House Tour: Inside the home of Nina Bergsten

Nina Bergsten...no idea who this woman is but her style is OH SO VERY chic. Stockholm is her home, so she has that Swedish style on lock. White walls, white furnishings with bits of black and rustics in the mix. What I love most is the touch of pretty pastels added throughout which really give the masculine look such a soft, feminine touch. Its perfection in my book...
How stylish is this woman? I think I need that sweater ASAP.


Images via RESIDENCE

bliss in the kitch'...black backsplash

I am seriously loving the kitchen decor here. Black walls and white washed floors in this gorgeous kitchen is just breathtaking to me. The high gloss white cabinetry is pretty cool too. The mix of a vintage and glamorous chandelier with an old wood table is perfection.
Black backsplashes are my current weakness...
I mean, the biggest decorista in all the land, kelly wearstler, does it!
HELL-OH!

images via casa sugar...

WELCOME SPONSOR: Storkie wedding stationary

Just a few weeks ago I was maid of honor in my sister/besties wedding and now another one of my girls in prepping to walk down the isle. One thing I know is that I need to always be prepared to answer questions and help make final decisions as I am usually the go to for decor. 
Wedding save the dates and invitations are always the first thing to come and set the theme/tone of the wedding day...so they have to be perfect. Thank goodness for Storkie! Seriously, their online selection of wedding invitations has saved my life....

They have the perfect look for every style of every bride, event if she isn't trying to be too fussy.
I am loving this wedding shower invitation as I usually am the one to do these sorts of things.
I love the look of chic illustrations.
My bestie who is about to tie the knot is more of a modern bride, we are thinking lots of black in her wedding and I love this lace invite...
I also find myself in love with letterpress wedding invitations. There is something very romantic and elegant about them, don't you think?

Secret of domestic bliss #61...decorate with stacks of books

Books are the ultimate in lifestyle. They can be used in a variety of ways and I truly believe that they bring joy to the owner. Not only do they serve as excellent indicator of personality, they are essential for a stylish home. The colors of the book jackets and even the font can add a little swagger to your space and/or bookcase...
I love to decorate with books grouped together in the same color family...
As a decorator, I use all of my favorite decor, fashion and art books as tools for inspiration...
its so essential for my business.
This is what my chairs at home look like...all the time.


In the Pink by Dorothy Draper. High Style by Woodson + Rummerfield. 
HUE by Kelly Wearstler. I love your style by Amanda Brooks.
Ellements of Personal Style by Elle Magazine


image sources: one. two. three.four.

NYC House Tour: Stylish living in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of those places that you just can't hate. While I am a total Manhattan kind of girl, Brooklyn does have a small part of my heart. There are so many great restaurants, shops, things to do and see and I do have a heart for the hip people. The best part about Brooklyn...the space! I continually dream of living in a much, much bigger apartment and it seems as if I gave life in Brooklyn an opportunity, that dream just might come true. 
This townhome featured in Architectural Digest totally gives me some inspiration. It's incredibly gorgeous...
Even with white walls the place is loaded with serious style. The artwork all over the walls is a huge part of what makes it so chic. Oh, and of course the pops of turquoise help too,
These deliciously glossy dark brown walls + tiger print chair are majorly FABULOUS! 
How perfect are these red chairs in that garden area? In the springtime I bet this outdoor space is just killer. Wow. Doesn't it just make you want to move to Brooklyn? 
well...not really but at least we can daydream.

images seen at luxe + lillies via AD.

Styleicious Sunday...the things of SPRING


Neons all the rage right now...especially when it comes to home decor AND fashion. 
 I am so looking forward to adding SPRING touches to my decor, fashion and lifestyle, aren't you?

Of course not only will I add flowers to any table surface, but bright and bold lipsticks are my favorite. I love to wear this YSL coral gloss in the springtime, it goes well with  my skin tone.
I will do anything and everything to make sure that fluros and neons are all up in my world...
I've decided that I need this satchel...ASAP
although I think I must get it in PINK.
oh the highlighter colors...so fun to play with.

How fab is this idea of combining succulents and hot pink neon macrame spotted on design sponge? 
all images sourced here...

