Noir Blanc Interiors

Barbara Segal Chats With National Trust For Historical Preservation Magazine

2009-09-02T13:35:00.002-05:00

Today I am on a live chat with the Editors of National Trust For Historical Preservation .

Ocean House Watch Hill, Rhode Island Interior Design

2009-05-12T14:00:00.011-05:00

The Ocean House resort hotel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, for more then 135 years has graced one of New England's most spectacular ocean views. In 2003 serious structural issues forced its closure, however in early 2010, a new Ocean House will open on the original site.

Noir Blanc Interiors, who has specializing in Coastal Living Interiors since 1994 is excited to be designing a Ocean House residential unit. Ocean House's spectacular ocean views, boutique hotel rooms, and access to luxury amenities like concierge services, spa, state of the art fitness center, indoor lap pool, fine and casual dining plus secured parking is the perfect family resort. "The Ocean House design concept is a wonderful seaside getaway" states Barbara Segal, President of Noir Blanc Interiors. "This design project offers all the amenities of a fine hotel, while feeling casual and refined, how beachie can that be for a family and designer."

Ocean House's developer, are restoring the romance and historic elegance of the grand Victorian hotel with its gabled tower, mansard roof, and sweeping porches. A new North Wing will be added to take advantage of the sloping site to step down the hill toward the ocean. For enduring performance, improvements to the former property include enhanced structural integrity, and hurricane force protection.

Ocean House

Watch Hilll, Rhode Island 02891

Barbie's Malibu Dream House

2009-04-12T01:20:00.010-05:00

Photo courtesy Mattel

Barbie Malibu Dream House has been unveiled in Malibu, California. Jonathan Adler was commissioned by Mattel as the Interior Designer to decorated the Barbie home. Many customized design elements are on view including a skirted, corseted, lace-up dress chairs, a mirror made from 65 Barbie dolls, a chandelier made of Barbie hair, a closet filled with thousands of pink shoes, and a garage that includes a real Barbie Volkswagen New Beetle car. One of Noir Blanc Interiors favorites about Barbie's Malibu house is the house also features a Barbie Museum! Featuring dozens of dolls and art from Mattel's archives, including a 1959 Barbie doll, several dolls from throughout the decades and art pieces such as Barbie paintings by Andy Warhol.

Noir Blanc Interiors is your best Interior Design firm choice for Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Venice, Los Angeles and Marina Del Rey.

Noir Blanc Interiors Prepares For The International Design Awards

2009-03-19T14:13:00.007-05:00

The International Design Awards

Noir Blanc Interiors looks forward every year to the International Design Awards, held March 26 in Los Angeles. The Winners Gala is a red carper night at, The Harmony Gold Theatre in Los Angeles. The IDA annual award is a juried design competition for architects, and designers of fashion, graphics, products, and interiors. Barbara Segal and Associates plans to attend forinteriors, fashion and to mingle with industry professionals, press, distinguished members of the design jury, as well as both student and professional winners of IDA08. I hope to see you all there!

Harmony Gold Theatre
7655 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046

What Does Wallpaper Have To Due With Inspiration?

2009-03-01T01:26:00.009-06:00

The 15th century Tuscan estate of luxury goods owner Leonardo Ferragamo and his wife, Maria Beatrice is a dramatic decorated interior in the living areas of Villa Le Rose. Decorating the interiors with wall cover, the sofa and armchairs all from the 1700s.

In 1700s, wallpapers were recorded among the stock of a Boston merchant, and by the late 18th century, paper hangings were available to the middle class as well as to the rich. American advertisers claimed that "the low prices at which they will be sold will make papering cheaper than whitewashing." Easily transported, papers were available at surprisingly early dates not only in the seaboard urban centers, but also in the small country towns.

Noir Blanc Interiors has chosen a Royal Crescent c 1775 from Hamilton Weston's beautiful wallpapers. In stately homes and other heritage projects, as well as enhancing film sets and television sets, corporate buildings and private homes around the world wall cover is the inspiration of design.

Photo Credits: Pieter Estersohn
ELLE DECOR

Noir Blanc Interiors Views On 2009

2009-01-12T17:16:00.008-06:00

Photo Credit BHG

If you are like the rest of America, your extra money is not what it used to be. Your priorities of whether you need Botox, a down cushioned sofa, or a new car are all intertwined now.

The rapid change in our economy is effecting the way we feel about our surroundings. Our homes are where we nest. With the excitement of design comes change. And the most exciting element of design this year is color, simplicity, green of course, and vintage, auctioned, or antiqued anything. When you loose the passion for one thing in life, one usually transforms it into another form, states President Barbara Segal of Noir Blanc Interiors. "Lipstick sales have always risen in the time of recession, expect to see more raspberry in the home, pink, and reds. Yellow is the sunny disposition of the economy, which will appear in towels, fabrics and paint colors. Collections will be back popular again, as it reminds us of our past lives and what we once had." In 2009 you will see collections of sea shells, shaving brushes, tin sand buckets, wine openers, perfume bottles, dolls, small antique cars, antique jars, antique toys, art, posters, etc. in the home. Think pot luck dinners with friends in cozy kitchens and more house guests as money tightens few will have the luxury of hotel stays in 2009 budgets.

