My White Shirt

The way I see it on 2/12

2012-02-12T11:42:00.003-05:00

The House Beautiful March 2012 issue just arrived a few days ago. I was happy to see Jon Call of Mr Call Designs sharing his favorite things in the "What's your" feature (page 28-also pictured above). He emailed me on Monday to share his W.O.W news so I was eager to get my hands on the issue in print....and eager to share it with my readers. HB named Mr. Call as THE NEXT WAVE and perfectly describe his style as "highly livable interiors" not "defined by gender or age".

Excellent job Jon!

The way I see it on 2/10

2012-02-10T22:45:00.003-05:00

Home is important.

January Twenty Twelve

2012-02-06T22:15:00.011-05:00

The Thomas List

2011-11-30T23:05:00.012-05:00

New York always welcomes me with open arms. Last week- I spent Monday and Tuesday in the city. The experience is always fresh...always a new surprise. While the purpose of this last trip was primarily work, I got a chance to stop in a few of my favorite places which included Aero's Studios. Love it! As I slowly walked through the main level of the large space filled with beautiful things perfectly placed, I see Mr. Thomas O' Brien heading my direction. Actually, he was heading out of the door and I just happened to be blocking his route which gave me the perfect opportunity to give my 5 minute speech. Of course, I over-thought what I would say and what his reaction would be and we exchanged warm greetings. While I missed my opportunity to chat, it was great to have my second meeting with Mr. O' Brien (the first meeting was at a book signing in DC-we chatted for 5 minutes about blogging and my love of all things Thomas O' Brien). I am looking forward to our 3rd meeting!
You cannot go to NYC and not experience the restaurant scene. I can now add two restaurants to my resume- Del Frisco and Chat & Chew (see pictures above). Del Frisco can be described as a high end steakhouse with prices that reach to the sky. I ordered the filet with a potato. The dressings for my potato were so plentiful that I could hardly fit them on the table. Steak was cooked to perfection. A+ for food and service. Chat & Chew serves comfort food in a trailer park chic atmosphere. Delicious. I ordered chicken wings, fries, mac & cheese. Although it wasn't our first choice (we all wanted to go to Cafeteria), it gets an A for food and service (no "+")
During the long weekend with the fam (this was before my work trip to NY), mom and I did a little shopping on Sunday afternoon. I came across two little pieces of artwork that I knew I had to have. Mom agreed so she insisted treating me. I love their simplicity and their significance. A couple of years ago, we took spent two weeks in Paris and London as a family. Thanks mom!

I am off to a meeting with a client. Furniture was delivered earlier this week and now it is time for the finishing touches-decorating.

Enjoy your weekend.

Yellow inspiration- WDC

2011-11-24T11:14:00.004-05:00

Just a photo

2011-11-22T01:00:00.002-05:00

The Thomas List

2011-11-18T21:09:00.007-05:00

Sometimes I don't want to blog because I hate the idea of sentence structure, grammar and spelling words correctly. I just want the thoughts in my head to transfer nicely into the laptop and onto your computer screen. So I decided to write a list of my random thoughts. Enjoy!

1. Fall is beautiful in the District especially in my neighborhood. The trees with yellow leaves are my absolute favorite. Picture was taken from the inside of my car. I opened up the sun roof and snapped a shot with the iphone.

2. I've been watching some old episodes of Hoarders and Hoarding on Demand. Wow. I find it completely fascinating. It makes me want to become a minimalist.

3. I hope to get my Domino's bound by years in kelly green leather.

4. New Thomas O' Brien towels! I always go for white. These have to be my 4 or 5 set. I donate my old towels to the Doggy Day Care around the corner.

5. A new Whole Foods has popped up in WDC. It's beau-ti-ful and reminds me of the Whole Foods in Lower East Side on Bowery (NYC). The actual grocery store is downstairs (in the basement). And the hot food, coffee shop, check out lines, bakery, magazines, customer service and seating is on the main level. I love it!

My Space

2011-11-12T12:34:00.004-05:00

I had to share this beautiful afghan my grandmother made for me. I called it a throw but she kindly corrected me and said it is an afghan. Well, she loves making them so I told her I could be her marketing manager and sell them for her. I came up with a business plan and everything. She just laughed because I am just like my mother-always thinking about $$$.

Hope you enjoy.

Off Topic

2011-11-12T10:42:00.004-05:00

Last week, my grandmother mentioned that she saw my dream house on tv. I was instantly curious to hear how she would describe this house, the neighborhood, style of home... Had I talked about the big country house sitting in the middle of green or the brick townhouse in the city with hardwood floors throughout with modern touches? Maybe she remembered the pictures I drew of a rectangular house with a triangle roof? In a few sentences, my grandmother confidently describes a house on a beach dressed in all white furnishings. She holds up her hands and visually draws the glass doors leading to the sandy beach from the master bedroom. I could picture it...and could picture me in it! Short, sweet and spot on. Grandmother gets an A+. I love the beach. I appreciate the beach. I am grateful for the beach. The design of my studio and my personal style is inspired by all the beaches I have seen as well as the beaches I hope to see eventually (Hawaii). The colors- always creamy whites, crisp cool blues and various shades grays. The feeling: calm, cool and simple. As a child, my family took trips to Myrtle Beach in late October/early November. Yes, unlike most families-we wanted to avoid the crowds and never went to the beach in the summer (at least I don't remember). Mom and dad would take me out of school for the week and I would work on my homework throughout the trip. We rented a modest condo with a balcony right on the beach. I used to think that we rented the entire beach as it was completely empty. I have great memories of falling asleep with the windows open hearing the waves crash the beach. And ever since then, my love has never changed.

14th St Loft Project

2011-11-12T09:56:00.005-05:00

Over the past few months, I have been working on a master bedroom redesign in a loft style condo. The one bedroom/den has an adequate amount of square footage (probably between 900-1000 sq ft). An awkward layout, tall windows that run along one wall and a concrete pillar that sits right in the doorway of the master bedroom are the major challenges. Not horrible as most designers expect and welcome funny layouts.

My vision is to keep the design simple and sophisticated. I do want to complicate things as it could easily create visual clutter. With regards to furniture: I chose the beautiful Beau Collection from Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams (pictured above) in walnut with Chinese red inside of the drawers. My client wanted a tall headboard to be able to sit up and work in bed. We agreed on the Dickson platform bed in gray textured fabric also at Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams. The look is refined, high-end and grown up. Once the furniture is delivered (projected 11/28), I have to select the bedside lamps, artwork, rug and mirror. I expect everything will be pulled together and complete by the end of the year. Stay tuned.

A Perfect Evening of Inspiration

2011-11-09T22:06:00.005-05:00

My friend V introduced me to my first love- Domino magazine. Before "green" was stylish, she used to offer me her archived shelter magazines. I remember sifting through piles of magazines and pulling out the Domino. I would lay across her sofa with the sun pouring into the space reading from front to back-gulping the colorful images. I was in love! It was everything I loved in one place.

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting the Founding Editor of Domino magazine-Deborah Needleman. She was here for a book signing at Room and Board on 14th Street. Her book is "The Perfectly Imperfect Home". Buy it!

The 4th floor of Room and Board was neatly packed with blogger, designers and other inspired people-all there for Deborah. She took her time with each person who requested her signature on their "Perfect" book. It was simply an amazing experience for me. I can remember flipping through Domino magazine and seeing the "letter from the Editor" along with the picture of Deborah always perfectly dressed with a genuine smile. During our meeting, I found her to be present, kind and approachable..easy to talk with. She received each person as though she was receiving them into her home. She spent 5 minutes (sometimes more) with each person-sharing a little about herself while also sharing interest in her guests.

As I write this and reflect on my meeting, I can not help but feel inspired to:

1. Continue to blog

2. Continue to express myself through design/decorating

I thank Deborah for her visit to DC and hope to meet her again.

My space

2011-11-04T22:53:00.002-04:00

I have fallen in love with Brooklyn.

2011-10-30T03:21:00.008-04:00

After spending 3 days navigating the village-like neighborhoods of Brooklyn, I have redefined NY. NY has always spoken energy, movement and strength to me. That remains the same... only for Manhattan.

Brooklyn speaks soul, urban and emotional. I love Brooklyn!

It all started with my arrival on a late Friday night via the "A" train. As I walked up stairs from the train, I noticed a quietness that I had only experienced outside the city. I can remember thinking it was crazy how I was visiting a place I had been many many times and yet experiencing something new. It was a feeling that was comfortable. In my mind, I felt like I was miles from the "city"...when I literally just over the bridge from Chinatown.

The next morning, we left the Heights and had brunch in Fort Greene at a little restaurant on the corner of Dekalb and Clermont called The General Greene. Parties of 2 & 3 filled the tables around us-everyone looking stylish wearing vintage glasses or jewelry. Nearby folks were simply friendly and we engaged in conversation with 3 different groups. Despite the long wait for food and the not so A+ service (due to a lack of waiters/waitresses), we chatted up old times and new.

Sunday afternoon, we braved the cold weather and soaked up the sunny Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg which sat right on the water. What an amazing view of the city! The flea was jammed packed with a spicy mix of vendors selling furniture, accessories, clothing, artwork, prepared foods..... It all felt like a scene in a movie and I was standing in as an extra among the stylish and smiling Brooklyn residents- a visual party.

Even though this trip was a week ago, I can still feel the experience. And even though I visit NY often-I imagine I will always reflect back on the Brooklyn affair.

Honestly looking at my studio

2011-07-24T10:28:00.008-04:00

Dress your desk...to impress

2011-07-21T14:34:00.003-04:00

Not much to this but showhow I am impressed. It's all about the clean clutter for me.

Photo taken from Apartment Therapy House Tour-->Sean Yashar

In the brain...

2011-07-19T09:47:00.004-04:00

I find myself intrigued with all the design trends that flood shelter magazines. I enjoy discovering the hidden trends embedded on the pages/websites and feeling inspired...so inspired that I want to implement them instantly in my space. A fellow designer (former boss), Jim of Bright Design Group recently sent a link to me of an attractive home in NYC that is jammed packed full of trends of today and even trends of tomorrow. It's a trendy space that feels timeless. Notice the dark walls and "pows" of color. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Click here to view the short video pulled from the NBC New York website-->Eric Cohler

Early retirement....

2011-07-18T12:40:00.010-04:00

I recently hit a design depression. It all started from a design diet that I put myself on in March. After purchasing a way too expensive sadly uncomfortable very attractive sofa and installing a massive Murphy bed, I decided that I needed to just live for a few months and not make any other changes (or make any purchases). Too many changes were happening at once and I felt like it was heading in the direction I had planned originally. And that eventually I would undertake a minor redesign of some sort-whether it was a fresh coat of paint or new graphic rug. While I was losing the design weight, I became weighed down with something else-real estate. The lack of design nourishment created a recurring thought of moving-upgrading my one room living life style to what something better. I decided that I was willing to leave the safety of my neighborhood in the center of NW and move along the edges of the quadrant to bigger/wider spaces-one bedroom condo in an ultra modern building with views of a neighborhood still searching for it's identity. I visualized high ceilings, covered garage parking, dinners, bike rides to work, Parsons dining room table, a bed with two end tables.... I spent a month preparing for the listing of my property. I cleared out all the unnecessary stuff and brought in new bookcases, painted all my kitchen cabinets white, moved furniture around, cleaned out my closet, bought a lamp, accessorized. The little studio was on the market for one month as I pulled it off. My hope was that some young person who was new to the city would fall deeply in love with it as I did 4 years earlier. And perhaps someone would have had it left it on the market for longer (and priced differently). Tons of perspective buyers came through my space accessing every sq ft. It was not the right time. So now I am simply living.

And I am back....(for now)

2011-02-24T14:22:00.004-05:00

It has been a long time since I have posted an inspiration link. This is worth checking out-->Click HERE for beautiful NYC studio.

Project R &C

2011-02-08T00:07:00.004-05:00

I am so happy with the development of my Arlington project. While there are still some finishing touches, it is coming along well. We started off with the family room and are working through the entire house-living room, dining room, second living room, bedroom and eventually the guest bedroom. It is really is a exciting project that I am proud of. Pictured above are shots of the family room that I took during our last design meeting. The walls need a coat of paint-I am thinking something bold to warm up the space, new curtains need to be purchased/hung-client wants something patterned, flat screen mounted-above the Crate & Barrel unit and accessories-lots of accessories-blanket, pillows, candles and all that fun stuff.

See previous post

Tell me what you think.

In The Brain....

2011-02-08T00:00:00.003-05:00

I am:

I wish:

Project Updates

2011-01-17T20:23:00.003-05:00

Last week was the week of updates for the Logan Circle condo. Mostly good but not all good. First of all, the appliances arrived and fit perfectly in the galley kitchen. Check. The old flooring was removed. Check. Overhead lighting chosen and installed. Check. We are nearly complete with the kitchen renovatoin and I am so very happy with the results.

Here comes our challenge. To save the budget from exploding, the goal was to have the homeowner handle the tile work on the floor-pull up the old tile and lay the new flooring. Well, the floor was pulled up but that is where the flooring task ended. It didn't take long to figure out that a professional is needed. What was under the tile (glue or adhesive) is so thick and needs to be chiseled off.

Over the next few weeks, we hope to get a pro in to figure out the floor and also handle the back splash. And the last item on the list is add a fresh coat of paint. The target completion date: February 1st.

Welcome 2011!

2011-01-09T09:56:00.004-05:00

2011 has started with a design bang! The planning for this Logan Circle kitchen renovation began in December. The original kitchen was very original-creamy beige appliances were dated, cabinets were solid yet sad and the space needed a face-lift. January 3rd marked day 1 of the major reno. Contractors worked hard and we are on schedule. Phase 1 is completed which included: refacing cabinets, granite installed, new sink, new disposal, new microwave and new modern pulls. The transformation after a week is amazing and has ignited a design fire within me. Phase 2 includes the install of new flooring, fridge, stove, overhead lighting and perhaps a new coat of paint.

7 things I have learned from Phase 1:

1. A good plan allows for flexibility. It is easy get an idea stuck in your head but if it is going to blow your budget-think of alternatives.

2. The Internet is a great place to search and shop. Finding a refrigerator at the big box stores for the same space was impossible.

3. Expect speed bumps.

4. Discuss your renovation with fellow designers and friends. Their advice is free! Ask everyone questions.

5. Set goals (both small and large) and then communicate them with your contractor.

6. Don't focus on the sum of the budget. Rather, take time to examine the details of the budget. Look for opportunities that you can do the work yourself, reduce the budget or items that you can delay for another time.

7. Ask yourself: What is the purpose of this renovation? Do you want to increase the value of your home? How long do you expect to live in the space? The answer should mold your budget/plan.

Check back in for updates and maybe an interview with the owner of the Logan condo.

Inspiration

2010-12-27T23:05:00.003-05:00

I love the use of tile in living and dining areas. Tile is not just for bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces. One of my favorite restaurants has tiled walls throughout and it is very attractive. Warm dark wood frames the shiny buttery taupe tiles. The varied lighting bounces nicely off the walls and it makes everything feel less serious-almost casual. If only I knew how to tile.... I would tile my entryway walls. How cool would that be?!?

Red Thoughts

2010-12-27T00:55:00.004-05:00

I recently went to a Thai restaurant just outside of DC in Arlington, VA. First of all, the food was great. This stand alone suburban establishment's interior was bold and beautiful. The walls and ceiling were painted bright lipstick red. Tables were outfitted with white linens and simple dishes/flatware. Generally, I leave the color red alone in my design-both personal and for clients. I never really never got to know the color red well. Surprisingly, I found myself attractive to this red Thai box. The white linens and the excellent use of lighting kept the space balanced despite the bold punches (not touches). The red made me think of the inspirational space of Mr. Nick Olsen of New York (see below), who was featured in my one of my favorite web magazines Lonny. Olsen's home is expressive. A quick tour of the space tells you about the person who lives there. Unlike most young designers, he does not hold back telling his story. It is alot going on...and it's okay because it is exactly what it is trying to be. Olsen's home is confident and comfortable in it's own skin. While I have no plans of stealing the red shiny walls, I hope that my gray space speaks the same level of confidence.

2011 Wish List

2010-12-24T10:16:00.006-05:00

Back in October, I celebrated my 3 year anniversary living in the District and owning my very little studio. It was at that point that I decided to invest in my space. Decorating and painting is enjoyable but it was time to add value. First on the list, the Murphy bed installation which was very successful (and expensive).

2011 List:
1. Upgrade my ceiling fan with this beauty: Room and Board. Modern, fresh and clean. Love it! 2. Update my dryer. I already have a new washer but the dryer is antique-wood grain with a buzzer that I can hear all the way from my office. I came across this Whirlpool dryer pictured above at a local appliance store in Arlington-Bray and Scarff.
3. Mount flat screen (?).
4. Price white plantation shutters-replace the current blinds. Considering I only have 4 windows in my space, it should not be expensive.
5. Price replacement of the top kitchen cabinets. I've got my eye on these Martha Stewart cabinets from Home Depot. (I miss my white kitchen).

I'll keep you posted.

Inspiration

2010-12-24T10:09:00.003-05:00

A fellow designer and mentor once told me that inspiration is everywhere...if you are paying attention. And it is so true. I especially feel inspired during my travels whether it is for personal or for work. I keep my eyes open and my iphone handy so that I can bring the inspiration back to my little studio.

My Space 2010

2010-12-15T22:59:00.003-05:00

2010 is nearly done and I feel as though it has/will end with boom. There are so many changes in my little studio...huge changes esp in the last month or so. My famous off-white sofa was moved to the lake house (and looks great there). And a new sleek gray velvet sofa has made itself right at home. I love it! Check back in later for pictures. More recently, a murphy bed was installed. This has changed everything. I now have more square footage to just live. On top of that, I now have a bigger bed. Love it! When I walk into my little home after a long day at the office, it feels like a real condo. I am happy. So what's next? Nothing...for now. I am taking the rest of 2010 off from any upgrades or changes to my space...no more purchases for my space (for now). Now..that does not mean I will have not started to plan for 2011....I've already started a list.

Thomas' Picks

2010-12-03T21:52:00.002-05:00

I love Thomas O' Brien towels, sheets, curtain rod, picture frames, furniture.... The list goes on and on. And ever since I met Mr. O' Brien who knows about my little blog- My White Shirt, it makes me really love everything- I love everything that has his name on it. And it is not just because it has his name on it or because we share the same name. I love it all because it is classic and timeless. These are a few of my favorite things-that I have recently added to my DC studio.

more "Done and Done"

2010-12-03T20:56:00.003-05:00

Remember THIS

Well, I did it. A month ago, I made the decision to have a Murphy bed installed in my tiny DC studio. Two days ago, the Murphy bed specialists loaded up my small space with tools and spent 3 hours building this beauty. And it is beautiful! In the words of my mother, "what took so long?!" I hope to get a photographer in soon so that I can share the rest of my space with you.

Done & Done (actually)

2010-11-22T10:02:00.004-05:00

Remember this--->DONE & DONE.

My new sofa has finally arrived! It took forever... I was told 6-8 weeks and it took 11 weeks and 3 days. All of the sales associates at DWR Georgetown started to remember my name/face as I started to pop in frequently inquiring about the status of my sofa. Whenever I entered the store, I would get a smile and then each of them would attach themselves to the closest customer hoping I would not approach them.

If you have been following My White Shirt, you probably will notice that the gray flannel curtains (West Elm) are new to the space. The white curtains I previously had up started to feel too crisp and too light against the muddy gray walls (esp during the fall/winter). And surprise surprise-I still have the muddy gray walls that you saw back in May. They have been around for awhile and I am still happy with the whole dark look. With the new sofa, my studio has gone from hotel chic feeling to a Parisian menswear dressing room. I have to admit that a new color will probably go up in the summer. I am thinking a dark taupe would be nice. Back to the sofa: the color of the sofa is interesting- it changes according to how much light is in the room. It usually reads gray with dusty brown undertones and then other times gray with purple tones (seriously). Because of a summer sale, I was able to choose a more expensive fabric (def not kid/dog friendly). The lines are straight, simple and sophisticated. The scale is spot on! The delivery guys even made mention of the scale and how it worked perfectly for the space. What I love most is that the sofa is new but has a vintage feel-the shape, the fabric and the scale. So much more to come! Seriously, in 2-3 weeks (if everything remains on schedule), there will be another major change. I can not wait to share with you.

Art & Soul, WDC

2010-11-21T17:09:00.004-05:00

Art & Soul is not new to DC but it is new for me. Situated in Capitol Hill below the Liason and perfectly merged with the hotel lobby, Art & Soul is a flavor different than what I would expect of DC. A good different...something that you could easily find among the great Atlanta restaurants. Owner/chef Art Smith was formerly the chef at Oprah's home kitchen. Wow. Washingtonians say Ms. Oprah frequents the restaurant during her visits to DC (even staying in the Liason hotel). Wow again. The crowd is mixed-tourists and Cap Hill folks with very few twenty somethings. Perhaps this has to do with the menu prices. The atmosphere feels serious, without music (or it is so low I could not hear it) and this place is all about food. I am not complaining as sometimes all you want to do is just enjoy your meal. Talking about meals, the food is delicious. A+ delicious. Because I had not eaten all day, I was ready to eat eat (not just eat). I started off with pork ribs buried in shredded carrots (enough for two but I somehow did not need any assistance). For the main course, I selected salmon over mashed sweet potatoes with dark green kale. Again, delicious-A+. Service was perfect. So perfect I can not say much-the waitress was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. She was around when she needed to be-provided excellent guidance as if she was personally making the food. As you can expect, I most enjoy taking in the decor. The square space was divided in three main parts-bar, restaurant and waiting area that married itself to the lobby. The colors are warm browns, grays and dark creams with surprises of red. Hotel chic without feeling like you're in a hotel. Only weird thing is walking into the entrance and immediately being welcomed by tables. The hostess station was off to the side. I did not care for it and probably would have hated it if I were sat in one of the welcoming tables. In the end, I would give Art & Soul an A and highly recommend it. Art & Soul was named one of the best 100 restaurants in DC by the Washingtonian. I agree.

Meet Jon Call

2010-11-04T10:40:00.006-04:00

I still can not believe we are in November. Where did the summer go? I have found myself attempting to blog a hundred times but never posting. The blog posts have sadly sat in my drafts folder collecting dust awaiting the moment when I click orange button "publish post". I have become a bad blogger! It's not a blog depression this time. My most loyal MWS reader (mom) has started to go in the archives to read my old posts. It's time to iron my white shirt, put it back on and start blogging again. I feel like my schedule now is cluttered. Clean clutter of course but still very much cluttered. Each day presents new challenges and even adventures...not a good or bad thing-just different. No two days are the same. I don't expect it to last very long. I believe it is the beginning of something.

Enough about me:
Today, an interior design friend of mine (based in NYC), Mr. Jon Call of Mr. Call Designs, was written up in the NY Times. Click HERE for the full article. Enjoy.

I want this!

2010-10-27T09:14:00.003-04:00

Eat here

2010-10-11T20:13:00.004-04:00

Sunday evening, I went to Estadio just off 14th Street in WDC. Excellent. Spanish cuisine with light dishes and an exciting drink list. Check it out.

Atmosphere: A+

Dark furnishing, low lighting and a mix of low/high seating.

Service: A+

On a busy evening, the wait was less than 5 minutes. Waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and was present throughout the meal.

Food: A+

Delicious. Full of flavor.

I need

2010-10-06T23:38:00.001-04:00

....the Buster lamp from Room and Board.

I love

2010-10-05T23:19:00.002-04:00

....this chair. West Elm

A Quick Note

2010-09-15T13:30:00.010-04:00

It has been a long time since I last blogged. Aside from a new busy work schedule, there is absolutely no reason for the lack of blogging. I can not blame it on feeling uninspired because I actually have been overwhelmed with inspiration all around me-weekend getaways, new restaurants, visits to my parents' lake house, a drastically different commute to work and lots of window shopping. Speaking of shopping, my little Dupont studio is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a beautiful sofa. I will share a few key words to give you an idea of the look-vintage, masculine, sophisticated, urban, clean. Please be patient as I have at least 3 more weeks before it's delivery. Other studio projects on my mind: plantation shutters, painting the bathroom ceiling, repainting the entryway, new curtains (will wait on the sofa) and perhaps do something different in the kitchen (still haven't decided). As far as projects goes, I am staying busy! The couple in Arlington that I have been working with for a long time-which is a good thing (I think it is almost 3 years) have started to pick up the pace with the design of their single family house. Some major design decisions are being made right as I type this post. I believe this will be the project that brands me. And it would definitely be an appropriate one to brand me as these clients were one of the first staging clients I had-2nd actually. Once they sold their first house, they hired me as their designer. I would love for it to be completed by the end of the year. I also do not want to rush it-it's got to be perfect. My friend V and I are still working on her Brooklyn studio. Accessories, painting and last minute details are the remaining items on the to do list. Stay posted for photos for updates to the space. I have also been rewarded with an office lounge redesign. Exciting! It will be my second commericial space (remember the Dog Wash project). And I have volunteered to consult on the design of a one bedroom condo in the Logan neighborhood of DC and a project in southern MD-a studio space in the basement of a single family house. Fun. Fun. Fun. Frequent trips to NY have also helped in keeping me connected with the world of designers and up to date on what the real urban gentlemen are wearing now. NY is my second home and I just love it there. As I navigate through my new schedule, my hope is that you continue to check in here. I always appreciate the emails you send to me when you notice that I haven't blogged in awhile. It means alot to know that you are thinking of me. Hope you all are well, healthy and happy.

Done & Done

2010-08-31T23:55:00.003-04:00

I finally purchased a new sofa. It's a beautiful sofa that has an updated old school feel. I instantly fell in love.

Expected delivery: 6-8 weeks (from August 28th).

Inspiration

2010-08-26T20:06:00.002-04:00

See the rest of Kevin Sharkey's apt HERE

Thomas' Picks

2010-08-17T21:48:00.002-04:00

I love these bookends. Beautiful!

Now I Just Need a Sofa....

2010-08-09T22:36:00.003-04:00

A month ago, a few of us were shopping and I grabbed a pair of pulls from Pottery Barn. I recently put them up. I like..don't love. I think I just need a sofa....

Add Rugs

2010-08-08T14:49:00.004-04:00

When I first started blogging, I posted every single studio update. Now I hesitate posting updates- always hoping to wow my readers. Well, this may not wow you but it has wow'ed me. I am 100% happy with the rug updates which means a blog worthy post.

I bought the first sisal rug for the main living area of my studio. I love it! It opens up the room and adds a much needed natural element to the space. Last week, I purchased the same rug for the kitchen. And yes...I love it!

Welcome Home

2010-08-03T16:28:00.002-04:00

I treated myself to the Eames chair that I have been in love with since I first laid eyes on it. It really is a beautiful chair.

DWR Adams Morgan is joining forces with the Georgetown location so everything is 20% off in their stores-only the display items. If you live in DC, check it out!

How could I pass up on this deal?

