SANITY FAIR

MISS SOFFIT

2012-01-18T23:50:00.003-05:00

Soffit (saw-fit). def. The underside of an architectural structure such as an arch or overhanging eaves. An odd plague of city-dwellers, apartment complexes, and handy-man renos. "Miss Muffet's odd soffits drove her so mad she dropped her curds and whey."

When I first entered the apartment in which I now dwell, I saw very little of it. From the sky-gazing picture windows, to the gleaming parque floors and shiny white walls, I was practically (joyously) blind with ample lighting and shimmering surfaces (like the pack rat, I am obsessed with shiny things). It wasn't until the shades were drawn and the lamps flipped on that I saw a different side of my apartment. The underside. Everywhere, like some large scale geometry experiment, were right angles. Even the soffits had soffits. I've borne these construction contortions rather well - it's all a bit over my head (ha) - but I'm beginning to contemplate improvements. Should I highlight them? Cover them? Paint them? Miss Muffet turned to the interwebs for inspiration.

This most closely resembles my soffit situation. What's in those things?

High drama soffiting - stick some lights on those babies! "What, this old soffit? So intentional - planned it, you know."

What soffit? I don't see a soffit. Do you?

Cover it up in a cool way - here, plank flooring takes a walk on the high side.

/Images/ Boys' room/ Dining Room/ Kitchen/

Do you have any soffit tips or tricks to share?

2012-01-17T21:22:00.001-05:00

So far, 2012 has brought me a lot of green - green paint, green fabric, green porcelain...

Over the holiday, I got some presents for the apartment. It's a work in process, but I've painted an "accent alcove" (that's the best I could come up with for three walls being one color, and five walls all being another color, all in one space). Don't ask me what it's like trying to decorate a room with eight walls.

Overview: the walls here look strangely neon (not their actual color), but I'm loving my new dining room cushions! My saintly (and skillful) mother whipped them up over Christmas. The pattern is "python."

For Christmas, my desk got some new accessories, including some Noritake Pagoda series porcelains for holding odds and ends in style.

The giant foo dogs seemed pleased with their new tassels/necklaces. I can't tell what gender they are, so hopefully, they're happy and not totally humiliated.

A new ceramic stool! This one is in a Tibetan cloud design. I need to fall out of love with these fast - they're much more challenging to find room for than pillows.

/All images/ my own/

Did you make any fun decor changes over the holidays? Happy New Year!

OLD CLASSICS MADE NEW

2012-01-05T23:32:00.001-05:00

West Elm is one of those stores that always surprises me; it's not really my style, but I almost always come across something fun. West Elm is to home decor what Gap used to be to clothes; classics re-imagined with flair.

A few favorites from the new spring line.

It reminds me of the Claude modular system, a marvelous design by Jonathan Adler.

More fun things in store - I'm going to pick up a few of these vases for a grouping of ceramics.

I'm in love with that mirror! And the fun little wall shelf/sconce is marvelous.

A few more favorites...

And finally, a few terrariums... these are all the rage this season! You can hardly enter a decor store these days that hasn't been transformed into a miniaturized forest, populated by ferns, moss, and the odd spider plant. I enjoy indoor plants, but find the whole trend a tad precious. What do you think? Have you tried a terrarium in your home?

/All images/ West Elm/

A FLAIR FOR VINTAGE DECOR - IN NASHVILLE

2011-12-31T21:41:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, blogland feels like an imaginary decorland, full of pretty pictures of pretty houses, where pretty people live (interactive Architectural Digest meets The Thomas Crowne Affair or something). But every now and then, you get a chance to interact with the virtual world in the real world, even while on a shopping expedition! I visited friends in Nashville this week, and had a chance to swing by the A Flair for Vintage Decor shop in the Gas Lamps Antique Mall, where blogger Caroline hosts a collection of lovely chinoiserie pieces that would do Palm Beach proud. I had so much fun!

I wanted so badly to strap this baby to the roof of my car and head home. But, right now, all my available shelf space has to be filed with millions of stone-weight tomes that would bring down this delicate beauty faster than you can say "book addict." In my next apartment...

These faux bamboo chairs were just lovely in person, and surprisingly comfy (I'M not the person who put the pillows back wrong...).

A fun pop of color - and ANOTHER amazing chair. I wanted them all, but I already sit too much. Maybe I could start a chair museum.

Or a table museum...

Ok. So it was me who put the pillow back sideways.

Yowzah! A China-style china cabinet to put your china in. I could get all three of my sets in here, with room to spare!

The rest of Gas Lamps was a treat too. It's HUGE, and my friends agreed that we were suffering from sensory overload - it took forever to pick through all the booths, and we found some great pieces. So my advice is: go to Nashville for the (Palm) beach; stay for the (vintage) bounty.

Happy New Year!

FELIZ NAVIDAD, POINSETTIAS!

2011-12-27T23:10:00.002-05:00

For centuries, Christmas has been celebrated with various flora and fauna, from trees to holly, but the poinsettia is a fairly recent addition. We have our own U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, to thank for its introduction to the U.S. in 1828 (in a tribute to aimless walkers everywhere, he found it growing next to a ride while out strolling), but botanists deserve our gratitude for breeding this feisty Southern flower into a demure house plant.

A beautiful poinsettia tree in Southern Living.

The U.S. National Botanic Gardens put on a display this season of various breeds of poinsettias, like these lanky, long-leafed beauties. The Aztecs prized poinsettias (called Cuetlaxochitl) and used them for red dye.

Some of the specimens were 8 feet or taller - not exactly decorative material! I love the variegated patterns (below), the rarer, pink hues, and the tree-like limbs.

Do you bring poinsettias into your home at Christmas?

/Images/ poinsettia tree/ all others, my own/

CHRISTMAS AT THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS

2011-12-14T23:40:00.000-05:00

Braving the chill winter air and delighted throngs of toddlers, I made my way to the National Botanic Gardens to see their Christmas displays last weekend. It's a gorgeous building, all glass domes on slender supports, enclosing tall palms, an orchid trail, and several small streams. But things were a little different in the usually flora-filled great hall, where instead of a Victorian crystal palace, it looked like a band of hyper-active, genius squirrels with degrees in architecture went on a building spree.

To wit:

Everything in these miniatures is constructed from organic material - twig pillars, glazed leaf roofs, acorn -crusted pediments - creating a charming tableau of D.C.'s famous buildings.

Bartholdi Fountain (note the jets of water - it works!)

Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building

Check out those little leaf floor tiles!

The Lincoln Monument

The White House

National Museum of the American Indian (roofed in mushrooms)

The Washington Monument

The Smithsonian Castle

The Supreme Court

The Thomas Jefferson Monument (gourd dome included)

/All images/ my own/

SANITY FAIR DECORATES FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-12-05T22:43:00.001-05:00

This year I was determined - DETERMINED! - to have a Christmas tree. But if you live in a thimble, you have to have magical properties, and mine happens to be finding tiny little fir trees that fit in thimbles. Or at any rate, three-foot-fir trees that fit in a ginger jar. Here's a little tour of my decorating. Hope you enjoy!

I love Chinoiserie, and I have a burgeoning little collection of asian-inspired ornaments (along with greek key ribbon from - wait for it - Walmart!).

I have a particular mania for glass-blown ornaments, like this darling little kimono.

A little Chinese girl carries a lantern.

What's your fortune?

A glamorous pagoda sparkles in several tiers.

A geisha, parasol at the ready, promenades the branches.

Darling panda!

An unfurled fan makes a tree topper.

A little glass fan.

Take-out!

Sushi (non-edible).

White poinsettias (badly in need of a decorative ribbon) adorn a garden stool.

Paperwhites and pagodas (apologies for the terrible photos - iPhone is my only resource right now!).

And I couldn't resist slipping a spare branch and a Chinese knot onto a picture or two.

/All images/my own/

THANKSGIVING TABLE HACK

2011-11-24T13:01:00.001-05:00

I usually end up decorating the family table for Thanksgiving each year, but this November I had little time to plan, and even fewer pieces to plan with. Using one of the last fall-ish looking bouquets snatched at Target, some of my mother's Japanese pottery, and a few florist frogs, I decided to go austere. The Japanese have a cultural tradition of purity in design, particularly with flower arranging (the various flowers and stems can exemplify the heights of heaven, for example, or tell a story). The only story I was telling was less is more - but I gave it a shot, and we ended up with a colorful centerpiece!

If you find yourself unprepared like me, you can do the same - place florist frogs (any craft store has them) in a pretty bowl, cut thick stemmed flowers to taste, and just add water. Happy Thanksgiving!

FINIAL FRIPPERY

2011-11-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

I have a real thing for finials (because I have a real thing for lamps - accessorizing accessories is so addictive!). Finding an unusual one is an imperative to buy. The right lamp will show up eventually for a match made in lighting heaven. Or, you can stack the decks a bit with one of these fantastic finials from Hillary Thomas at Chic Shop. They would make the most average Target ceramic go glam!

/Images/chicshopla.com/

PAPER MOJO DIY

2011-10-30T22:31:00.003-04:00

The rewards of cleaning out the closet! I found several sheets of a bamboo trellis paper from Elum, ordered ages ago from Paper Mojo for a DIY project that never got off the ground. I've been eyeing my sad Billy Bookcase from IKEA for a while, and this paper seemed like a great way to dress it up.

The green and white pattern makes a crisp match to the white case.

Boring Billy! This plainly (pun intended) needs some work. Most of the time this project starts with pulling the back off the bookcase, but I'm a lazy DIYer. A VERY lazy DIYer. I also settled for double stick tape instead of mod podge or glue.

