Hair Style!

I have no idea who this is.

And I should!  But I love her hairstyle.  It's so casual yet appears to pulled together.  The color is very complimentary to her skin and really makes you focus on those magnificent blue eyes.

The length is really nice and she could be in the windy city and you'd never know it!!

Anyway love it, love it, love it!!!  And the earrings are very nice indeed.  :)

Southern Accents

From Urban Grace

Such a pretty light white kitchen.  Enjoying the cabinets high with doors to store what I would envision to be Christmas dishes or special occasion dishes.

Also enjoying the open cabinets with the white decorative pieces against the white subway tile.  Such a clean look but not minimalist or cold.

Also notice the hardware, an antique brass that is complimented with the wicker chairs around the farm style table.  I was never one to like or want a kitchen table in the kitchen area.  What I typically like is an island with bar stools for seating, more casual.  However, more and more I've noticed larger kitchens that not only have an island (whether it be large or small) but also a table and chairs.

Seems to mimic the good old farm house style.

Love this Image!

Tea Leoni!

Isn't she just beautiful?  I have always admired her as an actress.  In this photo she has the perfect amount of make-up on.  Simple but nicely defined eyes and eyebrows, smooth skin (which I believe comes naturally to her and I am so jealous of).  Her lipstick is this gorgeous light shade of plumish/pink and works so well with her blonde hair.

Ok, time to completely confess as to why I really love this particular image of Tea.  I want her hair.  I know it appears to be a bit messy but I just love the casualness of it.  I want that look.  The casual (hair) yet completely pulled together (make-up) look for myself.  I see my fabulous hairstylist this Thursday.  I'm going blonde!!  Naturally I'm an awful mousey brown.  A cold brown, so just not flattering at all.  About 10 years ago (or so) I started going blonde and haven't wanted to back since.  I've been one who has multiple perms (back in the 70s and 80s) and have had my hair colored so often in many different ways (no purple / blue / or pink mind you) but I'm sure you get the drift.  

So wish me luck for Thursday!!  And?  I also love Tea Leoni's rings.  Double them up and get such a great impact.  :)

Veranda!

Notice the fireplace!

Then notice the fireplace again!!

Love the feature wall that is created with the soft yet dramatic wallpaper.  It doesn't distract you.  It just enhances the room in keeping with the subtle soft theme that has been chosen.

What I do miss however, are drapes on the beautiful windows.  A missed opportunity for coziness to add either a soft texture or soft color.

Harbinger Stool - Another One!

Rustic Stool

What I love about this stool is the plain rustic look.  It is so basic.  And there are many times in decorating or accessorizing where basic is much more appealing than poofed and frilly.

With the simple almost Amish stile weaved top this stool appears worn and livable.  One is not afraid of it.  Children will be allowed to play and sit on it without worries.  Or should I say worried by worried parents!

View from the top.  Just perfect.  

I guess that I am just drawn to these rustic stools because they have a nice utilitarian look to them.  Having something in your home that looks friendly is really necessary and puts guests of all ages at ease.

Harbinger Stools

Harbinger stools

Don't you just love these?  They have that wonderful rustic quality that makes them look as hand-me-downs.  And we all love hand-me-downs, you know those well worn, well loved pieces that show their age and how much they are loved by family.

Close up of the top of the stool with the nifty number 3 stenciled.  Also love the 4 bolts  that are smooth on top.  Gives it an industrial feel.

Suzanne Kasler

Foyer by Suzanne Kasler!

More aged gold with white and in this case a soft blue that is used sparingly.

You definitely do not want our Frank living in this home.  You see Frank is a hound/lab/mutt from our local Humane Society.  He is black.  Need I say more?

Love the door way with the pretty side lights.  They are wider than most and the low sloping arch above is very nice.  The light fixture has a lantern style and is so pretty.  And I recently noticed that the console table in the entry way is a half-sy!  

Pretty details in the aged gold almost aged brass really take this foyer from stark to soft and inviting!

Katie Ridder Wallpaper

Katie Ridder Wallpaper

So easy going and smart.  Not only do I enjoy the color palette used ( orange and blue with the yellow - fun and fresh ).

The water/waves are completely innovative.  I've not seen anything like them.  Very nicely done.  This adds to the fun and makes a typical sailboat on water unique!

Another wallpaper that is friendly and fresh.

These are not your typical flowers again Katie Ridder has taken a typical scene and changed it enough to be unique.  I love the simple way she dealt with the floral aspect and the use of 2 colors.

