Fabulous Room Friday 03.29.13

{How amazing are these chairs swathed in my all-time-favorite fabric, La Fiorentina by David Hicks? The room feels fresh, modern, and polished.}

This week’s fabulous room is a gorgeous kitchen/den/breakfast room area by Bear Hill Interiors in Little Rock, Arkansas. The space is very much in tune with my style—classic silhouettes paired with bold colors, graphic patterns, and a touch of glamour. I could move right in!

{I love the light grey cabinetry and did something similar in my own kitchen. I love that it is classic, but a slight departure from the ubiquitous white kitchen. I am in love with the bamboo bar stools with peacock blue cushions. As Rachel Zoe would say, they are everything!}

{The mix in this vignette is just fabulous. I love that they’ve paired clean, modern frames and a Parsons dining table with traditional Louis style chairs.The peacock blue fabric on the backside is a lovely surprise. This is a great space for spring, isn’t it?}

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

{Images via Bear Hill Interiors}

Strategies for Success: Using Pinterest to Market Your Blog and Business

Hello! Melanie Duncan here from the Entrepreneuress Academy with this month's Strategies for Success.

I'm am sure that a lot of you out there are familiar with the fabulously addicting (and inspiring platform) Pinterest, but are you aware of the benefits that it can have for your business and brand?

Pinterest is now the 4th largest traffic driver worldwide and it's referring double the revenue per click than Facebook and almost 4x the revenue per click than Twitter!

And if that's not enough...

Want to learn the best way to get started using Pinterest for your business?

1. CONVERT your existing account or create a new official business account by going to business.pinterest.com.

2. Make sure that you have VERIFIED the website on your account so that you can get a big link at the top of your page. You can see a full tutorial of how to do this HERE.

3. Start pinning valuable ORIGINAL CONTENT like products, tutorials, infographics, checklists and videos that link back to your site. Over 80% of the pins on Pinterest are repins, which means to maximize your ability to get traffic, clients and customers you need to be a CONTENT CREATOR.

Pinterest can be used to promote not only product based businesses but also, service based business and blogs!

Sign up for my free training on how to use Pinterest for your business for more in-depth strategies and content creation ideas HERE.

Until next month!xx

Melanie

Jet Set: The Gramercy Park Hotel

http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/

Hello LDV readers! Brendan here of (BAD) Blog About Design. For this Jet Set post I decided to take us to New York City! The Gramercy Park Hotel, is a classically designed hotel, that was built in the Renaissance Revival style. The hotel was designed by architect Robert T. Lyons and built in 1930. The interior of the hotel is completely remodeled with a more modern, rich touch. People such as John F. Kennedy have enjoyed a stay at this iconic New York hotel. (ABOVE) The hotel is located in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan. In front of the hotel is the Gramercy Park, what a fabulous location! The building itself is gorgeous. (BELOW 1) The lobby is done in wood with an exposed wood ceiling. The contrast of rich wood and classic furnishings, and chandelier creates drama and glamour. Enjoy a seat at the fire during the chilly New York months. The checkered floor looks like its original. (BELOW 2) The Gramercy Park Terrace is a magnificent room. The ceiling is comprised of individual pendant bulbs, what a dramatic statement. (BELOW 3) The Rose Bar is a great place to go out and grab a drink with your friends! It's elegant and quite chill. I love the oversized painting above the mantel. (BELOW 4) With 39 floors, the hotel has quite a lot of space to house guests. The space featured here is the Lexington Premier King. The suite has between 370 and 440 square feet. The deep blue and rich red are gorgeous. The designer took a lot of risk in the space and it paid off! (BELOW 5) On the top floor, one can dine on the terrace. With stunning views of the city, and comfortable seating, who wouldn't want to wine and dine here? What do you think of the hotel? Have you stayed here?

