Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Hello my friends! I know I have been absent for a very long time. I have dearly missed you, missed the writing, and missed the creative outlet this blog provides for me. Time management has been a key ingredient missing from my life since starting my job in July. And this past month with Halloween, countless personal and professional events I have attended, and an extraordinary work load, my exhaustion has been severe. But I think I have things figured out (we'll see what that means...yes, I know, you have heard me say that before)

On that note, let's start off with some Thanksgiving fun! My sister and her fiance are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their home, and I (of course - I begged) am providing the centerpiece. Not sure what the linens and tableware look like, so this is a massive undertaking for me- playing design-by-ear, but I will persevere and hopefully it will turn out marvelously!

I love to do centerpieces that are unusual and unexpected- i.e. not using the typical color palette, or florals for a holiday centerpiece. I was at Pier One Imports last night, and saw these empty wine/ olive oil bottles and the flood gates opened to some out-of-the-box ideas....

Going to line these in a straight line down the center of the table with long tapered white candlesticks placed in the opening of the bottle. Thinking about filling the bottles with something colorful, but not sure yet, with smaller vases/ votives at the base of the bottles. Flowers will be placed in and around the bottle necks..... Still in the planning mode.

On my walk home, I remembered this image I had pulled years ago. Very similar to what I have planned.

We'll see how it turns out....... Now - Off to the Union Square farmers market to get the goods!

Cheers my friends! Happy Thanksgiving!


The Designista

A Very Special NY Reunion- Thank You Facebook!

Amy & Olga- Like a day never passed

*Friends since 1994*

Olga came to my high school for one year in 1994 from Colombia (the country- everyone keeps asking me if I mean the university!) We became great friends. However, in the era of"no email" I lost contact with her. Thankfully, a few months ago, she found me on Facebook. This last week, she stopped into NY to meet her boyfriend from Germany. They, too, had started a relationship via email on Facebook (though they had met a few times before.) It was wonderful getting to see her again, like a day had never passed. That's when you know you are truly friends. Thank you Facebook for bringing us back together and bringing Stephan and Olga together! Hooray for email and social networking sites !!! :)

Cheers!

The Designista

MY OWN JOBS!!!!!!!

Attention- Amy Davis Designs is finally open for business (on the side of course!) My lovely friends have hired me to revamp their mid-town apartment and I am thrilled to pieces! I worked for a big-time designer in LA, but never got to do a job completely on my own- mostly due to a difficult work schedule. Well, here we go....... I am meeting with them this week to get the job moving. Looking forward to cataloging the entire design process on The Designista. It's a budget job -my friend just switched careers from practicing law and is going back to her advertising roots. Let creativity prevail!

Thanks Wynter & Korman! xoxo

Cheers!

The Designista

Halloween Decor Galore: Finished Product

For the Halloween decor this year, I was completely inspired by the Pottery Barn Glitter skulls I posted about earlier this month. However, we refused to pay $20 for a tiny little skull. Plus they are super easy to do. Just glue and glitter. Thankfully, we found some at Michael's Craft Store (which I will post about tomorrow- the "how to" of this Halloween segment.) Skulls became our underlying theme, as they were everywhere, but did it in a totally chic fashion.

Jeannie's house already had an orange and black theme, so we decided to stay in that color scheme. Paired with the black fluorescent light, which gave it the eerie "Nightmare before Christmas" tone, and the orange incandescent bulbs which added the romance to the ambiance, the space was completely transformed. It was so pretty and fun to do- especially on a budget. I love big creative endeavors like this.

This was the table you saw when you walked in. At two in the morning, it looked bare, so I ran outside and gathered fallen leaves to add to the mix. Like a graveyard.... A stylish one at that!

We used the black roses and white branches (Christmas decor was already in the stores) so the branches would glow in the black light.

Unfortunately my camera doesn't focus in the dark. But at least this gives the idea of a lounge-like set up we were trying to create.

I loved the crow, and would have put them everywhere, but only one made it in the shopping cart. The lone bird. The skull and bust was also a fabulous addition- 75% off for $6!!!

Carved pumpkins at midnight during the set up- possibly 1.5 bottles of wine in.

(Amy, Kyle, Jeannie)
Leave it up to Kyle to break out a skill saw for precision cuts.... Typical man!

