Robin Baron Design

Repurposing an item or piece of furniture gives it new life. Repurposing is one little shade of green in the eco friendly spectrum, but it’s one shade that can make a big design impact. At the recent Architectural Digest Home Show, I came across Norwegian furniture company Hodnebo‘s Spinnaker chair. With a back crafted from repurposed sailboat sails, the Spinnaker blends comfort and style with an eco sensibility.

What I love about repurposing is that you can really customize your design.  In this case, if you grew up sailing, have family who do, or just have a love for all things nautical, you can order the chair to be made from your own sails.

In honor of earth day, this week’s Daily Designs will highlight noteworthy environmentally friendly products or services. Have a suggestion for Simplifying Fabulous? Email info@robinbarondesign.com

After hearing non-stop sirens this morning I was beginning to get a little worried about what was happening here on the Upper West Side where Robin Baron Design is located. It wasn’t until I was out for a lunch that I discovered the story behind the sirens.

Two production assistants kindly informed me that they were shooting an ambulance/firetruck/car scene for the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, a big-screen take on Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel about a young boy post-9/11. They were filming take, after take, after take…

As I stood waiting for “end scene,” hoping for a sighting of the films’ stars, Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, I began to think about the incredible book that it’s based on, and it’s equally incredible dust cover (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

Back in the office I discovered that it’s the creation of London-based designer Jonathan Gray of Gray 318. Gray, who has also designed the covers of several of Foer’s previous novels, including the most recent Eating Animals and Everything is Illuminated. “Hi Jonathan, it’s Jonathan again. I’m doing another book…”

There is so much to be said about a good book cover. The folk-arty feel of these designs let you know that you’re going to dive into some very serious topics with an author who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Light, but meaningful. Sounds like my kinda guy!

It’s always such fun to see which big home decor brands Tar-zhay partners up with to stimulate the interiors mainstream.  Hot off the press is the lookbook for the new collab between the bullseye and island-living inspired Calypso St. Barth. The collection features not only funky homewares, but women’s and children’s frocks and accessories as well.

Seemingly Moroccan-inspired poufs, tie dye trays and jewel-toned bud vases are the highlights of the new Target/Calypso St. Barth home line. And though I may already have enough melamine plates and tumblers to host a pool party for the entire Royal wedding, at these price points there is always room for more!

(Head to Target’s Web site or stores May 1st to get your fill!)

Pillows, $24.99 each

Glass Bud Vase $4.99 each

Serving Tray, $12.99

When it comes to wall coverings, decorative painting is often overlooked in favor of regular paint, wallpaper or-gasp!-nothing at all. Decorative painting can bring a warmth and depth to a space that no other medium can. The variety of looks that can be created are as endless as your imagination: There is the mural, which can be a fun idea for a kids room, a beach home, or in a space where you want to make a major statement. Or you can take a more creative route and focus on texture and color, based on layering, as we did for this project below, recently featured in Luxury Home Quarterly.

This apartment, located in the famed Robert A.M. Stern building 15 Central Park West in New York City, is one of the most luxurious spaces I have had the chance to work on. In the profile, the magazine briefly mentions the fabulous decorative painter, Lillian Heard, who worked with me on many of the rooms of this apartment to create a luscious, textured environment. In fact, the only room that doesn’t have decorative painting on the walls is the guest bedroom, where Lillian’s work is featured on the ceiling, one of my favorite places to add drama. Have a look below for some more shots of Lillian’s decorative painting for this project, and see her website for more of her work!

Next time you’re thinking of changing a room up a bit and begin to envision a new paint color or paper on the wall, I hope that my voice and vision pop into your head: decorative painting may be the way to go!

all photos by Phillip Ennis

Photo books are a fabulous way to organize and display your memories in an age where many of our photographs never make their way off our computers or memory cards. Though photo books are nothing new–there are many Web sites such as Snapfish and KodakGallery that can help you do this–the lovely products at Pinhole Press help to redefine the concept. The simplicity and cleanliness of their designs allows your photos to take center stage. Pinhole doesn’t pigeon hole your vision, either. There is enough customization that you could play on this site for hours: Darling graphics can be added, contemporary color schemes chosen, and plenty of products to pick from.

