PLC's BLOG-ALONG

YOUR DESIGN STYLE QUIZ

05/01/2013 07:53:00

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ

When you know the results of your answers, read the descriptions and see photos in the blog posts below.

Send this quiz to a friend and predict each other's results.

Let me know how you did!

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY "a's":

05/01/2013 07:36:00

BOHEMIAN FREE-SPIRIT * MEDITERRANEAN OLD-SOUL * EURO FARMHOUSE

Your style expresses a sense of history, emotion, and comfort with Western European, North African,

and Middle Eastern influences. Objects you display tell a story of your travels, history, and dreams.

Those who answered mostly "a" may also have "e" leanings, especially in the Country Cottage category.

Click "More" to see photos

BOLD colors, medium colors, JEWEL tones, white PLASTER walls. CURVILINEAR patterns, PAISLEY, FLORAL, ARABESQUE, DARK wood, LINEN, VELVET, COTTON, SILK, LEATHER, painted wood, LAYERS of fabric, MIXES OF PATTERNS, MOSAIC tiles, BURNISHED brass, WORN iron, PILLOWS, cushions, COMFORT, LANTERNS, SYMMETRY, TEXTURE, walnut, EBONY, ARCHES, EXOTIC, ROMANTIC, TRIBAL, DARK BROWN not black, ECLECTIC. colorful CERAMICS. IMPERFECTIONS. TERRACOTTA, DISTRESSED STONE. VINTAGE. LOOSE fit.

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY "b's":

05/01/2013 07:34:00

CONTEMPORARY COOL CAT * ROCK 'N ROLL REBEL * RETRO

Minimalism allows you to appreciate your design which has Art Deco, Neo-Classic, Biedermeier, Bauhaus, Mid-Century, or Scandanavian influences. You may swing to the mid-century Frank Sinatra in Palm Springs vibe. Or, rock out in an industrial Manhattan loft. This style has some "d" leanings - especially the Zen Spa-ster. Both enjoy the serene sense of "less is more".

Click "More" to see photos.

STRAIGHT lines. SOFT curves. AIRY. Tone-on-tone with SPOTS of COLOR for DRAMA or SHOCK EFFECT. ABSTRACTS. Very DARK or very LIGHT woods. BIRDSEYE MAPLE. POLISHED CHROME. Polished metals. LACQUER. SLICK. TAILORED. EDGY. Limited millwork. Animal prints. BLACK and WHITE, METALLICS. Solids. Linen, wool, ULTRA SUEDE, LEATHER, SHAG. GLASS, ACRYLIC, VINYL.

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY "c's":

05/01/2013 07:26:00

HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR PUSS * TRADITIONAL * CLASSIC

Your style has wide range but with common ground - doses of elegance and sophistication with

tailored but comfortable furnishings. Louis XIV, XV, XVI, Regency, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Beaux-arts, and

all Revival and Colonial influences.

Elements of this style cross over into many other styles described in this quiz. It's a matter of degree.

Click "More" to see photos.

CONTEMPORARY mixed with ANTIQUES like a LOUIS XV BERGERE CHAIR covered in ULTRA SUEDE or ANIMAL PRINT. STRAIGHT lines paired with CURVES. SYMMETRY, GRACEFUL, FITTED, WELL-PROPORTIONED. Full-length, puddling draperies. OVER-SCALED GRAPHIC WALLPAPER. CRYSTAL, SILK, FAUX FUR, cotton CHINTZ. POLISHED and BURNISHED METALS. FLORALS and GEOMETRICS. Woods of all tones. Elaborate millwork.

Elements of this style cross over into other styles described in this quiz. It's just a matter of degree.

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY "d's":

05/01/2013 07:25:00

ZEN SPA-STER * TROPICAL BEACHCOMBER * COASTAL RETREAT

Your style creates a peaceful and serene sanctuary with minimal furnishings. It has several

references to nature, especially water - whether that be of a Far East island, the California coast,

or Nantucket shores.

This style has some "b" leanings - especially the "Contemporary Cool Cat". Both styles enjoy a sense of "less is more".

