Chairs are everything.

 Chairs are to me, what shoes are to most girls...
I think this should be my motto. I literally squeal when I see a really good chair and if I could, I would have an entire house full of chairs. In fact, my small little apartment has a whole slew of chairs. In random places of course because there really is not enough room. If I had more room, there would be more chairs. 
So, this dining room with gorgeous gold chairs and table literally struck my heart. Wow. I can't get over the delicious shade of purple velvet. Can I just have these please?
 I'm also really feeling these black and white chairs in Molly Sims dining room. Her designer, is my sweet friend Kishani Perera, and this girls style is out of control good. I love the black stripe down the middle. So creative. So different. So good.
 The minute I saw these white stunners, I thought to myself..."woah. we are not in Kansas anymore" These are something next level serious. white with a pop of leopard and insanely shaped. Now this is a work of art. 
Which leads me to finalize my love affair with these gold and cream beauties. So sophisticated and sexy. The modern glamour look works every single time. 

10 things that rocked my world this week. The July 4 weekend edition

1. Oh, how exciting and fun this July 4 weekend was. It just came and went to fast...
How is the year already half over??? I ended up staying in the city for most of the weekend and I think I fell more in love with NYC. I spent some good pool time, and am very tan thank goodness, while gazing at the Chrysler building. This building was so close you could almost touch it. It is so metallically beautiful, I just could not adore it more.
2. Shopping for clients is always in order, whether its a holiday weekend or not. This week I found my new little favorite place to shop for goodies and one of a kind gems. Do you spy the editor-in-chief of Matchbook Magazine, my shopping partner in crime?
3. We also found a new little eatery gem called Tispy Parlor. The decor was so good, we couldn't stop taking pictures of every little nook and cranny. This one shot does not do it justice, but I loved it. 
4. I guess New York wouldn't be complete with the infamous "carrie" necklace from Sex and the City. The fine people at Onecklace decided to send me one for my 2 and a half year anniversary on moving to New York City. I love this necklace and now I wear it constantly.
5. Oh how fun July 4 was sitting back with a few of my favorite people by the beach. Thank goodness for One Kings Lane who sent over the most adorable towels for me to use. My cool Nanette Lepore towel was perfection. 
6. After a pool barbq, we went over to hang at this little backyard restaurant. I love the hidden gems of this city. The beautiful American flag was the perfect decor for the weekend. As much as I love New York and LA, my first love, our country, America will forever hold such a deep place of my heart. I always get to sentimental on our Independence Day. Also, my grandmother, my bff, her name is America which just makes it that much sweeter.
7. The view from Top of the Rock. Isn't this city just so, so pretty!?!
8. I've been working on adding a few new things for my ebook, it got a whole new makeover. So fab!
9. Meet my cousin from Madrid, Maria. She is visiting us here in NYC for 2 months. We had the most amazing dinner on this rooftop, it was incredibly beautiful. I love the summertime in this city.
10. This art. Need it. Want it. Love it. 

An Upper East Side jewel box...

 
 Marie-Hélène de Taillac, a fabulous jewelry designer, probably has the most adorable apartment in Manhattan. AD France captured her space and its really rocking my world right now...

 How incredibly chic is she? I adore the shade of blue and the way the hot pink just pops. I love the big mirror too, it completely opens up the space. 
All the mirrored finishes in this space are key too, the light fixtures just rock it.
Oh, and this bathroom wallpaper. Oh, yes.

images via AD France

Keeping it personal.

There are certainly many ways to style a console and I thought I knew all of them. That is until I laid eyes on this incredible vignette from the home of Carolina Hererra...
It's different and unique and totally fresh. I love this zebra console, I am kind of wanting one in my apartment right about now. Then the white x-bench with black piping...oh la la. I just love how she displays her family photos in such a collection type of way. A few books here and there stacked beautifully, then topped off with a beautiful pop art self portrait. I just love it. How very diva!
You don't have to always have a self portait to be chic. Photos of others always work in my book too. What I love about these consoles is that the decor is very realistic. Its not just trendy items that scream, I was professionally decorated. There are very sweet framed family photographs on display, which to me, says something is very special going on here. It keeps things so personal, which I can appreciate in a home. Making sure there are personal items like this is essential when you want to love where you live. 



Gold framing is everything...

