredible collection of framed intaglios I found, the corner has totally changed its identity.

Framed Intaglios Replace Botanical Prints

The two Parsons chairs around my Lucite table also got a redo - in a great navy fabric with an Asian motif. The dining area looks completely different with the art and fabric, despite the same wall color, furniture, and light fixture.

Newly Upholstered Parsons Chair

I am considering these light fixtures for the space from a favorite vendor.

Swapping out your accessories can also change the look of your space without any serious work or commitment, especially after the holiday decorations have come down and you feel that your home needs something special!

Unexpected Accessories Enliven the Space

There are many more at home projects I’ll share as the months go on. What are some of your 2011 design resolutions?

Window Watching

2010-12-15T08:59:00.000-08:00

Henri Bendel Window

One of my favorite holiday pastimes is heading into New York City early on a weekend morning, before the crowds arrive, to see the holiday windows of the Fifth Avenue department stores. It’s become a tradition in my family; we’ll wake up early, stop for coffee, and drive into Manhattan before most New Yorkers are even awake. Besides being a festive outing, the artistry and creativity of the windows is always inspiring to me as a designer. This year the Henri Bendel windows featured some incredible scenes – ranging from an interpretation of the Nutcracker to amazing travelogues. If you’re in the New York City area, it’s worth a visit! And you may want to finish your window watching with breakfast at one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in all of Manhattan – Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien. No matter what city you live in, there’s so much great design to experience during the holidays!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

I love winter holiday decorating. Every year after Thanksgiving, I transform my house in anticipation of Christmas. I rely on many of the traditional decorations special to my family from over the years: heirloom ornaments, fresh greens, wreaths on the windows (painstakingly hung by my husband), and a collection of special Christmas children's books that belong to my now grown children. But as traditional as Christmas is, I always love to mix it up! Last year, I was asked by Newsday to design a room around a holiday theme. After much thinking and scouting, I decided on a fun but still nostalgic theme I knew my family would enjoy throughout the season and on Christmas morning: 50s!

Retro Tree

Martini Bar

Sugar Plum Centerpieces

Old forty-five records found in my mother’s attic in South Georgia became the ornaments for my dining room tree, which was lit by big, red retro bulbs. Old-fashioned candy in apothecary jars evoked “visions of sugarplums,” and I adorned wrapped packages with dot candy ribbon. A “Mad-Men" style martini bar brought the look to life and I found pink Cadillac ornaments that were perfect at each place setting. Turquoise and pink were modern substitutes for the more predictable green and red. Don’t be afraid to try new color combinations and explore fun themes in your holiday decorating this year! I'd love to hear about your plans for holiday decorating.

Packing a Punch . . . in the Powder Room!

2010-11-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

My powder room, photo by Liz Glasgow

A guest bathroom or powder room present a great opportunity to really have some design fun. In a master bath that you’ll use day in and day out, you won’t want to take any big color risks that you’ll soon tire of. But for a guest bathroom, you can afford to be playful.

I like a powder room to feel like a dramatic piece of jewelry, especially if it’s only used for guests. I choose beautiful jewel tones in paint or paper that I wouldn’t use anywhere else to make this small room feel unexpected and rich, elegant and special. A unique black-lacquered cabinet and interesting art adds to the drama of a powder room.

And no jewel box would be complete with some sparkle--a jewel-like chandelier on the ceiling, or a really special mirror like this one I chose to complement the rich turquoise paint in my powder room. Special accessories make the room feel like a treasure.

North Shore Holiday House "Deck the Halls" House Tour

2010-11-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, I am teaming up with the talented Patrick Ward of Outdoor Environments to "deck" my home and open up my doors for the 5th annual North Shore Holiday House "Deck the Halls" House Tour. The tour will be held on Thursday, December 2nd. Tickets are available at the "Deck the Halls" House Tour Web site. I am so happy to support this wonderful cause!

The Sky's The Limit

2010-11-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

One of the most overlooked--or maybe under-looked--areas in design is the ceiling. Adding an unexpected color or texture to the ceiling is a wonderful way to really add “wow” to a room. Last year on the New York Junior League Spring House Tour, one of my favorite featured homes was a Grammercy Park townhouse. It had a kitchen that seemed a bit ordinary--until I looked up! The ceiling was an incredible shade of hyacinth purple. Features in this room balanced its bold color, like a large scale geometric design painted on the wood floor, and art that subtly incorporated the vibrant color, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Since the tour, I’ve seen this very room featured in House Beautiful and Good Housekeeping magazines!

Grammercy Park Townhouse in Better Homes Magazine

Recently, in re-designing my own living room, I also took full advantage of the ceiling real estate by papering the ceiling in a fantastic fuchsia vinyl. With a tiled horsehair effect, it’s also a real “wow,” especially with the show-stopping light fixture I chose. The walls and floor are soothing neutrals that won’t compete with the ceiling, but the color is called out and accented by the fabric and accessories in the room.

My Own Living Room

Featured Fall Fabrics

2010-11-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

Have you gotten your fall sweaters out? These adorable dogs have, and they’re decked out for autumn, just like your child’s room could be. I’m loving this fun fabric for fall. Here, I’ve paired it with some complimentary fabrics for a perfectly fantastic child’s room. The bright green of the dogs’ sweaters is picked up in the bright green linen fabric which would be wonderful in a window treatment. The wonderful geometric and scale of the black and white would make an amazing chair. And a fun tape always adds a level of details that increases the impact of any upholstered piece. Welcome fall!

Welcome!

2010-10-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! Here at Patti Johnston Designs, I am always inspired. Whether it is by industry trends, fashion, travel, or even visiting an impeccably designed restaurant or hotel, my designs are always influenced by my everyday experiences in the field and beyond. This blog is a place where I’ll continually share these inspirations with you. Check back weekly for features like color forecasting, tips, design reviews, upcoming events, and some of my favorite finds in fabric and furniture. And, always feel free to contact me. Thanks for visiting!