Layla Grayce Living Room: Style Maker Look Book
Design and Shopping Resources for Layla Grayce Living Room Look Book
 Oly Studio Kirin Sofa – Layla Grayce |
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Candice Olson Modern Damask Pale Blue Wool Rug – Layla Grayce
About Layla Grayce
At Layla Grayce, we truly, madly, deeply care about design, about creating the perfectly decorated room that expresses your unique sense of self, and finding perfect items for gifts or everyday. These are things that can make a difference in the quality of our lives and those dear to us. We feel that beautiful surroundings bring harmony, balance and happiness to your home and life, and strive to showcase products that will achieve this philosophy. Beautiful surroundings that express your personal take on lifestyle shouldn’t be a luxury – it should be a necessity.
Layla Grayce is an inspiring shopper’s delight conceived by Wendy Rossiter Estes and Tiffany Grayce Harris, lifelong friends with a passion for business and design and a love for discovering unique items. Traveling through Europe after college, they were inspired by the antiques, art and furnishings of the countries they visited. Years passed as they started families and worked on their individual careers, designing homes and interiors for clients, friends and family along the way. Encouraged to share their talents and finds with others, they created Layla Grayce.
Together they have selected a remarkable collection of items for home, women and children, carefully selecting every product, artisan and manufacturer to ensure their business philosophies and craftsmanship are worthy of your home and lifestyle. Never mainstream but always functional, Layla Grayce products are designed for longevity – everyday heirlooms that can be passed on to future generations. For everyone dedicated to creating an inspired haven that reflects a stylish, creative take on lifestyle, we bring you Layla Grayce.
About Wendy Rossiter Estes
Wendy brings the most "mom" experience to Layla Grayce. A mother to four children, including twin two-year old girls she understands the needs of busy working moms. With a family of young product testers on hand, she helps us to select the best items for babies and children. Balancing a career and a family life has always been essential to Wendy, and Layla Grayce has allowed her the freedom to be her own boss. Years spent in commercial real estate leasing and negotiation on behalf of well-known national retailers and developers honed her analytical and organizational skills. These were essential when assisting Tiffany with design projects later, and together they share a passion for textiles and compelling design. Her enthusiasm for discovering new artisans for Layla Grayce is infectious. Wendy brings business savvy, her marketing aptitude and the phenomenal juggling ability of a successful working mom to Layla Grayce.
About Tiffany Grayce Harris
Tiffany is our resident design buff with degrees and education as an interior designer, certified color consultant and a current ASID member (American Society of Interior Designers). She has worked at Sundance Resort designing and updating cottages, and has been the in-house designer for a large construction company, working on both commercial projects and distinguished private residences. Her success has earned her numerous awards and recognition for interior decorating. Tiffany reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is recently married. With her love and knowledge of all types of design and decor, Tiffany is often found assisting customers with decorating suggestions and purchases, as well as training the exceptional Layla Grayce staff in the essentials of great design.
Contact Details:
- Website: Layla Grayce
- Twitter: @LaylaGrayce
- Facebook: Layla Grayce on Facebook
- Blog: The Backroom
HausScape Lighting Breathtakingly Beautiful
Candles and Spirit Chandelier
Broom Lights
Flower Power black chandelier designed by Brand Van Egmond exclusive at HausScape.
Icy Lady chandelier
Images copyright of respective companies.
Home Decor Buyer Resource: HausScape
Read More »Rustic Glamour Urban Lodge Living Room Look Book
Rustic Glamour Decor for Urban Lodge Living Room (home decor and furniture details)
Read More »Exotic Fantasies Bedroom Design Look Book
Exotic Fantasies Bedroom (view furniture and decor details).
Urban Rustic Living Room Decor Look Book
Living Room Decor: Urban Rustic Chic (view furniture and decor details).
Images copyright of respective owners.
Read More »Maybelline Te of Snug Furniture & Frou La La Blog
Spotlight on Design interviews the energetic, vibrant, fascinating and multi-talented furniture designer, Creative Director of Snug Furniture and author of the popular lifestyle blog “Frou La La”, Maybelline Te.
Tell us a little about yourself, the “Snug Furniture” business venture and your lifestyle blog, “Frou La La”.
Interior Design was my primary career choice. But coming from an entrepreneurial family, it was de rigueur to have a business degree (Bachelors in Business Management, University of the Philippines). After a full time six year stint with the family furniture manufacturing company in Cebu, I went to The Art Institute of Charlotte for my Bachelors in Interior Design and graduated last June.
I love what I do and I’m thankful for everything that I’ve been blessed with. My work is my passion so I’m lucky that my interests and work intertwine harmoniously. I take pleasure in travel, art, museums, books, good food, jewelry, and fashion.
As Creative Director of Snug Furniture, a modern furniture company launching in May 2010 at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the focus is on starting up and getting prepared for our launch. Living the adage “to whom much is given, much is required”, Snug aims to launch a charity program espousing proper education of less privileged children in the Philippines. After all, a good education is a basic human right. 
Snug Furniture is a collaboration between my business partner and me. We both grew up in the furniture business and met at a furniture showroom. If people had each other at “hello”, we had each other at mortise and tenon joints. We appreciate traditional furniture and remain attached to family heirlooms and antiques, but wanted to introduce some modern styles to refresh the look and reflect today’s eclectic lifestyle. We are working with other designers and also coming up with our own. Starting up in this economy makes us more cautious so we are approaching it grassroots style. With our combined manufacturing and retail experience, we plan to offer medium to high categories to the interior design trade and would be thankful if a few retailers would pick us up.
The Frou La La blog was born about four years ago on a tropical night in the hills of Maria Luisa Estate Park, I was mindlessly turning the pages of a coffee table book to the sound of the cicadas. A ruffled hot pink tulle skirt emerged from the page and all I could utter was, “froulala!” (frou frou + ooh la la = froulala)
It was one of those moments that left an indelible imprint upon my imagination. “Froulala” embodies all the experiences, things and aspirations that have inspired and captivated my heart, soul and creativity. I would like to thank social media maven Leslie Carothers and bespoke stationery designer and domestic goddess extraordinaire Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo for encouraging me to take the plunge into blogging.
Frou La La products
I had been creating, buying things from travels and putting gift packages together to give to friends and business associates every holiday season. A yearly ritual that would start in the fall and sometimes later, much to the chagrin of our workshop. 
By creating personal and themed gift packages that weren’t produced anywhere, I made up for the en masse factor. An effort to lessen my carbon footprint was also taken since I tried to create something out of the scraps from our furniture production. By some twist of fab fate, friends started ordering some of these glitter critters for gifts, wedding and party souvenirs.(Images from left to right: Starlight sand bright -Starfish and sand dollar in gold and silver leaf; Wedding Singer napkin ring/souvenir, Maybelline calls it the “ wedding singer since it has appeared in three wedding receptions (two in Portugal and one in Montreal)”; and La Fleur de Milan, Maybelline describes the design process “the leather flower was salvaged from an old belt that best friend, Debbie Palao, brought me from one of her trips to Milan. I updated it with some horn and smooth/textured gold tinged druzy chalcedony”.)
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| Maybelline Te’s Design Project Open House |
What inspired you to pursue furniture design, as well as your blog?
I attribute family influence, curiosity and a Third World perspective to my drive to create. Growing up, we had a textile store and my grandmother was always making us something with her Singer machine. My parents are both creative. My father experiments with materials and designs furniture aside from being an astute entrepreneur. My mother is adept at needlework and has an innate talent in putting things together. I was always at our furniture factory before I worked there professionally so there was never a dull moment being an all around girl. I used to wish I had more play time like my friends but in hindsight, all those times spent in the factory have been invaluable.
When one possesses a Third World perspective, nothing goes to waste so in the Philippines, people try to find many uses for one material. The coconut is a good example. It has about 20 uses as food and/or product.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Everywhere. People, places, things, memories, experiences and [from] within.
Tell us about a favorite home decorating or remodeling project.
