INSPIRED TRENDING

Whenever I'm in need of an inspiration refresh, I sit down and go through my files, pulling out the images that are speaking to me the most. Going through more current tear sheets usually results in a trend-inspired bulletin board (which I'll be sharing with you soon!), but perusing my older digital files helps me see how my mind is processing old details in new ways or what styles I'm being drawn to most as we head into the next few months...

July: 

Summer has finally graced us with its presence and I'm in a whitewashed state of mind with accents of apricot and pistachio that welcome beach inspired living. There's a movement to everything as doors are opened wide to let in cool breezes and visitors...

August: 

There's a stillness to that final full month of summer. The natural light floods in and we relish quiet moments away from our busy calendars, languid in the heavy light. Neutrals laced with rich blues and pretty patterns still feel fresh, but there's a richness that seeps in along with the shorter days...

September:

Richer tones start to reappear as the seasons begin to change. Not quite ready to give in, we stick with a playful fuchsia the color of berry stained fingers that still remind us of summer, pairing it with casual stripes or fresh white to keep things light as we start to cozy into fall...

*rooms via lisa sherry, martha stewart, domino, tumblr, unknown, sharyn cairns, domino, decorpad

MARCH OBSESSION: GREEN GLASS

You know when you see something you love, and then you instantly start to notice it everywhere? That's how it's been for me the last few weeks with these gorgeous oversized antique French wine bottles...
The obsession originally began with this post where I noted how much I adored the use of the different sized bottles on the dining room table. Then, I noticed them again in the living room I posted on Monday, as well as the amazing home of Christopher and Suzanne Sharp as featured in this month's Vogue... So, naturally I went immediately hunting to see how hard they might be to find, and discovered them at South of Market (a new go-to favorite of mine!). I think I'll have to go treasure hunting to find one (or a few!) of my own...

Havin' A (Disco) Ball

Don't you just love the retro glam vibe of disco balls? Fabulous when paired with dark wood, used as the inspiration for an overdone gown, or clustered on the floor instead of the ceiling...

But my favorite purpose is for the room who just cant' seem to take itself too seriously...

Perfectly unexpected and playful.

*photography: baum und pferdgarten, ruven afanador, tim walker
*room via airspace

Pink Flamingos!

Have I ever mentioned my love for pink flamingos? The real thing and those tacky yet fantastic plastic garden variety. I truly believe in having a bit of a sense of humour when it comes to decor, and I think a set of these exotic birds might just do it for me!

I love how they're used in this sunlit hallway amongst antique chandelier sconces and formal shabby chic furniture. I'd love to see them scattered about a perfectly manicured english garden. It's all about the contrasts! Of course, if you're not ready for the life-sized pink flamingos, perhaps just a dash of them in your tableware? These cuties from Bailey Doesn't Bark are just my style.

*photo via cote de texas. thanks joni!

The Equestrian Life

There's something so sweet yet refined about equestrian details. Every little girl wants her pony, and every big girl wants her equestrian boots. Me? I want to keep adding these little accessories to my home...

photo by marisa crawford, pillow at bestow, pink pony card by ice cream social

vintage carnival wheel at three potato four, grain sack pillow by leslie janson, photo by marisa crawford

photography by jimmy backius, vintage cobachon by jennifer thames, vintage bookends at high street market

photography by melanie acevedo, vintage prize ribbons via flickr, vintage necklace at johnny vintage

Up Up And Away...

On my way back to Seattle today... wish I could travel via balloons...

ellen von unwerth and dior cherie

The Dior Cherie ads are so cute... but such an imitation of the adorable Pure Wonder editorial by Ellen von Unwerth.

flickr

kristi blunt and ellen von unwerth

Using large amounts of balloons in decor has become such a fun fad, and of course the large round balloons in editorials and wedding photography adds a sweet touch.

vintage

norman jean roy

betsey johnson and flint photography

Leave it to Betsey Johnson to add a pink sea of balloons to her party. And I love the thicker ribbons strung from balloons decorating the ceiling of one of my new favorite weddings.

Back soon with photos from my trip luvies!

Christmas Decor for Drama Queens

Want to get a little dramatic this year for Christmas? Start with black. Add the lights. Keep the sparkle. Don't forget the attitude.

photo by thomas schenk, tree via living etc

photo by paolo roversi, oversized wreath via living etc

photography by ryan michael kelly, ornaments via the villa collection

Trees From The Runway?

I feel like every year someone pulls out tassels on the runway, trying to resurrect what could be the most classic embellishment out there...

... So why not try them on a tree? Channeling a Vera Wang runway style with its beaded tassels (and doing it quite well), this little tinsel tree is totally decked in classic style! Just goes to show you never know where you'll find a little holiday decor inspiration.

Happy (Decorating) Weekend!

This weekend I'll be diving into Christmas card writing, more tree decorating, another holiday party and the last of the gift shopping. Whew! 'Tis the season I suppose!

I've been thinking of taking a new direction with my own decor this year, so I thought I'd share some less traditional holiday themes I've been playing with...

christmas tree and ornaments via country living, ribbons via martha

A very colorful Christmas! I like how the tree uses muted tones of the colors in the packages - a perfect way to bring in color without going over board and adding a vintage touch. I'd love using colorful satin ribbons to hang sparkly snowflakes around the house as well!

dishes from horchow, glass urns and floral arrangement via michelle rago, pheasant placemats from z gallerie.

