The Importance of Failure in Great Design

It has been said that Thomas Edison made 1,000 prototypes before he had success with the light bulb.  It is also true that Charles and Ray Eames experimented with all sorts of applications for plywood long before the first DCW chair was made.  In today's world, trial and error is not often something that is celebrated.  We try to teach our kids to come up with the right answer as opposed to testing out all the wrong ones first.  

When I was in junior high, I had a math teacher who told me that the answer is not as important as understanding how to get it.  Years later, I had a professor at college tell me that an expert is someone who has made every possible mistake in a very small area of study.  To this day, I don't think I could argue against either statement.  I have read dozens of books on leadership, business, and success and each of them say the same thing in one way or another.

With this in mind, how can designers be expected to deliver a perfect masterpiece every time without incident for each client?  The answer is that we can't.  Every project is different and has different challenges.  Many firms take a 'cut and paste' approach to their work in order to avoid mistakes.  While this approach is common, it does not promote an environment of creativity.  

In order to be creative, you have to make mistakes.  If you have ever watched your kids, you will see that they have a certain way of learning that adults have long forgotten.  It starts with the phrase 'what happens if I do this?'.  Adults don't often ask those questions. We are trained to learn how to anticipate what will happen without having to do the test.   Educational expert Ken Robinson has said 'If you're not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original'.  As a designer this is as important a statement as 'Form Follows Function'.  

Louis Kahn was notorious for making big changes on projects well into the construction phase of his projects. If the process revealed something that he had not seen on paper, he would alter it in the field.   Although his clients did not welcome this exploration (and the resulting change orders I'm sure) there wasn't one who didn't rave about the end product.  Great design evolves.  It is not a static process. 

In summary, if you want to be a great Designer, you have to get your hands dirty.  You have to do the work.  You have to adjust and not be afraid of being wrong.  These are all traits that are counter cultural and will force you to unlearn what you have been taught.   It's not that great Designers don't follow the rules - it's that they understand them so well that they know how to break them.  Just be prepared for the fact that it might take 1,000 attempts to do something ground breaking.

Humor for your weekend

Humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. Wikipedia.   I choose to be silly most of the time because sometimes that's all you need to be happy.  Life is composed of moments and if we fill them with lightness of heart and spirit everything looks and feels much better.  It's not always easy to do that but, it's worth the try!  I hope you have a fun and laughter-filled weekend!

Thanks for the laugh @miianinii and @daempressfifi

Vogue Living Australia

 Just a few random but, beautiful images in an effort to make this rainy day excited!  Enjoy!

Images from Vogue Living Australia.

Are you ready for Christmas

by Preen

It was about time for Christmas jumpers to get a makeover.  The old Christmas sweaters tend to be so ugly looking that they would only look good on extremely pretty people.  Now we all can look good in these Christmas jumpers because they're so beautiful in themselves that many will be tempted to wear them way past Christmas season.  If shipping to Sao Paulo wouldn't be so expensive I would like one of each.  All available at NET-A-PORTER.

 by TIBI

Mason by Michelle Mason

 by Moschino

Happy Thanksgiving!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  ~John Fitzgerald Kenne

two last images by Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris

Black Bathrooms

Beauty is what beauty does! Meaning, in this case, that not all bathrooms need to be white in order to be beautiful.  When dark, good and exotic materials are utilized and mixed with brass, light washed wood and a lot or just enough mirror the opulence of a dark bathroom is not only unique and normally unexpected but, it's also seductive.   I'm in love with the Chinoiserie vanities of the bathroom above.  I also love the rustic unpolished floor and the detail of the different colore and size marble in the shower below.  It's a total dream, isn't it?  The bathroom, first and second images, belong to Kim Herbert, Harper's Bazzaar uk editor via Elle Decor.  Enjoy!

 Mixed with golden details is pure richness.

bathroom above by Ilse Crawford

images from Miles Redd, House Beautiful.

Instagram Crushes

If you have a Blackberry you are missing big time on the big party called Instagram.  I'm an irreversible addict; I should confess.  What? Facebook? oh... that ain't feed ego! Instagram is like a labyrinth!, that I should warn you but, once you taste it you're taken forever.
I don't remember how I came across Luisa Fernanda (@luisafere) but, I'm so glad I did!  Not only does she have the most updated and fashionable wardrobe ever but, also the best Instagram gallery I've seen so far.  Every time I look at one of her assemblances I weep because it reminds me of my lonely wardrobe still stocked inside a container in a port in Santos, Sao Paulo, waiting to reunited with its mami.  If you don't know Luisa you should and get inspired!  You'll see how she can teach a thing or two to many fashion bloggers? 

 Seriously? converse, leopard throw, a dog and the coolest air giraffe on a Sunday morning? 

She has the coolest kid in the block, Alonzo Mateo and as you can see him above he doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to style. 

 He is adorable!

 Then I get to sneak peek into her home too.

Thank you House Beautiful! Images yet to be seen

 A beautiful and cozy room designed by Kevin Isbell in the December/January issue

I'm happy to have been contacted by House Beautiful to write a post on Grass Cloth a week ago and very honored for the mention and link that will appear in the December/January issue.  If you have an iPhone you'll be able to link to Belle Vivir through the HB Connect app.  (correction Android phone users can download an free app called Digimarc Discover).  It's amazing how dynamic and personal magazines have become.
House Beautiful was kind enough to send me the article so I can see it and new watermarked images that will appear in the December/January issue.
Kevin Isbell knew how to make this1930's center-hall colonial home current by injecting warm and intrinsic details such as geometric trims to floral curtains, gross-grain ribbon tape to a plain white sofa and visually connecting two separate rooms by custom painting grass cloth walls the same color as the ceiling.  "Grass cloth has a warmth that paint does not, and darker colors are more cocoon-like" Kevin Isbell.  

