Interior Design Sense

The Napali sectional sofa from German company Bretz Wohntraume is what contemporary customizable comfort is all about. This cozy corner couch comes with three basic components: the extension element (outfitted with one backrest), the corner section (with two backrests placed at a right angle), and an ottoman. From here, it’s entirely up to you how you will piece these versatile parts together, or separately – cozy loveseat for two or a straight sofa for 20, a corner configuration, a U-shaped lounging area, or plan out your living room with coordinated seating to accommodate as many people as your room can hold! And if you can’t commit to one particular set-up. you can rearrange these pieces as often as you’d like. These modular components are accented by large, plush cushions that call you to sit, lean, lie back and lounge. The luxurious velvet upholstery comes together in an eclectic yet cohesive patchwork of complementary colors and patterns. We don’t know which we love more – the rich purple shade with gold-toned pattern, or the deep blue accented with shimmering emerald green. Visit Bretz Wohntraume for more info.

The Madero dining table from Sunpan isn’t your typical wood table. This design has unusual roots, most visible in its base – an unusual design inspired by crisscrossed tree trunks, lending this dining table a warm, weathered look and feel. This organic aesthetic is complemented by a lightly distressed driftwood finish in oak / oak veneer. The tabletop is strong and simple – a thick rectangular slab featuring straight edges and a hefty weight that gives its small scale a big visual impact. Measuring 63L x 39.5W x 30H (inches), the Madero table makes a delicious addition to cozy dining rooms in compact condos and small houses where space is limited, but style is plentiful. Check it out by visiting Sunpan Modern Home.

Skyline Design has become a fixture for luxury lounge furniture for the outdoors, and this trio of occasional daybeds are as dreamy as they come. Featuring a casual wicker weave combined with contemporary silhouettes, these daybeds are inviting for alfresco lolling and lazing under the sun. Expertly crafted from synthetic woven wicker and cane, they are finished with weather-resistant and washable materials that make for a low-maintenance lounger. Skyline furniture is 100% recyclable, delivering guilt-free luxury at its finest.

Spartan day bed

The Spartan day bed stands out with a pair of overarching woven panels in a patented “Black Mushroom” finish, rising behind fresh white seating angled inward. This casual-cool set-up is perfect for intimate chats over cool drinks, pool-side, beachfront, on the patio or in the garden.

Shade day bed

The Shade day bed boasts a whimsical, conical silhouette that cocoons you in its private shady nook. A large frontal opening allows easy entry into this shady alcove while framing the outdoor views. Inside, a comfy cushion and lot of pillows make this the perfect place for people-watching from a distance. Choose from White Mushroom and Black Mushroom finishes.

Iglu day bed

The Iglu day bed gets its telling name from its unusual inspiration. What is normally an icy, cold-climate home gets a sunny makeover in this spherical daybed design, complete with a removable top that lets the sun shine in. Inside, this nest of cozy cushions and pillows makes an ideal getaway for reading, relaxing and watching the world go by.

The Archibald King armchair from Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau is the latest and greatest take on its 2009 Archibald original. This iconic design by Jean-Marie Massaud stands out for its regal silhouette and beautiful buttery leather that will make sitters swoon. The distinctive headrest makes as much a statement of style as for comfort, inviting you to sink into its deep seat and high armrests, and surrender to its warm embrace. Coupled with the matching footrest, this sweet seat is as comfy as they come. The steel frame is filled with molded polyurethane foam padding that offers just the right support and cushion for total comfort. It’s all clad in luxurious leather upholstery with fine stitching and a lovely little frill along its edge. Available in a full spectrum of colors and finishes, the Archibald armchair will be right at home in any setting. Check it out by visiting Poltrona Frau.

How’s this for “body shop chic?” This cool tire table from Tavomatico features two circular discs of plexiglass – one on the top and one on the bottom, turning a tire into a tabletop with storage space inside. Four small wheels mounted to the bottom let you roll this unusual table to your desired location – in the living room or den, home office, studio, or to the man cave – this piece is certainly dressed the part! The thick, chunky tire tread brings a bit of built-in texture to the design, but it’s all been finished to make it smooth, odorless and resistant to wear and tear. But with its original intended use for the road, there’s not much this little table can’t take. The traditional black finish screams industrial chic, or opt for a vibrant color to transform this former auto element into a fabulous furniture piece. An optional LED light takes this modern table to the next level. The tire table is available in a range of sizes and color options. Check it out by visiting Tavomatico.

New Buckingham Interiors + Design logo!

As they say, change is good…  I am in the midst of a rebranding campaign (stay tuned for more deets!), and one of my primary focuses was to redo my logo.  My old “Buckingham Interiors + Design” logo with the crown, all in a minimalist all caps font in gold tones, had been in use since the genesis of my firm 6 years ago.

