Wallcolor Wednesday...purple dining area

Currently I'm painting my bedroom a lovely shade of lavender. It's moody and has almost a vintage vibe to it. I was inspired by so many different shades of purple that I found in dining areas. I much prefer purple in the bedroom than the dining but these spaces are kinda hot. Anyway, I went a head with a certain color I know you guys will love! Here are a few that really struck my fancy. 
I have always loved this dining area by Miles Redd. High gloss lavender. Oh, yeah.
images via

3 ways to rock Neon at home...

Nobody is more ready than I am for some sunshine in this city. What is with the snow? Bring me some sunshine, please. So lately I have been seeing some neon numbers around the decor world and I am really liking what I see.

1. Neon stripes in the bathroom. I love the idea of sunshine in the bathroom, might be a little bright for me personally, but looks fab in here! 
 2. Neon frames on a white wall. Now this loos incredibly chic here. I love this art wall combo.
3. Neon on pillows and accessories. Mix them in with some more earthy elements to make it really work in your home. It's got bohemian written all over it. So chic.

images via  design files.

Parisian Bistro Chairs...

This week is going to be such a fun week. I'm hosting two dinners and a brunch at my new apartment. Even though I am in the middle of decorating, I have to keep the entertaining going. My dining chairs finally arrived and I am so in love with them. However, I need a few extra seats and I can't help but think back to my trip in Paris and all the wonderful bistro chairs. These black and white spotted ones were my favorite. 
I think they are really stylish in homes too. I love these sets of bar sized stools with amazing patterns, too. My trip is still such a source of inspiration, its endless.
 
Here are a few I am into for my apartment...

10 things that rocked my world this week...March 16

1. I am over the moon that Spring is near. I love everything about Spring in this city. Flowers, better weather (thank God), outdoor brunches, Yankees games, etc. I've been spending my days preparing for the season.


2. I heavily considered buying this headboard for my bedroom. I mean, its absolutely gorgeous but I don't know that it would be so comfortable to sleep with everyday. Even though I didn't get it, I still think about its beauty. 
 
3. My dining area is coming together and I am spending so much of my time here. I have come to the conclusion that beautiful blush pink roses just make everything look better. Of course my little love birds help too. 
4. Archipelago candles are some of my favorite candles ever and this Vanilla scent has just been rocking my world lately. I burn it all the time because it leaves the most delicious smell in my apartment. It's not too strong, its just right so as to appeal to anyone. Love.
 5. Speaking of love. I am obsessed with my large Phantom candleabra sconces from Zgallerie. Oh. My. Goodness. They are so beautiful and make the perfect romantic statement in my living room. Gold and white together are oh so delicious! 
 6. Atop my gorgeous dusty rose pink velvet ottoman sits the most beautiful book ever. A passion for Interiors by Caroline Rhoem is like beyond breathtaking. Every single page is worth looking at. I am in awe of this book, makes such great tableau decor. 
 7. I am beyond excited for my new pillows from Arianna Belle. She has such an amazing selection and the way they come wrapped and packed so perfectly makes it totally worth shopping at her online boutique. 
 8. So. Sherwin Williams has an annual National Painting Week and they were kind enough to invite me on board. We were all given a color to choose from and my color is purple. Stay tuned to see what I choose to paint for the holiday! 
 9. Window shopping in NYC can be so much fun. I love this retro pink pattern wallpaper on the walls with a light grey cozy chair. Oh, and that light fixture is so so good.
 10. I was fortunate enough to get a super special tour of Ankasa Madison showroom and create a one of a kind custom pillow for my apartment. We spent some time on the design and I can't wait till you guys see it. 
BONUS: You probably all know by know how much I love my church and the band from my church is beyond good. The new album dropped recently and debuted #1 on Itunes. Soooooooo proud of them and the whole album is sooooo good! Definitely check it out. Hillsong United Zion.


bliss in the kitch'...Steven Sclaroff Stripes

I absolutely adore this little kitchen, the stripes remind me of my old apartment. So now I am thinking of where I want to put stripes in my new apartment. Maybe the kitchen, or perhaps the bathroom. I love the way Steven Sclaroff does stripes in this gorgeous home...

