{best rooms of the decade}

Not only are we ushering in a new year, but we are also ringing in another decade. As we look back on the past ten years in the design world there is much to appreciate and celebrate. We have lost many beloved shelter magazines and seen the rise of the design blog. There has been a resurgence of a "global chic" aesthetic, a reflection of our global economy and technologically connected world. A mix of modern and traditional has become a decorating mainstay. Towards the end of the decade, along with the economic crisis, there has been an emphasis on quality over quantity. I have collected (in no particular order) a sampling of some of the most memorable rooms that the decade has provided. It will be fun to see which of these rooms will provide inspiration for the next generation!

A popular entry by Markham Roberts that exemplifies the "traditional with a twist" aesthetic that has been prevalent over the past ten years.

This beautiful dressing room, belonging to the incredibly chic Aerin Lauder, was featured in several publications throughout the decade.

Bunny Williams' soft, layered living room was featured in Elle Decor's 2003 December/January issue.

The Connecticut home of Oscar and Annette de la Renta was featured this past year in Vogue. The de la Rentas are masters at creating timeless, layered, enduring spaces.

Who could forget Charlotte Moss' gorgeous private office? The walls are covered in portraits of her favorite women. Image courtesy of New York Social Diary.

This Albert Hadley designed living room reminded us that a faded chintz will forever be delightful. Image courtesy of House Beautiful.

Carolina Herrera Jr's bedroom was featured in a 2008 issue of Vogue Living. The Pierre Frey fabric, the view from the balcony, the antique dressing table, what's not to love?

Tory Burch's apartment was featured in Vogue's October 2004 issue. The whole spread was fabulous but her twins' nautically inspired room was my personal favorite.

The beautiful island home belonging to Bunny Williams and John Rosselli was featured in Town and Country as well as Bunny William's well appointed book Point of View.

Todd Romano designed this handsome and contemporary library. The space contains a zebra rug and dark lacquered walls, two elements that were (and still are) popular in the design world over the last decade.

A perfect example if the modern traditional mix, jewelry designer Temple St. Clair's dining room was featured in Elle Decor in 2006.

This Tom Scheerer bedroom was the bedroom which launched a thousand designer look alike bedrooms.

Carolina Irving's living room is the quintessential "global chic" interior and was featured first in Vogue's October 2006 issue.

Carolina Herrera Jr's eclectic Barcelona apartment, featured in Domino's Spring/Summer 2005 was a blogosphere favorite.

Chloe Sevigny's entry shown in House and Garden's January 2006 issue is swathed in Schumacher's KWID Trellis wallpaper, which will be a popular pattern remembered from this era.

This Markham Roberts designed living room demonstrated that large rooms could still be chic. Larger homes built in this decade created a multitude of design challenges but multiple seating areas keeps things interesting yet cohesive.

This office designed by David Netto was featured in Elle Decor in 2005. Netto wanted the space to look like "the most beautiful suite on a 1930's French ocean liner." His style is the perfect combination of modernism and classicism.

Miles Redd's whimsical bedroom was featured in Domino in 2005.

This beautiful sun porch belongs to the stylish young couple, Chris and Christina Greeven Cuomo, and was displayed in the June 2008 issue of Elle Decor. Designed by Emma Jane Pilkington, this airy space is sophisticated and inviting.

This classic blue and white Garden Pavilion is done in quintessential Mary McDonald style. It was featured in House and Garden in November 2001.

The card room of designer Steven Gambrel demonstrated that the most organic and simple collections could be incredibly chic. This room was included in the June/July 2004 issue of Elle Decor.

This Peter Dunham designed living room was featured in Bazaar in 2008. Dunham described his style in this project as "the Duchess of Windsor meets Iron Maiden."

I saved my absolute favorite for last. This bedroom, belonging to Aerin Lauder, was featured in House and Garden and Elle Decor. Swathed in Michael Devine's Gramercy fabric it is at once incredibly fresh and modern and timeless. Block print fabrics, like the one featured here have been incredibly popular over the past decade and will continue to be used well into the future.

There were so many other great rooms featured during the past ten years but I had to stop somewhere. I would love to hear from you. What rooms have you gone back to again and again that were published in last decade?

{top image - david netto via elle decor 2005}

{we'll take a cup of kindness yet , for auld lang syne}

Happy New Year to you all! We are spending a quiet evening at home watching football and eating veal bolongnese. I hope this new year brings you love, health, joy and meaningful and new pursuits!

{image via michael devine}

{baby it's cold outside}

Truth be told, I am a warm weather girl. Give me sunshine and warm temperatures and I am loving life. But if it's going to be cold, and boy it it cold here, I would prefer to curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book and listen to the fire roar. Doing so in any of these beautiful, cozy spaces would be divine...

{images: 1- via elle decor, 2,3,4 via house beautiful; 5 via architectural digest}

{road trip}

I am off on a quick trip to New York City in the morning and I can't wait. The weather will be cold but there will be plenty of inspiring sights and shopping to keep me going. I look forward to sharing with you when I return!

{all is calm, all is bright}

The children are are nestled all snug in their beds and my husband and I are finished filling stockings and piling gifts beneath the tree. We are savoring these moments of stillness and peace before the morning mayhem begins. Wherever you are and however you may celebrate, I wish you the merriest of Christmases. I'll be back next week with some end of year/decade posts!

{image via marie claire maison}

{almost there}

Whew! It has been a whirlwind of a month and I am ready to slow down and enjoy these last few days before Christmas. The cards are sent, the shopping is finished, and our bags are packed. I am so excited to be traveling to snowy Washington D.C. today. I hope that you have checked your list twice and are able to savor the final days of the season!

