Artful living in Sarasota

I've been so busy these past few months, things are starting to wind down some and I can breathe! Who am I kidding though? I love to be a busy gal!!!

Anyhow, in all the bustle of the holidays, moving into our first home and some major projects going on, I realized I have been slacking a bit, I've been posting about inspiration and other miscellaneous things, but I have realized that I haven't caught you up on what Lisa Gilmore Design has been doing! However, if you interact with me on Facebook or Twitter, you haven't been completely in the dark. ;) And hey, if you don't get on over to the party and chat it up with us!

So anyhow, back in November I installed a beautiful project in Sarasota, FL. This client of mine is a lover of modern art, her favorite artist in particular is Itzchak Tarkay. Here is the journey of transforming her home...




Before, her living room palette was an awash of sands and beige. Nothing really grabbed your focus and let you enjoy her space, it was a bit scattered and bland....

After meeting with her and seeing her sunny Sarasota home, I realized that she needed some more color in her life to reflect her modern art taste.  So I went to work quickly, brainstorming ways to make it feel as if you lived inside of a Tarkay   painting.  This was the concept palette to present to her...

Concept: Lisa Gilmore Design

After a few meetings, fresh paint and reworking the floorplan, may I present to you the new and improved Artful Living Space!

A beautiful kidney shaped sofa recovered in a luscious teal quilted velvet. Arm chairs that were once brown and fruit-wood frames, were recovered in sexy hot pink and made special with a pop of fresh new paint. A new dining room set and chandelier, 

Custom pillows (don't you think those pillows kind of look like a Tarkay painting??) and drapery, oversized modern art framed to perfection a simple rug and coffee table to pull it all together! 

All in all, I am very happy with the outcome of this space, we spent some time at thrift stores around town to find some pieces to restyle, and local workrooms did it beautifully!

What do you think of this colorful space? Would you love to live in such a colorful setting? 

xo}L

Day 4 of 31 Days of LOCAL Holiday Shopping: Stationary

Today, I was thinking that this year I am really going to start working on my holiday cards early, no more procrastinating for this lady! Then, I became a little sad, because it made me realize that this year, I can't visit my favorite stationary shop in the entire world, in my old neighborhood in Chicago, Lakeview East. So I decided that today I would feature this shop, and even though it's not local to Tampa Bay followers, my Chicago friends will enjoy this one. And if you ever get a chance to visit Chicago, you must stop by this amazing little shop! (Also, Tampa friends, if you have a great local stationary shop to recommend, please do!)

So enough with the small talk, let me introduce you to the lovely little shop Inkling. My heart just fluttered a bit as I reminisced walking down Broadway past her always cheery and inviting window displays.

Inkling, has really great, truly unique stationary and gifts. Chances are, if you received a card during my years in Chicago, it was probably from this shop...

I mentioned unique gifts right? It gets better, a large percentage of their store is either handmade/local artists or vintage!

All photos via: Inkling Facebook

I hope this post leaves you feeling inspired and ready to send out some fun Christmas stationary! Next time your in Chicago, put this shop on your list, you won't regret it. And Inkling, as for me and you, I'll see you next time I am up, I will be the girl who camps out for a few hours. ;) 

Connect with Inkling:

Facebook

Web

On Foot: 2917 1/2 N. Broadway Chicago, 60657

Happy LOCAL Holiday Shopping!

xo}L

Giddy for Green

Lately, I have been on a serious green kick. Usually, I am attracted to the beautiful hue of Kelly Green, but recently all types of greens have been making me giddy! What is it about green? It's such a great color and can evoke so many emotions. It can leave and fresh and energized or moody and creative. Take a look at some of these green interiors that are inspiring me today:

First, I want to share some moody greens. I once read that art is represented best on a dark green palette. This following images proves that in fact, that statement is true.

Image via: Elle Decor

Image via: Elle Decor

Image via: Veranda Interiors

How about adding some green through window treatments? This Malachite fabric looks stunning in the form of tailored shades.

Image via: Coco + Kelley

Check out Sir Elton John's pad designed by the one and only Martyn Lawrence Bullard. That green wall mixed with the large scale art is electric!

Image via: Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Currently, I have been a little hot for Mint Green. Yes, I know, that surprises myself as well. But I can just can't get enough of the refreshing color!!

Mix it with black and then pop it up with some coral:

Image via: design-crisis

Mint Green paired with Kelly Green? Now we're talkin'...

Image via: Simplified

And last, but surely not least, look at this beautiful exterior. I would love to come home to this everyday:

Mint + Black + White

Image via: Elements of Style

Which green speaks to you? Would you put green in your interior or exterior color palette? 

xoxo-

Lisa

For the Love of Design: Hotel Allegro, Chicago

You may have seen in an earlier post, that I recently acquired a husband! Our wedding, was in the beautiful city of Chicago. It holds so much meaning to the both of us. We were ecstatic that people were planning to travel from all over for our day. We had folks from Florida, New York, Philly, Georgia, California and even Canada. So as you can imagine, we wanted to impress them and their stay in the city we adore. So the pressure was on.

