Pinterest - Pinning with A Stylists Life

I am so excited to introduce you all to Raina who has become such a source of inspiration for me! Not only is she an amazing stylist she is also a mom juggling her own company (which of course I am taking tips from) and is always such a joy to catch up with when I see her at events! Her beautiful work has been published in RUE Magazine, Apartment Therapy and also in a new book soon to be released by Thom Filicia in the Fall!

Marfa! Dream destination with a dream modern cottage.  I fantasize about building a place like this on land we own, a place to escape to while we think and plan what we would build on the land.  Then later making it my office.

 

But then I see a space like this, modern yet rustic - full of character and I'm back to searching for the perfect old house to renovate....

Please make sure to pop on over to her blog "A Stylists Life" and also follow her pins on Pinterest, I promise she will inspire you!

 

 

(image from Cabbage Rose and Pinterest User)

Pinterest - Pinning with Design Darling

With the amazing popularity of Pinterest I thought we would start a week long series of "Pinning With" where I introduce you to a few of my favorite bloggers and show you what pins they are loving this week! First up, Design Darling!

I met Mackenzie Horan at the launch of RUE Magazine but had a more in depth chat with her (& her fabulous Mom) while waiting in line for the Nate Berkus Show. Immediately I knew she was going to take the blogging world by storm. It is not everyday you meet someone who is completely authentic and has a true sense of their style but Mackenzie absolutely did and it impressed me! Her blog Design Darling is chock full of gorgeous interior and fashion images and now to my delight she has opened an online boutique! Go ahead shop her style!

 

I love classic white subway tile and this kitchen is no exception! If only my own countertops were so tidy...

 

 
 I blogged about this fabulous workspace belonging to stylist Catherine Sheppard this week after spotting it on Glitter Guide. I have an ongoing blog feature called "desk du jour" — there's something fascinating about seeing where people work!

Don't forget to visit all of my guest bloggers Pinterest Boards this week!

(images from here and here)

Traveling to Italy with Fashion + Decor

Today I have asked my fabulous friend Gretchen (you may also know her as the Host of the Brimfield Tweet Ups) to introduce us to her new website, Fashion + Decor. Let me just warn you this website is ridiculously addicting. One minute you are falling in love with a look from the runway and the next you are redecorating your entire house! It is hours of fun! Full disclosure, I am not only a fan but also a contributor! 

 

In the spirit of  Julieann's honeymoon to Italy this week, we figured the timing was perfect to feature a StylePair straight out of Italy.  Count Raniero Gnoli's home in a 17th century fortress oozes the sort of glamour which seems uniquely and specifically Italian.  Ditto for Dolce and Gabbana:  who else could marry an embroidered fabric reminiscent of tapestry to a va va voom hot pant?  This look is amore!   Architectural Digest + Dolce and Gabbana=La Dolce Vita!

Fashion + Decor’s mission is to inspire readers to bring their personal style out of the closet and into every single room of their homes.  As we like to say: Style your home...Style yourself.   Please visit us at www.fashiondecor.com, where every day is Fashion Week, and we bring the runway straight into your home. 

(image from Architectural Digest and Dolce and Gabbana via Fashion + Decor)

Monday Morning Happy - Italian Style

Good Morning friends, I am away this week in Italy on honeymoon with the Mr. and right about now I imagine I am deep in the vineyards of Tuscany sipping wine! A hard life, I know! Over the last few months I have been daydreaming through images on Pinterest and I thought I would share a few with you today!

 

 

No worries, I promise I am leaving you in good hands with fabulous guest bloggers while I am away! First up is  a wonderful friend who just launched a super creative (and helpful if you are trying to find your decorating style..) website. Later in the week I will be kicking off a new series "Pinning With" where I introduce you to a few of my favorite bloggers and we peak into what they are dreaming about on Pinterest!

Have a great week and if you want to follow my visual images of Italy you can find them on Twitter Facebook and  Instagram!

Let's Talk - Wallpaper in the Kitchen

When I came across this photo it took me a second to register what I was seeing. Wallpaper? In the kitchen? Let's talk about this! In the 70's this was completely normal (remember the orange and yellow floral wallpaper that complimented the avocado refrigerator?)  but these days more homeowners opt  for paint and prefer to add pattern with their window treatments. If you have been reading this blog for a while you might already know my opinion which I will share after a few comments are left!

 

So what do you say, would you consider wallpaper for your kitchen?

(image from Traditional Home via Everything LEB)

Home Typography Tuesday - Numbered Baskets

Welcome to another Home Type Tuesday where we show our love for home decor and typography!
The easiest way to get organized? Baskets! The easiest way to take them to a designers level? Paint fun numbers on them! When I came across this photo over on Emily's blog I knew it would be the perfect inspiration for all of us who love organized chaos and live with neat freaks...uhhumm yes I am talking to the hubby, thankfully he is patient with me!

If this was our playroom the designer in me would label each basket with the year each person was born and maybe the day. Each family member would than get 2 baskets. Mine would be 28 and 72! 

Fun right?

How does Typography keep your house organized?

(image via Architectural Digest)

Beach Bungalow Daydreaming

School is officially out this week and with the kids on vacation all I can think about is a little beach bungalow to escape to! Well that sounded bad, I mean a bungalow we could ALL escape to! This Tim Clarke designed house does just the trick. Small enough to be cozy (and not take too much maintenance) but open enough to pull the beach in!

Dreaming of a welcome home!

 

This is the master bedroom sitting nook! Who wouldn't want to be wrapped in sunny windows while reading a book? The roman shade pattern is perfect as it doesn't take anything away from the view but adds just a bit of interest to the space.

The mix of wicker chairs and wood settee creates a casual feel to the dining room.

 

Hello horizontal cabana stripes, I love you!

So what do you say, want to join me at the beach?

(images from Coastal Living, Tim Clarke, Photographer David Tsay)

Room and Board Fits with Fitz

We interrupt this work day with breaking news...I finally found a piece of furniture for MYSELF!! To some this might not be big news but for me it is huge! As a designer I look at hundreds of items a day and can make quick gut decisions if something will work for a project or not but when it comes to my own home well.....it's not so quick. Remember my 6 month sofa dilemma?! Oy vey! So today as I was scouting I came across this beauty and knew without a question it would be perfect as my bedside table!! Yipppe YAY! The hubby will be so happy my magazines/books with have a home (i.e. no longer in a pile on the floor...) and I will be smiling everytime I walk in and see this beautiful piece of furniture!

Room and Board's Fitz Magazine Table available in both Solid Cherry and Solid Walnut

As if I needed another selling point, I am happy to say it is made locally in Vermont!

Do you have a piece of furniture in your house that you were 100% sure of at first sight?

(images from Room and Board)

Decorating With A Slanted Ceiling

Many houses in New England are what we call "Cape Cod" style which means the second floor rooms have slanted ceilings. Clients very often call me with the question "how do we paint/wallpaper this type of room?" Below are a few images that answer this question!

Add beadboard to create interest on the non slope part of the walls

Choose one wall as your focal point (this is usually the largest straight wall) and paint with an accent color.

Wallpaper all the "straight" walls of the room, anything on a slope is painted.

 

Draw you eye down to the furniture by painting the lower half of the room. Again the straight walls are all painted, anything sloped or slanted acts like a ceiling and is painted that color.

The last option is to paint the walls and ceiling a neutral color and place the focus on the furniture and bedding in the room!

I hope this has helped your slanted/sloped ceiling dilemma!

(images from Arch Digest designer Michael S Smith Caitlin Wilson Designs, David Howell via Houzz, Design Sponge, Design Sponge) 

Monday Morning Happy

Morning Friends! I must admit I do love a rained out Saturday the type where you are stuck inside watching movies, cleaning out closets and baking a mixture of goodies. Then Monday comes and you are kind of dragging because you need the sun to motivate you to start the new week. Today I sit looking out my office window at another rainy day and all I can do is daydream of the picture below! Come on Mother Nature, I had my rainy day break would you mind bringing back the SUN?!

Days like this I jump over to Pinterest and start adding pictures to this board...the idea of a new phase motivates me to start working instantly!

Enjoy the new week!

(thanks to BHG and Cynthia , who produced the shoot for this amazing picture. Someday I hope this will be part of my home!)