instantly hooked.

i needed something really beautiful for inspiration on this grey day so i (naturally) popped onto anthro.  they did not disappoint.  but i can't be too frivolous with my time (blog hopping), preschool is only 3 hours, and so i have to spend time wisely too, aka: shopping.

i am in need of a few hooks for our the legions of jackets, hoodies and totes.  as i scrolled down the page, my heart stopped, eyes widened and i frantically clicked to open a larger picture.  yes.  we have a winner.

Raw Zeolite Hook

how truly pretty it is had my mind in a tizzy: all of the places i need something to hang coats, towels, keys, tote bags for school....
but no.  its not just an anywhere thing.
i think less is more in the case of this particular piece; too many will take away how special it is. 

my mind was still racing of places to hang this little beauty.  and of course, a little jewel box of a powder room would be perfection!  or anywhere that needs demands a dash of gorgeous. 

then i looked at the price.  ouch. 

back to reality. 

i am now considering either of these for the entry - a few of each to make our "stuff" look pretty:

Antler Melody Hook, Rod

Whirled Metal Hook

i see the antler melody hook (1s of 2) on really richly colored walls or on wood panels that have been lime washed.  and the whirled metal would be really gorgeous on a soft pink wall, or a really creamy white but equally right on a chalky grey.  or anywhere really. 

all available at Anthropologie.com

romance is not dead

i thoroughly enjoy frilly.  here are some images that spoke me this week....  pure romance. 

kinda obsessed with this wallpaper

images gypsypurplehome.tumblr / tumblr / eventfullyash.tumblr / ivillage / google image via pinterest / magdalenany.blogspot / ariannabelle.com / brabournefarm.blogspot / justbesplendid.tumblr

come on in

i am a design schizophrenic.  this would be why its possible for someone who considers herself so good at making decisions, when it comes to my own home, i sometimes have a hard time.  i can like so many different styles - all it takes is for it all to come together beautifully.... right scale, right color combinations (meaning, value, hue, tone), mix of furniture....  here are some favorite entryways, of all styles.

elle decor

alifesdesign.blogpost

decorpad.com

bhg.com

housebeautiful.com

elle decor

designers.elledecor.com

martha stewart

crushculdesac.tumblr.com

via pinterest

there are more too, everday, i am adding to this list...  drawing on some inspiration on this sunny day to get our entryway in order....  that's why ADHD is so great - there are for sure much more fun things to do...

i love getting sidetracked.

art under foot

saw these wood tiles and instantly fell in love.  oh the possibilities!  visions of foyers and powder rooms came to mind, and then flipping the channels today, i stopped on Candice Olson Tells All on HGTV and decided to watch (my almost 3 year old understudy was sitting nicely on the sofa...osmosis works, right).

well, Candice used them.  on a wall.  above a fireplace.  brilliant effect.

here, in all their glory are these stunning prefinished tiles:

Sextant pattern from the Jamie Beckwith Collection

and here's how Candice so brilliantly used them:

HGTV"S Candice Olson Tells All

ohmygoodness they are so pretty!  i love the texture and the colors, how the light shows off the pattern and yes it helps Candice worked some of her magic on the mantel and surroundings, but they really are a a showstopper.

others by the Jamie Beckwith Collection are just as beautiful...

jigsaw

imagine how fun jigsaw could be in a kids room or playroom?!

jacks

pisces

i don't know where to stop - there are so many!  lotus is just amazing!  and i want to show you all the best of the best, but my computer is not allowing me to do so at this minute, so pop over to the site and peruse at your leisure.  but don't miss it!

shining bright

flambeau lighting. 

new orleans based designers and arisans create these unique lights.

artsy, whimsical, ecclectic and a bit eccentric.  and seriously styling.  lots of details and so very well done.  i love these and go straight to flambeau whenever i need a spot of glamour or a standout piece.

south beach floor lamp

audobon  II sconce 1 arm

mary francis lantern

noel sconce

simone sconce 1 light

jewel pendant

anemone II pendant small

nettle luxe silver table lamp (also comes as a floor lamp - fantastic!)

pome table lamp

south beach pendant

diego chandelier

sweet olive chandelier 6 arm.

these beauties are avaliable through select retailers or through the trade (contact me for pricing).  and do be sure to stop by thier site http://www.flambeaulighting.com/ and like them on facebook. 

all about it

perfection.  need i say more?

houzz.com

washed out & wonderful

its no secret i am color obsessed.  patterns, colors, layers of both, i can't get enough.  so today, i thought it might be fun to switch gears. 

here are some of my favorite neutral spaces - and what makes them so great, in my opinion, is the use of patterns, however subtle, lush textures, a sense of warmth, and beautiful details....

freshomeideas.com

vai pinterest.com

via prettystuff.tumblr.com

valencia house via planete-deco.fr

Phoebe Howard

via home-shabby-home.blogspot.com

and my very favorite saved for last...  this is how i dream of neutral....

via pinterest

soft layers of color washed in with warm tones.  there's still pattern, and so many wonderful layers of metal, wood, tiles, textiles.  i am so in love with this!  you can follow my board on pinterest "how i dream of neutral" for more inspiration.

p.s.  here is a sample of a living room board i put together - just the fabrics.

brown & white geometric woven (betwixt by celerie kemble) would be a pillow on the blue, beige and cream print by schumacher.  the white embroidered linen (top) would be drapes and a small pillow.  animal woven and ikat, both pillows on the (bottom left) sofa - a highly textured, white & sand colored sofa.

luxury is a bespoke chandelier

a few website obsessions ago (current is Pinterest) i made a board on polyvore and used a really beautiful chandelier.  today after some random clicking, i came across it.  i love it just as much now as i did then.

Bespoke Chanel Silk Scarf Chandelier

by Suzan Fe

what I didn't know then, but do now are the details of this pretty pretty chandelier or its whooping price tag of $9,200 (true it is listed but i never really paid attention to that part of the site, the real draw was designing the sets).

       "Gracefully draped with genuine pearls and gold-plated vintage beads and chain, this gold-plated three-armed chandelier glows with a modern, regal opulence. Its distinctive shade, made from an authentic vintage Chanel silk scarf, is truly one-of-a-kind. Hanging chain attaches to a gold-plated ceiling plate."   Vivre description - be sure to check them out - beautifully curated site!

and here is my design on polyvore using this chandelier: