girl meets glamour

Red...White...and Blue prints

2008-07-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

(Red Blue Line Floral)

Happy Third, soon to be Fourth of July...I'm headed up North to fight traffic and get out of dodge for a little while. Hope you're weekend if filled with yummy treats, some R & R and a bit of laughter whether it's a Holiday for you or not.

So, I'm leaving you for a bit, with some fun India influenced prints from designer Kerry Cassill...

(Cobalt Swirl)

(Big Blue Coral Floral)

(Cool Star)

(Cranberry Shadow)

(Dark Bandana)

Check out her site for fabrics, pillows, quilts, clothing and much more...

See you next week!!

Pick a side....

2008-07-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

(Southern Accents/July/Aug. '08)

I mean you don't really have to pick a side, both sides are fine...but sometimes going with a bold print or switching fabrics on that back of a chair can really make the difference. This scenario is ideal in a Dining Room setting where the backs of the chairs are always on display...in my case, in our Family Room, I'm planning to do a few slipper chairs and switch up the fabrics on the backs since they face the entry...but really, it can be quite fun...so here's some inspiration for you!

(Elle Decor/March '08)

(Elle Decor/March '05)

(California Home + Design/July '08)

(Elle Decor/July/Aug. '08)

(House Beautiful/July '08)

(Domino/August '07)

This works both ways though, even if you're looking to do a large print on the chair fronts, like shown above, you could could always pick a coordinate for the back to frame out nicely as well...

Bungalow5's got new goods...

2008-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just in case you haven't seen these new items, thought you should know some new stuff has been added over at Bungalow5...take a peek!!

Brigitte 3 drawer table, available in light blue, black and white. I'm torn between this new style and the 3 drawer Jacqui for our Master...

Marco Console, similar style is also offered in a side table too!

A four drawer version of Jacqui table, measures 40" wide x 20" deep x 32" high

++You can purchase through Tonic Home, check out their site for Bungalow5 and more++

Me + Bike = Happy Weekend!

2008-06-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yup, that's it, I'm getting a bike! Really, I've been telling everyone that I'm going to start biking to work...I mean why not! For exercise, for fresh air...and to bypass the pump, it just makes sense. I'm only 4 miles each way to work (not that close but not too far) ...which makes me believe I can do it...but people are surprised by it. "You on a bike!" or better yet, my mom said "Yeah right honey!"

(via CopenhagenCycleChic)

But, they don't know how chic biking can be...see that could be me up above, with my boots on and a basket full of goodies riding around the city!! So I've been on the hunt for cute city bikes and really anything that catches my eye...here's what I've found so far:

This Skeppshult Ladies Bike has a nice classic look to it and includes a basket...this could be in the running I think!!

But, I couldn't help myself when I saw this Gucci Bike, made special for this Summer's 2008 Olympics in Bejing...it's perfect in all red, I would go everywhere on this thing, but then again with it's price tag ($3,420) it might just end up being an indoor bike...

This is a Jorg and Olif Bike, modified for U.S. conditions...apparently their first two customers were stylish celebs Chloe Sevigny and “Splash” star Daryl Hannah. (Sourced from BikePortland.org)

And then there's the cute Cynthia Rowley beach cruiser, with it's aged leather accents (and classic bell)...it comes in pink, green, and blue. I think this would make a good city bike too!!

This red beauty is called "One Fine Lady" from Velorbis...great color options, styles and even better are all the accessories!!
And already since my post a few hours back, two readers suggested I take a look at the Electra bikes, cute and moderately priced...on REI I found this Amsterdam Classic Cruiser above....so cute, and only $600

So, do you bike to work? Just started (because of gas prices) or always have??
Or just plain don't ride a bike, I wanna know...

NIBA rug crush...

2008-06-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe you're familiar with NIBA and their gorgeous rugs and maybe you're not...well they have been showing up in magazines much more so recently, for their modern eclectic designs and dramatic palettes.

The Dragonscale rug shown above, is on my "must have" list...

The Belair rug is another one I was immediately drawn too, for it's animal print inspired design...but who's picking favorites!!

Among the recent press, Vogue Living did a spread on Doug and Gene Meyer's and their recent additions to the NIBA collection...whose designs were inspired by a recent stay in Morocco and their fascination with rich color and texture...

