All That Glitters is Gold

I went to the new Erica Tanov at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur the other day and picked up some goodies for myself (a Megan Park pillow!) and a few holiday gifts. It is a beautifully curated little shop that was designed by Douglas Burnham of Envelope A+D. The show stopper, in my opinion, is the wall of brass discs. Upon closer inspection you would see that each has been individually mounted by hand, a process that took two people a week to complete. It was worth it, because it is absolutely stunning!

Images via Remodelista.

Inspired Tablescapes: Janel Holiday Design

The next holiday tablescape in this series is designed by San Francisco based interior designer and fellow blogger Janel Holiday. Enjoy...

For my holiday table this year I am inspired by Miu Miu's Fall/Winter 2010 ad campaign. Miu Miu is always forward thinking with their mix of materials, patterns, textures and colors. Always fabulous- always with a surprise thrown in.

1. concise + clear shapes: simple white dishes from cb2
2. unexpected texture: birch plywood trees. I am loving everything from Lovi right now- a Finnish design company that creates "visually sophisticated and enchanting three-dimensional objects based on a patented joint system"...via DesignStory- where they have an awfully good deal going on right now with all things Lovi. I would start off with several of their 13" high birch plywood Christmas trees loading up the center of the tables.
3. cool color: all light green Miniballs by Lovi would decorate the trees. They look like little felt origami gems and remind me of those great lavender wool pockets above.
4. nod to the past: Rosenthal TAC 02 stemware by Walter Gropius
5. animal-life: Miu Miu used the swallow heavily on their Spring shoe line and I would place these cuties (again, Lovi) on every plate with a handmade place card.
6. sculpture: loads of candlelight with these candlesticks from IKEA.
7. graphic power: these cotton and linen placemats and napkins by Dwell Studio give just the right grounding power and fun element...reminiscent of the cutouts in the Miu Miu dresses.
8. hardware: the knife fork spoon flatware by Jasper Morrison for Alessi is elegant but edgy.
9. one more pop of color: taper candles from Sur La Table.

of course, you need some tunes- my three favorite holiday albums:

I met Janel a few years ago when we worked together at Rebecca Bradley Interior Design. She is a very talented lady not to mention a super awesome chick. No one can rock stilettos and a red lip like this glam girl! Check out Janel's blog *here* and leave her some ink. Thank you, Janel, for guest blogging! x

Weekend Getaway

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The hubby and I are off to Tahoe for the rest of the holiday to relax and get a little skiing in. I like to ski, but my husband LOVES to ski and one of his dreams is to someday have a mountain house. We've been known to carry on hypothetical conversations about said mountain house. He throws around ideas about where it would be located...affordable spots like Tahoe (on the water, of course!), Aspen, Vail, Whistler etc. I tend to sprinkle in ideas about how we would decorate it and what holidays we would spend there with the family. Yep, we're cool like that. Anywho, while flipping through the pages of the December Elle Decor I stopped dead in my tracks when I came upon the Ketchum, Idaho home of Lynn and Rusty Turner. It is the perfect hypothetical dream mountain home to aspire to. I have a weak spot for rustic chic interiors, and this one is also really comfortable and approachable. Needless to say, we won't be staying anywhere near this fancy this weekend...but it sure is fun to dream! Have a great weekend.

Images by Miguel Flores-Vianna via Elle Decor.

happy thanksgiving

Images by Eddie Ross via Lonny Magazine.

Inspired Tablescapes: Rikshaw Design

thanks amanda for having me! i have always LOVED to set a table, my mom used to make me and my sister do it every holiday! I love going and grabbing branches from outside and bring them indoors, lighting the candles, putting a little gift or placecard at each spot! i think i go a bit overboard on the table because the food is questionable?...I am learning though and things are getting tastier!

fresh flowers, branches are a must at every table...and i am loving throwing in some feathers for fall!

linens are the fashion for the table, i love these beatiful block-printed napkins from Les indiennes...(no surprise there right?)

i have a soft spot for mercury tealights and vases, especially the vintage speckled kind..gives the table some glitz


i covet austier de villatte table top, each piece is original and looks one of a kind...someday i want a cupboard full!

juliska glassware is only used on special occasions, its so thin and delicate...

a beautiful wooden serving piece, is the last element that finishes it up for me..

bon appetit!