The Bantam pronounced "Ban-tum"

2010-08-02T00:19:00.003-04:00

Imagine this in 73.5 inches and off-white. I love the shape, love the legs and it's so comfortable-perfect for Sunday afternoon naps. This could possibly be the sofa for my studio. I hope to get a sneak peek of the actual sofa at the store (Design Within Reach) before it ships to a client on Tuesday morning. Thoughts?

The Perfect Studio Sofa

2010-07-27T21:03:00.002-04:00

I have been searching high and low for the perfect sofa/couch for my little studio. Although I enjoy the extra square footage, I miss having a place to nap after work, a place to sit to watch tv and simply something beautiful for my space.

I fell in love with the sofa pictured above from And Beige. I love the lines, love the size and love the fabric. What a beauty!

Another Thomas' Purchase

2010-07-20T23:03:00.002-04:00

I just purchased this great light Thomas O' Brien throw from Target. Beautiful beige color that works perfectly with my studio. Next on the list-bedding.

Visiting the Lake House

2010-07-11T19:06:00.005-04:00

I love my parent's new house- I love everything about it. It is the perfect size-large enough for a gathering of 50 people yet small enough to not feel overwhelming for a couple, nestled on a quiet street. Mom and dad make living outside the city attractive and fun-dinner parties, weekend guests and family gatherings.

After unsuccessfully searching for the perfect sofa for my parent's formal living room, I decided that the best choice was my Renny sofa. It has found it's place perfectly in the traditional home along with all the existing furniture. Enjoy the sneak peek.

Headed back to NYC

2010-06-28T13:41:00.006-04:00

On the checklist:

1. And it's #1 for a reason! Take my best friend V to Aero Studios (we tried to during my last visit but they are closed on Sundays)

2. Check out Jonathan Adler's store in Soho.

3. Catch up with V and Char on the Dumbo studio and take pics for MWS. They recently purchased a sofa and it was delivered last week. Most of the window treatments should be completed. Yay! So I am pretty excited about seeing it all without alot of the boxes. This weekend, we should discuss paint colors, rug options, review furniture layout and as always check out a few stores for lamps/accessories.

(Post 1 on studio)
(Post 2 on studio)

4. TBD

My White Shirt - 2 Year Anniversary!

2010-06-23T20:43:00.024-04:00

Click HERE for the beginning of MWS. I just love anniversaries! And I am happy to celebrate My White Shirt's anniversary with each of you. 2 years and I can not believe where I am today, the great people I have met, the ups & downs of city life, the growth of My White Shirt and all the changes in my little studio. Thank you for your support, encouragement and inspiration.

And just for fun on the 2 year anniversary-I included a few shots of my studio. There are so many changes since the last time I posted..and more to come! Eventually, these photos and others will be placed on the Thomas' Studio page just below the header.

Enjoy.

+Thank you Branddave for taking the photos.

Thomas' Picks

2010-06-22T16:39:00.005-04:00

Recently, I have been having these visions of owning a little house out in the country. Every time I go window shopping, I am drawn to the furniture that would fit in that little country house (def not the 300 sq ft studio I currently occupy/own). Check out a few of my favorites from Pixie's on 14th Street here in DC. Tell me your thoughts.

My White Shirt Loves Lonny Magazine

2010-06-22T09:22:00.005-04:00

Check out this article: HERE

During my last visit to NYC, I had the awesome opportunity to meet Michelle Adams of Lonny. She is everything I expected and more-kind, approachable, a fun New Yorker and terribly in love with design...simply perfect. I was eager and quick to express my love for Lonny and felt privileged to be able to share this directly to one of the founders. Funny because after the first issue of Lonny was placed online, I reached out to Patrick Cline email expressing my love for Lonny. He quickly responded with a gracious thank you. I feel we should be thanking you Michelle and Patrick. If you haven't checked it out, please do so. You will be inspired!

Room and Board-Washington DC

2010-06-21T21:24:00.004-04:00

Room & Board has arrived and most Washingtonians are happy. The store was packed with a contagious energy of eager shoppers. There are so many floors filled with beautiful pieces of furniture that I lost count. I could not even take photos because I was so into the moment. I did grab a few shots of my favorite display that was very inspirational for me. Tell me what you think.

Inspiring Spaces

2010-06-17T22:56:00.006-04:00

Thank you Lonny.

HK (NYC)

2010-06-16T10:18:00.004-04:00

NYC has the best restaurants that are well designed with the tastiest foods. Every single trip to NYC marks a new adventure for me. When I went to HK (pictured above) for brunch, I was inspired by all the white and silver with the outdoor meets indoor feel. What I love about NYC restaurants is that they maybe small but they are usually always unique and beautiful.

Staging Project: The Wyoming (DC)

2010-06-10T20:38:00.014-04:00

The real estate agent that assisted me with the purchase of my current DC studio referred me to a local real estate agency. I received a call last Monday asking if I would see the DC property and provide an estimate of my services as a interior stager. It was so out of the blue! I was having lunch with a coworker at my full time, didn't recognize the number (which I usually just ignore) and it took me by surprise. Most of my clients come from my friend and business partner Tammy and this time I was referred by someone I haven't spoken with in 3 years. Thursday afternoon, I met with the real estate agent as well as the owner of the real estate agency. Wow! It was a beautiful two bedroom coop in a historic building. The lobby is amazing and surprises you. The building sits right above Dupont and in the neighborhood of Kalorama. The property's features included: original hardwood floors throughout, original bathroom fixture/tiles, formal dining room, separate living room, updated kitchen, quiet bedroom backed to trees and square footage. Tons of square footage. Talk about being unprepared... (me). I was wearing flip flops, khakis and a t-shirt and did not have any business cards. Not very DC. Earlier in the day, I was at American University volunteering at an annual event benefiting Juvenile Diabetes. I was still very much overheated from running around in the humid heat and it took everything in my power to attend this meeting. I apologized to the two well dressed suited gentlemen. They graciously responded that the weather suggested that my attire was appropriate. Although I felt bad, I got myself right back up and shared a basic outline of my plan and how I could assist in selling the property. So I am excited and nervous. And what is even better is that it is a 5 minute walk from my studio. I will let you know if I get the project. I submitted my proposal on Friday at noon. In the meantime, enjoy the photos I took with my iphone of the lobby (first 3 photos)

BELOW: The living room view (from the separate dining room). Main door is off to the right in the photo.

BELOW: Odd built-in shelving that resembles kitchen cabinets. It is the one major disappointment I found in the space.

BELOW: Separate dining room that could easily double as a library, office or studio space. LOVE it!

BELOW: Kitchen was updated. Choices are neutral and standard.

BELOW: A view into one bedroom from another bedroom. A weird feature that I actually like-the two bedrooms are connected by a door (they also have their own separate entry doors).

BELOW: View of one bedroom with connecting doors closed.

BELOW: A view of the closed doors in that connects the rooms. It felt very NYC to me.

The Decorating Diary of a Dumbo Studio

2010-06-08T14:29:00.010-04:00

As I mentioned in a previous, my friends V and Char have officially moved to Brooklyn. It is very exciting for us! They have chosen a great modern studio in the Dumbo neighborhood with views of the bridge and Manhattan. And boy are they great 8th floor views! It is a well laid out 600 sq ft space with so many fruitful amenities-> doorman, parking, balcony, in unit washer/dryer, new appliances, modern bathroom, hardwood floors, 9 ft ceilings....the list goes on and on. And they are just outside of Manhattan-only one or two train spots. I stopped by their new home on Saturday evening. I took a few photos with the iphone to share with you the first stage of the move-in..figuring out where everything should sit in the space. V and I spent alot of time discussing the studio's design. I love working with V on projects.

1. Curtains: V wanted something neutral and inexpensive. The studio gets so much light that they needed something that would not entirely block the sunlight-just shade it in the early mornings. There is an A/C unit that is below half of the windows. This presented a challenge when it comes to choosing the length of the curtains for that wall of windows. We did not want to cover up the A/C unit with curtains (as this would cover up the air flow) and we equally wanted the curtains to go across all the windows at the same length. My suggestion was to go for layers. One layer would be a shorter curtain that would just go over the section of window with the A/C unit (when the A/C was running and they wanted shade). The second layer of curtains would be the floor to ceiling length curtains. The off white almost cream curtains look great in the studio and really softens all the hard edges and strong modern elements. Have I confused you?

2. Layout: Char and V wanted to separate the living and sleeping areas. V made the trip to Redhook Ikea and purchased the famous black brown bookcase. They have a ton of books they love and use often so this was a good call on their part. When you live in a studio, you have two choices-split the space or embrace the space as one. It really all depends on how the studio dweller lives. The way I live is different than V and Char. So how I would divide the studio for myself is very different than V and Char.

As of now, we are still discussing where the bed should go. Currently, it is on the side of the windows (far corner of the studio) and the new sofa/couch will be placed on the opposite side of the bookcase (between the bookcase and closet wall). Because they are windows on two sides, you could still have a view from the sofa of the outside. My only concern is that the living room (area) will feel cave like, too shaded or like it is tucked in a nook. In my opinion, I feel like a bed belongs in nook not a living area. Although I feel this way, I have to say that V knows what she likes and I respect that about her. And if she is happy that is most important...the client is always right (especially when it is a close friend).

3. Sofa/Couch: V is the perfect client. She enjoys decorating and is aware of her style. She can explain it clearly. V reminds me of my mother when it comes to decorating. You present her an idea and she says yes or no instantly. And this was the case during our sofa scouting trip at MG & BW in NYC (just around the corner from Aero Studios). We looked and tested out a ton of sofas/couchs/sleepers. The sales guy was absolutely great and really added to the whole experience. V went into the store with the idea of getting a sectional. I voted against this but of course like my mother-when you vote against something then that is exactly what they want. So I tried to keep my opinion to myself-note the word "tried". By the end of our sofa interview, V was leaning farther away from the sectional idea. Mission accomplished. Fabric samples and sofa options were chosen. V and Char are now discussing final decision. I will keep you posted.

4. Accessories: This is very tricky right now. V and Char have to really ensure they focus on getting the main pieces before they commit to final touches-ie pillows, artwork, lamps, rugs, side tables...etc, etc. Because they are starting from scratch in many ways-they should take their time in selecting only items they love and that will add to the space (and not distract or disconnect).

5. Atlanta meets NYC: During a visit down to Atlanta a year ago, V and I popped into a little antique store right off Peachtree. This place was packed with great old pieces with history. V and I spotted this off green colored wing back chair. It was in excellent condition. We knew it was a piece that they had to have and I am so glad they did. The Brooklyn studio is going to need some heavy old pieces to tone down the ultra modern feel. This chair is going to do it! Along with some other antique pieces. V and I have been brainstorming ideas-ie an old Persian rug. Time to search!

Thomas' Picks: Housing Works, NYC

2010-06-07T11:56:00.006-04:00

I just got back from a nice long weekend in NYC and it was a busy one! As always, I had a fantastic time. Coming back home was a little difficult more so than last time. I am not referring to the 1 hour delayed departure or the 4 hour train ride that should have been 3 hours or sharing a cab with two strangers when I finally got back to DC. This time-leaving NYC felt like leaving the beach at the end of summer. Though I know I will be back soon, I felt a little sad. Sad that I had had so much fun and sad that it was over. Childish, I know. It was great hanging out with my friends in their new Dumbo studio. We ordered pizza from a place I used to go (back in the day). I have also gotten a chance to create some lasting business relationships. Every time I come up, they make time for me and we get together for design brainstorming which I always enjoy. This time I was introduced to two designers I had not met before. And since my NYC trips have been more frequent, I am getting more familiar with the trains, neighborhoods and restaurants. So...my trip was fantastic and I made sure I stopped by all of my favorite shops (except Thomas O Brien Aero Studio-it is closed on Sundays and Barneys-didn't have time). On the top of my list of favorites is Housing Works which is a great second hand store filled with furnishings and clothing. LOVE it! My best friend V and I checked it out on Saturday afternoon scouting for accessories, rugs and side tables. Of course, there were many treasures that I could have very easily picked up and carried back home with me on the train. See them pictured above. I could furnish an entire apartment from this one place (and do so with little money). Check back in to see other tidbits from my NYC trip.

May 28, 2010

2010-05-26T12:51:00.014-04:00

For those of you who work or live in DC, I am confident you have come across a group of young people who wear red coats and khakis. These young people work for an organization called City Year. This organization empowers young people by encouraging them to give back to the community full time. You often see these young people in Dupont Circle or U Street gathered together getting ready for their day of service once a week. I had the privilege of attending City Year's 2010 Gala on Tuesday night. It was held at the Ronald Reagan building on Pennsylvania Avenue in DC. The event honored and awarded a small group of individuals who have given back to the community in various ways. I enjoyed hearing one young lady describe the challenges she faced as a young person and how she used community service (or giving back to others less fortunate) to help empower herself as a young woman. While I have passed the age of joining City Year, I always enjoy sharing the various volunteer opportunities in the District.

Many of you know that I am going back to my high school to teach a Business Ethics course through the organization-Junior Achievement. I have completed 3 sessions so far and have 4 sessions remaining. Slowly I have gotten over my fear of speaking in front of high school students. The majority of the class have responded well to my words and participate in the weekly exercises. These young people are always thinking and changing each day. While the class starts at 7am, I work really hard to bring strong enthusiasm to each class. I will keep you posted.

-------------------------

After staging my folk's house for the market, my friend (and agent) Tammy quickly sent me another staging project- an Arlington townhouse in the Ballston neighborhood of VA. The owners are newly married professionals-(the wife-CPA and the husband-lawyer) who bought the house 2 years ago. Tammy and I will be working together to help the power couple. The completion date is June 14.

