Happy Halloween!

Vintage Furniture

Here is a fun retro photo that I found of a very 60's full living room set!

Spooky and Stylish

Here are some spooky accessories that have the subtle taste of Halloween.
1. An updated classic from Penguin, Dracula for the the bedside table

2. Who doesn't love the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland? You can place some haunted portraits of your very own in your home through hauntedportraits.com
3. As Victorian style makes a comeback, so does the Victorian tradition of taxidermy. Paxton Gate in San Francisco's mission district will fulfill all of your taxidermy desires!

Style de Vélos

A classic mode of transportation has been making a big comeback lately and even more so over the summer months. Spandex bike shorts are no longer a requirement and with gas prices cemented at sky-high prices now is the time to jump on the bicycle bandwagon. Check out these ultimate velo indulgences:

Liberty of London created a Target bicycle first, but the Missoni bicycle caused a near panic when it debuted in stores last month and is now available for inflated prices on ebay.

I am in love with the limited edition kelly green Kate Spade bicycle from Adeline Adeline in NYC

Not ready for a permanent commitment? Most major European cities have bicycles available to rent by the hour with convenient stands set up all around to dock and undock at your convenience.

Don't get caught without a stylish helmet that could pass for a hat from Yakkay.

I also must pay tribute to one of the original designers to use the bicycle as his personal canvas, Paul Frank. His bicycles were inspired by the Southern California beach culture and are a more affordable option to some of the swankier designs above.

Karl Lagerfeld for Coke

I'm not sure what the point of these adorable bottles are, but it sure brought a smile to my face when they were handing these out in London on the street last week! How could you not love the design of this bottle! It is definitely too cute to drink. This is the 2nd collection of bottles designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Diet Coke!

Color Story Monday: Colored Appliances

The colored kitchen appliance gained popularity in the 1960's when the avocado color was introduced and after that trend ended it seemed no one wanted to see color at all as everything was about white appliances in the 1980's. Today, any color goes appliance wise and it is a fun way to give a little life to the kitchen.

1. Big Chill makes a wide range of retro appliances in funky colors like mint and butter yellow, but they also have a custom color service available.
2. The La Cornue is a French tradition and the Provencal Blue or Glossy Red would make a grand statement in a neutral kitchen.
3. For a cheap and chic way to add some colorful kitchen appliances check out the Bodum line of small electrics
4. The Kitchen-Aid stand mixer is a pre-requisite for bridal registries, but go for a bold color like pear or persimmon.

Brunch for the Coffee Purist

All good coffee shops in London come from the Aussies, and St. Ali is a new London standout originating in Melbourne. The exterior is very discreet and while only 6 months old, local hipsters flock to this caffeine mecca on the weekends.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the design is a cross between urban warehouse chic and cozy Victorian. The multi-story living wall and skylight brings life to the cavernous space. The reclaimed wood floors and brick work remind you that you are not sipping your latte in a cookie cutter Starbucks. Kraft paper menus on clipboard and a bottomless supply of water served up in your own table-side carafe are personal favorites, and the food and service are top-notch.

Kitchen continued...

One last shot from yesterday's kitchen with some fun accessories.

A Fresh and Clean Kitchen

I worked on a house that put in a new kitchen over the summer and I'm so excited about how it turned out! White cabinetry, butcher block countertops, and stainless steel hardware and accessories make for a clean and simple kitchen that would fit in with anyone's lifestyle. We styled it up with citrus colors and fresh green herbs, but this kitchen could handle anyone's color palette.

Apartment Therapy

I was really excited to be a guest blogger yesterday on Apartment Therapy and have my London flat featured as a house tour. Here are some photos as well as a link to the full post!

Color Story Monday: Pumpkin Orange

With Halloween around the corner and my love of all things orange, I thought it would a good opportunity to highlight some great furniture finds in orange. While you never want to go overboard with such a strong color, a punch of it somewhere in the house will bring a smile to your face.

1. Brighten up your bathroom with Orla Kiely's orange patterned towels.
2. Orange velvet is such a cozy statement in a single chair from Jayson Home and Garden.
3. The Charles Ghost stool from Kartell would be great in an all-white kitchen!
4. I love the subtle orange against natural linen in this hand printed fabric from Schumacher.
5. This electric juicer from Bodum is practical and fun.

Game Time

Shooting pool is so yesterday and playing table tennis is taking over the game scene, in homes, hotels, and bars. As with most trends in the U.S., this one surely began in NYC with Bryant Park setting up tables all summer for serious gamers to compete, and Susan Sarandon opened up her very own ping pong hall in NYC called Spin. Here are some fashionable ways to get your game on.

1. You won't lose your personal paddle with this colorful ping pong paddle and cover from Jonathan Adler.
2. Take table tennis to the office with this from Urban Outfitters.
3. Care for your paddles with a polka dot case from Spin.
4. A fun traditional set from the Conran Shop.

If you are afraid of a ping pong table not fitting in with your stylish home decor, never fear James Perse has created a limited edition environmentally farmed teak table sure to fit in with any mid century modern abode. If you happen to be in the market for a table, black is the way to go for its sleek qualities.

