{the trials of travel}

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late. I look a trip with my husband to NYC and on my way home I accidentally left my laptop at the security checkpoint. Lucky girl that I am, it was not stolen and is being FedExed to me by the Laguardia lost and found. I hope to be up and running soon!

{coloring outside the lines}

A reader recently asked me to feature a post featuring homes with a fun, quirky vibe. If you haven't noticed, I am a traditionalist at heart so the rooms I gravitate towards are usually a bit more staid and conservative. When I came across this home, though, I knew I had found a fun, quirky space to inspire.

In one of my favorite blog posts this year, Courtney of Style Court, addresses the lack if freedom and joy that often accompanies decorating homes today. In it she says "... I think adults often get so caught up in trying to define their style and in analyzing what kind of statement they're making -- i.e., modern, bohemian, classic, smart, sophisticated, edgy, different from their parents or just like their parents -- that they loose the joy." How true and convicting!

What I love most about this London home, belonging to The Rug Company founders and proprietors, Christopher and Suzanne Sharp, is that while still elegant, it is infused with a sense of wonder and fun. Filled with magical art, vibrant, unexpected colors, and scattering of eclectic floor coverings (of course), this home has a persona all its own. While many of the home's furnishings are precious antiques, the home lacks an ounce of pretension or stuffiness. Theses interiors parlay the owner's well traveled aesthetic and adventurous personalities. Be inspired and happy coloring!

{images via vogue.com photographed by francois halard}

{hello sunshine}

It's been sunny and relatively warm for three days straight and I couldn't be happier. All this sunshine is making making the color yellow simple irresistible. Yellow is a tough color to get right but when it is right it gives a room a warm yet sophisticated atmosphere. Yellow is a timeless hue (think 20th century tastemaker Nancy Lancaster's famous yellow drawing room and style icon Babe Paley's yellow living room) but can be used in so many fresh and fun ways.

I have yet to tire of this vignette that was set up in Todd Romano's Lexington Avenue store.

A chic and cheerful bathroom to wake up to each morning.

Windsor smith sports some fun yellow tolix chairs in her design office.

Yellow window treatments warm the natural light pouring in, giving a space a warm, cheery glow even on a gloomy day.

Could there be a more beautiful, iconic image set in a yellow hall?

This chinoiserie inspired bedroom is covered in Bob Collins "Chinese Lattice" wallpaper in a cheery yellow colorway.

Pillow made from Jim Thompson's illusion silk.

Madeline Weinrib's Goldenrod Megan rug.

{images: house beautiful; nest egg; todd romano; desire to inspire; southern accents; gary spain; steven gambrel; madeline weinrib; style court; habitually chic; vogue}

{spring green}

The sun is shining here today and I couldn't be more ready for spring weather. While warmer days are still a month or so away, I am hopelessly drawn to green this time of year...

I'm dreaming about iced tea on the porch of this fresh Hampton's cottage. With cushions made out of this and a rug like this one, there is just so much to love.

Tory Burch upholstered her walls in a handsome green velvet and then lightened the room with off-white sofas and and off-white rug. I love the blue and white porcelain accents and the tortoiseshell coffee table.

My favorite room in Charlotte Moss' now closed townhouse was the "lettuce green" dining room. Pictures do not do the space justice, it was truly edible! Moss layered green upon green in the room and then changed out the accent color depending on the season. The paint color used on the walls was Pantone's Spring Wheat in a chic high gloss. It was fresh and timeless!

Taking inspiration from Moss, my own dining room is painted Farrow and Ball's Green Ground. Green is a popular color for dining rooms as it is refreshing and appetizing.

This cheerful bedroom designed by Anne Coyle is wallpapered in a spring green toile wallpaper and fabric.

You don't have to repaint or reupholster a club chair to get more green in your home. Ferns are an easy and inexpensive way to add a pop of green to your home. Angel hair ferns are my favorite variety but any fern will do. Place it in a pretty pot and I promise it will lift your mood!

