Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day to my friends in all corners of the world! I wanted to share something fun and green with you today, so I decided to give you a little sneak peek of my new apartment! As a few of you have already guessed, I had been working with domino magazine (sniff) on an eco-friendly makeover of my little Spanish Harlem home, but after they folded I decided to continue the project on my own, with a much lower budget of course. I'd love to show you the whole thing, but for now I have to wait just a tad longer. Let's just say I've got a few tricks up my sleeve ;)
The inspiration for my new home was the J.K. Capri, but in a sort of 'J.K. meets twenty something Manhattan gal' kind of way ;) When I visited the hotel last summer I was seriously taken by the tranquil color palette and the sophisticated layering of art, photography, books and accessories. If you haven't seen the photos from my original post, click here. It's honestly my favorite post of all time, and I cannot think of a single space that makes me more happy.

To get the J.K. look in an eco-friendly way, I chose Benjamin Moore's new Natura paint which has zero VOC's and is completely odorless! I was thrilled when the line was recently released because it's a great example of how powerful the green movement has become. Just two years ago when I was working on the green issue of domino, we were literally unable to find conventional paints without VOC's! Many forward thinking brands at the time had offered low VOC options, but it wasn't until recently that these new zero emission paints have become widely available. I chose a soft grey for my living room called Silver Half Dollar, and a navy for my office called Kensington Blue. Both look stunning paired with white moldings and furniture and colorful accessories, as is the case in the J.K. below.
Lastly I wanted to send a warm thank you to all my readers and Rubie Green fans in Australia! I continue to be absolutely blown away by the overwhelmingly positive response I have received from down under, and I am working hard to find a way to ship our bedding to you in the future. In the meantime, thank you thank you thank you for your support and your incredible enthusiasm, and a very special thanks to Home Beautiful for including me in the Eco-Chic section of the May issue :) Go green!

31 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Earth Day to you as well! I will have to remember to use the Natura paints the next time we do any painting in our house. The mouldings in your home look beautiful. I adore the JK Capri, or anything designed by Michele Bonan for that matter! I hope to stay there some day. I can't think of a better place to inspire one;s home! I can't wait to see the finished product!

Anonymous said...

what is the grasscloth wallcovering? Who makes it, and how can I get it? Your apt. looks fab.

Porchlight Interiors said...

Hi Michelle, Happy Earth Day! Your appartment is looking gorgeous as are all your inspiration photos! Can't wait to see the finished results! Have a great day. Tracey xx

Megan said...

Looks like a beautiful start, thanks for the inspiration! Look forward to more unveils from your new apartment!!

Liz Powers said...

First, any idea who make the dress the girl is wearing in the photo? More importantly, I absolutely love your fabric line and your blog. Congrats on the success-- and good luck with the project! xo

http://www.pinkmonkeystyle.com/2009/04/going-rubie-green.html

Rebecca June | Sea Island Drive said...

I am going to be SO very excited to see the finished result...but I bet you will be over the moon when it is done!

xoxo

Rebecca June

Julie Richard - Shelter said...

Love your concept. I can't wait to see more! Good Luck and Cheers!

Best,
Julie

Liz Powers said...

Thanks for the comments! Just re-read and noticed a massive typo... ah, the perils of blogging while drinking a glass of red wine. xo!

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Happy Earth day to you too. You were first person that came to mind yesterday when I was thinking of my earth day post so I posted about my love for Rubie Green! So excited to see your new apt! I can't wait.

Laura said...

Love that dress! And of course the apartment...that goes without saying.

Kellie Collis said...

The beautiful floor boards with the wall colour is fabulous! I am also from Australia and your fabrics are divine...

paula said...

Oh my, I can't wait to see more.I absolutely adore all your work.

Laura Trevey said...

Beautiful blog!! just found you :)

AphroChic said...

Congrats on the Home Beautiful feature. That is so exciting! And of course, I LOVE Pat's photo! And that chair...just gorgeous.

red ticking said...

lovely inspiration... and wonderful blog...

Wanderings of a Wannabe said...

Michelle,

I am blown away by these pictures...WOW! your apt. is incredibly beautiful! all of that trim is to die for. I love your choice of paint colors as well.

Can't wait to see the finished product. Keep us updated :)

Suzy said...

Its looking amazing already! Can't wait to follow your progress - how exciting!

Unknown said...

ooh...I can't wait to see the final results! It looks fab {and green!} already!

Ivy Lane said...

Can't wait for the big reveal!! And.. I too would like to know who's design the dress is in the first picture! I WANT one!! :)

Happy Weekend!

Anonymous said...

Oh - I love the colours, I can't wait to see more of your apartment!

Anonymous said...

congrats, congrats! I could not be happier for you or your company!!!! xx

AshleyL. said...

Happy (late) Earth day! What wonderful furnishings and paint jobs! This post is beautiful! :)

Unknown said...

i love it already and can't wait to see the finished results!!
i'm such a rubie green fan (my chairs at home are covered in the raspberry/white zig zag print)...and will be getting the matching pink bedding soon!!
xox

Shelter said...

Yeah congrats on the H.B. mention.

Best,
Julie

loving. living. small. said...

Fabulous, Michelle! Loving your style! Great color choices. Can't wait to see the final photos. Your blog is such great inspiration!

Cafe Fashionista said...

Love, love, love these pictures! Oh how I wish I had an aprtment as lovely as yours!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see your apartment renovation! Thanks for posting about Natura. I just bought some and it is fantastic. My baby is napping away while we paint - love it.

Pink Wallpaper said...

i'm dying to see the results!! i am so proud of all of your success :)

lowleeta said...

michelle! i am so excited for all of the great things that are happening with rubie green!! mo told me that she had so much fun with you and patrick at your shoot! i heard your new apt is awesome. cant wait to see the pics!

sarathira sukiman said...

JK Capri looks just stunning! thank you for exposing me to it, such an eye opener to great designs. and i so cant wait to see your finished house, i can already envision it! haha

Miss B said...

Love it all!!! Eek! It's too much all this goodness that you create!