This bathroom really stole the show for me. I'm finding that I really enjoy thin pinstripes lately as opposed to the thicker variety. It looks so fresh and chic whether in the powder room or even on the sofa.
I even love this triple color stripe look in the bedroom. What kind of stripes do you guys suggest?

images via desire to inpsire

Lately...


this is what my life feels like. Working up a storm and everything spread out on the dining table. Luckily, I am a designer so everything that is laying around is beautiful and full of vibrant colors and patterns. I especially love a really beautiful long dining table. I am not lucky to have a space that big yet...for now I am all about round or...octagonal perhaps.




 images 1//2-domino mag//3

Chinoiserie Chic

A few things...

Lately I have found myself attracted to little bits of Chinoiserie strewn into a space. I am always a fan of a full on Chinoiserie decorated space. However, because its such a colorful and vibrant style, I don't think I could live with that everyday. NYC is hard core and work can be a bit hectic, so I need to come home and visually relax. Having said that, I like small elements of the look thrown around like on this adorable coffee table...or a glam bathroom.
 I think the look can be subdued by using it with a warm and sensual color combination like these rooms here, gorgeous gold and rich teal. 
  Another perfect pairing I noticed that I really like is black and white floors mixed with Chinoiserie patterns. Mary Macdonald did this entryway with the look and I happen to think its magical.
all images found here and on Chinoiserie Chic...

White done right...


I must say, this issue of Lonny Magazine is pretty good. I love the apartment of Michelle Adams,  editor-in-chief of the mag. White walls are so my thing right now and I really like how she splattered art all over the walls to keep it colorful and filled. This cute bedroom is totally New York City Chic. 
Femme artwork is a must in any killer girl apartment. Love the hints of pink too. I also really dig this little entryway vignette. All white everything and a little modern artsy kelly wearstler vibe going on. Yes. I love everything about it. 
all images by Patrick Cline (my photog hero) for Lonny mag.

Stylishly living in Spain...

While I was in Madrid, I didn't really care about buying any Spanish paraphernalia, but I did however, stock up on as many decor magazines as I could. Madrid has an incredible collection of decorating magazines. I couldn't buy enough of them, they are just too good. I love America, but we could really take a cue from the magazines over seas. 

Nuevo Estilo was my favorite one and this months cover feature was my absolute favorite. A completely California chic look in Madrid. I love everything about this space. It's charming, relaxed, collected and incredibly chic. As I said in yesterdays post, I really love a collected look and not just everything so contrived. I think partly because I relate to changing around my home decor almost daily, an ever evolving collection of beauty. Of course she happens to be a fashion designer, only a chic girl would have a striped bedroom.


 I find that the most stylish rooms have a very eclectic look. Key pieces that are on trend and mix together for a killer combo. That's so very decorista style. 
Chesterfield sofa + Slim Aarons print + gold bamboo table + exotic rug + glass coffee table = YES! 

 I have been seriously considering black and white stripes in my kitchen. Love this look.

images via Nuevo Estilo home of CARLA REBUELTA

office space of the day...Sheryl Crow sophistication

After visiting Spain, I'm just craving more rich interiors. I've been seeing the same office spaces going around the net for so long...simple, white maybe a touch of gold, always chic. However, I love unique spaces that are rich and filled with collected items from life. Just the opposite of a perfectly staged office space. I absolutely love Sheryl Crows home in AD, her office space is so rich and sophisticated. 
amazing black desk + studded red chair + gorgeous lamp + toile flower vase + open window =
domestic bliss

My time in Madrid...aka La Decorista

While I was away in Madrid, I really tried to take some time away and refresh. After reading this post, I knew getting out of town would be the best thing for me. I needed to get away, see new things and become re-inspired. So, while I was in Madrid, visiting family, I did just that...