For bookcases like mine that aren't brand new, the shelves will already have some sag in them, so just measuring won't do. I held the paper up and fit it in place, creasing in the correct corners for an indication of where to cut later. Then I rimmed it with double-stick tape, with an X across the middle for good measure.

Affixing the first piece. Start at the top, with the shelves out, and work your way down. Pattern matching on a paper like this is not as tricky as you'd think; the repeat on this trellis is a tough match, but the busyness and bright color conceal an inexact match.

Afix and smooth the remaining sheets, and you're all done!

Styling is still TBD, but I'm already enjoying the bright punch of color this brings to the hall!

LAMP MECCA

2011-10-29T21:14:00.001-04:00

A little while ago I posted about a great lamp I found at Home Goods. I wish I had more space for lamps, because they have so many more great options! I'm especially in love with this pair of amazing gold pineapples (at around $50 a piece, they're a steal).

AFFORDABLE ADLER

2011-10-17T19:23:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I ordered this throw from Jonathan Adler. Actually, I should say I ordered it from HSN - and it's BY Jonathan Adler. Generally, I get the idea that many HSN buys are made at the 11th hour, fueled by exhaustion or too much caffeine/wine/sugar, and consummated with regret. But I love this purchase, and the quality was better than I expected.

It's reversible (white/black, black/white), and I frequently roll it up as a stylish "bolster" when not in use. At around $50, it was well worth it (don't be fooled by the compact look - it unfurls to a very large size).

I've been tempted by a number of other Adler offerings at HSN, although there's some design disconnect. Wouldn't it be great if these pillows came in black/white, instead of navy/white, in order to coordinate with the blanket above? Love the tassels though!

The prices might seem a little steep for HSN, like this lamp for $145, but compared with Adler's other offerings they're darn cheap.

This similar version on Adler's website is $725!

Here's a THIRTY TWO PIECE setting on sale for $29.99. No, it's not missing a "1" in there!

A similar style also by Adler is $50 for a 4-piece setting.

And don't miss Adler's books - on sale for only $4 a piece!!!

/Images/HSN.com /bolster, my own/

PRETTY PAPER WHITES

2011-10-13T22:53:00.000-04:00

Paper whites are most loved as a Christmas flower, but I enjoy them anytime in a cold winter - or a mild fall. They're the most forgiving of flowers. Even brown thumbs can grow a grasp of paper whites with the help of a little water and ample windowsill sun. And after the blooms have dropped, the long leaves will continue to bring a little green to your rooms.

I potted my own paper whites last week, and while I'm waiting for them to grow, I'm living vicariously through these pretty bouquets.

via Cote de Texas

via Visual Vamp

/Images/ The Enchanted Home/ Cote de Texas/ Ruth Burts/ Visual Vamp/ Mary McDonald/ Mary McDonald/ Southern Accents/

Need a how-to? Martha Stewart hasn't let you down - click HERE.

CIRCA WHO???

2011-10-11T22:29:00.004-04:00

Ever since I saw a spread in Lonny featuring this fabulous faux bamboo console, I've been webstalking CIRCA WHO, a treasure chest of chinoise located in West Palm Beach.

After a fruitless search for a hexagonal, faux bamboo side table, preferably white, of dimensions of less than 26", and a bottom to stack books in (I'm not picky!) I emailed CIRCA WHO owner Tracy. In short order, she'd turned up the perfect table. I was thrilled!

Having found the perfect perch for my book piles and mugs of hot coco, I went in search of a nice lamp. Because my color scheme for the living room is green and white, I initially wanted a green lamp, and had my eyes on these options from World Cost Plus Market or Ballard Designs.

But after trying a few options that just didn't work well, I stumbled on this beauty at Home Goods. I love the delicate cloud pattern rendered in gold and white. At $60, it was really quite a find.

I think the lamp is a lovely compliment to the table.

A few more favorites from CIRCA WHO. Good thing it's 995 miles from Washington, DC (yes, I Google mapped it). Otherwise, I'd be in some serious shopping trouble.

/Images/ Lonny/ My Own/ World Cost Plus Market and Ballard Designs/ My Own/ Circa Who/

THOROUGHLY THRIFTY

2011-10-08T17:38:00.000-04:00

The main joy of a three-day weekend is that "bonus" feeling. It's like finding an extra $20 in your pocket you didn't know you had: pure squander (for those in professions not recognizing Columbus Day, it's just a work day with no mail delivery). Anyway, I decided that I was going to start wasting time first thing today, so like any good profligate, I loaded up on coffee and sugar and then set off for a tour of home decor and thrift stores I've had on my "to-visit" list for a while. Most stops didn't yield anything (which was immaterial - looking itself is fun). But my final stop was jackpot.

I'm a crazy chinoiserie addict, and when I stumbled on this dresser set, I felt weak and dizzy (or maybe it was all the caffeine).

The 3-piece set (dresser, mirror, and side table) was - wait for it - $129. On eBay right now the dresser alone in that size runs $300 or more. I couldn't believe it.

There was some hardware damage, but other than a little TLC needed, it was an easy fix. Since I have achieved max furniture capacity in my thimble-sized apartment, I had to leave the dresser and side table for some other lucky person. But I was determined to have the mirror.

At first, they refused to sell it separately, but I begged and pleaded and finally, asked them to name any price they wanted. The salesman pondered thoughtful for a moment and then said...

$29.99. SOLD! I practically danced out to my car with it (I say practically because despite being the stuff of my chinoiserie dreams, this thing is darn heavy).

The next challenge was figuring out how to hang it. Since it was actually a dresser mirror, it had no brackets on the back for wall hanging. But I'm not handicraft helpless for nothing. I called Frager's on Capitol Hill (renovator's mecca) and asked if they would install brackets for me. Total cost? $4.95. And they carried it to my car for me. Heart you Frager's!

Now I'm trying to decided where to hang my fabulous find - and if I want to paint it another color. As you can see, it goes nicely with my lamps, but I'm not really keen on decorating with yellow in this space (the walls are a rich cream and it's clashy). Green or a laquer white might do the trick.

Horchow

Lonny Magazine

via DecorPad

/Images/my own or as attributed/

CAUGHT MY EYE

2011-10-07T00:09:00.001-04:00

Isn't this a lovely piece? I stumbled across it in Home Goods recently, buried under a fake plant, some baskets, and a floor mirror. It's a rather average shabby chic style commode, dressed up with wonderful chinoise illustrations. I believe the price was around $500. Hope it went to a good home!

P.S. This made me start thinking about how easy it would be to decorate your own piece of furniture (OK, maybe not EASY, but easier than forking over $500 or more). Painting free style might be difficult, but stencils would do the trick.

P.P.S. This reminded me of a cheap 'n chic version of my all time FAVORITE piece: this Oscar De La Renta parrot green drawer chest. I had the opportunity to see it in person at the Century showroom at the Washington Design Center, and I'm still weak in the knees.

/Images/my own/Oscar De La Renta/

CONTAINER STORE HACK: MAKE YOUR OWN LUCITE TRAY

2011-10-04T20:01:00.002-04:00

I adore lucite trays! And I've been longingly browser shopping my way through the best of them, but I just haven't been able to convince myself to spend more than $200 on one. So when I was wandering through the Container Store one day and saw a clear tray for TWELVE DOLLARS I thought - why don't I make my own tray?

So I did.

Ta da! It's my cheetah print lucite tray. For a grand total of less than $20!

Here's how to do it yourself:

1. Find an inexpensive clear tray. I found mine at the container store in the bathroom storage section (they have several versions and sizes), but a quick Google search will yield numerous options. I particularly like this version with handles from CB2 for $40.

Next, pick a beautiful paper you'd like to see every day (wallpaper and wrapping paper, especially quality papers, will do nicely).

I chose a cheetah print wrapping paper from World Cost Plus Market for $4.95.

You'll also need:

1. Mod Podge glue (glossy version)

2. some sponge brushes

3. a very sharp exacto knife

Brush the bottom of your tray (underside) with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Don't overdo it, or you'll soak the paper and cause wrinkling. (Note: papering the tray's underside will ensure a lovely shine, and a waterproof interior to the tray for floral arrangements and so forth. This is not a good solution if you're planning to use the tray for, say, coffee service; sitting it down on a damp kitchen counter could ruin your hard work).

Next, press the paper onto the bottom of the tray. You'll need to keep an eye on it for the next 10 minutes, as the paper may bubble a little and require smoothing. I chose to cut the paper to the approximate size and trim it after the glue dried. If you're better at measuring than I am, you can go ahead and cut it to size before gluing.

After the initial layer dries for 24 hours, add another thin coat of glue on the back of the paper for extra protection.

And you're done!

Here's some more inspiration - great papers from PaperMojo, and other pretty trays!

P.S. If you're creative with graphics, you can always design and print your own paper, and personalize it with your initials.

/Images/my own/Cb2 /my own /PaperMojo /Dabney Lee Home /Absolutely Beautiful Things /Decor Pad / Decor Pad/

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

2011-09-28T21:09:00.002-04:00

A few scenes from a recent trip out West...

And while in Red Lodge, Montana, I dropped in on a little shop called Whispering Pines. I'm not a Western/Outdoorsy style myself, but I love great style in any flavor! I was so tempted by the silver bear salt and peppers, and the branch utensils too.

And this pheasant center piece embellished with acorns.

A reindeer decanter.

A lovely old sleigh turned into a settee.

These stools covered in Uzbek rugs are charming, and pick up a Native American vibe.

Antlers!

And a farm wagon? Cart? Becomes a homey table.

