Tracey Stephens Interior Design
January 2011
MBR at the Siena
Inspiration
Mindful Living
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Greetings!

 

I hope your New Year is off to a great start!  Welcome to all the new readers of my monthly newsletter.

 

February 2011 marks my 20th year in business.  I am putting together a list of my design likes and dislikes of the last 20 years.  I'd love to hear what yours are.  Your thoughts are especially welcome by February 10th, but I'd love to hear them anytime.


Master Bedroom at the Siena
 
project of the month

Siena bedroom armoire


 

A design blog I read reports fashion trends are showing up in interior design in this way: "Camel made a comeback this year as did the brightest red, shimmering metallic and rich, dark chocolate. Ooze sensuality and envelope yourself in sheer decadence by transforming your bedroom with these warm tones."  Here's a master bedroom at the Siena in Montclair completed last spring: deep brown walls with a soft metallic glaze, fabrics in reds and oranges -- a warm and colorful cocoon with Moorish and Indian influences.  See more about this project here. 

Inspiration --
 

Jafajems store


I love the store Jafajems!  I find things there for projects both at the beginning that set the tone for the entire space and also at the end -- the perfect finishing touch for a project that needs that special zing.

 

Eclectic collections from all corners of the globe: Indian textiles, African candles and Peruvian trays, painted or inlaid furniture from exotic places such as India, China, Morocco, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Syria.  And fabulous jewelry!

 

www.jafajems.com 


Mindful Living & Green Design --
A healthy night's sleep

Approximately 1/3 of our life is spent sleeping, so avoiding breathing and absorbing toxins while sleeping could greatly reduce our overall exposure.   

Cotton grown for textile use can be heavily sprayed up to 30 to 40 times a season with pesticides so poisonous they gradually render fields barren.  Most cotton sheets are treated with a formaldehyde -based finish that reduces wrinkling and give it that "nice feel" that used to be accomplished by ironing.

 

The average mattress seems to contain around a pound of fire retardants called PDBE which was only banned in the US in January 2005, so the mattress you currently sleep on probably contains it. See more info on fire retardants. The "memory foam" polyurethane mattresses (eg. Temper-Pedic) are loaded with chemicals and especially toxic.

 

For the most healthy night's sleep use a natural latex (rubber) or cotton organic (chemical free) mattress, and organic mattress toppers, sheets, pillows and blankets.  Cotton flannel and cotton jersey sheets do not contain formaldehyde, but unless they're labeled organic, they most likely have been grown with pesticides.  Avoid polyester/cotton blends and fabric labeled permanent-press, easy-care, or no-iron.  These all have formaldehyde.

My award winning kitchen and bath design has been featured in many national publications, showcasing my innovative design sensibility and exceptional and confident use of color.  I also offer whole house design services including paint color consultations and furnishings.

If you want help with creating a warm cocoon for yourself or with a bathroom or kitchen renovation, contact me at 973-744-8947 or tracey@traceystephens.com, and please use the link below to forward this newsletter to your whole wide world!

Tracey Stephens,
Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc