I’m not a big car fanatic or anything, but lately, I have been smitten with the idea of a vintage Porsche or Mercedes convertible. There is something so chic about these particular body styles and the eras they hail from. While, I am not a convertible girl on a day to day basis, in fact, I have been eyeing the Audi Q7 SUV for some time now, I can definitely get behind the idea of slipping behind the wheel of one of these babies and cruising down the California coast with my hair wrapped in a beautiful scarf. A girl can dream! Could you see yourself driving one of these beauties?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Lady is a Tramp
Fabulous Room Friday 10.28.11
The November 2011 issue of ELLE DÉCOR is one of my favorites in recent memory. It is filled with grand, glamorous, colorful spaces including the living room pictured above. At only 1,300 square feet, the apartment of Claiborne Swanson Frank and her husband, James Frank isn’t enormous in size, but the chic style in which it is decorated makes it seem larger than life. I love the way in which they embraced color and pattern. In the living room alone, you have leopard, Greek key, ikat, and malachite. The airy space feels stylish and young with a polished twist. I have to say, Claiborne’s sense of style does not come as a surprise. I had the pleasure of meeting her mother, Elizabeth at the family’s Swanson Vineyards in Napa Valley last year. She is beautiful, kind, and slightly eccentric in the most fabulous way and it is clear that all of her beautiful daughters (Claiborne, Alexis, and Veronica) have inherited her panache and innate sense of style.
Have a fantastic weekend!
{Image Credit: Simon Watson for ELLE DÉCOR}
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Glamour Obsession: American Glamour by Ralph Lauren
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Beautifully Organized: Hanging Earrings
Today I'm sharing with you a few ideas for storing drop earrings. When it comes to jewelry, most of us need to have our pieces out where we can see them, or else we tend to forget we have them and don't wear them. These options below allow you to not only organize your earrings, but also display them in a beautiful way. Afterall, some things are just too pretty to keep stashed away in a box or drawer and never see the light of day.
First up, jewelry stands. Many out there tend to be labeled as necklace holders, but they can be used for earrings too. Just make sure that you select one with an arm/bar that isn't too thick.
Another option is to hook earrings around the rims of decorative bowls and teacups. This is a perfect way to use china that might otherwise be collecting dust, or to add function to a flea market find.
For those with large collections, a great option is an acrylic screen like this one from the Container Store. It allows you to have all your earrings in one spot and see what you have at a glance.
Last but not least, an earring frame can be custom made to fit your needs. Leave more space between the wires for longer earrings, less for shorter ones. Read the DIY details here and here.
So what do you think? Would you use one of these ideas? How do you currently store your hanging earrings?
See you again soon!
-Arianna
{Image sources: 1- lobster and swan, 2- glitter guide, 3- bryn alexandra, 4- makeunder my life, 5- glitter guide, 6- real simple, 7-kevin and amanda}
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dream Home: Camille Styles
Camille Styles here, so excited to be stopping by La Dolce Vita to share a few snippets from my "dream home" with all of you today! Every once in a while, I spot an image of a room that's so perfect, so balanced, so me that I literally can't get it out of my head. So, when my husband and I started the journey of designing and building our own dream home 2 years ago, those images became my go-to source for inspiration on color palette, layout, materials and textures. Today's post is a little peek into my home workbook, and this foyer pictured above sets the perfect tone for how I want guests to feel as they enter my home. Serene, organic and a bit like they've suddenly escaped to a Mediterranean island...
Since this is my dream home, we might as well explore it in the context of my dream day, don't you think? The morning begins in this perfectly airy bedroom with a heavenly canopy covered in swaths of white. I lounge in mounds of down with a cappuccino and stacks of magazines, easing into a new day.
Can you imagine a more perfect space in which to get ready? The grid of high contrast framed photography is so striking, and the geometric display keeps the look serene. A pedestal tub centered perfectly underneath a lavish chandelier adds major romance to the scene. My house guests must be treated to an equal level of luxury, and I don't think anyone would complain in this all-white and cream haven, grounded with dark floors and the most perfect cowhide rug. I love how this kitchen mixes state-of-the-art appliances with vintage restaurant-style charm. Soapstone countertops and to-the-ceiling shelving are beautiful and functional. And oh, that fireplace!After brunch I'd retire to this zen-like reading nook for daydreaming, blogging and maybe a long chat over coffee with a girl friend. Can you tell that I'm a big fan of symmetry? 'Cause I am.
A girl's gotta get some sunshine, and I can't think of a better place for it than this elegant, European-style lap pool. The lines are clean and the landscaping's pristine. I could definitely spend an entire afternoon hanging out right here.
My living room strikes the perfect balance between contemporary and cozy. Yes, it's monochromatic, but the punches of espresso from the tray, pillows and armchairs keep everything really crisp. And my dream home would definitely have those mounds of callas on the coffee table, every single day. Talk about dreamy!
The day ends in this dining room...al fresco, of course! The gravel terrace with oversized lanterns and solid farmhouse-style table is just the type of spot where I'd want to serve long family-style meals that last late into the night. Oh, and in case you're wondering: we did finally move into our house in April, and it really is my dream home. I still need to post about the entire space, but for now, here's a quick peek at my home office. Thanks so much for having me Paloma, and would love to hear what all of you think of my choices!
*images: coco+kelley, domino, atlanta homes mag, dress design decor, elle decor, architectural digest, restoration hardware.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Purple Reign
{The Phene Lounge in London}
Purple has never been my favorite color. In fact, I’ve always been more attracted to pink. However, I couldn’t help but notice this feminine, regal color popping up everywhere over the past month. Most of the major shelter magazines ran stories with interiors dressed in varying shades of purple and lavender and it seems to be having a big moment in fashion as well. Are you drawn to purple? I think I usually shy away from it because it can seem a bit too cold and over the top girly sometimes, but this images have me singing a different tune. It seems purple can be completely chic and elegant.
{The Corinthian Club in Glasgow}
{Tony Duquette’s Stunning Dawnridge Estate in Beverly Hills}
{A Gorgeous Living Room in Varying Shades of Purple by Pat Healing of HB Home}
{This chic purple dining room is part of the same home designed by Pat Healing, featured on the cover of the October 2011 issue of House Beautiful.}
{A Beautiful Pair of Chairs Covered in Quadrille Fabric}
{Purple Velvet + Chic Leopard + Stunning!}
{Gorgeous Purple Hydrangeas}
{The Piece de Resistance: A Purple Hermes Birkin with Pink Accents}
Friday, October 21, 2011
Anatomy of a Home: The Foyer
Miles Redd |
Jonathan Berger |
Jan Showers |
Ivy and Piper |
Live Like You |
Miles Redd |
The Marion House Book |
Fabulous Room Friday 10.21.11
Today’s “Fabulous Room” is grand and glamorous, while maintaining a bit of restraint. Designed by Steven Gambrel, this massive New York apartment is grand in every way. As a matter of fact, this stylish dining/living room combination was once an enormous ballroom. The tall ceilings and windows add to the drama of the room. Gambrel has opted for a very muted palette of cool grey and purple hues, while peppering the space with a few dramatic pieces like the giant Sputnik chandeliers and amethyst table lamps. The result is completely dramatic and elegant.
{Textiles in Cool Hues Mingle with Dark Wood Finishes}
Have a wonderful weekend!
{Image Source: Cococozy}