Big Window Challenge - Concept + Design

Do you love ELLE DECOR as much as we do?

Are you ready for a challenge? Starting next Wednesday, I'll be representing ELLE DECOR in a two-week competition with designers from Apartment Therapy and Bloomingdale's as part of the 2010 Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge! Click to enlarge.

I have to say—after Top Design, I never thought I'd do another competition, but when editor-in-chief Margaret Russell and the folks over at ELLE DECOR asked me to do it, I didn't think twice. It was an instant yes!

Like last year's challenge, each designer will create a room on view at Bloomingdale's, layering it with a sense of narrative about who inhabits the space and how they might live. Voting will happen both online and at the store via cameras registering hand signals from passersby. How cool is that?

Now in thinking about my design, I've always been inspired by a spatter-paint print Harry Hinson designed back in 1974. Like most things, it goes in and out of fashion, but for me, it's a classically beautiful print that's more texture than pattern. I love its energy, its whimsy, its far-flung fantasy, like stars in an endless sky. Of course, covering all three walls would take a bit of courage, but if there's a unifying thread in every Elle Decor space, it's passion, personality—and flair! Here you can see my design palette with the Hinson print in rich, tonal blues, layered with vibrant pops of hot pink, turquoise, Hermes orange and gilded bronze. 

Now here was the glimmer of a space for the modern woman—hard-edged with a heart of gold. She's passionate, powerful, stylish and savvy with great joie de vivre! She works hard—damn hard—ascending the ladder of the media world with Herculean force. But as razor sharp as she is on the job, she's equally soft, some say even shy, at home. To her husband, she's a patient and loving partner. They've traveled the globe together, collecting art and antiques in faraway places. To her friends, whom she entertains often, she's a gracious and thoughtful host. And to her boys, the real joys in her life, she's the World—kind but firm, instilling in them an all-important principle by which she herself lives her life: Hard work pays off.

Here's the rendering (click to enlarge) that Jaithan did—his RISD education is paying off!—painstakingly cutting and pasting, coloring and retouching until we came up with a vision of our window and a view into the owner's life. From the beginning, I wanted the room to feel pre-war with traditional moldings updated with modern-day touches. The old brick fireplace I redid in limestone. Faded floors I washed with a faux bois finish in the same pretty blue as the moldings. The furniture, lighting and accessories, like the owner's personality itself, shimmer with a mix of classic and modern, new and old, together with a blend of bold patterns and vibrant colors. Of course, things are bound to vary slightly on installation, especially with all the propping I'm planning, but the essence will remain. It's been a fantasy project both for Jaithan and me to represent ELLE DECOR, and we're super excited for the road ahead! Voting starts Wednesday, everyone, so wish us luck!      

Comments

[maria]

Congrats on your win, Eddie, I love love love your window, its such a feast for the eyes, total party!

[Lisa@DestinationSeaborn]

Okay Eddie, that room description was totally me! Alright, maybe the woman I aspire to be! Love it! Good luck in the competition. I'll be anxious to see the real thing. Tell Jaithan he did an awesome job on the picture.

[Deborah Grace Kelly]

Eddie and Jaithan, I am so proud of you both. Everything you touch turns to gold. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the 28th.
Love, Deb

[Steve McKenzie]

Eddie,
What a beautiful room, I can't wait to see it and vote for it. It is no suprise that it would be so fantastic with you collaborating with Jaithan the RISD grad, you with your vision and Margret Russell the tastemaker extrodnaire. I cannot wait to see it and Artaissance and Larsn-Juhl is thrilled to be part of your vision. I hope everyone jumps on and vots for your window, the choice will be clear I am sure.

Let us know when the voting begins.

We had a great time with the tea and I always learn something form you when you are here. I hope to see you soon.

Steve

[Rebecca Rebouche]

oh yes. i'm very excited about this. best wishes for a smooth installation. love the design Eddie.

[Ronny Carroll]

Eddie and Jaithan,
This is so exciting! I love the fresh, sophisticated colors you are using! I am
looking forward to the big reveal. I wish
you all the best.
xoxo

[Jane of all Trades]

This is amazing! The winner... hands down!