Whispering Pines, 12 S Broadway, Red Lodge, MT, (406) 446-1470.

/Images/all my own. Please request permission to repost/

RALPH LAUREN AND THE BLOGGERS

2011-09-13T23:39:00.001-04:00

Bloggers on home design represent an unusually divergent field of faithful - after all, everyone lives in houses, so why not figure out how to live in them better? It's not always the degree that certifies a tastemaker. The resume is incidental - just like Go Remy says:

"I've got an MBA!"
"Ah - business administration?"
"NO! I got a Master's in Be'n Amaz'n!"

Anyway, so I was thrilled with the results of the Ralph Lauren/Bloomingdale's blogger designs and their four great picks to style their products. But, I would have been even MORE thrilled with a few of the lawyers/flamenco dancers/stay-at-home moms from blogger-land to represent. That's the only thing I could find to complain about with this campaign, though - it's fabulous (just scroll and say "ahhh").

Since I'm writing from DC, where introductions don't end with your name but your job title, here's the Ralph Lauren blogger ad campaign, CVs included.

Michelle Adams - formerly of M.A. Belle, now founder and blogger at Lonny (Resume: Domino, Rubie Green founder)

Marisa Marcantonio of Stylebeat (Resume: House Beautiful, O at Home)

Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic (Resume: Finance)

Eddie Ross of Eddie Ross - the blog (Resume: Food Network, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, Top Design tv show, online entrepreneur)

/Images/Bloomingdales/

MAKE IT LIKE MARY MCDONALD

2011-09-08T21:54:00.000-04:00

My favorite decor book right now is Mary McDonald's INTERIORS: The Allure of Style. It's a luscious, luxurious feast for the eyes, and there isn't a page I wouldn't like to step into, Alice-through-looking-glass style.

This room, a child's room, is one of the more popular images from McDonald's portfolio. The charming mix of green, pink, and pagodas is a winner. The individual pieces are unique enough that it would be a tough look to emulate - or that's what I thought until I came across a beautiful armoire (the Julia) at Home Decorators.

Despite lacking the beautiful fretwork of McDonald's top-of-the-line piece, this armoire has exactly the same look - and it's stunning with a few just right accessories!

Jacque Wall Brackets/Ballard Designs

Julia Armoire/Home Decorators

Gourd Petite Vases/Furbish Studio

White Ceramic Pagoda/Horchow

Green and White Bolster Pillows/The Bolster Queen, Etsy

Vintage Green Wall Prints/Belleoccio, Etsy

French Louis Style Chair/Ebay

Would you try this at home?

/Images/Mary McDonald room, House Beautiful/Shopping, companies as attributed/

LOVING LILLY HOME

2011-09-07T21:49:00.001-04:00

How lovely (and on trend) is the new Lilly Pulitzer home collection? Horchow and Neiman Marcus are both offering a selection of dining, living, and accent furniture in Palm Beach style. I'll take it all!

Enjoy (and don't miss the cheerful lizard wallpaper).

Be sure to check out her bedding over at Garnet Hill!

/Images/companies as attributed/

NO-LABOR DAY

2011-09-02T23:13:00.000-04:00

I'm in love with this bathroom by Alessandra Branca - so luxurious. Have a lovely no-Labor Day!

/Image/Alessandra Branca/

FALL FANTASIES

2011-08-30T22:09:00.001-04:00

The September Issue... you've seen the movie, now buy the current issue that did not inspire it (that would be 2007). I enjoy the comfort of hundreds of pages of economic stimulus, even if the magazine has more heft than the cover girl. But the autumn ads in Vogue were an uninspired bunch - mostly severely made up, sourpout models with laquer for hair, wearing plaid I'd be embarrassed to see lining a '70s suitcase.

A pity that we won't be allowed to at least dress nicely to face the hurricanes, earthquakes, and financial tsunamis of our Fall future. Did everyone hire Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke for their campaigns this season?

A few duds that aren't duds...

Tory Burch - Visionary

J. Crew Invokes A Scottish Ballet

The Royal Tenenbaum-Hilfigers (Preppy = Happy)

Iconoclast at Alexander McQueen

/Images/companies as attributed/

SCALAMANDRE SALE

2011-08-29T22:41:00.000-04:00

Now THERE'S two words that don't go together - Scalamandre and sophisticated, maybe, but Scalamandre and sale? How about Scalamandre and outlet store?

Accessories...

ZEBRA UMBRELLA, $95.00

Wallpapers...

BON OEUF, $71.00 RL

PAVILION BAMBOO, $45.00 RL

Fabrics... I'll take several yards of this!

CASTAWAY, $11.00/YD

And this...

YIN, $26/YD

ITALIAN GARDEN, $54/YD

/Images/Scalamandre/

EARTHQUAKE + PHOTO WALL = SAD

2011-08-24T21:20:00.000-04:00

When I hang a picture, it's a harbinger of destruction. I'll be sure to notify local seismologists next time....

BEFORE (Put up by me this weekend.)

AFTER (Unhung by nature yesterday.)

Yesterday, my apartment looked like the result of an angry toddler ramage; books down, pictures down, objects all pulled off the tables and shelves. I half expected to find a juice box in the rubble, or at the least a blankie. C'est la vie. Anyway, not much harm done, considering no one was hurt (though you wouldn't know it to read the headlines - "EARTHQUAKE OF THE CENTURY!").

So let this be a lesson to you: purchase IKEA, and earthquakes will only wreck cheap damage on your home.

POINTY SHOES

2011-08-22T22:50:00.000-04:00

First off, doesn't this make you yearn for Fall? A chilly day, out for a stroll in the city, in Autumn colors... and Louis Vuitton shoes. These marvelous bow-toe flats are cropping up again this year.

(Natalie Vodianova photographed by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue)

Gorgeous flat ironed bows from Vuitton 2010.

And for Talbots 2011 - my, my! Doesn't this look familiar?

It's a charming collection (if a wee bit LV inspired), and I love this pump in stingray.

Here's a 2010 velvet and satin flat with Swarovski-studded heels.

Compare to the Talbots Fall 2011 stingray pair.

And a little more creativity with leopard bows.

The collection ranges from $139 - $169. Not bad!

/All images, Talbots/

HOW-TO: PHOTO WALL

2011-08-21T16:09:00.002-04:00

I got what seemed like a brilliant idea the other day - a photo display wall to fill a vacant corner above my couch. But large photo walls are so expensive: custom framing, the art or photography on display, and usually a professional installer to hang them just so.

This Vogue vintage cover wall from Domino Magazine was a great inspiration.

So what to do? My first stop was IKEA, king of inexpensive home accessories. Even if the frames weren't glam, a matching set always looks more elegant.

IKEA Ribba frames at $10 a pop - including the mat!

But what to put in the frames? I have years of fashion and shelter mag editorial and advertising tearsheets lying around, so I raided my stash to find a series of photos suitable for framing. The guidelines were to 1) find images in various shades of jade to pick up the green themes in my apartment, and, 2) to find them with as few words on the page as possible (editorials are best for this).

After choosing favorites, I framed them up and laid out the photos to find the best arrangement.

I settled on a mix up of home decor, accessories, and fashion images from over the years. Vogue had the best fashion options (of COURSE), but Town and Country takes the prize for absolutely gorgeous accessories shots (note the Tony Duquette brooch picture in the center).

With a little help from the IKEA frame inserts, and a lot of measuring, I framed out the job.
Tips: Be sure to measure the space between each frame too, so the distance is right. I then penciled in the exact spot for each nail hole on the paper, and drove the nail right through the paper, pulling off the wall papers when I was done. Easy peasy!

(Remember, in an older building, it can be really tough to find the perfect "center" since the walls may not be perfectly straight. Your best bet is to trust your eye as well as your measuring tape, moving things around until they look right. Also, keep in mind that the frame insert papers are a great guide, but they're slightly smaller than the frames. You'll need to add in an extra inch or so for the perfect fit.)

The final result: ta-da - inexpensive photo wall!

The set dresses up an otherwise dull corner (apologies for the window glare).

Total cost? $120 for frames. $0 for old magazine tearsheets. Yay!

I tried the same affect in my bathroom with vintage nature prints and a shell craft basket. Again with the glare. Sorry!

Have you found a special trick for making great wall displays?

CHA-CHA-CHAIR

2011-07-27T21:51:00.000-04:00

It's for sale HERE.

iDECORATE: BEDROOM

2011-07-24T16:41:00.001-04:00

My apartment is a studio, but while I'm a happy camper living in one large room, I refuse to pretend that I live in a large BEDROOM. Luckily, the layout is such that with a great (massive) bookcase, I've created free-flowing separate living vs. sleeping areas. Even though the bed isn't the centerpiece of the apartment, I still wanted it to feel luxurious, and since it's in a dark corner, cheery.

And the most cheery thing I could think of was Mr. Bunny. I sketched Mr. Bunny back in my aspiring artist days (middle school?) and he's always struck me as having a sweet, if rather coy, tempérament. He's obviously fond of clover blossoms:

Since my current headboard is a massive chinese screen, I had to hang the sketch with visible cording. After a brief trip to the hardware store, I established two things: a) they had no appropriate cording or wiring that could hold the picture's weight AND look good, and b) it was 100 billion degrees outside and I wasn't going to look anywhere else. Luckily, after a few minutes of aisle cruising, I found this roll of jute twine. Rustic chinoiserie? You bet!

Here's Mr. Bunny all hung up. In real life, the sorrel colored bedding is a nice compliment to the bright orange of the screen - in the photos it looks odd. The lovely pillows in Windsor Smith Pelagos Haze by Kravet are from one of my favorite Etsy stores, ZzzBoutique.

