Month: November 2014

Fuel The Fire

With cooler days upon us (hello arctic blast coming this week), I am craving a nice fire. Having a mantle in many a room is a great way to add a stylish element of ambience and warmth. What I love most about fireplaces is that they aren’t just for living rooms. I think there is nothing quite as spectacular than finding a fire going in a dining room, bedroom, or even bathroom. Anywhere unexpected.

Whether there is a fireplace on during an intimate dinner party or softly burning in a contemporary bathroom, fireplaces add an architectural element that allows for a fun pop of marble, stone, or brick. It can make a cold room cozy and bring tall rooms down to scale. Here are some fun fires that will have you wishing for one in every room.

 

A dreamy kitchen with a brick oven fire via Elle Decor

A fun flair of brick with this functional fireplace in the kitchen. What an interesting talking point. Photo source: Elle Decor

A fireplace in the bedroom of Cindy Crawfor designed by Michael S Smith via Elle Decor

A subtle and serene fireplace in Cindy Crawford’s bedroom designed by Michael S. Smith. Photo source: Elle Decor

Calming and Inviting via Veranda

Lovely light and lots of white would be so beautifully reflected with a fire. Photo source: Veranda

Dining room with a fireplace in a NY home by Gil Schafer

A traditional dining area with a brick lined fireplace in this New York home by Gil Schafer. Photo source: AD

Eclectic and Comfy design around this fireplace via Elle Decor

A wall of fireplace creates an eclectic and comfortable room. Photo source: Elle Decor

Feminine and Chic fun via Elle Decor

Feminine and chic gallery wall and splendid mantle over this candlelit fire. Photo source: Elle Decor

Fireplace in the Boxwood estate in Nashville

A repeat on the blog and one of my favorites. The lovely fireplace in the Boxwood estate designed by David Netto. Photo source: Veranda

Fireplace in the entry of Net-a-porter founders London home via AD

Why not put the fireplace in the entry? A truly warm welcome in this London home. Photo source: AD

Lovely and Traditional fireplace in dining room via Veranda

Again, a classic dining room that can only have more delicate warmth with a burning fire. Photo source: Veranda

Rela Gleason bathroom fireplace via AD

A cool space with a black lined fire and rugs of warm texture by Rela Gleason. Photo source: AD

Sleek San Fran space and fireplace in Veranda

A sleek San Fransisco living area with a short columned fireplace. Photo source: Veranda

Small fireplace in a nook featured in Veranda

A small but powerful fire. How aesthetically pleasing to walk through the door and see that! Photo source: Veranda

Fireplace in this contrasting bathroom via AD

Stunning monochrome bathroom full of lovely contrast and simplistic fire. Photo source: AD

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchens LA home via AD

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen get it right with this fantastic outdoor sitting area in their LA home via AD.

 

 

 

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Hello Weekend

There are just not enough hours in a day, and I must admit this time change has me wishing for extra daylight. This week has gotten away from me, but lots of exciting opportunities and hard work is happening off-line. I did not want to go into the weekend without sending you a few images of fabulous boxwood quality.

Here is the charming and chic exterior of the California home of designer Barbara Barry. A yard worthy of it’s very own boxwood post. Happy Weekend!

Photos via House Beautiful.

Front door of Barbara Barry CA home via HB

Gravel and circular boxwoods frame this entry flanked by cypress trees.

Teak table at the home of Barbara Barry via HB

Potted boxwoods and timeless hedges surround this crisp outdoor dining setting.

Barbara Barry outdoor area via Hb

Splashes of green and a neutral garden stool give character to this sitting area.

Gorgeous Boxwoods at Barbara Barrys Home via HB

Phenomenal landscaping is everywhere. I love the texture, heights, and scales of the multiple shades of green.

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Perfectly Plum

When it comes to colors, I prefer a Fall palette. Spring colors may be fun and vibrant, but Fall colors compliment my personal style. One Fall color that I find myself continually drawn toward is a deep plum shade.

While I love wearing plum, I wasn’t sure about how well it translates in the home. An immediate image popped in my head of a poor quality plum sheet set (remember- white linens only!). When the quality of the fabric is poor, plum does not reflect well. When you get a rich and luxe texture of plum, the results are opulent, refined, and classically chic. Here are some great images that demonstrate just how perfect plum really can be.

 

Sharon and Ozzy Osbournes LA sitting area via AD

A lovely velvet plum sofa in the home of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne via AD.

A dining room in Plum in Elle Decor

A regal and ombre dining room. Notice the nail head lining on the wall. So chic! Photo source: Elle Decor

A Plum mud room locker via House Beautiful

A mud room with a plop of plum. Photo source: House Beautiful 

 

Saircase in the Paris Duplex of Stefano Pilati

A distressed and refined plum paired with a muted blue in this gorgeous Paris duplex Stefano Pilati via AD.

