Royally Appointed Retreats

With less than 48 hours until the Royal Wedding, I thought I would join the masses today and turn my attention to all things Brit. As the speculations and predictions continue on what the lovely Kate will wear on Friday, I thought I'd highlight a few of my favorite English designers...at home.

Stella's Secret Garden
Stella McCartney opened her house and gardens to Vogue's Hamish Bowles and the images by renowned photographer Bruce Weber are enchanting. While I don't think Kate will be wearing Stella for the wedding, she could consider the designer for her unmentionables beneath the gown, like I did. (My sister gave me my "something blue" from the lingerie collection at McCartney's London boutique.)

Alice Temperly's English Enclave
Alice Temperly's whimsical Notting Hill flat of rustic wood, dainty lace and brilliant mosaics is true inspiration. Rumors have Alice in the running as the designer for Kate's wedding dress. I'm not putting any bets on Temperly for the ceremony dress, but I would love to see the new princess change into one of the designer's mod-style shorter cocktail dresses for dancing.


Domino Magazine



Domino Magazine

Domino Magazine



Elle Decor



Elle Decor

Philip Treacy's Posh Pink
While the celebrated  milliner is toted as one of England's own, he was born and raised in Ireland. Since Philip Treacy enrolled in fashion design school at the Royal College of Art in London in 1988, his creative genius has been alive in London as displayed on the heads of the world's elite. You can be sure Treacy's hats will be on display at Westminster this Friday. (These photos are from the Vancouver Sun and the photographer is Lewis Patrick.)

Tuft Love

tufted headboard via Katy Elliott

While we have a dark wooden sleigh bed at the moment, once we upgrade to a king-sized bed in our new house, I'd like an alpholstered headboard.  It's exactly what a couple with a nightly ritual of reading in bed needs.  The headboard styles I am drawn to are arched and tufted in a crisp cotton twill or in a luxurious shantung silk.  While there are ceratinly ways to DIY-it (you have to check out the website Centsational Girl, and especially her post on a tufted headboard project), I don't know if I'll ever be handy with a table saw and staple gun.  I am, however, very much at ease selecting a fabric and having a custom headboard made for me.  While there are some patterns I really like (see below), I will most likely source a solid, soothing color in a brushed silk with wider tufting with a romantic frame.  This first one below is my favorite; I can't seem to stray much from my vintage French sensibilties for this anchor bedroom piece.

(shabbyfrufu)

via Get Togetha Blog

by Swedish designer Petra Bindel

paisley pattern in a unique shape via Decor Pad

I love the chaise in the same fabric as the headboard,
(sans snoby dog)
via My Home Ideas

I'm a big fan of chocolate brown (via Decor Pad)

frame a white bed with a bold color,
headboard at the top and comfy seating at the foot
(via Elle Decor)

love crip white contrasted with steel grey walls

Beach Combing: Inspirations from Coastal Carolina

view of the sound from our porch

Last weekend I tossed a few items into an overnight bag and drove five hours south for a much-needed girls' trip at the beach.  We were six friends gathering to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of my oldest, dearest friends. Her fiance's mother has a towering, airy summer house on a narrow strip of North Carolina coast and lucky for us, they opened their home for our getaway. Situated next to the Wrightsville yacht club, across from the picturesque beach, and facing the deep blue waters of the sound, I immediately felt the stresses of the week melt away as I unpacked my belongings and sipped a pineapple mimosa freshly juiced by the bride-to-be.

Lumina Station store fronts

Between long conversations in rocking chairs on the porch, sampling delicious local food, and drinking our fair share of champagne, we spent Saturday afternoon exploring the shops of Wilmington's Lumina Station.  Most of us found a few pieces in Monkees, known for its bright bold dresses and trendy, affordable accessories. Of course I was more interested in taking home the preppy print bench or the set of blue and yellow upholstererd chairs, than trying on the pink ruffle Milly dress waiting for me in a dressing room.

