dear spring,

by laura on March 11, 2010

So nice to see you this week, I have missed you.

I will take your showers and warmer temperatures over mr. winter any day of the week.

Please stay and inspire all sorts of loveliness and maybe even some spring cleaning

Here’s the deal…you stick with me, and I will stick with you.

You’ve got nine days to pull a fast one on me before you are official.

Happy Spring (almost).

Photo Credits: Lucyina Moodie

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Time Traveller

by laura on March 8, 2010

In my posts I frequently reference historical architectural styles and design movements that influence current trends. When talented Atlanta based artist Tina Steele Lindsey left me a comment on a recent post saying she would love to be a time traveller, I couldn’t have agreed more. She’s got a great site and blogclick here to check it out. For those readers in and around Atlanta Tina exhibits her work at Gallery 4463, but largely sells on a commission basis. Contact her here for interest.

I will be starting a new series called Time Traveller exploring past architects, artists, designers, historians, styles and other design influences. Here is a recap on what I have done so far in case you missed any of my early posts….

After reading Pillars of the Earth I wrote about the Gothic Revival style,

and Ancient Greek and Roman architecture set impeccable architectural standards and has since inspired architects and designers. Greek Revival style as seen in a restored home by architect Gil Schafer in NY

and the Greek Key, a design motif often used.

Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and his Palladian influences are seen all over the world.

I wrote about the timeless style of David Hicks and his influence on contemporary design, and

back when I was a newbie blogger I looked at Piet Mondrian and the influence of his work.

Tori Mellot picked up on it in the February 2009 issue of Domino.

One of the masters- Le Corbusier- and his exponential influence on modern architecture, design and furniture and also

William Morris& Elsie de Wolfe and their influences on classical architecture, interior design, fabrics, wallpapers and furniture.

Thanks to Tina for inspiring a more concise blog series for these posts.

Where should I time travel to next? Modern, classics, the Far East. I will get to it all, just stick with me.

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end of the week

by laura on March 5, 2010

A few things that help me end the week on the right note are the right amount of sunlight coming through,

flowers making all the difference

a swing arm lamp next to the bed

a hint of red in just the right spot

and an old birdcage anywhere.

Enjoy the weekend.

via pink wallpaper, Thibaut paper, via Ticklish from a Distance, Bunny Williams, via vtInteriors Library

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Style icons Pauline de Rothschild and Tory Burch with two similar looks, fifty years apart. Pauline de Rothschild’s Parisian bedroom in 1960. She decorated it herself with antique Chinese export paper. I like that she included all parts of the door and door frame.

Tory Burch’s apartment designed by Daniel Romualdez with Gracie handpainted wallpaper.

Click over to  The Peak of Chic to see the new Tory Burch ad campaign photographed in her apartment. Which one do you prefer- old school (PdeR) vs. new guard (TB)?

Photo Credits: Horst P. Horst via An Aesthete’s Lamente; Francois Halard for Vogue via Habitually Chic

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it’s Sharp: a life in full color

by laura on March 1, 2010

I enjoyed the article in this month’s Vogue (Tina Fey cover) about Christopher and Suzanne Sharp’s home in London and some background on their interesting life together. It discusses their travels in which they have purchased many of the eclectic items found in their home and the formation of the Rug Company in London in 1997. Their home is a combination of bold colors and funky geometric patterns.

The Rug Company website shows a range of their rugs designed by some of the world’s top designers.

A life in full color, right up my alley.

click here for the Vogue Article and click here for the Rug Company site.

Photo Credits: Francoid Halard for Vogue (1-5), the Rug Company

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Magpie Lovely

by laura on February 25, 2010

Magpie Lovely is a new sponsor on my blog, and I am excited to be able to introduce this super site to my readers. Everything is really well priced and great looking and 15% off for my readers. A few items I might put in my bag…

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Can I get my little guys in these?

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and for super cute baby gifts…

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These are going up in a bedroom soon…

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and you know I secretly wish I was Ina Garten’s assistant.

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All orders placed get a 15% discount by entering the code LC15 at checkout.

Thanks Magpie Lovely and happy shopping!

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one honeycomb mirror four ways

by laura on February 23, 2010

This mirror is one of my favorites and works well in a variety of styles. Albert Hadley put it over a console in a dining room. Don’t you love the blue leather on the chairs? Turquoise is a big color to watch for this year.

Charlotte Moss features it over a fireplace with traditional sconces flanking it.

Eric Cohler combines a more transitional and different look with the mirror and a photograph.

updated: Thanks to Style Court for bringing this Miles Redd one against lacquered walls to my attention.

Which one is your favorite?

photo credits: Albert Hadley, House Beautiful April 2009, photographed by Christopher Baker; Charlotte Moss in A Flair for Living; Eric Cohler in Inspired Styles. All photographs scanned from my copies.

Updated Post 4th image: Miles Redd photograph via Style Court

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This Old House & Old Houses

by laura on February 19, 2010

One of my favorite things to do is drive around in any town or city and look at the houses.  This Old House has an online guide to the best old house neighborhoods in every state. Here are a few of my favorites…

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They also have it broken down into many categories as well…(with more on the site)

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Now I just need a few interior tours from the original architects. Happy Clicking.

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Quattro Miami

by laura on February 17, 2010

My husband and I are back from a great and much needed vacation down in Miami. One night we went to Quattro on Lincoln Road in South Beach, and I had to ask who was behind the design. Studio A and you can see more of their hip restaurants by clicking here. I have heard a Quattro NYC outpost is set to open soon in the Trump Hotel in Soho.

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Don’t you love that green subway tile?  Hip music and the food is fabulous.

More on my Miami finds coming soon…

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happy anniversary…

by laura on February 14, 2010

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to my wonderful parents. Mom’s call to tie the knot 2.14

XOXO to M&D

photo by Eric Piasecki

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