A Room to Love

I was reading the La Dolce Vita blog earlier (a favorite of mine) and was so impressed with this photo (shot by Johnny Valiant) that Paloma included from House Beautiful that I had to show it off here!

 I am thoroughly and utterly in love with this room designed by Barry Dixon for a lucky homeowner on Capitol Hill. From the oversized Sophia mirror by Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair to the gorgeous fabric on the bench to the placement of the branches, I thought this shot was so uniquely fresh. I want every detail for my own home!

I have to admit, maybe its because I do so much reading of design mags and blogs but I've been feeling a bit uninspired lately.I find that many designs are just regurgitated from place to place. There's something about this beautiful room that speaks to me and awakens my senses. That's why I was so happy to share it with you all today.

Enjoy and happy weekend!

New Kraft Office Storage @ Paper-Source

As we continue to move rooms around in preparation for our little son, we are currently working on the new office space, which is home to our computers, books, files and my loads of crafty supplies :) While I'm still on the hunt for the perfect desk (anyone have any suggestions for a small space desk?)...I'm always ready to accessorize!

I was so excited when I received an email today from Paper-Source alerting me to its latest organization collection...Kraft paper accessories! Now, for a crafty gal like me, these are heaven sent. Yes, they are plain, but that's the point...they are just begging for me to get my craft on! I love the examples Paper-Source shows below in this promo photo:

Ladies (and gents) it's time to get your rubber stamps, washi tape, Sharpie markers, rub-on decals, stickers and other goodies ready for crafting! My plan is to scoop up a few file folders, the pencil cup and file holder below.

How about you? Are you a sucker for DIY storage accesssories?

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party via Pottery Barn Kids

I love birthdays and I love planning them, especially now that I'll be planning all of my soon-to-be baby boy's birthdays in the future! So naturally I was so excited when I saw this adorable A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party over at Pottery Barn Kids. What a super cute way of celebrating your baby's first birthday! Eric Carle's artwork is timeless and I love seeing it brought to life in this way.

While the whole concept is adorable, it was really the clever caterpillar made from lanterns that totally inspired me. So creative! I love working with paper lanterns. I've used them for many holidays, painting jack-o-lantern faces for Halloween, creating bunnies for Easter. Add this idea to the list!

Show Me Your Jewels!

I love jewelry. I love wearing it and I love displaying it even more! I was recently introduced to the From Me, To You photography blog on Tumblr and was instantly smitten with this photo.

Not only is the jewelry collection awesome, but so is the carved metal tray its resting upon. I use a small wall mirror at home as a tray for my jewelry but this photo has me thinking of creating a more dynamic display.

Here are a few ideas....

I created this look while working at Quick & Simple. We were very inspired by a Blueprint story that talked about using pretty bowls to organize your jewelry inside a drawer. It is like a little surprise just for you each time you open your drawer. TIP: Line your drawer in pretty paper and use candle wax to affix the bowls to the drawer to they don't move around. 

I really liked this pretty idea from Martha Stewart Living. They used a flea-market frame to create a hanging display. Here, they cut a piece of Homasote, covered it in luxurious velvet and placed it inside the frame. Pin hooks are used to hang the jewelry. Stunning!

Finally, this photo from Declare Magazine also caught my eye...a gaggle of beaded necklaces hanging well, on a hanger. Very clever and definitely an eye-catching display!

So how about you? What creative ways do you display your jewelry?

Beach House Dreams

If you haven't yet checked out the new issue of Lonny Magazine, I recommend diving right in! Once again, it is packed with beautiful and inspirational stories and images. For me, I can't stop staring at this gorgeous beach house in Amagansett, NY.

As a Long Island girl, I'm familiar with the Hamptons but not in the same way as say, ahem, the rich and famous are. I visit, they live out their summers there :) I dream of owning a gorgeous beach house one day to escape to. Oh, and it has to have cedar shingles just like this one found on page 180 of this month's Lonny.

