Christian Lacroix Collection

I love the new Christian Lacroix collection of fabrics and wallpapers for Designer's Guild. They are layered with color and eclectic imagery that stand out all on their own.

Happy Pancake Day

Today is National Pancake Day and so I have to share my favorite pancake recipe from a brunch place in Berkeley that is near and dear to me, La Note

Gingerbread Pancakes
Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cold or at room temperature
• 4 large eggs
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Vegetable oil for brushing griddle
• Maple Syrup and Powdered Sugar for serving
• 
  
• Instructions
• Whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl. Whisk together water, coffee, eggs, butter, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Let stand 15 minutes (batter will thicken).
  Brush a griddle or 12-inch nonstick skillet with oil and heat over moderate heat until hot but not smoking.
  Working in batches of 3 or 4, pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto hot griddle and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with a spatula and cook until cooked through and edges are lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and loosely cover with foil to keep warm. Brush griddle with oil between batches.

Wedding Hiatus

Taking a weeklong hiatus for my wedding and honeymoon.

Tony Duquette Inspiration

I don't tend to think of Coach as a go to brand for jewelry, however they have a new collection for Spring inspired by America's original decorator to the stars Tony Duquette. Best known for his flamboyant color choices and starburst design which has made a huge comeback in recent years, Duquette's estate has lent his name to some amazing new pieces.

Check out the Tony Duquette collection.

Best Picture Design: Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris has the best set design and atmosphere of all the best picture nominees in my opinion. It really takes you to Paris.

1. A stone swan from France is from 1st Dibs
2. A collection of antique hand mirrors from Jayson Home and Garden
3. Glass Cloches from the 1920's from Restoration Hardware
4. An antique French cut glass chandelier from 1st Dibs
5. Carved Urn from Clayton Gray Home

Kate Spade + Florence Broadhurst

Kate Spade just opened a home decor store based on their Florence Broadhurst black and white floral pattern. Find everything from heels to rugs to china. I think they are going overboard with the print, but in moderation it is fun and springlike. Florence Broadhurst was an eccentric Australian artist who is being highlighted this season by Kate Spade for her retro prints.

Color Story Monday: Valentine Red

Red is a classic color that will always be in style. Here is the perfect color for tomorrow!
Benjamin Moore My Valentine

Best Picture Design: Moneyball

The inspiration for this post is the gorgeous Northern California home of Brad Pitt's ex-wife Robin Wright. The home embodies the upper class clean and modern style of San Francisco with panoramic views of the bay.

1. Rustic Trestle Console Table from Wisteria
2. A natural style vase from West Elm
3. The Emerson dining table from West Elm
4. Etched Bowls from a California company, Heath Ceramics
5. An All-American sofa for an All American baseball manager from Pottery Barn
6. Simple and rustic, the Durham coffee table from Ballards

Valentine Project

I found this project 4 years ago from Twig and Thistle and it is still a great project. With a simple and easy design it give you a cheap way to personalize some sweets for your sweetheart, friends, or family. She offers a free downloadable pdf file and you can purchase similar bags at Michaels, Paper Source and even her own Etsy shop.

Best Picture Design: War Horse

A selection of equestrian designs from movie War Horse

1. A masculine horse paperweight from Hermes

2. An Hermes blanket exemplifying man and his horse

3. A military campaign print wallpaper from Ralph Lauren Home

4. Horseshoe inspired catch all from Ralph Lauren Home

5. A simple WWI era metal bed from Anthropologie

6. A plaid and tweed fabric from Ralph Lauren Home

7. Wood industrial crates from Aidan Gray Home

My West Elm Parsons

West Elm has a great blog called Front and Main and they feature designers with some of their furniture. My favorite piece from the West Elm collection is the Parsons desk. It has endless possibilities and is the perfect size to create and office nook with. Check out a few of the various ways that I have used the Parsons desk over the last few years.

Color Story Monday: Swiss Coffee Alternatives

I will say it, Swiss Coffee is the one color that I cannot stand and am so sick of. It is the go to color for when landlords want to paint a place in the most bland color possible. Many will say that it is the perfect neutral, not too cold and that it is a classic. If you want to live your life in last century's neutral than read no further. If you want to step into the year 2012, then it is time to rethink your neutrals. Here are some of my favorite bright white neutrals that will stand up against any other color and will make you want to banish Swiss Coffee from you home forever.

1. Benjamin Moore Decorator's White
2. Farrow and Ball's Great White
3. Restoration Hardware Right White
4. Dunn Edwards Cool December
5. Dunn Edwards Milk Glass

Best Picture Design: Hugo

Hugo highlights the height of French industrial chic that is happening in design today.

1. This 5' French tower clock from Restoration Hardware epitomizes the Hugo design style
2. A brass mounted magnifying glass from Obsolete
3. A hand blown glass table lamp from Anthropologie
4. Magnifying Wall Mounted Votive Sconce from Pottery Barn
5. Antique Mirror that can be used as an eclectic tray from Aidan Gray
6. An old train depot sign from Aidan Gray
7. Antique Globe from Juxtaposition Home
8. French apothecary jars from Juxtaposition Home

Martha Stewart at Staples

Martha Stewart is everywhere and now she is even at your office in the form of home office products. She has teamed up with Avery to create a stylish line of paper products for everyday use available at Staples.

I find the only limitation with the line are her colors which are very bold and definitely will define your room if you choose to go with her red or turquoise themed products.

Best Picture Design: The Help

After reading the Help last summer, I couldn't wait to see the movie and I am so glad it is still getting lots of love from the critics. Many of the most meaningful interactions between the women and their help takes place in the kitchen and here is some retro 1960's Southern kitchen style perfect.

1. Jadeite Mixing Bowls from Fishs Eddy
2. For cooking up fried chicken use this timer from Fishs Eddy
3. This work prep butcher block from Williams-Sonoma is timeless
4. Keep yourself primped perfectly in an apron from Anthropologie
5. An elegant floral wallpaper is so 60's to dress up the kitchen, Anthropologie
6. A real working phone with retro style to gossip on from Retro Planet
7. No retro kitchen is complete without a Big Chill fridge
8. Another timeless classic is the Eames molded plastic dining chair from Design Within Reach
For more 1960's kitchen inspiration check out the House Beautiful's real kitchens of the 1960's here.