Georgina Davies Undresses MDF to Reveal Its Understated Beauty

Peggy and David Matthews, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, undertook a significant interior design renovation of their Southside Place home, which they built 20 years ago. The initial design of the house catered to their young children, but with their five children now ranging from 16 to 28, and several back home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the family's needs and lifestyle have evolved. Peggy Matthews, who owns Rapid Record Retrieval, a legal support company, expressed a desire to upgrade, redo, and refresh their living space, driven by her love for change. The redesign project was spearheaded by Marie Flanigan Interiors, with Marie Flanigan and design director Melanie Hamel leading the effort. A key aspect of the renovation involved transforming a multi-purpose front room, which had served as a playroom and teenage hangout, into Peggy's personal retreat. This room now features deep blue lacquered walls and built-in bookshelves, a sofa reupholstered in white fabric, a bold geometric rug with chartreuse accents, and a dark blue tufted ottoman. This space allows Peggy to relax privately, though it remains appealing to other family members as well. Peggy's passion for fashion significantly influenced the design choices, prompting the designers to incorporate sophisticated yet functional fabrics inspired by runway trends, including Hermes and Jean Paul Gaultier fabrics. The home's existing art collection, notably Andy Warhol's "Cowboys and Indians" lithographs, served as a primary source of color inspiration. The rich ochers and cobalts present in Warhol's pieces, such as "Mother and Child" in the front room, "Geronimo" in the family room, and "Kachina Dolls" in the hallway, guided the selection of the home's new color palette. Flanigan and Hamel aimed to create a vibrant interior that matched Peggy's dynamic lifestyle, moving away from an all-white aesthetic. The dining room, frequently used for family gatherings, was reimagined with customized de Gournay "Willow" wallpaper featuring delicate branches and a Lindsey Adelman "Branching Bubble" chandelier. Vintage side chairs, discovered on firstdibs.com with garish green frames and old upholstery, were meticulously restored with a gold-bronze finish and reupholstered to complement the wallpaper. The family room was designed with two distinct seating areas to accommodate both large group television watching and intimate conversations, and even includes a designated "dance floor" for entertaining. Minor updates were also made to the kitchen, including replacing traditional island legs with edgier stainless steel ones to match the existing stainless steel counters and range hood. New barstools, combining wood frames with varied fabric on the backs and seats, added warmth. A geometric patterned backsplash was installed after a range replacement, contributing to the updated decor. The breakfast area received new furniture, including a round table that can expand to an oval for larger gatherings. Furthermore, part of the backyard patio was enclosed with large glass panels to create an indoor-outdoor sunroom, offering a climate-controlled space that can be fully opened to the outdoors. This sunroom is furnished with a mix of blue and white patterns in performance fabrics, including a bold Martyn Lawrence Bullard Perennials print on a large ottoman, a striped chair, a solid sofa, and a chevron rug, ensuring durability and a cohesive aesthetic that extends the home's style into the outdoor living area. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FashionInspiredDecor #LuxuryInteriors #ArtCollection #CustomWallpaper #ModernTraditional #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FamilyHome

The article explores the home of artist Dana Gibson, known for her vibrant and large-scale designs in her eponymous collection of fabrics, wallpaper, lighting, home accessories, and furniture. Surprisingly, Gibson's personal West End home is characterized by a more subdued aesthetic, where color is used as an accent rather than a dominant feature. She emphasizes restraint with color, aiming for a relaxing home environment after spending her days in a studio filled with vivid hues. Gibson's design philosophy centers on creating approachable elegance, with updated classic motifs that feel both fresh and familiar. The narrative highlights Gibson's significant presence in the national design scene. Her collection, launched with Stroheim, a prominent American wallpaper and fabric company, features bold, graphic designs from her archives in a variety of color combinations, including bright and neutral palettes. Gibson expresses surprise at the collection's widespread success, attributing it to its affordability, constant availability, and colorful nature. She has incorporated her own designs into her home, such as the 'Peregrine' bird print wallpaper in her entry and the damask-like 'Nouveau Palazzo' in her dining room, complemented by chairs upholstered in coordinating fabrics from her