Want some "behind the scenes" pics from our photo shoot yesterday? Visit the j. steinberg design FaceBook album, here.

Here's a sneak peek of the shoot....

I was just quoted as an "interior designer and etiquette expert" by writer Beth Engleman in an atricle on hostess gifts . Since its about to be the time of year when we celebrate with family and friends (nearly every weekend, it seems!)- I pulled together my go-to hostess gifts and created a layout with my favorites. Hostess gifts aren't meant to break the bank, but they should be tokens of thoughtful appreciation. When I say "thoughtful" appreciation- that means a selection should be made or personalized based on the host. Everyone has a favorite flower, color, varietal of wine, scent, etc. Simply take what you know about that person, (or what you can gather if you are the +1 who volunteered to bring a little something) and use that as your guide. As mentioned in the article- cash and/or gift cards are inappropriate and careless. Also, keep in mind that you were not invited because the host wants a gift from you- so don't go overboard. Just a little something to say "Thank You" will suffice. Its an extra layer of social grace that, when remembered, is never forgotten.

My Favorite Hostess Gifts

Scented Candles- okay, I admit it.  Candles are one of my favorite gifts in general. They are a nice and compact gift that the receiver can use just about anywhere. Also think about other items that go with candles, such as a Candle Snuffer. A snuffer is typically an item most people don't have- but once they have one, they love it.

You can never go wrong with a Bottle of Wine (unless, of course, the host and/or hostess do not partake in alcohol). Other items that go along with wine, such as a nice wine opener, a set of interesting wine stoppers, or a wine coaster and collar set would also make nice hostess gifts; however, not all at once (pick one!).

Flowers, glorious flowers. The only risk when bringing flowers is allergies- so please consider that. If there are no known allergies or you are willing to chance it- give away! I favor sending flowers before the event. This is a good way to do it so you, 1) don't forget, and, 2) don't have to risk possibly spilling water/pollen on yourself, in your car or in the taxi on the way. If you send them beforehand- you will definitely pleasantly surprise your host. Write a simple sentiment such as " Looking forward to dinner tomorrow". If its holiday time, you can may want to send a live wreath. Williams-Sonoma is my favorite source for live wreaths anytime of year.

My favorite type of dish to give is a platter. Go simple if you don't know the the host that well (think white porcelain) or find something really neat if you know the hostess's home style. My mom is a baker, and sometimes she will make what I like to call a "recipe kit". She will whip up a batch of her baked goodness (such as her signature petite lemon cakes with glaze.....yummm!), purchase a specific tool/pan that is needed in order to make the item and attach a handwritten recipe card. Its a hit- especially if you know the receiver loves your particular recipe for something. You could also put your signature item on a platter and attach the recipe card. My other favorite kitchen-related gift is an ice scoop. Its another item, like the candle snuffer, that people don't generally have, but love to use when they have one.

My last go-to item is a book. Everyone loves a book. It can be a "coffee table" book or a point of interest topic specific to the host (such as gardening, or vegetarian recipes, or a travel journal, etc.)

Lastly, keep a few sizes and colors of grosgrain ribbon, tulle, and sturdy boxes on hand, such as small hat boxes or quality gift boxes. You will never have to pick out wrapping paper or spend time trying to wrap an awkward shape. All you have to do is put a simple bow around your gift,  place your gift in a quality box with a simple ribbon around the box, or wrap your gift in tulle and tie a bow around the neck (works great with a bottle of wine). Stay away from curling ribbon, stick-on bows, generic gift bags and tissue paper. Keep it simple, yet elegant.

Along with swing arm wall sconces, I have an unnatural fascination, adoration and passion for mouldings and millwork. They set the stage for great interior style- whether ultra traditional or hip + cool transitional. The fastest way to dress up a box is to "trick it out" with moulding. Wainscot paneling, base mouldings, chair rails, crown mouldings, window casings, ceiling plans....the possibilities are endless. There are, of course, times when mouldings and fancy millwork are completely uncalled for- such is the case in a Mid-Century Modern house I'm currently working on. However, the majority of my projects are suitable for classic architectural details, and I am only too happy to design them for my clients.

