today i'm loving..... chocolate walls

I'm loving:

1. the duvet cover... classic!

2. the richness of the walls

3. how much the current pieces (see below) i recently purchased for my work in progress bedroom would look amazing up against chocolate walls with this duvet cover from pottery barn

sooo, i need to act fast, the cover is on sale and most likely won't remain in stock for long

my headboard

found it ridiculously cheap during a clearance sale at brocade home and got another 50% off or something along those lines... (wow, i love a good sale)
the splurge... my not so cheap dresser BUT i will have it forever :)
just fyi: the dresser has two huge hidden felt lined jewelry drawers in the top... fabulous!
(part of the louis louis collection from stanley furniture)

white parsons desk

found it on overstock for 150.00 ish while the very same desk is available from west elm for double the price!

~

Any thoughts.....?! I'm thinking chocolate just might be the new pink for me ;)

introducing: kelly proxmire

after yet another google search I ran across a few designs by kelly proxmire... know for her taylored traditional style, she delivers classic designs with a big punch... enjoy!

this rooms screams lilly pulitzer! loves it!

hello color :)
attn: everyone afraid to paint their ceiling..... its a must!

one of my favorite color combos: black & yellow... classic bumble bee ;)

quote of the day...

"I'll always put in one controversial item, it makes people talk. "

~dorothy draper, on design

design crush: eileen kathryn boyd

the following pictures are just a few examples of the eclectic style eileen creates by mixing traditional and modern elements... visit her website and continue to be inspired!

the repetition of pictures above the sofa is like icing on the cake!

these window panels: I DIE!


lovvve the pairing of the roman shade & panels


looks like the perfect single girls apartment ;)

white lacquer lovvve: lamps, chairs, and tables OH MY!

design tips from ekb

LOVE LOVE LOVE eileen kathryn boyd

please read & remember her design tips... don't forget, two heads are better than one!

Design Tips:

DO start a reference file of inspiring pieces for the room you want to decorate.

DO use jazzy fabrics on pillows and ottomans that can be easily changed out according to season.

DON'T be afraid to use a strong color on the walls. Paint is the least expensive way to totally change a room's appearance.

DO avoid using floral fabrics on sofas—unless you know you'll never tire of it. Try and keep to solids and small geometrics.

DO consider the lighting effects in the room. Will there be an influence of natural light? Will you need ceiling lighting or will lamplight be enough?

DO keep your vision clear—you can be easily seduced in other directions.

DON'T use a rug that's too small—the furniture will appear to hang off of it, making the room appear smaller.

DO beware of scale and proportion and how all the elements come into play.

DON'T forget to break some rules and most importantly to have fun with it!

food for thought

for all my fellow designers (and anyone else who inspires to be the best at what they love) please read "Heidi Klum's Top Five Rules for Succeeding in Business" currently out in the december issue of InStyle magazine.....

1. You Have to Have a Goal
"Some people have not figured out what it is they want to do. That's the main problem. When I knew I wanted to be a model, I wanted to be a good model. First you have to have to have your goal."

2. You Should Learn About What It is You Want to Do
"In my business, it would be like knowing what photographers, what stylists, what magazines, [are in the industry] and being in shape for it. If you want to be a chef for example, then you have to know what are the best knives, what are the best pots and pans, what kind of food do you want to cook! What do you love to eat? Do you want to do Japanese, Italian, Chinese?"

3. Work on Your Confidence
"I think you have to just look at things positively. If you're scared, don't show it. Maybe it's cute when people are on stage and say they're nervous, but it's not so cute when you go into a business meeting. You have to look in people's eyes and you have to just say, 'this is what I like to do and this is why I'm here and I believe I'm good at what I do.'"

4. Be Open to Learning New Things
"It's not good to think you know it all—I don't think that's cool or smart. I think there's always more things that people teach you. Be confident and open to incorporating certain suggestions!"

5. Don't Take No for an Answer
"Be tenacious and don't give up. How do other people do it? I think a lot of things happen because someone knows someone, but there are other people [who succeed] because of their talent and because they don't give up. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. I know from people I work with, that people say 'I want to have Heidi’s career,' and my friends are like, 'but she also works very hard.' It's the truth! It's not as if I sit back and watch things fly onto my plate. I went for a lot of the things. It doesn't happen by waiting for things to happen because there are other people who are hungry. The early bird catches a worm."

white lacquer @ neiman marcus

After receiving the infamous neiman marcus christmas catalog with gifts such as a 1.3 million dollar wedding (every little girls dream!) I jumped on their website to browse some more affordable gifts for my friends and family... While browsing I ran across my current obsession: white lacquered furniture! Although the pieces are for the most part, overpriced... I decided to share them anyways, a girl can dream right!? ;)

I DIE... this is more than perfect for bedside chests in my bdrm!

perfect console for any entryway



root console would also be an unexpected piece for the entry of any home


white lacquer & mirrors in one piece... perfection!
who would care what is on tv when you have this stunning piece to look at?!

quote of the day...

"Never look back, except for an occasional glance, look ahead and plan for the future. Success is not built on past laurels, but rather on a continuous activity. Keep busy searching out new ideas and, experimentally, keep ahead of the times, or at least up with them."

~dorothy draper

designer spotlight: jan showers

During one of my many google searches I ran across the designs of Jan Showers. After exploring her website I began to recongnize many of her designs featured in a number of magazines. I find her designs to feel effortless yet perfectly polished!

"The most important aspect of my work is to interpret my clients’ lifestyles and needs into a vision for their home and then inspire them to have that same vision.”

"The first thing I tell my clients is that they need to look great and feel good in their own rooms, otherwise, why bother?"

She is known for using luxurious fabrics, leathers, colors that are unexpected, and the ability to mix traditional with mid-20th century modern... In my opinion, a perfect mix! ENJOY!