Best of MI...Ruthie Sommers...

Good morning!! Happy Fourth of July to all of you!  I have the day off and will be lounging.  I am watching Wimbledon right now and can't wait for the women's single and men's single finals this weekend.  I used to do a regular column called 'The Green Scene' and decided to run this with one of my favorite designers - Ruthie Sommers.  I highlighted her ability to recycle furniture that she sold in her now-defunct store in Hollywood.  Her design is timeless and looks just as great as it did in June 2010 when I did this post.  Do you like her designs?  Any favorites here? 

One reason I think Ruthie Sommers' design aesthetic is so popular is that she recycles and reuses furniture that she use to sell in her now-closed store in Hollywood,Chapman Radcliffe Home, and in her clients' homes too...here is a house in Hollywood she designed...

Notice the bedside table, which looks like a piece you would see in any consignment shop or Goodwill store repainted to look glamorous!...

 This room has an antique desk in the corner...looks lovely...

The kitchen has several recycled items...the chandelier is vintage, the Saarinen table by Knoll is a classic and the vintage chairs are reupholstered in candy colors...yummy...

This chair looks like it came from a consignment shop, redone with new upholstery...the sconces on the wall are vintage too...

Ruthie made this home more personal with items already owned and used...not brand new...it is a great way for the client to save money and own something unique...you can use organic fabrics too that don't cost a lot (more on that later)...I'll be back on Friday with the Fabulous Fabrics series - see you then!

Visit Ruthie Sommers website: http://www.ruthiesommers.com/

(original images for Traditional Home by Grey Crawford)

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Best of MI...Saturday in the kitchen favorite...

BEST OF MI series...from January 2012 -Spotlight on Designer Krista Ewart 

I absolutely LOVE Krista Ewart and guess who she started out working with? The fabulous Ruthie Sommers! You can see Ruthie's influence in this great little California kitchen Krista designed for her sister.  The colors, the whimsical touches and materials are just stunning. In her other rooms, she always includes animals in the form of statues, and Ruthie adds this touch to rooms as well.  Happy Saturday!!





While it has started snowing here and I have to head to work soon, this little kitchen by Krista Ewart is too pretty to pass for posting. It is in a sunny little California cottage that was featured in HB a couple of years ago. Some of you may know, Krista used to work alongside Ruthie Sommers, and you can see her influence in Krista's work.

Perfectly pink on a wintry day, the fridge is probably my favorite feature, as well as the 'Keep Calm' poster and the wood detail. The colors are so fresh with the always-fabulous white.

(image by Victoria Pearson)


If you need help decorating your space, choosing fixtures for your bathroom or kitchen, please send email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Dear design diary...

I was so excited to see Ruthie Sommers in the new issue of 'Veranda!' - I haven't seen any of her work recently so its about time as she is one of my favorites. What a gorgeous home in Chicago - with signature Ruthie touches- pink, elephants, lots of color, Palm Beach style and wallpaper. Feast your eyes and let me know which room is your favorite!!

Purple, yellow and an elephant table 

Soothing and love the rugs -

Parisian salon style -

Lacquered walls - dramatic

Soft pink and tailored curtains

Gorgeous wallpaper in gray with green - stunning

Pink, pink and pink!

Gorgeous mirror, lattice cabinets and that light -

(all images by Francesco Lagnese for VERANDA)

Love the inspiration of Ruthie's style in these rooms - does it give you

any ideas to try in your home?  Paint color? wallpaper?

lighting? mirrors in the living room?

Food for thought -

I can help make your home fabulous - contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Dear Design Diary...

Ruthie Sommers executes the most amazing color combinations and I love this one!! It is bold, beautiful and brash and not for everyone...would you do this in your home? or would you try a more subtle combo?

My favorite piece is the spotted table...but I also really like the yellow ceiling...

and I don't mind the pink rug...

(Interior Design by Ruthie Sommers)

(image for House Beautiful by Victoria Pearson)

Do you need help decorating a space? I can assist with color selection, fabrics, furniture, room layout, art or organization...please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and we can discuss your ideas.

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From kitchen to bath...

I am dreaming of kitchen and baths...Tomorrow I will start working for a kitchen and bath showroom and I am very excited...here are two different designs. The kitchen is designed by Ruthie Sommers and I love it for its simplicity and touches of blue and yellow - so summery...

While this fantastic bathroom designed by Mimi McMakin of Kemble Interiors showcases the rustic look of the Adirondacks or the West...I just looked at a friend's pictures from her trip to Montana last week and it inspired my choice for this bathroom.

Do you like the rustic look? or would it look better only if it is in a log cabin?

(images - Ruthie Sommers by Don Freeman & Kemble Interiors by Francesco Lagnese for House Beautiful)

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Cottage beautiful...indeed...

I know this will make the rounds in the blogosphere (if it hasn't already) but I was blown away by this gorgeous little cottage designed by Krista Ewart, who used to work for the great Ruthie Sommers, featured in the new issue of 'House Beautiful'...I fell in love with the charm, the spectacular bold color combinations, and on and on...I can't get enough of the these rooms...above is the living area in pinks and greens...

The super small bathroom with the Albert Hadley wallpaper (my fave)...featuring a pink shower curtain reflected in the mirror...

The kitchen with the pink SMEG fridge and the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster, another fave...

Another shot of the charming living area with the whimsical animal touches including elephants, a turtle and the Jonathon Adler zebra rug that Krista loves...

This bright blue whale wallpaper looks fantastic with the green dresser, so fitting for a child's room...

Did you like this beach cottage? what is your favorite room?

(original images for House Beautiful by Victoria Pearson)

Interior Design by Krista Ewart

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The Green Scene...Ruthie Sommers...

One reason I think Ruthie Sommers' design aesthetic is so popular is that she recycles and reuses furniture that she use to sell in her now-closed store in Hollywood, Chapman Radcliffe Home, and in her clients' homes too...here is a house in Hollywood she designed...

Notice the bedside table, which looks like a piece you would see in any consignment shop or Goodwill store repainted to look glamorous!...

 This room has an antique desk in the corner...looks lovely...

The kitchen has several recycled items...the chandelier is vintage, the Saarinen table by Knoll is a classic and the vintage chairs are reupholstered in candy colors...yummy...

This chair looks like it came from a consignment shop, redone with new upholstery...the sconces on the wall are vintage too...

Ruthie made this home more personal with items already owned and used...not brand new...it is a great way for the client to save money and own something unique...you can use organic fabrics too that don't cost a lot (more on that later)...I'll be back on Friday with the Fabulous Fabrics series - see you then!

Visit Ruthie Sommers website: http://www.ruthiesommers.com/

(original images for Traditional Home by Grey Crawford)

❤ Read More