How about you, what is your dream vacation home like?

My Nursery Inspiration Board

Now that we know we are having a boy, I'm all about planning the nursery. While my husband of course would like to lay down astroturf and install a soccer field atmosphere complete with a scoreboard and goals...I on the other hand am dreaming of a soothing, calming nursery for our little one.

I'm very excited to share my nursery inspiration board here, mainly because I would LOVE your feedback, but also because it is my very first photoshop collage!

It all starts with this pretty Full Circle bedding set designed by American quilter Denyse Schmidt for The Land of Nod. I love the color combo and  the bit of plaid that peeks out from the circles and the outside of the bumper. It was the only set I kept going back to so I think this is the winner. Our crib is an off-white, so this will work great. I'll know for sure once I receive the fabric swatches that I ordered.

From there, I knew I had to pull those pretty greens and blues from the bedding so for paint, I'm really loving these shades from Pottery Barn's Benjamin Moore Collection. The blue is called Sweet Bluette and the green is Stem Green. I think we'll paint the entire room in the blue and maybe do a low stripe in the green. We'll see.

I love the idea of accessorizing with green storage pieces like this basket, also from The Land of Nod. I figure if my son will one day have a soccer-field inspired type room that his dad has always dreamed of, I might as well invest in some pieces that will go along with it!

As for lighting, I'm torn between a gorgeous pendant lamp such as this beauty from Oilo that I spotted on LaylaGrace.com today or a ceiling fan. I've grown to enjoy ceiling fans and I think for a baby, it could be a nice choice.

I'm currently on the hunt for a dresser/changing table and will also have a white gliding rocker in the room so we're just about ready to start.

So, what do you think? Let me know!!

ReadyMade Magazine Folds...

I was so sad to read of the news yesterday that ReadyMade magazine would be folding. When I was working at Parents in the early 2000s, we were purchased by Meredith and it was exciting to be part of a company that included a cool roster of mags such as ReadyMade and Better Homes & Gardens. I remember our art department going crazy for this cool, hip DIY magazine. As for me, as the crafty lifestyle editor, ReadyMade really opened my eyes to new projects. I've since followed the staff on their journey and while I was not a subscriber, I was a fan.

I've been watching one great shelter/lifestyle mag after another fold ever since the beloved House & Garden did in 2007. Since then, I've seen so many including Cookie, Blueprint, Metropolitan Home and two of my favorites: Country Home and Domino vanish.

Of course included in this roster was the last magazine I worked for...Hearst's Quick & Simple magazine. That was a heartbreaking time. I had just arrived a year earlier and poof! We were gone. To add fuel to the fire, we were told our offices would be occupied by some new magazine from the Food Network. Three years later, I suppose Hearst made a good business decision as it is extremely popular, but really, there was certainly room for our well-designed women's lifestyle weekly. Hm, I guess I am still very sad and why not...it changed the course of my entire career.

Sadly, I am not excited to visit the magazine section at the bookstore any longer. While I still enjoy a handful of titles (Martha Stewart Living, House Beautiful and Country Living top my list), I find the others are just not quite fulfilling my needs when it comes to the home/shelter/craft category.

I suppose that's why I, like so many have turned so voraciously to the blogosphere. I crave the content and the daily reading. Without it, I'd be lost and I'm so grateful to be a part of it!

So here's to ReadyMade, its staff (best wishes!) and all of the other pubs, staff members and readers who have had to say goodbye to their favorite titles.

To end on a bright note, I thought I'd share with you today some of my favorite design blogs. How about you? What are some of your favorite design blogs? List them in the comments section!

Decor 8
Coco + Kelley
DesignSponge
Sweet Paul
Little Green Notebook
La Dolce Vita
Shelterrific

Interior Stylist Lucyina Moodie

Stylist. To me, it’s one of the most glamorous jobs, especially an interiors or prop stylist. When I was on staff at various magazines, I was able to play the role of stylist quite a bit and let me tell you, even though it is a ton of nerve-wracking work, the process is one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences ever. As a writer, the ability to tell a story soley using visuals is something that I grew very fond of.

