Found Door Friday

Here is a Banksy inspired door in Shoreditch...

A Little bit of Culinary Paris in London

Lately many Parisian institutions have crossed the English Channel and are invading London.

For some famous macarons:
Laduree There are now several locations throughout the city, so you can't miss these. Stop by Covent Garden or Knightsbridge and pick up one of their delectable macarons or Mille Fieulle.
Pierre Herme For the most exotic macarons Pierre Herme in Belgravia is a must stop. Taste their unique combinations of Rose and Jasmine, Olive Oil and even Fois Gras during the holidays

French Fine Dining:
Le Relais de Venise Famous steak frites with more locations in London than Paris, but
Helen Darroze Located in the swanky Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, and recently earning a michelin star for a distinguished French gastronomic experience.

If only we could get the fashion hot spot Colette to cross the channel.

French Connection Home

I heard that French Connection was coming out with a home ware line, but forgot about it until I stumbled upon their home store in Chelsea last week. Think lots of grays, whites, linen and soft jersey fabrics. The price point is perfect for their clothing audience, I can only hope that they start expanding this lovely brand.

BT Art Box

Across London this summer are replicas of the classic red phone booth designed by artists as a fundraising campaign for ChildLine. The campaign is called BT ArtBox and roughly 80 boxes are spread out around London. These pieces will all be available for purchase through a Sotheby's and  Ebay auction at the National Portrait Gallery on July 18. The art box below was spotted at Spitalfields market and is the work of The DNA Factory.

If you have kids at home, you can give them a project for the Olympics to design their own call box with this template.

Color Story Monday: Aquatic Blues

With summer in full swing officially, blues are one of the most refreshing colors for Summer. I love mixing light and dark blues in accessories and paint.

1. Farrow and Ball Drawing Room Blue and Blue Ground
2. Camden Stripe Handwoven Rug, West Elm
3. Kenza dinnerware in Aquamarine and Indigo, Z Gallerie
4. Set of Marimekko napkins, Crate and Barrel
5. Made of a special Swedish formula, Sea Salt Soap from Three Potato Four

Found Door Friday

While Milan is filled with ancient doors, this more mid-century modern design from the 60's is a fun change of pace in their central fashion district.

Balcony Project Before

My balcony has been looking really sad lately, of course it is hard to get motivated when it rains half the week and the balcony is XXS. I am using 4th of July as a timeline for this tiny project. Here are some photos before the makeover.
The front balcony:

Did I mention that I have a black thumb when it comes to plants?

 And yes we are those tacky people who have a Christmas tree stand still sitting outside. This space, the BBQ must stay and our trash goes here as well.

 We also share the back balcony with our next door neighbor so I am contemplating getting a tree to split up the space.

Shopping in Shoreditch

Summer is back in London if only for a day or two. Today was the perfect day for a photo shoot for Apartment Therapy at one of East London's hottest shops Labour and Wait. Look out for my shop profile later in the month. Also, check out a close-up the antique tile that makes up the facade of their storefront below.

My £5 Banksy

The British artist Banksy released a piece of art to the public in honor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. He released the download for all to download and print and use however they wish. You can still download it from Pictures on Walls. I chose to print it and frame it in a £5 frame from Urban Outfitters.

Color Story Monday: Pastels in Porcelain

Pastels are making a comeback which I am not entirely thrilled about, but when paired with delicate porcelain and ceramic pieces they add a touch of whimsy to the kitchen dining table.

1. Dauville Nesting Bowls, Canvas Home
2. Blossom dessert bowl, Bodo Sperlein
3. Petit Patisserie Espresso Cup and Saucer Set, Rosanna
4. Large Modern Cup in Agua, Heath Ceramics
5. Organica Collection, Vietri

Found Door Friday

This door is at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and while the door is rather simple, the molding surrounding the door is a gorgeously painted trompe l'oeil.

Roger's Gardens

I realized that I never posted photos of the amazing flowers that Roger's Gardens did for the Newport Harbor High School Home Tour. Take a look at their gorgeous work!

Retro Comeback: Summer Camp Cool

From Martha Stewart Living to Moonrise Kingdom to Town and Country, summer camp style is everywhere this month. To integrate some summer camp fun into your lifestyle here is a roundup of some retro accessories to bring back some summer camp memories.

1. A classic Stanley Thermos, Brookfarm General Store
2. Stormproof matches, Restoration Hardware
3. Vintage Swiss Army Blankets, Jayson Home and Garden
4. Vintage Brownie Bullet camera, Blue Carrot Shop
5. Enamelware Mug, Falcon
6. Morkt lantern, IKEA

Quatrefoil Inspiration

While climbing the rooftop of the Duomo in Milan, I snapped a photo of the quatrefoil motif and thought of one of my favorite mirrors from the current line at Restoration Hardware.

Gothic Quatrefoil Mirror, Restoration Hardware

Color Story Monday: Pink Lemonade

When House Beautiful tweeted 10 life-changing colors last week I decided to check them out and I have to say that none of them changed my life, but I did love the name of this Glidden color: Fresh Pink Lemonade. It just felt like a great idea for a summer post.

1. Perfect as extra seating in a nursery. Pink Moroccan Pouf from Serena & Lily
2. Another Moroccan touch is this pink vase from Jill Rosenwald Studio
3. Perfect for saving pink lemonade in liquid form. Pink Elephant bottle stopper from Z Gallerie
4. Port Stripe pink woven rug from Dash and Albert

Found Door Friday

I recently wrote up a store profile for Apartment Therapy on one of my favorite OC spots Fleur de Lys. They started as half the size that they are now, but they still retain the original antique door that leads to their back office. It is a gorgeous hidden find in the shop.

IKEA has gone to the Brits

A recent visit to IKEA showed me how much the Diamond Jubilee influenced even the Scandinavians! Check out their take on furnishings using the Union Jack as the basis for their designs. Check out their Union Jack collection here.

Diamond Jubilee Design

The rest of the world might think London is solely focused on the Olympics, but there is another event in June that is overshadowing the Olympic preparations at the moment: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The event will be spread out over a 4 day weekend and designers are really getting into the event.

1. Graham and Brown has created a wallpaper collection fit for a queen of any age with several London inspired prints. Crowns and Coronets
2. A teapot is the perfect way to idolize the Queen's 60 year reign. Emma Bridgewater
3. Mason Cash Jubilee cake stand from Heals
4. Nothing says the Queen quite like a Corgi. Tea towel from Cath Kidston
5. A biscuit barrel from Liberty
6. Another tea towel to commemorate the crown from Thornback and Peel

Flower Tribute

One of my favorite flower shops in London McQueens took a cue from the Rose Parade and created a flower petal portrait of the Queen in their shop window for this weekend. Check out the amazing detail below...

Found Door Friday

These iron doors in Istanbul have a lovely patina.