But, admittedly, it’s like resolving to lose weight, exercise more and go on endless travel binges…reality creeps in and you give in to schedules, responsibilities and having the same will power of your average house cat…but here it goes anyway…wish me luck in my resolve….

1. Even though I’ve been breathlessly told by all sources that Emerald is the color of the year…I won’t use it even though I love it. I always believed (and still do) that great design is being an individual and taking chances and working outside of the prescribed box and what is on trend (or more precisely…been TOLD that something is on trend). I suggest that we all revolt and just to turn things upside down…declare that this is the year of
Avocado Green noooo…Harvest Gold (just kidding…but hey…makes you think, huh?).

2. I’m returning to the classics. It’s time to revisit a classically beautiful white Duck fabric with Dark Blue piping (On a sofa for sure…but no kids and pets please!)…A classic pinch pleated drape made out of dressmakers wool crepe (Nothing drapes better or hangs better…. like a beautifully tailored suit)…a room that is classically eclectic in style so it looks like it evolved over years of garage sales, dumpster diving and then on to your first major purchase, usually a bed and/or sofa, and finally, all of the hand me downs, inherited family heirlooms and all in one room…a great look with Patina.

3. Rethink the use of Stainless Steel appliances in the kitchen and revisit color. Most of the high-end appliance lines are introducing and reintroducing color lines…Check out Viking to get some great idea about the return to color in appliances to add warmth and character to a kitchen.

4. I hereby declare that we have way overused Nickel hardware, Lighting and plumbing fixtures and its time to experiment with mixing other metal finishes, both tried and true like Brass and Chrome (But in Satin finishes) as well as unfinished/Raw Brass.

5. Depending who you ask, It’s still the year of the bargain (which I do believe) so shop around and do your homework when making purchases. Get creative and think about purchasing the less expensive dresser but changing the hardware to really over the top knobs…this trick makes the whole piece look like a lot more money. Another trick is to shop second hand stores and consignment shops for some of the best lighting and lamps in the world…just remember, the way to really elevate your find…. a great well-made shade. So a one dollar lamp + a one hundred-dollar shade = a pricey vintage look that gives a room depth and character.

6.Always laugh like a kid.

-Mark

As Americans spend more and more time in their offices; whether at home or in a corporate building, the desire to personalize their spaces becomes stronger and inescapable.

There’s a fine line though between a personal space that still exudes professionalism and a play space that is filled with vacation mementos, stuffed animals and junk food containers.

Let’s first begin with your employer.

Many will argue that their employer is fine with over personalization of their work area; in fact encouraging it. Others will state that a stapler that isn’t company issue could earn them a walk down to HR for a gentle reminder of the corporate policy and “Company Brand”. Far be it for me to comment on my personal feelings on this…. I’m here for you!!

Well it’s true that a company that specializes in post-production work on films or “of the minute”, edgy advertising campaigns for hip fashion designers, usually look the other way and do encourage individuality in the workplace. But when it comes down to it…we all want to be taken seriously in our positions. We want to command some level of respect and usually not fall for the TMI (Too much Info) on our personal lives or private pastimes outside of work…usually.

Whether you work in a home office, large corner tower suite or small cubicle or “workstation”, I believe that there is a balance that I can (and have) achieved between the real, deep down you and the business side of you…a little Jekyll and Hyde really…but it’ll be our little secret.

When working with a client, I find it most helpful to start with the “Don’ts”):

Don’t…

…Use plants… unless you really have a green thumb and the plants are lush, exotic and tend to elicit favorable comments…in other words, don’t continue to help that old plant on life support just because “She’s been with me for 175 years…”. If you use plants, group them and put them in nice pots and planters…. don’t ever leave them in a plastic pot wrapped in foil with a “Congratulations” card firmly planted in the dry soil.

…Use questionable artwork that is either too sexy, offensive OR contains nudes of any kind…even if YOU swear that it’s ART because it is TASTEFULLY done. You never know who is secretly offended or made uncomfortable by it and they walk their business out the door.

…arrange all of your business and industry awards front and center. You may be rightfully proud of your accomplishments but it’s kind of crass, boastful and tends to make your colleagues feel diminished if they don’t have as many as you. Also, clients usually don’t really know what most of them mean and they have to ask…Tacky. A nice arrangement of certificates, well-framed, hung on a secondary side wall and well lit with accent lighting can be extremely tasteful and very impressive…not as the main focal point behind your head. Crystal statuary, awards and trophies; on shelves mixed with well arranged books and Plants (If your green thumb is in check)…make it look like the placement just sort of happened, not like you were up for days arranging and re-arranging your 4H ribbons and softball trophies (Yep…the one time that I would say you have a free ride to plaster your entire room with your accomplishments and awards is when your self-esteem is in the formation process)

…Turn your cubicle into a Tiki Bar (yes, a real example) with bamboo flooring, Tiki Torches, rolls of Raffia wall covering tacked over corkboard.

