I’ve been madly working non-stop this September on several big projects as well as a new Showhouse living room that will be showcasing soon!
I have missed posting here on my blog for several weeks, something I haven’t done in all of the 8 years since blogging at this particular corner of mine, here in the online world. I’m quite shocked myself, but I had to get totally focused and really divide my time between these projects and get things done.
I’m so happy I turned in all the design plans of my Showhouse room this weekend and I’m going to share a few details with you today.
First of all, I am pleased to announce Seasonal Living Magazine’s Virtual Designer Showhouse coming up in December!
What makes this so special is that it will be all VIRTUAL, you don’t have to go to California to see it! (It is set on the California coastline with a spectacular view you won’t want to miss!) You will be able to view it in a 3D walk around format, where you can zoom in, examine products and details close up, etc., all right from your own computer screen!
This is really the first virtual showhouse of its kind out there, with this technology, and I’m sure, design lovers, that you won’t want to miss it! It will be a completely digital, 360 tourable and shoppable designer showhouse with augmented reality highlights, built entirely in the virtual world.
The live launch will be December 3rd at 6pm ET, and you can check it out anytime after that, from the comfort of your own home!
It’s FREE, and you can TOUR NOW at this link below.
Seasonal Living Magazine’s Virtual Designer Showhouse
Why I chose the living room space
While most showhouses entail exorbitant expense for the designers involved (we normally have to pay for all the custom treatment and furnishings we use in a regular showhouse event), with this one all virtual, we are just giving our time for the design work.
I could NOT pass that up!!! Plus, I wanted to be a part of this unique virtual experience that might just prove to be the wave of the future. :-)
So, since I didn’t have to actually procure and be responsible for each and every item and feature in my space, I chose one of the biggest rooms in the whole space to design! :-)
That’s right! The first floor living room, 25’ x 53’, with soaring ceilings and huge windows with a view to the Pacific ocean. It’s quite spectacular as just a shell, believe me!
Just wait till you see it designed and full of beautiful furnishings. :-)
We have an amazing list of sponsors, and I and all the other designers, are choosing products from their collections to showcase and put together our unique visions for our spaces.
Incredible Luxury Furnishings Sponsors
Let me just start by saying that I have over 80 different items in my room! They include everything from the smallest decorative object to remarkable slabs of quartz that will be used for cladding architectural features.
The idea of no real budget constraints and the creative freedom I had here was completely intoxicating.
Here’s a sneak peek at one item I chose from each vendor. I think it will give you, design lovers, a hint at the design direction my room is going.
Seasonal Living’s Fizz Grand Royal Sofa Brings the Curves
Seasonal Living has remarkable outdoor living furnishings that can be used both outside and in!
Once I saw this Fizz Sofa, I knew it would be perfect positioned in the space with a view to the ocean. I used one of their Sunbrella fabrics to cover this unique piece and dressed it with some fabulous pillows. With a giant indoor tree behind it, branching up and over in this tall space, it creates a stunning corner in the room.
Upholstery From Nathan Anthony
I was so excited to see Nathan Anthony as one of our sponsors, as their upholstery items are absolutely exquisite! They are just really works of art, each and every one. I’m using several of these pieces in my space. This one was chosen for it’s beautifully detailed back, which will be visible when you walk into the room.
I did it in a soft rose colored Ultrasuede, so durable and it feels good too. :-) It will look fabulous contrasting with that brassy color.
Revel Woods Grounds The Room
One of the products we all agreed on to flow through the house on the first floor was Revel Woods’ Barewood product. I loved this lighter, natural colorway, and it really helped steer my design selections in a more contemporary color scheme. I’m excited to see this brand new product selection of theirs. It’s being developed now and I’m getting one of the first samples in a few weeks!!
Jaipur Rugs Soften The Space
One of the very real design needs in this space was a way to make it feel more intimate. I also wanted to soften the look and deal with the possible cavernous feel that a large 25’ x 53’ space might have.
The obvious move is to use rugs and I chose some beautiful ones from Jaipur Living, also one of our sponsors.
This one below spoke to our Pacific ocean setting and incorporated a beautiful soft palette of color that served to ground one of my sitting areas.
Cosentino Quartz Slabs Add Elegance and Drama
I love all my projects that I work on, for all kinds of reasons, but rarely do I get a client who really wants drama and is all for using black surfacing material.
Ever since I saw the Silestone Et Noir slabs debut at the Cosentino booth at KBIS a few years ago, I’ve been dying to use it. Well, I am using it in this room and I’ll think you’ll be surprised at how I’ve incorporated it within the architecture of the space.
I am also using this new Dekton product of theirs, Laurent, that brings some warmth, for two table tops in the room. Gorgeous, right?
Wallcovering by Fabricut
Is there any designer out there that wouldn’t use wallcovering in a showhouse? I think not! And I’m one of them.
I used wallpaper in this showhouse home office and in this girl’s bathroom and couldn’t NOT use it in this spacious room!
If you think you have a huge living room that opens up to the floors above, a two story space or more, and you can’t use wallcovering, then you will have to check out my space when it goes live to see the strategic way I incorporated wallpaper into the room. :-)
This blush/mauve toned paper with a pearlized finish from Fabricut adds something to this room that the name implies….. glamour. It’s called Glamorous and the colorway, Dusk.
Universal Furniture’s Truss Coffee Table
This piece caught my eye early on, as I love the angled lines (a recurring theme and a counterpoint to all the curves) on this Truss cocktail table from Universal Furniture.
Also note that smoke glass top……as a designer who started her career in the 80’s, I have a soft spot for mauve and smoke glass, both featured in my own home and work, way back then! (My first dining table had a smoke glass top.)
Luxury and Quality Of Niermann Weeks
How excited I was to hear that Niermann Weeks was included in this showhouse’s list of sponsors! They produce such beautiful pieces, and I’m having them customize a pendant light fixture I will be using x4, in one part of the space.
I’m also using their Cielo chair which I adore!
If you know my work, you know this is not a typical look for me. :-)
Well, it is the perfect delicate and intricate touch for where I’m using it.
Robin Baron Design’s Sconce Makes A Big Impact
I was thrilled to see Robin Baron Design as a sponsor. As a designer herself, she has a design-centered focus that helps us all create more custom looks. I love the way she lets you customize each piece in her collection with lots of different finish and hardware choices.
When I saw her Icon sconces, at 6’ tall, I knew they were for my space! Plus, I love the angles and graphic, strong statement they make.
The Howard Elliott Collection Brings The Mirrors
If you don’t know The Howard Elliott Collection, then you must not be a designer. They are well known for all the diverse types of mirrors they provide. However, they also produce lots of other furnishings, accessories, art, even furniture!
I had so much fun diving into their website finding new and different products each time I visited.
Here’s one I’m using that is not a mirror….although yes, I’m using some Howard Elliott mirrors, for sure!
The Unique Modern Look of Stressless Furniture
Have you ever had a need for a small table that fits at an angle between a sofa and chair? I mean, how many times have I had this situation in seating groups! Many, I can tell you that.
This modern table fits in perfectly and it works so well in the same kind of spot in my space.
Of course, the Stressless brand carries the most amazingly comfortable seating that you should really check out. :-) (One of my clients with back issues just ordered one and after having a sit test…..he was SOLD!)
Global Views Fits In Everywhere
Remember I mentioned that I specified every last decorative detail down to the smallest accessory? Well, this is it. Paperweights!
When I started designing this space I wanted to use some rose colored glass somewhere. While it didn’t work in architecturally, when I found these beautiful accessories among all the wonderful choices available at Global Views, I had to have to them resting on top of a coffee table book stack in my room.
You can bet with the skills that our rendering team has, you will be seeing these beautifully displayed, as well all the other details designed.
I’m using so many more of their products, as a brand with so much depth of product offerings, they were a big help to those of us with these big rooms. :-)
Brass and Black Combination With lighting from Minka Group
After seeing how much brass and black were trending at Lightovation this year (early in 2020, pre-pandemic), I loved venturing in this direction for my room here. Minka Group had just the fixture that, in multiples, will be perfect up in my high-ceiling room.
Sherwin-Williams Color For A Room That Will Not Be All White!
I can’t wait to share the color of most of the walls of my space. It has “white” in the name, but is definitely not white! I’ve used it once on a job before and loved it so much. When I was thinking about this space, I knew this color from Sherwin-Williams would be perfect.
It’s a color that is barely there, but lends so much softness and and will help create the ambience of warmth and happiness I want this space to evoke. I can’t wait to share it with you on December 3rd!
Kitchen Appliances Sponsor - Signature Kitchen Suite
Here’s one more sponsor on the list, one whose products I love, especially after visiting their showroom in Napa where we experienced amazing food prepared by chefs on these fab appliances.
Signature Kitchen Suite will be showcased in the kitchen and elsewhere in the house. Can’t wait to see what the designers of those spaces will be doing!
The Showhouse Team
This showhouse is the brainchild of Gary Pettitt, CEO of Seasonal Living, who, along with Leslie Carothers of Savour Partnership, assembled the team of awesome technical production specialists, fabulous brands for sponsorship and some rock star designers, all leaders in our industry.
I’m truly humbled to see my pic alongside these talented designers.
All of the 3D production will be handled by Jenna Gaidusek, CEO of eDesign Tribe, whose rendering team of Annilee Waterman and Sarah Durnez brought this vision to life. I can’t wait to see my room rendered in the detail that this group can produce!
Come and (virtually) walk through the space NOW. The Showhouse is LIVE!