(Let me insert two sidenotes here: 1) fixtures and finishes looks better in a room that is appointed with mouldings. Its sorta' like when people say a beautiful girl can wear a potato sack and still look stunning....well, beautiful millwork can wear the equivalent of potato sack furniture and still look pretty nice. Just something to remember when you are first moving in/building and you aren't sure where to put the money. Put it in mouldings and millwork first. Your property value will likely go up (don't quote me on that in this market!), your style quotient will go up, all your furniture will look better, and perhaps best of all- you won't have to live through the sawdust and noise of putting up mouldings after you're already moved in.) 2) I realize that for you people on the East Coast and parts of The South, you all "get it" already....but for the people who grew up west of the Rockies, its a different ballgame out here (sadly). Anything goes in the Wild West and out here, houses are a mixture of mostly Contemporary/Modern/Fast and Cheap Construction (which means mouldings and millwork are not included with the house, and it was quite possible the house was designed to look okay without mouldings- hence the "mod" conglomerations of  various styles that only evoke a sense of style, if any, on the outside). Thank goodness for the peppering of custom houses and old neighborhoods that haven't been destroyed in hilly enclaves and coastal cities- that's where the good stuff is!) Okay, back to the post at hand...

This is a design for a powder bathroom that gets pretty heavy use on a daily basis. I only mention heavy use because if it were to get "light use" and it was tucked away never to be seen my anyone other than the cleaning staff, I would probably just have specified a gorgeous paint for it and called it a day. But because this water closet is off the main living area, it needed to reinforce and respond to all the rest of the millwork in the home's public areas. I came up with cutting beadboard sheeting on the bias to create chevrons. I allowed a small degree of human error by also specifying stiles (little strips of wood placed vertically) flanking each chevron. The meeting with the carpenter was interesting, he told me he had ever done anything like it (I could tell he was a bit nervous when I gave him the drawing below). Of course he had no problems doing it (really, he is fantastic!). In the end- he was really proud of the work he did (as was I! It turned out exactly how I envisioned!) and the client loved it (music to my ears!).

This drawing was originally a sketch on some flimsy (design-world lingo for trace paper on a roll). When the client liked the idea, I went to the drafting baord to design it and draw an elevation to communicate my idea and the specifics needed for fabrication.

In progress shot...

A close up after paint. The paint finish is glossy- both because I love glossy mouldings, and because its really easy to clean. The rest of the wall was finished with navy blue grasscloth to bring in a textural element and accentuate the crispness of the millwork design.

After the wallcovering, but before installing the mirror and art. (This is why professional photographers are important! Not the best photo, I know.)

(The before photo)

A Little Background:

Derek Gores was born in New York in 1971. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a BFA in 1993.  He has been a successful artist for fifteen years and his client list surely reflects that. He has worked with Lenny Kravitz, U2, Van Halen, Kings of Leon, Madonna, Lucasfilm, ESPN, the National Football League, cult brands Harley Davidson and Adidas as well as many others. His most recent honor was being featured at the Manifest Hope exhibit in Washington, DC, prior to President Obama's Inauguration. The exhibit was juried by Spike Lee and fellow artist Shepard Fairey, where one of Derek's pieces fetched $35,000.

Derek currently takes commissions for both private and commercial clients. He lives in Melbourne, Florida with his wife Jamie and their three daughters. To contact Derek Gores, scroll to the end of this post for his information. Now, on to the interview...

July 2009 Interview:

Janelle Steinberg: Derek, I am so thrilled that we can finally get around to doing this interview. I know you’ve been very busy with work and revamping your website. What's new at Derek Gores.com?

Derek Gores: Just some general updates, more examples of work, current shows. You can see everything at www.derekgores.com

Janelle Steinberg: That’s great- I can't wait to see more of your work. What's your process when approaching a new piece?

Derek Gores: Sometimes I start from nowhere, and enjoy digging around, building on the canvas until something interesting starts showing up. Other times I have an idea for months and finally launch in furiously. Still other times, I start with the recycling-- gathering up magazines and parts I can re-use. Sifting through the inspiration always conjures up some magic.

Janelle Steinberg: The creative process in art and design is both curious and magical. Is there anywhere you turn for inspiration? What inspires you as an artist?

Derek Gores: My favorite subject is the figure. I trust and CRAVE randomness and intuition. I like my pictures to barely come together in the brain with teasing little details. Sort of like how the mind can't help but wander, even when trying to focus on one thing. In the collages, some of the little bits I use are deliberate, but in most I'm trusting randomness to help build an end result more interesting than I could have planned. One friend calls it a 'Zen Narrative.' I like that all the elements react with any history the viewer brings to the table.

Janelle Steinberg: Yes, I agree. Perception is one of the most magnificent aspects of art. What do you think is the appeal in your art?

Derek Gores: People say they like seeing classic subjects treated in a new way. Others mention that they continue to see new things (in my art). I like that. I hope it’s celebratory and playful.

Making art and viewing art is being a kid again. Exploring and being open enough to be led by the senses.  I like re-awakening people to art. I find many people had the art squashed out of them, usually in their early teens. Usually caused by preconceptions, peers, and being surrounded by TV and photos.  The definition of 'accuracy' becomes limited.  I like pursuing an ‘accurate’, or at lest compelling, depiction of a feeling or a sensation, or an experience. I sometimes get to see people have a child-like response to my collages, and I LOVE that. Art just may have the potential to cut through a life's worth of walls and numbness of the senses. Victory!  And then, there's that person who falls in love with a piece enough to take it home so they can have that feeling every day.

Janelle Steinberg: I'm one of those people! I have told you many times to consider me a patron in waiting. I'm waiting for that perfect wall in my house (or, rather, to build the perfect wall in my house)! In all seriousness, that's very profound. I think your sentiments resonate with many people, especially art lovers. Speaking of, who are some of your favorite artists?

Derek Gores: My biggest figurative influence is Egon Schiele, from early 1900's Austria. The raw intimacy is still alive 100 years later. Other classics: George Inness' dreamy late landscapes, Max Ernst's surreal collages made from catalog pages, Klimt's romanticism, and the 1920's cartoonist Rube Goldberg's nonsensical inventions. Newer favorites: Cliffton Chandler's relief sculptures, Jeff "Cynic" Noble's graffiti art, and Audrey Kawasaki's transparent beauties. I'd like to show with her some time.

Janelle Steinberg: What an intriguing cross-section. I like that. An artist's influences and inspirations is always something that I find interesting. Second to that is what an artist was like as a child. What about you? Did you have a favorite medium or genre as a child?

Derek Gores: Good old pencil. Sitting on the edge of my bed drawing Star Wars characters, and making up my own.

Janelle Steinberg: Is that how you snagged work with Lucasfilm?! I'm kidding. Do a lot of your commissions come from commercial interests, or private patrons?

Derek Gores: I take private commissions as time allows. Here's what people love: When I create a collage portrait for a person, not only do I capture their likeness, but the little ripped pieces of paper I use are custom also: favorite foods, places traveled, schools, family photos. I can recycle all those old goodies into the piece. I take a lot of corporate commissions, too. I enjoy the challenge of taking an intangible feeling or message and building visual metaphors that make an emotional connection.

Janelle Steinberg: I LOVE that custom element to your collage work- the little bits of paper! I never knew that! Honestly, that's more fantastic and impressive than I can conjure words for at the moment. Wow. Your work can truly hold intimate and personal value well beyond the "custom commission" aspect. I'm sold. Where do I sign?! Where else can people connect with you and see your art?

Derek Gores: I have a few shows coming up. I have a one man exhibition, "TORN", at the 321 Agency in Melbourne, Florida opening July 24, 2009 (link + info below). My art is also at SLOW Gallery in Melbourne, FL and I have a group show at Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ starting on August 22, 2009 (all links + info below). Soon I'll be scouting galleries in Miami, California, NYC and elsewhere. I also have my website and blog, as well as a Twitter and a FaceBook fan page (links below).

Janelle Steinberg: I know you are a family man, too. How does your family inspire you? What about other non-art inspirations?