I recently helped my cousin redo her small New York city apartment on the Upper East Side. I just guided her through some paint decisions and bought five pieces of furniture at the Boyles sale here in North Carolina. Since it was her 40th birthday, I sent along a pair of Century chairs from my own stash as a gift. The place was transformed. It was a great change of energy for her and the cat, they’re loving it! Not bad for a quick $1500 makeover.
What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?
I was featured as one of the 10 most stylish women in Mega Magazine (Philippine fashion bible) in September 2003. The writer described my style as “Precision Eclecticism” after seeing my room and wardrobe. I thought that was the best way to simplify my style. I have evolved in that I’ve become more confident in my choices but the imprint is there. There is juxtaposition and deconstruction at play hoping to achieve a look that’s uncontrived and casual luxe.
Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” – do you have one?
I’ve already given away what I don’t want. I have become pretty good at editing my things especially not having a home. I used to buy more with the future in mind, but now I try to stay in the present. Whether I am shopping at Target or the St. Ouen Flea Market, I pretty much can hone in on the essential or “it’s-to-die-for-i-must-have-it” purchases.
Describe your dream room.
A dream Library with:
- A bookcase wall for all my beloved books, vintage tomes and a rolling ladder since I’m petite.
- A couple of taxidermied beauties and/or natural curiosities from Deyrolle.
- His and Hers Snug reading chairs that I would like to custom design according to our sizes.
- Henna accent table from Snug Furniture.
- Aluminum Sawhorse Desk from Irwin Feld Design.
- Snug custom tufted sofa in buttery leather
- Lucite trunk from Serge de Troyer.
- Turquoise shagreen bar cabinet from my friend Garrison Rousseau.
- Arc Classical Garden Toile wallpaper.
- A pared down version of Solange Azagury-Partridge’s jeweled chandelier
From left to right, Maybelline’s favorite things: “Rare golden cowrie shells my Uncle Manuel gave me. He asked someone to dive for them while we were boating near Suluan Island; Beautiful diamonds my father surprised me with on my 21st birthday, he picked me up from school out of the blue and took me to our jeweler’s to pick out stones for a necklace, ring and earrings; Calla Lillies, Keel’s simple diary in red, discovered at the Dia:Beacon shop but you can get them at Amazon. Great for keepsakes and gifts;Kudu horns and the like; Tea from Mariage Freres; Yolo Colorhouse Air.06; Monogrammed stationery; and statement footwear like Miu Miu Baroque carved platforms.”
What’s your favorite color or paint swatch?
Favorite color is turquoise, but I’ve been gravitating towards Yolo Colorhouse Air.06 for a year now.
What are your favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?
- Opium bed (don’t have a photo of mine but it looks similar to [the one pictured above])
- Scolecite from Poona, India by way of Astro Gallery of Gems in NYC
One day I would like to add these:
- Kyle Bunting hide rug.
- Blue Coral centerpiece from 1st dibs.
- Antique Philippine carved wood doors.
What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
I’m a nomad for the time being. When I am back from Florida for the holidays,I hope to move into a rental home in Hickory, North Carolina. Before I moved here three years ago, I stripped my room off in my father’s house (in Philippine tradition, one doesn’t leave the family coop until marriage but that’s slowly changing now). Gave most away.
The only photo of my favorite room is from a Cebu magazine published in 2003. I designed the platform bed with an upholstered leather headboard and nightstand. Fuss free. Later on, I had the bed refinished in Wenge, installed brushed aluminum cubes as night stands and a bookcase, modern chandelier, an opium bed to replace a rattan chair and ottoman. White walls,wood parquet ceilings and hardwood floors. I was over-stimulated at the factory all day and had a crazy social life. My simple bedroom was a welcome reprieve. It was the perfect place to do yoga and meditation with Tulsi, my guru on Saturdays and Pilates with Michel, thrice a week. A place of restoration and growth.
Who are your favorite designers?
- Bill Sofield, he once said: “Whether it’s lacquer or Lucite,” he says, “my work is grounded in craft and materiality.” I appreciate and can relate to this particular statement as well as his view on taxidermy.
- Clodagh for her versatility,life enhancing designs, and materials.
- Steven Gambrel for his polished restraint.
- Kelly Wearstler for her fearless approach.
What are your favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites?
