Orange you glad it's the weekend?

It was a day of orange yesterday. It all started with the purchase of my new doormat at Target. This filigree mat is from Smith & Hawken's line for the company. It just puts a smile on my face every time I come home. It's much prettier in person - please excuse the lack of crisp photography from my blackberry!

I started thinking of all the pretty uses of orange fabric and furnishings. I want to incorporate this shade beyond the back door and bring it inside. This dining room is so fresh and crisp. I love the way the designer, Ashley Whittaker, "lightened up" the heavy, mahogany table with the white chairs and soft colors.

I had to wipe the drool from my chin after seeing this vintage Stark rug that Eldon Wong incorporated in this living room.

I've had this bedroom image saved for quite some time (I'm not even sure where it came from) because the color and texture of the wall is as scrumptious as sorbet. Anyone know? I love the clean, white linens and silk pillow accents, as well.

Lulu DK Matouk released three new collections and orange is a hot color for these linens. The floral pattern is her Mirabella print - the bed skirt and euro shams are in Chant. Style Court recently did a wonderful post on Lulu's inspiration and creative process - check it out!

Fortunately, I was blessed to be at the beach - so I met the hubby for a drink and to watch the sunset. The sky had the most beautiful shades of orange - breathtaking. I just couldn't escape the color. I decided to fully embrace orange for the weekend. Started out this morning with some yummy clementines and we'll just have to see where it goes from there....

Have a wonderful and colorful weekend!!

*Photos (in order of appearance) via me, House Beautiful, House Beautiful, unknown, Lulu DK Matouk, and me

I Still See the Light...

The use of natural elements in lighting is nothing new - I just seem to "shake" my obsession. I can not get this lamp out of my mind - I will have one soon. The shade consists of mollusk shells - how seriously cool is this?

Monday Morning Blues

Blue seems to making a comeback - yet - did it really ever leave? I've always been amazed at the response a display bed in blue linens gets from customers at the shop. The majority of people just gravitate toward the calming, classic, and cool color. This bedroom below is the perfect combo of watery blue walls and steel grey/blues. White linens always look amazing with these hues.

One of my favorite designers, Tom Scheerer, uses blues in a refreshing way in this gorgeous kitchen tile. The dark floors literally ground the whimsy of the tiles...

Scheerer also does a great job of mixing robin egg's blue, sky blue and navy in this fabulous Hampton's Cottage living room.

Then, there's bold Jonathan Adler. What a great take on a canopy bed - the dark curtains are a great way to bring in some deep color while keeping the walls light and bright.

One of my favorite hues of blue - turquoise - on this wall just brings a smile to my face. I just drool whenever I see this China Seas fabric (on sofa). And, the use of royal blue is an unexpected treat.

I would even be tempted to cook if I had a fun, cheerful blue kitchen like this one...notice how the walls and cabinets are painted the same color? This provides a clean-lined space and makes the kitchen appear larger. Again, white is a great way to bring out the blue - this time used in the trim paint and marble counter top and back splash.

Blue as an accent also works well. This dining room by Jan Showers is a soft, robin-egg blue but the turquoise murano chandelier takes it to a whole new level.

If you are color-phobic (or just want to try out the hue in your otherwise neutral space) bring in a few pieces like the bright side table and a few pillows. A simple, non-committal way to try out the pallete.

Pictures (in order of appearance) from: BHG, Tom Scheerer 2&3, House Beautiful, Domino 4&5, Jan Showers, BHG

Today's "Favorite"

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a new "favorite" every day or so...What can I say - I'm passionate. My current favorite at the shop are these gorgeous Dransfield & Ross napkins with one of our so stylish, embroidered monograms. I've been eyeing these for awhile but the monogram just sealed the deal for me. What do you think? The Deborah Rhodes placemats are always a great staple too - they come in every color under the sun. I think gold placemats would also be a fun way to "glam it up" for that special dinner.

Red, White & Blue

Happy President's Day! Suzanne Kassler perfectly captures the patriotic spirit in this bedroom featured in House Beautiful. How great is that navy ceiling with the crisp, white walls! I think this John Robshaw quilt would look amazing in a room painted the same way - just pull in some navy accents on the ground level to tie it all together.