The chinese screen is a score from a Southern vintage shop - it's covered on both sides and framed in oak. Would you believe it was only $110??!! It almost didn't fit in my car - let's just say I got very cozy with the screen on the way home.

The little glass and brass bamboo bedside table is the perfect size for the corner, and another vintage store find. The lamp was a Home Goods score last week - $45.00, and it came with the shade, which has a rougher woven pattern in the same style family as the jute cording (hard to see in the picture). It also came with a cheezy porcelain finial, but I had purchased brass fretwork finials in a vintage store a while ago, even when I didn't have lamps to go with them. If I find something I really like, I just go for it. Inevitably, it finds a home. I love how ridiculously large the lamp looks on that teeny table - it's fun.

Better view of the lamp (and that weird mismatched color thing again). The bedding is West Elm cherry blossom in sorrel.

That's the room! I'm not done - a different rug, pictures on the wall, and eventually, an actual headboard (I'm thinking grey velvet), as well as a bedskirt in matching Windsor Smith fabric are all in the future!

FOLLOWING CHLOE WARNER

2011-07-13T23:12:00.001-04:00

Everyone (by which I mean you, because you read shelter blogs) remembers this bedroom:

It's by Chloe Warner, from her charming pad in the California Hills with blockbuster-level glam. But she hasn't been resting on those cherry blossom laurels. Warner's design firm, Redmond Aldrich, spreads her special brand of eclectic palm beach goes Asian around town - enjoy a few fresh looks below.

Images/Chloe Warner/

iDECORATE: BEFORE AND AFTER

2011-07-11T21:21:00.004-04:00

Earlier this year I moved to Washington, D.C., into an apartment long on charm and views, and short on size. Much to my surprise, I'm loving living small. No more clinging to boring or unloved items; I feel free to throw things and out and start afresh (as I mentioned on the Great Couch Hunt). So I have. And, I decided that, other than upholstery and textiles, I'm decorating vintage as much as possible. EBay, One King's Lane, and antique stores are my new best friends. Thrill of the hunt! Here are a few first finds.

Pattern play - I had fun piling up the kitchen linens for a colorful effect atop the newly painted table!

BEFORE: I scored this diminutive table in a vintage shop down South for around $100. It's English-made, and I fell in love with the delicate bamboo carving. Since I live in a studio, it was the ideal size for dining in - but not the ideal color. By painting it a high-gloss black, it would make a nice set with my bamboo fretwork dining chairs from Ballard Designs.

AFTER! A coat of primer and some black enamel, and it's a matched set! I love the way it turned out (much better than I loved painting each and every carving...). It makes a sweet little seating area, and when I move to a larger home, a nice side or card table. I'll need to learn to play...

BEFORE: I found this sideboard on eBay for $145. It's by Broyhill, and not exactly inheritance material, but I loved the mix of bamboo carved border and turned legs. In a rather bold, but ineffective effort, the previous owner had attempted to go Asian country with cream paint and slate blue hardware. Hmmmm...

AFTER: a lot of elbow grease later (stripping hardware is a pain!) and with a new coat of paint, it's reborn. Decorating is still in process but I particularly like it flanked by the green foo dogs. Best of all? It has a TON of storage - perfect for a small space.

My new place is a work in progress. I'll update you as things move along!

All images, my own.

OUT OF THE (NORMAL) OFFICE

2011-07-09T21:51:00.002-04:00

These are all work spaces - but you could have fooled me. Fretwork? Florals? Rare art? Nailhead upholstery? I'm ready to interview!

Lonny Offices

Kelly Wearstler

Lonny Offices

Ines de la Frassange's Office

Madonna as a Glam Office Drone

Nate Berkus

Domino Magazine

Kelly Framel, of The Glamourai

Drew Barrymore's Offices at Flower Studies

Flower Studios

Ines de la Frassange at Selby/Lonny offices/Madonna for Versace/Kelly Wearstler Office/Nate Berkus Office/Domino Pink Tufted Office/Drew Barrymore Flower Studios/The Glamourai Kelly Framel/

FROND OF PALMS

2011-07-07T20:57:00.000-04:00

I have home decor so much on the brain, I can't look at clothes without thinking of upholstery, or wallpaper... last week, a Kate Spade skirt reminded me of Mary McDonald's fabulous striped walls. And now, I can't look at this darling summer dress (also by Spade) without pining for the Fountain Coffee Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel:

A few more views of that famous Martinique Wallpaper by Stockwell...

Images/Kate Spade/Beverly Hills Hotel/Final 2 pics, Material Girls Blog/

BATHING SWEETIES

2011-07-05T21:45:00.002-04:00

I hate swimsuits and Swimsuit Issues,

Seeing those models brings out the tissues -

Whether these are less hate-able

Is somewhat debate-able

But they are quite charming -

And certainly less alarming!

If you miss the classic look of the "bathing sweeties", check out Jantzen's line of suits.

Images/Grace Kelly/Red Parasols/Hepburn/Balloons

SPEARMINT STRIPES

2011-07-03T17:51:00.001-04:00

I spy...

Mary McDonald's fabulous guest house living room, turned into...

Kate Spade's Striped Lillith Skirt. P.S. It's on sale!

Images, Apartment Therapy and Kate Spade

INSPIRATION SPACES

2011-06-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

What's the one space that you wish was your place? Have a style that would make you stay a while? Did you just see a look that's right out of your book? Since I recently moved to Washington, D.C. I'm decorating a new home - and that means a lot of looking for inspiring spaces. This apartment by Elizabeth Bauer is one of my very favorites (featured in Lonny, June/July 2010). Scroll below to discover.

Not only is it a stunning design that makes a grand statement...

But all that grandiosity is contained in a STUDIO!

The eating area is mod and vintage, white-washed and colorful... and fun to eat in.

This can't be the same apartment... but it is. The hallway leading into the main living space is layered with style.

Calling Paul Smith, your couch is ready.

All the pretty piles! A strict color palette keeps it mesmerizing instead of messy.

All images, Lonny Magazine.

ALL THE PRETTY PILLOWS

2011-06-14T20:45:00.000-04:00

I've fallen off the wagon again - four new pillows in the last month! And I think things are going to get worse, now that I've discovered Overstock.com's supply of pretty, non-pricey pillows. Don't believe me?

$43.99 (set of 2)

$39.99 (set of 2)

$59.99

Images, overstock.com

THE POCKET DECORATOR (iPHONE EDITION)

2011-06-12T21:12:00.003-04:00

The iPhone has many uniquely addictive properties, one of which is sticky fingers. Less than 24 hours after I purchased a white iPhone, it was stolen (really? I mean, REALLY?!). I went from tech-glee to trepidation: had I just acquired an app-enabled Hope Diamond? But, with my new-new iPhone, I've stopped worrying and moved straight on to decorating. The phone, that is:

This is the chinoiserie iPhone cover from Rogue. Can I tell you how much I LOVE this??!! It's absolutely charming. I've ordered it in pagoda orange (see swatch below) with grass green monogram. But if swathing your phone in Blue Willow china patterns isn't for you, check out a few of their other great designs below (I spy some KWID inspired trellis...).

So many great options - switch them out?

On to the interior - here are some apps I've loaded and loved:

Photosynth

iPhone 4 has a great built in camera, but only a professional grade lens can fisheye enough to capture a full room. I hate stumbling across an exciting design in a shop/hotel lobby/friend's living room, and being unable to fit everything into the frame. With Photosynth, you take multiple photos around the space, and Photosynth weaves them all together into one large image or a panorama. Genius! You'll never again wonder what part of a space inspired you.

Code Reader

This app is a box store bonanza - unsure if you're getting a good price on paint? Wallpaper? Linens? Photograph the bar code, and Code Reader gives you a list of local locations selling the same item and their prices. If you're a bargain hunter like me, you may find that it's biggest value is time; I've stopped leaving things on the shelf wondering if there's a "better deal" - then having to return when another store was more expensive or out of stock. And you may decide that a few dollars more doesn't justify another journey across town.

Yard Sale Shopper

I'm afraid of this app. I'm afraid of what the power to know where EVERY estate and/or yard sale in the immediate vicinity may do to me. Yard Sale Shopper combs through local classifieds and creates pin-point maps with descriptions of each sale. Prediction? You may spend the money you save on shopoholics rehab.

Color Change

This app is the electronic version of Benjamin Moore's sample paint cans. Photograph a space, select the wall (or furniture, lamp shades, etc.) you want to change, and choose from hundreds of colors. Color Change then "repaints" the space in your photograph, for infinite experimentation. Without the aching arms.

TagReader

More and more stores and media outlets are "tagging" things, and with home decor mags jumping on that wagon, this is one app you shouldn't go without. Hover your camera phone over a tag, photograph it, and the corresponding video/photo/webpage/etc. will show up on your screen. Tags are a bit like easter eggs - they can provide some fun surprises. For instance, House Beautiful featured a tag on a story about Tobi Fairley's new home. I clicked a quick photo of it, and got to watch a fun video of Tobi giving a personal tour of the home. Tres tres tech!

Decomash

This app is a bit hit-or-miss, but it's free and harmless, so go for it. Decomash enables you to photograph a space in your home, and then it performs an art search online, pulling together thumbnails of suggested artworks for photographs. See something you like? Click the image, and you'll be transported to the website to buy.

