daydreaming in black + white...

As much as I love color, I love black + white...
It's the perfect combination because it is the ultimate contrast. Lately, I have been noticing, I am attracted most visually to high contrast. Right now, I am imagining my dream home and Carolina Hererra's Manhattan showroom would be my home entryway. Fabulous, no?
I adore this room and how perfectly the sofa size sits in the window nook.
This living room...so simple yet so chic with just moments of black and white.
 Now this bathroom is loaded with color, but the real goodness comes from the pops of black and white. Chevron and stripes. Such a bold little combo...and who wouldn't want this bedroom wallpaper?

images 1//2//3//4//5

bliss in the kitch'...Steven Sclaroff Stripes

I absolutely adore this little kitchen, the stripes remind me of my old apartment. So now I am thinking of where I want to put stripes in my new apartment. Maybe the kitchen, or perhaps the bathroom. I love the way Steven Sclaroff does stripes in this gorgeous home...

This bathroom really stole the show for me. I'm finding that I really enjoy thin pinstripes lately as opposed to the thicker variety. It looks so fresh and chic whether in the powder room or even on the sofa.
I even love this triple color stripe look in the bedroom. What kind of stripes do you guys suggest?

images via desire to inpsire

Tablescape Tuesday...ringing in the new year right

First thing to do in the New Year...throw a fabulous holiday soiree. The first big meal of the year is always a reason to celebrate and this year is no exception. How fitting would it be to celebrate with shades of Emerald, the color of the year! I am completely crushing on this gorgeous tablescape with hints of gold, emerald and black + white stripes...

 Originally this chic little get together was for a baby shower, but I happen to think the look would work perfectly for a NYE brunch to celebrate the new year. Simple flowers and a toast of champagne and orange juice are definitely a must. 


images via...inspired by this
Photographer: Katie Stoops Photography

EXCITING NEWS + Horizontal stripes

Lately I have been feeling the need to jazz things up around my apartment...again. I swear I am always changing things up, moving things around, etc. As much as I love to paint, I love wallpaper more and I am in the works in developing something very special for you all to see.
A wallpaper line by me...just for you!
In my first testing/trial attempts, I went for black and white horizontal stripes...thoughts???
The best part...it's temporary! 
Here is what inspired me to go for this look...

this cute office space is one of my favorites....

all images found here + here...

Styleicious Sunday...black and white stripes + 2012 resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe that 2012 is finally here. Today I am joyfully celebrating the start of something fresh for me and I'll give you a hint of a little something special I have been working on...
black and white stripes have long been my favorite look, not only is the pattern very prominent in my apartment, I am using it in an upcoming project that I am wild about. 
It's totally my style. Bold, classic, glamorous and a little edgy too.
This photo says it all for me and what I want lots of in 2012. 
Black and white stripes, a little bit of brass and a dash of coffee too! 
One of my new years resolutions is to travel more...paris, india, morocco. So, I'd like to be seeing stripes in a setting just like this.
This year, more written notes + letters...
I am on the hunt for these envelopes found on pinterest. Anyone know where I can find?
I could use to spend a little more time reading and a little less time typing...
I'd like to be a little more eccentric in my style, I wear the same classic look every day and its getting a little boring. I'd love to don something like this fun girl...

or this one...
or these fun girls. love their hats...
the rest of these photos are what is my true hearts desire...
dinner parties
romantic moments...
and peaceful time by the ocean...
oh and plenty of decorating too, of course!

HAPPY 2012 EVERYONE...
MAY THIS YEAR BRING US ALL HEALTH, WEALTH & SUCCESS IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE! 

{images. via here + here}

I'm off to DALLAS...

and I am beyond excited to get there. I'm hoping to see old faces and make new friends at the VandM.com event (if you live in Dallas, do join us), do lots and lots of shopping and spending good time with family.
Anybody have any suggestions as to vintage shops and fabulous stores I must not miss...please let me know! 
And of course, I couldn't leave you without any intoxicating decor photos so take a peek at what I have been crushing on lately...

my best pal Cass's christmas tree.
ridiculously modern and cool wallpaper.
poufy sleeves and poufy skirts.
the most ridiculously good set of stairs I have ever seen.
Mr. Goodwill Huntings perfect tie on wreath, so chic.
If it isn't evident from this post, I will let you guys in on a little secret...
BLACK AND WHITE IS MY WEAKNESS!!!

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

chic little bathrooms...

Now that I have been putting the finishing touches on my own apartment, I have a pretty boring bathroom and I am dying to spice it up a little. I love character in a bathroom, but my bathroom fixtures are so modern that it is hard to add "personality". I need to stick with the modern hotel chic vibe.
So, I am just jonesin' for some bathroom chic-ness...
hot pink and white stripes.....oh yes! 
we all know my affections for toile...

Home Tour: Angela Cunha's black and white stripes

This super fun + modern home tour is the home of Angela Cunha, a portugese interior designer. She sent me some lovely photos of her home so I thought they would be perfect to share with all of you. What impressed me right off the bat are the abundance of black and white stripes throughout her space. I am absolutely crazy about the black, gray and white striped wall. So clever and stylish. It's really a job well done.

to see the rest of this stripe filled pad...

images from angela's blog.

bliss in the kitch' ...black and yellow splendor

The minute I laid eyes on this photo by Laure Joliet, I was done.
It's just delicious. 
Hello, notice the yellow and white striped outdoor area, complete with an aqua rocker. 
I am forever a fan of cowhide rugs and Saarinen looking tables, of course. Swoon
The playfulness of these elements are absolute perfection.
The chairs are so incredibly genius with the dark walls and black + white cabinetry.
Not to mention the ever so funky chandelier.
loving it!

bliss in the kitch' {striped walls for the win}

Oh my goodness. This gray and white striped kitchen is adorable...I'm in love. It has that perfect breakfast nook quality that I love. Notice the bottles looking organized in that basket on the bottom white shelf, its perfection! The bright stripes absolutely make the space. I also adore the mis-matched chairs too. Such a cute little kitch'!

a beautiful bedroom...

dark walls and bright white fluffy bedding is pure domestic bliss.
I'm sort of obsessing over this bedroom today. I find the striped chair so adorable and I spot my favorite Dorothy Draper book "in the pink"...need i say more?

In other blissful news...
I am on set today for something very fabulous I will be telling you about very soon.
So exciting.
and, for all of you who leave me comments (you know who you are) please know that they really do make my day, I love hearing your encouraging words. They always seem to be the best pick-me-up!
I honestly do not know what I would do without the blogging community.
I love love love love love it.
THANK YOU!

The Decorista tip of the day...add stripes for a quick pick-me-up!

This weekend in LA was the gloomiest of the season so far. 
I haven't spent that much time indoors in a while. It got me thinking...
While the weather starts to get gloomier, my bar area needed a little pick-me-up.
So I painted some stripes to perk myself up.
It totally worked and now I am in love.

(as always, please forgive my poor photography skills...one day!)

it doesn't get much better than this {dining room decorating}

luxeandlillies

flightsofwhimsy

 I am just loving the fact that each of these dining rooms are based with white walls + accent colors! What a fabulous way to add a pop of style without commiting to an entire color change. This is perfect for a decorista like me, as I am obsessed with redecorating to fit my mood.
The rooms that have pink are not overtly feminine either, so husbands can deal. ;)
Supremely good + dramatic lighting tops it off with perfection and of course mismatched seating.  Swoooooooon!  

Hope I inspire your weekend lovelies! 
Thank you for being the best readers + commenters EVER this week.
Your comments crack me up and make my day.
love to you!