Decorista Trend Spotting: painted red furniture

This weekend I have been up to lots and lots of projects.
Repainting furniture has gotten the best of me, I'm hooked.
So, lately I have been noticing bits of red catching my eye.
I know we all took notice of this gorgeous apartment in Lonny Mag.
The red console dresser in her hallway did not go unnoticed by moi. I fell instantly in love with the glossy redness of it. I love the drawer with tons of jewels packed in. Ooh la la.
Makes me want to repaint something red, STAT!

images via...lonny, isuwanne, LGN, orangebeautiful, mattersofstyle,  designsponge, 

“What’s Your Style in One Picture Challenge!”

Ally over at From the Right Bank has given us bloggers a challenge...
define your style in one photo.
Now, I am the first one to let everyone know I never really feel like I can define my style, 
but this room has always just spoken to me.
As much as I love me some bright colors, the muted color palate in this room makes my heart skip a beat.
The carpet, the white vanity with lucite pulls, the beautiful screen, and everything else, i just LOVE it! 
It's totally traditional with hints of a glamourous and bohemian style...i think it just speaks volumes of what I truly love!

inspired! {a DIY furniture inspiration}

I just adore blue and white in the bedroom.
I recently found a dresser/sideboard on my street (i love it when that happens)
its fabulous. it has some amazing bones and I am planning a makeover of it.
These photos below are giving me some serious inspiration.
I love the white dresser with light blue details.
I cant wait to get to work!
images from Christina Murphy via cococozy.

the Art of Living...decorating with silver + gold

Remember when I asked you guys if you preferred silver or gold?
Well, it got me thinking...
and I quickly realized that if you love both (much like I do) you can mix them together 
to create a hip and different look.
It brings a little excitement and something out of the ordinary to the space.
I don't know what it is or why it is, but in these photos, I am loving the appeal.
images courtesy of...
luxe + lillies 
decorpad 
nysd 

Dear Decorista,

Dear Decorista,
I love love love your site.  So much inspiration...truly decorating feast. 
 
My question is how to 'deal' with a round coffee table.  My round table works well in my little beach bungalow BUT I struggle with how best to feature my treasures. 
 
Any suggestions? 

Warm regards, 
Julianne 


Dear Julianne,
Thank you so much for your very sweet compliments about my site. I truly believe that however you want to display your treasures on your coffee table can work. I have a strong belief in setting things in threes.
I also believe that you should go extremely minimal or full force, whatever you decide show off your favorite items. You can't go wrong with that. If you ever are in doubt, start with a big bouquet of flowers in your favorite vase and continue from there. Through flowers, you can see more colors and shapes and sizes. Here are some photos for inspiration! Good look and take pictures of your creation. I'd love to see!

xo,
the decorista




images courtesy of...
so haute
the lennox
younghouselove

decorating with collections + Palm Springs vintage shopping

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! Hope you guys are ready for a fun day...
The past few weeks have been very busy for me.
I have been on a shopping spree for my online store that I will be opening soon (stay tuned).
I have hit up my favorite spots all over LA and Palm Springs with gusto. It has been a blast!
The shops in Palm Springs just blow my mind, they have the most amazing and rare items. 
One thing I love is the abundance of collections and I really love decorating with collections. 
Here are my favorite collections I found on this particular shopping excursion.


The above collections were found at one 'must shop' Palm Springs boutique... Bon Vivant.
 Rare and gorgeous glass (similar to the glass in the Parker Hotel). I think this glass in collections would be gorgeous in any home. These brass owls are adorable too, it was so hard not to want the entire group of cute little guys.

These gorgeous horses and uber cool vintage VW beetles are from HEDGE. It's a ridiculously gorgeous + fun vintage furnishings store in Palm Springs, that I just could not get enough of.
{Kelly Wearstler + Trina Turk shop here}
The guys who own the store are out of control friendly...if you ever get to go ask for the special iced coffee. It's delicious!
{I was so smitten with those VW beetles, I had to come home with the pink one...too cute!}

Here are some more shots of the packed with goodies store.

Decorating for a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta + RECIPE

I love holidays (any excuse to decorate and I am on board) and Cino de Mayo is no exception. It's all about mexican food, drink and decorations. I am a sucker for Mexican Food so I love learning new recipes and finding new decorations for fun and festive get-togethers. 
Why not try some colorful mexican themed banners, fun colorful flowers + tablecloths?

Want to learn how to make tissue flowers like these?
Check out a step by step DIY here.
or check out how to make these here.


