{two lovely things: chalkboards & garden sheds}

. . . a grand and gilded chalkboard intermingling with dusky olive velvet and always elegant chevron floors . . . and a charming gardening shed with wonderfully ornate bracketed shelves and a porcelain sink overflowing with delicate late-spring blossoms . . .

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things
* a paris apartment & hermès
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets


{images: 1 - original scan from côté paris via belle vivir, discovered via head over heels; 2 - country living via brabourne farm & also seen at the french tangerine}

{happy st. patrick's day & spring things}

May you have warm words
on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill
all the way to your door.

~ irish blessing

. . . a little wish for this stunningly beautiful, warm and sunny day, and whether you're traipsing about in quaint and charming pubs or have plans for a quiet and cozy night, wishing you a happy st. patrick's day, and hope you're having a lovely week so far xo

......................................................................................................

{images: 1 - country living via french by design; 2 - saipua for sunday suppers; 3 - scan by this is glamorous, ad campaign: claudia schiffer for jones new york from vogue; 4 - photography by katie quinn davies; 5 - lopp; 6 - mixr; 7 - a glamorous little side project; 8 - bloom magazine via pinterest; 9 - lappen; 10 - zara; 11 - house & garden may 2006 via habitually chic; 12 - a glamorous little side project}

{the stars were brightly shining}

. . . and while we're on the topic of spending the holidays in warm places, quite adore the idea of decorating an elegant evergreen wreath with seaside inspired starfish, even as the icicles glisten in the late-december light and a soft blanket of freshly fallen snow beautifully envelopes a perfect winter's afternoon . . .

{image: country living via lovely influence}

{style inspiration: pale & pretty neutrals}

. . . not quite december yet, and already things are beginning to move along at an even more dizzying pace than usual, with upcoming soirées, dinner parties and gift exchanges, boxes tied with ribbon and a feeling of magic in the air, and in the midst of all the running around, have been practically living in luxuriously soft cashmere cardigans, belted, and perfectly paired with cozy scarves and festive gold fingernails . . .

{images: photography by janis nicolay for country living; patterson maker}

{two lovely things: mirrors & chandeliers}

. . . there is nothing quite like a glittering chandelier or sparkling mirrors to add luxe and glamour to any space, and always a fondness for mirrored vanities in particular and have fallen for this incredible dressing table {wouldn't it also be lovely as a desk?} and the beautiful way it is paired with a charmingly rustic mirror for a wonderfully informal, yet stunningly elegant place for favourite photographs, pearls and perfume and, of course, to prepare for a new day . . .

{p.s.} more mirrors:
* warm & romantic
* cool & modern

{images: natasha & country living via decorololgy}

{décor inspiration: a sense of grandeur}

. . . adore the idea of enveloping the walls of a small space in deep charcoal hues and positively filling every corner with perfectly ornate and beautifully embellished details -- chandeliers and velvet, walk-in closets and wine cellars, silk curtains and tufted headboards and wonderful french antiques -- to create a certain romance, an old-world charm with a luxurious sense of grandeur . . .

{1,000 square foot bungalow of designer & stylist lizzie carney; photography by bjorn wallander for country living, scans by shelter}

{décor inspiration: balloon shades}

. . . whether always elegant silk or sumptuous velvet, billowing, pooled, or luxuriously layered, curtains & shades always add a layer of texture, depth and style to a space, and ever since rita konig's neo-english manhattan bedroom and hamish bowles' parisian grande hallway/drawing gallery {center}, have fallen for the elegant ruching of balloon shades, their romantic, old-world charm and the sense of grandeur they lend to any room . . .

{images: 1 - domino magazine via iffer's little nest; 2 - a previous post; 3 - country living}

{holiday inspiration: gift wrapping}

. . . although this year it's all heavy kraft paper and endless lengths of velvet smokey lavender ribbon, also adore the idea of white on white opalescence and starfish, and shiny satin ribbons embellished with vintage and glittery rhinestone pins . . .

{p.s.} more gift wrapping inspiration: diamonds & stars

{images: 1 - country living via verdigris; 2 - victoria januaray 2003 via haute design}

{at this moment: bar carts}

It seems that every autumn, we fall in love all over again with all things preppy, equestrian, and ivy-league-inspired -- crested blazers, tartans and plaids, and bar carts, which have become a style staple -- and, since light and flirty summer dresses have {regrettably} been replaced with long cashmere scarves and soft cardigans, shall happily succumb to the wind-rippled days with a glass of autumn wine . . .




{p.s.} a previous round-up here

{images: country living via decorology; 2 + 5 - patrick cline for lonny magazine; domino; style redux}

{happy october + pale autumn blue}

. . . the soft colours of the recent runway shows -- feathery pink, whispy violet, muted coral and ecru -- and this week's calming greens and champagne hues bring dreams of smokey, palest autumn blue, the kind the appears in hazy, early-autumn light . . .

happy october! hope your week has been wonderful so far,
xo












{ record the day; the french bedroom company; country living via decorology; julia; domino via brabourne farm; photography by mario sierra via haute design; - unknown; dwellings and décor; flickr; martha stewart; photography by max kim-bee for domino, march 2009}