[Anna]

Eddie,
I am so excited to head up to Bloomies to see this incredible space. It's gorgeous! Great work to you and Jaithan.

[Hobby]

Eddie and Jaithan,
The 'room' is fabulous! The color scheme and fabric selection are so fresh and young! I hope I can get up there to see it in person. When you reproduce those bookshelves, sign me up for one!
Best of luck...ED would be crazy not to pick you!

[Emilia]

Hey, I am a student at RISD and stumbled upon your site. I think your concept is great! such a unique, eclectic mix of things! reminds me of more-relaxed Kelly Wearstler look... bravo.

[Bott Bevenson]

oh.my.gawd. i would move-in in a second! gorrrrrrgeous, i don't even care if one wall is a WINDOW facing a bustling new york sidewalk!

[Anna Ullman]

EDDIE ROSS!!! I am your biggest fan! I follow all of your work and I am so EXCITED about the bloomingdales window! You have an incredible eye and know how to make any project exciting! I have learned so much from you, and am constantly inspired by your talent. I am a student at RISD, and all my friends and I look at your blog and then try everything out in our house! you make our lives beautiful. xoxo

[Heather Ryan]

Hi Eddie & Jaithan - What a way to start the New Year ! Fabulous! You guys are an amazing team and will make ED proud! Your colors and inspiration are spot on! Looking forward to seeing it live!

[Karin]

Eddie and Jaithan!!

The pictures look amazing. We can not wait to see them in person.

much love to you both, Karin & Andy...

[Austin]

OMG! I love it! I wish I was the woman in the rendering! I cannot wait to see the real thing!

[Sharon]

Just okay feel you should be a little more innovative. Your inspiration pieces were much better than your interpretation. Put some pizzaz in it. The chairs are boring ! Good luck, love you.

[LDM]

I LOVE your vision for the Bloomies window!!! You are SO winning. That wallpaper is AMAZING! Ps:j'adore the CL's on the glama-zon too, nice touch!

[Jill]

How long will the window be up? Trudy will be in NYC in March : )

[pam robinson]

eddie, love the concept and look forward to seeing it all come together... x pam

[tami]

Good luck you got this one in the bag!

[abby jenkins]

E&J so excited for you both! 2010 is going to be a huge year for you, I know it! XOO

[Christina Brian]

This makes me want to hop on a plane to come and personally OOOh and AAAAh.

I love the whole concept about a modern woman..especially the part about the heart of gold.

And yes to the color palette.

[Margaret Russell]

Aren't you happy our Top Design disagreements are in the distant past?
Both you and Jaithan did a terrific job on this project, and all of us at ELLE DECOR can't wait to see your window in person. A million thanks—

[Melissa Sands]

Wonderful! So fresh and extremely cool :)

[Cara Starr]

Luck!!!

[Meg Lange]

I LOVE the palette, Eddie! The orange, turquoise and pink will make the window pop and perk up everyone's dreary winter day. Perfect choices!

I wish I could travel to NYC to make my vote via hand motion (how clever!), but alas, I will have to vote online. :)

[seleta]

Cannot WAIT to see this in person next weekend!!!

[Arlynn from Art That Fits]

I am in love... Can't wait to be that stand in model either. Christian Louboutin pumps & all!

Fabulous concept, Eddie & Jaithan, that rendering really lets me "live" in the space. Perfection.

It's not event a competition. Especially with that artwork :-)

[honey living]

fantastic! and i love the partnership between you and jaithan.

[Karena]

Can't wait to see the final results Eddie you and Jaithan are the greatest team!

[Therese Long]

In one word...WOWZA
Very hip and young rendition on traditional.
You always put a fresh spin on your rooms.
You breathe fresh air into a space.
I have no doubt you will prevail. You rock!
xo
Terri

[mary]

I love that room!! (And the person who lives there would make an amazing friend)

[Wendy]

I can't wait to see the window. Since it's near my neighborhood - I will have to vote in person...and often!

Congratulations!