10 things that rocked my world this week...february 18

1. One of the best motivational quotes I have heard in a long time. I truly believe that you get what you give. I am so feeling on that right now...
2. This glitter artwork is a perfect piece for any hip apartment in this city. I think, YES!!!!!! Any New York domestic gal could definitely use to add some whimsy to her home decor like this. 
 3. I loved that Valentines Day was this week. Anything in the name of love just speaks to my soul. How cute are these kisses? I'm thinking of this for a bathroom wallpaper. Pretty perfect.
 4. This months House Beautiful green issue came out and it has been such an inspiration for me in terms of decorating in this fabulous city. Green walls in home decor are different and out of the box, I am very fond of the look.
 5. Okay, so  I have a new signature fragrance for this spring. GUCCI GUILTY is oh so delicious and let me tell you, everyone asks me what I am wearing. Gotta love that.
 6. One of my favorite new york decor stores in Modani. It's so much fun to get inspired for that Hollywood glam look. One wall had this amazing tufted look, I was floored. Want. it. now!
7. I gotta throw this in the mix...my church is sooo good. Rocks my world every single week.
I heart Hillsong NYC. Amen.
8. Oh wow. Diptyque Tuberose is one of my favorite smelling scents. Gardenia, jasmine and tuberose are my perfect trifecta of scents. I clearly am a girlie girl and I love it. If I could have any candle in my home, this one would probably be burning at all times.
9. It's been such lovely weather lately and I have been wandering the streets of the city. I stumbled upon this fabulous paper store in Chelsea and found these gorgeous wrapping papers. Completely made me think of India and how long I have been dreaming of going. So inspired!
10. Spring and sunshine are on their way to the city and I am just overly delighted about it! How I am counting down the moments till my favorite iced coffees can make their pretty way back to my routine...This week, I decided its okay to start a little early and OH MY GOODNESS...it was gooood!
HAPPY DAY! 

Inside the home of Diane Von Furstenberg


What girl isn't inspired by Diane Von Furstenberg, I know I completely am! Being an entrepreneurial woman is powerful. I find myself always looking to women like her to keep me motivated and inspired. My favorite thing to do with people I admire is to see where they live. It gives you a glimpse into their true personality. It's just a small obsession of mine. 
Here architectural digest takes us inside her NYC playhouse. I love it...
Hello greenery...
I love this whole set up. The leopard print carpet, zebra chairs, branch table and of course the Warhol! 
Now this worktable is VERY office space of the day worthy...wouldn't you say?




scanned images via the decorator FOR MORE IMAGES = Architectural Digest

House Beautiful March 2012...a green machine

 
This issue of House Beautiful absolutely rocked my world. It's packed full of amazing green goodness and the color is just so good, I am completely re-inspired. Every shade of green in this issue is just intoxicating. How gorgeous is that teal green sofa in velvet? It is matched perfectly with blues, pinks and silvers. LOVE? Me too, but wait there is more...

 
 Oh, this headboard. Yes, its definitely a stunner!
 This exotic green room is AMAZING...
 and even this soft and subtle beige-ish green is so soothing and beautiful.
 Now this room really packed punch to me. Dark green walls mixed with lovely lavender chinoiserie pillows. So completely boh meets neo-traditional and I love everything about the mix.
Total Perfection.
WOW!

Wallcolor Wednesday: cozy + creamy

I am usually the first one to add some deep color on the walls, but today I am seriously loving the things you can do with cream walls. They really aren't as boring as you would think. I love this room here, its so very California cool and the deep + dark trimmings make cream walls look totally chic, not to mention that fabulous yellow couch.
Bright punchy colors in fabrics or even really fun patterns can completely divert your attention and make cream walls actually seem a little glam...

images via nancymarcus. theglamlamb. pinterest.

Tablescape Tuesday: red + pink are the colors of LOVE

I just love Valentines day because everything around is pink + red and I love those colors together! 
So, for me, entertaining on this very special day is an ultimate treat. I just love using + mixing the colors of LOVE...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY MY SWEET, SWEET READERS.
In the words of Whitney Houston (God rest her soul)...
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!
images via everythingfab

Dreaming of a beautiful bathroom suite...

However the look of this bathroom is just what I am fond of. As much as I love the look of this gorgeous bath, I know that for me its just not realistic. So, I am forever in search of the perfect bathroom for me...

At one point or another I know most of us have coveted Jenna Lyons (creative director at J. Crew) perfectly black bathroom. The dark and rich black walls and black roman shade match the black  clawfoot bathtub...I mean what could be more chic? I especially love the mix of gold and silver metals and herringbone patterned wood floors. Oh, and I could not forget that cute little exotic rug in the corner of the photo. BATHROOM PERFECTION.
Then again, I have to think realistically what kind of gorgeous bathroom suites would work best for me. Something like this might do...
Amazing wallpaper always makes a bathroom that much better, don't you think? I spy a pretty venetian mirror that would be perfect for a vanity area. Gorgeous chandelier and a sweet skirted stool, these are all elements of an amazing bathroom, no?
But if we are truly dreaming here, as I usually am doing, I would love to escape to something like this...
To me, domestic bliss is all about loving where you live. So that means you have to walk into your bathroom and absolutely get excited about stepping into that bathtub. This wood and stone bathroom is so zen like, I could totally see myself getting uber relaxation time in here. 
In terms of decor style, I like feminine bathrooms, things that look parisian and romantic and this styling is just oh so feminine. It reminds me of something Dorothy Draper might have lived in if she were still alive. Combining some glamour with her traditional swagger.
As much as I love style and color and panache, my true personal favorite bathroom style would be clean, modern and uber classic, almost hotel like...
The lighting in here just rocks my world. I just love that chandelier. However, I would probably get on board with some new bathroom furniture, that chair just simply does not cut it for me. I love the entire wall of mirrors, its totally captivating and the cute little white tv. The room for storage is perfect for me as I collect beauty products, i could seriously fill these drawers in a nano second. 
This bathroom definitely is the winner! 
Thanks for daydreaming with me! 
images were found here...

