La Dolce Vita

Get the Look: A Modern Office

2013-05-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

Hola! Arianna here, back with some more decor inspiration. For this month's Get the Look I'm featuring the office of Erin Hiemstra - a bright, clean, inviting space with with modern elements.

Create a similar look with these pieces:

1. An updated Queen Anne-style chair in all white

2. Brass dome pendants for a touch of refined glamour

3. A sleek brass desk accessory to stylishly hold pencils and other tools

4. A clear acrylic tray to keep the desk neat and organized

5. A modern floating desk with clean lines and a metallic base

6. A cozy faux sheepskin rug to soften and add warmth

LDV Top 10: Bold Throw Pillows

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{Claiborne Swanson Frank’s Apartment via ELLE DÉCOR}

I adore throw pillows and their transformative nature. These little décor elements can make such a huge impact on a space. I always advise friends and clients to go for neutrals on bigger design elements such as sofas, chairs, and drapes and introduce color and pattern, especially, through throw pillows since they are a smaller investment and are generally painless to switch out. If you replaced the throw pillows in any of the rooms pictured in this post, I’m sure you’d agree that the entire look and feel of each room would change dramatically. Over the last several months, I have been redesigning my house in preparation for the photoshoot that is taking place here as we speak (yay!) and along the way, I have ordered more throw pillows than my husband cares for. However, they’ve been transformative and they make me so happy!

{Image via Suzanne Eason Interiors}

{Image via Carrier and Company}

{Raiana Schwenker’s Leopard Pillows via Sadie + Stella}

{David Hicks La Fiorentina Pillows in my friend, Hallie’s Apartment}

Below, you’ll find my current Top 10 List of throw pillows that make a bold statement. They are great mixed in with solids and more subtle patterns as well as on their own. I recently commissioned Arianna Belle to make the Coral Linen Pillows with Greek Key Trim for my family room and also have numbers 2, 3, and 6 in my home.

{1. Arianna Belle Coral Linen Pillow with Greek Key Trim | 2. David Hicks La Fiorentina Pillow in Bark Colorway | 3. Arianna Belle Leopard Print Cotton Velvet Pillow | 4. Throw & Co. Christina Pillow with Chartreuse and Chevron Trim | 5. C. Wonder Chinoiserie Pillow | 6. Boho Ikat Square Pillow | 7. Throw & Co. Whitney Pillow | 8. Arianna Belle Les Touches Pillow | 9. Jayson Home & Garden Gold Suzani Pillow | 10. Jayson Home & Garden Gold Agate Pillow}

Which of these pillows is most your style?

Currently Loving: Clare Elsaesser

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My fellow Joy & Revelry Style Maven, Chelsea Horsley of Yours Truly recently stumbled upon artist Clare Elsaesser’s beautiful work on Pinterest and soon after, a collaboration was born. Clare has created a beautiful and affordable series of prints exclusively for Joy & Revelry, available only for the next two weeks, so act fast! Doesn’t her work have such a romantic quality?

{Grew Into}

{Navy and Yellow}

{Watching Trees}

Which is your favorite?

In the Stacks

2013-05-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

{My dear friend, Mark Sikes is an even bigger bibliophile than I am! He has stacks of beautiful books all around his house, including underneath the beautiful Chippendale console in his living room as featured in Lonny.}

I have a couple of addictions in life—magazine subscriptions and stacks of coffee table books mostly of the interior design, fashion, and travel variety. While I have several bookcases in my house along with a new built-in in my family room, and various other surfaces where I currently stack my books, I am constantly buying new ones and receiving them as gifts from thoughtful individuals who know how much I enjoy them. I grew up loving to read and looking forward to trips to the library. I always knew that I wanted my house to be filled with books on fascinating subjects, even when I was just a little girl. While I use books in my décor, I do not believe is using them solely for that purpose. Every book in my home is one that I love and have read. Having said all of that, I know that the day will come when I run out of real estate for my beloved books. My stacks are constantly growing taller as you’ll see when I share my house tour with you in the coming weeks. How tall is too tall? What does one do when there isn’t anymore space? I haven’t gotten to the point of stacking books on the floor yet, but the day may come at some point! Until then, I’ve rounded up some images of some stylish stacks.

{New York designer, Ryan Korban has stacks of books in his Manhattan apartment.}

{Ryan loves his stacks! Here is yet another stack of books, this time on a side chair, as featured on The Selby.}

{PaperCity editor and Claridge + King designer, Laurann Claridge’s chic Houston high-rise condo features this beautiful antique Biedermier chest, topped with a spectacular quartz lamp, Waylande Gregory bowl, a Louis Philippe Mirror, and of course, a stack of carefully selected books.}

{Hudson Interior Designs stacked books on this nickel bar cart.}

{Stacks of Books on Top of as well as Under a Table | Image via Cote de Texas}

{Although this is a library in a home, I love the way that these books are stacked on a large rectangular table. It reminds me of shopping in some of my favorite stores.}

{Stacks of Books Comingle with Decorative Objets in this Vignette from Domino}

{Miles Redd stacks the books in his bedroom on a chair as well as on a low-slung table across from his bed. | Image via Mark D. Sikes}

{Designer Carlos Miele’s Home features a gorgeous carved console with stacks of books underneath. Notice the spines are not facing the front. Do you have a preference when it comes to the placement of the spines of the books? I like for them to face forward. | Image via ELLE DÉCOR}

{This image is from a real estate listing in Houston from my early days in blogging, years ago! It looks like their stack of books functions as a martini table near the leather arm chair. Just make sure to have coasters handy!}

{Stacks of Books on a Trunk used as a Night Stand}

{Another Bedside Stack}

{I don’t ever want my house to look like this! The key is for the stacks to be artfully arranged. Are you a fellow book hoarder? How do you store/display your books?}

Pray for Oklahoma

2013-05-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

It’s always so difficult to sit in front of the television, watching as people deal with what is left in the wake of nature’s wrath. We feel so helpless and suddenly, all of our problems are swiftly put into perspective. My heart broke for the people of Moore, Oklahoma yesterday as images panned across the television of a suburban community that was completely leveled in the path of a monstrous tornado. As I type this in the comfort of my home office with my sweet pup by my side, I can’t help but think of how terrified these people must have been as they were in their safe havens—their homes and in the case of the tiniest victims, their elementary schools, only to have it all ripped away in seconds. I am so thankful for everything that I have, especially as all of the poor victims of the tornado are left with nothing. The lucky ones at least have one another and the rest of us to help them piece their lives back together.

If you are willing and able, please text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross for relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma. It’s a small way in which we can all help, regardless of our location. My thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors to the North in Oklahoma today.

Currently Obsessed: Emerson Fry

2013-05-21T07:45:00.000-05:00

{Does it get any chicer than this? I love Emerson Fry’s new A-Line Mod Top.}

I remember back when Emerson Fry was EmersonMade, a line of tabletop accessories and handmade flower pins reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw which eventually went on to launch a clothing line in 2010. Fast forward about three years and Emerson Fry has proven to be an ultra-chic contemporary line. Last season, Emerson produced several gorgeous coats that I lusted after and this season, she has really nailed it. There are so many pieces in her current collection that I absolutely adore. The pieces are all very versatile and timeless—the kind of clothes you’ll wear forever. Each piece, like the Emerson Fry girl is chic, effortless, and cool. I want to be the Emerson Fry girl—this collection is just that good!

{The Big Geo print on this A-Line Mod Top is gorgeous! It’s deco glam meets mod sixties in the best way possible.}

{I featured this classic white Safari Dress in this month’s Lust List. Can you blame me for featuring it again? So good!}

{I’m obsessed with the Bib Shirt Dress, shown here in Railroad. The cut is flattering and timeless and this is one of Emerson Fry’s most versatile pieces. It can be worn as a dress, shirt, or tunic. Love, love, love it!}

{The Bib Shirt Dress in Black}

{The Bib Shirt Dress Worn as a Shirt}

{The Bib Shirt Dress in Ivory}

{I love the Emerson Pockets Blouse in this sunny yellow.}

{The T-Snap Dress in Navy and Green is another super versatile piece.}

{The Keyhole Dress in the Rain Print is such a great summer piece.}

{Emerson Fry’s Leopard Print is so good! I love the color and scale of her pattern, shown here in the Pull Tab Skirt.}

{There’s a wait list for the Mod Coat Dress in Big Geo and I can’t say that I’m surprised. It’s such a fabulous print on a universally flattering cut.}

{The Mod Coat Dress in Big Geo shown as a Dress}

Lorenzo Castillo’s Chic Madrid Store

2013-05-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

{Lorenzo Castillo’s New Store in the Heart of Madrid}

After many years as one of the most renowned interior designers in Spain, Lorenzo Castillo has expanded his design firm to include a new store in Madrid. The store offers custom-designed furniture by Castillo along with vintage finds from the twentieth century as well as fabrics from his collection with Gastón y Daniela. The store exemplifies Lorenzo’s chic style—juxtaposing magnificent antiques and vintage pieces with modern furnishings and abstract art. Each piece seems to tell a story and lends itself towards creating the type of effortless, layered interiors that Castillo is known for-- spaces filled with eclectic pieces, bold patterns, rich colors, and art from a cross-section of periods, all composed with brilliant panache. Castillo opened his first antiques store in Madrid in 1992, which served as a launch pad for his career in interior design. It seems that all things come full circle as Castillo’s new store allows him to offer his customers access to the same wonderful pieces that inspire his design work.

{Pieces from many eras and styles can be found in Lorenzo Castillo’s store.}

{Isn’t the wall treatment incredible? At first, I thought it was silver leaf, but I am not 100% certain. What I do know for sure is that this desk is absolutely gorgeous!}

{Cool Dining Chairs and Lamps}

{Lorenzo Castillo stocks vintage items from the 1920s-1980s in his store.}

{I love these chairs! The shape and combination of upholstery fabrics is fantastic. The wood inlay and brass trim on the end table are pretty fabulous, too.}

{Each item in this store could be considered a statement piece, yet they work beautifully independently or grouped together.}

{I love everything in this photo—the malachite wall, brass table, accessories, and sconces. This vignette is insane!}

{Another vignette with so many great pieces. I really love the clean lines and worn leather on the chair.}

{The next time I am in Madrid, Lorenzo Castillo will be at the top of my list of places to visit!}

{Images via Lorenzo Castillo}

This Week’s Quote

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{Image via Pinterest}

Fabulous Room Friday 05.17.13

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This week’s fabulous room is this gorgeous sun porch by one of my all-time favorite designers, Eric Cohler. The room is part of the Adamsleigh Showhouse in Greensboro, North Carolina which Traditional Home sponsored. The house opened last month, coinciding with High Point Market, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go see it in person.

This room exemplifies why I am such a fan of Eric’s design work. I love the way in which he mixes classic and contemporary as well as his appreciation of bold color and patterns. His work is always beautifully layered, sophisticated, and chic while feeling fresh, never stuffy.

{First, I am completely obsessed with this gorgeous parchment and brass coffee table from Pearson. Isn’t it chic? I also love the shape of the sofa and the fact that Eric selected a bright, playful ikat for the French chair. He mixes styles and time periods so well. There are several bold patterns in this space—the chair, the screen, the rug, and the striped ceiling, but they all work quite well together and don’t compete for attention.}

{How incredible is this striped ceiling? His Star Flush Mounts are the perfect accent! I noticed that Eric also included a couple of other pieces from his lighting collection—the Rome Floor Lamp and Caged Table Lamp in the sun porch.}

{Image No. 1 via Traditional Home | Images No. 2 and 3 via Apartment Therapy}

Get the Look: Betsy Burnham

2013-05-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

{Living Room designed by Betsy Burnham as featured in House Beautiful}

Interior designer, Betsy Burnham’s work is well known for its laidback, sophisticated bohemian vibe. It’s the perfect version of polished California eclectic style. She takes design risks embracing bold colors, ethnic textiles, and almost always includes a nod to Chinoiserie and Hollywood Regency in the spaces she designs.

{Living Room Designed by Betsy Burnham as featured in Lonny}

{Design by Betsy Burnham | Photo via Lonny}

{Pink Quadrille Sofas are the Focal Point of this Living Room designed by Betsy Burnham and featured in House Beautiful}

{Living Room designed by Betsy Burnham as featured in House Beautiful}

If you’re a fan of Betsy’s work, be sure to log on to One Kings Lane on Monday evening beginning at 8:00 pm CST as she will be hosting a Tastemaker Tag Sale featuring some amazing pieces reflective of the style she is famous for. Here’s a sneak peek of a few of the fun finds that will be part of the sale. I love the leopard chair and vintage Gucci ashtray!

Life Lately…

2013-05-16T07:45:00.000-05:00

{Fresh Peonies in a Mint Julep Cup to Brighten up my Entryway}

The past couple of weeks have been fantastic. It’s been a bit of a transition period for me. After two years as Director of Marketing at Visual Comfort, I decided in February that it was time to go back out on my own again and my last day there was May 1st. I learned so much while with the company and was able to meet so many fantastic people, but I felt it was time to finally tap into what I know is my calling and start a new chapter. While it is always unnerving to leave a secure job with benefits to start a new venture, I have no doubt that I’ve made the right decision. There really isn’t anything like having the flexibility that comes from working for yourself. I feel like I have my life back and things are just as they should be. I’m not quite ready to unveil my newest project just yet, so stay tuned! I will share everything with you over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been up to recently!

{Lauren, Meg, and I went to the opening of the Houston Decorative Center’s Spring Market which included a keynote presentation on branding by the handsome John Robshaw and fabulous Mary McDonald.}

{We celebrated Fabian’s birthday. It’s crazy to think that we were 19 and 20 when we first met and now here we are at 31 and 33. Where does the time go? If you live in Houston and you haven’t had Mom’s Chocolate Cake at Benjy’s, drop whatever you’re doing and go order a piece immediately if not sooner. It is off the charts!}

{I was finally able to visit my friend Daniel at his gorgeous store, AREA. They recently moved to a new location and as always, the store is full of chic finds in artfully arranged vignettes. Daniel has an amazing eye.}

{I also spotted this super stylish vignette featuring a plaster console table and some gorgeous brass goodies at AREA.}

{We saw The Great Gatsby this weekend and loved it. Sure, a lot of people are saying it was more style than substance, but sometimes, I’m okay with that. The movie was intoxicating in the best way possible and I can’t get this beautiful song out of my head. Obsessed!}

{I’ve been busy finishing up several design projects around my house for a photo shoot that is happening next week. I had beautiful, new linen curtains with Greek key trim made by The Curtain Exchange and could not be happier with them. They’re gorgeous and transformed my house. I also learned a ton from Georgina, the founder of The Curtain Exchange, so look for a post including everything you could ever need to know about curtains and a full project reveal to come soon.}

{We recently had this custom built-in made for our family room and my sweet and handy husband installed a pair of Dean Picture Lights by Alexa Hampton over the weekend to finish the piece off. I’m really happy with how it turned out!}

What’s new with you? Have you seen Gatsby? I’ve talked to a lot of other bloggers about this and the general consensus seems to be that readers don’t comment as much as they used to. I think Pinterest has a lot to do with. Now, if we see something we love on a blog, we tend to pin it as opposed to leaving a comment about it. It’s always great to hear from you, so please know that your comments and feedback are always welcomed and encouraged!

{All Images via Instagram}

Get the Look: Gwyneth’s Flirty Brights + The Tracy Anderson Method

2013-05-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

{Gwyneth wore a Victoria Beckham dress and Michael Kors colorblock sandals to the opening of the Tracy Anderson studio in Brentwood.}

Whether you love her or love to hate her, there is no denying that Gwyneth Paltrow has been looking AMAZING lately. She’s always been beautiful and has always been someone that I’ve admired, but it seems like she’s really gotten comfortable in her own skin lately and it shows in her radiant appearance. While she is always quite chic, she takes risks and sometimes ends up with some fashion misses like her recent sheer panel debacle. However, she handles it all with grace and a sense of humor! Recently, Gwyneth’s pal and business partner, Tracy Anderson opened a new fitness studio in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood. Gwyneth showed up in a flirty ensemble that showed off the results of her hard work as a devout follower of Anderson’s method. She looks fantastic!

{1. J. Crew Knit Princess Seam Dress in Seaside Coral | 2. Lanvin New Partition Clutch | 3. ZARA Basic Ankle Strap Sandals | 4. Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis Series}

I recently decided to finally take the plunge and give Anderson’s method a try. I’ve heard for a couple of years now that the workouts are killer—really challenging and long (a minimum of 60 minutes), but everyone who has suffered through them has seen real results. I am starting with Tracy’s Mat Workout which was the first video she released. I figured it would be better to give this a shot before committing to her Metamorphosis program. The workout is definitely hard, but shockingly, because I usually do not enjoy exercise, I love it! I was so proud of myself when I did it for the first time on Monday and made it all the way through the video! I guess I really like the fluid movements even though I probably look like an idiot while I try to follow her lead! I am feeling very motivated to stick it out and hope to eventually graduate to Metamorphosis. Have you done Tracy Anderson’s Method? Did you see noticeable results? I’d love to hear any feedback you might have!

A Nursery with a Twist

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A friend of mine recently shared the news that she is expecting a baby. Naturally, being as design-obsessed as I am, I immediately started asking her about her plans for the nursery’s décor. Since she doesn’t know if she’s having a boy or a girl yet, she hasn’t really begun to envision what the nursery will look like. She did mention that if the baby is a girl, she doesn’t want to use typical “baby girl” colors and doesn’t want the room to scream “baby” either. I immediately envisioned how I would design a nursery to meet her criteria. I think what I came up with is pretty chic for a baby’s room and the pieces I chose are timeless and will continue to work in the space as the baby grows up. In spite of the blue and white color palette, I definitely designed this for a girl. While I feel the essence of the nursery is quite feminine, with a few tweaks, it could work just as beautifully for a boy!

{Sources: West Elm Niche Six Drawer White Lacquer Dresser (to double as a changing table) | Magalie Mirror in White, Quatrefoil Floor Lamp from Circa Lighting | Baby Animal Prints by Sharon Montrose | Odette Flush Mount from Circa Lighting | Oeuf Sparrow Crib | Double Fortune Ceramic Stool | Quadrille Kazak Navy Pillow (to go in crib)| Surya Smithsonian Hand-Tufted Rug | Preserved Boxwood Topiary (similar) | Pine Cone Hill Chambray Linen Ink Panels | Layla Grayce Seco Swivel Glider | Aegean Fretwork Pillow}

{Additional Items for Nursery: Serena & Lily James Crib Bumper | Pottery Barn Navy Changing Pad Cover | Serena & Lily Hayworth Shelf | Pom Pom at Home Organic Linen Crib Skirt|

What are your thoughts? Do you like the idea of using colors that are traditionally regarded as “boys’ colors” for a baby girl’s nursery?

Lust List: May 2013

2013-05-14T12:30:00.000-05:00

As soon as I started laying out my “Lust List” for this month I realized that some things never change. My love of a black and white palette, classic shapes, large totes, and great accessories endures. For a moment, I thought about editing my list of May must-haves to include some color, but decided to stay true to the list I had subconsciously compiled. From a great safari dress by Emerson Fry that I would surely live in all summer long and a fabulous gold pendant necklace to two pairs of sandals designed by The Hills alum Kristin Cavallari (who knew she’d turn out to be so chic!) and some show-stopping pieces for the home including a jaw-dropping etagere by Worlds Away, this month’s Lust List is sure to stay on my mind for a long time to come!

