Via Doug & Gene Meyer

Last weekend was the 19th Annual Pride Northwest Parade & Festival here in Portland, which was my inspiration for today’s blog post!~ I’m going to be showing off some of my favorite rooms that feature all or some of the colors of the rainbow. It will be a bright, taste the rainbow type photos that will help us burst into summer with color, because after all, Friday marks the first day of summer!

Colorful Interior Designs

Via Architectural Digest

This colorful room features every hue of the rainbow and has managed to maintain a very comforting and welcoming space, without being over the top. In summary, it’s gorgeous!

Via Keltainen Talo Rannalla

Similar to the photo above this photo, the walls were kept stark white and the bright pops of color were brought in through skillfully selected accessories and decor.

Via Punch of Color

Keeping the bright hues in your home within your accessories isn’t hard to do, as seen above, all you have to do is keep it in the fabric. Let’s put it this way, you won’t lose your chair unless you’re playing musical chairs.

Via Miss Design

This space oozes fun, laid back and inspiring. It doesn’t look stuffy and shows off some of the personality of the designers. If I were to identify what inspired the designer, I’d say LEGO meets Andy Warhol.

Via Sex and Design

Jim Lambie, a Scottish artist, is well known for his striped vinyl floor pieces, which have covered the floors and stairs of multiple gallery and museum spaces in the United States and Europe. He adheres vinyl tape to the floor in a geometric pattern that makes the building’s architecture.

Joe Schmelzer, Inc. dba Treasurbite Studio, Inc. Via Houzz

It’s Thursday, almost Father’s Day and oh so close to the summer, which is my favorite time of year in the Portland. I have the best Dad, so anytime I get to celebrate my dad, specifically a holiday made for him, I’m a happy camper! You may be asking yourself how I am going to add a Father’s Day twist on today’s blog…the answer is…taking a closer look at how to successfully and tastefully feature masculine interior decor & designs! I’m going to make a sweeping generalization about men, but, I’m okay with it, as long as you are…men want a big screen, comfort, lots of seating and cleanliness (what’s decor?) for their man caves and bachelor pads. I’ve compiled some of my favorite masculine spaces to celebrate all of the fathers out there!

The Finest Bachelor Pads Around Town

G. Paphos Via Home Adore

I wasn’t kidding about the lack of decor in a bachelor pad!

Adam Levin's home via Architectural Digest, photography by Roger Davies

I’m so obsessed with e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. is this space, particularly the bed and patchwork cowhide rug.

Architectural Digest, photography by Joshua McHugh

This Tribeca bachelor pad oozes masculine with hints of patriotism.

Esquire Via Daily News

Via Daily News, the first floor of the three-story penthouse has 14-foot-tall glass clock faces that look out over views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. Shelley Starr designed this great room for Hugo Boss, taking advantage of colors in its fall line.

Via Usona

Affordable Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Jonnie Walker Black Label, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Den Candle, $55, Areaware Retro iPhone Alarm Dock, $14.98, Kiehl’s Since 1851 Kiehl's Since 1851 Men's Starter Kit, $42, Glassybaby Drinker Cola, $55

Sometimes getting a gift for fathers in your life can be a daunting task, have no fear, I’ve compiled a list of gifts that I would get for my dad – which means they’re affordable!

Happy (early) Father’s Day to all you great dads!

Via Windy City Missy

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been visiting some gorgeous homes and villas around the world. So far, we’ve visited the gorgeous Spain and Thailand. As I mentioned yesterday, today we’re headed to Santorini, Greece to continue taking a closer look at interior design around the world. I’ve been lucky enough to see Santorini with my own eyes and bask in the warm sunshine while sticking my toes in the black sand, but writing this blog takes me back to a very happy few weeks in Greece. So without further ado, let’s let this ship dock and get up to our beautiful villa!

