BEDROOM BLUES...

Pardon my lack of posting these last few days. After my trip back home to Texas, I came home with the flu. It's incredibly difficult to even move, let alone compose a blog post. In an effort to not let my most loved people in the world, you, my readers, down, I thought I'd share a few blue bedrooms. Because thats the color of my bedroom at my grandmothers house. (thanks for all the sweet comments about her by the way, she LOVED them) Being sick in bed all day is no fun, but in these gorgeous bedrooms, a day in bed could very well be blissful...

So inspiring. Blue doesn't have to just be painted on the walls to make an impact. There are so many ways to incorporate the gorgeous color. My grandmothers favorite color is blue and she once told me...
"you must always have one blue room in your house. It will be your favorite place to escape to"

images via bedroom bliss...

10 things that rocked my world this week...September 8

1. A very busy week came to an end with a trip back home to Texas for my grandmothers 95th birthday. She is the sweetest, most amazing grandma and I am beyond blessed to have her in my life. Love this girl...

2. I am so into this art deco style chair with shell like lines. Its so very vibrant velvet and in the perfect magenta hue.
3. On a shopping trip in Soho, I popped on by C. Wonder to be greeted by the gorgeous, glossy blue foo dogs. They had me at hello. 
4. This is my favorite bedroom color scheme ever, we called it the gabriel room. The peacock blue and gorgeous gold mirror is just so rich and elegant. The mirror was such a find in an upper west side vintage store...pure perfection. 
5. I love coming to my grandmothers home in Dallas. This is her entryway. Striped walls in pretty blue and this adorable little bench. She is such a chic woman...
6. This fab tablescape was also at C. Wonder. Love the ikat plates and orange placemat. Such a fun little combo. 
7. So it was brought to my attention that IKEA has these mirrored dressers on super sale. I almost died. 
8. On a shopping trip to Brooklyn I popped in the Trader Joes to grab some water and to my surprise it looked like this. I was in heaven. 
9. You can probably tell by now that I have an affinity for cross jewelry. I have been rocking this white and gold number on the regular and I'm kind of in love.
10. The highlight of my week was working with Elevate NY and decorating the classroom at this Bronx school for creative kids. My heart is so for the youth, for me, its so important to be involved in nurturing and supporting creativity. Had the most fun day doing this! 

THE DOORS OF NEW YORK...

So. I have a new little project that has been taking up quite a bit of my time. I'm sure you are all as obsessed with INSTAGRAM as much as I am. I literally addicted. Living in New York I find so much inspiration, especially in the art + architecture of this city. Every corner I turn, I find something new and inspiring and I've been documenting, snapping photos (my new side hobby) of them for months. So, I finally am posting them on an instagram  @thedoorsofnewyork. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, there are some seriously good doors in this city. Maybe one day ill make a book out of them...
 
 

office space of the day...David Hicks meets Studio Ten25

As soon as I spotted this office with the David Hicks hexagon pattern inset on the armoire, I knew this Studio Ten 25 design was office space worthy. I use this pattern a lot in projects, it's such a classic and modern print. I also just love the idea of using it in other ways besides just the walls...
black walls + yellow curtains + greek key rug + flamestitch chair + david hicks hexagon on armoire=
domestic bliss

Elements of Eclectic Glamour

When people ask me to define my style, I always say "eclectic glamour". I think because I love so many looks and styles, its so hard for me to really define. The one thing I know is that I love glamorous things and I love the finer things. Perhaps thats why I love vintage + antiques so much, most of the time these things are made with such care and high quality. I rarely find an interior that really does eclectic quite like I like but Nicole Hanley's apartment featured in vogue did something I am completely into...

White I am not the biggest fan of yellow, I can't help but love the little touches of yellow throughout her space. It adds vibrancy and color to the mix. I've been seeing neon in acrylic so much lately and that adorable ashtray on her coffee table is probably my favorite thing in the space, aside from the glamorous kitten artwork. 
These black doors with yellow insets are oh so rad. Very "outside the box". Which brings out an eclectic edge. Her abounding art collection also nods to modern and the eclectic mix gives you that sophisticated feeling. To top off the look that golden obelisk paired with the marble eggs adds style, swagger and keeps it very glamorous! 
images via Vogue.com

SWEETLY SECRETARIAL

Lately I have been really recalling my love of making a home. Taking time and putting thought into the things that are truly important to me as far as domestic bliss goes. One of those being making my home office time more enjoyable by prettifying it a little more. Then,  I can get to writing those thank you notes I need to get around to...

image via here. 

WISDOM...

The moment I saw these words I knew that I had to share them. I've been a little uninspired in design lately...desperate to see something new and fresh that just blows me away. However, thanks to Mr. Hadley this quote reminded me that what I love about my job is that creating a quality of life is so important. Home is where the heart is and there is beauty in the lifestyle you create. 

10 things that rocked my world this week...September 1

1. As summer is coming to an end I have been actively prepping my closet for fall. I have had my eyes on these fab cross rings and I finally found the perfect double finger cross ring (this one is from ALDO) it's my most favorite accessory right now. I just really need it in gold! 

2. One thing about this summer has been long strolls around the city and I have taken dozens of photos of the gorgeous doors all over Manhattan. I just adore them. So, I started a second instagram for it 
@thedoorsofnewyork. Because thats the logical thing to do these days, right? It has quickly become my little addiction. 
3. I am sucker for tortoiseshell, obviously... and these chairs just completely blew me away! 
4. Ah, pink roses. I love the many different shades of pink roses. They are so vibrant and beautiful. I can never get enough of them and every morning when I walk by them, they instantly put a smile on my face. 
5. I always love this David Hicks wallpaper. How great does it look in this cute little apartment entryway? I am always happy with the way it instantly glams up any old room and I find myself using it in so many projects because of that. Can't wait to show you guys the rest of this apartment, we just have to get it all finished first. Heading to Brooklyn today to search for some treasures! 
6. My new greek key bedding finally has made its bedroom debut and I am so in love with it. It's awesome because now I ALWAYS make my bed just so I can see its chic-ness. 
7. I have a neighbor who lives in this fabulous building and I find myself so excited every time I visit because I get to see this glamorous chandelier...I so want one! 
8. Styling your cookware is so essential for any DECORISTA...I love the way my sweet friend styled hers. 
9. This pretty little kitty stopped me in my tracks. She perfectly posed along with a few pillows and a beautiful leather bag. I seriously am considering getting one of these chic statues for my front door. So very "I am a rockstar".
10. It was tuesday about 10:30 at night and on a walk home I was so surprised by an impromptu opera session. It was incredible and magical and I just wish my camera took a better photo so I could have captured the ambiance. These are the things I love about living in New York City. So wonderful, It just absolutely made my week.



3 WAYS TO TRY TORTOISESHELL

Things are getting crazy around the city for New York fashion week. My clients are all in a hurry to get things looking good for their guests visiting town. So I have been a mad woman scouring the streets of new york for some fabulous accessories and I found a pair of incredible chairs with the frame in tortoiseshell. My heart skipped a beat the second I saw them. That pair was sold but since those beauties I have been dying to use tortoiseshell in other ways...


images...dining room photo//console styling//the tortishell mirror//tortiseshell wallpaper

NEEDING. WANTING. LOVING. beautiful brass seating

 When I first stumbled across this lovely office space I couldn't help but think of how lovely the shade of pink on the wall was. I quickly realized that my favorite part of this space is this amazing chair. I am so into metal accent chairs lately, especially the brass ones. I am now going to be endlessly searching this city for the perfect one for my home office...

 I just love this Klismos (old greek style) brass and leather weaved chair. It's incredibly glam and stylish, but I am not quite sure how comfortable that would be to work in all day. I am very much into comfort, so a plush seat with buttery soft leather would be so perfect for me...
 Even placing a sweet little brass chair in the bathroom makes for a heavenly little sitting spot. 

images via sfgirlbybay, lonnymag, here, tylerdawson, & younghouselove.

Wallcolor Wednesday: COLOR BLOCKING COOL

Painting in this city can be so daunting. With all of the moldings, curved ceilings and such it makes paint difficult to envision. I totally get it, but I have found that most of my friends get so afraid to paint because of these small little issues. I encourage you to take the leap and get some color on the wall. Now, if you are afraid of picking the wrong color or maybe you want a certain color but think it might be 'too much'. So, why not take a cue from fashion and only paint part of the wall a color...

 Even the smallest dash of color can make a BIG difference. It might be hard to imagine how it would look so I have put together some of my favorite inspirations to show you just how fab it can be. 
 I am a huge fan of color in the hallway and something like this is just perfect. 
 
 Afraid of black paint? Here is a great way to add it without killing the room with darkness.
 
DECORATOR TRICK:  In New York, so many apartments have these great moldings about 12 inches or so below the ceiling. If you keep it white it makes the ceilings seem higher than they are. 
 You can create the same effect with just using a lighter color (like the lavender + blue combo below).

images:

Tablescape Tuesday...BLACK + GOLD

I am just a sucker for black, white and gold together. Eddie Ross, a good friend and extremely talented stylist has inspired the entertainista in me. I am dying to recreate this look at an upcoming dinner party. My favorite part of his styling magic is that he always incorporates vintage treasures. The white milk glass against the black looks so chic and touches of gold just complement the look so effortlessly. The final touch is the monogrammed napkin which is essential for any sophisticated dinner party...




images via eddie ross. 

bliss in the kitch' ... a little something SMEG

One of my dreams has always been to have a huge and open kitchen. Living in New York is hardly the place to really fulfill that dream, but you never know. In the pre war apartments that I so adore, I think a vintage looking SMEG fridge could be just the perfect addition to really add some chic style to the kitchen. As I think about what I would really want, I find that its also a way to add a little fashion forward color. It could be perfect in pink or even mint green. So cool and so on trend...

Most small NYC studios only have space in the kitchen for the mini fridge, so even something like this little size (its really a dishwasher but..)could be so adorable. I am so in love with this look right now. It can go in a retro space, a modern one, or even a completely glam kitchen. 


images via here, here, here, here, here, here, here, & here.

10 things that rocked my world this week...August 25

1. This week as I was packing up my apartment, I found an old gift from a fan when I first moved to NYC. Then when one of my dear blogger friends Dallas Shaw instagrammed her street trucker hat, we became part of the #coolhatclub. Sometimes, it's the silly little things that make life oh so fun! 

2. Incase you missed it this week. I found out that I am going to Paris in November and I am beyond excited about it. I'll be definitely taking any and all suggestions of places to see, shop and experience! 
3. I finally got an SLR camera a few months ago and I never use it. I have always wanted to take better pictures so I started to take photography lessons. Beyond excited to see what comes of this. I love capturing beautiful moments of life.
4. Matchbook magazine headquarters finally made the move to NYC. I am beyond excited because Ms. Katie Armour is one of my dearest friends. We celebrated her and co-founder Jane's arrival with Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita blog at a fab party on the upper east side. 
5. My fab 5 inch leopard heels were definitely my favorite outfit accessory of the week. Love them! 
6. A smoked amber glass chandelier with soft lighting against a white brick wall is the epitome of glamour. I am seriously considering this one. 
7. My bed is the most important and special piece to me in the world and she got a new outfit. My new greek key bedding finally arrived from Live Like You this week. I am in love with my bed all over again. 
8. New art is my bag baby! I am always collecting chic little art prints for my apartment, clients, etc and this gold Jesus print from Made By Girl just rocked my world! LOVE.
9. I so enjoyed entering my new clients apartment. The vestibule was oh so chic with black and white flooring and a greek key border. It's one of the things I love about NYC spaces, you never know what magic you will find. 
10. My lucite and brass letter opener. I have been using her a lot this week and I am so in love with her. Makes all things business that much more fabulous. 

BONUS: some words to ponder for the weekend...


Fashion meets decor: Balmain black and white checkers

Beautiful black + white checkered Balmian resort collection
meet
beautiful black + white checkered entryway flooring...
your bold, dramatic and oh so chic look just captivates my heart! 

Lately everywhere I look, I see black and white checkers. Yesterday, I went to a client meeting and walking into the vestibule I stumbled up the most gorgeous black and white checkered floor. Right then  it hit me, this look is so hot right now! Not only am I seeing it everywhere in decor, but on the runways too. I can't wait to see what turns up in these next few weeks as Fashion Week approaches. 
 It's not as if the look is new, I think my grandparents have had floors like this in their kitchen for over 30 years. It really shows how everything old, will once become new again. I love this look so much right now...seriously hoping for some black and white checkers in my new building, wherever that might be. Anyone lucky enough to have this look in their home now???
 


fashion images Balmain Resort 2013 via style.com
decor images found here... BHG//willowbeinspired//splendidsass

Euro Antics

Things are feeling very French around here, partly because of my upcoming trip to Paris but mostly because my newest client loves fabulously french pieces. So, I have grown fond of this amazing resource, Euro Antics. I find that the lines of these pieces are easy to work with and so true to French style. Throw any of these into the mix and make sure to add a dash of gold, too.  

inspiration image via here.