Brooke's Black Friday Christmas List

I survived my first G-free Thanksgiving!! 

I think I deserve something nice as a reward, don't you?  Here's a quick 

CHRISTMAS LIST

of objects I can't stop thinking about. 

1. Made By Girl Lulu Clutch

2. West Elm Mongolian Fur Pillow

3. Diane Von Furstenberg's Night Gold Tone Flatware

4. West Elm Faux Fur Throw

Maybe Santa will be extra nice to me and get me EVERYTHING
 since all the items look so great together.

My fingers are crossed!

What are you asking Santa for this year?

Did you go Black Friday shopping and did you survive?

Objet D'art: Horse Book Ends

While perusing Etsy's vintage section the other day, I came across these little beauties:

Ever since, I've been coming across chic horse head bookends every where I turn.

I could see this design trend being something both Kelly Wearstler and my cowboy princess of a Grandmother would a approve of!  What do you think? 

{images via Etsy, Christian Siriano, Eddie Ross, Emily Clark &West Elm}

Mongolian Wool Pillow

Want some instant glam in your home?  Look no further than a 

MONGOLIAN WOOL PILLOW.

  It's pure sexiness in a pillow and they are offered in a variety of price ranges, 

so anyone can afford this chic accent.

Pieces Inc:  $295

Crate & Barrel: $89.95

West Elm: $59

Pier 1: $31.96

Can you belief this one from Pier 1 is genuine wool? Looks like I'll be heading over to Pier 1 this weekend...

{images via Crate&Barrel, Pieces Inc, West Elm & Pier 1} 

Perfect Pair: Grey + White

Still obsessed with grey. Obsessed. Clean white, too. And the combination? Perfection.

This last one is for you traditionalists out there.  Doesn't this look like a Parisian apartment?  Stunning.

{images via Rosenberry Rooms, West Elm, Canadian House & Home, & ThisIsGlamourous}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Gucci Pre-Fall 2011

Gucci's Pre-Fall 2011 collection combined my current two loves- shades of grey and updated 1970's silhouettes.  The collection made me think 'can I make a room that's entirely void of color and still make it seem warm and interesting?'  It's a challenge I took on so let's see how it turned out.

{images via FRG}

The trick to designing monochrome (one color) or achromatic (no color, which grey is technically a neutral so it's not a color) rooms is varying shades and textures.  I started my room by finding the perfect modern sectional in a charcoal grey wool flannel (Room and Board).  To ground the room, I would add a large and luxe flokati rug in a lighter shade of grey (Teak, Wicker, and More).  On top of this, I'd place a sleek and streamlined cocktail table in chrome with a grey quartz top (Room and Board).  The polished look of the cocktail juxtaposes nicely against the heavy pile of the area rug.  Mixing opposite textures like this is what gives the room interest.

Now for the finishing touches.  I'd place multiples styles of pillows on the sectional for more added visual interest.   I wouldn't worry that some of the fabrics are warm (Etsy) while others are cool (West Elm) as mixing the diverse tones adds the variety an achromatic room so desperately needs!  I would dress any window in dove grey velvet curtains that puddle elegantly on the floor (Pottery Barn) and add a shiny starburst mirror (Arteriors) for some dashes of glamour.  The crowning moment in the room?  Jonathan Adler's Meurice chandelier (I new I'd find a room to use it in!).

So what do you think?  Could you live in a room completely void of color?

West Elm Spring Introductions

It's no secret I'm obsessed with West Elm.  Not only do they have amazingly chic products but they are SO budget friendly.  If you like a fresh contemporary vibe and want better quality than that Swedish big box store, look no further than West Elm!  Here are my favorite picks from their new introductions:

Ellipse Metal Canopy Bed

Foxed Mirror Nightstand

Cowhide, White

Glass Shadow Boxes

One of my New Year's resolution is to appear more organized.  Yes, I said appear.  I don't care if I'm actually organized.  I think having one of these glass shadow boxes by the front door to throw down the keys and empty my purse of receipts, ticket stubs, etc. would be a cool way to "appear" organized.  It makes my mess a mini-art installation of my current life.  How cool is that?

Mirror Parsons Console

Lacquered Office

Iznik Dhurrie

Henry Sofa

Stripe Duvet + Shams

I'm obsessed with grey and white stripes. Obsessed.  I came home the other day with yet another grey and white striped top and my husband said, "Again...?"  Hey, I like what I like.  Get over it, lol.

{images via West Elm}

Perfect Pair for the New Year: Sequin + Mirror

May your New Year be shining and bright!

{images via West Elm, 1st Dibs, Arteriors, MG+BW & weheartit}

Look for Less: Urban Home

Are you like me and have champagne tastes on a root beer budget? Well we are not alone. Though I always stress "buy the best quality you can afford," sometimes the budget calls for some compromises (ok, EVERYONE'S budget calls for compromises, even the rich and famous, I've come to learn).  That's why I was so happy to come across this amazing source!  Check out these looks for less from Urban Home. 

 {Urban Home's Lauren Chair vs. Crate&Barrel's Colette Chair}

A savings of $350 a chair!

{Urban Home's Devonshire Day Bed vs. Crate&Barrel's Simone Daybed}

A savings of $620!

 {Urban Home's Entice Mist Ottoman vs. Global Views' Poof Ottoman}

A savings of $600!

{Urban Home's Entice Mist Sofa vs. Z Gallerie's Pauline Sofa}

A savings of $400! 

I would actually recommend the Z Gallerie version, if you could afford it.  Upholstery is not an area you want to cut corners.  But then again, if you have to, Urban's Home's version isn't too bad!  Just change those pillows. Please.

{Urban Home's Chesapeake Side Table vs. Pottery Barn's Stratton Bedside Table}
A savings of $110!

{ Urban Homes' Ray Table vs. West Elm's Parson's Table}
A savings of $200!

{Urban Home's Havana Bed vs. Restoration Hardware's Camden Arch Bed}

Choosing the bed on the the left would save you a wopping $1500!!!

Not to shabby, if I do say so myself.  There really are many more "copy cat" pieces at Urban Home, but instead of having an endless post, just know, if you like something on this site, there is probably a more expensive version out there and you are getting a steal!  

Globe Pendants

Do you know how hard it is to find unique lighting these days?  You typically have either traditional chandeliers, drum pendants, or small glass cafe pendants.  Now these all come in a plethora of different styles and colors, but sometimes you just need a little unexpected funk.  That's why I was so excited when I came across these little beauties the other day while doing some research for a client's home.  It's like a glass covered light bulb went on over my head!  Take a look at these glass globe pendants:

{via West Elm}

{via Dianne Ross Interiors}

Isn't the above effect just magical?  I think it's the perfect touch of whimsy to the polished and serene scene below.  Just lovely.

{via West Elm}

{via West Elm}

 Such a great idea to cluster several globes together for a funky faux chandelier!

{via West Elm}

 These globes are beautiful in a group or by themselves.  Gotta love that.

{via West Elm}

 Another option is to use chandelier versions of the pendants.  It's an easy way to add the impact of multiples with only one installation.

{via West Elm}

{via CB2}

{via CB2}

{via CB2}

And if you can't get enough of these glass baubles, check out CB2's blog to make this diy Christmas wreath!