collection. Additionally, Gibson debuted a furniture collection for The MT Company at the High Point Furniture Market, featuring her Stroheim fabrics alongside brightly colored leathers and solids, which she describes as a 'pop of color' that still demonstrates restraint. The article delves into Gibson's artistic background, noting her lineage from Charles Dana Gibson, creator of the Gibson Girl, and her mother, Casa Bacot, also an artist. Growing up in a creatively rich household, she developed an early appreciation for the arts. Initially, Gibson gravitated towards applied arts rather than fine art, focusing on creating functional items people could live with. Her career began in the early 1990s with porcelain pieces, including soup tureens, vases, and platters, which were sold in upscale retailers like Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. As the economy shifted, she adapted her business model by designing a line of tole wastebaskets and having them manufactured in China, allowing her to reduce prices and broaden accessibility to her designs. Gibson's home, shared with her husband Mark Longenderfer and two sons, is a 1957 split-level that has undergone significant improvements over eight years. Facing challenges such as limited natural light and architectural detail, they have made additions and remodels, including the living room, kitchen, and master suite. Gibson's goal is to create an airy, open, serene, and interesting space with charming details. She strategically uses pattern, texture, and color to add interest without overwhelming the senses. Art, particularly works by her great-grandfather and mother, is central to the home's decor. The living room features paneled walls and a citron-painted band, while the master bedroom is described as serene yet engaging, with beautiful textiles and painted furniture. Gibson embraces mixing old with new, and rustic with refined, believing that contrasts add intrigue and drama. She acknowledges that her home, much like her design career, has evolved, and she continues to seek opportunities to expand her scope and impact the design world. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DanaGibson #Wallpaper #FurnitureDesign #TextileDesign #HomeStyling #ArtistProfile #DesignEvolution

The article focuses on the collaborative work between Berlin-based artist Noé Sendas and Wallpaper* magazine for their March issue cover story, 'The Lady Vanishes.' This project integrates Sendas's artistic approach with contemporary fashion, specifically highlighting spring/summer 2015's graphic designs. Noé Sendas is known for his 'un-collage' technique, where he manipulates found photographs by removing elements to introduce new meanings. His work draws inspiration from cinematic and literary sources, treating photographs as three-dimensional objects and exploring concepts of gravity, weight, and balance. Sendas emphasizes the creation of something 'beautifully strange and unexpected' through a combination of hard work, chance, trickery, desire, and intuition. His celebrated 'Crystal Girl' series exemplifies this by deconstructing Hollywood golden age film stills, transforming portraits into ambiguous, elegant still lifes by eliminating faces, limbs, and contextual details. The collaboration for 'The Lady Vanishes' was initiated by Wallpaper*'s creative director, Sarah Douglas, and involved fashion director Isabelle Kountoure. The goal of this project was to produce content that is both contemporary and timeless, with Kountoure expressing keen interest in how Sendas would adapt his methods to new materials, specifically fashion photography. Photographed by Jan Lehner, the 16-page spread presents the human body as both a theoretical and material entity. The imagery explores how a single image can evoke diverse interpretations from viewers. Crucially, in these photographs, the clothing itself becomes the object of focus, rather than the female form, shifting the emphasis from the wearer to the garment. Sendas posits that the artist's role is to 'deceive,' or to cast a 'glamour' that alters the spectator's perception, making objects appear different from their true nature. This perspective is applied to fashion, suggesting that fashion too can create an 'affectation' that transcends mere appearance. The 'The Lady Vanishes' series was also slated for exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery during London Fashion Week, further bridging the gap between fine art and high fashion. The article explores how art can provoke rather than explicitly reveal, adding depth and meaning to otherwise ordinary objects or concepts. The collaboration showcases a unique blend of art, fashion, and photography, challenging traditional perceptions of identity and representation within visual media. #NoéSendas #ArtAndFashion #TheLadyVanishes #Photography #Surrealism #FashionEditorial #MichaelHoppenGallery #LondonFashionWeek #ContemporaryArt

