Destiny Womack Painting: My Blue Paradise

I bought this within 6 minutes of laying eyes on it - sadly I kid you not. I've been looking for something to anchor the big blank wall in my living room - and I think I found it. 

The artist is Destiny Womack, and you can find the rest of her work for sale on Esty. She has captured the dream-y quality that I'm always so drawn to p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y. The piece portray's a moment of passion  and movement captured on canvas. The way the colors bleed together gives it a slightly reckless quality that is at once balanced by the restraint of a monochromatic palette. Dichotomy at it's best. I fell madly in love with several other pieces, but will alas have to wait until I live in a home with more walls to indulge.  

I was actually pleasantly surprised to find that Destiny's art was affordably priced. It's so refreshing when you come across gorgeous original art that is accessible. 

I discovered this artist through Laura's fabulous blog The DAYLIGHT. 

Ooh La La: Super Model Coco Rocha's NY Apartment in Vogue

Vogue has a brand new feature called "APT with LSD". The fabulous and ever chic Lauren Santo Domingo people, not the drug :) I've included their description below, and the apartment is definitely worth a look!

In our new feature, “APT with LSD,” Lauren Santo Domingo gets an inside look at the homes and apartments of some of Vogue’s favorite people—from models to designers, actors, stylists, artists, and more.  First up: the Gramercy Park, Manhattan, apartment of model Coco Rocha and her husband, the artist James Conran, which Rocha purchased three years ago. “My mom fixed up houses my whole life. I spent so much time helping her paint walls and build cabinets and things,” says Rocha with a laugh. “So, when I got my first place, the first thing I did was hire an interior decorator because I didn't want to have to do it myself again. I thought I deserved it.” Walking through the two-bedroom apartment, you find each room filled with books, bottles, pictures, and souvenirs. “Every spot in this house has a story,” she says. “And James remembers everything, so he can tell you what is behind each and every item.

If you like what you see you can start taking advantage of Vogue's new Lightbox feature which makes it easy to save and organize your favorite images and features. 

I'm a fan. 

Bookworm: NEW Issue of Lonny Magazine!

Happy Birthday to Lonny Mag! The digital darlings are celebrating their one-year anniversary, and the new issue is available now!

The issue features the Los Angeles home of Fabric Designer Lulu Dekwiatkowski. If you'd like to check out her NY Apartment you can find it here. 

LOVE.

Ooh La La: The Robin Cosgrove Alhambra Rug Collection

Be still my heart. Not since I first laid eyes on the work of Madeline Winerib have I been so enraptured by the beauty of a rug. Jewel tones, Graphic Patters, and Exotic Inspiration....OH my.   These rugs are from the Alhambra Collection by Robyn  Cosgrove. 

"Inspired by a trip to the Alhambra in southern spain, Robyn Cosgrove has completed a stunning new collection that both pays tribute and reinterprets the subtly oriental geometric designs used in the Alhambra's moorish palaces for contemporary interior design. Robyn Cosgrove Rugs Alhambra collection evokes a sense of beauty in order and unity, fusing mathematical precision with a pleasing aesthetic to delight delight and invigorate the senses"

Mathematical Precision + A Pleasing Aesthetic = :)

Bookworm: NEW Online Decor Magazine Adore!

Well kiddos, there's a new online decor magazine on the block. Hoo-ra. 

It's called adore, and it hails from Australia. I've included a description below, and a couple of teaser pics. 

Special thanks to the ever fabulous Table Tonic for breaking the news first!

Welcome to Adore Home magazine, a new Australian home and lifestyle magazine available exclusively online. Founded and created by designer Loni Parker, Adore Home invites you into inspirational homes, looks at the latest products on the market and whisks you away to gorgeous holiday destinations. Our launch issue kicks off with a Spring theme which is sure to inspire and excite you this season.

Adore Home's mission is to bring you beautiful homes from across the globe, tips and design advice from interior experts, as well as easy online access to the latest home treasures. Our magazine makes design resources and products just a click away.

The All Might-Y Emerson Made Un Gloom Bloom

Brilliant.

The perfect balance between acknowledging that things have gone awry, and reassuring a friend that things will get better. As they always do. 

Emerson Made is one of my favorite designers ever.  You can check out her gorgeous handmade flowers, clothing, and accessories on her website. 

Fresh Prince: An Alphabetic Ode to Helvetica

 

Once upon a time I moved in with a young Graphic Designer who became one of my closest friends. One of the first things she taught me as a mere un-design-y mortal was that Helevetica (yes people, it's a font) was the bee's knees. Literally all of the cool kids know this - and now so do you. 

You're welcome. 

When I came across this print from the oh so delectable Etsy Shop of ModernPop  I couldn't help but think of Nivi and smile. I'll probably NERD it up and get her this for her birthday but....oh crap! She reads my blog :)

Bookworm: The Hermes Scarf History & Mystique

Okay, yes - just because it's pretty.  I don't actually own this lovely little tome, but I do think it would make a wonderful coffee table book. It's a little spendy (it is Hermes after all), but you can have your very own copy for $60.

Amazon Description

 A sumptuous selection of Hermès scarves chosen from seven decades of creative innovation. The Hermès scarf is a style icon. Worn by royalty and celebrities, coveted and admired, and now avidly collected, this deceptively simple square of silk is much more than just a fashion accessory: it is the stuff of legend.

Since the first scarf made its debut in 1937, the House of Hermès has produced more than two thousand different designs. From the classic scarves that embody the Hermès tradition to the wildly imaginative stylings of contemporary designers, the House is always forging new paths and yet is never afraid to take a fresh and often witty approach to its own heritage.

A scarf is not the work of a single individual; at each stage of its creation, talent and craftsmanship combine to create a work of art. These qualities shine through in the illustrations, by turns playful and poetic, which lead the reader into a richly colored world with a multitude of motifs. They range from the equestrian themes that are internationally associated with the Hermès brand, through French history and the natural world, to global cultures. From vibrant opulence to subtle harmony, every scarf conveys a mood and every one tells a story. 292 color photographs and illustrations

About the Author

Nadine Coleno is a French author and editor whose books include works on fashion, jewelry, contemporary art, and architecture. 

 The Hermes Scarf: History & Mystique

Bookworm: Rue Magazine Day!

After, ahem....many sneak peek's, and a very long - wait rue magazine is finally here! I've included the nuggets they teased us with below. And you can check out the debut issue of the new online magazine here. 

In case you need a little background, rue magazine is the second major digital magazine focused on interior design to launch, and it will serve as direct competition to the beloved Lonny. 

Rue Magazine Cover PREVIEW

Bookworm: The Debut of Anthology Magazine!

I have to say - that as much as I heart all of the new digital magazines, I am tickled to be sharing a new print magazine with you! Meet: Anthology, a new magazine about living with substance and style.  The founders created it with a goal of being "a new shelter and lifestyle print magazine that takes a narrative approach to its coverage of home décor, travel, design, entertaining, and culture." Well that's just swell. You can sign up for a subscription of 1 issue or 4 here.

I've included a sneak peak below!

Lulu deKwiatkowski's Gorgeous New York Apartment

This apartment hurts my eyes.  It is GORGEOUS, and although I would expect nothing less from Lulu dekwiatkowski who started and helms the creative vision for Lulu DK fabrics, it is a wonderful piece of work in it's own right.

There is just so much to swoon over in these pictures...the chocolate brown nook speaks for itself, the foyer oozes warmth and movement, and the keyhole architectural detail is just so perfectly Moroccan.

I have to say that I'm surprised that she would be willing to part with this masterpiece - and if I had a extra $1.9M laying around, I'd certainly be happy to take it off her hands. 

If you're not familiar with her work, please check out her book Lulu.  I'm nothing short of obsessed.

 

It's dreamy, colorful, and exquisitely curated.

Kudos indeed.

And if you're anything like me and you just can't get enough of Lulu, then check out her blog Trail of Inspiration.

Glow baby glow...

This is what my day felt like yesterday. It started just like any other, and then something unexpected happened. And from that point on the rest of the day was sunny and full of possibility. These pictures were taken in California, in my grandmother's incredible garden. I love their soft, sunny, and ephemeral perfection.  For me, these pictures capture that feeling. The moment.

It's funny how an unexpected surprise is so much sweeter...

New HGTV Design Star: Emily Henderson's Portfolio

It's official folks Emily Henderson is HGTV's newest Design Star.  Her new show Secrets of a Sylist will premier in one week.  The concept of the show centers around her ability to take a clients personal fashion style and translate that into a lifestyle for their home. I will definitely be tuning in, and I'm curious to see her in action sans competitive element. So far I love her STYLE.  She loves vintage, color, intersting plants, and "making things pretty" so she's a girl after my own heart.

I've included some lovely moments from her portfolio above, and if you would like to see more of Emily's work you can check out her blog at The Brass Petal.

The Dealio: New Private Sale site for Home: Eziba

This just in folks Overstock.com (already beloved for gorgeous home decor items on the cheap) has jumped on the band wagon of Private Sale Sites.  This niche has been rather robustly filled by companies selling clothing and accessories - Gilt, Rue La La, and Hautelook just to name a few...but there has been very little competition on the home side. In fact One Kings Lane was the only major site until now.   Dubbed Eziba.com, the site will feature exclusive deals on the home decor products from major brands, AND will still offer Overstock's famous $2.95 Shipping! Saaaaweet.

I spidey sense that this site will be very popular with all who love Decor. What can I say, it's just a hunch :)

If you're already an Overstock.com customer you can use your existing Login and Password, and if not you should sign up post haste right here. 

Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2010

Lovely indeed.   
Nicely done Pantone.  I of course particularily heart the Golden Glow, Living Coral, Purple Orchid, Lagoon, and Woodbine. 
Cheers to COLOR.

Pretty Desktop Background

They're lovely aren't they?

A nice desktop background can really pull together your desk area and it's the easiest way to give your space a new look instantly.  I've found that when searching for backgrounds (if you're not using your own photo's which is the BEST!) it can be helpful to search using queries that include the word "Mac" even if you're not using one.  They tend to be really high quality. This particular one can be found on MacDesktops.com in the flower blossoms category.

I've Gotta Feeling....

It's completely unnecessary to offer any description whatsoever as to why I love this print as much as I do. Now if only I could remember where I saw it, so that I could purchase it. Oh and give credit to the lovely artist :)

I'll never get sick of the song. Every time I'm headed into an evening where there's a chance that my life could change I play THIS song.  For me it epitomizes that boundless - almost reckless feeling of giddy hope that is so rare...

So the next time you feel that way, open your sunroof, turn it way up, and SING ALONG.

Muse: Prints by Simply Hue

These prints are divine. They come from an Etsy Shop called Simply Hue (I even adore the name).  The artist behind the photographs describles herself as being Full of Wonder - a quality which is beautifully conveyed through her work.  These  photo's in particular give me the same feeling that a lazy sunny summer afternoon does.  Colors are bright, worries are few, and the world slows down for a bit.

The Dealio: Sweet Coastal Living Subscription Deal

Right now you can get a 10 Issue Annual Subscription to Coastal Living Magazine for just $8! This is such a steal! (Just be sure to pay right away to get the $2 discount)

Surf Boards + Madeline Weinrib Rugs = : )

Domino Magazine 2005 Covers Round Up

As most of you know, I've started collecting back issues of the late great Domino Magazine. Conde Nast shuttered the magazine in 2009 much to the dismay of avid readers everywhere. As I started my quest to collect them all I was frustrated to discover that there wasn't a single repository for Covers to reference.  There were 36 issues total, BUT it can be confusing because there were certain issues that covered more than one month (for example a December/January issue) This made it difficult to even identify which issues to pursue on eBay.  So I decided to create a repository, which I will be posting here as I round them all up.  Some of the issues are very difficult to find a high quality digital copy for the cover, so if you have one...please send it my way! I've also started aggregating them all on a board over at Pinterest if you'd like to follow.

1. Domino Magazine Spring/Summer Premier Issue: Featuring Ruthie Sommers

2. Domino Magazine September 2005 Issue: Featuring Ione Sky

3. Domino Magazine October 2005 Issue: Featuring ?

4. Domino Magazine November 2005: Featuring Texas Graphic Designer Ashley Edwards

5. Domino Magazine December 2005: Featuring Laura Yaggy of Lorely Furniture

Happy Lonny Magazine Day!

www.LonnyMag.com

10 Indispensible Tools that Every Budding Project-Ista Needs

1. Ikea Tool Set: This is indispensable.  Quite simply the most useful $7.99 that you will ever spend.  It includes a Hammer, Full Screwdriver Set, Wrench, Pliers, Allen Screws, and an Awl.  Yes people, an awl. And if you're not already sold - it comes in a delightfully Hermes Orange Case.

2. Safco Stow Away Dolly: This bad boy will save your back, and empower you to move things on your own.  I like this model in particular because it has a base that is solid (as opposed to the ones that just have wood on either side) and it has a handy rope to tow the whole thing when you need that functionality (without the cumbersome handle to store) Random Craigslist finds, Giant Plants, and Groceries...you have all met your match.

3. Paint Can Opener: Yes you could use a screwdriver and continue to bend your paint cans.  Or you could invest 99 Cents for this little guy.  I would keep it in your Ikea Tool Set.

4. Tape Measure: Nuff' Said.

5. Level: Accuracy rocks, take the time.

6. Maglite Flash Light: You'll use it I promise, and who could resist that gorgeous Azure Blue?! Buy one to keep in your car too...

7. Door Stop: Yes it can be argued that this isn't a tool, but it's very useful if you're carrying a bunch of stuff in from your car.

8. 3M Mounting Tape: As much as I'm sure you all LOVE finding the stud and making holes in your wall, this stuff is brilliant. Bow down to it's greatness.

9. Spray Paint: Don't like the color? Want to glam it up? Spray paint is a girl's best friend. 

10.  YOU.  Yup, and I'm not calling you a tool to be clever...although that would be quite clever indeed ;) I just wanted to make the point that YOU are your own greatest asset.  So don't ever let physical tools limit your creativity! It always amazes me what people can put together with a pair of hands and some good old fashioned determination. 

 Don't you feel empowered just reading the list?! Go forth and conquer ladies...

Me & You

Lonny Magazine September/August Cover Preview!

Mid Century Tropical Bamboo Folding Screen

Swoooon.  I found the perfect Mid Century Bamboo Folding Screen for the Balcony over the weekend on Craigslist.  I set it up last night and it frames out the area with the Papasan chair beautifully.  As a renter this was one of my only options to introduce a nice pop of color without making any holes in the stucco.

The color was described as being "Speckled Chartreuse"...which turned out to be an eloquent description for a badly executed and weathered paint job. I'm thinking about re-painting it, but alas all in due time. 

For now it's pitch perfect.

Color Me Purple? Uh huh, uh huh....

I've decided that I need to take more leaps of faith lately. And so I go boldy forth into LAVENDER.   I'm going to paint my office nook Benjamin Moore Spring Lilac, good ol' number 1388. Executive decision. Yup. Those who know me well understand how extraordinarily difficult it is for me to commit to a Paint Color. Just Breathe.

I decided on this color because I was looking for something warm, playful, bold, and complementary to both the Graphic Poster and existing Blue Paint in the space. I've included my inspiration board for the color choice above.  

Here goes nothing... 

And yes, Pharell...that is all.

Graphic Fantastic: Hitomi Kimura Hand Screenprinted Fabric

There's really not much to say here.  

Graphic? Check. 

Hand Printed? Check. 

Water Based Inks? Check.

Totally Gorgeous?! Check.

Her name is Hitomi Kimura, and I've included her Etsy Shop Profile below.  The pillows are my favorite, but be sure to check out the rest of her stuff here.

Welcome to my shop of original fabrics! 

All the printed fabrics in this shop are designed and hand printed with water-based inks by Japan based designer Hitomi Kimura.

Website:
http://kalladesign.com/

Blog: http://kalladesign.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well I have officially been 26 for exactly 11 minutes now...and I've decided to use my time wisely.  I have been pondering what I could get myself to celebrate this Birthday, and all of a sudden it came to me...the Complete Collection of Domino Magazine.  Of course.  Egads! It was so obvious!  

Favorite magazine of all time? Domino. 

Number ONE jealousy inducing reference when reading decor blogs? A Domino Collection.

Reason to be completely obsessed with Lonny because it's the same people? DOMINO.

So while it won't be easy to amass the entire collection of 36 Glorious issues...I begin my journey today.  

May the force be with me...

<3 <3 <3