Design Boston Strong to Benefit the ONE Fund Boston

On June 4th 2013 over 130 Designers, Architects and Contractors from Boston came together to raise money for the One Fund Boston to benefit the Boston Marathon Bombing Victims.

 

"Design Boston Strong" came about through a conversation I had with local designer Kristen Rivoli. With all of our creative skills we needed to find a way to help the people who were hurt in the bombings. We knew  "the way they lived in their home Monday April 15th would not be the way they returned to their homes". In a mere 3 weeks we gathered donors for a live and silent auction, found amazing sponsors and planned the DBS event. We were overwhelmed by the people who were ready to jump in and help!

 

During the event attendees had the unique opportunity to make a direct and positive impact by pledging their time and expertise to help victims who sustained significant injuries during the Marathon Bombings. This will include customizing their living spaces to accommodate any mobility needs. Our list consists of over 100 interior designers, architects, lighting experts and contractors who are ready to make a positive difference in the victims lives and homes! If you know someone who needs helps please contact me at Julieann @ Jaceinteriors.com.

Leslie Fine, Barbara Bradlee and Amy McFadden

Barbara Hirsch, Carrie Richards and Lori Gorelick

Amelia  Eichholz and friend

Thank you to our incredible sponsors for the night: New England Home Magazine, Romo Fabrics, East Meets West Catering and Poise Boston. Also thank you to Ben Whitla  for our beautiful logo and Todd Lee for his photography of the night.

 

We were lucky to have the fantastic Bud Kelley as our auctioneer for the night in the gorgeous Club 342 at the Boston Design Center. Between tickets and auction items we raised over $26,000 with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the ONE Fund Boston.

Thank you to all who came out and made "Design Boston Strong" a reality, your efforts and attendance will certainly make a difference in another person's life. We are Boston Strong!

(images from Todd Lee)

the LOOK - Boston Design Center

October 3rd is the LOOK at the Boston Design Center! This design filled day happens once a year and is a wonderful time to catch up with industry friends while attending seminars and learning about upcoming trends.

 

The BDC promote it as "Over 40 exciting showroom programs, special appearances and receptions offer you a full day of new products, personalities and discoveries." Sounds like fun right?!

I was honored to be included as one of Boston's Top Design Bloggers to tweet and blog throughout the day! If you would like to have a birds eye view of all the hottest trends and new products
 follow me on Twitter @CreateGirl or on Pinterest where I have started a board.

Honestly what we are really looking for a bit of interior eye candy right?!

(images via Cybele Magazine)

Monday Morning Happy

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to get out from behind my computer and take the time to be social! Sometimes work gets so busy and I get so wrapped up in social media conversations I forget how valuable face to face time is. This past week I had 2 great opportunities to get out, have some fun conversations and even collaborate with a few of my favorite locals!

The ladies I like to call my "inner circle of local designers" these ladies are incredibly supportive and fabulous creatives in Boston! Rachel Reider, Leslie Fine, me, Gretchen Aubuchon and Mally Skok!

 

The incredible designer Jonathan Legate was in Boston for a visit from Canada and Michelle gathered us ladies to show him the best brunch Boston could offer!

Me, Leslie Fine, Mally Skok, Jonathan, Michelle Cortizo and Andie Day

As much as I love what Social Media has done for me but nothing compares to meeting friends face to face!

Anthropologie & Holly Becker of Decor8

Boston was one lucky city this weekend as it was the first stop on Holly Becker's book signing tour! If you do not know Holly she is the writer behind the uber popular Decor8 blog and also the author of the new book Decorate. As you might remember I wrote about the book a few months ago and absolutely loved it!

The morning started at Anthropologie downtown with Holly putting on a Mood Board Demonstration. She was so personal and funny during her presentation and talked about how every room should have that one piece which is "wrong" or doesn't quite fit in. I could not agree more, it's usually the one piece guests are drawn to in the space!

 

Next Holly made her way downstairs and signed books for 2 hours! I was so excited for her as the line wrapped around the store. I of course went shopping and picked up this little & gem for a certain engagement photo shoot which will take place this week! Cute prop right?

