american dream builders finale

It has arrived - the last review of American Dream Builders. Monday night was the final episode of the season and not surprisingly (SPOILER ALERT) Lukas won. The finalists were given the project of run down beach houses, 5 days to complete the challenge and a team of eliminated designers. Jay was given the more traditional house while Lukas got the boxy, contemporary home (apparently these were random selections but I am highly skeptical). Jay approached the project by giving out room assignments to each designer on his team while Lukas controlled the design of each room down to even the glassware selection in the kitchen.

Jay's house had more space planning issues and smaller, tighter rooms. That being said, he was able to use these constraints to his advantage creating an intimate, cottagey feel to his house. My favorite elements of Jay's design were the chairs in the living room, the idea of the nook build out (not necessarily the execution of it), and the installation of the glass folding doors and balcony. I did not like the master bedroom, plastic outdoor chairs or the family room on the second floor. Overall, I think Jay did a good job as the BUILDER and I think had the neighborhood council voted he would have won. He delegated, oversaw his crew, had a general design intention and kept things on task. 

Lukas' house was much more contemporary and seem to have a lot more space. He used a color palette of white and black making the risky decision of painting the exterior black. This selection was not received well by many of the former contestants as well as by judge Monica Pedersen. Personally, I liked it and appreciated its uniqueness.

Overall, Lukas' design was pretty incredible and did not disappoint in the least. He mixed in rustic wood pieces to warm up the stark color palette and created signature sculptural elements in the form of lighting fixtures and a custom 12' long dining table. I especially liked the living room and Moroccan family room and found them both to be very design forward. There were, however, a few miss steps namely in the kitchen which just sort of seemed neglected and stuck in the corner and in the outdoor space which they didn't feature in the episode but by the pictures looked to have a very, awkward furniture plan.

Lukas was definitely the best designer on the show and I am glad he won. However, the show is called American Dream BUILDERS and I think Jay gets the award for best builder - so in many ways Jay is the more appropriate winner for how things were set up. In the end, the finale played out the fundamental problems with the show perfectly. Is it a show about giving homeowners their "dream" home? Or is it a show about innovative interior design? I know and believe you can achieve both but it takes the right partnership between a client, designer and the home they have to work with - a relationship that isn't really achievable in the world of reality television. If the show gets renewed for another season - which I doubt it will - there needs to be a clear intention of what they are after or else the next season will be as fragmented as this one was. 

I hope you have enjoyed this mini-series! Click here to read all the American Dream Builders episode reviews!

shopping chairish

Since Chairish launched several months ago and I posted about it here, its inventory of goods has just exploded. It has become one of my go to sources for shopping and design inspiration and I check it's new arrivals section almost everyday. I love the way the site is organized and how you can search by product type, location, maker or style. Judging by their press and their increase in stock, I am guessing that Chairish is doing very well for itself and hopefully will be around for a long time to come. See below for a selection of items that I have been coveting and my thoughts on how I would use them. 

I love this cane and rattan asian style sofa listed by The Brass Peacock on Chairish. Its a great size and would look amazing with new upholstery and tons of mixed pillows. I would put it outside or on a screened in porch - very boho chic. 

At work, we just recently used sconces just like these in a powder room and they look pretty great. They are a bit funky and very 70s glam but paired with the right wallpaper and accessories they look totally fresh and fun. 

I love these chairs. Their style is classic mid century yet the brass and rattan make them unique and very one of a kind. I would use them in an entry flanking a console table with some gorgeous lamps and a big mirror. 

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! See you Tuesday!

outdoor patio image source unknown, powder room by Lilly Bunn, entryway image source unknown

designer feature: michelle r. smith

via Lonny

Lonny relaunched this month with a feature on Michelle R. Smith's Sag Harbor home. I hadn't heard of Smith before but after looking through her work and reading some articles about her, I have become an instant fan. Smith has had a somewhat untraditional path to becoming an interior designer. Growing up in Louisiana, Smith was constantly surrounded by home renovation projects and has said "I spent most of my childhood at Lowes and Home Depot" (Lonny). She showed a natural propensity for design but decided to take a different route by going into law. After working as an attorney for two years in New York City, she left her job to intern with Daniel Romualdez. Eventually working her way up from intern to design assistant, Smith left to start her own firm - STUDIO MRS - in 2012. 

Smith's interiors are effortlessly chic and have a beautiful blend of the old and new. Her signature palette is muted with lots of contrasting whites and beiges and there is a distinctly Southern aesthetic to her work. Below are images of her designs including her home in Sag Harbor. I would highly recommend reading and watching her feature in this month's Lonny.

images 1-3 via Lonny images 4-5 via STUDIO MRS