Cottage is chic and less is more, bungalows are popular think hippie style, two bedroom and two bath anything is the adult profession room mate trend, meaning more functional space design and function per sqare foot. At Noir Blanc Interiors respecting the architecture in historical preservation is the driving force in our love and passion of design. In 2009, what ever is someone else's old is your new. Think of packing a picnic on the weekends, piling in a friend and heading to flea markets, auctions, garage sales and estate sales this year. Life is always changing and so is design.

What Noir Blanc Interiors Wishes You This 2009

2008-12-23T17:39:00.008-06:00

Back to communal living in 2009 is the trend Barbara Segal, President of Noir Blanc Interiors forecasts. Roche Bobois Mong Jang is a favorites furniture design for fun, layed back hippie living. With this economy comes peace, love and sex in the home. Clients will choose to hibernate and commune more. With the french, Roche Bobois selection of fabrics, one could design a beautiful comfortable shangra la for 2009.

Noir Blanc Interiors LLC. loves The Gravity Balans chair from Varier Furniture, retails for $1,200 and limited in quantity. The Gravity Balans chair places one's feet above the heart in a fully reclined position, which is as close it comes to zero gravity. There will only be 250 of these special edition black leather Gravity chairs worldwide, and each will be numbered and signed by designer Peter Opsvik. Giving the chair as a gift a signed added touch of authenticity.

How to Help This Worlds AIDS Day With Holiday Gifts That Support A Cause

2008-12-01T17:02:00.010-06:00

Today is World Aids Day, a day where we are reminded of friends who have died from Aids and those that live with AIDS. There is now 33 million people living with HIV, including 2 million children. Over 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus each year. Leaving children behind without parents, loved ones without partners, and animals without masters. Combating this epidemic is one that is near and dear to the heart of Noir Blanc Interiors family and friends.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has joyous Holiday Season cards where the card will state, "A generous gift has been made in your honor by(YOUR NAME)to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation."
To Order: Please contact Tammie Meena at 310-491-3138.
Pricing: $10.00 per card (plus $.12 sales tax per card for California residents only)

The Desperate Diva Calendar 2009 , award-winning calendar features 12 months of the Bay Area's premiere drag performers, including Heklina and Sister Roma. Produced by the AIDS Housing Alliance/SF, proceeds go to support the organization's mission of prevention homelessness for people with HIV/AIDS. The price is $20.00

Help unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS this holiday and always. AIDS is now a pandemic.

God bless the friends we have lost and our mission at Noir Blanc Interiors is to stay active in the support of contributing, supporting and involving our firm in Diffa.org, and Gifts for Life.

Keep informed at http://www.aids.gov/ and order your holiday cards this year spreading a global message to help pediatrics AIDS.

C'est la vie

2008-10-04T02:04:00.007-05:00

Photo Credit: Phillip Brooker

Every year I have flown to Paris for many years. First it was for romance, next I went for Fashion, then I became involved with Paris Manufacturers where I marketed and represented them in the US as I owned at 10,000 square foot showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Le Cordon Bleu sponsored a cooking school in my showroom and life for many years was fabulously all things French. Several year later I was buying for my French Stores Soiree. As a Designer and Stylist, I love to shop the Paris Antique Markets. And sun and in St. Tropez with my wealthy Yacht Clients who know the Joie de vivre of the South of France.

This October while being dedicated to LA. I am thankful for my colleagues and friends who have been sending me emails from Paris.

God, I miss Paris!

What Is Autodesk The Legend Software Company Giving Back?

2008-09-30T13:28:00.006-05:00

Autodesk, Inc., who is a leader of design and engineering software, is opening the Autodesk Gallery at One Market in San Francisco. The 16, 500 square foot Gallery, is located at One Market Street, is dedicated to the spirit of design innovation and has an interactive environment that highlights the impact of software and technology on the process of innovative design. LEED-certification, the space takes green interior design to the highest level with breath taking views, recycled material, certified renewable lumber, local manufacturing and recyclables.

The space features 20 exhibits including the California Academy of Sciences, Ford Shelby GT500, Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, Calif., and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge seismic retrofit. Here is a fabulous new space that is intended as a location for designers where we can discuss the latest in technology and be inspired by each others work. I have a long history with Autodesk, my father was one of their 1st Distributors and I worked as West Coast Advertising Director for CADalyst Magazine a trade dedicated soley to Autodesk software. Back then Bill Gates and many other Techies showed up at the after parties. This space represents a legend software company giving back to the design community.