As a designer, I would recommend new home owners, or those renovating, to capture the decorating or renovating process on film. A coffee table photo book such as this one will always be a beautiful reminder of the work and love that goes into making a house a home!

all images courtesy of Pinhole Press

When it comes to grocery shopping, I am a strong supporter of buying seasonally and buying local. You can imagine my joy when I spotted a series of gorgeous “Buy Local” prints and tea towels by Brooklyn illustrator Claudia Pearson at a recent West Elm/Etsy event here in Manhattan. These combine my love for beautiful art and objects with my personal values and ideas.

I truly believe that it is important to surround yourself with items that make you happy and are reminders of not only how you live your life, but how you want to live your life! These whimsical illustrations are great reminders to keep this mantra in mind when heading out to the grocery store or green market. It’s also fun to switch out your towels or artwork from time to time to add some fresh, seasonal life into your home!

Image courtesy of Claudia Pearson

"Buy Local" print image courtesy of Claudia Pearson

Visit Claudia’s Web site and blog to see more of her lovely work, or her Etsy site to get yourself something nice!

AMC recently made the disappointing announcement that fans of Mad Men won’t get their 1960s-style fix until 2012. After wiping my tears away, I vowed to bring a bit of that vintage panache into my life, Don Draper or not!

So in lieu of a Friday afternoon cocktail, I’m serving up two of my favorite new Mad Men inspired home bars, since office imbibing is no longer HR-friendly…

For a movable party, pair this The New Traditionalists bar cart with some masculine tumblers and a bottle of bourbon. You’ll instantly feel like “one of the boys.”

For those who like to know exactly where their liquor lays, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams‘ stationary Collins Bar Cabinet is the epitome of Art Deco glam. The walnut wood grain sunburst would be the most gorgeous detailing in the room where you entertain.

Lucite furniture, depending on the piece and how you incorporate it, can infuse a space with a sense of Hollywood glamour, 70′s kitsch or space-age modernism. No matter the style you are looking to achieve, remember that a little lucite goes a long way!

Personally, I go for lucite pieces with an added punch: Lucite paired with other materials or dolled up with a pop of color.

Just looking at The Paris Apartment‘s lucite pieces paired with other materials like this bench and drawer pull make me want to spend a day in the boudoir primping and pampering.

Add some wow factor with Alexandra von Furstenberg‘s incredible neon acrylic furniture and accessories, below, or Kartell‘s Hi-Cut Chairs, bottom. These pieces meld playfulness with high design for a unique feel.

Innovative, inspiring and in-the-know, Artistic Tile is one company that is a consistent resource for many of my projects. I always know that at Artistic Tile I can find something different and exciting. Their designers pull ideas from everywhere, including far-flung travels, nature, and for Ragtime, one of their newest collections, the rich history of jazz music!

I find the new Ziva collection exceptionally gorgeous. These stone tiles are hand made by master craftsmen in India, who can spend up to one full day on a single piece! I would use these in a luxurious master bath on the wall to add texture and a sense of serenity.

Ziva Lake Blue

Ziva Lotus Bianco

Ziva Lotus Gris

This morning I stumbled upon the deliciously cute blog How Sweet Eats and was excited to see an adventurous recipe for cake batter pancakes. I would cook these up as a random surprise for my kids–who needs a birthday to celebrate? While these sweet treats are on my cooking queue, here are some plates and platters to satiate my appetite for a party!

Image via Howsweeteats.com

Burlap and Blue cake stand, etsy.com

David Stark for West Elm, westelm.com

Bowls with Lids from target.com

Jane Jenni plates, janejenni.com