As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Traditional Home magazine has named the top 20 design icons of our time, and included Charlotte among them.  While we can only agree with their sound judgment, we are pleased to find ourselves in such esteemed company!

This is something to aspire to, encouraging young designers to stay the course.

The Complete List:

Ralph Lauren

Barbara Barry

Margaret McCurry

Mario Buatta

Charlotte Moss

Nina Campbell

Oscar de la Renta

Dan Carithers

John Saladino

Clodagh

Michael S. Smith

William Diamond & Anthony Baratta

Robert Stern

Jamie Drake

Kelly Wearstler

David Easton

Bunny Williams

Mariette Himes Gomez

Vicente Wolf

Albert Hadley

***

More information is available on the Traditional Home website.

August 5, 2009

I am always glad to see a fresh take on something ordinary, especially when under my tutelage!  The dorm room of my decorating protégé, Max Sinsteden, was just featured in New York Magazine – and it is anything but the usual dorm room.  With all the trappings of a gentleman bachelor’s apartment, Max has proven that one need not lower their standards, no matter what their square footage might be.  Bravo, Max!  See below for some of his decorating tips….

MAX’S TIPS FOR DECORATING SMALL SPACES…

1. Small should not be underrated!

2. For someone like me, who is immaculate but not necessarily tidy, a small space is the perfect answer! Everything has its place – making it easy to whisk away the day’s mess in five minutes.

3. STUDIO – By its very meaning, it begs for someone with creative juices to make something of it quickly and instinctively, without a lot of planning.  It’s an opportunity to try something you might not attempt on a gigantic scale! Practice, practice, practice.

4. One lives in a dorm room, usually, for five months to a year.  Show up with the basics!

- One can of paint, in a color you love (Thanks, Charlotte!).

- A carpet is essential.  I had to cover the linoleum floor!

- Some art you like.  In my case some great vintage prints, and one enormous painting by my friend Stephanie.

5. A college town thrift shop can be all you need!  I bought a great chest of drawers, a mirror, and fabulous gilt frame (for my bulletin board).

6. Call in some favors.  Not everyone has access to Charlotte’s leftover tid-bits, but surely you have a friend who can sew!  My friend Margaret’s mother, upholsterer M.L. Glover, made the tartan cloth for me and the whole room came together!

LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED…

• Be bold.
• Observe everything.
• Find what you love, and do it ithe best you can.
• Multitasking is key.
• Edit, edit, edit.
• Learn to appreciate “decorating serendipity,” not everything is planned!
• Spontaneity is a good thing.
• Be true to yourself.

THE TWO GREATEST THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM CHARLOTTE MOSS…

• Appreciate everything and everyone around you.
• Realize and appreciate that inspiration is everywhere.

May 29, 2009

• Hang your artwork salon style – by its nature it says “add more whenever you want”

• Slipcovers give you flexibility: a feeling of being more relaxed, informal… and can stretch the budget

• Drama is created with contrast – in the case of these rooms, a light blue is used in the sitting room and a dark blue in the bedroom.  The depth of color suits the room’s use – dark for sleeping, light for reading, relaxing and conversation

• Baskets, lacquered trays and linen boxes organize newspapers, magazines and mail and at the same time keep things accessible

• Use a portiere in an entry foyer/vestibule or between two rooms to create a break, a sense of discovery, or just a little mystery

• Use a pedestal and a large jardiniere in front of a window that together become sculptural – one large object

• An easel allows you to display art in addition to hanging on the walls.  It can be changed frequently, giving the room a sense of movement and freshness

• Bamboo window shades add texture, a dash of informality, and create that essential contrast with silk curtains

• Use a variety of table lamps and floor lamps – minimize recessed ceiling lights – and by all means, use candlelight!

• Embroidery enhances a plain fabric to the level of home couture

• Divide a screen in half and anchor two corners

• Just about anything can be used for napping. a day bed, a sofa, or a chaise

• Use blocks of color to create a clean, bold look

May 12, 2009

This has been a great season for show houses.  Charlotte has seen gorgeous rooms from Palm Beach to Charlotte, Chicago to New York City – and what better way to end the spring than in Rumson, NJ at the Stately Homes by the Sea Encore Designer Show House.

This year’s show house benefited the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey and took place at Sheep’s Run, a beautiful estate built in 1915 for Thomas F. Vietor and his wife, the former Elizabeth Allen.  The house evokes the romantic charm of a Cotswold cottage, featuring extensive, ornamental metalwork, twenty-seven rooms and ten tiled baths.

May 4, 2009

This has been a great season for show houses.  Charlotte has seen gorgeous rooms from Palm Beach to Charlotte, Chicago to New York City – and what better way to end the spring than in Rumson, NJ at the Stately Homes by the Sea Encore Designer Show House.

This year’s show house benefited the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey and took place at Sheep’s Run, a beautiful estate built in 1915 for Thomas F. Vietor and his wife, the former Elizabeth Allen.  The house evokes the romantic charm of a Cotswold cottage, featuring extensive, ornamental metalwork, twenty-seven rooms and ten tiled baths.