Out and About: Room & Board Hosts HGTV’s Danielle Colding

The DC design scene was bustling last week – from the opening of the much-blogged Design House to Washington Fine Properties' Home and Design Weekend. The latter event featured discounts, raffles, and workshops, including a session led by Design Star-winner Danielle Colding. The weather was absolutely perfect, so I hurried down to our local Room & Board for a chance to meet Danielle and soak up her design wisdom.

The workshop took place on Room & Board's top level, which offers fantastic views and loads of gorgeous sunlight. With a small vignette of furniture as both backdrop and teaching aid, Danielle dispensed tips on color, styling, and other design principles before taking questions from participants.

Danielle Colding, Washington Fine Properties Home & Design Weekend

Danielle Colding, Washington Fine Properties Home & Design Weekend

Here are a few takeaways from the presentation:

Danielle began her design with an emerald green small-scale sofa, one of my favorites since it appeared in Room & Board's window several weeks ago. She tempered the bold color with the understated pattern and texture of velvet throw pillows. Other textural elements included an area rug, hide stools, and side tables made of reclaimed wood.

Yellow, Danielle's choice accent color, was introduced by way of a small table lamp. She explained how you can carry color throughout a space with subtle touches. For example, yellow makes another appearance in a book jacket on the coffee table.

Danielle also emphasized mixing and matching different materials and styles. Accessory selections included sinuous vases by Eva Zeisel and a rustic metal sculpture. We fell in love with the Nebula Bowl by Tony Wurman. It resembles glass but is actually made of hot glue. Super light and pliable, you can literally fling it like a Frisbee!

When asked where to find more fab accessories, Danielle shared a list of personal favorites. They're definitely worth a look! Also, be sure to check out her website, dcdny.com, to see her design principles in action.

Images and typography: Sukio

DC Design House 2013: Sophisticated Kid Spaces

The last installment of this series brings us to the "children's wing" of the DC Design House – two west-facing bedrooms each with private bath and walk-in closet (naturally!). As with last year's spaces, designers Regan Billingsley and Nancy Twomey exacted a thoughtful approach, mixing sophisticated motifs with a bit of whimsy. Regan's Teenage Boy's Room imagines a well-rounded, "urban, hip kid" with a knack for curation. Set against black-and-white strié wallpaper, many of the room's accessories reflect DC's history and culture. My favorite piece is the hand-painted West Elm console by McNamara Design.

Nancy Twomey designed the home’s nursery with the parents in mind. The gender-neutral space uses an unexpectedly mature but serene palette of blue, beige, and white. More youthful touches include an installation of crocheted hats, adorable accessories, and a custom bookcase by Kaleo Kala.

Proceeds from the DC Design House benefit Children’s National Medical Center. Stop by April 14th – May 12th. www.dcdesignhouse.com

Images: (1, 3, 4) Sukio, (2) Angie Seckinger, DC Design House, (5-8) Finnian's Moon

DC Design House 2013: The Media & Morning Rooms

The DC Design House has no shortage of spaces to relax and unwind – from the Lounge on the home’s lowest level to the Away Room tucked just below the rafters. For some, relaxation may come in the form of television and tech gadgetry as found in the Media Room by Akseizer Design Group. Flat screens provide an interface with the digital world but can be easily switched off to enjoy quiet moments in the glow of the skylight and live reef aquarium.

The designers were especially proud of the Black Magic Orchid imported all the way from Australia. They also worked with children from Children’s National Medical Center to create art for the space. Very cool!

The Morning Room by Iantha Carley was designed to “sit down, take a deep breath and relax.” Mid-century modern fans will enjoy furniture inspired by the period to include a reupholstered side chair from Iantha’s childhood home. I personally love her vignette featuring abstract artwork and a console by Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams.

See it all! Visit the DC Design House April 14^th – May 12^th, 2507 Foxhall Road, NW, Washington, DC. www.dcdesignhouse.com

P.S. Friday Fashion returns next week!

Images: (1) Angie Seckinger, DC Design House, (Others) Sukio

DC Design House 2013: The Master Suite

Modern meets glamour in this show home’s master suite, with the latter achieved via shimmering touches in the bedroom. Designer Susan Jamieson created a palette of blue, gray, cream, and gold based on the suite's existing fixtures. Personal favorites include a gold-finished canopy bed, complete with an über-luxe (read "expensive") Savoir mattress, and grand nest chandelier.

Susan paid close attention to the fifth wall throughout the space (aka, the ceiling), covering it in high-gloss paint and reflective wallpapers. She notes, "It’s all about the details and creating contrasting visuals…" I love the Maya Romanoff paper used overhead as you approach the modern master bath.

The master bath's designer, Darlene Molnar, used Bertoia side chairs with custom leather seats in the vanity area. The seats were made by Darlene's father, who just happens to be a skilled leatherworker. Aren’t they fabulous?

See it all! Visit the DC Design House April 14^th – May 12^th, 2507 Foxhall Road, NW, Washington, DC. www.dcdesignhouse.com

Images: (4,6) Angie Seckinger, DC Design House, (Others) Sukio

DC Design: First Look at Showroom 1412

Welcome to Showroom 1412, designer Lori Graham's new boutique near Logan Circle. Lori is one of my favorite local designers, so I was super excited to stop by last evening. The space does not disappoint with its eclectic collection of art, furniture, lighting, textiles, and other accessories, including her line of furnishings, LG Place. Whether swathed in velvet or burnished to high shine, there's plenty of modern glamour to go around!

Perhaps, one of the most unique aspects of Showroom 1412 is its collaboration with other art/design gurus. Not only does the space showcase Lori's product selections, but it is also home to joint ventures with Lauren Gentile and Mike Johnson. As the former director of Irvine Contemporary, Lauren curates the in-store art gallery Contemporary Wing, while Mike sources the showroom’s Mid-Century Modern collection Sixteen Fifty Nine. If that name sounds familiar, you may remember Mike’s former Georgetown store.

I was happy to see an array of coffee table books, especially those by my FAVORITE publisher, Assouline. If you're not in the market for a new sofa or work of art, I recommend picking up an Assouline book for a little visual stimulation.

"This space unites fine contemporary art and select vintage pieces with the work of artisans from abroad that have caught my eye throughout my career and personal travels." – Lori Graham

Showroom 1412 opens today so stop on by if you're in the neighborhood.

Showroom 1412
1412 14th ST NW
Washington, DC 20005
Mon-Fri, 11am to 6pm, or by appointment

Images: Me

PS - Stay tuned for pics of Lori's office. It's sooo good.