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!)

Mood Lighting

I love nothing more than to sit on a back patio with a chilled glass of Riesling and a plate of cheese and fruit and chat with friends and family until the mosquitoes chase us indoors. Sometimes, when the weather is cool enough, the mosquitoes don't make an appearance and we can hang out well into the night. That's when I would want a setup like the one above (from a Grange ad). Strands of fairy lights and mismatched paper lanterns are such a better alternative to tiki torches and citronella candles.

Since Martha Stewart could never leave anything plain, hers have pretty paper butterflies affixed. I like these for a sweet outdoor chandelier at a dinner party.

The Nuevo Star lanterns have a little more punch and I love them in small doses. I would have never thought to place one in front of a cabinet/bar, but it's cute and quirky! BTW: We carry these at the store in lots of vibrant colors!

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?

Whet Your Appetite

My soon-to-be husband is turning 30 soon, and that calls for some celebrating. Not the "Uh-oh, somebody's getting close to the top of the hill!" kind of celebration, the "Here's to 30 years of good family, friends, and you birthday boy" kind. First on my list is deciding how to decorate and, more importantly, what to feed our guests! I found some very helpful books on that subject and thought I'd share the wealth...

For a casual, comfortable party, I love Katie Lee Joel's book The Comfort Table. She promises easy home cooking and she delivers. If your goal is to serve familiar dishes to friends and family, this book makes that task easy. It's especially great for sit down dinners because her entrees are mouthwatering!

For a more exotic palette, try the recipes from The Big Book of Appetizers by Meredith Deeds and Carla Snyder. There is a lot of selection so you can pick several to make from the 250 recipes with no problem at all. Also, they give great instructions for each recipe on making things ahead so that you aren't panicking the day of.Now this is an idea I can get on board with. Of course, sushi is a more expensive route to go, but it looks impressive laid out on clean white plates, its healthier than a fried mozzerella stick (not that those aren't blissful from time to time), and it's not impossible to make with a little practice. I'm planning on serving a couple of things from The Complete Book of Sushi by Hideo Dekura, Brigid Treloar, and Ryuichi Yoshii. And, hey, if I screw it up, I can still eat the mess- it's a win-win!

Brilliant Book of the Week:

When I'm invited to someone's home for a small dinner party or gathering, I always take a peek at their library if possible. I like to see what people are interested in and what books take up their free time, I think it can tell you alot about them.
Of course, as a good host/hostess, you tell your guests to feel at home in your home so the most important books are the ones you choose for your coffee table--considering these are the most frequently flipped through when waiting for your cocktail. Fret not my friends, I have found yet another fantastic book to add to your coffee table collection!

Check it out!

"The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World" Photography by Alain Le Toquin


What better to have while you are entertaining than a book with GORGEOUS photographs of the most beautiful gardens in the world? From the United States to France, Italy to Japan or Singapore, this book is loaded with potential conversation starters. Cozy villas in Florence, Versailles in the winter, moss covered stairways in Germany, marble windows surrounded by lush, exotic greenery in the Garden of the Surging Waves--just describing them doesn't do the book justice. So it's up to you whether you want to throw Great Expectations, Moby Dick, or Les Miserables on that table...I'd prefer a picture book! ;)

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!

Domino: Decorating on a Budget

Check out Domino's Budget Decorating: $1 Design Finds! That's right, amazing looking pieces for under $1.

"Snartig" vase $0.79 each, ikea.com

"Lion's Head" small bowl $.85 each, crateandbarrel.com for locations.

"National Airline" forks and knives, $.99 each, fishseddy.com

Various decorative papers, $.75-$.80 a sheet, mannysart.com for information

Teacup, set of two for $1, goodwill.com for locations

Copper scrubbing pads, package of two for a $1, familydollar.com for locations

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!

PR5 Report: Episode 4

I was a fan of Leanne's design. Stay on this track, Leanne!!!

A challenge worthy of the gods... well almost, actually. The designers were challenged to create a look for our American Olympians for the opening ceremony of the Summer Games, and, oh boy!, was there a variety of designs! We were given sporty to cocktail attire and everywhere in between. I was glad to see that Joe was given more screen time as I think he is one of the greater talents this season. Korto put out another fantastic design which was promptly given the gold medal. If you didn't see her design in episode three (a very flattering black jumpsuit), click here now and enjoy it. Terri also put forth a good ensemble. Perhaps I'll have to revise my choices for the top three?