Denise Van Outen recently revealed her unique living room wallpaper via an Instagram post, capturing the attention of her followers. The wallpaper, described as a chic shade of cream, features detailed black sketches of bumblebees, suggesting a particular interest of the television personality. This distinctive choice in decor was showcased as Van Outen posed on a vibrant green, crushed velvet sofa for a photo celebrating her appearance on 'Celebrity Gogglebox'. Accompanying the eye-catching wallpaper, a multi-coloured cushion, appearing as if splattered with paint, adorned the sofa. This cushion also garnered significant interest from her fans, with one specifically inquiring about its origin in the comments section of her Instagram post. The article also touches upon Van Outen's recent activities, highlighting a significant personal event: her stepdaughter Leah's 21st birthday. Despite the lockdown conditions at the time, Van Outen, along with her boyfriend Eddie Boxshall, organized an elaborate celebration. She shared several photographs of the event on Instagram, detailing a "kitchen disco" and thanking Bonnevent for providing balloon decorations that were delivered with DIY instructions to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Photographs from the birthday celebration depicted Denise, Leah, and Eddie toasting with champagne beside a large '21' filled with pink balloons. Another image showed Leah in the family's spacious garden. Eddie Boxshall also posted about the birthday, expressing his pride in Leah and thanking Bonnevent, indicating a close-knit family celebration despite external constraints. The narrative emphasizes that the lockdown did not diminish the family's ability to celebrate joyfully. #DeniseVanOuten #HomeDecor #WallpaperDesign #CelebrityHomes #InteriorDesign #InstagramReveal #BumblebeeMotif #CelebrityLifestyle

Finnish designer Hanna Anonen introduces her new Bouclé Collection, a series of modular wall hangers that reinterprets the tactile qualities of bouclé fabric using solid walnut and painted wood. This collection blends functional design with wall art, aiming to serve as both a practical coat rack and a decorative element in various settings. Anonen's intention was to create an object that encourages interaction with living spaces, suitable for entryways, hallways, public areas, and bedrooms. The Bouclé Collection is characterized by its lattice structure crafted from rich walnut, which is intersected by painted circular "knots." These circular elements are a clever design choice, referencing the texture and rhythmic pattern found in traditional bouclé textiles. The circular knots also serve as functional hanging points, forming a distinct polka-dot like pattern that is visually graphic yet harmonious. The design allows for scalability in size and layout, making the pieces adaptable to different spatial requirements and design aesthetics. Each piece in the collection is available in four sizes, providing versatility for integration into diverse interiors. The use of wood to mimic a fabric texture is a central theme, transforming the soft, looped appearance of bouclé into a hard, sculptural form. This design approach highlights the designer's ability to translate material properties across different mediums, offering a unique take on familiar textures in a new context. Hanna Anonen debuted the Bouclé Collection at Launch Pad by WantedDesign earlier this year. This presentation was supported by several organizations, including the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York, and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). These supports underscore the cultural and artistic significance of Anonen's work within the design community. The collection is not merely functional but also carries an artistic dimension, as emphasized by Anonen. It invites viewers to appreciate the subtle design cues and the reimagination of a textile texture in timber. The visual impact of the pieces, with their precise forms and material contrasts, makes them stand out as both utility items and contemporary art installations. The Bouclé Collection offers a sophisticated and playful addition to modern interiors, demonstrating how material reinterpretation can create innovative and engaging design solutions. #HannaAnonen #BoucléCollection #WallHooks #FinnishDesign #ModularDesign #WoodFurniture #TextileInspired #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor

Iris Dankner, an interior designer and breast cancer survivor, founded Holiday House, an annual interior design show dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research. Now in its 12th year, the exhibition showcases the work of leading designers and brands, with proceeds directly benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Dankner, a member of the BCRF Advisory Board, conceived Holiday House as a unique way to combine her passion for interior design with her commitment to eradicating breast cancer. Dankner's personal experience with breast cancer at age 40, which required a mastectomy and treatment, motivated her to "give back" after her recovery. She initially engaged in fundraising efforts, including leading a 120-person team called Iris’s Bosom Buddies and chairing Race