Derek Gores: Teaching my kids to make music without instruments, how my wife makes people laugh, Twizzlers, side roads, back roads, woods, trails, inclusiveness, Springsteen, Mom n' Pop shops where you can see the owner, slate walkways, guitar solos... Contact Derek Gores: Derek Gores Fine Art & Design derek@derekgores.com 321) 258-2119 (Eastern Standard Time) Twitter:http://twitter.com/Mr_Gores_Artist FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Derek-Gores/54788087483 321 Agency (show starts July 24, 2009) 1010 E New Haven Ave Melbourne, FL 32901 "TORN" http://www.321agency.com/torn/ SLOW Gallery 1905 Municipal Lane Melbourne, FL 32901 Parlor Gallery (Show starts August 22, 2009) 717 Cookman Ave Asbury Park, NJ http://www.parlor-gallery.com/

{This editorial went up on My Perfect Color last month, so if you are an avid follower of my brilliant writing (I realize that the sarcasism is not translating, so just in case its unlear- I'm being sarcastic), then you may enjoy this story about an interior designer on her wedding day (me!), and discovering the perfect peach paint...}

I would like to tell you the story of the perfect peach paint color. After Mr. Wonderful and I were married here in Southern California, we took off to Las Vegas for a stand-in honeymoon. You see, I requested Carpi, Italy- but since my husband was finishing his last year of his undergraduate accountancy degree, we couldn’t take the time to go international in October (the month of our wedding, of course). So, he booked us the next best thing to Italy in the United States- a suite at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

After the huge production that started at sunrise, a whirlwind of friends and family, a fantastic wedding and reception and a four hour car drive spent talking about our memorable day- you think I would have been too exhausted to think about interior design, right? Wrong. After checking in, the first thing I noticed when we got to our house-sized digs was the paint color in the bedroom. There I was, a young bride in a gorgeous hand-beaded gown, on my wedding night, basking in the glow of the peach paint- inspecting it, turning the lights off and on to see how the color changed, and marveling that I was falling in love with peach- of all colors!

I fell hard for what I like to call Venetian Peach. And that’s coming from a girl that grew up in the eighties, where the wrong shade of peach mixed with sea foam green left a sour impression on me. Not a day went by that I didn’t comment on the peach in the bedroom.

I started having all these sentimental fantasies that I would paint our bedroom in our first house this lovely shade of Venetian Peach- undoubted, I would have the best back-story to my (future) bedroom paint color. It got to the point where Mr. Wonderful told me I should just ask the concierge if they could tell me the color so I could forget about it.

During that stay, I decided that peach was the most flattering color for a bedroom. Its not pink and its not boring beige. Its sort of gender neutral, at least its more gender neutral than pink would be. Most importantly, it just makes everything glow. Peach really works magic on skin tones. And the light in a peach room is warm, lovely and soft.

I made up my mind that I would schmooze with the concierge before we left. The Venetian is a world-class hotel- I was sure they would find me the paint color if I asked. Mr.Wonderful said only I would do this, and on our honeymoon, to boot! Imagine our serendipitous timing when we checked out a few hours earlier than normal on our last day…the painters were in the suite next door! I couldn’t help but think it was meant to be! I poked my head in and coyly asked if they could tell me the paint color.

One of the painters literally stopped what he was doing and trotted over to the paint bucket. It was unmarked (well- the brand was marked, but that’s it!). He told me he was sorry, the color was not listed. Then, as if a light bulb went off in his head, he ran over to his spraying shield (a piece of card board box) and cut off part of the board. He then made me a paint swatch out of the paint! I just about died. Here, in my hand, I had the most beautiful paint color in the world. I couldn’t believe he did this for me- I was just giddy. All the while, Mr. Wonderful just stood there- holding our bags, shaking his head with a half-smile in disbelief, “Is my wife really doing this right now?”.

So, that is the story of the perfect peach paint color. The photo above is the actual sample (and, in case anyone is interested, that is a Patterson, Flynn + Martin rug, "Cite Rings" in Ivory- I LOVE Patterson, Flynn + Martin rugs!). And now, as your reward for reading this story, here are the best matching Benjamin Moore equivalents to my keepsake paint swatch:

Winter Melon 093

Delicate Peach 120

Florida Seashells 128

I have finally, finally, finally! added a subscription feed button and an email subscription service to {Maison Classique}! Please take advantage- I did it just for you! (For the record, while I adore blogging- I don't adore messing with all the techy html codes and things that go along with publishing a blog). Look to the left, and you will find both options.

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Please see this for the back-story to this post. To see No. 1, go here.

No. 2: Wall Sconces

Lamps are things you can change out on a whim. Wall mounted sconces are harder, and more expensive, to install. Once installed, you can get them changed out relatively easily. Make the initial investment to get sconces installed. Choose your wall sconces and their location wisely and just go for it. Put them on dimmers. And put them up asap!

