Personal Safari

I've got a little obsession with the Stark Antelope rug lately.  I want it so bad, but when I priced out a runner for my hall it was a big whomp whomp.  That wont be happening anytime soon, but maybe I could find a pretty alternative.  At least I'm crossing my fingers I can. 

In the mean time here are some of the pretty inspiration that is driving this love....

Amanda Nisbet Designs

Vogue

Sally Wheat Interiors

Sally Wheat Interiors

The Visual Vamp

Traditional Home

Veranda Magazine

 

And my favorite....

Baily from Peppermint Bliss- HELLO!

 

 

Chinoiserie for me, Chinoiserie for you

For the last two weeks I have spent every free minute working on my term paper for the class I'm taking right now.  We had to pick an interior design style and write about it, I chose Chinoiserie.  So its only natural that it has been on my mind for weeks now- and still is.  I just love the look, and it fits so well with other styles, what do you think?

 

Ashley Whittaker

de Gournay

Katie Ridder

Mary McDonald

Ashley Whittaker

de Gournay

Massicco Warner Miller

Michael Smith

 

Veranda

Colorful Tile

I've been seeing colorful tile designs more and more these days and I'm totally loving it!  I wouldn't say its a trend so much as its a lasting style that's been around for centuries.  Specifically I'm talking about Encaustic tiles (Or Cement, Moroccan, Spanish, Caribbean, Cuban, Victorian  or any tile of the sort).  Encaustic means that the pattern isn't just on the surface of the tile, it goes all the way through each individual tile.  It's a laborious process, which is reflected in the price tag for sure.  But even after hundreds of years of wear the tiles will still have the same design and pattern as they did from day 1.  You definitely get your money out of them if you keep them for a very long time.

 

The colors, patterns and designs are endless with these tiles.  I rounded up some of my favorite looks, take a look 

 

Elle Decor Photo by Simon Upton

Elle Decor Photo by Simon Upton

 Elle Decor Photo by Simon Upton

 

Elle Decor Photo by Simon Upton

Cle Tile

Cle Tile

El Mueble

Elle Decor design by Steven Gambrel, photo by Eric Pizsecki

Casa Josephine

 

Elle Decor, house of Nabil Nahas from the April 2011 issue

Nuevo Estilo

Nuevo Estilo

Original Mission Tile

Cement Tile Shop

unknown

 

While I really think the elloborate designs are beautiful I tend to be drawn to the more simple & geometric designs.  There are numerous websites that sell encaustic tile and I rounded up my very favorites.  Now I just need a client who loves them as much as I do so I can get to work installing them in a home! 

 

Top to bottom:  Villa Lagoon Tile, Mosaic House, Popham Design

Avente Tile, Villa Lagoon Tile, Mosaic House

Popham Design, Popham Design, Cle Tile

Cement Tile Shop, Mosaic House, Cement Tile Shop

 

 

The hexagon star tile from Popham Design is the front runner for me.  I just love it in the bedroom above and I would LOVE to use it in a house of my own! 

 

What do you think, any favorites?  Do you like this look?

 

 

A Life Size Jewelry Box

So I have now seen the photos of Cameron Diaz's apartment on Extra, E!, the news, gossip websites and I'm sure you have seen it other places too.  Now, I guess, now you've seen it here too.  It's just so good I cant get enough of it.  Like THAT good. 

I know Kelly Wearstler isn't for everyone, but she is for me. I love her and her ability to put together the craziest designs that just work like nobody's business.  Even if you don't like the overall design, take the pieces in each space and look at them on their own.  I bet you'll find at least one thing you love in here. How could you not?

 

 This is what it would be like to live inside of a jewelry box filled with shiny treasures and I love it.

The kitchen might be my favorite room.  Those custom green cabinets, the unlacquered brass backsplash and the ebony cerused floor just make me I'm looking at a room filled with kittens and puppies. I just want to pet something.

There is not one surface left untouched here- its like pure eye candy in every direction.

Floor to ceiling Ann Sacks tile.  HELLO!

 

Custom brass bed in the guest room.  How do I get an invitation?

 

 

So even if this isn't for you, is there at least one thing you love here?  Look at the tiny details, because you know hours were spent thinking about each and every one.

 

 

Design by Kelly Wearstler, photos from Elle Decor by William Abranowicz

Mirror,Mirror on the wall

On my trip to Italy last Fall I developed a deep love for their craftsmanship.  The glass specifically.  I already blogged about the chandeliers that I still cant get off my mind, but I've also been jones'n for a Venetian mirror.  If I wasn't petrified of them breaking on the trip home I would have packed a few in my carry one bag.  Even thought I didn't come home with one on my last trip,  all the more reason to plan another trip to purchase one.  Right?

Elle Decor, photo by Laura Resen

Gianni Franchellucci

via High Gloss Mag

Design Manifest

House Beautiful, photo by John Kernick

Coleen McGill

Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton

Country Living

Elle Decor, photo by William Waldron

House Beautiful design by Windsor Smith. Photo by Victoria Pearson

 

Elle Decor, photo by William Waldron

Looking for your own Venetian mirror without the plane ticket to Venice for one?  Your in luck, here are some of my favorites

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