—Turn your office into nightclub (another real example) with black lights, a wet bar, full refrigeration for questionable refreshments and…oh yes…a futon rolled up in the corner in full view….

Do…

….personalize with vintage Mid-Century toys that will have commonality with your colleagues and clients…really! Just remember, the display of these toys is crucial.

They can: be ice breakers with colleagues and clients, touchstones on a really bad day, bring a smile to a gruff boss or associate…be a bonding mechanism between adversaries…just like the old neighborhood and kids that you hung out with.

Try G.I. Joe just peeking out from behind a set of law books on a shelf; Barbie or Gumby clutching onto a brass lamp base on the edge of your Mahogany desk as if to greet every associate for you, or a Motorific car on the back of the executive wash room sink…in a substantial Lucite tray.

Here is a real example of my own. I designed and installed an extensive office environment for a client of mine, in his companies’ corporate offices. The office was sleek, architectural and substantial. He was an avid collector of vintage matchbox cars and wanted to use them…we used them, definitely. I displayed them in several beautiful black leather trays with a heavy modern silver edging placed around the office. After working in this office for over one year, he called to tell me what an ice breaker these cars had been and not one person that came into his office, didn’t remember a particular favorite Matchbox model of their own or fond memory and also asked if they could play with them.

Another personal example was a female client, who for years, kept one piece of furniture on her desk from her original 1960’s Barbie’s Dream House…a chair. It was her touchstone and she noticed one day that either she or one of her clients had worn a thumbprint-sized hole in the seat of the chair…from holding it and remembering their own Barbie Dream House…no doubt.

Hey…most of us are just all a bunch of grown ups who once had all of the same toys.

Cheers,

Mark

Here’s the link: App Central Episode 4.1 Video – featuring Mark On Call

New beginnings and a fresh start on many levels. It’s a season that has possibility in the air…people making plans for Summer, the days get longer and there is a decided feeling of “I made it through another Winter…thank God!”

It’s the best time of the year to make changes…in your life and your home and surroundings…paint the walls, spray paint your cocktail table, add a bright and beachy woven rug to your floor…what the &%##@…paint the floors!! (I love painted floors!!)

In celebration of Spring, I love putting together my list of things and places that I love, that are classically fresh and Fun with sense of ease and to me…say SPRING with a capitol “S”…and hopefully will help you get inspired, agree with me, disagree with me, think about something that you’ve put away in the back of your head for a long long time…or call an old friend to reminisce about some crazy vacation that the 2 of you took….long ago….in Spring.

I.Cape Cod

II.Black and White striped awnings

III.Boxwood Topiaries (I know…done…but I still love ‘em)

IV.Datson 240Z….in white …classically hot!

V.Colors to love: Clear, edible Yellow, Creamsicle Orange, Summer Sky Blue…Aqua

VI.Painted wood floors

VII.Ceramic pitchers shaped like fruit

VIII.Vintage painted glassware…. with ice tea and big slices of Lemon

IX.White High Gloss woodwork with Black doors…. anywhere and anytime!

X.Vintage Alain Mikli eyeglass Frames…the older the better! Still soooo cool.

As always…laugh like you were a child again!!

-Mark

We are now in the thick of it. I thought that in light of the stresses of the holiday season (Just read the paper), people also tend to let the decorating get away from them…not to say that they forget to do it, but they make their homes look like someone else lives there or try to copy something from a design magazine (Oh yeah…I fell for the gold dipped gourds from Martha Stewart’s magazine…and zillions of dollars later…you get the picture!).

The lesson of years past is to decorate simply, warmly and to keep your own personality showing…also, just because the decorations are 99% off at the after Christmas sales doesn’t make them “Perfect” for your home.

Make something or reuse items that you currently have around your home. Consider that a beautiful bowl of exotic fruit mixed with ornaments from the tree and some greenery looks warm, inviting and great as a table centerpiece and can be eaten later or during the holiday by you, your family and guests.

Most of all, remember the meaning of Christmas and that it’s the season to be with friends, family or to bring a meal to the elderly woman who lives downstairs AND stay to have a conversation.

