Who goes to NYC to relax?! Well....me!! Last weekend I hopped on the train and headed for the Big Apple in hopes to recharge my batteries with color and shapes. I can't imagine a better city to max out your visual cortex!
One of my "go-tos" for inspiration is always Jonathan Adler. Trained as a potter, Jonathan has now become an accomplished designer. Adler launched his first ceramic collection in 1993 at Barneys New York. Five years later he expanded into home furnishings, opening his first namesake boutique in Manhattan. Adler's inspirations come from Mid-century modern, art and global pop culture. His design has been referred to as "happy chic".
He's the king of geometric design and color with a side of naughtiness. I love the way he mixes strong edges and masculine lines, with a heavy dose of lux fabric in deeply saturated hues. It's all so forward thinking while being anchored in iconic mid-century history.
As I pipped around the Big City, I came across a very cool, very hip, and very generous company called Housing Works. The retail thrift stores are filled with curious, spirited, gently used items. They have playful ways to interact with customers from online auctions to build up events where you can see, but can't purchase until the event party. I'm am really hoping to get a call from my husband in September giving me some good news about a pair of fabulous arched shelves (can you see them in the photo below? Great find, huh?).
As fun as the retail shops are, the work they do is extraordinary. The advocacy work for AIDS patients from housing, to health, to programing is life-altering. And the opportunities to donate and volunteer are countless.
Next in line for my visual candy tour comes ABC Carpet! I couldn't get over the playful, child-like feeling of the designs. Can you say, "play rooms for adults."? Emphasis on lounging....ahhhh!
Still channeling my inner child, I stumbled upon another one of my favorites, Ligne Roset. Known for its contemporary design that are both bold and beautiful. Of course, I also love that they embrace the environment and sustainability too! Their furniture is beautifully detailed, with a bit of a playful side. Their designs are often close to the ground again a nod to childlike play.
Meandering through the streets of NYC, I found myself among a fine line of modern men's perfumerie at MiN. What struck me (aside from the scent) is that the store design created a story and it's reinforced by the tales told by the fragrances themselves. It's a wonderful lesson in the art of creating a lifestyle that speaks of you not to you.
I bet you rarely look around and actually think about the colors, shapes and textures in your life. We're all guilty because quite frankly, we are all to busy to do so! If it isn't bold enough to stand out, it's going to get over looked. Try it some time. It doesn't have to be in a big city, try it in your own home. See what stands out to you. What feels like you. What's fresh and fun?
Opening your eyes to your surroundings is like a visual package of Jelly Beans. Enjoy each element as a special flavor of its own!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.