The light quality from sconces is great. I am a fan of interior lighting not coming from above. Of course wall washers and spotlights have their place- but the lighting that makes one feel cozy and look beautiful comes from indirect sources- wall mounted fixtures and lamps. Also, overhead lighting really clutters up the ceiling plane and can make a residential space look commercial. Other than the kitchen and select areas in the bathroom, forgo the overhead recessed lighting.

Great places for wall sconces include the foyer, flanking art or a large mirror in any room, flanking or installed on a media build-out or built-in, placed high on the walls in hallways, flanking the bed as task lights for reading, flanking the vanity mirror in the bathroom, and picture lights placed above your art. A guideline for the size of a picture light is half the size of the art, placed at the center line of the piece, above the frame. If lighting a really large piece of art, recessed fixtures are the solution. If lighting a really, really important piece or collection of art that is museum quality- I, as a designer, would consult a specialty lighting designer for proper fixtures so as not to damage the art overtime (I recommend you do this if this sounds like your situation).

Start with one set of swing arm sconces in the bedroom and one set of sconces in a main living area. Add them to hallways and other rooms as you can. Have art lights installed over your most important and favorite art, then add them to each piece as you acquire and grow your collection.

(Wall sconce is from Circa Lighting, picture light photo is from a site I can't find again on the internet. If this isy our photo, let me know so I can give proper credit and link to you.)

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I am stating the eleven-part editorial feature on The List of the top ten things to invest in when starting your interiors in a new place (whether you are paying rent to the bank or the landlord) or a new stage in life. See this post for the full preface. I would also like to state that, even though I am listing these one through ten, some of them are equally important. Its best to think of all ten as items of A-1 importance.

No. 1: Good Bones

Everyone says this...but what does it really mean? I will speak for classic designers everywhere and say that good bones means great architectural features. Great architectural features include baseboards, crown mouldings, an interesting ceiling treatment (such as beams or coffers), wainscot paneling or bead board, chair rails, framed-out passages, wall niches, great banister and balustrades, tread caps, window casings, door casings, great fireplace mantles, good cabinetry...pretty much all the woodwork and trimming. Also included in "good bones" are good windows, quality doors, good flooring (natural stone or wood plank), good counters in non-dated materials, etc. Things that qualify as bones are permanent and attached and require demolition of some sort to remove.

Good Bones means that you don't have to invest or address the envelope much (or at all) before you start to fill the room with fabulous things. If these foundational "good bones" elements are absent, need repair, or need replacing/restoration due to an outdated style or finish, then you need to put some of your budget here before anything else. When I start a project, if the home already has great architectural features- it saves the client a lot of money because that layer of design is already taken care of. Do it first thing.

If you are a homewoner- go for the whole nine yards. I am a self procliamed "trim junkie"- so you really can't overdo it. The style of what you are doing should coincide with your architecture (for example- don't do Arts and Crafts details in a Federalist style home). Invest in really great, high quality base boards and crown moulding. You can always add wainscotting and an architectural ceiling later. Also keep in mind that good and appropriate architectural features increase the value of a home and help it sell faster.

If you are renting, and you have moulidngs (as typical in older buildings on the east coast, mid-west and other major cities of the west- such as Denver, for instance), put in the elbow grease to renovate them. If there are no moulidngs (as typical in "newer" buildings here on the west coast where building is all about making it cheap and fast and selling it at a premium), decide how long you will be in the space. If its over two or three years, go for a few upgrades- base and crown, for sure. Ask your landlord if they would be willing to match your improvements, you would be surprised how many landlords would agree. At the very least, paint. And paint the entire place- make it home. If your rental has those old acoustic "pop corn" ceilings- that's a great thing to match your landlord on. Get them professionally scraped and re-textured. Apartments and condos only need a few upgrades to become a "wow" space- and they are generally a lot smaller than a house, so your dollar really goes far and covers a lot of ground.

Just because you don't own your rental doesn't mean you can't take pride in where and how you live. The years you spend renting are years of your life that you won't suddenly get back when you decided to carry a mortgage one day. Good design knows not if you rent from the bank or the landlord.

I have an article published on the front page of Ava Living. Check it out.