{visions of silvergate dancing in my head}

I have wallpaper on the brain as I continue to work on my home. If I could, I would paper or upholster a good portion of this house! One of my favorite sources for wallpaper is Farrow and Ball. These beautiful English papers come in many different colorways allowing each pattern to have many different looks. If I had to choose a favorite F&B paper is would be this gloriously classic Silvergate damask.

I love tradition with a twist, so personally I prefer this paper in a fun, bold color way or mixed in with more contemporary furnishings. Russian textile designer Olya Thompson's Brooklyn Brownstone features Farrow and Ball's Silvergate in a ravishing blue. It is a perfect backdrop in her richly textured home.

Another stylish woman, designer Jane Whitfield, who operates as the right hand woman to Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, also chose Silvergate to adorn a soft, pretty bedroom in her home located in a west village of Versailles.

The paper in a graphic chocolate and white with co-ordinating chocolate trim.

Miles Redd uses the wallpaper in this contemporary study. In true Redd style, this room is a great mix of old and new.

Here is a more traditional use of the Silvergate in the master bedroom of Country Living's 2008 House of the Year. The soft but bold pattern pairs nicely with pretty pale bedding.

{images: 1 via farrow and ball; 2- photographed by francois halard, vogue january 2010; 3- via telegraph; 4- via farrow and ball; 5- photographed by simon upton for elle decor; 6- via country living}

{brown paper packages tied up with string}

The holiday season has gotten away from me this year. I can't believe Christmas will be here in 10 days! If you already have your gifts bought and wrapped, you can come help me get things together. The hustle and bustle of the season is taking its toll on me! For those of you who are last minute shoppers, it's time to get busy, so here are a few of my favorite things:

For The Home:

A Diptyque Baies candle, because nothing smells better.

A Sferra cotton throw. Cashmere is more luxurious, but cotton is more affordable, and these blankets are soft and pretty.

A "global-chic" bolster to add flair to any bed.

Etched mercury glass vases from Pottery Barn. These are perfect for holding a bouquet of blooms on a dreary winter's day.

I am a big fan of anything tortoiseshell or horn. These horn boxes would make a lovely addition to a dressing table. They on sale right now at William Sonoma Home.

Bamboo flatware for a well dressed table from William-Wayne.

For her (hint, hint):

A fun cosmetic case to keep one's make-up organized in the New Year!

Perfect for parties, this sparkly minaudiere from J. Crew would dress up any outfit.

Essie nail polish in Mademoiselle. A sheer pastel pink that is a universally flattering shade, one coat on your fingernails gives your hands an instant lift.

This beautiful boxed gift set from Beekman 1802, contains a bar of goat's milk soap for every month of the year. The scents of each soap is meant to recreate the smells of the season, from early spring grass to fall garden vegetables.

A pair of Lululemon athletic pants. I usually have a pair on at some point everyday. They are comfortable, flattering and the inseam is made to measure. If you don't have some, get some!

For Him:

We all know that he's hard to buy for but here are a few things I think he might like...

The No. 2 Card Wallet from Col. Littleton. It is big enough to hold cards and cash but small enough not to ruin his back pocket.

This wool and cashmere knit hat from Billy Reid is sure to keep his ears warm.

For the guy on the go, this Trousse from Billy Reid, will hold everything he needs with understated style.

For Your Furry Friend:

A preppy collar from Mascot, to keep your loyal companion looking sharp all year long.

Or how about a hand painted, durable mat from Central Bark Designs so that your dog can dine in style?

For the Little Lady:

For the "Dancing Queen" this ballerina doll, CD and book set from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a great gift to place under the tree. The book included is Anna Pavlova's I Dreamed I was a Ballerina and the CD is a compilation of music from the most well known ballets.

My girls adore these darling, affordable bracelets from Crewcuts. The sparkly fireball adds some glamour.

For the budding artist, this little Miss Doodle Doll from Anthropologie is a great gift. Let your little one design the perfect outfit for her special friend and when she's decided it's time for a "dolly makeover," you can throw Miss Doodle in the washing machine for a clean start.

For the Young Man:

We all know that boys want cars, trucks, and action figures but hopefully Santa can slide a few of these in on the side.

You can never go wrong with a book, and this French classic, The Little Prince is one of my favorites. Geared for older children, this story is one that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Replace some of those old super-hero underpants this year with these grown-up boxers from Kayce Hughes.

Spice up that that uniform with this classic striped belt from Crewcuts.

For the Babe:

They don't need much and haven't a clue what all the Holiday fuss is about, but this lotion from Noodle and Boo makes babies smell and feel so good!

For the Student:

I have been using these fabulous little notebooks for years. They are perfect to throw in your bag for lists and quick note taking. I pick mine up at the Conran Shop when I am in New York but I recently found them online here.

These binders from Russell and Hazel are the perfect gift a student with style. They have a dry erase board inside and a rubber band to hold things together.

For the Sweet Tooth:

A delicious Seven Layer Caramel Cake from Caroline's Cakes. Trust me, it's the best thing you have ever tasted.

And last but not least...For Love:

Beacuse without it nothing else matters. Give an alternative gift to someone who already has everything.

Through Wold Vision you can give the gift of education to a child who is receiving none. Education is crucial their community's future.

International Justice Mission gives you the opportunity to give freedom to a someone who is the victim of violent oppression.

Fill the holidays with hope by giving a flock of chicks that can lay eggs to nourish families in the developing world.

Kate Spade is selling these darling scarves created by Bosnian survivors. You can help support their micro-entrerprise business by purchasing here.

{top image via holly blog}