Animal Instinct

(Design Clique)

I recently purchased a blue leopard print pillows from The Kellogg Collection for our oversized white chair (pictures below).  It fits perfectly against the back of the seat and offers both lower back support and a pop of fun.  While I'm an adament animal lover and personally wouldn't decorate my house with anything that was shot and skinned for my design pleasure (though I might make an exception for faux cow hide rug; they look so real and a good quality ones only cost around $200), I do love an occasional animal print or faux fur for a touch of Hollywood glam.  I'd even do some antler accents for a rugged, organic feel.

One of my favorite designers, Windsor Smith, is an expert when it comes to incorporating tasteful touches of print into a home.  House Beautiful recently featured her showcase estate in a cover story and it's worth viewing the full slide show of her sumptuously appointed rooms and reading her interview for design inspirations.  Her LA home mixes casual, yet vibrant romanticism with grand, luxurious elegance, a true reflection of the designer's talents.

zebra rug layered on a sisal for an unexpected wow factor
(House Beautiful)

antlers repurposed as table legs tie in the rugged feel of the metal wall hangings
(House Beautiful)

Here are some other pictures of interiors I like that incorporate touches of animal prints and accessories.

leopard print rug by Ralph Lauren Home
(blossominteriors.com)

the acryllic table is the perfect choice to allow the faux zebra rug to take center stage
(shelterpop.com)

I love the bold blue print contrasted with the tangerie chair
(kcinteriors.com)

white antler chair and feather head dress in
Vanessa Traina's NYC apartment
(Harper's Bazaar; photo by Todd Selby)

faux cow hide chair
(image source unknown)

a fux fur throw on the couch adds a punch of fun to neutral furnishings
(birds of a feather)

a brown zebra ottoman compliments the coral window panels
(Mary McDonald)

Coco Couture

Catching up on the highlights from Europe's fashion weeks in Sunday's New York Times, I came across this ad for Chanel.  Wicker has never looked so chic, nor have I seen the classic Chanel camellia as a male accessory.  The black and white 2.55 purse may be worth breaking my shopping rule of no more Chanels in this shape.  Coco had such a vision in the early 1900s, and now with the mysterious and unbelievably talented Karl Lagerfeld at the helm, the French fashion house continues to demonstrate how black, white, and beige are simple, elegant, and glamorous combinations.  Here are some black and white interiors I like and for more, you must visit one of my favorite UK sites for color contrasting furnishings Black Orchid Interiors.  Most of their items are very affordable and they have a big inventory.  I love their black cashmere bar stools and their art deco mirrored bedside tables.  I will definitely be purchasing a few of their pieces once we are settled into our first house.

black and white rug meet black and white dog
(freshome.com)

simply decorated but the color contrast above and below the
chair railing gives it the wow factor; I also love
the pattern on the door's frosted window
(skonahem.com)

I like this circular mirror in an unexpected place
but don't you know it's rude to put your feet (foot) on the coffee table?
(jaquelinezinn.com)

  

glamorous bathroom,
the geometric tiling are balanced with the curved sink
(Elle Decor)

Mary McDonald interior, for more visit her site



All About LA

Kelly Weastler design
(aestheticallythiking blog)

With all eyes on Hollywood tonight for the 83rd Academy Awards, I thought I'd list my favorite LA designers whose rooms I'd place on the best dressed list.  It's much harder than selecting the most fashionably clad celebs who stroll the red carpet because there are so many talented visionaries in Southern Califorina creating spaces I admire.  So that this post doesn't take half your Sunday morning to read, I have highlighted four designers I find myself drawing inspiration from most often for my first house.

First on the list is the queen of color and unexpected accents Kelly Wearstler. One of my favorite places in NYC is the BG Restaurant designed by Kelly Wearstler on the top floor of Bergdorf Goodman.  When your feet are sore and your arms are aching from carrying too many shopping bags, settle into one of Kelly's signature leather pod chairs and order an iced tea and the seared ahi tuna salad.  Her rooms are whimsical and dramatic and I love her consistent incorporation of graphics.  Kelly's interiors are a true feast for the eyes with many eclectic accent pieces, unique colors, and luxurious fabrics.  In case you haven't checked it out, Kelly's new blog My Vibe, My Life, is colorful and fun to follow, though she hasn't been posting as much as I hoped!

BG restaurant designed by Kelly Wearstler

note elephant on the mirrored side table, Kelly likes them too!
(pomegranita.com)

(Kelly Wearstler website)

Number two on the best dressed interiors list is the fearless, exuberant Mary MacDonald. Mary knows drama and elegance and she isn't afraid to mix modern with vintage, Indian silks with French antiques.  Her first book was published last year and I have tabbed many of its pages for inspiration.  Mary says, "A well designed room should beckon you, make you feel welcome and wanting a bit more."  After devouring her first book I definitely welcome Mary's sensibilities into my first house.  All images are from Mary McDonald's website.  Her portfolio is divided into her four signature styles: classic glamour, livable elegance, whimsical and modern.  The first two styles are my favorite in her portfolio.

And the third best-dressed home designer on my list is the youthful Californian Ryan Brown.  You might know him from Bravo's "Flipping Out," but before he went prime time, I was following him and his creations. I admire his style of rustic, yet contemporary and his ability to create clean lines for a sleek, serene interior.  While some of his rooms are more modern than my usual taste, I am drawn to his ability to mix vintage pieces with current stylized furnishings to create spaces that are inviting and livable.

living room by Ryan Brown
(La Dolce Vita)

Ryan Brown's own dining room
(ohbytheway blog)

And the fourth and final designer is the ever so stylish old Hollywood glamorous Windsor Smith.  I first discovered this designer while working at Vogue after college.  Her interiors often feature fashionable photography from Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton.  Her interiors are timeless classic masterpieces that celebrate the elegant detailing of architecture such as crown moldings and intricately carved cabinetry.  She creates spaces where legendary men and women of immitable style would have felt at home, saying, "I like to create libraries where men with names like Howard, Bing and Spencer sat in cashmere sweaters and contemplated the 13th hole on the Bel Air golf course. I am drawn to a simple but elegant time when the women were so legendary that surnames weren't necessary.... Slim, Babe, Coco."  I framed some of my favorite Irving Penn and Patrick Demarchelier and placed them around my New York City apartment.  I'm planning to reclaim these for one of the rooms in our first house drawing inspiration from Windsor and her romantic sensibilities.

All photos from Windsor Smith's website.  Her portfolio is absolutely gorgeous.