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(1) Carven Tweed Shift Dress, (2) Bounkit Rose Quartz & Citrine Button Earrings, (3) Equipment Brett Scalloped Silk Shirt, (4) Alice + Olivia Dina Neon Embossed Pumps, (5) Temperley London Freya Striped Skirt, (6) In The Red (7) Chloé Mirrored Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats, (8) See by Chloe Agathe Printed Cosmetic Pouch, (9) Iosselliani Brass Necklace with Rhinestones, (10) The Hotel

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Sponsor Spotlight: Lindsay Cowles

La Dolce Vita is thrilled to welcome back artist Lindsay Cowles as a sponsor! Lindsay has quickly made a name for herself as an accomplished abstract artist and her work has been received with fervor in both the blogosphere and the world of interior design. Lindsay is a self-taught artist, turning to oils and acrylics as her main mediums. Lindsay worked in the fashion industry in both New York and Los Angeles-- experiences which no doubt have contributed to Lindsay's mastery of color and texture. In addition, Lindsay draws inspiration from her Southern roots and time spent living on both the East and West Coasts. Lindsay’s studio is based in Richmond, Virginia, but her paintings have been procured by client’s around the globe and she is available to do custom, commissioned work.

I love Lindsay’s paintings for their intense use of bold, saturated color. You’ll notice that her paintings are also full of texture and movement. Her collection is comprised of stunning original oil paintings, a new line of beautiful prints on canvas (mounted on 1.5” frames either museum or gallery wrapped, and a fabulous line of vibrant wallpapers and fabrics which allow you to use Lindsay’s inspiring work in many applications. Below, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites from each category.

{Original Paintings: 1. Untitled 32213- 48"x48" oil on canvas | 2. Untitled 12713- 36"x36" oil on canvas | 3. Untitled 523- 36"x48" oil on canvas | 4. Untitled 727- 36"x48" oil on canvas | Prints on Canvas: 5. Untitled 924- peach lavender mint grey | 6. Untitled 924- yellow sea green aqua purple | 7. Untitled 928- pink coral taupe | 8. Untitled 102- turquoise chartreuse pink grey | Fabrics & Wallpapers: 9. 6A | 10. 7A | 11. 9A | 12. 8A}

To see the full Lindsay Cowles Collection, please visit her blog. Please contact Lindsay directly at lindsaycowlesfineart@gmail.com for questions about pricing, commissioned work, or to view her full portfolio.

Design Under the Influence: Lindsey Adelman Chandeliers

“I like the idea of transforming a space in a dramatic way through lighting." ~ Lindsey Adelman

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Hello, it's Erika from small shop! I'm excited today to showcase a recent fave that I'm sure you've been seeing everywhere too: lighting designer Lindsey Adelman's amazing chandeliers. Influenced by 19th century ornamentation and natural phenomenon, she and a small team create large hand blown glass and brass pieces that seem to take on a life of their own: the arms and tendrils expand out and grow organically from the center, seemingly random, quite dramatically, but with graceful purpose. The effect is extraordinary and transforms any style of room!

Studio Ilse

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Barbara Hill

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Steffani Aarons

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Stephanie Waltbillig

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Kelly Behun for Ivanka Trump

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S.B. Long Interiors

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Grant Gibson

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Adelman says of her work, it's “about creating a mood and beauty, and people looking great at your dinner party.” Judging from the multiple installations here, I'd say she's spot on, wouldn't you?

And fortunately, she's created a DIY version for the rest of us: check out my post today to see how you can get the look for less! (She's kind of done her own version of "Design Under the Influence" for us!)

All images via LindseyAdelman.com except for 1 & 10

LDV Top 10: Strappy Sandals

Strappy sandals are back in a big way this season! While they’ve never gone out of style, strappy sandals haven’t been this hot since Carrie Bradshaw was gallivanting around New York in her favorite Manolo Blahniks. Though in my day to day life, I most often opt for wedges for their comfort and practicality, I personally love strappy sandals for their sleek, effortless style. When done in classic, neutral colors, they can render just about any outfit completely chic. Are you a strappy sandal girl?

{1. Elizabeth and James Toni Slim Strappy Sandals | 2. Steve Madden Realove Pump | 3. Manolo Blahnik Chaos Cuff Sandal | 4. AERIN Cocobay Sandal | 5. KORS Michael Kors Mikaela Snakeskin Sandals | 6. Pour La Victoire Shanna Lace Up Sandals | 7. B Brian Atwood LaBrea Asymmetrical Sandals | 8. AERIN Cocobay Sandals | 9. Alexander Wang Antonia Sandals | 10. Rachel Roy Parker 4 Sandal}

My Favorite Room: Mark D. Sikes

'>House Beautiful

When Paloma asked me what my favorite room was in my house, it didn't take long for me to answer- the master bedroom is my favorite room in our house, and thank goodness since I'm the master of the house it's my bedroom too! I love blue anything and everything so of course I love this room. when i designed the room i wanted it to feel like I was sleeping in a cloud, and I have to say I did it! waking up in the morning is truly my favorite time of the day. I often drink my tea in bed and check email before I start my day- the room soothes, calms and delights!

