Wednesday, February 27, 2008

So Chic, indeed...

What better reason for two bloggers to get together, then being in the same room as Margaret Russell (Editor in Chief of Elle Decor magazine)...and so we did!!! We being, Katie and I, at the Ann Sacks showroom in SF.

(Below, that's me on the left, with my cheese eating grin, and blogger (Katie'did') next to me, looking no less than chic herself...)


With a crowded showroom, Katie and I chatted away, sipping wine and sitting on the edge of a showroom tub. Our conversation pretty much went: blogs, bloggers, Margaret, blogs, what's with that gold crushed velvet wardrobe malfunction over there, and how do we know when we spot possible other bloggers...


All with the So Chic book in hand, which consists of a great collection of Elle Decor's more recent fab interiors, you can find this book on Amazon here...but those aren't signed :)



Now on to Margaret, whom I almost accosted had my trunk not been filled with carpet books and swatches...a real doll in person and a delight to speak with; talking blogs and the importance of crediting the photographers (which I must admit I don't do enough of) she was so intrigued by what "we bloggers" do. Wait, shouldn't be the other way around, we're at your book signing I thought!! Needless to say, Margaret was so great to chat with and uber chic!! Overall, I'd say this was a successful blogger meet up...

And now I'm off to San Antonio, TX...wish I could meet up with blogger Joni in Houston, but that's not the case on this business packed trip! See you when I return!!!

A delightful tray...


I love, love, love..did I say love, this chic Butler's tray from Decorative Things. I don't have a butler, probably won't ever, I think I'm my own butler and so therefore I need this tray!! So glad I was reminded of this company when I stopped into Turquoise Chic blog today...

A floral story...

Starring Osborne and Little and Nina Campbell...

++Stanza collection++
(note: this wallpaper in green can be seen in an installation
shot on Absolutely Beautiful Things...)


Swinburne from O & L


Okay, I'm becoming a floral fanatic...it's hit me hard. After viewing new swatches from O & L...and then all the recent buzz from magazines to blogs about chintz, I think my liking has turned to obsessing...

Chatterton from O & L (Similar colorway to below)


This one was stunning person and would really make some knock out draperies in the right space...

++Perroquet Collection++

(Chardon from Nina Campbell)



Much more vibrant in person and wonderful scale...this print comes in a wallpaper too!!!


(Orchis from Nina Campbell)



I love this print because of all the colors you can pull from it...the websites show great installation shots of all these prints...

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

j'adore the new store...

(image via Style.com)

yes, ladies and gents the Dior flagship store in Paris has gotten a face lift...and it's pretty darn fab if you ask me!!


when you sell couture you "raise the bar of luxury" so to speak, and this from time to time means raising the bar of your store too...


and that's what they did, by pulling out all the stops...including commissioning Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne to create this ginkgo-leaf inspired entry piece..


almost homey in a way with the living room like furniture and the fireplace...could you imagine if this were your own dressing room!!


couture is all about details, and I love the one on the back of this chair!!!


great idea to use a blown up map of Paris on the cash wrap...and through out the store you'll find the artwork of Rob Wynne (mirror-back molded glass letters)...


this screen has constant footage of catwalk shows to keep you entertained, but for me just being able to visit this store would be entertainment enough...

...well do you j'adore this new store design !?!?!...

(Dior store images via Interior Design magzine/Feb. '08)

Monday, February 25, 2008

A must see...


Maybe you're already obsessed like me, but I can't wait to see this movie...it will be released in theaters on March 7 !!!. The film is actually based on a book by Winifred Watson, which was originally published in 1938, and I believe must have raised some eyebrows for that time...


Frumpy and forty, poor Miss Pettigrew ( Frances McDormand ) is barely getting by. She's on her last penny and the rent is coming due. Her last hope is to find work as a governess. When she's given the name and address of a Miss LaFosse, her world will change forever...


She expects to apply for a job looking after children, but Miss LaFosse (Amy Adams) is anything but matronly. She's greeted at the door by a beautiful young woman in a negligee who's in a bit of a tight spot. There's a young man in her bed, and she needs to get rid of him. It's all quite shocking for Miss Pettigrew, but she rises to the challenge...

