“These are a few of my favorite things.” — did that make you start humming the song? I wouldn’t blame you a bit; it’s a charming tune. Having spent several lovely days in Vienna late last fall, I’ll admit it popped into my head.
I thought we’d jump into summer with a list of random things I love as both a person and as a designer. It is 100% authentically me and therefore, a bit eclectic. I think this post was inspired by my idea to showcase a mood board by each member of the Pamela Hope Designs team recently on Instagram.
Team Mood Boards
Danna’s Interior Design Mood Board
Danna’s is cool and sophisticated. She favors clean-lined, transitional furniture and subtly colored, mathematically based art.
Natasha’s Interior Design Mood Board
As you may expect, Natasha’s is youthful with simple profiles, neutral hues, and light-colored furnishings punched up with lots of wood accents. She likes to add green as an accent color and an occasional pop of brights.
Pamela’s Interior Design Mood Board
You can see that mine is more traditional with an appreciation for historic and classic design. I always add a touch of whimsy to keep things current.
For this blog post, in an effort not to be redundant but keep true to my style, here are a few of my personal favorites. Many of these I actually own, and some I aspire to! 😉
A Few of My Favorite Things
You may recall my tendency towards Francophilia. This sweet plaster of Paris bust of a young French girl charmed me. I received a link for a timed online auction. I don’t have a lot of experience with them. I consider them risky and time-consuming for sourcing for clients. However, I was just poking around and had some fun. I was thrilled to win the bust. It sits permanently displayed in my dining room. An object like this adds importance to a space, creating a little museum moment. Of course, if you want more gravitas, pick one portraying a European composer or perhaps an ancient Roman general.
Secondly, I love this painting (below). I may have developed this habit by living in a home with this portrait for most of my childhood. In our homes from Virginia to Utah to Colorado, this gentleman gazed down upon us. We used to like making up names and relationships with him, but I think my parents bought the portrait in Baltimore. At some point, my mother gifted him to me and I’ve had him in my home ever since. A portrait in oils, preferably at least 100+ years old, also instantly levels up your design! As you can see, you don’t have to be related or even know who the person is. Just pick a painting that charms or intrigues you.
Another favorite, not just for me, but for all of our clients, is a comfortable sofa for the whole family. Your primary seating area, whether it’s a living room, family room, or game room, needs to have very comfortable seating for everyone who uses it. That means you may need to take into account seat back height, depth, cushion fill, and the type of fabric. We favor performance fabrics with a soft hand. That means comfortable to the touch and therefore, comfortable to your skin. When selecting fabrics for main seating areas, I touch every single sample. Anything that is not soft is rejected, no matter how beautiful it is!
Toile Anywhere
Again, my Francophilia surfaces. I adore toile and my favorite place to put it is on the walls! Not for the faint of heart and admittedly, it’s a feminine aesthetic but I simply adore it. Our front guest room sports this beauty on all four walls.
Bougainvillea
Moving outdoors, one of my favorite plants is bougainvillea. I finally have some that seem happy along my back fence. Unfortunately, it dies back to the ground every year with these deep freezes that we are getting. However, it’s a fast grower, so usually after coming home from a mid-summer vacation, I am rewarded with loads of pretty blooms. I find it magical and love snapping photos of it when I travel. I favor the vibrant hot pink and coral colors.
A Great Tray
I often create an ottoman/coffee table set up for clients and have one in my home as well. I always have a tray on top. Whether stacked with design books or a few coasters, it’s handy for entertaining and everyday use. I also use trays a lot around the house when moving things from spot to spot. You load up once and don’t have to walk back and forth as often. Trays are a great souvenir, too. I source locally made trays as gifts and often buy trays that highlight an area. I recently bought one at a little boutique from this company. It features Bainbridge Island, where my mother-in-law lives, and we visit frequently.
Faux Bois
I am mad for faux bois. I discovered it many years ago when Martha Stewart had a large collection. I fought for years with a patch in my front garden where nothing seemed to grow. I finally just decided a faux bois bench was the answer. We laid down some flagstones and set the bench on top. It’s a charming focal point and doesn’t require water!
This Woodland Bench from Currey & Company is a current favorite.
Traditional Art with a Twist
In keeping with my new trad preferences, I like art that has traditional roots but an updated approach. I am dying to purchase a piece from Mandy Racine. This is right up my alley. I was lucky to meet her at an opening at Laura Rathe in Houston last summer, and I told her I called her style Madcap Rococo. How much fun are these?
Mandy Racine Instagram
While at Laura Rathe, I always admire the Hunt Slonum pieces.
They are so fun and lighthearted. I think the small rabbits in the over-the-top frames are just a hoot. I recently attended a beautiful reception at a home where they had two enormous Hunt Slonum rabbit paintings flanking the entrance into their kitchen. It was magical. He does wallpaper and fabrics too. We enjoyed getting to use the paper in a bathroom for an art-loving client.
Reviewing favorite things is quite inspirational. Until next time, find your own inspiration or contact us and we’ll help you discover it.
-Pamela
MEET PAMELA, A LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGNER IN HOUSTON
Pamela O’Brien is the founder of Pamela Hope Designs in Houston, Texas. Pamela is an award-winning luxury interior designer, writer, and speaker. Prior to founding Pamela Hope Designs, Pamela served as a spokesperson in media and public affairs, working with media outlets like Dateline NBC and 48 Hours. This experience allowed her to travel the world and furthered her love for travel, culture, and interior design. After attending an executive course at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Pamela launched her own interior design firm full-time. Pamela is known for building strong relationships with her clients, who later become friends and collaborators. She is highly influential in the Houston interior design space and shows no signs of slowing down.
