Wish I Were Here...

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity, capped off by a very eventful (in a good way) Thanksgiving weekend in New York with my family. And I've been working. A lot. (I even traveled cross-country for a business trip!)

I've decided that the best way to recover from all of this activity (and to prepare myself for the remainder of the busy holiday season) is to enjoy pictures of pretty interiors. Like this one:

via apartment therapy

Home Office Makeover: Oval Office Edition

Ever since the White House's big reveal of the Oval Office renovation earlier this week, the design community has been abuzz. The new look is very neutral and understated, but I think I like it.

Before:

After:

I'm digging that coffee table.

The view from behind THE desk.

Love: Matt Bernson and Kate Spade Clutches

Everyday objects can be a perfect (in that totally unintentional way) source of design inspiration. In my apartment, I've tried to capture a bit of that spirit by decorating with everyday objects, like books with colorful spines and vintage cameras.

So what happens when an ordinary (or, in the case of the gold bar, maybe extraordinary) object is re-imagined, re-worked and then revealed to the design-obsessed among us? Magic is what happens. Cases-in-point: the Matt Bernson Gold Bar Clutch and Kate Spade's new line of book clutches. How fabulous are these little numbers?

images via mattbernson.com

image via katespade.com

At $99, the Matt Bernson clutch, handcrafted from one piece of molten leather, is a steal (and much more affordable than the vintage Chanel gold bar clutch). A Kate Spade book clutch will set you back a cool $325, but, as with most good design, it just might be worth the investment. Looking for a more wallet-friendly option? Download a free desktop wallpaper inspired by the Kate Spade book clutches.

Why Hello, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

I just finished watching the season premiere of Mad Men for the second time. I had to watch it twice to fully absorb all of the changes -- I was prepared for change, but I was not prepared for a seismic shift! (P.S. -- What did Betty and Henry Francis do with the velvet tufted headboard? I so miss that headboard.)

During my second viewing, I was able to focus on SCDP's new digs in the Time-Life building. The new offices have an entirely different vibe -- I do miss the sepia-toned hues of the old Sterling Cooper offices. But the new offices are beginning to grow on me. I was really struck by the bold use of color, which I first thought looked a little anachronistic for 1964. But as these photos from the House Beautiful archives have taught me, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce was just catching up with the times:

circa February 1962

circa May 1962

circa October 1961

circa December 1961

circa February 1960

(All images via House Beautiful)

Finishing Touches: Crate and Barrel Lamp

I've been experimenting with "entertainment area" decor in my apartment for the better part of the past year and a half. After falling in love with Crate and Barrel's True Media Console in white (still available here on Crate and Barrel's outlet website), I bought it, my mom spent Thanksgiving Day 2008 assembling it (she's the best), and I've been decorating around it. And now, thanks to this little find (in blue) at Crate and Barrel's SoHo outpost*, I'm really happy with how my entertainment area has shaped up:

Believe it or not, I took this picture with the camera on my Blackberry Storm (and it's a candid shot -- please ignore the water bottle on the floor, the miscellaneous items at the edge of the coffee table, and the random Music Choice picture/Facebook ad on the television...).

*I promise this isn't a paid endorsement, it's just that I've honestly had some good old-fashioned success at Crate and Barrel.

A Fully Stocked Bar @ Home

I know I'm not the first to do this (I could be the last), but I'm in the process of setting up my very own home bar. I think it was re-watching all 3 seasons of Mad Men that finally convinced me to do it. (P.S. Is anyone else having trouble waiting until July 25 for season 4??).

I have limited room in my 1 bedroom Manhattan apartment for a complete home bar, but I think that I can set up my very own "mini" home bar with an under-the cabinet wine glass rack (which I already have), an under-the-cabinet wine bottle rack (which I am in the process of acquiring) and this shelf from cb2, which I bought (and my mom installed -- thanks, mom!) last summer. I'll store bottles and a few bar accessories on the shelf.

I've been scouring the web for inspiration images for a home bar. Apartment Therapy recently featured this round-up of home bars, which is full good ideas. Here are a few more:

via decor pad (using IKEA Expedit shelves)

via apartment therapy

via restoration hardware

via pottery barn

via martha stewart

Lonny Magazine, I Think I May Love You

Count me among the many shelter magazine aficionados who is still recovering from the loss of Domino. But Lonny just may ease the pain. Lonny is a new, online-only shelter mag, and its premiere issue is full of beautiful furnishings, rich colors and fun profiles of some of my favorite design experts. I was really surprised (pleasantly) by the abundance of wonderful ideas in the magazine, and I can't wait for the next issue.

Check out the first issue of Lonny magazine here.

Paying Homage to Project Runway (or, doing the homework for my sewing class)

Today, I am up bright and early to run a few very important errands before I settle in for an afternoon of work (on a Saturday, yes, but I didn't have to work at all over the holiday weekend, so I'm not complaining). First on my list? A trip to Mood Fabrics! I have to pick out a "lightweight cotton fabric" (no plaids, no knits) suitable for the pajama bottoms that I will be making in Sunday's class at FIT. For this assignment, I couldn't think of a better place than the store that Project Runway introduced to the fashion design and reality television lovers among us.

Alright, I'm off. I'm so excited!

Fair Winds Trading

images: macys.com

Yesterday, while "window shopping" on macys.com, I stumbled upon these beautiful, handwoven Fair Winds Trading Rwanda bowls and baskets. Intrigued, I had to know more. And after a little internet research, I learned that Fair Winds Trading is a company that promotes social entrepreneurship among women living in improverished, war-torn areas throughout the world, including Rwanda, Indonesia and Cambodia. The company's mission is to provide U.S. consumers with unique products and to provide women artisans in those areas with sustainable wages.

Read more about Fair Winds Trading and its founder, Willa Shalit (Gene's daughter), here. And visit Macys.com to shop for beautiful housewares and accessories from Fair Winds Trading (recession-friendly bonus: many of them are on sale!).

Apartment Finds

Yesterday I ventured to the cb2 store in Soho (in the middle of a snowstorm!) and walked away with some really fun and affordable purchases:

Yes, this means that I decided to go with the zebra chair. It looked really great in the store, and it looks even better next to my secretary desk!

How adorable is this pillow? It looks lovely perched on my new zebra chair.


I also purchased one of these vases (the blue one ... it's a nice addition to my coffee table).

As much as I love how mainstream stores like West Elm and cb2 make functional, modern furniture and housewares accessible to the masses, I am also a huge fan of indie products for the home. Yesterday, I spent part of my redecorating budget on this beautiful print from Lotta Jansdotter:


And, while I haven't purchased it yet, I'm thinking of purchasing this beautiful fabric from Maramiki for the DIY headboard project that's been on my list of things-to-do since September:

Apartment Find

I'm constantly on the hunt for black and white photographic prints for the walls of my new apartment. I'm really excited about this recent purchase, a gallery-wrapped black and white canvas print (thank you, Target). I think it'll add some flair to my kitchen.

Chair Dilemma

I've been on the hunt for a chair to complement the secretary desk that I scored during a "40% off the sale price" event at West Elm's Chelsea store.

Here's the desk (This picture is from the West Elm website, not my apartment. How great is that exposed brick, though?):



Here's chair option #1 (the "zebra chair," on sale for $49.95 at cb2.com):


Here's chair option #2 (the "envelope chair," on sale for $99.95 at cb2.com):

I'm leaning toward the zebra chair (it has more personality), but the envelope chair would match the desk perfectly...

Domino Magazine: 2005-2009

The March 2009 issue of Domino magazine will be the last. I'm still in shock. How could this be? I'm staring at my small collection of Domino magazines right now and wishing I had started subscribing sooner...

More on this sad news here, here, and here.

So That's Why I Had Trouble Using J.Crew's Website Today

I think that Michelle Obama is absolutely fabulous, and I am so excited about her turn as First Lady of the United States. I respect that she is an Ivy League-educated attorney and the mother of two beautiful girls. I also appreciate that it is more important to focus on her professional and personal accomplishments than to focus on the clothes she wears and the decorating decisions she makes at the White House. So, as much as I love fashion and interior design, I am going to make a conscious effort to honor that focus (but not totally neglect the fashion and design angle, of course!).

With that said, I have just one tiny anecdote. For the past several days, I've attempted to make some "final sale" purchases on the J. Crew website. Without fail, the website has crashed every single time I attempted to make these purchases. It appears that ever since Michelle Obama wore J. Crew gloves to the inauguration festivities last Tuesday (in addition to wearing very stylish J.Crew outfits during several public appearances over the past few months), business at J. Crew has increased 400%. I guess the website wasn't prepared for the increased traffic. Amazing.

Good News, Bad News.

The good news: The sewing class that I've registered for at the Fashion Institute of Technology is the "best fashion class" in New York City.

The bad news: I'm nearly four years late to this party.

New York Magazine's "Best of..."

Apartment Find!

I love it when I find a piece that I just know will be perfect in my apartment. And this white stool from Z Gallerie is one of those rare finds. How great are those interlocking circles? I love this stool so much, I may even dig deep into my apartment design budget to order two ...

