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friday fun finds: horchow

here are a few great finds at even greater prices from horchow.  these are wonderful little pieces to add a pop of color or pattern to your space.  i really love the geometric pattern of that fireplace grill and the kilim ottoman is my absolute favorite - featured in the current architectural digest.  i think these things are going fast so giddyup! oh and btw, free shipping ends today!

1 monaco ottoman; 2 embroidered ottoman; 3 kilim otoman; 4 fire screen

July room to inspire

clean, simple, and elegant by ken fulk in san francisco.  it's a room that i can imagine hosting an evening gathering as well as relaxing on the sofa with a book.  however, wanting a ralph lauren ottoman and actually purchasing one are two different things for many of us.  below are some similar finds that will be a bit easier on the wallet until that winning ticket shows up.

house beautiful: ken fulk

sofa: bassett furniture; ottoman: z gallerie; antoine armchair: pottery barn; chandelier: lamps plus; table lamp: pottery barn; side table: room&board; cow hide: west elm
accessories
hurricanes: pottery barn; mercury glass candles: west elm; striped pillow: ben pentreath ltd.; belgian linen pillow covers: restoration hardware; artwork: etsy

sparkle: for you and your home

images: french vogue; kiva platters; candle holders; floral dress; sandals;
pendants; crystal canisters; mercury glass candle

a summer snack

it is so bloody hot out today that the thought of cooking something makes me sweat.  i surprised myself with this little concoction, made with the remaining items in my fridge.  crunchy, fresh, delicious and cool.

  

ingredients:

fresh cherry tomatoes halved

green pepper cut into large pieces

handfull of rough chopped chives

feta cheese, cubed

1 piece toasted italian bread, rubbed with fresh garlic

good olive oil & balsamic

what to do with those bare walls: maps

displaying collections of any sort is such a wonderful way to fill your home with character and create an interesting space.  i was at a friends house a while back, it was a real bare-bones bachelor pad filled only with the necessities for living.  on the walls he had displayed his collection of vintage maps of all sizes and it was amazing!  i had no idea that he was a collector.  anyway, this memory has inspired me to gather interesting examples of displaying maps.  enjoy.

images: elle decoration; elle decor; apartment therapy

resource: national geographic

hidden gem: deer hill

located in the hills just on the outskirts of a tiny upstate new york lake town called cazenovia is this enchanting bed and breakfast, deer hill.  while you will not find deep tissue massages, bikrim booty morning boot camps, or outrageously expensive seven-course meals, i guarantee that you will find the keys to a happy life: peace, quiet, and tranquility.  if the crickets, butterflies and resident (and very loveable) doberman are not enough company, hop on your bike and ride into town to sit by one of upstate's most beautiful little lakes.

winter months are equally as beautiful...

home for the summertime

there's nothing quite like the smell of the country in the summer and the magical evenings that are ushered in by the twinkling of a million fireflies.  this is my summer.

images: bed, girl