Metropolitan Home Is Now Homeless.

Met Home's next issue will be it's last.

It's a sad day for modern home design enthusiasts. Metropolitan Home will be closing it's door by year end. The December 2009 issue will be the last for the venerable shelter magazine after 28 years in publication. Everyone that currently has a subscription to Met Home will now receive Elle Decor instead.

Metropolitan Home is joining a growing list of defunct home decor magazines with Domino, House and Garden, and O at Home all closing it's doors in the past 18 months. With the tough housing market, struggling home furnishings industry, and bad economy, shelter magazines are facing dwindling ad revenues.

Hopefully as retail sales rebounds this Holiday season and beyond, we'll be able to keep reading current shelter magazines, and new shelter magazines will emerge in these opportunistic times.

Wake Up Call

I've been having a hard time waking up lately. Maybe it's because there's nothing interesting to look at the second my eyes open. On my nightstand: two pairs of eyeglasses (for before-bed TV watching by my husband and I), a midcentury-modern white lamp, remote control, and a snoozefest of an alarm clock I've had since college. Time for an upgrade? Yes, please.

I've been eyeing this Wood LED Clock since it came into our store. The time shines through a super-thin veneer of wood. Maybe it's time I made it mine?

The simplicity of the Aura Clock appeals to my need to keep things looking clean (I try, at least), but the pop of orange on the inside of the rim appeals to my desire for something interesting.

Daily Candy recently mentioned this Emily Clock. I like the practicality of it. I mean, who enjoys craning their neck to see the time in the middle of the night? Luckily, it's stylish as well. Because a practical clock means nothing to me if it's ugly.

Of all of the clocks, the Clocky is probably the one I need the most. The only caveat: my dog might attack it the second it rolls on the floor. She goes nuts for noisy things!

High Point Furniture Market - Fall 2009

We came. We saw. We conquered....in a Volkswagen Beetle.

Our team swept through the furniture capitol of the world in style. We saw tons of great stuff. High Fashion Home is going to be pushing the envelope once again with some of our furniture selections. At the same time, we were able to find a ton of value products out in the market. So expect to see more unique, chic furnishings at affordable prices in the coming months.

Here is a breakdown of some of our favorites from market:

This great Room & Board Roadster chair may have run it's course there, but it's new to us. We'll retail it for around $1299 in a black, full grain leather.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams introduced this beautiful, retro chair in a nice vinyl.

Yes, the Chester Sofa is now available in leather!

Love the damask patterned, linen. The exposed wood finish is classic, Barbara Barry-like furniture.

Classic wing back chair in a eye-catching pink velvet.

Fun accent chairs in a Versace-like fabric.

Cool armchair in a high quality, cloud blue velvet.

Lee Industries is bringing customization to new heights. A show-stopping 84" headboard. (For a frame of reference, the lady on the left is 5'8" tall.)

We can never have enough Buddha statues.

This skirted, camel back, nailheaded sofa brings a lot of look at $1499.

Bernhardt managed to introduced more timeless frames at great prices.

I love every piece in this setting. The double nailhead treatment on the headboard is well done.

Beautiful wood chair from Martha Stewart.

This huge, roll arm sectional with top grain leather is going to retail for under $3600.

This clean, top grain leather sectional will retail under $2000. That's just ridiculous.

Very similar to our best selling Jefferson Bed, except this will be orderable in tons of fabric in twin, full, queen, and king sizes.

Very similar to Crate and Barrel's Archer Bed, except it will retail for $100 less.

Now this is a bed program. Your can order 4 different headboards with customizable height, welt, nailhead, and tufting options with no upcharge. Order it in over 50 fabrics at one price. Queen headboard only will be $1049.

We are bringing in Candice Olson's furniture collection. This gorgeous solid wood bed, with antiqued mirrors will retail around $1799.

Love the herringbone pattern on the wood. Our coffee table will be in a warm, walnut finish.

Here's the end table with the logo symbolizing that the woods are from sustainable sources.

Mirror accents pieces are the craze. There are over 4 wood finishes that you can order this piece in.

This glamorous end table with the fluted, solid wood drawers is shown in chic, white hardware.

'Tis The Season For Snuggling...

Photo via Real Simple, throws from Sacco Carpet

...with a warm faux fur throw! Warm up your living room chairs with a couple of well-placed fuzzy throws. It's the elusive fashionable and functional feat. Always a winner!

Closet Overhaul

It's all fine and good to clean out your closet. I've done it more times than I care to count. But what about turning you closet into something different altogether? Real Simple featured three closets that did just that...

If you can't use bright, funky wallpaper in a closet, you can't use it anywhere! What a perfect little work nook, complete with DIY wrapping paper storage and a light drape to hide it away when guests come!

I can't get enough of book nooks. What a charming alternative to a library! I love the step ladder that folds into a little reading chair.

And I've been spending all of this time looking for a small table on which to perch a bar, when all I needed was an empty closet. Okay, there is a touch of sarcasm there, because I don't have any empty closets with which to recreate any of these transformations, but I won't be living in my apartment forever, and these are lovely transformations, indeed. I love how they mirrored the closet to make it appear huge! Also, a lot of the drawers and such came from IKEA. Great storage, low price!

Superbed

Lately, I've been seeing headboards paired with canopy beds everywhere! It's amazing how trends pop up so suddenly and then, Poof!, they're replaced with something else. Observe:

I spied this one in one of my magazines not too long ago. Great mix of modern and vintage.

Then, last month, I saw this one in Elle Decor, and a few pages later there was...

... this one! Love 'em both. I also like the two nightstands used in the photo above. Very creative.

Low Rider

I always like an easy-to-duplicate look, and this one is no exception...

The low shelf makes the ceilings seem sky-high-er. I'd love to place some large framed pieces along that ledge. Photo via Coco + Kelley.

I like how the ledge is a continuation of one of the bookshelves. I'll be keeping this photo handy for the future. Photo via Apartment Therapy.

Since I'm always in favor of the DIY option, I might pick up a few shelves from IKEA and get to work! The Lack wall shelf comes in sizes from to 12" to 75", so it can fit into a wide range of spaces.

Chanda-where?

I love it when chandeliers are put in unconventional places, like hanging from a tree branch at an outdoor party or in a bathroom. It makes them that much more interesting to look at because they don't really belong, but they look good.

A giant chandelier in the middle of a small kitchen? Why not? I love the way the white pops against a black wall.

Not a chandelier, true, but the idea is fantastic.

What a cool place to stick a chandelier, and much more interesting that two lamps.

Bathing is way more fun with pretty lighting.

This one is my favorite. A green backyard, cool weather, and a shimmery chandelier. Perfection.

All photos are from Domino.

It's Serendipity!

I love it when I stumble upon something amazing completely unexpectedly. I've always loved the work of Hella Jongerius. Every time I find something new from her, I get so ridiculously excited. Well, this is one of those times.

Layers by Hella Jongerius for Maharam

While looking for a fabric, I found that she collaborated with Maharam to create the MOST AWESOME FABRIC EVER! Yes, all of those capital letters were essential.

Layers in Ash/Quartz/Grass

Then I saw it made up in an ottoman, and I MUST HAVE IT!

Layers in Earth/Chocolate/Coral

Then, I popped over to Moss to, again, look for the fabric that brought me on this search, and what did I see?

A Nike shoe MADE FROM LAYERS!!! This day is too good to be true.

Art Education: Group Therapy

If you, like me, aren't fortunate enough to be able to walk into an art gallery and purchase a large $10,000 painting for your home, then consider the inspirations below your Fairy Artmother. I have lots of little things framed all over my house- drawings by friends, wedding photos, and several attempts at needlework- but I am stumped as to how to arrange them. Now I have ideas for every room...

Going up the stairs...


Over the sofa...

In the Hallway...

Over my desk...

Around the fireplace...

In the dining room...

Over a table...

In the bedroom...

In the bathroom!

*all photos via Domino

Art Education: Working with Patterns

Part of what I love about wallpaper is that it can negate the need for art. It can be visually dynamic enough to run the whole show. That said, some well=placed clusters of art on a busy, patterned wall can look fantastic.

It's important to start with a strong base. In the photo above, the black-framed pieces provide a base on which the other pieces can build.

The pattern of the wallpaper is also important. All of these are relatively small prints. Small frames would get lost in a larger print.

I think the most important factor is unity. There has to be some unifying characteristic in the art. This is perfect, because the frames are all the same and the color red unites the entire room.

I also like how the placement of the art seems intentional, but also somewhat random. They aren't placed in a perfect square or rectangle. Some stick out at the bottom and some are placed farther apart that others. In this photo, it even seems to incorporate the sconce and the intercom.

The first photo is via Vogue, and the rest are via Domino.

Against the Wall

On the Fourth Floor...

...and the Third Floor.

With the addition of a couple of pretty wallpapers on display at our store, as seen above, I've been thinking about wallpaper again. I can't wait to paper my own walls with lovely prints and bold graphics...

Nellie is a nice, dainty print, but which color do I choose? From Grow House Grow!

I love the Maidenhead print for its bold simplicity. By Jill Malek.

Louise Body makes some delicious prints. Go nice with Garden Birds or naughty with Erotica.

For a sharp burst of color, I'd choose Elizabeth by Madison & Grow.

That's Not A Bad Idea

I was always a fan of the whole chalkboard paint thing. While furnishing a model apartment in the Mosaic, Cyn and I tranformed one wall in the kitchen into a blackboard and loved it:

But now, I might have to join Team Dry-Erase. I've discovered Idea Paint. It works the same way as chalkboard paint, but it's white (or beige, or even orange!) and you can turn a room into a giant dry-erase board without the looming dark walls!

See? The room stays airy and bright, and you have a huge surface on which to draw, doodle, and erase.

And, of course, it's a kids best friend. "Yes, Suzy. You may draw on the walls!" P.S. Isn't that tree adorable?

Let's Take This Outside!

I know it's horrifically hot outside, but doesn't a beautiful outdoor dining space look so appealing? So maybe I'll wait to indulge until the crispness of fall hits the air, but I'll be plotting my ideas in the meantime...

This one loosely reminds me of the outdoor area my sister, Becca, had at her former California abode. They had an arbor laced with ivy and little flowers. It was so pretty! I like the one above, from Martha Stewart... especially with the addition of several glass lanterns hanging overhead.

I don't know how practical this would be, dining in a field of tall grass, but it makes for a breathtaking photo! via Coco+Kelley.

This one, also from Coco+Kelley, is so glamourous with the beautiful arbor and the vintage chandelier hanging above. If I'd had a small outdoor wedding, this is how I would have done it. (Note to my parents: I loved my wedding just the way it was!)

This is NOT Your Church's Stained Glass

I've spotted a couple of cool, geometric stained glass inspirations lately that I thought I could share with you. What do you think? Tres chic or am I off my rocker?

I found this one in Lucky magazine. It's a surf shop in San Francisco called Mollusk (love the name, too). I love how the arches cut through the window panes. Very cool.

I found this one over at Coco+Kelley (love to read that blog!). The colors could go kinda 70's (not that that would be a bad thing), but the mostly white interior keeps it fresh and modern.

There are no words...

...with which to describe the awesomeness that is Max Azria (of BCBG fame) 's house . It would be like living in a colorful fantasy land. Thank you, Harper's Bazaar for printing this! And... talk amongst yourselves.

Totally Floored

Admit it. You've always been a bit of a rebel. You wouldn't think twice about jumping on the back of a bike (not the kind you pedal) and that leather jacket you sport all the time isn't just for show. It's about time your house matched your badass personality.

Ting Home has the perfect thing: Embossed leather flooring. On first glance, it looks like ordinary wood flooring, but a closer look reveals patterned strips of leather. Awesome.

Metropolitan Home Design 100

Metropolitan Home Design 100

The Met Home Design 100 issue just came out, and it's just filled with tons of goods.  They highlighted one hundred of the best homes, architects, designers, buildings, materials, furnishings, housewares, trends, shopping venues, restaurants, green goods, activists, accessories, ideas, and more from many worlds that make up the design universe.  Here are some of my favorites in the furniture world.

Beverlywood Chair,  Woodson & Rummerfield

Alpha Rug, Stark Carpet

Touro Center Table, Donghia

Tables for every occasion.

Enologist Cabinet, Roche-Bobois

“Yellow signifies optimism, and with a new president in office, we are optimistic as consumers and Americans,” says Leslie Harrington, the director of the Color Association of the U.S.

Crystal Ice Stool, Swarovski

Clouds by Kvadrat, Ligne Roset

Swoop Desk by CB2

This Is What Heaven Looks Like...

via Elle Decor May '09

I recently uploaded some new finds to the Rooms We Love section (to your right!), and was particularly fond of these two finds. Okay, "fond" is an understatement. I think they're heavenly. I love how to bed above combines modern and vintage so literally. The mismatched nightstands are the perfect complement to the traditional/modern/eclectic style.

via Domino's final issue :(

I've been salivating over this photo for a while. I absolutely love the drapes! They add softness to the windows without blocking the light, and the calm neutral fabric doesn't overpower the rest of the peaceful room. The cowhide stool add a touch of rustic cool to the traditional (with funky, modern pillows) settee. I don't know what your version of Heaven looks like, but this is mine!

P.S. Happy 30th Birthday, hubby! I love you!

One!

I stored these images a while ago, but for whatever reason, I am only now coming back to them. These are photographs of the home of Lee Radziwill in the April '09 issue of Elle Decor.

I wrote a similar blog about using one pattern in a room, but that was one room in a house and these are multiple single-patterned rooms within one house! On the one hand, it's a little traditional for my taste (But for someone born in 1933, that's to be expected.), but on the other hand, it works. The patterns are busy, but not gaudy. They grab your eye and lead it around the room. I think they're stunning. Who's with me?

Open Sesame!

I was totally inspired by this page from Traditional Home! My main complaint about my small apartment is that it literally has no entryway of which to speak. Insanity, I tell you! Someday, I'll get my hands on a spacious entryway and jazz it up my way. My first step will be to wallpaper it in a vivacious, colorful print!

This one feels very gardenish to me, but not quite in the literal sense. The walls are floral, yes, but the legs on the table add an organic, surreal quality. From House Beautiful.

I just noticed that the wallpaper picks up the teal tile below. What a prime example of exploding pattern into a small space. From Domino: The Book of Decorating.

How hard is it to pull off neon wallpaper in a home? I don't really know. But this works. All subsequent photos from Domino.

Compared to some of these entryways, this one almost seems tame, but there's just enough pattern to not make it just another house.

I love the very thrown together quality of this. The geometric paper is very precise and linear, while to stacks of magazines muss it up just enough.

I would use elements of this in my own decorating, like the shabby chair. It's a very rustic, eclectic look.

I love that she used the pattern on three walls instead of the usual two. I really grabs your attention!

And then you see this and it commands your attention! Although this feels a bit clubby to me, it is a very cool look and the other elements in the room are subdued enough to keep it from going off the deep end.

This one is so sweet and serene. The pattern isn't overwhelming, keeping the spaces light and airy, but saving it from being blah.

Cool Nurseries! (Is That An Oxymoron?)

First of all, let me preface this blog by saying that I am neither pregnant, nor intend to be in the near future. I say this for the sake of my mom and sisters who faithfully read this blog.

While perusing through pictures pulled from the Domino website before they took it down (still upset about that, by the way. Sniff!), I noticed a lot of really cool nurseries. As in, I would decorate my adult bedroom the way they decorated their kids' room. Each photo had its own little inspiration...

The very pale aqua offsets the awesome wallpapered ceiling wonderfully. What a novel idea! Wallpaper on the ceiling!

These ebony-stained wood walls are breathtaking! And not a pastel in sight!

If I was to do pink, this is how I want to do it- fiery, in your face, unapologetic! That Amanda Peet sure does have style...

I like this one solely for its space saving ideas. The fuzzy throw rug is fun, too!

Obviously, I'm on a linen kick lately (see my last blog!) Wrinkly linen drapes are pretty for baby.

I love the idea of using a blown up picture of the kids as their own work of art. The fairy light chandelier is a playful light fixture.

Luxurious, Minimalist Interior Design!

Luxury, Tamed! - NY Times

Kips Bay Decorator Show House was a tribute to Albert Hadley, the Tennessee-born minimalist who provided a balance for the English country house-style maximalism of his partner, Sister Parish. Check out some on the luscious photos of eclectic interior decorating at it's best:

The tufted, velvet chaise is unbelievably, fabulous.

Liza Cousins and Natasha Bergreen's softer design incorporated used athletic equipment and a sofa from Ms. Bergreen's aunt.

Combining a very traditional bed with a beautiful lilac fabric, makes the bed a perfect fit in this modern room.

Christopher Maya hung a metal chandelier dipped in plaster.

The wallpaper in Jamie Drake's room was handpainted by Alpha Workshops. It's wonderful when you can fit a sofa that long in your room. Every furniture piece and color complements each other exquisitely.

