Happy Halloween!

A few inspiring images from Good Housekeeping to start off a spooktacular weekend!!!

Bejewelled

As the weather has slowly been getting cooler, I have become more and more drawn to warm, GORGEOUS jewel tones.  These wool acorns I blogged about a few weeks ago really sealed the deal on my recent jewel tone love affair!

{Etsy}

While I love all of the below rooms, I'm not quite sure if I am bold enough to try something similar in my own home.  ALTHOUGH, I would definitely bejewel a little girls room. This Jonathan Adler bedroom is absolutely adorable, and pretty much perfect for a creative and hyper little diva named Rael (my daughter!).

{Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor}

 {Cottage Living}

 {Muriel Brandolini}

{Unknown/Domino?}

{Decorpad}

MEANINGful Monday: Fauteuil

Fauteuil:

A French OPEN-ARMED salon chair with an upholstered, or caned, back originating in the mid 18th century. Not to be confused with the French bergere. {Green velvet fauteuil}

Luxury Linens

My husband and I recently took a little breather at the Cabo Azul Resort, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to enjoy some quiet time before the baby's arrival. I think one of the things I appreciated most about staying at a lovely resort were 1)the luxurious bed linens and 2)the fact that they get changed daily! There is nothing like getting into a freshly laundered, silky-smooth set of sheets and drifting off to never-never land.

Which brings me to sharing some price comparisons that I recently did while shopping for fine bedroom linens for a client *note, I said client, not self, (i wish). The prices included the following items:

-1 King Duvet

-2 King Case

-2 King Shams

-1 Cal King Fitted Sheet

-1 King Flat Sheet

First, there was Matouk to consider, a company well known for their high quality, elegant bedroom linens woven in Italy. I priced out the the above list using the Lowell, 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets woven in Italy. The total for the package came to $1,597.00. Wow, pricey(!), but definitely a tried and true product.

The 2nd company that I shopped was Serena and Lily. I'm not familiar with the quality of these sheets and will admit, with embarrassment, that I am considering the Kardashian sisters endorsement of them (they use these linens on their show) as my credible source. Yes there is a lot of drama and showbiz-y stuff about their show, but as 1 of 3 sisters myself, those girls seem like the real deal to me. This time, I priced out my list using the 300 thread count, 100% cotton sateen Bark Gobi Embroidered collection. Since there were no king shams available, I subbed in 3 Bark Border Euro Shams instead. The total for this package came to $824.00

The last bedding line that I considered was the 210 thread count percale, 100% Egyptian cotton linens from Restoration Hardware. The combined total for this bedding set came to $735.00. In addition to liking the value of the set, I also liked the color variety available and the placement of the stripe. (I'm not a huge fan of the stripe running along the outer edge on the Serena & Lily set).

After visiting my local RH and feeling the sheets, I decided that this was the set I wanted to recommend to my clients.

I would love to hear about your favorite sheets. I've recently been reading a lot about the "Pure Beech" 100% cotton sateen sheet sets exclusive to Bed, Bath and Beyond. I think I will go check these out too for a future comparison that I will call higher quality or higher price!

Happy weekend.

GEORGE Projects: 28th Street Reveal

Remember our previous posts, here & here, about our 28th Street project? Well, yesterday, despite the 3rd consecutive day of SoCal rain, we got to watch the carefully planned room unfold at last!

To refresh your memory, here is a digital rendering of the room as we conceived it, along with a few of the chosen furnishings.

One of our clients biggest needs was to pick up more seating in the space available and to make the space feel more cohesive with the rest of the home (which is just lovely in every way). The existing furniture was cleared out and the floors were refinished in a gorgeous matte oil-based finish by Dutko Hardwood flooring:

Beautiful draperies went up to frame the new center...

...and shortly thereafter, furniture was carefully unloaded and positioned just so according to plan!

{Emily primping & Saara snapping}

It was such a great day watching everything come together. There are a few finishing touches yet to come, but otherwise, c'est fini!

Our clients were a complete dream to work with and were wonderful, proactive partners in every way. We hope that they will thoroughly enjoy their new living room and that it sets the stage for wonderful memories with family and friends for years to come!

And here we are, two happy designers (loving the custom, down-fill custom wedge sectional) who FINALLY remembered to get a photo taken together!

