Stylish People, Stylish Homes - Monica Ross

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The older I get, the more I cherish what's possible in life.  I like thinking that I know and then later finding out that things are totally different, often bigger...better.  When I asked for reader submissions, I had no idea that the response would be so great.  My assistant printed out all the emails and we quickly started to sort through them.  You guys are so talented and I appreciate you sharing your homes with the rest of our readers.
I have to admit, I hadn't considered guidelines for the submissions outside of the basics.  So let me take a moment to say, I truly appreciate all of the submissions.  I'll do my best to share them all here, but can only post items that fit into the design and aesthetics of the site.  Nevertheless, I am thrilled about the feedback and how things are going.Thank you for your time and please, keep the submissions coming!Our first Stylish People, Stylish Homes feature is Monica Ross from Richmond Virgina. Her home which was recently featured in RHome, the Richmond Magazine, is a lovely mix of neutrals, antiques, and the perfect touch of luxury.
Just take a look at the living room.  Absolutely stunning!  I love her furniture choices and one can't miss the clever use of the animal skin rug that makes the space more modern.  Great color and great balance combine to make this space appealing on several different levels.  And to think, Monica Ross is only on her second design project! 
Her first venture into design came on HGTV's "First Time Design", the show that calls for viewers to get off the couch and try their hand at designing a real space for a real family.  Monica's kid-friendly living space was a hit and gave her the confidence to take on a much grander project, her family home.
As I flipped through image after image, I remember thinking how well-appointed her home truly was.  I'm the type of designer that is anal about the details.  Everything has to be perfect, every book aligned, every pillow fluffed.  I could tell that in Monica I'd found a kindred spirit with an eye for precision.  I found it impressive that Monica was able to create this space filled with visual drama while using a limited color palette.  A true sign of a good designer!
Equally impressive is that Monica was able to create this space even though she is legally blind.  I love this fact because I admire how brave she was to take on such a huge project.  I know her family is excited to be able to call the space home and can feel the love that she poured into it.

I love the mix!  Again, such a smart use of antiques and modern pieces.  I am now secretly coveting that sofa and the chairs in the master.  What do you think?  Don't you just love it?Images Richmond Magazine RHomePhotography Todd Wright

Roman and Williams for Waterworks

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Good news for those of you looking for the latest in design for two ofthe most important rooms in your home; the kitchen and the bathroom.Waterworks, the luxury bath and kitchen company, proudly introduces anew collaboration with renowned design firm, Roman and Williams. The powerhousecompanies have come together to form R.W. Atlas Fittings and District Tile.The R.W. Atlas line is a first time collaboration for these companies.Considering the the reputation Waterworks has for quality and the high profileprojects Roman and Williams has been a part of, this partnership is nothingshort of exciting.“We are very proud of this collaboration and the design possibilitiesit affords our clients,” says Peter Sallick, Waterworks’ CEO. “Together withRoman and Williams, we went to great lengths to create fittings and tile thatcombine function with a profound sense of beauty and refinement.”The introduction of R.W. Atlas includes over 30 new styles of bathfittings, fixtures and accessories.  Each piece of the collection wasmeticulously designed and engineered by Roman and Williams and Waterworks.  Acommon theme in the line is brass offered in several finishes, includingBurnished Nickel and Carbon.The line will be available in Waterworks Showrooms nationwide in lateSeptember 2012.  However, it can be viewed in its entirety online here. 

Kelly Wearstler's Glamorous Take on Black and Bronze

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Love. Love. Love the custom stair rails! Love the use of patterns!
The stair rails in this library are my favorite! They were also custom designed by Wearstler.  Love!I love everything about this space. Love the floors. LOVE the ceiling. Love the chandelier!  
 Love the use of bronze in the kitchen. Did I say love in this post already?Love this idea!The Home of Lara and Jeff Sanderson Designed by Kelly WearstlerImages ElleDecor.com

Behind the Blog: Joy Moyler of "Haute Zone"

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Designers make the best bloggers.  Hopefully I'm not being too biased. :)  There is something about the processes of designers that makes peeking into their daily lives magical.  I know what makes me tick and what inspires me, so I love discovering that about some of my favorite designers/bloggers.  When I first started blogging, I wanted Pinkeggshell.com to be a place to store all the "how-to" information that my friends were requesting at parties and other get-togethers.  In an attempt to free up some time and get in more cocktails, I would simply say, "Oh, I just covered that on my blog. Check it out."



