Sunday, December 12, 2010

Dreaming of a White Christmas...

I'm finding it impossible to conjure up any genuine Christmas spirit this year. This might have something to do with the fact that my house is filled with the essence of sunscreen and chlorine rather than pine and cinnamon. I'm a lifelong Californian, so Decembers filled with sunshine are my norm. However, I can't recall a single year when I actually broke a sweat trimming the tree while my kids splashed in the pool. I don't mean to rub road salt in the wounds of my Midwestern friends. (By the way, it's 83˚ here). I could honestly use a little winter right now! Wouldn't you know the year we decide to skip our Wisconsin trip to my husband's family, the Heat Miser decides to crash my Christmas. Maybe I'll throw the brood in the car for the 3 hour drive to the snow. Then again, a tan would really look great with my Christmas party dresses...

In the continuing effort to feel the spirit, I'm sharing this absolutely magical Skating Party, hosted by Kate at Beautiful Days. Talk about a Winter Wonderland. Enjoy! And keep warm, or stay cool, wherever you are.



  All photos by Geneve Hoffman Photography

Monday, November 29, 2010

Dressmaker Details...

...make this the dressing room of my dreams. If Sea of Shoes bedroom and closet didn't have you swooning, check out Miles Redd's design for one lucky lady in Atlanta. And for the big and glossies, check out the revamped (thank you Stephen Drucker) Town and Country Magazine, beautiully photographed by Francesco Lagnese. Let's have a look...
Above, the owner's 11 year-old daughter primps in the dressing area. My own daughters would love to play dress-up in this room. Notice the regency style door panelling at left, the detail on the footstool and the simplicity of the toned down picture frames on the original fashion sketches.
Redd created a closet fit for Marie Antoinette, with custom pony skin carpet, hand painted de Gournay paper, and the faux bamboo moldings. See them? Easy to miss, but these are the details that make the magic.
Redd's beautiful living room keeps pace with the master suite. I love the abstract modernism of the painting at left in an otherwise classical, almost baroque room. Its warm colors, as well as those of the sofas and persimmon lamps, are the perfect counterpoint to the cool blue walls. Just beautiful, don't you think?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Serious (Monday morning) Inspiration

It's Monday. Always a bit draggy for me. But I had to share my delight. Thank you so much Decorista for passing on this absolute gem you aptly called "crazy cool." I love every inch! I want to live here, get dressed here, spend a day shopping for food and frocks with these girls, then bring it all home and entertain here! What a paradise. It's a happy home tour of Sea of Shoes' digs she shares with her blogging partner and mother in Dallas, TX. Her blog is filled with even more make-me gasp images and inspiration like I haven't had in months, maybe years. (By the way, she's not exactly a secret in the fashion world).  Enjoy the deliciousness -- and now I can say, Happy Monday!





Sunday, October 24, 2010

Halloween is just around the corner...

...and so this promises to be my final post on orange + black (or chocolate, or zebra). But I saved my favorite room for last. What a great work of art (especially if you love elephants as much as I do)! Love that green velvet pillow; such an unusual shape. As is the large brass sphere lamp. So many interesting, yet simple, elements -- and they all add up to a strikingly fabulous room.










Sources: modgirl

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Orange + Zebra

I'm still loving the orange + black color combination... and this wild variation on the Halloween theme. Have you got your costume ready?

Sources: KellyWearstler, photofile, delightbydesign

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Blue and White Master Suite--Final Photos

It's been a while since I posted the inspiration boards for that master bedroom I was working on. The gorgeous House of Turquoise just published them straight from my portfolio this morning, and I realized I'd forgotten to share them with all of you. So here are some shots of the suite and the rest of the house. This was a looong project: lots of millwork, lighting, and furnishings. Hope you enjoy.

First, my inspiration board:
And here's the house:

Coming soon.... The cutest nursery I think I've ever seen.

Source: Alexandra Rae Interior Design

Sunday, September 19, 2010

What I'm Working On: A Nursery...

There is nothing more exciting than feathering a nest for a new arrival. In fact, I could dedicate my whole business to it. I'm currently working on a nursery for a baby boy due this November. Going back through my files I found so much inspiration in these fabulous papers I'd pulled for past projects (boys and girls). What a great way to stimulate a little imagination!

Sources: Various, including: Pink Wallpaper, A Scout's Guide to Stylish Living.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Classic Outdoor

You know I don't normally care for a neutral palette (snooze), but I'm in love with the classic feel of these images. The black iron, natural elements of stone + pebbles, and the neutral fabrics. It all plays beautifully off the swaths of manicured greenery. What a great spot for a mellow Sunday brunch. Of course, I had to put a little outfit together. So in keeping with that mellow mood, I'll be toasting you all over eggs benedict (classic style) wearing this...


Gorgeous and serene.

Images: Veranda, Tory Burch, Ray Ban, Neiman Marcus, Frontgate