Via Ruthie Davis, Five Hundred PX Pinterest pages, Yes Bride, Tips From The List, Rosie Cheeks Flickr and Dust Jacket Attic

Welcome To Aenaon Villas in Santorini

Aenaon Villas are a secluded housing complex of seven luxurious white washed villas built next to and on top of one another overlooking the ocean. Situated at the highest and narrowest part of Santorini, they almost balance on the very edge of the world famous Caldera between the settlements of Imerovigli and Oia. All of them are open from East to West offering breathtakingly unobstructed views of the endless blue Aegean Sea, the volcano and the most unique sunset in the world. Each villa is built in complete harmony with the region’s natural environment and follows the values of traditional Cycladic architecture whilst artfully displaying the owners’ love and devotion to elegant simplicity in every detail in the luxe white-on-white interiors.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

The outside of the where we’ll be staying, notice that it’s surrounded by a ton of rocks. The rocks are actually volcano rocks that are the remains from the Minoan eruption of Thera, which you’ll be able to take home with you. Oia had several stores that sell volcano rock accessories.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

Aenaon Villas has soul and captures the mystical spirit of the once charred island using a natural tone against the unmistakable blues of the Aegean.
Iain Ainsworth, founder of White Line Hotels.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

I love how the interiors of this villa are all a crisp white with a black door adding a pop of color. The white interiors and exteriors really help keep the temperature of your Greek villa at a comfortable level.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

Um, can I please wake up to this view? I could drink my morning coffee while laying on this white couch and soak up the morning sun with a gorgeous view.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

One of my favorite aspects about this villa is that the blue waters outside add such a gorgeous element to the interiors of this villa. The natural color palette with very few colors are so beautiful and really encompass the beauty of Santorini – the outdoors!

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

The tall ceilings in this villa allow for the cool breeze circulate throughout this home while you take your afternoon break from the sun. The wooden accessories paired with the white linen and white washed walls make this space so calming.

Let’s walk out that door and head out to take a look at the sea…

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

Go on, grab a piece of the fruit and walk over here.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

You’re almost there, keep soaking up the views and feel that salty breeze blow through your hair…

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

You made it! Now enjoy the views and the rest of your day.

Via Yatzer © Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece

Yours truly,

Thanks to Yatzer for the inspiration and content!

Via Design Milk

Year round, members of the GHID team travel across the U.S. to visit different markets…markets that particularly pertain to the interior design and building industries. In May I was fortunate enough to visit the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC. The ICFF is held at the Javits Convention Center, which for many years was an annual destination for me to visit the National Retail Federation (NRF) with my GAP Inc. colleagues. The ICFF has a much different appeal than NRF had, more than for the obvious shift in target industry, but also in terms of overall attitude and heir, everything was lax all the way down to the way people dressed.

Expectations Going Into ICFF 

Usually I try to have a goal when I go to market, filling a need for our clients or finding a product in a category that will give us that design edge for our client’s projects. I had been warned that the ICFF was much different than the other interior design or furniture markets and that many times the products you’d see at ICFF would feel like you were seeing prototypes of products that weren’t fully baked products that were ready for purchase. This was very true across the market, but one of my favorite aspects of the market was being able to see the international products!

Favorites From International Contemporary Furniture Fair

Via Stickbulb

Stickbulb is a sleek and clean-line looking fixture that also has LED lights, can you eco-friendly and cool looking?! The best part is you can use the same ‘stick’ in a bracket on the wall or a stand on a table.

Via Laurie Beckerman Design

Some of the vendors were more like artist groups and they had interesting pieces. Laurie Beckerman Design was showcasing many pieces of her collection and a favorite was the metal butterfly chair.

Before Unfolding A Folditure

Via Folditure

These chairs are made to fold in 3 seconds and they can hang in a closet out of the way until needed – this chair would be the best solution for small condos, apartments, homes or shared spaces. 

After Folding A Folditure

Via Folditure

By far the most fascinating discovery for me was Folditure! One of the greatest aspects of attending these markets or fairs, is that you get to meet the creators and owners of these creative companies. I met Alexander, the owner of Folditure, and he is simply a genius. His work is best described as architecturally crafted furniture with comfort, stability, and always has an eye-catching form in mind. With a simple movement, the elegant streamlined forms transform into super-slim designs made for easy storing.

