Eye Candy: Hilary Thomas Designs

Eye candy for reals. It's even the colors of dark chocolate and mint!

{image via Hilary Thomas Designs}

Perfect Pair: Pink + Gold

How can you make pink even more glam? Pair it with gold, of course (and zebra, and mirror, and capiz shell...)

{Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor & Fuschia Pink Full Blossom}

Love Me Some Lucite

Want to know a designer trick to make any room instantly more chic?  Lucite. A little accent of Lucite will turn a ho-hum room into the room of a posh fashionista.  Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Philippe Starck's Ghost Chair

{images via All Modern, CB2, 1st Dibs, & The Paris Apartment}

House Crush: William Hefner Architecture

It's been a sad state of affairs at the Jones' home this past week. My husband and I have been curled up on the sofa under our affectionately named blanket, Big Ugly.  The Doc says it's bronchitis.  I say it's awful.  How I'm dreaming of a beautiful estate, like this one by William Hefner Architects, to make me feel a bit better.

Designed by William Hefner Architects

{images via Marcus Design}

Bungalow 5

I have recently fell in love. As an interior designer I see it SO many different styles of furniture on a daily basis, but none of them have ever been so close to my personal style as Bunglow 5's line of casegoods. They are sleek, chic, and timeless. I would use their pieces in both traditional and contemporary spaces.  Basically, Bungalow 5 rocks.

Houzz.com

I DIE over this room.  I would never think to put a bright turquoise with a more serene green/blue, but it looks great!

Berkley Side Table in Gray & White

 

Decor Pad

Jacqui Side Table in Black Lacquer

St. George Parade of Homes 2011 designed by Alice Lane

Jacqui Side Table in White Lacquer

Check out their whole line of fine furniture here and contact me for product info!

{images via Houzz, Decor Pad, Alice Lane & Bungalow 5}

A Day In The Life of A Designer

Life as an interior designer can be crazy.  Here's a snap shot of my day.

First, I started out with a space that needed a little TLC:

(These images are from before my client owned the home.
I didn't want you thinking my client is into buffalo and  ram heads amongst other clutter...)

Then I took several weeks to brainstorm, space plan, create design boards, shop, select finishes, materials, etc. etc. Today I was able to check in on the progress:

(painting out the hood, island, and built-in china TOTALLY changed the whole look of the kitchen.
It's much more fresh and clean.  Don't you just die over those pendants? That's all my client.  She has great taste.)

(Custom window seats and new carpet in progress- no low pile shag here!
Doesn't this room look so much better without Bullwinkle staring us down?)

I then ran to several different workshops to check in on the progress of custom furnishings:

(Custom captain's chair almost ready for the most adorable slipcover you've ever seen.)

(Reclaimed barn wood table after a little sanding, but before some finishing top coats.)

(Trestle table base)

After I gave my thumbs up on the custom pieces, I had to run and pick up a rug pad that just happened to be the last one in-stock, called the slipcover lady and text/called client with updates on the above progress.  All this before noon. Whew!  Interior design isn't as glamorous as it looks in the magazines, now is it?  

I wouldn't want to do anything else. I love it.

Stayed tuned for images of the completed project! 

{images via Brooke Jones Designs, LLC)

So Pretty...

{image via Pinterest}

Ray Bans: Aviator vs Wayfarer

There are some gorgeous sunglasses out there,  but I always gravitate towards Ray Bans.  Now that the sun is staying up longer (YAY for Daylight Savings) I'm feeling the need for a new pair of shades. But I can't decide, should I go for Aviators or Wayfarers?

Let's take a look at the Aviators first. Bausch & Lomb developed the aviator style in the 1930's, were popularized in WWII when General Douglas MacArthur sported a pair and were all the rage starting in the 1960's up until now.  Look who's a fan of this classic style:

Jennifer Anniston

Johnny Depp. Rarr....

Don't know who she is, but she is gor-ge-ous!

And the ever fab Mrs. Beckham 

(how great do gold aviators look with a man's gold watch?)

Wayfarers, on the other hand, were developed by Bausch & Lomb in 1952 as one of the first styles of non-metal sunglasses.  The Wayfarers were "a mid-century classic to rival Eames' chair and Cadillac's tail fins," according to design critic Stephen Bayley. This "new wave" style was popular throughout the 50's and 60's, lost some momentum in the 70's, but the hit their pinnacle of acclaim in the 80's and are currently experiencing a resurgence. 

Audrey Hepburn

So which would you choose? Aviators or Wayfarers?

{images via Habitually Chic,  Atlantic-Pacific & Vanessa Jackman}

eMag: Lonny March/April 2011

Another great issue of Lonny! Check out my favorite home from this issue:

Note to self: Design a home with black floors and window frames, loads of high gloss white trim and finish with glass door knobs.  A coordinating black dog would be a plus (maybe this should be my home, since I already have the puppy).

And don't miss the article on Miss Kelly Wearstler! 

Still can't get enough of her studio. Sigh.... so fabulous.