Dwell Studios for Global Views

Some things just belong together.  That's why I think Global Views pairing up with Dwell Studio is a match made in design heaven.

The polished sophistication Global Views is known for is getting a jolt of retro 70's patterns and texture.  Check out my favorite pieces from the new collection:

Diamond Cube

Diamond Cut Vase

Gold Ribbons Drinking Glass Tall

Gold Triangle Drinking Glass Short

Tubular Metal Burst with Stone Base

Golden Gates Lacquered Tray

Trellis Lacquered Tray

Linking Trellis Double Bulb Vases

I think I need one of everything. Maybe two...

The collection is debuting this month at High Point.  I am excited to hear what the design community thinks of the chic collection!

{images via Global Views & Simply Lovely}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Gucci Pre-Fall 2011

Gucci's Pre-Fall 2011 collection combined my current two loves- shades of grey and updated 1970's silhouettes.  The collection made me think 'can I make a room that's entirely void of color and still make it seem warm and interesting?'  It's a challenge I took on so let's see how it turned out.

{images via FRG}

The trick to designing monochrome (one color) or achromatic (no color, which grey is technically a neutral so it's not a color) rooms is varying shades and textures.  I started my room by finding the perfect modern sectional in a charcoal grey wool flannel (Room and Board).  To ground the room, I would add a large and luxe flokati rug in a lighter shade of grey (Teak, Wicker, and More).  On top of this, I'd place a sleek and streamlined cocktail table in chrome with a grey quartz top (Room and Board).  The polished look of the cocktail juxtaposes nicely against the heavy pile of the area rug.  Mixing opposite textures like this is what gives the room interest.

Now for the finishing touches.  I'd place multiples styles of pillows on the sectional for more added visual interest.   I wouldn't worry that some of the fabrics are warm (Etsy) while others are cool (West Elm) as mixing the diverse tones adds the variety an achromatic room so desperately needs!  I would dress any window in dove grey velvet curtains that puddle elegantly on the floor (Pottery Barn) and add a shiny starburst mirror (Arteriors) for some dashes of glamour.  The crowning moment in the room?  Jonathan Adler's Meurice chandelier (I new I'd find a room to use it in!).

So what do you think?  Could you live in a room completely void of color?

Elle France Jan. 2011

Fine, you got me.  I'm awful at not blogging.  Call up the rehab joint because I am an addict.  How can I NOT post the beautiful things I come across, though? Especially when they're inspired by the seductive 70's?

{Patricia van der Vliet for Elle France January 2011 by Tesh via FRG}

Sleek Seventies

A collection of sleek 70's sophistication.  Enjoy!

Adore...

{all furniture pieces 1970's vintage via 1stDibs, 

fashion photography Valentina Zelyaeva by David Burton for Elle Russia via FGR}

Baby It's Cold Outside

Holy Bananas.  It was 11 degrees this morning as I drove to work. Ee. Lev. Ven.  Just because it's 1/1/11, Mother Nature, it does NOT mean you have to match those numbers in the temperature.  How I wish I could call in a "it's too dang cold to work" day and curl up in luxurious fur coat and lay around to wait for Spring....

Here's to a warmer year yet to come!

{Angela Lindvall photographed by Camilla Akrans and styled by Brana Wolf via FRG}



Perfect Pair for the New Year: Sequin + Mirror

May your New Year be shining and bright!

{images via West Elm, 1st Dibs, Arteriors, MG+BW & weheartit}

And The Chandelier of Choice Is....

A few days ago I posted this room inspired by an editorial image from Elle France.

I asked you, my readers, to help me with the lighting by giving you three fixture options to choose from.  I'm glad to announce we have a winner!  To my happy surprise the winning fixture was......

Option #3, Restoration Hardware's Foucault's Iron Orb Chandelier!!!

This piece was inspired by a nineteenth century physicist, Leon Foucault, and his gyroscope.  Makes you want to watch The Big Bang Theory, right?

 I say I was happily surprised because I thought most people would go for the more traditional fixtures.  Option #2 was close to being the winner...

...but then my fabulous sister made the comment that it looks like a naked lady oil lamp my chic Grandmother use to own...

Sadly, this lamp has a special place in my heart, though this may be one item from the 70's we shouldn't try to resurrect.  After a little research, I found out these lamps were popular in the 70's, along with disco and fondue.  Needless to say, this reference may have killed #2's chance of being the winner.

Thanks again for your participation!  I may have to take poles more often!

See the orginial post and comments here.

All I Want For Christmas

I was saving this post for after Thanksgiving, but Rue Magazine just came out with their new issue and this is their cover:

It must be the blog gods telling me it's time, so here we go!

All I want for Christmas is...  a man's gold watch.  I know, it sounds odd, but bare with me.

 In Amanda Brooks' book, I Love Your Style, she says, "I love the tomboy feeling of a men's watch on a woman's wrist sticking out from under a rolled-up shirt sleeve."  Whether you have sleeves or not, I love the proportion of a chunky watch to a woman's delicate wrist.  I think it is the accessory equivalent of wearing a man's dress shirt as pjs.  Hot. So Hot.

Let's take a look at who agrees with me:

Rachel Zoe



Victoria Beckham via CelebrityFashionTips.com



Charlize Theron

Elizabeth Hurley

Jennifer Anniston

Taylor (an ex-member of the Rachel Zoe team)

Did I mention Victoria Beckham wears one?



In all honesty, I want a vintage Rolex, but then again, who doesn't? 

18K Yellow Gold Porcelain Dial Zenith Daytona by Rolex via 1st Dibs
They won't even list this price, lol.

Rolex 18K PG Oyster Perpetual ref. 6551 c. 1958 via 1st Dibs
This one is a bargain at $7,850



Rolex 18K PG Day Date President ref# 1803 circa 1970's via 1st Dibs
It can be yours for the small price of $13,950! Naturally, this is the one I like best.

 Amanda Brooks continues in her book, "There are some incredibly beautiful and expensive watches out there.  We've all drooled over them, but I have seen Swatches and Timexes look just as chic."  Whew!  Let's look for some more realistic options now:

Michael Kors 'Bel Aire Chronograph' Watch via Nordstrom
$250 and GORGEOUS. **hint hint to the husband**



Nixon 'The Time Teller' Watch via Nordstrom
Timeless styling, simple, and $100.  Can't beat that!
**hint hint,again, to the husband**

Timex Vintage Gents England Made Watch circa 1958 via Bonanza
Needs some TLC but is a really cool vintage piece for $65!


Do you think I hinted this to my husband subtle enough?

{I'm not sure about the credits for the celeb images.  I've been collecting them for awhile now so let me know if you know where they're from!}

EDIT!

It's been a few days since I first posted the above, but I have found another drool-worthy vintage watch.  Check it out!

Seiko circa 1970s watch via Etsy for $180.

Love.  And I would pair the watch with this bracelet:

Vintage Mesh Bracelet via Etsy