Seaside Luxury High Rise Interior Design Project Awarded Noir Blanc Interiors in Marina Del Rey, CA

2008-08-05T16:43:00.009-05:00

Noir Blanc Interiors is designing a condominium residence with commanding yacht harbor, ocean, and mountain and city views at the Cove, Marina Del Rey's prestigious new high rise.

This home is surrounded by world-class amenities, impeccable service, and the newly retired client is free to indulge in private time here. Coastal living is Designer, Barbara Segal's specialty so this Sea side interior is being designed with the attention of excellent restaurants, theater, nightlife, and all the attractions of a cosmopolitan lifestyle and charms of the urban village. Entertaining friends and a private retreat for relaxing are the key elements of our clients’ interiors needs. Marina del Rey is the largest man-made pleasure boat harbor in the world and one of the great assets of Los Angeles County's 75-mile coastline.

Why Noir Blanc Interiors loves Seaside Luxury Interiors

2008-07-14T18:38:00.008-05:00

Noir Blanc Interiors is working on the exciting new Interiors of, The Tower at Carnegie Abbey a new addition in Newport, Rhode Island, real estate. The Carnegie Tower landmark rising 220 feet above the Narragansett Bay coastline and features 80 exquisite residences on 22 stories. The building is nearing completion with private balconies provide unsurpassed vistas of the golf club, the marina and the coastline. The floors are Brazilian cherry wood and French limestone. The club offers a links-style golf course, a spa, a restaurant, tennis courts and other pools. The equestrian center is over seven miles of trails, and the marina has slips available for purchase. Just four hours from New York City and one hour from Boston this property is a relaxing and fun getaway for Noir Blanc Interior's client. The building standards are luxury all the way and the development is slated for completion spring of 2009. The Carnegie Abbey Club is known for throwing the best parties and events in Newport County!

Can You Help Save A Chicago Landmark?

2008-05-28T12:53:00.004-05:00

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included the Michigan Avenue Streetwall on this year's 11 Most Endangered list as a way of adding a national voice to the listing of the Streetwall on Landmarks Illinois' Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois, announced in April, 2008.

A lasting image of the Chicago skyline, Michigan Avenue stands as one of the world's most-recognized streets. With it’s 12-block stretch of historic buildings, dating back to the 1880s it is a virtual encyclopedia of the work of the city's best architects including Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. This 12 block stretch was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2002, and now its historic character is now being threatened by the inappropriate addition of large-scale towers that retain only small portions of the original buildings or their facades. Should these development projects gain approval, they will render the local landmark ordinance ineffective as a tool for preservation of the district.

The 1893 Chicago Athletic Association, designed by Henry Ives Cobb is slated for a rooftop addition. Proposed plans are to demolish a significant portion of the vacant building's structure and several elaborate interior spaces to accommodate a multi-story, stepped, glass hotel tower. Even thought the building is protected by landmark designation and a preservation ordinance, the project has been justified on the basis that the new construction will not be visible from across the street. Nevertheless, because of the one-sided nature of the street, the mass of the tower would significantly disrupt the historic skyline as viewed from Grant Park, Millennium Park, and the lakefront.

Growing up in Chicago with found memories of my father taking us to the Chicago Athletic Associates this issue is close to my heart and if approved, preservation advocates fear that this project will set a precedent for similar proposals within the historic district, creating a domino effect of high-rise development on a street where landmark designation was established to prevent such a situation.

"The threat to the Chicago Athletic Club particularly and the Michigan Avenue Streetwall more broadly represents the problems such intense development pressures pose on our architectural heritage," says Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "If approved, this project, and others like it, will destroy the very National Trust for Historic Preservation is working with Landmarks Illinois and other groups to encourage strict adherence to, and enforcement of, Chicago's historic preservation ordinance.

Please help the campaign to persuade the city to issue appropriate design guidelines for this unique district, requiring all development projects to be held to the same standards.

What you can do

1. Send a letter to Mayor Daley encouraging him to support preservation of the street wall.

2. If you live in Chicago, contact Ben Weese, Chair of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, and encourage him to uphold the current ordinances that would protect the street wall.

3. Help save the Michigan Avenue Streetwall and other endangered places – donate to the 11 for the 11 Most Challenge.

Why Plant a Rose Garden?

2008-05-11T23:28:00.006-05:00

Every Mother's Day my father had a continuing tradition of taking us to a beautiful nursery and buying my Mother a new rose bush.

A rose garden is a much more powerful statement of enduring love, than a single rose or a bouquet. Whether it's a memory of mother doting on her bushes as if they were part of her children or the happy coincidence that roses are at the peak of their spring glory in May, there is something about Mother's Day and roses.

A rose plant is an enduring species, it can overcome adversity without much nurturing and yet produce such beauty. A rose bush lives season after season, so in May add a rose bush to your garden for Mothers' Day. Years from now you can go outside in the garden just to remember her.

Roses are nurturing, like all those things mothers are. Mothers are constantly overcoming adversity and not getting a lot of nurturing and always giving something wonderful.

