the lived in look...

There is something to be said about a home being over-decorated and too stuffy. I have seen it numerous times, like that feeling that you don't even want to sit on the sofa because it might ruin everything. I've been noticing that most of my favorite apartments in Manhattan are well decorated but because they are so quaint have that "lived in look" that makes for a ridiculously cozy and warm home. To ensure domestic bliss...don't be overly stuffy. Stacks of books and magazines, a few thrown in pillows, family photos, plush blankets on seating... these elements are key! 






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office space of the day... foo dog accessorizing

white parsons desk + pretty vintage chair + ribboned panels + family photos + turquoise foo dogs =
domestic bliss

The notoriously popular foo dogs are still a little weakness of mine. They are the perfect dash of color and completely adorable!
I am obviously fond of the turquoise ones, but these yellow ones are completely chic too!

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Style-icious Sunday {bachelor pad chic}

A little manly glamour for this style filled Sunday. My newest client is a bachelor who is in serious need of some style for his lair. Guys can be so clueless about decorating. That's why The Decorista comes to the rescue! Here is some inspiration for the man in your life...



via apartmenttherapy. decorpad. houzz. dapperdude

5 rugs I absolutely LOVE and cant get enough of

The moment I spotted this rug, I fell madly in love. It's more than just a dining room rug, its a show stopper! Tony Duquette has such great style, I just never can get enough. Right? 

for the rest of my favorites...
these moroccan rugs are the perfect neutral for any room
a leopard rug will always strike my fancy...
I love these bright colors in this exotic rug too. 
and as always zebra rugs look fantastic in solid black and white...
oh and I almost forgot...an old favorite Missoni!

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The Art of Living...using the right light fixtures

One of the things about living in a modern building that is not my favorite thing is standard lighting. I have a client with a gorgeous condo in a beautiful uptown high rise. It's absolutely gorgeous with floor to ceiling windows. During the day, the view of the city is immaculate and the beautiful bright light just nourishes the apartment so well. Problem is, they don't have adequate light at night. (who are these architects? jk) So today. all that is on my mind is out of this world light fixtures. I'm obsessed with finding things that have major style but also will give some good light.


In my search, I have found myself fawning over gorgeously designed light fixtures. Modern, rustic, retro, vintage, glass, lucite, there are just so many. I can only express how important it is to remember that even though its gorgeous, it needs to do its job, too! 
Isn't this such a fun brass sconce? So vintage + cool.








images via headoverheels

Tory Burch's sweet space. Instyle Magazine

I have such an incredibly huge girl crush on Tory Burch. Her style is so good and she always inspires me with her addiction and passion for orange. She makes orange oh so cool. Her spread in this month's Instyle Mag looks great. I have seen her hotel digs photographed before, but I don't know why every time I see it, its like the first time all over again. The use of color is just spot on! Jewel tones on the walls. Yummy! Have you seen her amazing stores? The decor is sensational.


p.s. i just absolutely love the monogrammed napkins and placement. so chic.

Home Tour: Jeff Lincoln's sophisticated in the city

Every once in a while, the New York Social Diary photographs the most beautiful Manhattan apartments. It is incredible how different each persons apartment is. I find it so fascinating that they can look absolutely stunning with very little square footage. Jeff Lincoln's manhattan apartment was such a nice little surprise to see on the site today. 
I love the cream walls of this apartment. It really keeps it light, airy and fresh. In this city, sometimes you need a completely calm place to come home to. His window treatments are fun too. Stripes and a geometric valance...so chic. He has fantastic art, beautiful gold mirrors throughout and great furniture with great lines. A very sophisticated NYC apartment. 
Not only do I adore the wall color in this dark, luscious room, I am a tad in love with the creativity on the art wall. So masculine chic.

