IT’S TIME TO WASH UP!

Have you noticed how cool bathroom designs are these days?  No longer is it just the floor tile, the vanity mirror or the shower curtain that give a bathroom style.  Sinks, and really cool ones, are becoming the shining stars of bathroom design.  If you need a little inspiration for a bathroom remodel, check out these fabulous bathroom sinks!

 

Photo source:  Southern Living, Circa Interiors, Vitruvit, Cooking Light

HEAD OF THE CLASS

Don’t you just love how headboards are really becoming statement pieces in a bedroom? 

I love the trend of upholstered headboards and how one can give a traditional bedroom design a fresh, modern feel. But, if you  happen not to be an upholstered headboard convert, there are lots of other wonderful design alternatives that pack jump as much punch.

via hgtv

via house beautiful

via house beautiful

via house  beautiful

 I love the quilted design used on this headboard.  It would even be great with a quilted monogram!

via lonny magazine

via house beautiful

A few nail heads and a design plan could get you this stylish headboard.  What a great weekend project.

via brocade home

An iron wall panel, hung on the horizontal makes for an eclectic and stylish headboard.

via house beautiful

I love how the two-tone finish on this headboard give it a vintage feel.

via house beautiful

This headboard made of birch would be so great in a cabin or mountain house.

Have you done anything cool with your headboard?  I’d love for you to share some photos.

I WANT A SCHOOL “DO-OVER”

I don’t know about you, but I love the back-to-school season. Back to school always meant new outfits, new shoes, new friends, new activities and lots of  new school supplies. Yes, I am a school supply junkie.  I love going to Target and Staples at the start of the school season to see all the cool items that students now have to choose from.  Where were all the cool, designer looks when I was in school? 

I’d love the opportunity to go back in time and have a school “do-over” just so I could buy some of the really stylish and fashionable supplies out there.  If  I were back in college, these are a few items that would be on my school supply list:

Tory Burch Backpack is Canary Yellow–I would look so stylish walking around campus with this beauty of a book bag!

 

 

Rossi Designer Pencils–A mix of regular and colored lead, these pencils would look great on my desk and would also make doing homework a bit more fun.

 

Cavallini Bird Notebooks–I was a major note taker in school and these would have made that task seem more glamorous!

Brocade Pencil Cup–What a pretty way to store pencils, pens, paperclips or even beauty supplies.

 

Cavallini Hydrangea File Folders–Since I am a an organization freak, these file folders would give my de-cluttered desk some real style.

 

Designer Erasers–Just because they are too cute for words!

Spectrum Notebooks–I’d use these stylish notebooks for the serious classes, like biology or chemistry. 

 

Black and White Floral Storage Boxes–I loved to decorate my dorm room way back when, and these beautiful boxes would have made my dorm room pretty and functional.

Gourmet Lunch Totes–No more paper bags.  These are so cute, they could even be used for a fun weekend shopping tote.

 

Scalloped Bulletin BoardAll those special mementos and photos of friends would have looked great on this stylish bulletin board.

 

Desktop Clip Display–What a cute way to display important notes, cards from home or photos.  I love the whimsical feel of this display rack.

 

Kate Spade Postcards–I always loved to write letters to my mom and dad when I was in college.  As a fashion major, these notecards would have fit my style to a T.

Both my home and work office need a little sprucing up so, I’m going to pretend I’m headed back to school and add a few of these stylish items to my decor. 

 

What was your favorite school supply in school?

Photo source:  Nordstrom, Touch of Europe, Container Store, Ballard Design, Kate Spade

PARTY PLANNING 101

 When it comes to party planning, there are some basic rules of thumb:

Location, Invitations, Decor, Food & Beverages and Atmosphere.

But, how you interpret these “rules of thumb” is what gives your party style and panache. 
 Here are a few tips to make your next party a fabulous & stylish one!

THE LOCATION…

When choosing a location, pick a spot that will reinforce the “mood” you want to create for the event. 
For an outdoor party, incorporate some indoor decorative elements to give a warm, home-like feel.

via verandah

THE INVITE…

The invitation you select to communicate your party will set the tone for the event. 
I say go with something spectacular! 
 
