<![CDATA[Neila Hutt Interior Design

<![CDATA[Neila Hutt Interior Design - DESIGN JOURNAL]]>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:39:05 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Treasure Hunting at The Alameda Flea Market ]]>Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:36:03 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2013/06/treasure-hunting-at-the-alameda-flea-market.html

]]><![CDATA[Before & After]]>Fri, 24 May 2013 17:13:28 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2013/05/before-after.htmlI just completed a kitchen renovation in Mill Valley. Check out the before and after images.

Before

After

]]><![CDATA[Re-cool for Earth Day]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:45:08 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2012/04/reuse.htmlEarth Day is on Sunday and I can't think of a better time to talk about one of my favorite subjects, repurposing. I just love seeing old, tired, even useless items transformed into something new, beautiful and useful. Best part is it's not only inspiring, but earth friendly as well.

With a little imagination and elbow grease there's loads of cool things that you can do with 'waste' sitting around the house collecting dust.

This love affair began several years ago on a trip to New York at event sponsored by Interior Design Magazine at the Chelsea Hotel. Rooms on several floors were designed by up-and-coming designers, it was basically an 'indie' designer showcase. The coolest room was done with no budget by a group of design students from Holland. As they had no money, they created the space by transforming 'junk' they found in and around the hotel (the streets too.) The end result was artful and inspiring, cementing my love of repurposing forever. Check it out.

Picture from Interior Design Magazine

Now for some more practical ideas... a few things that you can do this weekend to celebrate Earth Day.

Update an old dresser.
Designer Nick Olsen painted an old oak dresser and changed the hardware. It turned out gorgeous. You could also get the same effect facing the drawers with wallpaper. How cute would this be in a girls bedroom?

From House Beautiful

Use old magazines or books as wallpaper.
A Guest Bath in a Beach House is covered with pages from the owner's "Book of Natural Curiosites." The images of seashells, sea creatures, botanicals and coral are just perfect for a seaside retreat, but you can do anything. One of my clients has stacks,and stacks, of old New Yorkers in her small home. She LOVES looking at all the old covers, so I suggested using them as wallpaper in her powder room. She loved the idea and approved it. We cannot wait to see how it turns out!

from Elle Decor

Old clothing as upholstery fabric.
At a Montauk 'surf shack' the owner pulled from his old Hawaiian shirt collection when selecting fabric for his deck pillows. How fun and practical. You can also use sheets, blankets, and towels too!

Remodel a lamp.
Designer Abigail Ahern re-cooled an old lamp by spray painting it black and removing the shade fabric. So chic.

from abigail ahern

Repurpose.
Have one too many colanders cluttering your kitchen cabinets? All you have to do is drill a hole and voila. Perfect for a foyer or hallway.

from pinterest

]]><![CDATA[Peep Show]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:04:49 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2012/04/peep-show.htmlEaster is not complete without Peeps. These happy, bright, little creatures make me smile and remind me of my childhood. To taste, they're a little too sweet for even me, but I do love decorating with them. Since they're more-or-less indestructable you can use them in a variety of ways. Plus they have a retro mid-century vibe, which is always cool.

My own Peep creation.

It was very easy to make. Last week I planted WheatBerry seeds in wet soil, then I covered the container with plastic wrap and placed it all in a bright window. 7 days later wheatgrass! I added an apple tree branch and the final touches, Peep Bunnies and Peep Birds. (I told Aleena that they're food for the Easter Bunny. So far my lie is working.... she hasn't eaten any!)

Some other great ideas...

Cute. Peeps in floral arrangment.

Peep Wreath

Martha Stewart does it again... peeps, dasies and green jelly beans. Sweet and simple.

Hot Chocolate Peep from apartment therapy

Peep House

]]><![CDATA[I go to nature]]>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:01:56 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2012/02/i-go-to-nature.html"Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain."
Frank Lloyd Wright

Last weekend our generous friends hosted us at Carmel’s lovely Normandy Inn, situated just footsteps away from Carmel Beach. I went for many walks along nearby Scenic Drive taking in the spectacular views of the coastline and the eclectic architecture unique to the area. The stunner of all stunners, being the Frank Lloyd Wright Walker House. Perched on a point just above Carmel Beach, the house feels as if it’s part of the coastline. A classic example of what Wright calls ‘organic architecture,' a structure in harmony with humanity and it’s environment.

