Savvy Home

Delightful Daily: Pop of Citron (And a Question)

2013-06-18T14:37:00.000-04:00

Inspiration: Palmer Weiss 1. Benjamin Moore's Grape Green | 2. Thomas O'Brien 2 Light Pendant | 3. Simple Bamboo Shade | 4. Bungalow 5 Oslo Limed Oak Barstool | 5. Blue and White Cachepot | 6. Mark & Graham Thick White Dinner Napkins

Here's a question for you all: would you rather less frequent Delightful Dailies that included a "get the look" portion, or should I keep them the way they are now? I need your help making a decision!

House Crush: Blue Heron Pond Estate

2013-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've got Charleston on my mind these days. In fact, I can hardly contain myself as it's about a month away until I'm there, on vacation, for a week! Yippee! So naturally when I got an email listing the most beautiful properties for sale on Kiawah Island, just a short drive of historic Charleston, my curiosity was piqued. Am I glad it was!

The 15,000 square feet house, designed by architectural firm Shope Reno Wharton boasts 7 bedrooms, 12 baths (including 3 half baths but who's counting at this point?) and a 5 car garage. The outdoor living area features pavilions, porches, balconies, a dock and an infinity pool. Oh, and let's not forget the guest house. It was featured in Architectural Digest in 2009, and again in the Wall Street Journal.

85 Blue Heron Pond Rd will set you back a whooping 18 million. But since it was reduced from an original price of 26 million, I'd say it's a steal. Anyone want to timeshare this baby?

Delightful Weekend: Hamptons Fever

2013-06-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

East Hampton Cottage

Worthy Links: 14.06.13

2013-06-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

Just what I needed this week: to get sick on my last week of graduate school, just before finals. This basically translated into spending the entire week in bed (working). Thank god for laptops.

Considering my almighty to-do list, I spent most of my time in bed working, but I did take a couple of breaks to catch up on the latest TV sensations: Princesses of Long Island (uhm, what?) and Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown - love. it. Have you guys seen the Montreal episode yet? I promise it's not as awfully cold as it looks (it kind of is) and we're not as lumberjacky as we seem (we kind of are). In the show, Bourdain spends most of his time hanging out with my two favorite chefs and at least a third of the episode is shot in my neighborhood - not the part where they go ice fishing, nor the one where they go beaver hunting (ya - no one actually does that).

The highlight of my week: I won the Sparkle Beauty Styling Summer giveaway! I'm getting pampered with a fun package filled with great beauty goodies in the mail AND a beauty consultation with the wonderful Erin Gerlach. I need it folks. My skin has been awwweful lately.

And now onto some great links:

Blue Hill at Stone Barns sounds amazing. Added to my "when I have kids" list.

I'm going to need that Hamptons shopping (and dining) guide soon. Eeek!

10 houses under a million. Uhm, I think I'm moving to Savannah!

I'm digging trends like splatter paint and embroidered dresses.

My newest blog crush. Have I been living under a rock?

An insider's guide to Vitamin C. I so need this.

I want to go there too. At least for lunch.

Be still my heart. D. Porthault is on sale.

Happy Father's Day weekend!

Delightful Daily: Whacky Chic

2013-06-13T19:03:00.000-04:00

Summer Thornton

Beauty in the Details: Nate Berkus's Double-Purpose Room

2013-06-13T09:42:00.000-04:00

I have always found dining rooms to be tricky. First, because the way furniture is displayed in a dining room often feels a bit weird: all the furniture grouped in the center, everything is the same height, the walls are often empty. Second, well who has enough space and entertains often enough to justify a dining room?

This is why I love the idea of a library dining room: it's elegant enough to host lively dinner parties, but also multifunctional enough to be used for other purposes: children's homework, meetings or even an occasional home office if you have a laptop you can easily put away.

I'm sharing a few tips on Damask & Dentelle on how you can achieve this dual-purpose room in your house. Read the whole post.

Delightful Daily: Beauty Found in Tradition

2013-06-12T19:50:00.001-04:00

Suzanne Rheinstein

Gab Loves: 12.06.13

2013-06-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Delightful Daily: Elegance at the Plaza

2013-06-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

Steven Gambrel

Tips & Tricks: Closet Organizing

2013-06-11T14:18:00.002-04:00

It's no secret that the most beautiful dressing rooms start with great closet design. I think my mom proved this theory a few years ago, when she decided to convert an entire master bedroom in our old house into a dressing room (hey mom!). This ended up working in her favor because when she sold the house, the new buyers said they fell in love with it because of the dressing room. Cha-ching.

