Gunkelmans Interior Design Blog

Gunkelmans was asked to participate in the WAMSO Settings of Note fundraising event.   Designers and other companies are asked to design a table setting on a theme of choice and then (mostly) women bid on the items on the table.   All the proceeds go to WAMSO which is the MN Orchestra Volunteer Association that provides music education.  Supporting the arts has always been a priority of Gunkelmans and this is a fun way for us to get involved.

 
Since it is mostly women that attend the event, we thought about what is something that all women love?  Well a spa, of course!  So our table setting was designed by Jodi Mellin with a Spa Retreat theme.

A simple "meal" of sushi and cucumber water were featured on the table surrounded by calming colors of pink, green and creamy white.   Tasteful orchids and greens adorned the table top and natural wicker added a beautiful calming texture.  Spa related beauty products were placed at each setting as well.   

 
The Spa Retreat theme was a huge hit at the event!   Gunkelmans can also help you with any party; graduation, wedding, holidays etc.  We have a fabulous staff of designers that can bring out the inner creativity in you!

A special thank you to all the donated products, we couldn't have done such a wonderful table without your generosity.

• Arts in Flowers for the beautiful flowers
• Scherping Westphal for fabrics
• Holly Hunt for fabrics
• Lisa Hoffman Beauty for beauty products
• Ms Pedicure for beauty products
• Karen Neuburger for spa socks
• Cypress Bathrobes
• EcoTools for beauty products
• Origins for beauty products
• Baker Knapp & Tubbs showroom for chairs & mirror
• KDR showroom for the mannequin
• Helen Fraiser Showroom for the chandelier
• Spalon Montage for massage and pedicure
• Karen Deblock of Thomas Charles Salon for hair treatment & cut
• Aarcee Party Rental

Me:   Honey, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I'm in love with another man.

Husband: Who is it this time… Hugh Jackman?

Me:  Nope.  I was introduced to this man at the office, and am totally smitten.

Husband:  Okay, so do you have some new hunky UPS man?

Me:   Wrong again.  I don't even know what this man looks like.

Husband:  Aaahh good, so he's not my competition?

Me:   Well, his name is Mark Alexander, and I'm not even sure he actually exists… but it was love at first sight! 

I have recently been introduced to an amazing new fabric line called Mark Alexander that I can't get out of my head.   It is a newly developed luxury brand for Romo that seems to hit all the "marks" (no pun intended) as the type of fabric we like to use in our projects at our firm.

 
The line is luxurious, yes… but it's also simple and straightforward.   Each of the fabrics has a wonderful hand (meaning they just feeeeeel great when you touch them) and there's an organic and somewhat tribal aesthetic to the collection.   I love injecting that sense of old-worldliness somewhere in a design scheme, and these give me endless opportunities to do so.   Also, you can't even convey what a fabulous collection this is without talking about the sophisticated restrained use of color.   The whites are just right, the blues are the perfect shade and the grays are utterly irresistible.  

If you couldn't already tell, I really am a huge fan of Mark Alexander.   Below are images of some of my absolute favorites which sincerely don't do them enough justice.   It's exciting to have this new line available to offer our clients, and I can see a great future ahead working with my new "boyfriend".

From www.markalexander.com

"The Mark Alexander brand of fabric and wallcoverings is a high-end, luxury brand for Romo under the direction of in-house designers Mark Buther and Alex McKenzie, formerly designers for the Hodsoll McKenzie brand, now owned by Zimmer & Rohde.   In concert with domestic mills, the pair says they will focus on the development of natural fabrics in cotton, linen, wool, silk and mixes.  It will be a diversification from the bright coloration of the Romo brand, to understated elegance in softer colorations.  These are classic designs with tactile qualities and understated luxury."

If you'd like to see additional images of this fabulous collection, visit Mark Alexander.  

Or if you'd like to see it in person, give us a call!

Submitted by Marita Simmons

What do you get when you combine a wonderful, historic paint and wallpaper company with a world renowned perfumer?

 
A scented candle by Farrow & Ball and Jo Malone!  

We love Farrow & Ball paints for their beautiful historic colors and earth friendly paints.    And who doesn't love a Jo Malone fragrance?  The scents are divine. 

With scent being the strongest of our senses, it's important to have a wonderful scent that reflects you and your home.   The new marriage brings forth five new fragrant candles encased in a container with a different Farrow & Ball paint color for each scent.  One will surely fit your lifestyle!

The scents available are:

• Lime Basil & Mandarin in Breakfast Room Green (No. 81)
• Wild Fig & Cassis in Pelt (No. 254)
• Blue Agava & Cacao in Oval Room Blue (No. 85)
• Grapefruit in Farrow's Cream (No. 67)
• Pomegranate Noir in Eating Room Red (No. 43)