DIY simple + chic holiday decorating ideas for your tabletop

1. Paint stripes on a long white tablecloth. Sometimes the tablecloth is all the statement you need. Lots and lots of candlelight and you have a perfect holiday tablescape that will hold you over through the New Year.
No time to craft? Get a black and white striped sheet set and use as a tablecloth. 

2. Paint your placemats black! Basic black placemats highlight ordinary dishware...Refinery 29 shows us how to throw a holiday party in style...with simple black and white accents.
3. Think outside of the box. Take a cue from the latest issue of Adore Home Magazine and place black Christmas tree cutouts next to long pillar candles with ribbon tied around them for a SMASHING and easy-to-do centerpiece.

Styleicious Sunday: hopelessly in love with houndstooth

As I am preparing my apartment for my family to arrive this Christmas I am putting the finishing touches on a few things...
including my desk chair. Originally I was going to cover it with black and white striped velvet (so very parisian...) part of me is having second thoughts. I am having a houndstooth moment and I don't know if I can recover. I am just a smitten kitten with its chic-ness in fashion and in decor.
This chic woman just makes it look fabulous + so does an all white living room like below...
large scale houndstooth is pretty bangin' too...


so chic, no? should I do it?
{images via}

office space of the day...brass and black finishes

white walls + black and brass chairs + big desk + cool candleabra = 
domestic bliss
loving black with gold finishings lately...the perfect color combo for these few fall months.....

images via everythingfab  Veranda Oct 2011


IN OTHER BLISSFUL NEWS...
CONGRATS TO M.A., THE WINNER OF THE REFINERY 29 GIVEAWAY!!!
ENJOY AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING.

Wallcolor Wednesday {black in the bathroom}

I have been going back and forth with what to do in my bathroom...
I have this weird colored tile (so very new york city apartment) and I have not been able to make a decision on what color to choose for the walls. Black is majorly chic and after looking for hours at bathroom inspiration, I finally decided to go for it. High gloss black in the bathroom is the way to go! So excited to share with you guys the final pics but hopefully it will look as lovely as these beauties!

images. domino. lonnymag. apartmenttherapy. countryliving.

secret of domestic bliss #54...glossy black doors

The decorating of my new apartment is coming along rather quickly. Its amazing what a girl can get done when she is on a mission. One of the first things I had to change was the inside of my front door. I have always longed for glossy black doors inside a home, and I finally made it happen for myself. 
(P.S. to see more progress on my apartment and for updates on my latest projects sign up for my newsletter here)
There is nothing more chic than gorgeous, dark and glossy black paint. Do not hesitate to add a little chic to your world with a gorgeous black door, especially if the finishes on the knobs are gold or brass. So very stylish. 


Don't you just want to walk into this???? This photo inspired my own door. love! 

1) Ashlina The Decorista 2) decorpad 3)nate berkus 4)martha stewart living 5+6)mfamb

Wallcolor Wednesday {black walls. white molding}

A color combo I am seriously considering lately...black walls paired with white molding. It's the classic mix, black and white, yet paired in such an unexpected way. I can't get over the way these deep black walls are just made even better by hooking up with some sweet white molding, such a power couple don't you think?

a gorgeous miles redd designed space


images: athena,mynottinghill, elledecor, 

Styleicious Sunday: black and white stripes

Want to make sure to add some style to your summertime occasions? Try black and white stripes, they  are a definite staple in any decoristas life. They give the phrase 'effortless chic' a whole new meaning. Summertime is the perfect time to indulge in the chic look, maxi dresses, beach towels, outdoor pillows, umbrellas...all of it is absolutely essential! 

images: 1) villa 2+3+5) unknown 4)via 6) lonny 7+8+10)skonhem 9)elle 11)via

appreciating the chic mix of black and white interiors

Today I am on a shoot styling for an upcoming campaign that is going to be amazing! Remember my last campaign for LM? This will be something similar, I am so excited to share with you all. My inspiration on today is black and white, its the most classic yet chic and stylish color combo. I often am drawn to the simplicity of the mix...


bliss in the kitch' {so crisp and so clean}

It's moving week for me!!!!! So excited to pack up my things and head in to my new place. What I am most excited is the kitchen in my new space. It's nice and big (well for NYC) and ready to be cooked in. When I spotted this pretty white kitchen I felt my heart just giddy with new kitchen excitement. 
I love all white kitchens but what they need to be more pretty and clean, is a hint of classic black. It's a genius combination.


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NYC apartment inspiration...sophisticated decor

Ok, so the heat in new york city is getting pretty apparent. Sigh, makes me miss my southern california weather. Having said that, I know I can't complain...new york city is so chic and sophisticated. I love it.
I have some exciting news...I have found my dream apartment in the city and I am looking so forward to settling down and moving in. I go over and over in my head for apartment decor inspiration and this photo just makes me swoon! Black, cream and candles, I just love the sophisticated style!


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The Art of Living...mixing black and gold make it luxe

Absolutely loving this black and gold piece of artwork over the nosh spot. Mixing these two stark colors instantly gives the look of luxury. If you are wanting to give your home a little bit more luxe, try adding a mix of black and gold. It can be through a piece of art or wall color and mirror...whatever your method, it can give serious style! 


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Dear Decorista, {staining your floors black}

Wondering if you can help?!  We have an old timber cottage in the mountains. We are nearly finished renovating but have come to a halt with the timber floor.
 Through the house we now have old stained floors, new timber floors. We have been advised that the easiest and most economical option is to paint the floors throughout. We think we will give this a go but we are a bit nervous. At this point the house is looking really good. We have managed to renovate but still retain the feel of a small rustic cottage and we don’t want to ruin the effect with a floor disaster. We want to go dark with the floor and if painting is a viable option we are thinking of painting the floor black but not sure this will look any good and not sure whether it should be matte or gloss or satin and so on.
Can you provide us with some inspiration?
Thanks...Sydney

Hi Sydney!
 I personally LOVE stained black floors, I think they look absolutely gorgeous. I prefer a beautiful satin as opposed to a high gloss wet finish, but its all about personal preference. Also, black floors are hard to keep ultra clean, but if you want your home to be a stunner, go for it! See these beautiful examples, hope they entice you to go dark!!!
i love this gorgeous white kitchen with black floors...a KILLER combo.
So...here we have a super glossy black floor...
and this is a matte black stained floor. Very rustic looking.
and finally my most favorite look....satin finish.


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How to decorate like a graphic designer...

Absolutely into the look of this home, it's a super gorgeous feature from Real Living Magazine. It really inspires me to see the homes of incredibly artistic and creative people. Ashley Haley is no exception, in her home she uses black, whites, nudes, and a mix of fun prints solid colors are big furniture. I love her how everything in the home has such a cool and hip graphic twist. She has really done of great job of pairing high's and low's, something not every gal can do. I guess graphic designers can have mad style too! 



images.