I'm Back

It's been one month and 3 days since I last posted to my blog. Truth be told, November ended up being an incredibly eventful month -- eventful in a good way. First, I finally received my results from that big, scary exam that stole my summer and led me to re-evaluate my personal life and my priorities (which, as it turned out, also ended up being a good thing). And I passed! I really wasn't sure that I did, and when I learned that I had passed, well, I was as happy as I've ever been.

Second, I turned 27 in November, and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I still don't feel like an adult, which is just fine by me. I don't plan to feel like an adult until I absolutely have to, and that time has yet to come.

Third, Thanksgiving was at my house this year! That's right, my mother, father, and brother descended upon my Manhattan apartment for Thanksgiving weekend. I prepared dinner (that's right, I cooked -- maybe I am an adult?) while my parents and brother helped me execute some of the decorating ideas I had put on hold while awaiting the results of that scary exam -- the walls in my living room were drenched with a milky "greige" paint (Ralph Lauren's "Forde Abbey" in eggshell -- a color that I picked out with the assistance of Domino magazine), and the Crate & Barrel "true media console" that I ordered nearly two months ago was finally assembled. And while my apartment is far from finished, it looks much better than it did before, and I finally feel like I'm in a place where I can take my time looking for inspiration and pulling the whole look together.

November was not such a hot month for the economy, and I feel so incredibly fortunate to have a job and to know where my next paycheck/meal/necessity is coming from -- it seems that the news on the economy gets worse and worse every day. On an entirely trivial note, it's been really interesting to see how the economic crisis has been affecting the "how to" coverage of fashion and design blogs and magazines -- how to find holiday gifts for under $25 (0r $50, or $100), how to build a new wardrobe with the clothes you already have in your closet, how to throw a holiday party for 8 for under $100. I think that I'm going to start stockpiling this information -- doing more for less is a great skill to have, both in good times and in bad...

Goodness All Around

I'm blogging from my couch (more on the couch below) as I watch the Florida-LSU game. Florida is ahead 10-0 with six minutes left in the 1st quarter. I'm feeling good about this one. Other things that I'm feeling good about at the moment:

1. Korres Natural Skincare products. I had been eyeing these at Sephora for the past year. On Thursday evening, when my face began to show the effects of pulling late nights and weekends at work, I decided to stop by Sephora to pick up a new under eye cream. Instead, I picked up a Korres Wild Rose starter set, which included an Evening Primrose Eye Cream. All of the products in the kit are lovely...rich, but not greasy, and ever so slightly fragrant.

2. Hand sanitizer. Not for its sanitizing capabilities, but for its ability to remove an ink stain from my brand new, cream colored microfiber couch. Yes, I made the mistake of taking notes (about my student loan repayment schedule, no less) with a bright blue pen while sitting on my new couch. Yes, I panicked and googled "removing ink stains from microfiber." Yes, my search yielded the hand sanitizer trick (dab a little on the stain; blot, don't rub, until ink disappears). And yes, it worked!

3. The Domino Book of Decorating (and Amazon.com, for delivering my pre-order copy in 2 days). Thank you, Domino editors, for putting together this book at the perfect time. I have just embarked on decorating my new apartment, and this book is full of really great tips. Plus, once I finally decide on a coffee table, I can keep this book on it!

Okay, back to the game. Florida is now ahead 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.

More Apartment Decorating

image source: La-Z-Boy Furniture (la-z-boy.com)
After a week of recurring nightmares about a white sofa and a glass of red wine, I've decided to consider an equally neutral, but darker color for my new sofa--a color that will not only allow me to change the look of my living room fairly easily with a new set of throw pillows, but that will also put up a good fight against a wayward glass of wine (I'm not even a big wine drinker, but I do plan to hone my dinner party hosting skills in my new apartment. And every good dinner party requires a great wine. Right?) After doing a little research, (thanks to Apartment Therapy, Consumer Reports, and HGTV), my heart is set on chocolate brown. And while I'm still looking, I really like the La-Z-Boy offering above. I'm imagining that this will look great with throw pillows in just the perfect shade of blue--a color combination I've been in love with ever since the Sex and the City set designers livened up Carrie's bedroom with beautiful, subtle shades of brown and blue.

Apartment Decorating 101

image source: rentaldecorating.com
September will mark the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for me. For the first time in my adult life, I will not be living in a studio apartment! In Manhattan, this is quite the luxury. I'm so excited to decorate my new 1 bedroom apartment, and I've been scouring websites and design magazines for ideas. I absolutely love the serene, clean look of the living room pictured above, and I've decided to use it as the inspiration for my own living room. The light colors make me a little nervous (I'm imagining an incident involving a glass of red wine and that white couch), so I may modify the color scheme a little bit. But this is a great start!