William T. Georgis's panic room anticipated impending global catastrophe with a twirling disco ball, automatic weapons (reproductions, of course) and a Russ Meyer movie.

An homage to the "Bocca della Verità" (The Mouth of Truth) in Rome, John Ike's room is a challenge to "be your truest self" in bed, he said. The bales of hay he used as side tables were "just an idea."

The decorator Amy Lau had Jo Lynn Alcorn, a paper artist, make an installation of Maya Romanoff wallpaper.

Across the Threshold

Doorways are, in general, a spectacular disappointment. I mean, they're usually quite boring- off-white trim, standard molding, blah, blah, blah. That's why I've fallen in love with the two looks below. They've taken an area that most people neglect, and given it purpose. They've made it the focal point. Doorways across the world, rejoice. You have a calling.

via House Beautiful


via Elle Decor

The Perfect Sofa: Oprah

Nate Berkus gives some great tips on how to the pick the perfect sofa. Mainly, buy the plainest, most neutral, and most classic sofa you can find. There are two reasons for this. One, you'll get sick of a patterned, crazy color sofa. Two, you can have the flexibility to transform the look of a sofa with accessories (throws, pillows, etc).

Here are the perfect sofas from Oprah:

You can't go wrong in your formal living room with a Chesterfield style sofa. I'm a little partial to our Chester Sofa. But if I had to pick one, I like the bottom sofa. Unfortunately, it retails for over $11,000.

For your traditional sofa, you can go a multitude of directions. The Century Furniture piece in the middle retails for $2800. It's their petite take on a camel back sofa.

Slipcover sofas. I've owned one, and I loved it. You can't go wrong with the Alexa Sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at the top. My sister has it in her house. I can testify that it's comfortable from the amount of times that I've crashed on it. Plus, it's a great value at $1299.

In our tailored sofas category, I'm a big fan of the top two. The top one is the Petrie Sofa from Crate and Barrel. Great mid-century modern sofa. It was the sofa in "The Break Up" with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The middle sofa is the Lampert Sofa from Jonathan Adler. The frame is beautiful. The white lacquered based is a refined touch.




With your minimalist sofas, you can't go wrong with the Klippan Sofa from Ikea. You get 98 inches of sofa and it'll only cost you $499.



In the ultramodern sofa category, always bet on Vladimir Kagan. The Hahn Sofa (at the top) is a stylish piece that will look just as beautiful floating in the middle of the room as it does against a wall.

Genius Decorating Ideas: Oprah

We decided to heed Oprah's advice and reinvent our Louis Dining Chairs with a fresh turquoise fabric. If you ever visit Red 8 (Great food by the way. Try the Potstickers.) in the Wynn Las Vegas, they upholstered their booths in the same fabric (in a red color way).

See how some classic designs mixed with modern sensibilities turn familiar home furnishings into some oh-so fresh.

The Louis dining chair frame is so classic. When you blend it with some unique fabrics, it makes it eclectic, cool, and new.

Thomas Paul pillows taking classic silhouettes and infusing some fashionable colors.

I love the Martha Stewart Windsor armchair. The table is from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

Modern cuckoo clocks. Urban Outfitters' silvery version and Anthropologie's powder-coated metal ticker reinterprets clock.

Ralph Lauren brings a Southwestern flair to towels.

Reichenbach porcelain service by Paola Navone, Anthropologie. Vintage porcelain dishes glazed in platinum, Clio.

Jonathan Adler's homage to era's past with his funky pillows.

L.L. Bean Pineland cube covered in Paradise Background linen.

Cicatrices de luxe 5 by Philippe Starck.

Under the Disco Ball

Put on your dancing shoes because you might find yourself facing a disco ball- in the bathroom (or the fireplace, or a jacket). Mirrored tile is making its way into some very unlikely places. It's fun and glamorous, and we're all a bit vain, so it works. Here are some of my favorite random uses of mirror...

Shiny mirror tile + Earthy wood counter = Eclectic perfection. via Elle Decor

Teatime just got a whole lot badass-ier. via Elle Decor

Forget the standard trim... add a reflective surface instead. via Elle Decor

If you're not going to use the fireplace, you might as well make it shine. via Domino.

At least you won't have to go to the bathroom to check your makeup. via Elle.

The Galleria Madness Continues...

Not wanting our area to get stale, we switched out the furniture for a fresher, lighter, Spring look for April! What do you think?

For arguments sake, let's call this the front. The Melina Bed in natural, earth tones flanked by two side tables.

A very rustic Louis Bookcase conjures images of Springtime antiquing trips!

I love the blue velvet used to cover these chairs. It adds a good dose of color to the neutral Louis Dining Table.

We wouldn't dare get rid of the Teak Root Coffee Table! It pairs perfectly with everything, including the Chester Sofa.

The very cool Dome Chair actually blocks out some of the noise when you sit in it! It would be an excellent book-reading chair!

Continuing the "Natural" theme with Tree Stump Sculptures atop the 9-Drawer Sideboard.

The fabric on these chairs is so soft. People couldn't help but touch them!

I think this area is my favorite. Adding a little greenery is always a good choice, whether it's real (in the mini-greenhouse) or fake (on the chair). The Bowling Desk is a great little writing desk, too!

Passers-by in the Galleria seemed to like the pieces we chose for the area. Hopefully, we'll impress them even more with next months vignette! We'll keep you posted!

Sweep Me Off To Paris!

via Elle Decor

Something about a summer in Paris is really appealing to me right now. Maybe it's the dreary, rainy weather we're having in Houston. Maybe it's the small and architecture-free apartment I've been in for close to two years. Maybe it's the constant reminder of our declining economy from TV to radio and magazines that's finally getting me down. Either way, I need a vacation, and a trip to Paris would be just lover-ly.

via Domino

Of course, that involves quite a bit of funding that I just don't have at the moment. I'll have to make do with these Parisian (and faux- Parisian) interiors which are tickling my French fancy.

via Domino

Apparently, the ingredients for a Parisian interior are as follows: 3 parts chevron patterned wooden floor, 1 part ornate fireplace with large mirror overhead, 2 parts French doors with balcony and iron railing, 1 part simple floor-to-ceiling drapes. Voila!

via Domino

Until I can cross the pond and get over there, I'll be dreaming of French architecture, French fashion, and (my favorite) French crepes! Au revoir!

Still Loving Suzani!

Elle Decor had a little suzani on it's cover. Love the sofa!

I'd love to add some suzani to my living room. Beautiful, colorful fabrics add a touch of bohemian to even the most classic room. The patterns are so gorgeous that just a little bit will go a long way. Suzani has been in for a couple of years now, but it doesn't show any signs of leaving, so grab a little bit where you can!

Portobello fabric from Rubie Green.

Rebecca Chair in Zankari Rhubarb by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home.

Photo via Rooms We Love on Flickr.

Carolina Herrera, Jr. obviously has a thing for Suzani. She used it on a table in one home for Domino and as drapes for another home in Vogue Living.

Suzani Sunburst Pillow from Anthropologie.

Sleep Tight

I'd never given it much thought before, but I love the look of upholstered headboards. They give the bedroom a certain softness that a big piece of wood can't. I've been surfing the Domino website a lot lately, pulling inspiration photos before they shut down, and I found a lot of headboard eye candy...

Grey moire and navy floral- calm and collected. Check out the ceiling, too!

Is calm isn't your thing, there is always fiery hot pink!

I love the sweet, classic shape of these headboards, and I love the throw pillows they put with them!

Sometimes, more is more.

I think neutrals are beautiful. You don't have to feel bad for not using a lot of color!

Headboards are a great place to use a big pattern because you know it will be seen.

A lot of amazing pattern going on in this bed.

I saved my favorite for last. It's a headboard fit for a queen... quite regal, no?

Running the Bath

Seriously- how elegant is this? Water pouring from your chandelier to fill your bathtub. Add that one to the dream house checklist...

Celebrity Apprentice: Back and Louder than Ever!

Donald Trump knows style!?!?

The pink tie guy is back, and the show is becoming ridiculously, more funny by the second. When you have a cast of characters like Dennis Rodman, Clint Black, Scott Hamilton, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Hershel Walker, Andrew Dice Clay, Tom Green, and some random model that opens the briefcases from Deal or No Deal, you know the entertainment quotient is going to be quite high. On Sunday night's episode, Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos, got grilled by the girl's team on his dating preferences. I have no idea what that had to do with their assignment, but it makes for good, awkward TV.

Anyways, one of the best things about the show is the interior design of the suites. Every year, they manage to do a great job of decking out the rooms with latest and greatest from the home fashion world.

I (Still) Love Lucite!

An Aitali chair from the pages of Metropolitan Home

Just to prove that lucite is in it for the longhaul, I've collected some inspirations as evidence. It's come a long way from little end tables. Add some fabric and you've got futuristic furniture with warmth. With the added benefit that lucite goes with everything!

At first glance, I wondered what was holding up these chairs! More from Met Home.

From Houston magazine, Lulu-fabric-covered chairs from Elloise Abbott.

Another Aitali chair- lots of options!

Mmmmmm...Missoni fabric on a Kartell chair. From House Beautiful.

Window Treatment

My husband and I are soon to begin a few home improvement projects to spruce up the apartment, and it's got me thinking about drapes. We attended a wedding in Acapulco this weekend and the look of sheer drapes on the balcony overlooking the ocean was breathtaking.


Alas, no ocean which we can overlook at the apartment. Something along the lines of these could be beautiful when we open up the sliding glass doors on a cool Spring day...

via Domino

Though we don't really have the ceilings to pull off a look this dramatic. Maybe something a little more Parisian?

via Domino

Gorgeous, no? But unfortunately, we use our balcony too much to block it off with a daybed. Though it is glamorous. I can just imagine laying out in front of the window with a good book and a mojito. I think I've found my solution...

via House Beautiful

The perfect combination of airy, simple, but with an interesting detail. Love it! Now I just have to pick out my fabrics and get to work!

Silver Birch

Before I wrapped my Christmas gifts, I went on a mad search for wrapping paper printed with birch trees. Pottery Barn displayed gifts that way and it was so chic I had to have it! Alas, I didn't get my wish, but I have seen a ton of birch print since then. Maybe it's because I'm actually looking for it now. Yes, it's quite wintery and we are heading into Spring, but it's pretty nonetheless.

It's only fitting for a duvet printed with nature to be organic. Birch Tree Organic Duvet Cover & Sham at Pottery Barn.

Organic is sexy: Stella McCartney Pump.





You can't open a decorating magazine without seeing this wallpaper. Woods by Cole & Son.

DIY Entry Table

Apparently, I'm in quite the Do-It-Yourself mood, because I've found another project for myself. Every time I've looked for a piece for my entryway, I've been looking for a chest or console table, and good looking ones are not cheap. I like this inexpensive alternative. Maybe it's obvious to everyone but me, but I never thought of getting a cheap table from, say, Ikea, and covering it with a pretty linen or cotton. I like the look. It's soft and organic. Thanks, Domino! What will I do without you?!

I'm Seeing A Pattern...

I love these eye-catching pumps from Dries Van Noten's Spring '08 collection. A-Mazing!

It takes a certain eye to be able to combine patterns that to the untrained eye look nothing alike. I may not have that skill, but I think these pattern combinations may inspire me to try sometime!

Love the varying patterns on these dining chairs. Very eclectic! (I can't remember where this photo came from. If anyone knows please tell me!)

Again, don't remember the source for this, but the combination of patterns is fantastic!

I couldn't pick just one pair of Dries Van Noten shoes, so I added all of my faves! Aren't they stunning? I wish I had a pair (or three)!

Anthropologie is jumping on the pattern bandwagon with their Terai Chairs.

Border Patrol

The idea of wallpapering an entire room can be daunting, yes? That's why I love the idea of creating a border around the room. For example...

The tile border around the bottom of the wall brings all the colors together beautifully! Photo via Domino.

Stay in a suite at Lafayette House in New York and you'll have plenty to feast your eyes on, including the gorgeous wallpaper making up the top portion of the wall.

Doin' It Yourself

I came across this picture on the Domino website (not sure how much longer it'll be up, be here's the link regardless). I'm not wild about the fabric choices, but I spied the top of the drapes and thought, "How cool! It's a four poster bed without the four posters!" Not only would this look lengthen your room, you can hide away within the fabric on cold nights, and you will never have to worry about banging your foot or elbow or any other body parts on the posts. Add this one to my dream home checklist...

A Little Escape

Growing up, I was always a little jealous of my older sister because she had a window seat. I love window seats. They're so cozy and warm and away from everything else. My dream house will definintely have a window seat or two. I put together this little collection of ones that inspire me, so that you can, hopefully, get inspired as well!

An absence of shades lets the light pour in. This photo and the next three via Domino.

An intimate little nook in which to have a cup of tea on a rainy day.

Even though it's out of the way, the shelves are still accessorized daintily.

Bright white allows for statement pillows.

Technically not a window seat, but a clever use of space nonetheless. This photo and the next via PointClickHome.

Keep plenty of reading material close at hand.

A rustic and homey place to rest. This photo and the next via House Beautiful.

This one might just be my favorite. A tiny little nook for bites to eat and good conversation.

Office Space

I did a little furniture rearranging this week with my husband. Since we have yet to entertain a single soul in our apartment, we repurposed the dining "room" into an office for me. I had been using a small rectangular table from Ikea as a dining table that magically transformed into a desk once I pushed it against the wall. We gave three of the four dining chairs to charity with the idea that we'll dinate the fourth once I find a cute and comfy desk chair to replace it.

With this project in mind all weekend, I thought about desk/chair combinations. I like to mix the look up a little bit- industrial with earthy, traditional with modern, you get the gist. Here are five that I came up with. I hope they inspire you!

Go-Cart Desk, $149 + Trig File Cabinet, $179 @ CB2; Pattern Bent Wood Chair in Coffee @ Brocade Home, $199

Shelby Desk @ High Fashion Home, $1595; Louis Ghost Chair in Crystal @ High Fashion Home, $410

Latham Desk @ Crate & Barrel, $599; Terai Folding Chair in Floral Stripe @ Anthropologie, $198

Mondo Compact Office Armoire @ High Fashion Home, $1749; Wireback Chair in Black @ High Fashion Home, $159

Sawhorse Worktable @ West Elm, $449; Kiki Slipcovered Side Chair @ High Fashion Home, $438

Brilliant Book of the Week: uh-oh Domino!

Yay for the new Domino: Book of Decorating!! I bought it for Sarah's birthday and now I want one for moi. Oh well. I can't rave about this book enough.

Check it out!

"Domino: The Book of Decorating," by Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello, and Dara Caponigro.

First of all, it's hard enough finding decorating books that present their ideas in an organized way. The editors of Domino magazine have done a fabulous job laying this book out by rooms and how to go about decorating spaces no matter how big or small.

I especially love the first chapter because it helps light a fire under your toush. As a design student, our professors always tell us we can't dive right into a project--we have to plan and organize how we are going to execute the big picture. Finding inspiration, deciding your style, determining how the room is used, what items you'll need to keep, drawing a floor plan, planning on a budget, doing research, and last, but not least, starting the room you want to decorate. There's much more to decorating than picking out paint swatches and light fixtures, as you can see.

So, if you'd like to add a book to your library that gives great tips and looks good on your coffee table, then I'd hit the bookstore and get it hot off the press!!

Happy Reading!

Getting My Hooks In

Photo from Domino

In my ongoing closet revamping project for the new year, I wanted to cover a blank wall in an eclectic variety of hooks to hang incidentals like hats, jewelry, and the occasional pair of jeans. The picture above is my inspiration. All that is left is to buy the hooks and install them. Here are some of my favorite hardware choices:

Row One: My Best China Hook at Anthropologie, $18; Dragonfly Patina Hook at Restoration Hardware, $14; Coral Hook at Anthropologie, $18.

Row Two: Carat Wall Hook at Anthropologie, $18; Flyaway Hook at Anthropologie, $24; Black & White Wall Hook at Anthopologie, $18.

Row Three: Letter Hooks at Anthropologie (These would be really cute in a kid's room or entryway spelling a name or word!), $16; Traditional Amber Glass Hook at Restoration Hardware, $24; Branch Hanger at Container Store, $20.

Yes, We Can!

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

In case you haven't heard, we do have a new president coming into office this month. Barack Obama ran his campaign on the message of 'Change'. His first big 'Change' initiative will be to redecorate the White House. He's enlisted the help of superstar, interior decorator Michael Smith. Smith's interiors mix furniture and art from a wide range of styles and periods in a way that is harmonious and modern.

His list of celebrity clients include Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Brian Grazer, and Cindy Crawford. For more on this breaking, home decor news, head over to Domino. Check out some of his work below:

Bohemian Decor...Hollywood Style!

Meet Sunrise Ruffalo. She is wife to hugely underrated actor, Mark Ruffalo. Check out their beautiful home from the latest Domino. She sought to create a comfortable, bohemian home that balances sleek, cool furniture with flea market finds.

Balancing the striped chair, rug, and daybed with a circular coffee.

I really like the circular framed chairs. Great organizing shelf for all the toys.

Very clean mirror and a simple desk. It's a great way to start the day with an uncluttered space.

Some times people try too hard to spice up their bedding. White bedding is classic, timeless, and soothing.

The two facing sofas makes for a great conversational area. Nothing screams laid back like a bean bag.

The entry way features two built-in shelves where they can frequently changed out the artwork.

Zooey Deschanel

There's no one more cute and quirky than Zooey Deschanel, so you would expect the place she dwells to follow suit. Bingo! Using a spare room, she created a vibrant home studio for all things creative with style oozing from every corner. A mix of patterns and textures emphasize the royal in the blue, but simple lines keep the room liveable and comfortable. Be sure to read the full article in this month's Domino!

The soft pinks in the pillows and flowers are a perfect complement to the healthy use of blue.
An antiqued gold frame pops against the blue velvet upholstered wall. Sometimes, everyday objects make the best art, like a vintage guitar case.
There's nothing quiet in this room! Everything is bold, bold, bold!
Take an idea for yourself: Take the doors off of a closet and treat it like the rest of the room- chandelier and all!

It's a sweet room, and she knows it!

Inviting Interior Design Tips

Designer Mary McDonald's Hollywood guesthouse showcased in this month's Domino has a ton of striking imagery and trendsetting ideas for 2009.

The luxuriously draped walls add a warmth and femininity to the room. It works well with the daybed and antiqued stools.

I'm no Pantone forecaster, but I get the feeling this blue is in for 2009.

A settee in the bathroom...a brilliant idea. She used stencils to paint the pattern on the floor.

The rich blue and white combination makes for a timeless design. Notice the geometric patterns that she incorporates in several rooms.

I love the two tone drapes. The styling is very simple, yet real impactful. The Louis Chairs with the patent leather is a nice touch.

That blue is everywhere. Grey walls were hot last year, and it still be in for the foreseeable future.

No, that is not wall paper. It's actually Benjamin Moore paint. The all white, chic furniture manages to balance the striped walls.

Mary slips the blue in once again with the coverlet. The headboard is just out there in a good way.

Resolution: Organize

My goal? Not quite, but it is a beauty! Photos via Domino unless otherwise noted.

Who hasn't let out a sigh of frustration at the sight of their closet? I recently took a look at the state of mine and wanted to throw everything out and start over! Though on my budget, that's not an option. Since adding all of my new husband's clothes to my large, but full, closet, we haven't done any organizing. But now it's a new year, and I am determined to make the time. Often, we have an idea of what we'd like the end result to be: A copy of the impossibly perfect closets we see in Martha Stewart Living, but usually I can't get there because I piddle out halfway through the process lacking the necessary inspiration and direction. This time, though, I'm going in with a game plan with a little help from the masters: Domino, House Beautiful, and Martha Stewart.

A mirror or framed picture can spruce up an otherwise bland space.

Step One: Where to begin? House Beautiful had a great tip for that question (and a fantastic article that must be read in full): "Ask yourself: If all of this were gone tomorrow, what would I miss?" Refer to that answer as you clean out the overworn, the ill-fitting, and the uncomfortable pieces. It amazes me that I probably only wear about one-third of the things I own. Every time I purge I still hang on to some things that should have been donated ages ago. With that thought in mind, I can get rid of the things that are just taking up valuable space and make room for some shiny, new things I'll really wear!

Labelled baskets are a closet's best friend!

Step Two: Prepare for the New! Out with the old, in with the new, but not before the closet is prepped and ready for some much needed additions. This is the part where you get inspiration from photos and magazines! I've come up with a few goals I'd like to accomplish: First, to add shelving to the floor space for our shoes and boots. They're closer to my feet that way and easier to see, as opposed to using the over the door rack I have now. Second, I want to use baskets on the top shelf to group items like purses, gloves, hats, etc. keeping them out of sight. Third, I want to remove the extra rod we have and install several hooks to hang belts and bags. Martha Stewart has an article on her website that gives lots more great closet outfitting ideas.

Utilize floor space, because what else will you do with it?

Step Three: Get what you need. For this task, I took some guidance from The Lucky Shopping Manual, tailoring it to my needs. For instance, my job does not require me to wear suits, and I rarely don a cocktail dress, but I do need lots of comfortable flats and dressy jeans. Take a look at what you have and fill in the blanks, but be tough. Don't just buy something to fill a wardrobe hole. Buy it because it looks good on you and makes you feel great. Of course, this can't get done in one weekend. It's an ongoing process. Keeping a list of your needed items handy will make shopping easier when you can get around to it.

The shoes! Oh! The shoes!

Step Four: Organize what you have. Everyone agrees: group your clothes by item, season, and color. My husband's side will be a breeze. Dress shirts, sweaters, slacks, jackets. My wardrobe will pose more of a challenge. I figure I'll begin by separating by season, then item, then arranging by color. I love the look of a color organized closet!

A good wardrobe doesn't have to be big, just versatile.

Step Five: Maintain it! All that hard work will be for naught if I let it fall by the wayside once again. So step five is to clean, reorganize, and, if need be, purge every couple of months. The result? A beautiful closet, an easier morning routine, and a happy husband!

A Holiday Tidbit

Sweet little birds and tiny vintage ornaments on a wiry tabletop tree...

I know it's a bit late for holiday stuff, but I just wanted to share a little something from my Christmas with my family. On Christmas Eve, I went to my parents' house for a pre-Church meal. My mom had, once again, decorated the house simply, but beautifully. One thing in particular caught my eye. She's always puts this little Christmas tree out on a table with some of her smaller ornaments, but this year, she added some gorgeous bird ornaments that I fell in love with! She always does a fresh tree as well, embellished with her huge collection of blown glass ornaments (I love looking at them all!), but the small tree is another burst of color in an otherwise neutral hallway. It's a great idea for small apartment dwellers without room for a large tree, or if you just need a space for tiny ornaments. Well played, Mom! Thanks for passing on your style genes!

Chester Goes to the Eye Doctor!

This is by far the coolest optometry clinic I've ever seen. When the customer mentioned that they were going to use the Chester Sofa in a TSO store, I thought the sofa would probably be under-appreciated and overkill in an optometry clinic. It probably still is overkill, but overkill has never looked so chic!

Get Outta Town

Cozy and modern and I love the light fixture at the top!

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, waiting for the appropriate time to blog it, and I'm finally getting to it. I think you might be in the mood for something non-Christmas related, and this is it, so I hope you appreciate it, because I'll be back on the Christmas bandwagon shortly. My apologies, but I LOVE Christmas.

The Fornasetti Apartment in Milan is a beautiful representation of this artist's work and it is available for rent. Interior design lovers and art buffs alike will consider this place a treat. The pictures are nice, but I'd rather see it in person. Maybe someday...

Gorgeous, saturated green in the bedroom.



The kitchen area is a Spring haven of butterflies. Talk about a theme!

A closeup of the kitchen table. Every butterfly is beautifully done.

Another view of the bedroom. Love the multicolored glass containers in the window. I may have to mimic that somewhere!

According to Gladstonehotel.com, the best time to stay is at the end of the summer, when you can take advantage of ripe figs, pears, and kiwis in the garden. For more information, email info@fornasetti.com.

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Holiday Edition

'Tis the season for time with family, heavenly smells from the kitchen, and a vacation from work and school. 'Tis also the time for chaotic buying sprees, house cleaning frenzies, and overeating. Holidays: love 'em and hate 'em. Why not have a little fun this year? Fashion is fun and that can translate to a fun tablescape. Take some inspiration from Fall 2008 Couture and create a beautiful table for your guests!

Organic Eating: Simple, natural materials create an elegant setting- no special materials needed. Tablescape photo via Coco + Kelley. Dress by Anne Valerie Hash.

A Touch of Gold: A little sparkly on the table is always welcome. Martha Stewart perfects it with gilded pears. Coordinate it with a little bling on yourself. Coat by Christian Lacroix.

Wild Holiday: Who says you can only use red and green at your holiday table? A splash of hot pink is unexpected and festive. Tablescape photo via Totally Tabletops. Dress by Givenchy.

Textural: Mixing textures is an easy way to add depth to an otherwise simple table. I love the homemade felt holly napkin rings from Martha Stewart! Dress by Alexis Mabille.

Woodland Escape: Natural color and plantlife will be your inspiration. Bring the warmth of the outdoors to your table and make sure you have a roaring fire going! Tablescape via Martha Stewart. Dress by Elie Saab.