Thank you so much, Catherine, for contributing to this series. The images you posted are dreamy! I'm definitely feeling inspired. You all need to go check out Catherine's blog, Rikshaw Design, to see the delightful thoughts and things that move her creative spirit. 

images 1/2/3

Inspired Tablescapes: Capella Kincheloe

During the holiday's there is a lot of time spent around the dinner table with family and friends. I thought it would be fun to do a series of posts about inspired tablescapes. It's hard to come up with creative ideas year after year, so I've asked some of the most stylish ladies I know to share some entertaining tricks and ideas to inspire you this holiday season. 

My first post in this series is curated by Atlanta-based interior designer and fellow blogger Capella Kincheloe. She has composed a sophisticated and luxurious tablescape inspired by the idea of New Victorian. Take a peek...

Clockwise from the top:

1. William Yeoward "Pearl" Crystal Stemware

2. Candlesticks *Capella recommends using several pairs of mismatched candlesticks*

3. Peacock Napkins

4. Le Jacquard Francais Tablecloth

5. Thistle & Dahlia Floral Arrangements

6. Botanical Dinnerware *Capella recommends mixing these in with your good china*

7. Limoges Colette Platinum Dinnerware

Thank you so much for contributing to this series, Capella! You all need to be sure to swing by Capella's blog, A Curated Lifestyle, and say hey! 

Barn Doors, Inside

Lately I've been thinking a lot about getting back into riding. I grew up riding hunters and jumpers and before I found my calling as an interior designer, rode professionally for a number of years. I haven't been on a horse in about 4 years now and only recently have I actually felt the draw to go back. As I was contemplating my return to the barn this morning I was recalling an image I had recently seen that used a sliding barn door as a space saving solution in a tiny, rustic powder room. I love implementing unexpected solutions to design dilemmas. Sure, a pocket door would work too, but isn't this so much more fun? Enjoy...

Photo credits: Image #1 via Black Eiffel; Image #2 via House Beautiful; Image #3 & #5 via Remodelista; Image #4 via Design Sponge; Image #6 via Madeline Stuart.

In Case You Missed It...

Every year Catherine at Rikshaw Design asks a group of bloggers to round up their personal holiday gift picks. Here are my picks below in case you missed it. If you want links to purchase any of these items check out the original post at Rikshaw *here*. Make sure you check out her series as there will be new gift ideas everyday! Happy shopping!

Me, Elsewhere

I was tickled when my friend and very talented textile designer Catherine of Rikshaw Design asked me to guest blog for her annual Holiday Gift Guide series. I couldn't stick to the "5 item" parameters, so I did 5 categories of gift recipient instead. All the items I've chosen are gifts that I am giving to my friends and family this year. Please head over, check it out *here*, and leave some ink. I'd love to hear what you think!

Map It Out

This would be such a fun and affordable holiday gift! They come in various colors and cities. Check out Ork Posters for more details.

AphroChic Fall Collection

These images have already made their way around the blogosphere, but I love them so much I had to share too! The soulful and stylish Jeanine Hays of AphroChic has just launched her new Fall collection inspired by her favorite New York borough, Brooklyn. I, for one, am in love with her modern and colorful take on toile. It is a chic and lively watercolor called "Brooklyn Life" that would certainly spice up any Thanksgiving table. The collection includes pillows, wallpaper, placemats, table runners and much more. Make sure you check out the AphroChic shop *here*. Isn't the styling for these shoots perfection? Enjoy!

Images via AphroChic.

So Pretty.

It's November 15th. I just bought these extraordinary peonies and it is 80 degrees out. Instead of obsessing over what in the world is going on, I think I'll just enjoy it. Oh, California. How I love thee.

Breakfast Banquette

I love a little breakfast nook with a banquette. They are cozy, comfy and family friendly. It's also an opportunity to add storage if you do a built-in or to add some texture and pattern through upholstery fabric and throw pillows. Even if you only have a tiny little corner, you can create a great dining or gathering area simply by adding a settee, small round table and a pair of chairs. I'm currently designing one for a friend, and I thought I would share some of the inspiration images I pulled together...

Peter Dunham via House Beautiful

Massucco Warner Miller

Lonny Magazine

Domino Magazine

Chris Barrett