My best friends -V and her husband have decided to move to NYC for a year. They chose a 600 something sq ft studio on the border of DUMBO in Brooklyn. It is in an ultra modern building with views of the bridge. And V's husband has hired me to make their studio work for the family of 3 (they have a beautiful dog named Riley). The challenge in this project is not just space. Their "official" home is Atlanta where they are leaving behind most of their furnishings. Basically, the new NY couple will need to start new and create a second home. I am beyond excited to have a project in NY especially a studio. This is my 1st official NY gig and what a great 1st gig to have-to work with my best friends. NY here I come!

Thomas' Picks

2010-05-25T15:09:00.007-04:00

During a recent visit to AndBeige on the edge of Adams Morgan and U Street, I came across 4 lovely sofas that I love. I've been doing a little scouting for mom/dad's new house that I will refer to as the lake house. On top of the list is find the perfect sofa-it has to have the ability to be dressed up and/or dressed down. My folks enjoy comfort and equally enjoy a formal gathering with friends. The first 3 are sofas I can see in the lake house. Both have modern elements with slight traditional influences. Depending on the mood, you could easily make these movie night sofas or tea time sofas. What I love about AndBeige is you can customize the fabric choosing from among the selection in the back. Though it is pricey, it is worth it to me. You can not go cheap when it comes to the sofa. It's the main character of the room. I threw the last one in for myself. It is the type of sofa that I would get if I owned a huge house outside the city. This would look great in a side room off the entry with black walls and tons of shelving for books. Not an office but more of a study/writing room. I would switch out the throw pillows that are pictured above and go for a crisp white tall pillows. As a companion to the sofa, I would bring in a leather mini size club chair. Directly in front of the plaid sofa would sit a rustic coffee table with stacks of notebooks and a silver jar of black felt pens. Crisp white curtains would cover the windows. Framed photos of places that inspire me would cover the black walls. I just love design daydreaming.

Changing My White Shirt

2010-05-22T00:07:00.003-04:00

I am doing some minor tailoring of my studio and so far it is a good fit. Stay tuned.

Thomas talks on "Thomas"

2010-05-17T21:32:00.015-04:00

Thomas O' Brien lived up to each and every one of my expectations. It was great to finally put a face and voice to a name brand. He proved to be a person who has a thoughtful approach to design. O' Brien's focus is to get to know the client, help define their style and assist them with creating a home-a history. He carries himself as though he is still exploring life growing as a designer each day. Though some of his clients (past and present) include Ralph Lauren, Mr. Armani and Donna Karen, he keeps himself grounded right on earth with the rest of us. O' Brien has a way making people feel as though they already know him.

The book talk & signing took place at the Corcoran on 17th St which is directly across from the White House. Although it was rainy and cold outside, the tall open aged room with honey oak wood floors, "true blue" chairs and large white pillars was filled to capacity. Thomas O'Brien sat on a wooden stool in the front off to the right side of the stage just two rows in front of me. It was interesting that he chose to sit on the same level with the audience instead of standing directly on the stage. He wore glasses and an approachable smile throughout the night. The audience was mostly made up of women in their 30s and 40s who probably live just outside the city. The entire event felt civilized and grown-up. I started up a conversation with the lady next to me who was an artistic type with animated expressions. She thumbed through my copy of American Modern while asking me questions about my work and life. Her name is Priscilla and she works for the government. Her passion is design and she was eager to share paint colors in her Arlington home. I gave her my card as she wanted advice on staging. I caught sight of a few other DC design bloggers in the room who I had not seen in a long time. It seems like we all have been busy in our worlds of life and our blog worlds have taken a short break. I noticed many in the audience taking notes throughout the talk. The talk lasted an hour with 20 minutes of questions after. O' Brien opened the talk with statements about the beauty of DC and his hotel room at the Hay Adams also across from the White House. Questions posed to Thomas included: What did your room look like as a teenager? What is it like designing for other designers? How long can we expect to see your products on the shelves of Target? All very interesting questions with even more interesting responses. Thomas answered each with alot of heart and thought. I wanted to ask O' Brien where he finds his inspiration but my arms were glued to the arm of the chair as I was taking in the whole experience. Next time.

Reviewing the photos in a slide presentation and hearing all the tidbits made the book even more appealing to me. His youthful honesty and charming delivery caused many of us in the audience to chuckle and to like O'Brien all over again. At one point, after answering a question about the durability of marble in kitchens, O' Brien said with a slanted awkward smile, "that probably was the wrong answer???" I am confident in saying that everyone felt the opposite-that he provided the perfect answer. Back story: The young lady in the audience wanted to know how does one design using marble considering it doesn't hold up well in kitchens? O'Brien quickly expressed that he disagreed with the idea that marble should not be used in kitchens/bathrooms due to the wear and tear. He brought up examples of Dean and Deluca's marble flooring in their stores. The floors are worn but they are also beautiful. O' Brien also reminded the audience that people purchase a block of marble for baking and making pizzas. Why not have the entire counter top in marble? Marble is perfect for the kitchen. He feels as though marble should wear, there should be imperfections and that the very thing people worry about is what makes it beautiful.

Home should not be too "rare" or museum like. Unique is good but mix it up with other things-to avoid crowding the room with the untouchables. O'Brien explained that many people worry too much about living in their homes that they avoid using their homes-living in their homes.

I had the pleasure of having my copy of American Modern signed by Thomas O' Brien. And to my surprise, O' Brien read the store review I posted of his NYC store, Aero studios and thanked me for the positive mention suggesting I return to see all the new stuff. I quickly thanked him. And I should also take this opportunity to thank Keith reaching out to me and inviting me to O' Brien's talk/book signing. I look forward to visiting Aero studios soon.

"American Modern"

2010-05-15T23:16:00.005-04:00

In eager expectation of Thomas O' Brien's talk here in DC, I picked up a copy of American Modern. There is a strong traditional influence throughout the book. I never knew this side of O'Brien. Every designer has more than one style. What I knew and thought to be his style was vintage modern with clean crisp white backgrounds. And you can see this in O'Brien's personal spaces especially in his city apartment. He is a collector, one who brainstorms, appreciates history, spends time at home and entertains regularly. While American Modern is a pricey book, getting a glimpse into his spaces makes it worth it. You feel as though you are touring each room with O'Brien explaining the intricate details. And it is his personal spaces that inspire me as an decorator...mix of old and new, the white board with tear sheets/artwork, bed in the living room, tie collection, layering of furnishing and his use of white. I imagine there is so much more to this book that I will find out by Mr. O' Brien. Of course, I will provide a full report here at MWS.

"Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces"

2010-05-13T19:03:00.004-04:00

It arrived today...Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces. Did anyone else purchase this book? I am happy for Maxwell and his wife Sara for the hard work and energy they have put into the Apartment Therapy concept. I remember when I came across the first book Maxwell wrote (the little orange one). A girl in my office was raving about it and shared it with me. After buying the book, I quickly became a fan and follower. I read the book 3 times and I soon became addicted to the website even buying a t-shirt which I still wear quite often ("Small is cool" T-shirt). AT was a fixed website that stayed active on my desktop throughout the work day. At this time, blogs were not as popular as they are now...or at least not popular to me. I seem to be a few years behind in some things. When I moved to DC, I took a ton of photos of my under-designed studio (that I was proud of) and shared them with AT. I communicated directly with Maxwell via email. He even invited me to visit their office (the first office). I miss those days when the website was not as popular and the community of small space dwellers was small. The readers were kind and encouraging to each other-never saying a bad thing about someone space rather providing constructive advice. My studio was even featured twice on the website (see links on sidebar). Every comment was kind and encouraging. It pushed me to redefine my space and create something better. One summer, I had the privilege of writing on AT's website as a guest blogger (3 posts-see sidebar) hoping to have an opportunity to land a gig representing DC for Apartment Therapy. I didn't make the cut. I always wonder "what if". What if I had become a blogger for Apartment Therapy? How much different would my blogging life have changed? It is all very crazy to me how things turned out. AT will always have a special place in my heart. I live, eat and sleep small spaces. My cubicle at work is even small-really small. I wanted the AT opportunity so bad....more than I realized. I'll step down from my soap box and get back on topic-the book. I am very excited about diving into "Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces". I am excited to hear what Maxwell's perspective and voice as a designer. I expect only good things. He is a pleasant happy person who loves what he does-helping people deal with the challenges of living in awkward unique tiny square boxes or rectangles floating in the sky. Maxwell knows it because he lived it having made 250 sq ft possible for a family of 3. I'd consider that an expert. He says money does not equal a lovely home-its all about a space that shows life, love and history. I look forward to eventually meeting Maxwell and will say all the right things. Until then, I will sit here in my under 400 sq ft studio and check out the new AT book.

+ Check back in later for the official book review. Feel free to share your thoughts as well. As always, be honest but do so nicely.

May 10' 2010

2010-05-09T08:48:00.015-04:00

Volunteer Activities:
Recently, I was introduced to JA or Junior Achievement which is a non profit organization that provides real life education to students through trained working professionals. They teach subjects surrounding business, banking and personal finance to youngsters in elementary up to older students in high school. A month ago, I received training and was provided with a curriculum. I start teaching tomorrow at the very high school I graduated just outside the city. The course I am teaching is Business Ethics to 10th graders (7 lessons-once a week for a month). I feel a little anxiousness and excitement all in one. I will keep you posted.

Thomas O Brien:
Thomas O' Brien is coming to DC next week to talk about his book, American Modern. I am truly a Thomas O Brien fan and love everything about his style, line of furniture, linens and accessories. Having an opportunity to see O'Brien in person is HUGE. I am very excited and hope to steal 5 minutes of his time to chat design.

Projects:

Back in January, I could not have guessed how so much would change. 2010 has lived up to its expectation of being a year of thinking outside the box and changing up the routine. It is all very exciting. One huge surprise was when my parents put their house on the market. They had been talking about it for awhile but when it officially happened, I was surprised. What added to the surprise was when the house sold in 2 days with multiple offers. I am very happy for them in their new adventure and happy they decided to stay somewhat close (1 hour outside the city). Mom and I have been chatting design almost everyday. I am really excited to assist mom. She is the reason why I love design today. I grew up watching her redesign our house all the time. I think collaborating together will be such a positive experience as well as educational for me. Stay tuned!

Guest blogging:
A fellow design blogger, Richy of CustardbyDesign reached out to me last week and asked if I would guest blog for him. He is celebrating 400 blog posts. What a privilege and honor! Click HERE for the post. I started reading his blog awhile back when he living overseas with his girlfriend (now soon to be wife). He has a passion for design, finds inspiration everywhere which is evident in his daily posts. I am happy to be apart of his celebration (to be his FIRST guest blogger). Please check out his blog (and my short blog post).

Thomas' Picks

2010-05-04T23:06:00.004-04:00

Where do I begin? It's been so long since I've connected with all of you on My White Shirt. A few of you have reached out to me via email to check up on me...thank you. I feel happy because I have not lost any followers during my blog break and actually gained a few. Enough with the introductions-time to start blogging again.

I welcomed May 1st doing a little window shopping in the city. Check out my trip down 14th Street specifically Pixie's. Here are my favorites:

I love these chairs especially for a small space. I would love to see them directly in front of a sofa with a tiny table between them-big enough for coffee or cocktail. For some reason, I am really into this medium tone wood color right now.

Love. Love. Love. Beautiful table in medium tone wood with a shiny finish. I love the height of the chairs and how they are slightly taller than the height of table. The lines are warmly attractive. All this needs is a beautiful rug beneath it.

The best friends' chairs. I can see myself curled up in one of these facing my best friend V catching up. Funny how I usually prefer low profile furniture-these chairs are not low. When I caught sight of them, I fell in love. Yes, the current fabric isn't working and while it isn't horrible - it could so much more. The shape, lines and height are perfect for a large living room or even an apartment (as long as you have high ceilings).

I keep having this dream about moving back to the burbs. I can't figure out where it is coming from but it's been a recurring dream for a month. In my dream, I have a beautiful outdoor space with these white chairs sitting in bright green grass. I love these chairs and always have loved these chairs.

Last but not least, the perfect coffee table perfect for grounding a space. Again, medium tone with a fun oval shape. I love the wheels on the legs and really love the pattern on the top. It's all working well together. Place this in the center of the room and add a ton of books or magazines.

Thoughts? Do share-good or bad.

Inspiration

2010-04-22T00:29:00.002-04:00

I started to get inspired by trees when I lived in NY. I was living on the border of NY and Connecticut with so many beautiful trees surrounding me. Trees change according to the weather, season and conditions of the area. They live for many years and are beautiful. I remember taking a trip up to Massachusetts to visit my best friend V and her husband one weekend. And again I was surrounded by trees and started taking photos of my favorite...some of which are framed and displayed in my studio.

I just got back from a week in San Fran, CA and had the opportunity to visit Muir Woods. It was absolutely beautiful. I had never seen anything like this in my life. The trees were like huge statues and there was a fantastic aroma throughout the forest. It all felt like a movie set but it was real. I hope you enjoy.

House and Garden

2010-04-04T15:23:00.008-04:00

I have never done anything with a garden until today. Growing up my parents planted something one time when we first moved into our single family house and I think it grew back every year without maintenance. The only green thumb thing I have done is purchase a plant and water it everyday or plant sit. Today is the first time I got my hands into the dirt and planted a few plants. I have been volun'told to plant stuff in front of the building so what better day to take on the task than a beautifully warm Sunday. I drove over to Home Depot - DC first thing this morning and it was crowded with so many Washingtonians buying plants and expensive dirt for their row house yards. After doing a once over tour of the garden section and feeling slightly overwhelmed, I bought the goods and packed the old 3. After getting back home, unloading then finding parking-I dug, mulched, planted, pulled up weeds and swept the excess dirt. Originally, I was hoping to get away with going simple and just doing green...but the window boxes needed a little color. I went with Whole Food's marigolds (see photo 3). The first photo is BEFORE...second and third is AFTER. I think I will do better next time :)

Random

2010-03-31T23:22:00.003-04:00

I keep wondering if I should create an office in a corner of my studio. I've mentioned it before here and I will mention it again-I love this West Elm Parsons mini desk (white of course).

