Updating My Breakfast Room

{My Breakfast Room in its Current Incarnation}

As an interior designer and design blogger, I am constantly getting new design ideas and coming across inspiring images. As wonderful as this is, it can also get a little crazy because it means I am constantly wanting to update my own house. As you know, I have been totally into square back Louis XVI chairs lately and really want to incorporate them into my house. I worked them into a design concept for a client's breakfast room and when we decided to take things in a different direction in their kitchen, I ended up changing the breakfast room design as well. I was a little bummed not to go with the design, but I then decided to do a variation of it in my own breakfast room and I couldn't be more excited. 

{Before we had the house photographed back in May, I had toyed with the idea of replacing my square wood table with a marble-topped Saarinen Tulip Table. When I found out the size I needed was on backorder, I decided to hold off, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. You may also recall that I've been going back and forth on whether or not to replace my Extra Large Hicks Pendant with something else, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. It is so much easier to make design decisions for my clients than it is to do it for myself!}

{The chairs are vintage from the 1940s. Fabian painted and reupholstered them and we recently talked about changing the upholstery again, but I've decided to try something new altogether which is where the Louis chairs come into play!}

So here is what I am envisioning. I'll keep my beautiful linen curtains with Greek key trim. Then, I'll replace the current dining table and chairs with a marble-topped Saarinen Tulip Table and Ballard Design's Leonardo Chairs upholstered in Saddle Leather. Next, I'll switch out the Hicks for this chic Choros Chandelier from Circa Lighting. Finally, I'll swap out my existing rug for West Elm's Jute Herringbone Rug (pictured above). This may be TMI, but I do worry about going with that rug because we've had other jute rugs and when Tate has gotten sick on them, the stains have never come out. Why do dogs always have to get sick on rugs and upholstery? My current rug was actually sent to me by FLOR years ago when they did a line with Martha Stewart. I love the color and the fact that FLOR is pretty much indestructible around pets. I just wish they still had this same pattern so that I could make the rug just a tad bigger. Maybe this FLOR pattern could be a good alternative to the jute rug?

Happy Halloween!

Style Spotting: Fur Accents

Hi La Dolce Vita readers, it's Lindsay from The Pursuit of Style and I'm back with my last edition of Style Spotting. I hope you've enjoyed reading these posts as much as I've enjoyed writing them!

The temperatures are finally dropping which means it's time to start breaking out the cozy accessories for your home and closet. Real or faux is up to you, but fur is a classic choice for staying warm in style.

For fashion, I love a fur collar coat, vest, or infinity scarf...

For interiors, add a luxe layer of texture through throws, pillows, and small furniture pieces like stools or poufs.

Don't you just want to snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book? I know I do!

Here are a few of my favorite faux fur choices. I just bought this infinity scarf for myself in gray, and we recently used a pair of these pillows and this blanket for a client project. Bring on the cold weather!

Fur Collar Crosby Coat | Furry Stool | Faux Fur Throw | Faux Fur Infinity Scarf | Mongolian Lamb Pillow

Thanks again for reading, and many thanks to Paloma for having me as a guest contributor. I hope you'll visit me over at The Pursuit of Style or via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

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My Birthday Wish

It really is crazy how quickly time flies as we get older. It's hard to believe that I will be turning 32 on Monday. I certainly don't feel 32! Where has time gone? My husband always asks me to put together a birthday wish list so he has a better idea of what to get me. I guess that after 12 years together, it's become more challenging to think of gifts he hasn't already gotten me. There are a few items below that I have my eye on, but 

beyond anything material, my birthday wish is for our darling dog, Tate to feel better soon. He injured himself jumping onto our bed late Saturday night and after spending most of Sunday at the vet, we don't have a definitive diagnosis. He doesn't have any broken bones, but his X-rays showed a lumbar disc that has morphed in shape over time. It could be completely unrelated and he may have just strained a muscle or the disc could be pinching  a cluster of nerves and causing the pain and lameness in his hind leg. It is so sad to see him in pain and not acting like himself. If he isn't feeling better by the end of the week, we'll have to see a specialist for a CT Scan and may have to prepare ourselves to discuss surgery. For my birthday, I just ask that you please keep Tate in your thoughts so that he may have a speedy and simple recovery. Thank you, dear readers!

Call for LDV Contributors!

If you’ve read La Dolce Vita for the past couple of years, then you are probably well acquainted with our fabulous group of contributors who have done an amazing job with series such as Dissecting the Details, Style Spotting, Get the Look, Design Under the Influence, and Jet Set. I am currently looking to expand our group of contributors and thought I’d open up the opportunity to everyone. Contributors are responsible for writing 1-2 blog posts exclusively for La Dolce Vita per month. Contributors may be asked to cover events in their respective cities on behalf of La Dolce Vita if I cannot personally attend. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to engage a larger audience and grow their own readership.

1. Applicants must be able to format their own posts. Knowledge of some graphic design and HTML is helpful.
2. Applicants must be able to contribute 1-2 posts per month.
3. Topics must be relevant to La Dolce Vita: interior design, fashion, travel, entertaining, etc.
4. It is preferable that applicants currently have blogs of their own and are familiar with the process of blogging.
5. Contributors must be serious and reliable. Please apply only if you are able to commit to contributing at least one post per month by the deadline given to you.
1. Send links to 3 of your own blog posts that reflect your unique point of view, style, and voice.
2. Come up with an original idea for your recurring series. All LDV contributors have regular series or columns.
3. Email me at paloma@palomacontreras.com with “LDV Contributor Submission” in the subject line by Saturday, November 2, 2013.