One of my favorite, and I mean favorite stationery/invitation companies is Ceci New York.  Lisa “Ceci”  Johnson is the founder and creative director of this magnificent line of paper goods.  Her designs are classic yet sophisticated, and the colors, textures and details she applies makes each invitation a work of art. And, if her invitations weren’t enough to make you faint,  Ceci worked with the USPS to develop a custom line of postage stamps, showcasing her beautiful designs. What could be better than gorgeous invitations and a postage stamp to complete the look. You can check out her full line of stamps at Cecizazzle.com.
 

 

 Ceci New York Proud Peacock Collection

   

CeCi  New York Custom Designed Postage Stamps.  How cute are these!

 Ceci New York has a faithful following of customers, including many celebrities. 
The invitation above was custom designed for Sean “P Diddy” Combs’ annual White Party. 
 

THE DECOR…

Once the invitations are in the mail, it’s time to focus on the decor.  Layering is the key for creating a stunning visual statement.   
Layer your linens on the table; Create layers with your dinnerware; Incorporate layers of fresh flowers as the centerpiece.  Give the eyes lots to look at!
Whatever elements you use, creating layers of texture, color, pattern and dimension will give your table that wow factor.
 

 via carolyn roehm

 FOOD & DRINK…

When it comes to your food and beverage selections, do something that will have your signature touch on it: 
Mix-and-match your stemware to create an eclectic and colorful statment. 
Create a signature cocktail that reflects the theme or occasion you are celebrating. 
And, finish the evening with a dessert that stands out.

via carolyn roehm

via southern living 

THE ATMOSPHERE…

I don’t think any party is good unless there is a bit of mood music to infuse the atmosphere. 
 Whether you choose Jazz, Swing, or a little R & B, make sure to have music playing in the back ground.  Here are a few of my favorite party cd’s, available from Brisa.

 image via Brisa

So the next time you get ready to plan a big soiree, make a statement–a unique and personal one! 

Photo source:  Veranda, Ceci New York, Carolyn Roehm, Southern Living, Brisa

DESIGN CRUSH: TORY BURCH

Tory Burch

I love that among the most talented American Fashion designers is one of my favorites, Tory Burch.  Designing for the modern woman, Tory has created a following worthy of  icon status.  Her designs epitomize classic american sportswear, yet they have an upbeat, eclectic vibe as well. 
 
Inspired by art, photography, films and travel, Tory credits her aesthetic to the style of her mom and dad, as well as interior designer David Hicks.  One look at the interior of her boutiques, and you’ll see that in addition to an incredible sense of fashion, her eye for interior design is honed as well.

 

Flagship New York Boutique

Currently there are 34 Tory Burch boutiques throughout the US and Asia, all adorned with a few signature Tory Burch elements. 
 
Wanting to design her stores to feel more like a stylish home environment, Tory has incorporated orange lacquered doors & walls, mirrored surfaces and lucite fixtures in each boutique.  The furnishings are plush and cozy and many of the rooms within the boutique feature signature Tory Burch patterns as the wall paper design. The photo above, from her NY boutique, looks like it could have been plucked straight out of a New York highrise condo.

The Seoul, Korea boutique, above and below, featuring orange accent walls, seagrass carpeting and classically styled furniture.
 
 
With a fashion line that encompasses clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry, the Tory Burch line has something for everyone.
Here are a few of the pieces debuted during her Fall 2010 Runway show.

This “shaggy” Fawn jacket is absolutely adorable!  And there is even a vest version, below.

 Just like her boutiques, there are a few signature elements that you see in Tory’s clothing line.
 
Graphic Prints, Bold Colors & Ethnic details make the Tory Burch line a stand out in the fashion world.
Atlanta Boutique, here I come!
 
Photo source:  Tory Burch, NY Post

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

One of the freshest product statements in the home furnishings industry right now is Acrylic furniture.  There is something so visually interesting about a piece of furniture that you can see through, but still possesses classic design features.  When it comes to decorating, acrylic furniture will not only give a room high style, but it  can help to make a room feel bigger, more elegant , modern and fun, all at the same time. 

Here are some stunning spaces, with more classically inspired acrylic pieces….

  

I love this desk.  It gives this traditional office space a hip, contemporary vibe.

 

Acrylic in colors is a fun way to add a touch of personality to a space.

