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Ann McDonald Archives - Couture Chateau

June 15, 2015
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Excellence in Design Stands Time: Laufen Bathrooms #BlogTourNYC

By | #BlogTourNYC, Design Fundamentals, Multi-Generation, Succession Living | One Comment

Laufen Bathrooms: Wow.

Swiss manufacturer Laufen was one of our sponsors for #BlogTourNYC @Modenus. In today’s post I want to share some helpful links and my personal thoughts regarding the product and company. Spotlighting any brand on Couture Chateau is something I take very seriously as you, our faithful readers and clients know. Discretion does not shout from the rooftops. Trust is hard won.

Laufen Company

Click on this photo to be taken to Laufen’s page on their history. Well worth the time. I love how they steward excellence and human capital. It’s not just about product. It’s about people = true legacy.

That said, I am absolutely delighted to share today about Laufen. Their partnership with Kartell and Designer @palombaserafini is a win-win.

Laufen Product Designer

Click on this photo to be taken to an article on Kartell by Laufens’ website. It is a fabulous read into the partnership with Ludovica+Roberto Palomba.

Read More

June 11, 2015
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3 Reasons @WilsonArt Inspires as a Brand #BlogTourNYC

By | #BlogTourNYC, Design Fundamentals, Succession Living | No Comments

Three Reasons @WilsonArt Inspires as a Brand #BlogTourNYC

This past month during @Modenus Blog Tour we had a behind the scenes treat while at ICFF, my colleagues and I were introduced to the Student Designers sponsored in this years @WilsonArt Design Competition. As a benefactor brand (if I can use that terminology, mine, not theirs) I was impressed with the level of curated instruction and access WilsonArt brought to the table.

Here is a quick video on one of the competitors which I highlight. My sons are avid backpackers and hikers…hence this particular chair.

For a complete post from WilsonArt’s headquarters on the “Design Challenges” and Student Winner, Blossom, click HERE. Read More

June 5, 2015
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Five Ways to Incorporate Steam Therapy in Your Ranch Property or Multi Generation Mountain Estate

By | #BlogTourNYC, Design Fundamentals, Income Property, Multi-Generation, Succession Living | One Comment

Fresh off Blog Tour New York, I am delighted to ponder how you, our valued clients and friends, can incorporate some of the products we had the honor of learning about first hand. Today’s post centers on one of the #BlogTourNYC sponsors: Mr Steam. We were treated to an incredible private steam at Aire Ancient Baths.

With Wyoming, Idaho and California Mountain projects swirling on summer drafting boards, my team and I discussed several ways we could incorporate this technology seamlessly into your multi-generational, multi-use, family ranch or mountain estate. We narrowed it to five (5) overall design schematics.

Let me know which you prefer and what your thoughts are. I love this part of being a Designer. As you well know, creativity and Read More

June 3, 2015
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What’s New in the World of Design #BlogTourNYC @Modenus

By | #BlogTourNYC, Design Fundamentals | No Comments

This month’s “Stylish Solutions” Column in Lamorinda Weekly.

Reaching 65,000+ in Bucolic Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda. Click HERE. Like, comment, and share.

My team and I absolutely love local and are passionate about supporting local businesses, communities and friends.Lamorinda Weekly reaches 65,000 people.

This month’s column is titled: “What’s New in the World of Design from New York Design Week”

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My thoughts about design week tend towards making au courant design relevant to today’s homeowner in bucolic communities around the country. Our towns are relatively small and unhurried even though they are within commuting distance of San Francisco and tech-centric South Bay (Palo Alto, San Jose).

I believe it’s one of the reasons Orinda was voted the second most friendly town in America by Forbes in 2012. The geography helps, as you can see. Winding roads, oak dotted hills.

orinda forbesWe still have hometown parades, an original deco movie theater and small downtown businesses: ice cream & yogurt shops, coffee shops, tack shops, antique & consignment stores. I’ve often dreamed of having a quaint office across from the Country Club and keep my eye on those historic spaces. I have a heart for that old Phair’s Building and row of small buildings. Yes, I love the old, small and quaint nature of our downtown. Can you see our beautiful office someday in one of those? I can. Buzzed in, monthly salon talks, trunk shows for custom fabrics, music playing, original building in tact but re-done? Tea in the front room. Lovely. I digress…one can always dream.

