Anatomy of A Home: The Dining Room

Lonny

I'm back with my second installment of Anatomy of a home! We'll be focusing on the dining room this go around. I'm sure you'll agree that most fond memories usually revolve around breaking bread with loved ones and therefore most fond memories usually occur in a dining setting.

 

I have long been obsessed with the whimsical dining room of Ashley Putman that was featured in Lonny. The layers and interest seem to never stop. Having actually been in the space (jealous?), I can tell you that you seem to linger longer in this room more than any other.

 

Anatomy lesson #1: Layer interesting conversation pieces throughout your dining room so even when your boring boss comes over to dine, you'll have something interesting to discuss besides his hair plugs.

 

Ashley Whittaker

Just as the dining room was built as a sanctuary in which you can shove your face with food and nobody will judge you, it was also built to house over the top, amazing, ridiculous light fixtures. Think about it, where else in your home is it generally appropriate (everywhere, actually) to have a feathered like ice princess chandelier?

 

Anatomy lesson #2: If you don't have the funds to put a chandelier in every single room of your home (ugh, gross, who are you anyway? a peasant?) then do her up big in your dining room. I won't judge.

 

Ellen & Portia

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's dining digs here exudes a gardeny, fanciful, feast for the eyes. Again, note the layering that provides warmth and interest. Oh, and the chairs. The comfy, lusty chairs that you could imagine snuggling in with a cashmere throw while you gnaw on a turkey leg for hours on end.

 

Anatomy lesson #3: Make your dining room so comfortable and warm that people will want to sit and eat until they're so portly that you feel exponentially more attractive than them.

 

Martha Stewart

And since the grandest of eating holidays is around the corner, make an effort to ensure your table is fashioned with adorableness. Don't just plop a pumpkin or a cornucopia on the table, you caveman. Take a little time and fashion a flower arrangement (flowers with mild scents are best for eating situations, hydrangeas are a go to) and if you're super fancy, buy walnuts and stick little flags in them and magically turn them into place settings.

 

Anatomy lesson #4: Do something so over the top and annoyingly adorable that your friends and family will always say, "Ugh, that (your name here) is so annoying how cute she/he is. I wish I could be like her/him." Because really, isn't Thanksgiving about jealousy? Those Pilgrims sure seemed like the jealous type.

Fabulous Room Friday 11.11.11

This week’s “Fabulous Room” stopped me dead in my tracks. I was perusing the amazing portfolio of renowned photographer, William Waldron when I spotted this image. I was completely blown away by the lighting and composition of the photograph. The dark palette and mix of textures are completely sexy and glamorous. The glossy wall, modern painting, fur pillows, and accessories are all stunning, but it’s the juxtaposition of the wide-plank,utilitarian floors and the fabulous coffee table that really make the space a show-stopper. The custom-made Mattia Bonetti cocktail table, is at once fanciful and impossibly glamorous. What’s not to love about a coffee table that looks as though it has a huge necklace draped around it?

It wasn’t until I went to research the chic coffee table that I realized that the room in the opening image in this post is actually t he same space on the cover of this month’s ELLE DÉCOR (pictured above). The lighting makes it look completely different! This gorgeous apartment was designed by Timothy Haynes and Kevin Roberts. The library, pictured in this post features lacquered walls in the color du jour, purple, along with Jean Royère chairs swathed in Edelman leather, an 18th century mantel, and rug by Beauvais Carpets.

Bon weekend!

{Image Credit: William Waldron}

Love them or Leave Them: The Olsens

While we’re on the topic of Bohemian Glamour after Vanessa’s post this morning, I can’t help but wonder about your thoughts on Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Along with Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, the Olsen twins are often seen as the poster girls for the “boho chic” look. My feelings about the Olsens have been all over the place through the years. I was an avid Full House fan growing up and will always associate the Olsens with little Michelle Tanner and her cute lines like “You got it, dude!”.