This was taken the night before, prior to the installation of colored light bulbs. I made all of her frames crooked for a haunted/ abandoned house look. I actually realized this because I knocked off one of the frames and then went on a rampage shifting all of them. I then added the pipe cleaner spiders to the walls and frames. Actually looked great! And the pipe cleaners were only $2.

Center table with the cutest little glittered gargoyles..... disappointed you can't see it here in this image. (tomorrow...)

Orange bulbs- a great addition. I completely recommend changing the lighting for events.

See the wine glass on the right? Filled with spider rings..... by the end of the night, everyone was wearing them! For parties, I always recommend giving away something, in addition to food and drinks. In this case, we did prizes for costumes, glow sticks, glow bracelets. It is low budget, but adds an interactive element, which is a lot of fun.... like party favors, or wedding favors.

Jeannie was obsessed with doing masquerade masks. I was terrible at them, but they looked amazing in the lights.

All in all, it was so much fun. Planning parties is literally one of my favorite things to do. More posts to follow tomorrow, regarding the planning process. Hope you like what you saw!

Cheers!

The Designista

Costume's Galore: Part 1

So Halloween was so much fun!!!!! Hope yours was too! So many amazing costumes (more pics to follow this posting- still waiting for additional pics from friends)....great punch (champagne, pomegranate juice, chambord, vodka, and ice skulls), good food, wonderful friends (though many were missing, due to other plans), and a lot of dancing (you'll see some of me down below!) I'll be doing several posts about Halloween; set up, decor, more costumes- so stay tuned. I just wanted to get a few up for people!

The infamous Davis Sisters!!!! By the end of the night, stranger were taking pictures with Jeannie. Peg Bundy is a big hit in Queens!

Originally I posted that i would be wearing fishnets. However, my hand went through them as I was pulling them up. Thank goodness there was a Rite Aid walking distance away, or we would have had a slight problem considering the length of these shorts!

Caught in the act, Dancing Queen!

Peg and Matt Foley (Chris Farley SNL skit- "down by the river eating government cheese...")

Classy.... and might I add spot on! Though I don't think Peg Bundy would have prepared Caprese salad with fresh organic basil, buffalo mozzarella, arugula, and grape tomatoes!

Rachel Zoe and her boy assistant Brad- Quite the cute couple- Marriage 6 months away!

The Irish Ghostbuster (second half of best couple winner) and the football coach as "God's Gift to Women" (most creative Men's costume) Check out his gift tag!

People were calling out "Looooocccciiiieeeeee" while out in town!

I am such a poser!

Matt, Cleopatra (Couple winner!) and Sproket (Mike Myers SNL skit- "touch my monkey")

Best Female winner- Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman- When's the last time you heard a Dr. Quinn reference??? :)

Robin-ette! She was running around punching people with post-its saying "POW" "WAM" "BOOM" Very cute!


My one and only pic of JEM...... I need more of you! Where are the hot pink Jimmy Choos??? My favorite! :)

Little sailor with the best part- Glow Sticks and Glow bracelets! Quite the raver!

This was such an adorable costume- I so want to have a Great Gatsby themed party!

We had a blast! And who doesn't love role playing? I know I do...:)

Cheers!

The Designista

Dream Costume: Pin Up Girl (on a budget)

First things first- what are you going to be for Halloween? I have dreamt about being a pin up girl since I can remember. I think the women portrayed in the images are so beautiful, they are sexy in an innocent way, and I love their figures. So for this Halloween, I decided to act on my dream and become one! I love making my costumes, but they can become costly. Instead of going out and buying a bunch of things I knew I wouldn't wear, I raided my closet to see if there was anything that could accomodate this look. And you know what, that would go for any costume. If you are still trying to find your finishing touches on your on super sassy creation, look first to what you already own. Start with one key piece and that will get you on a roll.

These American Apparel shorts caught my eye when I was walking down 16th street. They were featured in the window in red satin. I knew I had found my key piece (that is not me by the way!) But the question was what else was I going to add to it. I knew I had to wear stockings of some sort, but what about the shirt. Something strapless? Corset? Halter? Off the sholder? I searched high and low, and then remembered this shirt in my closet.

With the wide black patent belt and the gigham shirt from H&M that I bought for my 28th birthday outfit........ A perfect little pin up ensemble I must say!

What in the world was I going to do with my hair????? I looked all over the internet for images that could portray this look, and alot of them are variations on how I already do my hair, with curls and pulled up. I wanted to do something really out of the ordinary, and chose this boufant style with a sash pulled up around my head. Cute right? I had to do a practice run, of course. Just like when I was young and used to sit in front of the mirror practicing hair and makeup! :)

Fishnet stocking are essential to this costume. Not only are the shorts super short, but it will be cold. I need a little warmth:)

At first I was going to buy new shoes, but remembered these shoes I bought and have only worn once. Why not reuse them? They are not a perfect match with the shorts, but who will be seeing that slight difference in the black lights?!?!?!

Happy Halloween! It is getting close ..... two days!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

The Designista

Idea for tiny spaces: Breakfast Settee

I came across this advertisement for Raoul Textiles, a company whose fabrics are full of color and pattern with a vintage feel to the cotton/ linen blend. I have used them before in a project and am always interested in their new products. However, besides the colors in this advertisement it is the placement of furniture that caught my attention.

Now that I am living in these tiny places in NY, I am forced to think outside the box, in terms of furniture placement. This idea of having a corner banquette/ bench placed against the wall with many pillows is a perfect transitional piece. When not using it for a dining table, it could easily be used as a sofa. Make sure you place your television in a spot that is visibly accessible from the table and magic- you have an upholsterd piece for two purposes. Not to mention, the table could be used as a desk, too.

Who says you can't have dinner parties, or tea parties, in a small studio!?!

Cheers!

The Designista

Metropolitan Home & Showtime House: Tribeca- I am there!

If you are like me at all, the days just seem to fly by. Right now I am so intent upon doing and seeing things in this amazing city- the design capital of the world, the city that never sleeps, the city that offers more free things to do than anywhere else (which I haven't utilized AT ALL, but will) - basically, a concrete playground full of culture and excitement.

So..... I have been talking about going to the Metropolitan Home's Showtime house in Tribeca since this summer, and have yet to go. Well, thank goodness I sat in the bed last night catching up on reading the mags and found that this weekend is the last weekend! Phew! That was a close one. Going to be there on Sunday.....

The showcase house is designed by top designers whose rooms are inspired by the Showtime series: Dexter, Californication, The Tudors, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, and The United States of Tara.

Here are a few images from the MetHome web site.

Californication Entry

Nurse Jackie Bedroom

Tudors Dining Room

United States of Tara Living Room

Weeds Dining Room

Weeds/ United States of Tara Terrace

I am really looking forward to this showhouse. I love designs inspired by something completely unrelated to design, such as this house- TV shows. It keeps you on your toes, and thinking out of the creative box. Tickets are $20 and open from 10-5 on Sunday.

Anyone want to join me?

Cheers!

The Designista

Store Fronts Unite: Black & White

While my mother was here from CA, we, of course, did the Fifth Avenue walk. A lot of window shopping- not my most favorite thing, but it made her happy. I found some wonderful inspiration shots of store windows (love visual displays) and started snapping- I was now officially part of the tourist crowd on 5th Ave! Then noticed an underlying theme of the store windows- Black & White. Now, I already posted about how fashion and interior design mimic eachother with the Hearts posting, as well as the posting about Black and White. Here we come full circle.

Moschino changed their original red heart chair to black pin stripe with an overtly obvious reference to the trend - BLACK on a white bag

This window display at Saks is divine. With the high relief french inspired wall molding accented by the black trimming- my kind of space.

Originally I took this picture because I want to make a chest like this myself. Stay tuned for a DIY project on how to make one of these chests yourself.

Saks is promoting the new Coco Chanel biographic movie - Coco before Chanel.

I like the idea of painted frames on the wall at H&M showcasing a piece of fashion like an art piece. I would totally do something like this in a dressing room or even in a more formal setting- just depends on the level of sophistication you give it, in terms of color and item placed within the frame. Could also be perfect in a little girls bedroom.

Juicy Couture- This is more black and gray, but thought I would showcase the idea of the use of sticker decals for visual impact, as posted last month.

Since starting this blog, I am intent upon watiching everything around me. I am constantly taking pictures for things that inspire me and how, even if they have nothing to do with interior or event design, they can be applied to design in my life ..... or even yours. Try doing the same. You'll be surprised by what actually tickles your fancy.

Cheers!

The Designista