PERFECT PALETTES:

Some palettes never die for me and this is one of them. I adore the combination of this rich green (with a hint of teal) and bronze together...



A kick of golden mustard or peach gives it a nice punch, and black adds a bit of drama. It's similar to this palette I put together last January - just a new evolution! Whenever I see color combinations reemerge in my life, I take note. I'm pretty sure it means they're ones I can live with for quite some time. What color combos are a constant in your life?


*images on pinterest via wearing the pants and flickr

LA DOLCE VITA: MORE RED + GREEN

Yes, I'm still obsessing over the color combo of red + green as we head in August and the sweetest part of summer...

Evoking some vintage nostalgia and a nod to Italian culture (I mean, could that Dolce & Gabbana dress say it any more perfectly?) this mod mix is the perfect style inspiration for the rest of summer... and right on into fall too!

*resources: red pendant light, coco cozy pillows, anthropologie leather bag, dolce & gabanna shift dress, vespa, louboutin gingham pumps, retro outdoor chair at crate & barrel

MY MILLION-DOLLAR OFFICE

I know many of you have been following along in the drama, decor, and dahlings that are the Million-Dollar Decorators on Bravo. Well, today - to celebrate the season finale - I was asked by Bravo to put together a million-dollar challenge: an inspiration board for my dream office space worthy of these fabulous designers. Lucky for them (and me!) it's one of my most favorite spaces to fantasize about... 

And here she is! Would miss Mary (and the rest of the gang) approve? I wanted the space to feel light, yet dramatic, and was inspired by the Schumacher Birds and Butterflies fabric, my obsession with malachite, and my all-time favorite desk by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair - completely customized of course. Needless to say... an unlimited budget comes in handy.

What do you think? Or better yet, what do you think they'd think?? Share your thoughts with us here or hop over to the Million Dollar Decorators fan page where they'll be posting it later today!

*resources top to bottom: desk lamp by arteriors, chandelier by tord boontje at moss,  bone inlay chair at well-appointed home, mgbw side table, asheworth campaign desk, bookcases at ballard designs, lyford diamond quadrille fabric, schumacher birds and butterflies fabric, pair of malachite lamps on 1st dibs, settee on 1st dibs, venetian screen at bellacor, rug by trina turk at layla grayce

RED, WHITE + GREEN?

While I work on putting together a few more posts from my travels in Italy, this color combination seems quite appropriate to share with you this morning...

A preppy twist to red, white and blue, the switch to green is unexpected for summer, don't you think? I love the little addition of pale blue or aqua to keep it feeling fresh, too.

As a side note, Nick Olsen really hit this little studio apartment out of the park with his fun design - I immediately tore out the white sofa with green piping for my inspiration board. If you haven't seen it (all over blogland), check out the whole thing on House Beautiful's site.

*pillow by unison, beach umbrella bag by roberta freymann

FRESH RIVIERA

The resort collection from Roksanda Ilincic has me wishing I were boating on the Riviera in the 30's...


Turban in full effect, of course! The simple combinations of color throughout the entire collection make it cohesive and wonderfully fresh...

Tangerine, acid mint green, navy and white. The only pattern was a hit of large-scale gingham here and there. Absolute perfection, and lovely little dresses...


*images via style.com

DELICIOUS DESERT COLORS

So, completely loving this pattern from the Korento collection at Iittala...

The colors and illustrations remind me of spring in the desert - bold bursts of orange and green against a blue sky in an otherwise dusty backdrop. I'm so inspired to create a tabletop full of succulents stemming from this palette!

KEEP IT LOOSE... KEEP IT LIGHT...

In an attempt to hold onto the little bit of peace I felt after a relaxing long weekend, I'm taking deep breaths and clearing space in my home, my mind, my life... everything...

I'm taking moments to lay in the sun (if only briefly), to allow myself to dream (just a little), and to prioritize the things that are most important...

To make plans, but keep a few days open for spontaneity...

To take the time to relish in a good meal with friends, or bask in moments of silence...

And most importantly, to be able to walk away from things when it necessary... out of the heavy burden of unhealthy relationships, stressful workdays, and even gloomy weather. Life is too short to have to shoulder it all, when so many better possibilities await!


*images via alexandra angle, arizona muse by benjamin alexander huseby, house beautiful via splendid sass, and brooke coffey for fgr

I LOVE...

Remember my recent post singing the praises of green leather? Let's just add this to the list, shall we?

Yum.

*gorgeous leather goods by valhalla on etsy

GREEN LEATHER GETS FRESH

There are very few circumstances in life where the idea of a green leather living room set would be even remotely close to a genius design concept. This is one of them:

Leaving the rest of the space fresh, white and modern makes this incredibly appealing to me! Of course, it helps the the chesterfield sofa and chairs have fantastic style. It reminds me of this ensemble that I blogged about a couple years back...

Still dying to find the just-right vintage green leather jacket to top my white dresses and t's in.

*images via unknown (help!) and the sartorialist 

ALLOW ME TO DEMONSTRATE...

Yesterday I mentioned how mustard yellows and teal greens were heading to the top of the color list for 2011...

Well I just so happened to stumble across this home that perfectly pairs the two together in a very cozy but modern bedroom (whose gorgeous chiffon-esque drapes have me drooling...)

I love the addition of stronger neutrals to the color scheme and how the wood tones pick up that mustard yellow too. The use of white keeps the saturated jewel tones from feeling too heavy - a good way to keep the colors moving forward into spring! But for now... how fabulous are they for winter too?

They even brought the color scheme into the living room with a pop of mustard against that dramatic rich green sofa! Love!


*images via nuevo estilo

GREEN POP

Whether you're bundling in for the cold...


Or keeping things fresh in the sun...


I'm so feeling these pops of strong greens right now!


*images: christina murphy for house beautiful, gossip girl, thad hayes, chris nicholls