[Lydia Bryant]

I LOVE all the inspiration objects and colors - can't wait to see the final product!

[ralphie]

Hi Eddie
Starting the New Year with a bang I see. You guy’s design is super! I love the splatter finish as well and the colors are great. Best of luck with the challenge!

I just love Bloomingdale's! Ciao

[Evelyn Weiss]

So impressive...right down to the shoes! Very exciting.

xoxo
Evy

[Jordana]

Ooooh....looks gorgeous. I'm loving the painting above the couch!

[jessica claire]

oh eddie it looks so fab!

The fresh pink cherry blossoms are such a nice touch in the rendering- can't wait to see it!

[Jacks]

You've done it AGAIN!!! Love the colors, textures, tableau, Jaithan's rending...you have designed the PERFECT room for the modern woman who "does it all" and "does it well"! When can I move in???

[Renae]

I love this and know it is going to be spectacular. Don't you need an old lady to come help?
xx

[Laura Casey Interiors]

Can't wait to see the finished window. I love your palette and Jaithan did a great job with the rendering.

[Melissa]

So bold! This is great!

[Barbara at Daisy's]

Not just a hack who can knock out the classics. A true savant of design from pure and utter instinct. Congrats on an impeccable job. Of course the details in Jaithin's rendering is perfection.

[kathysue]

Eddie and Jaithan, I can not wait to see the finished product. What an amazing team you two make. Jaithan your rendering is so wonderful I can not imagine how many hrs you put into this. You know you have my vote on Wed. xoxo Kathysue

[suzanne spina @cestsuzanne]

Cannot wait to see your window in person too. How exciting for both of you. Best of luck! I hope you win.

[Mrs. Blandings]

Can. Not. Wait. I know it will be even better in person.

[Padgetthoke@aol.com]

how exciting!!! I am so very excited to vote and participate online - good luck and I am sure you will pull in the win with that fantastic room!

[Acanthus & Acorn]

Wow! I'd say you guys knocked it out of the park!!! I look forward to voting...often. I enjoyed your guest post on Lauren's blog. She is a sweetheart...got me into blogging:)

[Ms. Bright]

How exciting! What a fun challenge. Looking forward to the final product!

[Belle on Heels]

i'm headed to nyc on wednesday and have to make a stop at bloomies anyways. i will be ther voting for you. can't wait to see it in person!

[Rebecca June]

Hi Eddie -

i wanted to say thank you so much for popping by my blog the other day and leaving such a nice comment! Always wonderful to have input from someone I admire as much as you!

xoxo

Rebecca June

[Elizabeth]

INCREDIBLE! Your description makes me want to BE that person! What an amazing blend of both your talents. I can't wait to see it and of course, you've got my vote! xoxo

[Patti Davis]

Eddie, you and Jaithan are spectacularly talented and I cannot wait to vote!

oxxo,
Patti

[Ann Chamberlain]

You make a superb team. The rendering of the window alone is fabulous. Wish I was there to see it up close.
ABCOroville

[Paloma {LaDolceVita}]

Eddie, this is beyond fabulous, but I would expect nothing less from you and Jaithan. I wish my living room looked like that!

[Paulette P.]

E & J,
Looks terrific. Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Paulette P.

[LindsB]

Ahh, I cant wait to see more, it looks STUNNING so far! Jaithan, amazing work on that rendering!!

[M]

Love the concept, the colours, and the combination of cool and warm cheer it will bring to New York's winter. I hope you win! This contest is a really fun idea. The use of technology to record votes--so interesting. Eddie, I visit your blog often to elevate my view. It always works. Thank you.

[Cassandra]

Your concept just looks really delightful. I've just discovered you. I wish we had you in London!

[Shandell's]

Eddie, I cannot wait to see this in person. Love the rendering that Jathain did.
XOXOXO

[Liz Aiello]

This looks fantastic Eddie! Can't wait to see it in person--I will vote as often as I can to make sure you win!

[Nicole Cohen]

Wow Eddie, I am super excited for you!!! Cant wait to see the big reveal!!!