Design for a Cure

A few weekends ago, Alex and I were invited by my best friend Kim to attend a benefit for Colon Cancer research in Chicago. The event was called "Design for a Cure" and showcased various apartments and condos in a very cool building in downtown Chicago. Each space was created by a different designer using each of the Earth Elements. Below are my favorite (Fire) and Alex's favorite (Wood). (Notice my favorite has way more pictures.) It was a wonderful event for an amazing cause!



This room had me at hello. I love color, especially when it is played off cool textures and prints like the zebra on the bench and the red silk clover chair (which I covet!) And check out that view! Not bad.


You know I'm a sucker for blending the traditional with the modern...so these wingback chairs and traditional chest juxtaposed with the modern art and accessories were right up my alley!





This apartment was actually a studio so that bed is a Murphy bed! You'd never know!



This room was very unique. I love the artwork and the warm tones of the furniture and walls. This room had to be roped off because the contents were so pricey!




Love the artwork behind the bed. Very cool.

Rustic Chic

Any one who knows me knows that I am anything but rustic. While I enjoy a nice day in the country, I'm more "sit on the porch" than "sit on a horse." I guess you could say, I'm a little bit country; which brings me to my entry today. Just because you don't live in a log cabin doesn't mean you can't bring a little of the outdoors inside. It actually is a really great way of adding texture and making your look more casual. It doesn't have to be all over. Little touches go a long way. So go on, throw an antler or two on your mantle. You'll be glad you did.


{Better Homes and Gardens}



{Magnolia Home}


{Country Living}



This Lexington leather/zebra would add that rustic touch to any space. The texture is perfect!



{Country Living}



{London Times}



{Via Full House Blog}

What I'm Loving for Fall

Hermes Blanket


The Hermes Blanket (sigh) is one of my all time favorite classics. They cost a small fortune but are (I'm sure) so worth it. A luxury worth it's weight in wool and cashmere. Can't wait to splurge on one for myself someday. Until then, I'll just wrap myself in my boring, non-designer blankets.
{Design Studio}

Eclectic-ness (is that a word?)


I think that Eclectic-ness is always in style. In the fall, though, it's so fun to play with the rich colors, fabrics and textures that the season brings. In this Miles Redd room, I love how he uses the high gloss, bold indigo blue with the camel upholstery. Such a lovely combination. The antique chairs beside the modern art is just so classically eclectic. He does an amazing job with the bookcases, too.

Menswear Inspired Fabrics


On the runway and now, on your chair! I love that this rather serious Ralph Lauren-esque fabric is juxtaposed with the fire engine red. Makes it fun.
{Artichoke Designs}


Deep Purple


Let me go on record as saying that I usually loathe purple. Hate it. I have to say, though, lately, in small doses, it has been growing on me. Like in this lovely dining room, it is very rich. It's not going to be showing up in my house anytime soon, but never say never.
{Decorpad}


Sumptous Fabrics


Velvet can, at times, come off a little, shall we say...Elvis-y? But when you use it as an accent, especially with an on-trend color like this rich turquoise, it adds amazing texture.
{Country Living}

Going Wild: Zebra Rugs

{Elle Decor}

I just recently decided that my living room looks too much like my mother's. I love my mother and her house, but I'm thinking I need to young up my space a little so I went crazy and got a zebra rug. I love it but am having the hardest time incorporating it. I know what you're thinking, aren't you a designer? Shouldn't you be able to do this? Let me tell you something, designing someone else's space and designing your own space are two totally different animals. Thus, I am now searching the net for some inspiration and I think I've found some great ideas.



{House of Turquoise}
Everyone knows how much I adore turquoise and all shades of blue. Look how striking the rug looks against the bright color! It's so chic.


{Photo by Jose Picayo}
This is interesting. The moldings in this home look very traditional, so the designer has incorporated more traditional wing back chairs with the spunky zebra rug, low slung, modern sofa and oversized mirrored framed mirror. I always love the juxtaposition of the new and the modern.




{via Decorpad}
The chartreuse and navy accent pillows are unexpected and fun.


{photo via Apartment Therapy}
I love how fresh and clean this room is. The rug really pops.

Happy (my birthday) weekend...

Hot (Haute?) Rooms

As someone who combs the internet and magazines for the freshest and most unique designs, I am always floored by the amount of creativity out there! It's SO inspiring. The designers out there right now are nothing short of genius. Here's a collection of some of my faves.



