Shop Talk : Another Man's Treasure

We are thrilled to be adding a new collection to the ELLE family: Peg + Awl's curious and inventive goodies, all made from abandoned and reclaimed materials. Their products are giving a whole new meaning to up-cycled and a whole new look to repurposed.

One of our favorites is the ever so useful chalkboard tablet + stand, complete with its own piece of American history. Holding the chalk pencil is nothing less than a leather strip repurposed from an old military gun sling. 

Another great piece? Their recycled waxed canvas pouch. The kind of purchase that makes you look AND feel good.

If your looking for a stocking stuffer with a real story, stop by our Studio anytime! We'll be featuring these items + more throughout the holidays at ELLE.

Shop Talk : Gift Guide Fabulous!

We are excited to introduce ELLE's 1st Annual Holiday Gift Guide...a sneak peak into what you can expect to find this holiday season!

Visit our retail shop in the heart of downtown Chester, CT to get inspired by our unique, hand crafted, and designer items. Our fresh + timeless pieces are sure to bring a bright smile to anyone they are gifted to!

Shop Talk : Black Friday + Small Business Saturday Frenzy!

While taking advantage of all the hot deals out there this weekend, why not take some time to peruse your favorite little brick + mortar shops? ELLE is thrilled to announce that we are joining in on the shopping craze with some never before seen specials!

Shop with us this Friday and Saturday to receive *30% off all red ticket items in Studio, including our fabulous coat tree you may have been flirting with since March. Our Faux Ostrich Chair? There's never been a better time to take the plunge. And stocking stuffers? We've got you covered with beautiful, hand crafted pieces.

     

Sonokeling Wood Coat Tree - Custom Faux Ostrich Leather Chair - Modern Age Inspired Concrete Planter

all available at ELLE

Need more? We're offering 50% OFF our in home design consultations, which are tailored to suit your individual needs. To take advantage of this special offer, just schedule your appointment with is in Studio this weekend. If you've been craving fresh updates, there's never been a better time to take the first step! 

Appointments are available as early as January 2012.  Come in early to ensure availability, and get a designer start on the New Year!

Hope to see you there!

Studio Daze : The Iron Scissors Salon/Spa - PART III

Ahhh...that feeling you get when you are just about finished with something big.

You've worked hard, knocked your head up against the wall a few times and wondered how it was all going to turn out. And then, it all comes together. That's exactly how hanging our last high gloss, wonderfully dramatic, vintage mirror felt like. A big WOW moment!! 

So, the Result? Well, almost. Some big + exciting changes still to come for February, including that eye catching Resin partition. In the meantime though, we think it's looking pretty awesome.

Just to jog your memory, a quick before shot:

 

Part III - The Result


...!

 

 

And remember, there are still many exciting changes left to come! We'll be back in a couple months with lots of updates to this Salon. Stay tuned! 

Studio Daze : The Iron Scissors Salon/Spa - Part II

Our adventure into creating a dramatic Man Cave for our fave salon in Middletown, CT continues!

Part II in our mini-series is all about the Process. (If you missed part I, click here). We've got the space, we've got the wish, now we just have to make it all happen.

Remember that tight deadline? So things have been a little nutty here. But that's how we work best! Creating a custom look is all about having unique, interesting and inventive touches. When pieces hail from different countries and eras; when they combine all kinds of textures and feel; when they come together to create a masterful space, you know you're headed for something stunning.

Of course... getting these particular pieces takes time. In order to achieve the space we  are envisioning, of course we had to specify that decadent Mica Wallcovering from Belgium! And how about an oversized vintage mirror, with a glossy custom finish? And those sleek, contemporary leaning mirrors? Check! Now we just have to put it all together.

It's going to be down to the wire...in heels and after hours. But it's totally worth it and we have a strong feeling that it's going to turn out great. 

Part II - The Process

Initial Presentation Board

Close Ups of Presentation Board

Found the perfect mirror for one of the stations in the Man Cave! Now it just needs the perfect finish... here we go!

Old Mirror in main work area of Man Cave...

Dark, heavy, and minimal mirror space due to thick frame.

New Mirror! 

Clean, simple, and LOTS of mirror with a minimalistic frame, 

make the work station feel much larger.

We are adding another work station, so we are losing the single wall light above the current mirror, and replacing it with 4 sconces.. one on either side of the two new mirrors.
With so much cool lighting out there, it's hard to select just ONE! 

We have also decided to replace an existing recessed light with a pendant, to help identify the area where products are going to be displayed. Choices, choices!

And probably our favorite element... a custom resin partition with bits of 

scarlet red glass encased in it - YUM!

Stay tuned for Part III - the Result! 

Studio Daze : The Iron Scissors Salon/Spa - Part I

I found it! My Forever Salon.

Just when I think I'm in stylist heaven, I'm told they're renovating! I'm so excited that my hair appointment becomes a design project. Wahoo!! They want us on board.

The design part was easy...I already knew what I wanted to do. The tricky part? Our super tight deadline. One month to create a Man Cave (awesome, right?) that would be featured on both a billboard and a KISS 95.7 party. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No.

Follow us on a three part mini series and share the excitement! The wish. The Process. The Result.

Part I - The Wish

A separate Man Cave, where men can have their hair cut + styled, get a hot shave, or even get a shoe shine. The new space needs to be cutting edge, yet approachable.
The owner wants to give the men their own space, where they can still feel like they are part of the buzz of the Salon.

 Before shots:

 

The Iron Scissors is a full service Paul Mitchell Focus Salon in Middletown, CT. They offer some of the most luxurious salon/spa treatments available. Not only are the services unique (just Google "PM Shine"... I'm hooked!), the staff is off the charts. I HIGHLY recommend this Salon to anyone looking to get swept away for a couple hours. 


