Happy Friday...

and may you have time to frolic a bit this weekend...


(photo: Mark M. Gong)

Look for less...

I have always loved Oly Studio's Pipa Cocktail table since the moment I saw it...but recently I spotted what could just be this piece's "look for less" at ZGallerie!!it's not quite...but, this Obi Coffee table is available in Ivory and Brown and is offered in a side table as well...what do you think??

What a knob!!!

We all know that details make the difference and in the case of knobs this is true...but where do you go to find the hardware that might restyle a furniture piece or cabinetry all together?? Here are a few companies I've found that I know you are sure to love...

E.R. Butler & Co.

PE Guerin Co.

The Golden Lion

Du Verre Hardware

Restoration Hardware

Schaub & Co.

Rocky Mountain Hardware

Crown City Hardware

A new blog in town...

(Spanish artist/designer Jaime Hayon)

Did you know that Brocade Home has a new blog...featuring everything from design that they love, fashion, and hot furniture and lighting...

Head over heals...

Did you get a chance to see the color issue of this month's Instyle magazine....well, you can't miss their short series of "A Room with a Hue"!!

In just a few pages they featured Mary McDonald and her passion for pink (which you can see here)...and several other great designer's and their favorite hues. But, not to be over-looked, is Kishani Perera and her blue Master Bedroom (above), which features one of my latest design crushes: Metallic Mexican Headboards...

You can find a similar headboard by Casamidy over at Vivre...and even the great Miles Redd used one recently at a client's apartment in the Urban Glass House, check this New York Times article here...

a working environment...

we all seem to do it, either we bring our work home with us or we actually work at home...this is why we need some type of office space there, whether it be a tiny corner of the bed to use a laptop (like me) or an office suite with his and her separate areas (like my clients)...

(Richard Meier's study/House and Garden, Nov. '07)

but what makes a good working environment, and better yet one that has some great style?!? here are some examples below that I found; each unique in design and conducive to working from home...

(designed by Philip Gorrivan/Elle Decor March '07)

spice up your work with a vibrant space, and place your desk in the best spot in the house...between the gold -foil chinoiserie paper and all the natural light washing the space, I know I'd never fall asleep at my desk here...

(designed by Peter Dunham/Domino home tour)

if your work takes you over, then just let it I guess...here Peter Dunham turned his dining room into an actual study/workroom...no that's a great way to get real use out a dining table if you don't gather there every night!!

(designed by Brian McCarthy/Elle Decor Dec '07)

the Master Bedroom suite can be ideal for a writing desk and chair...again with a great view I'm sure, but you could also double your desk as your vanity too and add a mirror!!

(designed by Mary Mcgee/House Beautiful April '08)

make the distinct separation (here this working environment is clearly separated from the living room space) and go all out with this area in my opinion, from rugs, lamps, fun desk chairs, etc...I think I could definitely spend some time here, flipping through my magazines and maybe write some checks too...

(designed by Katie Ridder/Elle Decor, March '08)

maybe you need your own study, I know I would (my magazines and books are getting out of hand), but with a room to yourself, you could add a signature touch, here there's no missing the details and those lavender tones...

(home of Richard Marshall and William Georgis/Elle Decor March '08)

get creative, I just love this idea especially if you just need a small space to use a laptop and scribble a few notes, but your books require a home of their own...what's even better this office/study fits nice and compact in a bedroom!!

(home of Carolina Herrera Jr./Vogue Living Winter '07)

make your working environment one that works for you...if there's organization to your chaos then so be it, at home no one can tell you how your desk should look (insert "cubical" humor here)...i love a desk full of inspiring pictures, magazine clippings, fabrics...

(designed by Juan Diego and Gernando Gerscovich/ California Home + Design, Sept. '07)

you could make your home office a tad more on the "office side" and have it entirely separate from your home itself, with it's own entrance even...not quite sure if that's what they've done here, but the idea of not hearing the "home" phone ring, or being compelled to watch TV and work at the same time might make a more productive work environment...

(designed by John Turck/California Home + Design, Aug. '06)

make sure you plan an escape route...just kidding, but having a great view is one thing, but being able to take breaks and step outside for some fresh air is even better...