For more information about our design work or any of the furnishings you see in this room, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail. Thanks for visiting!

MEANINGful Monday: French Ivory

French Ivory:

A synthetic ivory made of plastic that was created by the British Xylonite Company in 1866. Also referred to as Celluloid, Ivoride, Ivorine, Ivorite and Pyralin. {Martha's French Ivory collection}

Backless Sectionals, Yes or No?

 We've been running into images of sectionals with backless sections lately and have to ask if they appeal to you? Most of the time a client requests, or we suggest, a sectional sofa it is purely for function - LOTS OF SEATING! (Ok, or a man designing his man cave where bigger is always better. hehe) So, what gives?! Would you choose to add a massive sectional to your home, and then turn around and choose one that doesn't provide maximum space for cozy snuggles and movie-watching goodness?

I do like this room, and don't mind the sectional in here, but I'm not sure what that corner unit is good for other than perhaps keeping a nice and open line of sight into the seating area...

 {via Elle Decor}

I would hate to be the person stuck sitting without a back on this sectional, unless I was looking to work my core muscles...

{via Unknown}

So, what are you thoughts? Backless sectionals, in your opinion are they are YES or NO?

{via Crate & Barrel}

{via HitDecors}

{via Jensen-Lewis}

Fall Wish List

So it is FINALLY getting a little cooler outside (except for the odd 90-degree day that I am not all that happy about!) and the great Southern Californian outdoors are starting to show some signs of autumn. I've been dreaming about the days of no air conditioning, crisp morning walks and all things cozy. And that brings me to my wish list for this season....

These felted wool acorns I found on Etsy are so beautiful and would look great displayed on any coffee or entry table. I love the amazing colors!

I've had my eye on Michael Aram's pomegranate salt & pepper shakers for a couple of years now and think 2010 may be the year to act on my feelings. They would look great on any fall table scape...

I'm hoping to get baking a little more this season and a new Anthropologie apron would keep me clean and stylish...

I am looking forward to hiking and picnicing with my husband and daughter in the near future, and this Marimekko picnic blanket would be perfect with its warm colors and leaf motif...

And to wrap up my day, I love a comforting cup of tea and am always happy to add to my white teapot collection - I'll take one of Wedgewood's Intaglio pots please!

What's on your autumn wish list?

MEANINGful Monday: Cabriole Leg

Cabriole leg:

An elongated S-shaped furniture leg first made popular in late 18th century Europe, where the upper arc is convex (bows outward) and the lower is concave (bows inward). {Bernhardt Martha Stewart cabriole leg settee}

Saturday Special

This summer was so busy with weddings, bachelorette parties and work taking me all over the country. I wanted to feature a couple of amazing stores that I shopped while away from home...

Like HUZZA in Harbor Springs, MI....

While in northern Michigan recently, for a dear friend's wedding, I walked into HUZZA on Main Street. This place calls itself a lifestyle store and it's mission is to offer customers the very best shopping experience. I don't tend to spend much time on fashion (since any money I do have goes towards my furniture fetish!) but if I had the cash, I would buy an entire wardrobe from this place. But on to more important matters, the furnishings...


Just beautiful pieces like this ivory lacquer and gold trim bar cart, above, which is just beyond stylish and makes you want to have a bar cart even if you never did before.... Or this shagreen (are you taking vocab notes from our MEANINGful Mondays blogs!) dresser below. I think it is accessorized perfectly and I love the fiddle fig plant in the seagrass basket planter. The

Another amazing store is AERO in New York City...

Absolutely gorgeous, unique furnishings, one of a kind pillows, luxe fabrics, rugs and beautiful accessories that I'd absolutely love to own.


I am usually kind of focused when I'm working so sadly I only have photos of these rattan baskets (Thomas O'Brien apparently loves using the baskets for his projects so they rarely go on sale) but if you are looking for a particular shape/size... this store is for you!

And lastly for today is DAVID STYPMANN also in New York City...

This vintage/antique store is located at 190 Sixth Ave, on the corner of Sixth and Vandam. It was literally a treasure chest of cool vintage finds from New England to New Delhi... awesome oil paintings, lamps and accessories for less-than-expected NYC prices. A great spot for interior designers looking for a cool find or the savvy shopper. The store next door, JOEL J. MATHIESON is a great stop for vintage oil paintings too!


Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by.