Lately I have been loving aviator-inspired style! It’s such a classy blend of retro and modern, representing a chic period of American history when people were adventurous, optimistic, patriotic, and willing to take risks. Amelia Earhart embodied all of these traits, smashing stereotypes and becoming a symbol to the world that the role and image of the American woman had changed forever. Aviator style brings all of these various ideas to mind and, at the same time, looks fantastic.
AVIATOR FASHION, created by ffpava on Polyvore.Aviator fashion -- beautiful!Ray-Ban Aviator Large Sunglasses - Never leave home with out them.Leather flat, Giuseppe Zanotti Design. Love the aviator-style details.
Aviator style doesn’t have to be limited to fashion; it can also inspire interior design. Aged leather, sleek metallics, and details such as rivets create a look that is retro, chic, and memorable.
Blackhawk Coffee Table by Restoration HardwarePhillip Jeffries Aviator Wall CoveringAviator Chair by Restoration HardwareAviator Interior from Restoration HardwareAviator Chair by David CattaPlane Over New York from Bobo Intriguing Objects
When I recently received Restoration Hardware’s hefty Spring 2012 catalog in the mail, the understated, monochromatic cover gave little hint of the incredible products displayed inside.
When I recently received Restoration Hardware‘s hefty Spring 2012 catalog in the mail, the understated, monochromatic cover gave little hint of the incredible products displayed inside. I was completely blown away by so many of the pieces — right now, nothing else can compete. They nailed it! Restoration Hardware’s current lines have so much to offer to many clients on many levels. I could easily see myself doing a whole house with these pieces!
I believe the Spring 2012 catalog signals the pinnacle of Restoration Hardware’s shift over the years from a focus on authentic period hardware to true furniture gallery offerings suited to a luxury lifestyle. When Gary Friedman became CEO in 2001, Restoration Hardware was still being affected by multiple store closings and restructuring of the company. They began to expand their offerings to include bathware, textiles, furniture, and lighting and gradually moved away from such items like toys, books, and gadgets. The core of the company now seems dedicated to fine, historical design as well as updated classics, all with superior quality. If this most recent catalog is any indication, Restoration Hardware has truly come into its own as a distinctive and responsive source for home decor.
The bath furniture is just genius.Couturiers Chair - love the metal frame. Really charming!Sputnik Filament - a great nod to the mid century!Soho Tufted Chair - Think about grouping two near a fireplace.I love the idea of the metal with the geometric pattern.My all time favorite nail head ottoman. So reasonable!Vintage factory bar cart - it looks like an antique!Concrete dining table, in 2 sizes! I can't wait to install this in my next project.
Have you seen this Restoration Hardware catalog? If so, what do you think and do you have a favorite piece or line? I know I am really looking forward to incorporating a lot of these furnishings in my own projects!
A bedroom is a special retreat in your home. Your own private space to start and end each day, a relaxing and personalized place that should be a reflection of what each of us finds most attractive and calming. Naturally, the bed tends to be the centerpiece to any bedroom. Like other pieces of furniture, beds come in a vast array of styles, from traditional to modern to completely fanciful.
I’ve collected some examples of beds that caught my attention. Each of them appeals to me for different reasons, but what they all have in common is beautiful, unique design.
Silk bed by Cisco Brothers.Yum.Lisbon Bed by Martyn Lawrence BullardSpindle Bed by Lawson-FenningGreat canopy idea.Greydon Bed
How does your bed compare? Is it an afterthought still waiting for a headboard, or is it exactly the right piece for your bedroom?
With its white sand beaches, lush landscape, and luxury accommodations, it’s difficult to imagine a more sumptuous and relaxing destination than the Viceroy Resort at Anguilla.
With its white sand beaches, lush landscape, and luxury accommodations, it’s difficult to imagine a more sumptuous and relaxing destination than the Viceroy Resort at Anguilla. The most stressful part of a vacation here could be deciding how to spoil yourself rotten. Snorkeling, swimming in picture-perfect pools, treating yourself to an incredible spa day, enjoying drinks at the cliff side beach bar, experiencing authentic local culture, or playing at water sports are just some of the ways guests can while away their tropical days.
But what makes the Viceroy Resort so stunning is the incredible design of the resort and its guest accommodations. The 116 guest spaces, from private villas to bluff top guest rooms, showcase amazing design by Kelly Wearstler. The resort’s modern architecture interacts seamlessly with the surrounding nature, while the interiors feature organic, locally-inspired palettes, and textures. Sophisticated and contemporary, with natural, complex textures, everything about the decor immerses guests in luxury.
Earlier this week I had an incredible time at the Jeffrey Bilhuber Lecture and Luncheon, hosted by the Greenwich Historical Society.
Earlier this week I had an incredible time at the Jeffrey Bilhuber Lecture and Luncheon, hosted by the Greenwich Historical Society and exclusive media sponsor Connecticut Cottages and Gardens. Jeffrey Bilhuber has long been one of my all-time favorite designers. I find his style so inspirational, with his use of amazing color combinations and his knack for layers. He has such an extravagant, eccentric design flair and a fascinating personal story. When I heard about this event to benefit the Historical Society, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hear Jeffrey Bhilhuber speak and showcase his new book, The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty.
Jeffrey’s lecture demonstrated his mastery of design and set my mind spinning with ideas and possibilities. His creative design concepts never fail to amaze me. One particular highlight of the luncheon was the chance to meet Jeffrey and speak to him face-to-face. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet someone you’ve long looked up to as an inspiration and icon, you can imagine how I felt at that moment!
