No Boys Allowed

After catching my boyfriend trying to hang an ice ax from a recent mountain-climbing trip on my wall (seriously guys, an AX), I've become increasingly anxious about the day when I'll need to accommodate my decor preferences to better suit a dude (in my case a wannabe Bear Grylls) or even worse -- a family. No more white textiles, delicate antiques, pink or sharp edges.

Yikes. Honestly, the whole prospect makes me a bit queasy. So while I give more thought to whether I should pitch Man vs. Apartment to HGTV or The Discovery Channel, I'll drool over this very girly, very glam home featured in the July House Beautiful.

Hmm, no ice ax here...I love the idea of blocking off an entrance with a shapely sofa and antiqued mirror to avoid a cold "subway-car" effect, and how great is the sunburst mirror that appears to float over the couch?


(Decor by Jonathan Berger)

I want to be here...Week of June 28

(Architectural Digest, December 2008)

I know a lot of people hate Architectural Digest, and with good reason. Most of the featured homes have less to do with decor, and more to do with being able to purchase multi-million dollar pieces of land and build a custom estate on top of it.

However, every now and again, AD still manages to surprise me and this room in the December 2008 issue was probably one of my favorites that year. This hacienda in Puerto Vallarto, Mexico has that kind of transportive, magical feeling that I think every vacation home should evoke.

This is without a doubt one of the most stunning examples of lighting I've ever seen, and something that I think could be replicated without spending a full year's salary. I could easily picture a back porch or tree lit up with dozens of tin star lights (these were copper) for a special event, or just because.

Robert Sabuda Notecards

I just bought these adorable pop-up note cards from children's book creators Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. Perhaps if you are nice enough to me, you will be surprised with one of them. :)

Check out these (and lots of similar designs) over at the MoMA Store.

"A Home Without Books is Like a Body Without a Soul"

(Metropolitan Home)

Anyone who opens up a design book, shelter mag or even the latest Pottery Barn catalog will notice stacks and stacks of books. Normally when a design trend becomes this pervasive, I get bored of it, but decorating with books strikes me as less trendy and more timeless. Bottom line: This look isn't going anywhere.

Not only are stacks of books sculptural, they provide vivid pops of color, beautiful cover art and they speak volumes about you, your interests and your taste. (Plus if you're an art lover like me, double duty books serve make it that much easier to splurge.)

Beyond simply stacking books on your coffee table or desk, I love the idea of books standing in for art or even furniture.

A few of my favorite examples of this below:

Books as art:

(Jeffrey Bilhuber)
(Nate Berkus)
(Candace Bushnell's home)

(William Georgis)

Books as furniture:

(Ryan Korban)
(Ryan Korban)

Source unknown (help me if you know!)

(Domino, May 2006)

(Several images sourced from the fantastic Habitually Chic)

Last Word: June 22

Been reminded of how good people are this week...

(Via I Can Read)

Vote: My entry in the tabletop contest at Coco + Kelley

Yesterday, one of my favorite blogs Coco + Kelley challenged readers to create a themed outdoor tablescape. (You can vote here.) Since a typical dinner for me tends to involve a makeshift paper towel plate, my couch and So You Think You Can Dance, I was super excited to get creative.

My tabletop is inspired by the 1953 film Mogambo starring Ava Gardner, Clarke Gable and Grace Kelly. Gable stars as Victor Marswell, who runs a big game trapping company in Kenya, and also takes tourists on safari. Inevitably, Gardner and Kelly wind up on Safari with Gable, and both fall in love with him.

I loved the idea of a romantic and glamorous dinner using just what you have around you. I envisioned a table for two assembled from a raised steamer trunk and vintage safari chairs, with a candle-lit North African lantern hanging overhead.

C'mon, are you going to tell me that one of these women wouldn't pack wine glasses?


(All tabletop items from Vivre, lantern from Urban Outfitters, leather-clad flashlight from Sundance Catalog, steamer trunk and safari chairs from 1stdibs.com)

Beach Chic in a Cubicle World

All my life I've felt that Summer is MY time. Meant for endless days sprawled out under my backyard sprinkler, impromptu trips to the Jersey Shore, beachcombing, paddleball, my backyard hammock and floating docks.

As the years progressed, serious internships replaced the challenge of setting up inflatable backyard pools on an uneven lawn and the first REAL job (where I still work) meant I'd replace bikini chic with business casual. It's been a bittersweet transition, but at the same time, I'm grateful for the opportunity to engage my brain creatively everyday, while surrounded by a team of fun and brilliant people.

To help my brain compromise, I try to do something everyday to remind myself that it is, indeed, summer. Sometimes this means taking a longer, more scenic route home, or turning off the AC and opening all my windows. It never ceases to amaze me what a change these small gestures make.



One of my favorite tips is to switch out your usual post-shower lotion for some old-school Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil. Put it on wet skin and blot dry with a towel. I guarantee that iconic coconut scent will instantly transport you to every beachside memory you've ever wanted to evoke at 7 a.m. on a Monday, and it will leave your skin amazingly dewy and smooth.