for the Cure events globally. Her vision for Holiday House was to create something original that would unite the design industry around a woman's cause, specifically breast cancer. Over the years, Holiday House has evolved beyond its initial focus on festive and seasonal decor. Designers are now encouraged to draw inspiration from any significant moment in life, creating spaces that reflect personal stories and "magic," whether it's a baby-naming celebration or a Sunday brunch. This approach allows designers greater creative freedom and results in more diverse and meaningful installations. In line with her emphasis on health and renewal, Dankner collaborated with Cristina Cuomo, editor-in-chief of The Purist, to create the "Purist Sanctuary" within Holiday House. This dedicated wellness space offers visitors a place to relax, participate in guided meditation sessions with Mercedes Club, or engage in mini-sessions with life coach Beth Mobilian. This sanctuary highlights the importance of self-care and restorative practices, a theme that resonates deeply with Dankner, especially as she prepares for upcoming surgery related to a breast implant recall. She underscores the ongoing nature of being a breast cancer survivor and the necessity of prioritizing personal well-being daily. The event provides a platform for both established and emerging design talent, drawing support from numerous sponsors and engaging the broader community. Dankner observes that the collaborative spirit of Holiday House extends beyond the design professionals to include all individuals involved, many of whom share personal connections to breast cancer. This collective effort transforms the exhibition into a powerful testament to community and shared purpose in the fight against the disease. #IrisDankner #HolidayHouse #BreastCancerAwareness #InteriorDesign #DesignForACause #WellnessSpace #FundraisingEvent #Philanthropy #HealthAndRenewal

This article details the transformation of a previously dark and narrow landing in an Edwardian house into a warm and welcoming space through a DIY makeover. The homeowner, Emma, who shares her renovation projects on Instagram as @homeonthegrove, initially opted for a stripey runner and grey walls for her landing. However, this choice resulted in a gloomy atmosphere due to the area's limited natural light and characteristic narrowness. After living with this aesthetic for a couple of years, Emma decided to embark on a complete redecoration. The central element of the transformation was the selection of a pink color palette. Following experimentation with various tester pots, Emma determined that pink was the only shade that provided sufficient warmth and light for the space. She chose Calamine from Farrow and Ball, a delicate pink with grey undertones, and applied it to the entire hall, stairs, landing, and ceiling. This "up and over" painting technique enveloped the area in a blush pink hue, significantly enhancing its brightness and creating a calming ambiance. The article highlights how this specific shade of pink, by incorporating grey, avoids traditional feminine associations and instead contributes to a modern and inviting feel. Beyond the paint, the flooring played a crucial role in the makeover. Emma removed the existing carpet and painted the floorboards and stairs, opting for a pared-back aesthetic. She discovered an inexpensive yet durable floor paint suitable for this high-traffic area, which became a key tip from her renovation experience. The woodwork was painted white to maintain a light and fresh feel, complementing the pink walls. Additional decorative elements, such as family photos, prints, and houseplants, were incorporated to personalize the space and add greenery. The transformation demonstrates the significant impact a simple change like a tin of paint can have on a room's atmosphere. Emma's approach successfully addressed the challenges of a dark and narrow landing, proving that with thoughtful color choices and DIY effort, an overlooked area can become an admired feature of a home. The project emphasizes the effectiveness of using color to manipulate light and create a desired mood, transforming a previously functional but uninspiring space into a visually appealing and comfortable one. #DIYHomeDecor #LandingMakeover #PinkInteriors #EdwardianHouse #ColorTransformation #FarrowAndBall #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #PaintedFloorboards