In my opinion the use of 2 colors allows the wallpaper pattern to stand out and makes it100% easier to decorate around.  You can add more pattern and color in the drapes, bedding, area rugs, pillows etc.

Gianfranco Ferre; Milan

Gianfranco Ferre

Love the simplicity of this style.  High neck and sleeveless.  But what ultimately caught my eye was the hemline.  So very flattering!

Same comments as above!

Wonderful style so simple and smart.  Fabrics are lovely and timeless.  My favorite has to be the one on the right.  I would love to have this and the model's beautiful platinum blonde do!

How about you?  :)

Both images borrowed from the lovely blog "This is Glamorous".

Janie Hirsch

Janie Hirsch Powder Room

At first glance you fall in love.  At second glance you notice all the gold and wonder.  At third glance ( which lasts much longer that 1st and 2nd ) you notice exactly why you fell in love!

White walls and the mirrors and the beautiful use of a soft dove gray give the gold a lovely back drop.  The use of the gold ( while it stands out ) is not overwhelming, it's darned pretty.  And I like Pretty.

Even the gold under mount sink ( which is nice and shiny ) has an allure to match the sink faucet.  The mirror over the sink has a lovely old world appeal and the light sconces seem to be the modern touch needed to balance.  I prefer balance to symmetry myself.  If you are wondering about the difference between the two stay tuned and I will go into that another time.  ( You may have to remind me though. )  ENJOY!!

Photo borrowed from My Notting Hill.

Thibault Wallpaper -- Again

This is so pretty.

It has an almost paisley pattern and of lately paisley has become my new favorite pattern.  I'm not really into blue shades however this light medium blue has an ethereal quality.  I tend to like dark navy when it comes to blues and the Robin's Egg blue is also something I am liking more and more.  Turquoise has always been a favorite.

Same pattern just a larger overall view.

Love the white outline of the pattern and the gold or wheat or camel hue thrown in.

When it comes to wallpaper I typically gravitate towards 2-tone or color.  I don't really care for an overdone color palate.  But I do love large classic patterns.  

The bigger the better.

Thibault Wallpaper!

Love this pattern by Thibault.

It is called Starlight in a lovely bluish-aqua color.  I am seriously considering using this wallpaper in my son and daughters bathroom.

This shows the pattern overall.  It is gorgeous!

Love the easy going scroll work, it's not hoity-toity.  It's more relaxed and youthful without being babyish.

This is the vanity!!

What I really like is the light countertop with the dark/black painted wood.  Have I mentioned that I enjoy painted wood?  Well, if I haven't let's just say I really, really do.  :)

Another part I love about this vanity is the open bottom shelf.  Perfect for towels or baskets to store items.  Love the small drawers on the sides and the two doors that open in the middle.  The symmetry is perfect.

Haven't consulted the kids yet (well I ran the wallpaper by my son and he approved) but I will probably go ahead and do it anyway.  They have learned to trust me!

Veranda!

Floral Arrangement

Veranda Magazine has the bestest floral arrangements ever.  They appear to follow classical rules with unique flowers and everything else that grows.

And the best-est part?  They don't use baby's breath!

Zoffany!

Persian Weaves Collection

May I drool now?  Holy Cow!! I just adore the fabric ( which caught my eye first ) then I noticed the chair that was wearing it.  And again I fell in love!

What do you think?

Alcove Beds!

Pretty and airy feel.

Enjoy the pretty window in this alcove bed.  That is unusual.

Pretty in Purple & Pink

Love the purple drapes that make this alcove bed so cozy.  What is done so right is the white linens on the bed.  With all that purple and pink the linens really needed to be a crisp fresh white.

Roomy Alcove

This is a stretch to label this as an alcove bed however, I suppose I can due to the fact that it appears as an alcove.  Love the columns, arch and bookshelves.

Gypsy Feel

Am really enjoying the lovely drapes and their embellishments.  The bedding being a bit messy and not perfectly made really gives off the gypsy feel.  So glorious and yet so almost rustic in feel.

Eye Candy & Inspiration!

Stella & Dot

What lovely jewelry. 

Pretty and Fun!

And notice the colors used here in the photo shoot.  

Turquoise and Orange!!

Bamboleo!

Such a pretty mix.  Turquoise and raspberry with gold and silver.  Interesting pattern.  Major reflection of a braid but with more  substance.

