VDL INTERIORS

BRIZO INVITES ME TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

adeleyoung — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:56:10 +0000

I am beyond thrilled to announce that I received an invitation from Brizo to attend New York Fashion Week as one of their 19 guests next month. The trip will involve 3 busy days, jam packed with events, all of which I’ll be sure to share more about at the time.

So wait, some of you are probably thinking who is Brizo? And why New York Fashion week?

Brizo is a premium faucet brand that passionately believes “that form and function are one and beautifully the same”. In my personal experience of visiting their showroom here in Chicago, and specifying their products for design projects, I have found that they always have fresh ideas, distinctive designs, and are invariably pushing the envelope with innovation and function.

So why NY fashion week? At the core of what Brizo stands for lies the idea that fashion doesn’t only apply to the clothes that we wear, but that high-style can be expressed all around, including the home. As a result they formed a relationship with fashion designer extraodinaire, Jason Wu, and have been his primary sponsor since 2006. Jason Wu has created exclusive designs for Brizo, and I love this video about their collaboration:

My time with Brizo will culminate in attending Jason Wu’s fashion show followed by an exclusive cocktail party celebrating “the unity of fashion on the runway and fashion for the home.” I seriously can’t wait. Pinch me!

Oh, and if you want to see their sexy Siderna collection in one of my bathroom designs, check it out here.

HINT OF PINK

adeleyoung — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:10:56 +0000

I don’t always understand how, or why, certain things grab my attention at any given time, but one thing I can tell you is that pink is on my radar. Big time. I was wondering today whether it is a current trend that I am simply not aware of (very likely, since I don’t tend to go out of my way to hunt down trends), or if my design conscious eye has organically fallen in love with this new awareness of the colour.

Either way, I’m very much into pink these days.

The way in which I love it right now is when it is very subtly applied to interiors. I keep thinking to myself “hint of pink” – understated, muted, pale, soft…natural. Such a perfect accent for the neutral color palettes that I am already, and always will be, drawn to.

I think the best way to explain my very specific obsession with pink is through images. Take a look…

Photo from La Maison d’Anna G.

Photo from Apartment Therapy

Photo by Heidi Lerkenfeldt

Photo by Anne de Leeuw

Photo from Pinterest

Photo from Stil Inspiration

Photo from La Maison d’Anna G.

Design by Greg Natale

Photo from La Maison d’Anna G.

Wait a minute, I can’t neglect a splash of fashion and original art as well… Oh so pretty, right?

Photo from Madewell

Photo from The Pursuit Aesthetic

By Emily Gherard

By Franco Kappl

BATHROOM REMODEL – BEFORE & AFTER

adeleyoung — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:53:42 +0000

It’s finally time for me to 1) write blog posts more often, and 2) share some of my very own design experiences. I hope all of you who are remotely interested in what I have to say keep your fingers crossed for #1 to happen (yes, remind me!). But here goes… a post about a job I recently completed.

A few months ago I went to a social gathering, when I couple came up to me explaining they had just moved into a new home, and they need help with a bathroom.

Me: “No problem, let’s set up a time for me to come over, see the space, and discuss the project.”

This is what I walked into:

YIKES!!!

Errr…yes, I think you need some help!

So, for several weeks we worked together, and amidst the standard process of doing a bathroom remodel I had the opportunity to design a custom vanity and mirror. That is a part of my job that I absolutely love – seeing something unique, that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world, come into existence.

Here are some AFTER photos:

Mirror detail

Vanity detail

All AFTER photos were taken by my talented friend, Elizabeth Prewitt, who takes all the photos for her very own foodie blog, one hundred eggs.

INTERIOR DESIGN + FASHION: KELLY WEARSTLER – PART TWO

adeleyoung — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:52:22 +0000

So, I explained in a previous post that I have become increasingly enthralled by the integration of design disciplines, particularly that of interior design and fashion. Kelly Wearstler is someone who fascinates me, and now it is time to look what she’s been busy with lately. Not only is she an undaunted interior designer, she also has her name on a stunning collection of home objects.

As if that isn’t enough, she has taken a leap into the world of fashion design, and launched her first line in 2011. The edgy, glamorous style that permeates her fashion collections is a reflection of what she has already achieved in interiors. One sees the same bold choices of pattern and color, a sense of fearless expression, and an impeccable attention to detail. I really enjoy the unexpected ways in which this woman can bring pattern, colour and texture together. Here are some of my favourite looks from past and present collections. Feast your eyes my dearies…

All the facets of Kelly Wearstler’s career to date have culminated in one place – her very own boutique on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. In one single space her interior, fashion, home object, jewelry and accessory design senses come together. I can’t wait to go there on my next trip to LA!

photo from Architectural Digest

(All images from Kelly Wearstler’s website, unless otherwise noted.)

INTERIOR DESIGN + FASHION: KELLY WEARSTLER – PART ONE

adeleyoung — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:06:57 +0000

I grew up quite the tomboy. I’ve never been too much of a girlie girl, but as time goes by I am becoming increasingly fascinated by the integration of various design disciplines – particularly that of interior design and fashion. It all makes sense considering I started modeling as a teen and worked as a makeup artist for a number of years. I’ve been part of both worlds for a considerable period of time, but never embraced fashion as much as I did architecture and interior design. Now that I have established a career in interiors, my mind (and eyes!) seem to absorb all aspects of design, in general, more and more every day.

I plan to do a series of posts on this topic, and decided that there is no other person to start with than the magnificent Kelly Wearstler.

For now, let’s look at Kelly Wearstler, the interior designer. Her work is permeated with bold gestures of colour and pattern. I find the unique shapes, proportions and combinations of furniture & materials absolutely captivating in every single room that I see. Who is this woman?! So bad-ass!

Who dares to be this bold in a residence? I bet that wallpaper was designed by the lady herself.

At first glance this room appears “calm”, but upon closer inspection I find my eye traveling to the spherical stone base of the table, the sculptures, woodwork of the sideboard, the detail of the chairs…

Ah man, look at that stone wall. Stunning! Check out the herringbone tile inside the fireplace. The combination of soft rounded shapes and hard linear black chairs…just keep looking. This is fun, isn’t it? Did you notice the unique light fixtures?

The combination of pattern, texture, colour, materials and proportion in this photograph is perfection to me.

I want to go to the Viceroy in Anguilla just to have a glass of crisp white wine right here. The neutral palette really appeals to my senses, and again, I am entranced by the materials, shapes and proportions in the space.

The girl is not afraid of bold. This is pool side seating at the Avalon hotel in Beverly Hills. Not your average lounging-by-the-pool fare, if you ask me.

Kelly has clearly proven to be a fearless interior designer. She seems gutsy and adventurous when it comes to design. There will be a follow-up post to this one, and the next time I write about her, it will be to show you how her career has evolved to not only include a stunning collection of home objects, but a plunge into the world of fashion design. Good stuff, I promise!

(All images are taken from Kelly Wearslter’s website.)

CAPE TOWN, HERE I COME!

adeleyoung — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:01:17 +0000

I haven’t taken a real vacation in 3 years, so the time has come. Since my entire family lives in South Africa the natural choice is to go back home, so in March I’ll be taking a much needed break to visit the place where I was born and raised.

I feel lucky to have grown up in Cape Town, a city that will always give me unbounded comfort and inspiration. I literally couldn’t sleep the night after I booked my flights. Aahhh…to be in the presence of my parents & brothers, to connect with people that I adore, to soak up the vibe, as well as the sublime natural beauty of the place…

photo by Andrew Brauteseth

Not much will be planned before I go (that’s the way things roll in Cape Town), except for a little bit of this:

photo by Andrew Brauteseth

And this:

photo by Andrew Brauteseth

And this:

photo by Andrew Brauteseth

And this:

photo by Andrew Brauteseth

Yes, I’m excited. And as a designer I can’t wait to pick up on all the creative energy, and I am delighted to remind all of you that Cape Town has been nominated as the World Design Capital 2014. Needless to say I’ll come back to Chicago fully charged and ready to plan the next trip back.

Thank you, Andrew Brauteseth, for allowing me to share your magnificent photography. I owe you a glass of wine my friend.

BLACK & TAN

adeleyoung — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:16:34 +0000

I am quite a minimalist, and from a personal standpoint neutral color palettes and tones appeal to me very much. My entire wardrobe seems to be made up of greys, browns, blacks and whites, with the always present splash of blue denim (on the days that I’m not wearing my grey or black jeans, of course). Over the past year or so I have become obsessed with the combination of black and tan. I have that new car syndrome, when suddenly you see the car that you’re about to buy, or have just bought, all the time. Lately my visual world is filled with that black & tan combo. It translates wonderfully into fashion…

from mango.com

photo via Pinterest

…but my oh my, it is when I see that combination in interiors that I find myself in awe of its simple beauty. The thing is, this combination lends itself to the use of different materials – wood, leather, natural fibers. I am a big believer in combining a variety materials to create visual interest in a room. Just feast your eyes on these images.

from Elle Decor

photo by Joshua McHughes

photo via Remodelista

photo via Pinterest

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to slip on my black skinny jeans and tan leather low wedge boots to go to a site meeting. I’m starting a kitchen remodel today, which I’m sure you’ll hear more about in the near future!

Happy Monday!

HELLO 2012… HELLO NEW BLOG!

adeleyoung — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:07:45 +0000

Just for the record, the inception of this blog is not part of a long list of new years resolutions. This first day of 2012 just happens to be the best day and time for me to get going, and I must say, I am all fired up about joining the blogging world.

Having a relatively new business has allowed me to independently delve into the world of interior design over the past year. It has been at once exciting and daunting to take charge of this venture, and I look forward to allowing all of you to get a glimpse of my world, my inspiration, and my work by means of this blog.

The first peek is of a daybed in my apartment. I love to create large abstract paintings, and did the blue one you see in the image. Sadly, I haven’t painted in quite some time, but who knows, this blogging thing might give me a kickstart to get into it again, and share the process with you. So, cheers to 2012 – I look forward to this journey!

Photo by Elizabeth Prewitt