{hello & early morning musings}

. . . while it may be infinitely easier to slow things down {just a little} on weekends, during a busy work week, there is the wonderful opportunity to find a perfect balance, and while there is always time for cups of coffee and spring bouquets, after reading this earlier in the week, have come to the realization that, now more than ever, there might be more time set aside for breakfast and the morning paper, for afternoon tea away from the office and more late lunches on terraces, and time spent in the sun, especially with summer soon on its way . . .


{images: getty images; *peanut (lauren) on flickr}

{favourite five: interior designer tricia foley}

When it comes to home décor, luxury can be found in simplicity. In the field of interior design, Tricia Foley is the authority when it comes to clean lines and natural elements, adding a classic touch to every project she encounters. Whether she is restoring a quiet country home with timeless rustic details or decorating a grand Upper East side city dwelling, Tricia uses neutral color schemes and soft color palettes to create soothing backdrops to help her clients lead meaningful, composed lives that are, at the same time, filled with sophisticated elegance.


above, a sample of tricia's work for ralph lauren home

With a clientele that includes Ralph Lauren Home and Bloomingdales, her highly-regarded work has graced the pages of Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Country Home, Southern Accents, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living and The New York Times.



In a sometimes bewildering world of too many interior design inspirations and decisions, we are utterly delighted to have Tricia, the author of ten design & lifestyle books, share with us the:

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{top five things everyone should know about interior design}

1. Respond to your surroundings.
If you respond to your environment and the given architecture, the design will fall into place naturally. Treat your design plans as the backdrop for your life – it should be a natural fit , not a stage set.

2. Keep it simple.
Don’t try to look for the newest trends, but look to what is tried and true for you. I always focus on function and light and making the most of the space, creating adequate storage, and streamlining things so that homekeeping is a joy not a burden, and my home is a haven not a stressful place.

3. Make it personal.
Tearsheets are an invaluable source of ideas and its important to keep a scrapbook/workbook with the all details and colors and fabrics you love to create your own look . Whether you are working with a professional designer, contractor, or kitchen designer or whether you are doing this yourself, it helps to visualize your end goal.

4. Aim for comfort.
Make sure that the lighting is right for the way you use rooms, that you have good reading light, task lighting for computer and cooking, dining chairs that fit under tables, comfortable seating for lounging and relaxing, low maintenance coffee tables if you like to put your feet up on them … try out beds, and sofas and make sure that they feel just right for you.

5. Invest in the classics.
Whether its from a flea market, Ikea or Sotheby’s, the furnishings that I find I use over and over again, are the big white painted cupboards that organize everything but keep all the little things out of sight; the farm tables that are pressed into service as kitchen tables, desks or sofa consoles; big glass cylinders that are in still-lifes on the mantel, have candles in them for dinner parties, or are filled with big flowering branches … Wall colors change, pillows change, art work and collections evolve, but these have become the signature pieces in my home.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* jeweler: camille eddera
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell

~ laily


{all images from tricia foley's website; image 5 from country home via housemartin via apartment therapy}

{décor inspiration: ruffles & lace}

. . . one of the guestrooms in p's parents' home has the most luxuriously lovely floral bedding trimmed in yards and yards of ruffles, and always seems to be enveloped in a perfect slant of dusky sunlight; and ever since the waking up in such loveliness the very first morning, have had a new-found fondness for ruffles, whether floral, or enchantingly dreamed up in the most breathtaking lace . . .

{image: elle decoration uk}

{two lovely things: moments of repose}

. . . running around this week, a trillion things to do and it's only just begun, thoughts drifting to memories of the past weekend, the first truly relaxing one in quite some time, and remembered the easy afternoons and two lovely things especially came to mind -- the delightful leisure of a little time at the shops, and most of all, the luxury of waking late and catching up on much-needed beauty sleep -- and so, have taken time to slow things down a little -- falling leaves and late-afternoon sun on tuesday, and today, lattes & butter tarts at a quaint café . . .

hope you're having a brilliant week so far, with time for a few moments of repose,
xo

{p.s.} shall always & forever be in love with the utter romance of coronets & crown canopies . . . more here & here

{also:} recent two lovely things:
* monograms & pink roses
* october mornings
* mirrors & chandeliers
* luxurious textures

{images: unknown; aged and gilded}

{colour inspiration: overcast skies}

. . . early monday evening and the skies have already fallen dark, and earlier, brilliant leaves of orange and crimson, floating in the autumn breezes and fluttering along sidewalks, everything cast in utterly romantic shades of overcast skies . . .

{p.s.} a few updates:
* features & favourites
* fashion & photography

{images: 1 - linen & lavender; 2 - scan, photography by laura sewry for victoria magazine march/april 2009; 3, 4, 5, 8 - matteo; 6 - linen & lavender; 7 - .la doleur exquise.}

{thoughts on a rainy afternoon}

. . . a drizzly, foggy afternoon on one of those weeks where a million things are happening at once, and today is e-mails, projects, deadlines and out the door for a late lunch, but wanted to say a quick hello -- and shall return later today with some perfectly exciting news . . .

hope you're having a lovely thursday,
xo

{p.s.} have been obsessed with florals lately

{image: scan, photography by polly wreford for easy elegance by atlanta bartlett}

{eco chic: emma loves retro}

. . . fun, fun cushions from emma loves retro, in beautiful colours + patterns and handmade from vintage and recycled fabric