Dead Flat by Farrow & Ball

Launched just a few weeks ago, British paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball's new Dead Flat formula is quite striking. A paint with an ultra-matte finish, it boasts only a 2% sheen. This allows the eye to perceive the depth and richness of Farrow & Ball's unique pigments. But what's so new about that you might ask? Haven't F&B always made deep, unusual hues? Well yes, but they have formulated Dead Flat to be--are you sitting down?--completely washable and wipeable, behaving much like a high sheen paint! Truly remarkable.

Happy designing!

Nine New Colors From Farrow & Ball

Unveiled at last week's London Design Week: nine new Farrow & Ball colors. Yes, they are expensive, but the depth of color and pigments is stunning.

Here they are (and please do watch the 30 second clips for explanations of the inspiration for each color and name):

Bancha

De Nimes

Jitney

Paean Black

Preference Red

Rangwali

School House White

Sulking Room Pink

Treron

And in case you couldn't get to London Design Week, here is a fast look at their immersive installation!

Happy designing!

Snedker Studio's Marbled Wood Flooring

As part of Copenhagen's Snedker Studio, textile designer Pernille Snedker Hansen creates marvelous painted wood floors using the ancient handcrafted art of marbling (the technique used to create classic endpapers for books). By swirling paint onto a fluid surface and dipping planks onto the paint, the marbling design is transferred.

Her Refraction Series #1 fits together beautifully and can be configured in a bookmatched pattern...

...and Refraction #2 can be configured into a chevron pattern.

I think her Wave pattern might be my favorite. She says her aim with this technique is to invoke old-growth tree rings and this pattern feels wonderfully organic.

And for some curves, the Arch series creates a pleasing, rhythmic pattern.

Here's how she does it!

I would love to use these incredible, one-of-a-kind planks for a project. Anyone?
Happy designing!

Century by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore has just released a new line of paint called Century. Hand mixed in small batches at a single workshop in New Jersey, it took Benjamin Moore scientists and colorists five years to formulate this new paint that has a matte, soft-touch finish giving the end product the look of soft leather. While you probably won't want to encourage people touching your walls, the end result is a stunning depth of color unlike any other paint on the market.

"Century was created for the finest of designs that require flawless execution and impeccable quality," said Harriette Martins, Benjamin Moore Senior Brand Manager. "The unmatched richness and color saturation, coupled with the tactile experience of Century, delivers a new dimension in paint unlike anything the design world has seen. With Century, color becomes an experience."

Century comes pre-mixed and sealed in a curated collection of only 75 hues, and is available at select Benjamin Moore outlets. I'm excited to use this product and to see these lush, sumptuous colors on a wall...

Happy designing!

Why Not: Stripes!

Bold. Interesting. Stripes can make a statement in a space unlike anything else. On the floor or on the walls or even ceiling...

And stripes can go anywhere. The bathroom above is in the Roman home of architect Achilles Salvagni but the striped floor continues into the kitchen seen below!

This incredible entry below at the home of Lara and Jeff Sanderson by Kelly Wearstler features a double dose of stripes on the floor and the ceiling!

A riot of color erupts from the striped walls in the vivid home of Muriel Brandolini.

In the home of Todd Hase, stripes in a tower bedroom give the appearance of being in a tent!

Paula Caravelli of Paula + Martha used large scale, graphic brown stripes to great effect in the butler's pantry of her home.

Red stripes in an entry by Kristina Ratia are a fun way to say hello and announce your personality to visitors!

Designer Bruno Caumont used hand-painted lilac and cream stripes as a classical background for a salon-grouping of art pieces.

If you're ready to give stripes a try, whether with tile in a bathroom, or with wallcovering or paint on your walls, give me a call!

Happy designing!