Cheryl Riley Design by Plexi-Craft

I’ve always been a huge fan of plexglass and Lucite, so when I ran across a great company, Plexi-Craft who has partnered with Cheryl R. Riley, I knew I was in love! I loved tall of the side tables, but my favorite was the Round Target Side Table – pictured above.

Via Tucker Robbins

Tucker Robbins furniture has a wonderful hand crafted but yet not-so-refined feeling that makes you feel like you want to pass this down to other generations. Their furniture is crafted by hand and do a wonderful job telling the story about the individuals that are making the pieces. The Geode Dresser was a beautiful piece that stood out at the show, but the Spider’s Nest Stools also were a show stopper for me  - see below.

Via Tucker Robbins

Unique Products From ICFF That Were Too Fabulous Not To Mention

Via KiGA White

There are also many unique products that just grabbed my attention but I wouldn’t get to use them in a project. The Kiga KitchenGarden is a great product with a purpose providing simple container gardening.

Via Cesar Stone

There were also some really great art installations…taking a great product and multiplying the amount of pieces by such a great number that it becomes an art statement that can complement any space.

Via Dirk Vander Kooij

Lastly, the most fantastic use of recycled product had to be the Chubby Chairs by Dirk Vander Kooij. Each chair is made from recycled plastic from refrigerators, ground down into a paste and printed, layer by layer, gradually building up the components of the chair. The 3D-printed plastic is as durable as a hard wood, and it’s made entirely from recycled materials.

Imagine a large tube of toothpaste being squeezed out, layer by layer to create these…it’s fantastic.

Final Thoughts From Me

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite interior decor finds at ICFF, it was certainly a high light of my trip back East. I encourage you to share any of your favorite products or thoughts in the comment section.

Via ICFF website

Via Kravet

This was the first Blogfest that I had ever attended and didn’t really know what you expect, because normally I’m the one headed to market and other networking events. To my surprise, Blogfest allowed me to network with a totally different group of people that I normally don’t get the opportunity of meeting…Design Bloggers!

Jonathan Adler Store in Uptown NYC 

Via Jonathan Adler Facebook

We headed over to the Jonathan Adler store to kick off Blogfest with champagne and yummy brownie treats at JA’s cocktail event! A huge thanks to Jonathan Adler for opening up his fabulous store and having the cocktail event surrounded by his beautiful decor.

A Visit To Hearst Tower

My view on this sunny day in NYC

This was my first time in Hearst Tower, which was super exciting in and of itself. HGTV magazine brought together some great people to listen to, like the Publisher, Dan Fuchs and Editor In Chief, Sara Peterson, Interior Designer, Thom Filicia plus many more other great and inspirational people.

Via Blogfest 2013 Facebook

Newel Antiques

Via Blogfest 2013 Facebook page

I was so excited and thankful for Newel Antiques for hosting Blogfest 2013 for an evening cap. We were able to mingle with some great people, but to name a few, Thom Filicia, Jonathan Adler and Suzanne Kasler chatted with the design bloggers over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Sneak Peak Of Aerin Lauder’s New Collection

A photo from the tour with Aerin Lauder

Last but not least, we all headed over to the Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils design studios. New York Spaces hosted a yummy breakfast for the group and led us on guided tours. We heard from Aerin Lauder at the Lee Jofa design studio to present her collection of fabrics and rugs for Lee Jofa, which will be launching this summer.  ☼

Next Week, We’ll Blog About The 2013 Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Via Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Every year, celebrated interior designers transform a luxury Manhattan home into an elegant exhibition of fine furnishings, art, and technology. The event began in 1973 when several dedicated women’s committee members of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club launched the Kips Bay Decorator Show House to raise funds for much needed after school and enrichment programs for New York City children. Over the course of four decades, this project has raised in excess of $17 million and grown into a “must destination” for thousands of design enthusiasts and is recognized for launching interior design trends throughout the world. Today, the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club is one of the most prominent and responsive youth development agencies in New York City and a “flagship” of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Via Blogfest 2013 Facebook page

I’ll show you my personal favorites and highlights from the Kips Bay Decorator’s Show House – I hope you enjoyed my Blogfest 2013 recap and will stay tuned for next weeks blog from the show house, it’s going to be a treat for you all!