From Gene's collection, the Crossroads rug shown above...a play on color combos and different piles to add depth...

I could see this rug in so many schemes, it showcases nicely above in a Miami home...

Then from the same collection, this Try-Angular rug, taking almost every color from the rainbow...

There are so many more rugs featured on their site, be sure and check them out...any of these make your favorite's list too?!?!

*all images and information from NIBA's website

The Happy Chic contest...

2008-06-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

That's right ladies and gents..."PointClickHome and Jonathan Adler are on hunt for the happiest and chicest home in America!"

So if you think you've got the look check out this link for details on the Happy Chic contest...I know you wouldn't want to pass up a chance to win $2500 to Jonathan Adler stores!!!

A shade of green...

2008-06-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Why not green? I don't know...why not though! I think everyone has color's that they tend to use...for me it's whites, yellows, and blues. But, stepping out of my comfort zone today, I'm thinking green and how versatile it can be...vibrant, lots of colors pairing options than you'd think weren't possible too, so here's some inspiration for some fun shades of green...

(Domino)

My favorite pairing, green with orange...I just can't get enough of these two!!

(O at Home)

Green can be feminine and pretty, but in a way that is suitable for both sexes...

(Rooms to Inspire)

I love how this room pairs two similar shades of green to create a subtle contrast between the walls and trim...

(House Beautiful)

Blogger Brown Turtleneck Sweater was thinking of painting her office this green when she saw this feature in House Beautiful...

(House and Garden)

Green pairs great with other shades of greens, this simple rustic room is a perfect example...

(House and Garden)

(House Beautiful)

A great idea for a small space, create an impact with a pear green and white stripe like shown above...

(California Home and Design)

A shade of green with a tint of blue, combos great with reds as well...

(Domino)

Always a favorite is Nick Olsen's apartment, where he pairs it nicely with black and white accents...

(Domino)

Here again in a small space, Domino demonstrates how color can make a bold statement...and why not green!!

(Elle Decor)

Green, can be elegant too...this is a perfect example!!

**I just wanted to say Thanks to Terri over at the Washington Post for the mention this week!!**

---And check out This is Glamorous for a lovely Summer "Green" post---

For your furry friend...

2008-06-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Check out this great "Doggy" paper from Whimsy Press...

I found them when I stopped into House Martin blog today...so cute right?!?

Ask and I shall tell...

2008-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged...by my friend Katiedid, and from one Kate to another...thanks a bunch:) So in the spirit of this Friday, I thought I'd partake in a Q & A, and offer up some tid bits about moi!!

1)What did you do 10 years ago?

Let's see 10 years ago...I was riding an Ojek in Bandung Indonesia (fastest taxi service), drinking lots of Chai Tea (before Starbucks new what it was), going to weird discotheques (sorry Dad, I was young and stupid) with poorly done American band covers, and sampling every other bit of their culture I could get my hands on...

(lighting fast transportation...)

2)Five items on your to-do list today?

1. Figure a way to get out of Jury Duty, some way...some how!!

2. Call mother to tell her to pick up her naughtily Jack Russell I've been babysitting for a week...

3. Buy treat's for the retired neighbor lady that so kindly volunteered to walk our dog daily...

4. Furniture budget for the house...what am I getting and how much is that going to drain our wallets..

5. Start painting the Living/Dining Room walls the new color I picked out...

3)Snacks I enjoy...

All...yes, I'll take that aisle to go thank you very much...I love popcorn especially, and manage to some how have a bag every night!!

4)What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Buy every house next door to Oprah's and be that annoying neighbor that brings over homemade baked goods, and has a knack at making her late for work (like my neighbor Jim does to me)...and I'd say things like: "Hey girl, you on your wait to work...I'll be watching!!" or "Tell Stedman I said hi, let me know when you want to get together"...

5)Places I would live...

Oprah's house...Well, I'd live anywhere, but places I'd like to live is a whole other story, but a...

----A large flat in all the major cities...London, Paris, NY, SF...would suffice----

(Madonna's Flat in London)

So, now I've got to tag some people back to participate as well...let's see...how about:

Oh, and Happy Friday!!

Horchow sale, and I caved...

2008-06-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

So, every morning I go through my emails and click/delete for 10 minutes...but out of the corner of my eye today I saw one that said: "Entire Horchow site 20% off for 1 day only..."