He clearly drew inspiration from the rugged and gorgeous Monterey coastline, and I took in my own inspiration from the natural beauty of the area as well. A stand out being the tide pools at Point Lobos State Reserve. I was blown away by the stunning textures, dramatic patterns and rich colors. They would make a gorgeous palette for an interior space. Frank was right, if you need inspiration go to nature.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed Walker House, just a couple miles north of the tidepools.

]]><![CDATA[What's On My Coffee Table]]>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:00:12 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2012/02/whats-on-my-coffee-table.htmlA pop-up book, David Carter's 600 Black Dots.
It's not just a book, or even just a pop-up book, it's more like a hand held interactive gallery. All of the brightly colored figures are placed on equally intense monochromatic backgrounds, and all are either intricately intertwined as the spread opens, or move with the pull of a tab. Fun and inspiring for both young and old to flip thru.

]]><![CDATA[Bolinas Open Studios]]>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:51:57 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2012/01/bolinas-open-studios.htmlJust before the holidays I spent a long weekend in Bolinas celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday. This trip fortuitously coincided with the annual Bolinas-Stinson Beach Open Studios.  So in between enjoying the waves, tidepools, and cool vibe, I got to visit a few of my favorite local artists' studios. I love seeing artisits at work, a creative work space is so inspiring.

A highlight for me was Tripp Carpentar’s Bolinas studio.  Tripp is a 3rd generation craftsman furniture maker. He grew up in this shop alongside his dad, Art Espenet Carpenter, who is a well known in the industry and his pieces are featured in collections at the Smithsonian and Museum of Modern Art (to name a few.) Tripp is carrying on the family tradition, his work is as sensuous and interesting as his father's.
See his work at http://www.zhibit.org/profile/espenetfurniture   His bowls and cutting boards will be sold in the new Heath Ceramics SF Mission store.

Another local gem. Acclaimed printblock artist Tom Killion's Inverness Studio.

A future artist enjoying the work of local grafitti artisits (and some Thanksgiving leftovers) at the Breakwall Studio right on the beach. Thankfully, this fabulous studio is open to the public 24-7 year round!

]]><![CDATA[Halloween Inspiration]]>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:35:34 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2011/10/halloween-inspiration.htmlIn the spirit of Halloween, I'm giving our home a haunted house makeover. I've been surfing the blogosphere looking for ideas (convicted felon Martha Stewart is a goldmine!) and wanted to share some of my discoveries. I'm inspired by the creative and simple things you can do with cobwebs, black silhouettes, vintage treasures and of course pumpkins.
Stay tuned for the end result...

Hitchcock would be proud of this entrance.

Witch's Curtain. I used to be a black plastic bag...

Flying bats and creepy mice oh my! The creatures are black construction paper cut-outs.

Haunted house mice are welcome.

A fireplace mantle with a Dr. Jekyll lab decor theme. Loving the vintage photos with spooky eyes, dusty books, specimen jars. Photo from Three Pixie Lane.

Flower inspiration courtesy of jailbird Stewart.

Spooky tabletop...

]]><![CDATA[Flea Market Finds]]>Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:06:38 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2011/08/flea-market-finds.htmlThis past Sunday I went to the always inspiring Alameda Flea Market. It never disappoints. A few of the many treasures that I found on this trip...

garden art?

metal letters... in all shapes, sizes and colors.

the summer intern selecting letters

metal flowers

french 60's lucite chair

60's Peter Max clock.... in working order!

some vintage friends

a set of italian vases

wood wall art

]]><![CDATA[Inspiration - Random Travel Shots]]>Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:57:41 GMThttp://www.huttdesign.com/2/post/2011/07/inspiration-random-travel-shots.htmlI love traveling to far off places. You get to see and experience new and unusual things. For example....

Cairo, Egypt
Delivery truck spotted on the highway just outside Cairo.
To clarify, this furniture delivery is not for a Hutt Design project!

Tripoli, Libya
My friend Pete took this shot. He sent it my way, as he knew I'd appreciate the wacked furniture style. This random outdoor furniture installation was set up at Green Square, right in the center of Tripoli, as a place for tourists to take photos. In recent months the square has been full of protestors and has also housed the grandstand where Khaddafi addresses his people. How times have changed. Thanks for sharing the Photo Pete!

The Metro - Paris, France
In March 2010 Ikea put their actual furniture on platforms in a few Paris stations, part of an advertising campaign. Not that I needed another reason to love riding The Metro, but the unexpected furniture made riding the train even more inspiring.

The Old City - Jeruselum , Israel
Very, very, old meets new. A modern Dale Chihuly masterpiece hangs in the 2nd Century BCE Tower of David. Added bonus -my friend Kina wore the perfect shirt for my shot. Thanks Kina!

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