I searched and searched for hotels to accommodate our guests. Some had great prices, some not so much. Some offered perks for the bride and groom and some offered nothing at all. Then I stumbled across the Allegro Hotel and my search was done. First of all, being an interior designer, my heart fluttered over the beautifully designed rooms the website pictures featured. Then, I worked with my awesome rep, Sarah and she made it a breeze.

So let me take you on a journey through the Allegro, be ready for some serious wow factor. This hotel is all but ordinary.

As you enter through the revolving doors, you are greeted with this lovely little vignette and these breathtaking stairs up to the second floor lobby...

Don't you love the wallpaper they have winding up with the staircase?

I mentioned the lobby on the second floor, right? Cause it's GORG! I was in luxury and whimsical design heaven. I couldn't stop staring at every square inch of textiles...

There was color on top of color, patterns mixing with patterns and textures flirting with each other liked I had always hoped and dreamed. I was in my own personal bubble of design happiness. 

^^ Notice the green alligator print and gold legs!

^^ Aren't those drapery panels to die for? Look at the velvet details on the edging. They could have stopped it with just plain silk drapery, but no, they took it to the next level for the added glamour. 

^^ Now, let's talk about this sofa. First of all, it's a luscious navy. Second, look at the curves on that beauty. I gave this sofa the nickname Marilyn, it had curves that no one could ignore. ;)

For any other hotel, that would have been it for the lobby, but not the Allegro, this lobby just continued on for what seemed like light years. When it reality, it was probably just a city block. What I liked most about the design of the lobby is that they let you feel like you were traveling through all of these stunning design spaces, you were left wondering what would be featured around the next corner...

In this portion of the lobby is where you checked in at the front desk, and again they featured that amazing wallpaper that greeted you up the stairs, well played Allegro....

^^ I talked about patterns mixing with patterns, right? 

I wasn't kidding, they didn't even let the floors bore you. 

Remember that enormous city block I was talking about? Well the last little part of the lobby was a huge surprise to me. I surely wasn't expecting this...

All I could say was "wow" (about a million times). This hotel was simply stunning. It took design to an exciting level. The best part? I hadn't even seen our suite yet. Keep an eye out for part two of this post featuring our lovely suite. 

So what do you think? What was your favorite part of the lobby? Don't you find it exciting how well the different colors, patterns and textures (even styles of furniture) mingle so well with each other? Doesn't it give you a rush of to go out and infuse colors and patterns into your personal space?

  

Head Turning Fireplaces!

Usually when looking for a new place to live, whether it be to rent or buy, if it has a fireplace, then it's an added bonus. Yet so many of us opt for leaving it the same bland builder oak that was originally specified when the home was built. Get creative with your fireplace, find a beautiful piece of artwork or even a grouping that you love, re-paint it to contrast from the wall or completely match it to the wall, source some unique decorative tiles or moldings to add some pizazz! Bring some nature indoors with an organic stone. Treat your fireplace like a true gem and focal point of the room...

Always a fan of a good art display...

Ready to jump right in? Take out the old and replace with a modern streamlined fireplace...

On a budget but want to make a big impact? Simply display photos & postcards in a nice arrangement...

Painting the fireplace a coordinating color can make a big statement as well...

Images via: Elle Decor, Decor Pad, Metropolitan Home, Domino, standoutfireplacedesigns.com

BABY! OH BABY!

Lately it seems I have been getting lot's of exciting news from family and friends and lots of little mamma's cookin' up some baby buns in their ovens! So this one is for you ladies... As you plan for your new little bundles of joy, I hope that you find your inspiration and really run with it and have fun. So here are some great images of all different styles galore! Sit back, relax, put your feet up (cause you know you deserve it!) And don't worry you mom's with kids already, there are some big kid rooms in here too! Enjoy! xoxo- L

Neutral, calming and simple...

This one is my absolute favorite! I love the dark wall add in the bright golden yellow stripes on the ceiling, so unexpected! I think a set of initials or a name in yellow on the dark wall would really set it off with some personality!

This one is for all your modern mamma's that like a little bit of rustic twist... I love this dark wood on the wall with the modern Arch Lamp...

This one is just beautiful, elegant, cheery and soft...

For a pretty little princess...

I love, love, love these line drawings by Picasso. I think they would make great art for a baby room or big kid room! You can find them at www.Art.com just do a search on Picasso...

And now on to the big kiddies...

Images via: Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Better Homes & Garden & Decor Pad