DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT: TRACY REESE, A MICHELLE OBAMA FAVORITE...

Most people from either side of the political fence will agree that First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning during her DNC speech in Charlotte a few weeks ago. Aside from her outer beauty (awesome guns, notwithstanding),  that gorgeous dress commanded a presence on its own.



First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2012 DNC

Tracy Reese is the amazing designer responsible for that creation. Reese, who launched her first collection in 1998, has been flying just slightly under the radar for some, until then. The dress, made of a raw silk jacquard in a luminescent mix of hot pink, rust and copper with an accent hemline of silver and blue, was a showstopper.

Her clothes are aimed at women with a similar sense of strength and femininity as Mrs. Obama. "She's got a clear vision of how she wants to look," says Reese. The FLOTUS is a big fan of the designer having been spotted in several of her creations over the years.

In the spring of 2006, Reese opened her first flagship boutique in NYC’s Meatpacking District. The 2200 sf space reflects her colorful and feminine design sensibility and offers the full Tracy Reese experience including her apparel lines, accessories and home goods.

For her farmhouse getaway in upstate New York, Tracy's personal style is quite evident in her design choices.  Her flair for feminine strength is also displayed in her choice of strong yet girly color palettes and textural furniture and accents like wicker and antiques.







For more information on Tracy Reese and her amazing work, click here.  Welcome to the spotlight, Tracy. You so deserve it, girlfriend...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of TracyReese.com, Reuters.com, CountryLiving.com, and NYMag.com

FALL COLOR TREND: BORDEAUX...

The fresh new "IT" color for fall is Bordeaux aka Burgundy aka Claret. Reminiscent of the trend from the late 80s, this color mix of red, purple and a hint of brown is the way to go in fashion and beauty this season...

 

But what about interiors. I'm not suggesting we go back to the trend of the beginning of this millenium when almost everyone had burgundy painted walls (as in my son's bedroom).  As an accent, which can go a long way, this trend is a classic for interior design as well...

Cheers to Bordeaux...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

BUSY IS AS BUSY DOES...

Ever since Tom Hanks said that infamous line in Forest Gump, I've adapted it to whatever situation necessary.

I have been so busy with work and keeping up with fashion and design trends (thanks to FNO, HFR, NYFW and What's New, What's Next at NYDC) that I haven't been able to keep up with my blogging. I'm not complaining but I am happily multi-tasking. Updates on all the aforementioned acronyms to come...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT...

The New York Design Center aka NYDC aka 200 Lex (it's address) held the fourth annual What's New, What's Next last week which is a showcase of new ideas, design, materials, and products. Over 55 participating showrooms feature new product introductions, informative lectures and book signings. This is an annual opportunity to celebrate the very best in the design community.

NYDC is a to-the-trade resource center that houses nearly 100 showrooms representing more than 500 lines of fine, traditional, contemporary, residential and contract furniture, as well as fabric, floor covering, wall covering, kitchen and bath and decorative accessory resources. Here are several of the products I "favorited:"



Lighting from Cliff Young

Floral Arrangement at Cliff Young

Table from Phillips Collection at Cliff Young

Chandelier from DesignLush

Sofa from Century Furniture

Dresser from Lexington Home

Chandelier from Arteriors Home at Hickory Pearson

Table from Sherrill at Hickory Pearson
 

Until next year...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Tammy Bolden

THE LOW DOWN: ONE KINGS LANE...

Hopefully by now you've heard of One Kings Lane (OKL), the members only on-line site for designers goods.  Every day, OKL launches new sales from a wide range of products from furniture, lighting, textiles, cookware and tons of other home related items. Most sales last 72 hours with limited quantities so its first come, first served. (Its just like Rue La-La and Gilt for my fashionista readers.)

Launched in March of 2009, One Kings Lane is the leading on-line home and lifestyle shopping destination. OKL offers "Tastemaker Tag Sales" and "Vintage & Market Finds" which are the best of top-brand and vintage items selected by high profile designers at exceptional values. In only three years, the company has grown to 3 million registered users.

I am proud to say that I purchased this light fixture from OKL that I had been "eyeballing" for some time.  I quickly snatched it up when I saw that the price was close to the wholesale cost offered to trade only customers. It now proudly hangs in my foyer!

I only give away my secret shopping tips to those I love. Click here to check it out for yourself...

 

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

 

Photo courtesy of Crystorama.com

LIGHTING THE WAY...

No designer can ever underestimate the value that lighting adds to a room and not just in its functionality - from creating a mood or placing emphasis on a particular element or simply adding flair. Lighting is an important aspect to the interior design that is sometimes an after thought but clearly adds to the success of the finished product. There are SO many style options available whether the aesthetic of the room is...

CLEAN AND MODERN,



or ECLECTIC AND BOHEMIAN,

or ELEGANT AND TRADITIONAL...

It is always important to put lighting at the top of the list when designing a space that is functional and complete.

Here's to a bright day...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com, ArteriorsHome.com