Vacation Dream House

This Andalusia resort home designed by Marta de la Rica is a great example of a vacation home done right. The fresh bright whites of the upholstered furniture, mixed with playful pops of color (the blue door is my favorite), combined with the occasional but not overdone palm leaf all add up to one relaxing place to dream of for your next trip abroad.

An Organization Idea

Much like a bulletin board, these clipboards allow you to post important dates and favorite photos in plain view. Using them in multiples allows you to create a design focal point while also keeping things organized by individual board.

A Fall Welcome

To commemorate the first official day of fall, I thought I would pull together a few of my muse images for the season. Although the leaves never really turn here in San Diego, I can't help but be inspired by the color palette that the rest of the country will soon be experiencing. Burnt oranges, worn-in leather, cozy fireside nights, and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg are all on my mind today.

Kid Chic Round Two

A few months ago I published this post about designing rooms for children that are simultaneously youthful and stylish. Since then I've seen even more great examples of this principle executed with the perfect combination of whimsy and sophistication.

Upper East Side Style

All of the black and gold tones make this one very chic Upper East Side apartment. It is opulent and rich in texture, style, and color without being stuffy or unlivable.

Frame Fanatic

Apparently I've got a thing for frames lately because after I posted this, I found these great images during my daily internet rounds. These old fashioned bathing suits are such a fun and colorful element; who is to say that paintings are the only thing you can frame on your wall?

Family Friendly

There are many things to love about designer Lisa Sherry’s home. It has clean lines and elegant features but remains a family friendly space; which is important with a family of five like Sherry’s. She also puts one of my favorite design tricks to use on her staircase. Sherry stated, “Stairwells are ideal places for displaying pieces of sentimental value. They’re more private”. Framing your child’s art is a great way to save on the expense of purchasing pricey art from a shop or gallery and also adds a great personal touch to your space.

What a clever way to hide disguise storage cabinets!

Dining Benches

Using benches in lieu of or in conjunction with chairs in a dining room is a great way to mix things up and save space. If you are working with a small area, benches can easily be pushed underneath the table when not in use. They also add to a very communal atmosphere by creating less of a barrier between guests.

Designer Spaces

Interior Designer Adam Bram Straus recently opened his home to Lonny Magazine. His goal was to blend modern elements into the traditional Spanish architecture of the residence. He achieved this by mixing mid-century furniture, plenty of high-gloss finishes, deep charcoal walls, and abundant vintage artwork. To keep an environment warm despite all of the dark elements, Straus suggests layering lighting by mixing ceiling lights and chandeliers, table and floor lamps, sconces, picture lights, and candles to spread brightness evenly throughout the space.