Architectural Digest Home Design Show & My Beach House Update

Been so busy these last few months but so excited to get back to blogging and let you know all about some new trends that I have been tracking.  Just back from the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York on Thursday – what a great show!  It’s fantastic to see AD showcase new, small boutique companies and emerging artists!

We saw some really awesome products. One thing we saw a lot of was wood, wood and more wood.  Wood used as wall applications, beautiful floors designs, cabinets, etc. We saw a lot of barn wood and repurposed old wood, both stained, painted and distressed.  This was very interesting to me as I have just used 100 year old barn wood in my son’s room at the beach house (see below). One of my favorite new products that caught my eye is from a company called Moonish. 

These are marine grade plywood 6x6 tiles that are sold by the square foot. They have four magnetic backing tabs. You apply a receiving magnet to the wall and just stick the tiles on! They are held magnetically. Get tired of them or need a change? Simply lift off and voilà no more tiles. These are great for apartment dwellers, as well as those of you who move around and may want to take these lovely beauties with you.  For the DIY crowd I thought we could do so much with them – back an old cabinet, make a pretty mirror – check out Moonish tiles HERE

We saw lots of Mid Century furniture styles and lines; and some great new artists creating lovely contemporary pieces. I adored the lines and the finishes from WUD Furniture Design.  Here are some of their custom built ins as seen above and below. 

Their tables were beautiful but so hard to photograph, best to go to their website to see them. But what was most impressive was their furniture tops.

They use copper, zinc and rolled steel. They encase it in a hard resin, so it is impervious to scratching and stains. And if you think the resin makes it plastic looking, think again. These tops have an incredible true patina which I had difficulty photographing. Check out WUD Furniture HERE.

Also saw many companies trying to bring the luxury of the indoors – outside.  The West Coast is famously successful at creating gorgeous outdoor living spaces, but here on the East Coast our climate is not as forgiving. I just loved this well constructed, bamboo and cedar pre fab outdoor shower.  Made by a small Massachusetts company called OboRain, it will withstand the New England winters.  It comes shipped flat packed and is easily assembled. The design was minimalist and beautiful. You can see many other styles at OboRain HERE.

Also discovered a “new to me” hardware manufacturer, Sun Valley Bronze.  Similar to Rocky Mountain Hardware, but with exquisite patinas and styles both for the “mountain” and the “city”.

This is an example of their beautiful finishes, but do check out their website to see some extraordinary products – Sun Valley Bronze HERE

Now on to the Beach House… It has been a busy few months. We have been re- plastering almost every wall and adding tons of period style trim work and beadboard through out the entire house.  We also replaced several windows, which helped expand the ocean views. We also changed out a slider to windows, which helped enhance and correct the flow of the interior.

 

Here is a Before photo of the five unit contemporary window that was installed in the front of the house several years ago. I felt it distracted from the period style of the house.

And here is the After – still waiting to finish the outside trim work (will it ever stop snowing here?!)  Notice the new windows are 6 over 1 (mullions) and more appropriate in keeping with the 1920’s shingle style.

Another peek - Here is the upstairs hallway before we added all new trim work and detailing. The plaster, though not really visible in this photo was in need of repair. Notice the bead molding that runs along entire ceiling length on the right.

Here is the After - New plaster was applied to repair and highlight the beautiful crisp angles of the space.   Beadboard and trim were added to accentuate the great architecture and visually bring your eye up to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.  The Farrow and Ball paints are stunning and reflect the light beautifully.  The trim is Pointing and the walls and ceiling are Borrowed Light.  Floors still need to be refinished and new lighting fixtures need to be installed, but we are getting close.

Finally here is a peek at the new wall treatment in my son’s room, above is the Before photo.

  100 year old barn board from Vermont was added to two walls and the other two walls will be painted a driftwood gray. The wood adds the most awesome back drop!   Keep tuned in because I will be enhancing the wall with a “really cool” (according to my son)  treatment.  It’s going to be great! I will post about it very soon.

I am just excited to be back to blogging.  Been missing you all and now that things are slowing down to a more manageable pace we can all reconnect!! Hope you have been doing well and I would love to hear from you!  Have a great weekend!!! 

xoxo Gina

(all content and photos property of Willow Décor and not to be used with out permission)