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

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. 

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??

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!  

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

to dye

just to follow up on a distant post of mine...

garance doré has found a similar (dyed) thread

more than ever j crew

i'm a huge fan of j crew.  now, more than ever...

ink stains

there's a recurring theme i see and i think i like it.  i feel a diy coming on...

images: pillows via here & here
carpet
bottle
dresses: top, center, lower
suit

saturday style

i don't know about you, but i'm definitely going to try to soak up some of the sun that's shining today...finally.  my rooftop is still a blank slate so I'm gathering ideas.  what do you think?

images: top B&B italia
middle: west elm, south of market
bottom: the foundary, west elm

get shopping

everyone i know is on a budget these days, but it doesn't mean that the shopping needs to come to a halt. i've gathered some pieces that are pretty comfortably priced and make me so excited for warm weather!

images: 1-4 urban outfitters all under $70 

5 tinley road wedge via piperlime $55 

6 nine west via piperlime $79 

7 coral sun scarf via anthropologie $48 

8 life stride ariel flat via endless $54 

9 french sole flat via endless $100

10 crossroads belt via anthropologie $34

11 braided belt via anthropologie $28

weekend getaway

I'm totally inspired (and a little jealous) of kristiana spaulding at silver trailer. reinventing the interior of an old airstream has been on my wish/to-do list for a long, long time. she has a collection of them and they're for rent...

happy friday

images: via
book via amazon: the history of the land yacht

french connection + céline =

i'm really into what french connection has going on for summer. it just looks so natural and comfortable. top that off with a céline bag that i covet on a daily basis...