Blogfest Day 2

Day 2 of Blogfest started at the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower where we were last year. Supposedly a great view but again it was raining - Bummer! This year's breakfast was hosted by Veranda, House Beautiful and Elle Decor Magazine. 

I loved seeing Daryl Carter, a DC designer on the list of speakers that morning. He invited me to the opening of his new store in DC - I can't wait! 

Here is Cary Kravet of the Kravet Corporation giving the introduction speech for the morning. It is the second time of meeting the Kravet family. It is such a pleasure. 

The panel that day was Newell Turner, editor of House Beautiful with up and coming designers - Michael Herold, Jill Goldberg, Jon Call "Mr. Call" 

My posse:  Karen Swartz of Inspired Designs, and Scott Groome of Savvy Interiors. We had a ball meeting all the celebrity designers. 

A visit to the Elle Decor Concept House at noon. It was a little crowded with everyone in one space. I loved the outdoor space and the fixture of the dining table was one that I just speced for my design job in NYC. 

                                                     I loved the cut out screens! 

Michel Boodro, editor of Elle Decor and Jennifer Powell from Kravet at the Concept House. 

A fantastic lunch at Lee Jofa and then a talk with Alexa Hampton and Ann Maine of Traditional Home. Who knew Alexa was such a straight talker and her favorite word was 

c--------r. Can you guess it? 

There was a contest to pick out your favorite item at B&F and photograph yourself with it. 

Our group really went for it even though we didn't win. Here's Scott as Superman! Flying high with B&F!

                              And Sarah being attacked by the zebra tearsheets!

Cocktails at Baccarat! Did I mention they had the hottest male waiters at this party! 

Baccarat always puts a red crystal on each chandelier. 

I loved meeting my design crush Vincent Wolfe and I love his blog. If you don't follow it, you should. Blog

The day ended with cocktails at the GE Monogram showroom. The best date and fig appetizers! The 6 burner stove was fabulous. 

We went to Sprig that night for dinner!  The biggest burgers and the best tuna over watermelon. Check it out: 

Until tomorrow with Day 3 of Blogfest.....

My "A-HA" moment!

My " A-HA" Moment

My moment has to be 16 years ago while driving around Richmond Virginia with fiancé looking at houses. He is 6'5' and I'm 5'4"; he's from a South Caroline beach town and I like older historic homes; he likes big open spaces and I like charm. We were starting to wonder if we would ever agree on a house. 

While driving we happened upon this Greek Revival stucco with an open house sign. It is in a historic neighborhood of RIchmond which appealed to me.  The house was not yellow at the time but white. We walked in the front door and both of us knew this was OUR house! 

When I showed my mother pictures of the inside of the house, she was horrified. Navy trim, peach wall to wall carpet, red moire wallpaper.... It was all very 80's but I could see the beautiful moldings, gorgeous Carrera fireplace covered in soot, and prefect proportions. This was my A-HA moment, a chance to turn a house back into something classic and beautiful. 

By mixing my grandmothers Empire sofa with Barbara Barry chairs, I was able to create a room that evoked a sense of past and present. A custom designed coffee table, snake skin mirror and fire screen give the room a contrast of textures and materials. They are the perfect offset to the quilted ball gown draperies that accentuate the tall windows.   

This house brought together everything we loved: our family antiques, room for our modern art collection, a showcase for my design work, and a sense of restoring history. We have tweaked and changed things throughout the years but this house will always represent my A-Ha moment because it was vision of what could be! It is my studio, my laboratory for  Bridget Beari Colors, and my LOVE! 

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into my life and thoughts! Until tomorrow......

Vote for Your Favorite Color!

Vote for your favorite Bridget Beari Color on the 

pick your favorite color survey! 

Vote Here!

Which is your favorite: 

Bubble No. 4

Bella No. 41

Bailey Brown No. 76

Bellagio Blue No. 45

Check out the whole paint color deck. You have 76 to choose from! 

If you need a fan deck let us know and we will send you one. You can also order them by clicking HERE

Happy Painting........

House Beautiful Article

I was honored to see I was included in the October issue of House Beautiful. I attended Kravet's Design Fest in NYC back in May and they asked us " What is the one thing in your home that makes you the happiest?" 

To my surprise there I was #1. There are so many reasons to be happy at my house. It was my favorite house when I rescued it from 80's decor. I love my antiques that I so carefully picked or inherited from my mother but the one thing that makes me happiest is my animals - 3 dogs and 3 cats to be exact. All are rescue animals. 

When I received a call about a Sharpei that needed rescuing I was concerned about what I would find. To my shock she had no fur but her fun loving personality was there so I took her on the spot. A change of diet and she was almost back to normal, although she still has sensitive skin issues. 

She is so funny and every day she and her brothers and sisters make me laugh. These photos are from a photo shoot with Amanda Jones. Lulabelle is such a camera hog! How could you not love that face? 

She is so memorable that she will soon be the star of the Bridget Beari Paint color line! 

Thanks to House Beautiful for including me in this list. 

Need Help With Paints?

Have you seen the new House Beautiful Paint App from iTunes for $4.99? It was given to all the participants at Blogfest. It arrived last week but I have not had time to play with it until I returned from Atlanta this week. It is quite amazing!

All the major brands are here: Benjamin Moore, Duron, Farrow and Ball, Fine Paints of Europe and more! 

The app allows you to select colors based on moods, editor's picks, spaces and just by color. You can organize them all in your paint can, match them with other colors, and even see a room view. You even get a description of the color from one of the top designers. They haven't included me yet - Darn. I wonder if they will add the new Bridget Beari paint line? They should! 

You can email, facebook or tweet your choices! Did I mention the color personality quiz? 

I'm a violet!

The only glitch was in selecting the moods and spaces. It just did want to change them quickly and got stuck a few times. Patience with all things new. Fun Program!

Design Stars Share Their Bedroom Decor Secrets

Design Stars Share Their Bedroom Decor Secrets

Love the idea of seeing these designers in a causal setting. I wonder what pose I would have done if they had asked me? Dogs like Thomas O'Brien for sure!