Click "More" to see photos.

NEUTRALS. SOFT PASTELS. NATURAL fiber fabrics. MINIMAL PATTERNS. Solids. BAMBOO, CANE, RATTAN, WATER HYACINTH. Open spaces. TROPICAL. White SLUBBY LINEN. RAW SILK. Cotton. BARK CLOTH. Slipcovers both loose and fitted. SEAGRASS. SISAL. TATAMI MATS. Bronze. Slate. WOOD BLOCK prints. TANSAUS. RICE PAPER. SHOJI SCREENS. Low-to-the-ground furnishings. SIMPLICITY. MEDITATIVE.

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY "e's":

05/01/2013 07:23:00

MOUNTAIN LODGER * CRAFTSMAN * COUNTRY COTTAGE

In some ways, your style is similar to “a” but with more Americana references. You may favor rustic,

log furniture and river rock fireplaces or charming wicker, bead board, and knotty pine. Frank Lloyd Wright bungalows or Cape Cod cottages.

Your furnishings are made from natural materials and with quality craftsmanship. "Cozy" is your middle name.

Click "More" to see photos

Furnishings with FUNCTION and PURPOSE. NATURAL. COZY. Earth tones and JEWEL TONES or WHITE and COLORFUL. Oak, alder, walnut, hickory. PLAIDS, STRIPES, GEOMETRICS, FLORALS. Nature and ANIMAL lover. QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. ORIENTAL, NAVAJO, and BRAIDED rugs. NATURAL IMPERFECTIONS. BASKETS, COLLECTIONS, COPPER, STAINED GLASS. Cotton, wool, BROWN LEATHER, FLANNEL. SOAPSTONE. SLATE. Repurposed furniture. NATURE LOVER.

A CHANCE MEETING WITH PICASSO

04/22/2013 10:47:00

A woman was strolling along a street in Paris when she spotted the world-famous painter, Pablo Picasso, sketching at a sidewalk cafe. She gathered the courage to approach him and asked if he could do a sketch of her and charge her accordingly.

Picasso obliged, and minutes later, she found herself the owner of an original Picasso.

She then asked what she owed him "Five thousand franc" he replied. "But it only took you three minutes", she politely reminded him. "No", said Picasso, "It took my entire life".

Successful designs are not just pretty spaces but embody years of honing one's craft.

DIARY OF A REMODEL - Text and Slide Shows

04/14/2013 08:08:00

A 1350 sq. ft. hilltop Napa Valley Home was remodeled and featured in a 7-part series in the Napa Valley Register. Click to read a condensed version:

DIARY OF A REMODEL.

Or, to see a slide show of this project, click below:

Short Version Long Version

LONDON HOTEL-INSPIRED BEDROOM MAKEOVER

04/13/2013 12:16:00

My clients had just returned from a stay in a Covent Garden, London hotel and wanted to bring the same ambiance back across the pond. Their vacation was our inspiration for this master bedroom makeover.

To see how it was done, click below - turn your speakers up and enjoy the show!

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a557a4f5467354e54633d0d0a&blogview=true

MORE THAN DESIGN

03/10/2013 17:14:00

No doubt about it, I have a passion for design. I love the creativity, the possibilities, the process, the relationships. I love to see clients "ooooh" and "ahhhh" on installation day. It's rewarding beyond belief. And, I have many other loves in my life including:

Animals, family and friends of course, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Puccini, the old Motown girl groups, and the CAL Bears.

Roaring ocean waves and foghorns. Baseball at the old 'Stick on a sunny afternoon. The entrepreneurial spirit. The deck off Auberge du Soleil's bar. Coltibuono Chianti in an old-fashioned 4 oz. juice glass. The aroma of fresh basil.

The view of sailboats on the Bay from my friend's hilltop Sausalito home. The color combo of pure orange, white, and magenta. White peonies. Hydrangeas. Cobble stone streets.

The heated pool at Indian Springs. Both the sound of silence and revved engines at Sears Point. I love the memories of growing up in the Napa Valley and its beauty that still remains.