I mean, the second I got there I was blown away by the design. The airport was out of hand amazing. Photos cannot capture the bad-ass-ness of this place. I was madly in love with it. Shortly after, the first little spot we went to eat was so stylish and on point. Throwing little furs on the chairs to keep you warm. What?!? I loved it. 
 Every where in this town has serious style. Take for example, this art store. It was in an old school pharmacy with walls of drawers and it was incredible. All of the restaurants had the most interesting light fixtures, too. Speaking of restaurants to not talk about the food in Madrid would be a disservice to this city. The food was absolutely incredible. I ate so many amazing things, I just was blown away. So blown away, in fact, that I forgot to take photos...oops!
 This was one of my favorite restaurants, La Manuelo. The style was very art nouveau whimsical and just very, very cool. Stone walls, black and white striped curtains, curvy accents, metal elements, feather lights and gorgeous spanish tile. 
Obviously, the architecture in downtown Madrid was beyond breathtaking. 

Not surprisingly, I took pictures of all the doors in the city. The moldings and the woods were so gorgeous. Not to mention the door knockers. They were almost always in gold or brass + all the lions just stole the show.
My favorite part of Madrid was el Rastro. We went shopping for antiques all day on Sunday. Everything  was insanely good. 
How cool are these Paris letters?
I am seriously considering putting a cat in my home, and some religious paraphernalia too.
 This one store had a collection of suns that was out of this world. So in love.
All in all I had a wonderful time, resting, recharging and relaxing. But, now, its back to business. 

10 things that rocked my world this week...the Madrid edition

1. This week (or week and a half, really) was one of my busiest, yet most fun because I got to spend quality time with some of my favorite people on earth. One of them being this beauty, Crystal, who is known for her fab online magazine, Rue. They had a launch party here in NYC at the Ankasa showroom and it was oh so much fun. The showroom is like my new obsession, such gorgeousness...

2. The next morning I went to the Luvocracy breakfast which was really amazing. I am obsessed with the site, so I recommend joining and see my favorite things to decorate with. This is perfect for clients. The best part of the day was getting to see some of my favorite other bloggers and decoristas celebrate the site too. (Pictured: Tamra, Kat, me + Katie Armour)
3. I also had the pleasure of attending a dinner hosted by Makers Mark for women who are "making their mark" on their industry. It was such an honor and had the most incredible swag bag....including red Chanel nail polish and a gold red lipstick. 
 4. The best part of my week was my little adventure to Spain. I went to Madrid for a little bit of work but a lot of pleasure and quality time with family. It was my first time to Madrid and it was absolutely incredible. The decor in this city was so rich and well done, and the decor shopping....Wow. This was our first little stop in the city, an adorable outdoor cafe. They were so stylish putting fur on their seats for warmth on the patio chairs. How could I have not stopped here?
 5. One of our family dinners was at a restaurant called La Manuelo and the decor was smashing. Feather lights everywhere, gorgeous metallic chandeliers, pretty spanish tile on the floors, large stone walls, tribal necklaces for art. It didn't stop there, every corner was eye catching. 
6. There was this incredibly famous store called, ocho,  that was filled to the brim with the most incredible decor I have ever seen. Including a wall of golden sunburst mirrors. Took my breath away.
 7. Of course the doors were so fantastic I took about 100 thousand photos of them. This emerald green one was my favorite.
8. The street signs were so cool. I love how in Europe they are on the buildings instead of the streets. I just could not get enough of them. 
9. El Rastro. The flea market in Madrid. Oh my god. It might be the best flea market I have ever been to. It really was filled with the most amazing things I have ever seen, a little expensive but hey, it was filled with things I have never seen before. I wanted it all, especially these books, they were SO beautiful.
10. It was funny. My family doesn't speak much english, but by the end of the trip they were saying the funniest phrases in English, it really had me going...and this was one of them. The red chandelier in the background might have been my favorite vintage item I spotted. I wanted her, bad! 

