Design IdoL: Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern is the wonderfully talented mastermind behind the book 'A girls guide to Decorating'. This woman is mind-blowingly creative and actually pretty funny too. Her style is followed by most design fanatics in the UK. She has a sort of fun and free approach to decorating. She has a book out, a textiles line, fantastic wallpapers, and some tounge-in-cheeck accessories to boot. She has accomplished so much for herself, how could she not be my idol? This woman is definitely one to watch out for, she will be world famous someday! 

great idea to add some funk to a classy home
taxidermy in the home is so NOW! 


can't wait till this book arrives at my home (ordered yesterday)
this wallpaper is genius

romance at its finest

I am in the mood for a little romance.
 I found that creating a romantic theme in the house can evoke a sense of comfort, coziness and bliss. Roses, candle light, soft lace and pictures of loved ones can give that essence. 
Here you can find some beautifully adorned romantic cottages 
and a little about the people who have created them. 
Romance~ify your bedroom and see what it brings to your life. 







xoxo

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!!! Fashion meets home.


Eileen Kathryn Boyd of EKB Interiors is on of my design IDOLS and her site is an amazing array of inspirational designs. She has great advice as well, I would love if she wrote a book. Now before you rush over to her blog, check out some of her design tips. Also, a link is posted below for a live video of some of her best insider tips and tricks on mixing fashion into your home! Enjoy! 

Design Tips

DO start a reference file of inspiring pieces for the room you want to decorate.

DO use jazzy fabrics on pillows and ottomans that can be easily changed out according to season.

DON'T be afraid to use a strong color on the walls. Paint is the least expensive way to totally change a room's appearance.

DO avoid using floral fabrics on sofas—unless you know you'll never tire of it. Try and keep to solids and small geometrics.

DO consider the lighting effects in the room. Will there be an influence of natural light? Will you need ceiling lighting or will lamplight be enough?

DO keep your vision clear—you can be easily seduced in other directions.

DON'T use a rug that's too small—the furniture will appear to hang off of it, making the room appear smaller.

DO beware of scale and proportion and how all the elements come into play.

DON'T forget to break some rules and most importantly to have fun with it!




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DESIGN IDOL: TURQUOISE




I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS INSPIRATION BOARD! It's by none other than the founder of TURQUOISE! 

Turquoise LA is absolutely one of my most favorite blogs. Vanessa De Vargas is THE woman to watch for all things, style, design, furniture, innovation, etc. I love that she has the same passion that I do for vintage antique furniture. She also has created a designers networking event that I cannot wait to attend. She is brilliant! I can't wait to check out her space. 

Check her out here!


Here are some images of her (in my opinion) AMAZING work!!!









elements of style

okay! i have a new blog/design crush. Erin Gates of 'elements of style blog' has some style that i can relate to. oh she has my dream life, designing and planning fashion events. it all correlates together when you have a super creative soul...as i do. you are my hero erin gates!

Here are some of my favorite images from her site.
this aqua armoire is to DIE for
i am crazy about this setee and the awesome inspiration board above it. rawk it.

i HEART the color coding book system and the pans just out and ready for show and tell

betsey burnham

Betsey Burnham is a brilliant interior designer. she has a talent for creating a traditional feeling space while keeping it funky and fresh. she designs wildly colorful rooms by incorporating pieces and moods from different cultures from all over the world. Though they feel ornate, her spaces are always extremely comforatble and have a very inviting feeling. Her rooms are indulgences for the 5 senses. This woman is supremely stylish...need I mention GLAMOROUS!?!?




*above is her home office





Happy Chic


Johnathan Adler happens to be one of the best in the business as far as modern design goes. His style is funky, colorful and outrageously happy! I find myself stalking his website all the time. His store in LA is super hip, its on melrose and i find myself going out of my way just to go by it. Just looking at his colorful rooms can give you inspiration for different rooms throughout your house. He dares you to dream, to not be afraid of over-the-top style. Here are his 10 commandments of decor...read them, i think you might find some inspiration! His blog is a nice treat too.

#1
Thou shalt embrace maximalism.Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps - these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad.
#2
Thou shalt not deny thyself hotelish comfort at home.Thou shalt furnish thy rooms with paw-pampering, hand-loomed llama wool rugs, luxurious lighting and our fabulous furniture.Thy rooms shalt feel like the most opulent hotel rooms in which thou hast ever stayed.Thou art worth it.
#3
Thou shalt buy an X-Bench.Then, thou shalt buy another. Thou shalt use them in pairs, perfect under thy console or placed near thy sofa. Thou shalt rest thy feet upon them & so will thy guests. In fact, thy guests might even fight over who gets to rest upon them. Therefore, thou shalt establish house rules about thy X-Benches. Perhaps thou should consider a sign up sheet. #4
If thy nest needeth zest,consider thy crest!Thou shalt emblazon with thine initials wherever possible.
#5
Thou shalt mix fancy with frisky.Thou shalt not be overly formal, for if thou art, thou will be sad. Conversely, thou shalt not be overly whimsical, for if thou art thou will not feel chic. Therefore, thou shalt embrace a mix, pairing the chic classical foundation - excellent proportions, classic furniture - with a layer of playful punctuation. Then thou shalt rest.
#6
Thou shalt honor the funsters of yore.David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Piero Fornasetti, Bonnie Cashin, Bjorn Wiinblad - if thou dost not knoweth them, thou should. Thou can use Google Images to learn more about them and thou shalt channel their fun, idiosyncratic, playful spirit in thine own interiors. Thy home will be fun, happy, and chic.
#7
Thou shalt not commit murder,unless thou art murdering for a decorative accessory.If thou should find thyself at one of our stores and seeth the last bird bowl on our shelf, thou shalt feel free to use whatever means necessary to obtain that special something.
#8
Thou shalt not be afraid of orange.Thou shalt use orange copiously in thy interior, whether it beeth in an orange breakfast room or via the zing of an orange lacquered box. Thou might even consider painting thy front door orange to pique thy neighbor's curiosity. Thou shalt also covet chocolate brown.
#9
Thou shalt play ping pong.Better still, thou shalt have a ping pong table in thy living room. Then, lo, thou shalt play ping pong with thy spouse rather than sitting around watching thy tv. #10
Thou shalt not covetthy neighbor's house. In fact, after following these 10 commandments, thy neighbor might covet thy house. So there.
His book is amazing! Check it out.