Winter White Wow

Toronto designer Colleen McGill really knocked it out of the park with this design featured in Style At Home! I love the simple Christmas decor set up in this space (it is a holiday issue after all), but it's the clean, winter white palette that is most dreamy. Perhaps it's more impressive to me than the regular person, as the momma to a 20-month old who hasn't seen a space so clean - and white! - in months. Twenty to be exact! 

Anyhow! I would love to live in a space just like this one, once my babies have all grown up. It is the most perfect mix of traditional architectural details and modern furnishings - a recipe I can't get enough of.

{I'm having a love-fest with this design so I'll just point out what makes my heart pitter-patter...}

love the full mirror behind the console, love the lucite console, love the modern ceiling fixture

love the window treatment hardware, love the tree

love the swanky sconces, love the warm wood floor, love the white walls with moulding

LOVE the elliptical chandelier, love the linen rug

love the bowl o' bulbs!

{All images via Style At Home}

I'm hoping to share the festive touches in my home later this week, so long as the little diva gives me a minute to take some photos! ;)

GEORGE Projects: 28th Street

We want to share another project that we've been working on over the last month! Our clients are a great Hermosa Beach couple who are looking to update their main living space...

They were looking to lighten and brighten the space, and keep the room feeling beach casual - after all, they are just steps from the sand! In addition, this room is used frequently for book club gatherings and hanging out with visiting grandchildren, and thus the primary concern for this space was seating. With a large, built-in media cabinet taking up one whole corner, three doorways and three windows, meeting their seating requirement for six to eight was going to take some good planning - especially because they were hoping not to include the isolated window bench as seating. Lastly, wall color and art were to stay.

Emily found this gorgeous, beachy linen from Raoul Textiles, (Miramar in Persimmon), and that was where we started. We love how the pale yellow ties perfectly with the existing wall color and how the persimmon blends well with the wood finish color which is so prominent in the room. Also, while this pattern does feature sand dollars and shells, the beach motifs are subtle and sophisticated...

{By changing this room's color scheme from a complimentary scheme to an analogous scheme, we're making the room have more continuity with the architectural finishes of the house.}

We got busy and here's an image from our presentation...

And the finished floor plan...

The custom wedge sectional sofa provides ample seating for five, the upholstered side chair brings us up to six (the number required for family gatherings), and the two custom ottomans can be pushed in front of the media cabinet when the book club commences. Yay, we made it to eight!

Once all of the furniture components have been finalized by our clients we will reveal them and their sources, and of course, we can't wait to show you the finished before and after!

Lonny Reminder...

The newest issue of Lonny magazine is out, and it is goooo-od! Grab your beverage of choice and click through some fabulous pages...

I really enjoyed this issue - I was inspired by the large article on the 16 YEAR OLD designer whiz-kid, all the upholstered headboard photos, and this page...

Have you heard of this Decorator Tag Sale website? How cool?! I checked it out, and there are so many fun items for sale. I'm definitely adding this to my list of shopping resources! I need a new coffee table and wouldn't mind giving that Hermes tray table a new home. :)

Kiddo Kool

Guess who this adorable kids room was designed for...

This stylish brood...

{ps. for those to-be-mommas out there, chris martin is pushing my exact stroller (bugaboo dark grey chameleon), and it is AMAZING! }

Gwyneth Palthrow is my favorite female celebrity. She is beautiful, has great taste, an adorable family, and the best part, she deals with being in the public eye with grace and humility. I always love to watch her do interviews and check out her outfits!

If you like her too, you should definitely read her blog/website GOOP. It's all about Gwyneth's favorite things - food, shopping, trends, kids books, traveling, etc, etc, etc.

Check out some pictures from GOOP's most recent newsletter of the amazing loft that was created for Paltrow and her family in Nashville - IN 10 DAYS!

You should really read the whole article and see all the pictures. Designer Annette Joseph gives great details on how she created this space with such a time crunch, and sources just about everything. A very fun read!

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Don't forget to enter our $60 CSN giveaway!

I've Fallen Hard...

...for this coffee table!

I have never seen another table so gorgeous! The brass bamboo-styled frame is really to die for - I love the shape of the top and lower shelf and how the legs flare out ever so slightly. Why oh why is it way out of my price range?! This is the type of thing that makes me wish I could jump a few years ahead to when I will (though probably still only in my dreams!) be able to spend thousands on a table.

Anyway, I have been hunting for a new coffee table and have not been finding what I want, in my price range. I need some help! Here's another beauty from 1st Dibs...

I'm hoping for a brass, faux bamboo style table. Something like the first photo, or even a set of nesting tables like this image from Lonny (but brass!)...

Nesting tables would be a perfect choice because I can arrange them to fit my teeny apartment now, and they are easily manipulated to become a suitable size for my future house - three piece coffee table, two piece coffee table and end table, etc. I found the below version at Cyan Design, which is much brassier in person, but they look like they could be a bit tippy and so I am still not 100% sold...

While searching I found an old blog post by Mrs. Limestone (who I read everyday and love) about her search for a similar style table. First up, this French-inspired goodie from Drexel Heritage. Like it, but it's not bamboo...

I also like this Mrs. Limestone selection from Restoration Hardware. But again, not bamboo. And it doesn't seem to be available anymore...

Here's the Bassett table that Mrs. Limestone went with. I really like the color and lower shelf, but not bamboo either...

Mrs. Limestone's actual table. It looks great!

So, here's where I need some help. If you know where I can find my dream coffee table/nesting tables, or have any other brilliant ideas for me, I would LOVE to hear from you!

Attention HGTV Lovers...

