Grove Hill House Renovation Series Is About To Begin!

My Renovation Series is About to Begin on

 My New Blog!!!

This is a reminder to pop over to the new blog and sign up NOW so you don't miss any posts!! 

 What are you waiting for? 

You can sign up by Clicking Here!!!

Lisa Mende Design is Proud to Present The 'Linden House Outdoor Dining Porch" at The Hampton Designer Showhouse 2017

Hamptons Designer Showhouse

78 and 82 Rosko Lane Southampton, New York

July 23, 2017 - Sept 4, 2017

Open Monday - Sunday 11am - 5pm

Benefits Southampton Hospital

I am so honored to have been asked by Woodard Furniture and Traditional Home Magazine to design an outdoor porch at the Hampton Designer Showhouse in Southampton, NY.   When I was asked to create a porch, I decided I wanted it to be a dining porch which would combine the casualness of the North Carolina coast with the chic high style of the Hamptons.  As with all my projects, the initial design consideration was function and flow.  Once I had my beautiful Woodard furniture chosen, the next step was to address the aesthetic design of the porch.  That is where I really have fun but before I talk about that, let's address the items I chose from Woodard Furniture.  Are you familiar with Woodard?

Woodard is so great because they offer custom options that we designers love. I chose the Bay shore wicker dining chairs with cushions in sea salt and the Glade Isle dining table but I chose to use a custom hammered top in Aztec Bronze.  To finish the space I added a pair of Van Dyke side chairs but opted to remove the large back cushion and replaced with a lumbar pillow from Woodard so the handsome mid-century back is revealed.  Last but certainly not least, I chose to include a Woodard tea cart in a white lacquer which I set up as a bar cart.   

The only hard surface in the space to consider was the fireplace which is a peach colored brick, so the jumping off point of the color scheme began with choosing colors that would work back with the brick.  Everything else was white which I chose to keep, so the porch felt light and fresh.  I honestly wanted to paint the ceiling aqua but then it would need to be repainted after the showhouse closed so I decided to keep it white but if I had been designing a porch that would remain I would definitely have painted the porch ceiling aqua or haint blue.  It is the southern thing to do, right?  Old wives tales maintain the porch ceilings in the south were painted blue for two conflicting reasons.  One tale is they were painted blue to ward off evil spirits but honestly people are as superstitious today so that doesn't hold credit.   The other tale was the blue paint was done to ward off mosquitos, which could be more likely since paint back then was made from lye and once lick resulted in death.  Today, it is more likely we paint our ceilings blue as homage to our southern past and also because blue feels like the sky and expands the ceiling to feel more expansive.  I paint ceilings blue because I like adding accent colors.

Click here to continue reading....

Introducing Handley Drive Furniture! New On The Scene in Codarus Showroom

Good Morning Readers!  I have a treat for you today!  I recently discovered a new furniture line called Handley Drive.  As a designer, I am always thrilled to find a new resource and Handley Drive really delivers on the goods.  This new line is being represented by Codarus showroom so if you are in Las Vegas at Market make sure you mosey on over and check them out.  While you are there give Cody the owner of Codarus a kiss for me!  

Handley Drive is the brainchild of industry moguls Rick Janecek and Sheila Butler who have a combined home industry experience of over 50 years.  Separately they have helped created some of the most celebrated home furnishing brands in the home decor industry.  Handley Drive is sure to be a success as it fulfills the need of designers to add a little jewelry to the home.

Click Here to continue reading and see this new collection ...

Bunny Williams " A House By The Sea" Review & Giveaway!

 Mondays are when I typically post reviews on books, but I must admit that I got lost among the pages of Bunny Williams "A House By The Sea" and just finished reading it.  I have been a long time admirer of Bunny's work, and I am a self-professed lover of the sea, so the combination of those two elements held me captive for much longer than I had planned. 

Interior Designer Bunny Williams and her husband, Antiques Dealer, 

John Rosselli built their home, named La Colina in the in the Dominican Republic.  La Colina is a colonial villa along the Carribean sea, tucked away in lush tropical gardens.  Bunny and John chose architect Ernesto Buch, a Cuban-born classicist who works between New Haven Connecticut and the Dominican Republic, to partner with them on this southern style raised cottage which borrows design details such as the roofline of the main house from Drayton Hall in Charleston, and oversized windows from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.  Ernesto also designed Oscar de la Renta's home in the Punta Cana.  Described by Gil Schafer III as a modern day Palladio, Ernesto was the perfect partner with Bunny and John on this house.   

Click Here to begin our tour of La Colina and learn more about this beautiful book...

ESKAYEL, Wallpaper, Rugs, Art and More....

Eskayel is a new surface design resource I recently discovered

 founded by Central St Martins graduate, Shanan Campanaro.  

Located inNew York, the creative minds behind this company are

 inspired bynature and travel.  All of their fabrics, rugs and wallpapers begin aswatercolor paintings.

Shannon says Eskayel's mission is "to create energetically

 positive, eco-friendly, wall coverings, fabrics, carpets, accessories

 and furnishings that are meant to last and bring value through the environment".

Keep reading by clicking here....

Kathleen DiPaolo... "What's In Your Bag?"

Today's Guest on "What's in Your Bag" is 
Kathleen Di Paolo!  

