fresh start

it's feeling more like spring than winter and i find myself gravitating to bright whites, navy, charcoal, and this chartreuse/citron that is way out of my normal color vocabulary.  anyway, it's inspired me to rethink the items that make up my bathroom.  west elm has some great little towels that might end up as curtains one of these days...

eye on: wearstler's malibu sanctuary

 kelly W knows whats up.  she's got such an amazing collection of sculpture and furniture, making for a really interesting, rich space.  not to mention the ocean view...not a bad backdrop.  these shots come from kelly framel at the glamourai as she and fellow blogging/photog friend, jamie were insanely lucky enough to borrow the beach house for one incredible shoot!

eye on: steven volpe design

it was steven volpe's own loft that caught my eye in elle decor a couple months back.  many designers are highly skilled in selecting "couture" furnishings for their clients and pairing with it perfectly crafted and proportioned treasures from the past - pretty much the only place left that one can find such craft and proportion.  it's volpe's impeccable eye for composition that is most memorable for me.       

while these shots are made for the glossy pages and probably never look quite like this again, i can't help but appreciate the perfection of his interior spaces.  in some instances the work of vermeer comes to mind - the dark hues accentuated by a pop of ochre.  really beautiful.

an elegant detail with ordinary piping

there are a variety of diy projects that involve some simple piping, i've written about a couple good ones before here.  this one i think is so elegant and unexpected, it makes the idea of a canopy a little less floofy and adds a bit of drama to those tall ceilings.

traditional home

just add blue

via

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

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

backyard camping

how much fun would it be to have a tipi in the backyard?  a little spot to take a mid-summer day siesta, or maybe have a marshmallow roast on a balmy evening.  these two little tents belonging to sheryl crow were featured over on AD. 

the way they lived

i've been a bit m-i-a lately.  i admit, the rain has definitely got me feeling blue but i'm thinking that this little documentary by josef astor might be a great way to pass some time this weekend.  it reviews the battle between carnegie hall and its tenants in the studios above.  i've always been fascinated by the way people live, especially in a place like nyc.  there are so many little hidden stories and amazing spaces scattered around this city.  it is a shame that the apartments could not remain as the creative haven perched above the great hall, but what an amazing place to have been able to live in!

the aura of luxurious linens

i'm loving the bedding from aura.  contrasts of deep, rich pigment with light linens...layers of texture.  looks like heaven which is just how a bed should look.

stockholm furniture fair

the swedes get it right...pretty much every time.  here are a few items from the 2011 stockholm furniture fair that were covered in wallpaper mag.  i usually go pretty traditional as far as sofas, but those acne numbers have me rethinking my tendencies.  anyone going to the icff in nyc this weekend??

dashing diys

i'm going to begin collecting diy ideas in the hopes of one day employing them in my own home.  i really like projects that make use of industrial and reclaimed elements.  here are a few that caught my eye:

via hindsvik

via manhattan nest

via marumodern

compact cool

in light of apartment therapy's small cool 2011 here is a fun little pocket kitchen featured in architectural digest.  love how the backsplash continues around the little eating nook.

design by penny drue baird

getting excited about scout & catalogue

scout & catalogue is one etsy shop that i will definitely be following.  they've just posted their summer lookbook so be sure to check it out!  

weekend rally

i did a little browsing over the weekend, constantly on the lookout for interesting items, great accessories and always, always, always a great vintage lamp.  i'm often made fun of for murmuring (in all seriousness) "i love lamp".  anyway, here are some fabulous finds and diy components for you to peruse.  all via etsy or ebay

column 1: lamp; antler; hairpin legs; table base
column 2: ottoman; ceramics; lamp

eye on: nickey kehoe

listed as one of elle decor's 5 designers to watch in 2011, nickey kehoe has a consistency to their design and style that is impeccable.  opting for a more toned-down approach to an often vibrant and bright los angelese aesthetic, their spaces are subdued, earthy, and absolutely beautiful.  

image from nickey kehoe diary

 

images: nickey kehoe shop

summer loafing

so i live in pikolino "jerez" loafers.  they're basic, comfortable, and i love them.  my current pair is on their last legs, so i'm shopping around.  since they're seriously on my feet everyday, i'm willing to spend and i've had my eye on a pair of tods forever...

just beachy

i don't own a beach house, but if i did i would dress it and myself like this:

room - calypso st barth for target; pouf - som; towel - calypso st barth; 
outfit - all saints; chest - som; candle - anthropologie; stool - som