I know many of you likely watch HGTV and so I wanted to make you aware of a show that they just recently started to air. My all-time favorite TV design host is Sarah Richardson, who has 4 - count them FOUR! - design shows! I have a love/hate relationship with her. Well really it's love/jealously because hey, I'm a Saara from Toronto who's a designer. And well, I want to be her. And if her beautiful room designs aren't enough for me to covet, she also designs great furniture.

For 5 long years I have missed watching new episodes of Room Service, Design Inc, Sarah's House and Sarah's Cottage because only really old episodes were shown on FLN in the US but now very luckily for me, and you, they are airing brand new seasons of Sarah's House on HGTV. Yay! You must check out the farmhouse she is currently renovating - the show always starts with her real estate search and goes through all the steps to create the home she wants. And at the end she has her realtor assess the new value of her project. It's fun and educational watching her go through all of the steps.

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To lure you in, here are some shots from the first season of Sarah's House...

I think she does a great job at keeping the charm in old houses apparent while mixing in new and vintage materials and furnishings.

I love the way she mixes patterns in wallpaper and fabric so effortlessly...

The shows talk a lot about budget which is nice to see on TV and she regularly uses stock cabinets and has them sprayed for a more economic, custom look...

Lots of her shopping is done if thrift stores and at auctions (which makes me miss home because I recognize all of her favorite stops). She bought these dining chairs for peanuts and had them refinished along with a slew of other items for this house...

I really liked the adult den in the house and would love to have that brass pendant and coffee table! I know the coffee table was vintage and super cheap, just another item that makes me thirsty for furniture hunting!

The kids bathroom was fun and a great example of how she uses inexpensive tile in interesting ways to create a more expensive look (hard to see but the white tiles are laid in varying directions and patterns). The vanity was a nightstand that was purchased online and then painted and topped with a sink...

Even I wouldn't mind doing laundry in this room. She really gives every room a lot of thought. The large frame on the left is hung on a piano hinge so it can swing open to reveal the ugly circuit breaker box. So smart...

All of these photos were taken from Sarah Richardson Design, and you can view the complete set of photos from this home 'here'.

Anyway, check her out. I think you'll be glad you did!

Poppies at Play - Parade of Home

Growing up with parents who were always designing and building - new house, new cottage, etc - I was dragged to many parade of homes. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's where one or more houses are designed by various decorators, designers and architects and their work is showcased to the public. I wonder if my parents ever thought I would become an interior designer and my brother an architect?! I guess we were definitely influenced!

Lately I've been enjoying the Pasadena showcase houses but I was just made aware of an online parade of homes...blogger homes! Check out Parade of Homes on Poppies at Play - what a fun way to sneak peaks (legally) into other peoples homes and be inspired!

Every day four bloggers' homes are showcased, so be sure to revisit daily! Oh and they are holding a linky party on Saturday where you can upload a photo of your favorite room in your house. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's photos!

Enjoy!

Design & the City

I am one of a million girls out there who are eagerly waiting for Sex & the City 2 to hit the theaters. I definitely enjoy watching the storyline, characters and fashion, but the interiors are what have me truly excited! These sneak peaks will have you drooling right along with me...

{Heather from Habitually Chic has done an AMAZING job collecting these images of the movie - and her AMAZING readers have helped her to uncover the mystery behind the textiles, wallpapers and furniture pieces.}

Carrie and Big's bedroom is perfect. I really like the shape of the headboard, and the mix of that gorgeous peacock blue and lilac-grey.

The wallpaper is Cole & Son's Rococo Damask...

And the secretary - which I totally want - is the Hallings from Hickory Chair...

Here is another view of the headboard upholstery. This Moroccan-inspired textile is Kravet's Velvet Gate Tuxedo...

I can't say enough about their perfect living room. The chair, the styling of the coffee table and that stunning blue ottoman...

Heather from Habitually Chic points out how they have interestingly arranged the coffee table books standing up. I have to agree that it looks great - definitely want to try this out at home!

Now, lets discuss that chair. Heather has done her homework and has found the EXACT 1940's chair on the 7th floor of Bergdorf Goodman in NYC! It can be yours for a measly $16,500. You can read her full chair account 'here'.

On to the foyer. I love anything with birds so Katie Ridder's Oiseau paper is a new favorite...

The dining room chairs are upholstered in Lee Jofa's Belgravia...

Lastly, a peak into my dream closet! I love how Big's side is more masculine with a medium brown stain and simple lines, while Carrie's side has a fresh feminine feel with white, beautifully detailed woodwork. This is closet perfection!

Thanks to Habitually Chic and her readers for all of their collaborative detective work!

A Pot of (Design) Gold

I'm back after a few weeks off! I couldn't resist writing a post about all the wonderful green items and rooms I've spied. Green is my FAVORITE color!

A fellow UCLA Interior Design grad was featured in Lonny magazine. The whole featured house is gorgeous, but I particularly love this green dresser. What an amazing shade of green, and the style of the dresser isn't too shabby either...

This is such a beautiful bathroom by the ever so talented Erika from Urban Grace Interiors - her blog is one of my daily reads. I love the perfectly imperfect green glass tiles, along with just about everything else she chose...

For just a touch of green, how about some Ikat celery pillows? Would love a few of these for my living room...

What is it about green paired with gold? It's a match made in heaven! So fresh and elegant...

CB2 sells some great Ikat styled bowls...again my fav with the green and gold. These would be great to add a smidgen of green to your dining table or as a cute decorative dish on a side table or shelf...

Hope you enjoy some good luck & some good design today...

Happy St Patrick's Day!