Winter Wonderland: This one is my absolute favorite. It's more fantasy than reality, but how could I resist a snowy confection fit for the Snow Queen herself? You can still take inspiration from it and decorate your table in snow white hues. Tablescape photo via Coco + Kelley. Dress by Christian Dior.

Book Madness: Day 1

Our team was inspired by the September issue of Metropolitan Home. In it, they highlighted the interior decor from the Showtime hit show, Californication. We decided to take on the task of building one ourselves, book by book.


11-15-08: Lady S' knees are hurting! Task seems daunting. Morale low. Hope to finish by the 2012 Olympics in London. But we will press on..a slave to our craft...

You might even find some surprises hidden within our book tower... No, your eyes do not decieve you. That's JK Rowling's wildly popular Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in there! Who knows what other classics we'll stumble upon in this journey...

Here's our inspiration photo and our goal. We think David Duchovny would be proud of our efforts.

Our fearless leader also got the grand idea to follow suit with a 3 row by 4 row stacked book coffee table:

This table was the talk of the of the town in its completion, catching lots of HFH customer's attention. (I've also heard the DaVinci Code is located within base.)




Til' next time..

Little House in the Country

The Old Alsatian House in Castroville, Texas

Hubby and I just returned from our fantastically relaxing honeymoon in the Texas Hill Country, which means I have great stuff to share! Don't worry, it's nothing cheesy or super romantic. Just cool design, inspiring landscapes, and a bit of history.

I promise this is the only heart you'll see here, but aren't these shutters sweet?

Exhibit A: The Steinbach House located in Castroville, Texas (it's just west of San Antonio!) is a relatively new addition to their town, but the house isn't new at all. Oh, no. It was built in 1618. Yes, 1618, in Wahlbach, France. How, you may be asking, did it get to Castroville, Texas, then?

The posts that made up the entire house were held together using these wooden pegs.

Interesting story actually. The Steinbach family lived in it for many years, housing as many as 15 people (at once!) in the 1,232 square foot space. Eventually, the family decided to build a new house, so they disassembled the old one, labelling each post, and storing it for several years.

The posts were numbered with little wooden tags and stored.

It was shipped to Castroville in 1998 with lots of donations and help from many volunteers. The home was rebuilt and furnished and open to the public by March 2002.

The home was furnished with antiques donated by individuals from Alsace.

Can you believe a family of 15 lived in four open bedrooms and a small loft?

If you're ever in the area, I suggest you take a peek at it. It's absolutely adorable!

I love the patchwork!

A Domino Love Affair...

I couldn't help it when I saw the cover of this month's Domino- I fell in love. Then, when I flipped through the pages, that sealed the deal. I saw dark, nearly black walls everywhere and it's a look I know I love! It may be a lot of deep color at first, but it looks so chic, so antique. Charcoal grey paired with white trim or accents is very elegant, and every bright color is multiplied by a thousand against a dark wall. A dramatic commitment? Yes, but totally worth it. Check out the inspiration pictures I gathered, all via Domino, of course.

Wallpaper, Wow!

Until designers stop coming out with amazingly innovative wallpapers (glow in the dark, light up, and heat sensitive, oh my!), I am just going to have to keep writing about them. Just when I think I've found the coolest wallpaper possibly imagined, someone else swoops in with an even cooler concept. I last wrote about wallpaper technology at the end of August, so I think it's time for another venture into the wide world of wallpaper technology. Yes, technology.

Phosphowall by day and by night.

It's never fun stubbing your toe on the way to the bathroom at 3 am, but "Phosphowall" by Ich&Kar will make that history. By day, the perky stripes soak up any light they can get their hands on, be it natural or artificial. Then, once every light has been extinguished, they cast a gentle glow on the room.

I love a good combination of light and design. The Nature Ray Charles wallpaper by Camilla Diedrich is a perfect example of beautiful technology. It also comes in a few gorgeous colors to enliven your decor. The first thing that came to mind, when I saw the green version, was the room designed by Andrea in the Swarovski challenge in Top Design. Wouldn't the Glitterbox Vertical Chandelier she used look breathtaking in front of this wallpaper?!

The green version of Nature Ray Charles wallpaper and Andrea's room from Top Design

A closeup of the Glitterbox Chandelier. Whoa.

Life is busy. This we know. If your looking for a way to multitask better, I love PixelNotes wallpaper by Duncan Wilson. The entire wall is made up of little post-it notes in four layers, all in different grey tones until you reach the bright red base layer. That takes the notepad by the telephone to a whole new level. I wonder if you could line your office with this...

This may seem low tech at first glance, but there's a whole lotta tech that goes into it. Every last detail of your wall is measured to create custom warping wallpaper by Surrealien. Subtle, yes, but so, so cool as well.

I've saved my favorite for last. It doesn't light up or make pancakes or anything like that, but it's really neato. Basic white wallpaper by Samantha Johnson, complete with a zipper, so that you can layer the incognito wallpaper over something bold, and unzip your zipper to reveal the bright paper beneath it. Let your imagination run wild!

Fashion vs. Furniture: Project Runway Style

Bravo posted the final collections of the final SIX contestants weeks ago (is this a new thing?) so it was then that I began scheming to make a Fashion vs. Furniture out of it. I picked a favorite look from each designer's collection and paired it with a room that fits the style. The results are all over the map (and some just plain went off of the map).

Jerell's Design:

This dress, by Jerell, is a whole lotta busy- but it really works. The patterns and textures complement each other rather than fighting. A girl who wears this must have an apartment that is just as eclectic as her wardrobe. A vibrant mix of colors, patterns, and accessories make this place wild, but visually enchanting! Photo by Annie Schlechter.

Suede's Design

Suede designed a look that is clean cut and preppy. A girl in that dress would want an elegant and clean home that plays with proportions. Stripes are the ultimate in prepster chic and the room above makes good use of them. Photo by Max Kim-Bee.

Joe's Design:

Going for a rustic look doesn't necessarily condemn you to Wranglers and plaid shirts. Joe's design is rustic and girly at the same time- a breezy summertime frock. For home, take an otherwise sweet and feminine room and add cowboy touches like cowhide pillows. The rest of the room is urban lofty. It's the definition of eclectic. Photo by John Granen.

Korto's Design:

Young women always look lovely in color. Korto was very liberal in her bright color use for her collection. The apartment above looks like a young woman's dream home. Vibrant and playful- there isn't a single color of the rainbow you won't find in here- it's super feminine and perfect for a bubbly girl. Photo by Melanie Acevedo.

Kenley's Design:

Kenley is undisputedly the queen of retro on Project Runway and her final collection was no different. While she usually went for eyecatching floral prints for her frocks, I was more drawn to this sleek, black number. It's old school glamour, very ladylike, and stunningly sophisticated, like this room is also. Classic animal print along with sexy sixties inspired chair bring that retro feel. Dark wood brings to mind a dim martini bar. Photo by Brandon Barre.

Leanne's Design:

Leanne's impeccable designs are all about structure and morphing a two-dimensional material in a fabric scultupe that wraps are a body. For her final collection, she employed cool, airy colors to allow the designs to take the lead. This room is equally ladylike and mixes shapes and lines- curvy baroque chairs mesh with straight edges. Each piece is different, but they are all unified by their cohesive color scheme. Photo by Francois Dischinger.

One Sofa, Four Ways

I've been pondering something: Why do people with already fantastic style hire stylists? Why do people with impeccable taste hire designers? I think I know the answer (and no, it's not for a lack of time, though that could be a reason as well). Sometimes you need a second opinion. I see things from my own perspective and it can be hard to look beyond that. But I could bring in another opinion (a stylish sister, perhaps) and an idea that never occurred to me comes to life!

I thought about the way we accessorize new arrivals in our store. No two people design vignettes the same way, but can get equally dazzling results. With that in mind, I gathered two of my fellow bloggers to help me in accessorizing a plain jane sofa for the benefit of you- the reader. Who knows, maybe you'll take our second, third, and fourth opinions as the inspiration for your redesigned living room!

First, our plain jane sofa, ready for action:

The Aiden Sofa makes a perfect blank canvas with which to begin our work, $1849.

And, here are the results:

Sarah's Idea

Elliot Chair, $2699; Organic Cocktail Table, $1209; Arden Side Table, $389; Jet Set Black Silk Pillows, $50 each; Carmine Persimmon Velvet Pillow $68; Bamboo Vase, $189; Pomegranate Room Diffuser, $40.

