Fiat, French style

I am in love with the new Fiat 500 that has debuted in the U.S. finally! While in Paris, we stayed at a boutique hotel with some unique decor including the front fender of a Fiat! It felt a bit like a little boy's room with the light up headlights, but fun nonetheless.

Cousin Paul

I actually have a cousin named Paul, but in Paris last weekend I discovered La Case de Cousin Paul (Cousin Paul's Cabin)
It is a really silly store that only sells colorful balls that look like they could be some sort of material used for knitting. Literally! The balls attach to a strand of lights and become a great party or wedding decoration. The balls come in all sizes and every color imaginable to go with any party theme. They are quite striking in person and once they hit the U.S., I guarantee they will be everywhere in a nano second and people will be so over them in 15 minutes.

Million $ Decorators

My favorite new decorating show is on Bravo Tuesday nights and it is Million Dollar Decorators. These decorators aren't quite as entertaining and real as Jeff Lewis and his sidekicks, but until Flipping Out starts in a few weeks, this will tide me over! Nathan Turner is my favorite on the show and I can't wait to visit his store! The ladies on the show drive me nuts, especially Kathryn Ireland calling herself a lifestyle designer but barely able to put on her own birthday party. If you love seeing great homes of the rich and famous along with sassy personalities, this is the show for you. Here is a scene from the first episode

Color Story Monday: Ravishing Red

One of my favorite TV shows, True Blood, is back with a new season this week and in honor of the show and all of its fantastic styling this color story is devoted to the color of blood.

1. Bring some blood red into the living room with this Ikat wing chair from West Elm.
2. The perfect kitchen necessity, a Nespresso Citiz Machine
3. For an old brick feel, Ralph Lauren's Duke Red fits the bill.
4. One of my favorite Osborne and Little fabrics DuBarry comes in a rich velvet red.
5. Jonathan Adler's Red Lacquer Cubes are a fun addition to any room.

J'aime Paris

Catching an early morning train to Paris as a surprise weekend trip! A sense a new city guide in the works for next week!

Big Daddy's Move

Big Daddy's is a treasure trove if you are on the hunt for a unique flea market find direct from Europe. I am sad that the Big Daddy's warehouse is moving to Culver City this week. I will still have to make the trek up to LA for all of their fabulous finds, it is just a farther trek. Check out some of the amazing finds that I found there last week as they were in the hectic process of the major move.

Beheaded religious relic, Why not?

Lots of tempting trunks!

The Magic Eraser

I love matte paint on walls, but the toughest part of living with matte walls is keeping them clean. I was turned onto Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser by one of my contractors and I can't use it enough! It just looks like a foam block that you put a little water on and literally the dirt erases away off of walls. This is a must for any home especially if you have pets or kids!

Color Story Monday: Neon

Getting my week off to a very late start, but I can't forget one of my favorite subjects: color! Summer is officially here and neon is perfect for the bright sunlight. I'm impressed by the adventurous designers who are incorporating neon into their fabric lines.

1. Trina Turk infuses neon green into her retro patterns on her outdoor fabrics.
2. For your travels, pick up an Archie Grand notebook in a color that won't get lost
3. Isaac Mizrahi has a fabric collection for S. Harris that feature silks in neon colors
4. Perfect for summer feet, neon flip flops from JCrew
5. An over the top Hot Pink Gypsy Chandelier

Confection Design

Just released today is the first cookbook from my favorite bakery in San Francisco, Miette! You can order it up from Amazon and have some of their charming confections along with their modern and cheerful design.

City Style Guide: Seattle

I fell in love with Seattle over Memorial Day weekend and have to share some of my favorite finds for eating, sleeping, and shopping.

EAT:
Can't miss one of Oprah's favorite things: Beecher's Mac 'N Cheese at Pike Place Market

For a hidden find inside the market check out the pizza late night at the Alibi Room

Delectable caramels and Obama's favorite chocolates can be found at Fran's Chocolates inside the Four Seasons.

Grab a cup of coffee and croissant at Le Pichet and you instantly feel transported back to Paris.

Get serious about your pizza with the not to be missed clam and lemon thyme pizza at Tom Douglas's Serious Pie in the South Lake Union district

SLEEP:
The Alexis Hotel is designed with independent art and style that the city thrives on.

SHOP:
Start across the street from the Alexis hotel at Far4 and Watson Kennedy Home.

The REI mega-store is a must stop especially since you can ditch the hubby there and head next door to Velocity Art and Design.

Great Jones Home is just what I would want my interior design studio/retail store to be one day.

Up in the Fremont district Burnt Sugar's handbag and paper goods selection is not to be missed.

Wedding Style

Tons of interior elements can be found in wedding design and after attending an outrageously over the top circus theme wedding, I had to share some of the colorful, vintage elements in the decor.

Color Story Monday: June Gloom Gray

Gray is the hottest neutral everywhere these days and this post is long overdue featuring some of my favorite shades of grey. Gray is at its peak of popularity because it goes with any color and looks so fresh against crisp, clean whites. 

1. Carerra Marble is the hot stone to go in any kitchen or bathroom. The swirls of gray pop against a backdrop of white marble

2. A classic gray: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

3. A true gray, not too blue, not too pink: Benjamin Moore Ozark Shadow

4. Galzanized Metal Pails are a cheap and chic storage solution for multiple rooms.

5. Glam up the Gray with Phillip Jeffries Rock Star wallpaper

6. Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Grey is a true 18% gray for photo enthusiasts.

Dahlia Season

June in Southern California signals the start of Dahlia season and they just happen to be my favorite flower next to peonies. Dahlias are the high end version of a Gerber daisy with their bright colors and geometric petals that define the feeling of summer.

A Seaside Summer

I just bought a new book called French Seaside Style, solely based on the title and cover because it felt like summer. I was pleasantly surprised to find gorgeous interiors inside combining the beach and rustic styles that I am currently obsessing over.

Dutch Design in Seattle

The Central library in downtown Seattle is a Dutch architectural masterpiece built in 2004 and designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus. The structure's modern design elements are not for everyone, but whether you love or hate it, you can't take your eyes off.

 

The interior is considered by many critics to be cold and impersonal, however this could be the result of the library's blending of modern technologies and ancient technology such as the dewey decimal system.

Color Story Monday: Contrasts

One of the best ways to bring attention to a certain color is to place it next to its contrasting color. I love blending light and dark shades of the 2 different colors. Here are a few of my favorite contrasts that work great together in the same room.

1. Farrow and Ball Calluna and Brassica
2. Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain and White Dove
3. Dunn Edwards Lemon Slice and Castlerock
4. Benjamin Moore Baby Fern and Icing on the Cake

Striped at the W

I love seeing Venetian plaster done in unique and modern ways, especially the stripes in the entry of the W hotel in downtown Seattle.

Found Art: Seattle

I spent last weekend in Seattle exploring all of the independent creativity that the Northwest has to offer. The found art throughout the surrounding neighborhoods was a highlight in my explorations. 

From the Chihuly inspired glass sculptures high in the sky to the famous troll, the self-proclaimed "Center of the Universe" Fremont neighborhood is the place to go if you are searching for the biggest art movement in Seattle, glass-blowing. 

The South Lake Union neighborhood is Paul Allen's latest creation or renovation project. I loved seeing a pig from the Pigs on Parade exhibition outside of Tom Douglas's restaurant Serious Pie. The chalk finish invites the community to participate in the art. 

Let's hope the public art continues to evolve and build up the communities that bring Seattle together.

IKEA Deals

The bargain corner at IKEA contained a rack of near death plants looking for a home with a master green thumb. I steered clear of the dead plant department.