Blogaversary

Today marks PartyMixTape’s one year anniversary! I can’t believe how far it’s come…. Looking back, I’ve had some epic interviews with artists such as Whatisadam and Antoine Tavaglione; with reputable designers like UpStage Montreal and Damask & Dentelle; as well as the best of the best in terms of beauty with Beauty Editor. Throughout the year, we’ve seen trends come and go (goodbye green pants and neon eye shadow) and we’ve seen others come back strong (burgundy: where have you been all my life?). All in all, it’s been a pretty fantastic 2012 and I’m bubbling with anticipation as to all the great adventure 2013 will bring.

One of my goals when starting this blog was to share my very varied interests and meet new people with whom to share these passions. Well, it’s been a success as PMT has permitted me to get to know some amazing people, namely Danina from DKMTL, the team at Station 16, the wonderful Galerie Trois Points and Merriah from Art Intake…

Words to live by! (image via)

A big shout out goes to my faithful readers and friends.

Thank you for your comments – they are always welcome and appreciated!

 

 

Cheers to 2013!

Interior Design With no Surprises

Drawings and Photo Realistic Renderings Show Exactly What Your Designer Has in Mind

A Guest Post by Keren Blankrot, Upstage Montreal

In the world of interior design a picture really is worth a thousand words. A client of mine who failed a solo attempt at redesigning her living room confided, “Keren, we made an effort to do this by ourselves, and I know what I like, but I just can’t seem to visualize it in my own space. This is not working for us and we need your help.”

 
While she put a great deal of thought into the design, and inspiration was not lacking –she has a Pinterest account with plenty of pictures defining her “For the Home” style – she needed a designer to pull it all together, and she benefited greatly from visual aids that allowed her to see the end result beforehand.

Through the wonders of technology, designers can show clients - via perspective drawings, photo realistic renderings, and mood boards - what the end result is meant to look like. These tools are something that I employ regularly. Not only do they establish clarity between the client and the designer in terms of the desired visual aesthetic and goal, they are great for working with clients remotely. For instance, the office drawings pictured below were created for a Manhattan client. All of the items were purchased online, and the installation was carried out with specific direction.

Clients put much trust in their designers and one of the reasons they hire designers is because they covet that designer’s signature aesthetic. As much as a client loves the designer’s taste, however, she is still looking to create a space that reflects her own personal vision and so being able to collaborate with a designer that can show you exactly in what direction they are headed in, with the help of technological tools, is invaluable.

Upstage Montreal works with clients looking to completely update their residential or commercial space, as well as those wishing simply to refresh it. To know more, please visit their website by clicking HERE.

Home Décor: Fall Trends

I won't deny it: I absolutely love when readers send me their requests, comments and questions. Here is the most recent query, posted on our facebook page: “PMT! Do you have any insight on what are the hot colors in home decor for the fall?”

To answer this question, I called my go-to designer, Keren Blankrot from UpStage Montreal, for her valuable input: “I’d say that for fall, the trendy colours are warm hued and rich including pumpkin, gold, cantaloupe, cinnamon, coffee and deep mauve. It’s earthy, spicy and jewel toned hues for the season." Keren adds: "A good way to integrate trends is through accessories and smaller ticket items likes throws and pillows so that you can update your look seasonally. Incorporating these colours will add warmth to her interior space as the mercury drops outside.” 

Images via

Take note of these fun suggestions, guaranteed to spice up your home décor: 1. Tonic Living Samoan Plantation Pillow / 2. Eiffel chair from Zone Maison / 3. Wire trash can from Urban Outfitters / 4. Oh-so-glam Jonathan Adler Gold Lantern vases / 5. Jonathan Adler hexagon tray... I saw these all over Germany. They are so cool! / 6. Zenith Mirror from Pure Home / 7. Hilarious flamingo table lamp from Zone Maison (who said fall needed to be serious?) 

Do you have any questions you’d like answered?

Send them to partymixtape@gmail.com or post them on our facebook page!