SIX TO BLISS: the dallas shaw edition


While I am in Spain enjoying incredible doors, I'm so excited to be bringing back one of my favorite guest post series, Six to Bliss. Celebrating my favorite creative ladies and letting them share with all of you their 6 secrets to achieving domestic bliss! 
Who: Dallas Shaw
Where: Wilmington, DE 
What:  a very, very talented fashion illustrator
Dallas is one of my favorite girlfriends in our industry, sweet, totally driven and always glam...

ONE-I make a really beautiful mess of my desk, every day.
TWO-layer of bling 
( One more bracelet never hurt anyone )
THREE-coffee w friends
( I try to schedule my lunch meetings over good coffee )
FOUR- magazine inspiration
(Always seeking inspiration so I can never have too many magazines )
FIVE- office monograms
( An office filled with Monograms and personalization. Heaven )
SIX- shopping
( A quick stop off at Terrain for some lunchtime shopping )


headshot photo by laura novak, images via dallas shaw

Modern Art Moments...

I am still looking for the perfect art for my new apartment. It's got to be the perfect piece for above my sofa, so I am looking so carefully and trying to find the exact thing that just speaks to my heart.
Right now I am in love with modern art. These are a few of my most favorite looks. I love the bright vivid colors of these pieces. I also love the amazing pink hallway and super femme art. So fun. 
 Maybe I should just paint something myself, maybe then I would love it that much more...?

 images via 1(unknown)//2//3//4//

A bedroom side table

The next thing on my shopping list...

 Typical of New York, my bedroom is particularly small and I refuse to give up my big bed. So, I am in search of the perfect small side table that will fit that area. On the one side, my large vanity fits perfectly but on the other, I need something small and sweet, just enough for a little lamp and an accent or two. By the way, I am collecting my favorite things on luvocracy. Check em out! 


images via bedside stylings

How to create a stylish bar area...


 I always take my first inspiration from Kelly Wearstler, of course. She is like the mother of all glam design. Her stuff is always my first point of reference and then I like to create a twist on it. A few things I'd like to take from here are the gold barstools, the dark grey, beautiful marble backsplash and eccentric gold accessories. 
I also love this bar area I did in my upper west side clients house. Its a more realistic way of approaching the gold, black, white and deep grey look. 
I'm really wanting to do this look in my new apartment so I'll be shopping for some bar cart essentials. 
A few things I am into...


 decor images 1 and 2.

10 things that rocked my world this week...February 24

1. Shortly after Valentines day I became a manifesto girl. Of course I would be one during the month of LOVE...my favorite word ever. 

2.  I love this little nook of my apartment. Sade, my beautiful orchid sits so perfectly between my wingback studded chairs. Home sweet home.
 3. Spain. Oh yes, I booked my trip to Spain this week and when I got sent a pic of some of the doors, I was struck in the heart. I can't wait to see these beauties. 
 4. Thanks to stickygram my fridge is looking so fun and fresh with my little instagram magnets. I love them, its so much fun to see mini pics of my favorite things that rock my world.
 5. I am loving the gold lion door knockers around this city. This brass on black just really spoke to me.
 6. I have been loving the neon lights around the city too. Reminds me so much of the gorgeous lights in Paris. Le Magnifique was the perfect setting for a little late night nosh. 
 7. Speaking of Paris. I so adore the imagery in this cute little book, Paris vs New York. 
 8. I have a black one but the minute I saw this pink moroccan pouf, I thought to myself I might just need another one.
 9. Orange and brown stripes, potted topiaries, wood base lamp and little chinoiserie monkey coasters make such a chic little masculine decor display. So cute. 
10. Last but not least, the very door that just sent chills down my spine this week. Incredible.