From time to time I visit various stylists’ websites for inspiration.I was first turned on to London-based interior stylist Lucyina Moodie from one of my favorite blogs, Decor8. Ever since then, I often visit Lucyina’s site to see what's she's been up to.

Today, I decided to share with you the images she created that I love the most. Her use of color, texture and placement paired with the photography itself is in a word, beautiful. I wish I would start styling more, if even little vignettes in my own home…perhaps with her inspiration guiding the way I will.

I adore craft supplies, especially those with a bit of vintage appeal to them. This is one of the prettiest still lifes. I love how she kept everything on a natural fabric...maybe a burlap here? Love this shot.

The use of white in various shades and textures here is so soothing, I imagine this dressing room smelling of fresh cut gardenias.

 

This type of collection is one of my favorites to pull together...yummy bits and bobs of fabric, trimmings, inspiration and other odds and ends. If I were an interior designer, my office would be covered in vignettes just like this one!

Styling a bed is hard work. Linens are the toughest to deal with (all those wrinkles!) This blush-pink vignette is gorgeous. It's feminine with a little messy glam rolled into one.

I am obsessed with colorful glass holiday ornaments...all of those shiny colors grouped together just sing. And how quirky to be piled into a rustic wheelbarrow. I adore the mood lighting here too.

This may seem like a simple photo, but I have an idea of the work involved behind it. I'm sure Lucyina and the photographer tried many, many vases or other interesting "vehicles" after choosing just the right blooms and placing them just so. Shooting flowers is hard, but it makes for such a rewarding end result!

I hope you enjoyed my little commentary! How about you...have you ever tried your hand at styling in your home? Share your pics with me and I'll post them here!

Craving: Metallic Wallpaper

As we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first baby, my husband and I are definitely in nesting mode. While he's taken to the exterior of our house, I am of course obsessed with making our little place the perfect haven for our growing family.

When these metallic wallpapers popped up in my inbox yesterday, I was smitten. I love, love, love to use metallics to accessorize and these are some of the prettiest wallpaper patterns I've seen lately. 


This first one is my "realisitc" favorite, meaning the one I can most see myself using in my home. I'd love it for the bedroom or a transition wall in our living area perhaps. Its subtle sheen is perfect for giving a space a little sparkle. And who doesn't love a little sparkle in their life?

Jacobean in Cream, Gray and Gold from Bainbridge by Fairwinds, printed on breathable, environmentally-friendly non-woven paper, $56.99 per single roll; http://www.brewsterhomefashions.com/.

Moving on to my "fantasy" choice...I absolutely love this gold shimmery style. It's called Moiré in Deep Gold. So luxe and rich, this would need to be reserved for a special place in the home such as a bedroom, entryway or long hallway perhaps. I'd use it in small doses but I bet many designers out there have other ideas for it!

Moiré in Deep Gold, an acetate Lurex fabric on a breathable, environmentally-friendly, non-woven paper, $450.00 per lineal yard, http://www.arteforkoroseal.com/.

Another gold favorite is this subtler choice from the Artisan Collection by Thibaut Designs (a favorite wallcovering manufacturer). I love how the scrollwork seems to dance when the light hits it as seen in this photo. I would use this for the sunniest room in my home!

Montreal in Metallic Gold from Artisan Collection by Thibaut Designs, a handmade, dimensional raised print on breathable, environmentally-friendly nonwoven, fabric backed paper, $210 per single roll, http://www.thibautdesign.com/

How about you? What do you think of metallic wallpaper?

Mirror, Mirror against the wall...

This image from StyleAtHome.com caught my eye this morning. The colors are beautiful, the styling crisp but it was that oversized white mirror leaning against the wall that made my heart skip a beat.