And I caved, I caved like they were waving a chocolate cupcake in front of my face at a Weight Watchers meeting...and I bought the Porcupine Mirror I've been lusting after. I never really wanted to spend full price on it, and so that was that, and it should be at my house in a few weeks...

I'm going to put it above my fireplace, once I put the new paint color on the walls...and hopefully it's everything I've ever wanted and more!! Check out the sale though, before it ends...

(Elle Decor/Jan/Feb '06)

I'm just getting the one, but a pair could work nicely too! In the home of John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross (of Dansfield and Ross) they paired the two above like a work of art to balance nicely in the room...

Summer greetings...

2008-06-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

I've been looking to switch out the wreath on my front door to something more Summery, and the one below has really been growing on me, so I just thought I'd share...

Seashell Wreath at William Sonoma

So much "Moor"...

2008-06-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

It seems like you can't open up a magazine these days with out being swept half way across the world...to places full of color and life! Different cultures and their styles have great influence on today's designers...and this is why it's gracing the pages of your favorite reads almost every month...

Featured on the cover of House Beautiful back in Nov. '07, this bedroom designed by Robyn Bell, has a nice blend of light airy fabrics and rich woods, not to mention the "Moorish" inspired frieze on the walls...

Taking you from Florida to Morocco, this bathroom ties the client's favorite colors blue and white to a perfect fit with the rest of the home's design...

Browsing through Rooms to Inspire, this quaint outdoor escape (by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard) caught my attention...it seems very achievable even in the smallest of backyards. Featuring rich fabrics, lanterns and vintage Moroccan finds through out...

A 18th century Moroccan home of Caitlin and Samuel Dowe-Sandes gets a major makeover, including in handmade tiles by Popham Design, refinished furniture that contrasting nicely with the white walls...there's some fun symmetry going on here too!

And each room in the home, has the same unique mixture of modern and vintage finds, making this a perfect feature in this year's April issue of Elle Decor...

Katie Ridder who's been popping up in magazine after magazine, has distinct design influences from her many travels, here this girl's bedroom featured March of this year in Elle Decor showcases lively bold prints in unique cutouts...

Then featured again this month, Ridder clearly mixes it up with Indian textiles, Moroccan poufs with Scandinavian Modern chairs (in another home design)...demonstrating how easily these pieces work together!!

A similar design approach was used, with her clients daughter's room, isn't so cute?? I wish my room had been like this growing up...

Taking it the bath, simple lines but bold colors can make an impact and actually be calming...featured in an Elle Decor spread back in March 05, featuring "great baths that evoke worlds within rooms..."

Featured again in Rooms to Inspire, another great outdoor escape designed by Lawrence-Bullard, who decorates a patio with an array of vintage lanterns and antique pillows...

Care for a Moroccan bath...Sig Bergamin uses antique tiles on his terrace's whirlpool, inspired by his many trips to North Africa, featured in Elle Decor/So Chic book...

Notice anything similar to the bathroom featured above...well, it's the same Floridian home actually (I didn't catch that till I took another look at the exterior shots featured)...but a few years prior, with a different designer (Robert Couturier), and featured in Elle Decor ('05).

This room here designed by Stephen Di Renza (featured in Elle Decor/April '06), takes the bright colorful approach that I often envision in my head when I think "Morocco"...

Even subtle inspiration can turn into a big impact, I love this blue hand blown glass chandelier in Sarah Jessica Parker's weekend home, designed by Eric Hughes and featured in Elle Decor/October '05...

Designer's and their foreign intrigue has left me wanting "Moor", what about you? Too much of a good thing, of loving these worldly influences gracing your favorite design magazines??

Trunk love...

2008-06-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

Everywhere you look these days you can find people and their trunks...showcasing a piece commonly thought for storing junk, as the focal point to a space. It can fit itself into many arrangements, from just another accessory to the perfect furniture piece. I'm quite fond of vintage trunks and luggage and their many applications, so here's a bit of inspiration I've found so far...

(image via HGtv)

In Tommy Hilfiger 's home, a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk is used as a coffee table, designer Cindy Rinfret says: The trunks make the room feel well-traveled, as if things had been collected over time...."

(image via Desire to Inspire)

At the end of the bed in another great option, I love the simplicity of the room that designer Nathan Egan has created, it contrasts nicely to detail in this vintage trunk...