Rose gardens I have planted along my life:
-State Parkway, Chicago home -featured every year for it's beauty on the Dearborn Garden Walk,
-Estate home of an Annapolis Vineyard in Maryland;
-Ocean front court yard and cliffs at Bird Rock in LaJolla, California
-Malibu Lakes, California.

As my mother told me, each time I moved on. "A rose garden is the display of beauty and it's the continuous weaving of life, and what we leave behind."

Why Home Improvement Television Is Do-it-Yourself Design

2008-04-18T01:06:00.016-05:00

It is to the client's advantage and also the architect's, to have a trained and experienced decorator with both technical knowledge and an understanding of interior architectural detail so as to be able to assemble intelligently the proper textures, colors, furniture and objects to make a consistent room. If all these things are taken into consideration in the original planning...a great many difficulties can be anticipated.

Eleanor McMillen Brown, Interior Architecture and Decoration

The recent increases in homeowner wealth and the growing popularity of home improvement television programs have increased demand for residential design services. Recently a new divorced home owner who remodeled a beach house in Santa Monica needed to update the general décor of the home and requested design help in creating year-round outdoor living spaces.

However, this client watched home improvement television programs and had the budget for discount furniture stores. I like HGTV, however it has spurred a trend in do-it-yourself design, which could hamper employment growth of designers. Nevertheless, some clients will still hire designers for initial consultations. Free Design advice get it on TV.

Why Should Design Enthusiast Visit The Palm Beach Boat Show?

2008-03-24T17:26:00.021-05:00

Sea Cloud, is the original Palm Beach yacht.

Marjorie Meriweather Post spent months designing the ship,hand-selecting antiques and presiding over gold leaf accents. The refurbished ship's 30-plus cabins are available for cruises.

The original owners of the Sea Cloud, heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her then-husband financier E. F. Hutton, desired a craft like no other. In 1931, sparing no expense they created the largest private sailing ship ever built. In the 30s and 40s, the Sea Cloud was host to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Sweden's King Gustavus V. Sea Cloud: The original Palm Beach yacht is docked at the Palm Beach Boat show this week. In Yacht Design, the luxury and ambiance of the Sea Clouds yacht interior cannot be duplicate. The special ambiance of Sea Cloud is the graciousness of a bygone era and the intimacy and comfort of a small European estate.

Sea Cloud frequently docked in Palm Beach during the 1930s. The 356-foot Sea Cloud has been extensively renovated, with great care taken by expert craftsmen to maintain the decor of an earlier time. At one point in her life, Post spent six months out of every year sailing with her daughter, actress Dina Merrill, and a crew of between 60-72. If you are a historical design buff this ship is not to be missed.

PALM BEACH BOAT SHOW
Admission: $14, adults; $4, ages 6-12; free, children younger than 6.
Show hours: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 30.

Tickets: www.show management.com; convention center box office; waterfront box offices at North Clematis and Evernia streets.

This Spring Why Not Make Every Room in Your Home Green?

2008-03-17T12:51:00.009-05:00

Spring arrives this week! At Noir Blanc Interiors we encourage you to make every room in the home a little greener. Doing the right thing for the environment is not only a good thing for the environment, it is also fashionable. Revive your bedroom with the natural theme by choosing sustainable materials like bamboo, seagrass, and organic cotton. Choose colors like celery, chocolate brown, and optic white to bring nature inside and help maintain natural beauty outdoors. Adding a pop of green in a neutral room gives energy in all the right places.

Look for recycled products, organic cottons, reusable anything that is gentle to our environment. Be eco-friendly and bringing your own bag when shopping it saves plastic bags. Design creative fun signs, reminding your family to turn off and not waste energy. Even after turning off a computer, power continues to flow to computer peripherals like printers and scanners. Switch to power strip and stop the energy from being wasted. Redefine your style this first sign of spring by making every room in the home a little greener.

Noir Blanc Interiors Looks To Land 75 million “Portabello” Seaside Mansion on the Market in OC, California

2008-02-09T01:47:00.000-06:00

The market might be down however in Interior Design there is always a big fish to catch. This $75 million dollar Orange County, California estate is on the market offering a RESORT LIFESTYLE: The Portabello Estate features a two-level grotto with a pool, two spas, a tunnel slide and a swim-up bar. Brion Jeanette, a Newport Beach architect, designed this expensive home in the llate seventies. The art deco home theater of the Portabello Estate features a stained-glass feature overhead. The estate also includes an automotive museum to house a collection of vintage and new cars, a boutique for the homeowner's jewelry collection and a cafe. The stunning half-mile of sandy beach at Emerald Bay sits below the property with rock, palm trees, grass borders and a walkway that winds along the sand’s edge. With expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, dolphin pods and tide pools, this estate at Twenty Two Emerald Bay offers one of the most stunning views on the California Coast. The value truly lies in the property itself, and not necessarily in the original structure, which was built in 1979. The home that sits on the property is a late seventies contemporary multi-level design. While it is a fantastic structure in its own right, the buyer will most likely build a new home, as the property can accommodate a 10,000+ square foot structure. What this estate needs is a rock star owner and with an appreciation of our love of this resort lifestyle design at Noir Blanc Design. President Barbara Segal of Noir Blanc Design, has worked on coastal estate projects on the coast in Annapolis, Md, Palm Beach, Florida, New Port, Rhode Island and LaJolla California and numerous Yacht Interiors. "This is an amazing gem of a design project to be had!" states Barbara Segal of Noir Blanc Interiors.

