Scott and I love books.  I think when we are kids, from the time we are babies, we are taught to love and respect books and from there we unwittingly become collectors.   First picture and story books, then forced to collect text and school books, but even then our favorite books stick with us. 

As adults, books come in and out of our lives constantly.  We purchase them, give and receive them as gifts, they get recommended to us and loaned out or get loaned to us.  Each of us end up amassing our own private library, a collective of what we know or wish we knew better, of words that make us laugh and cry, of pictures, people and far away lands that inspire us.  A collection of books that hold beauty, mystery, curiosity and in so many ways ultimately tells a story about who you are. 

That's why we love to use our clients collections of books in the spaces we design for them.   Books, like art are so personal and we believe that your space should always be a personal expression and that a fully stacked bookcase is like a work of art about you. 

Following are some beautiful spaces that we hope will inspire you and show you how to present your collection proudly.  The images are from two of our favorite blogs, Trust Your Blood (www.trustyourblood.tumblr.com) and The Selby www.theselby.com)  

(Photo: The Selby) 

                                                            (Photo:  Trust Your Blood) 

(Photo: The Selby) 

                                    (Photo:  Trust Your Blood) 

(Photo: The Selby)

                                                        (Photo:  Trust Your Blood)

I don't believe there is a person or group that can really determine what the trends in design will be for the new year....we as a society, even with all of the DIY shows, style setters and workshops, like what we like...dislike what we dislike and are going to pretty much stick to that. That being said, I have a few items that I personally think people will be seeing more of in the new year. This is strictly my opinion based on my years in interior design, so take it as one man's point of view.

Lets just start with the one thing I anticipate seeing every year and that is Pantone's color choice for the new year. This year's winner is Pantone 17-1463 TCX, Tangerine Tango. " A spirited reddish orange,... it continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward", boasts Pantone's website..I think this is a nice quote to move us from 2011 in to 2012.

What better way to recharge and move forward in the new year than to cook your black eyed peas and greens in the red/orange pot from Le Crueset? The red/orange color is such a classic and if you are following trend, then you must have this set for your kitchen this year. Don't keep them locked away in cabinets either...I love a grouping of these hanging or on shelves....see below.

(photo: www.lecreuset.com)

. photo: (www.apartmenttherapy.com )

Even in fashion, designers have already sketched their visions for the new year ahead...Adrienne Vittadini used this Pantone color in her sketches below.

(photo: www.pantone.com)

Which brings me to my next trend in interior design. I personally feel like we are going to see a lot more purple in 2012. It started to creep in to the showrooms at the end of 2011 and its all over the place now. All different shades of purple are going to be seen this year...from eggplants to vibrant shades. If you remember, I blogged about purple a few months ago and encouraged you to go wild with it...or use it very sparingly..purple lacquered walls or just purple pillows...this color loves to make a statement!. To follow are some interiors I have found using the color purple....

I love designer Steven Gambrel's use of purple in this very warm interior. Note how he matched the tufted sofa to wall color.... (photo: www.orestudios.com )

Even the use of varying shades of purple pillows add so much to this very neutral interior. (photo: www.veranda.com )

Love the use of vibrant purple on these mid century chairs. Doesn't it add so much life to this rather rustic room? I would do this in a country house for sure! (photo: www.apartmentdiet.com )

Trend number three in my book is all about going back to texture. Grasscloth has always been a huge favorite of mine, but convincing others that it is still not just something from the 70's has proven to be a challenge. Grasscloth has made many strides and I probably use it on every single design job I do now. I am going to introduce you to some of my favorites and one of my new finds as well.

Manila Hemp by Phillip Jeffries...comes in at least 50 colors. I love the tightly woven texture of this material. It goes on the wall so smoothly. One thing I really love about this product is the seams. No two rolls are the same, so you will definitely see variation.

Phillip Jeffries, Manila Hemp/Tangerine

Installation using Phillip Jeffries, Manila Hemp/color:Kelly Green. Don't you love the seams??? This is done beautifully! (photo: www.phillipjeffries.com )

How about Tangerine Tango lacquered walls and Phillip Jeffries new "Rivets" grasscloth on the ceiling??.....I would do it in a minute! Would be such an amazing detail! (Photo: www.phillipjeffries.com )

Are you tired of that old rolled arm sofa you bought 10 years ago?...well, its a piece of cake for your upholsterer to shave down the arm before they reupholster it. Giving new life to old furniture is definitely part of today's world. Just by simply lacquering a piece and adding new hardware can totally change a piece for pennies on the dollar. There are even some places that paint cars that will spray your furniture for you!....I don't really have any "before" shots, but here are some older pieces that have certainly been given some love.