From left: Terri's suit, Korto's leather and linen winner,
and Joe's literal take on the challenge.

Of course, with the good, there's is always some... slightly off. Daniel nearly missed elimination with his blue (purple?) cocktail dress. Save that for the post-Games parties. Jennifer was in the hot seat again this week and was eliminated for her ultra-prim and girly skirt and jacket combo. Personally, I enjoy her designs, but a designer has to learn to design for the customer, period. The judges made that point clear and she was auf'd. The judges were also critical of Jerell's design, which, while amazing and creative by any standards, was out of place and too costumey.

From left: Jerell's 40's ensemble, Daniel's purple number, and Jennifer's final bow.

My least favorite of the evening came from Keith (who is starting to really grate on my nerves!). He put together a jacket + poufy skirt + floppy tie ensemble that just didn't scream "Olympian!" However, he did play by the rules and kept it red, white, and blue, which probably redeemed him in the judges' eyes. Oh well.

As usual, check out Entertainment Weekly's take, and more pics at BravoTV.com.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Going to the Chapel

During my daily blog read-a-thon, I came across a contest at Coco+Kelley and I think it's fantastic. Why? 1. Contests are fun and bring out my extremely suppressed competitive side. 2. Weddings are also fun and bring out my girly side (which is never suppressed). 3. Inspiration boards are my specialty as I have books and books of pictures whose sole purpose is to inspire me. Therefore, this contest has everything I need.

Here are the rules: pick one of the 36 rooms chosen for the contest and design a wedding inspiration board around it. Dress, flowers, location, you name it. She even has cool prizes for the winner!

So, add to your to-do list- Pick a picture (the three here are all good options!), design your dream wedding, and submit it to Coco+Kelley. Of course, check out her blog for more information!

Going Undercover

I knew a girl in college who refused to wear clothing made of synthetic materials because she didn't like the way it felt on her skin. The very same girl would buy and sleep on the cheapest, scratchiest sheets known to man. That makes no sense to me. We spend about one-third to one-quarter of our days in bed, so shouldn't we all sleep on something that makes us feel like we're sleeping on nothing at all? Of course! I love shopping for bedding and here are my reasons why:
1. Since my bedroom is very neutral, I can go nuts with the bedding- any color, any style, any pattern. That's some major versatility.
2. Bedding is easy to change and it's smart to have an extra set or two lying around for guests or laundry day.
3. There are so many amazing bedding options out there! Just check out the three I discovered through DailyCandy:

For eco-friends there is Plover Organic. They've got five lovely fabrics available for Spring/Summer that combine wonderfully. The materials used in creating the Plover bedding is (of course) organic and healthier for you and your family that the average dyed cotton bedding. That will help you sleep soundly!

The bedding from Lulu DK Matouk sprang from a collaboration between John Matouk & Co., a luxury linens company, and Lulu de Kwaitkowski, founder and designer for Lulu DK Fabrics and Wallpaper. What results is quality and style: fresh, clean patterns on 500 thread count Egyptian cotton.

For the avant garde adventurer, True Love Always will outfit your bed in bold graphics that are truly unique. Think of this as the Ritz Carlton of bedding to red satin sheets' hourly motel. There's nothing cliche about it and it's sexier than anything around. Enjoy.

PR5 Report: Episode Three: Now With More Leatha!

So Stella finally got her hands on her beloved leatha! Hooray!

Last night's episode was (I thought) more interesting than previous episodes in terms of fashion. We really got more of an idea of what everyone's style is than before. I mean, really, how much can you show off when you're working with groceries? This episode has done well to confirm my choices for the top three. I'm still banking on Kenley (so obviously a judge's favorite and a producer's favorite judging by the amount of airtime she gets), Joe (still the underestimated competitor, he solidly delivers quality albeit not eye-catching work), and Terri (who finally got her chance to shine with the backless number last night).

From left: Kenley's winner, Joe's, and Terri's.

The dismissal of Emily was quite surprising. I thought the judges would favor her tacky-but-well-made design over Jennifer's boring-and-badly-executed dress any day, but apparently I was wrong.