I want to be a Part of it, New York, New York

2008-01-18T23:17:00.000-06:00

The Lotus Club stately oak paneled library.

Architectural Digest annual dinner held at the
grand ballroom at The Lotus Club

The Seventh Regiment Armory

Opening night Preview of the 54th Annual Winter Antiques Show in New York benefiting East Side House Settlement. There was lots to see and the crowd was big , with more than 75 dealers on display. This is a great show that runs for ten days through January 27th.

A few blocks down on 66th Street, at the famous Lotos Club was the AD100 dinner that Architectural Digest’s Paige Rense editor in chief of Architectural Digest, gives each year for the top 100 interior designers. Archetictural Digest is the most successful shelter magazine today and an invitation to this dinner is an honor in the design community.

The guest list was made up of decorators, designers, architects, writers who do the Architectural Digest stories, photographers, and AD editorial staff.

The Lotos Club is one of the oldest literary clubs in the country, founded in 170 by a group of young writers, journalists and critics. The lotus house was built in 1900 as a wedding gift by Mrs. Elliot F. Shepard for her daughter Mrs. William Jay Schieffelin. Mrs. Shepard was a daughter of William H. Vanderbilt, who was one of the original occupants of the double Vanderbilt mansion that took up the west side of the block on Fifth Avenue between 51st and 52nd Street. The clubhouse went directly from private residence to club and it retains much of the original family’s interiors. The stately oak paneled library and the grand ballroom on the second floor is where the AD 100 dinner was held. The Lotos were filled with men and women who were very happy to be among the invited. Of course the night was not complete without the song:

New York, New York

(Ebb-Kander)
Start spreading the news

I'm leaving today

I want to be a part of it, New York, New York

These vagabond shoes

Are longing to stray

And make a brand new start of it New York, New York

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps

To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap

These little town blues

Are melting away

I'll make a brand new start of itIn old New York

If I can make it thereI'll make it anywhere

It's up to you, New York, New York.

Interior Design Trends For 2008

2008-01-03T00:59:00.000-06:00

BraqueniÃ© Pierre Frey

As the President of Noir Blanc Interiors, I am looking forward to a busy 2008. Odd as it seems, the nation's mortgage crisis may deserve credit for the fact that our business is booming. The design market is thriving, and I think that has to do with the shift in the economy, "People are staying in homes longer, rather than flipping houses. So I feel my clients are now investing in their houses and buying bigger-ticket items."

A few trends that might be making their way to the interior design graveyard.

Goodbye

The all-granite kitchen and the all-stainless-steel kitchen.

The Marie Antoinette influence of damask and decadent, Baroque furniture is becoming last year's style.

Dark finishes on furniture, ebonized wood. However dark finishes just won't die in the world of retail furniture!

Hollywood Regency

The chrome black leather, Design Within Reach phase is winding down and out

Asian modern is really tired and we're all sick of seeing it

Poured-concrete kitchen and bathroom countertop

HELLO 2008

There's a push toward green. Our clients are asking us to, give them more green. Antiques are considered green, and I use them as often as possible in my interiors.

Large, overscaled patterns on fabrics and wallpaper are getting smaller and more elegant.

Multiple looks for a single room - casual/formal.

Waterworks custom metal finishes on faucets.

Golden harvest yellows, rococo pinky red and snorkel blue

Textural finishes on furniture.

Energy-efficient washers and dryers from Miele.

The Kravet Green collection of eco-friendly textiles

Benjamin Moore's low-toxicity Affinity paints.

Fireplaces in the city

Requests from clients to mix contemporary and traditional design elements.

Venetian chandeliers and Lucite furniture-like tables, headboards, vanities. They have a bit of shine and a bit of sparkle to them.

Digital wall-scape imagery. With this medium, the sky is actually not the limit and the possibilities are endless. You can take any image and translate it into a permanent wall or floor covering.

Lavastone

Upholstery is organic hopsack, fabrics will be a green

Designers doing more home for sale staging, in light of the downward housing market

At Noir Blanc Interiors we see clients are customizing rooms, "Home theaters and TV rooms are very lounge-oriented, wine cellars are adjacent to the dining room, home offices are not using traditional built-ins or office furniture but look more like libraries or sitting rooms."