Spring Brights

I was all gung ho about spring fast approaching, after all, March sounds quite spring-y. But no. Instead, this morning, Montreal was hit by a giant storm. I lost electricity and was late for work. Pout. Do not worry; the day did not go downhill. In fact, I received the surprise visit of Keren Blankrot, the chief designer at Upstage Montreal. Yay for unexpected coffee breaks!  So in celebration of spring, and of all those moments that make life fun, I am sending out a sunny and bright post to the universe.  COME TO ME SPRING – my wardrobe is ready for you!

1. H&M mint sneakers / 2. Kate Spade sailor stripe yellow scarf / 3. Isabelle May Coral Sunset bracelet / 4. Betsey Johnson yellow floral earrings / 5. Kissing crocodile belt by Kate Spade/ 6. Isabelle May Coralie bracelet / 7. Charles Albert pink jasper ring / 8. Treasure chest necklace by Kate Spade / 9. Balenciaga Green Bag / 10. J Brand bright pink jeans

In the meantime, I repeat the following mantra:  

Interview with Keren Blankrot

I met interior designer Keren Blankrot (Upstage Montreal) several years ago as she was trekking throught the snow with an adorable purple coat. Not one to shy away from talking to strangers, I walked over and said something profound like “cute coat”. How I ended up visiting her apartment, meeting up for dessert and wine, discussing interior design, I cannot remember. But since, I’ve turned to Keren for any interior design or home staging question.

Check out the Upstage Montreal website for more information

What’s great about your job as an interior designer?

I love bringing out the best in a client’s space – making it as comfortable and as beautiful as possible. Clients trust me to create a space that will reflect their taste and personality. The entire process is satisfying for me; from meeting with the client, interpreting their desires for their space and creating a unique vision, to putting together all the pieces of the puzzle and then, finally, leaving the client with a space that is uplifting, where they can live elegantly and graciously.

What would you say influences your style?

I’m inspired by the patterns and colours I’ve encountered through traveling. On a drive through the desert during a recent trip to Israel, I was mesmerized by the vastness and barren quality of the land. You could see hints of pink in the sand; various shades of grays and muted blues in the sky. It was hypnotic. This is a color combination that I will replicate or draw from in my work as an interior designer; most likely when I have a task to create a serene space.

Do you have a go-to designer you turn to for inspiration?

I think Karl Lagerfeld is brilliant. One of my favourite interior designers is Kelly Wearstler. She weaves glamour and colour seamlessly, creating spaces that are modern and minimalistic, but with a touch of vintage and nostalgia.

Fashion-wise, what is your most cherished possession?

My sister got me this perfect buttery brown leather purse from Italy. It looks like a mini piece of luggage and has a removable strap so you can wear it across your body. I wouldn’t dream of parting with it.

You know I’m a big music fan. What are your top three songs?

At the moment, my number one song is Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Nigg*s in Paris. The beat is addictive. It’s a party song and makes me want to lose myself in the music, and perhaps… be a bit debaucherous! I also love Not Over You by Gavin DeGraw. This song pulls at my heart strings. And finally, I’d say Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) by Florence and The Machine – their music is dreamy. I love running to it at the gym.

What new and upcoming trend for interior design are you the most excited about?

Using things in a different way. For example, I turned a silk scarf and a wall hanging into pillow cases. Repurposing and DIY seem to be very de rigueur. It’s good for the planet too!

Colour of the year

My good friends will remember that in 2001, I rocked the colour coral so hard, it was downright embarrassing. Coral sweater, coral t-shirt, coral gauze skirt, coral loafer:  eek.  Brace yourselves my friends, because according to Pantone, the colour of the year is Tangerine Tango! Hello, youth!

From top to bottom : Tangerine Tango Paint swatch from Pantone / Champagne spritzers from Martha Stewart wedding / Decor from Pantone / Dress from H&M / Detail of Georges Mamàn’s Portrait de ville variation 307 / Décor from Upstage Montreal

Check out Glitter Guide for their tangerine-y vision!