March 31, 2010

The Orange Lamps Part 2...

Well, it happened...do you remember the orange lamps I was stalking? well, after my third visit back to the store, I caved, I bought, I spent $$...my crush on them just wouldn't let up. So, here they are in my bedroom next to the bed (either side) - this is just a shot of one of the lamps...aren't they gorgeous???


Over the bed hangs a print of Van Gogh's 'La Chambre de L'Artiste' with an orange bed ---pulling the colors together when you look at the wall...

On another wall is a print of 'Costume Design in Film' from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and blue and white checked curtains...the room had too much blue and I wanted to add the complementary color (orange) to give it some 'oomph.' Mission accomplished.
Anyone else like blue and orange together? its quite a nice, livable combo.

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

March 28, 2010

Jennifer Aniston & denim in design...

Does this girl ever look bad? Not only is she stylish, but she always looks great in a pair of jeans. Which brings me to the fashion-design connection. Jeans are the ultimate icons of casual comfort and effortless chic. Denim and blues look equally great in a room designed for casual comfort. Here are some photos with looks that echo one another:


Jen looking swell in jeans, leather jacket and blue scarf...



Jen looking great in a ripped pair of jeans with high heels...


 

 Jen in my favorite outfit that is so easy to copy...chic, simple and a little more dressy with the black jacket and boots...

This room has denim on the sofas which is great for a chic and casual family room...notice the black coffee table echoing Jen's jacket...design by Lynn Morgan (original image by Jeremy Samuelson)

 This is a gorgeous blue room seen on the cover of the March 2010 House Beautiful designed by Tobi Fairley. It has the added interest of different textures, similar to Jen's scarf in the first photo and her shoes in the second photo.  (original image by Francesco Lagnese)

This library is chic with simple lines and casual fabrics designed by Kristen Panitch
(original image by Mikel Vang)

(images of Jennifer Aniston, various AP)

Do you have denim fabrics in your home? if not, where might you like to add them?


March 26, 2010

Ballard Beautiful...

Ever since I saw Jill Brinson's home on the cover of House Beautiful, Ballard Designs has been on my radar. It also helps that I receive their catalog filled with gorgeous furniture, accessories, fabrics and more.

I love their website as well and just designed a family room for a client using some of their fabrics. I featured Ballard on my other blog this week if you want to see what I chose for another room: http://www.rachelgdzinelife.onsugar.com. Here is a Ballard dream room...

Burlap curtains add great texture...
A really sweet chandelier to add sparkle and a bit of glamour...

The super-fashionable Ikat design in gorgeous pinks and reds...

The classic Louis XV-style 'Sofia' settee in luscious brown linen...

One of my favorite animal prints to add more zest to the room...
You can view even more on their website - http://www.ballarddesigns.com- they feature great indoor/outdoor rugs and Interior Designer Suzanne Kasler is their new 'featured designer.'
What will you be purchasing for your home??




March 24, 2010

Aaah...Osborne & Little...

I went to the Boston Design Center last week and admit it was very difficult to leave the Osborne & Little showroom...oh my, the colors, the fabrics, the wallpaper, the beautiful colors...like a kid in a candy store...feast the eyes below...
Lorca Sausalito - I would love this anywhere in the home!


Lorca Ensata - soothing colors for a master bedroom...

Teatro Zanetti-great in a hallway as shown...


Teatro Concetti - perhaps in the dining room?
Let's face it, I would probably not say no to any of these in the home...do you like the color combinations?
For more eye candy, take a little trip to the O&L website...
(images: osborneandlittle.com)



March 21, 2010

March 17, 2010

Have you seen Motivo?

MOTIVO from Caesarstone Quartz...

Wow! Ceasarstone Quartz has come out with these sleek surfaces...Crocodile in black (pictured above and below) - using patented technology, these surfaces will make a statement in any home. I would love this in my house...

 Black Crocodile close-up above...

 Lace pattern (above and below)-imagine on a wall or as countertops in the kitchen...


For more information please visit: http://www.caesarstoneus.com/

(images: caesarstoneus.com)

March 16, 2010

Blenko Glass Company...

Thought I would write about a little bit of Americana and what better than the iconic Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia? My mother had the Spring Green Water Bottle on display in our living room when I was a child and I always loved it. Years later, I spied it in a store and bought it as a wedding present for friends.

William J. Blenko founded the company in Kokomo, Indiana in 1893 having left the East End of London where he was born and learned the art of glassmaking starting at age 13.  He came to America in 1893 to start a business selling stained glass windows.  The only countries manufacturing the glass at that time, were Germany, France and England. Thanks to William's entrepreneurial spirit, the company has continued to flourish.

This is still true today - his family has kept the company going and I like to think that supporting American-made products never goes out of style.  You can even tour the facilities in Milton, WV at Blenko's Visitor Center.

Aren't these gorgeous? and very affordable!



