Woven Shades and Mirrors

             Conrad Shades are in their own words "exquisite, custom handwoven window coverings of sustainable natural fibers". That one sentence says everything about these beautiful woven shades.





+Conrad has been producing shades for over 50 years. Each shade is meticulously detailed with finished edges, custom made for each client's specific order and, signed with a small CONRAD plaque sewn into the hem. That is a sure sign of pride and confidence to have made the very best product when your signature is permanetly sealed on it. Conrad has expanded their line to include not only roman shades which can operate top down or bottom up  with motorized operation and, roll-up shades but, also a sliding panel shade system and handwoven drapery.                                                           



Woven Shades can compliment  contemporary rooms and, can accent any room such as  kitchens, family, or even a powder rooms. I just installed a pair in a renovated master bathroom with steam shower. Being a natural product it can keeps it quality appearance and stand up to the test of time even with steam. These shades can also look stunning in a traditional living room, especially if accented with fabric panels framing the window.

Various styles of windows can be fitted with Conrad Shades; bow, bay, angled and arched windows can all be all be custom designed with the perfect Conrad Shade. If you need privacy the woven material can be doubled to give less transparency or, lining can be attached to the shade or operate on a seperate system.

Knowing that your office is one of the two most important places in the world Conrad shades can be specified for hospitality and commercial installations, even to include flame retardancy to meet certain state requirements.

In restaurants and hotels where they  have spectacular views and  need sun filtering Conrad Shades are the perfect quality window treatment with just enough transparency to gaze at the scenery.



Terri Reilly Design-Library



Terri Reilly Design-Family Room



Terri Reilly Design -Master Bath



MIRRORS

The Peice de Resistance in my Blog this week are these gorgeous mirrors. I think I'm in LOVE.



Oculus by +Van Gregory & Norton

Oooh la-la. Wouldn't they look stunning combined with Conrad Shades.in the design of a room.  I lOVE my job and the wonderful world of Interior Design!

Terri


NEXT MONTH- Introduction of the BEST collaboration of Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Contractors, Painters, Handy-men, Landscapers and, Tile Installers. This in my personal collection of  professionals that I have worked with over the years to compile the best of the best. Hire our team or individual contractor knowing they come highly recommended and complete your job to your expectations and beyond.

The Frick Collection



Elizabeth-Sir Joshua Reynolds



As you all know from my last blog that I minored in Art History. Funny thing is I loathe history.(OK all you history buffs don't 'rake' me over the coals)..why look into our past when we can just move forward and create new and wonderful things in our "story". However, I find Art History fascinating and, especially studying in Florence, Italy it made the whole process incredible. Fast forward.......recently my good friend and I toured the Frick Collection in New York City, which is right in my back yard. You  may not have to travel the world to see the Old Masters and European sculptures.



 
Henry Frick built a beautiful mansion at the turn of the century on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Mr Frick was a wealthy Industrialist who was able to purchase many prize pieces of artwork. Such master pieces as Bellini, Vermeer, Goya, Rembrandt and, Whistler reside in this glorious home to this day. Unfortunately, Henry Frick was able to enjoy his mansion completed and art installed for only 5 years until his death.  We are blessed to have such a jewel of a collection that we can visit  not only the masters art and sculpture but, the home itself which shows the wealth and abundance of the Gilded Age.

There are expansive rooms such as the Fragonard Room where large panels of artwork by Jean-Honoree Fragonard depict  his idea of  the "Progress of Love".  Some of the panels tower over you at 7' x 10'  and larger.The beauty and detail are amazing, people had the time and money to do such intricate detail of art. Not that paintings aren't intricate and beautiful today but, this particular style may  never be produced again. Never say Never??



Portrait of Lady Meux-James McNeill Whistler

The architecture of the Frick Home is one to be seen. The grand staircase and incredible detail throughout is one that if you are in New York City you should definitely tour. Even if  art and architecture are not your "love",  it is a wonder to experience how one of the wealthy industrial barons lived and, loved the architecture of his mansion.

I guess he knew that..... home was the most important place in the world.

I hope this inspires you and the design of your own home. Not that were all millionaires but, take a look around your house or office, what simple steps can you take to enhance the interior design.

Let me know if you tour the Frick Collection and your thoughts and impressions.

