Perfect Pair: Black & White Layered Art + Modern Chandelier

You know I love me some 

BLACK AND WHITE LAYERED ART 

WITH A MODERN CHANDELIER.

Now to figure out how to create that etch-a-sketch look-a-like art...

{image via Decorista}

Mad Men 60's Chairs

I am drooling over these VINTAGE 1960's CHAIRS in mustard yellow.

They are so Mad Men.  

Speaking of Mad Men:

Grrr....  Don Draper with a Barcelona chair in the background.  Nothing hotter.

{image via 1stDibs & Pinterest}

Lovely Layered Art

"It's more interesting to have just a picture of a small detail - then you can dream all the rest around it. Because when you see the whole thing, what is there to imagine?" 

-Dries Van Noten

Art Wall: Gallery vs. Shelf

I really can't decide what look I like better- art displayed in a gallery style or layered on a shelf?  I have been waffling between the two styles for a while now.

I"ll see an image like this:

....and I am enamoured.  

Then I'll come across an image like this:

...and my jaw will drop.

Which makes me me wonder,

gallery...

...or shelves...

...gallery...

...or shelves...

...gallery...

...or shelves...

I need to come to a decision as I need to place art above my sofa.  Arg... This decision is just too hard.

 Which look do you like best?  I need to know!

{images via Pinterest & Sarah Richardson Design}

Objet D'art: Designer Gift Bag

I have been on the lookout for great gallery wall inspirations since I'm in the process of redecorating my living room.  I have a black velvet sofa against a large white wall (it wouldn't be white if I had my way, but that's what I get for renting...).  I have always been obsessed with black and white photography but sometimes you just need to mix it up.  Lately I've been seeing designer shopping bags as objet d'art and I'm in LOVE!!

What a fabulous way to dress up a closet, no?

Even my favorite Million Dollar Decorator, Mary MacDonald used one for her client, Jill Roberts.

Ok, so I couldn't find a photo of the actual coral-colored bag that was pinned to the left on the over-sized bulletin board, but I had to post this amazing office. I. Die.

I'm jumping on the band wagon and I just placed a bid on eBay for this little beauty:

...fingers crossed, I'll win it!!

The plan is to arrange it with cut-outs from Jerry Schatzberg's 'Women Then: 1954-1969':

I seriously ADORE this book.  Since I am unable to find any Schatzberg prints anywhere (and I probably couldn't afford them if I did), I'm going to frame my favorite pages from the book I already own and re-order a new one for my coffee table.  Who said chic art had to be expensive?

Now to go frame shopping...

{images via Moth Design, BravoTV, eBay & Boston Trader}

Eye Candy: Grey Grass-Cloth Wallpaper

A new must for my future dream home: grey grass-cloth wallpaper with chunky white mouldings. 

Divine.

{image via Decor Pad}

Design Crush: Ron Marvin

This home made my jaw drop. I am a HUGE contrast nut and I have not seen a designer master the art of contrast quite like Ron Marvin did for this home.  From the layered art and accessories to the mix of traditional and modern pieces, Mr. Marvin's work is perfection.

Do you think this room was inspired by the moody Ralph Lauren bedroom, as seen in this post?

Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise could possibly by the sexiest chair that has ever existed. Grrr....

You too can achieve this chic and masculine look.  Mr. Marvin used more budget-friendly sources like Restoration Hardware and Ralph Lauren Home.  Check out my best picks to get add a little contrast to your home...

(items listed clockwise from top left)

1. Hickory Chair's Hallings Secretary

2. Restoration Hardware's Solid Ribbed Tibetan Rug

3. Ralph Lauren's Limited Edition Photography (Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong)

4. Arterior's Silver Tray

5. Circa Lighting's Caged Lantern

6. Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise

7. Z Gallerie's Faux Coral

8. Chinchilla Faux Fur Throw

9. Arterior's Ice Bucket

10. Eduardo Garza's Stone and Lucite Box

11. Benjamin Moore Paint Classic Brown #2109-10 and Edgecomb Gray #HC-173

12. Quadrille Fabric's Aga Reverse in Brown on Tint

13. Circa Lighting's Stacked 3 Ball Lamp in Quartz

Check out more of this fabulous home in the premiere issue of TradHome!

Go Shorty...

I'm going to take a day off from interior design in lieu of my birthday.  I couldn't leave my readers hanging, so here are some pretty images to inspire you. (Is it too self-indulgent to have a birthday post on your own blog?  Oh well. My blog. My birthday.)  Happy April 11th!!!!

I had to add Marilyn. Such a cute photo of her, no?

{image via This Is Glamorous, Pinterest & WeHeartIt}

So Pretty...

{image via Pinterest}

Eye Candy: Monochromatic Frames

Perfection.

{image via Elle Decor}

Art Crush: Rodney Smith

I have a serious new crush.  As I was researching black and white photography for my bedroom (as written about in this post), I came across the work of Rodney Smith.  It was love at first sight.  You may recognize images like this:

 
from Barbara Barry's furniture line in design magazines.  Rodney's work is classic with a huge dose of whimsy.  His images simply make me smile.  Take a look at some of my favs:

Doesn't the above remind you of the movie Big Fish?  I can relate, sista.  I can't find a comfortable mattress either...

It's a little silly how happy these make me.  He's kind of like the chic Tim Burton of photography.  I wouldn't mind waking up each morning to one of these, would you?  His website is under construction until Feb. 1st and I haven't been able to find any prints or books on other websites.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a 4x6 print isn't astronomically out of my price range, because I MUST have an original Rodney Smith print.  Must.  

See more of Rodney's work here:

Rodney Smith

{images via rodneysmith.com}