I look forward to hearing from you!

{Image Source: Emerson Fry}

This Week’s Quote

Factory Girl

Happy Saturday! I love beautiful things, coming across fabulous new finds, and I certainly can't resist a good deal! This is exactly why I was so excited to see how many great things J. Crew Factory currently has in store. They have all kinds of style staples that everyone should have in their closet at any given moment as well as pieces that feel on trend and of the moment. Even better, you can currently save 30% on everything sitewide until tomorrow, October 29th at 11:59 EST using code "SAVE30". This is the perfect way to fill your closet with stylish pieces for fall and winter without breaking the bank! 

Fabulous Room Friday 10.25.13

This week's fabulous room is a chic, inviting living room by Brazilian design firm, Bick Simonato. I love the pared down black and white palette. Rather than feeling stark, it feels warm and luxurious when accented by shades of cream and a mixture of textures-- a sisal rug, a piece of coral, a fiddle leaf fig tree. The striped Madeline Weinrib and Madeline Weinrib upholstered pair of Bergere Chairs add a dose of modern glamour to the space. I love that this beautifully layered room is beautifully designed, but feels completely livable and accessible. 

{I'm mad about the fireplace wall. You'll notice the wall surrounding the fireplace is painted a beautiful chocolate color and the walls on either side of the fireplace are mirrored from floor to ceiling. The effect is super glamorous and makes the room feel much larger.}

{Details in the Living Room looking towards the Dining Room}

Lately...

{Selecting Fabrics for a Design Project}

The past few weeks have been busy, busy, busy around here! Fabian just got back from High Point last night and between my trip to California and his being at market, we hadn't seen each other in two weeks. Luckily, I was able to stay busy while we were apart. In between working on design projects for my clients, I've been able to do some pretty cool things this month. Here's a glimpse from my Instagram. 

{We went to Round Top on closing day for the first time ever and came home with a few treasures including this gorgeous gilded wheat sheaf table. Even Tate approves! I can't wait to go back to Round Top in the Spring. I am hooked!}

{Roco, an interior design magazine based in Ireland, published a lovely feature about me in their new issue.}

{I was honored to speak about blogging at Design Camp along with Christian May and Julie Thigpen. You can find my Top 10 Blogging Tips here.}

{After Design Camp, I drove to Los Angeles to spend the weekend with my dear friend, Mark Sikes whose home you're probably familiar with since it has become a huge favorite around the blogosphere.}

{The Lovely Terrace off of the Guest Bedroom-- Isn't this stunning? Sadly, I can't think of any place this scenic in Houston.}

{We had a lot of fun shopping, eating, celebrity spotting, talking design, and making each other laugh! We also visited Mecox Gardens on La Cienega, a favorite design destination for both me and Mark.}

{As soon as I got back from California, I spoke on a panel about social media and interior design at the Decorative Center Houston along with these lovely ladies.}

{While Houston lacks the hills of West Hollywood, we do have a few scenic spots, including one of y favorite streets-- North Boulevard which is lined with majestic live oak trees.}

{Tate is ready for Halloween! He came home from the groomer with a batty bandana. I love that little face!}

For daily updates, follow me on Instagram @ladolcevitablog!

Color Crush: Think Pink

{A Pink Door in Paris}

Seeing as how October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it only seems right that this month’s “Color Crush” would be pink. I’ve always been a fan of pink, particularly in its brighter incarnations. I think some people mistakenly believe that pink is girly and meek, but quite the opposite is true. While pink can be feminine and ethereal, it is also a very powerful color. It takes moxie to wear pink or to commit to a pink sofa, pink walls, or a bright pink front door as seen above. You’ll notice in my round-up below that pink works in just about any space in various applications and it looks just as fabulous whether you’re dressed for day or evening. Are you a fan of pink? Admittedly, it isn’t a color that I wear very often, but I do have quite a few pops of pink throughout my home. This month, I challenge you to “Think Pink”!

{A Beautiful, Eclectic Room with Pale Pink Walls and a Bright Pink Sofa}

{Fabulous Louis XV Chairs Upholstered in Pink Leather}

{A Classic English Roll-Arm Sofa Swathed in Pink Velvet—Love this! It works because the rest of the room is pared down and neutral.}

{The walls in this room are such a pretty shade of pink. I’d bet that the color is really flattering in the evenings by lamplight. Does anyone know who designed this gorgeous room?}

{A Bright Pink Bergere Chair}

{Miles Redd’s Pink Room}

{Bedding with bright pink banding and monogram adds a fun twist to Bailey McCarthy’s bed.}

{Candace Bushnell definitely “thinks pink” as evidenced by her glamorous New York apartment.}

  {I love the pink sofa in the Ruby Press offices!}

{This is such a pretty shade of pink and I love the way they mixed the various patterns in this room featured in Lonny.}

{A Great Mix of Pink Elements in this Bedroom via VT Interiors}

{Pale Pink Goes Modern and Eclectic in Angie Hranowsky’s Bedroom}

{A Lush Pink Flower Arrangement}

{Olivia Palermo Chic in Pink}

{Jennifer Lawrence’s Pale Pink Dior Confection}

{Pink is fit for a Princess}

  {Jessica Alba’s Chic, Ballerina-Inspired Ensemble}

{Bright Pink Gown}

{A Fun, Pink Skirt by Oscar de la Renta}

{Jenna Lyons in Hot Pink}

{I love this color combination.}

{Kate Beckinsale in a Pretty Pink Coat}

{Talk about a fearless color combination! I told you pink wasn’t for wallflowers!}