News and Announcements

May/June 2009- Janelle is quoted in Teresa Bitler’s article “Best Face Forward”  for Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, May-June Issue, p.62.

May 6, 2009- Janelle is again a contributor for the May issue of the interior design industry publication, PLiNTH & CHiNTZ. Part II of a two part article, “Keeping Good Clients” is published today.

April 23, 2009- Janelle’s article “The Perfect Peach Paint” is published on My Perfect Color.

April 6, 2009- Janelle is a contributor for the April issue of the interior design industry publication, PLiNTH & CHiNTZ. Part I of a two part article, “Avoiding Bad Clients” is published today.

March 10, 2009- Janelle’s article “The Accent Wall” is published on My Perfect Color.

February 20, 2009- Janelle’s article “Popular Colors for 2009″ is published on My Perfect Color.

February 18, 2009- Janelle’s article “Green for Everyone…Not Just the Modern Folks” is published on AvaLiving.com.

February 7, 2009- Janelle’s first article, “The Designer’s Guide to Paint Colors” for My Perfect Color is posted.

February 4, 2009- Janelle’s article “The Essential Accessory” is published on AvaLiving.com.

February 4, 2009- Janelle Steinberg to participate in “Chairs for Charity”, an ASID event to take place at the Art House in conjunction with Orange Coast Magazine. The gala and auction will benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

February 3, 2009- Launch of Janelle Steinberg’s newly revamped design blog, Maison Classique. (See the sticky above!).

February 2, 2009- Second issue of JSD E-zine goes out to readers. (Are you signed up yet?!)

January 28, 2009- Janelle is quoted in syndicated article for special section “Bridal Guide” on The Monitor and Victorville Daily Press.

January 25, 2009- In talks to be a featured design contributor to My Perfect Color blog. Janelle Steinberg to write a continual column and create color palettes with Benjamin Moore colors…more details to follow.

January 2, 2009- First issue of JSD E-zine goes out to readers. (Sign up if you haven’t already!)

Introducing “Maison Classique”!

I am thrilled to announce my new blog format and site: Maison Classique! Some of the kinks are still being worked out…but please bookmark it and add it to your blog rolls, its here to stay!.

screen shot of {maison classique}

All of the information on J Steinberg Design will still be availabe here. We are also adding a News and Announcements ticker post (see below) to this site in order to keep you abreast of new happenings.

All of the retail and trade product picks, editorials, Q+A, general news from the interior design world, project boards and other goodies will be posted to Maison Classique.

Check it out and let me know what you think! I am excited for this new chapter!

Weekly Retail Pick: A Lamp Finial

Weekly Retail Pick:

Brass Lamp Finial

How to use it: As a topper to a lamp, of course! Unscrew the plain one your lamp probably came with and replace. Voila! Will a lamp finial change your life? Probably not. Will it look so nice that you will wonder how you went without a proper lamp finial for all this time? Yes.

I want to make it clear that I do not recommend the crazy finials (for example, I really don’t think there is a time and place for a garish holiday finial- even if its Christmas!). Keep the shape simple and elegant. Select a finial with a finish already present in your room (meaning, don’t introduce chrome if you are currently living with brass). Lastly, don’t fight with the lamp- the finial serves as an accent, not a focal point.

How to get it: Once you are aware of lamp finials, they will pop up in lots of little places. You can wait for the surprise of finding the perfect one, or you can indulge in instant gratification here. This particular selection is from LampFinials.com.

Price: $8

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design

Weekly Trade Pick: Gray and White Damask

Weekly Trade Pick:

20897 “Nickel” Damask by Duralee Fabrics

How to use it: This fabric would look great in a Transitional style interior. The classic Damask motif, (pronounced dam-isk), paired with a current colorway and contemporary styling (big and bold!) make it great for Transitional styles. This is a large pattern- so it should also be used on larger things…drapery panels, bedding, upholstered headboard. This should not be used on small throw pillows, small benches or ottomans, etc.

Product Description: Espresso or Nickel (pictured here) colorway. 27″ x 27″ pattern repeat, 54″ width. 100% cotton.

Retail Price: $45 per yard

JSD Price: $27 per yard

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design

Weekly Retail Pick: Marquetry Tray

Weekly Retail Pick:

Marquetry Tray by Williams Sonoma Home

How to use it: Use a tray as both an accessory and an organizational tool just about anywhere. Read this post for ideas. (As a side note, marquetry is a decorative veneer made up of shaped pieces of wood in different colors that are pieced together to form a pattern or picture. ) This tray is made of mahogany, maple and cherry wood- gorgeous!

How to get it: This one is an internet exclusive. Get it here.

Retail Price: $168 square, $198 rectangle

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design

Editorial: The Essential Tray

I find that there are a few essential accessories that any room, regardless of style, can use as part of a total look. The top accessory? A Tray. Not only do trays look nice, they function well, too!

Trays unify and organize. They provide an opportunity to bring in an accent material, color and/or finish. Throw a tray under just about anything or a group of somethings, and it immediately looks pulled together and “finished”.

