Owl Alert

Owls are everywhere and especially going into the holiday season we will be seeing them pop up like crazy in the home accessory department. By the time 2012 rolls around, we will have seen enough owls to last another twenty or so years. Until they are old hat, might as well search for the most stylish owls to use in the home.

1. West Elm brings the Owls to the holiday decorating table with these pretty mercury glass creations.
2. An array of owl candlestick holders on display at Smug.
3. Haunt your living space with this rustic black and white from Z Gallerie.
4. A subtle owl design from Thomas Paul.
5. A bright and cheerful wallpaper from Dwell Studio featuring colorful owls.

Painted Lady Revival

I love the Victorian architecture of San Francisco's hilly terrain, and I had to share this building spotted in the tony neighborhood of Noe Valley. The term Painted Ladies came to fruition in the 1970's when houses in the Victorian style were painted in three or more colors to highlight their architectural details. I think that this is a bolder and more modern take on the Painted Ladies style from the 1970's. I love the green doors, but could probably do without the hot pink steps. This takes me back to when I first took at interest in interior design as a child. My mom and I selected a Victorian era dollhouse and I of course elected to paint it in my favorite colors of deep purple, lavender, pink, and emerald green. The house was complete with wood floors, molding, and wallpaper. If only I could find some photos of it, those would be priceless.

Cocktails in Kensington

Last week I had the pleasure of joining some friends at a cocktail masterclass with the master bartender from the Aubrey bar at the Kensington hotel. Surrounded by luxury including some gorgeous chandeliers from Ochre in the Aubrey bar, we learned how to pour, mix, and garnish the perfect cocktail. It was a great way to get together with some girlfriends and learn a new trick or two. A big thanks goes out to American Girl in Chelsea for giving away this class at her last event and my friend Nen for being the lucky winner!

Check out the elaborate bar setup, I am in need of some basic glass bottles and pour spouts after learning the proper amount for a pour.

Our hard work and concentration

The final product, an Exotic Beauty garnished with beetroot, passion fruit and a cherry on top.

Shopping in the Wine Country

I attended a gorgeous wedding in the quaint wine country town of Healdsburg a few weeks ago and got to enjoy a bit of shopping on a beautiful Fall day in Sonoma County. I discovered this great interiors shop named Limestone (so fitting for this rustic California locale). Of course being centered in the wine country, the shop is thoroughly stocked with kitchen ware and all things for the home that relates to food, but the shop also embraces the outdoor living lifestyle California is famous for.

Color Story Monday: Pantone Color Preview

Pantone released its predictions for the hot colors of Spring 2012 during last week's fashion week and among the choices was a beautiful driftwood color, tangerine, lavender, and a color called margarita! Take a look at the full range below. Some seasons I think a few colors are off, but this year I am loving them all!

1. Heath Ceramics makes the most gorgeous tableware in the driftwood and starfish hues.
2. Jonathan Adler has a rug that would be fun for a girl's room combining the tangerine, solar power, and cabaret colors.
3. These Parisian Glass water goblets from Rosanna have the feminine feel in the sweet lilac and bellflower color.
4. Margarita green and driftwood combined create this retro Graham and Brown wallpaper design.
5. Mixing colored latte bowls in the kitchen on open shelving is one of my favorite inexpensive ways to bring the color of the moment into the kitchen. Anthropologie is making the perfect turquoise and navy blue colors to combine for Spring 2012.

Exotic Flowers

During my usual trip to the Sunday flower market, I decided to test out some unusual florals for a change and see if they might last longer than my usual choices. The spiky texture of thistle combined with its neutral color palette makes it a filler in most floral shops, however the texture is so unique that it stands on its own just fine here. As for its lasting qualities, it is still looking sharp after 5 days.

Everything Old is New Again

I was so excited when I opened an email from Graham and Brown about their new vintage design wallpapers. The "new" designs bring out the perfect amount of retro design for a modern home. I love the art deco and mad men styles that have become of so hip again.

Styling up an Old House

My mom has been working all summer on a house that hadn't been touched in about 40 years and she has done a great job on a very tight budget. I really love some of the West Elm accessories that she used in the bathroom as well as the Farrow and Ball Cornforth White for the walls.

Edible Escapes

During the Telluride Film Festival a couple of weeks ago, there was an amazing short film by two talented women called Zergut. I am always skeptical of short films having seen lots of bad ones, but this was a gorgeous and intriguing film. Check out the trailer below.


OFFICIAL ZERGUT TRAILER from CHAYKA SOFIA on Vimeo.

Color Story Monday: Aubergine

I went to see the new Degas exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts in London yesterday and my post today is inspired by the aubergine colored walls in which his works are exhibited. Purple has always been one of my favorite colors and it's deepest hues have become very popular in today's world of interiors.

1. Le Creuset makes the perfect deep purple color to spice up the kitchen.
2. Super deep amethyst bedding from Anthropologie will give you sweet dreams.
3. Benjamin Moore Tulsa Twilight would make a perfect accent color
4. Just another gorgeous glass from Baccarat to drink your daily OJ out of.
5. Create drama in your living space with the aubergine velvet Pierre sofa from Z Gallerie.

Getting a Reaction

Just another fabulous and frightening display at Harvey Nichols!

M is for Missoni

I have long overlooked the home collection from Missoni, but with their debut at Target today it has brought their colorful style into my frame of consciousness. I recently registered for my upcoming wedding and found most china to be stuffy and boring, but that is not the case with the Missoni line. Their colors might not feel timeless, but life is too short to not have fun with your china pattern!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

*Primrose Hill, London

Nina Campbell in Telluride

The Telluride film festival is starting this week and in honor of that, I wanted to show off the recently renovated New Sheridan Chop House. The New Sheridan is the center of the town of Telluride and the new makeover by designer Nina Campbell has taken the hotel to a new level of mountain town chic.
The design highlights Nina Campbell’s elegant style utilizing warm red and brown tones to pull in the historic brick façade of the hotel. Silk and cut velvet textiles, antiqued mirrors, and glass light fixtures add the touches of glamour that Campbell is famous for. The bright white trim and white oak floors update the historical elements of the hotel and keep the reds and browns from feeling too heavy. 

Check out her Voluta fabric from her Belzoro Spring 2008 collection that she used for some of the upholstery in the restaurant.

Snail Mail

The post office seems to be in an endless downward economic spiral and I hate to think of what will become of charming snail mail, holiday cards, and wedding invitations if in the next few decades la poste goes the way of the dinosaurs. Nothing makes someone’s day a little better than coming home from work to a handwritten note in their mailbox. Support your local mailman and send one of these charmers.

1. One of my favorite illustrators Julia Rothman has several cards available at Hello Lucky!

2. A nod to vintage telegrams from Paper Source

3. These are so cute, too bad there aren't 99 cards in this 99 red balloon set from Kate Spade

4. Orange Beautiful has always had some wonderful designs and this wicker set is a great nod to a design style making a comeback.

5. I'm currently obsessed with chevron stripes and this card from Ink + Wit fulfills my love of the pattern.