{favourite five: designer nina freudenberger}

There is no doubt that city living is eternally cosmopolitan and exquisitely chic, with energizing inspiration at every turn, and whether through the real-life catwalk on the sidewalks, the refined architecture, the flowing colors in paintings on the walls of art galleries or the sights and sounds of majestic opera houses, dreams of bringing the beauty and class of this world into one’s living space are only natural. Bustling cities mean small cozy quarters, and modern fashionistas often struggle with making the most of limited space in their urban settings.



New York-based architect and interior designer Nina Freudenberger knows that when it comes to urban dwellings, space is sparse, but that doesn’t mean that style should be compromised. Nina attended the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture.



Shortly after, she moved to Manhattan to accept a position at the prestigious interior design firm, Kondylis Design, where she worked for four years as a senior designer, before leaving to begin her own company, Haus Interior. A stylish boutique shop and interior design service located in the trendy Nolita neighborhood, the company is a favourite home design destination of many, including fashion designer Zac Posen.





Nina’s talent for putting a modern spin on traditional spaces has won her the praise of industry experts, features in the glossy pages of every major design magazine from Elle Decor to House Beautiful, and the IFDA’s Rising Star award; she is also listed as one of Trad Home's 20 "New Traditional" designers.



Born in Munich, Nina loves sourcing pieces for her boutique from abroad, and finding young international designers to support. This week, she shares with us her:

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{top five favourite pieces of decor from around the world}

1. Giarimi Design, Sweden – love their beautiful etched glassware.

2. Nouvel Studio – speaking of glassware, we love carrying this collection from Mexico.

3. Brushes – the Institute for the Blind in Berlin employs 15 blind artisans to create these absolutely stunning, all natural brushes.

4. Airedelsur – from Argentina, their beautiful pieces are truly works of art.

5. Scent & Feel – physically located in Miami but made in Tunisia, these fouta "Turkish hammam" style towels are absolutely stunning, they feel great and look wonderful in the bathroom or on the beach.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* actress & writer: shiva rose
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama
* food editor & author: donna hay

~ laily


{images: trad home; headshot of nina freudenberger from the designer}

{favourite five: actress & writer shiva rose}

Shiva Rose is an accomplished actress, playwright, writer, jewelry designer, former spokesperson for Amnesty International's Refugee Program, life-style reporter, and director who does it all with impeccable style.



Acclaimed for many on-screen roles, the actress won the Best Breakthrough Performance Award at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival for the romantic comedy David and Layla; her television credits include Gideon's Crossing, The Practice, and CSI: Miami.



Shiva's eclectic, chic and laid-back style stands out everywhere she goes, ensuring her a place, time and again, in the glossy pages of magazines such as Vogue, Allure, and Harper's Bazaar.



Throughout her life, Shiva’s style has been influenced by many of the most unforgettable fashion icons in history, and in an article she once wrote for Vogue, she revealed, “ever since I was a child, I have associated clothes with who I want to be, or the life I want to live.”





If her looks on the red carpet or appearances on best dressed lists are any indication, Shiva's daily life is filled with a certain charm and glamour, and this week , she shares with us her:

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{top five favourite style icons of all time:}

1. Artist Frida Khalo
Frida inspires me with her rebellious nature and passion . . . the way she was influenced by her heritage and made it part of her everyday life. Her life was a work of art as her dressing proved.

2.Photojournalist & Former Fashion Editor Lisa Eisner
I love how Lisa collects items that she loves regardless of what is in mode at the time. She truly creates her own style. She has an amazing eye for Native American Jewelry, anything with feathers, and great men's suits.

3. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Carolyn with her red lips, alabaster skin and mysterious gaze was truly an icon. She made me want a camel skirt and sweater ensemble. She embodied cool elegance and I only wish she was around longer so we could be inspired some more.

4. French Film Actress Anouk Aimee
Maybe it was the era she was from, but the way Anouk wore her eye liner and simple black sweater truly impressed me as a young lass. I went through an Anouk stage where I just emulated all her looks from films like Justine, Man and a Woman, 8 1/2, and more.

5. Actress, Singer & Muse Jane Birkin
Jane truly made a pair of easy jeans, a white t-shirt and a country basket chic and sexy. Her style and influence are undeniable.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama
* food editor & author: donna hay

~ laily


{all images from closet visit}

{favourite five: food editor & author, donna hay}

When one thinks of food -- one of life’s greatest passions -- style and design aren’t usually the first things that come to mind. But Donna Hay, Australian-based food stylist, author and magazine editor, beautifully unifies the two potentially contrasting worlds of glamour and gourmet food.



Donna, who has a flair for food styling, knows that good food never goes out of style -- in fact, it signifies the very essence of style. Cooking since she was just eight years of age, Donna's passion for food would lead her to an extraordinary career as a best-selling cookbook author {18 books to date}, a homewares designer, and a leading food editor, becoming the food editor at Marie Claire at the age of 25. She was named one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cookbook authors by the international Gourmand Awards in January 2007.





Donna's signature style is comprised of the display of delectable recipes made with basic ingredients, and all beautifully photographed -- a style that has become the standard for food publishing worldwide, and the inspiration for a new generation of amateur cooks and would-be chefs alike.



Today, what's on your dinner plate and inside your pantry has become a kind of self-expression -- much like the contents of one’s wardrobe or jewelry box -- and of course, who doesn’t love to indulge in a little of both!

So, this week, we're positively thrilled to invite Donna to share with us:

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{the top five most essential items for your pantry:}

1. Cheat’s Ingredients
These ingredients are an easy way to add plenty of flavour. Chilli Jam is great for stir-fries, mixed through vegetables, or spread over chicken, fish or pork as an easy marinade. Caramelised onion relish, makes a great base to an onion tart, or a tasty pizza mixed with shaved potato and gorgonzola.

2. Wide Neck Glass Storage Jars
I like the convenience of seeing exactly what and how much of an ingredient is inside. Plus, the large neck opening makes them easy to scoop from - you can get a full size measuring cup and your hand inside.

3. Good Selection of Dried Pasta, Rice and Noodles
They are pantry staples and make a great base for a simple home-made meal. Just throw in a few fresh ingredients and in no time you have a fuss-free lunch or dinner, perfect for the family or unexpected guests.

4. Time Poor, Sweet Solution
This is a self indulgent one, but being as time-poor as I am, I love baking and my friends often expect a home-baked sweet treat when they drop over for a coffee. That’s why I developed my new range of baking mixes including cupcakes, an indulgent chunky brownie and chocolate-filled macaron – they’ll never know they were made from a mix and you don’t have to spend half their visit working in the kitchen.

5. Asian Based Ingredients
My favourite vibrant ingredients: soy, fish sauce, palm sugar, sesame oil, all combine for great sauces and dressings on Asian salads or noodles. Simply mix with fresh flavours such as lime juice, coriander and mint, and you’ll have an Asian feast in no time.

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. . . and to this we say: bon appétit!
~ laily

{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama

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e d i t o r ' s n o t e:
have been a huge fan of donna hay's for as long as can remember, owning nearly all of her cookbooks despite not being able to cook, and so, completely & utterly delighted to welcome her as a guest today . . .
~ roséline xo

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SPECIAL UPDATE: this post from thursday, may 12 was removed during blogger's harrowing nearly twenty-four hour outage, and as there is currently no indication when or if it will be restored, it has been re-posted -- thank you for your patience! & new posts soon x

{p.s.} thank you to everyone who took the time to comment -- unfortunately, all comments before the outage were lost -- sincerest apologies!

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{favourite five: artist photographer romina shama}

It is true that a picture can convey a thousand words through just one still image -- but what if that image is so divine it simply takes your breath away and there are no words?

Romina Shama is a Swiss-born, Egyptian-Italian fashion photographer and film director whose works will leave you utterly speechless, for she does not merely photograph her subjects, but rather, it would almost seem that she is illuminating their thoughts. Romina, who lives and works in Paris, combines the raw beauty of natural light along with the classic style of an analog camera to produce a strikingly delicate and cinematic effect in her photos. Her photography leaves us wondering about the romantic daydreams of her subjects and makes us long for the heavenly, dream-like escapes portrayed therein.



Having studied film in addition to photography at Central St. Martin's School in London, Romina and the work she produces have undoubtedly been impacted by aspects of cinema. This week, we asked her:

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{what are the five most intriguing ways the study of film has influenced your photography?}

1. Roland Barthes wrote: "... an image produces death while trying to preserve life". This very feeling is exactly what attracted me to photography. I started thinking that in avoiding life, I may be able to portray it. I started focusing on capturing "absence", or the "let go" feeling in all my subjects and landscapes. I decided I wouldn't "take" them.

2. There's a cinematographic feel to my photographs and a very photographic feel to my films. They are linked. Together they help me avoid the fact that we perceive time as linear.

3. Films that are made for the sole purpose of creation inspire me very much. To me, they make time feel dimensional. Sometimes, they make me want to capture every frame of them.

4. The timelessness of great films.

5. The fact that I always wished I could pause life and rewind it at times.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* interior designer: tricia foley
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré

~ laily

{images: all photography by romina shama}

{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}

{this is glamorous in high gloss magazine}

. . . hello! feels as if this week is positively whirling by and in the midst of projects and too many cups of coffee and stunningly exciting plans, had nearly forgotten that the second issue of high gloss magazine came out today, and already it is a favourite, for aside from the elegant open shelves and palest pink rooms with glimmery venetian glass mirrors, in this particular issue, was perfectly delighted to be included in the "blogger we love" feature, and to answer a few fun questions . . .