- All The Best Blog for wonderful profiles on style makers.
- Habitually Chic for fabulous features on interiors, art & films, fashion.
- ABCD Designs for amazing passion for life and you feel her vibrance through the food, decor, and nesting posts in creative graphics.
- Apartment Therapy for great product information, house tours and sales.
- Freshome for eye candy when it comes to international homes and products.
What are your favorite television shows, magazines, and/or books?
I hardly watch TV, does Jeopardy count? enjoy foreign films.
- Magazines: Elle Decor, Vogue, Elle, Wallpaper, I.D., Interior Design, New York Magazine, The Economist
- Books by: Paulo Coehlo, Henry Miller, Shel Silverstein, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Design and business books, biographies of interesting people in art, business & politics, and poetry by Rumi,Hafiz & Rilke
Do you have a decorating, design or remodeling tip you’d like to share with The Decorating Diva.com readers?
I love this quote from Chuck Palahniuk:
“You buy furniture.You tell yourself,this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life.Buy the sofa,then for a couple years you’re satisfied that no matter what goes wrong,at least you’ve got your sofa issue handled.Then the right set of dishes.Then the perfect bed.The drapes.The rug.Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest,and the things you used to own,now they own you.”
My decorating tip has nothing to do with the physical aspect. I’ve been to many beautiful and expensive homes that have no soul. There is a disconnect between the owner and its inhabitants. Whereas, love filled homes emanate great energy even in a mild state of dishevelment. The role of a designer is to enhance the personality and lifestyle of its client but not take over.
Continuously Evolve. Know when to Detach. Be yourself. Have fun.
Resources for Maybelline Te’s Favorite Things & Dream Room Decor:
- Deyrolle
- Snug Furniture
- Irwin Feld Designs
- Serge De Troyer
- Garrison Rousseau
- Outlaw and Outlaw Wallpaper
- Solange Azagury-Partridge
- Kyle Bunting
- Yolo Colorhouse
- 1st Dibs
- Astro Gallery of Gems
Contact Information
Website: Snug Furniture
Twitter: @MaybellineTe and @snugfurniture
Facebook: Become a fan of Snug Furniture
All images copyright of respective owners.
We’d like to thank Maybelline Te for sharing her fascinating and vibrant design inspired life, advice and gorgeous decor finds with The Decorating Diva.com readers.
Read More »Olga Adler Interiors’ Style Maker Look Book
About Olga Adler of Olga Adler Interiors
Olga Adler, the principal of Olga Adler Interiors, is an interior designer, stylist and writer. Olga’s refreshing approach to classic design has garnered her wide-spread recognition for her use of simple forms, unique accessories, and her love of color.
Her designs are inspired by her extensive travels throughout Europe, Africa and Asia; married with American influences here at home. This design marriage, influenced by diversity of cultures and styles, has yielded a sophisticated, yet sensible design philosophy that according to Olga is critical to,“creating stylish rooms that, just like the best clothing, are crafted with a particular person in mind – high quality, custom and unique, and only a little bit trendy.”
Olga’s earliest design experiences were derived from art books, Audrey Hepburn movies and her grandmother’s impeccable taste in clothing and decorating. She began her career in Europe designing and producing celebrity events including movie premieres, concerts and award ceremonies working with a number of world-renowned artists: Claudia Schiffer, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, Jane Seymour and Nicholas Sparks. (View Olga Adler Interiors’ Portfolio feature on The Decorating Diva.com)
- Web: Olga Adler Interiors
- E-Design Services: Online Decorating Services by Olga Adler Interiors
- Twitter: Home and Style {Olga Adler Interiors} on Twitter
- Blog: Home and Style: Musings on Living with Style at Home and Beyond
Home Decor in Olga Adler Interiors’ Style Maker Look Book
 Sutton Table (cocktail) – Arteriors Home Wilshire Sofa – WS Home
Table Lamp – Circa Lighting |
 Safari Bar Trunk – Parbuckles Antalya Single Bench – McGuire Wind Lamp – Lazy Susan  Payne Room Screen – Arteriors Home Orange Fish Box – Alessi |
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Decorative Glass ball – Arteriors Home
Safavieh Soho Rug Collection
Outdoor Lighting Makes A Statement
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Cube Lamps designed by Jose A. Gandia. Soft, beautiful lighting for sophisticated outdoor rooms. |
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SOLIG by IKEA proves that eco is lovely. These solar operated outdoor hanging lights run on eco friendly solar cells. |
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Pod Lens System by Ross Lovegrove add style and drama to any backyard event. |
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Eco chic pendant outdoor lighting (Atmosphere) from Shady Lady Lighting. |
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A savvy outdoor lighting design that take’s multipurpose products to the next level. The “Catwalk” is “a a modular steel, clean rectilinear LED-illuminated walkway and decking system from Minim. (Photo courtesy of Adam Brackman) |
Images copyright of respective companies.
