Share your NYIGF favorites with me!

New England Finery Magazine, Issue One, February 2011, pages 58-59

Last year I attended the New York International Gift Fair with my good friend, designer Rosanne Palazola. We stayed at her friends place in New York overnight and we walked the Javitz and the Pier on both Saturday and Sunday. I have to say it was quite the whirlwind of idea generating window shopping! I chose to feature some of my favorite items in the premiere issue of New England Finery Magazine.

This year the show falls on my son’s birthday (a big one – his 10th!), so I’m asking all of you who do attend to please post a link in the comment section and share YOUR favorite picks.

I will certainly miss the creative buzz from the event (I know there will be a lot of design bloggers in attendance) but I hope to plan an adventure-filled field trip somewhere fun in the very near future ...

Winter antique shopping

New England Finery Magazine, Winter 2011,  pages 42-43

Antique shopping is usually considered a summer sport here in New England, but there are actually some great winter shows worth venturing out to, even on a snowy day like today.

In the last issue of New England Finery, I highlighted the New England Antiques Design Show & Sale that was held at the Shriners Auditorium. This weekend the auditorium is home once again to a wealth of antique dealers ... check out the extensive list here. Below are some photos I took while exhibiting there last fall (read more about the New England Finery designed space here).

There are room after room of antique and vintage treasures at the show.

Each dealer sets up their own inspired vignettes.

Vintage items, like these drapery hold backs, can be repurposed in modern ways.

The key is to think creatively when touring each booth.

There truly is something for every kind of collector!

I really could have used this on a recent photo shoot ...

If you are a decorator, photo stylist or homeowner who loves the patina of vintage decor, it is worth it to get on the list to be notified of upcoming New England Antique Shows. Click here to receive discount passes and info. 

58th Annual Winter Antiques Show

All this week in New York, from the 20th to the 29th, the 58th Annual Winter Antiques Show is being held at the Park Avenue Armory. Local designer, Phoebe Lovejoy, who was featured in the autumn issue of New England Finery, is on the interior design committee for Young Collectors Night which will be held on the 26th. If you get the chance to attend, look for her in the crowd and be sure to say hello!

Young Collectors Nigh: Annual Winter Antiques Show

Designers Phoebe Lovejoy and Gerald Pomeroy 

New England Finery Magazine: Autumn 2011, pages 34 – 40

Michael J. Lee Photography

Tangerine tango, anyone?

Have you heard the Pantone Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango? I have always appreciated a splash of orange. Do you like a little, a lot or none at all? Check out this set on Polyvore then take a peek at a few of my orange crushes ...

• Xtreme Sports Inspired

• Farmhouse Chic

• Small Space, Big Hit

I was not paid to promote this product ...

Can I just share how much I love this new conditioner I found? It smells like a combination of coconut and mint (fresh yet relaxed?) and is filled with good for you ingredients like green tea and goji berry. Besides being like aromatherapy in the shower and actually making my hair feel silky smooth, I am loving the on-trend orange bottle and rockin’ graphics. And who wouldn’t want to start the day (or go into the night) with the belief that “Living the Dream” is well within reach ... just look for it on your supermarket shelves : )  

TIGI Rockaholic Living the Dream

Daily Conditioner + Energy

Click here for professional styling videos

and more products available from TIGI

A green point-of-view

Designer: Lisa Kauffman Tharp : Window Treatments: Acorn Interiors

Photo by Eric Roth: Design New England Magazine Jan./Feb. 2012 p.82

Have you seen the latest issue of Design New England Magazine? This lovely space designed by Concord, Massachusetts designer Lisa Kauffman Tharp was featured inside, plus the equally gorgeous bath from this eco-friendly home made the cover.

Lisa, an expert on incorporating green choices into her interior designs, was one of our eco-links in the April issue of New England Finery Magazine. She was actually brought to my attention by Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors, who has done window treatments for my own design projects. Paula did the treatments in the above photo. I love the clean, quiet, textured look of the space.

Enjoy reading the entire article by clicking here. 

A contest for my design friends ...

Would you like to see your design project on the pages of a design magazine?

If you know me at all, you know how much I appreciate good design. If you grew up with me, you might say I am competitive (thanks, sis, for always reminding me!) Well, FYI, I don’t have to be the center of attention ... I like to shine a spotlight on others. So as the new marketing director at Designer Bath in Beverly, I came up with a little competition (which I cannot enter, BTW) for my friends in the design biz. 


“Interior Designers Shine with Designer Bath”


Who can enter? An interior design professional who has completed a design project with products purchased at Designer Bath. What is required? Submit a photo of the end result (plus fill out a wee bit of paperwork). What is at stake? The chance to have your designed space (bath or kitchen) photographed by professional photographer Michael J. Lee which will then be used in a full page Designer Bath ad that will be placed in Design New England Magazine. In addition, there will be an event planned to announce the winner who will also receive a $500 gift certificate to Designer Bath. 


Deadline for entry is May 31, 2012. In the meantime, I will be blogging about this contest for Designer Bath, and will be talking this up on twitter. Follow along and consider entering -- it is a great opportunity to get published and get noticed! 

Creating an inspiration board

Inspiration Board: 2012 by designvignettes


Instead of writing down what I want to happen in 2012, I put together a Polyvore set of images that mean something to me personally. I even kept a little white space in the bottom corner to leave room for the unexpected (the good variety, of course : )


What are you imagining for your new year?

Welcome to 2012

Boxford Holiday Homes Tour, October 2011

New Year’s Eve room designed by Karen L. Samenuk

(see more from the tour by clicking here) 

Happy New Year’s Day! Last year I chose not to pen any resolutions, except to make room for creativity, and looking back that seemed to work out pretty well : ) While 2011 certainly had its shares of highs and lows, I am grateful to be surrounded by friends and family who are there to celebrate the good times and to buoy us up during the not-so-shiny moments. Cheers to each of you and best wishes for all that you hope 2012 to be!