It instantly reminded me of the many, many oversized mirrors I encountered at HomeGoods yesterday! Now, I really, really want one for my home :)

Animal Instincts

There's something about fall that makes me gravitate to rich, warm hues like orange, navy, but nothing has got me going this season like leopard print! Ok, yes, it is everywhere BUT I'm loving it. I myself own a leopard cardigan and pair of too cute shoes that I adore. But when I saw these photos from Talbots.com, it made me want to run out and buy this coat!

I love the styling in both photos and how awesome to see Linda Evangelista...one of the most amazing supermodels ever. (I think her and Cindy Crawford were my faves back in the day). I would love to be walking around in that outfit today...but alas I am not that brave!

I am a bit braver when it comes to decorating my home...so here are a few of my picks to help me get this look above at home...

How about a plush pillow from Williams-Sonoma Home, $98....

...and a cozy burnt orange cashmere throw, also from Williams-Sonoma Home, $198.

Then, of course to top it all off...how about a glam black crystal chandelier...

It may be pricey at $3590, but so gorgeous to look at!

Loving Lilac & Brown

Although my wardrobe may not always reflect it (hello closet full of black!), I actually love color. I am especially inspired by unique interesting color combinations like my current favorite...lilac & brown.

Perhaps that's why I can't help staring at this gorgeous photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

These two shades play so nicely together, don't they? They are modern, fresh and a little moody. Love it.

How about you? What colors are inspiring you right now?

Blog Love

Photo via Madebygirl.com

Ever since the fabulous Blog it Forward mashup began, I have been meeting some wonderful new bloggers. And finding other new blogs through those, etc.

I thought that I would share a few of them here with you all...I recommend that you pop on over for a visit!

MadebyGirl

Max and Ellie
Design Crush

RickshawDesign

Lavender and Limes

Shelter

Habitually Chic

Style Files

That Girl in Pearls
La Dolce Vita

Mrs. Lillien

and of course....sfgirlbybay!

Have fun!

Inspired by Williams-Sonoma

Since it was so rainy this weekend, when I did get out I decided to head to Williams-Sonoma. Easter is coming soon and since that is our big holiday to host, I decided I needed a little inspiration.

When I arrived, I was happy to see how prepared they were for Easter. Not only was the front of the store filled with Easter goodies such marshmallow ducklings, malted chocolate eggs, jelly beans and sour gummy bunnies....

...but the table in the back of the store was beautifully set for a lovely Easter holiday.

How sweet are these little bunny taper candle holders? I think they are my favorite part.

I controlled my tempation to purchase, well everything, since I know I have a lovely closet full of tabletop goodies. However, I did purchase a little jar of Herbs de Provence and picked up their recipe card for an Herbs de Provence Leg of Lamb, using said herbs. I cannot wait to test it out.

How about you? What inspired you this weekend?

Projects Inspired by The New York Times

I was reading the NY Times' Home & Garden section online this morning and found lots of inspiration for a few projects this weekend.

First up, this amazing inspiration board that had my heart beating a little faster.

Not only is it a beautiful photo, but such a lovely curated collage of inspiration! I love how neatly everything is displayed using a similar push pin.

Note to self: lose the mis-matched assortment of random pushpins and invest in a prettier, grown-up set like these from The Container Store:

Ok, project number 1 for this weekend is set: create a new inspiration board for my pending spring decorating projects.

Next up? Project #2....create a gallery wall of photos....similar to this one.

How fun. I've been noticing a trend in "gallery" photo displays, I even wrote about them last month and am determined to create my own. I love how this one uses primarily, what looks like vintage papers and other ephemera. Really nice. (Hm, maybe I need a trip to my local antique store this weekend?)

So who does this home belong to? Brooklyn-based architects Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechbuehler, who opened up their lovely one-bedroom aparment/workspace to the NY Times for this amazing slideshow. And props to Leigh Davis, who photographed their home so beautifully.

I love being inspired unexpectedly, don't you?!

Fabulous Home Tour Alert!

