Gorgeous Hand Painted Designer Floors by Billet Collins

Do you remember this cover of Veranda January/February 2009? The sitting room features a stunning painted floor by Washington, DC's most influential decorative painting studios, Billet Collins.

Billet Collins is known for their innovative hand painted finishes and dramatic patterns as shown in the dining room above and previously featured in Designer Dining Rooms and Decorating Tips.

In addition to painting gorgeous murals and textiles, Billet Collins loves to create painted floors and it's one of their specialties. Kellie Hodges of Billet Collins explains, "The layout is extremely important to us so we use a lot of math and geometry to make it layout, and to make it perfect we practice a little illusion!" The foyer above is a beautiful example of one of Billet Collins' geometric painted floors.

They do not use stains, but use custom tinted glazes to coordinate with the wood tones that give the artists better control. This allows for the grain to still come through and a natural progression of colors.

In this foyer, Billet Collins painted the wood floor in vibrant colors that are also either sheer colors or opaque for a more painted effect.

The process is easy. First the floors are first "screened" {a light sanding} to provide some tooth. The the floors receive one coat of sealant to keep the glazes from running into the actual wood, which keeps the colors from bleeding and the pattern crisp. Next the pattern is applied {usually a couple of days} and then the top coats go on. Billet Collins also likes to use a water based urethane so our colors don't yellow.

I am loving this look. How about you?

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Interior Design Color Trends for 2010 - Purple

It's royal, healing and eccentric. You may either love it or hate it. But, get ready purple is making a comeback and is a big color trend for 2010.

Trend setting interior designers have already added shades of purple back into their color schemes. New York-based designer, Amanda Nisbet created a dramatic bedroom in purple, brown and white. Loving the Louis XV chair and foot stool in white with brown and white contemporary upholstery! And the throw pillow pulls the color scheme together perfectly.

The master of color, Jamie Drake designs a stunning Manhattan bedroom in magenta, fuchsia and purple. Creating a focal point, Drake adds a dramatic custom button-tufted headboard wall in chenille from Cowton & Tout called Brasilia Lilas. The floral brocade bedspread is also from Cowtan & Tout.

Designer Phillip Sides creates a soothing bathroom in the North Carolina home by using white subway tiles and painting the walls a soft lavendar - Classic Lilac (1002-5C) by Valspar. The cafe curtains in Manuel Canovas Suzon by Cowtan & Tout are hung mid-window to allow for natural light while still giving needed privacy.

Charleston South Carolina's Angie Hranowsky designed this ecclectic dining room with striking walls in plum. It work beautifully with the white accents - table, chandelier and table lamp and hints of blue - vases.

New York-based designer, Christopher Maya combines shades of purple and pink to create an exquisite formal foyer and vestibule at this year's Kips Bay Show House.

Maya beautifully fuses new and old decor elements throughout the space making it a perfect place to entertain guest or read alone by the fireplace.

As we head into 2010 you will see more textile and furniture designers launching lines with shades of purple, but here are some trend-setters available today.

Osborne & Little's richly colored pomegranate and grapevine wallpaper - Maharani W6022/01-07

Designers Guild - Darnley in Heather - silk velvet with classical motif in Heather

Large raffia storage boxes/coffee table with embroidery in purple

Thomas Paul - Broderie Pillow in Violet

Pair of black Louis XV chairs in contrasting Madeline Weinrib's Purple Luce

Istanbul Table in lavendar with gold nail head

Will you be welcoming purple back into your home in 2010?

* images from Metropolitan Home, Shine Home, Designers Guild, All Modern.com, Rice, Coastal Living, Osborne & Little, Amanda Nisbet, Angie Hranowsky, Christopher Maya

Welcome Home - The Beautifully Organized Entryway

It's the first and last area in your home that you and your guests see. The front door entryway - or foyer depending on your homes architecture - deserves your design attention. Entryways come in all shapes and sizes, yet all welcome guests and residents. In some homes the entryway also functions as a storage area for items such as keys, shoes, purses, mail, hats and coats. The overall function of the entryway will determine the organizational design.

Above, the gracious pair of multipane cross-buck doors greets guests to the retreat cottage of Detroit-based designer Stephen Knollenberg. This traditional entrance hall features a beautifully carved early-20th-century five-legged table with a 19th century copper street lantern suspended above it. The mounted wood folk art walking stick on the table looks American, yet was purchased at a Parisian flea market. The large woven basket is perfect to store shoes, backpacks or small sporting equipment.

This warm and inviting foyer by designer Suzanne Kasler features a custom damask wallpapered ceiling by Walter Knabe and empire chandelier. It coordinates beautifully with the persimmon floor length draperies in fabric by Holland & Sherry. If the space is large enough, a desk is a nice furniture piece in the entryway and serves many functions. It's a great place to display floral arrangements, home accessories as well as storage for small items. I'm also a fan of benches in entryways - love how Kasler placed one below the far gallery wall of artwork.

Keeping it simple and clutter free. This long and narrow entryway looks great with simply a small bench and light fixture. The black and white tile floor makes quite an impact and defines the space nicely.

This stunning New York City condominium foyer by designer, Charlotte Moss welcomes its guests with custom wallpaper made from 18th century architectural engravings from Le Rouge. Mirrors are also great in an entrance. In this room, Moss adds a convex mirror centered over the antique demilune table to create a nice focal point. The table is also symmetrically accessorized with faux marble obelisks flanking a silver cachepot. She makes it look so easy!

Ahhh - beautiful form meets practical function. This small entry is loaded with all the right design elements. The lighting design includes natural light from the front door's window and a perfect proportioned whimsical chandelier. My favorite element however, is the floating shelf with storage drawers - great to store small items such as keys or mittens.

This last entryway clearly serves several functions and I think would be a great design for a mudroom. The clock, calendar and wall storage bins help this busy family keep organized and information centralized. The baskets - color coded for each individual - are perfect for storing shoes, small bags and sweaters. The tile floor is also practical for an entryway in snow or beach terrains.

*images from Architectural Digest, Organize, Notebook, Veranda

Fall in Love with the Console Table

I have a thing for console tables. They're so versatile and perfect for the smallest apartments or the largest mansions. Here are some lovely decor photos featuring an assortment of beautiful console tables.

I just love how designer, Shane Reilly tucked two upholstered X stools under the console table in this traditional living room. Image from Decorati.com

Designer Amy Lau placed this contemporary wooden console with tri-oval mirror in this simple, yet elegant foyer. Image from Decorati.com

Wow! This mirrored console table is so chic with metallic geometric wallpaper and yellow bamboo Asian garden stools. Image from decor pad.

This custom designed storage console by Parlor Design is wonderful in this foyer against the white paneling and antique mirror. Great transitional piece. Image from Decorati.com

Now this is great design! I love the use of this gorgeous gray wooden console table behind the sofa in this yellow living room. The mustard upholstered chairs flanking the table and gold gourd lamps are brilliant. Image from decor pad.

Love this fun Lucite acrylic console with zebra bench and black & white photo. Such a great addition in this blue gray living room. Image from decor pad.

Have you fallen in love with the console table too?