elements of style: August 2007

8.29.2007

eBay Finery: House of Thailand

I was trying to google for sources for ikat pillows (all the rage-perhaps overdone...hmmm) and I found this eBay shop, House of Thailand, with some really amazing finds! These uniquely shaped long bolster pillows are about $30 and handwoven in a stunning pattern. My wallet is infinetley happier!It would look fabulous on a bed, daybed or couch!

This bold striped rug is also about $30 (AMAZING) and is perfect for any room. Bold, cotton weave rugs are VERY chic right now. And most of them run in the hundreds to thousands of dollars!

They even have bright, fun handbags...

Oh, and they DO also have ikat fabrics...but I now am distracted.

8.27.2007

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

The one room in my new home that I have yet to lay a finger on is the bedroom. I cannot decided what color scheme, feel and look I want for it. Tranquil and simple? Bold and colorful? A mix of both? So I went looking for inspiration and here are some of the rooms I loved. Andrew has begun to demand a paint color so I have to bite the bullet and pick one!!!

8.24.2007

Brilliant Store in Cape Cod

I was flipping through my Southern New England Home Magazine for the 10th time today (if you live in New England-a MUST), and I went on the Design Works site after spying their ad. Wonderful stuff and proof that not all Cape Cod shops are chock full of shell wreaths and birdhouses shaped like lighthouses.

How sweet yet chic is this vintage pitcher?

Deliciously mod coasters and Marrakesh influenced photo album:

John Robshaw bedding (sigh!) among other hard to find designers

I adore the packaging on this Olivina line of soaps, lotions and candles. Iam, after all, a true sucker for gorgeous packaging!

Yummy glassware, including my FAVORITE wine glasses by Juliska

And even to die for clothing. This cashmere sweater is going to be my one luxury purchase for fall/winter. Who am I kidding, I'll make several luxury purchases! But this will be numero uno!!! The lines and buttons are so unexpected and cozy!

8.22.2007

Inspired

I went for a nice walk in the Arnold Arboretum this morning and was reminded of how lucky I am to have this absolutely breathtaking park right behind my house! I had to document my walk. There are moments when I feel sulky about having moved a tad bit further from downtown- but my longing to have seven Starbucks and Neiman Marcus steps from my front door is overruled by morning excursions like this. As much as I appreciate the hustle and bustle of Newbury Street, the peacefulness of places like this out in JP inspire me design wise and in my life as a whole.

Thought I would share.

Keeping With Tradition

One of the things I love most about my new house is that the renovators left the antique, original detailing as is. All I need to do to make my fabulous glass pantry with built in cabinets and drawers look fresh is to get new nickel hardware...but I wanted to keep the original detail as well. In comes House of Antique Hardware, a fairly priced source for new hardware in the styles of yesteryear. You can search by the style of your home (Victorian, Art Deco, etc.) and find fantastic stuff in various finishes! I am mad about the vent covers above and the milk glass doorknobs!

8.20.2007

I feel like a little bit of a genius.

I was happily perusing my new issue of Domino last night and turned to page 42 and low and behold, there at the bottom of the page was a picture of my bright turquoise foo dogs. The EXACT ones I got on eBay for $19.99....except these were from some fancy LA store for $225!!!!

1) How cool that I am ahead of the trend spotting curve of Domino and 2) solid proof that these upper crust stores mark their goods up about 1,000 percent!!

Plantation LA's foo dogs:

My foo dogs:

BUSTED!!!!

8.16.2007

This shop should be called "Erin's Dream"

Oh me, oh my. I am sitting here gaping mouthed and full to the brim with desire to own this shop The Drawing Room in Cos Cob, CT. Every single picture looks like it was crafted from all of my favorite things in the world! The piles of gorgeous, colorful throw pillows, bookcases with vintage purses, wonderful, whimsical lighting, luxe candles and even a COFFEE BAR for sipping lattes while you browse.

I must make a pilgrimage. This is my Oz.

OK, I'll admit it.

I spent the other night watching a marathon of Tori&Dean:Inn Love on Oxygen. How I got drawn into a reality show about Tori Spelling and her cad of a hubby, I cannot explain. HOWEVER, I dare say that the inn they created, Chateau LaRue, is actually pretty darn cool! I love the traditional contruction of the building mixed with the very modern and fun decor inside (chock full of Dwell bedding, Jonathan Adler, etc.). I especially love the foyer they painted chocolate brown (including the ceiling) with the white moulding and recessed alcoves. High drama- what else can you expect from the 90210 alum?

Not sure who the designer was, but I do think he did a great job.

Now, off to watch Lifetime Television for Women....kidding.