{Previous Buckingham Interiors + Design logo}

While I did love this logo and it had served me well, I was ready for something different.  I decided to go in a more artistic and feminine direction.  The format of my firm name and the crown remained, but the font is more stylized and the crown is more abstract and whimsical-much like my design aesthetic.  While the hue of “Interiors + Design” remained relatively the same, the “Buckingham” and the crown went from gold to a light purple.  I must say, I am thrilled with the outcome!  I had an amazing graphic designer who took my musings and turned them into something visual and beautiful.

This new logo and theme will be seen on all of my new branding materials- from my 1stDibs page to my business cards to my showroom storefront.  I can’t wait to move full speed ahead!

I’m loving these Pantone colors that my graphic designer and I chose…

Pantone Color 7447 C- one of the main colors in my new logo/branding materials

I was having trouble finding a good photo of Pantone Warm Grey 10 U, so here is a close representation!  Plus, these Pantone mugs are pretty cool, right? I first spotted them while in Paris last year attending Maison et Objet.

Of course, it goes without saying that much of my redesign was inspired by my recent interior design projects- and others I have had my eye on as well within the interior design community. I wholeheartedly have embraced the use of soft, gem- toned hues that feel color saturated without screaming too loudly. I do also like making some bold color statements for my more daring clients. The perfect complement of colors is part of our designer’s “due diligence” after all. Take a look below at some ways that interior design permeates throughout the design world and made its way into my new branding materials!

 {Buckingham I+D Lake Forest Historic Mediterranean Project}

 {Buckingham I+D Winnetka Project}

 {Buckingham I+D Winnetka Project}

On a recent trip to NYC I got a big dose of inspiration checking out street art through out the neighborhoods of lower Manhattan (the Bowery, SoHo, NoLita) with Ginna of 27 Ground, also the Creative Director for Marc Phillips Rugs. Ginna has been collaborating with artists to create unique, one of a kind area rugs for Marc Phillips to be auctioned off for charity in conjunction with PS Arts. Ginna and I spent an afternoon wandering the streets of NYC in search of street art followed by a visit to the Marc Phillips Rugs showroom at the D & D Building to check out an exclusive preview of the latest artists designed rug collection.

“be inspired”
{logo creation by Ginna}

A street artist mural in an ever changing street scape (this wall is home to various rotating artists).

Art by Banksy.

Graffiti art on a parked trailer in NYC.

The work of Obey Giant, as seen on the side of a building in NYC.

Artist Obey Giant’s area rug for Marc Phillips Rugs.

A rug designed by Kenny Scharf for the Marc Phillips artist rug collection.

As part of an homage to PS Arts, a child’s artwork was chosen to be turned into one of the area rug designs for the collection.

A super fab design by Tracy Hiner of Blackcrow Studios, transforming her very chic wallpaper designs into a colorful area rug with vibrancy and movement!

A graphic rug by artist Retna, for Marc Phillips Rugs.

One of my faves, it’s stunning in person! By artist Cole Sternberg.

For more, visit Marc Phillips Rugs.

and, don’t forget to “be inspired”

All photos by Jill Seidner Interior Design

How adorable is this water coloring rendering of the Hermes La Maison home line?

I discovered the new Hermes La Maison home line when our wonderful Dedar rep came to our showroom and offices at the end of last year, sharing with us the most amazing textiles and wall coverings from this iconic brand. Now, it is not enough to swoon over their fashionable bags, scarves, throws, clothing, boots, sandals, watches (of which I am a huge fan) and baubles-more delightful goodies to ponder!

It wasn’t long after that I decided to recover an antique French chair in the Fil de Argents print (yes, I have a slight thing for chains) in the orange color way (I also have a slight orange thing, too).  This chair made its way to a recently completed Arizona design project, but my obsession with the Hermes home line had only just begun.

Not only does the Hermes La Maison collection include textiles and wall coverings, it includes furniture and rugs as well (obviously of the ultra luxurious sort).  I do not know the exact prices of all the items, but knowing the price point of Hermes,  I can only imagine how many zeroes follow that leather sofa…

Take a look at some of my favorites from the collection!

3-seater Bench from The Pippa Collection

Square Table from The Pippa Collection

Occasional Table from The Pippa Collection

A bit about The Pippa Collection…

“This line of foldable and easy-to-move-around furniture was imagined by Rena Dumas and Peter Coles, in the Hermès spirit of “moving with elegance”. It combines the warmth and softness of wood (pearwood, ebonized maple or teak) with the suppleness and resilience of leather (fontanella cowhide, natural cowhide, clemence bullcalf, skipper buffalo).”