Stephanie's Idea:

Cedric Cocktail Table, $695; Cedric End Table, $450; Remington Adjustable Stool, $369 each; Wilton Antique Rust Table Lamp, $89.95; Horse Drawn Wagon, $59; Caswell Red Pepper Pillow, $110; Caswell Fudge Pillow, $90; Guava Wood Pedestal Medium, $19.95; Guava Wood Pedestal Small, $13.95.

Brian's Idea:

Leather Earl Chair, $1589; Copenhagen Coffee Table, $609; Carioca End Table, call for pricing; Skyler Lamp, $209; Cowhide Pillow, $99; Sage Mohair Pillow, $140; Zecar Flywheel Car, $12; Awika Wind-Up, $12; Newton's Cradle, $6.50.

Jennifer's Idea:

Exposition Chair, $1429: Sukiya Coffee Table, $999; Soriano Side Table, $199; Whirl Bronze Pillow, $110; Plaza Aqua Pillow, $75.

All items are available at High Fashion Home.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: Weeds

If you've never seen Weeds, I suggest you give it a shot. A suburban mother dealing pot is not your average plot line, but Mary Louise Parker is great in the role. No doubt to the reason why they made her home look so, ahem, organic.

Lots of muted colors and materials bring nature indoors.

This freeform Vladimir Kagan piece is fits in seasmlessly. Check out the huge beach ball pillow!

The fabric and the style makes the chair a true standout! I love the simple drawings displayed above.

Oops! She's done it again.

Kelly Wearstler, the ultimate trendsetter, has managed to land on the cover of this month's Domino (big shocker!). I just can't get enough of Kelly, so here are some nice pics from this interior design diva:

The vintage brass lamp screams sophistication.

That wall panel is ridiculously awesome. The blue leather chair provides some serious pop!

Most people play it safe. Ms. Wearstler is not afraid to incorporate modern prints.

Kelly's twist on black and white design that comes off warm, not cold.

Before and after proof positive that she can turn any bland room into something glamorous.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: The L Word

Another stop on the Met Home/Showtime House Tour brings us to The L Word. When the show is about women, you expect the decor to be feminine and sensual- and that's what we got.

There is so much texture mixing in here- velvet, satin, leather... It jumps out of the picture!

How many women do I know that would kill for a shoe closet like this one? Let's just say, more than one.

Huge mirrors look great leaning against a rough tiled wall, and bathtubs like this one are so sexy!

The silver legs add modern edge to what would be a traditional chair.

Boys & Girls

A girly girl's paradise. Photo by Wesley Rose.

It's never easy to compromise- especially on something as important as decorating your home. Whether you are working with a roommate, a spouse, or a sibling, you have to find a middle ground.

I'll be taking on my own decorating project at home when I get married in one month. My husband, and all of his "man stuff" will be invading my feminine space. Gone will be the days of leaving my stuff on the coffee table and cleaning it up when I feel like it. No more shoes strewn across every room of the apartment. It's time to make room for another.

Classic man-zone. Photo by Brandon Barre.

I'm more of a visual learner (as I know many of y'all are), so I went in search of some inspiration for my gender-neutral decor. My fiance gave them the thumbs up, so what about you? Did I hit the nail on the head or am I too biased by my own style to find a true combination of masculine and feminine? Take a look...

The intricate shape of the chaise and chair adds femininity to the room while the neutral and textural elements ground the room and keep it masculine. There isn't a lot of embellishment to the vignette, instead letting the view outside take the lead. Photo by Gray Crawford.

I could envision a young couple entertaining here. Nothing about it screams "Guy!" or "Girl!", but the room as a whole is very stylish and simple. Little accessories placed around the room (like a bud vase of flowers) add that woman's touch. Photo by Melanie Acevedo.

Every piece in here is an example of balance. The color scheme of the room is perfectly neutral. The accessorizing is brilliantly executed and mixed well. My favorite part is the anchor of the room: the daybed-ish sofa. Feminine in shape, masculine in color and texture. Photo by Douglas Friedman.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: United States of Tara

Moving right along, we have the designs from United States of Tara. The purposely disjointed decor feels like falling into a Salvador Dali painting. It is dreamlike and surreal (perhaps like the title character's life as a woman with multiple personalities).

My eye is drawn instantly to the art on the walls. It's hard to look away from them! Notice the eye above the fireplace?

The furniture is very minimalist, but it's accessorized well, so that it feels like a home- not a museum.

This could almost be an entirely different room! I love the shape of the legs on the console table.

The art is provocative, but I'm more interested in the sexy chair. Unique shape, and I always love a button tufted cushion.

Fashion vs. Furniture: Autumn Trends

I can't get these great fall trends out of my head! And so, I decided it is time for another round of Fashion vs. Furniture, but this time, it's Fashion vs. Hotel. Hotel decor is, of course, a deciding factor for picking where you stay next to price and service. Everybody wants to stay someplace cool! My fashionistas are no different...

Look One:

A girl wearing a Dolce & Gabbana shaggy fur vest is one thing: Trendy. That vest won't make it longer than one season, but she can always get her trend-fix at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco...

The rest of the room may be classically beautiful, but if orange lucite doesn't scream, "Trend!", I don't know what does. And check out the resturant downstairs, Asia de Cuba. Trends may not last forever, but this one's got a good foundation to stand on.

Look Two:

Every trendy girl has a direct opposite- the classic beauty. She'll don a crimson pout, swept up chignon, and Kate Spade sunglasses day in and day out, but it will never, ever look tired. She takes her evening looks seriously, as is the case in Giambattista Valli (above), and she'll always be seen in an equally classic hotel- The Ambassador East in Chicago...

You can't compete with the hotel of choice of the ever-classic Frank Sinatra. The famous (or is it infamous) Pump Room downstairs served as his stomping ground for years. You don't get any more classic than that.

Look Three:

Donnatella Versace knows how to make a girl flash. A girl in Versace has the confidence, charming personality, and breathtaking looks to control the room anywhere, even the W Dallas...
Yes, a girl in Versace would still draw stares amongst the pretty people in Ghostbar, W's chic rooftop bar. So, get to flashing.

Look Four:

Some girl have that look of dark glamour about them, which is fortunate, because this Fall, that is the look a la Derek Lam. That girl needs a place that is just as glamorous with a good dose of edge. The place to be? Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City...

There is texture everywhere- wood, velvet, crystal. From the decadent lobby to the soaking tub, this place oozes sexiness.

Look Five:

When a girl wants a little romance, her go to gal is undisputedly Vera Wang. And when a girl needs a place to get, ahem, romantic, her go to hotel is the Delano in Miami...

How about a stay in an all white room with billowing sheer white curtains? How about a candlelit dinner in an outdoor cabana? Yep, that'll about do it!

Look Six:

Animal prints shoes? Cute accessory. Animal print coat from Blumarine? That makes for one ballsy chica. A girl in a coat like that is bold and impossible to miss which brings to mind another hard to miss locale- Trump Tower in New York City...

Any hotel that is dripping in crystal, marble, and most of all- gold is making a bold statement. And that is just where an equally bold soul needs to be.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: Dexter

Next up on the Met Home/Showtime house tour, Dexter! There is a lot of white/off-white backgrounds with a strong punch of color. It gives off a fine arts museum vibe.

The red orb chair and blue paintings just jump out in this setting!

This is a kitchen to-die-for. Curved cabinetry with soothing earth tones makes for a kitchen that you might never want to leave.

Vivid imagery. Stark white with splashes of red. If you look close, you'll see the red-filled test tubes on the table. I'm not sure if I'm excited about the decor or scared....

Really subtle wall art that makes a big impact! Looks like something you would see at the Delano Hotel.

Kelly Wearstler On The Prowl For Design Books!

The New York Times did a little article last month about Kelly Wearstler's passion for out of print art and design books. They serve as inspiration for her uncanny ability to decorate with unusual themes and colors. Check out some of the books below to see some of Kelly's muses:

"Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People", by Harnish Bowles, amazon.com

"Horst: Interiors", by Barbara Plumb, 1993, amazon.com

"Goodbye Picasso", by David Douglas Duncan, amazon.com, $25

"The Shell: 500 Million Years of Inspired Design", amazon.com, $20

"The Bathroom: A New Interior", antiqbook.com, $100

Stained Glass Love

Pull the drapes aside and let light filter in through stained glass panes. Always chic and makes you unique! Here are some of my favorites:

Grand stained glass in the Notre Dame de Reims- an early study in product placement. Click to see what I mean.

Antiqued doors with brilliant colored glass- No wonder it's a Room We Love!

Breathtaking entryway via Coco + Kelley.

