So handsome. Shop here.
January 31, 2011
Coffee Table Chic
In my apartment, the coffee table is the focal point of my living room. It was love at first sight when I moved to L.A. and came across the perfect square piece at Grace Home Furnishings right off of Sunset Boulevard. Below are the basics to get this look.
Books. These are what hold everything together to become the centerpiece of the room. Collect them throughout the years, interchanging them as often as your color schemes fluctuate. I like stacking them in piles so the bottom edges line up, with the bindings facing different directions. This way, no matter which way you look at the table, you can see what books are on view. No pile should have the same amount of books, but kept at a relative height. The bargain section at high-end photography book shops usually has some vintage gems.
Objects of Desire. Find a fantastic antique shop nearby. Wertz Brothers here in Santa Monica is a gold mine. A great way to bring in your favorite color that may be too much for anything larger in the room (hot pink anyone?) is by placing candies, buttons, marbles or anything small enough to fit in little dishes to top off the stacks. Plantation in Venice, CA is also good for inspiration and accessories.
Candles. For me, there is no scent more addicting than Diptyque's Tubereuse.
Trays. Placing items on trays lends them importance. Here is where you can place a candle, a vintage hotel ashtray, or any other antique finds. Depending on the type of table you have, a bright lacquer color is always fun. Try Jonathan Adler's or John Derian's classic decoupage trays.
*images via lonny, the wsj, the neo-traditionalist
January 30, 2011
January 29, 2011
Céline's Creative Genius
Two words, one name: Phoebe Philo. During her time as creative director of Chloé in the early 2000's, she worked the fashion world into a frenzy for her high-waisted wide leg pants. Now as creative director of Céline, Philo has single-handedly sparked a minimalist revolution. Philo's new expertly tailored capsule line, 'Five Perfect Trousers,' will be permanently available with seasonal tweaks to style and fabric weight in the five silhouettes every woman should have. From left to right:
The pleated tapered leg: This stretchy, comfortable style hangs on the hip and falls slightly off the leg. The new skinny-pant silhouette.
The cropped tube leg: Loving the ankle-grazing length—the hottest silhouette du jour.
The high-waisted wide leg: A Philo classic, and very 70's.
The tapered leg: The classic slim fit updated with a slightly lower, more masculine waistline
The men's straight leg: Still elegant. Worn informally to achieve instant tomboy chic.
*image via the wall street journal 'off duty'
*image via the wall street journal 'off duty'
John Derian
John Derian is definitely one of my favorite stores in New York. They have vintage furniture chosen with the most tasteful eye, decoupage trays, Rogues Gallery t-shirts with 19th century imagery, and every Hugo Guinness print a girl could dream of. I've got my heart set on these 4" bird egg coasters. Interested yet? Shop here. Or better yet, peruse the store if you're in New York. And stop by Peels on the corner for lunch!
January 27, 2011
January 24, 2011
J.Crew on the Beach
If I had to name one place in L.A. I love more than any other, it would be Brentwood Country Mart. A barn house turned intimate shopping center, BCM reminds me of the shops on Main Street in Westport, Connecticut that I frequent when I'm home back east. It's on the other end of the spectrum of the awful strip malls that populate Lincoln Boulevard, and I love them for it.
Before I moved to L.A., I didn't know where to start in terms of finding an apartment. So what better way to find a great location in an unknown city other than calling your favorite store (Calypso, located in BCM) and asking about the area they're in? I now live around the corner and couldn't be happier.
It seems country marts are common here, and there's another one up the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Only a 30 minute drive north, Malibu's version has a higher end J.Crew shop at the Malibu Lumber Yard I'm dying to check out. This location is one of the two shops in the U.S. that sell these limited edition SURevolution mochila bags. Perfect for beachy L.A. days.
*images via j.crew
January 23, 2011
Home in L.A.
I love traditional white rooms. I've said it before, but I think they are the perfect template for creating a space that's never tiring. Splashes of colorful modern wall art, deep burgundy Moroccan rugs and neutral/earth-inspired accents are all interchangeable layers in my idea of a well-designed room (similar to what's shown below).
It's a work in progress, but my apartment is slowly progressing into a relaxing white space filled with my favorite colorful found objects, books and collectibles (someone recently told me my apartment is like 'a well designed hug'!). Ever since I was little I was constantly rearranging my bedroom furniture and reorganizing everything in it. It was one of my favorite things to do. I now have my own space that is an ever-changing reflection of everything I love, and for some reason this weekend was the first time I felt that L.A. is home.
*images via digs digs
January 20, 2011
Lemlem for Spring 2011
Lemlem:
1) Hand made in Ethiopia from natural cotton.
2) [Amharic] Bloom, flourish.
3) [History] Since ancient times in the land of the Queen of Sheba, the Ethiopian people have adorned themselves in beautiful hand woven and hand embroidered clothing. The hand spinning of cotton and intricate embroidery was the work of women while the hand weaving was done mainly by men. It is our wish to bring to you incredible handwork and help preserve this ancient art form by creating opportunities for the Artisans.
Loving these prints + fabrics for Spring 2011. Shop here.
Sophia Coppola for Louis Vuitton
Sofia Coppola's fall collection is still on my mind. I'm especially loving her signature handle bag in black gator.
*images via rdujour
Trending Now: Scotch Naturals
This new line of polishes has me hooked. These water-based colors are good for your nails and come in 13 rich hues. I'm loving the labels! Shop here.
Men's Canvas Travel Bags
Inspired by a recent conversation with my friend Justin, based in Brooklyn. What are the most stylish men's canvas bags? Here's my take. Oh, and check out his killer blog HERE.
by Apolis Global Citizen
Earth Naturals
They'll take you from January to July in skinny jeans or a sundress. Perfect for this crazy L.A. weather!
Four environmentally conscious bamboo handles marked with reminders to change your brush every three months. How cute!
January 12, 2011
Trending Now: Braids
I actually don't think this is anything too new- but it's consistently a hairstyle I covet. I might have to get this done on Saturday. Celebrating this weekend off from work = an updo. Why not? It will still be cute + messy the next day after sleeping on it!
January 11, 2011
The King and Queen of Spades
The Selby recently posted images of Kate and Andy Spade's home in Manhattan- and it's perfection. Not surprisingly, they have every detail down. Here's what to love:
* the herringbone wood floors
* the black gloss rotary phone
* black + white abstract art contrasted with..
* punches of primary colors in the walls and chairs
* the white subway tiles in the kitchen
* coffee table books galore
It's a great mix of preppy/chic. If I wasn't in a rental I'd paint my doors black lacquer like that! Bonus: watch this video on Spade and Sperduti here- creators of the J.Crew Liquor Store concept. I'm so luckily to have met and worked with them while I was working on the Rolex brand in New York!
*images via the selby
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