On the menu for my fiesta...Out of this world SHRIMP TACOS (my fave!)
This recipe is from Real Simple (where I get most of my recipes)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 limes, cut into quarters
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 to 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
  • bottled green tomatillo salsa


Directions

  1. Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, and cumin. Set aside. 
  2. Skewer the shrimp. (If using wood skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes beforehand.) In a small bowl, combine the butter and garlic.
  3. Preheat a gas grill to high; adjust to medium after 15 minutes. (If cooking over charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with gray ash.)
  4. Brush the skewered shrimp with the garlic butter. Place them on the grill with the limes. Cook about 4 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque and the limes are browned. Remove from grill. Lightly salt the shrimp.
  5. Grill the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, then place inside a paper bag to keep warm.
  6. To serve, pull the shrimp off the skewers and divide them evenly among the tortillas. Top with the cabbage, sour cream sauce, tomatillo salsa, and a spritz of grilled lime.
  7. This is the method i use: Broil the shrimp and limes about 4 inches from the heat using the Total Times above. Wrap the tortillas in foil and heat in a 350° F oven for 15 minutes, or wrap them in a napkin and microwave for 3 minutes

Trust me...it is absolutely DE-LISH!




images courtesy of...
vintage domino
elizabeth ann 
martha stewart

secret of domestic bliss #20...a well decorated coffee table

I am currently working on giving a revamp to an apartment here in my neighborhood.
First up, the living room has got to be given some life.
One surefire way to give a living room a little spice is by jazzing up the coffee table.
Most homes have a remote or two and maybe some coasters, if they are smart.
By all means dwellers, liven up your r + r area with some of your favorite accessories.
Books, cool looking objects, you might even throw a candle or two in the mix.
Whatever you love, display it right in front of you so that you may actually get some use out of it.
The books on my coffee table are the ones I flip through the most.
Displays your favorite things with pride and remember...don't forget to use trays!



images courtesy of...
lonnymag

secret of domestic bliss #19...perfecting the art of decorating with your dishware

I know we have seen this time and time again, but honestly I want everyone to know what an impact displaying your dishes can do for your home.
It is just a shame to keep beautiful dish ware hidden and out of sight.
How fantastic would it be to create an art like focal point loaded with loving treasures?
Perhaps they are from a relative and passed down through generations or even just from a fun store, all in your favorite colors...it all can look very heavenly.
No matter how or where you decide to display them, just make sure you do it with love.
DON'T be intimated on hanging them. I love to use dischangers, they make it super easy! 
Feast your eyes on these favorites of mine for some inspiration!


This might be my favorite photo...aren't these historical dishes so adorable?
{eddie ross for Lonny...he is truly brilliant}



images courtesy of...
apartmenttherapy
brabourne farm.
  cheapdiva 
verandah house
 oliveandjoy 
decorpad 
martha stweart

what goes around comes back around...

While thrifting last weekend, I found a decorating book from the late 70's.
It is jam packed with decorating tips, color schemes (yikes!) and also a big series on budget decorating... (choosing a designer decorated room and re-creating the look for way less)
Here is the one that stood out to me the most.
Can you guess which room was $5000 and which was $500?
Also, can you recognize the items that are still stylish in designer rooms today?
I see quite a few.


the decorista dreams...The Gatsby House hotel in Ireland

Ever since my first visit to Miami, and I saw the gorgeous dramatic design of the hotels, I knew that I wanted to be a hotel designer. Interior design has always been my absolute passion and having the freedom to style an outrageous hotel would be my ultimate bliss. 
The Gatsby House in Ireland is the perfect example of hotel design done right.
Extravagant and luxurious, the Swell group does not disappoint my visual cravings.
In this particular hotel they created an old hollywood glamour look with each room named after a stylish movie star. Wouldn't you like to stay at this hotel on your visit and sip tea by the fire?
Enjoy the goodness.
the sitting room
the dining room

the Rita Hayworth room
the Grace Kelley room

the Judy Garland room

the Cary Grant Bathroom
the Shrimp room

for more of the beautiful hotels visit the Swell group .

tablescape tuesdays

Lately I have been drawn to the beauty of clear glass as the ultimate household staple...
Glassware can make such a difference when pairing with the perfect china and flowers.
I love changing colors up all the time (its the decorista side of me) and the perfect
way to ensure my success is by having a few bits of clear glass up my hostessing sleeves.
I will be ready for every occasion. 





images courtesy of...
eventpeeps.com
styleathome.com
maisonboheme
decorpad.com