The design firm Aruliden came up with the ultimate conceptual table for Puma with a practical chalkboard top to help keep score, have winners autograph the top, or simply create your very own design.

Made in England

While browsing the dining room section of Liberty over the weekend, I discovered a really cool British artist named Andrew Tanner. I have never seen designs like his done in dinnerware and his edgy creations are not mainstream in the U.S. My favorite and the least practical are his bone china plates with silhouettes cut out of them. I seem to be having a real obsession with silhouettes lately! I'm also not usually a fan of the color blue, but he takes old classic china motifs in blue and recreates them with a modern twist.

Wash Room

This is a great, inexpensive way to spruce up an old laundry room. If you aren't in the market for pricey zinc letters, you can get some great alternatives at the local craft store in cardboard or wood and add a can of zinc colored spray paint and Voila!

London Cocktail Week

Last night kicked off London Cocktail Week and I checked out the latest in cocktail creations as well as bar design in the East End.
1st stop: Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, which recently took over and remodeled an old dingy pub and turned it into a classy gastropub. Their drink of choice was a refreshing gin based drink.

 2nd Stop: The Drift, a new bar in the corporate City district. I loved the design of this place and their cocktail of the night was a rum and espresso concoction that I couldn't get enough of! The bar has a back wall painted with chalkboard paint with great illustrations and lots of white pottery stacked up against the wall. The backsplash is made up of beveled mirrored subway tiles that really bring sparkle to the down to earth chalkboard style. The paper and wire chandeliers are also to die for!

3rd Stop: The Zetter Townhouse, one of my local favorites that opened last Spring and the decor is best described as your crazy aunt's house. If you have a fear of taxidermy, this is not the place for you, but everything is done in a really playful way. A mixture of old British furniture, Chinese foo dogs and patterned wallpaper make up this cozy space. Their drink of choice for the night was the Townhouse Tonic served in individual bottles that are adorable.

Color Story Monday: Khaki

I can't seem to get enough of kraft paper and burlap these days. It is such a great neutral at an even better price. You can even go higher end with gorgeous linens in natural colors too.

1. Benjamin Moore Downtown is a perfect khaki.
2. Linen fabric swatches
3. Linen Pinboard from Pottery Barn is an office classic.
4. A rustic linen tablecloth would go with any place setting from Shop Horne.
5. Burlap makes the perfect material for a lampshade from Restoration Hardware.
6. These pillows from Etsy show a touch of glamour juxtaposed with the casual feel of burlap.
7. I have been a fan of this jute and nailhead headboard from West Elm for a long time. It is always good to start with a neutral in the bedroom that isn't distinctly feminine or masculine.

The Latest in Books

There are some great fall book releases on decorating and style and just in time for the holidays!

1. Can't wait to get some more of the retired Domino Magazine style in book form with The Perfectly Imperfect Home being released November 1.
2. Also being released November 1st is Celerie Kemble's Black and White and I just adore the cover!
3. Design Sponge, the blog that really got me into interior design years ago, is now available in coffee table form. A must for any designer's library.
4. Diana Vreeland: The Eye has to Travel is a documentary that debuted at the Telluride film festival and was my favorite documentary, so I have been eagerly awaiting its release in book form which is now available.
5. Christian Louboutin is everywhere these days and if you can't afford a pair of his shoes, your closet can now house a retrospective of his work in paper form due out at the end of the month.

A Quickie Tablecloth

I received a package wrapped in this awesome printed kraft paper and it fit perfectly as a temporary tablecloth! 

WTF

This stamp just defines how I have felt about life for the last month or so...

Donating Furniture

Shopping for new furniture and accessories is a lot of fun, but in order to avoid being on hoarders clearing out the old is a necessity. While leaving your old sofa on the street is one way to handle the situation, there are some ways to avoid trashing the old and helping out people in need who could really use some of your gently used items that may just be out of style. Here is a list of some great ways to lend a hand.

Most cities have local thrift shops working toward a local charity and these are a great way to keep your charity within your own community. I would definitely check these out first for small goods especially since many people disagree with the politics behind some of the large chains mentioned below.

Goodwill:  Great to ditch any old thing without judgement. It really is amazing what they will take. They are nationwide and easy to find which is great if you move to a new city.

Salvation Army: Similar drop off services to goodwill, and the offer a pick-up service; but they can be quite picky with the furniture they choose to pick up.

Habitat for Humanity: During a home renovation, Habitat is the best way to recycle appliances, building materials, cabinetry, etc. They are a great resource and will help save you a bundle on dumpster fees.

If charities are too picky to take your items, no doubt there is someone out there who will take it off of your hands through Freecycle.

Last but not least a selfish reason to donate is the tax write-off, so don't forget to take a tax receipt with you when you donate.

Color Story Monday: Black and White Patterns

In life nothing is ever black and white, but your home can be! Black and White makes for some great patterns that don't clash but add a touch of eccentricity to the home.

1. An art deco rug design from Haus.
2. Zebra patterns are very trendy, but the actual animal in print form will never go out of style.
3. Some racy and daring wallpaper from Walnut Wallpaper
4. Add some punch to the dinner table with stencil placemats from CB2.
5. Jonathan Adler's Vices line is my favorite line of his and the perfect combination of black and white.