PRODUCT REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Simple Fit Custom Window Treatment by Redi Shade

A few weeks back the folks at Redi Shade contacted me to see if I'd been interested in testing out their Simple Fit custom shade. As it turns out, I was helping a client select fabric for window treatments and bench seating in their kitchen nook. The window above the main sink {image below} gets direct morning sunlight, was blinding my clients and was still in need of a window covering. The homeowners opted not to have a custom fabric Roman shade, but instead wanted a simple cellular shade.

Redi Shade's Simple Fit light filtering cellular shade in ivory seemed like the perfect solution and my clients were on board. Once the window measurements were taken, I ordered the shade and it arrived in three days! 

Redi Shade claims that their custom shade can be installed securely in seconds without the need for a drill, screws, or traditional brackets, making it a fast and easy. So with the clock ticking, we {my client I should say} started installing the shade...

The shade arrived safely and was wrapped carefully in bubble wrap. It took only a minute or two to unwrap.

The homeowner quickly read the directions.

Then the homeowner removed adhesive strips and installed the shade with a push of one button. It really was that simple and only took ten minutes! The shade has some weight to it, so hangs beautifully. It goes up and down {no cords or pulls} smoothly too. The ivory color was a perfect complement to the subway tile design backsplash.

 

Do you have a window in need of a custom shade? Redi Shade is offering a Simplified Bee reader the chance to win a new custom shade. The value of each shade is between $99 and $253, depending upon the size and type. Due to shipping restrictions, the giveaway is  available to US readers only.  

To enter to win a custom shade by Redi Shade, simply leave a comment {include your email if I don't have a way to contact you}. For extra entries:

• Become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Networked Blogs, Twitter or Facebook Page.

• Mention this giveaway in a post or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.

Please post a separate comment for each extra entry. Entry period closes at midnight PST, Friday, October 8, 2010.

 

Also, visit Redi Shade to learn more about their window covering solutions. 

Happy decorating and good luck!

*all images property of Simplified Bee

How to Design an Organized & Stylish Kids' Playroom

{image via Design*Sponge & Our Labor of Love} 

A dedicated playroom may not be necessary if you live in a moderate climate year-around.  But for those that have to endure long cold winters or heat wave summers,  designing a playroom where kids can "shake their sillies out" is a good idea - not only for them, but you! Here are some tips on  how to design  an organized and stylish playroom:

Design with Your Child in Mind.

This may seem obvious, but it is really important to determine what your child likes to do before anything else. Does he enjoy legos, trucks or books? Does she love to paint, sing or play dress-up? Then select items for the space such as an easel, train table or cozy reading chair that will promote their interests. 

This fun & funky playroom {above} designed by Little Crown Interiors includes a mini black and white laminate dance floor and working disco ball for the future Broadway star. The aqua wall mirror mimics the checkered pattern in the dance floor nicely.  Whimsical custom cabinets are beautifully built to store and organize all those toys.

{image from Feldman Architecture via Houzz}

Go Vertical.

Floor to ceiling shelving helps maximize storage and helps balance a space visually. Check Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids and Room & Board for some great options. Organize the toys in stylish baskets & bins to keep clutter-free and easier to maintain. Favorite age appropriate toys should be kept within reach and on lower shelves to accommodate little ones.

San Francisco based, Feldman Architecture designed this practical, yet stylish playroom. The floor to ceiling built-in shelves and bench not only maximize storage, but frame the windows beautifully.

{image from Ore Studios via Design*Sponge}

Look Down.

Selecting the right flooring for your playroom is also important. If you have wooden, cement or carpet flooring, layering it with an easy to clean area rug is a good idea. The playroom above designed by Ore Studios showcases colorful carpet tiles from FLOR {child table & chairs from Room & Board}. I have recommended FLOR tiles to clients before and love them because they are washable, interchangeable and are available in a vast array of colors. No nails, glue or padding necessary. Gotta love that.

{image via Dash & Albert via Posh Tots}

I am also a hug fan of Dash & Albert woven cotton rugs. They offer tons of colorful patterns including preppy stripes in just about every hue and color combination. Although not used in a playroom, we have a  3' x 5' Dash & Albert rug in a high traffic area and cleans up beautifully in the washing machine. 

{image via Rosenberry Rooms}

Select Petite Furnishings.

Purchasing the right "kid" size furniture for a playroom is important. Because kids grow up so fast, and pieces may not be used more than a few years, first hit local consignment stores,  flea markets and yard sales for used kid's furniture. Ebay and Craigslist are also favorite resources for finding inexpensive furniture. Also, don't be afraid to purchase pieces even if a little beat up. A fresh coat of paint in a color coordinating with the room may be all that is needed.

Retail stores such as Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod and Rosenberry Rooms are also great resources for child's size furnishings.

 {image via Houzz & Affordable Closet Systems}

Add Color.

A playroom by nature is supposed be fun. The colors you select will either energize or calm. Determine how you want the room to feel: Calming or cool colors are often hues blues, greens and violets {most grays included}. Energizing or warm colors are often hues of  red, orange and yellow {browns and tans included}.

In this playroom above by Affordable Closet Systems horizontal stripes are painted on a slanted wall/ceiling in a cooling blue and green hues. The wide stripe combined with the narrow striping above the custom bookcase creates visual interest and draws our eyes up.

{image from Allison Cosmos via Houzz}

Personalize the Space.

Decorating the walls with framed family photos, vacation spots or pieces of your child's own artwork is a wonderful way to personalize the space in a playroom.  For those with a particular theme {i.e. jungle, princess, western, etc.} a custom mural or monogram wall decal are also great options.

Artist, Allison Cosmos recreated the Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland in this closet turned playroom. So sweet.

Bottom line, designing a playroom should be fun, so enjoy the process! 

Do you have a playroom for your kids or one when you were growing up?

New York City, Nate Berkus, ABC Home and More...

Earlier this week, I was fortunate to take a quick trip to NYC for some blogger, designer and media related events. The adventure started with a red-eye {& they don't call it the red-eye for nothing!} with another San Francisco Bay Area blogger, Kate from Centsational Girl. Love this girl - she was great to pal around with.

With fabulous weather, that first day in the Big Apple was filled with a walk down 5th Avenue, a  blogger luncheon at HGTV {fun to meet Design Star winner, Emily Henderson} and then the Rue Magazine launch party at the NYDC. 

The trip however, was spurred by an invitation to attend the taping of a Nate Berkus Show {in case you live on the moon, he is the cutie-pie interior design for Oprah}. So flattered by "Nate Day", he invited 90+ design bloggers to be in the audience of his new show. And yes, Nate was just as cute and charismatic in person as he appears on TV. I won't go into too many details regarding the show because several bloggers have already given some recaps including Janell {who will appear on the show at some point!} and Lakeitha.

Some of the bloggers have been outspoken about Nate not mentioning  on air that the audience was full of bloggers and others thought that he should have highlighted specific blogs. That would have been nice, but then again it's his show and it seems he's still ironing out the wrinkles.  Nate responded today with this tweet...

Nate's a very talented interior designer and I do hope his show succeeds. He has been an inspiration to me and I am sticking with him!

After the show The Nest hosted a lovely party! And Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door has a nice recap of the event here.

Day three was a very quick {too quick} shopping trip to ABC Home. If you love furniture, lighting and linens as much as I do, you will be blown away by this store. As put on their website, ABC Home's mission,

is to serve by manifesting a retail paradigm shift in which we compose a revolutionary platform for offering cause related product through beauty, experience, and magic, in order to guide you to creatively express your individuality, values and to actualize home as sacred space

It's a bit of a run-on, but it seems fitting because the massive retail store goes on and on too. The Manhattan store offers ten floors of endless collections of rugs, furniture, antiques, home textiles, accessories and sustainable furnishings. There's something there to fit anyone's style and taste. I have included just a few of the items that inspired me. And to see even more, visit Kate's favorites at this post here. 

 

ABC Carpet is across the street, but a sampling of stunning rugs was on display near the entrance.

 

Looking for a chandelier? There were tons and sure to be one that would fit your needs.

 

Stylish storage is of course something I am always on the look out for. These vintage suitcases with rustic equestrian gear were fabulous.

 

The selection of decorative pillows & linens was amazing as well. 

 

 

If you have young ones at home, the children's section shouldn't be missed.  It was packed with  so much inspiration including an iron crib, child's ghost chair and whimsical decor items. It made my head start spinning with design possibilities in a nursery room.

 

Isn't this enormous piece of drift wood incredible?

Last but not least, I fell in love with this fretwork back ghost chair. Made in Italy they are stackable, thus easier to store. I imagined a set surrounding a round painted wood table in an eat-in kithcen. Hose them down when dirty makes them great for families with children.  Not inexpensive at $395 each, but a winner in my book.

The Nate Show, parties and shopping were of course fun, but the people I met were the highlight. So many talented designers and bloggers. In particular, I loved getting to know and  hanging with Kate, Rhoda, Emily {& her friend Katie}, Sarah, Janell, Lakeitha, Jade, and Lana. And at the end of the day, that is what is most important anyway, isn't it?

*all photos property of Simplified Bee

Interview with Interior Designer Jan Showers & Book Giveaway

A-list American interior designer, Jan Showers is best known for creating inviting spaces with a nod to old Hollywood glamour. Her work has been featured on the cover of all the best shelter magazines. And her design firm, based in Dallas, Texas has  been recognized as one of the most distinguished in the nation. 

In addition to designing interiors, Jan launched The Jan Showers Collection in early 2000 and authored a book, Glamorous Rooms showcasing her work and innate sense of style. Jan has graciously offered a personalized, signed copy of her book Glamorous Rooms to one Simplified Bee reader.

Simplified Bee: Jan, Your designs are timeless, functional and glamorous. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

JS: Thanks! Probably from the time I was in grade school, but never dreamed in those days of doing it professionally. My mother always had interior designers and I would enjoy being in on the decision making process from an early age. My mother had wonderful taste. Her mother’s side of the family was French---and, they loved all things French----fashion, interiors, great food (and they were all great cooks, which is why I love to cook). By the way, my mother would have loved your blog because she was Martha Stewart many years before Martha!

SB: Thank you for the nice compliment! So, in addition to designing, you have authored a book called, Glamorous Rooms and your website currently has a quote saying, "Glamour and comfort are not mutually exclusive." What elements bring glamour to a space?

JS: I do think comfort is a huge part of glamour. What good is a room if it looks elegant, but is uncomfortable? We have all seen those rooms----usually, they are composed of furnishings from one period. That is why I love to mix periods and styles. I find that to be always glamorous.

SB: In 2000, you launched your collection of beautiful upholstery, case goods, and lighting. Your current collection is magnificent and I can't decide what I like best - today the Sarah Bench is my favorite. Do you have a current favorite? 

JS: I love the Sarah Bench, too. It is absolutely stunning upholstered in white hide. I also love the new regency lamp in Aubergine---they are murano glass with the timeless style shape of a ginger jar. For me, i am going to add the new Carlyle Console to my entry hall in our new parchment finish.

{Casa Amesti living room. Frances Elkins Interior Design. Photo from Architectural Digest}

SB: Who are your favorite designers?

JS: past---Frances Elkins for her timelessness and the fact that she discovered all of the fabulous French furniture designers in the 1930’s. She was way ahead of her time and her rooms still hold up today. I also love Billy Baldwin and David Hicks. How can I ever forget the first time I saw a photograph of the legendary Villa Fiorentina at St Jean Cap Ferrat in France that Baldwin designed for Mary Wells and Harding Lawrence? I also love the clean, modern look that David Hicks brought to all of his interiors… so chic. Mark Hampton created comfortable inviting rooms that had an understated glamour. Present day designers---Peter Marino is incredibly talented---he is a perfectionist when it comes to detail and I admire his work tremendously. Kelly Wearstler, for her great color sense, Robert Couturier for his fabulous European take on design---his rooms are always exciting to me. 

SB: It seems you are really embracing social media. You are on Facebook, tweet and write a blog. Of the three, do you have a favorite?

JS: For sure, writing my blog that can be found here. It gives me great pleasure! My editor at Abrams, the publisher of my book encouraged my company to be on Facebook. It is difficult to find the time to deal with Facebook and Twitter and I am not sure I am very good at either one.

SB: What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets? 

JS: Hire a consultant so that you will know what to do! I am hiring one this fall as I have no idea what I’m doing! I don’t think people want to know if I have a headache. There is way too much of that kind of chat for me. Tell me something interesting that I would enjoy hearing at the dinner table or at a cocktail party. Who cares if I am on my way to a client’s house or having a good or bad day? The most interesting tweets I read are the ones that give me some news about the design world or the world. 

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

JS: The color in my showroom is Benjamin Moore 1508 Spring Thaw and it works with everything---there must be lots of houses with that color. I’ve had it there since 1996 when we opened and more than half the people who walk in the door ask us for the color. For a warmer tone, I love Benjamin Moore HC-44 Lenox Tan. It’s a great camel color that works well in rooms that look cozy and inviting. I love French blues and one of the very best is Donald Kaufman #33. His paints are incredible---I love his #12, #13 and #25 as well. You really can’t go wrong with any of his colors. I also love Farrow and Ball paints. The color of the conference room in my office is Benjamin Moore HC-144 Palladian Blue---everyone loves it and it’s a great bedroom color as well.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

JS: I really don’t like trends---I love timelessness. I don’t think either of these are trends, but sustainable fabrics and woods will become a part of interior design.

SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?

JS: This is a difficult question for me to answer because I love every room at our house in the country! If I had to select one, I guess it would be the dining room because of the wonderful times we’ve had in that room with family and friends. I also love the library in that house because my husband and I love to sit there by the fire to read the papers in the mornings and a drink in the evenings.

Glamorous Rooms showcases interiors designed by Jan, including many projects unpublished until now. To enter to win a signed copy of Glamorous Rooms, simply leave a comment {include your email if I don't have a way to contact you}. For extra entries:

• Become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.

• Mention this giveaway in a post or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.

Please post a separate comment for each extra entry. Entry period closes at midnight PST, Friday, October 1, 2010.

Many thanks to Jan for the lovely interview!

Friday Find: Exotic Storage Bins & Baskets from Serena & Lily

Conquering clutter while still be style-savvy is important here at Simplified Bee.  So when I spotted these chic, worldly and functional storage options at Serena & Lily , my heart went pitter patter. Made of hand-hammered aluminum in Indonesia, the Kuta Tin Boxes {above} are gorgeous and would be a great addition in just about any room of the house. Mine would hold craft supplies.

Handmade in Africa, these zigzag patterned Senegalese Storage Baskets are a  fun way to store everything from toys to laundry. Each is unique and made from strips of recycled plastic - love that they are earth-friendly too!

 

Inspired by Indonesian wedding baskets used to hold offerings to the gods, the vibrant Bali Baskets are a winner in my book too. Available in mint {shown}, azure and cherry and made of  sturdy woven bamboo.

It's hard for me to pick my favorite. Do you have one?

Rue Magazine is Live & Fabulous

It's a party! Online shelter magazine, Rue has launched today and it's gorgeous! The magazine's talented co-founders, Anne Sage of The City Sage and Crystal Gentilello of Plush Palete were joined by Managing Editor Alaina Kaczmarski and Market Editor Caitlin Flemming, of the blogs Live Creating Yourself and Sacremento Street. 

 

In her first Editor's Letter Crystal writes, "Fueled by our misson to bring the inclusive nature of blogging to a magazine, the Rue team took a leap of faith with our adventure." And aren't we glad they did? Congratulations ladies, you have worked so hard to get to this moment!

The first issue is full of amazing articles and images featuring some of the most talented in the design industry. Vincent Wolf. Woodson & Rummerfield. Mary Douglas Drysdale. Grant K. Gibson. Heather Clawson. Emily Henderson. And so much more!

Take a peek at Rue for yourself here. Enjoy!

 

*all images courtesy of Rue Magazine