Good Finds

Today's Good Find is not new nor is it the must have for Fall. In fact, it was all the buzz two years ago. But every time I see it on someone (and not a celebrity) I can't help but want a pair. It blends the perfect amount of sporty with glamour and sex appeal.

The Tom Ford "Whitney" Sunglasses

Yes, celebs wear these sunglasses and made them popular.

Kate Moss (just in case you didn't know)

Jennifer Lopez

Denise Richards

Angelina

Jennifer Aniston

I'm not one to jump on the band wagon and it is two years later.... But, honestly, these sunglasses can take a pretty woman and make her memorable. They turn suburban moms into models and celebrity look a likes. And really, we could all use that kind of accessory. It's worth the price tag for that kind of transformation.

And if you don't like the size of the "Whitney", there's now the "Jennifer". A smaller oval version of the famous original.

I might just have to break my rule about buying something so trendy because they are just so good.

Short on time

I've been busy running around town like a chicken so it's left me little time to sit down and post. Between work and school events I'm not sure what happens to the day. Time just evaporates.

I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with a post on one of my favorite designers. I'm attending an event with Barclay Butera. I'm so exited I can hardly contain myself. I've been following his career since I stumbled into his store in Newport Beach about eight years ago. I hope I'm just as excited after I meet him.

I will report back with all the details. Barclay, please don't disappoint me. I'd hate to have been admiring you for all these years for nothing.

If it works

Mrs. Howard is the queen of calm sophisticated southern style. Phoebe has developed a style over the years and it never disappoints. Each house has a distinct look yet it's unmistakably Mrs. Howard in it's color palette, use of symmetry and fabulous yet refined furniture and accessories.

Mrs. Howard seems to love sunburst mirrors as she uses them in a variety of rooms and in most projects. I too love them. I don't care if the design community says they are out and over used. They are so happy and add great dimension to every space. And they come in so many variations, finishes and sizes now. What's not to love.

If it works, it works. I for one, would be sad to see Mrs. Howard replace the sunburst mirror with another accessories. It's the LBD of accessories. Now every time I see one I think of her.

Here's a small sampling of some of her rooms and love of sunbursts.
All images from phoebehoward.net.

I hope the sunburst is here to stay. Thanks for making it so iconic Phoebe.

Good Finds

I can't live without coffee. Beside red wine, it's my vice. I stumble into the kitchen every morning to start the coffee pot and wait patiently for enough to brew that I can pour a cup. Then it's onto the tasks of the morning. I'm a 2-3 cup person before I feel like I'm human. I have a nice coffee pot - nothing fancy but not Mr. Coffee. Just a good old (new) Cuisinart. I use good beans, usually Peet's or Tully's. Then I have to doctor my coffee with half-n-half and Stevia or sugar to make the bitterness go away.

I've always wanted an espresso maker but, honestly, they look like too much work for me. There's too many steps to execute when I'm not awake. This week I had an enlightenment.

My friend and I had just finished another long run and she knows I'm a coffee addict so she asked if I wanted to come in for a latte. I don't know... drip coffee with Stevia or a latte? Latte, please. She made the best tasting latte with the yummiest foam. The foam was so fluffy I ate it with my spoon. I was in heaven. To top it off she had Lu Cinnamon Sugar Spice cookies which were the perfect complement to my creamy latte. Crunchy and sweet.

I began to think - I need one of these machines. Then I wouldn't need to drink 2-3 cups to get me going, just one big latte. Her machine was a Jura-Capresso. Her milk steamer the Nespresso Aeroccino Plus. If I can't work an espresso machine, I could at least steam my milk. All I have to do is pour in the milk and hit the button. I can do that and it would make my drip coffee taste better.
Later in the week I was at another girlfriends who just bought the Nespresso Le Cube Automatic Espresso Maker. This is a pod system espresso maker. You purchase the espresso pods, put them in the machine and push a button. Out comes your espresso. If you want a latte, you use the Aeroccino Plus to steam your milk. So easy and quick. No beans to grind or measure. I can do that!The only downside is that you have to buy your Nespresso pods online and they are about 50 cents a pod. But in comparison, it's about what I spend on coffee beans each month anyway. And the coffee is so much better. You can purchase just the Le Cube for $279 or both the Le Cube and Aeroccino Plus for $349. While not cheap, it's cheap in comparison to most espresso machines.

The Nespresso latte was every bit as good as the Jura-Capresso latte. While it may not be a true espresso machine, it's fast, delicious and EASY. The coffee was 10 times better than any I would buy at the coffee houses and a lot cheaper. Sorry Seattle. Sorry Kristie, that your house has become my new latte stop!

I'm in the market for a Nepresso Le Cube and Aerocinno. I already stocked up on the LU Cinnamon Sugar Spice cookies. My mornings just got a lot brighter.

I've been waiting

I've been waiting to decorate a room using this image as my inspiration since it was published in Town & Country in 2006.


I was immediately struck by the color palette and textures (and of course the designer). The hand-painted silk de Gournay is so mesmerizing that I've been dreaming about it ever since.

This is the image that stopped me in my page turning tracks. Gorgeous.

