Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Inspired Interior | Palazzo Margherita

I'm feeling completely inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's Jacques Grange-designed Palazzo Margherita hotel.  Can you even imagine staying in any one of the rooms pictured above? Inspired by the Villa Favorita near Palermo, Italy, Grange completely restored this 19th-century residence giving it a younger, more modern summer feeling. The extreme attention to detail throughout the palazzo is astonishing. I literally love every last detail of this place -- from signature Grange zigzag floor to the elaborately painted Moorish ceiling -- it's perfection.  The  unique furnishings and antiques paired with the beautifully uphosltered Nailhead Sofas from Bunny William's BeeLine Home collection give the rooms a residential feel.  Infact, it seems that many of the furnishings used throughout the hotel are from BeeLine so you can easily replicate this look and feel at home using the pieces featured below and a spritz of Aqua di Parma...
Nailhead sofa by Beeline Home / Plaster table / Tray Chic Ottoman by Beeline Home / Pug Bench by Beeline Home / Eclipse chair by Beeline Home / Gordon Crackle Lamp by Arteriors Home

To read more about the hotel and Grange's design visit Rita Konig's story in the WSJ.

(Images James Merrell for WSJ)

Monday, January 30, 2012

My Weekend in Pictures

I left work early on Friday and the sun was still out -- such a great way to start the weekend!
On Saturday I woke up bright and early and took a trip to the flower market with my sister.
After a much needed haircut I stopped in Mecox Gardens.  The first thing that caught me eye when I walked in the store was this gorgeous blue and white brush stroke lamp from Beeline Home
Oh and the things I would do for this reverse gilt cocktail table.
This little vignette was also very pretty.  I love the  more traditional spin on the egg chairs.
I snapped a picture of these colorful boxes for a client
and contemplated buying this leather box for myself.  I've got a Mecox gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket.
Another lovely vignette designed around Paule Marrot's Poppies print.
I didn't end up taking home the leather box but I did buy this cute little yellow vase.  It adds the perfect pop of color to my bedroom dresser.
Speaking of the bedroom, I hung this hook on the wall next to my closet because I like to pick out my work outfit every night before I go to bed.
On Sunday night I baked a batch of chocalate chip cookies
and watched the SAG Awards.  I vote Rose Byrne as best dressed in this Elie Saab jumpsuit. So chic.

How was your weekend?

Friday, January 27, 2012

It's Tortoise Time

Grant K Gibson
Mark D. Sikes via Habituall Chic
Miles Redd for Century Furniture
Tory Burch
Tory Burch + Palmer Weiss
Albert Hadley + Miles Redd
I never met a faux tortoise that I didn't like. Tortoise print is such a classic and sophisticated way to add interest to a room. Tortoise furniture and accessories were long considered to be a luxury, and we can now recreate that luxury with faux tortoise painted furniture. Grant K. Gibson designed the faux tortoise Parson tables above using warm, rich tones. Miles Redd, on the other hand, used more vibrant green tones for his.

This weekend I plan to follow this follow this tutorial and create my own timeless tortoise table -- check back Monday for the results!  Wish me luck!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Art | A Framed Flashcard

Ever since I gave my Dad a framed letter from his nursery school teacher (btw I won the Artists Frame Service's Tell Us Your Story contest...woohoo! That's my dad, aka Jay Leno, in the jean-on-jean!)  I've been obsessed with the whole frame random things thing.  So when I saw this framed vintage flashcard on Christina Fluegge's One Kings Lane sale I immediately called my mom to see if she still had my flashcards from back in the day.  I'm 26, so I'm thinking my flashcards could technically be considered vintage, right?  My Mom is still looking but if she finds them you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be hanging them in my apartment. Word.

Smitten | The Urban Electric Co.

See a theme here?  All of the lighting pictured above was designed by my FAVORITE contemporary lighting source, Urban Electric Company.  People often underestimate the impact that lighting has on a design but I like to think of it as the jewelry of interiors. The right lighting can really make a space and function as artwork.  I mean just look at the beautifully detailed, handcrafted lighting pictured above and tell me that's not the stuff dreams are made of. What's your favorite lighting company these days?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Inspired Interior | Carrier and Company

City living has its perks but lets face it sometimes it's nice to escape real life – smelly streets, crowded subways – and imagine what life would be like if you lived in the idealized New York of cinema.  Lucky for us the super talented folks at Carrier and Company teamed with Town & Country magazine for the Hearst Designer Visions showhouse and made the New York we see in the movies a  reality.  I wasn't able to see the showhouse in person so I was giddy with excitement when I opened up my January issue of Town & Country and saw detailed photos of Carrier and Company's design.  Designers Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller chose "Igby Goes Down," a 2002 movie which starred Kieran Culkin, Amanda Peet and Claire Daines, as their muse because thought it worked well with the new younger, edgier vibe of Town & Country under Editor in Chief Jay Fielden.  I haven't seen the movie so I have no clue if this space is an accurate interpretation but to be completely honest, I don't really care -- I'm head over heels in love with Jesse and Mara's vision!
There are so many great elements in this room but my favorite has to be the Mecox cocktail table.
The Flip floor lamp by Julian Chichester is, well, flipping fabulous.
Artwork plays a big part in the design.  Here, paintings by Thomas Libetti and Dorothy Heller lean on a cabinet by The New Traditionalists.  The sconces are from Urban Electric.
One day I will have a foyer large enough for a center table -- I just think they are so elegant.  This room has the perfect mix of new and old.  I love how they paired the modern brass console with an antiqued mirror.  And don't even get me started on the Smokebell pendant.  I die
The Antelope rug in the kitchen is from Karastan.
This monochromatic poppy-colored study is perfection.  The textured walls were created using the Bright Canvas Technique by Ralph Lauren Paint with a base color of Plateau and a Poppy glaze. 
The framed intaglios pop off the orange walls.
Artwork by Leah Durner hangs above a bench by Dmitriy & Co.
My two favorite things in the bedroom are the bed by Oly Studio and the lamps by Stephen Gerould.
I love every last detail of this apartment.  What do you think?

(Images: Francesco Lagnese via Carrier and Company)