Recently, a client of mine came to me with two pieces of art passed down from her mother. She was very reluctant to use these in her home because they were a bit outdated. However, these two pieces were absolutely beautiful, they just needed to be re-framed...

 Let me break it down to you all, any art can be brought to life with a really good frame job. I mean you could pretty much frame a piece of trash and with the right frame, it will look like magic. I am not downplaying good art. I love artwork more than most people do, I just want to also give credit where credit is due and framing is key to great art on walls! 
 This collection of photos is to show just how much I love a good gold frame. They are slightly expensive and hard to find, but I happen to know a very big retailer that will be coming out with a massive collection of gorgeous gold frames at great prices this coming fall. So keep your eyes out, once they launch I will spread the news. (I've been sworn to secrecy)
 I am just loving how these plain white walls look just magical with good gold framing everywhere. It really just takes everything to the next level. I am all about this look. So, take some art to the local framers and revamp it in gold...you will thank me later. 

all images via flippen

ECLECTIC CHIC...

Now ordinarily I would call this type of post an "office space of the day", this room deserves all of that credit and then some...
So, I really thought I owe it to the designer, Suzanne Eason, to break down my affections for this room. This particular office was decorated for a Holiday House, its not a real persons office. I just think its so wild, different and fresh...I have been looking for some new inspiration and I think this office did just that for me.
 The wallpaper is so fun and artsy, I am really digging it. It pairs perfectly with the dramatic blue velvet drapery and the details of the valence...gorgeous! Oh, and to top this off, the gorgeous serpent rug just seals the deal. This is the year of the snake after all. 

images via suzanne eason

10 things that rocked my world this week...June 29

1. Had such a great time at the West Elm breakfast this week. We all got to preview the newest collection coming this fall and WOW, all of it is amazing! I was beyond excited to spend time with my sweet friend Jen, fellow blogger from MadeByGirl, who I haven't seen in a while. I love good girl time...

2. Beverly Hills Chairs. My new white leather office chair is everything I have needed and more. It may not be as stylish as I would prefer, but its very sexy and chic and supportive on my back and posture. As I get older, these things are getting so much more important than looks. (wait. did I really just say that?!?)
 3. Montauk. I love that there is a beach a few hours outside the city, thank you God. In this weather, it is much needed. We stopped for a little snack on the water at The Surf Lodge, its one of my favorite outdoor eating areas in terms of decor. Beach shack chic.
4. Got a little surprise in the mail, a little quote by me was published in this coming months People Style Watch mag. I get so excited for the little things like this...
 5. I've been hard at work on my new website and going through old photos of my work. This one brought back such good memories. It's perfect for summertime. 
 6. Ah. You all know how much I love my old apartment, this was my hallway of my quaint little studio when the Everygirl shot it. I miss these stripes.
 7. I am so thankful I live in New York City. I just love the window views.
8. I love a good magazine cover and Vogue UK always knocks it out of the park. Love this Kate Moss light pink look.
 9. While on a walk to the Met recently, I came across this door. It just stopped me right in my tracks. I love the beautiful detail and the gorgeous gold studded trim. So beautiful! 
10. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. This is my little motto lately. It's proven to be oh so true. I love life, never a dull moment. 

Decorista Iphone Cases

As a designer/blogger, I am pretty much obsessed with my Iphone 5. I take it everywhere and take pictures of ev-ah-ry-thing! Hello Instagram! So, this summer I am making sure I bring it with a decorista-esque iphone case. Inspired by my favorite bathroom wallpaper looks I am digging a few of these...

Get the look of the most famous + fabulous Martinique wallpaper with this Juicy Couture Palm Leaf.
Nothing says summertime like a bold yellow and white stripe...Get this. Michael Kors Stripes
We all know I am a girl who just loves her gold foil...Marc Jacobs Gold Foil

ON THE HUNT for a Red Chandelier

I just love putting the finishing touches on a clients space...
The final touch for this particular room is going to be a red chandelier but I am in search of just the right one. It's going in a living room with deep navy walls and bright white accents. It's a modern glamorous version of the July 4th color palate, how fitting for this time?
Murano glass ones are usually my go to, but this time I want something unique. Perhaps something vintage with a little bit of a twist. Maybe a red bamboo one or something with some dimensions and swag, like a Tony Duquette masterpiece. He is one of my decor idols after all.
 