Lamorinda is a special place and I am deeply grateful to live here and work from here.

copper in cabinet kips

Copper in Christopher Peacock Cabinetry. I love custom beauty.

We also do not compromise on design. The question is, how do you translate what is trending on the runway so-to-speak into daily life in the suburbs? I love modern, but it is not always appropriate to the setting.

My top three thoughts centered around:

1) making tradition current

2) keeping it real in scale & displays on tables, consoles and counters

3) using natural or artisan made products whenever possible

I shared on these three in my article.

Later this week, we chat Dacor.

Blessings,

Ann McD.

 

May 27, 2015
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Luxury Design From Modenus Blog Tour During New York’s Design Week

By | Multi-Generation, Succession Living | No Comments

Designing space for your multiple generations is not always easy or seamless. Sometimes we find generations have different thoughts about style, function or even what constitutes Luxury Design in the moment. At Couture Chateau my team and I spend a great deal of time learning about the best design has to offer so we can educate you, our cherished client base. Once we educate, it’s time for edits.

facebook blog tour cover

Here is where wisdom comes in to play.

I like wisdom. It designs. It listens and learns. It also chooses. And edits fiercely.

How to share our newest discoveries so you can wisely edit? Tough call. There are so many. Over the next two weeks, we are compiling blog posts so you can glean the best and leave the rest. Here is a quick run down from our most recent trip.

Blog Tour Group

During Design Week, we traversed the country from San Francisco to New York courtesy of Modenus and touched base with:

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August 5, 2014
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Discretion is Missing: Why Legacy Philanthropic Lifestyle Design is A Lost Art by Ann McDonald

By | Design Fundamentals, Extended Absence, Multi-Generation, Succession Living | 2 Comments

Discretion:

noun
  • the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.

There is something to be said for not shouting the price. Legacy Philanthropic Lifestyle Design understands why.

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the price high of course, the value is honor paid to craftsmen and women who steward their best gift for beauty

There is also something to be said for understanding the cost. Legacy Philanthropic Lifestyle Design understand how.

Ann McDonald Humanitarian Work Amor Ministries in Mexico

we bring water to a camp out of the country so volunteers can serve others

There is a difference. Wisdom contains it.

I am from the Bay Area these days, less travel, more home. More virtual, less hustle. As a Decorator by trade, Designer by heart, I watch and long to pour into my clients and friends the lessons learned at discretion’s feet. The blessings that discrete curated processes of design provide to life and limb, mind, body and soul.

Curated discreet spaces. The kind that hold and nurture not the kind that scream and shout. The kind that build legacy and curate hope, not the kind that scream “look at me, I’m designed!”, the kind that breed safety and acceptance not the kind that shout judgment and condemnation.

Couture Chateau Alternate Ad Picture for Brandon

custom crafted from antique historic columns it brings discreet soul to new construction

Space changes us. Designed space really changes us. Cathedrals and prisons are designed spaces. Ponder that for a minute. At the core, someone somewhere understood that space designed changes people.

Discretion.

If I could give my next gen Designers one thing: Discretion. If I could give my “why isn’t my design business working” friends Read More

June 4, 2014
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Stylish Solutions for Drought Wise Decorating, Lamorinda Weekly

By | Design Fundamentals, Lamorinda Weekly | No Comments

I absolutely love writing for our local paper. I was born in a small town in Western Kansas and hold anything “local” no matter where, in high regard. When Jennifer Wake called a few weeks ago and asked if I’d be interested in writing a regular column every other issue in Our Homes Section for the Lamorinda Weekly (covers three tight knit bucolic Northern California Towns/Cities: Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda), I could not say YES fast enough.

It was better than getting a call from the biggies in the Design Business (though, Elle Decor, you know my answer is always yes for you as well)

Ann Featured in Elle Decor on Luxury Now

Ann Featured in Elle Decor on Luxury Now

I have long enjoyed reading this section and perusing the fabulous garden tips and local musings. Heaven.

This week, my contribution is on Drought Wise Decorating. As we ride the current California Drought, how DO you design Read More