This classic navy and white combo bedding from Matouk is a great alone or with some red accents mixed in to the room. Or, if you are a little more daring - orange...

I think Sferra has one of the best hues of orange (called Paprika) and would love to see this cozy blanket layered under the above bedding. What a fresh, unexpected take on a typical color scheme. I've used this look a lot with clients doing boys bedrooms, especially when they want the room to grow with them into late teen years.

Whatever your preference, there are tons of great options with white and navy as a starting point. Add a little pink for a girls room; yellow for a Provencal feel; shades of green for a lake or beach house; chocolate for a mountain home; or ivory for a more neutral look. Aha! I sense another post coming soon with more on this topic...

Images (in order of appearance) from House Beautiful, John Robshaw, Matouk, Sferra

Craving Spring # 2

Like a breath of fresh air...
This is one of Matouk's newest collections, Parterre. Luxurious, 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sateen sheeting with a single-initial applique. Just divine. I don't know about you but I found my Spring 2010 bed linens!

*Image courtesy of Matouk

That's Amore

With Valentine's Day right around the corner I couldn't help but think of all things pink and red. But, I just wasn't inspired by the color combination in the home - beyond a little girls room. So, I thought I'd put together a few of my favorite bedrooms. Since Valentine's Day is usually celebrated into the night!

I See the Light

How fabulous are these lotus chandeliers? Three different sizes so you can be sure one will work just right for your space. We've had clients use these in a variety rooms such as: foyer, dinning room, kitchen, bathroom/powder room and of course - bedroom!

Black & Gold: Kelly Wearstler

I have a special place in my heart for New Orleans - and of course the Saints. I'm really hoping the team will pull off a win this Super Bowl Sunday. For those of you that don't know, the team colors are black and gold - needless to say the color combo has been on my mind a lot lately. Apparently, it's been on Kelly Wearstler's mind for years....

This bedroom is a great example of the color combo and the pink accents keep it from looking too serious.
It's not an easy scheme to pull off but Kelly does it with such flare I'm actually considering adopting some of these hues in my own home. I adore the fabric on this sofa - I think it could even hide dog hair.
These dining rooms show the range of styles within the color scheme. I'm not sure I could handle a curved dining room, however. Anyone have one? I really like my 90 degree angles.


I am digging this outdoor space - I tend to go with a lot brighter colors for the outdoors but this is calm yet playful - and oh so sophisticated.

Even Kelly's product line for Bergdorf's incorporates the black and gold hues. I'm such a fan of these funky boxes, but the tray below just knocks my socks off!


Even her book cover plays homage to the dynamic duo. Style Tip: this book is Kelly's Domicilium Decoratus with the paper cover removed.
Speaking of books - how fabulous is this library? I'm obsessed with these built-ins. I must do this one day!
Final Plug: GEAUX SAINTS!!

All images from Kelly Wearstler

Craving Spring #1

I thought January was too early to pine for spring....now that we are four whole days into February I will fully embrace my craving. Don't get me wrong - winter is wonderful. I'm just ready for it to exit stage left. I was thumbing through some old pics and came across this fabulous bedroom. The green reminds me of fresh grass. The bedding is Ferran in Chocolate Lattice. Love it!
What gets you thinking of spring?

*picture from BHG

Vendor Spotlight: blabla

At the beginning of the decade, two friends – Susan Pritchett and Florence Wetterwald – launched blabla after an inspiring trip to Peru. While roaming the country, the women discovered villages of expert knitters and decided to work with the locals to design products for children. Each item in the line is made of natural fibers from Peru and designed by Florence in Atlanta. The company is best known for its adorable dolls such as this cute Mermaid, Flower, and Frog:

Blabla also created these cute "boogaloos" in large and mini sizes:

Yoko Boogaloo

Winston Boogaloo

For the little girl with and an eye for fashion - this Alice doll has wardrobe options:

In addition to the precious dolls, blankets, and rattles, blabla also produces these amazing mobiles. We just added these to the shop - I am particularly fond of the birds and the sheep.

All images from blabla