Jeffrey Gordon Smith: Landscape Architecture

Saw this amazing landscaper, Jeffrey Gordon Smith, on HOUZZ. Loving everything they do. Very west coast, and the fire pits are really gorgeous. 

NEW RESTORATION HARDWARE CATALOG

A couple days ago I got a catalog in the mail from Restoration Hardware so thick you would have thought it was the damn yellow pages. I was excited since I opened the page and saw my one of my favorite chandeliers by Halo Styles, but other than that I thought the catalog was a total bore. Don't get me wrong I love love love there stuff, but the way they styled their merchandise for the catalog shoot was just plain blahhh. I mean seriously a little COLOR couldn't hurt. I understand that they are doing this whole french country meets modern industrial with their beige linens and vintage reproductions, and they are wonderful, BUT would it hurt to throw some colorful flowers into the shoot or paint a wall a vibrant color. Even the flowers they used in the spaces were dull, and flowers should be anything but. Just see for yourself...

 Again, they have mastered the tone on tone thing. Congratulations, but I'm getting bored at looking at your stuff in the same damn way every time.

 Ahhh the lovely birdcage chandeliers, so much fun! Love the prints, BUT where's the color!!!

Snoooze!! 

 Such a cool over scale chandelier!! And you gotta love their outdoors stuff.

 Beige Beige Beige

 This desk and chair combo is pretty awesome, but where are the pretty books and accessories that go inside?

The stainless trunks are my fave, but again I couldn't get more bored with the styling.

Please people tell me what you think!!! We desperately want/need your feedback! Do you think I'm right here or not? I want to know who is reading us out there!!!

~N

STYLE IS SERVED: Dransfield & Ross Placemats

All of N's gorgeous tablescape posts have given me inspiration to pay a little more attention to serving styles. I've been so preoccupied with furniture lately.. not realizing that having a beautiful tablescape of my own is important for me. I came across "Dransfield & Ross" recently, they have the chicest table top accessories. Some of my favorites are their placemat collection, a great starting point to your beautifully set table.

Ice Gold Starburst Placemat

Ivory Gold Starburst Placemat

Orange Delphos Placemat.. ten times nicer than the plastic rectangle ones I grew up with.

Ivory and Gold Delphos Placemat

Beige Hexagon Placemat

Celadon Hexagon Placemat.. don't you just love the nailtrim detail?

Onyx Placemat.. so pretty, I would not dare serve red wine with these.

Malachite Placemat.. for Nicole

Citrine Placemat

Taupe Placemat

Turquoise Placemat

ART ON ETSY

I really think Etsy is where it's at for inexpensive original art. I'm constantly hunting down my favorite shops to see what the artists come up with next. I know everybody thinks 20x200.com is the best, but really it seems a little one dimensional to me.

12 x 12 Lilly Pads High quality Giclee Print for $75 by shop bHorn. Although this one is not an original I'm definitely digging the whole pointillism vibe.

Abstract Mermaid from Modern House Art is more on the expensive side, but it is original and a 13x19. Are you catching on to my love for textural abstracted paintings. 

Love this Octopus watercolor, I don't know why I just haven't bought it yet. It has been on my want list for quite awhile. It also comes in a lime green and is only $60 from shop Fairy Insomnia.

Love this painting!!! There is something so alluring about a figure with hiding eyes/face. It is so mysterious and sexy, and the outfits aren't too bad either. These are also prints by Jessica Rae Sommer, but the price tag starting at $32 with an 8.5x11.

This amazing oil painting by Karen Tarlton of wild mustangs would have been an amazing gift to my mother who loves horses. Wish I could have grabbed it before Christmas before it sold out for $300.

Water Nymph in Original Pen and watercolor by shop Labyrinthine Nature. Imagine how painstaking it must have been to draw the hair so carefully!

This is kind of amazing. I'm loving the way the artist blends the colors to create light and shadow. And the small size is really fun to throw in to a vignette. Original 5x7 oil painting by shop Sagittarius Gallery only $52

Another Original 5x7 oil painting by shop Sagittarius Gallery only $52

GO BOLD: USING GRAPHIC RUGS

I notice so many people can't decide how many upholstered pieces should be a solid neutral and which should have a pattern. For the few clients who want to keep the sofa and chairs a solid color, they can still play the space up with a graphic patterned rug. A bold graphic pattern will instantly play up the room, just look at the pictures below for inspiration. 

STYLE IS SERVED: DYLAN LAUREN'S CANDY LAND THEMED WEDDING

As many of you may know, Dylan Lauren, daughter of the impeccable Ralph Lauren has tied the knot, and in grade A style no less. Dylan is the creator and owner of Dylan's Candy Bar, a huge and stylish sweet shop in the heart of NYC. Of course, her love of candy had to be used in the creation of her wedding theme and I must say it looks beyond amazing. It is really out of the box without being too gimmicky or crafty. Of course the Lauren's have some resources to their advantage, which I'm sure helped in creating this lovely affair, but let's face it they are the masters of lifestyle branding.

For the color scheme and setting, think Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka meets Candy Land. To start, the sleek silky bridesmaids gowns were inspired by the bright color of gum balls. Candy Tree topiaries and sculpted bunny bushes graced the gardens, while the tables were dressed in teal and gold with a rainbow of floral arrangements.  The cake looked like a carousel of confection, most likely consisting of edible gold, and I loved the touch of the water-falling ombre flowers. But my favorite little detail had to be that all the servers wore little white top hats with those candy dots wrapped around them..It's all in the little touches! (pages from InStyle mag)

Another shot at her gorgeous dress...did I mention there was a 9 foot long detachable train???

 Another Candy Land themed setting designed by Dylan. It makes me wish I loved candy more..

 Candy bar designed by Dylan again for Martha Stewart mag.

Loving the vase filler here, on a invitation from Dylan's Candy Bar

Dylan with her hubby...he's not too shabby either ;)

STEPH'S BEDROOM ESSENTIALS

Your bedroom is your oasis, a place to get away from everything and everyone. Although everyones bedroom basics are the same (a bed, nightstands, lamps..etc) everyones bedroom essentials are what make it their own. Lately, I'm seeing that lamps are becoming oversized and I'm loving the idea of getting statement lamps for my bedroom. Don't follow anyones rules.. for instance, I do not want 2 traditional matching nightstands.. maybe a beautiful chest on one side of the bed and a metal console vanity on the other. Make it so it works for your lifestyle and your everyday needs. 

A cozy feeling.

Frame all things that excite you and make you happy, even if other people don't get it.

Lacquered ceiling,

A large pop of your favorite color, like this gorgeous pink color reform rug.

A bedroom console instead of a nightstand.

A bedroom console covered in cowhide!

A Mirrored piece of furniture and oversized lighting

Accessorize with your favorite objects, I love this beautiful collection of crystals.