Modern strips of stained glass at Salvador & Amanda in London.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: The Tudors

As a continuation of Metropolitan Home's tour of Showtime's biggest shows, we have moved on to The Tudors. The half of episode that I've seen was pretty intense, and the set design is no different.

I just love the chandeliers, sofas, and the rug that just happens to be the size of my house.

This chandelier is remarkably transcendant. It's both contemporary and very traditional at the same time.

The shape and size of the sofas is great. Bold print, cross red pillows, and the punch of gold just screams royalty.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: Californication

Metropolitan Home has the insider scoop with a home tour of Showtime's biggest shows. I've never seen Californication, but the home decor alone might be enough to make me a loyal viewer. The interior design just oozes a laid back, yet hip vibe. Check out the photos below:

The high back blue chair is just crazy. Love it.

The colors are so soothing. The mosaic tiling that looks like burlap is awesome.



Don't you feel at ease from this picture.



This has automatically become my favorite bookshelf.

How cool is that? Who thinks of these things?

Making Space for Wine

How many of you homeowners out there have an unused space underneath your stairs? I love what this designer did with hers- wine storage. I adore the minimalist shelving that holds, what looks like, a healthy dose of vino, and almost invisible glass doors keep the wine at the right temp. It's stylish, it's practical, it's a wine-lover's dream.

The (Black and) White Stripes

I love watching trends just explode. Case in point: Black and white stripes are everywhere. Open any decorating or fashion magazine and you're bound the see prison stripes covering the pages. Yes, it can easily get busy and dizzy, but sometimes the result is hypnotizing...

A striped hallway via Domino.

Striped marble floors at the Mark Hotel.

Neutral stripes ground a bold red headboard via Domino.

Nate Berkus's stripes made the cover at Elle Decor.

Maximum impact stripes via Domino.

Okay, so Domino really likes their black and white stripes.

Your Chair is Hairy!

Rather than the requisite throw pillow on a chair, people are getting hairy by throwing fur throws on seats. My findings began here...

...at the Absolut Icebar in Copenhagen. These fur covered seats serve a purpose- prevent frostbitten drinkers...

I spied this furry little pillow in our store- I can pick one up after work!

I wouldn't mind being Julianne Moore's stylist- she got this almost $2000 chair as a gift from the actress. Photo via Domino.

The cream fur is a striking contrast to a vibrant plum chair. Photo via Domino.

Chartreuse deuce (or should I say, Two stool with chartreuse fur cushions). Wild.
Photo via Elle Decor.

With winter coming up, now is the perfect time to move your decor into cold weather mode. And a fur throw is the purr-fect place to start.

Wallpaper: The Next Generation

Better Wallpaper will turn any picture of your choosing into a wall mounted masterpiece.

Your mama's wallpaper just got blown out of the water. It's not enough anymore for wallpaper to just be pretty. It's must be the quintessential double-threat. Form and function. Beauty and brains- sometimes literally. These wallpapers are made for the new generation of consumers that want it beautiful, want it now, and want it to impress. My question... how do we top this? I'm sure someone will find a way...

I wish I had a closet a la Carrie Bradshaw in SATC: The Movie, because I would line the walls with this wallpaper by Deborah Bowness. It's wallpaper for the ultimate fashionista.

If just looking at the outline of flowers bores you, start peeling. Peel away the top layer of flowers to reveal a colorful design underneath. By Hanna Nyman.

If you want some light to read by- get a lamp. If you want light to set a mood- get light emitting wallpaper from Jonas Samson. Yeah, you heard me. It emits light.

So the kids are back in school, but if you need to keep them (or yourself) entertained until dinner, check out Tick-Tock wallpaper from Mini Moderns. Once the paper is wallmounted and dry, you can color to your hearts content. I'd put this in a guest room. Then I would invite people over all the time and insist that they color for their supper and autograph their work. How cool would that be?!

Higher (Design) Education

Soon the kiddies will be back in school and that time always bring up fond memories for me. Wearing the perfect outfit (complete with tights even though its 90 degrees outside) on the first day, a new Trapper Keeper (oh yeah!), putting together my Lunchables before chowing down. Those were the days! This working stuff with no summers off... I just don't know (kidding, boss!). I want to relive those glory day without resorting to enrolling in high school again. So I turned to a few of my favorite shops and design magazines to help me bring back my ABC's and 123's.

1, 7. Review your primary colors courtesy of CB2: 1. Hotline Dining Table, $399 7. Sol Pendant Lamp, $100
2. Reminisce about evenings in the stacks with a classic tufted library sofa: Chester Sofa by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home, $1949
3. Get the lofted bed minus the annoying dorm roommate: photo from Apartment Therapy New York.
4. Don't let things slip through the cracks- paint a small wall with blackboard paint (we got our from Benjamin Moore) and remember to keep the chalk nearby!
5. You always did get gold stars on your work. You've earned this gold star, too: Mini Sunburst Mirror at High Fashion Home, $130
6. Tartan plaid conjures images of school uniforms- before Britney went and ruined them. A warm tartan throw on the end of your bed is perfect for chilly fall nights. Muted Blue Stewart throw from The Scottish Weaver, $70
8. Hit the books, or at least keep yours organized. I love the recessed, arched bookshelves with the books organized by color. Photo from Elle Decor.
9. This has to be my absolute favorite desk from our store. I can picture it perfectly: Sitting on a Ghost chair, typing blogs on my laptop with a pretty bud vase of peonies sitting closeby. Someday... Shelby Desk by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home, $1595

We *Heart* Chair Silhouettes!

I'm a sucker for graphic and industrial design. When my two loves are combined in images of classic furniture or architecture in simple and lovely 2d renderings, I am giddy happy. Here's a roundup of some cool and simple chair images perfectly suitable for framing and dressing up your walls... or your coffee tables or letters or decoupaged furniture.

Alphabet Of Design Classics poster $35.00 Available at Blue Art Studio

Pottery Barn as mentioned in Apartmenttherapy

Designer Chair Cocktail Napkins $26.00 on Etsy

And of course, how can we forget the Eames postage stamps?

Mosaic Model Apartment

This past week, the renegade interior stylist team at High Fashion Home was let loose upon the Mosaic, a new high rise residential tower in Houston. Yours truly the D*signAddict along with SarahWithStyle were given an empty model apartment to decorate with High Fashion Home furniture and accessories.

We had a blast picking out paint colors and putting together the two bedroom model. We wished we didn't have to leave when it was over and we could move in! Success!!!!!

A night view of the ambient lighting in the living room.

Apartment 120005 Living Room

View from living room to dining.

Another view of living room at night.

Dining area and desk. The wall paint is marigold by Benjamin Moore.
Chalkboard wall in kitchen with a recipe for blueberry pie. Thats D*signAddicts hand. Thanks SarahwithStyle!

View from living are into guest bedroom.

Guest Bedroom.

Guest Bathroom.

Accent wall also painted in marigold.

Dining area looking into master bedroom.

Serene master bedroom.

Master bedroom.

master bath

Color Story

Want to give your place a bit of a visual boost? I love the idea of organizing your books by color. It's almost like it creates a little piece of art in your bookshelves. I've organized my books by color before (but I like to change it up often- seriously, I can entertain myself all weekend by organizing my bookshelves!) and it looked very chic. You can intermix a few non-book items- but keep them the same color as the books they're next to for the best impact!

Apartment Therapy had a post about this today and they've written about it in the past, so pop on over there and maybe the inspiration will hit you, too!

We *Heart* Wood Floors

I grew up in NYC. This is not a disclaimer, just a little factoid. I guess I have a nostalgic love of old pre-war apartments with all their glorious imperfections and built in bookshelves, decorative moldings and warm, worn, old wood floors. Since I have moved to Houston, I have so rarely come across those treasured floors I spent my formative years taking for granted up north. The flats I have seen here are mainly new and the wood floors are even and flat and usually laminates, or the floors are covered in carpets, or slate tiles. Aesthetically pleasing nonetheless, they don't have that feel under my feet that I didn't even realize I longed for until I started seeing these pictures pop up in my magazines.

I think I am in love. Swooning, butterflies in the stomach, giddy love... over chevron patterned old wood flooring. *Ahhhhhh, sigh!

We *Heart* The USPS

Hey you design-a-holic... were you aware of how cool the new postage stamp is? Because I am totally crushing on the Charles and Ray Eames commmorative sheet. I am definitely getting a few, one for framing on my wall like the big design dork I am, and one for upping the coolness factor on the bills I still have to pay with a check. ( Why can't everyone just go paperless already?!!!... ok, not complaining. I can now use my Eames stamps as... gasp... postage!)