Color accents are everywhere...

This is a definite departure from my usual monochromatic "non" color schemes! The color here is striking and I find it very appealing. As strong as the red accents are, the overall look is toned down with the contrasting natural wood, hessian and paper elements. The organic nature of the subject is also a key it keeping it very genuine and authentic..... something I always insist upon!

The work of Restoration Hardware and Gary Friedman.

California-based Restoration Hardware’s CEO/Chairman Gary Friedman is known for boldly remaking the company and giving it a distinctive new vibe and look.

Last week Friedman launched his newest concept, a dramatic, sun-lit Restoration Hardware design gallery in a handsome Palladian showroom in San Francisco’s design district. It’s placed beautifully behind a tall wall and a pair of grand portals, with a terrace and sunlight galore, right in the midst of top design showrooms and the finest antiques galleries.

I have long admired Gary Friedman for the style he has brought into the management and ownership of Restoration Hardware.

The company was founded in 1980 to sell, what else, restoration hardware.

The original founder opened his first store and launched a quirky catalog because he was restoring a Craftsman house in Marin County in Northern California. He could not find all the authentic lighting, doorknobs, hinges, handles, and flotsam and jetsam of remodeling for a classic and historic residence. Thus the name!

The company grew, catalogs arrived through the mail, and stores were opened around the country. The design evolved and the company offered a classic range, with beautiful bed linens, good solid furniture, beautifully made basic pieces for any residence, and the kick of quirky gifts and accessories.

Gary Friedman, formerly with Williams Sonoma, boldly took over the company and has slowly and thoughtfully reshaped it.

Now he is making an even more ambitious leap—with a glamorous new showroom in a former super-luxe antiques gallery. The gallery opened on September 23, with a party for 600 guests, and hundreds of new designs, furniture, lighting, antique reproductions, and singular modern and period pieces.

The new gallery is at 188 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco, in the former home of Ed Hardy San Francisco Antiques. Ed Hardy, who built this Palladian masterpiece, is knowledgeable and uniquely insightful in matters of antiques and decorative accessories, and he will stay on as a consultant.

Classic design...

Classic architectural detailing, an all white color scheme and neutral accessories. I've featured this interior combination in my designs many times... In fact, I recreated this look in my own bedroom when I was fifteen years old!! Im happy to say that I adopted it as my own signiature style!

Ralph - East Hampton.

Ralph Lauren's East Hampton RRL store... it is stunning.

In the middle of pristine shopping stores is this aged and time warn building. It's a treasure chest of items and color and is perfectly  marketed - all as only Ralph can.

Again its a look that has inspired me over and over throughout the years. Basic backdrops (in this case its white washed lining boards) used as the foundation for clever eclectic furnishing.

All images from Ralph Lauren.

Classic styling...

Great images showing the furniture, accessories and classic styling from the team at Restoration Hardware... love it. I first visited these guys in New York about seven years ago and have loved thier work ever since. They've grown considerably since then but their eye for detail has remained unfaultering. I wish they'd bring their products down under!

Kitchen ideas...

I love this kitchen. Simple lines, not overly designed. Great light from the fabulous entrance and subtle overheads as well. Cream on cream keeping it fresh. I particularly like the break from the complete "built in" with the contrasting turned timber legs extending from the island bench. Hmmmm, this could work well in my own home.

Light, bright and perfectly aged.

Two shots of a classic kitchen by Susan Henderson featured recently in American House and Garden. Simple elegant lines and perfectly chosen accessories. Nicely "aged" with Italian hand made subway tiles. A great blend of old and new.

Workshops

Limited places left for September/October...

 "Justin Bishop’s interior style and design workshops will help you develop your own creativity and interior design expertise. Justin will show you how to find inspiration in things around you. He’ll help you define your own unique sense of style and give you the confidence to carry out design projects on your own. Through his decorator knowledge and industry experience Justin will teach you how to turn your ideas into reality. He will give you valuable insider information and share some of the secrets of designing a beautiful home. Justin’s homes and work have appeared in a variety of Magazines and interior publications including Australian Country Style, The Age and the Herald-Sun Home Magazine. His workshops will be held in his own home in Sassafras, in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges."