Sharing wisdom...

Please forgive my lack of posting today. I am hustling around this hectic (and hot!) city right now finishing up a big install at a clients home. It's not easy at all doing these things in this city and its taking everything in me. Though, not for one second do I take it for granted or not appreciate what I do. I get to do my dream job every single day and for that I am beyond thrilled. I still pinch myself sometimes because I really can't believe this life I have created for myself. The funny thing...I only wished I had started much sooner. ;) 
Enjoy your day lovlies!

Art + Room: Black and white abstracts

In preparation for Memorial Day, I am tying up a few loose ends here and there before I head down to Palm Beach...particularly with my clients and their accessorizing needs. Even my own apartment, which is being prepared to shoot, needs some final touches. A big something missing is perfect artwork...
 As much as I love color, my most favorite look has always been the chic paintings done in abstract black and white. There is something about it thats very modern and very chic. I don't care how traditional you want to go in your space or how boho, abstract art looks good anywhere. 
 If you are anything like me, then you believe in high contrast and its impact. Black and white make the perfect non color collision that effortlessly creates something so striking and stunning. 
 The great thing about this particular look is that it goes well in a loud colorful + oh so vibrant dining area...
 or even the most peaceful + simple bedroom.


images via lonny mag, daydreams, hellosukio.

FIFTH AVENUE FLAIR by Stephen Sills

Over the weekend I was chandelier shopping all over this city for my clients new space...
There are so many incredible chandeliers out there, I sincerely wanted to take home about 5 of them. I love a dramatic chandelier, especially in the dining room. So when I saw this dining room by Stephen Sills in a Manhattan apartment, I was moved to madness...It's so good!
 The couple who the apartment was designed for is from Paris and thats clear with all of the beautiful French elements in this space. However, what I really find myself drawn to is the mix of the Parisian parts with the ultra glam and modern pieces and accents thrown in the mix. I mean I love this gold screen and tiger print carpet. The mixing of styles here is utterly magical. 
 This entryway is bangin'. Simple, chic and the mixing of silver and gold is so hot right now. 
 How about the flooring here? Its so chic, I love the contrast of dark and light woods with a chevron pattern. This is very fresh. Oh, and gold shimmery curtains, is he serious? I love it. 
 I am so into all the daring design risks in this apartment, but when you have so much glamour, you need a little bit of calmness to balance it out. This room does just that, and it just looks effortless...
images via AD photography by François Halard

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

1. New York summertime. This weather is divine. The perfect time for dinners on the rooftop and perfectly glowing views. The lights in this city..are just magical. 
 2. Obviously I can't get over this plum bedroom. So rich and glamorous. 
 3. These flowers from Diane James Home. I can't even believe they aren't real.
 4. In preparation for styling a dinner party I had to do some shopping and I enjoyed every single bit of it. All this gold just had me at hello. I just want to fill my apartment with all of it.
 5. The doors of New York has been so fun to shoot lately. I fell hard for the mossy bay window on this brownstone. Absolutely beautiful! 
 6. Baraonda. My new favorite place to meet the girls for chit chat. The art in the place is so fab and Miami 1020's deco fabulous. Love it. 
7. Went to see the Killers at Madison Square Garden and it was a blast. They put on a really good show and I really love MSG. It's such a fun venue. 
8. The photographer I work with, has such an adorable apartment. I love this dresser, I mean it seriously is so hard for me not to try and steal it. The way she styled it up with her vintage camera collection...now thats chic. 
9. Kind of obsessed with the diamond cut edges on my dining room mirror. Yeah. I am in love with it. 
10. This week tons of photos were all over the gossip pages and online news sites from the week of design in LA. My girl Cass and I made a little appearance under LA celebrity pics....oh haaay. lol. we are so not celebrities, but it kinda made our week. 

WANDERLUSTING: Grand Hotel Oslo Part 2

The other day I shared with all of you the beautiful makeover...
Well, now its time to show you the front part of the suite...the dining and living area. Still keeping with the purple theme, I just love how they went with a bright and light fresh color. It really keeps things cheery and romantic. Yet, I adore the pops of modern art prints, it keeps things modern and fresh.
 The lavender looks so good with pops of gold and that velour looking sofa looks just delicious. 
 It's not very often that you see plate collages like art installations on a wall sans symmetry and I am loving everything about it. It looks fab with the white moldings, don't you all agree?

These drapes are killing me. So gorgeous. After all... It's all in the details.
images via Grand Hotel Oslo.

HAMPTONS LIVING...

 
 This weather is feeling mighty good lately and I am loving every minute of it. 
 In terms of decor, I am being moved lately by the look of the well decorated beach house...
White walls always look good in a beach home, especially when paired with white floors. Soft colors go so well at the beach, especially the lighter shades of blue. It's such a relaxing look and thats what is most important when you come in after a long day in the sun, right?
 I can't wait to get to the Hamptons this summer, I am in need of some serious sunshine and serious square footage. 

 As I said recently, I am in love with adding green leaves to the home in any way, shape or form. Like the actual plants or event prints above the bed look chic too. 
 This is such a fun way to display art and family photos. It looks so chic and well styled. 
This little outdoor section is just calling my name today. I love being inspired by images of beach homes, it just gets me in such a good mood. 


decor images: the home of paula joye

WANDERLUSTING: The Grand Hotel Oslo Part 1

 It's no secret that I love to travel and I'm sure you all can guess how much I love hotels...
I mean...don't we all? I think it might be my life dream to travel the world and review the hotel decor around the globe. How interesting would that be? Well, I am always in constant search online for the best decorated hotels and this one, is one of those that just does it for me.
The Grand Hotel Oslo just might be in my top 5 list of places I must stay. One of my best girl friends on the net Dagny, is the creative director for Fargerike (a Norwegian paint company). Each year when the new color of year comes out they redecorate a suite with the color theme in mind. This year its purple! 
 My favorite part of the suite is the study & bedroom. I love the deep plum wallpaper with gold curtains setting the perfect combination. Then, when you look up a pretty light blue ceiling and killer chandelier. This whole look literally makes my knees weak. It makes for such a fab place to get some work done. Then, you walk back into the romantic bedroom. A touch of vintage with the right amount of gold for glamour and then the deep red curtains add a little luxe to the equation.
 
 I think this little orange stool is such a cute little guy too, love his rich color. Couldn't you just imagine staying here? I would never see the sights, I'd stay in my hotel all day! 



 I love the way the chandelier is accented with such a chic swag. I am also really loving deep purple with vibrant red. Maybe I should add a little of this to my bedroom...

all images via Grand Hotel Oslo / Fargerike

bliss in the kitch'...the coffee cabinet

 There are often things that are essential for good home making that decorators might forget...
Small things like, candles, dishes, cleaning supply containers and the like. I relish in purchasing these things, Bed Bath and Beyond is like a trip to Disneyland for me.
One of those very things that is usually an afterthought when planning decor is a coffee maker. Recently one of my clients was complaining about always feeling tired in the afternoons, so I suggested she get a chic espresso maker and make herself some afternoon lattes in style. It makes it so much more enjoyable when the machine looks good in your home decor...
 Then we can get really fun with it and match your coffee wear right along with it. It becomes an entire vignette for fun styling. I can barely contain my excitement. 
Here are a few that I love...


10 things that rocked my world this week... #legends2013 edition

1. This week in Los Angeles, LCDQLA Legends was the best that it has ever been in my experience. Everyone was there, new things are happening all over our industry and I could not love it more. Especially the new Kelly Wearstler furniture. Talk about pieces from the 80's recreated and looking really chic. This leather chair was my favorite...