Joanna Gaines, a prominent interior designer and co-creator of the Magnolia Network, offers valuable insights into creating beautiful, cozy, and comfortable rooms, with a particular focus on the strategic use of materials to introduce texture. Her design philosophy often involves blending old with new, rough with soft, and rustic with refined elements. A notable example of her approach is showcased in Season 3, Episode 8 of "Fixer Upper," where she transforms a master suite into a rustic cabin retreat with subtle Southwest influences. The centerpiece of this bedroom design is a cedar-planked accent wall. Gaines achieved a time-worn aesthetic by carefully arranging irregular wood slabs and incorporating stucco filler strips. This distinctive accent wall harmonizes with similar wood trim found on the room's windows and doors, creating a striking visual contrast with vintage, industrial-style pendant lights positioned above the bedside tables. The accent wall serves as a high-impact focal point behind the bed, drawing the eye and adding depth. The combination of darker wood tones with lighter stucco further enhances the room's rustic, aged ambiance, as Gaines emphasizes that "This wall just adds a lot of texture and dimension in the space." Using wood paneling for an accent wall is an effective method for introducing visual interest into otherwise plain spaces. While wood paneling might evoke images of 1970s basements or traditional log cabins, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity due to its versatility. Its appearance can range from modern to rustic, depending on the cut, type, and arrangement of the boards. For instance, fluted paneling is known for its ability to improve a home's acoustics. Gaines frequently incorporates paneling into her designs, including the widely popular shiplap, which is a staple in her modern, farmhouse-inspired projects. In the "Fixer Upper" episode, Gaines' accent wall emulates a more primitively constructed wood-framed cabin, lending a sense of history to the room that complements the homeowners' desired Southwest aesthetic. This design choice offers both stylistic appeal and visual and tactile richness, enriching the room's existing patterns and wooden elements. Furthermore, it significantly enhances the room's warmth. The horizontal orientation of the panels also contributes to the illusion of a wider, larger room, similar to how vertical paneling can make ceilings appear higher. Despite the striking nature of Gaines' design, particularly its rustic iteration of a wood-paneled accent wall, this specific style may not be suitable for all interior aesthetics, especially those leaning towards modern or minimalist designs. Horizontal paneling can inadvertently make a low ceiling feel even lower, and an abundance of horizontal lines might visually overwhelm a space with contrasting elements. A viable alternative involves using paneling styles with fewer visible lines and more uniform cuts, which can create texture and interest without dominating the entire room. This type of paneling can impart a timeless elegance to bedrooms or living rooms. While certain types of paneling are amenable to DIY installation, the more substantial varieties, such as solid cedar planks and stucco, are often best installed by professional contractors. This is due to structural considerations, as adding significant weight to existing drywall can impact the wall's integrity and the surrounding floor. Moreover, improper installation of paneling, especially on exterior walls, can lead to moisture issues, resulting in bowing, cracking, mold, and other forms of damage, similar to problems that can arise with shiplap if not installed correctly. #JoannaGaines #BedroomDesign #AccentWall #WoodPanelling #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FixerUpper #RusticCharm #TextureInDesign

Joanna Gaines, known for her impeccable taste and down-to-earth style, suggests using a specific paint color to elevate and transform ordinary living spaces. The color, named Luxe, is featured on her Magnolia website and is described as an evergreen hue with subtle gray undertones, making it both earthy and luxurious. Gaines emphasizes that this shade creates an elevated feel, offering an elegant tone that can serve as a versatile backdrop for other design elements. Luxe paint is designed to seamlessly integrate with a variety of aesthetics, whether used for an accent wall or an entire room. It complements diverse elements, from natural wood furniture to brass fixtures, providing a pop of color without being overly dramatic or dull. This approach aligns with Gaines' previous trend-setting use of nature-inspired cabinet colors, highlighting her preference for earthy tones. On the Magnolia website, Luxe paint is showcased in various settings. In one example, it is paired with a cream-colored couch and wood accents, creating a warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere. In a home office, the shade provides a deep, grounded backdrop for darker wood desks and gold lamps, allowing metallic fixtures to stand out. Even in a bathroom, when combined with lighter materials like a white sink and accessories, the balance between the green and neutral tones achieves a clean and sophisticated finish. When incorporating Luxe paint into personal spaces, Gaines' blog offers valuable guidance. It suggests blending various metallics and natural materials, which complement the green shade due to its neutral gray undertones. This versatility allows for extensive mixing and matching of fixtures, hardware, furniture, and fabrics. For a living room, Luxe can be applied to a single wall for a statement accent or throughout the entire space to introduce a dramatic effect. For a minimalistic