Art Deco

In theory Art Deco is a type of style that emerged from a popular design movement in the 1930's.  The movement was, in a sense, a collaboration of different types of design of the early 20th century.  

*Picture: Joan Lappin’s Manhattan town house

The style emerged in the 20s in Europe and continued strongly to the US in the 30's.  The style, slick and flashy, was set to epitomize all that was new and modern. Its rich vocabulary of motifs was inspired by the machine, modes of speeding transportation, plants and other natural forms. Full of rigid geometric forms, zigzags, an lots of patterns. When used in the interior it was simply called modern.  

*Picture: George Mann's Palm Beach house

You Decide

You decide... is this room a blank slate waiting for your creative hand to go crazy on it. Or is it a beautifully finished room that brings a peaceful calming sensibility to a home. Leave your comments below.

*Photo: living room in Ralph Lauren's New York apartment

Ergonomically Correct?

I am totally craving this comfy chair as I sit in mine today. There is nothing worse than having to sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.
I think I'll put this purchase on the business tab!!

If you are having a hard time trying to imagine what you want your bedroom to look like- start with your bed. Canopy beds are perfect focal points. They are an easy escape to worrying about having too much or too little detail in your room. The canopy bed gives your room dimension, detail, and a definite grown up feel. Throw a few night stands a matching armoire, some great lighting and artwork, some pretty privacy drapes. And voilà you have put together a haven for you and your hubby all by yourself.

Seaside Kitchen

Isn't this kitchen positively refreshing?! I think it would be perfect inside a seaside cottage. Maybe ill find it in a quaint town in New England. Sounds divine...

Kids Rooms

I stumbled upon some cute ideas for the kiddo's bedrooms. These are my favorites.

The fantasy room

For the Boys

Lovely, but not too much of the Frill

For the Modern Mom

*Designs courtesy of Candice Olson and Abbey Francis

My New Home

Oh my! Someone is selling my future home. I guess I better put in my offer, this one will go fast.


A seven-suite Colonial Revival-style house is the grand focal point of a Chesapeake Bay promontory about 35 miles west of Norfolk. The 130-acre property, surrounded by two and a half miles of white-sand shoreline, hosts three separate piers and, among other equestrian facilities, a 16-stall stable and an indoor riding arena. An original 1730 farmhouse, recently enlarged and renovated, has six bedrooms, all with water views. Estate going for a cool $41.75 million. It's mine!!

St. Basil's Cathedral, Russia

The vivid colors and onion domes are breathlessly inspiring. The cathedral on Red Square, in Moscow, was originally built by Postnik Yakovlev for Ivan the Terrible in 1555-61 in celebration of Russia's victory over the Tartars. Surrounded by several of the most important structures in Russian history, Moscow's Red Square is one of the notable urban plazas of European civilization.

Mariinsky Theatre, Russia

“Its grand exterior does not prepare you for the beauty that lies within,” designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard says of the St. Petersburg theater. “The gilt carvings, crystal sconces and blue silk draperies transport you back to the days of imperial Russia.”. -Gorgeous!

David Hicks, England

“He had a way with country houses,” Emily Todhunter observes of fellow interior designer David Hicks. Known for rooms with bold colors and a mix of period styles, he was also comfortable working in a more historical context. At Broadlands in Hampshire, he chose pastel hues for the saloon to complement the 18th-century plasterwork - A personal favorite of mine. The simple and understated yet elegant furniture allows the beauty of the room to be focused on the excellent detail. The gold leaf molding and detail gives this room its exceptional charm.

Shiv Niwas Palace, India

Once serving as the guest quarters of Maharana of Mewar (Jacqueline Kennedy was also once a visitor), the late 19th-century palace in Udaipur, which displays European and traditional Hindu elements, is today a luxury hotel. -GORGEOUS!

City Palace of Jaipur, India

Set in the heart of Jaipur’s old city, the palace—today a museum—was begun by Maharaja Jai Singh II and combines Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture. London-based photographer Derry Moore, who frequently travels to India, was impressed by the craftsmanship of one of its opulent sitting rooms.

Brocade

I am not certain how long this company has been around, but I am certain that it is my love of the week!! Its so great it doesnt even need much more of an introduction, so with no further adieu... enjoy!

