New Inspiration ...

I've done my very level best to share with the readers and friends of this blog all of the inspirational designers and photos I have kept in clipping files, e-files, and short-term memory; so when I happened upon New York designer, Eric Cohler: I had to blog about it right away.

Attractive, talented, and full of creative genius, Cohler has been described as best of the best in the "next wave of designers in America." I've seen and admired the work of Cohler in several design magazines (House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and House and Garden) in the past, but it was recently brought to my attention by a good friend that he would be one of the 3 designers for the Traditional Home Show House to benefit Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation, in Montauk, NY.

For more information on the Traditional Home Show House in NY this November, click here.

I pulled only a few of Cohler's inspiring portfolio pieces to show you here, but you can view the entire portfolio on Cohler's site . While there, make sure to read Eric's impressive resume.

This hallway shot, looking into the bedroom is my personal favorite of all Cohler's portfolio pieces. The grasscloth and bamboo wallpaper, super dark finished walnut floors, and the architectural significance of the diamond paned french doors are a dream for anyone who luckily rests their head in this magnificent room. Exemplary of Cohler's affinity of mixing traditional with the unexpected, this room begs to be photographed, don't you think?


Here, in this family room/den - Cohler plays again with the unexpected themes of his design by adding the graphic geometric to the ceiling. Look familiar? What better than a massive representation of a scrabble board on the ceiling of a family room. Evokes feelings of my family's game nights, "Fun Family Friday".


Certainly, any decorator who is chosen to work with this architecture comes with high recommendations. Can't you see entertaining brunch at this very table? A carrot cake french toast served with fresh glazed pecan cream cheese and fresh melon? Perhaps that's what I love most about Cohler's fresh design - it's livable, friendly.

The choice of clear (Philip Starke) columns to allow the windows to remain the star of the show is the perfect touch. I am in love with the simple arrangement on the table, the reflection of glass upon glass upon glass, the connection with nature from both the architectural and interior design perspectives. You can see why Cohler is one of my very favorite design guru's.

We all long for this look, don't we? The infamous hall of pictures, each off-center from the rest, yet making this lovely geometric pattern people can't help but to notice. Cohler takes that geometric thought and moves it to the stair case runner, and even in the wall paper - though very little of it is seen.

It's these small touches, insignificant at the time, that create a beautiful finished product, capable of lasting through trends and cliche's.

And finally, another favorite. This feels like home to me, even though the space is clearly not anything like the architecture of our humble abode. But the textures, the layering, the juxtapose of large scale pieces, like the console and the woven basket against the small chair: it's home-like, cocooning, special.

I hope you get a chance to browse Cohler's site, and if you're in the NY area, I'll see you at the show house in November!