I wish I could do the same in my current rental - but then I'd end up sleeping in the living room or the kitchen. Not the best solution. So until I have a place to call my own to invest in a real dream closet (à la Nate Berkus above), I'm tackling closet organizers as part of my Spring cleaning this month, to make my current situation more liveable. Call me a clothes hoarder, but after only a year of moving into my apartment I now have all four of my closets bursting at the seams and no space for my shoes. Something needs to be done.

1. Bliss Studio Pierced Bone Mirror | 2. Mint Julep Cup | 3. Square Colored Basket | 4. Clare Vivier Catch All | 5. Lavender Laundry Sachets | 6. Coral Embroidered Hangers | 7. Natural Sleigh Woven Tray | 8. Petite Gallery Silver Tray | 9. Juice Mercado Baskets | 10. Graphic Printed Baskets | 11. Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau Ottoman

Here are a few of my favorite closet organizing tips. What brilliant storage solutions do you have to share?

Use thin velvet hangers that will free up space while making sure that your clothes stay in place.
Dedicate a closet in your home for off-season clothing and switch your closets twice a year.
Boxes and bins can store things like scarves, belts, flats and other miscellaneous items.
Organize smaller items in small containers, trays and cups to minimize chaos.
Above all, edit edit edit. If you have barely worn designer clothes, consider selling them at consignment stores or online and as for the rest, donating to charity is always a good idea.

This post is sponsored by California Closets, a company that I genuinely endorse and that makes Savvy Home possible! And yes, my mom's dressing room was built by California Closets :)

Delightful Daily: Peacock Bedroom

2013-06-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

Tilton Fenwick

Looking For: Casual Dining Chairs

2013-06-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to dining chairs, I'm always drawn to more casual looks and materials: rattan, bamboo, wood. That being said, an upholstered seat is always a big bonus. I think that if I ultimately had to choose, I'd pick a chair from the Regeant collection: timeless, casual, yet comfortable. Which one would you choose?

Budget: Tortoise Folding Chair | Riviera Navy Side Chair | Brighton Bamboo Side Chair (sale ends today)

Mid-Range: Chinese Chippendale Chair | Alexa Gray Limed Oak Chair | Josephine Cerused Oak Chair

Splurge: Regeant Nutmeg Armchair | Noir Layton Chair Dusk | How to Marry a Millionnaire Side Chair

Delightful Weekend: Gracious Allure

2013-06-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Janice Parker Landscape Design

Worthy Links: 07.06.13

2013-06-07T14:10:00.000-04:00

This week I've been busy making a few changes around the apartment (more on that to come) and gearing up for the last few weeks of graduate school. I still managed to make a quick 24h escape to the country where I can always count on great meals and relaxing times.

I'm keeping it short this week because I've still got loads on my plate, so here are a few (mostly food and entertaining-related links) for your weekend. I'm not gonna lie, it's possible I was hungry writing this...

I'm dying to make my way to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic one day.

Cheese melting, heart melting what do you want more?

This is precisely what needs to happen in my bedroom.

Some valuable advice on "inspiration" in design work.

Here's an adorable new hotel to try in Santa Monica.

Entertaining essentials for your next garden party.

Why I need a courtyard filled with wisteria.

I really shouldn't... But oh, how I want to!

I need some of this and this in my life.

Happy weekend!

Delightful Daily: A Place in the Sun

2013-06-06T19:00:00.001-04:00

Nuevo Estilo

Beauty in the Details: The Talented Mr. Robshaw

2013-06-06T08:45:00.000-04:00

John Robshaw is a man after my own heart (not literally, I'll leave that to his future girlfriend - that's ladies, this man is straight and single)! That being said he is one of my favorite textile designers.

 In fact, I'm still kind of punching myself in the face for not tagging along with Naomi and Tobe last year when he invited us for a private tour of his studio. I'm not sure what in the world I thought I was more important than this but I'm sure as hell it wasn't worth it.