If you're a regular around here, then you know I've been somewhat obsessed with the whole chocolate brown and bright blue combo. What a perfect wintery setting this makes, with a dash of sparkling white and great textures! It would be gorgeous for any holiday celebrations.

citrus trees via domino, paper decor from craft or party stores, votives by present time

Every year around the holidays my family buys boxes and boxes of tangerines, which is why somehow citrus makes sense to me in the middle of the winter. I'd love to try this theme - think how fresh the house would smell with orange trees for decor! This one is a work in progress... but maybe next year?

What will you all be up to this weekend? And how many of you have opted for non-traditional decor this year?

The Bohemian Vibe Goes Dark

Even though the ethnic prints have been worn to death in the past year (thank you Madeline Weinrib)... there must be something about the transition from summer to fall and the bohemian California sunshine that's making me love them all over again... but like this:

I'm over the mod/trad look with a dash of print... I'm way more into dark wood, layers of pattern, and a touch of glamour like this room belonging to Anh Duong, featured in Elle Decor. (I'll take the dress too!)

Ahn's home was featured in 2004... which goes to show that these Ikat, Suzani and African patterns really are timeless, despite the trends. And the look isn't as complicated as it may seem.

All it would really take is one or two statement pieces like these (via Vintage And Modern), and a fabulous pattern like this one from Brunschwig & Fils.

This room, via Elle Decor, has always been one of my favorites. It incorporates the dark and intricate with the light and elegant perfectly. While a bit more clean, it's certainly not modern ~ every single piece here fits the theme.

In order to provide a little balance to a darker space, pieces like these help keep things from getting too heavy. Brass dresser and rattan sofa from Graham and Green. Vintage Italian table from Mecox Gardens, and antique applique pillow from B.Viz Designs.

What do you think? Are you over the ethnic and bohemian? Or ready for more of the sumptuous layers with a darker and more traditional twist?

Still Got The Blues

Guess what kiddies? The blues... well, they're not goin' anywhere. Declared the color of the year, blue is here to stay...at least 'til the end of '08! Here's a little collection of my favorite blue styles to prove it!



blue room via domino mag. all dresses via style.com, spring ready-to-wear collections left: oscar de la renta, right: carlos miele.



wallpaper from sandberg, dress by chaiken, pump by bruno frisoni.



matching ombre dress by badgley mischka, and ombre drapes and room by david collins.



room via vogue living, australia, dress by l'wren, room via domino mag, ring by sultana at vivre.





fergie on the cover of elle, moschino blue pump, and room by nancy corzine.



dress by l'wren, both rooms created for vogue living, michelle williams for vogue, dress by preen.

Butterflies Are Free

I haven't really thought of using butterflies in decor since I was in Jr. High. That was right about the time everyone started getting butterfly tattoos, Drew Barrymore was still in her hippie daisy child phase, and I totally worshiped her style. Well, Drew has grown up (as evidenced by this month's much hyped Domino), and so has butterfly decor.

Visiting Vivre the other day I noticed the abundance of butterfly accessories... including these glamorous gilded chargers...



and this chic barware...



But it wasn't just on Vivre. Butterflies are everywhere! Remember Chassie Post's room from Domino Magazine a while back?



I love that wallpaper (from Schumacher), but I also love this simplified version as well from Misha's collection...



The best part is that is comes in a variety of colorways, which you can see right here.

Want more? How about these cut glass tumblers from Graham & Green?



Or these bowls from Anthropologie that I have adored for a while now?



Also lovin' the gilding on this garden stool from Horchow.



For a more subtle style of butterflies in decor, this pendant lamp from Rose and Radish should do the trick - whimsical, light and simple.

Wall to Wall... and the Chair too...

Maybe it's just me, but this little mini revival trend of covering a room in wall to wall wallpaper... and then covering the furniture in it too... I'm just not sure what to think. Obviously designers have been doing this for years... but I just don't think I'm into it.



Like this room, recently featured in Domino. The wallpaper itself is a little loopy, but add the chair into the mix and I feel a bit like I'm in some weird decor funhouse. The effect is interesting, and seeing as the piece is such a small one, it's not too crazy, but still...



Or how about this more subtle (but still a little much?) set up from designer Joe Nye? Part of me just feels like it's all a bit too matchy matchy. Like buying an entire bedroom set from Pottery Barn. "What should we upholster the chair in darling?" "I don't know... how about the wallpaper?". Is it lazy? Is it chic? Do you love it? Do you hate it?

Update... THIS is the WORST version of this nightmare I've ever seen! Had to share...

Just Jack

Confession: I have a bit of random obsession with certain British things. Like, how much better is UK Vogue? And when a lovely Brit comes into my store, I talk to them longer just to hear their accent. I love the way they say "brilliant!" instead of "great!", and the vocabulary is just the beginning. I love British names, like Gemma and Kinsey (yes, it's a name!). And I love love love the Union Jack. There's just something so strong and royal about it! But, not bring a Brit myself, I have a hard time flying the flag of another country for no good reason... that is until I saw this Union Jack created by Wary Meyers for a Brooklyn brownstone.





The subtle and natural colors of the wood make it so much more accessible as a design piece, versus the traditional red white and blue. The layers give such great depth and texture, and the custom framing using a simple moulding? Genius. Wary Meyers is one of my favorites for inspiration, actually, and here's why...



Instead of tearing down the moulding, or replacing it with a piece made to fit the original moulding, they painted in the spots where the moulding should be! How quirky and wonderful is that? And then they add details like this...



Disguising what can be an eyesore, and giving visual continuity by extending the paint - including the white detail and two toned grey - over the radiator.

*sigh* how perfectly brilliant :)