Friday, September 30, 2011

Interior of the Week

So glad the weekend has arrived!  I have a couple of big projects that I'm working on this weekend and I hope to be able to share with you soon.  But before we all head off to enjoy the weekend I want to share this amazing home in Denmark.  I love the all white interiors that seem to be so common in Danish and Swedish homes.  That camel leather sofa looks like such a cozy place to plop down and read a book, don't you think?

all white interiors

all white interiors

all white interiors

all white interiors

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Travel by Design - Hotel de la Paix

This week we are traveling to Paris to Hotel de la Paix which has been operating as a hotel for 130 years.  Its design is a modern take on a 1950's French schoolhouse.  The hotel is full of antiques from the owner's personal collection including vintage school desks and educational posters.




Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Obsessed with velvet

I can remember being a child and hating those little velvet dresses my mother used to put me in around the holidays,.  Now when I think of velvet it conjures up a completely different image for me.  It is such an oppulent textile with such rich and deeply colored hues.  Put it on a chair or sofa and it instantly brings depth and presence to a room.  While we were shopping for couches, we almost bought West Elm's Henry couch which is stocked in a gray velvet.  There was a time when I would have never even considered velvet as a fabric option but now I just can't get enough of it.  What do you think?  Are you a fan of velvet fabric?  Would you ever consider upholstering something in velvet?

bohemian and velvet
velvet chairs
nate berkus design

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Things that make me smile...

Last Friday we officially welcomed Fall and it still feels nothing like it here in Florida! I can't wait for the first cold snap to hit but until then I am going to bake apple pies, set the thermostat low and pretend that it's cold, or just live vicariously through these photos...

fall leaves and coffee
red hunter rain boots
fall leaves
apple picking

Monday, September 26, 2011

Fashion Files - Oxfords

Hello!  Welcome back from the weekend.  I hope yours was good.  I was able to catch up on a lot of my to-do's and even snuck in a little Fall wardrobe shopping.  Oxfords are at the top of my wish list for Fall.  I think they look so cute with cropped pants and a blazer.  I've been shopping around for a pair and found a couple of options that I like.  Of course I'm really hoping to stumble upon an incredible pair while thrifting but that never seems to happen when you are actually looking for something specific.  I can dream, can't I?

oxfords for fall
oxford shoes

Friday, September 23, 2011

Interior of the Week

Oops!  I was just flipping through last week's posts and realized that this Interior of the Week never published!   I don't know how I missed that.  So this is actually last week's interior but that doesn't make it any less amazing!!  Have a wonderful weekend and happy first day of Fall!

This week's interior is a summer house located in São Paulo designed by Andrade Morettin architects.  I love the open and raw, minimalist structure, it really allows the nature outside to become the focal point.  Can you imagine the amazing light that must come in through those enormous windows!  It looks like an amazing place to spend summers, don't you think?

andrade morettin arquitectos

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Antiquing over the weekend...


I stopped in at one of my favorite local antique shops this weekend and scored some really great finds.  One of my favorite dealers always has great deals and amazing collections from estates.  I got a little carried away when I walked into his booth and saw loads of hammered silver trays at great prices.  With the holidays approaching I couldn't resist buying almost everything he had!  While I'm tempted to keep so many of these pieces, we will be listing them in the shop over the next few weeks. 

I love the shape and patina of this bowl.  I think it would be beautiful at Christmas filled with colored glass ornaments and pine clippings or as a centerpiece filled with poinsettias.


I have been looking for a toast server for ages.  When we were antiquing in England this summer we spotted some beautiful ones with very intricate detailing work.  I like the simplicity of this one and think it would be so lovely on a holiday brunch buffet.



These footed serving trays are so lovely.  The handled one is my favorite and I'm so tempted to keep it!


This shallow hammered bowl is so simple and elegant.  It's versatile enough to be used as a serving piece or in an entryway to corral keys and loose change or even to display gorgeous soaps or vintage linen hand towels in the bathroom.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Taking a break...

I'm having one of those days....I'm feeling creative overload, I missed a step in a recipe so dinner didn't turn out right, the house is a mess, there are half finished projects everywhere, library books that need to be returned and a to-do list that is embarrassingly long.  I keep attempting to write a blog post today but the creativity and inspiration seem to be buried underneath a pile of laundry somewhere.  I hope you won't mind if I give myself a little bit of a break today. I promise to return tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Things that make me smile...

Lately I've been inspired by plaid which always seems to conjures up images of fall - flannel shirts, warm wool blankets, cozy scarfs, and pajamas.  I'm really looking forward to the shift to the new season, aren't you? What's making you smile today?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Guest Post: Travel by Design - Glamping

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer at Design Shuffle, a community for interior designers, home decorators and other design professionals. I write about interior design, home decor, gardening and travel.  My love of travel is why I'm so excited to write a guest post for The Design Boards.

