Follow the Designer

What does an Interior Designer Think about in Winter? Spring Planters

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

Looking in my backyard today, I noticed we already have five inches of Spring bulbs pushing through the ground. I am already thinking about Spring plantings. Here are five of my favorite planter’s to use on a porch or patio:

David Iatesta

I like the finish of this planter in weathered mahogany with rust accent. This planter can go in a casual or elegant setting, because of the casual finish, yet formal lines.

J. Robert Scott

I am working on an apartment at the Pierre Hotel, that will be sleek and modern. When I fill this polished stainless steel planter full of orchids, it will fit perfect within the space.

Pennoyer Newman

Some days when you return home from work, you just want to walk through a Zen garden to unwind. This Zen style planter has the four seasons, depicted in Chinese symbols on each side of the container.

Seibert & Rice

I have often wanted to plant a bamboo garden, but have been concerned of the invasive nature of bamboo. This Chippendale faux bois garden planter, would look lovely filled with miniature bamboo plants, yet I do not have to concern myself with bamboo over taking my garden.

Accents of France

You know you are southern, when you monogram everything. You can just imagine how this appeals to me, since I can put my “C” monogram on this planter.

Whether it is the next season or the next project, I cannot help but think about my next interior design challenge. Here, you can see what I mean.

Can I help you think about the next interior challenge in your home?

Related Sites

Posted in design philosophy | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

How an Interior Designer Discovers Jewels in the Powder Room

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

Because powder rooms are small, I love to treat them as a jewelry box. You can use the most exclusive materials because the quantities needed are typically smaller than your full size bathroom. Here are some of my favorite materials to use in a Powder room to make it look and feel special:

Artistic Tile

Petals of Polished Calacatta Gold, classic Italian milk white marble with soft grey and gold veining are paired with hints of white natural rivershell inserts, iridescent white freshwater mother of pearl.

Porcelanosa

These tiles have a natural stone look to them and can be used on the walls or the floors due to their anti-slip properties.

Caesar Stone

The Concetto collection by Caesar Stone consists of semi-precious stones that are bounded together. This would be so beautiful when the light shines on it.

Antolini Luigi

Here is a different version of semi-precious stones that can be used on the walls, floor or as counter tops.

Mastro Fiore

This stone is alabaster and is cut into strips created by Italian bathroom manufacturer Mastro Fiore.

Blue Pearl Stone

These glass counter tops are pure glass that is 99% recycled. In addition to great design, these counter tops consist of earth’s natural products.

Mosaic Tile Powder Room

Tile is an everyday bathroom material; take it to the next level by arranging it in a bold, large-scale mosaic. These English roses make the bathroom feel like a garden oasis.

Powder rooms always represent a particularly inviting challenge. When working with a small space, it is important to pay more attention to everything you put in, especially when you are someone like me whose interior design philosophy is “it’s all in the details.”

Does this give you any ideas for the jewels that could be discovered in your powder room?

Related Sites

Posted in bathrooms | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

Seven Trend Setting Design Ideas from a Nature Lover

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with Mother Nature. As an interior designer, whether I am looking for the perfect chandelier for a foyer, a coffee table for a family room, or an accent tile for the bath, I find myself drawn to the shapes and materials found in nature.

Let me show you. Here are seven trend setting design ideas from a nature lover. These are from artisans that share my obsession with Mother Nature:

Robert Kaindl

This piece by glass artist Robert Kaindl reminds me of the sea life along the Great Barrier Reef. I expect to see a wave crashing over the top of this sculpture at any moment.

Yellow Goat Design

This lamp from Yellow Goat Design takes a rustic element—antlers, in this case shaped from metal, welded together and given a brass finish—and gives it a bold but classic look by combining it with Swarovski crystals.

Rotsen Furniture

Rotsen Furniture’s ingenious Alice Coffee Table uses three slabs of salvaged imbuia wood on a stainless steel base and can perform double duty as a table or as seating.

Denise A. Tuite

I find the design of this console table from Denise A. Tuite Custom Furnishing very clever. It tells the story of a deer walking through the woods at sunset in just a few simple lines.