Above, this mid century console's body was lacquered and the drawers kept natural. It has given an entirely new life! I once removed the legs of a piece like this and cleated it to the wall where a flat screen TV hung above it. This is perfect if you have limited space in the room and want to create a more airy feeling where you can see underneath it.

Aren't these great now?? A more traditional look that has been given a new life by simply lacquering these white. Keeping the older brass details keeps them vintage without sacrificing the look. These would be great now in more contemporary setting or could also be used at the beach! Don't be afraid of color either!

Don't be afraid to take risks in design...its how we develop our own personal style. Found Market is all about helping you achieve that, with a little guidance along the way. We are here and happy to help out with any of your design needs in the coming year and thank you for a wonderful 2011!

Happy Holidays to all!   Best...Scott and Alex

Found Market and The Perfect Rug team up to provide added convenience for online interior design customers.

We are so excited to announce our partnership with The Perfect Rug!   Scott is a great believer in creating a foundation for your room with a great custom area rug, then building from there.   The Perfect Rug is the "perfect" partnership for Found Market. 

The Perfect Rug, http://www.theperfectrug.com is the Bay Area –based online resource for custom rugs in any size and color, is extending its’ services to include design consultation from Found Market to it’s scores of customers looking for a little advice when making a final decision on exactly what sort of rug to create.  With literally hundreds of options from dozens of sisal and grass materials plus wools and blends in almost every color, to edging choices, some customers are looking for a sounding board before making their final decision on a rug.

“Many of our customers are entirely confident making the decision on the rug they want to make, but others are still in the process of imagining the possibilities.  We offer so many choices that we feel they could use some professional advice,” said Lisa Joss, spokesperson for The Perfect Rug.  “So when we met Scott and Alex, co-founders of the new online interior design site, FoundMarket.com, I knew we were going to work together.”

“Found Market and The Perfect Rug partnership is a great fit for today’s clients. They are pretty design savvy, they just lack the confidence, and perhaps some of the ‘tricks’ that really tie a room together and make it sing,” said Scott Laslie.

Scott is the perennial problem solver and loves design challenges large and small alike.  Found Market is maintaining a section on The Perfect Rug website where customers can see some of our work and ask Scott design questions via email.  Answers are also being posted directly to The Perfect Rug site so that clients can learn from one another’s dilemmas. 

The Perfect Rug maintains its own workshop where rugs are hand cut to the perfect size and then hand bound using a variety of edging styles. Completed rugs are then shipped to arrive in as short as two weeks. Attention to detail, quality craftsmanship and choice are the three cruxes on which The Perfect Rug holds itself as the premier Bay Area- based online store for custom rugs.

Visit The Perfect Rug online at http://www.theperfectrug.com  for more information, to get ideas, to create a rug and place an order, and to sign up for their newsletter. Customers may also visit to order online, and have an opportunity to a live-chat.

About The Perfect Rug

The Perfect Rug offers customers the ability to completely design and create their own custom area rugs online of any size and shape to fit their needs through http://www.theperfectrug.com. Free and fast shipping is available on every order.

Transformation.  It's what we all look for when we decide to change our interiors.  It can be as subtle as a change of color to brighten up a room (check out our Room Reboot!) or as extreme as architecturally changing the configuration of a space.  Either way, there's nothing better than transforming your space, especially when you achieve the look and feel you always dreamed of.

Transformation is also what we love about before and after images.  Here are some before and after images of my past projects that I hope inspires you to go for your own transformation. 

 Atlanta Project:   Transformation to Contemporary 

Our client purchased this dated Mediterranean home and asked us to transform it to a more contemporary and comfortable environment. The architectural work was done by my friend Mark Williams.  Here are three before and afters of our results.

Atlanta Project: Transformation to Contemporary – Family Room

How is this for a transformation! Many times you have to look beyond what the interiors currently look like and start with imagining what it could be.

Atlanta Project: Transformation to Contemporary – Breakfast Room

Pictured above is how we transformed of the rooms into a sleek breakfast area with a pair of club chairs to read the morning paper.

