Whenever people ask me, “What’s your style?” I say, “My style is cool.  I help you find your own style – your own cool.” People give me a hard time for being enamored of the word “cool” – try to get me to replace it with – “hip” or “trendy” (ack!) or – some word more du jour.  But I keep coming back to the world “cool”…..

I was intrigued when I came across this Time article on the “Coolest Person of the Year”.  Even though I don’t know who Ryan Gosling is (if Netflix doesn’t pick it for me, I don’t know it), I could tell he had that “cool factor” – at least for a guy…..

(notice the article defines “cool” as the “Marlon Brando way – an unshakable calm mixed with a confidence that comes from not needing others”…..

Although the basic insight is there, I don’t think that is the cool I aspire to…..

…..I think of my sexy, bold, wild-haired philosophy professor Yifat, whom I admired, and all the boys were in love with…..

This cool chick kind reminds me of her.  And she reminds me of what I endeavor to find in my clients, and help them express in their home interiors…..

So I take this New Years moment to ponder the meaning of the word “cool” as it relates to interiors…..

Henry Winkler put his finger on it when he said, “Cool is being comfortable in your own skin.  Everything stems from that.”  So let’s look at a few “cool spaces” – and see how they’re cool…..

…..This built-in window seat looks like it could be Yifat’s:  The huge view outdoors streaming into this library nook is unexpectedly exciting.  The window seat is so natural feeling, the slouchy pillows sexy and inviting…..Perfect for reading philosophical books and contemplating the New Year…..

…..but coolness doesn’t just come in casual forms.  Understated glam is cool, especially if it doesn’t sacrifice luxury or utility…..

To me it is harder to be cool and be “dressy” at the same time.  But this living room, although it is fancy and dressy, presents itself as cool…..I think it’s the disheveled pink velvet couch…..

…..Spontaneity and ease is always present in coolness, as with this outdoor lounge…..

…..But coolness – and its requisite spontaneity – can come in a highly “designed” form – as with this utterly cool shower, with (I would imagine) a gorgeous view of the Alps or something, an inviting wooden bench offsetting the pale blue arabesque tile, handsome spa-like cabinetry, and a luxurious oriental rug…..You could really take a long, comfy shower in here (and I am a bath person) and watch the sun set over the Alps or something…..

Adaptive reuse of cool buildings is way cool…..as with this 50′s era ferry converted into a spa in Montreal…..

…..or this 60′s waterfront restaurant converted into a chic clothing store…..

But adaptive reuse can be very simple, and still be way cool – as with this turn-of-the century warehouse window serving as a headboard.  The yellow trunk  and bedspread and blue lamp are playfully offset by this “chill” glassy backdrop…..

And “chill” is probably the definition of cool…..

1.  Via Time Magazine

2.  Via theimpossiblecool.tumblr.com

3.  Via thesartorialist.blogspot.com

4.  Via safdierabines.com

5.  Via retropolitanstyle.blogspot.com

6.  Via littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

7.  Via browndresswithwhitedots.tum

8.  Via browndresswithwhitedots.tum

9 & 10.  Via Contract Magazine

11.  Via my “design inspiration file”.  If you know of its source, please leave it in the comments.

So in case you didn’t know, the color du jour is gray.  Soft, dreamy gray.  A little cool, but warm enough to barely avoid melancholy.  While I tend to question blindly following the trends, all the same – in some settings – it just makes sense…..

…..when you have a bad-ass collection of Jennifer Quigley artwork which is its inspiration…..

…..when you have a clever idea to use unfinished canvas for a curtain divider…..

…..when you need to dream….. concentrate….. create…..

My friend Kimble Bosworth didn’t know she was headed for the gray du jour, when she asked me to help with her office remodel – renegades that we are.  However….. sometimes, what’s hot is…..cool…..

Kimble Bosworth is Nashville’s it girl to promote your company’s brand.  She also has a super cool office to match her branding savvy.  Call her for an appointment so you can check it out for yourself…..

Caroline Bryan “loves an outdoor room.”  Picture the kind you might come across on a Caribbean getaway…..

Her husband is “more of a mountain guy” who loves to grill out.

Both of them enjoy hanging out and entertaining family and good friends.

So when they decided to expand their back deck, Caroline challenged me to help her fit it all together:  Some great resort-style lounge seating, a table and chairs with a weather-hardy chandelier overhead, outdoor drapes, and – of course - the family heirloom grill!  So here is a sneak peek of what we’ve come up with…..

Starting with a lovely setting in the hills outside of Nashville…..

…Our “outdoor room” on the boards…..

…And a table and chairs, outdoor drapes, lighting and lounge furniture - on the way…..

It all should arrive just in time for a little Mid-March outdoor party (cross your fingers…..)  The Tennessee hills in bloom will make an interesting view from this spa-like outdoor setting.  And to complete the resort feel, we’ll need one more thing…..

…..a gorgeous table setting…..

Stay tuned for a visual party invite…..

1) Hermitage Bay on Antigua, via Coastal Living Magazine

2) Via Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals

3)  Bryan outdoor deck

4) &5)  Marcelle’s concept sketches

6) & 7) Furniture by Restoration Hardware.  Fabrics by Sunbrella.  Lighting by Designers Gallery, Nashville, TN.