AroundMe

I really, really love this app. It's designed to easily point you to the nearest necessities - cafe, movie theater, parking, etc. But, grab the "nearby" feature, and you'll get a picture of all the shops around you, so if you're in the mall or visiting a new town, you won't have to wonder where the good stores are. Just click and stroll!

Color Capture

All the smart paint companies are doing it! This app lets you photog any color you like, then matches it up with a corresponding paint color (and, provides harmonious shades for accenting as well). "Ben" is easy to use, and Benjamin Moore paint is everywhere, so this remains one of the most popular options on the market. One tip: make your sure you have good lighting when capturing that wayward leaf, fabric, or other inspiration. Shadowing reads darker for the Ben app than it does for your eyes, so light the item up to avoid a mis-match.

What did I miss? If you have a favorite iPhone app (or phone cover) be sure to share your find in the comments!
Images, companies as attributed.

ZIG ZAG

2011-05-23T22:38:00.000-04:00

You wanted to walk on it...

Now's your chance to sleep under it!

Loving this blue chevron stripe bedding from Urban Outfitters - it reminds me of nothing so much as Mary McDonald's charming chevron bathroom floor. Great patterns work everywhere!

Images, McDonald, Urban Outfitters

THE GOOD LIFE

2011-05-20T22:38:00.001-04:00

Let's cut to the chase - put this fabric in place, you'll love the look. Paper every nook! Wooster and Prince have very fine style; their Good Life chinoise fabric will make you smile. Try it in the paper too - and take spring shades as your cue.

Good Life Collection, in Scarlet

A complimentary Wooster and Prince graphic pattern.

Green colorway

Also available in a wrapping paper.

The Lantern Pattern, green and blue colorway - and lovely matched with another Wooster and Prince graphic pattern below.

Blue colorway

All images, Wooster and Prince. Tablescape, Women's Day.

CB2@GEORGETOWN

2011-05-03T22:48:00.000-04:00

CB2 in DC is now open!

I recently picked up my own CB2 peekaboo tables... still deciding where to put them!

All images, cb2. Final image, my own.

FOR SPRING: THE BUMBLEBEE

2011-04-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

Yellow is summer sweet; black is a bit of a sting. The striped contrast of the bumblebee is a spring sign of both, and it's equal parts softness and daring when designing a room.

As it happens, I'm not designing anything right now, seeing as how I'm still moving/lacking most of my furniture. I'm also not decorating with black and yellow, but for some reason, I have rather a lot of it laying around. So I piled it all in one place (hoping against hope that it would resemble a couch). And then I went in search of other, better-composed palettes.

A pile of similarly colored items in my apartment.

Other people's piles...

Wearstler, Apartment Therapy, Canadian House and Home, Jenna Lyons, Wearstler.

PATTERNS IN PARADISE

2011-04-18T23:38:00.000-04:00

Tobi Fairley, Traditional Home, May 2011

(MODERATELY) HAPPY (COUCH) ENDINGS

2011-04-16T01:05:00.005-04:00

Thank you bloggy friends for all the great words of support and advice on what became The Couch Hunt From H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. I'm long delinquent in responding. Why? Because I have spent all of my waking hours on the Couch Hunt. And they have to be waking hours, because I do not have a couch on which to comfortably repose.

To summarize where we last left off, a couch I had ordered did not fit (or would not be fit, sans eager movers) into my home. Z Gallerie, purveyors of said couch, informed me of four things:

1) I could choose an exchange on their website.

2) I could have a full refund.

3) I could have a newer model of the couch that included removable feet, if I were willing to wait 8 weeks.

4) I could take the time I needed to make up my mind.

I considered an exchange for this lovely green couch - alas, also too large (or not!
Who knows if the dimensions are right!)

Funnily, not ONE of those things turned out to be true! The day after Mission: Couch Delivery failed, I left on a trip. During the time I was gone, I spoke with Z Gallerie several times, looked at various other couch options with them via phone, and was told to wait until I got back from my trip to make such a "big decision."

As it turned out, I didn't have that much of a big decision to make - Z Gallerie had made it for me. I decided I probably wanted a refund, and when I called the consultant I was working with to discuss it, she put me on hold. And came back with new information.

You know when your blood rushes really fast? And it sounds really loud in your ears? And you hear people say things to you like: You will not be getting a refund. You will not be getting an exchange. The couch is not available, new or old, with removable feet. And if you "refuse" the couch, it will be returned for a 50% restocking fee + delivery. Or, we can just send it to your building and leave it in the lobby for you to decide what to do with.

You know that feeling? When I could speak again, I requested to direct that speech toward a supervisor, with whom I then began the Viscous Cycle of Admitting Denial Conversation. Yes, all of those things I was told were not true. But the other things I was just told were true. Yes, they took full responsibility for them. No, they would not take any ACTUAL responsibility for them. I was finally offered a 30% restocking fee + delivery fee...

Alas, company culpability. In vain I pleaded my case - that the measurements they gave me for the couch were wrong and that this record-setting dispersal of misinformation included the other previously mentioned falsehoods. Nothing swayed them, not even the startling news that the couch - my couch - the couch that I apparently owned in a very irrevocable way - was now in parts unknown.

WHAT?!?!?

Apparently, if you leave a couch sitting around a delivery company's warehouse for a week, they get really bored, and decide to send it back where it came from, and they don't necessarily feel the need to divulge that whim to, say, the person who owns the couch, or (and this is a crazy idea), the company who manufactured it. It was gone.

But Patience, she is still a virtue. For 47 minutes, I stuck to my guns, puny guns, seeing as they had my money, and somewhere, my couch, but stick I did. We resolved the situation thusly:

Me: "What does your computer say is the height of the couch?"

Z Gallerie "32 inches."

Me: "Go to your website. What does the web page say is the height of the couch?"

Z Gallerie: "31 inches."

And so herein lies the lesson: your word against their word will get you nowhere. Their computer against their other computer will get you everywhere. Or, at least, a refund.

For the record:

And now, the Couch Quest continues...

Sources: Cartoon; Giant sofa; green sofa and Pauline sofa and dimensions; scream.

THE GREAT SOFA DISASTER

2011-03-24T22:57:00.008-04:00

HGTV's addictive properties: I watch, even when it drives me crazy. Like when, yet AGAIN, another homeowner orders a piece of furniture that won't fit through the front door and the whole thing turns into the home decor version of a scary surgery nightmare: The saws! The hammers! The spurting cushion foam!

And then I did it too. Rewind to last Friday, now a reminder that the Ides of March don't confine themselves to Romans. I'd ordered a beautiful new couch - The Couch - from Z Gallerie, for which I'd been waiting months, since it was being custom upholstered in a grey velvet fabric. In case I hadn't mentioned it (which I haven't), I just moved to D.C. and I'm furnishing my new apartment, which is really fun, and also really annoying, because you do things like sit on your living room floor for weeks waiting for a couch to come.

And then it only comes as far as the lobby.

The Couch (wrong color). Love the tuxedo style and nailhead detail.

Just like the Roman generals of that other fateful March, I had to evaluate my strategy - what went wrong? It turned out to be a classic battlefield maneuver: I was taken by surprise. You see, I did all the reasonable things one does when preparing for a couch. I measured the elevator. I measured the door. I checked these measurements against the couch measurements. What I forgot to check, it turns out, was Z Gallerie. Because the couch I got vs. the measurements I got, were... different.

The delivery guys, whose helpfulness was directly inverse to the number of stair flights between the lobby and my apartment, began highlighting the failings of The Couch, beginning with the fact that the feet were not removable. It turned out the feet should have been removable, in fact. For some reason, I'd been sent the old design... unlike the happy customer earlier that day, to whom, they assured me, they had easily been able to deliver the couch by popping off 5 inches of feet. The dispatcher that I spoke with on the phone had other ideas about the issue - "It's all your problem," was his thoughtful analysis.

I was so desperate to get it in the door, I began hallucinating.

So I stood out on the stoop and waved goodbye to my beautiful grey velvet couch as the deliverymen callously tossed the (now-unwrapped) cushions directly onto the dirty floor of the truck bed and drove away. (P.S. the truck was actually sporting Williams-Sonoma logos, as the delivery company works for them, as well as PotteryBarn and Z Gallerie.)

So, bloggerland, here are the options for bringing seating happiness to my humble home. Please log your vote in the comments!

Option One: Full refund. Walk away, or rather sit away, with no couch.

And start the hunt all over again. A tall order. Or a short one, if you're going by inches.

(I liked this Crate and Barrel sofa - for $500 more.)

Option Two: Z Gallerie mans up and sends me what I should have gotten to start with: a new couch. With removable feet. The catch? They refuse to promise it any sooner than 2 to 3 months from now, a bit surprising since I was unwittingly helping them get rid of old stock. Basically, I will have spent half a year waiting on ONE COUCH. What are they doing - still growing the trees for the frame?

(The Couch. Again.)

Option Three: Choose another Z Gallerie couch in a stock finish I can "live with."

(Couch in Pearl... velvet? Microfiber? Description doesn't say.)

What do you think?

Image credits: car/couch, bent sofa, z gallerie sofas, z gallerie.

CHINA RED... CHIPPENDALE

2011-03-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

SHOPPING OPTIONS

Red Fretwork Tables, Horchow

Fretwork Table Lamp, Horchow

Ralph Lauren Red Pagoda China (Cookie Jar, Five-piece Setting, Salt & Pepper)

Chippendale Fretwork Settee, James and Jeffrey Antiques, First Dibs

Noble Excellence Red Fretwork Bedding, Dillards

Harris Rubin Red Bookcase, Dennis Miller Associates

Fretwork Pattern Candle Sleeves, Kaarskoker

Red Fretwork File Box, Neiman Marcus

Chinese Fretwork Lantern, Vaughan

And you can always wear it... Judith Leiber pagoda bag and Redux Charles Chang-Lima One-Shoulder Chiffon Ruffle gown, Neiman Marcus

Product images, companies as attributed.