More third persona from Suede. At this point it's wearing extremely thin. I don't care if he designs better than Karl Lagerfeld at this point. The way he talks is so distracting I can't concentrate on what he makes! So stop it already!

Leanne's design and Korto's.

But there were plenty of great designs shown in this episode. Leeanne produced a fantastic little skirt and blouse combo to make up for the disaster that almost got her auf'd last week. Way to bounce back! There was much mention of Korto's sexy black jumpsuit, but I loved it. The jumpsuit is dangerous territory but she pulled it off fabulously. Of course, it helps when a 5'10" glamazon is wearing it.

Once again, see all the pictures at the official Project Runway site, and check out Entertainment Weekly's spot on commentary.

Auf Wiedersehen!

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!)
Charles and Raye Eames commemorative stamp sheet (panel of 16 $6.72)

Don't Forget to Say "Thank You!"

When someone is kind enough to let you stay in their home, whether for one night or one month, it's common knowledge that you should thank them. When the trip is an extended one, it's generally expected that you thank your host or hostess (or both) with a gift. The longer the stay, the more the gift. Here are some ideas for the next time you find yourself on someone's couch (or, if you're lucky, in their guest room).



A Weekend Stay:
We always had a lot of weekend visitors at my house growing up. Usually aunts and uncles passing through town on their way to another destination. Occasionally, an old friend of my parents coming for a short visit. When you find yourself on a visit like this, bring a little something to say, "I know you're going to tidy up like a madman before and after I leave, so thanks for the extra effort."


Something small will suffice, like tiny bud vases from Crate & Barrel (only $2 each!). You could also try a set of Port glasses for a wine-loving host, a cute printed dishtowel (Anthropologie has great ones) for a domestic host, or nice notecards with which they can write thank you's for their visits!


A Weeklong Vacation:
Once you are staying with somone for an entire week, you're probably disrupting their schedule at least a bit. There are meals to be made, sheets to wash, and daily entertainment to be prepared. When you are staying with someone for that amount of time, put more thought into a thank you gift. They've worked hard!


For the host that likes to get outside an grill, put together a gift basket with a few of these gourmet barbeque sauces from Williams-Sonoma. Get a small piece of jewelry for a fashion-loving hostess (or host). A coffee table book on a favorite subject is usually something people want, but may not get for themselves. That's your chance!

The Month Long Move-in:
If you're staying for a couple weeks to a month, some big time kissing up is required. Your host may love to spend time with you, but they've still have to change around their schedule for you more than just a couple of times. Get something you know they'll love- something they may not just get for themselves. Your gift to them should be a splurge!


I love these Orimono Pillows from Anthropologie. The bright colors will add a lot to a room and certainly brighten your host's day after the extra cooking and cleaning they've done! To give your hosts a break after your visit, get them a giftcard to a nice restaurant- enough for some good wine, a delicious dinner, and dessert. You could also snag a couple tickets to an event they would love- a concert, a play, the ballet, etc.

Thanking your host will not only make you feel better about imposing on them, it will also guarantee another stay at their home if you need it! And don't forget, it's always necessary to send a little note after you've left to say one final "Thank you!"

PR5 Report: Episode 2

Well, last night's episode of Project Runway was a wild ride. It seems the theme for last night was too short, badly fitted, and talking in the third person. The old routine of creating a schtick just to get a clip reel dedicated to you during the reunion show is getting really old. Last season it was Christian and his declaring everything "fierce". I can already see it for this season: "Suede rocked it!", "Suede is a bisexual Sagittarius!", blah, blah, blah. We get it, Suede.

Now, focusing on clothing, I'm starting to get a little scared about this bunch. The people getting the most camera time aren't the most talented. The best designs of the evening came from Kenley, Joe (the most underestimated designer of this season), and Terri.

Terri's dress, Joe's dress, and Kenley's (should've been the winner) dress.

And as for the rest of them, I understand that the models didn't give them the most ideal fabrics to work with, but you work with the cards you are dealt. The dresses were either too tight, too short, too 80's, or too badly constructed (auf'd Wesley commited three out of the four sins)! If these designers want to be on par with the designers in seasons past, they are going to have to learn how to "make it work"!

For more, check out the photos from last night, and read Entertainment Weekly's take on the affair.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Everything But The Kitchen Table...

A preppy kitchen booth with extra storage below is always handy.

