Ikat

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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