Fretwork ceiling/Fretwork chair/Miles Redd living room, Elle Decor/John Loecke tablescape (via Peak of Chic)/ Woodson and Rummerfield red trim room (via Peak of Chic)/ Pagoda wallpaper room via CocoCozy/

CAVEAT EMPTOR

2011-03-15T22:21:00.004-04:00

I have confessed a lot of addictions on this blog... pillow addictions... lamp addictions... but my latest and greatest obsession is One King's Lane. The prices! The brand names! The buy-it-or-else excitement! The prices! The selections are on-trend and quality, and the marketing geniuses at OKL recently launched an even more thrilling twist on the designer fire sale: vintage, antique, or gently used pieces chosen by "tastemakers" - a.k.a. Famous Names. This makes for some of the most interesting screen shopping of all, but lately, I've been hesitating to click "buy." It's easy to compare values, on, say, Ralph Lauren Home lamps or Mansour rugs, but antique or vintage items are one of a kind, and I've haggled with enough sellers over the years to know that value is in the eyes of the beholder. Sometimes, the prices on OKL seem quite good. At other times, they're whimsical, if not downright arbitrary. But without the ability to lay hands and eyes on the product, or compare it to anything else, who knows? Well, now I do.

A few years ago, I fell head over for a pair of ceramic parrots offered by Anthropologie. They were priced somewhere between $60 and $90 - more than I wanted to spend, and after a little web stalking, I managed to catch them on sale for $30. Victory! They've been prized ever since.

"Front" view

"Back" view

So imagine my surprise when I found the exact same pair on One King's Lane this weekend, for $275 (listed with an even higher "original" cost of $550 retail). They're absolutely identical to my own, but with a hefty price tag - an increase of around three times their original selling value. That seemed more than a little steep.

"Front" view of the parrots.

A little more investigation on the world wide web revealed that these aren't even off the market - you can buy them brand new over at Shop/10/25. Cost? $120, less than half the price of the "gently used" - not antique or vintage - pair at OKL.

"Back" view of the parrots.

So there you are. If you are so enamored with a Tastemaker item that value is secondary, by all means click away. But caveat emptor - there are no guarantees that what you get is worth the price.

All images, companies as attributed.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

2011-02-28T23:23:00.000-05:00

The magazine serial is a lost art form these days. With websites, Twitter, moment-by-moment news updates, and yes, blogs, who can be expected to remember what happened yesterday, much less in last month's magazine? But serials used to be the lifeblood of magazines and newspapers; Charles Dickens published many of his stories in serial fashion, and crowds would throng the docks in America for the delivery of the latest installment of his stories from London. So kudos to - of all publications - a home decor magazine for experimenting again with the serial. House Beautiful's monthly installments of Frances Schultz's East Hampton's cottage makeover are as charming as the house itself. Here are a few snaps from this month's update (more here for last month's living room makeover).

Ms. Schultz's challenge was to combine two small bedrooms into a pint-sized master suite:

The new study includes work space and a cozy spot for guests. The lacquered blue walls add light and dimension to a small space.

All images, housebeautiful.com.

TWEEN'SPERATION

2011-02-24T22:20:00.001-05:00

Apropos of nothing, I was wandering around the Pottery Barn Teen website the other day, and marveling at all the great designs they have - an adult would envy this bedroom:

Coraline Canopy Bed, $999 +

The furniture leans toward country chic, but I loved this little Minnie Stool, also available in blue and green, at $299.

Mother nature should be so lucky - how cute is this rug? Also in blue, black, and pink, starting at $299.

Acrylic spruces up a classic fixture; De-Lit Chandelier with ribbon trim shades, $159.

Calling Mary Mcdonald... Upholstered Headboard, $299 +, in a variety of patterns.

A hint of chinoiserie in white or Tiffany blue, the Pop Up Storage Bedside Table, $199.

Zig zag goes to Palm Beach. Zig Zag pillow covers, $12.99.

All images, Pottery Barn Teen.

MAGIC BY MARCHESA

2011-02-22T21:21:00.001-05:00

Design house Marchesa has long been like the runner-up for best supporting actress: stunning and never quite taken seriously. For years, Marchesa's creations have been passed over as so much eye candy. Stars love the gowns, but the fashion elite have been much more reserved ...Marchesa is Hollywood courted, but never haute couture. However, a few forays into Indie style (body suits?) and their long term staying power may finally win Marchesa the Oscar. And based on the Spring 2011 collection, I think it's time to say, "the envelope please!"

Images, style.com

The Aquatic Life

2011-02-20T21:52:00.002-05:00

I know that PINK is supposedly the color of the year, but pardon me if I disagree... what this winter season needs is blue: blue skies, blue seas...

Something old, something new, something Joe Nye, and something blue...

House Beautiful has some lovely examples of polished azure.... Room by Ashley Whittaker.

And turquoise + black and white makes everything right in an eclectic mix by Kim Coleman and Michele Green.

Z Gallerie, one of my favorite decor shops, has gone all out to sea for spring - from foam blue frames to deep sky ikats, they have a beautifully, reasonably price selection of accessories and furniture. These are winter blues we can all love!

All images, Z Gallerie and House Beautiful online (www.housebeautiful.com).

EMERSON ON COUTURE

2011-01-30T23:33:00.003-05:00

"Love of beauty is Taste.

The creation of beauty is Art."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

.spring couture.

...

/Asada wood block print, Pagoda and Cherry Blossoms + Givenchy Spring 2011/

/Steven N. Meyers Parrot Tulip I + Dior Spring 2011/

/Mark Rothko Green White and Yellow on Yellow + Dior Spring 2011/

/Pablo Picasso Sketch for The Demoiselles d'Avignon + Dior Spring 2011/

/Georgia O'Keeffe White Flower + Givenchy Spring 2011/

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

2011-01-23T22:26:00.000-05:00

Every week, my email inbox fills to the brim (somewhere out there on the internets, my emails are spilling out onto the proverbial floor). But sometimes, as I'm desperately trying to restore order to the mailbox mayhem, I find something truly clickable, like H & H Home (that's founding friends Heather & Helen, y'all). This Atlanta-based store refurbishes worthy pieces, burnishing vintage favorites into modern marvels. The results are truly home-worthy, from Vuitton trunks to charming chinoiserie furniture. I'm so glad I organized my inbox!

H & H Home

And a few of my top picks... so much chinoiserie! You can shop H & H HERE.

/Images/ All from H & H/

THE (HYPOTHERMIA) BLUES

2011-01-22T19:52:00.003-05:00

I have had it up to HERE baby. Right up to where my itchy scarf is wrapped around my freezing neck. Is it summer yet? Is that an ice cream truck I hear? No… it's the zamboni. Because the street is an ice rink.

The very LEAST I can do to survive this frozen tundra formerly known as the United States (and not the Alaska part) is bundle up stylishly. But it can be tough to combine function and chic, as these designers prove. Below, the hypothermia hall of shame:

PRADA:

Are you kidding me with these Prada? Where are we going in this get-up - a Versailles reception à la the 17th century (plenty of exposed space for hand kissing)? Good thing blue flesh is a complimentary color to khaki.

FRENCH CONNECTION:

Is it a cape? Is it a coat? Is it made for women with short arms? Who wants to wear three quarter length sleeves in a snowstorm? Nobody, that's who.

MILLY:

Another glove fail. Not only do they NOT KEEP HANDS WARM, which is the de facto purpose of gloves, but they look like nasty old tube socks mauled by a glue gun and some grosgrain. An Etsy disaster. That costs $135. Shame, Milly. Shame.

/Prada gloves, FC coat? cape?, Milly gloves/

LITTLE GIRL BLUE

2011-01-15T21:39:00.003-05:00

A little while ago I posted an ode to blue and white rooms and their charming reminiscence of sand and surf, cloud and sky. Blue is often the color of January too, whether in mood (singing the winter blues) or as a symbol of new beginnings. It's a classic pairing for clothes, for boys (little boy blue, the navy blue blazer), and girls (think Alice in Wonderland). Below, a retrospective of some favorite blue dresses. Just make sure you wear it - don't feel it!

...First Disney

Then Vogue...

Disney has succeeded in capturing in painted stills (and computer matrixes) the idealistic dreams of the American female psyche for several generations. A rags to riches, commoner to royal princess dons blue, with accents of bridal white.

Modern times: couturiers cut the dresses of our dreams. Emily Blunt poses in Dior Haute Couture for Vanity Fair.

Softer shades of ice bleu by Roberto Cavalli.

Dolce and Gabbana's petal showered confection, an adult gown little girls would thrill to wear.

Dior recreates a delftware print for a surprising slice of blue.

Come closer...

Roberto Cavalli flips the lining inside-out, adorning a woman in the shape and pattern of an exquisite oriental vase.

Images/ Alice in Wonderland/ Vogue's Alice with Mad Hatter/ Alice / Cinderella/ Emily Blunt/ Cavalli/ Dolce and Gabbana/ Dior/ Dior close-up/ Cavalli/ Double Cavalli/

COTTAGE BEAUTIFUL

2011-01-10T20:43:00.000-05:00

My favorite thing in the 120 pages of House Beautiful's February decor ideas was so missable - one page of snapshots and a smattering of text about HB Contributing Editor Frances Schultz' home makeover in the Hamptons. It was so much fabulosity packed into such a small space - I had to have MORE! Luckily, House Beautiful online offered more (and larger) pictures. Enjoy!