{1. Emerson Fry Safari Dress | 2. Ben-Amun Boho Long Pendant Necklace | 3. J. Crew Mari Sandals in Dusty Charcoal| 4. Annabell Ingall Small Isabella Tote | 5. Classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses | 6. J.Crew Panama Hat | 7. Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry Sogno Wedge Sandals | 8. JET by Jessika Allen White Label Two-Tone Swimsuit | 9. J. Crew Tartine Tote in Diamond Raffia | 10. Rachel Zoe Knot Ring | 11. J.Crew Midrise Toothpick Jean in White | 12. Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry Lotteria Sandals | 13. Port 68 Mizner Silver Leaf Tray | 14. Choros Chandelier | 15. Worlds Away Clifton Stainless Steel Etagere | 16. Serena and Lily Sundial Chair}

My Favorite Room: Wendy Schwartz

2013-05-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today, the talented Los Angeles-based interior designer, Wendy Schwartz will be sharing some exclusive photos of her favorite space with us. This is the perfect time of year to focus on outdoor spaces, and naturally, Wendy’s is super chic and evocative of her edgy style. Enjoy!

Even a designer, or maybe especially a designer can get tired of their home and feel ready to make a lot of changes. I am actually in the beginning stages of an interior make-over, so these days my favorite spaces are outside. In Los Angeles, we have the luxury of year round green. Still, the fresh growth of spring brings a few added layers of lushness. I love the restraint of an all green landscape. And, a few hidden surprises…can you spot the trampoline???

Color Crush: Coral

2013-05-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

{Coral in a Beautiful Bedroom Vignette at the Oly Showroom}

Like all of you, I usually respond very strongly to the presence, or even the absence of color. My last two “Color Crushes”, Indigo and Moss Green were decidedly more saturated and less feminine than today’s Color Crush—Coral. With spring fully sprung and summer beckoning around the corner, this pretty hue is the perfect color for the season. It is beautiful in its many incarnations—from soft and pale with pink undertones to deeply saturated, almost red shades of coral. Depending on the tone you choose, it is a versatile color that works both as an accent as well as a neutral. What is your favorite color this season? Are you a fan of coral?

{I currently have Serena and Lily’s Coral Border Frame Duvet and Shams along with their Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set on my bed. I love how fresh the color looks!}

{I’ve been redecorating my house and recently asked Arianna Belle to make a pair of these beautiful coral linen pillows with Greek key trim for me.}

{Christina Murphy opted for a custom coral settee in this sitting area via House Beautiful.}

{Coral always pairs beautifully with blue as demonstrated in this chic bedroom by Mary McDonald.}

{More Coral and Blue! Original Source Unknown}

{Coral is a powerful accent color as seen in this gorgeous bathroom, also designed by Mary McDonald.}

{A Coral Chair and Pillow in designer, Jennifer Dyer’s Los Angeles Dining Room}

{Coral Pillows add a vibrant touch of color in this bedroom by Massucco Warner Miller}

{Interior Designer, Peter Dunham Selected a Soft Shade of Coral for the Bedroom he Designed for Veranda’s House of Windsor}

{Isn’t this coral door chic?}

{Michelle Williams in a Stunning Coral Louis Vuitton Gown at the 2012 Academy Awards}

{Jessica Alba was Gorgeous in a Coral Oscar de la Renta Gown at the 2013 Golden Globes}

{Sarah Jessica Parker in a Coral Halston Dress on the set of the second Sex and the City Movie}

{Olivia Palermo in a Coral Jacket}

{Olivia in a Chic Coral Coat}

{Olivia loves coral! Here she is again; this time in a beautiful coral tweed jacket.}

{Nikki Reed in a Classic White Blouse, Skinny Jeans, and Coral Pumps}

{Lauren Conrad looks cute running errands around L.A. in coral jeans and a striped top.}

{Cameron Diaz chose coral J Brand jeans to go with her neutral ensemble. She looks really chic and with her enviable legs—she can pull off any color pants!}

{1. Serena & Lily Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set and Coral Border Frame Duvet and Shams | 2. Mara Hoffman Frida Printed Bikini | 3. Tory Burch Coral Violet Thong Sandals | 4. Deep Coral Ceramic Lotus Stool | 5. Lela Rose Tonal Block Sheath Dress | 6. Shoshanna Delfina Dress| 7. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel | 8. J. Crew Everly Pumps | 9. Kenneth Jay Lane Oval Cabochon Ring | 10. Serena & Lily Coral Herringbone Throw | 11. J Brand Jeans in Neon Coral | 12. Rosegold Zane Woven Booties}

This Week’s Quote

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Fabulous Room Friday 05.10.13

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Earlier this week, I stumbled on these fabulous images on Pinterest from a project my friend, Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors recently completed. She calls this client “pretty much perfect” because she let Amber and her team have free reign on the design and trusted her implicitly. The result is some of the best work I’ve ever seen from Amber. This is a perfect example of letting a professional “do their thing” because the results are nearly always so much better when you approach a project this way. While my style isn’t really bohemian, I really do love this master bedroom. It feels very “California Cool” and is beautifully layered with a mix of patterns and textures.

{Amber is great at mixing textiles, which really shows in this room. I also love the mirrors above each nighstand.}

{The house seems to have some really great bones, offering up the ideal canvas for Amber’s design work. I really like the flow in this room.}

{The sitting area is so good—and big! It’s the size of some people’s living rooms. Again, I love the mix and her choice of art.}

Fantastic job, Amber!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Last Minute Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

2013-05-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, kids—Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so if you haven’t gotten anything for your mom yet, I’ve rounded up ten stylish and thoughtful gift ideas that you should be able to get your hands on just in the nick of time. Gifts should always have a personal element—something that speaks not only to the recipient’s taste and interests, but whenever possible, it should also evoke a feeling or thought associated with your relationship the recipient. Mother’s Day is no exception, so you’ll find that most of my picks are associated with experiences that are sure to make your mom smile.

If your mom enjoys days at the spa, this beautiful Natori Bella Rocca Robe would make a great gift and if you have Amazon Prime, it should arrive in time for Sunday! If you and your mom have always bonded over fashion or black and white movies, Susanna Salk’s new book, C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon would be fantastic (also available through Amazon Prime). If you and your mother live in different cities, flowers are always a special way to say you care. H. Bloom offers a great delivery service as well as a Flower Subscription Service. I don’t know of any mom who wouldn’t love that. Just make sure they deliver in your mom’s city! If you and your mom have a love of décor in common, this pretty Gold Coral Vase and Jane Schwab & Cindy Smith’s The Welcoming House would make fantastic gifts. The book is filled with beautiful images to fawn over!

If mom loves accessories, this Bold Gem Necklace would be a nice addition to her jewelry collection. For a fun girls’ day, treat mom to mani/pedis and then take her to see Gatsby (I am DYING to see it)! If your mom is one of those people who already has everything or is difficult to shop for, you can’t go wrong with this fabulous Diptyque Trio of Baies, Figuier, Roses Candles (available at most luxury department stores), a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé, and/or Sprinkles Cupcakes Mom Box (can also be delivered). I hope this helps!

Currently Loving: Chic Summer Dresses

2013-05-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

As much as I love dresses, I tend to gravitate towards pants 99% of the time. They’re more practical for my life and I just feel at ease and more like myself in them. If you know me, then you know I’m actually very girly, but for whatever reason, I tend to reserve dresses and skirts for special occasions. I know several girls who always look gorgeous in dresses every time I see them and I always think to myself that I need to break out of my pants rut! Seeing all of the beautiful dresses Anthropologie currently has in their line-up is motivating me even more! These dresses range from cocktail chic to daytime appropriate and are the perfect canvas for some fabulous accessories.

{The Daisy Lace Sheath toes the line between sweet and sexy and has a very 1960s vibe I can totally see Jessica Pare’s character on Mad Men wearing this.}

{I love the way they styled this Slim-Glint Lace Dress. The look is so chic and in my opinion, very Italian.}

{The Daksha Stitched Blouse with dramatic peplum, isn’t actually a dress, but could pass for it with the matching Daksha Stitched Skirt. This is such a pretty look for a bridal shower and looks much more expensive than it is!}

{The length of the Islington Pencil Dress is quite chic.}

{The Flamingo Repeat Shift is adorable in a “Palm Beach chic” way! I love the playful print and would pair it with a bold, gold tassel necklace and a fun cocktail ring. It’s probably a little short for a tall girl like me, but it would also look really cute as a tunic over a pair of white skinnies.}

{If ever there was a chic summer dress, it would definitely be this Caraiva Maxi Dress. My favorite is the white, but it also comes in blue and orange. Can’t you just picture wearing this in a stylish summer destination? It would look great several of the sandals from this week’s Top 10 List!}

{The Chessia Dress is adorable and the placement of the stripes is really flattering. While the red shoes are cute, they render the overall look a little too sweet for my taste. I’d rather see this paired with some tan wedge sandals and some great bracelets.}

{Another great striped option, the Triple Bow Dress is on sale for $50!}

Which of these dresses could you see yourself wearing? Is there anything that you wish you wore more often?

*This post is not sponsored by Anthropologie. I simply found myself loving several of their dresses and wanted to share my finds with you. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Do Tell: How do you define your style?

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Quite often, people ask me how I would define or describe my design style. It is a much harder question to answer than one might think primarily because I love design. I eat, sleep, and breathe interior design and love so many different styles that sometimes, it’s hard to really pinpoint exactly what I love. The truth is, I love all kinds of décor and there are even spaces that I don’t particularly like, but can definitely appreciate. While I die over the edgy spaces designed by the likes of Ryan Korban and Lázaro Rosa Violán, I don’t tend to decorate that way myself.

I’d say my style is a modern take on traditional. I love classic silhouettes updated in a modern way, whether it’s through color, texture, or pattern. I have a penchant for color, though I also love the power of a pared down palette. I always love to add a touch of glamour to every space and typically prefer spaces that balance a masculine and feminine vibe over something overtly feminine. Overall, the spaces I love are polished and have an effortless quality about them. They feature classic and modern elements, resulting in a timeless look. I realize that’s a lot of adjectives! If I had to narrow it down, I would pick the following three to define my personal design style:

{Katie Lee Joel’s Timeless Kitchen designed by Nate Berkus and featured in Domino}

{Timeless Elements: Beautiful Monogrammed Bedding, an Upholstered Headboard, a Classic Lamp, and a Chic Hermes Blanket as featured in Veranda}

{To me, “modern” isn’t just about Barcelona chairs, Saarinen Tulip Tables, and abstract art—it’s about the mix. Mixing classic pieces with unexpected elements of surprise is the way I define modern style. This living room designed by Cathy Echols and featured in High Gloss is a great example.}

{Have you been to FLAIR in SoHo? It’s the most amazing store and I always die over the way they mix pieces from various era. I love the black walls and the way the mix in color and glamour with an edgy sensibility. This is the epitome of modern to me.}

{While these spaces are overtly glamorous, I firmly believe that every space should have at least a hint of glamour; something to elevate the space and provide a true “wow” moment. Lily Bunn Weekes’ entryway as featured on the Vogue website is a perfect example of glamour—lacquered peacock blue walls, a dramatic urchin chandelier, and a gold-leafed ceiling. There is no doubt that this is one glamorous space!}

{Miles Redd does drama and glamour like no other and his amazing mirrored bathroom is no exception. He’s even hosted dinner parties in his bathroom!}

While I may gravitate towards different aesthetics from time to time, I think this is a pretty good way to define my design style: classic, modern, glamorous. I’ve been finishing up several design projects in my home and will have my house photographed in two weeks! I am looking forward to sharing my home tour with you and hope that the definition of my design style will be reflected in my house. Stay tuned!

Now it’s your turn! How do you define your personal design style?

LDV Top 10: Flat Summer Sandals

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{When you pick the right pair of flat sandals, they work with even the chicest of outfits. Check out the ladies on the left rocking their flats with their Valentino dresses!}

I very rarely wear flats. While I know many girls who rock them year round, I don’t usually feel like myself in them. However, every year when summer rolls around, I do look forward to wearing pretty flat sandals. They are stylish, comfortable, and perfect for delivering an effortless summer look. Every girl should have a black pair, tan pair, and a metallic pair for good measure, but you can definitely go above and beyond with fun patterns and bold colors.

{For day to day, these outfits are super cute and the flat sandals add an effortless, chic touch.}

{1. Rachel Zoe Gladys Sandals | 2. J. Crew Collection Lillian Calf Hair Low Wedges | 3. Me Too Rowen Tassel Sandals | 4. French Connection Kirsten Sandals | 5. Nine West Weslie Sandals | 6. Tory Burch Tricia Flat Sandals | 7. Via Spiga Wenda Sandals | 8. Jack Rogers Navajo Natural Cork Sandals | 9. Joie Nice Sandals | 10. Frye Rachel T Strap Sandals}

Are you a heels or flats girl? Which pair of these flat sandals is your favorite?

My Favorite Room: Doug Davis

2013-05-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hi there, Doug from Hannon Douglas Interiors here. It's so great to be back with you on La Dolce Vita--today I'm sharing my favorite room in my home.

I was a little nervous when Paloma invited me to participate in this series because I've just recently moved. My new place is about three times the size of my last house--and I am notoriously slow at making decisions for myself when it comes to decorating--so the progress has been a little slow so far. I should back up just a little bit and tell you that the house I am living in actually belongs to my partner Hannon. She and her husband Cameron bought this beautiful 1925 Classical Revival bungalow a couple of years ago when they got married. Last summer when Cameron's job unexpectedly caused them to start splitting their time between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama where our firm is based; we decided I should just "housesit" for them for a few years! It's been fun to put my spin on a house I already knew so well.

One of the rooms that's farthest along so far, and which has definitely become one of my favorite spots to relax in the house, is my Sun Room. There are three rooms across the front of the house--the Sun Room, a long Living Room in the middle and a Dining Room at the other end. Big openings connect all three rooms to each other. When Hannon bought the house a couple of years ago we decided to paint the middle room white (Benjamin Moore 'White Dove') and the rooms at either end charcoal gray (Benjamin Moore 'Galveston Gray'). The long wall of the Sun Room, which you face when looking from the Living Room or Dining Room beyond is blank--just a big grey wall. I decided to go with a big gesture on this wall and collage it with "stuff" from floor to ceiling. The opening from the Living Room kind of acts like a "frame" for the whole thing.

I've had collage walls in other places I've lived and was honestly a little tired of the look when I packed up to move in here, but it seemed like the best way to deal with this great big wall. It's been a fun way to showcase photos I've taken over the years of architectural details I've noticed in my travels, a few small paintings I own and various building fragments I've collected here and there.