Me and Holly catching up after her signing!

As you might know if there is an opportunity for me to gather local creatives together I will plan a party and this was no exception! About 23 New England designers, artists, photographers, fabric designers and bloggers gathered to network and honor Holly at a lunch! We had such a fantastic afternoon swapping stories and getting to know each other. As you can see we had one long, loud table!

I was so excited to catch up with friends Stephanie, Lindsay, Yvonne, Kate and Katy! Thanks ladies for coming out it was a great day!

(images from jace interiors)

New England Home Designers Hall of Fame Gala!

Last night was one fantastic time, I was so fortunate to be invited to the Design Gala of the year! New England Home Magazine goes all out to induct their nominees into their "Designer Hall of Fame". The night was held at the gorgeous State Room which literally makes you feel like you are on top of the world as you look out over the city! Below are two incredible spaces from this years Hall of Fame, to be surrounded by all of their creativity left me so inspired! Thanks to Kyle and Stacy for the invitation to last night's party, it truly was one to remember!

Interior Designer, Eugene D Lawrence 

Landscape Architect, Katherine Field

Than there were the flower arrangements on each table! The mix of purple tones was just stunning and notice how they have the charger propped up? A great idea that definitely drew more attention to the centerpiece!

 

I normally don't post my outfits here, but since I had a little help from a few of my stylish twitter friends I thought I would share! A flirty cocktail dress of brown/black brocade with patent leather mary janes plus opaque black tights (to keep me warm)! Even better the dress has pockets!

Popping over to West Elm with Etsy

West Elm in Boston has leaped onto the Pop Up Shop wagon and I for one could not be more excited! They have partnered with Patch NYC and Etsy to highlight a few of our local artists.

Below is an example of local Etsy artists who will be at West Elm tonight!

You will find local artist Leah Giberson and Ripe Goods showing off their paintings and jewelry!

One of the best parts of these type of events is meeting people I have only talked to online! Jennifer Hill of JHill Design is one of those people! Her "Toast of Italy" above is one of my favorite pieces in her Etsy shop!

If you know me at all you know I am always looking for inspiration or scouting for a clients space so while I am at West Elm tonight these are a few pieces I will be checking out!
The Bull's Eye Silk Pillow in Blue Smoke, this fantastic looking turned leg mirror top table and the new Ellery Wingback Chair!

Hope to see you at the pop up store tonight but if you are not able to make it check out What's New over at West Elm by clicking here!

(images from West Elm, JHillDesign, Ripe Goods, Leah Giberson)

Riding the T with Dejan

Friday I was invited to the opening night of a wonderful exhibit, "The Subway Series". If you know me, you know I absolutely love anything that tells a story or conveys a feeling without using one single word so this display was perfect in my eyes. In order to make a mundane daily commute interesting, Dejan Djordjevic uses his iphone to take photos of other commuters and than posts his pictures on his facebook page and website. Its an unabashed portrayal of Boston's T riders and their diversity. One could sit in this gallery for hours creating stories of what these people are contemplating and where they are going, just fabulous!








This was my first event at the Accidental Gallery, which is the perfect intimate space for a showing! Above is the lovely Jessica DeGuardiola the owner of 5sPR who planned the night. Thanks Jessica for a truly fantastic evening!

Jailed in the Liberty

I just posted about the Liberty Hotel in Boston but left out a few details and just have to give you the scoop. Can you believe the hotel was once the Charles Street Jail built back in 1851?! It reopened in 2007 after some of the best designers and architects in the city gave it an amazing face lift. The modern hotel is glamorous but has some rough jail edginess to help you keep in mind the history of the structure. As you can see by the picture above most of the building stayed in its original form. The parts that catches my eye every time I enter are the incredibly 90 foot rotunda, cat walks and over sized windows. I often wonder if the inmates ever appreciated the details, jails were built to fit into the city instead of the big block of cement they are now.

The new facade of the Liberty

the breathtaking lobby, it is unlike any other and my favorite section of the hotel

the bars to the left are from the original jail. This is "Clink" one of the restaurants! Very fun!

the lobby for the meeting rooms

this is a dreamy room, I would sit in that chair admiring the window and the view all day!