Green and white, and oh so right. Love the layered curtains and the bold, graphic patterns (stripes, plaids, botanicals - and stripes again).

Country whimsy: a painted bee... next to a bee hive basket.

In the former garage cum sun room, big pattern dominates a little space. Carlton Varney paper and a shade worthy of a 1940s ice cream parlor sweeten the space.

There's more charm to come! Other rooms in Bee Cottage's makeover will be featured in upcoming issues of House Beautiful.

/Images/HouseBeautiful.com/

WINTER WEEKEND

2011-01-07T21:12:00.000-05:00

Don't you love a cozy winter weekend? Me neither. Sayonara, winter. My idea of cozy is a being able to touch my windowpane and not freeze to it.

That would not happen here.

Or here. Bliss included.

Of course, if you can't be in the warm outdoors, the next best thing is to pretend. A lightbulb chandelier, topiaries, and pagoda drapes create the illusion of summer.

A touch of summer will shine through in any room. Try a hint of coral and lime and a splash of laquer.

Or just get on a plane and head South.

Or go by boat.

Either way, the view will be worth it.

Images/1 Elle Decor/ 2 Kelly Wearstler/ 3 Elle Decor/ 4 Joe Nye/ 5 Joe Nye/ 6 Country Living/ 7 Joe Nye/

A NEW (NAUTICAL) YEAR

2011-01-01T00:09:00.001-05:00

It's the New Year! Time for a fresh start! Even though those half-glass-empty prediction analysts keep telling us that most resolutions don't last more than a week. Ignore them! You can lose 25 pounds, learn French, win a marathon, become an astronaut, and win the lottery - all by next month! And you should look great doing it. You should dress like you're looking to a new horizon. Or sailing off into the sunset. In other words: now is the time for nautical style. New resort collections are everywhere, but my favorite is Ann Taylor. And won't the great prices help you save on that other resolution - budgeting?

LOVE this necklace! Talk about stylish boat bling!

A few final stripes from Australian Vogue...

/Images/Ann Taylor/Australian Vogue via swingfashionista.com/ Deck picture, thefashionimaginarium.blogspot.com/

OLD THINGS FOR A NEW YEAR: THREE UNDER $30

2010-12-29T00:38:00.002-05:00

Where are you going this year?

Paper is out. Care to read? Pick up a Kindle! Want to write a note? iPad! Need to jot something in your calendar? I'll take a piece of paper, thank you. Because there's nothing as satisfyingly human as attempting to decipher whether you scrawled "3 cups sugar" or "8 wups super" on your grocery list. Entertainment value aside, big leather agendas these days cost as much as a fancy tech gadget. So if your New Year's resolution includes watching your budget and pounds (which could be the same thing, if you're British), invest in a pad - an inexpensive paper one. Here are the best bets for making chicken scratch stylish on the cheap.

1) Bang for the Buck: Lilly Pulitzer, $24.95. Perfect for the professional (multiple calendars!), student (includes a full school year in addition to the calendar year), and mommies (lots of note space and a few stickers for the kids), it's also a steal. The thick cover withstands more abuse than most leathers, and you won't feel sad about a few ink stains soiling the inside. Comes in two sizes.

2) Over-informed: Jonathan Adler's paper agenda, $18.95, comes stocked with daily, weekly, and monthly options, as well as odd bits of information. But why not? Adler makes your pillows, PDA, and pottery fabulous - let him do the same for your day.

3) Living dangerously: the Kate Spade spiral desktop calendar, $20.00. Peppered with charming illustrations by artist Jenny Bowers, this planner has months of pizzaz - but only a few days of writing space. For those who either keep only a few engagements, or write very, very, very small, it is grid-month calendars only. Just bring along a magnifying glass!

BONUS - The Lightweight. If you're one of those rare creatures who can carry a clutch without stashing all your extra needies in a) your car, b) your pockets, or c) your boyfriend's pockets, this is the agenda for you! Moleskine's classic design, the Colour a Month Planner, $20.00, is divided into 12 separate notebooks. When January's done, toss it onto the shelf and move on to a new month and a shiny new notebook in a bright color. A fresh start every 30 days!

/Images: picture one, Kate Spade. Others, all companies as attributed./

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

2010-12-23T00:16:00.001-05:00

If Santa Claus can go around the world in one night, why can't we travel the Christmas decorations of the world in one blog post? Tell Rudolph to polish his nose, and grab a cup of hot coco - we're going to see some beautiful sites!

Paris, Galeries Lafayette

Rome, The Vatican

Rome, Piazza Navona

Rome, The Colosseum

London, The London Eye

London, Westminister Abbey

The Mall, Washington, DC

China, The Bird's Nest

Hope you enjoyed the trip! Merry Christmas friends!

/Images: Paris, venere.com/ Vatican, smtkofc.org/ Piazza Navona, discoveryguidedtours.com/ Colosseum, motelcorsi.it/ London eye, freechristmaswallpapers.net/ Westminister Abbey, photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/ Washington mall, dc.about.com/ China, newshopper.sulekha.com, original Associated Press./

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

2010-12-17T23:28:00.000-05:00

Woe is me. With a bad cold and a hectic schedule, I haven't been out to many parties this season! Right now, I'm just looking forward to a cozy evening with hot chocolate and wrapping presents - because I have to get things done (these fabulous gifts won't wrap themselves). So what's a girl looking for fun to do? Plan for New Year's, of course! Now's the time to take advantage of those marvelous Christmas sales for New Year's cheer - pile on the bling with bracelets, load up on luxurious watches, and garland yourself with necklaces. After all, 'tis the season to shine!

Ann Taylor

Talbots

Kate Spade

Ann Taylor

Anthropologie

Images, companies cited. Gold foil, heathersanimations.com. *luxurious watches is a paid advertisement.

COLD WEATHER STYLE

2010-12-10T20:29:00.002-05:00

It happens at the worst times - first it's the sniffles, then that cloudy, rather lost feeling, followed by a desire to become prone on whatever the nearest, softest, flat surface happens to be. Oh, the winter cold. All is not lost! Turn on the telly, grab your coziest robe, and cuddle up to these stylish cold-relievers, guaranteed to make you feel that the world is a little less cruel.

P.S. And even if you're not feeling sick - these treats will make for a relaxing weekend!

/SHOPPING/1. Michael Kors Jet Set Slippers/ 2. Otis Batterbee Eye Mask/ 3. Butterflies and Vines Herbal Heat Packs/ 4. Vintage Domino Magazines/ 5. Tea Forte Ginger Lemongrass Tea/ 6. Michael Aram Botanical Tea Pot/ 7. Lynx Faux Fur Throw/ 8. Clayton Gray Home Aqua Tissue Box/ 9. Jo Malone Citrus Candle/ 10. Kate Spade Illustrated Mug Series/

MY HEART IS IN PIECES

2010-12-09T13:04:00.002-05:00

I'm waiting for a Hollywood director to make a thriller based on a girl who constantly haunts shopping websites - and then, mysteriously, gets sucked in and haunts them FOR REAL.

SCENE

A mod loft in TriBeCa. Late evening. We see a white laquer parson's desk piled with several issues of Vogue and a Prada handbag. In the center is an open Macbook Air.

Fashionable girl: [sitting down at desk] "I'm just going to click 'buy' and order this fabulous hand-loomed ikat pillow from Uzbekistan! It's perfect for my new Baker couch!"

[eery music]

The haunting, pixilated face of a woman appears on the screen.

Fashionable girl: "EEEEEEeeeeeeeeek!"

The pixilated face mouths "noooo," swipes the coveted pillow from the shopping cart, and disappears.

Fashionable girl: [weeping] "Now I'll never have my beautiful imported throw pillow!"

END SCENE

Yes, it would be a really scary movie. Especially if the Baker couch was in a very hard to match color. Anyway, I spend a lot of time "haunting" my favorite home decor websites, and one of my favorite spots is Pieces. Founded by Atlanta interior designer and tastemaker Lee Kleinhelter, Pieces features a mix of stunning vintage and modern favorites, and it's one of those websites that ALWAYS has something you want. One of those websites you do NOT visit when your bank account is low but your mood is ebullient. (It also has great shopping features, like a search engine just for colors.)

Dear Santa: please shop here.

Their website is so great, I thought the bricks and mortar version in Atlanta had to be even better - and it was. Prepare for some pretty!

A set of Jonathan Adler chairs cozy up to the table.

Flame stitch pillows in white arm chairs flank a pink murano lamp.

A gorgeous metallic speckled cowhide rug. I'm obsessed with these - remember?

The store mascot: a white Golden. He matches the pillows!

This stunning couch is vintage, repainted in a beautiful white laquer.

For shopping (and most of the items picture above), visit here. Happy haunting!

P.S. The customer service is also great. I had a thank you note for stopping by in my inbox before I even got home!

/Images/my own, courtesy of Pieces/

CHRISTMAS LANTERNS

2010-12-07T23:03:00.002-05:00

I've been traveling quite a bit lately, but I'm glad to be stopping for a brief respite to decorate for Christmas with my Mom! At my parents' home, Christmas has always had a bit of an Asian flair. They lived in the East for years, and collected some truly beautiful decorations, like these exquisite golden lanterns.

These are also lovely - dozens of painted little paper lanterns with dancing tassels.

In the dining room, a set of golden pagoda lights delight some kabuki dolls.

I love these lantern lights so much that I would love some of my own. Unfortunately, they're rather impossible to find, but here are some options available in less ornate styles.