(designed by Emma Jane Pilkington/House and Garden, Nov. '05)

and if you're like me and space is limited, maybe have a home office that could work as a guest room too...saving the best for last, because I love everything about this room and it's decor!!

what's your home office like???

A "Berman" Moroccan bath...

well, you're probably familiar with LA designer Michael Berman whose client list includes several Fortune 500 CEO's, and whose comprehensive furnishing line features pieces with an American Trans-Modern flair...


of my favorites, is this Dresden Mirror...


and this Hathaway Cabinet, which is all about the details in my opinion...
and these Tangier Hassock ottomans, which have a bit of a Moroccan vibe...


but, when I opened up this month's Western Interiors and saw his most recent design work, I became even more intrigued with this man...the space above; a Moroccan inspired spa bath, that combos a fresh modern feel with an antique touch...


the BainUltra tub is focal point of the main space, but it's this Walker Zanger tile work, that I love most of all...this shower includes a skylight for natural light, and over sized marble bench with niche and even warming drawers for robes, towels and slippers...this space is ideal for pampering, if you ask me!!

(Furniture images via Michael Berman website, Interior images via Western Interiors magazine, and bio information via Bravo.com)

Closet envy...

the Star's "seem" to have it all, including a wardrobe that never repeats itself (which I am most jealous of), and you can only imagine where these fabulous clothes, shoes and purses they own actually get to reside!!


closets usually the size of average person's bedroom and filled with wall to wall custom cabinetry, above Eva's shows off her master closet in the recent Instyle magazine...


of course they couldn't plan the issue with out featuring one of the Hilton sisters, and here Nicky's is kept behind closed doors and is said to house more than 200 handbags...


who could forget Mariah's closet, I remember seeing this on cribs and then when Brilliant Asylum featured this glamorous wardrobe as part of her "Closet Lust" series...I knew I needed figure a way to make an entire room for my shoes (and start buying more shoes to fill it with...)

Birds of a feather II...

Um, check out these pillows I found! Since it's Spring time now, and the birds are up earlier than you and chirping like mad in the yard... but these birds are cute and they won't make a peep...Bliss Studio: Magpie pillow

Bird pillow cover from Kanodia HosieryBliss Studio: Fruit Pillow

Peacock pillow cover from Kanodia Hosiery

Let's "Toast"...

for simple, pretty bedding...


Stunning catalogue scenes and beautiful goods...I just recently became familiar with Toast, and now I'm in love...


this is a detail of the organza ribbon bed linens...

What the flock ?!?!

Yeah, I know. But what are we doing, are we still flocking our walls? See daily, I have sensory overload, with fabrics, wallpaper, and trims...from showrooms to rep meetings, I see a lot of this stuff!!

(Paris Apartment stumbled upon some flocks while visiting Paris...)

And this is why I ask..last year it was flock this and flock that, every paper had it...

Designer's Guild keeps on flocking...

so does Romo wallcoverings with this Lasari Flock collection...

even Brocade Home stocks tons of flocked papers. So this style has hit mainstream for sure...and what do we think? On the way out or still a hot style??

I'm in the clear...

see, my search is over for the right console table to put in front of my picture window...I'm going Lucite, and that's all there is to it...

(Home of Monique Lhuillier, featured in Elle Decor)

see I want the drapes to be a big feature but need a console to go in front...so what perfect material to work with then Lucite (similar style above)..I think this material can create a nice balance to various pieces that might have more weight to them...But Lucite in general can be a nice feature, you don't want to over do it...but, one way to go is lighting, it can look so classic..I could see this pair of lamps from Pieces as key part to a great tablescape...

In a post by Jennifer she features Amy Fine Collins' apartment and this fun Lucite chair; a perfect fit, don'tcha think?...

Lucite trays are hot lil items, here this one separates from the table for serving which you can find through La Moderne...

I'm crazy about this idea, a piece within a piece...featured at the OMD Showhouse, this space is designed by Vanessa De Vargas and you can find a similar coffee table is available at her showroom...

in keeping with yesterday's "Moroccan" theme, these White Webb Lucite side tables are available through Hollyhock...

(Image via Domino)

and last I love this little set up from SoSylvie's shop Blossom Home, it's probably glass but could work for Lucite as well...