At least I got a little consolation when I opened Matchbook this month, to find a private tour of his Lower-East Side home. I repeat, a little consolation. I mean, isn't that space gorgeous? I just adore that layered look of Indian and South-East Asian influences combined with a more traditional lines.

I was left inspired so I jotted down a few tips for getting the worldly-layered look "à la Robshaw" on Damask & Dentelle so check that out, and if you have a free moment, read the Matchbook article, it's quite fascinating.

Delightful Daily: Inky Blue Hues

2013-06-05T19:00:00.000-04:00

John Robshaw in Matchbook Mag

Gab Loves: 05.06.13

2013-06-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Delightful Daily: Fully Stocked Bar

2013-06-04T19:00:00.000-04:00

Shop the H&H Home sale on One Kings Lane

Q&A With: Michael G. Imber

2013-06-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I received a surprise package - Don't you just love that? Inside the package was a beautiful copy of architect Michael G. Imber's latest book Ranches, Villas, and Houses. I was blown away by the beauty, elegance and craftsmanship found in his collection of southwestern-inspired architecture - not to mention the magnificent watercolors found throughout the book - so of course I just had to get Michael to answer a Q&A!

Michael truly is a master of his craft, best known for his idyllic ranches, country houses and coastal residences. My favorites. I'm extremely happy to have him answer a Q&A today. Enjoy!

I especially loved the idea that every home should have a sense of belonging to a place, a culture and a landscape. Thank you Michael for your wise words and for a beautiful coffee table book!

Delightful Daily: Daring Powder Room

2013-06-03T19:00:00.000-04:00

Shelley Johnstone Paschke for the Lake Forest Showhouse

Welcome June: Let's Get Organized!

2013-06-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

June to me is synonym with the return of summer. It's time to switch back to a summer wardrobe filled with light dresses and sandals, to escape to the country for a weekend, to freshen up our home and get it ready for the summer season, to get back into gardening, to plan summer vacations, to get back in shape, to soak up the first rays of sun, to add a bit of color to our skin and a few highlights to our hair...

It's a mix of enjoyment and organization... Which begs the question: how do you get your home ready for summer? Do you update beddings and pillows? Tackle the garden? Spring clean your closet? Prop fresh flowers around the place? I want to know... Let's help each other get organized before summer is officially here!

Biscuit Home Fiona Boudoir Sham | Madewell Drawstring Bucket Bag | Splendid Voile Mini Dress | Serena & Lily Awning Stripe Director's Chair | Loeffler Randall Luella Mignon Flat Sandal

Delightful Weekend: Simply Dreamy

2013-06-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Worthy Links: 31.05.13

2013-05-31T11:12:00.000-04:00

This week was busier than expected! First, I finally invested in a good camera in an effort to share more of my life with you guys. This started with a few fun photos of my living room on Wednesday.

Then I got stopped in the street for a street style post. There's always a first to everything! This happened outside of the Ritz Carlton in Montreal where I was at Bouquet (newest favorite florist!) ordering a some peonies. It must've been the peonies glow that caught her eye.

Last weekend I had brunch with friends at La Maison Publique, Jamie Oliver's restaurant in Montreal... Boy I love that place, and their chilli bacon pancakes. I also had dinner at Joe Beef (best restaurant in Montreal by a mile!) with my lovely and talented friend Gen (if you're in Montreal and you need an interior designer, she's your gal)! Then on Wednesday I had lunch with Elyse from Peonies & Brass. What a pearl! Design bloggers are so few and far between in Montreal, we have to stick together!

I also made a killer (literally) lasagna, ate ice cream, pizza and burgers galore, pretty much officially labelling this week as my unhealthiest ever. At least I made up for it with bikram yoga, hot yoga and kickboxing (yes, the kickboxing is hot too, brutal).

Cheers to a healthy and active weekend!

A girl with this much taste, you just know the wedding's going to be incredible. Mazel Tov to the happy couple!

If you've seen this girl's home, you know she'll pick right when it comes to accessories.

Sometimes, Instagram accounts make me want to switch lives with people...

I think this could make me change my mind about sangria.

I'm kind of digging the edgy simplicity of this outfit.

My newest blog crush... I'm loving her posts!

These little ones are just too cute for words.

Zara People? Oh dear...

Delightful Daily: Classically Wild

2013-05-30T19:00:00.000-04:00

Diane Von Furstenberg's Paris apartment