Two other home stores we found inspiring in Lumina Station were Arlie Moon and Paysage. I wove through Paysage's showroom snapping pictures of furnishings and accessories that caught my eye. The soothing beiges, browns, oranges and whites had a tranporting effect, perfect for a beach house palate. Arlie Moon was a treasure trove of vintage inspired pieces from colorful sea glass bottles to crystal bauble chandeliers.

zebra square at Paysage;
unique idea for additional seating in a living room

coral rug from Paysage

Airlie Moon couch and throw pillows

vintage chandelier from Airlie Moon

Arlie Moon dog beds in fun prints



Swatches from Airlie Moon
(I would love to cover an occasional chair in the brown fabric)



Sea glass bottles from Arlie Moon

Returning home on Sunday I was filled with new coastal inspirations for my Norfolk Nest. My proximity to the river and ocean will be an inspiration for design. Creating a sense of escapism with interiors can be hard to achieve, but something I will strive for in decorating a few of the rooms in my first home.

Charlotte Graces Charlottesville

Yesterday evening my friends and I attended a book signing and charity shopping event at Caspari in honor of the elegant interior designer Charlotte Moss.  Her new book Charlotte Moss Decorates is distinctive and stunning and I loved meeting the artist and fellow Richmond native. The store was colorfully decorated in celebration of Virginia spring, complimenting Charlotte's ladylike, inspirational taste. Waiters passed fresh lemonade with rosemary sprigs and tiny tea sandwiches while guests mingled and perused the Caspari collection.  Charlotte graciously held court at a Caspari desk, greeting attendees and signing copies of the book.

display of her books, cocktail napkins, bags and notepads

Charlotte's latest design tomb is certainly my favorite. Divided into sections 1-12, the tastemaker shares prosaic design philosophies to open each chapter and closes them with utilitarian style ideas under the rhetorical header "Why Not?" There are a few I will most closely take to heart when decorating my Norfolk Nest and one that truly resonnates with me as I tend to make quick decisions and impulsive purchases. Creating a home requires patience and discernment, Charlotte guides in chapter 10: "Sometimes you have to explore tons of ideas before one crystallizes, or maybe you circle back to the first one. Decoration is a process that begs exploration. Be patient---you may have to kiss a lot of toads." Toads have abounded thus far in my rental apartments and I vow to take my time and bring home as many princely pieces as I can for my Norfolf Nest.

A Flair for Living (the book that preceeded her latest); best for someone not
afraid of going grand with home decor

Bring the smell of spring into your home with Charlotte Moss' candles
appropriately named "Virginia" are floral fragrance of lily of the valley, jasmine and rose

Caspari had gorgeous displays throughout the store

Charlotte Moss napkins with design words of wisdom

Charlotte signing my book

my new coffee table favorite

"There is a place in all of us where creativity brews. Tap it, let it go, don't fear it; I promise it will never let you down." --Charlotte Moss 

Dragon Diaries: Reflections on China, Hong Kong Part 3

Hong Kong from The Peak

The final city of our adventure in China, by far my favorite, was Hong Kong. A few notes on HK before I share pictures, because if you haven't visited this true jewel of the Orient, there are some basics to know. The island, located off the coast of south eastern China is only 426 square miles and is home to over 7 million people. Take into consideration the mountainous landscape, the harbour and beaches and you will quickly surmise that isn't a lot of living space (it is the 4th most populated country or sovereign state in the world). It is best described as a vertical city. Everything goes up, because that is really the only place to go (out and down just aren't possible because it's an island).

Vertical City

Great Britain returned HK to the Chinese in 1997, but some of the Western influence remains today especially in regard to their infrastructure and how many Brits bustle around the island. The territory follows the principle: "one country, two systems" which is a different governing system than mainland China. While it is part of the People's Republic of China, it has been able to maintain its own capitalist economy and political system (as is also the case with Macau and Taiwan). And what a capitalist economy it is! After nearly two weeks on the mainland of socialism and repressions (that's as far as I will go there, this is a blog intended for design not political views after all), it was so refreshing to step onto Hong Kong and savour the vibrant individuality and uninhibited expression of self. The best I can compare it (from what I've experienced) is posh London meets ambitious Manhattan meets cultured San Francisco with a layer of the exotic Orient and there you have Hong Kong. A true international melting pot of ex pats where The East mixes with The West and the combination is electric.

Market in Central

One of my favorite design inspirations in HK was finding the original Shanghai Tang boutique located at 12 Pedder Street in Central. While I knew the Chinese brand best for its luxurious women's apparel, the first floor is primarily home accessories and a few beautiful repro pieces that draw from the days of British imperialism.  While I would have loved to ship back half of the first floor collection, we settled on a silver and blue woven picture frame with the Shanghai Tang logo. Easy to pack and a chic way to display a picture from our trip. Here are some images of the boutique.