Home Decor Buyer Resource: Gandia Cube Lights (yLighting), IKEA, Lovegrove Pod Lens (yLighting), Shady Lady Lighting, Minim
Read More »Decorating with Lighting and Lamps
Lighting is often overlooked in most home remodeling and decorating projects. Typically it’s not even considered (thoughtfully) until the homeowner has completed the project and comes to the realization that the lighting is inadequate or worse – the current lighting casts unattractive shadows on beautiful artwork, furniture or even the entire room creating an unpleasant experience each and every time that room is entered.
When planning a home improvement project or even a minor redecorating project take into consideration the different types of lighting the room will require. Lighting for the purpose of room design can be categorized as one or more of the following: general, task and accent.
General Lighting
Overhead lighting, whether it’s a sparkling $10,000 hand-cut crystal chandelier or a $100 flourescent lighting box provides the largest quantity of lighting in the room. General lighting is all about maximum illumination.
Task Lighting
Table lamps, torchieres and other accent or decorative light sources provide focused illumination on a small area. One of the most frequent errors homeowners make is to forget about adequate overhead lighting (general) and attempt to light large rooms with one to four accent lights. The results are always the same – garish shadows, harsh colors and tones, and the dreaded illumination “Bow Tie” effect which means that everything above the lampshade is drenched in light that gets darker and darker and the reverse is true of the light emanating from the bottom of the shade. Task lighting is additional lighting and should NEVER be used for general illumination.
Accent Lighting/Up Lighting/Down Lighting
Spotlights on artwork, plants or any object that you wish to create a dramatic visual effect using light.
Decorative Lighting and Lighting Fixtures
Table lamps, desk lamps, sewing/hobby lamps, under-cabinet lights, stair lights are great for limited lighting needs. Use them when you need focused illumination for reading, writing or working.
Floodlights (recessed and in a quantity for entire room illumination), track lights, strip lights, overhead light boxes, large chandeliers and other large ceiling lights provide general lighting
Mini-track lights, single purpose flood lights, small scale chandeliers and ceiling lights provide illumination to create dramatic or accent lighting .
Scale
As you noticed from the earlier discussion regarding decorative lighting and lighting fixtures that one or more lighting fixtures could be used as general, task or accent lighting. The reason for this is scale. A small chandelier hung over a dining room table will create ambient lighting that complements an intimate dinner. While a large chandelier hung in an entry hall would illuminate the entire hall with little need for light from any other source. So when planning for lighting ask yourself what type of lighting is needed for each room. You may find that you want track lighting as general lighting in the kitchen but most track lighting fixtures tend to be on the smallish side – so then you will need to find larger scale track lighting to provide the illumination the kitchen will require.
Keep the Light on your Design
Fixing a lighting design oversight can either be as inexpensive as buying a new table lamp or as expensive as having to rip out the incorrectly installed lighting layout and replacing it with the correct lighting design. One is an oops the other is a big OUCH.
So remember to keep lighting front and center in all of your home remodeling design plans. If not you may find yourself with a completely remodeled new kitchen with only two rows of recessed overhead lighting when you should have had four rows based on the size of the kitchen. You can’t blame the contractor – he just did what you told him to do.
Read More »Blue Crystal Rock Chandelier
{ Inspired by Art }
Spectacular crystal chandelier installation at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC.
