Wallpaper, Wallpaper & Art ... Everywhere!

If you're in or near the DC area and love designer show houses, you probably caught the biggest one in this neck of the woods: the annual DC Design House. An annual tradition, my mom and sister in law and I visited the home last week. I couldn't wait to see how it transformed after my initial walk through earlier this summer (read about it and see pics in my earlier post here).

Boy, what a change! It can best be summed up in two words: wallpaper + art. Below are some pics of my favorite spaces and trends in this year's home:

The rear hallway / foyer: what was once a blank canvas was transformed into a beautiful, warm space. Even with a main backdrop color of dark steel blue, the natural materials, warmth in the chandelier and darker hues in the wallpaper pattern made this space feel spacious and cozy:

Back Stairs by Farrow & Ball

The upstairs nook: for those of you who've been following along in my blog, you might remember I had dreams of re-doing this space when I attended the designer walk-through earlier this summer. I love how this year's show house designer made it intimate and sophisticated. And once again ... more wallpaper! It seemed the whole house was covered in it this year.

Pictured above and below: Chic Retreat Dressing Room space by Barbara Brown Interiors

Here's a view from the other side of the nook ... more beautiful wallpaper AND original artwork:

Even the attic opening was covered in wallpaper! This designer did not miss any detail. Check it out:

And if that wasn't enough wallpaper, there's more! Here is a photo of another nook, decorated with wallpaper. *Love* this paper's pattern detail and texture, here is a close up:

How about wallpaper in the living room? Check! This time on the ceiling, no less! --

Family room by Kelley Proxmire

Wallpaper in the guest room space? Another check! Love this bold, tropical leaf pattern:

Vintage Cabana & Roof Deck by Studio Q Designs

Not only was there wallpaper everywhere, I also loved how the designers incorporated fine and original artwork at every opportunity -- even in the kitchen and above cabinets -- in a space that is otherwise typically forgotten:

Above and below: Kitchen by Frog Hill Designs

And here in a sliver of wall space, between kitchen cabinets and a doorway:

Last but not least, I can't resist sharing more beautiful, fine art in this *gorgeous* bedroom designed by Charles Altamonte:

Bedroom #2 by Charles C. Almonte, AIA, ASID

My favorite spot of the entire home? I have to admit, as much as I loved the beautifully curated and professionally designed spaces throughout the home, one of my favorite spots was the third floor hallway which featured children's artwork from Children's Hospital patients and their families:


The DC Show House has always been a benefit for Children's. However, in all the years I have attended, I have never seen children's artwork incorporated in the homes. This year's gallery was a wonderful surprise -- and reminder of the show house's charitable mission.

Thank you, designers and DC Design House volunteers for another wonderful year!

p.s. all photos in this blog post are courtesy of me @MiraJeanDesigns; for designer and source information visit the DC Show House's website here.

Autumn & The Art of Commissions

October: one of my favorite months. Falling leaves, cool nights ... and a wonderful time to stay cozy in one's home.

Today, I took the kids to St. Michael's - the perfect day trip from DC on a cool and crisp day. We loved walking up and down Main Street, admiring the historic homes and being by the water. (Here's a pic of my little guy, John, on the dock). 

John (the "Jean" in Mira Jean :-) on the dock in St. Michael's, Maryland)

Work has been crazy busy lately, probably our busiest month yet. A little getaway for the day was a sweet respite. We've been working on getting showroom panels and dozens of memos ready to ship to our new showroom partner in Minneapolis, Tapis Decor (sneak peek, below) ... preparing for a major installation this coming week in a *gorgeous* historic home in Arlington, VA (our Aquafern fabric design (third from left) in three custom roman shades ... can't wait to share pics!) ... and last but not least, working on two commissions. 

Our stack of fabrics, for the showroom panels @Tapis Decor in the Minneapolis Design Center

One of the commissions is a for a client, following the recent presentation I gave at the ASID peer group in McLean, VA. I am so excited about this project and can't wait to share the printed fabrics with you when they are ready. 

This client *loves* poppies and the color red - and needed fabric for custom draperies, roman shades and window seat space. True to all of our textile designs, this one is no different: I am starting with an original artwork - specifically, a watercolor painting. I've never painted so many red poppies in one month! It's fun to see how everything is turning out. Here are a few peeks of the custom textile design options, let me know which one is your favorite:

Artwork #1 --

Artwork #2: 

Artwork Option #3:

As part of the custom textile design process, we are also doing a color check to make sure all the reds in the room match. This fabric is for a bench seat in the interior space, just below the custom window treatments: 

As I look back at my last post and my daughter Mira's Autumn checklist, I am proud to share we have completed not just one, but three of the items on the list: cider, fall movies and cooked squash. :-) Bonfires and apple-picking, here we come! Hope you're enjoying the fall, too. 

xo, Kate