(Elle Decor/Sept. '07)

And as a side table another great scenario here, designer Ray Both creates a rustic natural feel to his own living room with a vintage trunk combined with newer transitional pieces...

(House Beautiful/July 2008)

Luggage works great too as furniture, when I opened up the pages of this month's House Beautiful to find a lovely cottage designed by Ken Fulk...and then was even more pleased to see this creative bedside table made up of two vintage Louis's stacked atop wood blocks and with a serving tray...well I thought to myself, "now if only I could find someone on Craigslist selling them with out a clue..."

1st dibs of course has a great collection of vintage trunks of all styles, above is a leather Campaign trunk from Marianne Stikas, which has great detail in the nailhead design...
Donna Parker Antiques has done some of the work for you to make this Steel trunk into a side table by adding the wooden base...
This is a fun one with the wicker inlay, leather banding, and castors from Laurin Copen Antiques...would make a great lil coffee table!!

Retail furniture companies are hopping on the bandwagon too and producing their own vintage trunk inspired pieces...

Above is the Williams Trunk from William Sonoma Home, it's available in a couple colors and also a side table version called the Williams Cube...

Ralph Lauren Home put a nice twist on a classic piece by adding this brushed aluminum frame to their version, called the Mayfair Trunk...check out their site for additional trunk inspired pieces as well...

Casasugar was craving this Sundance Steamer's Coffee Table Trunk a while back, you have the option of a top grain leather or stainless steel inlay, and even includes canvas lined drawers for storage...

For a contemporary twist on this idea, check out Turquoise LA for this piece designed by Jordan Cappella, featuring a vintage Goyard inspired trunk under a lucite base...

See, not just for junk...these trunks have real character in a room setting. I've been searching for a vintage one myself and hitting up all the antique shops till I find the right one!!

Do you have a trunk that you love, and if so how is it used??

She's got the look...

2008-06-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else been thinking, "where is Emma these days..." like me. I mean, I feel like I just don't get enough of her fabulous style and with the website being under construction for what feels like a year now...you can imagine how happy I was to see some of her most recent work featured on Elle Decor's website...

A great read you must check it out, called the "Light Touch", which is certainly is in this case of the airy Hampton's home of the Cuomo's, of which Pilkington styled with a fun tailored approach...

One of my favorite rooms here, featuring mirrored side tables from Arteriors and vintage swivel chairs upholstered in Madeline Weinrib’s Purple Luce...

Adding yellow to this Kitchen feels so fresh and those Philippe Stark stools are just perfect with the lil cushions...

I'd like to be a guest in this house, with the much coveted Anthropologie bed I'd like to see in my own room and this lovely Cole & Son wallcovering...

Be sure to visit the link to see more wonderful photos and all her great tablescapping ideas...

Article: Written by Christine Schwartz Hartley /Photographed by Roger Davies

Thinking slipper...

2008-06-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

So, I'm on the hunt, as you may know, for some additional chairs to go with my new table. Not so easy, because I want then to be fun...but also comfortable, because "somebody" thinks these bamboo chairs are not so friendly to the back ...

But, I still plan on keeping the arm chairs in the room, just off to the side, and use the side chairs as back up when we are entertaining...

(Elle Decor)

And then in my search though, I came across this image above and thought...I could do a slipcovered Parson's chair...I was thinking they'd be great China Sea's fabric...but what do you think? Should I continue the search for the perfect chair??

Tote"ally"

2008-06-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

I have officially decided that my Summer will not be complete without this "Liz tote" from Periwinkle online, and currently I am taking donations...actually though, it's cute and affordable!!

I went Pagoda over it...

2008-06-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

The clutter inside Flutter...(Image via Sidney Ann blog)

That's right, not only is Flutter, the cute store out of Portland offering "free shipping" this Summer on any online orders over $75...but, even better is they seem to be crazy about Pagodas, just like me.

Take a look at what I found...

Pagoda Pillow/12 x 12/ $58.00

Red Pagoda Lantern/$50

Pagoda Linen Pillow/16" x 16"/ $95

Jade Pagoda Lantern/ $75

Pagoda Hook Rugs/$95-$195

Back to back...

2008-06-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

I wasn't always fond of this approach, but that's probably because I'd seen some bad examples, but really when you have a large living room with multiple seating areas...back to back sofas can do the trick and make a perfect statement...