>>> click here to read the interview {page 17}

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* a million thanks to paloma & everyone at high gloss x

{favourite five: camille eddera}

There are very few things in a woman’s wardrobe that withstand the test of time, trends and life’s changes. It is for this very reason that Los Angeles-based French designer, Camille Eddera, set out to create elegantly refined, timeless pieces that become treasured family heirlooms. "Eddera", which means “ivy” in Corsican, is the inspiration behind many of Camille’s pieces.

Camille, a former model, attended both the French National Institute of Gemology and the esteemed Ecole Du Louvre in Paris, where she was selected as one of fifteen students to have the unique privilege to study under Adalbert Smoliar, the head jeweler for Van Cleef & Arpels. To this day, Camille recalls Smoliar's sage advice and still does everything the way she learned in Paris, before graduating as a bijoutier-joaillier and gemologist. While in Paris, Camille also worked for two of the world’s most prestigious names in jewelry: Boucheron and Chopard.



Each beautifully handmade piece Camille creates integrates classic details found in Parisian flea markets with elements of graceful modernity, incorporating the most stunning arrays of 18k gold vermeil, white topaz, aquamarine, tourmaline, green onyx, sparkling topaz and turquoise. Camille's pieces are adored by a loyal following, including stylist Rachel Zoe, Marion Cotillard, Victoria Beckham, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Camille officially launched her own line of jewelry, Eddera, in January of 2008, and the rest is history . . .



This week, she sits down with us to share the:

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{top five most fascinating things about the jewelry-making process}

1. There are only 9 ways to set a stone. Eight of these were created during ancient Egypt! Egyptians were way ahead of their time...

2. Diamonds aren't actually that rare, and shouldn't be that expensive. The company De Beers owns basically 99% of the diamond mines and they only release a certain amount of stones each year to keep the prices high. We could all be covered with diamonds if it weren't for these people.

3. Rubies and Sapphires are kind of like non-identical twins. They're both Corundum. The red in the ruby is caused by the presence of more chromium. Most sapphires are heated up in order to have a more beautiful color. Oh, and when they tell you "This is a pink Sapphire", it's basically a marketing term. You think that a Sapphire is blue so you get the impression that you are looking at something rare. If you were looking at a pink Ruby, you would think "hey, that's not a very good Ruby since it's not red but pink." I know, it's sad, but it's the truth! It broke my heart when I found out, and I have a gemologist degree.

4. The only new way to set a stone was created by Van Cleef & Arpels, sometime around 1930 and is called "the mystery setting". The stone paving procedure uses no visible claw; basically, you don't see any metal in between the stones, it's invisible! I've been (unsuccessfully) trying to create a new kind of stone setting for the last 15 years. If anyone has any idea, call me!

5. You can see how good a jeweler is when you look at the back of the piece of jewelry. A true master will make the invisible as beautiful as the rest!

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

~ laily

{favourite five: rachel ashwell}

Rachel Ashwell is the designer who turned shabby into chic, and comfortable into classy, and she did it all with the help of perfectly ruffled pillows, floral printed fabrics, romantic chandeliers, and pastel tufted cushions.

In 1989, Rachel, a former movie set designer and stylist, generated a worldwide phenomenon when she created the Shabby Chic brand, showing that there is an elegance in time-worn objects and that interior spaces can be simple and relaxed, while still beautifully sophisticated and refined.

Since then, Rachel has created a successful brand that has grown into three distinct lines: Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture and Simply Shabby Chic, with flagship stores located in three glamorous cities: Santa Monica, New York City and London; Ashwell has also written a series of design books and most recently, launched a new stationery line.





The daughter of a restorer of antique dolls and a rare book dealer, Rachel’s love for flea markets and antique stores began as a young girl. She spent her days learning how to appreciate and recognize the beauty of vintage items. Because of this we could not possibly imagine anyone better to tell us her:

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{five favourite flea markets around the world}

1. Round Top in Texas
I love everything about this flea market, so much so that I even bought a ranch/bed & breakfast there. I love the people, love the way the aisles and parking/pickup is organized, and the finishes on the furniture -- lots of authentic crackled paint in their palettes, lovely tables and cabinets.

2. Brimfield in Massachusetts
I am always guaranteed to come away with an eclectic mix of large furniture pieces from Brimfield and love the great accessories such as lamps, mirrors and dinnerware; there is also lots of lovely art -- many portraits and landscapes.

3. Remnants of the Past in Santa Barbara
Have only been there once, but for sure it will be a annual stop for me -- a wonderfully curated collection of fab dealers, and while there isn't "junk" to wade through, there are still well-priced items displayed in an eye candy way.

4. Kempton Park in London
Often shopping in the rain, so my focus is on wonderful English "tat". Bits and bobs of textiles, art, dinnerware, glassware, enabling me to embrace the "its all in the details" part of my aesthetic.

5. Alameda in San Francisco
Close enough for a pleasant drive, but far away enough from LA that it attracts vendors from further afield; lots of diversity of products and styles, but a professional group of vendors.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* fashion muse, chloë sevigny
* nyc florist, denise porcaro

~ laily