If you want to see more of the happenings from Blogfest 2013, you can search #Blogfest2013 or visit Blogfest 2013′s Facebook page!

Last week I kicked off the worldwide interior design quest in Tossa De Mar, Spain and this week, we’re flying on over to Phuket, Thailand. I’m 100% on board with Ari Michaels Mills who said on our Facebook page that she wanted to go to Phuket, Thailand for the “pretty beaches and yummy food.” I’d also love to write on a Thai lantern and release it into the sky (imagine a quiet, peaceful and breathtaking few minutes as you watch your wish go up into the dark sky), ride an elephant, walk on the warm beaches and swim in the beautiful blue water, eat endless amounts of authentic thai food and soak up all aspects of the Thai culture. Before I get too far into my day dream, I am going to rein myself in and focus on providing you all a little bit of background on Phuket.

Via Alexandra Rivera, Holiday Spots 4 U, Sabine Paramentier, Contaxclub Pinterest Pages, YTravel Blog, TrueThai.com, Kittipong Soontornrungson Flickr

This luxurious six bedroom beachfront villa sits on a peninsula along the gorgeous east coast of Phuket in a price development designed by architect, Jean-Michel Gathy (if you have your head phones in, open his website in a new browser and listen to the calming music while reading our blog, it’ll get you further engulfed in the experience).

Via HomeDSGN

This villa is very spacious and is designed to make the indoors and outdoors seamlessly flow and allow the warm ocean breeze zip through this home.

Via HomeDSGN

Via HomeDSGN

The spacious living room interiors will not let you forget that you’re in Thailand, from the wood ceiling detailing to the Buddha statues, your views of Phang Nga bay will allow you to sink deeper into relaxation.

Via HomeDSGN

Via HomeDSGN

Via HomeDSGN

The bedrooms of this Thailand villa are modern with the clean lines, an open floor plan with folding windows and a neutral canvas with bright pops of colors. Although the interiors are modern and tend to leave the space feeling clean and airy, the spaces use some great details like the black and white flooring, large windows & window coverings, as well as the tall ceilings. I could certainly go for drinking wine in bed while watching the sun set, I would even accept a mimosa or tropical local drink and watch the sun rise – I’m not picky.

Via HomeDSGN

Via HomeDSGN

A quick and easy to transport interior design gems back home would be to purchase different scarves or other pieces of fabric with similar color palettes so that you can make them into pillows. If you do that, you will be able to easily infuse your vacation and memories into your every day.

Via Free Map

All photography by Sotheby’s International Realty and the entire article can be found here.

If you want to see interiors featured from a specific city or country, feel free to share in the comments section.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design's May Calendar

Did May really happen? It feels like it passed in the blink of an eye…oh the months, where do they go? May was a different kind of busy for GHID, we were not really busy with networking or afterwork events, but rather heads down working on projects behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the boss man a.k.a. Garrison was busy flying to three different states, while overseeing our projects. Although this blog will be shorter than previous months, just know that we’re gearing up for an extremely busy couple of months and we’ll likely have a longer blog next month.

Garrison Heads East To Tour Sub-Zero & Wolf, May 8

Garrison had a wonderful breakfast at the demo kitchens of Sub-zero & Wolf

Garrison had the opportunity – thanks to Bradlee Distributors – to eat fabulously prepared food and tour the insanely beautiful yet modern Sub-Zero & Wolf factories in Madison, WI. Garrison was able to see kitchen demos and learn more about the next generation of Sub Zero. He also got to see some Made in America Wolf products on the assembly line.