Elle Decor/May '05

You could go the mirrored approach, identical back to back sofas...here Alex Papachristidis took it one step further with matching floor lamps and rugs!! I just love this style and think it creates such a focal point for the room...

Elle Decor/July/Aug. '07

Or, how bout making your two couches into one, like Jeffery Bilhuber has done above...takes some committing though, because it's not so easy to move a piece of furniture like this. But, again it's a perfect fit with creating two separate entertaining spaces...

House Beautiful/June '07

With two sofas back to back, this creates the a spot to place a slim console table between the two for lamps, accessories and such...

Domino

No reason you have to have it identical either though, this set up works really well too, going with separates that are similar in style...

4 walls and no place to sit...

2008-06-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's time to put some furniture in this lil house that could, I'm mean really even the Mail Carrier asked, "What's with the no furniture, I know you guys didn't just move in??" So with that, I'm off and have started taking on the task of really finishing/furnishing the Living/Dining Room area...

First off, are the walls...I originally picked a "neutral paint" because we were in a hurry to wrap up construction and I just didn't want to settle on a real color till I knew the direction I was going with the rest...

So, I decided these walls with no life and needed another paint job and went on the hunt for inspiration...and I remembered this image of a Steven Gambrel design from a Style Court post with light blue walls mixed with orange and all sorts of colors and that got me settled. These walls are going blue!!

I had no intention of buying furniture before we started painting, but then I was in a local antique store and found this dining set sitting in the back corner with a ton of junk piled on top and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets...when the owner told me, "Oh, yeah I'll take $250 (total) for it..." I opened up my wallet, cause I knew that was a deal, right?!?!

The plan is to reupholster the seats on them, but put the arm chairs off to the side by the window (side chairs as back up because the table seats between 4-8) and get 4 new side chairs for daily use, but what those are I don't know...

And I've been playing around with fabrics and colors, and picking out furniture like we have a money tree growing in the backyard!! So far, I have no doubt that this is the fun part!!

To be continued...and Happy Weekend!!!

Dog days are coming...

2008-06-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for Summer? I'm just starting to be...thought I'd share some of my favs, not really a shopping guide, but just some things I end up buying when Summer rolls around...

(Domino)

Buy some Summer decor to brighten up the house, I just purchased 2 of these Ikea striped rugs shown above. You'd be surprised how much just switching out a few pieces in the house freshens up the space...

And I always end up buying something for "outdoor" entertaining, for an affordable approach I love the new collections from Cynthia Rowley at Target...

Something about heat really brings out the chef/hostess in me, but when I get to cooking I still want to make things that are easily prepared with fresh ingredients too...check out this recipe for Watermelon Ice...

Since I'm pretty fair, I need to use sunblock every time I leave the house, and I usually try and buy something that is kind to my face (not all that easy with some of the products out there)...but I just added this La Mer SPF treatment to my daily regimen really helps...

Sunblock is one thing, but I just can't help but buy a new pair of sunglasses, nowI'm on the Aviator bandwagon...check out these gold frames from Ralph Lauren...

Can't forget the pup when I'm out shopping, since the weather's so great we're bound to be out on more walks...this cute collar says Summer and it's so affordable too...

And no matter what I have a lot of cool Summer drinks, like this yummy Mojito above...check out this food network recipe here.

less than the cost of lunch...

2008-06-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ebay is my new best friend these days...I just bought some chairs I plan to reupholster and so forth, but I saw some great buys today under $20 (something that won't break the bank), so I thought I'd share...

loved this pineapple lamp when I saw it, going $16 right now, if you can believe that, check it out here...

and these cute lil ceramic quails going for $1.99 right now, you can find them here...

Insta runner...

2008-06-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

while going through my binder of "good ideas" to do with paint, I came across this lil piece from Domino (April '06)...

Paint just does wonders on everything, much like duck tape...the possibilities are endless. But this "insta" runner bit was one of my favorite...I love the small detail above with the small black border against the red!!

(via Homebug)

This is the perfect approach in an older home in my opinion...with the ratted ol' heater and the painted wide plank floors...

here's another example of taking taking those boring faded oak steps and turning them into an eye catcher, and to learn how easy it really is, Domino has a "how to" guide here...