HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For Her

and now for us girls..

1. Leopard Planner

2. Green Faux Malachite Clock

3. Michael Kors Tortoise Chronograph Watch

4. Bodhi Leather Ipad Case

5. Tortiose Iphone Case

6. Overnight Peach Duffle Dipped in Sequins by Deux Lux

7. Python Candle

8. Turtle Shell Brass Tray

9. Carry your camera in high style with Sarah Frances Kuhn Camera Straps

BANQUETTE SEATING

When going out to a restaurant, I would assume that most diners prefer to sit in a booth. For starters it can be more comfortable and its usually more private and sound proof than some of the tables and chairs strewn about the floorplan. Well at home, the banquette look can be just as functional. It not only can save space but can be an area for extra storage under the seats. And unlike a bunch of chairs that can sometime look visually broken up and messy, the banquette creates a visually seamless line and can also be a great space divider for small apartments. 

I'd give it a go, would you? 

 Lonny Mag

Rick Shaw Design

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For Him

Not to worry ladies..

our top gift picks for the men in your lives are finally here.

1. Ice Shot Glasses

2. Brass Cocktail Picks with Wooden Holder

3. Rockwell Stemless Martini Glass

4. Roll Up Travel Charger

5. Mini Leather Iphone Wallet

6. Inside HBO's Game of Thrones: The Collector's Edition [Hardcover]

7. Batman Money Clip

8. Rockland Tic Tac Toe

9. NFL Dallas Cowboys Grill Spatula and Bottle Opener

10. The Indian Leather Adventure Duffel

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS: RAILINGS

Happy Monday everyone! Steph and I had a fun little getaway to New Hope, Pennsylvania, this past weekend. We dabbled in a bit of antiquing, some wine tasting, a bit of clothes shopping, and even some very interesting psychic readings. We even drove over to Two Buttons in Frenchtown (the very shop owned by Elizabeth Gilbert, author and inspiration of the best selling book Eat Pray Love).

Anywho, today I thought I'd bring you something that many homeowners don't really think about, railings. It's always the little details that make the most impact in the design, and railings are one place that shouldn't be over looked. 

 Architect Ken Pursley

Tory Burch's Manhattan Store

 Design Sponge

Erin Martin Design 

Remodelista

BRABBU FURNITURE

BRABBU is a design brand that reflects an intense way of living, bringing fierceness, strength and power into an urban lifestyle. They design and produce a diverse range of furniture, casegoods, upholstery, lighting, rugs, art and accessories that tells stories from nature and the world. All these stories are written by the materials, textures, scents, flavours and colours that live inside the nature and inside the urban life.

BRABBU design pieces are described as "a gift for the senses." Everyday their tribe of designers and craftsmen search for the most innovative materials and techniques to bring comfort and function that your spaces deserve.

KOI Center Table with brass scales is available with glass or marble top.

JOURNEY Armchair

TUAREG Chair

SIKA Armchair

LALLAN center table combines four different materials and finishes as dark walnut veneer, black lacquer, polished and aged bronze.    

The Apis Dining Table is probably my favorite item in the entire line, it was inspired by Egyptian golden beehives. Truly a work of art.

HOPLON Bookcase

PADAUNG Stool, made of ash wood and brushed brass rings, it is inspired by the beauty and strensht of PADAUNG women that use these rings on the neck since their childhood as a statement of beauty and ti protect the neck, the center of the soul.       

The SEQUOIA Center Table is simply stunning. 

EANDA Armchair

VELLUM Wall Lamp, inspired from the ancient manuscripts, where messages were written in vellum.

MAYA Armchair

DREAM OF CALIFORNICATION

Inspired by my post on the Hillside House by SB Architects, I designed a family room concept that leaned a bit more towards a Dalliance point of view. And I'm completely obsessed!!!

The details...

I used the original fireplace from the family room (which is bananas by the way) as my jumping off point. 

Than, as Dalliance would have it, I needed to add some color and softness. So I popped in a persimmon-coral area rug and drapes. 

Layered some texture and pattern,

And a ^%$&%$& ridiculous chandelier by Christopher Boots...

And you have a creation I like to call, Californication. Thank you RHCP.

CRYSTAL SAILBOAT CHANDELIERS: TOO TRENDY?

 About 2 years ago I saw my first crystal sailboat chandelier and thought to myself, "Wow that could look so whimsical over a bathtub! Totally original idea Nicole." Fast forward to today and its apparent that its not as one-of-a kind as I once thought. Being a interior designer and blogger can really help you learn what's trendy vs. classy pretty fast. In the fashion biz we call it the trickle down effect. Basically high end designs take time to build up mass appeal, but once they are at their peak, the trendsetters are already on to the next thing. And in this fast pace world its tough to figure out what will remain fashion forward. So my advice, live with an idea for a couple of months. If you love it and you need it, there will always be a way to fit the piece into your look. But if you're not sure, pin it and come back to it. If you still love it, go for it! Who cares what the magazines are saying anyways, because in 5 years from now the same trend will be making an upcycle. The important thing is to be yourself. As Ralph Lauren would say, "Fashion is over quickly. Style is Forever."

 Lili Diallo 

 Nanette Lepore's Living Room 

Flickr

SECRET PINTEREST BOARDS

I have been waiting for the day Pinterest finally offered "secret boards."  As most of you already know, Pinterest is the ever addicting website where you can save visuals that link back to the original websites from where you found it. At Dalliance Design we use Pinterest for inspirations of clothing, recipes, travel destinations and most importantly interiors. Pinterest is great because you can follow other people whose board or style you like, but sometimes there are projects you want to keep private. For example, as an interior designer you can make boards for clients that you acquired, but you don't want give away all of your design ideas. Pinterest is now offering up to 3 secret board options and the option to have other people access your board by invitation only. Let the secret pinning begin..

DAYBEDS: The Laid Back Sofa Option

A perfect solution to break up your usual seating area is to consider using a daybed instead of a sofa. Using a daybed still gives you that additional seating you desire but without closing off the space. A sofa back closes off the seating area, while a daybed is more functional using two sides. You can push the daybed up against a wall or you can float it in the room, either way I always opt for the daybed option.

-S

Beautiful Baker Daybed designed by ML Interiors

Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richardson