It’s my favorite time of year! The flowers are in bloom, windows reopen and rejuvenating color brings returns. It just makes me smile.  Spring has always moved me to play with bright, saturated colors, but there is a way to do so without losing a welcoming look of timeless sophistication.  This Spring, I’ve used my favorite flower, the Sunflower for inspiration.

I’m a big admirer of interior and fashion designer, Kelly Werstler, who designed  the Viceroy Palm Spring Hotel in 2001 to emulate Hollywood Glam’s Golden Age.  I love the muted simplicity of the room’s palette here, coupled with the contemporary lines and a pop of yellow.  Restraint is supremely important here.  A little goes a long way!

So can color.  This recent project at a gorgeous (shall I say gorgeois?) contemporary, urban home, called for a little warming up.  We started by selecting a classic Chesterfield sofa, upholstered with a rich aqua velvet to complement my clients’ accent wall and accentuate her other impeccable selections. Then we balanced the sofa’s traditional lines and bold color with graphic pillows, creating a contemporary, fresh look.  Her vintage buffet, eclectic art collection and traditional ceramics temper their more playful back drop, creating a sophisticated urban feel.  Who wouldn’t love to come home to this living room?

In this nook, I chose to hang clean, crisp sheers with just a touch of ivory from ceiling to floor to exude an ethereal feel in the space and complement the high ceilings, marble floors and sleek wood work.  We threw a zigzag lumbar pillow on a vintage club chair – a reflection of my client’s cultured pizzaz.

The bedroom – a woman’s sanctuary of serenity and reflection. Here, I paired embroidered sheers with a beautiful, soft muted pillow. I cherish natural lighting – an accessory in its own right, and complementary to any style. I chose window treatments that accentuate and frame the natural sunlight for a more inviting and relaxing space, perfect for nestling on any occasion.

In another window, I hung a natural linen, laced with a touch of shimmer to weave my client’s signature glamor throughout her home.  Accessories like pottery anchor the space with a touch of history and handmade craft against the palatial white marble floor.

I’m an East Coast gal through and through, but I must say that something about California design (and the gorgeous weather) really speaks to me. I’ve always loved the mix of a clean modern look with some rustic elements to keep a room warm and grounded. It’s a look that can be referred to as Modern Farmhouse or even Urban Farmhouse. I don’t like going too country per se, but I love a look of a lived in and warm space. Here’s some great examples:

This was one of the inspiring spaces I saw on my recent trip to Napa and Sonoma. It’s the tasting room at Ramsgate winery. Fantabulous! Not only is the juxtaposition between the modern chandelier and the hanging tapestry perfect, but the wine was delicious too! Remember, lighting is the jewelry in the room.  I like to remind my clients that lighting is one of the first things people notice when they walk into a space. Try not to skimp on this aspect of a room.

Rustic meets contemporary. Hello gorgeous! Notice how the large mirror expands the entire space.  This is a great trick to use in a smaller bathroom too.

This is a picture of a room with farmhouse modern decor using color. Unlike the more muted approach to this look, a splash of turquoise really adds vitality to the room. It’s important to mix textures and colors in a room to avoid a matchy-matchy look.  Drape a throw on a chair that doesn’t necessarily match – Note the plaid on the turquoise chair.  It’s a smart but lived in room.

Finally, I’m a sucker for vintage looking light fixtures. I love mid-century and rustic lighting in a modern space. How cool is this chandelier? Picture this over a contemporary dining table or in a room with gobs of modern art. I think it’s fantastic! Pssst…and it’s available for purchase through Michele Plachter Design.

I envisioned a very fun, fresh and airy working space that inspires creativity, productivity and a sense of comfort. We used earth tones to bring an element of the beautiful landscape indoors, and combined them with pops of color and modern design.

I love to combine antique, one-of-a-kind pieces with a modern touch using this Lamb Mongolian pillow. Layering neutral tones and textures can create the same pop without the use of color.

Organization need not be drab! We made this office totally fun and functional by using boxes covered in vintage fabrics, courtesy of Boxy Boxes.

These Dunes and Duchess sconces were my inspiration for the entire project. I discovered them at the New York Gift Show and the company was generous enough to consign them to me for the Show house. Its a pop of the unexpected – just my style.

I also want to send out a huge thank you to Andrea Cipriani Mecchi (www.ciprianiphoto.com) who took all of the photographs for my show house and my portfolio, as well as the beautiful botanical photographs on canvas featured here.  Andrea see’s my work and takes it to a new level with her keen eye.  Thanks, Andrea!

After a successful 4 years with Nelson-Plachter Design, I’m so excited to launch my own firm, Michele Plachter Design. I need to take a moment and thank the amazing individuals who have helped me get here. I’ve been so lucky and feel overwhelmingly grateful for the clients, family and friends, contractors, artisans and professionals in the design field, who have supported me along the way. This venture is for you.

Soooo…welcome to my new blog! Here you will find all kinds of functional, fabulous and cost-effective design tips and commentary, and can follow some of my latest projects from start to finish. I promise to be brief and informative, and of course, fresh and stylish.  Make yourself at home and join me as I set out to build a community of client-focused, timeless and gorgeous spaces. Stay tuned…