Love Me Some Lucite

Want to know a designer trick to make any room instantly more chic?  Lucite. A little accent of Lucite will turn a ho-hum room into the room of a posh fashionista.  Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Philippe Starck's Ghost Chair

{images via All Modern, CB2, 1st Dibs, & The Paris Apartment}

Crazy for Coral

Dreaming of far away beaches and tropical breezes...  also, chic accessories!

 

{images via Z Gallerie, Ballard Design, Arteriors 1st Dibs & WS Home}

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}

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}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Victoria Bojarskaja

I love this girl. The Lithuanian model, Victoria Bojarskaja, is just so gosh-darn beautiful!  You know me, I had to turn my favorite pic of her into a room!
 

{via FGR}

I started this room by finding the sofa equivalent of Victoria's top. The Celia sofa from MG+BW is the prefect match.  Then for that fabulous necklace- it's such a gorgeous piece!  I interpreted the long antiqued bronze chains as a heavily antiqued mirror and a statement chandelier made entirely of antiqued bronze chains (both from Arteriors).  So fabulous, if I do say so myself!

I was going to turn this room into a living room, but then I thought, why not go crazy and make it a dining room?  I have always wanted to use a full-length sofa in a dining space and where better to test it out than here?  I would add a stunning Art Deco table circa 1940 (1stDibs).  I know I say every style is my favorite style, but Art Deco is my first and foremost love, especially French Art Deco.  It's the perfect transition between traditional and contemporary.  Adore.  For the other seating around the table I would add some upholstered chairs in a linen (Overstock). If you need dining chairs I HIGHLY recommend these.  Amazing quality, amazing price! They are what I have around my own dining table, actually.  Add a sideboard  (Baker) in a parchment finish under the mirror, accessorize with some vintage Dorothy Thorpe glassware (Etsy) and a funky bronze sculpture (Arteriors), and you have a completed statement formal dining room.  Tre Chic!

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.

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Elle France

As I've said before, I'm a boot-aholic.  Nothing is more stylish, flattering, and not to mention functional in these cold winter months.  When I came across this image from the December 2010 issue of Elle France, I knew I had to turn it into a room! 

I love the mix of the light and feminine against the rich and masculine materials.   The outfit has a Spanish flair to it, kind of like a modern-day flamenco dancer turned equestrian.  I started my room by pairing handsomely tailored Spanish Baroque-style leather wing chairs (vintage, 1stDibs) with a modern-day leather day bed (William-SonomaHome).  Aren't these pieces what you picture when you hear the word 'masculine'?  Just me? Maybe I'm the only one who thinks of the world in terms of furniture...

Anywho, here is the design tip of the day.  Always mix an unexpected element into a room.  An easy way to do this is to add a modern piece, like the daybed, into a traditional room and vise-versa. Now, this can be tricky.  At least once a week I see clients trying to mix modern and traditional together, but if it's not done the correct way, it just looks hodge-podge.  Make sure there is some consistency between the two styles, like the chocolate leather and clean silhouettes of both chairs and day bed.  By mixing periods, you get a more 'collected' look, rather than 'I-bought-the-vignette-off-the-showroom-floor' look.  Much more chic. 

To ground the room I would add a large Persian rug and make sure at least 6" of the chairs and daybed are either on or off the rug (I highly recommend on. Remember this tip?).  I would then dress all the windows in tapestry panels with solid almond-colored sheers, reminiscent of our model's brocade jacket over the lacy blouse.  Windows are always a great place to layer!  For a little more femininity, I would add bunches of down pillows with flamenco ruffles, paisley patterns, and accented in tassels.  Add an elegant Spanish side table from the 1920's (1stDibs) and accessorize it with a regal horse statue (RestorationHardware) for a little more Spanish charm. 

Doesn't it seem like there's a certain something missing?  If you were wondering where all the lighting went, you have a designer's eye!  I'd love to have your opinion on what style of general lighting you'd like to see in this room.  Here are three choices, so leave me a comment to let me know your favorite!

Option 1:

1920's Wrought Iron Spanish Chandelier via 1st Dibs

Option 2:

Classic 1920's Iron and Mica Pendant Fixture via 1st Dibs
(I would use either two side by side, or use three in a grouping all hung at different lengths.)



Option 3:

Foucault's Iron Orb Chandelier via Restoration Hardware



I can't wait to hear what you think! I'll announce the results on Monday, so stay tuned!!

Starburst Mirrors

It's no secret I'm obsessed with starburst mirrors.  I have one in my living room and one over my bed... I still want more!  To me, a starburst mirror is the ultimate wall decor for the modern sophisticate.

Nickel Starburst from Global Views

Whether you are traditional, contemporary, or even rustic there is a starburst mirror for you!   Take a look at the following collection of photos to see what I mean:

Kelly Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler table accessories for Bergdorf Goodman's

Suzanne Kasler
(So much more style than if a traditional mirror was hung over the chest, don't you think?)

Suzanne Kasler

Arteriors

Metropolitan Home

Sarah Richardson
(my dream bathroom)

Sarah Richardson

Arteriors
(The PERFECT starburst mirror, in my opinion.  I may have to purchase this before too long...)

Nickel Starburst pulls via NestInteriorDesign

Nickel Starburst pulls via NestInteriorDesign
(I really want to know their source for these.  Let me know if you know!)

Suzanne Kasler via Elle Decor

Italian Giltwood Circa 1930 via 1stDibs



Decor Pad

 Next time you have an empty space on your wall, consider adding a little polish and sophistication with a starburst!