The Treehouse Project

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Our treehouse project in Richmond is truly an amazing before and after. Architect Pat McClane did an superb job of recreating a simple Cape Cod house by opening up the floor plan and adding some key architectural elements like the arched windows. 

You can see some more photos of this house in this month's Rhome Magazine but here are some photos of other rooms that were not shot for the magazine. 

The client likes to call this her treehouse because when the back doors are open you feel like you are in the trees. We took this idea and added color, art and items that echoed this  in a subtle way.

We love the beautiful sliding back doors painted black. 

 

Our Bridget Beari Colors paint Pia No. 31 really shines in this amazing master bedroom. Those windows, although a challenge to cover for privacy, are a real showstopper! 

Collected and colorful was our goal! 

Our subtle nod to our client's love for the University of Richmond spiders! 

Thanks for stopping by to check out our work! We are super busy this fall with the DC Design House, Southern Living showhouse, Southern Style Now Traditional Home Showhouse in Savannah, and of course the opening of our new store: Bridget Beari Home. 

Southeastern Atlanta Designer Showhouse

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Bridget Beari Designs was trilled to have participated in last month's Atlanta Showhouse sponsored by Atlanta Home and Lifestyles Magazine. We have been working in Atlanta our the past few years so this seemed like a perfect fit.  We were given the little boy's room and chose to create a space that paid homage to handcrafted items as well as a nod to the historic nature of the home.

You can see some Scandinavian influences in the design through the use of texture and materials. I wanted to create a room showcasing our Bridget Beari Colors paint but do something more creative than paint a wall so I designed this wood headboard in 5 of our Bridget Beari Colors - Rambo, Maddy Tingy, Caesar, Beebop, and Snowball. It became the anchor for our design.

From the headboard came handcrafted items from Tate Pray, a Charlottesville craftsman who made the bed and the Poof Chair in Walnut. A beautiful and simple design that coordinated so well with the antique chest and leather chair. 

Touches of texture in the Kat Kozy quilted throw in raw Murino wool, the Moroccan wool black rug with super long tassel edges, wool draperies, and linen sheeting.

Handcrafted clipboards with map art were a perfect choice for changing art in a kids room. Our selection of Baltimore artist Theresa Bauer kept a simple image with white void space and natural framing. 

Following the geometric shapes of the headboard came the off centered light fixture - again with space voids. You can also see from this angle the wool draperies are made of 3 different patterns sewn together to create a trapezoid shape when the two panels are closed together. 

The theme of the room was "A Boy and his Dog in Springtime" everything a boy might do or enjoying doing - walking his dog, canoeing, archery, hiking in the woods, and enjoying a comfortable and cozy room when he returned home.

Our African dog collar and dog trophies continued our theme. 

Accents of brass to hint at the historic nature of the home and give warmth to the room. 

Black and White Dog Portraits by Amanda Jones, a renown photographer from Boston. 

I find a designer hour is the perfect place to experiment with ideas. Mixing shapes and patterns was a big part of this rooms dynamic.

Only measuring about 10' X 16' the room packs a punch but is also relaxing and cozy. 

The Pierre Frey sham was the perfect combination of shapes and colors to accent the bed and the round ball Designer Guild wool a perfect distraction from all the angles. 

Black iron frames of feathers seem to float on the white walls. 

Adding the pop of yellowrod leather gives the room energy as well as nod to antiques. A home that has collected items and history. 

A little whimsy in the bathroom filled with hand painted bulls eyes to continue our theme. 

Thank you to all our vendors, craftsmen and women, carpenters, movers, and fans! We had a great time in Atlanta meeting new and old friends!

The wood headboard was designed using 5 of our Bridget Beari Colors
- Rambo, Maddy Tingy, Caesar, Beebop, and Snowball -

Bridget Beari's National Ad for DXV

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Have you seen the latest DXV national ad Campaign launched in all the major magazines? I was fortunate to be chosen among the 4 designers across the country to help DXV, American Standard's luxury plumbing line, design a bathroom in one of their selected themes.

 All room photos by Earl Kendall studios

The theme was Design movements inspired by certain eras and cities. My theme was 1890-1920 Charleston, South Carolina.

Everyone asks how the design process works with DXV and what is really amazing is that we, the designer's, really designed these bathrooms and kitchens as we envisioned them. No corporate PR direction just pure design from real designers. That is what makes this experience and the DXV group so incredible! 