Besides a delightful plot, the movie takes place amongst the glamorous apartment of Miss LaFosse, covered in lush textiles and unique furniture pieces (even saw some Chinoiserie wallcovering too!)...check the video clip above for a look into LaFosse's dressing room...

(Images via Rotten Tomatoes, Movie clip from Daily Motion, Text excerpt from A Work in Progress blog)

Friday, February 22, 2008

Just a lil monkey business...

Steven Sclaroff ceramic monkey


Sue Fisher King's Paravincini tableware


Carl Chaffee ceramic monkey

Monkey Tray from Vivre





Monkey place holders from Vivre


Love the monkey's in this Clarence House fabric


I don't believe it, part II...

Batik is $14.98/yd.

That's true, it happened again. More fabric finds for under $15/yd. and it's no joke. In just a short time searching on Lewis & Sheron Textiles Co., I found these prints that are some what John Robshaw inspired, all are priced well and better yet you can order swatches just to be on the safe side...

Acorn Filigree is $13.98/ yd.


Calasis Linen is $13.98/yd.

So forth checking this site out if you haven't already, let me know what you think??? Happy Friday and Hope you have a great weekend!!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

It's all new...

in case you didn't know...Schumacher has launched a new website!! Yup, I have long awaited this day, and now it's come. I just stopped in to check it out...very user-friendly and love that I can see my fav swatches up close, but also view them in some installation shots!!

**Over the next month more products will be added, but I like what I see so far...you should check it out!!**

Pairing up II

(image via Newlywed Diaries)

One way to really ground a room (like you saw in my last post) and create some symmetry is to pair up on your pieces!! Simple right, but very effective in my eyes...Take this Emma Jane Pilkington design for Ivanka Trump below (that we all love)...


I spy a pair of lamps, side tables, foo dogs, and even pillows with the same fabric...did I miss anything...

Here, just even pairing these yellow ceramic lamps makes a huge impact and adds some drama even...

This is a perfect example of symmetry, not to be confused with boring cause it definitely is not that...just love the balance created with these armoires...

1stDibs is a great place to look for pairs of any kind...you can even just type in "pairs of" and millions of choices will come up, here are a few from my search...(above: top left: regeneration lamps, top right: Gallery 33 mirrors, bottom left: Lawson Fenning side tables and bottom right: Biggs Powell armchairs)

So are you big on pairing up, do you have any other great pairing examples?!?!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Pairing up...

(House and Garden)

Whether it be a guest room or a kids room, it just seems the best outcome is to pair up and match your pieces....as if you could draw an invisible line down the center, and you'd find an exact mirror on the other side, this I love...

(House Beautiful)

Always a fan of black and white, and esp. love the design of those roman shades...

(Domino)

(House Beautiful)

Love the design on these beds, it brings the perfect touch...

(Met Home)

Here are some "perfect" pairs I thought I'd share with you...I just can't think of a better place then in a bedroom where this is just so fitting, how bout you?!?!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Vacation Friday...

Let's take a break and getaway, I'm ready to drop everything!! Even though it was just Valentine's Day, maybe you're ready to plan your next romantic outing....


Consider Kelly Wearstler's suggestion for the most romantic hotel room featured in Town and Country magazine...a suite at the The Katikies Hotel on the small island of Santorini, in Greece!!


Each suite comes with their very own terrace where breakfast is served, a private jacuzzi, and a masseuse waiting in the closet (just kidding)...


This luxury boutique hotel is posted high above the water, so you are guaranteed a spectacular view...you're already sold, right!?! Well, happy Friday and hope you have a great weekend!

(Images courtesy of Luxury Travel Magazine)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!!!


Hope you all have a lovely day! Maybe one that is filled with flowers, some romance and the making of fond memories!!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Get to know...


the very talented NY interior designer Philip Gorrivan....whom, I don't doubt, will soon be a household name....


head over to New York Social Diary for an in-depth interview...it left me thinking so highly of this busy, motivated and very personable designer!!


I love a room that has a perfect balance of antiques and custom goods, like this one here...


The walls covered in a custom wallcovering by China Seas and small banquette upholstered in a velvet striped Bergamo fabric...


I found a similar sea grass wallcovering from Phillip Jefferies and a brown velvet tufted headboard at Ballard Designs...


What lil girl would love this room fit for a princess...