Does the idea of camping make you run for your Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter? Well, glamping might be for you. Glamping is a combination of glamour and camping with a heavy emphasis on glamour. Think Out of Africa or expanding tents from Harry Potter. Intrigued? I am. I've never been glamping but these pictures make me want to explore this travel trend. Who knows, we might even discover some decorating ideas to use at home. Thanks Candice for letting me visit!

This is the pic from The Design Boards Interior of the Week that inspired this post.  What a cool tee pee room!


The first time I heard the term glamping was in a NY Times article in 2008.  This was the picture that accompanied the article. It's a guest tent at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on Vancouver Island.


More than a tent, not quite a yurt, this outdoor bedroom beats a tent any day. Mosquito netting provides a barrier to bugs and roll down canvas shades provide protection from the elements.


Perhaps two things you'd never expect when camping: a white aproned waiter and a wall full of china plates.  Love the design of this tent and the rustic Western accents. Makes me want to see it up close.  There might be some amazing dining room design ideas waiting inside that tent.


While the walls may be canvas, this tent has wood floors and all the furnishings of a proper bedroom, including lighting. Located in Ontario's Boreal Forest.


A glamorous tent even by glamping standards. This tent was designed by Kelly Moore for Seattle Magazine. I want one for my backyard!


When I think of glamping, I think of the movie Out of Africa. This is a contemporary version in the Serengeti, sans Redford.


This boho-chic tent is from Harry Potter. Perfect for camping or scouting out ideas for living room designs. Love all the textiles, comfy chairs and a cozy wood stove.


This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Saarinen Table

I spotted a Saarinen tulip table in this month's issue of House Beautiful and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I have always been a fan of the table, when I get my kitchen nook some day I plan to have one.  They seem to make great breakfast tables, don't they?

I'm contemplating investing in a side table for our living room. My favorite combination is the white base with the rosewood top but I also love the carrera marble top and white base as a dining room table. I love that you can put this table in almost any design setting and it works - modern, traditional, eclectic.

While there are many well made reproductions out there, I think this is one piece of furniture where I would invest in the real thing.  It's such a beautiful piece of design history and it has really proven to be timeless.  It can transcend tastes and trends and be passed down through generations.  Are you a fan of the tulip table?  Do you have another favorite design classic that you have invested in or are contemplating investing in?
saarinen table
tulip table
saarinen table

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Reno Diary - Living Room Accessories

Our living room is finally starting to come together.  Our new couch arrived a few weekends ago and now the only big piece we are waiting on is the shelving unit we plan to put along one of the empty walls. 

I'm starting to think about accessories and have been lusting after a few special pieces like this brass lamp from Crate and Barrel.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I spotted it in the recent catalog, unfortunately it's price tag puts it out of our budget.

I've also had my eye (no pun intended) on this magnifying glass.  I would love to find a really cool vintage one but this is a great stand-in if I don't.  I always have my eye out for great vintage pieces for our house, luckily there are a couple of big antique/flea markets coming up soon so hopefully I will run into some luck and find a few 'can't-live-without' pieces to bring home.  Is there anything special you have been lusting after for your home? 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Fashion Files - Fall Inspiration

Hello! Welcome back from the weekend. I hope yours was wonderful!  Mine was super busy but filled with a fun night with friends watching college football and some successful thrifting.  

It still seems like fall weather is a ways off for us down here in Florida but I am definitely ready to switch over my summer wardrobe and transition into the new season.  I've been pinning lots of great inspiration to my Fashion and Style board on Pinterest.  Here are some of my favorite ideas for welcoming in the cooler weather.  What looks do you love for fall?  Do you transition any of your pieces from one season to the next?  

fall fashion ideas
 Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3

fall fashion inspiration
Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3

fall fashion ideas
 Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3

Friday, September 9, 2011

Interior of the Week

This week's interior is just one photo but I think that's all you really need to see how amazing this space is.  Doesn't it look like the perfect place to hideaway and spend the last few weeks of summer? 

Found on Pinterest via Hello Neëst

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Travel by Design - The Nolitan

This week we're checking out The Nolitan in New York City, located in Nolita (near my old neighborhood). The hotel has a very downtown feel with a chic but industrial vibe.  Amenities include free bike and skateboard rentals (very cool!) and the hotel is in close proximity to a fabulous Mexican restaurant, La Esquina (eat downstairs, in the basement and try their margaritas....so good!).  I'm adding this hotel to my list of places to check out next time we're in the city....which I hope is soon.  We haven't been back in over a year and I'm starting to have withdrawals - I miss you New York.

the nolitan hotel
the nolitan
the nolitan
the nolitan
the nolitan