DIY Decor Idea: colored matting

Happy Friday everyone! This week in NYC is so much fun...it's fashion week and things in my neighborhood are just buzzing. I love the energy. So, inspired by all the amazing fashion that I have been seeing around, I am desperate to add more color to my very GREIGE apartment.
One way I can get this plan into action is through matting in my artwork...

I adore this look with the gold and black frame and pink-ish matting, very neo-traditional...
mixing up the colors can be very boho chic yet still sophisticated.
I, of course, LOVE the hot pink but different colors look very cool too! 
This bathroom look is just oh so right, I think the green and yellow is so chic!
oh and this lavender is just my color lately and I am totally inspired by this photo from NYSD


images via... glamlamb. tumblr. lonnymag. littlegreennotebook. NYSD.

Guest Post + Decor Idea: Chairs in the Kitchen area


If you are looking for a way to add a touch of ergonomic sophistication to your kitchen area, a new set of dining chairs could be just what you need. Dining chairs are brilliant: they combine the practical with the pretty and marry relaxation with resilience. With options available to suit every taste, chairs represent an attractive and versatile alternative to other types of kitchen furniture...

some gorgeous ideas...
The term "dining chair" conjures images of tradition, harmony and familial warmth. Centred around the dinning table, they quite literally bring families and friends together, providing comfortable and attractive foundations on which happiness can blossom. Classic four-legged designs are perennially popular. With their stable foundations, these dining chairs are capable of striking astonishing vintage silhouettes which are guaranteed to draw gasps and impressed gazes from your guests.
Chairs need not be too conservative however, and in recent times quirkier models have taken precedent. As technology develops, so too should furniture. Manufacturers realise this and with this in mind they have created a range of modern contemporary designs for those who value different and distinctive furniture. Acrylic dining chairs are slick and futuristic, challenging the concept of a dining chair while retaining all of their best qualities. Z-shaped chairs are fashionable but functional, striking unique figures in a largely traditional market.
Some directly combine the old-fashioned with the contemporary. There are polished wooden chairs which will swivel and slide according to your wishes. Mobility and magnificence shouldn’t be mutually exclusive and neither should the classic and contemporary aesthetics. Indeed, many are completed by protective floor plugs, ensuring that ruined floor surfaces are a thing of the past. Whoever said that you can’t have it all clearly didn’t have a set of dining chairs in their kitchen!
A range of different seat types is available from faux and real-leather to ABS plastic resin. There is nothing quite like a real-leather seat for those who want to give their homes an opulent twist, although faux-leather is a close contender. Available in a range of colours, faux- and real-leather dining chairs are not to be missed if you value elegant, durable and flawlessly made furniture.
Although dining chairs aren't made for the kitchen, and with all these incredible options available, it’s impossible to resist the allure. So why not add some dining chairs to your kitchen and witness their wonders for yourself?
images...from here

Bliss in the kitch'...living in grey

Absolutely smitten with this little cottage kitchen style. Dark grey walls are the perfect backdrop for white dishes, green and yellow accessories and perfect little country knick knacks. Gingham is the perfect sister to that fun country look and how about that sweet mix matched tile flooring. Just all around adorableness...
I love the grey in these kitchens too! So classic.
Right now I am just in love with deep grey and this neon yellow! 
I also am very into that earthy look...


images....bright bazaar. apartment34. unknown.

WALLCOLOR WEDNESDAY...lavender loveliness

I personally think that the color lavender is really underestimated. Most people associate it with a nursery or a really feminine room but I think that the color can actually be quite sophisticated when used in the right way. Yes, of course it is feminine but let us not forget that in our history the color purple was used to signify royalty. I love when it is used in the unexpected places and situations...it can be quite breathtaking...

I do think it looks very sweet in a country-esque kitchen...
It is absolute perfection in this modern home office...no?
This couple just looks so cozy in this sophisticated lavender dining room...

images... houseandhome. casasugar. decorology. atticmag. decorpad.