Presidential Dining Room - imagine having a few friends in for an intimate dinner?


than have drinks on the roof deck of the suite. Ahhh looking out onto the best city!


if you are one of the guest at the dinner party you can turn in on this bed in one of the guest rooms. Now this looks like a much more comfortable cell than ones from the original jail!

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of the Liberty. It gives you a peek into why I love Boston so much, it is always aware of the past but knows how to live in the present!

(images from the Liberty Hotel and Concierge.com)

A night at Lekker

Last week I received a fun invitation to attend "A Night of Contemporary Entertaining". It was held over at the gorgeous Lekker Home store downtown. It was a nice night to reconnect with friends, try out some yummy treats and sip (ok, drink!) some new wines. My friend Andrew over at Ilex Flowers designed all the floral arrangements which perfectly fit the contemporary nights theme! Take a look at this simple but elegant table arrangement below. Each stark white place setting had an overflowing peony popping with bright pink color. It was stunning! Of course there was a wee bit of shopping involved, a good excuse since the deck parties are about to begin. Here are a few photos of my favorite pieces around the store!

Above is the Oromono Seabloom Pillow created by textile designer Kirsty Anne Powell.
I was completely smitten by this creation and was "that" girl who kept looping around to admire it over and over again. Finally hearing, just buy it! Sadly, I left without it!

I love the description of this dinnerware "with each piece, the traditional and the unexpected join in harmony." Perfectly said and created by Royal Copenhagen, Elements Collection. I was intrigued by the unique combination of color and the idea each piece is individually created with just a slight imperfection.

This photo was taken for future inspiration. Imagine a beach party table setting, each place would have its own small tumbler filled with sand to be used as individual place setting for utensils! I love it.

For some reason I can not find either of these on the website but still wanted to post the pictures. The oversized urn greeted you at the door and was such a statement piece, it is enormous!!

The porcelain light above is just too sweet! I would love to use it in a bedroom or in the entry way of a home! Look at the reflection it has on the bookcase, lovely.

(images from Jace Interiors)

Please meet our fantastic Host, Jenn!

me, jenn and betsy

One of the first blogs I fell in love with was "Hostess With The Mostess", it is always chock full of useful party information with the most beautiful, happy pictures! So when I heard Jenn, the creator of HWTM was coming to Boston for a style seminar, I jumped at the chance to meet her. Even though the temps were frigid last night, Betsy and I bundled up and headed into the city, I was so glad we went! Jenn is just the sweetest most gracious host. She passed along many great tips on how to throw a budget friendly dinner party. Glue dots? Scrapbooking paper? Cardboard cut outs?! Who knew! Below are a few pictures I snapped at the event!

scattered on tables were these frames with party tips

dress up a simple candle by wrapping a piece of scrapbooking paper around the center and place on a tea cup plate. I like the contrast of the red with the white saucer!

invest in clear vases to use with many different themes. This one has red sand bought from a craft store, it adds a great punch of color!


instead of expensive napkin rings use paper and adhere with a paper butterfly. Its hard to see in this picture but between the silver charger and clear salad plate is a round of butterfly paper. It adds great interest to the table setting!


this is a shot of the entire table! I love the wooden block letters "KATE", this was set as a bridal shower table! So sweet!



Betsy, holding up cardboard birds bought at a craft store. Before they are just cardboard but by tracing paper and using spray glue you create something much more interesting. It is inexpensive and easy! Love it!



on the table Jenn used wooden photo blocks (normally used to hang on the wall) as part of her tablescape than added the above birds!



the butterfly in the center of the plate is also a cardboard piece covered in scrapbooking paper! Doesn't it look striking on the table? Also she used paper as a placemat. The patterns are so fun and I love the idea of each party being different. Unlike when you have cloth placemats!

Thanks to Jenn for coming East (she is from San Diego!) during the coldest spell of the year! We hope you had fun and your tips will be very useful during our next dinner party and/or shower!

Everyone else jump over to the HWTM blog, I promise you will be inspired and will immediately want to plan your next dinner, I know I did!