{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}

{at the shops: nallik by jean balke, new york}

. . . always adore a perfect juxtaposition -- vintage & modern, old & new, simple & ornate -- and what could be better than rough-hewn, natural elements paired with delicate chains and glamorous gold?

nallik, a word borrowed from the inuit language, cannot be translated directly, but means protection and nurturing in a loving way; according to designer jean balke, the "Inuit people appreciate that we are all connected to each other and our surroundings. They respect the environment and know it contains everything we need to live."

balke, who grew up in germany, lived in helsinki, london and san diego, currently resides in nyc; before she began designing jewelry, she worked as a photographer and art director, and has travelled to over 45 countries, drawing inspiration from the people and landscapes she has experienced along the way; the result is this utterly perfect mix of rock & refined . . .





















{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn
* mrs. press, australia


{all images from nallik}

{spring things: kelly green bicycles}

. . . must confess, save for a few sunday afternoon trips a few summers ago, and only when lured with the romance of a picnic for two {complete with baguettes & brie and pink champagne}, am not often found on two wheels despite a fondness for bicycles . . . and yet, perhaps, this perfectly preppy kelly green handmade italian one, complete with a classic english leather seat and an ultra-chic essex scout bag {for holding fuchsia lipstick a few hairpins in the event of blustery spring breezes} may have just changed everything . . .


{kate spade for adeline adeline via apartment therapy's marketplace}

{favourite five: denise porcaro}

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

~Claude Monet

. . . to enter the world of denise porcaro is to be swept away into an enchanting realm you only thought possible in the secret garden . . .

denise, the founder and owner of the alluring flower girl in nyc, has taken floral design to new heights with her exquisite eye for beauty and ethereal arrangements -- a delicate bundle she creates with dainty garden roses, ravishing wild flowers, or lavish peonies wrapped with the prettiest of ribbons will whisk you away into the romance of a bygone era

with a client list that includes stella mccartney, chanel and the illustrious plaza hotel of manhattan {and a blooming career that has graced the pages of vogue, instyle and elle} we will definitely be paying close attention to denise's:

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{five favourite pieces of advice for running a business}

1. dedication is key: know that if you're going to go for something, it should envelope your whole life; you're married to your business in a way, and you should know that going into it

2. have a business plan: you don't need a big business plan -- it can even be written on the back of a bar napkin -- you just need to write down your goals and visualize them happening

3. do what you love: if you're doing what you love, it is that much easier; it cuts all the work in half when it is your passion

4. read your client: cater to your client's unique taste; listen to them, their budget, their likes and dislikes -- that's what we do at flower girl -- we don't give our clients “package a” or “package b”, but really sit with them and figure out exactly what they want and do our best to give them exactly that

5. don’t sweat the small stuff: this is much easier said than done; when you're a perfectionist and you're doing this sort of work, it's hard not to sweat the small stuff, but you have to keep perspective and remember the big picture

~ laily



{images: vogue, february 2010, dress by jason wu, boots by dolce & gabbana; inset, vogue, may 2008}

{runway inspiration: philosophy, new york}

. . . elegantly tailored a-line princess coats perfectly paired with matching lace-trimmed satin, crocheted mohair, and appliquéd floral lace, and best of all, in irresistible shades of pale & pretty pastels . . .

{alberta di ferretti for philosophy fall ready-to-wear 2011 via style.com & fgr}

{spring collection: alexander berardi}

. . . sleek and sexy side ponytails, stripes and sequins and belted trenches, shades of blush and champagne intermingling with nautical navy, polka dots and floaty florals -- if ever there was a moment for spring fever, it's now . . .

{alexander berardi spring rtw via elle}

{lookbook: 3.1 phillip lim spring 2011}

. . . buttercream-coloured wrap dresses and light linen blazers, pretty pantsuits and delicate sheer trenches -- spring's elegant neutrals go from an early start at the office to a late lunch or a dashing dinner date with ultra-stylish and perfect ease . . .

{p.s.} can hardly wait for bare legs again

{3.1 phillip lim spring 2011 lookbook via rdujour}

{runway inspiration: chloé, new york}

. . . pleated skirts and tall leather boots, cozy sweaters and structured handbags, trench coats and velvet, so long as it's chilly outside, might as well wrap ourselves in lovely layers and beautiful textures . . .

* CLICK TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

{runway inspiration: chloé, new york}

. . . and the more these wintry days linger, the more drawn to bright and vibrant colours, and so much, that have all but abandoned all the shades of black hidden in the dark recesses of the wardrobe, and had nearly forgotten how pretty and easy shades of midnight and january skies can be . . .

{p.s.} more runway inspiration:
* bcbg max azria
* gucci -- one & two

{images: chloé pre-fall 2011 collection, style.com}

{have a lovely winter weekend & links}

. . . the midst of another winter weekend after a wonderfully whirling week, and it has been coffee & croissants in the morning and whisked away out of town for dinner in the evening, a glittering set of antique cut crystal stemware sent as a surprise from p's grandmother, and now, cozy on a saturday night with languid dreams of a late morning and sunday brunch, flower markets and the heady sent of luxurious bouquets, mohair blankets and the utter romance of watching the world fall away . . .

hope you're having a stunningly lovely weekend wherever you may be & that it's beautiful where you are,

~ roséline xo

{a few lovely links:}
* interiors: new england & calypso blue
* colour inspiration: frosty mint
* for dreary winter days: arts & culture
* for the new year: dreams and thoughts
* at home: pretty scent candles {via tea for joy}
* weathering winter: january blues
* fashion inspiration: sunglasses & leopard print
* at home: paperwhites
* at the market: gold lamps & ysl silk scarves

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* office inspiration: light & bright
* hello & pink azaleas on a winter's afternoon
* new year's resolution: less work & more play
* décor inspiration: gracefully gilded
* on display: artful arrangements
* colour inspiration: cerise & hermès orange
* two lovely things: beautiful details
* at home: pale & pretty pink

{new for the weekend:}
* plans & dreams: ce matin la

{images: the coveted via moodboard}