Welcome Spring

2010-03-23T22:28:00.003-04:00

Spring is here. I feel different.

My space feels different.

Project Joi

2010-03-13T21:00:00.008-05:00

I am happy to share with you Project Joi. It is a one bedroom apartment in Alexandria VA rented by a twenty something female professional. The entire apartment is fully renovated and all this twenty something needs is a little assistance with decorating. Joi's mother is a designer in Nashville and is managing the process from down south. I am playing the role of assistant in this project and it's great because I am learning so much. Joi's mom and I have been phone buddies discussing every possible detail ever since she moved in a few months back.

This project is especially exciting because it is a blank canvas. Joi moved into her new apartment without any furniture which means shopping and more shopping. The first purchase that was delivered last week is the Room and Board sofa you see pictured above. LOVE it! Joi's mom is sending stuff up regularly (see pillows on couch). This is just the beginning so don't judge quite yet. We have so much more to do. My focus in Project Joi right now is scouting art work. I met with a local artist recently to find great original pieces. Actually, one of my pieces that I painted a long time ago Joi will use for her apartment.

The direction Joi wants is masculine, bold, modern with ethnic touches. Joi's mom wants to bring in more glamour and feminine touches. And I hope to bring in sophistication and style. It's going to be beautiful.

Check back soon for updates.

My Space

2010-03-04T20:24:00.005-05:00

I wish I could take an entire weekend to work on my space-painting, pre-Spring cleaning... Life is busy and unfortunately (or fortunately) I don't have a whole free weekend. For now, little updates will have to do. One recent little update is my new duvet cover by Thomas O'Brien. I am in love. So far, I've gotten all thumbs up by the peanut gallery so I am eager to hear what you all think. It's masculine, beautiful and quietly bold...mixes well with my current Dwell bedding. Just so you know, the bed is not complete but I was too impatient to wait. Imagine more pillows. This is the new direction for my 2010 space. Stay posted.

Coming Soon!

2010-02-26T11:52:00.007-05:00

Project Todd is making some serious forward movement so much so that it has inspired me to "reimagine" my own space. Look out for future posts on my studio later in the month. Until then...

Project Todd Updates (at a glance):

1. The new full size bed was delivered and put together. This was an excellent idea of Todd to downsize his bed size to a full.
2. The furniture layout has changed and we are loving the new look as it really opens up the studio.
3. Painters should be coming in within the next month to repaint the walls, doors and moldings.
4. We are still brainstorming all the final touches-accessories and such.
5. The plan for artwork/wall decor placement is done (just waiting on#3 to start hanging stuff)
6. Todd is working on trimming down his possessions and only keeping what he loves. He is doing a fantastic job.

Thomas O'Brien Aero, NYC

2010-02-19T09:06:00.013-05:00

February 2010 is my month for lessons learned.

One of the lighter lessons learned at the bottom of the list is that I need to bring my camera with me all the time instead of relying solely on the iPhone. If the lighting is bad, the photos will turn out bad which equals a bad blog post. Please forgive the poor quality of the photos below. I will do better next time.

I had the pleasure of checking out Aero by Thomas O' Brien thanks to Mr. Ron Marvin. W.O.W. Each of every piece was calling my name saying Buy me!. I took a ton of random shots just so you could get the feeling of the store. The store atmosphere felt very my white shirt, full of clean clutter, formal yet comfortable pieces from various periods with white soaked walls. Love it! Two well dressed sales consultants stood comfortably in the store like a pair of perfect lamps. They were so well dressed without a wrinkle, a wrong color or a piece of hair out of place. I was tempted to ask if Mr. O'Brien requires a certain dress code/look. It looked like they dressed according to the surroundings-not over styled and not under styled. I walked the store 3 times taking in every piece and hoping I'd have an opportunity to meet the other Thomas. Maybe one day? If you are reading this Mr. O'Brien, I am trying to reach you for a blog interview.

I scored 3 mini picture frames that you can see in the first photo laying under the chair on the great whole island that housed products, sales consultant computer and design books.

I plan on heading back to NYC soon so I promise to release better photos of the store.

Thomas' Picks

2010-02-18T14:02:00.004-05:00

I love this table (top photo was taken from West Elm and 2nd photo I snapped during a quick tour of the NYC store). And I think this really could work in my studio since I don't really have room for true side tables. May I have 2 please?

Housing Works NYC

2010-02-13T10:05:00.006-05:00

It's been a long time since I have been to Ikea. I am hoping to change that soon. Every time I go to Ikea, I get this urge to stock up. I think this is the case because of all the low prices, well thought displays and neighboring full carts. Am I alone? Imagine going to a thrift store and getting that same feeling...the urge to stock up. Mr. Ron Marvin directed me to such a place in NYC called Housing Works. Thank goodness I took the train up to NYC because I would have thrown down and stocked up on some neat interesting pieces at very low prices. I snapped a few of my favorite items but there was so much more. This place is not like the fake thrift stores down here in DC with high price tags. As I perused the store, I dreamed of decorating my lower east side rented room with views of Houston Street using this great store for the major pieces. I can't wait to get back up to NYC and stopping by Housing Works. I have decided to have no shame next time and carry a chair or a couch or a desk on the train back to DC.

Check it out and tell me what you think.

Project R&C

2010-02-11T20:55:00.010-05:00

Can you tell which is the before photo and which is the now photo (not quite after because we are not finished as we have so much more to do)? The family room in the Arlington couple's home is moving right along and I am feeling good about the project. Eventually, the entire house will be redesigned by yours truly- for now we are taking one room at a time. I got a photo from the husband, Rob, last Monday morning and it was a fantastic surprise. Before I explain the fantastic surprise and why it is so fantastic, let me chat a little about what has been accomplished in this room. The old beige Victoria style sofa has been replaced with a classic slip covered sofa from PB. They wanted something reasonably priced that had a comfy sort of feel with a casual non serious look. A new reclaimed wood coffee table that anchors the room-keeps it from feeling too light. A new lamp that the couple chose was recently purchased and brought into the space. They love it but not sure if it belongs in the family room. I like it but we are still negotiating other ideas...possibly some tall architectural floor lamps to play with height. I think they could do much better-take it to another level. The ceilings are so high that the room could stand some varied height and could possibly accomplish it through the lamps. The leather club chair is also a new addition. It's got a great grain of leather and is super stylish. I've convinced them to pick up one more so they have a pair to finish off the whole look. Previously, they wanted just one leather chair to go in front of the two windows. I agreed until I saw the chair sitting in front of the windows. The room felt unbalanced and the chair became the main character. So the club chair has been pulled out to face the sofa and hopefully soon another club chair should be arrive. And right below the windows I envision a long bench preferably antique and aged to display books, pillows. I want to bring in something old. I can see the potential.

Back to the fantastic surprise. Originally (last year), I suggested a soft rug for the room-something with a pattern. Unfortunately, the couple and I could not find a rug with a pattern that they loved and worked with the space. The key for the couple was being able to see the rug in person because we tried the online thing and each time they were disappointed and then left paying shipping costs without a rug. No good. After a recent meeting, Carol said something that made it click for me. She said, " I think I'd like the space to feel cottage". Instantly, I decided that a pattern rug is not the best direction-we should go for a natural rug to play up the cottage feel with nautical influences which would make Rob happy. As you can see, the purchase was made and it is looking great! Carol wanted a smaller rug and I begged her to trust me on going for a larger one. She was worried the room would look like it had wall to wall carpet. Not the case. And to me, its covering tile not wood floors...so it's not like we are losing any great features. All that cold tile flooring had to be broken up and the rug really helps with defining a layout. As of now, Rob loves it and Carol just likes it. Maybe I will convince her after she lives with it and the room is completed.

Next? I am hoping to bring in some modern pieces to bring in Rob's personality in the space as well. This will be accomplished by side tables/media cabinet-maybe in high gloss black, tall floor architectural lamps in silver (the room could use a play on height), bold pillows, flat screen tv and an even bolder paint color. I should start looking at paint choices because the walls are in need of something more exciting than the current antique white. I also need to start scouting some window treatments.

This is where we are at now in the project...look out for more updates in March.

Stylish NYC Restaurant: National

2010-02-08T13:17:00.018-05:00

Just off Rivington in the Lower East Side hidden among aged short brick buildings is a little delicious gem called National, very my white shirt if you ask me. Excellent choice Mr. Nick. Even on a freezing cold NY day, sunlight soaks the interior, a mix of white painted brick and subway tiles with dark gray grout. Because of the mix of textures and the manner in which the collection of items are displayed , the place doesn't feel cold white--more warm white. Small wood tables for two are pushed closely together creating a cozy feeling and somewhat of maze for the wait staff. One large booth is elevated in the store's front window allowing for only one group larger than 2 which maintains an intimate atmosphere. Vintage wooden mirrors of all sizes and styles line one wall while a destroyed wooden bar with multiple bars tools lines the opposite wall. Light 80s music was playing causing us late 20 somethings to live our younger days all over again. A corner with step like shelving holds old antique toys and other found objects that says urban shabby chic farmhouse. The waitress had a quiet disposition and carried herself distant throughout the meal visibly making an effort to not interrupt the flowing conversation. The menu is filled with classic favorites each with a different twist-the typical made so not typical. Our hot food, pumpkin French toast and eggs, bacon & potatoes, came out not too soon and not too slow. I was eager to try the coffee as most of the reviews on yelp exclaimed good things about the special beverage. A dark yet sweet blend so yummy that I had two cups of the decaf version. By the end of the meal, the little delicious bistro that was empty at noon was quickly filling up. If you live in NYC or plan a visit, I recommend giving National a little bit of your time.

Address: 8 Rivington Street (Between Bowery & Chrystie), New York, New York 10002

Interview: Meet Nick Olsen

2010-02-06T20:06:00.016-05:00

I made it back to DC safely Sunday afternoon and I have a ton of blog material to edit, organize and start posting. It is more than exciting so much that I worry about producing the same blog bang in March. Yes I can! As I plan out my posts for the month, it turns out that February's theme is developing into Design Adventures in NYC which inspired my new header. (Thank you everyone for the positive feedback on it so far.) My NYC trip was a design jolt for me and came at the perfect time. I feel as though January was a success and now February will follow...may possibly surpass the success of January.

There is no better way to begin the Design Adventures in NYC series than to start with my interview of Nick Olsen. Simply the best! Nick's talent goes beyond design knowing stylish restaurants, clothing and music. He balances his experience and youth well while carrying himself in a mature manner always with a sincere smile. When I first caught sight of his studio in Domino back in the day, I felt instantly inspired. His big blue couch was perfectly centered in the oregano green studio with wet black interior doors accessorized with Olsen customized pieces. There were so many great features in such a small space. Inspiring. So inspiring that this will be my third My White Shirt post on Mr. Olsen.

Enjoy the interview.

-----------------------------------------------

T: Nick, I appreciate you taking the time to answer a few questions for My White Shirt. I am a huge Nick Olsen fan so this is a big deal for me. Let's begin with some Domino talk. What was it like working at Domino?
N: It was fabulous gig, but I only went to their offices once! Deborah Needleman and Cathy Halley (the web editor) gave me a long leash under my "Deal Hunter" title -- never dictated content and let me self-edit -- and I'm even more grateful for that in hindsight. This sounds corny but everyone who worked for Domino (or at least everyone I met!) was fun and smart and super stylish and it really showed in the magazine. There may not be anything to take its place for a long time and that's so sad.
T: I love your blog Nick Olsen Style and faithfully follow it. I find it original and always one step ahead of the blog world. Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
N: First of all, thank you! I definitely don't feel "one step ahead," but I do try to keep my blog conversational and not too didactic. I write posts as I would emails to my family or friends and I find inspiration everywhere, from the Chelsea or Brooklyn flea markets to store window displays to music videos (a dying artform!) to other blogs. Until this year I worked for the decorator Miles Redd, and he was a constant source of inspiration. I basically sat behind the conference table during his meetings and Googled every other word ... the references never stopped! And we share a really wicked and sometimes dark sense of humor so I collect his bon mots.

T: In a few words, how would you describe your personality? How does your personality affect you as a designer?

N: Oh, that's tough. I'd like to say I'm friendly and funny and outgoing ... unless I'm tired or hungry! When the blood sugar drops, watch out. I can also be a little drifty at times and stop mid-sentence to stare at someone's shoes or a car on the street. I tend to see the potential in objects (and sometimes people!) instead of what's in front of me, which is a blessing and a curse -- I have enough unfinished painting projects to attest to that. But I do love a starting point, looking at a room and saying "I can make this better." I think that's what affects my decorating style the most, turning the boring into the stylish. But back to a sense of humor. There are so many pretty rooms but I need weird color combinations and quirky objects to speak to me design-wise. You know, decorating with a wink, not a belly laugh.
T: Whenever I see the greek key pattern, I think Nick Olsen. Are you still obsessed with the greek key?
N: Ha! I'm not sure obsessed is the word, but I still love me some classic key. Even with all the BAD versions of it out there.

T: I almost found myself moving to the big apple in January. I love the energy, eclectic nature of the people and the assorted foods, restaurants and shops. What do you love about living in NYC?