Part Of The Design Team Heads To CFM’s Private Event, May 14

Garrison, Dann, Daniel, Collin and Alison attended the CFM’s private after work event valuable connections with industry reps and knowledge on some of the new products in countertop, tile, and carpet production.

BlogFest 2013, May 18-21

Via Blogfest FB page

Garrison has been in and out of Portland over the last few months, but this time he headed to Blogfest in NYC. Garrison had the opportunity to network with bloggers within our design community as well as hear from other influential speakers within the interior design industry. Some of his favorite highlights from the event was the tour of the Hearst building, seeing all of the wonderful rooms touring Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Decorator Show House and Newel Antiques for hosting all of us attending Blogfest 2013 for an event that capped off one of the nights, he loved all of the art!

Teaser: Garrison went to CT to continue working with family on family home remodel – stay tuned for some more details to come in the coming months!

GHID Lands First Multi-Family Housing Project, May 16

Leeb Architects provided drawing

After countless hours on the project and very out-of-the-box ideas, GHID was awarded our very first new build multi-family housing project to design the interiors package for two new buildings that will be added to Orenco Station in Hillsboro, OR. We’ll reveal more details later this summer/early fall, either way, we’re ecstatic to be expanding our expertise to other fields of the industry. The drawing above shows the Platform District at Orenco; the buildings Holland Partners Group will build at the Orenco/Northwest 231st Ave.

Huge thanks to Lisa Lester and Dann Baker for tackling this project and being a fabulous example of client delight for the team.

Suzanne Kasler Comes To Portland

Taken at the Parker Furniture Event

The designers and I went to Parker Furniture to meet with over 40 manufacturers and hear from the talented, Atlanta-based interior designer, Suzanne Kasler - click here for the blog I wrote about her. She was full of great tips and knowledge, and her work is beautiful!

Coming Up For GHID

This month, we’ll be making some additional announcements and will continue preparing for the Street of Dreams home that we are designing! More details to come soon…

Via Mark D. Sikes blog

Each year in May, Parker Furniture brings all that was new at High Point Spring Market to Portland. Today, Parker Furniture will be celebrating the latest and greatest within the interior design industry by having key note speaker Suzanne Kasler, as well as 40 manufacturers that attended High Point Market. Some of the attendees are Hickory Chair, Kravet, Hancock & Moore, Henredon, Harden, Chaddock, Swaim and so many more.

Get To Know Suzanne Kasler Before Todays’s Event At Parker Furniture

Via Quintessence blog in the Show House at Adamsleigh #HPMKT

Suzanne Kasler is the principal of Atlanta-based Suzanne Kasler Interiors, she often asserts that “a room should be collected, not decorated.” Incorporating the personal collections of her clients with fine art and antiques, contemporary pieces and custom-designed furniture, Suzanne’s meaningful interiors straddle that rare middle ground between sophisticate and ingénue. As a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Suzanne brings a comprehensive knowledge of interior architecture and decorative arts to her design work.

In the fall of 2009, Rizzoli published Suzanne’s first book, Inspired Interiors, featuring her “deft use of couture-like detailing, a keen sense of sublime color selections, and an aesthetic that seamlessly bridges American and European sensibilities.”

Via Garden and Gun blog

In 2008, Suzanne launched a line of furniture for Hickory Chair, along with a collection of lighting for Visual Comfort. Her signature style of casual elegance has since been interpreted into a line of rugs with Safavieh, fine art with Soicher-Marin, accessories with Ballard Designs and debuting spring 2011, a fabric line with Lee Jofa.

Quick Q&A With Suzanne Kasler

Via Garden and Gun from Suzanne Kasler's Inspired Interiors book

In the magazine, Show House at Adamsleigh, Suzanne describes her design style as, “Southern charm, European sensibility, and a respect for architectural details.”

Via Perfectly Imperfect Blog

Some signature elements of spaces she designs are, “beautiful, but with a focus on comfort and strategic use of color”

I will share some other great things that I learn from today’s presentation.