Terri

The Frick Collection
1 East 70th St
New York, NY 10021
Tues-Sat 10-6
Sun         11-5




BE Sure to tune into MY NEXT BLOG- Stunning Woven Shades from Conrad and Van Gregory and Norton Mirrors.
 Don't miss it.... these products are the best in quality and design.

Colors, Love and, Bonny Doon

BONNY DOON

I'm BACK!  I've been traveling and busy with life..... I could have written on the run but, I like to focus when I am blogging and traveling doesn't allow that for me.
My adventures were out in California with a wonderful group of people who I had studied with in Florence, Italy many years ago, thus we had a reunion. I minored in Art History so what a perfect place Florence was to be. Other students in the program were language majors, architects, interior designers, academians and on and on(one of my roomates got her Phd, talk about being intimidated..... however, she couldn't be more down to earth and very funny, we giggled like a bunch of grade school girls)......30 something  years later most of these people are still doing their craft, some  have ventured off into other fields of work however, they all seem to love what they do.  There was magic in the air with this group of people and especially the home where the reunion weekend took place, which is situated on a Christmas Tree Farm in the hills of Santa Cruz,CA.  Lots of love and passion went into this gathering. The icing on the cake for this reunion was our beloved Dr Peruzzi who was determined to attend but despite set backs he was there in all his Italian glory and full of love. Many hugs, kisses and... "wow you look the same" or thinking... who is this person ..ha ha...of course we all knew each other. The  tasks of making food, setting the tables, charging up the coffee and breakfast in the am, producing beautiful home made desserts,  and lots of conversation brought out the warmth and loveliness of everyone.  The beautiful  home that the Wards (owners) built themselves is surrounded by gigantic red woods and their Christmas trees. I swear those red woods are giant souls ......I think they were "talking" to me one morning as the fog rolled off the ocean and eerly floated through them. The Wards home was  big enough to accomodate many of us for sleeping, producing  large meals and, seating everyone (about 60 people) at tables to drink wine and eat home made pasta. Their home is solar efficient, with large over hangs to keep the California sunshine out when its too much but, when needed it reflects on to one of the walls in their living room which absorbs the heat for the winter. The kitchen counters and back splash are concrete in  a warm terracotta color and, lots of windows in the kitchen and family room area to look out at the beautiful landscape.


Apricot Crostata- Stacey's Italian recipe

It was a glorious weekend and sad to say goodbye but on to new adventures and, until we meet again. By the way the reunion was on Bonny Doon Road.....do you think it really exsists or, it was all an illusion and disappeared like Brigadoon...was it  my imagination?   NO........too much love and great design not to be real.  Thank you to Deon and Tom Ward for opening your lovely home to all of us!!



Il Gruppo Italiano Reunion



As I had deep feelings of not wanting to go to  the reunion right before I left because of a tragedy in my family and my mind set at the time but, thank God I got on the plane and went.  It really helped get me through the stage of having lost one of my favorite companions in the whole world ....my dog Willy. Those magical people from long ago  truley helped me get through this dark period ( I know he was just a dog but there is a huge hole in my heart)and, writing  seems to help too....... thus the following story incorporating the loveliest paint colors in the world from Farrow and Ball.

 WILLY'S BEDROOM

My scheme is designed toward a young boy who has just moved here with his family from England. He is a vivacious 4 year old with lots of energy and spunk. To embrace his personality and give him a wonderful room to gravitate towards at night ( so his parents get some rest) I am painting large horizontal stripes in Strong White and Railings( charcoal black) in a Modern Emulsion finish. To add some “pop” and fun, an antique desk (which came with the move and had seen better days but,  too sentimental for the mother to leave behind) will be painted in Charlotte’s Locks in  Estate Eggshell finish. Charlotte's Locks is an intense orange but calming at the same time because of the  slight undertone of brown.  Willy’s room  has a small built in bookcase that will be painted Pavillion Gray in Full gloss finish....yowzaa!. The fifth wall-the floor-will have  a checkerboard design in Cornforth White which is a light grey along with a darker color of Manor House Grey. With fun accessories this room is perfect for  a young child and, will “grow” with him into teenage/adult years.


This color story is dedicated to my dog Willy...... Behind those eyes I think there was a “real” little boy