Lately, I've been hunting for the perfect kitchen table and chairs. Something small enough for my little apartment's dining room, but still enough to fill the breakfast nook of a house in the future. I really want a clean and modern round table to surround with industrial metal or mix-and-match antique dining chairs. Luckily, I have lots of pictures to serve as inspiration in my search!

A relaxed and airy breakfast nook at Amanda Peet's home.

A simple and rustic booth in a breakfast nook.

Tres minimal... Straight pieces of wood and chairs with just a little curve.



A nook with a view at the home of Billy & Katie Joel.



Granted, this takes a little more effort to build a bar out from the counter, but the combination of marble and colorful barstools is fantastic.

The HF List: Oh What a Tangled Web...

I remember those days, maybe 10 years ago, when the internet was not the behemoth that it is today. The web was there, but it wasn't so world wide. Today, most people spend a good portion of their workday on the internet, not to mention their downtime. Why buy an encyclopedia when you can Google? Why go to the store when you can have it shipping for free? Words like "google" and "netflix" have become verbs, as in, "He seems nice, but did you google him yet?" or "I'm not going to spend 10 bucks to see that movie. I'll probably just Netflix it." Women's Health ran an article in its June 2008 issue about the 100 Most Useful Sites on the Web. Click here for the full article, but I included my favorites here:

1. Working out is tough, but it gets a bit easier if you've got a good soundtrack to jam to. The best songs for major cardio are in the 120-150 bpm (beats per minute) range. To find out if your songs make the cut, bring up Convert-a-lot and you'll have the perfect mix in no time!

Don't ask him to do anything naughty. He won't like it!

2. Don't waste time on just any website. Waste time with Subservient Chicken. It's a guy in a chicken suit that will do your bidding. Just don't ask him to get naked. He is not cool with that!

3. Next time you're invited to a dinner party, don't bring just any ol' bottle of booze. Check out the recommendations at Cork'd and you'll be on the guest list for every dinner party to come!

4. Ever spent way to much time searching for an 800 number only to give up? I have and it is frustrating to no end. Go to Hard To Find 800 Numbers. They'll find it for you.

One of the Rooms We Love at HFH's Flickr page.

5. Flickr is the best place to find amazing photos for free (noncommercial use only). I've found some truly inspiring pictures there! And, HFH has a photostream there of inspiring interiors for your time-wasting pleasure.

6. It's no fun to buy a ticket to fly across the country only to find the fare has dropped a week later. Sign up with Yapta. They will moniter your flight information and if the fare drops, they'll let you know and help you get a refund. That'll get you some new vacation shoes!

7. Being an adult means being responsible and being responsible means prepping yourself for the worst. As much as we don't want our houses to be broken into, it happens. It happened to my parents and it was a nightmare. But fortunately for them, they were insured and had an inventory of all of the bigger items they owned. When it came time to replace them, they knew exactly where to start. If you need a place to start, go to Stuff Safe. They make it easy to upload pictures of your stuff with descriptions and values. And hopefully, you'll never need to use it!

Have a lovely day with the little bit of random from See Jane Work.

8. Work can be boring. Make it better with cute office supplies. Okay, so they won't make your job suddenly exciting, but they're nicer to look at than your basic black Swingline. See Jane Work has some of the most fun supplies around.

9. Hate your boss? (Even if I did, I couldn't tell you here!) Let 'em have it without getting fired by posting an anonymous rant on Work Rant.

10. For all of you book fiends out there (Eclectorator, I'm looking at you!) check out What Should I Read Next? Just enter the title or author of a book you loved and it will give you 10 suggestions that you will also love. I tried it, and it was dead-on.

11. Why would you want to pay for shipping when you could not pay for shipping. Go to Free Shipping On for the inside scoop on free shipping from over 500 stores.

They have a ton of fantastic, time saving, just-plain-cool sites on their list. Enjoy perusing the internet!

HF Weekly Obsession:

I put this little vignette together just for this photo. Something classic (the tufted 1430 Loveseat from Lee Industries in Tampa Slate), a couple things organic (the Organic Cocktail Table and the Twig Table in Brass & Black Granite), and something geometric (the Tommorrowland Rug). Mix these pieces for an adult and striking living room combination. Then tell the kids to stay in the playroom.