I loved this brochure handed out at the luncheon. Titled “Jeffrey Bilhuber Unedited,” it listed Jeffrey’s responses to 14 prompts about his favorite things and places, featured a very cool design, and included references to unique Greenwich spots!
In 1988, after more than two decades of design experience with Parish Hadley Associates, Bunny Williams opened her own interior design company: Bunny Williams Incorporated.
In 1988, after more than two decades of design experience with Parish Hadley Associates, Bunny Williams opened her own interior design company: Bunny Williams Incorporated. Her design style reflects her training in a classic, refined style. Known for perfectly balanced textures, patterns, and colors, Bunny’s designs look so appealing and effortless. Her focus and attention to detail show in all of her projects, from the living room to the garden. In fact, she co-owns a New York garden furniture and ornament shop called Treillage with antique dealer John Rosselli. Bunny also has her own line of home furnishings and accessories at Beeline Home.
Bunny and her design team work around the US and abroad. Her success is a tribute to the timeless appeal of her design style and, thanks to her blog Bunny’s Buzz, accessible and enjoyable by all. Loaded with visually charming photo collages featuring products, rooms, magazine spreads, and more, Bunny’s Buzz highlights many of the best things the world of interior design today. At the right side of the blog’s page are links to other blogs worth visiting so you will never find yourself with a shortage of amazing design inspiration!
Lonny Magazine, an online magazine and blog, is a fantastic resource and inspiration.
Lonny Magazine, an online magazine and blog, is a fantastic resource and inspiration. While the magazine is “published” online bimonthly (soon to be monthly!), the blog is updated more often with design and lifestyle trends and finds. Between the two formats, you can always find something intriguing!
Launched in 2009 by designer Michelle Adams and photographer Patrick Cline, Lonny focuses on interesting interiors, bloggers, and current design trends. They strive to make incredible design accessible to their readers while introducing their favorite products and companies. The online format allows Lonny certain freedoms a print magazine can’t offer, such as the ability to click on an image to learn more about that project. Some articles even feature videos! User-friendly, visually interesting, and easy to share via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, Lonny is as pleasurable to flip through as a traditional print magazine.
Hover over a product in the magazine to learn more.March/April 2012 Cover
The Lonny Blog features a team of several bloggers, each with their own contributing style. Focusing on everything from books to trends to art, colorful blog posts compliment the regular magazine content and give readers plenty of reasons to visit between issues.
From a photography postFocus on feathery decorLiving room by Jarlath MellettAccessories from Waterworks
Lonny Magazine is also on Facebook and Twitter so you can stay updated on all their new issues and posts!
With their regal, rich colors and unmistakeable texture and form, peacock feathers naturally lend their beautiful attributes to everything from jewelry to walls to accessories.
It’s no wonder peacocks have inspired all manner of designs. With their regal, rich colors and unmistakeable texture and form, peacock feathers naturally lend their iridescent attributes to everything from jewelry to walls to accessories. A symbol which has figured in art for centuries, the peacock transcends design.
In early Christian art, the peacock symbolized eternal life. To the Buddhists, it symbolizes wisdom and to the Hindus, the stars. Whatever the meaning placed on the dramatic feathers and colors of the peacock, we can all enjoy the stunning result of its influence on design.
Peacock gate in Jaipur, IndiaPeacock & Pheasant wall covering by F. SchumacherPeacock blue.Amazing peacock mosaic by Maggie HowarthPeacock couture.Peacock Dining Room - James McNeill WhistlerNepalese Rug - Matthew WilliamsonPeacock hue interiors - Tilton Fenwick
The success of La Dolce Vita stems from Paloma’s “passion for the sweet life.”
In 2007, during a summer break from her former career as a high school Spanish teacher, Paloma Contreras of Houston, TX, founded her style blog La Dolce Vita. Since that time, she has attracted a worldwide readership and been featured in publications such as the New York Times, New York Magazine, Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, and many others.
The success of La Dolce Vita stems from Paloma’s “passion for the sweet life.” Blog posts focus on interior design, fashion, travel, and people, and are beautifully complimented with photographs. An impressive group of contributors, each with their own talents, interests, and perspectives, also provide material for La Dolce Vita. Along with guest bloggers and contributions from designers, Paloma and her team have created a blog that appeals to a variety of styles and tastes.
This family room was such a fun space to create. It has an edgier vibe with a punch of color, definitely a modern room. The palette and design approach allowed for so much creativity and the use of fantastic accents.
One piece that instantly sets the mood for the entire space is the Donghia swivel chair upholstered in F. Schumacher Ikat Velvet. I just adore Ikat patterns!
The shag carpet from Patterson, Flynn & Martin is another favorite element of this family room. Shag carpets can be a hard sell to present to a client, with its reminders of the 1970’s, but this carpet is hip and urban, especially with the dark grey hue.
Other important pieces for the room include the Pottery Barn storage cabinet and coffee and side tables from Design Within Reach. All are solid and anchor the space without detracting from the room’s modern lines.
Finally, the accessories really make this space speak. The hint of gold adds contrast to the furniture pieces. The artwork is abstract and grounds the use of the dominating red hue of the room. The unusual wood lamp and touch of Buddha spirit add a decorative element as well. These are the kinds of essential details that make a project into something more than just a decorated room!
