Life Coach: Elsie De Wolfe

Well, what better grand master to begin with than the woman who is responsible for developing Interior Design into the profession we know it to be today. Credited with “banishing Victorian gloom,” Elsie de Wolfe made a name for herself as a pre-eminent interior designer in the early 1900′s with some of America’s most famous families. Among her private and most celebrated clients were Condé Nast, Paul-Louis Weiller, Cole Porter and the duchess of Windsor. Her influence, however, extended to the public as well. She passed along advice to millions through her articles, interviews, and lecture tours. I love that she was an eclectic designer, choosing freely among elements of different styles. Elsie was innovative in her use of stripes, Chinoiserie, animal prints, trellis patterns, mirror, and chintz upholstery.

 Here are some of my favorite Elsie De Wolf Quotes!!! Words to live by...

• "I believe in optimism and plenty of white paint!"
• "I was born with the courage to live. Only those are unwise who have never dared to be fools."
• "Never complain, never explain." -motto she had embroidered on her taffeta pillows
• "I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life." 

Finally, grab a paint brush and a plaque, because these words should be hanging in every lady's home:

Project Penelope: "Tea Party with PANACHE!!"

http://shopsweetthings.com/living/diy-neon-classic-pottery

Welcome to Project Penelope, a regular column for all you DIY darlings out there. Before we get on with our project du jour, let me just say a few words... My middle name isn't "crafty", it's "FABULOUS!"That being said, my attitude towards crafting projects is much like my attitude towards the running club I recently joined. It's something I dread, but in the end I feel great about what I was able to accomplish. Here is my promise to my readers: I will not be a Negative Nancy when it comes to crafting. I will strive to be a Positive Penelope :) I will absolutely attempt every DIY project I suggest to my readers. Together, we will beautify our houses and apartments one can of spray paint at a time!

On to the task at hand... Tea Party with Panache! I decided to take a cue from my previous post and come up with a clever, inexpensive way to incorporate those ever-so-trendy neon colors into my own home. When developing this project I kept two things in mind. First, when it comes to neon, less is more. Second, my favorite application of these rad colors is on classic or traditional pieces. The flea market and Goodwill are always fantastic places to get your Project Penelope juices flowing. While at my local Goodwill I spotted six charming tea cups and saucers and immediately new what had to be done. A much needed dash of flamboyance created by an unexpected splash of neon would take these tea cups from grandma to GLAM! The best part, this project is SOOOO easy! I have seen it done before on Shop Sweet Things. Here's the how too:

1.) Troll your local flea market or Goodwill for a set or mix of vintage tea cups. The fancier the better!

At the Goodwill check-out counter about to purchase my darling little blue and white tea cups and saucers.

2.) You'll need a few supplies. Paint brushes and gloss enamel paint specifically for use on glass and ceramics. You can find this paint at your local craft store. Choose funky colors like "electric blue" or radical pink".  Keep them all the same, or mix it up! The more blinding the hue the better!!

3.) Paint just the handles of each tea-cup. Don't worry about perfection, it should look hand done! If using a ceramic paint, follow the directions carefully. Mine instructed me to let the paint dry for 48 hours and then bake in 325 degree oven for 30 mins. This step creates a strong bond making the paint dishwasher safe! (Although if your tea-cups are especially delicate I would not recommend running them through the wash.)

Here is the final result! Love the pop of color it gives my kitchen shelves. I also love the orange and blue color combination...GO GATORS!!

A coordinating set like this would create a unique hostess or bridal shower gift!!

4.) Finally, put your new china to good use! Host a weekend brunch that channels the over the top opulence of a French tea party. Your radicalized tea cups will be the star of the table! Pair with cake stands piled high with tea sandwiches, pastel macarons, and mini cupcakes. A center piece of peonies is unfailingly chic. Mix up the mimosas and your Tea Party with Panache is set!!!

A la mode: If it isn't NEON, it shouldn't BE ON!

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably noticed the comeback of NEON colors in both the fashion and design worlds. This trend literally cannot go unnoticed considering the blinding, in-your-face hues. Colors once reserved for running sneakers and 80's themed parties are showing up in high-end furniture showrooms.
Neons are definitely feel good, high-energy colors. Who doesn't need a pick me up throughout the day? A splash of neon in a room is like the visual equivalent to a shot of espresso. Although I am loving this funky-fabulous trend, the bottom line is that less is definitely more. Neon is a "fad", so devoting an entire room to "electric blue" and "radical pink" may not be a long term smart move. On the other hand, and unexpected hint of neon in an otherwise classical interior could be the perfect anecdote to a "safe" room lacking in personality.
During my recent trip to April's High Point Market, I was able to get some great inspiration on how to incorporate neon colors into the home without losing all sense of sophistication. My favorite use of these outrageous colors is applying them to traditional, classic objects. Instant eclectic-chic with a twist! Try painting traditional chair frames in these hues for an eccentric accent piece in the Dining Room or Living Room. Create a sporty look by adding neon piping to your chairs and throw pillows.

Go ahead, add some visual cheer into your home. After all, nothing says "I have personality" like "atomic tangerine"!!! Here are a few inspirational pictures below:

My new favorite french furniture line, Mis En Demeure, displayed this funked-up fauteuil in their showroom at High Point. Love Love Love!

This is a great example of how subtle neon details can really amp up a piece. The chair on the left was on display at Hickory Chair in High Point. The neon orange piping gives this ordinary chair such a sporty look!! It immediately reminded me of the color combination used in Omega's Seamaster watch. This is such a great look for a man's study!

This was another fab find at Mis En Demeure. This bergere whent from boring to BOLD with lime green piping! SO fresh.

Welcome to DesignLUSH

Dear Readers,

A little about me... My name is Amanda Giles Picken. I am a young Interior Designer in Naples, FL specializing in high-end residential design. My personal taste is eclectic, I am not obsessed by any one period in design history. I love all history! I value eccentricity over convention.  I hate interiors whose components look like they all arrived on the same truck. I love retro fashions. I LOVE my poodle Murray. I WILL NOT leave the house without my red lipstick on. I WILL NOT leave the house without a statement necklace on. I overspend on coffee table books. My favorite author is Gabriel Garcia Marquez... I am a sucker for magical realism. When it comes to hair, the bigger the better. I live for design, art, fashion, and architecture. And finally, yes, I am a LUSH, and I’m not just referring to Saturday night’s festivities. I am a DESIGN LUSH every day of the week, recklessly and shamelessly overindulging, overspending, overanalyzing, and over-obsessing on all things DESIGN. You may already be a DESIGN LUSH yourself!! For you, and for those of you just venturing into this wondrous and teeming world, I hope this blog helps you feed your passions and interests.

I invite you to join me in my hunt for all things that inspire and invigorate! Here are a few of Design Lush’s regular columns I hope you will enjoy:
A la mode... Up to the minute trends in the design world
Color Binge... Bright ideas for color-full looks
Brand Ambassador... Professional insight into designer brands
Education in Extravagance... Be prepared to take notes, Design History 101
Book Wild!... Books worth buying for your dream library
Garden Glory... Put the neighbors to shame with these helpful tips
Life of the Party... Breath some life and drama into your home and wardrobe with eccentric conversation pieces
Designer Rehab... Make what once was old new again... furniture facelifts!
Project Penelope... For all of the DIY darlings out there
Life Coach... Sessions focusing on wisdom from the masters
Five Rules and Five Ways to Break Them... Tried and true industry standards countered with examples of reckless disregard
Find Your Religion... Philosophies of design’s most influential movements

I suppose there is nothing left to say except CHEERS!! and HAPPY READING!!