How it starts: 

Veronika Miller, of Modenus is the brainchild behind the concept of designing real spaces with real designers. Here she is as she explains the process and introduces this year's cities: 

Since my theme was the early 1900's, I did research on the progressive era after the Victorian clutter but before modernism. Having visited Charleston many times I love the historic homes, the architecture, and the symmetry in the designs. Taking something noticeably antique and classic and making it modern was my goal.

Here is a video of all the designs: 

My design highlights reflecting Charleston include: 

symmetry
spiderweb window
crown moulding pulled from Drayton Hall
Greek Key motif
Black and white marble floor
Brass Fretwork
English grisaille mural
hutch metal top from an English kitchen 

The spiderweb window was a focal point as this classic Georgian motif immediately reminds me of Southern style. An attempt to recreate the cultured and dignified styles of Europe but with a new world twist. 

I was very focused on keeping the symmetry that is why the inverted niches at the corners were so important to the design. If you look on the floor plan, Those curves mimic what happens in the shower wall. 

The large scale crown moulding runs throughout the space giving it a sense of grandeur and classic luxury. 

Everything was built on set directly from these drawings with only 1 on site meeting with the art director and 1 day of shopping locally for accessories. The Sheraton chair, brass hinges, guerdion table, green vases, shaving brush and antique frames were all bought at local antique stores in Minneapolis, an amazing city! 

Thank you to Decorators Supply for the crown moulding

There were phone calls during the building process but by the time we arrived on set the bathroom was built. The team did an amazing job getting all the details just right. Although they said my plans were so detailed there weren't many questions! 

My job on-site the final day was to help with the finishing touches and styling to get it just right!

I wanted the bathroom to be a look back to a classic era but also a look forward to a bathroom that could be used today. I live in an older home so designing something that looks classic but feels modern was the intent.

 Key modern elements: 

  • curved glass shower wall

  • oversizing the Greek Key motif

  •  gloss emerald green tile highlighted with the black linear Greek key tile- current trend color

  • geometric marble pattern in the shower

  • modern Flemish photo with bubble wrap in her hair as a veil. 

  •  addition of the brass - current trend

  • black undermount sinks

Thank you to Schumacher for the fabric on the antique chair

Thank you to Heritage Tile for their gloss green tile
Thank you to Earl Kendall studios for the Flemish girl photo

I found that this is really where DXV products shined for me. The selection was spot on for the design. Classic Oakhill toilet, cross handle Randall faucet in the beautiful aged brass finish, the classic Fitzgerald tub, Tub filler again the perfect shape and finish, the shepard hook shower arm and cross handle levers in the shower and sinks. I mixed it up with adding the Pop black undercount sinks for a modern touch.

Thank you to Mural Source for the wallpaper

The vanity was my pride and joy as I designed the entire piece and it was constructed just perfectly. The fluted carerra marble front, the fretwork from Decorator's Supply, Bridget Beari Colors metallics paint MT Bastille Brass, metal hood with brass tips, custom mirrors, antique mirror backs in the center shelves. It was a beauty!

I am so proud of this design as it is the perfect marriage of old and new. It celebrates the classic era in a 21st century way.

Thank you to everyone that made this ad possible - Veronika Miller, Modenus team , DXV team, Earl Kendall studios, Jim Goulet ( and team ), videographers, photographers, stylists and more! It was a team effort and a dream come to life.

Look for the ad in all the national shelter magazines, Veranda, Southern Living, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest and more! 

Give us a shout out on our Instagram or Twitter @bridgetbeari if you see it in print! 

Check out all the other amazing designs from this year's DXV Designer panel

 Keep Making Things Beautiful …….

Bridget Beari in Tulum Mexico

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I am thrilled to show you one of the most exciting Bridget Beari projects, Casa Yakunah. I designed the interior of this private home in Tulum Mexico.

The house is located 2 hours south of Cancun in the biosphere reserve called the Sian K'aan. This section of land is surround by the Caribbean on one side and the lagoon on the other. It is a stunning piece of property. 

The house was designed by Mexican architect from Cancun. We had many challenges between the Mexican architect, the American designer and the Italian contractor plus most of the workers were Mayan so there were 3 different languages spoken most of the time. 

Bringing containers of tile, furniture, lighting from the US and sourcing many things with local craftsmen created the perfect combination of modern comforts, unique design elements and organic pieces.

