All that glitters...

This week's design morsel takes the form of a bedroom renovation for a dear friend of mine in Houston. I was directed to create a Hindu Courtesan's Bedroom. I can hear the scratching of heads even as I type this up. Trust me, I was as clueless as you as to what that meant. Vickie, being the director of The Eidetic Imagery Training Center of Texas (Google it... it's way to complicated to get into here) works with an abundance of imagery pieces in her practice. One piece centers around the Courtesan in India and her "patrons" - she wanted her bedroom to be translated into the inner sanctum of said Courtesan. I'm not much on theme rooms, but thought what the heck... it could be fun. I had to try to get into total Eastern Indian mode, after all I am The Design Yogi, and pulled together an appropriately inspired scheme. I started off with my favorite palette of platinums, browns, cremes, and blue-grays.



I was promptly shot down. It was way too masculine (who'd have thunk that I'd ever be accused of that) and that it needed to be warm, spicy and encompass female sensuality (OY!). OK, I had to dig a bit deeper and Voila! Here is scheme two.



I went on to custom design a sensuous low bench in hot pink velvet, a "yoni" (look it up, it's the female counterpart to the "linga") inspired headboard in orange and pink chenille and encase the entire samosa in shimmering gold (we're talking ceilings, walls, trim and doors). Throw in a fabulous gold coverlet in crocodile faux fur (yes, I said crocodile faux fur), silk pillows and bed skirt, a Murano-inspired chandelier, silver table lamps, mirrored tables, a Tolemeo floor lamp, a Ghost chair, a sheepskin rug and an alpaca hide pillow for good measure, and you can pretty much call it a day. She wanted high drama and The Yogi delivered in spades. I'm thinking tandoori chicken for dinner.

Baby's First Blog

OK. I've been pulled kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. What does a designer looking to express themselves and reach new markets during these troubled economic times do? They BLOG! What do you blog about? The things that matter to you - things that inspire you - things that excite you. So here is today's morsel of crunchy design goodness. I would be remiss if I didn't mention first and foremost my design home, The Nicholson Gallery. Proprietor, Martha Nicholson with her keen eye has done an incredible job of assembling a beautiful collection of art, antiques, upholstery, lighting and accessories that has been one of the best kept secrets of many of Atlanta's top designers (until now). Martha truly caters to her clients and is always willing to go the extra mile to make things right. OK enough gushing. Check out her site... or better yet come into the gallery. We're all the way at the end of Miami Circle, next to Eclipse di Luna Restaurant (another one of my favorite things).

Well that was relatively painless. They should be easier after this. I'll be posting again next week. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on these images to get an idea of the many wonderful things that surround me and inspire me every day.


The Design Yogi's Lair at The Nicholson Gallery





Notice the light fixture & bird silhouettes (The Design Yogi's very own!)