 Stay tuned! Progress shots up next.

Mid Century vs. Contemporary

While perusing the net for some interesting shelving/storage ideas for a client, I came across two similar designs, from different decades. The first set of images are of a piece I found from the 1960s, and the second set of images are a contemporary design by Cattelan Italia. I will always be intrigued by the waves of design styles that come and go.. then come back again!

Mid Century Modern 3-Tiered Bentwood Hanging Teardrop Shelf

Contemporary Wall Mounted Wine Storage by Cattelan Italia

Look familiar? ;0)

Floor Decor : ZigZag

I love the look of floors that have been painted or stained to create a pattern.. it is an interesting alternative to using a rug to ground your space. This large scale zigzag pattern was created by using lots of painters tape, and dark stain. To add more depth, and some cushiness underfoot, I would have loved to see a small (and fluffy!) white shag rug layered on top of this pattern.

Oh BABY!

I am ecstatic to report, that our little sunshine, Abigail Mae, has officially entered the world (3 weeks ago tomorrow!)... and right on time too - I'm assuming she gets her punctuality from her father ;0) 

The balancing act of family + career has begun, and we are slowly getting into our groove.  I feel such gratitude for being able to spend this precious time with her, while still being able to run a business. My favorite part of our day is taking a mid-afternoon design break, for some quality cuddle time...

For now, I'll leave you with one of her shots from her newborn photoshoot with Jerome Braga of Studio 1923. Not only is Jerome unbelievably talented, but I swear, this man is the baby whisperer! He was all prepared with soft blankets, a heating pad to keep her little body comfortable, ambient music on his iPhone.. and such patience! I can't wait to see the other amazing shots he captured : )

~ Abigail Mae Edwards ~

1 week young

Time to Re-Connect!

My poor blog.. you have been so neglected these past few months! I have been craving to get back into the swing of things with posting all of my finds, but I didn't quite know where to begin... so much is flying thru my head I've barely had time to grab anything to process it! 

Our sweet little girl is officially making her big debut into our lives in approximately two weeks... We can't wait to meet her! The nursery is almost complete, we've moved the Studio to an unbelievable location, have a bunch of fun new clients, and have been going on buying trips every other week all over New England and the Tri-State area...... my feet hurt, but I can't stop smiling!

So, what to share today?... For now, let's keep it short and sweet...

I'm in love with this interior, photographed by Brandon Barre Photography in Toronto. I am currently specifying blues, greens, yellows, and whites for varying spaces in a clients home, and this bedroom really spoke to me. I love the soft turquoise headboard... the swooping sides are echoed by the shape of the sheers. This isn't a large space, yet it feels like a retreat... minimal furniture, simple colors, and lots of light. Love!

Guest Post - Lindsey Pinkowsky of Pinklet + C

Today is our Very 1st Guest Post, by the lovely Lindsey Pinkowsky of Pinklet + C! I couldn't resist asking Lindsey to share some of her recent obsessions with us, as they are right in line with what I have been crazy for.. Yellow! She is sharing some of her faves with us.. Have a look!

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Hi everyone!  Great to be over here at Elle Design Studio! 

I have been seriously swooning over the grey and yellow color combo for quite some time. Whether it's light grey, or dark, neon yellow, or muted, I'm always drawn to it. I  think of grey as a neutral (my favorite neutral!) and the yellow is a perfect complement, adding freshness and warmth.

My favorite way to style it would be to use different levels of grey, add in white  and some brighter yellow accessories.  It can be chic and sophisticated, airy and warm all at the same time!

Here are some great inspirations...

The love the black used here.  If you decide to add in some black, use the yellow more sparingly to avoid overload!

Looks perfect with some pale neutrals!

Simple touches in a kitchen help keep it from being bland.

This is by far my favorite!

This room has a great use of the white incorporated in.  The pale yellow is perfect in a nursery.

I love this yellow couch!  It definitely makes a bold statement, but the grey and wood coffee table help to balance it out.

I’m loving this yellow chaise.  The wallpaper is a great added touch to tie everything together.

Thanks again to Elle for asking me to do a Guest Post. 

What an honor to be on her site!

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Thank YOU Lindsey!

xo

Feelin' Sunny!

Despite the greyish overcast today, I'm FEELIN' SUNNY! There's nothing like a good yellow to brighten your day - soft, striking, a little, a LOT. I'm particularly fond of gentle touches of yellow to accent a room, or bold yellow prints. 

I've got nursery design on the brain lately, and I'm dreaming sweet dreams of yellows + muted pinks... Here are some of my favorite uses of this fab color!

Soft + Simple yellow mosaic backsplash is rather striking when paired with clean white cabinets, + stainless steel appliances.

CHR Dauer Architects

Business Card holder - LOVE this pattern! I could see this exact same design 

on a larger scale to be used  as a clutch or iPad case.

Creations by Angel

Soft yellow walls act as a lovely backdrop for eclectic furnishings + gold accents.

ELLE Decor via The City Stage

Chalky Black walls, glossy black floors, + YELLOW! 

Jerry Jacobs

Karen Young is an incredible Brooklyn based textile designer. 

She designs fabrics, as well as personal + home accessories. There's something about

yellow + blue/white schemes that are just classic!

Hammocks + High Tea

Who doesn't love a punch buggy?

Laura Trevey

I think my parents front door is almost exactly this color! 

Which I helped them select : )

Marielle - My Happy Place

When used sparingly, shiny patent leather can be a real show stopper - whether

the interior is traditional or contemporary.

Palmer Weiss