8.15.2007

Inspirations: Talisker Ad Campaign

Very rarely do you come across an ad campaign (in print and online) that inspires you. But in the recent months I have been seeing the ads for Talisker, a private club/vacation home escape in Deer Vallery, UT and found myself wanting to be IN the photographs! Turns out, upon devouring the utterly fantastic website, that the photographs were shot by famed fashion photgraphers Patrick Demarchelier and Peter Lindbergh. Starring models Angela Lindvall and Lauren Hutton, the ethereal "rustic luxe" lifestyle the ads portray leaves me wanting to ride horses through peaks and valleys and then drink fine champagne upon my return to my Robert A.M. Stern designed 4,000 square foot "cabin"!!! I see rooms of antlers, tartan blankets, rich wood and broken in leather.... check out the site, and pay attention to the fabulous illustrations as well!
A lifestyle worth the envy.

8.14.2007

Guest Blogging

A fun new opportunity for me to write about my event planning ideas (mostly wedding ideas)- I've been asked to guest blog on the Create My Event blog every Sunday, so check it out!!

Element Shops: William Sonoma Home

A new addition to the blog, "Element Shops" will focus on a favorite store or site and pick the best of the best- in my humble opinion. From Target to Baker and beyond...

William Sonoma Home captured my attention when it first launched for it's sleek modern yet traditional look and high design essence. Pricier than it's sister store Pottery Barn, WS Home has higher quality materials and construction as well as riskier more modern pieces.

Here are some of my favorites:

This zebra wood mirror has been in the catalogue since it's inception, and for under $400 is a great value and an instant classic.

Also a regular to WS Home are these Montgomery side tables which I absolutely ADORE as nightstands. Plently of space to put your books, clock and a lamp. And the chinese chippendale style is very of the moment.

These crystal block lamps would look great in any type of decor as they blend in well with modern or punch up traditional schemes- and now that I think of it would look fantastic on the table above.

This rug is in such an elegant pattern and the warm neutral colors would be a great alternative to a sisal rug in creating a neutral backdrop for furniture.

This chair is an example of great design- the juxtaposition of the hard, industrial metal against the soft, natural leather creates great drama, as do the lines of the legs. And who doesn't love a little drama?

And for the fashionista in all of us, this pillow with horsebit detail pays obvious homage to Gucci and Jackie O. A great little addition to amp up the "Town & Country" element of your home.

That's it for now, stay tuned for more shopping!

8.09.2007

Here Comes The (Most Stylish) Bride...

I am breathless over the discovery of Lela Rose's bridal collection. Breathless in a "where the hell was she when I needed a dress" way. Hands down, this is my favorite current bridal collection on the planet. I am quite obsessed with wedding planning, as I've mentioned before, so those of you who have no need or interest in the subject please bear with me. For those who ARE, I want to get into wedding styling as well as interiors so CALL ME. :)

Lela is knows for her ready to wear line of fabulously cutting edge yet simple clothing, and this is her first foray into bridal- and she completely knocked it out of the park. The lines are modern yet traditionally simple and the detailing is to die for, but not in a tiara-wearing bride type of way. More in a Parisian couture type of way. These are the perfect dresses for the city bride, the country bride, the beach bride...you name it, one of these will work for you and leave the ladies in attendance jealous as all get out and the men drooling. Jackpot.

Vera, Schmera...Lela is so much cooler.

8.08.2007

Genius.

From the "I Wish I Had Thought of That" files....

Arthouse is the brainchild of the Boston Home Team real estate group in my new home of Jamaica Plain (which is turning out to be a VERY cool area!). They combine open houses with "gallery" openings...allowing local artists to stage shows in empty homes for sale. Instead of staging it with bad, cheap furniture, they turn the space into a gallery! I love it!

I've vowed to start painting again AND to get my real estate license so perhaps I'll be a participant someday soon!

Wrap It Up

My first job ever was working in the gift wrap department at my family's department store in Connecticut. I recall sitting in the back room with the older ladies obsessing about the perfection of my wrapping skills (crease sharpness, tape placement and the like) and the new gift wrap that came in each Christmas. I lived for that wrapping room.

Cut to the present time where my love of papers and wrapping is still boundless. I came across Broadway Papers website thanks to Design*Sponge and I am so in love with the modern patterns available! I wish these were fabrics or wallpapers as well. Drat.

When I am rich and famous, I will have a room dedicated soley to wrapping and fill it with goodies like these! I foresee Andrew coming home to find his facewash and half eaten boxes of crackers wrapped up in delicate packages...that is before he ships me off to the looney bin.

8.06.2007

A Girl Can Dream...

On the occasion of my 28th birthday I thought it would be a fun day to throw reality out the door and make a wishlist with a no holds bar budget. So here are some of my favorite things I have on my dream wishlist right now:

This Holly Hunt lighting fixture that would be PERFECT above my dining table.