Tuesday, May 20, 2014

{Celebrity Home: Bette Midler}

My apologies for being a day late with this post. I traveled to Naples, FL for some client meetings this past weekend. It was a whirlwind few days but a fulfilling weekend on the level of design & sun! On the plane I enjoyed one of the few quiet moments of the trip reading Architectural Digest's feature on Bette Midler and her NYC pad.

It immediately caught my attention for having THE ONE detail that would make living in bustling NYC actually doable & even maybe comfortable for yours truly: 

A SUNROOM 
In NYC!! Oh happy day! The sunlight! 

Midler, who hails from Hawaii (who knew?!) holds sunlight and nature in high regard, which is evidenced by her carefully curated gardens, with their climbing trellises and meticulously maintained stone and grass walkways. 

Los Angeles architect, Frederick Fisher, and decorator, Fernando Santangelo, helped her in making every inch of square foot of space count with an effortless blend of cerebral yet approachable architecture and decor elements. 

Life wasn't always so sunny for Midler however, she paid her dues in cramped, dark apartments while she struggled to make it on broadway. But this story has quite the open, airy and sunny happy ending. Bravo, Midler!




THE Sunroom 






 




Friday, May 16, 2014

{Fashion Friday}


This week's Fashion Friday features Blake Lively's mustard colored, polka dot ensemble. The perfect inspiration for a bedroom that is anything but boring… We've provided all the resources you need to recreate the look! 


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1. Bed  / 2. Side Table / 3. Bench  / 4. Lamp / 5. Wallpaper / 

7. Pillow / 8. Pillow / 9. Pillow








Thursday, May 15, 2014

{Thirsty Thursday: Stripes}

Happy Thirsty Thursday! 

For all you sugar lovers today's drink is right up your alley: 

The Chocolate Martini

which is in keeping with our striped theme. Below you will find our roundup of favorites uses of stripes for the home. 

Stir, sip & enjoy!

The Striped Chocolate Martini
Makes 2 Servings
Full Recipe


Ingredients: 
2 tbsp Chocolate Syrup
Ice
1 Fluid Ounce Chocolate Liqueur (such as Godiva)
1/2 Cup vodka
1 Fluid Ounce Creme de Cacao
  1. Drizzle the chocolate syrup into two martini glasses, start 2/3 of the way up the side of the glass, and let the chocolate run to the bottom; set aside.
  2. Place the ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour in the vodka, chocolate liqueur, and creme de cacao. Cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into the prepared martini glasses. Garnish with maraschino cherries to serve.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

{HGTV 2014 Smart Home}

Every year HGTV employs a team of the best professionals in the industry to design, build and decorate a dream or smart home. The home always features the latest in green technology and other building innovations. In terms of decor, this year's home, located in Nashville, Tennessee, called upon a very traditional method to infuse style into this show home: good 'ole paint color. Bold hues were chosen for cabinets and walls to make a strong statement.  From there, traditional prints, soft patterns and solid fabrics were used to compliment these strong paint choices. 

The result was a trendy yet traditional energized mix of design elements, making it the perfect home for a young, stylish family.

Visit the HGTV website to enter to win this home and to see more photos and videos like those below.





I am obsessed with these floors!! Light enough to hide dirt and rustic enough not to show scuffs. I recently used very dark wood for my home and instantly regretted it for the dirt it showed.







Love the blue cabinets! Bold & Beautiful. 

The caramel island is needed to neutralize the surrounding blue cabinets.








The hallway serves as a wine bar with beautiful oyster colored cabinets. 
Powder Room

Master Bedroom
This is the exact wall color I will be using in my guest bedroom..mixed with some mustard yellow, seafoam green and other browns!








My clients are often tempted to to go with the traditional for a stairway wall - the collage of pictures. Stylish sconces are a great way to update and streamline this wall instead.




A striped statement wall takes center stage. And this upholstered day bed with its cozy bolster cushion is perfect for laying out homework, reading or hosting a friend for a sleepover. 
























Gorgeous black subway tile is perfectly balanced with touches of cream in the vanity and shower curtain.





 Love the navy sofa trim to pull it all together.
Beautiful rug - so practical & stylish.


Basement Sitting Area

 The use of a very light cream, borderline white for the walls and doors keeps an otherwise dreary basement light and airy. It also frees you up to splash some gray into the room. Typically because it is a more informal room, a basement area allows you to be more bold and playful with your fabric choices and color scheme. 


 Basement Workout Room


Basement Bathroom 

Lots of white lightens up this windowless, basement bathroom. That bright vanity and the bathroom's bold stripes gives the space a shot of style without making it any darker.
 Have a favorite room? Share with us in the comments!