Pretty in PINK...a perfectly wallpapered living room

Good morning my lovely Decoristas! I loved all of the feedback on the wallpaper I love...thanks so much! After that post, my adorable reader Jackie sent me these photos of her living room, I fell instantly. So bright and cheerful, I love the way aqua blue just makes a space so happy. I also love how she just used dramatic wallpaper on one wall, which is a clever and easy thing to do. Have any of you guys tried using wallpaper in your home? 
If so, send me photos...ashlina@thedecorista.com. I'd love to see!

secret of domestic bliss #45...good color combos

There are so many ways to achieve a well decorated look for your home. A great start is choosing the ideal color combination or scheme. I know its difficult for a lot of people to decide on a color story, thats why they hire decorators. I do e-decorating color consultations, too. The right color combination can do wonders on any space and create amazing impact that you will love! The goal is to fall in LOVE with where you live.
One of my favorite combos right now is gray and pink. So adorable. You can infuse color into almost anything. Fabrics in the bedrooms, delicious pops of colors on beautiful chairs, painted furniture, beautiful pillows, artwork, etc. It's so much fun to play around with color... pink and gray get along so famously, I just knew I had to share. 



all images via decorpad

rooms that rock my world. {rooms with grandeur}

Something about each of these rooms has me weak in the knees. I'm constantly daydreaming about living in rooms like these. The saturation and mix of colorways are so beautiful. Each room has textures and fabrics that lend to sophisticated and elegant style. Not too much color, just the right touch of boldness.Very inspiring for my little ol decorator heart. The last room with the beautiful wallpaper, might just be my favorite. The pillows are perfect and that wood + gold art piece on the wall is absolutely genius. 
via 

secret of domestic bliss #44...big, bold and beautiful lamps

I always say that lamps are to a room like earrings are to an outfit... they are an essential part of the decor.  Most of us who have great overhead lighting forget that lamps are so much more than a fabulous source of light, they are a key figure in decorating. Big, bold and beautiful lamps can do so much for a room. A stand alone beauty can make a huge statement all by itself and give a room that extra pop of color that it needs. On the other hand, when you add a pair of lamps, your room is instantly more sophisticated and polished. You can find just the right pair to tailor your room and make it complete. If you find a pair you love, just grab them. You never can have too many lamps.


via. houzz. pinterest. divastyle. rue. 

The Art of Living...how to decorate a fireplace

The next few days here in New York are supposed to be wildly snowy. So aside from the bevvy of blogger/magazine launch parties this week, I'd love to be bundled up next to the fireplace catching up on the online glossies. Which brought me to the question that most readers ask me... 
"how do I decorate or style my fireplace?"
I am always a huge fan of artwork above the fire, something extraordinarily beautiful to gaze at.
Mirrors work too, they open up the space and with beautiful ornate framing can be a lovely sight.
A combination of both art and mirrors can work extremely well too.
I especially love this purple room and how to use architectural elements (ie. graphic molding) to create a beautiful look with amazing style.


images here and here

What I love about Rue Issue 3

I truly love Virgin America for the fact that I can browse the internet on the airplane. I've had so much time to devour the latest issue of Rue and I love it! My favorite spread...
Nicole Cohen's fabulous NYC apartment. So incredibly gorgeous, I am obsessed! 
Her blog, sketch42, has always been one of my favorites. She is fab + a longtime blogging friend of mine...so I could love it most because I am just a teensy bit proud of her. (and jealous!)

I also am in loving these other lovely images, which I keep going back to...

Wallcolor Wednesday...sunny shades of yellow

Never underestimate the power of a yellow colored room. It might seem a bit much at first thought but yellow is jam packed with happiness. I think yellow can be beautiful when used with discretion. 
Yellow is not for everyone but how grand does this gorgeous yellow entryway look in the first photo? I really think it works well here and with a dash of pink...its perfection. I also happen to adore this gorgeous and cheery living room via martha stewart. Very martha, very traditional, very palm beach...i dig it. 


Now if all yellow on the walls is a bit too much for you...try going with stripes. They work too.



photos via livelikeyou + effortlesstyle