Alex Papachrisridis Home in Elle Decor

The always timeless work of Alex Papachrisridis. I am loving the plum and blue combination. Photo source: Elle Decor

Door in Sardinia Italy via Pinterest

A stunning photo of true plum espalier in Sardinia, Italy. Photo source: Pinterest

Plum and leopard via AD

A plum wall mixed with a gorgeous animal print rug. Together they are a dynamite combination. Photo source: AD

Plum Panneling via Lonny

Phenomenal plum painted moldings in this moody and distinctive room. Photo source: Lonny

Striking combo of Plum and Green

Plum and green are a striking combination. How dramatically divine.

 

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Living On The Edge

People often are confused or disagree when I say that “trendy can be timeless.” I firmly believe that a space can have edgy elements as well as classic components. This bewilders some people who often pigeon hole their design style, but It is possible to have a home that is refined and fun. You don’t have to choose!

I love the casual and eclectic ambience of this London fashion editor’s chic and trendy townhouse. With the help of interior designer Hubert Zandberg, the atmosphere of this townhouse was created using flea market finds and classic pieces to develop an edgy elegance. It is a stray from my often distinct Potted Boxwood style, but it still maintains its worldly and enduring appeal.

Kim Hersov’s London townhouse was designed by Hubert Zandberg and featured in Elle Decor. Photos by Simon Upton.

 

Sofa designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

Living room designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

Sairway designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

 

Living room designed by Gubert Zandberg via ED  Dining room desogned by Hubert Zandberg via ED Fireplace and living space designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED Kitchen designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

Bathroom designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

Bedroom designed by Hubert Zandberg via ED

Bathroom with fireplace designed by Hubert Zandberg via EDShower desigend by Hubert Zandberg via ED

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The Luxe Look of Leather

I will be the first to admit it, I am not a huge fan of leather. The first thing that comes to mind are bad 90’s couches, la-z-boy chairs a-la Frasier, and ultra modern furniture fit for an office lobby. While that may be harsh, I also admit that it is not status quo. Leather has grown on me over the years. Tufted, distressed, or trimmed with nail-heads, leather can be the perfect punch of texture that a room so desperately needs.

Leather can be warm and inviting, or modern and sleek. Either way, leather is a texture that can change the personality of a room in an instant. Here are some fantastically luxe looks of leather.

 Some of my favorite leather sofas

 

A leather chair in a bathroom via Elle Decor

I am in love with this worldly bathroom with striking penny tile floors complete with a leather armchair. Photo source: Elle Decor

Net-a-Porter founder;s London kitchen with leather stools

A smart and sophisticated London kitchen from the founder of Net-a-Porter. Photo source: AD

A masculine and leather hideaway via Elle Decor

Leather and leopard make for a rich combination (Lots of nudes on the walls!). Photo source: Elle Decor

A yummy and comfy tufted library via House Beautiful

Exactly the room where I would imagine a tufted leather sofa. A perfect spot to cuddle up with a book. Photo source: House Beautiful 

Beautiful leather chairs by Nancy Corzine in Jerry Pair Leather via Veranda

A smart shade of grey leather on these Nancy Corzine chairs with a lovely distressed sweedish table. Photo source: Veranda

Blue leather tufted chair in the historic Manhattan home of Robert Duffy

A smashing blue leather tufted armchair in this wonderfully collected room that is beautifully wallpapered. That marble on the fireplace is also fabulous. Photo source: AD

Dining room by David Netto in Veranda

David Netto created this contrasting and classic dining room at the Boxwood estate in Nashville. Photo source: Veranda

Elle Decor dining room in home of Glen Senk and Keith Johnson with leather bench

A tufted high-backed bench works wonderfully in this traditional dining room. A much needed dose of warmth and texture. Photo source: Elle Decor

nextek

A comfortably cool and chic room. Photo source: AD Spain

Green leather dining chairs via Elle Decor

Obsessed with the combination of green and blue and white. Love the copious amount of texture in this room. Photo source: Elle Decor

Leather bed that is smart and sophisticated via Veranda

A leather headboard that is classic and sophisticated for a city bedroom. Photo source: Veranda

Living room with black leather via DOmaine Home

A touch of black and brown leather bring perfect personality and texture to this living area. Photo source: Domaine Home

Malibu blue ocean is the backdrop for these warm leather chairs in ADjpg

A picture window with a picture perfect view in Malibu. The leather here is unexpected and adds incredible intimacy to this large scale room. Photo source: AD

Steven Gambrel via Elle Decor

A brown tufted leather bench is a distinguished addition to this hallway. Photo source: Elle Decor

 

 

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