Turn an Outfit Into a Room: Urban Chic

All the designers on last night's Project Runway Season 9 finale did an amazing job. Each of the designer's collections were thoughtfully designed and amazingly constructed, making for a huge impact coming down the the runway!

While there were pieces from each collection that I wanted hanging in my closet right away, Kimberly Goldson's elevated urban girl collection won me over completely. From piece to piece I was in awe. I thought it was a 'ready to wear' collection and I was ready to wear it! I loved the rich colors, the fine fabrics, and the sophisticated yet sexy silhouettes.

If this collection were turned into a room, I bet it would look something like this...

1. Deco Sequin Pillow by West Elm

2. Gleam Decorative Pillow by Home Decorator's Collection

3. Milo Sofa in Saphire by Anthropologie

4. Agadir Twists Rug by Anthropologie

5. Truss Coffee Table by Anthropologie

6. Meade Dresser by Williams-Sonoma Home

7. Mirror Jar Lamp by Anthropologie

8. Chloe Chair by Room and Board

9. Fuchsia Pink Silk Pillow by MiCasaBella on Etsy

10. Faceted Mirror Side Table by West Elm

11. Bliss Chair and a Half by West Elm

Turn An Outfit Into a Room: Sexy Sophisticate

Once again, Viktor's design on Project Runway Season 9 last night wowed me! It was sleek, modern, and glamorous. I thought it looked great coming down the runway and I thought it would look even better as a room!

Black is a fantastic neutral in that it always glamorous and in style (ahem, the little black dress). The mirrored accents of the top and fine tailoring also help to keep this look super glam. The black is a perfect combination with the futuristic pants. I love the organic and random pattern on the completely tailored, and clean line of the pants. The feminine aubergine and sleek shape of the pieces creates a sophisticated sexy look.

This aesthetic was the perfect inspiration for a parlor room. Clean lines, fine materials, and a bit of bling accents created a glamorous and modern room that I'd love to have in my home!

1. "Veronica Table Lamp" by Matthews Studios

2. "Metal Accordion Side Table" by Urban Outfitters

3. "Daydreamer Settee, Charcoal" by Urban Outfitters

4. "Silk Charmeuse Pillow" by Fabricadabra

5. "Sequin Pillow" by Home Decorators Collection

6. "Xhilaration Cushion Decorative Pillow" by Target

7. "Modern Windsor Accent Chair" by West Elm

8. "Saturated Angles Rug" by Anthropologie

9. "Stray Dog Side Table" by West Elm

10. "Madeline Chair" by Urban Outfitters

Turn An Outfit Into a Room: Seriously Structured

In an attempt to earn herself the chance to design a collection to walk the runway at New York's fashion week, Kimberly took a risk with color in her design in last night's Project Runway (season 9). The judges were not a fan of the color combo, but rewarded her the chance of a lifetime based on her overall design concepts and abilities. The looks she created were seriously structured but kept youthful and playful through the use of materials and colors.

Apart from bold color, Kimberly's designs are kept interesting by structure and asymmetry. These concepts will always capture and hold the eyes of a viewer. Kimberly's mix of these, along with with color and glamorous details made for a winning design in my opinion.

This design concept can be translated into a living room setting by using structured, tailored furniture with clean lines and detailing such us button tufting and fine stitching. To keep it glam and modern use materials such as sleek leather, silk, and velvet. Items with a higher sheen are more modern. Mix these different materials in the same color tone so that you can add one good punch of color such as the tangerine that Kimberly used.

1. "Andre Leather Sofa" by Room and Board

2. "Parlour Tangerine Ottoman" by CB2

3. "Ion Glass Round Side Table" by West Elm

4. "Louis Leather Chair" by Room and Board

5. "Martini Side Table" by West Elm

6. "Studded Velvet Pillow" by West Elm

7. "Lagoon Pillow" by West Elm

8. "Frosted Foil Pillow" by West Elm

9. "Knitted Blood Orange Pouf" by CB2

10. "Latitude Oat Low Dresser" by CB2

11. "Glass Jug Table Lamp" by West Elm

Turn An Outfit Into a Room: Soft and Feathery

Viktor's cockatoo-inspired gown may not have pulled out a win on last night's Project Runway, season 9, but it did win on my inspiration list. This gown was soft, flowing and romantic. And while it was adorned with feathers, I thought Viktor did an excellent job of strategically placing them so as not to detract from the design but to enhance it.

Restraint in design is one of the most difficult things to accomplish. Design, whether it be in fashion or interiors, should look effortless and not at all overworked. The gown above accomplished this with the organic draping of material and just the right amount of color and details to keep the design interesting.

The room below uses the same ideas to create a soft, feminine bedroom with just the right amount of visual interest. This is created with a single pop of bold color against soft neutrals. To keep the monochromatic background from becoming boring, a mix of textures rather than patterns was used so as not to fight with such a bold color accent. The resulting bedroom looks effortless and beautiful.

1. "Gourd Table Lamp" by West Elm

2. "Edland Four-Poster Bed Frame" by Ikea, shown with "Georgina Bedding" by Anthropologie

3. "Crinkle Cotton Window Panels" by West Elm

4. Vintage "Sculptural Metal Mirror" from Vintage Modern Design on Etsy

5. "Serpentine 3-Drawer Dresser" by West Elm

6. Vintage "Gold Filigree Vanity Tray" from Claires Faire on Etsy

7. "Glazed Pillow" by West Elm

8. "Antoinette Fainting Sofa" by Urban Outfitters

9. "Turned Pedestal Side Table" by West Elm

Turn An Outfit Into a Room: Modern Throwback

Last night on Project Runway season 9, the judges were not a fan of Laura Kathleen's 70's inspired look. And while it may not have been a hit on the runway I thought it would make a spectacular room design!

The bold graphic of the black and white top is iconic of the 70s, and personally I liked it paired with the colorful print of the skirt. I believe that these two prints can work together because one is so strong, linear, and large in scale while the other is more soft, organic, and has a tighter or smaller scale. Maybe my opinion is in the minority, but let me know what you think of this outfit turned into a room...

1. "Acrylic Drink Table" by CB2

2. "Navette Lamp" by Anthropologie

3. "Reese Leather Sofa" by Room and Board

4. "Wavering Ombre Curtains" by Anthropologie

5. "Sweep Upholstered Armchair" by West Elm

6. "Saarinen Cocktail Table" by Room and Board

7. "Silk Chameuse Pillow" by Fabricadabra

8. "Velvet Indigo Pillow" by Room and Board

9. "Black and White Vibe Rug" by Milliken for Rugs USA

Turn an Outfit Into a Room: Masculine Edge

Viktor pulled out another victory last night on Project Runway (season 9)! This time the challenge was to create a new look for one of the members of an up and coming band. Viktor created a look that was masculine and a bit bohemian... normal enough for the average man but with enough edge for a rockstar!

The distressed denim and leather jacket are staples of masculine wardrobe. However the tailoring of the jeans and incredible detail in the jacket are what make these so much more than simple clothing staples. These masculine materials balance the softness found in the floral shirt. Its these extra details and juxtaposition of materials that create the edge of the design while still using comfortable and recognizable pieces.

The same juxtaposition can be applied to the design of a room. Natural, raw materials countered by tailoring and fine details create a comfortable, masculine aesthetic.

1. "Gramercy Sofa in Medallion" by Urban Outfitters

2. "Stria Nightstand" by West Elm

3. "Chester Tufted Leather Armchair" by West Elm

4. "Free Trade Pouf" by Urban Outfitters

5. "Cowhide Flower Rug" by the Rug Company

6. "Madeline Chair" by Urban Outfitters

7. "Pablo Side Tables Set" by CB2

Turn an Outfit Into a Room: Youthful Sophisticate

This look by Viktor Luna was one of the top designs on last night's Project Runway (season 9), and while it did not win I thought it would make a beautiful room.

The vintage look of this outfit is modernized by the colors used.

These pops of youthful color and sheerness of the top make this outfit a bit playful, while the sophistication of the outfit is created through the selection of the materials, the length of the skirt, and the overall shape created for the woman.

This "geek chic" concept can be translated into the design of a Living Room by using these same guidelines. The use of the materials, the lines of the furniture, and strategic pops of color will create a similar aesthetic full of youthful sophistication.

1. "The Miles Lamp" by Jan Showers

2. "Everett Kantha Chair" by West Elm

3. "Jasper Sofa" by Room and Board

4. "Cotton Canvas Printed Crosshatch Window Panels" by West Elm

5. "Seville Leather Ottoman" by Room and Board

6. "Tweed Rug" by CB2

7. "Orimono Flower Pillow" by Anthropologie