Um I NEED THIS!!!

   How great is this table!

                                                   Love this...

And this is absolutely beautiful

Sunny Days

Its going to be a beautiful week! Pull out the patio furniture, and enjoy the sun!

Wabi Sabi

wabi sabi
While some would argue the essence of wabi-sabi is almost impossible to translate, author Leonard Koren defined the term in his book, Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers, as "a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, the beauty of things modest and humble, the beauty of things unconventional." In other words, wabi-sabi is not shiny, perfect and new. Instead, it represents humble objects with a timeworn beauty--a handcarved wooden bowl, a collection of pebbles, your grandmother's faded curtains. Muted earthy colors and natural materials like rice paper, wood and stone evoke a wabi-sabi look and feeling.
While most of us are familiar with the ancient Chinese study of Feng Shui, the Japanese Wabi Sabi is more about how you view and embrace your environment rather than how you arrange your furniture. Its all about clearing way the clutter so we can appreciate our homes as they are, beautiful. That dent in your kitchen table, that came from your 2 yr old using it as a drum, or the chipped vase in you living room because the boys were throwing the football in the house; that is the best part about your home. Embracing your home for the beauty that is in it, naturally.

Its How you Live

The pursuit of beauty and quality. The harmony of forms, materials and colors. The possibility of personalizing every choice in the creation of your living room, combining a sofa with lamps, rugs, coffee, tables, wall units and accessories.

These are the values underpinning the collection you are about to discover, the new models fully express our concept of It's how you live.

- Pasquale Natuzzi

Chairman and chief designer Natuzzi Group

Inspiration

Inspiration for design can come from anywhere!  Nature is my favorite inspiration.  Enjoy your daily surroundings and take all that you can from life today! You just might even get some inspiration yourself! 

* Picture provided by my absolute favorite photographer ever! 

Funky Furniture

I recently found an advertisement for Andre Arbus in a magazine, the advertisement was enticing so I went on line and I was pleasantly surprised.  Andre had a very unique style, I found these fun pieces in his collection.  

Opening his own gallery in the 1930's in Paris, Andre Arbus was an immediate success. By 1937 he had established himself as an acclaimed decorator and architect. Andre Arbus was an artist, a humanist, a visionary, a man of his time whose burning desire was to express through his work his reverence for the past and his hope for the future.

Sicis

I cannot explain to you how much I LOVE Sicis.  Unfortunately I am not able to copy any of their pictures on their website, so I can't give you a teaser to get you to look at their work.  But TRUST me if you enjoy art, you will love this company.  Once you get there visit the glass work, it is the most impressive of the bunch. 

This is the companies own take on their work.  

Bathroom

I love this bathroom from Ann SacksErin Adams takes glass mosaics to new heights with luminescent colors and expert execution. Varied patterns range from modern graphics to soft florals. Custom work is also available to meet any design style.  My personal favorite is the option with circles in beige, sunset, pearl and dawn!

Local Home

Looking for a Million Dollar home?  This one located right here in Utah should do.

A custom home from JSA Architects, the home emulates the very persona of the owners.  From the architectural detail framing the home, or the carefully selected accessories.  You too can make your home custom with JSA Architects.

Celebrity Homes

Ever wondered what a celebrities home looks like? Well Lionel Richie's home looks just like this. Richie invited the profound magazine Architectural Digest into his luxurious home in sunny California, for an inside look of his estate.

The molded-and-painted-plaster ceiling sets the tone in the living room. A pair of 17th-century Italian columns flank the fireplace. On the mantel is an inlaid-marble fragment from a Sicilian church. Schifando custom-designed the pelmets and the onyx-topped table. Janet Yonaty drapery tiebacks.

The master bath was designed by Richie’s former wife Diane Richie and designer Karen Carsello. With its large size, oak floor, original molding and limestone fireplace, the space has the feel of a living room. The mahogany-finished tub case enhances the ambience of the room.

At the rear of the 17,000-square-foot house are a series of limestone terraces, a swimming pool and a stone poolhouse. The lush grounds feature cypress and magnolia trees and ‘Iceberg’ roses. Not just your everyday backyard!

The master bedroom overlooks the rose garden. Painted and gilded Italian Renaissance-style bed from Ebanista.