 

  

  The beauty of acrylic is that it can mix with just about any style of furniture and still feel appropriate.

 

 This stool/magazine holder is a brilliant design concept.

AND, 

 just when you didn’t think acrylic furniture could get any better, along came two innovative design companies, Acrila and Espacio.

These two companies have taken the look of acrylic furniture to a whole new level.  The styling is absolutely incredible and the details are fabulous.

   

  Espacio is a UK based company offering a wide range of innovative and stylish acrylic and polycarbonate furniture.  The Pasha chair above, was designed by Italian designers Marco Pocci and Claudio Dondoli.  I love that this chair mixes traditional styling with a more contemporary material.  And, the fact that it can be used indoors or out makes it even better.  Check out the other incredible designs offered by Espacio, here.

 

( Baroque Chair from Acrila)

When i stumbled upon the line of acrylic furniture designed by Acrila, I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Was this really acrylic furniture? Really?  Founded in 2007 by Jean-Christophe Bernard and Isabelle Bernard in France, Acrila makes some of the most gorgeous acrylic furniture I’ve ever seen.  The design details they infuse in the products are incredible and the application of stylish prints gives their furniture a distinct look. 

Here are a few pieces to wet your palette, but you can check out their full offering here! 

 

 

 

Isn’t this folding screen wonderful? 

 And a touch of animal print is always stylish, even on acrylic furniture! 

Bravo to Acrila and Espacio for taking acrylic design to a whole new level.

 

Photo source:  DecorPad, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Design Within Reach, Espacio, Acrila

QUIET STIMULATION

 Working in the home decor and design industry can be visually and mentally stimulating…sometimes a bit too much.  In a given week, I spend many hours, flipping through magazines, looking at product catalogs, thinking about paint colors and researching design topics for my blog.  Every now and then my mind needs a break from all the stimulus. 

Sometimes, my mind longs to look at beautifully decorated rooms with little or no color, for a bit of quiet stimulation! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Photo source:  James Howard, DecorPad, Country Living

DESIGN CRUSH: BARCLAY BUTERA

 Barclay Butera

Barclay Butera is one designer I think possesses a unique set of design skills.  His ability to combine fabrics and textures is unparalleled; his sense of color is outstanding; his approach to accessorizing a room is wonderful; and his design philosophy of “in Interior Design there are no rules” is admirable.

Barclay Butera, in my eyes, is one of the most talented designers out there.

Barclay grew up in the design business, working alongside his mother.  As she traveled the world designing homes for clients, Barclay was by her side, obviously learning every aspect of the design business.  His natural talent and design sense, along with the technical skills he surely adopted from his mother gave him the foundation to create is own design firm at the age of 25.

Whenever you see a photo of Barclay, it is obvious that he has a strong love for fashion, and that love makes its way into the rooms he designs. He has become known for creating “fashion for the home.”

Here’s a look at a few of the rooms in his Newport Beach, Ca. home…

The grass cloth on the wall and shell framed mirror bring a bit of the beach vibe indoors, but in a sophisticated way.

His love for British Colonial design is obvious in every room of his home. I love the infusion of cobalt blue in this space.

Obviously an admirer of woven and rattan materials, he’s used the chair, oversized ottoman and rug to provided added visual interest to this space.

I love how he takes a classic blue and white color palette and gives it a new and refreshing vibe. The blue and white Chinoiserie ginger jars and wall paper give this space such personality.  And the zebra bench is so gorgeous.

 

 To further enhance his design work, Barclay has developed a custom line of furniture pillows, rugs, accessories and artwork.

 Here are a few of my favorite pieces from his line…

 

Barclay has a real love for animal prints, and you’ll see it used in just about every room he designs.

His designs are classic, yet modern!  I love the silhouette of this sofa and the refined stripe pattern.

How stunning would a pair of these pillows look of a bed draped in linen and a creamy matelassé fabric?

If you want a touch of Barclay Butera  in your home everyday, pick up one of the candles from his signature candle line.  So Fab!

One of the best design books I’ve ever seen, Living in Style is absolutely exquisite and a must for anyone that loves interior design.

Check out more of his work, at the Barclay Butera website here!

Photo source:  Barclay Butera, House Beautiful

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