Paris Hilton's closet...

Not sure I'm her biggest fan, but I'm sure a big fan of her closet.

Source: Decorpad

Pink...

If all you've read of my blog is the title bar, you know my favorite color is PINK! Okay, it's actually my second favorite. Anyway, I was thrilled with the latest issue of House Beautiful; a tribute to the loveliest color of all. It inspired me to contact that prospective client for whom I've been envisioning a pink room. She's the only one with the guts. (Let's just let them all be flattered into submission by that statement :)

It also inspired me to post some of my favorite pink pics I've had filed away for years. I'll leave out my own pink office. You've seen enough of that--for now. I am currently refreshing it. Of course, I'm keeping the 80's pink chandelier, and the pink bookcases!

Unless it's in a young girl's room, I think pink should always be grounded with black, or especially, NAVY. It keeps it from feeling too frilly or feminine.

Do I even need to source this room? His name is practically printed all over the walls.

This is Betsey Johnson's NYC loft. Love her, love the space. I think this is how I like a pink room best; very eclectic, with lots of high contrast and bright artwork. Come to think of it, that's how I like any room.

How about you? Would you paint your dining room, living room, kitchen any shade of pink?

Sources: House Beautiful, Jonathan Adler, Apartment Therapy, Woodson & Rummersfiled

Vanity Fit for a King

'Pretty' perfected. That's what I'd call these images from a gorgeous home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Juxtaposed this way, they really speak to me: silvery reflective surfaces, blue + white/beige with that kiss of pink, and De Gournay papers. 

Okay, just as I was posting this, my client, to whom I forwarded the picture at upper right, phoned to weigh in on the vanity. I was giddy when I found it! Its lines are remarkably similar to a delicate Louis XVI style vanity she'd been considering in dark walnut. However, she thinks this more unique silver cased version is too formal for her taste. My heart is broken, but not discouraged. I think she's just reacting to the antique sconces. I shall keep you posted....

Images: Veranda, Suzanne Kasler

Mirrored Panels

Love, lust or just sort of ehh? Personally, I find them Greta Garbo glamourous. They can go Deco chic or Newport Cottage clean. (Yes, I know, most true Newport "cottages" were actually built during the Deco period). I just love the way they throw light (and glam) all around the room, any room. Thoughts? 

(Sources: Windsor Smith, Traditional Home, Better Homes Kitchen and Bath)

Dreaming of a White Christmas...

I'm finding it impossible to conjure up any genuine Christmas spirit this year. This might have something to do with the fact that my house is filled with the essence of sunscreen and chlorine rather than pine and cinnamon. I'm a lifelong Californian, so Decembers filled with sunshine are my norm. However, I can't recall a single year when I actually broke a sweat trimming the tree while my kids splashed in the pool. I don't mean to rub road salt in the wounds of my Midwestern friends. (By the way, it's 83˚ here). I could honestly use a little winter right now! Wouldn't you know the year we decide to skip our Wisconsin trip to my husband's family, the Heat Miser decides to crash my Christmas. Maybe I'll throw the brood in the car for the 3 hour drive to the snow. Then again, a tan would really look great with my Christmas party dresses...

In the continuing effort to feel the spirit, I'm sharing this absolutely magical Skating Party, hosted by Kate at Beautiful Days. Talk about a Winter Wonderland. Enjoy! And keep warm, or stay cool, wherever you are.

  All photos by Geneve Hoffman Photography

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