{images: 1- via style.com; 2 via tom scheerer; 3- source unknown; 4- author's own; 5- via elle decor; 6- via house beautiful}

{inspired}

I don't have time time today for a proper post today, so in honor of fashion week I thought I'd share this beautiful image and quote...

"Adding a flower or piling on the details is not couture. But make an utterly simple dress with a single line, this is the key to haute couture. " -- Givenchy

{fashionable home}

I am loving the simplicity and serenity of Danish designer Malene Birger's Copenhagen home. My wardrobe is not quite as stunning as Birger's, but I love the idea of using a rolling rack for your most favorite items when closet space is at a premium. Birger's work and living spaces are as effortlessly chic as her clothing. Filled with inspiring ideas, and impeccable attention to detail, her home is sure to capture the eye and imagination. To see more of this fashionable abode look here.

{fashionable valentine}

This year Valentine's Day co-incides with New York's Fashion Week. Vogue.com has compiled a collection of Valentine's cards from some of the most influential and talented desingers who will be showing their fall 2010 collections this week. I am loving this love note from Jason Wu. You can see more from the desinger "love fest" here. Happy weekend!

{dream team}

This month's Elle Decor features a spread featuring the fabulous Chicago apartment of the executive director of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen Rankeiten. In reading about her design process I couldn't help but love this woman. What I liked about her most was her honesty about her wide-spread, multifaceted design preferences. When describing her perfect apartment, Rankeiten said it would be "part Hollywood Regency, flea market, mid-century French, modern, granny chic, beach and English club." Most of us have many design styles that we appreciate and find ourselves with "decorating multi-personalities." While some may need some design therapy with a professional, it is possible to achieve a cohesive look without giving up the styles you love.

In order to parlay her eclectic visions into a furnished apartment, Rankeiten turned to two of her favorite desingers: Anne Coyle and Nate Berkus. She wanted the best of what each could offer. Together this dream team created a space that is both girly and masculine, muted and colorful, groovy and elegant.

Coyle and Berkus hit it out of the park and their dynamite combination got me thinking, what other designers would make for an interesting, complimentary, and ground-breaking pair?

Albert Hadley + David Netto = sleek , classically tailored interiors that are streamlined with a mix of mid- century french, modern, easy english, and neo-classical elements. In my mind, close to perfection!

Markham Roberts + Suzanne Kasler = fresh, timeless, and sophisticated. They may seem like an unlikely pair as their styles are quite different but that would make their combination all the more interesting to me. Kasler would bring a continental, southern style with plenty of solid fabrics, furniture with beautiful architectural lines, and upholstery with dress-maker details. Roberts, would add preppy but global feel with patterned prints and chinoiserie accents.

Todd Romano + Charlotte Moss = warm, comfortable, layered spaces with an unexpected flair. I imagine their designs would be filled with french antiques, clean lined upholstery, fresh colorful fabrics, and modern art which would result in timeless but youthful interiors.

Jaques Grange + Kelly Wearstler = a luxe combo that is hard to put into words! Think wildly chic!!

Alexa Hampton + (the late) David Hicks = Gracious but funky interiors that are crisp and comfortably traditional, and unpretentious. Alexa's father, famous American designer Mark Hampton, was mentored by Hicks so the combination would come easy. Together they could create the perfect mix of American and English, traditional and modern.

I'd love to know, who would be your your dream team?

{hip, hip hooray, it's a great day}

There is nothing like a new issue of Lonny Magazine to brighten a dreary winter day. Check it out to find loads of pretty places and affordable inspiration. I'm obsessed!

{image from rubie green ad in lonny magazine}

{snow daze}

Our house has seen more snow this winter than it has seen in years. I know this isn't much for some, the east coast has seen a record breaking blizzard, but we are feeling like veteran snow bunnies around here. It is snowing now and I am sure the kids will be out of school tomorrow which leaves more time for this...

and this....

and this.... I know, don't ask. She may be a little rough around the edges but my four year old built her all by herself and was quite proud. We all cried when she melted. R.I.P.