Karkula

Alex Downs’ hand-carved wooden bowls at Karkula range from forty-eight to sixty inches in diameter and make a wonderful, one-of-a-kind wall sculpture.

Jamie Beckwith

Jamie Beckwith’s tiles of wood and minerals—in this case, agate—make a beautiful accent.

Lorna Lee and John Muller

I love this stool from the husband-and-wife team of Lorna Lee and John Muller, with its contrast between the simple wood block and the sophisticated Chanel-style quilted pattern.

Perhaps, for all of us, the reason we are so obsessed with Mother Nature is the limitless number of ways it gives us inspiration. Here are some examples of how Mother Nature has inspired me.

Do these trend setting design ideas give you inspiration for what you might do in your home?

Related Sites

Robert Kaindl

Yellow Goat Design

Rotsen Furniture

Denise A. Tuite Custom Furniture

Karkula

Jamie Beckwith

Lorna Lee and John Muller

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Five Fantastic Ways to Finish Furniture

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

Many people do not realize how eye-catching and pleasing it is to add new textures to a room through furniture finishes. Case goods do not always have to be made out of wood.

Let me show you. Here are five fantastic ways to finish furniture:

The Hickory Chair Furniture Company

This bookcase is upholstered in linen and can just as easily be upholstered in suede.

Ambience Isabel Mitchell

This end table is covered in American lizard embossed leather, and there are many different color options.

Ironies

Take a look at this Armoire. It has patterned bones on parchment doors.

Formations

How about this finish? A leather chest with nail head decorations.

Matthews & Parker, Karl Springer

Lacquered fine linen furniture has been a favorite of designers since the technique was developed.

I always look at a room with an eye toward how the finish of furniture makes it come alive. It is one of the ways I demonstrate my interior design point, “it’s all in the details.”

Did these fantastic ways to finish furniture peak your interest?

Related sites

The Hickory Chair Furniture Company

Ambience Isabel Mitchell

Ironies

Formations

Matthews & Parker

Posted in furniture | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

Six Reasons to Rethink Using Screens in Your Home

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

Screens serve a very valuable function in any home. They let the outside in and give you the privacy to enjoy it, but another reason why I love screens is how they demonstrate one of my philosophies about Interior Design. That is, functional items, such as screens, could also serve as art.

To prove my point, here are six reasons to rethink using screens in your home.

Yellow Goat Design

A collection of quirky shapes cut from black acrylic provide an interesting privacy screen without blocking the view outside. The sunbeams flowing through the screen, onto the floor would be fun for a child to dance over.

De Castelli

I like the contrast between the feminine Damask pattern and the laser cut steel.

Niedermaier

This brown mahogany screen is just calling out for a masculine city apartment.

Duke & Duke

I would love to see the sparkle of light on the glass orbs in this iron screen.

The Platt Collections

This hand finished screen decorated in antique silver, would look great in a studio apartment, where you need full privacy between one space and another.

Parasoleil

I love the shadows on the wall. This is such a perfect example of how beautiful these screens are with light shining through them.

Having furniture and accessories that can also function as art reflects one of my philosophies of Interior Design. You can view my other Interior Design philosophies here.

Did this help you to rethink the use of screens in your home?

Related Sites

The Platt Collections

Parasoleil

Posted in design philosophy | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

Furniture is Never Finished; It is Refinished by Hand

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

Decorative painting on furniture offers so many options for finishes, from figural images to lacquering, to guilding. What a marvelous way to give a second life to an old piece of quality furniture and offer character and charm to your home.

1815 Antique Regency Side Cabinet

Painted finishes have been used throughout history to create the illusion of exotic materials and images on furniture, such as this cabinet decorated with pen work.

Nina Helms

Think about how fun it is to reintroduce an old table in a whole new way. Notice that the painted designs were inspired by the fabric pattern and colors.

Gracie Studio

Tortoise shell finish is so timeless, elegant and is easy to achieve the look, without harming Mr. Tortoise.

Julia Gray Ltd.

I love the sheer elegance of this piece and the restraint used by the artist, to not over decorate.

Isabel O'Neil Studio Workshop

I simply cannot get enough of fine quality Chinoiserie. This piece is such a good example of how beautiful it can be, when done well.

