My Favorite Room: Camille Styles

Greetings, LDV friends! Camille Styles here, feeling a little sentimental as I share my very favorite room in our home. My daughter Phoebe turns 6 months this week, and it seems like yesterday that I was pregnant and carefully planning every detail of her nursery. I wanted to make it a peaceful sanctuary where we could both escape from the rest of the world to read, play - and hopefully one that would encourage long sleep-filled nights! Since the rest of our house is pretty neutral in shades of taupe, cream and chocolate, I wanted her room to feel like an extension, albeit one with some playful, whimsical details. Many of the pieces are from Serena & Lily, including her soft flokati rug, bohemian-style chandelier and classic glider where we spend lots of time, and I tried to bring in lots of rich texture to warm up the minimal palette. Take a peek inside my inspiration-gathering process here. I knew we needed a functional area for changing lots of diapers, and I loved how this changing table from Restoration Hardware still brings in the graceful curves and french-inspired design of a beautiful piece of furniture. When Phoebe's a little older, I think it'll transition great to a little armoire for storing clothes and toys. We filled her bookshelf with lots of editions of childhood favorites (love the penguin classics illustrated by coralie bickford-smith), as well as a handful of family photos and several baskets for hiding toys. I'm so thrilled with how the room came together, and I know it won't be long until Phoebe is crawling all over the rug and pulling toys off the shelves. I know it's going to fly by way too quickly...but I love that when we're in this peaceful, quiet room, time seems to stand still.  

Designer Profile: Thomas Urquijo

There is a special breed of eclectic elegance that European decorators and designers seem to have mastered. Spanish designers, specifically those based in Madrid such as Pablo Paniagua, Luis Bustamante, Lorenzo Castillo, and Thomas Urquijo whose work is profiled in this post, are especially gifted at achieving this style. Perhaps it stems from their rich heritage and the proximity to top-notch antiques dealers and one-of-a-kind finds. They design spaces that are filled with magnificent antiques juxtaposed with modern furnishings and abstract art. Each piece seems to tell a story, setting the stage for the characters that surely live in such divine homes. The look is thoughtful and deliberate, yet each space resonates with an effortless nature. These are layered spaces filled with eclectic pieces, bold patterns, rich colors, and art from a cross-section of periods, all composed with brilliant panache. Thomas Urquijo’s work is a beautiful blend of classic pieces composed with modern verve. The rooms he designs are a bit more modern and streamlined than that of his contemporaries in the Spanish design scene, but they are no less dramatic. Each space is comprised of memorable moments with a feeling of luxury throughout.

{Image Source: Thomas Urquijo Arquitectura Interior}

This Week’s Quote

 

 

{Image via Small Shop Studio}

Save the Date: Houston’s Azalea Trail

March in Houston usually means two things—the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Azalea season! The city’s most beautiful neighborhoods are in full bloom this time of year with vibrant azaleas. Each year, the River Oaks Garden Club hosts the Azalea Trail, which is in its 78th year this season. It’s a fantastic way to see some of the most spectacular homes and gardens in the Bayou City. The Azalea Trail takes place next weekend: March 8,9, and 10 from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm.

This year, the River Oaks Garden Club has published its fifth edition of A Garden Book for Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. I recently added a copy to my collection in hopes that it might help to remedy my “black thumb”. It would also make a great Mother’s Day gift!

Fabulous Room Friday 03.01.13

This week’s fabulous room belongs to the adorable Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick. Her apartment in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood was just featured in the New York Times yesterday. In the article she explains how she and her design partner, Suysel dePedro Cunningham transformed a boring, industrial redux loft into a warm, inviting space layered with textures, bold colors, and fun patterns. The living room features a lovely mix of eclectic furnishings. The tufted sofa by Kravet is upholstered in beautiful aqua velvet while the vintage armchairs—a score on eBay, got new cushions upholstered in a punchy ikat. The fabulous coffee table is from Oscar de la Renta’s collection for Century Furniture. I love that this is a super stylish, yet comfortable space. What is your favorite element in this room? Have a wonderful weekend!