How to build a room in 36 hours

Rooms with a View

I have just put the final touches on my Vignette in Rooms with a View. It has been a lot of fun,a bit stressful and a great learning experience. Each designer was given a space that had three sheet rocked walls measuring 5.5 feet x 8 feet.  A lot of preplanning was required to insure that everything was completed in a few short days. I had a carpenter install a cieling, crown molding and base molding. We had to monkey rig a floer to accomadate the Tibetan rug that I was going to use. Once the floor and carpet were installed we could complete the molding and get the trim painted.. While the painter was working on the trim I was collecting all my accessories and planning on where to place them in the Vignette. I had everything staged at my house except for the sofa which was going to be delivered directly to the vignette once the grass cloth was installed. Finally all the construction and painting was complete so I had a truck deliver all the furnishings and accessories to  my vignette at Southport Congreagtional Church. Now the real began . I could finally see how everything all worked together and made a few adjsutments on site. The show opens tonight so i when out early this morning and boght fresh flowers  for the coffee table. My final touch was to add olives to my martini glasses to make my martinis look authentic. Do not tell anyone but the glasses are filled with water ,not gin!!!

Connie Cooper Designs goes Green

I spent the day in NYC at a training seminar to become a Certified Sustainability Designer. The seminar was sponsored by The Sustainable Furnishings Council. You can go to their website to learn more about their mission,www.sustainablefurnishings.org. We spent the day learning about the different ecological challenges that our earth is facing and the ways in which as individuals can help to make changes. Most consumers are  not aware that there are many environmentally friendly products for the home. As an interior designer it will by job to research the various vendors providing green products and present them as options to my clients.

Not only will buying green products help the planet they can improve the quality of the air that you breathe in your own home.Many glues and adhesives used in paints,furniture and finishes contain toxic materials that can cause troublesome fumes. Going green can sometimes cost a bit more but many times it is the same price as other products on the market.

I look forward to sharing all this new information with my clients and fellow designers as well.

Beacon Theater Restoration

Images of painted ceilings and walls at Beacon Theater

Last evening I went to a concert at the newly restored Beacon Theater in NYC.I was totally awestruck when I walked in the theater and saw the most amazing painting and decoration. The hallways were all finished in Venetian Plaster and the moldings had elaborate carvings. The main theater had a very intricate painted ceiling with a variety of patterns and designs. The walls were painted with scenic murals in elaborate detail. Onstage there were the largest columns that I have seen and of course there was a lot of gilding everywhere.

I felt like I was looking at pages out of my favorite reference book called “The Grammar of Ornament” I used this book extensively while I was  as a design student and when I was design director for a wall paper company. I now use this book when designing rugs for my interior design clients.

The Beacon Theater is a true masterpiece and is worth a trip just to see it even if you are not attending a concert. You can see more photos of the interior if you go to the Beacon Theater website.

CONNIE COOPER DESIGNS DOES THE HAMPTONS

The East Hampton Historical Society selected a home that I have worked on over the last year to be part of their house over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. The home which is a new construction is fashioned in an 18th century English Country Style. My clients  had a vision of exactly what they wanted and I was able to help their vision become a reality. We imported lighting and rugs from England and had custom rugs made by Stark Carpet as well. I was even able to find a source to have custom Tole Swing arm sconces for the master bedroom. The homeowners have a large collection of antiques and we complemented them with custom-made furniture ,lots of linen ,custom-made lampshades and nautical artifacts.. The walls are lined with beautiful framed antique textiles which are from the homeowners personal collection.

We are patiently waiting for a hand painted scenic wallpaper mural to be completed by Stark. This will be installed in the dining room which will it make it a spectacular centerpiece for the whole home. I will post a photo once it is complete.

Connie Cooper launches new website

Connie Cooper Designs is a full-service Interior Design firm specializing inresidential interiors. Based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Connie Cooper’s Interior Design firm is also active in the Tri-state area including Westchester, Manhattan, and The Hamptons. Connie Cooper, a 30-year industry veteran, believes in a client-centered practice. Each interior design project is tailored to individual tastes, needs and budget. But all designs,whether traditional or progressive, will be distinguished by Cooper’s signature detail, imaginative touches and comfortable elegance.

CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE AT http://www.conniecooperdesigns.com

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