N: Pretty much everything you mention here. I like having a hipster runway outside my door and the neighborhoods that haven't been cleaned up beyond all recognition. I never got to experience New York in the 70s or 80s, and I'm sort faux-nostalgic for those eras. Then again I've never been mugged so you can't have it all! I also love New York because I know how to get things done here. For example if I needed quarter-inch box pleated ruffle in bottle green taffeta, I could have one made by tomorrow afternoon. The power!
T: Complete this sentence: Every space needs......
N: My trite but true response is "personality." I can't stand rooms that look like upholstery showrooms and houses that tell you nothing about the owner. Oh and every space needs soft lighting.
T: Do you think there is a difference between designer, decorator and stylist?
N: Absolutely. I didn't go to school for interior design ... the degree and license situation, moving walls and literally designing the space. I'm content to decorate the box! I think decorators are essentially stylists on a bigger scale: they put it all together like a giant outfit. Of course there are all kinds of stylists -- prop and fashion and so on. People knock Rachel Zoe but she can articulate exactly what she's looking for in a dress, accessory, whatever, and pinpoint what's hindering her vision. Good decorators make similar choices about minutiae all day long.
T: What trends in design and fashion are you loving right now?
N: Hmm, I got super excited today when I saw a girl in a giant Navajo print pancho because I tried to call that trend a while back! Not like 90s Ralph Lauren, but more intricate and in brighter colors. In interior design I'm feeling a very Angelo Donghia vibe: low-slung leather sofas and chrome chairs paired with huge Georgian mirrors and such. Miles recently turned up a 1988 issue of House & Garden (when it became "HG") featuring Joan Lapham's apartment and dubbed it "baroque minimalism." She basically had 20 pieces of museum-quality Georgian furniture against white walls with ebonized floors and, like, one giant tapestry. Very little else. It's still the chicest thing I've seen in a long while.
T: So you mentioned before the interview that your 1 bedroom apartment where you currently live is smaller than your famous studio that was featured in Domino. I loved the design of that studio-the bold colors and the out of the box features like the stacks of books and the double beds. How is the design of your 1 bedroom different from your studio? Which is your favorite?
N: Whew, it's night and day. I went from a big studio with 12 ft ceilings, original moldings and this high relief fireplace to a VERY rough railroad tenement apartment. It is nice to have a separate bedroom now (with one bed ... I got some snarky comments about that!). Design-wise I'm going for a Chinese-opium-den-meets-WASP grandmother vibe ... my kitchen and living room are high gloss Chinese red with a black-brown-and-cream geometric painted wood floor, and eventually I'll slipcover my sofa in this kooky old Clarence House chintz with a black background. There's not a single right angle in the whole place so I'm staying away from white trim ... really from pure white in general. It's a moodier apartment, less Pop-y. I loved my studio but think this one has to be my favorite because it's a much more dramatic makeover.
T: I never knew you were a fan and follower of My White Shirt . Not to put you on the spot....I ask every reader this--> What do you like about My White Shirt blog?
N: First of all, the title is pretty brilliant. And I love your writing style -- it's straightforward and sincere but also personal. I like seeing the evolution of your projects and your studio, how you get maximum impact of a small space. I really like that landscape painting you have above your sofa but wish I could see more of it!
T: What advice do you have for young designers like myself?
N: I always recommend educating your eye in any way you can ... with books, magazines, museum exhibits, auction houses and so on. Embrace scale and contrast, especially in a small space. Don't feel inhibited by a tight budget because great style does exist at every price, but always be able to discern true quality from a throwaway design gesture. If there's a designer/decorator you admire, reach out to him(/her) and see if he'll answer a few questions, in person or over email. 5 years ago I wrote Miles a letter because I'd seen his house in a magazine and almost died of envy. I showed up with no resume (we won't talk about my outfit) and ended up with a job. It was the best thing I ever did.

*Thank you again Nick for your time as well as reading/supporting My White Shirt.

NYC in February

2010-02-04T13:51:00.013-05:00

While my studio sits empty, cold and quiet back in snowy DC, I am enjoying a short visit to NYC. The real city is the place I go to recharge and escape from the district. I feel it is important to see new places, new people and new environments regularly to avoid becoming too boxed into a mold or routine. My last little getaway was back in October so a short weekend trip was long overdo. I scored a great place in the Lower East side with views of Houston. The city energy is present even within the small space that I am calling home for the next few days. Taxi cars and buses scream down the street throughout the day and night. People noise vibrates the windows and I feel as though each and every New Yorker is hosting in some way.

You can expect more NYC details next week so be sure to check back in frequently. As much as I would love to enjoy the warmth inside, I better run and enjoy the city.

Off Topic: Dad & Swiffer

2010-01-29T20:57:00.007-05:00

My garbage disposal has been broken for a over a month. As a result, my drain became clogged. One thing after the next is the theme of having your own place. Everything in a kitchen should work as it's the heart of a home. If the kitchen is broken, the home is broken. Even though I do not cook everyday, I use my kitchen everyday. I love how my kitchen is separate from my living area...so I feel as though I get a short break from one room living.

Mom called me after work Friday to discuss the upcoming snowstorm we are expecting in the DC metro area and we happened to start talking about my broken garbage disposal. Our conversation went a little like this:

+M: for Mom/ T: for Thomas

T: I just got home from the hardware store. Remember, I told you my garbage disposal was broken.
M: Yes, I remember that. You should have your father look at it this weekend.
T: It's supposed to snow.
M: We can drive into the city tomorrow.
T: It's okay. The lady at the hardware store gave me a few numbers of local contractors who can fix it. She thinks I probably need to replace it.
M: Let me call your father and see what he says.
------
M: Your father said it's really easy-you can fix it yourself. You need to get a stick or pole. Stick it in the drain. He wants me to tell you NOT to put your hand in the drain even if the disposal is off. I know you know this but I promised your father I would tell him.
T: Ok. (thinking to myself: I actually put my hand in there a few minutes ago so now I feel like an idiot).
M: Will you give it a try?
T: It sounds easy but I just need to find a pole (I said this with a bit of sarcasm).
M: Try a paint brush or broom stick.
T: I have a swiffer. I'll use the end of that.
M: Text me if it works. Just remember you want to get that pole inside the drain and get the garbage disposal blades moving. There may possibly be some food lodged in there.
T: Yes mother.

Well, I tried it and within 5 seconds my disposal was working again. I called my father and told him that he is brilliant. I come from a generation who calls the service guy. My dad comes from the generation that doesn't believe in service guys-he is the service guy.

Swiffer is not just for swiffering anymore.

Studio Chatter: "Beds and Dividers"

2010-01-24T21:34:00.018-05:00

Studio dwellers are always looking for ways to embrace their one room living lifestyle. Living in a studio can actually be better than living in a one bedroom. There are occasions when I feel as though I want to upgrade to a larger space with a separate bedroom. Those occasions are those rare times that I host an informal dinner party with new guests. The new guest enters the space as they would visit a new country without a tour guide or knowledge of the language. Studio living is foreign to many. On the other hand, my close friends and family are aware of the size of my studio and feel comfortable. There are no question marks on their faces when they enter the tiny estate with high ceilings. They almost always say the right things during their visit. "It looks so much bigger than before. I could live here." Those same folks also know how to relax without disrupting the look and feel. They avoid diving onto the bed. I hate the seat marks left after someone gets off the bed. You can't fluff it back without having to remake the bed and offending the guest. Yes, my bed is in the center of the room however it is not for guest parking. I can't say that I am OCD about my bed because I don't make it everyday-it's current state is a wreck. I am pretty laid back when it comes to my space. I want everyone to feel at home and feel comfortable. Anyone can open my closet, lounge on the sofa, check out my cabinet contents, grab a drink out of my fridge or put their feet up on the closest free surface. I only require that they first wash their hands. JK.

What are your thoughts on beds in studios? Off limits or additional seating?

Apart of embracing studio living means finding ways to live in one room successfully and effortlessly-without thought or worry. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Eames room divider. It is the very thing that could possibly hide my bed from view (other than a murphy bed). It's a divider that doesn't look like a divider. Beautiful shape. Beautiful wood. It looks like an expensive piece of art. It reminds me of a wooden sculpture that mirrors the waves in a ocean (sideways). As you know, the beach inspires me. With a $1750 price tag, I could probably purchase the ocean. Ouch.
I know it's difficult to make it out clearly on your computer screen but I can guarantee you that it's a great piece as I have seen it in person at the Chicago Room and Board. Perhaps I will make this wish list item a purchase when Room & Board finally arrives in DC.

Thomas' Picks

2010-01-22T22:37:00.015-05:00

I broke two matching table lamps that were one of kind and VERY expensive within the last 6 months. While cleaning on two separate occasions, both were knocked off the table and onto the floor into a million pieces. My heart is broken. Those lamps were somewhat one of kind and very expensive. Now I am on a mission to find the perfect matching lamps (and I don't plan on spending mucho money on them). It's difficult to decide because I want a lamp that will work with my style today and my style tomorrow...whatever that may be.

I have been in love with this Haley table lamp from Crate and Barrel for a long time. It's classic, clean and nautical. I love the white lamp shade and the mirrored silver base.

I also am digging this lamp from West Elm. It says simple urban beach. I love the smoked glass and the unique shape of the base.

I love this one too from Room and Board. It is masculine and sophisticated. The taupe lampshade works well. I'll take two please.

Which is your favorite?

Project Todd

2010-01-20T18:13:00.017-05:00

Remember Project Todd? Probably not as these posts were dated back to January 2009.

Project Todd post 1 <--Click
Project Todd post 2 <--Click

Todd is my next door neighbor who also lives in a studio. His layout is slightly different than mine but the square footage is similar. A year ago, he hired me to redesign his space. He gave me complete control over all decisions. Even though I have failed to post about the design progress over the last year, we've been working on it in small ways. Todd has been trimming his belongings and additionally we've been planning/brainstorming the space which is most of the work. Last year, I came up with the following "to do" list and reading back over it, I realize we have worked our way well along through the list. 1. sell items that will not work in the space (or get rid of) 2. edit the bookcase 3. work on the layout 4. purchase items Todd has replaced the tall bookcase (that was pictured in the original post) with a shorter painted bookcase he scored at a local antique store. See photo. We decided the previous bookcase was too tall for the space and threw off the balance of the room as far as height is concerned. It also encouraged storage of the beautiful and not so beautiful items. Todd wants a cleaner look and streamlining the height along with reducing the options for clutter is important. Sometimes too much storage is a bad thing. Now that Todd has reduced his bookcase contents, I need to style the bookcase and find a solution for the photo books that are on the bottom shelf. I am thinking an old basket would be a great way to store and show off old photo books. This will allow for quick access while staying out of the way in an attractive way. Other things can be stored in the basket as well like a simple throw for those chilly DC nights.

Last year, Todd had discovered a great mirror from Pixie's-a local antique shop. One day, he took the plunge and purchased it. I think making a focal wall of mirrors would make an interesting statement. I am hoping that we can find an assortment of old mirrors in various sizes and conditions.

Todd also scored a great bench from LL Bean. I surprisingly fell in love with the simple sturdy piece of furniture. I have to give him credit on this one. He made the purchase on his own without any guidance from me. Originally, he wanted something antique and old. After doing some online research, he found an inexpensive alternative. The LL Bean bench has a masculine yet soft understated look. He uses it as a bedside table and a sort of catch all for various items purchased during his many travels along with magazines. I am hoping to trim some of those belongings and reduce the surface space to a simple lamp and a few magazines. The other items can be displayed in another manner....I need to brainstorm ideas.

Whats next on the list? Todd is looking at downsizing his bed-going from a queen to a double. This is actually a very good idea as he will gain square footage. This will allow us to possibly adjust the furniture layout and have more options. With the new bed comes new linens. Studio dwellers have to dress up their beds because the beds are sitting in the middle of the main living area for everyone to see. They command attention. Instead of hiding the bed, I say show it off. Finally, Todd and I went through all of his artwork a second time. He has many great original pieces that will work with the redesign easily. Once the pieces are framed, I can start hanging them on the walls.

Here are a few snapshots that Todd allowed me to take during our more recent brainstorming meeting. I'll keep you posted.

Photo 1: new bookcase Todd purchased from Pixies
Photo 2: new mirror hung on the future the wall of mirrors
Photo 3: LL Bean bench with artwork laying against wall off to the side

Project Todd is not the only project that I am working on this month. I also reconnected with a client from Arlington that I worked with last year. Originally, I worked with the Arlington couple staging their home and then they became interior design clients after they purchased a new home. Check out original post: HERE

With Rob and Carol, I am providing the design plan for the entire house and they are doing the leg work of making the purchases and hiring the contractors. And over the last year, they have really made tremendous progress.

1. Purchased a sofa, lamp, leather club chair, hutch for dishes, coffee table for family room
2. Purchased bed frame.

The challenge that this couple faces is pinning down a style. Because they like many things and are open to any idea, it can be overwhelming. I find that my role is to direct them to what is going to work best for the overall design plan of the home. We accomplished quite a bit in our latest meeting. Our focus was to finish the major design plan for the family room, begin the process of the formal living room design and brainstorm furniture pieces for the dining room and master bedroom.

I'll keep you posted.

DC News: Welcome Room & Board

2010-01-19T00:22:00.011-05:00

Room & Board is finally making an appearance here in DC (spring 2010) and will be conveniently located directly on 14th and T Street NW not too far from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The 1919 building where R & B will soon occupy was originally a Ford Motors model showroom that assembled and sold Model T cars. Room & Board is coming in and renovating the space as well as adding a fourth floor. It's all very DC to me-renovating an old building instead of building from ground up. U street corridor is becoming the hot spot for furniture shops and stores. It's the Georgetown of good furniture shopping. I wonder why West Elm didn't find a location on 14th street. That would have really given that area a new vibe...one that can only help DC. I've heard that some Washingtonians especially small business owners are anxious about the new store coming to DC. The fear is that the small privately owned stores will be pushed out of the city or worst-pushed out of business. Room & Board can never replace the little stores that line U street filled with eclectic one of a kind pieces with owners who remember you by name. Although I hate the idea of more traffic, my hope is that more people will travel to the city and will find themselves visiting other shops they may not have previously.

Time to start writing up my shopping list.

Thomas Picks

2010-01-18T23:48:00.009-05:00

When you put yourself on a decorating diet, it seems like that is the very time when you discover so many fun pieces. I have a feeling this is going to be a split among my readers-some will love it, some will hate it and others will not understand it. I welcome your feedback either way. Think big picture. Personally, I love this great stool that has a bold print. It's not a true animal print but it def has some zebra influences. Even though, animal print is not 2010, I can see a couple of these stools looking great in an ultra neutral room on either side of a small cream sofa with stacks of books. Not only am I loving the print, I also enjoy the legs of the stool which have a unique non-American look. I have to admit it is not a photogenic piece of furniture. In person, it looks great.

If you are loving it, you can find it at World Market.

Interview: Meet Ron Marvin

2010-01-14T00:39:00.017-05:00

I first discovered Ron Marvin on a favorite show of mine-HGTV's Small Space and Big Style where he shared his chic hotel NYC studio. Ron is a true New Yorker with an Iowan heart. He has a natural ability to get inside the heads of his clients. His personality is easy going and engaging. Despite the craziness of his schedule, he knows how to be present. Check out my original post of Ron's studio: HERE.

I had the opportunity to steal some time from Ron late last week and enjoy a relaxed conversation on design. Enjoy.

T: Ron, I feel as though I've known you for a long time as I have watched your SSBS episode a million times. I love the design of your studio. Have you made any changes since it was shown on HGTV?

R: Yes, it is the middle of an update right as I speak with you. I've been here for 5 years. I live and work here. Something had to change. I've been rearranging furniture, swapping out lamps, painting walls gray and adding new curtains. I keep getting approached by bloggers and others about photographing my studio so it has to look different from what everyone saw in Metropolitan Home.

T: Where do you find inspiration?

R: Just like anyone else, I am always looking at life for inspiration. Observing life and restaurants. Flea markets. I really like to see what something can become. I can see the beauty of something where others may not.

T: Tell me about the story behind the sofa.

R: I got the sofa from Chelsea flea market. I was watching people look at the pair of sofas and walk by them. They were custom so I bought both. I had to have both. I know I am not going to live in my studio forever. I always tell people when you find something you love always buy it. You will figure it out later. I know I'll use it eventually. The other sofa is in storage still in hot pink. So I just got one sofa reupholstered in white leather. The other one I'll get it done in gray and then I'll switch it out.

T: (Random question) Are you anti-Pottery Barn?

R: I don't care where it comes from as long as it has great style. I mix Ikea with Pottery Barn with West Elm with flea market finds.

T: Your studio reminds me of a hotel room.

R: Funny you say that because it is a hotel room. I just did a consultation with a client and her inspiration was a hotel suite. She said it has to have everything you need. That is what I wanted for my studio. When I first moved here, a friend said-you will never entertain in NY. I refused to accept this. I had dinner for 10 people. I had to lay out my studio in such a way that I could entertain. It is hotel living.

T: What color do you find yourself using in each of your design projects?

R: Some sort of brown finds its way in most places. Recently, its been gray. Usually, clients let me know directly or indirectly. I usually start with a neutral base. I'll work to infuse color into the look. I always say Don't be afraid of dark. I'll hold your hand. Anything you paint over white is going to look dark. I try to get the entire space painted instead of just showing a swatch.

T: Complete this sentence--> A well designed space is:

R: Perfection. Haha (Ron's chuckles). As far as clients: A well design space is one that meets the client's needs. A well designed space is one you don't realize is well designed. You just feel comfortable. It makes you feel at home. When I first moved, everything was white. My friends would say they felt comfortable even though everything was white. That is definitely a well designed space.

T: In my experience, I find it challenging sometimes to get to know a client's style or to get them to express themselves. What techniques do you use to get to know a client?

R: Someone asked me-could you do French Country? I could but I wouldn't get that call. A client who calls me already knows my wave length. I tell them to tear out pictures you like and most importantly what you don't. Colors you like. Colors you don't like. This has guided me well so far. There are only a few times when I have gotten surprised. I have learned to take it as a challenge when a client doesn't agree with me and not take it personal. I let the process evolve. Sometimes they already know and it can immediately set you down a road. As far as a home that needs to be updated, I always say I am not attached to anything in this house. They are just items to me. Tell me what is nonnegotiable. That gives you an excellent starting point. Look at what the client already has.

T: What do you love about NYC?

R: It's cheap and affordable (Ron and Thomas laugh at the same time). I love the variety from museums to distinct neighborhoods to foods. When Julia and Julia came out in the summer, the French restaurants were packed. All right outside my door. You don't have that everywhere. Right outside my door, I can get sushi or Thai. I live 3 blocks from Chelsea Flea. I can easily get to Home Depot, Macy's, Union Square and Central Park is 15 minutes away. I love all the varieties. Someone once said -if you want it, you can find it in NYC. It may not be cheap but you can find it. I don't remember a time not wanting to live in NYC.

Additional comments that I enjoyed after the interview:

R: You have to get the client to trust you. That is why they hired you.

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*Ron, thank you for opening your schedule and chatting with me. I look forward to seeing your updated studio and I hope that I can share updated photos here at My White Shirt.

Thomas Picks: Mirrors only

2010-01-08T22:44:00.015-05:00

I love mirrors. I especially love large mirrors in small spaces. Adding mirrors really helps bounce the little bit of sunlight I get all around my little studio giving the appearance of a bright open space. Some mirrors can be as beautiful and make an equally strong statement as a piece of artwork. I love heavy wood frames slightly damaged or nicked. Mirrors are not something that you have to spend $$$ for as Pottery Barn has a few options that I am LOVING right now. Check out my picks. The 3rd option above is actually my favorite of the 3. The strong traditional lines will play well with my danish antique dresser. I love the wood tone that is shown in the photo and if I'd get the largest size for over my bed just like Ron Marvin did in one of his design projects (click HERE). The 1st option is very metropolitan and reminds me of the windows you find in true lofts in NYC. This would look great directly across from a set of windows. Light would bounce everywhere and in all directions. The 2nd option is eclectic and worldly. You can scatter these throughout an apartment or keep them restricted to one wall.

For now, I will leave the cool mirrors at Pottery Barn - I am just window shopping.

Interview: Meet Tom Delavan

2010-01-08T14:50:00.021-05:00

Viewing the home of a designer is a treat. Being able to get an idea of how he/she lives is intriguing to me. If I feel inspired, I examine the images of the space just as I would examine a map leading me to a treasure. I take in every detail thinking about the designer's choices and point of view. And I come back to the images many times searching for something I may have missed the first time while taking notice of what I share in common with the designer.

Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to talk with Tom Delavan, former Editor at Large for Domino magazine. It was more than a treat-it was vacation-simply awesome. I recently posted about his West Village studio--> HERE or scroll down to the bottom of this page to view photos of his home. Timing happened to be on my side as I got a chance to ask the very questions that I've wanted to ask Delavan. He is extremely kind, friendly, intelligent, easy to talk with and carries a contagious laugh. Hearing Tom discuss his choices and the small details caused me to fall in love with his West Village studio all over again.

This interview is special to me as it is my very first interview with a designer that I am posting on My White Shirt. Please keep this in mind as you read-it's my first official interview so I was a bit nervous. I hope you enjoy Tom and Thomas talking about the design of a studio.

*Th-My questions.
*TD-Tom Delavan's responses.
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Th: Do you still live in the West Village studio that was featured in the NY Times?

TD: Yes, I lived downstairs first and then I moved there in the summer. I was working in the studio before and later decided to move in and live there. I love it. A studio is a studio so it is small but I love it.

Th: Have you made any changes?

TD: The stacks of books in the corner have been replaced with tall bookshelves. And the desk where I am sitting in the photo is not there anymore. I will probably add a long sofa. I think I'll put a little table in the corner so I have a place to eat.

Th: What was your inspiration for the design of your studio?

TD: Designer Tom Scheerer. Click HERE. There was a room he did 25 years ago. It was on his website. I was inspired by it. When I painted my walls white, it made the wood look bad. It took 2 days to find the right color. The wood looks good now that I have painted everything dark. And it is dark. Every wall is painted. I started off with the inspiration and kept going with it until it stopped working for me. Tom Scheerer (space) had a similar floor plan as my studio. Instead of the bed facing the fireplace, it was tucked in the corner. My bed is in the corner and I love it. People always question me about my bed being in the corner but I like it.

Th: I love the idea of your bed being in the corner. Is there a window above it?

TD: Yes.

Th: I love how all of your main pieces of furniture are white.

TD: I moved into this studio from another apartment that was all white. I didn't want to have to reupholster everything. The dark walls really work with the white furniture.

Th: Where did you find the white dog in front of the fireplace?

TD: It is a life size sculpture made by Joseph Grigely who was showing his stuff at a NY gallery. I didn't buy it right away. I had to think about it first and finally decided to buy it. I think it is great to have just 1 0r 2 pieces of art and it doesn't have to hit you over the head. I don't think people use sculptures enough. It's probably because of space issues. I really love sculptures.

Th: Complete this sentence: A well designed space is...

TD: Beautiful-needs to look right.

Functional-needs to work right.

Inspiring.

Th: What was your experience working at Domino?

TD: Great. It was so much fun working with so many smart people. Everyone was knowledgeable. We got to be creative. Deborah allowed us to be creative. It was alot of fun. I miss it. And I miss the website.

Th: What exciting projects are you working on right now?

TD: I've got some really exciting projects going on right now (design)-townhouse and apartments in West Village, apartment in East Village and an office on 58th and 5th. I maybe getting a client who has a house in the Hamptons and a client who has a farmhouse in Connecticut. I am very excited.

Th: What advice do you have for new designers like myself?

TD: Look at as many magazines as you can. Go broader... look at gallery shows and film. Keep yourself inspired. Otherwise, it is not fun. You need to have fun. It is so much easier to feel inspired when you are having fun. When you are inspired, everything falls into place. In terms of getting work for those just out of school, work with friends with little budgets. Offer to work for free or little money for the experience. Take pictures!

I'd like to thank you Tom Delavan for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me.

Inspiration

2010-01-07T20:37:00.005-05:00

A favorite in my collection of design books is Old House New House by Ros Byam Shaw. It is a design adventure navigating from modern to vintage and then a mix of both. Worn soft leather chairs in ebony or chocolate with natural fabric rug on top of original farmhouse wood floors find their way in most of the photos. Stacks of books and magazines placed randomly on side tables, directly on the floor and on top of chairs is a common theme. White walls and sunlight soak the pages of the book. It is not necessarily geared towards small spaces however the ideas can easily translate into any home. Expressive homes not impressive.

Thomas' Picks

2010-01-05T23:52:00.007-05:00

I just got a bunch of catalogs today and here are my picks from West Elm. I am not in love (only in like) with this great modern store however I always find myself creating a mental wish list.

Martini side table (photo 1). I love the idea of having a couple of these scattered throughout a living room ESP a small living area. They can easily be moved around, pushed to the side or placed directly in front of a couch. It's big enough to rest your chocolate martini and won't steal any precious square footage. White please.

Diamond tufted bed frame (photo 2). All of you long term readers know that I have been battling with the idea of installing a murphy bed. How I wish I could gain some square footage! When I see a bed frame like this, I could easily give up on the "mb" idea. I love the height of it, the detailing of the tufting and the creamy off white fabric.

Inspiration: Sharing a Design Point of View

2010-01-03T00:31:00.000-05:00

Tom Delavan is a designer that could easily understand my design point of view. His studio has an undesigned personal style. I'd probably guess that he designs and decorates differently for his home than for his clients. As a full time designer, I imagine he doesn't want to come to an overly styled perfect space. He just wants to kick up his shoes and relax at home. I know for myself I want my space to look like I've grown with it and not that I forced anything or any style onto it.

Many of you know Delavan as the former Domino Editor at Large. In September 2009, his West Village studio was featured in the T magazine blog-NY Times style magazine. His NYC studio reminds me of my DC studio where I currently live as it has a similar layout. It's appears to be a perfect square with windows on one side with a separate kitchen on the other side. Pretty straightforward layout that appears to be bigger than it is because of the separate kitchen and lends itself to an easy furniture placement. In my personal experience, because of the perfect square layout I feel forced to place my furniture in a surprising unexpected way and not go with what may feel natural. And based on Delavan's furniture placement pictured above, I'd guess he felt similar to me in his design plan. Instead of a choosing a sofa with a pair of chairs that face the fireplace, he went for two opposing large chairs without a coffee table. One chair is backed directly up against the bed which is very NYC. I love the shiny silver legs of the chairs as it gives it a glamorous look-very Calvin Klein home or possibly Armani Home. He has chosen to hide the side tables as those attractive white chairs deserve all the attention. Below the chairs is a simple white soft rug with a diamond design and frayed edges. Because the rug is casual, it balances the seriousness of the chairs. Along the far corner of the space tucked away is a simple bed with all white linens without any throw pillows or any artwork displayed above. I think he probably didn't want the bed to interrupt the overall look. The bed is pushed against the wall probably under a window with a black bedside table that does double duty for the nearby chair (to place a cocktail or cup of tea). Delavan restricted the color to white for all of his major pieces which is smart-bed, two deep chairs, large rug, fireplace and decorative dog in front of the fireplace. The use of white is an uncomplicated clean look that I find attractive. Most people find it visually appealing but wonder how does one live with all white without spills. I can answer that question-you live very carefully and you hardly eat. You really don't have to go to that extreme-it requires discipline and it is not for everyone. Each of the major white pieces have different styles but because of the consistent use of white, everything ties well together. Gray'ish brown walls run along the perimeter of the studio with a white ceiling and molding. I love white against or next to a darker color-cool with warmth. It all plays nicely together. I can not forget the hallway style kitchen that is packed with high and low-a viking stove with Ikea cabinets. Love it! I also appreciate seeing a tv in his space (third photo-view into the main area). While Delavan is cooking in the kitchen, he can glance out to the main area for quick view.