 Atlanta Project:   Transformation to Contemporary – Kitchen

Same project, Kitchen was a total gut.  We loved using the marble for the countertops and taking it all the way up to the ceiling for some gorgeous continuity.  Dark stained espresso cabinets are a nice compliment to the new travertine floors.

Family Home Project:   Transformation to Modern – Family Room

 

Our clients purchased this home for its open space, but the details, like moldings and trims were pretty standard.  We had fun transforming this family room into a more transitional, yet organic space. The removal of the traditional trim and hanging draperies from an embedded ceiling track help accentuate the room's height. Painting the trim and the walls the same color also help with keeping the look more modern. Architectural work done by Philip Babb of Atlanta, Ga.  He created a clean, crisp room that I was able to transform into a beautiful living space.

Family Home Project:   Transformation to Modern – Dining Room

The Dining Room really delivered a beautiful modern update.  

Girlfriend Project:   Transformation to Fun – Living Room

Think pink!  We did this project for a very good friend of mine.  By simply updating the color and sticking to a theme, we were able to personalize her living space.   We love the use of the black and white photos (her own work!) as a focal point in the room.  While it looks like we did quite a bit of changes to this room, it really was one of the more simple transformations.  There was no construction done on the room.  We simply used new wall color, rug, new sofa and repurposed her side chairs to create a whole new look for her sitting room.  

Remember, many times it does not take much to achieve your vision, but whether you can do it simply or need to do some construction, creating the living space you always wanted is always well worth the effort. 

Until then,
Scott 

As we move into Fall, I would like to reflect on the last few months and share with you pictures of our travels and the sights we saw along the way. From our trip to Spain at the beginning of the summer to the Cape in August, I drew much inspiration for the season ahead.

Having the opportunity to visit my friend in Madrid and see his beautiful home that was recently published in European Architectural Digest as well as another dear friend’s art filled beach cottage on the Cape, the colors, textures and culture helped shape the Summer of 2011.

MADRID, SPAIN – June 2011

Following are some firsthand images of the color, texture, art, nightlife and living spaces that paint an inspirational picture of what we love most about Madrid, Spain.

COLOR AND TEXTURE

Even from the sky, I began to get inspired by just the landscape of olive trees and dried earth on the flat plains flying into Madrid. Contrasting that with the antique tiles you see almost everywhere, we happened on to this sunflower wall in Toledo where they are known for their heritage of tile and mosaic work.  Just beautiful....makes me long for a place in the country. 

Once back in Madrid, we took a visit to the local farmers market in Chueca. The vibrant colors of these prawns were only a small sampling of what you can get here...all fresh, crisp and vibrant.  Finally, on our way to the Reina Sofia Museum, we stumbled on to this magnificent garden wall.  What a great idea to do with an exposed wall of a building bringing nature to an urban landscape.  I would love to do this one day......but on a smaller scale. 

 ART

Two Museums that we highly recommend. Museo Reina Sophia and Museo Thyessen-Bornemisza. 

An amazingly interesting exhibit by Yayoi Kusama at the Reina Sofia.  A Japanese artist, she is know for her conceptual paintings, sculptures and installations that share an obsession with repetition, pattern and accumulation.

The realistic landscapes and sculptures of renowned Spanish artist Antonio Lopez Garcia were featured at the Thyssen. This larger than life baby head showed the artist's true talent on any scale. it is literally 10 feet tall!  It's his amazing hyper realistic landscape paintings that have made him one of the most famous living artists in Spain. 

NIGHTLIFE

We love these two photos because they literally look and feel like a Summer evening in Madrid.   Taken by my partner using his Hipstamatic App on his iPhone, it truly captures the romantic nature of this incredible place.

PLACES AND SPACES

One wonderful treat about going to Madrid is visiting my great friend and spending time in his amazing apartment in Chueca.  Recently featured in Europe's Architectural Digest, this all white modern abode features contemporary classics along with his amazing black and white photography collection.  The rooftop terrace allows sweeping views of the amazing city sky line as well.....I love stumbling on to these intimate courtyard gardens as we wander the old streets of Madrid.  Each one is special in its own way.

It was a great start to our Summer 2011...it gave us lots of inspiration for the months ahead and confirmed our never ending love for Madrid...stay tuned for our next blog on our visit to the Cape!  until then...Scott