Looking Sharp at the Chamberlain

Before I start sharing my #BlogTourLA sponsor posts, I need to set the stage. Veronika Miller of Modenus put us bloggers up at a trendy boutique hotel, the Chamberlain West Hollywood. It was designed based on the Kelly Wearstler aesthetic, which was fitting as she was on our agenda of people to meet while in Los Angeles! Graphic patterns, high contrasts, and sharp edges were a recurring theme ...

The Chamberlain lobby: our meeting spot during #BlogTourLA

Cloth and Kind design duo Tami Ramsay and

Krista Nye Schwartz in the hotel lobby

#Blogger19 alumni on #BlogTourLA: Ronique Gibson,

Veronika Miller, Cheryl Kees Clendendon and Susan Serra

Our suites were spacious and energetic with lots of cool

marble pieces that had an art-deco-like edge.

I really loved the chevron pattern on the sofa. We were gifted a handsome lavender sachet in charcoal gray flannel from Platner and Company that matched it beautifully! 

The look of the suite bedroom was appropriately more restful and subdued, while the bathroom floor kicked it up a notch with a pinwheel patterned black and white tiled floor.

Loose stripes pair well with the tightly dotted pattern on the headboard

A black grasscloth like wallpaper covered the walls in the bath (which was well appointed and appreciated!) The same charcoal paper was repeated in an upstairs sitting area adjacent to the rooftop pool.

waves of triangles and a little watery blue

the rooftop pool at the end of the day

the poolside cabana had a bit more color than elsewhere,

making it a different kind of inviting

I have to say my absolute favorite spot at the Chamberlain was the Bistro lounge on the lower level of the hotel. I adore these watery greens and the space was very pretty and soft with the exception of a collection of sharp ocean corals displayed on decorative wall sconce shelves. The leather banquet and tiled floor shared a diamond pattern, keeping the space inline with the graphic look seen throughout the Chamberlain.

Visiting hotels is a great way to explore design continuity in public and private spaces. Where have you enjoyed great design in your travels?

More from #BlogTourLA to come!

Back from #BlogTourLA!

#BlogTourLA Instagram photo courtesy Veronika Miller of Modenus

I am just about getting over my souvenir jet lag from my recent trip to southern California via #BlogTourLA. Our exclusive tour of the LA design scene was both creatively inspiring and mentally relaxing – the ultimate laid-back West Coast get away! I arrived back in Boston late Sunday night and was surprised at home with a fresh bottle of Sauvignon Blanc chilling on the dining room table, set next to a dish piled high with Cheez-It crackers (my boys – and husband – know me so well!) While I sort through five days worth of BlogTour photos, here is a link to my first guest post written for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace that went online while I was away. By blogger coincidence (as in there are no coincidences?) I got to spend the week with another blog writer in the WS Designer Marketplace roster, Mindy Miles Greenberg, a New York based designer who pens Encore Decor (seen in the picture above with me on the left and Will Taylor of the UK blog Bright.Bazaar on the right).

before and after photo credits: Yvonne Blacker Interiors

– read the full post here –

Veronika Miller welcoming #BlogTourLA attendees

I had so much fun getting to know my fellow design bloggers during our days together in the California sunshine. Come back soon to see photos from our visit to the WestEdge Design Fair and many colorful design stops along the way. Special thanks goes to Veronika Miller of Modenus, for getting us all together for this fabulous brand-curated event, filled with memories to last a lifetime! 

The courtyard at the West Hollywood Chamberlain

photo credits: Yvonne Blacker

Published in Maine Home + Design!

Maine Home + Design October 2013

cover photo Trent Bell

Maine Home + Design October 2013 p. 109

photo credit Irvin Serrano

When Maine Home + Design arrived on my desk this past week, I opened it with hopeful anticipation. I knew that there would be a spread of photos from the York Show House, but had no idea if one of my baths would be featured. Then I turned to the showcase section and saw this image! My heart took a little leap! The photographer, Irvin Serrano, captured my favorite corner of this Jason Wu inspired loo and it looks amazing in print! You can see a little sneak peek of Barbara Elza Hirsch’s screened porch on the left side of my almost full page. My Trio Design partners, Katherine Hawkins and Rosanne Palazola, are featured on pages 110 and 111. Pick up the issue (on newsstands now) and get the full story or view it online here.

Thank you Farrow + Ball (+ wallpaper installer Larry Mazoway), Brizo, Turkish Towel Company, Native Trails, Electric Mirror, Glenville Surfaces, Blue Peacock Home, and Designer Bath for helping me dress this tiny space with big time elegance!

Countdown to BlogTourLA!

A Modenus curated collection I saw while visiting

the Architectural Digest Home Show in 2012

Remember when I almost won a trip to London as a guest of Modenus.com to tour the London design scene with a group of interior design bloggers? If you follow me on twitter then you already know I did not win the coveted spot. The tour is actually wrapping up now ... follow #BlogTourLDN to see the fun places they have been and fab products they have seen.

Although I was disappointed not to be heading to London, I was really happy to have been selected. It really meant a lot to me to be noticed for what I do, which lately seems to lean most towards the promotion of interior design related events, luxury brands, and the art of design. There are many people out there who still do not fully understand the reach and influence of social media marketing and what a valuable tool it is when trying to engage an audience online and in real life. Veronika Miller at Modenus gets it:

“BlogTour has grown in leaps and bounds since we first launched in London in 2011 and we are now one of the most visible blogger initiatives out there with four full days of trade shows, architecture and design and lots of local culture. It’s not just about hopping from cocktail party to cocktail party, although we never say no to a glass of bubbly, it’s about discovering trends and inspiration in far off cities and it’s about empowering you as talented bloggers and designers.”

I am happy to say that there was a silver lining to my not being on the London tour. I was asked by Veronika to attend the next event on her busy schedule as she is hosting back to back tours this year! In early October I will fly out to Los Angeles to attend the WestEdge Design Fair with the next BlogTour group, BlogTourLA! I was invited to attend as a guest of the BlogTour sponsors (yes, all expenses are paid!) and how could I say no?! A number of the sponsoring brands are sold in the Designer Bath showroom where I work. I am looking forward to meeting the people behind these products, learn about new ones, and get to know the other professional interior design bloggers who I will be spending lots of quality time with while on the West Coast. Some bloggers I have met before on other research + development trips, so it will be another fun reunion!

Modex sink by Blanco // photo courtesy Blanco

+EDITION collection by Poggenpohl // photo courtesy Poggenpohl

“The new +EDITION collection from Poggenpohl combines classic details with modern appeal. This innovative kitchen design features natural walnut wood veneer along with white lacquer cabinetry, available in flat panel or thin frame detail door styles. New black glass upper wall cabinets include the same thin frame details with finished interiors and LED lighting.”

Gocchia faucet by Gessi // photo courtesy Gessi

Sponsors of BlogTourLA include Blanco, Poggenpohl, DuVerre Hardware, Gaggenau, Gessi, Lamps Plus, Laufen, and Mr Steam.  Thank you for allowing me to be part of the BlogTour community! I know I will learn a lot on this trip (which I will share upon my return) while being inspired by great design in the company of like-minded individuals. There is something special about being with people who understand what you do, why you do it, and are willing to discuss design industry topics almost exclusively (while sipping the aforementioned bubbly, of course!) I’ll toast to that! 

Stay tuned for more #BlogTourLA updates! 

Final pics from York Show House ...

“Syrena’s Bath” // 24th Annual York Decorator Show House

Yvonne Blacker for Trio Design // photo credit: Eric Roth

It’s hard to believe that the York Show House has been over for a month already! Time to post photos from my second bath in the show (first one here) and the rooms of my Trio Design partners, Katherine Hawkins and Rosanne Palazola.

– BATH BEFORE –

While my glamorous Petite Powder Room downstairs was influenced by the runway collections of fashion designer Jason Wu, my full bath upstairs was part of a teen girl’s bedroom suite, so it was a bit more whimsical in nature. Even so, I chose to incorporate elements of maturity that would allow this bath to age gracefully. Farrow + Ball Manor House Gray on the walls was the first step in transforming this originally powder pink room to a more sophisticated space. Farrow + Ball Pitch Blue on the cabinets and shelves (chosen to coordinate with the existing tile) added a youthful exuberance while still being on trend with current color palettes.

Since Katherine’s adjoining bedroom was mermaid-inspired, I had a custom shower curtain made out of a silver dance/swim fabric (something a teen girl might wear for a recital) that resembled shimmery mermaid skin, then had it trimmed with seaweed green ruffles. The pearl shaped sink with a custom sized glass counter  (a favorite showroom display piece of Katherine’s from Designer Bath) replaced the original formica counter. The built-in cabinet below, however, just received fresh paint and new knobs. An easy switch when renovating a bath. All new fixtures from Brizo’s RSVP collection (faucet and towel bars with Swarovski finials, robe hook, mirror, toilet tissue holder) added shapely sparkle. This bath suite collection added just the bit of designer glam that I was looking for ...

Brizo RSVP towel bar with Swarovski crystal finials

“Drawing on the influences of Art Nouveau, RSVP features a sensual design that follows the curves of a woman’s silhouette.  Adding a touch of ‘bling’ with genuine crystal accents, RSVP promises to be a conversation piece in the home.”

– Judd Lord, director of industrial design at Brizo

Below are a few photos from Katherine’s bedroom. I chose the colors for my bath to coordinate with the bedding she selected from Company C. The overall feeling of Katherine’s teen bedroom/hangout was one of being “under the sea.”

“Syrena’s Room” designed by Katherine Hawkins for Trio Design

bedding from Company C

Syrena’s closet styled by Katherine Hawkins // photo credit: Eric Roth
Benjamin Moore + Ralph Lauren paints from Home Decor Group

– TEEN BEDROOM BEFORE –

While Katherine felt challenged with a rather small bedroom to work with, my good sized bath was not without its own unique design dilemmas ...

BEFORE: An awkward location for a

mirror and medicine cabinet combination.

AFTER: since the medicine cabinet had to be reinstalled after the show per the homeowner’s request, I created a temporary diorama in its place.

Step 1: medicine cabinet removed

Step 2: freshly painted walls and niche with

wallpaper covered panels being tucked in place

(wallpaper from Thibaut)

Step 3: Katherine found this vintage-style mermaid illustration on tin, which just happened to fit within the niche (hung on string). A white frame and beach stone finishes it off.

Detail shots of Syrena’s bath ...

Succulent arrangement by Laura Thomson Design

photo credit: Rosanne Palazola

shelves styled with items from Blue Peacock Home + my personal collections

black makeup towels from The Turkish Towel Company

photo credit: Eric Roth

framed canvas: “Meadow” modern art collage by artist Parvez Taj

accessories via Blue Peacock Home // tile work via Weaver Brothers of Lynnfield

sink, glass counter, faucet and mirror available via Designer Bath

window treatments and shower curtain via Acorn Interiors Design Center

I liked how this Duralee sheer so closely resembled the round sink bowl

flat fold roman shade in Molokini Natural from Thibaut

Farrow + Ball paints: Borrowed Light, Manor House Gray, Pitch Blue

ceiling painted in Farrow + Ball Borrowed Light, trim in Strong White

The Turkish Towel Company Zenith in Silver, Blue Ice, and White

my jewels and organic touches // other accessories via Blue Peacock Home

One of my favorite parts of designing a show house space is styling it. It comes very easily to me, setting up vignettes. I love taking on these types of projects for clients as well. Of course it helps when beautiful objects are donated to the cause. Thank you, Blue Peacock Home and The Turkish Towel Company!

generous sized storage basket and coral sculpture from Blue Peacock Home

Let’s take one last peek downstairs at the room Rosanne transformed for the York Show House. What used to be a dark mudroom is now a vibrant space with luxurious amenities to enjoy the salt water pool just outside the door ...

custom mesh window treatment by Rosanne Palazola

art via Tracy Finn // accessories via Blue Peacock Home

recycled coke bottle glass lighting via Lucia Lighting

console fabric: Duralee // design by Rosanne Palazola

photo credit: Eric Roth

photo credit: Rosanne Palazola

Poolside Portal shelves styled by Rosanne Palazola 

photo credit: Eric Roth

Benjamin Moore paint (shelves and walls) via Home Decor Group

art: Tracy Finn available via Lucia Lighting

Just as Rosanne helped me by fulfilling my framing requests for my two spaces and Katherine added art to my upstairs bath, I was able to leave a small mark in Rosanne’s Poolside Portal. I chose a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I felt spoke to Rosanne’s design, the seaside location and the salt water pool just outside her room. I had Charles Trainer of Artistic License output my typographic treatment and then he installed it right on the glass door. He has helped me with many retail display projects at Designer Bath, and I knew this typographic treatment would easily solve the aesthetic problem of an interior window without a view.

POOLSIDE PORTAL: BEFORE

A handful of snapshots from York ...

with Rosanne at my mom’s summer cottage in York, Maine

the fourth person in our Trio team: Katherine with her husband Dave

Meredith Bohn in her living room




Barbara Elza Hirsch in her screened porch

Frank Hodge with Michael Nest in the Study // art by Frank Hodge

ombre wool carpet via Landry and Arcari // lighting via Hudson Valley

photo credit: Dave Hawkins

To see more photos from the York Show House,

visit my facebook album and Trio Design site.

– related post on the Designer Bath blog –

Summer’s End by Tracy Finn

While this may be the end of my York Decorator Show House updates, I do have another show house project waiting in the wings ... The Danvers Historical Society Designers Holiday Show House at Glen Magna Farms scheduled for December 2013. How could I possibly say no?!