John Rosselli

Did you ever think about painting a canvas and applying it to furniture? How fun is this? You can pick any image you like, have it painted to fabric and then upholstered onto your furniture.

Amy Howard

This piece would look just as beautiful with a black faux marble top, cream color base with red designs. There are endless color combinations to reinvent this table in fresh, new ways.

Richard Smith Studios

Shagreen is one of my all time favorite finishes. This bureau displays a great tongue and cheek humor, with the combination of “almost traditional” lines and the Shagreen finish.

Does this give you any ideas about ways you can give a second life to some of the furniture in your home? To spark some more, I would be glad to show you ways I have given new life to the items in some of my client’s homes.

Related Sites

Nina Helms

Gracie Studio

Julia Gray Ltd.

Isabel O’Neal Studio Workshop

John Rosselli

Amy Howard

Richard Smith Studios

Posted in furniture | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

Seven of My Favorite Bedrooms from Some Favorite Interior Designers

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

Bedrooms are challenging for Interior Designers, because they are a place one goes to relax and rest; they have to create a mood. A bedroom reflects the owner’s personality and preferences. It is a place where they want to go after a hard day’s work to retreat and escape life’s daily stresses to recharge.

To show you what I mean, here are seven of my favorite bedrooms from some of my favorite Interior Designers.

Amanda Nisbet

I like the accent colors and the dark lines of the bed frame, picture frames, crown molding and duvet, which add a punch to the room.

Bunny Williams

This room looks happy to me because it feels like there would be an ocean breeze floating through the bed posts. All that is missing are flip flops beside the bed.

Charlotte Moss

Who would not love to wake up in a cocoon of luscious fabrics draped from the canopy bed? Lovely view to see over the top of your toes in the morning.

Jamie Drake

This room is very bright and makes me want to party! It is young, fresh, and sassy.

Juan Montoya

What man would not love this masculine, and sexy bedroom? Even the view is something James Bond would want to come home to.

Cullman & Kravis

Heaven and serenity are the first things that come to my mind, because of the neutral colors with the superb variety of finishes, from a lacquered ceiling to a sisal carpet.

Catherine Cleare Interiors, LLC

This last bedroom is one that we designed for the 2011 Westchester Designer Showhouse. The bed, nightstand, and desk are custom pieces that were made to reflect the colors in the carpeting. The Ikat wall pattern is also hand painted.

These are some of my favorite designers. Bunny Williams is also one of my favorite bloggers. She writes about some great trend setting design topics on her website below at Bunny’s Buzz.

One of my favorite bedrooms is the one I did for Barbara and Joe Pierce at their home on Sasco Hill Road in Fairfield CT. Here, take a look.

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Posted in design philosophy | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

The Result When an Interior Designer Listens to Client’s

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Catherine Cleare

When Joe and Barbara Pierce, my clients, bought their house in Southport, CT lured by the views of a golf course and a harbor, Joe, who grew up in Scotland, said he found their dream home. But the Pierces wanted the inside of the house to be as captivating as the outside. “Something traditional with a contemporary flair,” they told me.

The living room was a great place to start. “We never used the living room in our previous house. We don’t need a room just sitting there looking pretty.” Barbara said. “But this living room has a calming effect. Our designer, Catherine Cleare, used the colors of nature – beige, soft blues and greens – to blend the inside of the house with the outside.”

The dining room had fabulous views. “I don’t care whether the weather is storm or snow,” according to Joe. “The view from every room and every angle is terrific brought out from Katy’s sense for design and appreciation for the details.” Once you walk into the house from the entry foyer, you see the first floor is one big open floor plan. ”This is a very calming house,” Barbara say. “I wanted easy living and working with Katy was a godsend. Designing, building, and furnishing a new house can be daunting, but with Katy’s guidance, it was effortless and beautiful. Her eye for design and color is truly amazing. Katy has become not only my designer, but my friend.”

Anyone who spends two years looking for a house like the Pierce’s did, has a vision. It is my job to listen and bring that vision to life. When designing a home, I have learned that the journey always begins by listening to the client’s needs and wants.

