Rumor Has It: Lust worthy set design

Even in black and white, the orginal NYC Tiffany is stunning.

When I saw Rumor Wilson’s NYC head knocking, dream of an apartment in the Comedy – Isn’t It Romantic, I gasped. It’s beautiful. Like any good romantic comedy, the protagonist has a fabulous apartment, and what screams romance loader than a jewel box from Tiffany? An NYC apartment designed like one – that’s what.

Anything in the family of blue appeals to me. I often think that Tiffany Blue is more green than blue, and that I wouldn’t like it at all if it were in my home, and then I find myself standing in one of their signature stores or starring up at the ceiling in the Fairmont Copley Plaza – their muraled 5th wall’s base color is in the same iconic hue, and becoming quiet, calm, and filled with a sense of wonder. I adore it.

Crate and Barrel Infiniti Curve Back Sofa $1799.

If you have to live in a box – perhaps one that looked like this wouldn’t be at all bad. Perhaps it might even be good. Perhaps it would be a dream come true.

Production Designers seem, from my distant vantage point, have a pretty cool job. While the facade of the building is used for the shots, I am pretty sure they “build the set” in some low rent district warehouse. Wherever Sharon Seymour created Natalie’s Manhattan Pad, she rocked it. There is something about that magical color that sets the tone for the fantasy. The curved sofa in white makes a two fold statement, first, I have room to spare. You aren’t sticking me into a corner or up against a wall, “you bought me” it seems to say, “to show off my luscious lines to their best advantage” – center of the room please. Second, the impracticality of a white sofa speaks to the single life, which ideally is how a romantic comedy begins. Ah, the perfection of a single gal controlling her environment. No durable Sunbrella’s for her.

The aqua blue accents, throws, vases, trays, give a little punch to the monochromatic palette. I would forgo the portrait of the puppy – as cute as he is, for an abstract of the sea, but that’s just me.

If you spend some time really hunting, most of these items can be found either on sale, or if you are willing to suffer the ramifications of in overflowing in-box – you can sign up for the companies promotional emails to receive 10% – 15% off the purchase price. When you are busy creating your own Hollywood Set of a home, that discount will add up, and dare I say – be worth the aggravation. Happy Hunting.

NYC Studio Design Challenge Part II

I threw together quickly the options for a 402 sf, NYC studio on Monday, but I would like to add a few more thoughts to it.  I do like a rug to make a space cozy, and I know they can be expensive.  I am not opposed to buying large Sicil carpets and throwing a small Oriental, Oushak, or matte sized natural fiber rug underneath.  It allows your style to shine through and highlights a special jewel of a piece atop a disparate material.  Wool, cotton, silk, or some combo of the same will do nicely.

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Bringing personality to a space.

I also don’t like to worry about stepping on my iPhone is my everything, even though I wish sometimes it was not.  I use it for my alarm clock as many do, and I need it nearby – so a bedside table is the natural thing to get for the solving of this issue.  Having said that – there is no room for side tables in 402 SF.  A shelf overhead will have to suffice.  I would do one of two things.  I would use a wonderful and inexpensive acrylic box that can be mounted to the wall, and decorative and useful items alike can sit on display.

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Acrylic Shelves keep the space clean and simple.

That’s the easy solution.  If you are feeling a little more ambitious, get a handy man to create a surround for the bed.  Tuck the headboard between two planks – at least a foot in width.  Create a shelving system above, affix some pretty fabric to hide the shelves et voila – you have yourself some invaluable storage.

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This is a brilliant design that creates closets on either side of the bed, while hiding shelving above, and building in shelves that serve as a bedside table.  Love. Love .

Metallic strips to hang knives from the wall in the kitchen are tremendously useful.  I am not a fan of displaying pots, pans, plates and the like – particularly in city apartments, when try as you might, dust and dirt seeps in from the streets.  Clutter is the other reason.  I’d rather it be hidden away, but that’s a personal choice.

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Schmidt Brothers . Acacia Magnetic Bar.

A final must have if the apartment were for me – a pretty bookshelf or etagere.

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PB Teen Etagere – why should teens have all the fun? $475.

Happy designing.