Fast forward several years while the girls built their massive empire catering to young girls and tweens. As a teenager, I had no interest in their movies and merchandise, but couldn’t help but notice when they emerged as fashionistas a few years after that. At first, I couldn’t understand what was so fashionable about them. For a good while, they sported the “dumpster diving, granny chic” look that I’ve never been able to get behind, so imagine my surprise as I have recently embraced their style evolution. I resisted liking Mary Kate and Ashley for a long time, but I am really loving their style as well as everything they have created through their fashion lines, Elizabeth and James and The Row.

There are still times when they look a little disheveled for my taste, Mary Kate in particular, but other times, they look so effortlessly chic. How do you feel about the Olsens’ style? Are you a fan?

Check out this video from Net-A-Porter in which Mary Kate and Ashley discuss their style and their inspiration for The Row.

Glamour Obsession: Bohemian Chic

Hi LDV Readers!  Vanessa Stern here from Vanessa & Valentine.  I thought it would be fun to take a different and unexpected direction today as we explore all things glamorous.  Whenever someone asks me to describe my personal style I usually answer: a little preppy, a little bohemian, always laced with a little touch of glamour.  I was born in the late 70s and grew up in Los Angeles, and have always had a penchant for carefree styles that channel another era.  I definitely am a bohemian and artist at heart and am drawn to people that express themselves with an independent mindset.  So here are a few of my favorite bohemian glam styles...         

Kate Moss is the definition of a Nouveau Bohemian with all her glamour and non-comformity - fur, leather accents, gold jewelry, flowing dress and ciggy.  Chick is just cool!

Ahhh this look takes me back to the Mediterranean where head scarves, caftans, and lots of brown leather sandals rule.  Makes me want to lay in the sun and cruise around on a boat!

I love this bohemian glam boudoir with the Suzani print tapestry climbing the wall, shag carpet and orange velvet Louis Chair.  I totally dig the black and white accents too that keep it chic!

Jade Jagger is the epitome of Boho Glam, living on the island of Ibiza and designing amazing jewelry. 

I hear she's a great DJ too!  

Lots of glammed out turquoise jewelry and of course, gotta have the animal prints!

(Image via Harper's Bazaar)

Drew Barrymore, does it get anymore bohemian glam than this???  I want that dress!

I want to lounge around in this room and listen to records!  Seriously, the fur throws, wood accents, and candles are super chill.  It's so comfy and cozy, yet glam at the same time... 

Sienna Miller

Love this beaded neck line...

(Image via Harper's Bazaar)

Jacqui Getty's Hollywood Hills pad. 

I'm loving the Suzani throw pillow + any zebra ottoman makes me happy.

Lots of jewels picked up on travels around the world...

California skater boho chick

(I like her carefree barefoot attitude, but confused why she's rolling on 2 boards?)

(Photography Claiborne Swanson Frank)

I've been wanting that skater boy framed pic ever since I saw this vignette from Minnie Mortimer's Malibu pad featured in Vogue. 

How adorable is this Boho Glam girl shopping??  Loving those Pucci print dresses!

(Image via Elle Decor)

Lulu DK's New York apartment

The O.G. Bohemian Talitha Getty in Morocco

 

Read more about Bohemians here

 

See you next time as we continue exploring all things glamorous!

xo,

Vanessa

 

Images via Pinterest

Beautifully Organized: Stylish Lacquered Boxes

I'm always on the lookout for stylish storage options. For a while now, these glam lacquered boxes have been on my radar and on my "To-Splurge-on-Someday" list. They not only work as ultra chic small scale storage (I'd use them for hiding the remote controls in the living room or for storing special keepsakes), but also also help create beautiful styled vignettes.


Lustworthy, wouldn't you agree?
Till next time my dears!
-Arianna
{Image sources: 1- instyle magazine, 2- via chic coles, 3- ron marvin via trad home, 4- plantation design, 5- thomas o'brien, 6- ron marvin via lonny, 7-david jimenez , 8- sweetie pie style}