As a guideline when shopping, the things to remember are the following: 1) there are many different sizes and shapes of trays (large, small, long, square, circular), and scale should be a consideration; 2) trays are made of all sorts of materials such as bamboo, silver, acrylic, copper, wood, porcelain, leather, stainless steel…the options are endless! Choose a material that will live in harmony with your interior and provide a subtle accent.

Ten ways to use a tray throughout the home:

1- Place a tray on the entry or hall table. Phone, keys, wallet, planner, mail….let the tray be the dumping ground. The tray prevents “clutter spread” by concentrating it all in one place. Plus, a tray in this location saves you time- since you know where you left your keys.

2- Place a small tray under meal necessities. Items such as the salt and pepper and the sugar bowl (I even venture to add vitamins, but place them in a glass jar for aesthetics sake, first) can be displayed nicely when not in use, and can easily be carried to and from the morning room, dining room or outdoor eating area.

3- In the dining room, a tray on the sideboard can anchor a swanky cocktail set. Or a fancy wine decanter and wine “tools”. Or a collection of your grandmother’s crystal…

4- In the living room, a tray can be used atop a table to showcase a small collection of whatever it is you collect. It can also showcase a mixed collection to create a tablescape- think of a small stack of books with a small bud vase and a few objects. Just lovely.

5- In the family room, a large tray can act as a table. Set it on the ottoman and you have a surface for drinks, snacks, or an area for display (see living room, #4).

6- In the bedroom, a small “valet” try can serve as a catch all for cuff links, watches, earrings, etc.

7- In the bathroom, a tray can house and display bath products on a ledge or on the vanity. Cologne and perfume look especially lovely grouped on a tray atop the vanity.

8- In the closet, several small trays can help with organizing accessories and jewelry. A bunch of small trays or tiny shallow bowls organized on one large tray looks really hip. You will want to organize your stuff if it looks that good after you do it!

9- In the office- tray it up! One linear tray can hold thumb drives, SD cards, iPods, wrapped up ear buds, etc. Its a desk lifesaver since it keeps place and is easily accessible throughout the workday. If you are into having all your supplies out on the desk, utilize #8 for your paperclips, rubber bands, sticky flags, etc.

10- In the garage or utility room, a sturdy tray can hold the dog leash, grooming tools, and plastic baggies for walks. All in one place, all the time.

Steven Thomas Antiques….going out of business!

Steven Thomas Antiques, in Orange County, California,   is going out of business!

Everything is 50% off and they are, sadly, closing their doors forever.

They are located off of the Dyer exit on the 55 freeway in Santa Ana, CA. Go in or call for

available merchandise. Find their contact information here.

Weekly Trade Pick: Fretwork Tile

Weekly Trade Pick:

Soho Series Fretwork Liner Tile

by Walker Zanger

How to use it: This is a liner or border tile. Perfect at the top of a backsplash, for use as a tile “chair rail”,  or to frame out a more intricate tile design (such as a mosaic or decorative tile feature). Use this on the wall- not the floor. The geometric fretwork pattern makes this motif  current and classic at the same time- perfect for a Transitional interior style.

Product Description: 2″ x 8″, glazed with a subtle crackle. Ceramic.

Retail Price: $16.00 each

JSD Price: $14.40 each

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design

Weekly Retail Pick: Chandelier

Weekly Retail Pick:

Fabian Chandelier by Chandi

How to use it: This too cool chandelier would add sparkle and add that “wow” factor to an entry, a dining room, music room (I can just see it over a grand piano!), a  fancy bathroom or any other appropriate place you can think of. I love this chandelier because its a new take on a classic, and a very mod shape. The drum shape makes it undeniably current and the crystals add that classic, stately look. This chandelier would shine in classic, transitional and the right type of contemporary interior. I Love it (now, if only I had a place for another light fixture…)!

How to get it: Contact the good people at Chandi Design

Retail Price: The smaller model retails for $6,100, the larger (not shown) for $14,000.

Thank you to Chandi Design for the photo!

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design

January Editorial: Great Design is in the Details

You know that popular saying, “God is in the details”? Guess what…its true for great design, too. Read this editorial with “The Grande Gesutre” editorial from September 2007 (click here to read it).

Not only is great design derived from the Grand Gesture, (or, overall ’statement’), it is supported by the details that echo the big, broad brush strokes that are the Grande Gesture. Details can be built into the architecture and design itself, or they can be applied to an element of design. The little bits and pieces, the care of craft and design and the little extras, when done well, uplift and support the main idea. (However, when approached without restraint, they can quickly become too much!).

Designing down to the last layer, designing something unique for a client, taking something standard issue and customizing it, taking a common shape and reinventing it- all these things and more add depth and personality to a design. The details and “different-ness”, either in arrangement, application of materials or actual design signal that a designers hand was in a project and that the client, therefore, values great design.

In designing timeless spaces for my clients, its sometimes challenging to walk the line of classic and current. That’s where details come in. A guideline I use is to ask myself, “How can I elevate this expected shape or element into the unexpected?”. In doing so, I am able to add detail and create a design that sets itself apart and also supports the Grande Gesture. Easy as pie, right?

-Janelle Steinberg, ASID Allied

Director of Design

J Steinberg Design