I am posting an excerpt from my book, “What Would You Do With This Room?” from the chapter where I talk about my 10 commandments for great Interior Design…I hope that it helps and reminds us all to personalize and simplify!

Remember to laugh like a kid!

-Mark

Design For How You Live

Design for how you live, not how you wished you lived. The design
you create should reflect the person you are and the life you lead. In order to
create this design; you will have to be true to yourself.

Designing for how you live will be an exercise in both psychology and philosophy. We will touch upon these topics in order to see the relationship each has to home design.

In psychology we are always seeking to find and accept our true selves.
This honesty allows us to confront the demons that hold us back and push us
forward, or make us behave in certain ways. Likewise, this honesty allows us to accept and appreciate our lives, thereby creating a nurturing environment for our loved ones.

In philosophy mankind is always asking the question, “What is truth?”
For us, truth is about knowing what you like and how you live, admitting it,
and allowing it to be a part of your life.

John Keats wrote in “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” “Beauty is truth, truth
beauty.” The ancient Greeks believed that the definition of beauty was
symmetry, proportion and harmony. Know what it is that brings harmony to
you, and its beauty will be apparent.

In design we use these basics of psychology and philosophy. We must
be honest with ourselves, know our demons, our behaviors, and what makes
us happy. In doing so we create beauty.

“Design for how you live” can mean choosing fabrics and colors that
work for you, your kids, and your pets; it can mean choosing furniture and
accessories that are conducive to your habits—good and bad. Remember—
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”

Case History of the Messy Console

Maxine, like many of us, is a little messy. She had a console in her foyer
that was always covered with the remains of the day. Underneath and on top of the console was an array of shoes, umbrellas and keys–a real mess.

Maxine called me to say that her home needed redoing and she couldn’t
live with the mess anymore. Her top priority was to get rid of the console.

I knew Maxine, and, therefore knew that the console was not the issue,
and argued my point. Maxine turned a deaf ear. I designed her space sans the
console, and she loved it.

Weeks after the entire house was completed I returned. The console was
still gone, but in its place was an unceremonious pile of the same keys, mail,
lipsticks, boots, and shoes that were there before.

Before I could say a thing, I was quieted by Maxine’s knowing look and
conciliatory words, “I need something for my mess.”

I knew it would happen. Maxine knew she did not like the mess she would
create, but was mistaken when she felt that removing a piece of furniture could change her behavior.

In this case the solution was not to take away the console, but to provide a
piece of furniture that could be compatible with her habits. A cabinet with shelves and doors was the answer.
Maxine could have her mess, and hidden, too.

Lying to yourself is detrimental. Don’t do it. Did you love grandma’s
house circa 1971 with the bright orange and green flowered sofa and shag
carpeting? Did you dig the Hummel collection? Admit it by taking aspects of what you loved about it and working it into your space.

Case History of Grandma’s Afghan

Lori was in the middle of re-doing her family room. She had an old afghan
made by her grandmother, which she loved and used frequently, but felt would be out of place in the new, “done,” room. She had resigned herself to retiring the much-loved piece to a closet or chest in the interest of design.

I listened to Lori and said nothing. I thought the afghan would go
marvelously in the room. The style was old, the edges were frayed, and it’s love; well worn.

I designed a special stand for the afghan, and placed the stand partially
behind a big chair so that the afghan peeked out.

When I revealed the room to Lori, tears sprung to her eyes.
Incorporating a piece that client loves will make their space more
comfortable. This is good design. Not only is Lori’s family room beautiful, but also it brings her closer to her grandmother.

Don’t deny the things that make you, you in an effort to be hip or
modern or trendy or sophisticated. Don’t deny behaviors you wish were
different, but are so. Be realistic. Remember that in design, as in life, honesty is the best policy.

Case History of the Television in the Bedroom

Cindi had the best intentions for her bedroom, and these did not include a
television.

“You don’t watch TV in the bedroom?” I asked.

“Of course I do,” she answered. “But I need to read more.”

Cindi’s guilty pleasure was being lulled to sleep by the sound of Conan
O’Brien’s voice.

“You want to deny yourself your guilty pleasure so that you can read
more?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“So where are all your books?” I wondered.

“I’ll buy some.”

Knowing that we were walking down the slippery slope of not being honest
with oneself, I steered Cindi in a new direction. I proposed that she allow the
television to exist in the design. In fact, I encouraged her to purchase a
ginormous flat panel television to mount directly in front of her glorious bed so that she could enjoy her guilty pleasure to the hilt.

She did it, and she loves it.