Black and White

2007-12-05T01:13:00.000-06:00

The Real Estate Market might be plummeting in Chicago and chilling for the new Trump Towers, according to The Chicago Tribune article on Dec.2, 2007. However in the mean times Ivanka is investing her talents, designs, and money in diamonds "yes they are a girls best friend." Darlings in the world of the rich, money always know how to make more money. As recently mentioned in Forbes Magazine as one of the The 20 Most Intriguing Billionaire Heiresses, it seems the favorite Blonde Heiress, Ivanka Trump has partnered with Dynamic Diamond Corp. to design a line of jewelry. The jewelry collection was recently unveiled at the opening of her new flagship store on Madison Avenue. While the collection is quite good, it is Ivanka's super stylish boutique done in black and white (Noir and Blanc) with splashes of yellow and coral, that I really like. Ivanka, Palm Beach heritage shines through in this design style.

My recent visit to Manhattan assured me that some real estate markets are alive and well. Noir Blanc Interiors, flourishes in the winter in Palm Beach Interior Design where swans like Ivanka Trump know Noir Blanc style.

The English Avant Garde

2007-11-11T01:05:00.000-06:00

Ann Carrington Limited Edition

Fynedon Gothic c.1790 Wallpaper

Noir Blanc Interiors, discerning Decorator Barbara Segal, is the Women to call when your decor needs the finishing touches. With over 20 years in the Accessory and Gift business and a nationally published advisor in the industry, Segal believes that an accessory can be the perfect final flourish to any decor. "I really like coming in and adding the last finishing touches to an architect's or designers, streamline look." The latest rage is anything English, think Victoria Beckham, Elton John, Maddonna, and the Queen Elisabeth stateside visit to the Kentucky Derby. "The English Are Coming" is suddenly the rage.

Below are some of the English Channels, Barbara suggests for Accessorizing British Style.

ENGLISH WALLPAPER

Hamilton Weston's beautiful wallpapers hang in stately homes and other heritage projects throughout the UK, and have enhancing film and television sets, corporate buildings and private homes around the world.

ENGLISH ART BY ANN CARRINGTON

Only 50 copies of 'Pearly Queen of Dalston' are for sale exclusively from AnnCarrington.co.uk. The original was purchased for the Rothschild Collection at Waddeson Manor Buckinghamshire, in celebration of the Queen's 80th birthday. This print of the original is a full color lithoprint with raised detail. Each piece is printed on velvet paper, and is signed and numbered by the artist. The artwork is an edition of 300 and measures 54cm x 42cm. The costs £195.00 unframed, or £295.00 in a perspex frame specially chosen by the artist. Prices include postage, packaging, and delivery insurance. For enquiries or placing an order please email ann@anncarrington.co.uk

WATERFORD CRYSTAL

The perfect way to bring in the holidays!

The company of Waterford was first established in 1783 in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford. Its founders were two brothers, William and George Penrose, who were important developers and principal exporters in the city. Their vision was to "create the finest quality crystal for drinking vessels and objects of beauty for the home." More than two hundred years later, the reputation they established for creating glass of unsurpassed beauty and quality has transcended the intervening centuries. Today, Waterford's principal manufacturing plant stands on a 40-acre site on the outskirts of the city made famous by its glittering product.

Barbara selects, this elegant Waterford Fine China, Catania for a beautiful Classic English Holiday table .

Celebrity Hip Style

2007-11-03T01:27:00.000-05:00

When I saw these rooms online in House and Gardens, I just feel in love with the look. It turns out the designer is Gwyneth Paltrow who seem to have fabulous taste in clothes, men, and home design. Can you image coming home to the lead singer of "Coldplay" serenading you and the kids? The Foyer with the turquoise chair was just so fabulously my taste, and the needlepoint crown by Ann Carrington was a brilliant step to turn the look rock and role minimalists. The decoupage lamp in the Foyer is a John Derian , who I bought from in New York for years and sold in my French Stores, Soiree. It's good to know Gwen and I both have good taste.

Like Gwen herself, the décor gives off a vibe that is softly refined and very hip. A little bit rock and roll. The photos are available online right now (the full spread is in the November mag which is out now).

The Noir Blanc chairs are one-of-kind, which she found at Madeline Weinrib Atelier.

Design At Trump International Towers Moving Ahead

2007-10-31T22:40:00.003-05:00

Trump International Hotel & Tower is sure to be luxury living downtown. The convenience and services the luxury private residents will offer, are services that are found only in the world's finest Five Star hotels. Recently we took this photo for our overseas client to see the progress the building is making. Hiring a designer in the beginning stage of a building project is always the smartest way to build. It assures you upgrades and individual design and control of the project at hand, giving you the client value added square footage. At Noir Blanc Interiors we provide all the information needed for successful purchasing and installation. Also quantities and prices from specs are used for budgets and schedules.

While working on specs in our office via satellite Internet with our client, we are jumping with joy at the luxury brands that are standards. Snaidero Italian Kitchens, Wolf Kitchen Appliance, hard wood floors, and fireplaces. Working on the project is a pure joy, knowing we are creating an extraordinary lifestyle opportunity. Playing on the schematics of the panoramic views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the city skyline a client/designer dream come true.

