MASCULINE decor

 This morning I had an incredible breakfast talking to a fella about potential collaborations. We talked about the genius of a good masculine style apartment. Masculine decor is one of my silent obsessions. So, when I laid my eyes on this dining room, I fell instantly in love. At first sight, the combo of the straw chairs and acrylic chairs really looks chic. The masculinity of this glamorous and chic space is stunning...seriously stunning...

 Dark walls and furnishings from probably the most incredible vintage markets in the world. I can't imagine how insane this looks in person. Leopard rugs are always essential in a space like this, too.
images found here. 

Real Living: daydreaming in Teal

While I thought apartment shopping would be so enjoyable, truthfully, it's much harder than it seems. I am such a picky little decorista. One thing I am enjoying about it is the 'blank canvas' idea and my imagination of what I would do in the space gets to run wild. The last apartment I saw had the most adorable little kitchen breakfast nook. If I moved in, I would recreate this adorable little teal and white situation...

When I first saw this modern and glamorous apartment from Real Living, I knew that it was something I would want to replicate one day. Mint green walls in the bedroom, wild wallpaper in the living room and the deep gorgeous teal in the dining nook. Metallics abound in all colors, silver, gold and bronze (hello olympics) and it's packed with feminine edge. Remember my confession about my love for turquoise chairs? Hello.
How cute is that little gold pineapple hook? Ugh. This space just speaks to my soul. 

 scans via, photographs by chris warnes, styling by sarah ellison for real living au

MY DREAM NYC APARTMENT

It's been just over a year now that I have been in my adorable apartment in the city. I moved in July 15th of last summer and thinking about the past year is such a roller coaster of emotions and accomplishments. I can't even believe its been a year. However, it's also the time to find a new apartment and this happens to be one of my favorite things in the world...
DECORATING A WHOLE NEW APARTMENT.
  Nothing makes me more excited, I just love the whole process. 
As I try to visualize what I want in my next apartment I think to myself, modern, white, a view, dining room, ample room for an office, etc. Then I happened to come across this gorgeous space and I thought to myself, this is EXACTLY what I want...

I love the clean white walls of this apartment and the light floors. It's located in the upper west side too, so I know its in my dream location. The kitchen is modern with stainless steel appliances and see through shelving. The track lighting is a little ick, but there is a bar and hello a mirror in the kitchen. My favorite decorating trick! 
 Plenty of room for a dining table.


Great lighting in the bedroom and just enough room for a cozy bed with a little extra seating.
 Great bathroom flooring and a clean, white bathroom. It's sheer perfection! Saying my prayers now. 


ROOMS THAT ROCK MY WORLD...

One of my very best friends lives in London right now and I often look at apartments in London and fantasize about what it would be like to live in the UK. I'm such a nerd, I always check out the houses and flats on Zoopla (its really fun). So, of course Elle Decor UK is always on my radar and when I stopped by one of my favorite UK blogs and saw these photos of Jonathan Adler's home, my heart fell weak. White walls and pretty dashes of color...

Now I also loved the look of all white too. It's something I often daydream about however I am not sure I am that together to actually pull it off. If I did however, I would want to live in a space with huge windows that let a ton of natural light in. I'd add metallics to the brim, like brass fixtures on the furnishings and maybe a brass lamp or two.
The kitchen would definitely have to have elements of nature with wood floors and exposed ceilings. This would be so very british countryside, no? How cute do the glass jars filled with an assortment of baking essentials look...they add just the right amount of muted color. Again, that silver sink is pretty, but I would be a rebel and make mine beautiful brass! So pretty! Anyone want to come to the UK with me?

MIXING IT UP...

Every once in a while, I come across an apartment that just blows me away. When clever couples have super chic mixing style I get very impressed. This adorable couple from Chicago has a very sweet space in the city and I just had to share it...

I love that a husband was cool with a floral carpet like this cabbage rose one and that gorgeous curved sofa with black piping absolutely rocked my world. White studded cocktail tables put together as a coffee table is so cute, too. 
Black walls and cabinetry, a little aztec rug and milk glass in white and green are elements of an uber cute kitchen apartment. I also love this cute little vignette...
images via apartment therapy

A perfect apartment...

Just when I am starting to get in touch with bold colored rooms, I find something the complete opposite that just speaks to my decorating soul. This black and white apartment with just a teeny splash of pink has literally sent me into a whole new obsession...

In the dining room, the doors with round molding is just absolutely so chic. It perfectly warms up the modern elements of the room and stark black and white color scheme.  I am also LOVING the mixmatched mirrors, so sweet.
I love this black and white wallpaper, its absolutely perfect for spring! It fits so well with a cowhide rug and saarinen coffee table and cute, modern + PINK club chairs. 
I love the symmetry and balance in each of the rooms too, its very harmonizing...
This entryway wallpaper is so hip, I love any brave person who works with that look...I think just the right amount of wallpaper was used here, not too much but just enough to give the space some swagger. Don't you agree?
interior by Janet Rice Interiors

NYC apartment decor style: bits of brick...

It has been a super productive/hectic week for this lil decorista...NYC life is taking some serious getting used to. The more apartments I get to see and work with here, the more I realize the amazing character some of these teeny little gems have. Moldings with gorgeous detailed lines, beautifully narrow yet tall windows, curvy pedestal sinks in the bathroom. My most favorite and the fairest of them all...little bits of exposed brick. 
Oh, its just so delicious, I am quickly becoming obsessed. You really can make brick work with any decor style. It can work with industrial chic, romantic, modern, even a little bit glam. 

I love when brick is painted in glossy white too. the lonny offices are fab-tastic! 

images.....decorpad

Home Tour: Jeff Lincoln's sophisticated in the city

Every once in a while, the New York Social Diary photographs the most beautiful Manhattan apartments. It is incredible how different each persons apartment is. I find it so fascinating that they can look absolutely stunning with very little square footage. Jeff Lincoln's manhattan apartment was such a nice little surprise to see on the site today. 
I love the cream walls of this apartment. It really keeps it light, airy and fresh. In this city, sometimes you need a completely calm place to come home to. His window treatments are fun too. Stripes and a geometric valance...so chic. He has fantastic art, beautiful gold mirrors throughout and great furniture with great lines. A very sophisticated NYC apartment. 
Not only do I adore the wall color in this dark, luscious room, I am a tad in love with the creativity on the art wall. So masculine chic.

how to decorate like a NYC socialite {Lauren Santo Domingo}

 NYC socialite + fashionista Lauren Santo Domingo shows us how its done...Her manhattan apartment is equal parts woodsy, vintage inspired and glamorous. She has the hottest look for 2011 in decor and she knows it. In her recent article on Vogue.com she coaches us how she created her fabulous spread, one amazing item at a time. 
 Her beautiful office space is killer and oh so office space of the day worthy.
Feast your eyes upon her collection of shoes and with closet doors like those, who wouldn't kill for this personal space? I myself am also crazy about that inlaid bone chair.
 as usual, organized sparkling gems call out to me...
 I love that she used this retro vibe wallpaper with fantastic art prints and a collection of subdued graphic pillows...very, very chic. as every manhattan socialite should be.

bliss in the kitch' ...breathtaking breakfast nooks

How adorable are these beautiful breakfast nooks? Sunday mornings are the perfect opportunity to luxuriate and actually get use out of lounging in the breakfast nook. The tantalizing scent of freshly made coffee and beautiful bright sunlight seals the deal on my breakfast nook bliss.

images via veneer