{products+love} Rue Magazine

Rue Magazine is a new, and much hyped, online decorating magazine that launches on September 16th. Look for glamorous rooms and gorgeous products to fill their spreads. The first issue hosts a piece on the new HGTV Design Star, Emily Henderson, & is dripping with fabulous images from renowned photographers, both past & present. Inspiration, decor and finds abound... I can't wait! (& oh is it pretty too!!!)

*image via Rue Magazine

A Restored Inspiration

Restoration Hardware is known as a great source or traditional decor with a vintage reference; stream-lined hardware, crisp linens, classical silhouettes. They know what they do and they do it really well. So, I have to admit that upon my recent review of their site I had some very unexpected "wow" moments. In a new web section entitled "Design Gallery" they offer an array of vignette inspirations for their viewers. Bedrooms, Living Rooms, one after the other, gorgeous living spaces filled with interest, drama, richness and beauty. (All things that are so vital to the success of a room.) Yes, I could still feel the Restoration aesthetic abounding in each shot but the heartbeat was much more intense then I have ever seen. Just take a look above at the piled rope coffee table lit by that fabulous pair of chandeliers. Bravo to this new life and wonderfully inspired direction!

*photography via Restoration Hardware website

{idea notebook} Color: The 60-30-10 Rule

I was recently on the HGTV website and came across this piece written by Mark McCauley, ASID. It lays out a really simple guide on how to introduce color into a room if you are at all hesitant or unsure how to go about it. Thanks HGTV!

Use the 60-30-10 Rule
"Decorating a space in terms of color is as easy as 60-30-10. Don't believe me? Take a look at some rooms in magazines or in Designers' Portfolio. You'll notice that the rooms you like the most are almost invariably divided into percentages of 60-30-10. Why this works is anybody's guess. Perhaps it is the human tendency to see an overall theme in the 60 percent hue, unifying the coloration. The 30 percent provides visual interest and the 10 percent, not unlike jewelry, provides that little spark of sparkle.

So, when decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:
60% of a dominant color
30% of a secondary color
10% of an accent color

When you think about it, this color breakdown is similar to a man's business suit:
60% of the outfit's color is the slacks and jacket
30% of the outfit's color is the shirt
10% of the outfit's color is the tie

Translated to a room setting, it typically means:
60% of the room's color is the walls
30% of the room's color is the upholstery
10% of the room's color is, say, an accent piece or a floral arrangement"

*photography via hgtv and room design by Kenneth Brown.

{products+love} Happy Memorial Day!

The official beginning of Summer is here! With a raised glass of lemonade and the sound of the waves hitting the sand take a relaxing minute & check out this great moment from Wisteria, one of my favorite shopping destinations. They offer the perfect decor for summertime living; slightly quirky mixed with a great globe trotting, flea-market vibe. Here's to the long, happy days of summer!

French Country Dining Table $1999
Cooper's Small Colored Stools: $159
French Folding Chair $179
Pendant Cage Lamp $129
Striped Cushion for French Folding Chair $24
Starfish Garland $24
Red Rim Metal Wire Basket $79
Iron Wine Bottle Holder $69
Multi-purpose Wooden Box $39

*photography via Wisteria.com

{product+love} Serena & Lily

Serena Dugan is a textile designer and artist who met Lily Kanter, a savvy baby boutique owner, and together formed Serena & Lily; a company who is dedicated to creating children’s spaces that are fresh and style-driven, with dynamic color and pattern. Their collections have expanded to 14 bedding sets, 30 original fabric patterns and now furniture and furnishings for tall people as well as the younglings. With a careful blend of contemporary, sophistication and timeless simplicity they have turned the industry on its side. As their products evolve, their designs stay the same: full of integrity and a visual Je ne sais qua.

* photography and descriptions via Serena & Lily

Navy Spade: Inspired by Italian tile work, this fabric's navy and white color contrast creates a strong graphic statement.

Citrus Pebble: Alternating citrine and aqua spots make this design both playful and simple.

Air/Chocolate Diamond: A smart geometric pattern in chambray and chocolate.

{inspiration+designer} Melissa Warner

What I am loving now is the work of designer Melissa Warner. If you have a chance to pick up the latest issue of House Beautiful you can see how her L.A. apartment sparkles with a modern palette & sweet touches throughout. One of my favorite features was Warner's extra bedroom turned office. There she used items of mixed style and medium such as metal locker baskets, a tailored draped table, a Lucite chair (a current favorite of mine) and wallpapered the closet's sliding doors in Osborne & Little's Hothouse in Arizona to create a darling personal space. I love the clever wallpaper idea "for an instant splash of color and pattern". How fantastic!

*photography by Victoria Pearson via House Beautiful

THE HOME BOOK

A wonderful friend of mine has commissioned me to design her new home. This is a house that was built from bricks to mortar by herself and her darling husband. (literally) It is a wonderful open space soon to be filled with the patter of six little feet. So, as our time-line is quickly drawing near we decided to take a trip to our local Barnes & Noble to peruse the decorating isle for inspiration. Hours later we walked back to the car with arm loads of ideas. My favorite find of the day was a gorgeous, 464 page beauty called The Home Book. Written and produced by the editors of House Beautiful Magazine.

To quote Barnes & Nobles book synopsis:
"The Home Book is sure to become the homeowner’s bible on interior design. A beautiful object in itself, this book will grace every (perfectly chosen) coffee table...but only after this hardworking guide has been pored through and turned to again and again for practical, usable design insights. The volume begins by taking a hard look at the bones of the house: its site, light, and layout. Armed with those basics, you’ll know which elements you can improve, and how to work around those that can’t be changed. From there, develop an overall decorating concept based on theme, color, furnishings, wall and floor coverings, and accessories—each aspect of design receives detailed coverage. Finally, go through the house room by room to see what remarkable transformations you can achieve in every space, from the entryway to the home office, the kitchen to the foyer. The Home Book reflects House Beautiful’s exciting style: fresh, bright and accessible, filled with insider tips from today’s top decorators, and bursting with practical advice for real people."

* Photography via barnesandnoble.com

Not your mother's Better Homes

Call me crazy but I do not remember Better Homes and Gardens being so absolutely cool. It seems that with every trip to the grocery store or local d-i-y retailer I bring home another glossy. What I started to notice was along with my Elle Decor & House Beautiful a growing collection were printed by Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications:
Ideas for Your Home Remodel, 100 decorating ideas, do it Yourself, Beautiful Homes.

The great things about these reads is they are not intimidating like many other home decor magazines can be. Yes, their room makeovers look gorgeous and perfectly styled but they look like any of us could live there (kids included). And their do it yourself tips and tricks projects are actually really tangible. How great is that! So if you are like me and do not hesitate to push up your sleeves, definitely check out what all of our mothers are probably already reading!

*photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens online downloads