Design questions? Informal reception Wed.Feb. 25th from 5-7pm

As we all continue to wait for the economy to turn around, you may be thinking about what you can do in the meantime to improve your home. Well, if you’d like my advice, please stop by our showroom on Wednesday, February 25 from 5-7 for an informal reception. I am inviting anyone who would like to ask me and my staff of experienced designers a design question, or show me a set of plans. I once attended a similar event in New York, sponsored by Architectural Digest, and it was fascinating to see all the different design dilemmas and how quickly they were solved, on the spot. My longtime colleague, Marilyn Smith Heaney joined me at our “work station” and we met with eager homeowners who brought floor plans and potential color schemes. Marilyn and I created a couple of furniture layouts and chose some paint colors – it was very productive. Immediacy is something we can all appreciate right now which is why I look forward to seeing you later this month. Even if you don’t have a question, come anyway and enjoy a chocolate dipped strawberry!

Hope to see you there - Yvonne

Happy New Year

I just listened to a voice mail from a happy client who was calling to thank us. I had a big smile on my face as I listened to her first impressions: “the house looks amazing...we’re astonished...it looks better than I imagined..this is incredible...and it is so nice to see two years of work come to fruition.”

Of course we love it when our clients gush about our services, but honestly, what is most validating is the emphasis we place on attention to detail and providing a high level of service. I’ve received a few of these phone calls over the last few days, which is our busiest time of the year. Getting a home ready in time for the holidays is not without it’s challenges. What we all want, now more than ever, is a place to call home, and I’m happy to say there are a few more around town as a result of our work.

I better sign off, because my line is ringing again!

Happy New Year!
Yvonne Jacobs

Back to Solid Ground Equates to Simplicity in Design

I just returned from the City of Lights, where I attended the annual Maison & Objet: Paris Fall/Winter Home Trends trade show. The show offers a lush picture for 2009. With only four days to soak it all in, I navigated the seven massive halls, each holding acres of exhibits. I ventured into a feast for the eyes and inspiration for the mind. It’s my pleasure to share my observations with you.

There was a wonderful display by Elizabeth Leriche called “Farm Life,” which is a movement for updating countryside living. Aptly titled “Back to Solid Ground,” the display communicates the quiet migration of city dwellers toward the rural spaces that surround them into objects in real life. In my view, this translates to new ideas of living as opposed to the same old standard. Leriche believes that “the simple pleasure of rural life is about reviving a belief in local produce and setting down roots.”





Throughout all of the exhibits, I observed an emphasis on natural materials and organic objects. Messages being conveyed at the majority of the displays evoked a quest to rediscover the relationship between designer and function. I saw many locally hand crafted objects, and artisan works related to age-old rituals, such as farming. Collections of curiosities (coral, terrariums, fossils) were everywhere.

The new colors are lavender and lime green. Both of these tones were paired in separate displays with neutrals, mostly white. Lavender can be soft and soothing, a perfect shade for the new movement of simplicity in design. Lime green, perhaps not as tranquil, is a great color to accent with white or blue. It’s vibrancy calls attention to the “Back to Solid Ground” theme previously mentioned. Subtle ways to add these colors were also presented for those seeking a little less commitment. Lavender dishes, or a lime green pillow, as opposed to painting an entire room in one of these shades, is a good solution.

Walking around Paris was an added bonus to the many inspirations I’ve brought home to Slifer Designs. An old door in Notre Dame lingers in my mind, as do the centuries old painted plaster walls in a bistro, where I had a memorable supper with a friend. Sculptures are everywhere. The steps leading up to The Louvre, provided a nice resting spot. The Eiffel Tower at night shows off it’s curves reminding me of some of the sculptural outdoor pieces I viewed at the show. In Paris, everywhere you look there is beauty. I look forward to sharing it with you.