Fabulous Room Friday 06.28.13

This week's fabulous room is an effortless kitchen in a chic St. Barth's villa. I love the minimal color palette of black, white, and grey which really allows the vistas to be a focal point. Though it's harder to tell in these images, the house has spectacular views. In addition, I love that "the bones" of the house are beautiful and white as well. The dramatic vaulted ceiling, walls, and glossy floors are all white, which looks so crisp against the black-framed sliding doors and black cabinets.

{The scattered black and white dhurries add to the inviting, effortless feel of the kitchen. The woven pendants over the kitchen island really give off the "island vibe". The house is in St. Barth's after all!}

{I adore the black and white photography used for this gallery wall. The look is so clean and graphic.}

Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Google Reader is going away forever on Monday, July 1st. Eeek! So for those of you who like to read all of your blogs through a reader service, I highly recommend Bloglovin'. The interface and stream are actually nicer and cleaner than on Google Reader, it is easy to manage, and gives a great visual overview of the blogs you follow. You can follow La Dolce Vita on Bloglovin' by clicking here and it is super easy to find your other favorite blogs on there as well! 

Into the Blue

{Various Bold Prints in Varying Blue Hues Come Together in this Dramatic Living Room by Kirsten Kelli}

I was looking at my most recent pins on Pinterest the other day and I came to a realization: It’s official. I am completely obsessed with blue in all of its glorious shades. Don’t you just love Pinterest? It is such a great tool as a blogger and designer because it allows me to gather inspiration and visualize the things that I am gravitating to the most, even when those commonalities feel completely subconscious.

Blue was never a color I gravitated to when I was younger, but lately, I cannot get enough. I love it in clothes and jewelry, but I love it even more in interiors. The bolder and more saturated the better! Indigo, navy, and royal blue currently top my list of favorite shades of blue. These are just a few of the blue environments that currently top my list of inspiring rooms. From classic blue and white porcelain and stripes to ikats and Chinoiserie, blue is everything right now! Are you a fan of blue?

{This room, featured in New England Home takes a more relaxed, but equally stylish approach.}

{Thom Filicia decided to go really bold with his use of blue in this library, recently published in ELLE DECOR. The paint color is Daring Indigo by Pittsburgh Paints.}

{I love the look of rich, navy grasscloth against crisp, white wainscoting and moldings. Source Unknown}

{Blue and White Porcelain, Ceramic Stools, and Flowers at Tory Burch’s Home in the Hamptons}

{Chic Blue and White Fabric at a Tory Burch boutique—Does anyone know who makes this fabric? Is it Quadrille?}

{One of my favorite designers, David Collins, opted for various blue hues in the Penthouse at The Connaught Hotel in London.}

{Pat Healing of HB Home selected Quadrille’s China Seas Paradise Background and a HB Home chandelier to infuse this bedroom with blue.}

{A post on blue and white interiors would not be complete without mentioning my friend, Mark D. Sikes who has used these classic colors throughout his own home and often opts for the chic color combination for clients as well.}

  {Entertaining doyenne, Carolyn Roehm created this beautiful setting using blue and white porcelain, blue glass hurricanes, striped linens, and blue hydrangeas. It just feels like summer, doesn’t it?}

{Lisa Luby Ryan was also inspired by blue and white pottery, using it as the chic centerpiece for this beautiful table as featured in Veranda.}

{Michele Bonan opted for Farrow & Ball’s “Drawing Room Blue” for the gorgeous JK Capri Hotel. A stay at the JK Capri and JK Florence is definitely on my bucket list. So, so chic!}

 

{1. Barclay Butera Blue Pagoda Mirror |  2. Bungalow 5 “Delft” Dark Blue Table Lamp | 3. Navy & White “Venice” Collection Pillows | 4. Williams Sonoma Home Hexagonal Garden Seat | 5. C.Wonder Navy Ikat Dinnerware | 6. Sahara Midnight Pillow with Tassels | 7. Jonathan Adler Regent Chair | 8. Matouk “Mirasol” Bed Linens | 9. John Robshaw Blue ad White Pillows | 10. Canton Tea Jar Set of 6 | 11. Dash & Albert Blue Awning Stripe Cotton Rug | 12. Serena & Lily Riviera Side Chair Navy | 13. Cococozy Navy Cane Throw | 14. Bunny Williams for Mirror Image Sapphire Mirror | 15. Serena & Lily Navy Embroidered Gobi Sheet Set | 16. Capel Rugs Junction Blue Wool Rug}

Get the Look: A Living Room by Laurie McFarland

Hi everyone! Arianna here, back with some more decor inspiration. For this month's Get the Look I'm featuring a gorgeous living room by Arkansas interior designer Laurie McFarland.

While the flooring, wall color, and main furnishings are all neutral, the room is anything but boring. Vibrant decorative pillows deliver a burst of color and enliven the space. Large mirrors flanking either side of the sofa make a symmetrical statement while giving the illusion of spatial depth. Silk draperies and touches of gold add a sense luxury and glamour.

Get the look with these pieces:

1. double gourd lamp, 2. mosaic mirror, 3. pink patterned pillow, 4. magenta velvet pillow, 5. gold greek key lumbar, 6. gold-leaf side table, 7. linen chair

photograph of living room by Nancy Nolan via At Home in Arkansas

Recent Design Work

It has almost been a month since I announced the launch of my interior design and consulting firm and so far, it’s been a whirlwind! I have never felt happier or more fulfilled in my career. I wake up everyday excited to get to work again. I owe a lot of this to you guys and La Dolce Vita. My career has shaped the way that it has in great deal to your support and the opportunities and experiences that I’ve had as a result of LDV. Anyhow, I thought you might like to see some of the stuff I’ve been working on. I have a couple of design projects in the beginning stages, a collaboration with Stanley Furniture in the works, and I’m consulting for my favorite boutique—A Bientot! I’ll share more about each project along the way, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of some of the stuff I’ve been working on recently.

{This is a living room concept for a very chic remote client who has exquisite taste, but lives in a rental apartment which is why we avoided doing any hardwired fixtures. We are going to end up using different convex mirrors on either side of the sofa, but these do a great job of illustrating the concept. The blue cabinet is actually a vintage bar. Isn’t it fun? I always like to use at least one unexpected piece in a room. I am so obsessed with this space—I want it for myself!}

{This board was for another Design Concierge client who wanted to revamp her formal living room and make it into a really glamorous, feminine sitting room. I think we accomplished just that! As a blogger, it’s been slightly more challenging to pinpoint my style because I like so many things, but as a designer, I am finding that my aesthetic is more defined—tailored, rooted in tradition with a modern twist and a touch of glamour. If you are not in the Houston area, Design Concierge is a fabulous option that gives you a custom, professionally designed room that you can implement at your leisure in accordance with your timetable and budget, all for a reasonable flat fee.}

{We went a little more relaxed and eclectic for this entryway design concept for a local client. It’s colorful features pattern, color, and accomplishes exactly what an entryway should—it makes you want to step inside and see more!}

Because my clients have paid for this design work, I cannot share links to sources. If you’re interested in having me design a custom space for you, please contact me at paloma@palomacontreras.com.

For more information on my Full Service Interior Design and Design Concierge services, please visit my website.

LDV Top 10: Dresses for Wedding Season

{Backstage at this year’s Dior Haute Couture Show—These confections are gorgeous, but remember, a good guest would never upstage the bride!}

Wedding season is here, and along with it, the big question of what to wear. There are so many different types of weddings—daytime, garden, beach, destination, or a formal evening affair so each wedding can often call for its own type of attire. I usually try to follow the old adage that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, but it can still be confusing to figure out to each event. I’ve created a round-up of ten go-to dresses that will serve you well through wedding season and beyond. There are plenty of options for everything from a garden or beach wedding to a black tie soiree. Which is your favorite?

  

{1. J.Crew Misha Dress in Cotton Cady | 2. J.Crew Greta Dress in Floral Taffeta | 3. Anthropologie Jardim Lace Dress | 4. Anthropologie Pavani Maxi Dress | 5. Twobirds Convertible Maxi Dress | 6. Notte by Marchesa Illusion Neckline Cocktail Dress | 7. Giambattista Valli One Shoulder Sheath Dress | 8. Tibi Peek-A-Boo Dress | 9. Robert Rodriguez Graphic Stripe Dress | 10. ISSA Long Sleeve Wrap Dress}

{1. Manolo Blahnik Chaos Cuff Sandal | 2. Bounkit Amethyst, Rose Quarts, and Pink Opal Chandelier Earrings | 3. Vince Camuto Mira Clutch | 4. Kara Ross Prunella Small Corck Clutch | 5. Pave Sphere Ring | 6. Steve Madden Realove Sandal}

A Magical Home in Marbella

{Beautiful details can be found in every corner of this home.}

I fell in love with this home at first glance. It features such a great balance of old and new, composed in the most inviting, effortless way. The home is truly elegant without feeling too formal or stuffy. Located in Marbella, in Spain’s Malaga region, the homeowner is a woman who had lived in London for most of her life. Surprisingly, or perhaps, serendipitously, the majority of the furnishings in this home came straight out of her home in London and work beautifully in their new abode. You’ll find that this home has gorgeous bones. Combining the beautiful architecture with timeless, classic pieces and a picture-perfect setting, I would venture to say that this lucky homeowner has found her “forever home”. Who would ever want to leave?

{The ceiling in the living room is fantastic and the furniture layout is ideal for the space. I am so obsessed with the blue settees on either side of the fireplace. I wonder if they came from her home in London? I would doubt it because they seem tailor-made for their current location.}

{Perfectly Symmetrical Gallery Walls Line the Main Hallway}

{The De Gournay wallpaper in the dining room is absolutely gorgeous! I love the rich peacock blue hue. The room itself has great bones and I love that it has maintained a casual, effortless elegance. Being a big proponent of lighting, I think the room would benefit from a chandelier, but wonder if the owners opted against one to make the room a bit less formal. What are your thoughts? Does the room need a chandelier?}

{How chic is this butler’s pantry?}

  {I am in love with the master bedroom! Every detail is perfection from the romantic iron bed to the beautiful rug, folding screen, bedside chests, and the vaulted ceiling. This room is stunning.}

{A View of the Fireplace from the Bed in the Master Bedroom—The room is surrounded by French doors.}

{The Master Bath features an Eclectic Mix of Furniture}

{The Tub in the Master Bath}

  {Beauty extends beyond the walls of the home into the outdoor areas.}

{Stunning Views by the Pool}

{Images via Nuevo Estilo}