I absolutely adore the contrast between the modern looking cocktail table and the wicker basket in the family room.  Notice the detail of the tape on the sofa.  It's all in the small details that slowly reveal themselves to you.  In this room the grass cloth used is a bit more textured than the one used in the bedroom above.  A very applicable difference, I think.

You know how I feel about any klismos and klismos influenced chairs, right?  It's forever my favorite chair.  And the contrast here between the lilac slipcovered chair and the leather brown on the klismos chair is the perfect union of masculine and feminine.  I didn't want to spoil the article so I'm only posting the three images above, the two below are from Isbell's website.  As they prove, he really knows how to cozy things up.  Enjoy!

 Top three watermarked images exclusive from House Beautiful, last two from Kevin Isbell website.

Lovers in Christmas + An Adele exclusive

 I let it fall, my heart and as it fell, you rose to claim itIt was dark and I was overUntil you kissed my lips and you saved me

My hands, they're strongBut my knees were far too weakTo stand in your armsWithout falling to your feet

But there's a side to you that I never knew, never knewAll the things you'd say, they were never true, never trueAnd the games you play, you would always win, always win

But I set fire to the rainWatched it pour as I touched your faceLet it burn while I cry'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name

When laying with youI could stay there, close my eyesFeel you here, foreverYou and me together, nothing is better

'Cause there's a side to you that I never knew, never knewAll the things you'd say, they were never true, never trueAnd the games you'd play, you would always win, always win 
But I set fire to the rainWatched it pour as I touched your faceLet it burn while I cried'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name

I set fire to the rainAnd I threw us into the flamesWhere I felt somethin' die, 'cause I knew thatThat was the last time, the last time

I set fire to the rainWatched it pour as I touched your faceLet it burn while I cried'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name
I set fire to the rainAnd I threw us into the flamesWhere I felt somethin' die'Cause I knew that that was the last time, the last time, oh

Oh, noLet it burn, ohLet it burnLet it burn

What? They have their hearts too.

Most of the images from Tiffany campaign 4th from this blog. 

Design off the shelf - the Top 5 Retail companies providing furniture and finishes you can afford (mostly)

If you haven't figured this out by now, I specify and purchase alot of furniture, fixtures, and finishes.  Often we have little time and modest budgets to completely transform a space.  Finding unique furniture and accessories is often a challenge when you are working with tight constraints.  To help out those in similar situations, I have put together a quick guide to the companies that I go to when I need to create a 'wow' factor using off the shelf items that have a bespoke look.  Before I reveal my top five picks, let me qualify the criteria I used to select the best companies.  In my mind, they have to have a diverse product line, offer great quality and value, have a mix of styles, and develop their own pieces.  Some of the more popular names did not meet most of these criteria.  For example, companies like Design Within Reach or Crate and Barrel have some great items but don't often make their own goods or limit their product lines.  They were considered, but in a pinch, I prefer the following five companies:

1- Restoration Hardware - What can I say about Restoration?  They are doing things right with true attention to detail and pieces of amazing character.  Their bath fixtures are works of art at half the price of Waterworks and their reclaimed wood furniture has all the charm of custom pieces.  If you find their running lines pricey, just wait for the sales as they often move out inventory regularly throughout the year.

2- Room and Board - Although they don't have many stores, Room and Board pays great attention to quality and timeless design.  They sell everything from Nelson lamps to Eames furniture and have the best values in sofas that I have seen.  They can custom upholster to your specifications and the prices are very reasonable.   I have personally owned several of their pieces and have never been disappointed.

3- FLOR - Need to change a room in a hurry?  Use paint and FLOR tiles and the transformation is complete.  FLOR has the most incredible range of carpet tiles that are easy to install and can be customized in an endless amount of combinations.  They have tiles ranging from graphic prints (such as Union Jacks and cowhides) to subtle textures to Cable Knit Sweaters.  They also have area rug kits pre-configured in tonal ranges.  Overall, they are a great value and the installation is a breeze. 

4- Mitchell Gold Bob Williams - If you have ever seen 'The Good Wife' on TV, you know that Alicia Flourick has some pretty good taste in decor.  What you might not know is that most of her apartment comes from MGBW.  The company has a wide range of styles and price points most of which are focused on gracious entertaining and family living.  I particularly like their upholstered items including beds and side chairs.  Definitely worth a look.

5- West Elm - Although West Elm is the least expensive company on our list, it certainly is not the least interesting.  With a product line that is constantly evolving and an emphasis on stylish modern decor, this company is definitely one of my favorite.  Not only do they tend to incorporate current trends and eco friendly sourcing into their play book but they always have an inspiring way to look at items that often get taken for granted such as mirrors or shelving.

Although I would never advise that you furnish your home all from a single source, I certainly encourage you to mix and match from reputable companies such as these.  We constantly are referring to these outlets as part of our Room Service package which creates custom designs for clients using off the shelf products (www.yourroomservice.com). 

Let me know what you think of these stores as well as any others that might be on your favorites list!

On film: Our summer issue

We've made a short web film to promote our upcoming Summer issue, which we're really excited about. It's partly conceived as an enticement to potential advertisers, but we're really pleased with it, so we thought you guys might enjoy watching it too. 

Thanks to photographer Toaki Okano and stylist Amelia Holmes for letting us crash their shoot, and also to Dean, Sarah and the team at Inhouse Design for doing such a lovely job of making the short.