Sunday Night Dinner

Sunday nights are wonderful. They bring families together and allow those who love to cook an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen-having all day to prepare helps!

This past Sunday night I prepared this delicious meal for my husband, three daughters and my in-laws. The reviews were fabulous.

Here is what was served:
Cheese plate of Bouchon and Figs
Salad of Bibb Lettuce with Blue Cheese and Toasted Hazelnuts- Sherry Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Assorted Fresh Rolls
Filet of Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise 
Truffle Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Butternut Squash
Pumpkin Cake with Heath Bar Cream Cheese Frosting

Decorating with black...

I have always felt every room should have a piece of black in it, it grounds a room and creates such warmth. 

The images below show how this rich lovely hue makes any room fabulous.

Dark cabinets are my obsession

Hardware and lighting

The dark counters make her all white kitchen so warm and inviting

These chairs, I could die for!!!

Adore this cabinet.

Okay this image and the one below just blow me away-quite possibly perfection!

These tufted white chairs in front of this antique cabinet are divine

Love skirted tables in hallways. The accents of the black and white rug ,the mirror and sconces are the perfect way to accessorize this space.

 A zebra ottoman is a must

Sorry, I know it's been a while...

I have been so busy with Thornton Designs this summer, lots of travel, installations, new clients, project meetings and some fun magazine shoots.  I just came up for air and found this picture of my living room and thought I'd share it!  Hope to have more posts soon.

Install happenings...

This past week has been a busy one! We started an install on a project we have been working on in Greenwich.  I snapped a picture of this 14 ft sofa for what we are calling Le Bar.  I am so in love with the color, the pattern and the idea that it will be used as a true entertaining piece especially when we add the four Klismos chairs and cocktail tables and cafe curtains.  Will keep you posted on the process!

Thornton Designs featured in Coastal Living Magazine

We are very excited to be featured in the May issue of Coastal Living Magazine.

A Bicoastal Affair

East Coast polish and West Coast casual live happily ever after in this storybook home in Pacific Palisades, California. 

It's on newsstands now but take a peek here  Coastal Living

Belle Haven Birthday Party

I love what I do!  Seriously, I love being a designer!  But, I especially love it when I can help a friend with a special event.  So when one of our very dear friends called and asked if I would help decorate the table and room for a private birthday dinner party for his wife at our beach club I jumped at the chance to be involved.  If you follow my blog you then know that I adore table settings!  In fact one of my favorite parts of every holiday is setting the table for our family.


This occasion called for a beachy yet Bohemian vibe and we gave it just that.


Secrets to a Beachy/Bohemian look:


Lots of blue and white pottery
Baskets everywhere
Coral and seashells
Wicker hurricanes, wicker chargers and napkin rings
Lots of white hydrangeas
Dishes for candy.  See's Bridge Mix
Indian textiles for the table cloths
And if you are lucky, the birthday girl happens to be an amazing baker and she provides homemade monogrammed cookies for place cards.  

It was all fabulous!  Below are some pictures we snapped as we worked.

One of the best views of the Long Island Sound!

See's Bridge Mix... of course!

Mia, my trusted and talented junior designer, was there to help set up.

Installing a TV Room

Working with a long narrow room did not leave us with much room for seating for more than six with the swivel chairs and large deep sofa.  This room was for one of our clients with a big family, who loves hanging out together.  We envisioned lots of cozy Friday movie nights with kids and friends.  We took a cue from the media rooms you see in many large homes by adding a platform at the back of the room where we could place another large sofa. Then we added cabinetry on either side to create more of a library feeling.  Choosing a natural fiber wall to wall carpet gave it a causal feel and allowed all of the rick dark colors in the fabrics such as red, navy, french blue, brown and yellow to really pop. 

Here's some photos from my iPhone as we were installing.  

Peter Dunham club chair fabric.  Red sofa fabric is Clarence House.

Assorted pillows from Hollywood at Home and Rooms and Gardens. 
Two of my go to stores in Los Angeles. 

Brown corduroy fabric on sofa from Kravet

Yellow lamp from Jasper - I love how it pops.

Rogers and Goffigon sheer fabric lines cabinet doors with chicken wire

Coffee table from Rooms and Gardens.  Candy by See's, a must at all of my installs!!!

Light Linens

Upholstered pieces done in light linens either overstuffed or tufted are my favorite way to anchor a room. Everything works well from wall color to rugs!  Then the fun begins by accessorizing with colorful pillows and gorgeous pieces like this Federal mirror or a collection of blue and white porcelain that you know I just love!!!

 

The roaring fire and the fresh hydrangeas on the coffee table make this space so warm and welcoming.

My own white sofa... Love this slip covered style with the monogram too!

Fortuny Love... Again!

I have posted about Fortuny before, still I couldn't help but share this image of what I consider to be the some of the most beautiful fabrics in the world.  Enjoy!!!