The article featured the newly renovated 2,200 square-foot Lowell hotel penthouse. The designer was none other than Michael S. Smith. In typical Michael S. Smith fashion the rooms are layered and inviting yet chic.

Another shot of the main bedroom which was the room that stopped me in my page turning frenzy. I love how it's simple, warm and tranquil. The mirror above the chair reflects the star of the room - the hand-painted de Gournay. de Gournay wallpaper - seriously one of the most beautiful pieces of art I've ever seen. Each one if more beautiful than the last. The masculine canopy bed with upholstered headboard is a perfect balance to the wallpaper. Anything else would have been too heavy and detracted from the beauty of the walls.

The living room. More traditional Michael S. Smith layers. I could do without the heavy rug. But, still beautiful. The pillows were made from vintage Japanese textiles.

The dining room. Wish the flowers and plants weren't so distracting. The elements of the room are beautiful if only I could really see them.

Main bathroom. Feels a little disconnected from the bedrooms and living room. More in line with the feeling of the dining room. Maybe it's the Ralph Lauren sconces that feel a little overpowering. Maybe I'm just crazy...

Dressing room off the master bath. Nancy Corzine's mirrored desk which ties in nicely with the mirrored glass dining room table.

Additional bedroom. Love the mirror above the bed and how it reflects the terrace. The window treatments add just the right amount of texture and pop. Simple perfection.

Small full-service kitchen. AL series aluminum-clad cabinetry, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Miele Dishwasher and electric cook top. In case you don't want to order 24 hour room service, or your staff wants to whip something up for you and your guests.

Lowell Penthouse, I'm looking forward to finally using you as my muse!

Multiples

Are you living in a space that doesn't have a rug because the room is so large or doesn't work with the standard rug sizes? Are you putting off getting a rug because you're worried that a custom size is going to cost you a small fortune? If so, this is a great idea.

By multiple rugs and space them about 6" apart or have them sewn together to create one big rug. It's a great way to fill a huge space for less. I love how the three rugs in this room create conversation areas while adding another interesting texture with the peak-a-boo of the hardwoods in between. It makes the space more interesting than if it was one large area rug.


House Beautiful 2005. Design by Matthew Carter.

And don't think you can only do it with solid rugs. It would be fabulous with stripped or geometric rugs. There are so many affordable options.


So stop saving and start shopping.

Graphic Roman Shade

I'm working on a couple roman shade projects and can't get this room out of my mind. (Wish I could remember where I got the image - sorry that I can't give the designer and/or magazine credit).

I love how the designer created a roman shade using the same fabric or wallpaper as the rest of the room. It's so dramatic yet makes the room feel cohesive. Had the roman shade just been a solid it would have broken the flow of the room and the beautiful graphic element would have been lost. The yellow lamps and yellow hued artwork add the right amount of subtle yet interesting pop.


Love it. Anyone willing to step outside their comfort zone and give this a try?

Good Finds

One of my favorite ways to add a little personality to a room is through the addition of zebra. Zebra rugs, zebra ottomans, zebra pillows, zebra fabric. I love it all.

Here are some of my favorite zebra pieces:

26 x 26 Williams Sonoma Home Floor Pillow in chocolate and cream crewel. I love this pillow and it's price ($128) for the size. I have these on my family room sofa and they boys haven't managed to destroy them.

The Oly "Oliver" Ottoman. This piece adds the perfect amount of drama to any room. I own it as well and it's functioned as a living room coffee table and a bench at the end of my bed. It's so versatile and has so much style. Maybe that's why you see it in every design magazine over and over again. It's on sale now at Jayson Home & Garden.

The Oly "Hilary" Bench. I love this piece for an accent in the living room. Maybe two in front of the fireplace? They bring just the right amount of splash and sophistication to any room. It also comes in a long bench version that would be great at the end of a bed or in an entry.

The West Elm Zebra rug. The scale of the print and price make this rug a great value. It also comes in a runner which would be a fabulous way to add some life to your hallway during the dreary winter months. Plus it's a lot easier to clean than the summer sisal/seagrass version.

I love Lewis & Sheron Textile Co. in Atlanta (http://www.lsfabrics.com/). I can always find an amazing solid or novelty fabric for a reasonable price and their customer service is great.

I love this one and apparently everyone else does too as it's on back order. Bengal in sand for 15.00 a yard!

Bengal in black. Also on back order. Hopefully it will come in soon.

Zebra Ikat in Flax. Also 15.00 and on back order. No worries, though, they always seem to stock it. Just keep checking back.

If you have kids and want to create a fun bedroom, why not go for some pink or blue zebra. It would make a great chair or upholstered headboard. Just limit it to one major piece and you won't feel like you stepped into one of Hugh Hefner's "girls" rooms.

Outback Zebra (pink) 30.00 a yard.

Outback Zebra (blue) 30.00 a yard.

I would love to try this in my oldest son's room but I don't think he'd let mommy get away with this one now that he's eight and obsessed with football. I did, however, put two zebra storage ottomans at the foot of his black bed.

Everyone, including eight year olds, needs a little zebra.