/Collapsable lantern lights/ bronze pagodas /bamboo box lights/ lattice work lights /large round lanterns/ box lights/ pagoda ornament/ homemade lights via Flickr (for a how-to, click HERE)/

The lanterns we decorated with are Japanese, but of course, the Chinese do beautiful lantern art as well. Here are some gorgeous examples from an exhibit a few years ago at Taipei 101 (photos by Theresa). Beautiful!

INTERNATIONAL SHEIK

2010-11-30T01:27:00.004-05:00

Here's something Google could develop for me: the source tracker. I'm always stumbling upon ideas online, only to forget where they are - or where they came from. My favorites tabs are glutted; my search history is yards long. So it is that I have absolutely no idea how I came upon lovely interior designer Caitlin Wilson, based in Dubai. But I did. And you'll be glad you did too.

Caitlin's own home has been featured in several magazines, and it's a charming, highly edited nod to old East and new West. Just the sort of thing Domino would have featured (sniffle). Enjoy!

P.S. She has a blog! And the tech saavy to logo all of her pictures - even if we can't remember where, we'll always know who. Hurrah!

THE OLD WHITE AND BLUE

2010-11-27T00:44:00.007-05:00

BLUE is Our Lady’s colour,
White is Our Lord’s.
To-morrow I will wear a knot
Of blue and white cords,
That you may see it, where you ride

Among the flashing swords.

O banner, white and sunny blue,

With prayer I wove thee!

For love the white, for faith the heavenly hue,

And both for him, so tender-true,

Him that doth love me!

- Mary Elizabeth Coleridge

But whence the inspiration for blue and white? Perhaps nature itself, in the sight of sea and sky, bluebells against a late snow, or blooming lotus in a dim courtyard pool. It is a match made by, and inspired by, heaven. The beautiful combination of blue and white in porcelain likely began in Iran, and gradually made its way to China, where production reached its height in the 14th century. In Europe, chinoiserie blue and white in turn inspired pottery makers in Italy (Medici porcelain), Delftware in Holland, and the famous English patterns, Blue Willow, and later, Wedgwood's Jasperware.

This month's gorgeous Veranda magazine (kudos to new editor Dara Caponigo!), featured this lovely room by Carolyne Roehm. And it inspired me to go on a little tour of my favorite porcelain inspired rooms. Come along!

Aerin Lauder's home in Elle Decor.

Kelly Wearstler

Kenneth Alpert

Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis pattern covers the wall and chair.

Mary McDonald

House Beautiful

Brad Boles, Traditional Home

SHOP IT OUT!

/1. Emilia Ceramics/ 2. Quadrille Birds II/ 3. Crane's Stationary/ 4. Jonathan Adler Zebra Rug/ 5. Annechovie Chair Print/ 6. Emilia Ceramics/ 7. Z Gallerie China/ 8. Tiffany's Box/ 9. Lilly Pulitzer Bag/ 10. West Lake Royal Duvet/

/Images not attributed above/ Blue bamboo chair room/ Wearstler 1/ Wearstler 2/ Lauder/ Mary Macdonald/ Papered bathroom/Fabulous bedroom with chinoiserie walls and matching pillows - unknown. If you know, please leave the designer's name in comments!/

LEAPING LEOPARDS

2010-11-19T14:59:00.007-05:00

Leopard is THE animal-themed print of the year (not that it wasn't last year too).

But what could be more dashing (and animal-friendly) than a LIVE leopard as a fashion accessory? Didn't you know? Teensy dogs are SO last season. Teensy-dog-eating beasts of prey are NOW.

THEN: Sorry, Elle.

NOW: J.Crew.

It's certainly been done before... in the Golden Age of Hollywood, to be exact. The movie Bringing Up Baby is Katherine Hepburn's "lady of the mad manor" moment - remember her in The Philadelphia Story, swanning around the manse in a hilarious send-up of poor reporter Jimmy Stewart's impression of what the high life is like? In Bringing Up Baby, Hepburn's giddy, touchingly demented socialite takes center stage; escorted by a leopard named "Baby" she drives everyone to distraction (including, of course, the dashing Cary Grant). All ends well for everyone - including Baby - who is rewarded with steaks for not eating any of the local peasantry.

Just out for our afternoon constitutional...

Cartier's holiday ads this season equate little tiggers with big expense (but where is the jeweled collar, Cartier?). WARNING: baby leopards will eat your accessories. Do not try this at home.

J.Crew - of course - is right on trend, featuring this DARLING five month old baby leopard in their current campaign. If I had Hepburn's dressing gowns and a spare freezer full of steaks, this would be my new pet. Also, I'd probably need a lot of band-aids.

If you are so terribly tame that this fashion season will not include you turning your abode into a Kenyan game preserve, the retailers of America are here to help. Pick from jewellery, accessories, and dresses - but remember, a little spot goes a long way!

/1. Daphne Simon ring at Vivre/ 2. Kenneth Jay Lane/ 3. iphone leopard cover at Amazon/ 4. Kate Spade/ 5. Waylande Gregory Studios at Vivre/ 6. Mulberry for Target/ 7. Leopard Belguique rugs at Ballard Designs/ 8. Judith Leiber/ 9. Oscar de la Renta/

P.S. Know the difference between a leopard, an ocelot, and a cheetah? Neither do I. If I've confused any of these creatures in this post, my apologies to the Animal Kingdom. And, FYI, I don't taste very good. /Images/ June Pickney/ Elle Woods/ J.Crew/ Cartier/ Hepburn and Baby/ Hepburn and Peck/ *Jewellery is a sponsored link.

HUNG UP

2010-11-17T01:16:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning with one burning question on my mind - could it be? Was it a dream? Did Jonathan Adler MAKE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS? Y. E. S.

Who doesn't want a squirrel on their Christmas tree? Or a bubble poodle?

Here's another creative addition - the Lollipop Holder. It's the official 2010 Gift You Did Not Know You Wanted. It probably looks good without the lollipops too, which is great, because I don't know where you can even get these anymore, and someone would just make you feel bad about eating high fructose whatever anyway.

Adler's Pop Menagerie ornament series would make a lovely holiday memento for little ones - perfect for "My First Ornament."

And the reason we all like Adler: he calls a carb a carb (and then eats it).

*Special Holiday Diet Tip: if you break cookies in two, it breaks the calories in half as well. But only if you only eat one half of the cookie.

/Images/jonathanadler.com/

DALLAS MAKES ME WANT TO PUT ON ALL MY JEWELRY AT THE SAME TIME

2010-11-15T15:22:00.002-05:00

I tried it...

But seriously, rhinestones everywhere. On socks. On hats. On baby carriers. I am in the Sparkle Capital of the World. And I am loving it. But beneath all the bling, Dallas is also, among other things, the capital of BBQ, wide roads, drive-through Starbucks, SUVs in the drive-through Starbucks, big skies, friendly hellos, and great shopping. At one point, I got out at a gas station, where "America, America!" was blaring from the speakers, no fewer than six people said hello as if my personal existence made life worth living, the long horns over the door were wider than my car, and they were serving free wine samples inside (non-alcoholic, one hopes). I shed a big Texas tear. Because you can't shed small tears in Texas - everything is jumbo sized.

As are the deals... first up, the Buchanan Flea Market, where shoppers were sprinting up and down the aisles with gleeful abandon (or maybe that was just me), and there was, yet again, no danger of a sparkle shortage.

Trying on a beautiful vintage 1940s bracelet.

Real. And no longer available on the world market.

Alligator with alligators!

Gobs of furs... so many sellers had "recycled" furs - vintage pieces that had been meticulously cleaned, and if needed, restored and relined.

This booth had a scad of rabbit fur coats. For $18 a piece. SHUT UP.

Yes, you should "Decorate Your Boots."

My next stop was the fantastic Area 25, a home new and consignment items store and staging company, on West Lovers Lane - oh it was love alright. I was in love with EVERYTHING.

Chinoiserie chairs...

So many beautiful mantel displays. Their staging expertise certainly shows in the store.

Fabulous malachite tables atop a cowhide rug. So Tony Duquette goes to Texas, no?

Speaking of furs, yet again, Area 25 had a stunning selection of cowhides. I was amazed at what great rugs they make (very flat and easy to walk on). This one was a true stunner - it's speckled with silver paint!

An artful pile of still more rugs...

And yet another beautifully colored cowhide. The prices were lovely too - $350 to $550 (for the silver beauty).

The turquoise marble lamp base was incredible. You can't tell in the picture, but this is actually a matched set. What doesn't Dallas have?

All images, my own. Please attribute.

ASPEN

2010-11-10T22:49:00.002-05:00

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Through the wave that runs for ever

By the island in the river

Flowing down to Camelot.

- The Lady of Shalott, Sir Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Aspens, burnished in the autumn sun over the Rocky Mountains, offer the last flash of light before a long winter. The room above, from a spread in Elle Decor, reminded me of the beauty of early winter in the West: the gold of Aspen trees, a soft blanket of white, and a cozy fireside, ready for you to sit down with a cup of hot coco.

I'm ready to try this at home - with extra whipped cream! Below are a few of my favorite finds from West Elm, which has some of the best Western inspiration of the season. Shop online, and you won't have even have to use your snowshoes.

P.S. If you want the best Western inspiration in ANY season, pop over to one of my favorite blogs, Vogue on the Range, where the very stylish Lacey is "putting a little glam in your giddyup."

/Images/ Aspen Room, Elle Decor/ Yellowstone Aspens/ Grand Teton Aspens/ Home Goods, West Elm/