Fabulous Room Friday 10.29.10

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would put an Ikea kitchen in my dream house files. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything wrong with Ikea, but they have taken things to a whole new level with these shots from their upcoming catalog!

I honestly love everything about this kitchen. I would bring in some higher-end light fixtures, but other than that, I love the look. There is such a great balance between the more traditional look of the cabinetry and the raw, almost industrial feel of the space.

I really love the look of this open shelving against the exposed, painted brick. I don’t think I would do a kitchen with all open shelving, but since this kitchen already has a ton of upper and lower cabinets, this adds a nice touch.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

{Image Source}

The Style Files: Lee Kleinhelter

Lee Kleinhelter opened her fabulous Atlanta store, Pieces back in 2004 after sensing a void in the style market there. She sought out to create a concept that could bridge the gap between the mass-market stores we all know and high-end antiques dealers. Pieces offers a variety of unique textiles and accessories along with an array of vintage furnishings that have been given new life through new paint and upholstery. If you mention Pieces to most design lovers, they can most likely envision the store’s signature aesthetic. It is a great mix of unique furnishings, poppy colors, and amazing vintage inspiration. It’s a little East Coast, a little West Coast, and decidedly Southern with a modern twist, just like Lee.

Name: Lee Kleinhelter

Occupation: stylist, shop owner, mom

Hometown: Greensboro, NC

Current City: Atlanta

LDV: What do you love most about your career?

LK: I love styling and pulling pieces together. Editing and seeing a project come together is what I enjoy the most. 2nd most favorite would be bumping into a cool object or piece  of furniture that we salvage and bring back to life. So many of our pieces go through lots of steps, and it's always fantastic to see them transform. Of course, with our vintage pieces, the absolute final joy is when they find a great home. But back to favorite: by far it is editing and styling.

 

LDV: Where do you find inspiration?

LK: Restaurants, hotels, traveling ... But honestly it could be a paint chip, my child's new sippy cup or spread in a fashion magazine. I believe we all need to get out and see different things to be inspired. It's easy to get stuck in our daily routines. I also find it refreshing to stop and flip through old magazines. I'm so glad I saved some of my favorites since most are no longer in print. We are constantly on our phones and computers...so its nice to stop, relax and flip through the beautiful pages of what's gone on before.

{Room Designed by Miles Redd}

LDV: Who are some of your personal style icons?

LK: Miles Redd is just beyond fabulous. His color! And Billy Baldwin of course. I also spent hours studying architecture and building models in school. That is when I fell in love with Richard Meier (obviously love all the white grids). And then... I also have secret mentors in other areas of design (fashion, etc) who inspire me...I'll tell you about those some other time.

LDV: How would you describe your own style?

LK: Clean, WELL edited and styled with a punch of color.

LDV: What is the trait you most admire in a person?

LK: Honesty.

 

LDV: What is your principal weakness?

LK: Without a doubt, shoes.

8. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Always trust your gut feeling.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I'm not sure if its happened yet.

10. What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?

Doing what I love for a living, and waking up every day with the two most important men in my life. I feel very lucky.

Bloom:  Palm Tree

Food: Cheese. Amazing cheese!

Drink: Lately, Skinny girl Margaritas (wish I had invented!)

Thing to Wear: Great shoes!

Destination: Would love to go back to Parrot Cay or St. Barts, both to die.

Season: Fall

Musician: Lady Gaga (dying over her clothes)

Television Show: All Bravo.. And Flipping Out. I can always relate!

Book: Sadly, lately, I don't have time to read.

{An Entry from Mrs. Lillien’s Blog}

Magazines: Vogue, Us Weekly, Elle Decor, ALL travel magazines

Blogs: Ms. Lillien

Texture: Soft fur (like our tibetan goat fur pouf...to die!)

 

Fabric or Pattern: Chevron

Color: Hot Pink...like our tufted hot pink/chrome chairs.

Scent: Basil

Extravagance: Have I mentioned shoes?

Leading Lady: Princess Letizia of Spain

{Two Chic Leading Ladies: Princess Letizia of Spain and Carla Bruni Sarkozy of France}

I have long been intrigued by the royal families of Europe. From my obsession with Princess Diana (and Prince William) in my early teens to my interest in the Tudor dynasty to a modern-day admiration for the ever-stylish Queen Rania of Jordan, I find the royals fascinating. For the past few years, it is Princess Letizia of Spain who has been on my radar. Her marriage to Prince Felipe was not without scandal as she was a journalist and divorcée prior to becoming a royal. Several years later, the Prince and Princess of Asturias have what seems to be a strong marriage, two beautiful daughters, Leonor and Sofia, and Letizia seems to turn heads everywhere she goes. She tends to dress in a classic, conservative way. She is a royal figurehead, after all, but she infuses every look with chic, youthful touches that make her overall look quite modern and polished.

 

 

{Princess Letizia, Prince Felipe, and their daughters Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofia with the Spanish National Soccer Team after Spain won the World Cup in July}

 

Are you a fan of Princess Letizia’s style? Is there a particular princess, queen, or first lady whose style you admire?

 

{Images via The Huffington Post and Zimbio}

Love It or Leave It: Olivia Palermo & Leopard Print

{Olivia Palermo looking completely fierce on the streets of New York- I love this look! Source}

{I am majorly loving leopard right now and this cardigan paired with a yellow skirt and that statement safety pin necklace makes for a very fresh combination! Source}

 

So, let’s hear it. Could you see yourself wearing either of these outfits?

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Nicole of SoHaute

Fresh off of mentions in both Lonny and House Beautiful, the beautiful and talented Nicole Gibbons of SoHaute is here to share the “10 Things” she can’t live without today. Nicole is a New York-based interior designer with an knack for creating beautiful spaces combining classic touches and modern details. She also happens to be one of the most gracious bloggers I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. Like Nicole, her “10 Things” list is thoughtful, charming, and fun!

My passport affords me the opportunity to travel the world and my absolute favorite vacation destination is the Caribbean. I've been seduced by the natural beauty of the islands...the colors, the crystal clear water, the lush tropical landscaping and the tranquil ocean breeze. There's no place on earth I'd rather be!

My idea of the perfect night out is enjoying a low-key dinner with friends. There's nothing better than great conversation, laughter, amazing food and plenty of wine. I'm a sucker for Italian and one of my favorite restaurants is Gusto Ristorante in the West Village. Their pastas are heavenly!

I love my best friends Lizzy, Evita and Deidra more than anything and I'm so lucky to have these three incredibly smart, talented and beautiful women in my life! I've known Lizzy & Evita since we were six and Deidra since we were 18 and I couldn't imagine life without them!

My friends jokingly refer to me as Martha because I bake something just about every weekend! I savor anything lemon, crave chocolate and recently I've developed a new found obsession with peanut butter cookies. I live for this recipe.

I love an old-school comedy and my favorite movie of all-time is Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. I can recite just about every word line for line! No matter how many times I watch that movie, it's guaranteed to have me in stitches!

My favorite accessories are three gold watches (similar to the ones above) that I inherited from my grandfather after he passed away several years ago. They're hands down my most prized possessions. Not only do they remind me of my grandfather every time I put them on, there also incredibly chic.

Like Paloma I'm crazy for anything Greek key! I also love Chinoiserie and both of my decorative obsessions are captured in this lovely photo of Ruthie Sommers in her now defunct LA shop Chapman & Radcliffe Home. The desk, the framed de Gournay wallpaper panels...in the words of Rachel Zoe, I die!

I couldn't possibly function without the various gadgets that are a part of my daily life...my Macbook, iPad, Blackberry and Canon G10 camera enable me to blog, help me to capture inspiration, keep me organized and allow me to stay connected. I have to add the internet to this list too...I'd feel lost without the world wide web!

I thrive on inspiration and am inspired by so many things from architecture, nature, books and magazines to the work of interior design legends of the past, my travels, culture, blogs...you name it. I'm constantly surrounded by inspiring things which help fuel my creativity on a daily basis.

There's nothing like coming home every day to a comfortable home that I love. My apartment provides a quiet and relaxing respite from the hectic pace of New York City and is filled with beautiful things that have deep personal meaning. My reflects who I am and is a place that truly makes me happy.

Book Review: Peter Pennoyer Architects & The Irish Country House

{I love these amazing pocket doors and the perfect shade of blue in this dining room by Peter Pennoyer Architects.}

The generous people at Vendome Press recently asked if I would be interested in reviewing copies of their new books, Peter Pennoyer Architects and The Irish Country House. I always love to check out new design books so I agreed to take a look at the new books. Any time that I am sent something, I make sure that the sender knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will only write about it in a favorable light and the only way that will happen is if I truly love it. Luckily, there were no awkward moments to be had in this situation because I truly enjoyed both books.

 

Peter Pennoyer Architects focuses on twenty of the firm’s recently-completed projects including country homes, townhouses, and apartments. Each of Pennoyer’s projects is extremely polished, though the style ranges from very traditional to more of a transitional look like you’ll see in the pictures I’ve chosen for this post.

{While Pennoyer’s projects include entire homes and many beautiful, thoughtful details, my favorite rooms in the book are the kitchens the firm has designed.}

{This is one of my favorite rooms in the book! I love the cabinetry, lighting, and the contrast of the dark floors and honed black granite against the white cabinetry.}

{A Second Look at the Same Lovely Kitchen}

The second book that I was invited to review was The Irish Country House.  While my own design sensibility is typically more modern, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about these fascinating old estates and the Irish characters who lived in them for generations. The homes are filled with antiques, mysterious relics, family photographs, and an endless amount of inspiration and intrigue. There is something about grand old castles and homes that captures one’s imagination in a way that most other things cannot.

{Each house has so many thoughtful details like these floors and arches. There is a storybook quality to each home featured in this book.”}

{I would have loved to see this kitchen in action 100 years ago!}

{This gorgeous, classic stationery was one of many thoughtful details in the book.}

 

{Images Courtesy of Vendome Press}