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Friday, April 30, 2010

Fabulously Shabby.

I have a weak spot for the "Shabby Chic" and "French Country" look.  Chances are, if I see those words, I immediately feel compelled to check out whatever it is I am looking at.  Summer is quickly approaching and I see no better time then to check out my recent shabby/country/french obsessions!

I'm really loving Chelsea Textiles' Gustavian line of  furniture.

Bedside table with fluted carving






Shabby Chic is also fabulous!
 
Best of all - TARGET now carries the Shabby Chic Line!




William Sonoma Farmhouse Dining Table

 

 

Got Me Feelin' Blue!

Whoever said that the color blue is associated with sadness was obviously color blind. I love me some blues!  Turquoise, Sapphire, Cobalt...you name it. My latest inspiration picture is actually the Ralph Lauren Home "La Plage" campaign.   I love nautical colors and themes. "sigh" I'm ready to cash in my frequent flier miles and head to the French Riviera! (I also can see these rooms in Cape Cod or the Hamptons...maybe it's the New Englander in me!)

 I love the mix of different stripe patterns paired with more neutral walls and wicker chairs and wooden benches furniture.  It gives your eyes a place to rest so it's not too busy, but definitely draws your eyes to the center of the room.


This is, hands down, my favorite photograph from the La Plage collection. The way the stripes are paired with florals in the same shades is the RIGHT way to mix patterns (Keep a theme, in this case, the blues are continued throughout and the floral pattern on the seat also has the same neutral tones as the chair frame)

And in case you needed a reminder of the Creative Genius that is Ralph Lauren, a set of paint brushes is there to remind you that they are artistic gods.

perfection.  I'm ready to curl up with a book and bask in the summer sun.


 
 
Eden Roc Stripe in Denim
La Garoupe - Indigo

I love all the bookcases!  cozy.  The vanity/desk area also remind me of wood salvaged from an old ship - perfect for the marine theme.
 

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Textile Tactics!

I drove up to the Laguna Design Center yesterday and as my mother would say, I "made out like a bandit!"  I went into Kravet to grab some samples and they happened to be cleaning out stock/redoing the showroom and gave me THREE GARBAGE BAGS FULLLL of fabric samples! I'm beyond excited!  I have to sort through them and whatever i'm not going to keep for myself i'm donating to our school Materials Lab at the Design Institute of San Diego!  So thank you kravet!  

Secondly, I've been inspired by all these prints and so I took 2 of my favorite pictures and created my own textile prints from them!  kinda funn


A picture I took on my friends boat passing by the lighthouse in Old Saybrook, CT and below is the print i made based off my inspiration picture:



A cactus in Balboa Park (San Diego, CA) that I run by everyday!  how neat! and below is the print i made using this picture as my inspiration


I didn't have time to finish it, but imagine it repeated!


Friday, April 23, 2010

The Battery

i've found my dream home!  it's called the Battery at Seasalter. it was built in 1874 for the Royal Naval Reserve as a base for target practice with gunners firing out to sea!  pretty cool sighhh

  
 





Thursday, April 22, 2010

Color Ideas: Turquoise



I found this amazing little snippet on a turquoise trend alert in Elle Decor!  I also incluced some fun fabrics from schumacher that I found annddd....there is a textile by Raoul Textiles named Stella (a Belgian linen) that Is so beautiful  but, alas, I cannot find it online.  However there are so many other beautiful fabrics by Raoul Textiles for George Smith - be sure to check it out!







The Knit Pool print actually reminds me of the stairwell in Kelly Wearstlers House.





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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Desk update!

I finallyyyy painted my desk!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  i still need to paint the hardware but i'm debating what color.  i'm thinking coral or sunset red/orange color!  here are the updates!

Before


after

it's actually two-toned.  a turquoise and a lighter blue for some dry brushing to give an antique look!








what color should i paint the knobs and pulls?!?!?  I'm also going to outline with some color (like the purple in the original)  :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Trend Alert: Florals!

Flipping through all my magazines, it's hard to miss that without a doubt the biggest spring trend are large floral prints!





Bulgari Handbag

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Short Dresses, left to right: Chanel, DKNY, Christian Dior





 

I love the Marc Jacobs bright whimsical floral prints.  It is definitely a nod to the 60s...and I love all things 1960s!   

In an interior design , it would be fun to take a large floral print and upholster a wing chair for the summer or some decorative throws or window treatments!









FIRST LOOK: Zac Posen for Target Lookbook APRIL 25!!!!!!!!!!!!


OMG! i'm beyond excited.  Not only do I LOVE Zac Posen but  his new line for target comes out on my birthday!  I guarantee you that Target will be FLOODED on the 25th!

I think it's amazing that designers are teaming up with stores to bring affordable fashion to the masses!  Prices range from 16.99-199.99, Way to go Zac!






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