I enjoy listening to people talk about their vision. Can I show you some other ways I have listened to my clients?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, interior design, trend setting design | 1 Comment

8 East Coast Style Ideas from “Design Shuffle,” the Social Media Site for Designers

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Guest blogger

Hi, I’m Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a social media site for designers around the world to share and promote their work. I’m so happy to be visiting Cleare Interiors today as a guest blogger. As an East Coast girl, I am a big fan of the classic East Coast style interiors. Here are eight of my favorites sporting lots of interior design ideas. Hope you enjoy!

East Coast Interiors

Classic East Coast interiors are a mix of traditional design elements and patterns. Antique furniture and lighting along with traditional rugs and textile patterns like plaid and floral are all classic East Coast elements.

East Coast Interiors

East Coast interiors have a more formal feeling than West Coast style or other areas of the country. Even when mixing antiques and vintage pieces, this East Coast interior has a polished style to it.

East Coast Interiors

Coastal style on the East Coast is laid back yet still tailored. The grass cloth covered walls and framed prints in this East Coast beach inspired bedroom design give the room a polished look.

East Coast Interiors

Chic city style is another East Coast style interior. This apartment has traditional molding mixed with boldly patterned wallpaper. Love the mix of patterns!

East Coast Interiors

Traditional kitchen designs with architectural details like coffered and beamed ceilings are typical of East Coast interiors. This East Coast style kitchen is full of charming details, like coordinating gingham fabric on shades and stools.

East Coast Interiors
This traditional bathroom has a medallion wallpaper above a cream colored beadboard—both very East Coast style interior design elements. The furniture style vanity feels like an antique.

East Coast Interiors

East Coast style in the living room can include built-ins as well as traditional style furniture. A fireplace, gas or wood-burning, is a must for an East Coast living room in cooler climates.

East Coast Interiors

Classic East Coast style typically includes both European and American antiques. This dining room has beautiful antiques in a room that has incredible dentil and picture frame molding. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What did you think of these East Coast inspirations? Be sure to check out Design Shuffle where you’ll find tons of inspiration from Boston interior designers, San Francisco interior designers and much more!

Posted in design philosophy | Tagged "it's all in the detail", catherine cleare, custom designs, Design Shuffle, East Coast Style, interior design, trend setting design | Leave a comment

Six “American Style” Examples of How Rugs Embellish a Room

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Catherine Cleare

Interior designers know most people embellish their homes with different furnishings, but sometimes overlook the significance of rugs. Not only do rugs beautify an area, they provide the foundation to build upon for all the other decorations in a particular room.

If you are considering a new rug, why not “Buy American” and support the artisans with the trend setting designs in rugs. Want to see their work? Here are six “American Style” examples of how rugs embellish a room.

Diane Paparo Studios, Ltd.

The bold Lotus rugs cleverly combine cut and loop; and low and high piles in distinct color combinations for a dynamic and harmonious composition. Made from the highest quality New Zealand wool, the Lotus rugs are hand-tufted in the USA by experienced craftsmen and feature natural hemp backing.

Elizabeth Eakins, Inc.

Elizabeth Eakins’ objective is to bring to market all natural fiber products that are the best available in how the vast assortment of rugs are designed and how they are made by hand in America. We need more products made in the US by local work forces.

Holland & Sherry

Entirely customizable, the Holland & Sherry rug collection allows for almost unlimited flexibility of size, color or pattern. Their rugs are made from the highest quality materials (wool, vegetable fibers and even leather).

Edelman Leather

These rugs are made from leather and do not wear out, they wear in with age. Good leather is produced using hands, eyes, and sensitivity to a beautifully finished product.

Carousel Carpets

Carousel’s hand-tufting mill represents the epitome of our custom work. Almost anything is possible in terms of shape. Sizes can vary from a small welcome mat to a grand hotel lobby; The sky really is the limit.

Hillary Anapol

Hillary Anapol’s rugs are made in Nantucket by hand on traditional floor looms. She makes breathtaking cotton-linen & wool-linen woven rugs.

Do these examples cause you to look at “American Made” rugs in a different light? I hope they do because here are some examples of how I love to embellish a room.

Related Sites

Diane Paparo Studios, Ltd.

Elizabeth Eakins, Inc.