After a while, I figured out that I didn't have the time to do the projects or to provide the details of them so that my friends could recreate the spaces in their own homes.  I quickly realized that I was referring them to other blogs that were either covering the same information or simply doing a better job at something than I was.



Along the way, I've become obsessed with several really great blogs.  Be it their personal style, commentary on all things design, do-it-yourself nature, or sheer dedication to building a design career, I can't get enough of my virtual design besties.

I recently reached out to the bloggers on my blog roll in the hopes that they would share a little bit about themselves with you.  The response, as you'll see in Joy's video, was amazing.  I received favorite posts, heart felt confessions, videos, manifestos, you name it.  All sent great submissions with the hope of sharing a little bit more about themselves and their passion for design with you.

The first in this 24 month series is Joy Moyler of the blog Haute Zone.

I really love Joy because not only is she one of the African American Top 20 Designers, but she is also an industry veteran with her finger on the pulse of what's next.  Her blog is where she keeps her ideas, event happenings, and the things that inspire her.  So, I recommend her to all young designers who are just starting out in this profession.  Joy does a great job of paying attention to her environment and allowing it to influence her successful design projects.

Nina Garcia's New Upper East Side Digs in October Architectural Digest

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I have three of Nina Garcia's style books.  "The Little Black Book of Style", "The One Hundred" and "Style Strategy".  I love the fashion advice and secretly can't get enough of theillustrations by Ruben Toledo.  I adore Nina!  She's smart, savvy and has the most impeccable style.  It's because of her style and love of great art, that I couldn't wait to get a peek inside her Manhattan home. The space, which is featured in the October issue of "Architectural Digest", has all the elements of a well edited wardrobe, timeless pieces, delicate textures, and smart uses of color. I'm enthralled by the art!  It's simple, yet seems so alive.  I'm instantly drawn in by it. I also love the striped fabric on the back of the chairs.
See my favorite rooms after the jump!

Sunday $idewalk $ale In The City

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With idyllic early fall temps Sunday and a rousing street festival just two blocks away, it couldn't have been a more perfect day for my Brooklyn Heights coop to host its  annual Sidewalk Sale. Of course, I can't help but wonder how the hell I even accumulated enough crap (again) to fill a table full of goodies to pawn.

With buddy Leo selling his own bounty of jewelry and pal Suzanne peddling a couple of winter coats, it proved to be a bounty for all. My total take for the day: $160. Yassir! *

Ruff, Ruff! Brooklyn Heights Annual Dog Show

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While I was down the street selling everything I could heave down from my apartment during ourbuilding's annual $idewalk $ale, the local Brooklyn Heights Assn. held its 2012 Dog Show amid the fall Summer Space festival on Montague Street. The event included music, games, dance, and restaurant & retailer goodies. During a lull in sales mid-afernoon, I charged up the avenue to shoot some pics for the Brooklyn Heights Blog, and was astonished at the turnout: some 300+ folks and dozens and dozens of pooches.

The Dog Show included some 63 pooches entered in the contest and offered prizes in nine cute categories: Best Treat Catcher, Best Tail Wagger, Best Hairdo, Coolest Ears, Best Trick, Cutest Medium-Big Dog, Most Affectionate, Cutest Small Dog, Dog Who Most Likes The Judges and Best in Show. "Finn" won in three categories: Best In Show, Treat Catcher and Trick.

Sadly, this year there was no "Best Couple" category. I'm thinking Abby & Spencer woulda been a shoe-in to carry the crown, right? *