Armchair for Reading and Resting in Fabric and Leather, from The Matieres Collection

Fabric and Leather Sofa from The Matieres Collection

Storage Coffer from The Matieres Collection

A bit about The Matieres Collection…

“In the Matières collection, Antonio Citterio highlighted once more the functionality of furniture, and prioritized conviviality, comfort and harmony. This collection also emphasizes the sensory of the materials: leather, fabric, wood, metal.
During his visit to the Hermès Conservatory of Creations, the designer was particularly drawn to a saddle rack whose proportions and volume inspired him for the design of his armrests. The reading chair reclines into a relaxation position.”

2-seater Sofa from The Jean Michele Frank Collection

Club Armchair in Sheepskin from The Jean Michele Frank Collection…swooning…..

Folding Screen from The Jean Michele Frank Collection

Low Soleil Table from The Jean Michele Frank Collection

A bit about The Jean Michele Frank Collection…

“Jean-Michel Frank is an iconic designer from the Art Deco movement. He was the most influentialial designer and decorator of the 1920′s and 1930′s. The lines are rigorous and emphasized, shapes are simple yet refined. The materials used are versatile, from the rawest to the most sophisticated.
Sofas are compact, well-balanced and truly simple, iconic of Frank’s style.”

 Antique French Gilt Armchair that I recovered in Hermes Fil de Argent fabric!

One of my favorite wall coverings from the collection- Les Sangles

A panel of this wall covering within picture frame molding- genius!

Stunning scarf-like textile, Couvertures et Tenues de Jour

How fabulous are these drapes?

Circuit 24 Textile

More gorgeous drapery!

I love the Circuit 24 pattern in the wall covering, too!

Finish Wall Covering in Nattier Blue

Finish Wall Covering in Kaolin

Herringbone Wall Covering in Orange

Herringbone Wall Covering in Nattier Blue

Gribouill’H Wall Covering in Sage

Gribouill’H Wall Covering in Mandarin

Feuillage Imprime Textile in Etoupe

Feuillage Imprime Wall Covering in Mint

Wrapping presents in Hermes paper?  Doesn’t get more luxe than that!

Biblioteque Wall Covering in Nattier Blue- I used this in the bathroom of my Arizona design project!

Also love this pattern in the textile version (Biblioteque in Cognac)

Biblioteque Textile in Indigo

Rizzoli recently released a book by Stephanie Stokes titled, “Elegant Rooms That Work.” The book focuses on planning comfortable rooms that are also multipurpose spaces to include attractive storage. It’s something many of us in our homes are in need of, yet do not want to sacrifice aesthetics. The book outlines creative ways of turning the tiniest of spaces into imaginative storage. If you are looking to be inspired by elegant rooms that are also planned to precision for maximum storage, this book is worth checking out! Currently available from Rizzoli, it features 224 pages, 200 color photographs, and retails for $50.

If you live in the NYC area, there is a book release event this Wednesday at 1st Dibs on Lexington Avenue.

It seems a bit fantasy, yet an architectural delight: having a pool in the house! Not a generic indoor pool, but a dramatic scape to a living room, bedroom, or bathroom. Common it may be to have an interior courtyard pool, yet many flow right into the house and beyond…

Right in the middle of a living room! (This one is actually situated between a living room, dining room, and staircase guess there’s never not an excuse for a dip in the pool when it’s that accessible!) Image via Coco + Kelley’s “Room of the Week Feature”

In the bathroom, like a moat to the tub…I would definitely love this set up!

The indoor/outdoor room, with the convenience of having part of the inside of the house.

An interior wading pool creates a symmetry to exterior double endless pools.

Indoor/outdoor living is a luxury in some climates, having the privacy of a courtyard pool and a living room that completely opens up to a pool is pure bliss.

This is producer Jerry Weintraub’s bedroom that was featured in Architectural Digest magazine. Doesn’t seem safe to have a pool this close to a bed, but the architectural elements are intriguing.

Still loving the concept of a pool in a bathroom, this one extends beyond to the outside.

And another…

Perhaps a tropical vacation house could not be without the indoor / outdoor pool concept.

While it’s mainly an outdoor pool, a courtyard pool that is completely open to the interiors is truly an extension of the home.

When I was in design school, one of the design studio projects was to create a 1,000 sq ft home this is the house I designed with the concept of indoor/outdoor living as an extension of the home. I included the idea of a lap pool jutting into the side of the house, side by side with the fireplace in the living room. The idea reminds me a bit of the very first image I posted (the pool merging with the interiors of the house).

All images via Pinterest.