GO for the GOLD!

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A!!!  Well, the Summer Olympics have come and gone, and our amazing US Olympians are not only bringing home the most medals of any country in the world, but also the most gold medals of any country in the world. I have so much pride in all of our athletes, that it has got me seriously loving anything and everything GOLD! 

Gold is no longer your granny's go-to finish choice. From fashion accessories to furniture for your home, gold is making major appearance everywhere. As if you need any convincing, take a look at these magnificent uses of gold in interiors and tell me you're not obsessing...

The gold chandelier and gold bannister and door details stand out against all of the bold geometries in this statement entrance gallery.

This gold sculptural table base and the gold accents on the chandelier have your eye traveling from floor to ceiling.

This gold vent hood is a bold and beautiful focal point of this kitchen.

Posed in front of a book-matched Calacatta marble fireplace, this gold chair is quite a conversation piece.

Golden capiz shell wall covering contrasted against black lacquered finishes turns this powder room into a life-size jewel box.

Gold and Silver tones play nice in this living room layered in luxurious textures and finishes.

{Image Credits}

Hello, Lovelies...

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've always imagined."

. . . Henry David Thoreau . . .

I am going confidently in the direction of blogging about my passions... for design, architecture, fashion, entertaining, and general visual deliciousness.

Here's to sharing life's beautiful things together. Cheers!

{photos via pinterest}

Lighting Goes Green

An element of design that is easy to overlook, and many do, is lighting. But it is lighting that can make a room absolutely sparkle ... and when done perfectly, it can make all of the people in the room sparkle as well.


I was absolutely thrilled when I came across Lisa Fontanarosa's website featuring a lighting collection by British artist Michelle Brand. In her unique designs Michelle combines her talents as a lighting designer with her passion for eco-friendly designs by turning plastic soda bottles into light catching 3-D fabric. Beautifully whimsical designs that are earth friendly!! what more could a girl ask for? The designs in Michelle's line include pendant lights, window screens and room dividers, all with fun, fanciful flowers that define "green" with a fresh clear beauty.

Michelle Brand

Cascade Light

Cascade Lancashire

"Once a plastic drinks bottle is empty, it is percieved as redundant and then thrown away. I wanted to challenge this wasteful paradigm." - Michelle Brand

Well done Michelle! Two BIG thumbs up ... One for the planet, and one for design.

Chairing Styles 2009-2010

Back so soon? Why YES, I am!

I promised more to come about chairing styles on my last (and very first) post ... and I wouldn't want to break any promises ...

Even though I graduated from FIDM in June, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to extend my involvement in their Interior Design program and was thrilled to find out I had been chosen to be one of 10 Interior Design students to participate in their Chairing Styles program. This annual program, sponsored by Cotton Inc., is a unique exhibition that pulls together FURNITURE, FABRIC, and FASHION. Together students from FIDM's Interior Design, Fashion Design, and Textile Design departments work as a team to create original chairs, fashion ensembles, and printed textiles.

As an Interior Design student participating in this year's program, I am working on designing a chair that incorporates the fabric designed by a Textile Design student and uses the fabric design as inspiration for the chair design. At FIDM's annual DEBUT Gala, in conjunction with the Debut Fashion Show, there is an exhibition of the year's "Chairing Styles" collaborations. This year all of the designs will draw from a "Garden Party" theme ... with whimsical floral and nature inspired prints, and chairs that can transition from the indoors to the outdoors. In March 2010 I will proudly walk down the DEBUT runway with my chair! Now, I can not only be able to say that I am an Interior Designer, but also a custom furniture designer!

As I go through the creative process of designing and manufacturing my chair I will share with you all of the ups, and downs ... exciting moments, and frustrating moments.

Photo compliments of Jen Willhite Interior Design

My First Blog ... What a Milestone!

Its me, Lisa Flahive, arriving in the blog world for the very first time! I am an Interior designer in Los Angeles, California who is relatively new to the fabulous and fun world of interior design. I say "relatively new" because I have been a student in Interior Design at the Los Angeles campus of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (a.k.a. FIDM) for the past year and a half, and have also been working as an assistant to Lonni Paul, an Interior Designer in Beverly Hills. I have always had an eye for color, an interest in architecture, and a passion for all things beautiful ... but I didn't realize until a couple years ago that I could use my talents and passions to build a life-long career. (If you would have told me 5 years ago when I was an Undergraduate student studying molecular biology and working in a genetic laboratory that I would be a budding Interior Designer today I would have asked what you put in your Wheaties that morning!!)

So, here I am today ... Graduated from FIDM in June ... Participating in FIDM's "Chairing Styles" Program (more on that to come) ... Working at Lonni Paul Design ... and finding my own way in the Interior Design industry.

Clean lines, elegant details, inviting textures, and sophisticated color palettes define my design style. Every day I discover more fabulous design inspirations, learn more about the business of Interior Design, and learn more about myself as a designer. I hope to use this blog to give you a glimpse into my little world of design ... and would also love to hear from all of you to get a little glimpse into yours!

Cheers!