The main living area is a typical palapa design - beautifully made by the local workers. It is mesmerizing to just stare at its beauty. The Tucker Robbins bean chairs and sconces are incredible. The Teracea coffee table from the a single tree trunk is a beauty. ( no trees are cut down for the tables. They only use trees that have fallen naturally ) The Gaston y Daniela bird pillows bring in all the beautiful colors - turquoise, pinks, purples and blues. They were may inspiration piece. The handmade light fixtures in the center of the palapa create a dramatic and beautiful glow in the room. The front doors are also hand carved by a local craftsman. 

The master tub is hand made from mahagony. It is extremely comfortable and required many dry testing lay downs for the perfect fit.

The roof top pool is a stunner. With Italian tile that I fought for and finally one the contractor over. The tile pattern beautifully plays off the blue green of the Caribbean sea.

The house is also self sustaining with its own water source, septic system and windmill. Not to mention its own jaguar and crocs and lizards!

Each of the bedrooms have wall treatments behind the beds - bamboo rods, wave patterns and coconut shells. Fabrics by Manual Canovas, Osborne and Little, Galbraith & Paul, and 

The guest bathroom has a custom designed concrete sink with wave patterns. 

The powder room has a onyx sink and Moroccan Walker Zanger silver tiles. 

The dining room has a table by Teracea, a light fixture by Lepere, and chairs by Janus et Cie with fabric by LuLu DK

There is a dock on the lagoon side for fabulous fishing trips which on our last trip there my husband took advantage of. He caught tarpon, bonefish, snapper, and snook. 

The staff is incredible - Antonio, Paula, Juan, Carlitos cater to your every wish. Prosecco by the ocean, dinner under the moonlight, massages with ocean breeze by Claudia - amazing! 

I am so grateful to have amazing clients who give me such great projects and trust in my design vision. It is truly a magical place. 

If you want to see more visit the house's website and like them on facebook! Casa Yakunah

The Big Reveal!

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Drum Roll Please.......

Here it is the Bridget Beari Designer House room. Well actually it's a back hallway and staircase. I purposely chose the stairwell as a unique space where I could showcase the Bridget Beari Colors and create a dramatic space from nothing. 

You enter the space from the grand foyer. All the colors are from the Bridget Beari Color line - Snowball walls, Beaureguard window trim, Truffle floor, Baron Boy handrail, and Pickle bookcase.High gloss white walls with a painted floor in the octagon pattern - distressed and aged.  A complete contrast to the high gloss painted walls, trim and ceiling. Notice the 200 yds. of flat braid around the room from Kravet. 

The hallway is filled with figurative sketches from Andi Helfant-Fyre from Virginia Beach. The door is upholstered in fabric from Zimmer Rhode with the addition of the antique mirrors and the P.E. Guerin acrylic door handle. 

Here is a detail of the fabric on the door. 

 

You turn the corner to the left and see our custom built octagonal bookcase in our Pickle color also in the high gloss paint. The bookcase was designed to complement the floor design and the white accessories really make the bookcase pop. I love the white and silver books and the oyster shell balls. 

People have loved the hanging agave leaves! 

As you turn to the stairwell you see the beautiful hand painted agate wall by H.J.Holtz and Son., the real botanical elephant ears from Anne Blackwell Thompson and the chandelier from Moura Starr called Aqua. 

Here is a photo with the chandelier lit. The drapery fabric is from Kravet ( linen and raffia embroidery) with the acrylic pole rods. 

Did you notice our new staircase? We removed the bead board wall that went to the basement as well as the door and wall that entered into the basement. We remade the newell post and handrail to add the glass. This really opened up and modernized this back hall. Can you see that the interior of the window is painted a different color? Only 2 people have noticed that detail. I wish I had a prize to give them. 

The carpet runner is linen over the painted floor pattern. The curved glass at the top of the stairs is incredible! The brighter color green is from the designer's room downstairs but notice how we cut the agate into pieces to meet her paint. It really has the illusion of real stone! 

Here is a detail of the flat braid around the room - remember 200 yds! 

A detail of the floor design: 

Another detail of the flat braid, drapery, runner and floor! 

A close up of the agate! 

Custom radiator cover. I love the Echeveria plant in the silver shell container. 

Looking toward the back hall. 

Close up of the leaves! 

This is the last week the Designer House is open so come out and see me. Next week everything comes down and back to neutral. So sad! 

It has been a fun experience to share the Bridget Beari Colors and Designs with so many people. The crowd has been overwhelming enthusiastic and complimentary about the space and the paints. So until next time......

Happy Painting ......