Dressmaker Details...

...make this the dressing room of my dreams. If Sea of Shoes bedroom and closet didn't have you swooning, check out Miles Redd's design for one lucky lady in Atlanta. And for the big and glossies, check out the revamped (thank you Stephen Drucker) Town and Country Magazine, beautiully photographed by Francesco Lagnese. Let's have a look...

Above, the owner's 11 year-old daughter primps in the dressing area. My own daughters would love to play dress-up in this room. Notice the regency style door panelling at left, the detail on the footstool and the simplicity of the toned down picture frames on the original fashion sketches.

Redd created a closet fit for Marie Antoinette, with custom pony skin carpet, hand painted de Gournay paper, and the faux bamboo moldings. See them? Easy to miss, but these are the details that make the magic.

Redd's beautiful living room keeps pace with the master suite. I love the abstract modernism of the painting at left in an otherwise classical, almost baroque room. Its warm colors, as well as those of the sofas and persimmon lamps, are the perfect counterpoint to the cool blue walls. Just beautiful, don't you think?

Serious (Monday morning) Inspiration

It's Monday. Always a bit draggy for me. But I had to share my delight. Thank you so much Decorista for passing on this absolute gem you aptly called "crazy cool." I love every inch! I want to live here, get dressed here, spend a day shopping for food and frocks with these girls, then bring it all home and entertain here! What a paradise. It's a happy home tour of Sea of Shoes' digs she shares with her blogging partner and mother in Dallas, TX. Her blog is filled with even more make-me gasp images and inspiration like I haven't had in months, maybe years. (By the way, she's not exactly a secret in the fashion world).  Enjoy the deliciousness -- and now I can say, Happy Monday!

Halloween is just around the corner...

...and so this promises to be my final post on orange + black (or chocolate, or zebra). But I saved my favorite room for last. What a great work of art (especially if you love elephants as much as I do)! Love that green velvet pillow; such an unusual shape. As is the large brass sphere lamp. So many interesting, yet simple, elements -- and they all add up to a strikingly fabulous room.

Sources: modgirl

modgirl.typepad.com

Orange + Zebra

I'm still loving the orange + black color combination... and this wild variation on the Halloween theme. Have you got your costume ready?

Sources: KellyWearstler, photofile, delightbydesign

Blue and White Master Suite--Final Photos

It's been a while since I posted the inspiration boards for that master bedroom I was working on. The gorgeous House of Turquoise just published them straight from my portfolio this morning, and I realized I'd forgotten to share them with all of you. So here are some shots of the suite and the rest of the house. This was a looong project: lots of millwork, lighting, and furnishings. Hope you enjoy.

First, my inspiration board:

And here's the house:

Coming soon.... The cutest nursery I think I've ever seen.

Source: Alexandra Rae Interior Design

Orange and Black

Sources: Harper's Bazaar, Little Green Notebook, Harper's Bazaar, Hermes

What I'm Working On: A Nursery...

There is nothing more exciting than feathering a nest for a new arrival. In fact, I could dedicate my whole business to it. I'm currently working on a nursery for a baby boy due this November. Going back through my files I found so much inspiration in these fabulous papers I'd pulled for past projects (boys and girls). What a great way to stimulate a little imagination!

Sources: Various, including: Pink Wallpaper, A Scout's Guide to Stylish Living.

Classic Outdoor

You know I don't normally care for a neutral palette (snooze), but I'm in love with the classic feel of these images. The black iron, natural elements of stone + pebbles, and the neutral fabrics. It all plays beautifully off the swaths of manicured greenery. What a great spot for a mellow Sunday brunch. Of course, I had to put a little outfit together. So in keeping with that mellow mood, I'll be toasting you all over eggs benedict (classic style) wearing this...

Gorgeous and serene.

Images: Veranda, Tory Burch, Ray Ban, Neiman Marcus, Frontgate

A Late Payment of Gratitude!

Frances Russell

This is embarrassingly long overdue! But I must send out the biggest thank you to one of my favorite bloggers and designers, Frances Russell, AKA, "M.A. the 2nd" of the unique and absolutely gorgeous blog, Beautiful Interiors of the 18th Century. Some while back she awarded my blog the Happy 101 award. I could not have been more flattered, especially since her blog is one of my favorites!  It's the epitome of what I call "classic pretty." 

She muses on the beautiful interiors of 18th Century France, in all its glory and elegance. As many of you know, I'm a huge francophile, but one needn't be to appreciate the refined beauty of her site, complete with magical snow! The whole thing has the feel of a winter's walk at Versailles. Stop by for your dose of roses, champagne and cupcakes.

In keeping with the tradition of the Happy 101 Award, I will pass this honor on to my top 10 favorite blogs (not in any particular order--and I'm telling you, whittling this list down was like Sophie's Choice hard!):

1.    High Heeled Foot in the Door

2.    Haven and Home

3.    A Perfect Gray

4.    La Dolfina

5.    The Zhush 

6.    Hamptontoes

7.    Chinoiserie Chic

8.    Pink Wallpaper

9.    The Decorista

10.  Pure Style Home


And a super big shout out to one of my favorite graphic designers/design aficionados, Jessica at The Love List. Thanks, Jess, for taking on the redesign my blog. (Okay, so maybe I cheated with an 11th ;-)

The perfect patio?

I'm crazy for these pictures, and derailed yet again. Just when I thought I'd settled on the black and white cushions for my patio, I came across these images of a rooftop garden on an old brick building. 

I love the feel of a true patio garden, with potting benches, antique linens and flea market finds. 

Imagine sitting out here with friends eating artisan cheeses + figs, with lots of bread, chased down by Lillet on ice (my fav summer drink!). My husband would be opening bottles of red wine for everyone. I'll be wearing this little mini tunic dress....

and listening to this hauntingly beautiful Carla Bruni remake of the old song You Belong To Me. (It was her thumbing her nose at the critics as she and Sarkozy vacationed along the Nile.)

As afternoon turned to night, guitars would come out and we'd sit under the glow of that giant chandelier of candles.

On that note, I'm off to meet my date/hubby at our favorite village restaurant. Happy Weekend!

Images: patio, Shannon Fricke; tunic on sale for $165! net-a-porter; sandals, Elizabeth+James

Color...

I know, we've all seen these by now, but I'm still swooning? I think after working on a very pale project for a client who prefers to be soothed and swaddled in pastels, these images were like chocolate mousse and foie gras after a long detox diet. 

Walls clustered with art, heaps of books, pink chinoiserie,

and strong contrast and juxtaposition everywhere. 

And I don't usually like purple, not even when you call it lavender. 

These are rooms in which I could live quite happily, 

        'cuz I'd rather be stimulated than soothed any day.

Images: House Beautiful (via thedecorista)