 I love how these red chandys give a little pop of exotic edge to these rooms, its like a cherry on top of a perfectly decorated sundae.


images: 1/2/3/4 + Tony Duquette//domino mag 

SUMMERTIME DECOR

It's going to be such a hot week this week, so I have decided to spend the beginning of my week working from Montauk...
It's a cute little surf town east of the Hamptons. It's such a nice and relaxing place to just re energize and get out of the sweltering heat. What I have noticed that I love most about it out here, is that everyone uses surf boards as part of the decor. Such a chic little piece of sports equipment, no?


 My favorite is this creamy pink colored one. So girlie, so chic. 

images via my favorite and my best.

10 things that rocked my world this week...June 21

1. I couldn't get enough of this chic little fireplace decor in an adorable upper east side apartment. A vintage faux fireplace with candles and a venetian mirror. Total domestic bliss.

 2. Chandeliers are all over my radar lately. How gorgeous is this crystal beauty?
 3. The ones at Herni Bendel are always at the top of my list. @nycpretty
4. Oh, and this spider one I spotted while walking in Soho in brass and pink totally got me good. 
 5. How chic is this table at my local post office. I love the heads, claw feet and greek key border. So very chic. 
 6. I got my very first glossybox sent over by this months featured glossy girl and one of my besties, Dallas Shaw. It came chock full of beauty goodness.
 7. Every once and I while I have to stop and admire the blooms on the sidewalks. This blush pink color just made my entire day. 
 8. I temporarily threw a little Chanel bag into my frame as I search for the art piece. I am kinda loving it. 
 9. My new vintage brass candleabra sconces are now in my dining room. I smile every time I see their shiny goodness! 
10. Need I say more. I live by this. 

ANIMALISTIC by Todd Alexander Romano

I just love a good Manhattan apartment. Yesterday while meeting a friend for dinner in her building, I ran into a designer friend of mine who had just finished a new project...
It was so good, I just didn't want to leave the place. It brought me to the realization that some seriously good apartment interiors exist in this city and are being created new every day.
 One apartment I would just die to get a peek into is this apartment of Todd Alexander Romano, a fabulous little decorator. Everything about this space is oh so chic. I love the modern fireplace against the smoky glass mirrored wall. Hello glamour! White walls and yellow curtains are such a cheery backgrop for all the deep and rich accents around the room. The tiger print covered chair for example. Now that is hot. 
 Nevermind that the rest of the accent walls are vivid citrus colors and mega glossy. Ugh. It's just so darn fabulous. His choice of art pieces is really well curated too. I love the mix of cheeky photos and great modern art. 
 Now this is an entryway a girl could come home to with attitude. Taking note of all the black/blue combinations, ie. the lamp and the chairs. 
Yep. in love.

images via elle decor, design by todd alexander romano, photography by william abranowicz

Styling ideas for above cabinets...

 
I am always getting asked about how to style the high areas...
We all know them, the kitchen cabinets, the occasional armoire or even just the top of bookcases. Its a tricky place because storage usually makes the most sense (especially in this city), but its not normally easy to reach so you have to put items that can hang out there for a while.
 I personally think a collection of anything looks so good in a space like this and is rather easy to style if you feel that you aren't great at that sort of thing. I adore this all white collection of vases and ginger jars, it looks so chic. Especially with a little pop of artwork and a dash of greenery. 
Also, keeping it simple can also make a huge impact. The blue and white pair of jars looks fab atop a bright yellow armoire, no? I love it.


image sources- 1-jasmineway 2/3  4-french provencial

HEADBOARD STYLE {high + tufted}

Things in my apartment are getting so good. I have had so much goodness shipped in lately,
its more than exciting. What I have left for my bedroom is usually one of the first things I would normally order, a headboard. For some reason, I am saving the best part for last.
How do I like my headboards? High and tufted. It's all you need for major style in your bedroom...
There is nothing like a headboard with a mirrored trim. They can be my favorite look for a glamorous room. I think it might be perfect in my bedroom. 
 Velvet headboards are also really glam and old hollywood style. I just used a deep purple super high headboard in a clients apartment and it just makes such a fab statement. Seriously, when it doubt go velvet! 


This post sponsored by Bedroom Furniture by Wren.

1- song of style 2/3/4/5

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