In our design we will create work stations, for a home office, hobbies, games and a Kitchen space crowded with an extended family that never leaves the kitchen. From the dining room, the view of the kitchen will be like a modern painting. Furthered our plan of juxtaposing modern art, which is what the kitchen will be, a rich antique setting. The kitchen is simple, clean and beautiful.

Tranquility At Benjamin Moore

2007-10-29T11:14:00.001-05:00

Benjamin Moore has a fun new viral marketing web site:

Design My Room

http://www.designmyroom.com/Home.aspx

Vote on Barbara Segal's late night design, BarbaraNoirBlanc is user name.

Barbara states, "I only use Benjamin Moore paints in my design work. And I typically paint with flat as it is a much richer look." I was looking up the site to select and suggest paint colors for a recent renovation for a country home that was described as very dark. Upon looking up Benjamin Moore site I stumbled upon their fun new virtual marketing site
Design My Room. As a web publisher I found this new site to be fun and addictive. I could not lay a rug for the life of my laptop so I decided, less is more.
Try it, it's FUN and please be our friend!

High Rise Luxury Design - Chicago Lakeshore East

2007-10-21T00:39:00.000-05:00

Noir Blanc Interiors LLC, high rise project at Chicago's Lakeshore East, The Chandler. The 3 bedroom condo design project is under way with eleven shades of paint colors from Benjamin Moore, as shown "Raspberry Truffle" to Ralph Laurens, Prizza Blanca suede, for texture. With a view like this supervising the tradesmen on a Saturday is a joy! The view let's us check out Trump Towers', it is moving along as scheduled and the photo snapped today proves it beauty!

River East is looking gorgeous, last nights River East Gallery Art Center party assured us this is a hot area! Viewing and watching Chicago's newest spiral high rise "Chicago Spire" being built is fascinating. Noir Blanc Interiors, President, Barbara Sheehan Segal states " With my Irish heritage and Chicago roots I look forward to working with client at this International architectural gem!" The Spire is slated to be Chicago's tallest building, according to wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Spire

Wait isn't that what they told Donald Trump?

Bedroom Space

2007-08-11T17:39:00.000-05:00

Our consumer driven, worldly, and increasingly wealthy society has resulted in our having many more personal possessions. This has had an effect in the bedroom, which has traditionally been small in terms of space allocation except in the mansions and larger town houses of yesteryear. Today’s households tend to hoard clothes, until such time as space limitations dictate we take our outdated fashion to the charity shop.

Bedrooms, especially in vintage gray stones, historical landmark homes and high rises which abound in Boston, Miami, Chicago, New York and San Francisco are invariably the most likely place to find low beams, sloping floors and bulging or uneven walls. By adding free standing wardrobes, chests of drawers and tallboys we are making way for the more space efficient fitted wardrobes and drawer units.

Although the bedroom is where you also hope to get some sleep the issue which is most likely to keep you awake at the planning stage is: how do I maximize storage space?

Barbara Segal is an expert in solving this problem. She's had years of experience dealing with awkward spaces; but unlike many other people she has an eye for the aesthetics as well as the practicalities. Since the whole aim of the bedroom is to provide the right environment for sound, refreshing sleep, the way it looks and the way it is fitted out are both important. Creaking floor boards and traffic or other external sounds may ruin a good night's rest. So attention to the curtaining, bed linens, pillows, paint colors, and carpeting all come under her scrutiny while working with Noir Blanc Interiors.

Chicago Interior Design

2007-08-07T20:09:00.000-05:00

Noir Blanc Interiors, President Barbara Segal was awarded the design for a three bedroom condo at the The Chandler. The new high-rise building is nearing completion and is in Chicago's new Lakeshore East area of downtown.

design architect: DeStefano + Partners, Ltd., Loewenberg + Associates

Other firms: Magellan Development Group, Ltd., Near North Properties, Inc., James McHugh Construction Co., Halvorson and Partners, Loewenberg + Associates, The Office of James Burnett, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, International Engineering Consultants, Inc., JMS Electric, Inc., O'Sullivan, Inc., JMS Electric, Inc., Lindahl Brothers, Inc., Case Foundation Company, Advance Mechanical Systems, Inc., O'Sullivan, Inc., Superior Mechanical Systems, Inc., The Prairie Group, Hanwha America Develop

Noir Blanc Interiors Trumps Decor in Chicago

2007-06-06T22:17:00.000-05:00

Trump Towers Chicago
Ever wanted to just move right in to your hotel room? I do all the time. Good news, the cool new Trump International Towers is a hotel with upscale retail and luxury living residential. Future residents of Chicago's most talked about new luxury residents will be design infused by Noir Blanc Interiors. For our International clients we are buying everything from the mattress to the bedding to the art on the walls and bath accessories." With the address of 401 N. Wabash Ave., the Trump Tower shops will overlook a riverfront walkway that is just a block from the North Michigan Avenue shopping.

