What Inspires Me (Stephanie)?

As a designer I get to see lots of beautiful things every day...one of the perks of this career! From beautiful fabrics and wallpapers to amazing furniture and accessories...and really so much more. It is these beautiful things that I get to see on a day to day basis that truly inspire me as a designer.

What I want to share with all of you are the most recent things I've seen in new spring fabric/wallpaper collections and product shows...all of which are currently hanging above my desk on my inspiration board. It's a great place for me to look when I need a little creative

pick-me-up. And, for all you animal lovers out there, well you're in luck! The current theme of my inspiration board is all about animals!

Here are just a few of the amazing animal finds I've come across recently...

Osborne and Little

http://www.osborneandlittle.com/

Grand Tour Collection

Best In Show

Wallpaper

Keep it classic with black and white,

Elegant with the metallic tone on tone, or...

Mix it up with the blue and purple color way!

Great for adding personality and impact to any space of a dog lover!

Porta Romana Lighting
http://www.portaromana.co.uk/north-america/index.php

Giraffe Lamp
This stunning giraffe lamp will immediately give character to any space. Add an interesting piece like this to your foyer or living room and instantly create conversation.

Stray Dog Designs
http://www.straydogdesigns.com/

Bird Stool/Accent Table These darling pieces can act as a stool or table! Nestle one beside a favorite chair to hold your cup of tea and book. Or, tuck one (or even two) under a console table to add interest in an unused space and pull out and use as seating when entertaining.

Roost
http://www.roostco.com/about.html

Dachshund Oil & Vinegar and Salt and Pepper

Dachshund inspired kitchen and table accessories with fun and functionality built right in! The playfulness of these pieces will be sure to make anyone smile :)

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For those of you who would like to see what inspires a designer feel free to stop in to Crimson Design Group and check out my inspiration board!

Taking the Indoors Out

I think it's safe to say, spring is finally here! (maybe? please?!) As the weather warms, it's only natural to begin venturing outside more often for small gatherings, cookouts with friends and neighbors, pool lounging, and drinks on the back porch. Is your space ready?

sunset west

Outdoor "rooms" are a great way to expand your living space, especially if you don't have ample square footage indoors. They also give you the opportunity to have fun and go wild with colors, textures and lighting if you're too nervous to explore your creativity indoors.

house beautiful

house beautiful

house beautiful

house beautiful

Keep in mind not only what you see, but what you smell and hear as well. Plant interesting plants and beautiful flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Add soothing water elements for a relaxing space.

house beautiful

house beautiful

house beautiful

Lighting is key when the gatherings last through the night. Create interesting focal points with fun lanterns, spot lighting, and ground lighting.

These outdoor spaces have me inspired to redo mine just in time for all of our summer parties!

I am looking for new fresh recipes to kick off the celebrating of warm weather!!!

Spa Bath Redesign: Before and After

Recently I had the pleasure of working with Jan and Dante Colosimo. I so enjoyed getting to know the two of them better as we took on the project of remodeling these two bathrooms. One bathroom was a complete re-haul. As you can see from the before pictures of the Master bathroom there were a few eye-sores such as carpeted floors (a BIG no-no), blinding Hollywood vanity lights, and a dated brown cultured marble shower, an update was desperately needed. We wanted to create a spa-like retreat feel - a relaxing get-away space you can walk in to at the end of a long day where you can release a sigh of relief. Often in working with a husband and wife team there are compromises that have to be made, well for these two the soaking tub and shower were a must. A non-negotiable for the master bath.

Master Bath before

Unveiling of Master Suite

We selected the tile for the walls because of the color and texture. It had the beautiful lustre of silk. Visit Hamilton Parker

The guest bath was more of a cosmetic makeover. We painted the cabinets, changed the hardware, lighting, mirrors, tile surround in bath and floor tile.

drum roll please........

A thank you goes to Jan and Dante for giving us the honor to work with them. Really a pleasure and it came with lots of laughs and the wonderful personality they both brought to the project.

Delicious Ambience

I have to share with you some of the most beautiful, fun, whimsical, and sexy chandeliers. I just love and love these 4 pieces. The creations are all behind the talented fine art artist, Susan Hornbeak Ortiz. Her company is Shine by S.H.O. Not only does she create this fantastic lighting but really unique furniture. I am dying to use it soon in a new project.

This is just so yummy! I love the color and this would be the show stopper in any room.

I would like to wear this as a bracelet. It would also look fantastic over a table in a kitchen.

This piece would also look great with black shades or hot pink.

In a foyer this piece would be smashing!

To view more pieces and furniture visit Shine by S.H.O

All images from Shine