Tenor Fabric

Meet my most recent fabric find...Tenor by RM Coco:

Can't decide if the navy or the neutral is my favorite colorway. I don't often work with navy...and the navy ground with all that color on top is so, so pretty. But the neutral is also completely stunning...I would design a whole light, breezy bedroom around it. The fabric is by RM Coco...a new-to-me manufacturer.

What do you think? A new favorite for you as well?

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Family Photos

Do you remember my friend, Crystal? She helped me with this project and took these photos. She's super duper creative and talented and I'm pretty lucky to have her as my friend, fellow web designer and boss (it's pretty sweet when your good friend is your boss!), fellow new mom (her daughter Paige was born one week after Ana Claire)...and now family photographer.

We had Crystal and Paige over last week for a family photoshoot and I've been dying to share some of the photos with you! Take a look at some of the great shots we got:

 All photos by Crystal Ku Downs

Yes, I'm proud. Ana Claire is just so stinkin' cute and Crystal did a great job of capturing the joy we've been feeling around here lately. Hope you liked the little glimpse of my family.

If you live in the DC area, Crystal takes on photography clients (family shoots, engagement shoots, etc) from time to time. Email me if you're interested.

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Catalog Pick: Pierced Moroccan Ceiling Light

The quest to find a good-looking ceiling light at a decent price is always a difficult one, right? And unless you live with tall ceilings (if you do, I'm jealous), you likely have tried to find something attractive that you won't hit your head on at some time or another.

So you'll understand why I was thrilled to see this Pierced Moroccan Metal Ceiling Light in the latest Shades of Light catalog. It's oh-so lovely but sits nice and close to your ceiling:

I'm sure this fixture throws the prettiest light patterns on the ceiling when turned on. And the best part? It's $99! That's reasonable for something attractive and different. I would LOVE to see a series of these used down a long hallway...imagine the look of sophisticated, glammed-up paper lanterns lighting your path. And I think the globe shape would also be great in a bathroom where you might want the aesthetic a little more tailored.

Do you like it? How would you use it? They also have it in white!

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Friday Crush

Design by John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon

John and Jason have once again reinvented this dining room.  These guys are fearless with pattern and I love it. I think I spy China Rose on those curtains. This room is certainly over-the-top but wouldn't you love to have breakfast in it next to that sunny window? This would be the ultimate bed and breakfast!

Hope you have the loveliest of weekends...see you next week!

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New Chinoiserie Mirrors at Horchow

Horchow is one of my favorite sources for gorgeous mirrors...usually out of my price range, but I love to look and drool. And I recently came across some new (to me) Chinoiserie mirrors that are just out of this world:

If you don't want to run out and design a sweet nursery around this Lotus Mirror, I question your sanity. I have died and gone to mirror heaven. Against baby blue or sweet pink...can you imagine? My mind races with possibilities...

Horchow has always had a chic red pagoda mirror, but this new version is so stunning. The perfect red hue and the shape is classic. Would look smashing in a small powder path against some divine wallpaper. 

Oh my, this Ebony Mirror is amazing. I love black accents in a room and this mirror would be the perfect solitary black item in a very sophisticated space. It has a modified pagoda shape so it's not too over-the-top Chinoiserie...and I love the heft of the frame.

I vow to own a fantastic Chinoiserie Chippendale mirror like this one some day. A vintage one would be a dream but if you are impatient and have lots of monies, this version is perfect. And it's on sale for only $500 which for me is a lot but for you it might be just the right price. These mirrors are always beautiful over a fireplace.

I'll take one of each.

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Gorgeous Guest Room

Take a look at this gorgeous guest room designed by DC-based designer Victoria Sanchez. So many elements are coming together to create a beautiful space:

That headboard is B-A-N-A-N-A-S. It's pink and red...and the rosette...and the piping...and the SHAPE. It's the kind of headboard that could function as the solitary focal point of a monochromatic room. But instead, Victoria mixes it with all sorts of bold elements and it totally works. I'm sure it's custom...I know Victoria pops in to read the blog once in a while so maybe she'll tell us about the headboard in the comments.

Take a look at a wider shot of the room:

I absolutely love how the headboard is unexpectedly paired with blue grasscloth walls and blush/peach tones in the (amazing) window treatments and bedding. The lucite (or perhaps glass?) night stand is a great choice because the room is so dynamic...it just kind of floats next to the bed without adding to the overall look. And the lamp is such a great choice...it a great addition to the fun and traditional vibe of the room.

I can't stop chatting about this one. I think it's so fresh and inviting. What do you think?

Check out more of Victoria's work here »

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Casa Otomi on Etsy

I found a great resource on Etsy for Mexican Otomi fabric, pillows and poufs. Casa Otomi sells lovely Otomi fabric that you can use for your own project or a variety of ready-made home items.