Via Modern Findings on Pinterest

Aside from my family, I am most passionate about travel. Just thinking about getting on a plane and flying towards new cultures, foods, people and experiences make my soul start to smile. I cannot explain why or how it gets me some amped, but it does! I’ve decided that it would be my cheap opportunity to take mini vacations throughout the summer by showcasing a new location around the globe that we can visit together on our blog, while enjoying great interios around the world. A few weeks ago, I polled people on our Facebook page to see where people would travel if they could travel anywhere and there were some fabulous and inspiring places listed out. We will tick through some of the locations that were listed, but our first stop is the country that my mother comes from and that I grew to deeply love when I lived there…Spain aka España. 

Via Chris Dangtran’s, Olsenboye, Sarah Gerarde, Scott Foy, Get In Travel Pinterest Pages

This luxurious home is located only about 60 miles outside of Barcelona and a short drive to French Border is the ancient town of Tossa De Mar – located in the Costa Brava region of Spain.

You can choose to soak up the Spanish sun or culture by staying in this luxurious home in Spain that  consists of a two bedroom villa with a heated infinity swimming pool plus a guest apartment and a guest dwelling with an additional five bedrooms and private swimming pool.

Via Impressive Interior Design

The home is a total of 16,000 sq. ft. of extravagant living awaits you in Spain; with 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms you can bring friends and family and still enjoy a luxury house with all the privacy you need for your time away in ancient Spain. Go ahead, write down who you want to bring on your “day dreaming” vacation.

Via Impressive Interior Design

You’ll likely feel right at home with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea from any of the expansive rooms, or from the chilled infinity swimming pool with a Sangria or Tinto De Verano beverage.

Via Impressive Interior Design

The interiors are fully furnished with modern and clean designs with views that overlook the coastline and sea – you’ll feel one with nature in this home as the warm Spanish sea breeze whirls through your vacation home that will help you and your friends disconnect from your corporate jobs and technology.

Via Impressive Interior Design

I’m sure this isn’t the only home we’ll be looking at in Spain, but we’ll be jet setting off to another location next week – in the meantime you can start packing your bags.

Via Free Map

Your international interior design tour guide,

Welcome back from your long Memorial weekend in the sun – hopefully . I was here in Portland catching up on things, like bringing out my white jeans – making sure all pen marks were out – so I could happily sport them around town. Since Memorial Day marks the date that we can start wearing white pants, it spurred the idea of showcasing some really fabulous white interiors.

Worthy Of Keeping These White Bedroom Interiors Year-Round

Mark English Architects, photography Matthew Millman

Loving this space because it ties the views to the home through similar hues that can be seen from this high-rise.

Architect Lee F. Midel of Shelton, Mindel & Assoc. via Architectural Digest

Although the whites in this space have a grey tone to them, this room still seems light and airy.

Castro Deisgn Studio via Houzz

This traditional bedroom makes for a relaxing space due to the neutral hues of cream, white and yellow.

Designed by Jay Britto and David, Charette Alexia Fodere

For me, this space is luxurious and calming. I love the way that the window acts as a frame for the outdoor palm tree, while you get a cool watery feeling from the ice berg picture above the bed and the water drops by the walk in closet. I a particular fan of the black moulding that frames the stark white interiors. I’d move into this room.

Via Luxe Magazine FB page

The stark white walls and interior decor let the gold, black and neutral accessories be center stage. I love that this space still feel light and airy, yet artfully designed.

Get The Look

Created via Olioboard

Made Via Olioboard

Although the room has less white than the rooms featured above, you can keep the room neutral by using light colored wall paints and other decor, while keeping your curtains, duvet cover and sheets white. According to a recent Houzz article, your paint color affects the amount of sleep you get and also helps increase this too – read more.

Bring out your white interior decor – you can do it in a beautiful and tasteful way.

If you’re a fan of these white rooms, share in the comments section why you like the space.