design, the article recommends pairing the paint with furnishings made from light woods such as pine, birch, or white oak, along with neutral upholstery in shades like beige, cream, tan, brown, or white. Adding a thick rug can further soften the space and enhance its cozy ambiance. For those desiring more drama, options include darker woods, matte black fixtures and furnishings, and pops of rust or red in throws and pillows. Metallics like gold or brass are also suggested to modernize the shade and add dimension. The article also highlights that trendy green paint colors, including Luxe, are particularly suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. In these areas, light wood elements are recommended to create a spa-like environment, enhanced by the soothing color. Complementary neutrals such as off-whites, grays, or black accents can also be incorporated. For bedrooms, pairing Luxe with gold furniture or light fixtures is suggested, along with plush faux fur rugs, throws, and soft blankets to create a luxurious feel. Layering linen bedding in soft purples and pinks can provide a designer finish, offering a harmonious contrast with the green walls. #JoannaGaines #PaintColors #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxePaint #EarthyTones #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #MagnoliaHome

Meredith Heron, a Toronto-based maximalist designer, consistently integrates a diverse range of patterns and color combinations into her projects. Her design philosophy revolves around the idea that "more is more," prompting her to incorporate multiple fabrics within a single room while consciously avoiding a "matchy-matchy" aesthetic. Heron also embraces challenging color palettes, often selecting hues that initially intimidate her, such as contrasting reds and greens, to push her creative boundaries. To harmonize these bold elements, Heron strategically employs a nuanced spectrum of gradient blues. This approach prevents her vibrant selections from clashing, instead creating a cohesive visual experience. A key technique she utilizes involves incorporating the same pattern in various colorways throughout a space. Additionally, she often chooses paint colors that are slightly off from fabric shades to achieve a more lived-in and organic feel, viewing this deliberate mismatch as an enjoyable design puzzle. Heron's mood board, which serves as a visual representation of her current inspirations, exemplifies her eclectic style. It features a blend of striking motifs, including multitonal stripes, flame-stitched chevrons, and animal prints. Each element is carefully chosen to contribute to her signature maximalist aesthetic, without overwhelming the space. She thoughtfully curates each component, demonstrating how disparate patterns and colors can coexist in a harmonious and sophisticated manner. Among the specific items highlighted in her mood board are the Handsart Key Rug in Merlot, which she appreciates for its meandering design that helps open up a space. The Camber Stripe Fabric in Green and Blue by Jane Churchill is noted for its mint hues, allowing her to integrate other mutable greens into her palette. The Inferno Fabric in Sapphire by S. Harris, a flame stitch, is a favored choice for sofas due to its distinctive texture and pattern. She also features the Regal Fancy Fabric in Verdant by S. Harris, an Art Deco-inspired green with a shimmering sheen, and the Midori Fabric in Verdure by Clarence House, which she describes as textural and luxurious, particularly when paired with leather. Heron also incorporates unique accent pieces, such as an antique cloisonné vase, which she sources from auctions to add a sense of history and a richer narrative to her designs. The Fissure Rug in Azure, from her own Meredith Heron Collection, showcases her passion for ombres, a design element she frequently includes in her rugs and fabrics. For hardware, she selects the Pyra Mitered Handle in Bright by Shayne Fox Hardware, appreciating the craftsmanship of a fellow Toronto designer. An animal print is almost always a staple in her projects, represented here by the Darwin Fabric in Blue by Jane Churchill, which, despite being a dotted pattern, evokes the texture of a stingray or shagreen. Wallpapers also play a significant role in her designs, with the Marble Tile 1 Wallpaper in Pebble by The Vale London being a choice for creating a faux marble effect on ceilings or within decorative molding. Another selection from The Vale London is the Bagan Wallpaper in Deep Sea, a pearlescent paper that caught her attention for its unique finish. For anchoring her color schemes, she uses the Giles Embroidery Fabric in Red/Blue by Lee Jofa, which incorporates the majority of colors present in a room. Finally, the Cleo Fabric in Copper and Red by Jane Churchill is chosen for its feathery, animal print-like qualities, contributing to the "well-traveled" ambiance she aims to achieve in her interiors. #MeredithHeron #MaximalistDesign #InteriorDesign #FabricPatterns #ColorPalettes #HomeDecor #DesignInspiration #LuxuryInteriors #TextileDesign