Lonny

House Beautiful

I love the raoul printed linen fabric on the walls. the patterned walls are more washed out and create the backdrop for the china blue linen bed hangings and drapes. it's hard to tell from the photographs, but all the doors throughout the room are paneled with aged mirrors- the reflection of blue is everywhere! i highly recommend a canopy bed with bed hangings, there really isn't anything like it! most of the other textiles are by my friend carolina irving- for those of you that follow my blog know how much i love her fabrics! Image via Mark D. Sikes

Opposite the bed is a built-in banquette, covered in same robin's egg blue raoul fabric on the walls. this is where i often write my blog or do research. There are books and magazines always stacked around on the floor. The decorative boxes from john rosselli are filled with pens, and post-its- a truly functional space! Image via Mark D. Sikes

We always have fresh flowers in the bedroom and they are always pink- I love the hit of pink in the mostly blue room! Lonny

I love to stack, cluster and lean art in every room of my house. The master bedroom has a collection of Paris flea market drawing and sketches, michael dweck black and white photographs, and few of my favorite slim aarons photographs- the slim aarons photograph of desmond guinness and his children is my favorite! Since there is only room for a few pieces of furniture in the room they had to make an impact. The black john rosselli chinoiserie chest anchors the room. I love how this piece of furniture, along with the rush matting rug, and the art deco parchment bedside tables connects this room to the other rooms in the house- I often repeat ideas or things when designing spaces so that the house feels connected and cohesive. Lonny

Everywhere you look there are sentimental things along with things we collect.

Lonny

I think the best thing about the master bedroom is that it looks out over the gardens. Especially this time of year it is truly beautiful. The contrast of all the green outside with all the blue inside it quite amazing. You can see the rose garden, hear the fountains, listen to the birds from bed, another reason i like to spend my mornings in bed!

For more of Mark’s beautiful style, visit his blog, Mark D. Sikes: Chic People, Glamorous Places, Stylish Things.

Mix Master: David Jimenez in Architectural Digest

{David Jimenez’s glamorous living room features gold suzani pillows from Jayson Home & Garden, a vintage flokati drive, vintage coffee table, and a 1940s Lorin Jackson latticework chair for Grosfeld House. Doesn’t the room have great bones?}

It’s hard to believe that I first blogged about David Jimenez way back in 2008. Time really flies, doesn’t it? David’s beautiful homes and work have appeared on La Dolce Vita multiple times over the years and he has always been so gracious and kind to me so I was thrilled to see his stunning new home featured in the April issue of Architectural Digest. David’s former Kansas City home and carriage house have made the rounds on blogs and now on Pinterest for several years, but this is the first time his new apartment has been published, so it is very exciting to see new design work from him. After living in a three story historic home, David was ready to downsize and eventually fell in love with this beautiful apartment in the Sophian Plaza, an elegant apartment house built in the Beaux Arts style in 1923.

{David used this beautiful chocolate brown paint from Restoration Hardware in his previous home and I’m glad to see that he carried it over into his new one. It looks so rich, especially with the contrast of the crisp white trim. The daybed is from Williams-Sonoma Home and the chesterfield sofa is by Ralph Lauren Home.}

{I love David’s crisp, masculine bedroom. The grey, ivory, and black color palette is tailored and soothing, creating a welcome respite from the daily grind. The folding screen and sofa are vintage and the chandelier is from Williams-Sonoma Home.This room is a really fitting example of the story’s title, “Mix Master”. It takes a special talent to make pieces from so many different periods in such a variety of styles look this cohesive.}

{The bright, cheery kitchen features the same crisp, polished elegance of the rest of the house.}

For additional images of David’s chic apartment, be sure to pick up the April 2013 issue of AD!

{Image Credit: Joshua McHugh for Architectural Digest}