Kathleen lives and works in sunny Newport Beach, California.
If you are in the design world you know Kathleen from her
amazing "Return on Interiors" System for interior designers as well as the beautiful interiors she creates as a designer.  She has flipped over 300 homes so this designer really knows her stuff!

I use Kathleen's system and I must say it really keeps me
organized with my clients.  Kathleen also pens a blog of the same name where she shares a plethora of information about building homes, interior design and industry insider info.  I bookmark almost everyone of her blog post for future reference.  Kathleen is one smart cookie whom I'm happy to call a friend. 

This is a lady on the go 24-7 so let's go see where
 she is off to these days!

So Kathleen Dipaolo..."Where are You Traveling
 & What's In Your Bag?"

1. Where are You Traveling? 

I am off to India in October with my 13-year-old daughter, Posy! We land in New Delhi and meet my sister and husband. My husband works most of the time in India. Then we will all go to the Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur and ride some elephants! Cannot wait!

Via

2.        Do you have a favorite bag?

I was in India in July and loved using my new Tumi Tegra Lite roller bag. It is hard and boy did it take a beating. It has a secret pocket for all of my camera,computer and phone cords, which is perfect when in  the airport or lobby. This suitcase expands too for shopping!! Totally got mine monogrammed and trimmed with pink leather!

3.        What are the necessities in your bag?

My power cords for charging my camera and phone. I could not put my camera down and ran out of battery a few times! 

4.        Clothes to wear?

I wore dresses all the time so I plan on bringing more! Light-weight, cotton dresses help with the heat.

5.        Favorite shoes for walking?

Oka-B Sandals. They are comfortable and cute! They have an ergonomic footbed and are made of microplast which makes them feel luxurious and flexible.

6.        Do you like to wear a hat?  If so, what brand? 

I will bring a hat! I have some straw beach hats that will do the trick.

7.        Favorite shops?

Anything that has fabric and elephants. I will sit on
 the floor and fabric shop for hours!!

8.  Favorite place to stay?

Any Oberoi Hotel.

9.        Favorite restaurant for dinner?

The hotel restaurants are always amazing!

10.        Favorite street side lunch spot?

Last time I was there, I ate some samosas from a
 street vendor in Varanasi. Beyond good! 

11.      Favorite drink

Tea, of course! Love, the variety of tea! You sniff and select!

12.      Favorite off the beaten path spot?

Varanasi! I will go back. There are many pilgrims, but not so many tourists.

13.      Favorite souvenirs to bring home?

Fabric and anything with elephants

14.      Any other interesting activities or things you

 find special about this place you would like to share? 

Try everything you can. Ride an elephant, get on a bicycle rickshaw,
 eat crazy food, get sick, bring family (My last trip I brought 
my son who just left for college!). It is worth everything!!


Who needs an ice cream truck when you have a banana truck?



Amazingly colorful sky on the Ganges River 

I hope everyone enjoyed our trip to India through Kathleen's eyes.  Make sure you follow her on instagram here so you can follow her trip in October.  You will be totally and completely mesmerized by her finds!  You might even see a peek into her design projects as well.  

If you are a designer and don't currently own Kathleen's ROI system
 click here for details.  It is amazing!

Make sure to subscribe to her blog so you don't miss
 any of her informative posts here!

Follow all her social channels here:
twitter
Pinterest
Facebook

Don't Miss Out!...Sign Up for "LiketoKnowIt" Today!

Do you ever see products or outfits on instagram and wonder who makes them or where to get them?  Ever ask an instagrammer where they got something and heard crickets?  

 Well, wonder no more!  There is a new app that allows you to find out instantly the answers to the who,what,where  of items in an instagram post.  All you have to do to get in on this groundbreaking feature is follow the steps above.  

1) Sign up for "LiketoKnowIt" by clicking here.  

2) Like a photo on instagram -The next time you see something you like on an instagram post simply click the "Like" button and if you have signed up with "LiketoKnow" the answers will be emailed directly to you!

3) Receive Ready-to-shop product Links directly in your email inbox.

I cannot tell you how many times I see a cute outfit and buy it from fashionistas on instagram through "LiketoKnow"   This feature saves me time and money by showing me where the latest fashions are at the best prices.  Of course both you and the person posting the instagram photo must both be members of LiketoKnow it but if you see the LiketoKnow it info in the posting instagrammers copy, that's a green flag to "Like" the pic and find out where to get the goodies!  

Sign up today!  I plan to utilize "LiketoKnowit" in all my upcoming instagram posts when possible.  It saves so much time by eliminating the need to answer individual questions and let's me know that your questions aren't going unanswered!  Once you sign up you have the opportunity to chose whether to get the email immediately, or whenever you want.  Don't miss out!  sign up today!  

"LiketoKnowit"

Follow Me on instagram here. I must admit that's where everything is happening in real time.  I love instagram.  I don't know if it is because I'm so visual but to be able to follow people when they are at events or getting an insider view into someone's private life, is so fun for me. 

If you aren't on instagram, sign up for that then sign up for LiketoKnowit to be on top of the latest and greatest on the web!

Insider Info: The Behind Scenes Story of My "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Bath for DXV

I am honored to be a member of DXV's 2015 Design Panel.  Meet the other talented designers chosen for the panel here.  As a designer on the panel, I was asked to design a bathroom with DXV Luxury products. DXV is a new division of American Standard and was introduced last year. 

Click here to continue reading....