Had I not encouraged this decision, Cindi would have been miserable. By
including the television in the design, it addresses the client’s true needs and
desires.

There is design to accommodate all your desires, and look good at the
same time. Don’t allow these desires to be mere afterthoughts. In other
words, if you like grandma’s stuff, use it. If you watch a lot of TV in bed, have a television in the bedroom. If you feel guilty about that television,
incorporate reading lamps and keep a copy of War and Peace on the
nightstand, just in case.

Summary

✓Great design can live hand-in-hand with comfort.
✓Know and understand your habits (and that new
design won’t change them).
✓Consider upkeep when choosing materials and
accessories.
✓Don’t forget kids and pets.
✓Think of your own comfort, physical size, and style.

—Excerpt, “What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design”

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“What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design” by Mark Lewison

The holidays are here again…argh!

With the prospect of people in your home for parties, dinners and holiday gatherings or just you looking around at your space, I’d like to address a design issue that we’ve all seen, have in our own homes or just plain makes you have a migraine…artwork that’s hung too high on the wall as to make you feel like you are in Alice in Wonderland and getting shorter all the time! Or as I like to say…Hung just like Grandma did it!

So, I’ve developed my list of foolproof guidelines for hanging artwork and transforming your space to look just like a Design professional has toiled for hours over the nail banging and picture hanging throughout your house, apartment or dorm room…or as I like to say, the end to having it look like a machine gun went off behind all of your artwork and still, everything is eye level to the green giant…or just like Grandma did it!

So, here we go guys…and this pretty much goes for whatever style or space that you are living with:

1. Artwork should be hung so that a 5’-6” person can stare straight into the center, or “Body” of the piece or the total arrangement. Now there are exceptions to this rule of course.
First, for emphasis, I like to start at eye level and depending on the wall, either lower the piece or raise the piece.

2. If you choose to lower a piece, it should be in an area that someone could walk up and bend down to look at it…a hallway, under a stair or above a very low bench, counter or table.

3. If you choose to raise a piece, make sure that it isn’t higher than the highest architectural detail or piece of furniture in the room..this is known as “Roomscaping”….keeping the “Mountains” at the same height and the “Valleys” at the same depth.

4. If you are hanging a multi-piece arrangement of varying frame sizes, start with the largest and keep with the previous guidelines (eye level, raising and lowering)…the remaining pieces should keep an equal distance from the large piece to the top side and bottom…for a balanced yet interesting look)

5. Always hang artwork with 2 hooks in the wall and never one. One hook creates way too much stress on the frame and can allow the piece to lean forward as well as be unstable if people bump it as they walk by. I hate to constantly straighten artwork…don’t you?

6. If you are unsure about the height at which to hang a piece of artwork…err on the side of too low rather than too high….always!

I know Grandma would get it!

Always laugh,

-Mark

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“What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design” by Mark Lewison

This year, quite frankly, I will usher out with a big smile on my face and a sense of utter relief.

This year, on March 29th, I had quadruple bypass heart surgery. I had no idea that I even had heart disease until I went in for a routine procedure that every 50 year old is told that they must do…and I almost cancelled the appointment since I was too busy, had too much to take care of, a lot of useless paper on my desk at work and a multitude of other reasons…but it was that nagging voice that made me keep the appointment that day.

Prior to the procedure that I was having done that day, a nurse, my savior, the one that quite frankly, gave me the rest of my life; she told me that my heartbeat was very irregular. I pooh-poohed it and said that I’m sure that it was nerves…she insisted, “No…really irregular” she said, and that as soon as I could, to get it checked out with my regular doctor. I still thought that it was nothing since I spend hours in the gym, eat right and for all outwardly appearances, I’m in pretty solid shape.

That saved my life.

After several tests, visits and a really tenacious cardiologist who I can say that I truly love with all of my heart…who I fail to believe was not sent to me by the spiritual entourage headed my beloved and departed grandmother that follows me around (as a psychic once laughingly, but seriously, told me at a party once)…there it was…an 80% blockage in something called the “widow maker”…my life crashed in.

However, as Lisa my heart doctor said “Bad day for you, great day for me….I just saved a life…your life.”

I’m happy to say that I am healed in both body and mind although I still get really emotional when I really think about this year. I’ve changed several lifestyle habits of course, prioritized what really matters in life and expect to be here for the duration. Through this all, some very special people have entered my life and most of all and more than ever, I deeply cherish the friends and family that were there for me and continue to bring light and love into my life.

Thankful…absolutely. A changed man…you bet.

Knowing what truly really matters and doesn’t…priceless.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday and remember, listen to that little voice in your head…I think that it’s really someone that you love sending a message from the other side …and most importantly…don’t waste a single day by not telling someone how important they are to you.

-Mark

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“What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design” by Mark Lewison

I was watching television the other night and a commercial came on touting the beginning of the “Shopping Season”. Mind you, not the “Family Season” or “Be with Friends Season” or the “Give Something to the Needy Season” or “Slow Down and Say Hello to Someone Season” …but… “The Shopping Season”.

So, in deciding to shop and buy from local merchants, which I did beginning last year, I have found something that we have lost. Personal connection and a return to small town interaction with people.

Also, I have found warmth, friendliness, and far less impersonal holiday advertising designed to make you feel less than human if you don’t join the hoards on “Black Friday”. And best of all…I actually enjoy shopping again!!!!

You may be asking what this has to do with Interior Design. Well, considering that a paint color can add a perceived warmth or coolness to a room, so goes accessories and artwork.

Personality that has been added to a room with locally made artisan objects, antiques and/or items that you have made or collected yourself over the years, non-mass produced accessories, and at this time of the year, Holiday Decorations, can have a profound effect on the perceived temperature and tone of a space. People have asked me time and time again as to why their homes feel cold. After looking around their space, I inevitably find a bowl, frame, tray or roomfuls of furnishings that I’ve seen in every store, showroom or neighboring house for miles around…and we’re not talking about cost here.

A “Found” object can be as trivial as an old costume jewelry necklace from a flea market, draped across a tray that is actually the top of an old box.

Hint: Think like a kid when you are accessorizing your space…yes, matchbox cars can look great on a shelf in any room…that is as long as they mean something to you AND they are arranged artfully like on piles of books or with other like items to form a “Collection”. A great “personality” accessory for your room can be found in the most unlikely of places such as an old drawer, your parents attic or a second hand store.

Be Creative and think Smaller…Shop Locally,

-Mark

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“What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design” by Mark Lewison

The Summer is over (though it is 98 degrees in SoCal today), time to get to work and that hideous bathroom, worn out carpet and peeling paint has only gotten worse…it hasn’t miraculously re-designed or replaced itself…even though you tried, with all your might to wish it away.

So, here’s the deal…my September 16th post hit a nerve with you and I received so many positive responses to posting a design problem from one of my readers along with my solution, that I’m asking for more of your problems!!! Like I don’t have enough of my own…so send me yours!

I will making Design Solutions part of my regular blog postings. Just send me a brief description of your situation, problem, money pit or design horror story, along with a few pictures, and I will be choosing several for each blog post to address, help out with and hopefully, give you viable, reasonable, stylish, creative solutions to the problem that you can tackle yourself…or with the help of a handyman!!

I love before and after stories, quick and creative fixes and if you want, more in-depth capitol improvement solutions that you can embark upon…your call. I will change the names to protect the innocent and not even let on to your neighbors that you are completely design-challenged!

I am so looking forward to this!!

As always, Laugh like you did as a child,

-Mark

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As one of the great estates from the heyday of industrialists in the United States in the past century, the Hearst Castle is one of the Jewels. However, as one article that I’ve read pointed out, William Randolph Hearst had a more pedestrian eye when it came to his art and extensive architectural antiquities collections…let’s say notches below what Getty amassed in his lifetime.

I will say that what Hearst lacked in subdued good taste, he more than made up for in sheer volume, variety and grandiosity. My guess is that he was the Donald Trump of that time.

We spent the day taking a tour of the Guest Houses, Wine Cellar and Kitchen…then the remainder of our time there soaking up the sun beside the Neptune pool and walking the grounds…and of course, like everyone does, making mental notes as to how I would furnish the place if it was mine, which guest house was more “me” and staring at the old soaps, combs and toiletries left strewn about in the bathroom for display; and of course the inevitable next step that everyone does…look around as to where the security cameras were!

I, of course, took a lot of pictures, to find out later that I had hit the video button on my phone so ended up with only half the photos that I wanted…but I still have a few good ones for the blog. The lighting freak in me made me take photos of each and every light fixture. Of course with the plans to duplicate someday…right! Even with the videos that I can’t use, you’ll still see some really great light fixtures in the photos.

   

Would I recommend the trip to Hearst Castle…oh yeah…
Was it a good value for the Tours…absolutely…
Did I get a lot of Ideas for my someday castle…yep…
Would I like to be this guy for a day…in a minute.

Enjoy Fall!!! Road Trip!

-Mark

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