{inspiration: back to black}

. . . had all but abandoned black {in the home, but not the closet} long ago, believing it to be a little overwhelming and sombre for bright and sunny rooms -- and yet -- have recently become enchanted by its bold elegance and dramatic charm . . .













{images: 1 - photography by eric piasecki for martha stewart living, text by this is glamorous; 2 - marie claire maison via absolutely beautiful things; 3 - petra bindel via desire to inspire, extensive photo-editing by this is glamorous; 4 - tom scheerer; 5 - angus fergusson via desire to inspire; 6 - michael bargo's manhattan apartment, photography by douglas friedman for domino magazine; 7 - laura resen; 8 - chloë sevigny by the selby; 9 - via bloomacious; 10 - julia steger photographed by maciek kobielski; 11 - photography by annie schlechter for domino magazine}

{summer breezes}

. . . dreamy indoor/outdoor rooms to fall softly asleep in, the warm summertime air drifting through, the sound of the water always in the distance . . .

{images: 1 - marie claire via absolutely beautiful things; 2 - nicolas matheus via endless inspiration}

{merry christmas}

Wintry inspiration on these, the last softly falling snow days before Christmas . . . off for the rest of week for some much-anticipated time away, and wishing you holidays filled with laughter and warmth and someone to hold you close . . .

Happy, happy holidays!

xo

{images: 1 -Homes & Gardens December 2008, photography by David Giles; 2 - Ludwig Design via desire to inspire; 3 - fashion in my eyes; 4 - Genevieve Wiseman via desire to inspire; 5- Marie Claire Maison via automatism; 6 - Country Living via The Inspired Room; 7 - Country Home; 8 - from an earlier post}

{happily exhausted + links}

Happily exhausted and yet can barely contain the Christmas excitement . . . shopping nearly complete, weeks filled with dinner reservations, holiday parties and lovely soirées, and now, nearly Christmas . . .

Hope everyone is having a lovely, lovely weekend!

{lovely links before Christmas:}
* 12 lovely things II
* a pretty polish paper chandelier
* all-out festive party outfits
* until dawn {almost like snowflakes}
* perfect for New Year's
* flutters of fabric
* a swish of tulle
* red hair & a bit of lace
* lovely garlands
* a bright and airy space
* currently daydreaming . . .
* an ultra-chic holiday wish list
* black butterflies at dior homme

{images: 1 - Country Home September 2006, photography by Erik Johnson, via interior divine; 2 - ffffound!; 3 - marie claire maison via automatism, all photo-editing by this is glamorous}

{p.s.}
A warm thank you to Hayden-Harnett, for the thoughtful and unexpected gift.

{colour inspiration: purple reign}

Whether it’s shades of lilac, lavender, plum, puce, thistle, orchid, aubergine, wine, magenta, violet, mauve, indigo or amethyst, purple is everywhere, from shimmery blouses, to loveseats, be-ribboned sandals, and accent walls. It is associated with royalty, regality, and nobility, believed to be Cleopatra’s favourite colour and is included in The Washington Post’s Fall Forecast.

While the luxurious and royally vibrant shades may hang in my closet, have only ever been adventurous enough to consider the soft, romantic, and delicate hues of lilac and lavender for décor . . .

{amethyst table lamp by McCoy Design at vivre}

{Oscar de la Renta Crystal ribbon sandals}

{see also Patricia's beautiful post on purple}

{images: 1 - Vogue Italia October 2003, photography by Steve Hiett via déModé; 2 - via apartment therapy; 3 - via desire to inspire; 4 - via scout-holiday; 5 - kristaomic; 6 - john janik; 7 - joanna reyes for vicente villarin; 8 - Miles Redd room via domino; 9 - marie claire maison via classic style in the city; 10 - Editorial: Dinner at 8; Vogue Italia May 2008; Photographer: Steven Miesel; Model: Natalia Vodianova; 11 - Elle Decor March 2008 via Patricia Gray Interior Design; 13 - Editorial: Model & Supermodel; Magazine: Vogue US; Issue: September 2004; Model: Daria Werbowy; Photographer: Steven Meisel via foto decadent; 14 - marie claire maison via the house that a-m built; 16 - Vanessa Bruno's home via domino; 17 - Easy Living via made by girl; 19 - Janet de Botton's home in Provence 2004 as featured in Vogue Living, Houses Garden People edited by Hamish Bowles}

{a summer's afternoon}

{marie claire maison}

. . . somehow, everything looks better bathed in the quiet and softly diffused light of a late summer's afternoon . . .

{via lily-g}

{oceanside}

{country living via lily-g}

{photography by Miguel Flores-ViannaJune/July 2007 via domino}

{ hhmedia; photography by Stacey Brandford}

{hhmedia}

{ marie claire maison}

{House Beautiful via Absolutely Beautiful Things & coco+kelley}

{ photography by corinne day}

. . . like to imagine these rooms as perhaps belonging to tiny island huts or oceanside cottages, the sun setting through palms, the air filled with the echos of crashing waves . . .