stylish shelves.

There's something about endless shelves filled with books that make a space feel so comfortable and lived in.  I would love to have a stylish library with walls and walls of books one day...and hopefully a nice ladder to access them all! Here are a few photos of great personal libraries; I love the way that some are organized by color, using the books as wall art...the perfect example of beautiful, functional design. I'm absolutely in love with this first room...

via decorpad

via Elle Decor

via Flourish Design & Style

via Final Architecture

living room love

via Simply Smitten

via Pinterest [Sarah Nardi]

Rita Konig's apartment via theproperstranger

a touch of turquoise.

Aqua, Robin's Egg, Tiffany Blue...whatever you choose to call it, I love a little splash of cool, turquoise perfection.  Paired with stark white, its just the touch a room needs for a clean, yet simple feel.  Try fresh, bold stripes, accessorizing with a vase for a pop of color, or wash a little powder room in this amazing hue. This beachy tint is vibrant and energizing, yet still understated and soothing - just the thing to add a fresh new air to your space!

Lonny Magazine [Photo by Patrick Cline/Design by Ruthie Sommers] via Pinterest

Mary McDonald's Office via Pinterest

via decorpad

via The Glitter Guide

via Decorista

eclectic prep.

There's nothing I love more than the 'Eclectic Prep' or 'Neo-Trad' look (for both interiors and personal style) - a chic mix of classic and modern. Bold pops of color and a quirky bit of organized chaos keep things interesting, while hinting at your own unique personal style.  I believe that true style exudes a complimentary mix of old and new - and this look, accented with a variety of graphic prints and a few over-the-top pieces, gives your room (or outfit) a lot of character and panache.  New England-based designer, Liz Caan, perfects this combo with her cheeky, yet refined interiors. Here are a few spaces that I am absolutely dying over...(I need her living room!!)...

Liz Caan's Living Room via Liz Caan Interiors

Liz Caan's Foyer via decorista

Interior by David Jimenez via Decorpad

via decorista

Design by Jonathan Adler

via Pinterest [Christine Martinez]

Kate Spade Pop-Up-Shop, London

designing on a dime

There's nothing better than having your own space...unless of course you have to fill it on a not-so-chic young professional's budget.  I came across these fun images for a little inspiration - sometimes all it takes are a few unique (and bold!) finds to make a space feel styled and full. 

via Decorpad

via Pinterest [The Paris Apartment]

via Decorpad

Annsley Interiors via Decorpad

Good Taste Money-Saving Tips:

• Buy staple pieces like arm chairs and couches in basic colors from inexpensive retailers like IKEA and accent with bold patterned pillows to create an interesting, finished look.
• Try buying inexpensive lamp bases and doctoring them up a bit with fun, bold shades.
• A bold rug (think black + white chevron or a fun geometric print) can unify a room and/or serve as an interesting focal point.
• Make your own modern art. Buy a canvas at your local crafts store and look at modern pieces for inspiration (you don't have to be an artist to do a little colorblocking!).  The bright color will fill white walls so you can avoid expensive paint and alot of effort.
• Search local flea markets or Etsy.com for unique furniture pieces. Chests, headboards, mirrors and coffee tables can all add up, but sometimes a little imagination and a coat or two of paint are just the thing to give a less-than-impressive find new life.  Half the time, these pieces are so unique they end up being statement pieces that stand out more than your more expensive purchases.
• Use staples that you already have in a unique, personalized way.  Style books on shelves with cool frames or color coordinate them to create a visual statement.

How do you save without sacrificing style??

sunny disposition.

There's something about a bold, sunny pop of yellow that just adds a little skip to my step.  Whether it's a flirty citrus sundress or a bright lemony arm chair, say "hello sunshine" and embrace this feel-good color trend.  Brighten up a room with bold yellow drapes, or simply start small with a few golden accessories (a bright lamp or pair of sunny pillows).  Whether you prefer traditional interiors or modern, here are a few rooms that are sure to give you a bit of a sunnier disposition...

via Country Living



DM Magazine Jan Showers via Decorpad

via Mimi + Meg

via Elle Decor

via Elle Decor

via Lisa Roy

David Jimenez via Decorpad

Lonny Mag via Decorpad

via The Glitter Guide

etsy love.

Etsy is always a great place for unique finds with its vintage, homemade flair and custom options.  I recently ordered some handmade, graphic pillows from a great shop called PillowThrowDecor and wanted to share Christine's fun designs with you [she has pretty prints for great prices!].  Not to mention, she is a joy to work with and always happy to customize orders per your needs....I ordered some great b+w chevron pillows, as well as some lime green ikat and hot pink graphic prints.  Be sure to check out her fabulous shop!



Pretty in [Pulitzer] Pink!

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico for some much needed sun, I realized at the airport that I would need some good reads to get me through the four-hour flight.  I immediately snatched the new issue of House Beautiful after setting eyes on its fabulously pink cover with the headline, "The Power of Pink!"  What more could a girl want?  Anxious to read more about the terribly chic room featured on the cover, I was pleasantly surprised to find the much anticipated, new Lilly Pulitzer home line (for HRI Brands) featured inside. With vibrant, feel-good prints on sophisticated sofas and over-the-top ottomans, who needs to go in search of sun and sand? I knew a peek inside would be the perfect pre-vacay punch...and I was right. Absolute perfection (Palm Beach style, of course...).

For all those preppy-loving, pretty in pink Pulitzer girls out there - enjoy the eye candy, ladies!

House Beautiful 2011

House Beautiful 2011

Lilly in Palm Beach [so chic!] courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer

via The Preppy Princess

Photo courtesy of Patricia Sheridan

          Lilly home accessory via Home Accents Today

Lilly ottoman [amazing shoe storage!] via Sophie Pyle Style

I also love these great rooms from Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill - they are from last May's collection, but as we all know, Lilly is timeless [as is the perfection of pink + green!]...

Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill

Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill

[interior] infatuation: elizabeth bauer

On a recent trip to New York, I was strolling the West Village when a tiny shop with huge curb appeal caught my eye.  With a very chic chair covered in a bold pink print staring at me from a prominent spot in the quaint bay window, I knew I had to stop into Elizabeth Bauer's store.

Later, after running into a 'Bauer-obsessed' friend next door at equally colorful, Jonathan Adler, I had a feeling I would soon join the club and decided to do a little research on the designer. Named one of Traditional Homes,' "20 Young Designers to Watch" this year, Bauer's style is described as "modern in a traditional silhouette," but I instantly thought of Palm Beach chic when I saw her collection. I love how she adds a bit of playful whimsy to the mix with bold layering of patterns (love her candy-striped couch with geometric pillows, below) and unexpected color choices. With summers spent designing with a firm in Nantucket, its no wonder Bauer's design choices always incorporate a bit of "preppy chic" into a more modern, sophisticated form. Just take a look at some of her fabulous designs....I think I just about died when I saw the navy and white zebra print wallpaper paired with the coral lampshades (one of my favorite color combinations) that Bauer used in her own NYC studio...

 

Elizabeth Bauer

All photos courtesy of Elizbeth Bauer Design and Lonny Magazine