A previous owner of the house had tiled the room in travertine...not our favorite stone but neutral enough to work. I covered most of the floor in a durable indoor/outdoor Dash & Albert striped rug. This rug is great because it's indestructible. The house has an incredibly landscaped backyard and it seems like every time I go out to do yard work I come and go from this door and end up tracking something back inside. So far the rug gets high marks from me for being really easy to keep clean despite being grey and white striped!

My Sun Room is furnished really simply--mainly just a pair of really comfortable leather butterfly chairs (I got mine at Urban Outfitters...they are no longer available, but CB2 has some that are similar with a galvanized side table from Aidan Gray in between them. The chairs are lightweight enough they can be pulled forward to add extra seating in the adjacent Living Room and I love the color of the camel colored leather against the dark charcoal walls. The zebra pillow is a recent addition...we purchased one for a client's home not too long ago and I decided I had to have one too! The Mad Men style floor lamp in the corner is another great Urban Outfitters find.

In one corner of the room a small table holds a few accessories and a lamp from Circa Lighting. The Sun Room is a former open porch that was enclosed at some point so there's no lighting overhead in the original beadboard ceiling. The staghorn fern on the wall is a recent acquisition...I have no idea how they work and will probably kill it soon, but at least it lived long enough for this photo! The funny little painting hanging on the left of this photo was given to me by some friends a few years ago--they were attending the horse race at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky and an artist was selling little folk art paintings of former jockeys. Apparently there was a jockey named Doug Davis once upon a time, so my friends snagged me a painting of him! In a room filled with personal mementos and treasures, this seemed like the perfect spot to display this piece.

Paloma, thanks so much for inviting me to share. I hope everyone has enjoyed the tour of my favorite room!

New Projects by Lázaro Rosa Violán

2013-05-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

{The Forthcoming MG Hotel in Madrid—Isn’t this dining room spectacular?}

Lázaro Rosa Violán has been at the top of my list of favorite interior designers for the past few years now. His work inspires me beyond measure. I’ve blogged about him several times before and even had the chance to meet him when Fabian and I visited Barcelona a few summers ago. Lázaro was gracious enough to invite us for a visit to his ultra chic atelier which you’ve probably seen all over Pinterest as well as in the pages of AD España. What I admire most about his work is that it is all truly his. Every element in every space he works on is designed by Lázaro himself—every chair, every table, every light fixture or lamp, every piece of art. The man is a true artist. Last week, I decided to look at his website for the millionth time and was elated to see that it had been updated with photos of recently completed projects as well as very precise, detailed renderings of projects that are currently in progress.

Lázaro’s interiors are beautifully layered, with various styles blending together perfectly. The palettes he chooses are typically sophisticated and restrained, usually with one bold accent color. Lázaro’s work is rooted in masculinity, but he balances it with a touch of glamour nearly every time. In a word, his work is sublime. While going over some of my previous posts on his work, I came across a quote of his which left me feeling rather inspired: “The interior designer is an actor. He must dress up and change roles, understand new identities and integrate them with his own.” This personal philosophy of his further concretes my opinion that he is a true design visionary.

{MG Hotel—How amazing is all of the lighting? The architecture is stunning.}

{MG Hotel Lobby featuring more Fabulous, Original Lighting}

{A Guestroom at the MG Hotel—I love the antique-inspired doors flanking the loveseat.}

{Lázaro recently completed the design of the Hotel DO in Barcelona. I love the bleached wood and warm tan and tobacco colored leather.}

{A Chic Guestroom at the Hotel DO}

{Guestroom at the Hotel DO featuring Original Art by Lázaro Rosa Violán}

{Concept for the Lobby at Hotel M— I love the glass and steel doors as well as the mix of textures and colors.}

{The Nosh and Chow Restaurant in Stockholm is so striking. Of course, I love all of the lighting fixtures.}

{Gorgeous Nosh & Chow Restaurant}

{I love the blue tiles used on the walls outside of the kitchen.}

{I think it’s fantastic that Lázaro includes concepts for projects on his website. Not only are the renderings, like this one for a restaurant called Beppe beautiful, they make me anticipate what the final product will look like once the project is completed.}

{The design for Aristocrazy, a jewelry boutique is at once modern and glamorous.}

{How amazing are the orange and black doors at Aristocrazy? Very Veuve Clicquot inspired, no? So chic!}

{Stunning Hanging Pendants and Tilework at Iberica Restaurant in London}

{This project, Wharf in London, is currently in development, but from the looks of these renderings, it is going to be a knock-out.}

{Wharf}

{Toto Restaurant in Barcelona feels at once very Catalán, but with a bit of British edge. It’s a difficult thing to put into words, but if you’ve been to Barcelona and London, you probably see exactly what I mean.}

{Club Tast in Palma de Mallorca has a very romantic, bohemian vibe.}

{Club Tast}

Which of these spaces is your favorite?

{Image Source: Lázaro Rosa Violán}

This Week’s Quote

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