Florida Room Challenge with Douglas Elliman

Have you been craving a way to infuse summer into your home year-round?  Adding in some key beachy elements can keep your home feeling bright and cheery even throughout the cold winter months.  We were recently contacted by Douglas Elliman, global real estate firm, to get our take on Florida style.  Here are our tips on how to infuse a touch of Florida in your home!

Lighten up the Walls and Floors

bright white and airy dining roomWhite and light walls make a space feel fresh and crisp.  Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White, Chantilly Lace and Simply White are some of our go-to paints to consider.  Adding a plank treatment to the walls is a great way to add interest and texture while maintaining a neutral base.  Flooring and large furniture pieces are also best when lighter in color.

Add Natural Elements

driftwood elementGround your space with a sisal rug.  This natural textile will provide warmth, texture and durability to your space.  Other elements such as a driftwood sculpture, rattan chair, or natural wood dresser will remind you of the beach and provide the layered look you’re after.

Infuse Color and Bold Accents

bright and vibrant artworkHave fun with sea-inspired artwork and decor.  Blue is an obvious reference to the sea and sky and can be found in most Florida inspired rooms.  Displaying a collection of sea glass, a fun piece of art that pops, or a pillow with an organic pattern will all help to enhance your space with color.  Lighting is another great way to have fun with the theme, whether it be a coral shaped chandelier or capiz shell fixture, it will certainly make a statement. We love this print featured above for the color and reference to water!

Exercise your Green Thumb

tropical leaves in clear vasePlants are so important to design.  Not only do they bring a touch of nature indoors, but they also better the air quality of your home.  Adding plants to every room will infuse so much color and softness into your home.  In last week’s post we professed our love for tropical plants, so we suggest trying a potted banana leaf plant or a simple palm leaf in a colorful vase.

Trend Watch – Welcome To The Jungle

banana leaf printI don’t know about you but I am currently loving the resurgence of this tropical trend in decor and accessories. And its a good thing because I can’t open a magazine or my Instagram feed without being overwhelmed with designs or accessories embracing this element.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

The banana leaf was made popular in the 1940’s when decorator Don Loper designed and installed over 5 1/2 miles of the now iconic, Martinique wallpaper, in the Coffee Room and the hallways at The Beverly Hills Hotel. At the same time Dorothy Draper was beginning a major renovation at The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia giving us the iconic Brazilliance wallpaper. Truly standing the test of time, the wallpapers remain in both hotels today.

FASHION & DECOR COLLIDE

While there used to be an almost 5 to 6 year lag from the runway to interior showrooms we now see an immediate correlation between the two. This is due mostly to the popularity of blogging, social media and communication between the creative minds in each respective field. Today you can find banana leaves on everything from iPhone cases to swimwear.

What are your thoughts on this tropical inspired trend? We would love to see how you are embracing this in your everyday life!

Saint Louis Artist – Ted Collier, Ted Collier Fine Art

ted collier

GET FAMILIAR

If you don’t know who Ted Collier is, you really should.  Best known for his abstract acrylic paintings on canvas and signature circles he refuses to be defined by one style or medium.  An avid outdoorsman and fisherman, he is inspired by the patterns he observes in nature as well as the space his art will occupy.  Ted is an artist in every sense of the word. His passion and intensity are infectious and he happens to be a super cool guy!

ARTIST EVOLUTION

A lot has changed for Ted Collier in the past 5 years. The story goes something like this- boy meets girl, girl encourages boy to pursue his life long passion, boy listens to girl (good boy) and leaves his career in commercial real estate, boy and girl get married, open a restaurant (Katie’s Pizza & Pasta in Rock Hill), and boy achieves international success.

GRATITUDE, DRIVE AND FOCUS

Ted Collier is proof that with enough hard work and determination your dreams can be achieved. His new 2,500 square foot studio/gallery space in Creve Coeur is a far cry from the corner in the auto repair shop he was painting in just a few years ago. Today his art is featured in countless private collections in Saint Louis, Switzerland and Australia to name a few. Ted is also experiencing commercial success. Most recently he was commissioned by Nordstrom to create 18 pieces for their Los Angeles Flagship Store and Vancouver, BC stores. He is truly humbled by all the support and encouragement he receives. Lucky for us that only fuels his artistic fire. The sky is the limit for this Saint Louis artist and I personally can not wait to see what his future holds. #stlproud

Ted Collier Fine Art is located in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Viewing is by appointment only. Prepare to be inspired!

Ted Collier Fine Art | Saint Louis, MO 63132 | 314.803.7727

www.tedcollierart.com

UNINTENTIONAL ART

I recently visited Ted’s studio and while we were viewing and discussing the available pieces I couldn’t help but notice the paint splatter on his black boots. I joked with him that the splatter on his boots even looks like a piece of art. When I told him I was going to mention them in the blog he sent me a photo. Guess what? Even the photo he sent me of the paint splattered black boots looks like a piece of art!!!

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Ted Collier in action | aforementioned boots