I really want those neutral shams for my bedroom - so gorgeous! And isn't the handbag quite chic? It would look dynamite against a slim black outfit....

If you're a fan of Otomi like me, check out Casa Otomi - lots of eye candy to enjoy!

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Chinoiserie Chintz

Came across a delightful little Chinoiserie chintz by Scalamandre on eBay for $29.99/yard. I believe the pattern is called Taipei and there is a listing for both a blue and a mustard colorway:

Taipei in Multi on Turquoise

Taipei in Multi on Ming Yellow

I love a good crisp cotton chintz...my dining room drapes are a gorgeous glazed chintz so they have a subtle sheen and it's one of my all-time favorite fabrics. Not sure if these fabrics have the same appearance but I'm sure they are stunning in person. And $30/yd for a Scalamandre Chinoiserie fabric? Not bad at all.

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Friday Crush

Photo by Jim Franco, Styling by Lydia Degaris Pursell, via Southern Living

So technically this is a holiday table from Southern Living's December 2012 issue...but I think it's perfect for any winter soiree. Removal of the star confetti leaves a beautiful palette of blush pink and vibrant mint paired with gold flatware, a scalloped dinner plate and monogrammed linens. Sign me up! So feminine and beautiful...perhaps for a winter bridal luncheon? 

Have a fantastic winter weekend...see you Monday!

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Our Girl

Thought you might like to see how our little nugget is blossoming...

Ana Claire is 8 weeks today! Can you believe it? She's a dream and is growing and changing every day. I'm a proud mama.

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Josef Frank Exhibit in DC

Do you love the textile designs of Josef Frank? Bold color, whimsical patterns and Swedish Modern style are all hallmarks of his work.

Photo from Svenkst Tenn via here

Sofa photo from Anthropologie via here

 Home of Lisa Grue via Design*Sponge

Photo by Julian Wass, Design by David Netto via House Beautiful

 Photo via apartmenttherapy.com

 Photo via here

If you're a fan and you live in DC, the Swedish Embassy is hosting an exhibition of his work from February 19 - March 17. The exhibition is titled "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank":

"Designer and architect Josef Frank, 1885-1967, was a leading pioneer in modern Swedish design. He left behind more than 200 textile and 2000 furniture designs, which he donated to the interior decoration and design firm Svenskt Tenn in honor of three decades of long and fruitful collaboration between him and its founder, Estrid Ericson. Josef Frank is famous for creating the interior design philosophy that became known as "Swedish Modern" in the late 1930s and is current to this day.
As an interior designer, Frank was a firm believer in the importance of both comfort and whimsy. He eschewed the radical minimalism of Bauhaus furniture in favor of curves and color, saying in a lecture, “No hard corners: humans are soft and shapes should be too.”
A selection of textile and furniture designs of Josef Frank is displayed in the exhibition "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank". The exhibition is supported by Svenskt Tenn, which have lent all objects on display."

If you've ever walked into an IKEA, you've seen the influence of Josef Frank on design. Definitely seems like a cool event to check out if you are local!

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Catalog Pick: Grayson Rocker

Though a neutral nursery isn't quite my style, I've seen so many uber-chic versions out there. Dreamy nurseries done in ivories, golds, silvers and lots of fun texture to elevate the design. I know you've seen the type on Pinterest.

The latest Grandin Road catalog hit my mailbox and I fell in super love with their Grayson Rocker that would be at home with that aesthetic:

I love the silhouette and the tufting and it looks like it would be pretty comfy for book-reading and bottle-drinking. The lines of the piece are whimsical for a child's space but the color tone keeps the chair sophisticated (which points out the obvious that this chair would look good in any space).

And it's price point is pretty spot-on. It's $500...nothing to sneeze at but have you priced rockers/gliders? They are cooky expensive. And Grandin Road loves to flood your inbox with a zillion discounts all the time so your chance of paying full price for the chair is quite low. Now, I haven't seen it so can't attest to quality but going on looks, it's a winner.

And if you own a money tree, you could also paint it and get it reupholstered to suit your needs - it's shape is unique enough that that could perhaps be worth it.

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Friday Crush

Image via Chinoiserie Chic...anyone know source?

I've slowly been catching up on my blogs and this image I saw on Chinoiserie Chic made me nuts...that wallpaper!!! Holy moly. Partnered with that lovely Klismos chair...incredible. Being off the internets, it's been a while since I've had that butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling that I get when I see images like this. Feels good...

And did you see this post on fireplaces from Beth? I mean, every gorgeous fireplace imaginable is represented. They all have a Chinoiserie flair but there is something for everyone in this mix. Love it.

Happy weekend...see you Monday (or Tuesday...or Wednesday....)!

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