Delavan's studio expresses how he lives each day....a person who probably likes to entertain a handful of people, works from home, enjoys reading and has some interest in cooking. I find myself attracted to how New Yorkers style their small apartments, co-ops, studios and condos. And I am especially attracted to Delavan's studio as I see and understand his design point of view.

Thirty-Something

2009-12-31T10:29:00.002-05:00

I think the best way to start off 2010 My White Shirt is to discuss something that means a great deal to me. My beautiful mother and handsome father will be celebrating their 30th anniversary next week on Tuesday. 30 years! It is a special year and it deserves more than one day of celebration so I plan on celebrating this milestone throughout the 2010 calendar year with them.

Each and everyday, I am thankful to have had two parents in my life in the same household from the time I was born through my childhood and into my young adult life. They loved me and loved each other. I grew up in a simple modest home (well decorated, well styled and well designed) filled with love and even now I work hard to have that same love reflected in my home as an adult. My parents said it was love at first sight for them. They met in a little office in a little burb outside of DC. My dad was a field guy and my mother worked onsite. To me, it's such a romantic way to discover love. They just knew that they should be together and that they would be together. My mother's dad was very strict and put my father through a series of tests to ensure that this young man (my father) would take care of his daughter. My dad accepted the various outside the box tests winning the approval of my grandmother and my grandpa. My grandmother recalls one of many things she liked about my father- the way he carried himself which he still maintains even to this very day. He was mild, kind and respectful. She knew if he carried himself like this then that is how he would treat her daughter. It's really a nice story with more details of course that I will possibly share at another time.

30 years equals hard work. And if I had to answer the famous question that so many married couples get->how do you stay married for 30 years? I am confident that I can easily answer it. My parents showed me just how it is possible. My father still makes my mother laugh everyday. Laughter is healthy and necessary in all relationships. My parents stay up late watching movies together, enjoy shopping together, dining out together and really love traveling to new countries together. Together is the theme....they have things they can do together that they equally enjoy.

I have trouble sleeping most nights. It's terrible I know but it's life. I think it was passed down to me by my parents who stay up late every night. It's what I saw and what I have became-a night person. I could call them any day of the week at midnight and they would answer the phone likes it 7 in the evening. Because they are both night people, they sometimes sit up and just talk into the morning. They talk about everything, sometimes they talk about nothing and I am sure they talk about their one and only son- me. To me, it's a pretty simple answer but not so simple task-they both put in the work necessary each day and never give up.

I have learned valuable lessons from my parent's marriage.
1. To treat people with kindness and respect.
2. Value relationships in word and in action.
3. A successful relationship does not mean the absence of problems-its about how you address the problems and move forward.
I hate to end this post mentioning problems as it feels and sounds negative. However, it's reality and it's life. I am not trying to portray a false image of my parents. Of course, my parents' relationship is not perfect as perfection does not exist. However, the big picture is what matters in the end. If my parents look at their 30 years together, the majority of those years is happiness. I compare it to a design project. Speed bumps are expected in every design project. To alleviate the stress of challenges, it's important to meet with the clients regularly to ensure everyone is on the same page with budgets, design choices...etc. Challenges really test the skills of the designer. A mature designer will look at the stresses/speed bumps as normal and an immature designer may stumble. The entire design project process is not easy but the result is rewarding and beautiful. Even when the project is completed, it is never truly completed. It is actually just the beginning. The same is true in any relationship.

I post this with apprehension and hope that you can see the love I have for my parents. My mother has approved the writing of this post. When I emailed her and asked her response- "I would be honored". I am excited about celebrating 30 years with them throughout 2010. Happy 30th Anniversary mom and dad! I love you.... Thomas

In 2009 looking at 2010

2009-12-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

I've been talking and talking about change over the last few weeks. In some ways I have been obsessed with the idea of change for 2010. Change is happening all around us especially in the design world. And change may actually be the theme of design for next year. Great surviving shelter magazines are predicting new trends. I see a common theme among the predictions. The new trend is the non-trend. Design is slowly shifting from the expected straight forward decorated space and is now moving towards the unexpected and personalized home. Design tomorrow is all over the place in a good way. Most people are deciding that they want more from their spaces than just a pretty face. They want attractive unique functional spaces with outside the box features. Different is good. No one style is ruling the scene. It's about mixing influences and layering styles.

Some of the common predictions for 2010 that I have read and expect to be true include:

1. Collections displayed throughout the home in an attractive way.

2. One of a kind modern artwork purchased from new artists.

3. Clean Clutter.

4. An unexpected bold feature in each room.

I see an interesting year ahead. It has been said that people are changing the look of their home more frequently. And in 2010 I expect to see people change the look of their homes not just seasonally. It's going to be based on the mood of the owner and resident. This is exciting as I hope this means that I will be more busy in 2010 shopping, decorating and styling for clients. It also means getting to really know the clients and translating their ideas into their homes.

In late 2009, I noticed a shift in my thinking. I found myself looking at design in previous years (not just a few years) to help and influence my design today. In 2010, I see myself continuing to search high and low for inspiration. Film, television, fashion and vacation spots continue to be great sources of inspiration for me. Because of a renewed design sense awareness, I have welcomed pieces and styles that I would have never expected before. There is more to come.

Design in 2010 is emotional, personal and approachable. It goes beyond the typical pedestrian approach. A style is no longer just traditional, simply modern or french country. It is now a story, a collection of expressions. I once classified myself as modern. This is actually not a true statement. I see my style more as simple urban neutral vintage modern.

The way I see it-->No two styles will look alike.

Tailoring My White Shirt

2009-12-23T14:54:00.000-05:00

I was dealing with blog depression for a few weeks. I had it bad...really bad. I think it's over so I can freely talk about it now. I attribute it to a 2 things: google analytics and hitting a blog brickwall. For those of you who don't know, google analytics is a great feature that tells you how many readers that have visited your blog the previous day, where your readers are logging in to check out your blog, which posts are more popular and how long a reader is visiting your blog (and many other features that I have not figured out yet). I exam it everyday and watched my numbers start to decrease giving me a negative growth number. Some times too much information is too much information. When I started my blog, I had one reader (thank you Jason). And I was happy with one reader and never expected anything. Well, I got reader greedy and wanted to increase my numbers (I did). As we all know, what goes up will sometimes go back down. My numbers decreased-not alot but enough. Ouch. So a few weeks ago, you probably noticed that I started restaurant reviews-alot of reviews. This leads me to the brick blog wall. I somehow lost sight of my original plan for My White Shirt. I lost my vision. (Don't get me wrong-you''ll still see restaurant reviews.) My brain was empty of ideas for the blog so I got into a rut and couldn't get out. I started to regret the name of the blog, regret the content of the blog, regret the creation of a second sister blog-Thomas District (with just one follower).... I started to think-is this the end of My White Shirt? I was 50/50 on the fence. I am a perfectionist in many ways so my attitude is I have to give 100% to everything from cleaning my studio to projects at work to keeping in contact with friends/family. Really, not everything deserves 100%. Some parts of our life deserves 50% or 20%. For me, if I can't give 100%, I get frustrated. Mental note: 2010 goal. That's where I was a few weeks back (for a few weeks)-frustrated. I decided to take some time and think about my blog. I took a week blog vacation. I was worried about my numbers decreasing even more but I knew it was the best thing to realign my energy. I didn't want to just pull My White Shirt off and disappear (though that was a passing thought). I thought to myself-2010 is around the corner and this maybe an opportunity for a new fresh start. I asked myself:

What is my vision?

1. To express my love of design-the progress of my studio-my point of view

2. Share inspiration through photos and images

3. Reach, make sense and appeal to everyone (not just lovers of design)

What is my inspiration?

Small homes

City living

Trees (I am being serious)

Simplicity

The color white

Old against new

Family, close friends & supportive bloggers

Conservative edge

Vacations at the beach (include ocean and sand)

Clean clutter

What do I want to accomplish?

A tailored My White Shirt-to define My White Shirt.

Is it possible?

Anything is possible.

As you can tell, I am a pretty passionate and thoughtful person (it's the french in me). I overthink everything. Lists are constantly being built in my in head every minute of the day. After some written brainstroming, I came up with a basic simple plan for 2010. I've been working on this plan and can actually see how it could be a success (or it could fail and absolutely do nothing for me). I am hopeful, I am excited and I have pulled myself out of the blog bed and blog depression. As of now, my brain looks like this great photo posted above. I love the orderliness of the cluttered workspace. The backdrop is white which translates to me as focus and vision. Tons of photos are overlapping representing all the inspiration. Those photos and pictures complement each other which makes it look stylish and purposeful. The attractive clock sits high on the wall for everyone to see esp the one who works in the space. I know I have talked so much about the new and improved-tailored white shirt which is probably good and bad. My goal is not to build it up so you can be let down rather I would like to set a goal for my blog and share it with those that matter-you.

A Blogger's Humble View

2009-12-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

I've never been inspired by a letter from the editor until I opened up the latest copy of Elle Decor. Margaret Russell opened her heart and spoke candidly about the fall of so many great shelter magazines. In short, her answer is advertising is important to magazines-a lack of advertising means a lack of funds to keep a magazine active and alive. I am sure there is more to it but it's pretty simple. Advertising pays the bills and payroll. Subscriptions do not pay the bills. The cost of a subscription equals only a few issues on the new stand. A good friend and fellow blogger said he has started to purchase his shelter magazines directly from the new stand-he will pay extra money to do what he can to save a shelter mag-to save inspiration through magazines. When Domino went south, it was unclear to me as to how this could happen, why did it happen and never did I expect so many other great shelter magazines to follow the same pattern. I would have paid more for my subscription to keep Domino around. I would have canceled my subscription and bought the mag at the new stand...if only I knew. Added to the list of magazines going south is MetHome. I feel this prompted Margaret's honest letter to the readers of Elle Decor. The letter wasn't all gloom and doom. She quickly turned to the positive sharing the vision of the renewed Elle Decor. It reminds me of something Tammy (my real estate friend) says (I'll partially quote her) " During a good market, you work hard. During a bad market, you work a little harder." That's the same spirit coming from Margaret. And I feel confident in Margaret's vision. I feel inspired. I feel inspired as a designer and especially as a design blogger. She references bloggers as "treasured partners". This was a new thought for me. I never realized editors appreciate bloggers and look to us as a support system. What we do is beneficial to them and somewhat of an encouragement. As a partner, I feel as though I have been given a task to continue to blog about my love of design. Who knew design was so emotional? Check out the letter---> Margaret Russell's Letter

*Look out over the next week for My White Shirt plan for 2010.

My White Snow

2009-12-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

The white fluffy stuff kept falling and falling and falling from Friday night through Saturday night. DC got a ton of snow-real snow....not ice. It was great! Every few hours, I was outside cleaning the front sidewalk and cleaning off my car. The more I shoveled the more the white stuff kept falling. After awhile, I had nowhere to put the snow.

Falling snow is so peaceful. It has the same calming effect on me as the ocean at the beach. It causes me to reflect on good memories and even helps with making difficult decisions.

Snow makes the district stand still. Almost every store and restaurant shut down forcing people to appreciate their homes and the people around them. There was a silence on my street with lights flickering from my neighbors windows. Love it.

My Love for Lonny Magazine

2009-12-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

The second issue of Lonny is out and on the web for all of you shelter mag hungry folks. I am in love with this online magazine and despite my passion of all things green, I secretly wish I could have a paper version of Lonny. Am I the only one? The 2nd issue or winter issue is packed with great outside the box photos of inspirational spaces both private residences as well as stores (Insert Jcrew). Just as I loved Domino, I am equally love Lonny. I've done my first review of the magazine a few nights ago and plan on going back to actually spend time with each article. Off the top of my head, a favorite space featured is the Manhattan apartment of Anthony Gianacakos. The design is bold and beautful. I would characterize it as an unplanned/undesigned space with a slight bit of clean clutter (my absolute favorite). While design magazines are quickly disappearing, I hope to support Lonny in any way to keep it alive and strong.

My Space

2009-12-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

Tabletop styling scares me.

Inspiration-The Unplanned Space

2009-12-11T15:52:00.000-05:00

The person who lives in this space travels all the time and loves their life. Great space.

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If you came to visit my studio, you would never know it is the home of a designer. I don't think I have the look of a designer. When guests enter my home, they usually comment on specific pieces they like...compliment me on the cleanliness-lack of clutter, my organization-everything has a place and the ability to live in such a small little box. They never speak of the design. They never ask me about my inspiration. Most people don't get it. No one ever says "This is exactly what I want!" My studio should probably be somewhat of a portfolio-visual resume but it does not show what I can do-simply shows how I live. It's design is all over the place-it's unplanned, not designed. It's modern with antiques, masculine with a breeze of class/sophistication, white with dark. I keep thinking about 2010 and my direction as a designer. Expect change. It maybe unnoticed or it maybe major. I've got ideas but they are just ideas.

Inspiration

2009-12-06T01:41:00.000-05:00

I love the collection of various pieces-random layout with all different sizes and colors. This is attractive and keeps the wall interesting.

Thank you JCrew.