Camilla!

A new look with what has become an iconic color trend ( iconic & trend? can those two words successfully be linked? ).  

I just love this. Triple strand and bold jet the colors and bead shapes are very soothing.  Reminding one of the beach perhaps?

 Latte!

The round and oval shapes are working together as is the finish.  A pretty neutral almost with a wood look to them.

Clover Double Wrap Leather!

Gimme - Gimme!

I honestly don't believe anything more needs to be said about these bracelets.

Signature Clover Cuff

So pretty and delicate yet the size is bold and perfect.  Love the hammered silver look that has been given to this bracelet.

Check out Stella and Dot there are lots and lots more eye candy to see and love and buy and lust over!

Thibault Wallpaper

This is Thibault's Bohemian in Sage.

What made me love this pattern is the looseness of it.  It's so easy and fun.  While it comes in many other colorways I found that the sage was truly the most endearing ( to me at least ).

The pattern is lovely and so sweet.  It has a vibrant feel and yet I get a sense of calmness when enjoying it. 

The photo shows the lovely pattern and what I view as a quaintness about it.  Perhaps it is the colorway.  It has a sense of old-fashionedness ( yes, I make up words, I believe it's called creative license ) which may be due to the likening to tea-stain or faded flowers.

The staging of this photo is interesting.  One views the wallpaper as a bit contemporary but old-fashioned at the same time and the lamps lend to the contemporary side while the forsythia goes toward the old-fashioned.

Overall?  I just enjoy this so much!!

Beautiful !!

Thiabault Wallpaper!

While browsing the Thibault Wallpaper and Fabric website I stumbled across the following beautiful patterns and colors and the crazy ( in a very good way ) out let for them.  Isn't the first photo just crazy for the pattern and color?  Not only do I enjoy the wallpaper but that painting over the bed is so gorgeous.

 

The pattern below is called 'Girl on a See-Saw' and from the Anna French collection through Thibault.  Never been a fan of the color blue however the paring of this medium slightly water color blue with the black and silvery blue is attractive.  I also love the use of this wallpaper with the rough look trim paint.  It's kinda silver with a gray wash over making it a pretty rustic.

 

Now this pattern is something I would not have taken a second glance at and only because I dislike Calla Lilies ( definitely not a favorite flower of mine ).  However, and again this blue is growing on me.  I love the boldness and fresh quality of the pattern and colorway used here.  Gold and blue... who'd of thought I would go for that, eh?

 

OMG!!! I simply love this.  Love everything about this photo.  Fabric gets an A+.  The colors coral and turquoise get an A+.  The shape of the headboard gets an A+  The staging and the lovely watery blue of the lamp which BTW beautifully compliments the turquoise gets an A+.  And then to top it all off by pairing these two wonderful colors ( my favorite colors of all time ) with crisp white linens and soft flowing white drapes oh baby, A+ all the way.

 

Orange!  Coral is a very close and loving cousin of this pretty eye opening color - orange.  Orange has been one of my most favorite colors for quite some time now.  ( Growing up I loved yellow and purple - I have since refined my love and have chosen coral and turquoise perhaps due to the gemstones as well. )  Oops... back on subject... What is most appealing about this pattern and color of fabric/wallpaper is the refreshing use of the orange with white.  You just can't go wrong in pairing a single color with white/ivory/cream.  It's a no brainer.  The pattern is lovely and a bit more traditional.  Not too big and definitely not small but in a nice medium pattern repeat.

Wintry Bedding!!

Eastern Accents

Winter always seems to bring out the bedding in my life.  Living in the north our days are shorter.  We get to snuggle in, light the fireplace, light some candles and cozy up.  Having wonderful bedding to sink into makes the winter and it's cold, pretty snow a much happier place to be.

 

Ralph Lauren Again!

 
Iconic colors here as well as iconic patterns.  The bed itself is intense with it's bulk and dark wood tone.  The bedding itself is just a wonderful mix of patterns and slight texture.  I do love what RL can do and does do!

The New Year and Ralph Lauren

Cape Bedding from Ralph Lauren

So subtle and pretty.  The beige color may throw one off however, I feel that it is allowing one to notice the pattern in a subtle way not in an in your face way.  I also enjoy the headboard and really really like the dresser to the left with the small drawers.  

What I really don't care for is the styling of the room with the use of the sheers draped way too casually.  They don't add to the rooms enticement that I see in the bedding.