Personal

You never know, with life, what it's going to throw you.  And sometimes you {I} take a step back to take a leap forward....

Personal blogging 

{if you are so inclined} 

Celebrity Stalking: Jen Aniston

Apparently America's sweetheart and her beau are staying in this cozy cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  I've got to hand it to her, she has good taste in men homes.  

I love the neutral palette and all the contrast.  

The variety in the window treatments is really very interesting, I love that hint of rose on the edges. I also love that the cocktail ottoman is two separate pieces, that gives so much flexibility to the space.

The scale of the bench at the end of the bed is perfect, if it was upholstered it would be too bulky, the spindles add just the right amount of light and whimsy.  And I ADORE the curtains, a great way to introduce a pattern without overdoing it.  

Serene Space

This place makes me feel like I can just breathe...  I love how much depth and detail there is in the space.  And that yummy shag rug makes me feel like I'm looking at a space in the clouds.  

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Repurposed Suitcases

My house {La Casa Paloma} is currently in the process of finding a new personality.  So I'm on the hunt for an ottoman for the living room, and everything is either too boxy, blah or just not quite right. But then I see this:

And this: 

{Ms. Katie Thompson is extremely talented, I spent a good long moment on her site this morning.}

And then I got giddy google happy, which led me to:  

And finally:

I have a blue one, very similar to the first image...  Soooo, do I dare DIMyself?  

Luxxxxxxe

I'm a glutton for shiny, luxurious, over the top, but understated opulence. {Yes, it is possible}  I love the feel of things, whether it's a satin, faux fur or leather.  I've never met a silk velvet I wasn't madly in love with.

{google search for stacked velvet ;) }

{recipe here}

I've declared a moratorium on museums because I can't touch the pieces, and I've gotten scolded more than once for sneaking my finger over a ruin.  Yes, I realize if everyone touched it it wouldn't be well preserved, but still, I think it should be part of the experience.  ;)  

 {All from the Smithsonian,and yes, I kept my hands to myself...}

Kinda, Sorta...

So now that you know that I am a crazy person trying to get my hands on everything, let me introduce you to my favorite fabric at this moment.  It's not particularly new, the pattern has actually been around for ages and was quite popular in the 80's.  {What says over the top like the 80's right?}  

...drumroll...  

Grand Moire by Ulf Mortiz for Bergamo Sahco.  

The scale {enormous} and the texture {soft but sturdy} and the fact that it looks so much like faux bois.  So chic, I can barely contain myself.

Here it is as a headboard, in another color way.  {This picture is in process, the pumpkin walls are no more...  Sad, I know!}

Wood Walls and Breaks

I'm sure everyone has been having a wonderful summer, I know I have, between the traveling, and well, the traveling: Montreal, Toronto, Vermont, NYC, Pennsylvania, Boston, Niagara Falls and most recently Las Vegas where I'm working on a GORGEOUS home, that we're just gonna make better.

We'll be installing this fun textured wood wall in the "Man Cave."

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I can't wait to show you the before and after!

Contemporary fireplace

Don't you love this fireplace?  Unexpected, clean and easy...  I bet it is just exquisite at night!

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Councill Furniture

I love finding new furniture lines that I immediately fall in love with.  Councill Furniture was initially an office furniture company that has expanded beautifully into the home.  They have gorgeous staples and a number of really exciting and inspiring pieces. 

I love the Josie Chest, the pop of color is so unexpected and fun next to the formal and shi-shi Macassar ebony.

The Josef Chest is marvelously chic with the dramatic vase overlay. 

The Langdon Cabinet is such a good example of what a coat of unexpected and bright paint can do to a piece.  In a wood finish it so serious and formal {which also has it's time and place}. 

Councill's upholstery is also great, I'm loving the Chester Sofa, gorgeous lines play up the tufting so well.  I adore the nail heads accenting the shape, and those slender legs offer such elegance, and keep the piece from being too boxy and bulky.  

I would really like to see the Zachary Lounge with nail heads, or contrasting welting {piping}.

What's your favorite from the line? 

Another gorgeous room

I love how happy and effortless this room is.  I'm also mesmerized with how the color in the painting is picked up in the lamp, such a cheekily sweet way to tie all the elements together.