Breakfast area designed by the one and only Kelly Wearstler. I'm always impressed by Kelly's mixtures of styles. The antique French chairs with the modern art is truly inspiring.


Designer Todd Klein is SO talented. This room is so refreshingly modern but it's not stuck up. Love that in a room!
{House Beautiful}



I actually have this picture hanging on my inspiration board in my office. Chocolate brown is SO versatile! The bright turquoise really brightens it. And how cool is that bulletin board?!?!
{Beach House Decor}


I am SUCH a houndstooth girl. Thanks to Coco Chanel, it's classic and will always be in style. It is so chic in classic black and white but I also love it in bright colors like this lovely turquoise.
{At Home Arkansas}


Loving the juxtaposition of the sweet pink with the chic zebra print.
{House Beautiful}

Captivating Coral

Lately I've been so attracted to coral. It's the perfect mix of pink and orange and can be beautiful in many different styles of homes. Stick a coral pillow on a neutral chair or sofa and see how it transforms it from blah to brilliant!



How FUN is this?!?! OMG I love it! Black and white looks fabulous with pretty much anything but I must say, coral definitely brings the WOW factor.
{Miles Redd}


This photo is taken right out of the Williams Sonoma home catalog and it's marvelous. Modern, yet livable.



What can I say, it's Martha. Say what you want about her, the woman's good. The bright coral wainscoting on the back of this chest is so unexpected yet still soft and beautiful.
{Martha Stewart Living}


What a wonderful twist on the classic beach house. The beige and white Roman shade looks so tailored and the coral adds that much needed punch.
{Nancy Taylor Lynch}


Love the gray and coral! The tones in the gray really soften the brightness of the coral and the overall effect is very cool.
{Ideal Home}

Life's a Beach

After spending a week in breezy, no humidity Michigan, I am feeling a little claustrophobic in this landlocked state. It's so refreshing to see such beautiful beach homes! Kick off your shoes and enjoy...


Beautiful, modern, blissful.
{Simple Home Decorating}


Love this Hamptons Beach Home.
{Elle Decor}


This shell mirror is to die for!!
{Country Living}



Having even just one piece of the Long Cove collection by Lexington will bring that much needed beachy feel to any home.


Of course I adore the Chinese Chippendale Chair. It adds a classic element while still remaining appropriate in a beach setting.
{Home Decor Site}

XO

Off to Michigan...

Enjoy your week! I certainly will...

I Love Pink

I have writer's block today and just feel like looking at pretty pictures of pink rooms. Enjoy!


{Country Living}


{Traditional Home}


{Domino}


{Katy Elliott}


{Domino}

Cottage Chic

I recently decided that my "decorating style" fits rather perfectly into that of the Cottage Style. While I think it is hard to put one's self into such a neat little box, it is important to know what style speaks to you. That way, it is less difficult to divert from it. Once you know your style, you can use its basic principles and then add your own flair. I enjoy how cozy and delightfully disheveled the Cottage Style can be. I am not the most neat person, therefore the Cottage Style really fits my personality and way of life!



I love this room! It really demonstrates that cottage doesn't have to be so informal. You can bring in some distinctive, ornate pieces and really dress up the space.
{Apartment 46}



Now this is my kind of cottage. The slipcover chairs and sofa are so classic cottage but the designer has chosen to bring in more modern elements to balance the room. The tall trees and the more modern shapes of the furniture really give it an updated look while still embracing the coziness of a traditional cottage.
{Our Suburban Cottage}

I like how the following two used a similar beige and cream toile on the windows. It's a nice contrast to the blue-green walls. Panels are so classic and really bring a cozy element to a room, while a Roman shade is much more casual and allows for a lot of light. I like how the first one brings in more masculine elements--the distressed leather chairs and wood ceilings--while the other one is much more feminine--the wicker table, lighter wall color.

{Cottage Living}


{Home Decor Exchange}

Happy Monday!

Red, White and Beautiful

I was looking through the real estate listings in St. Louis when I happened upon this darling Dutch Colonial in Creve Coeur. As I looked through the pictures, I began to get a familiar feeling--house envy. I have no idea who owns this house. All I can say is wow. The decor is so graceful and inviting. It is also very classically American. {Hence it's placement on the blog this 4th of July weekend}. American flags can sometimes appear kitschy in a home, but here they just add to the overall welcoming feel. I love the floors, too. Enjoy.








{FYI, we have the slipcover chairs at Lexington on sale for $899!}