To date buyers have committed to purchase 601 units, valued at approximately $600 million, in the glass clad tower that also will include 100,000 square feet of retail space, a park and 1,000 parking spaces. The average selling price of the 223 hotel condominiums sold is $1,325 a square foot. The average price of the 378 residential condominiums is $1,093 a square foot.

Trump International Tower, Chicago

Designed by Adrian D. Smith, FAIA, RIBA Design Partner at Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP.

Historical Landmark HighRise

2007-04-30T11:42:00.002-05:00

This project was in one of downtown Chicago's best-known landmark districts. The buildings comprising the East Lake Shore Drive historic district were built between 1912 and 1929 and designated a Chicago landmark on April 18, 1985. The architects (Marshall & Fox and Fugard & Knapp) based their designs on established European styles, these plush apartment buildings nonetheless represented a break with tradition. The population influx at the turn of the century had placed downtown Chicago real estate at a premium, and it was these buildings (among others) that made apartment living a viable alternative for the very wealthy. The East Lake Shore Drive historic district is comprised of a total of eight buildings: the Drake Hotel and seven apartment highrises. This property was the former, Mayfair Regent hotel which overlooks the city's prettiest stretch of Lake Shore Drive. Many Chicagoans' dined at its famous restaurant, Ciel Bleu ("blue sky") which was considered one of Chicago's most romantic restaurants with its intimate European ambiance and a superlative view and was located on the 19th penthouse floor. In 1996, the Mayfair Regent was converted to a glittering Gold-Coast apartment by LR Developers. Noir Blanc Interiors LLC, President Barbara Segal spent two jovial years working with the Chicago widowed owner on this historical rehab. It was this project that came to her as epiphany of what her life’s work was to be.

Yacht Interiors Preparation For The 2007 Miami Boat Show

2007-02-06T20:11:00.000-06:00

Gearing Up For The Miami Boat Show

Noir Blanc Interiors has devoted much of the last 7 years working in the Yacht Industry. Our design firm has enjoyed working with many clients who live beautiful lives at Sea and we have worked with some of the worlds best Yacht builders like Sunseeker, Christensen Shipyards, and Feadship. February is a busy time of year in the Yachting Industry, it is post Miami International Boat Show. The world largest and finest Yachts are put to Sea, to sail and dock in the Harbors of Miami. This is the boat show of all boat shows and it takes place in Miami Feb. 15-19, 2007. The Worlds finest Yacht builders display their hottest newest designs and mix it up with, A List parties to sell multi million dollar Yachts. All this in anticipation of attracting and selling new owners a yacht. This is big business, after all the wealthy like the "mine is bigger then yours toys." In an article published in the Wall Street Journal, The Wealth Report, written by Robert Frank, Russian oil tycoon Roman Abrahmovich, has ordered a craft that will measure 525 feet, which will be The World's Biggest Yacht. Oracle founder Larry Elliston, built RIsing Sun in 2004 which measures 455 feet which ranks number 5 in The World Biggest Yacht.

Noir Blanc has designed the Interiors and completed dozens of fine vessels. Our latest is a 157-foot trideck, which is anything but just another pretty yacht and we bill displayed at the upcoming Miami Boat Show. "A considerable part of Noir Blanc Interiors success is also due to the contributions of the Yacht owners, combined with our design teams exceptional and exquisite taste in directing the interior design," states Barbara Segal President of Noir Blanc Interiors. So start dreaming about those cabanas on the beach, frosty mojitos, pack your flip-flops and head south—to where the boats are.

Empty Spaces Can Create the Feeling of More Space

2007-01-29T16:40:00.000-06:00

Society is more aware of good design because it has become more accessible and affordable. At Noir Blanc Interiors LLC, we beleive that one of the worst things that can happen is when the client interferes in every aspect of the design and doesn't allow the project to develop. "Individuals tend to feel that every corner of a room needs a piece of furniture. But empty spaces can create the feeling of more space. "Interior design is a discipline, and the design process is a collabortive exploratory and appropriate to the specific needs of the client," states Barbara Sheehan Segal. With the explosion of home decorating programs and resources on television, on the Internet and in the design stores, we find the design is increasingly afforable and available. Still, a designer is hired for their taste, talent and professionlism.

Design Is What Makes Your Home

2007-01-22T16:18:00.000-06:00

Design is what makes your house a home. Design is what makes a box in the sky, an elegant stylish retreat you call home. It is the reason the best parties wind up in the kitchen. Noir Blanc Interiors, LLC. has an established reputation for providing a pleasant and hassle-free experience of adding style to your interior space. This is reflected by our repeat clients and their referrals. Our unique chic way of working on a budget is what sets us apart. Visit our web site a http://www.noirblancinteriors.com/ or contact BarbaraNoirblanc@aol.com