Bravo Pitchers ($100-$170)

Fire and Ice Vase ($200)

Blenko Water Bottle ($42)

For more information, visit http://www.blenkoglass.com/

Which one would you like for home? (my favorite is the Water Bottle)

(images: various google, Blenko Glass Company)



March 14, 2010

On Target...

Wow! I know these have been around awhile, but I was reminded the other day how beautiful Target's chairs are for the budget shopper. The chairs below are about $135...they come in an unbelievable array of styles for the home...happy hunting!
This zebra chair is a great accent piece and will only set you back $100...
This very in style ikat print chair sells for $135 too...
Go to http://target.com for more styles, pricing and eye candy...WARNING: you may be compelled to spend money!!


(images: various google/Target.com)

March 13, 2010

New Blog Obsessions...


Currently I have five new blogs I am checking out daily and find utterly inspiring...I have added 2 blogs to the list as honorable mentions. Here are my new daily obsessions:

http://www.dailysuze.com/ - check in with this talented Italian whose opinions, photos and blog are as unique as she is...a really fun read!

http://www.fabulousdoodles.blogspot.com/ - Brooke is a very talented fashion illustrator whose work is gorgeous and she even gives you tips if you want to try drawing illustrations yourself. Her work is available for purchase too.

http://www.kailiart.blogspot.com/ - follow the very talented Australian artist Kaili as she goes back to school and showcases her beautiful art work.

http://www.mirrormirror.typepad.com/ - read the writing and musings of Paola, a transplanted Brit living in Seattle; her commentary is funny and quirky and you can shop in her online boutique.

http://www.rainakattelson.blogspot.com/ - Raina is a wonderfully talented stylist, with a great job, whose inspirational journey is documented via photos with snippets of her life too.

Honorable Mention:

http://www.madebygirl.blogspot.com/ - this is a well-known blog in the world of design, but new to me. I love Jennifer's aesthetic as she showcases designer's homes and her own fabulous graphic design business available for purchase. You can shop on her site as well.

http://www.mdashing.wordpress.com/ -  Amy is a writer who lives in Brooklyn and shares her enthusiastic journey through life with photos and a unique perspective. You can feel her energy when you read her words.

Please take some time to check out these wonderful blogs from around the globe and make connections, leave comments and say hello. Bloggers love feedback!! Happy reading!






March 11, 2010

Fun fabrics...

I thought I would mix some fun blues and oranges together for a master bedroom...

Studio Bon Textiles - El Sol in Midnight/Prussian -retro and cool curtains or chair upholstery (http://studiobon.net);

Waverly Paris Paisley - $8.98/yd - I would love this fabric as curtains!

Orange Hexagons - vintage fabric that would look great on a slipper chair or as curtains (blempgorf's photostream);

Orange Leopard - Fabric.com - great as an accent pillow...

Premier Prints Traditions Sweet Potato - $6.98/yd at Fabric.com...perhaps a duvet cover?
(visit http://fabric.com for some more great fabrics and prices);
If you could only choose two, which ones would be your choice?


March 10, 2010

Sunkist orange chairs by Anne Harwell...

I could hardly do a post about the color orange without mentioning the gorgeous artwork by Anne Harwell...this particular chair is now being seen in the movie "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep - how exciting!

Anne loves chairs and paints them so beautifully. The elegant Bergere that looks so comfy in orange and...

the sophisticated Elkins chair that is equally stunning...
I sent Anne a note asking if I could use her images and she graciously said yes. I had a bit of trouble uploading the images and so, they are a little smaller than I would have liked.
For more information about Anne and if you would like to purchase any of Anne's work, please visit her blog: http://annechovie.blogspot.com and go to her Etsy shop.
(A special thank you to Anne!! )
(images: Anne Harwell)


March 8, 2010

LUCKY L'orange continued...


Lo and behold I just got the new April issue of 'Lucky' magazine (http://luckymag.com) and look what color is front and center!! The young actress Jessica Szohr posing in a gorgeous orange gown by Ralph Lauren ("Helen" dress $398 RL Black Label). Fashion and design colliding again...love it...do you like this dress? would you wear this color to a party?
(original photo by Ruven Afanador)

March 7, 2010

Ode to orange...

I spotted some gorgeous orange lamps at a store recently and haven't been able to stop thinking about how great they would look either side of my bed. My bedroom is decorated in blue and white and I have a Van Gogh print above the bed: "La Chambre de L'Artiste" i.e., 'Room of the Artist' or 'Artist's Room' (if I remember my school French) which has pops of orange on the bed and table.

The lampshades are a crisp, fresh white. Orange isn't an easy color to live with, but, I think they would look fantastic. Do you? Would you ever use orange or is it too much?

(lamp courtesy of lampsplus.com - Robert Abbey 22 3/4" Pumpkin Orange Ceramic & Bronze Lamp - price $156.91).

PS: I have done 'spring cleaning' on my blog and changed the whole look - do you like it? It was perhaps too 'busy' before and I wanted a 'cleaner' look. I will be adding new features this month that will highlight what the blog is about. I hope you stay tuned and stop by to visit!