2. Let me introduce you to my crew for the festivites...my sister, moi, Nicole, Ryan Saghian (a fellow designer/blogger), Jen, Cassandra (my partner in crime on this years #CAshTour2013) Her and I will be hitting up our favorite cities this year visiting design districts and fabulously decorated hotels. 
3. So here is the famous Elle Decor lunch. Always a blast to attend. Sun is shining, bubbly is flowing and we are all talking design with the most talented people in the biz. Love it. 
 4. A huge part of the event are window displays. The best of the best designers get to trick out the windows of all the stores in the area. Tony Duquette window was obviously one of my favorites. This gold console really blew my mind.
 5. In between events, I walked by this chic little building corner and had to take a pic. I love the textured black wall next to the white brick wall. Throw in some emerald greenery and bam. I die. 
 6. At the Michael S. Smith party, this was all I could look at. The perfect little fireplace vignette. Love.
7. Leopard. Pinks. Black and Gold. Oh my! Loved my outfit this day.
8. We stopped by Kishani Perera's boutique, Rummage. Woah. This place is good. I couldn't help but be in love with everything it was filled to the brim with some of the worlds most beautiful vintage finds and put together in adorable vignettes. 
9. Okay, so my favorite window had to be House of Honey's. This dining nook was avant garde and glam. Edgy and a bit of uptown modern chic. So good. 
 10. My favorite street in LA, Doheny, I used to live off this street. Every time I drive on it, it makes me so happy. I was a little sad to leave this beautiful place. I'll be back soon LA, very, very soon. 

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

Every time I return to visit my beautiful city, Los Angeles, I swear I turn into a little glam bohemian...
It's only for a few minutes before I get my business hat back on but when I'm in it I feel like I'm in the middle of a daydream.
 There is just something about relaxed glamour, its so effortless and calming. Gazing outside (or inside) at beautiful palm trees, lush greenery and golden sunshine. It just makes me in such a good mood. The interiors look magical when white with muted neutral tones making such a statement. Outdoor eating has become almost an every meal affair, my goodness I'm loving this.
 Woods are highlighted and encouraged as well as outdoor elements like shells and metals. 
I'm not missing NYC one bit and soaking up all of this pretty business. 
The dream ends after the weekend though. I'll be back to the city and back to my busy-ness! 

images via thegiftsoflife

Leopard Rugs

I'm hopping around all day attending the events of LCDQ and loving every minute of it...
However, early this morning while doing some work research, I spotted this photo and it not only inspired a look for a current clients bedroom, it also inspired my outfit today. Leopard is everything.
 Sometimes a leopard rug is what you need to complete the look of a room with panache. For my client's bedroom, I'm thinking soft and pale everywhere and a pop of leopard in the rug. It would be so romantic and dreamy with a little personality. Just like her. 


 Perfection! 
images via animalistic

Making my way to California...

 As happy as I am about this gorgeous springtime weather,
it is with great pleasure that I head out west to Los Angeles for Legends! The design quarter in LA has an annual extravaganza with parties, unveilings, panels and the like. Each year they have special guest designers create themed store window displays and they are some of the best I have ever seen. I am so excited to take a peek at whats in store this year, but most of all, returning to my lovely city of angels will be the best part.
Oh, how I miss warm weather, sunny skies, outdoor meals, large modern homes, all white decor and fresh + healthy food. Everything I love, goes on in this city...and the home decor is always right up my alley.


images via here...

Bedside Stylings...

As I prepare to leave for LCDQ in Los Angeles tomorrow,
I am tying up a few loose ends here with clients. Today, I am hitting up the accessories show to get some ideas for things for clients and their bedrooms. The finishing touches are just as important as the big pieces. I love to get inspired by the way people decorate their bedside tables. So today, I am offering a bit of inspiration and a few ideas...
 Flowers are always a bedside essential. Books are as well. 
 
 A stylish lamp and chic candles work well. 
 A cute little trinket like a wishbone is such a great statement. 
Frames with photos of loved ones or a full on statue of a bust, thats pretty chic too.
 Sometimes simplicity is the best look too.
images via here. 

10 things that rocked my world this week...May 5

1. Was beyond thrilled to have my girl Crystal in town to celebrate the unveiling of the new Jeffery Allen Marks collection for Palececk. We had such a blast together, I love our industry events. Always such a good time.

 2. After seeing this photo on the NYC& G May issue, I decided that pale blue walls and topiaries are my new jam. 
 3. As much as I enjoyed watching the Yankees play, the buttery brown leather barcelona chairs REALLY were speaking to me. I enjoyed them so much more. 
 4. My clients finished home office area. Looks so fab, I am just loving the oranges and her adorable son too. 
 5. I sometimes think that mixing flowers can be so beautiful. This simple and soft mix of orchids and tulips worked so well for family brunch this weekend. 
 6. There just are no words to describe my affections for this piece. Those gold lion knobs are out of control good. Oh, and how about the lucite legs of the chest? Beautiful! 
 7. Right next to Bethesda fountain in Central Park (my favorite place in the city) is this little underway that is so magical. I get chills every time I visit and the weather has been so beautiful lately, it was perfect. 
 8. Home sweet home. It makes me so happy, and so do my pillows.
 9. Went to this incredibly delicious restaurant called Bogota in Brooklyn for a bite but I couldn't take my eyes of this fantastic pink acrylic light fixture. I have just never in all my life seen anything so chic.
 10. Always a good reminder, no? This helped me so much this week. 
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO EVERYONE! 

Currently Craving...green leaves

I don't care how many times I see the ever so hot Martinique Wallpaper...
I will never get enough of it. All I can think about is adding more green leave decor to my world and I am doing my best to convince my clients that they need some too. In an effort to change their minds, I am reflecting on my most favorite looks...
 This patterned sofa is an easy way to add it in without going too drastic, as is this gorgeous printed fabric in the bathroom. It looks so chic with white. 
However, the wallpaper really just puts an extra pep in my step, every time. 


 
 I even find this lampshade a great way to add in a pop of the look. However you want to use it, it will add something extra snazzy and chic to the room. I promise! 
 images via this search

Throwback Thursday... vintage decorating


One of my favorite things to do first thing in the AM is check instagram. Are you all as addicted as I am? Every Thursday...
everyone posts pictures from the past and call it "throwback thursday". I never join the fun but recently I have been getting a lot of my inspiration from old decorating and design books from the 60s and 70s.
 Every time I see an old bookstore, I go in search of fabulous vintage decor books. They are so fun and really show me that what goes around always comes back around again...
It's surprising how similar styles translate through the years. Look at these red and white striped wall, with stars on the bottom half...so creative. Those red bamboo chairs would look amazing today, as would that cute little zebra underneath the parsons console table.

 Marble walls/wallpaper have really become really chic again and this old red and white marbled wall looked amazing in 1975 too! Hello.
 This monochromatic blue room is totally chic. The geometric rug is fab and those little round caged stools are back in the stores. Also notice the damien hurst-esque dot art. Kinda hot right there. 



 images via screwed//vintage//

The Plaza Hotel & Restoration Hardware unveil new suite

How excited are well all to see the new Gatsby movie? I know I am. First of all, I always go to movies to see the set and costume design, it is one of my favorite ways to get inspired. This movie has that amazing Art Deco style that just literally gets me so excited. So you can imagine my happiness after hearing the news of the Plaza hotel partnering with designer Catherine Martin (she did the set design on the movie)...
Together with Restoration Hardware they unveiled The Fitzgerald Suite, a 900-square foot suite transformed into a dramatic art deco space that channels the dynamism of the Jazz Age using authentic, period-inspired pieces. The suite will be furnished exclusively by RH to reflect the luxury and style of the era. 
 All I can say is wow, they really nailed the space. The wallpaper and color palate and the lighting of course. All of it. Now I am really dying to experience the majesty of this space. I bet its even that much better in person.

images via the plaza hotel.