Guest Post from Jami of Imagine!

Today Jami from Imagine is filling in for me while I'm away. Though we've never met in person, Jami has become a dear blog friend of mine. She's got a great eye for style, is filled with design knowledge, and is sweet as can be. I'll finally have the chance to meet Jami in August while on the LA leg of our Rue home tour shoots. Jami has planned a pool day for us and I can't hardly wait! Here's Jami with a glimpse into the design of one of her favorite New York designers!

"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do..." And lucky, lucky Crystal gets to experience it firsthand this week! I'm completely jealous, as I've never had the pleasure of gracing the streets of NYC, but I'm absolutely thrilled that Crystal will be struttin' her stuff through the concrete jungle and invited me over to Plush Palate.

In her absence, I'll be sharing with you a little about one of my favorite NYC designers, Thom Filicia. You may remember him from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" or recognize him as the host on the TV program "Dress My Nest."

Thom Filicia's style is classic simplicity with an unexpected, modern flair. He is known as one who blends the worlds of mass media and interior design to create an unforgettable impression. Thom isn't afraid to mix the old with the new and I think that is why I'm drawn to his designs (plus he has great hair!). Here's a handful of my favorite Thom Filicia residential projects.

The typical tropical Miami bold and bright color palette is subdued in this space, creating a clean, simple and inviting room to relax, lounge and enjoy the natural light beaming through the expansive windows. I'm in love with the soft white ceiling-to-floor wall drapery.

Oversized wild horse art, bird cage lighting and these yellow chairs with nail head trim are right up my alley! I'm also enjoying the underlying circle theme he's got going with the round table, round rug, circle sculpture and the balls sitting in the corner.

The horizontal lines and slate grey color palette convey a serene and calming effect in this bedroom. In this room, there is a mastered mixture of old and new; the antique dresser, the contemporary accessories, the traditional four-poster bed with a modern twist, the classic sunburst mirror and quatrafoil pattern. Love it!

I just thought this was fun! What a unique idea to bring into play oversized rope as a handrail. The size and color palette work, so why not? Nice touch. I also love the cut-out-trim mirroring the stairway and the bold stripe right up the center. This staircase is not just a path of travel, but Thom was creative in crafting a focal point with a space that is at times overlooked.

The room certainly had my gears turning the first time I laid eyes on it! What a show stopper. You can tell that Thom had fun playing with scale and proportion in this room. I appreciate the unexpected whimsy that the gears generate. Sitting in that loft area would provide me with much inspiration and put my imagination to work!

Thom not only designs residential homes, but his portfolio includes spaces such as multiple W Hotels, The World's Fair, dressing rooms at The View, and windows at Christie's. This year, Thom launched his multifaceted retail home collection, "Thom Filicia Home," which includes furniture, textiles, floor covering, broadloom, lighting and more.

A big 'thank you,' to Crystal for having me over! Crystal has always been such an inspiration and my "go-to" person when it comes to all my blog questions! I hope, Crystal, "Now that you're in New York, the streets will make you feel brand new and the lights will inspire you!" I'm looking forward to our LA meet-up later this summer!

*images via Thom Filicia