If, like me you're tired of the snowy weather today (will it EVER stop snowing here on the east coast?) then, I highly recommend you pop on over to Made by Girl...she just posted the most colorful, happy, beautiful, real home tour, I've seen in awhile. Here is a sneak peek:

Photo via Shelter.

The house belongs to interior designer Julie Richards from Salem, Massachusetts. She owns Shelter Interior Design and has a delightful blog, called Shelter. This girl has great style and quite an eye (I bet she's a great shopping partner!) Plus, I love anyone who is as fond of HomeGoods as I am :) Julie also offered a few sources to her home's re-do on her blog, check it out here.

Go check it out! And have a happy weekend!

Inspiration Icon: Marilyn Monroe

I couldn't stop thinking about this photo of Marilyn Monroe, lounging at home, from Architectural Digest. I incorporated it into my Blog it Forward post on Tuesday and it has stuck in my mind since.

I love what it represents. Marilyn was this larger-than-life glamorous, sexy icon. Yet, here she is relaxed, cozy at home surrounded by the things she loved. Of course, more likely than not this photo was posed, however, I like to believe, this was a true depiction of her life at home :)

Just like so many of us, I have always been intrigued by Marilyn Monroe. I have read countless biographies, watched nearly all of her movies (How to Marry a Millionaire, shown below, is my favorite) and movies about her (HBO's Norma Jean & Marilyn with Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino from 1998 is my favorite).


So what was it? Why are we still inspired by her today, 40 + years after her tragic death? She was beautiful, talented, funny and smart (yes! In 1955 she started her own production company: Marilyn Monroe Productions). But for me, it was her glamour.


Perhaps deep down she also craved a simple home life, as depicted in that AD photo up top (don't we all?) but when this country needed glamour, she brought it. She was feminine and sexy and let woman know, it was ok to be that way. Gotta love that!

A few more of my favorite photos:

How about you? Do you find Marilyn Monroe's glamour inspiring?

What Inspires Me... (Blog it Forward)

via Debi Treloar

Have you been keeping up with the Blog it Forward mashup? I hope you have been enjoying it as much as I have! I am so happy to be participating today! Victoria over at sfgirlbybay did such a fantastic job not only organizing everyone so well but also, in choosing our post topic!

I am inspired by so many things on a daily basis, I was afraid I wouldn't know where to start. So instead, I decided to share with you a few of my passions...

Interior Design Magazines. Nothing gets my heart racing like a beautifully designed room printed on the glossy pages of a magazine.

Via House Beautiful

My favorite magazines like Canadian House & Home, House Beautiful, Elle Decor and of course, Martha Stewart.

Stylists and photographers. They set the tone and mood of the pages of our favorite magazines. Selina Lake is one stylist that continually inspires. Her book Bazaar Style was my bible for about a year. I carried it everywhere, just pouring over the beautiful photos. It still has its home on my coffee table two years later.
The photography by the amazingly talented Debi Treloar perfectly expressed Selina's style. I find myself going back to Debi's site over and over again, just drawn to her beautiful images.See that moody photo at the top of the post? It is my favorite photo of hers. These below are faves too.

Fashion. Kate Spade has made fashion charming with a bit of humor and I like it. However, I could never pass up the glamour of a gorgeous gown from Michael Kors (below).

Via style.com

Old Hollywood. Old movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany's (below), The Philadelphia Story, How to Marry a Millionaire and Sabrina, just to name a few, were all early sources of inspiration for me.


I've watched each of them (and countless others) trying to study and capture that timeless elegance of Audrey, Marilyn (at home, below), Lauren and Katherine all captured so beautifully.

via Architectural Digest

Long Island. How could I not be inspired by this beautiful place that I call home?

Thanks for visiting with me here today! It's been so fun sharing my inspirations with you.

Thank you to Deldino for her introduction. Now, it's my turn to introduce you to the next blogger...Design Crush, who will be posting her inspiration tomorrow!