Get the Look: Spring Break Style

Hello, it’s Valerie from chronicles of him & her again with my third installment of “Get the Look”! Today I am spotlighting spring break attire. Here in Texas, March is the time when schools break for the week and families hit the slopes or the beach. No matter what your destination of choice, you can still be chic and stylish while vacationing….

The Beach!

Shop the Look:

sandals  // tote // skirt // top // bikini

sunglasses // necklace // nail polish

The Slopes!

Shop the Look:

coat  // boots // gloves // pants // sweater

scarf // bag // lip balm

What is your spring break destination of choice?

PS: Thank you for having me, Paloma! I hope you will visit me at chronicles of him & her or via Bloglovin!

{source: image 1 and image 2}

Two Styles, One Room: Rustic and Refined

Hello!  Hello!  It's Rebecca & Paula from Sea Island Drive.  We're thrilled to be back for our third installment of Two Styles, One Room.  If you missed the first and second, be sure to check them out!

As usual, we're featuring a room that artfully mixes styles. Today...rustic meets refined.

We all know how the new rustic trend has been taking over home design.  Now, unless you live in a farmhouse in Vermont, diving full force into the rustic look is not for everyone. Infusing rustic elements into a refined room however, can get you the casual feel you are striving for while still maintaining a beautiful room ready to relax in or host a cocktail party.

Via

That is exactly why this living room works so well. The rustic elements of the hand scraped beams on the ceiling and the knotty oak on the floors frame the more refined elements of the room.  The tailored slipcovered sofa and chairs....the beautiful lines of the piano...the burst of gold from the mirror over the fireplace...all of these refined lines let the rustic elements shine without overpowering the room.  Even the more rustic accessories are done with a quiet touch. The more natural elements of the rugs layered in the room hint at a home that has been lived in, but the clean glass table dresses them up, creating a harmonious balance.

This room is elegant and causal, inviting and refined.  Don't you think?  

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Shop Rustic

Shop Refined

Currently Loving: Canopy Beds

{A Stunning Bedroom featuring a Romantic Canopy Bed by Jeffrey Bilhuber | Image by William Waldron for Architectural Digest}

I have recently noticed that canopy beds have been popping up everywhere! Granted, canopy beds are timeless and have been around for ages, but they seem to be gaining in popularity with just about everyone lately. I have a sneaking suspicion that canopy beds will be the next hot thing, much like upholstered beds were the go-to for the past several years. I love the dramatic effect that instantly comes from a canopy bed thanks to the fact that it draws the eye up. The most wonderful thing about canopy beds is their versatility. You can opt for a very formal look with tailored hangings or take a modern approach, opting for a sleeker version sans curtains. Either way the look is ultra-chic and undoubtedly romantic.

{An Absolutely Stunning Bedroom by Dallas Design Firm, Kirsten Kelli featuring a Gilded Louis Bed with a Custom Canopy-- I am in love with the gorgeous color palette in this room.}

{A previous incarnation of Mary McDonald's bedroom featured a canopy bed with two sets of curtains and a crisp, modern color palette.}

{The most recent version I've seen of Mary's bedroom features a softer palette, gorgeous deGournay wallpaper, and a Chinoiserie-style canopy bed without curtains.}

{The canopy bed in this London townhouse designed by Veere Greeney is the picture of luxury and sophistication. Everything was completely custom made. I love the pops of yellow and the fabric used to line the bed hangings.}

{The bedroom of Bill Ingram and Simon Watson is much more relaxed than the Veere Greeney-designed bedroom above, but it is no less beautiful. The linen bedding and bed curtains make the space feel quite cozy. | Image via House Beautiful}

{The canopy bed in this stunning room by John Saladino is the perfect thing for the space. The height of the bed draws the eye up to the beautiful, dramatic ceiling. | Image via Veranda}

{James Michael Howard takes a Fresh Approach to the Concept with a Pagoda-Inspired Canopy}

{My sweet and talented friend, Mark Sikes loves canopy beds and has them in both his master bedroom, pictured above,  as well as in his guest bedroom.}

{Frank Babb Randolph created the illusion of a canopy bed pairing a beautiful upholstered headboard with a custom canopy and curtains hung directly on the ceiling. | Image via Veranda}

{Canadian magazine editor and stylist, Margot Austin crafted a canopy bed herself using hardware and regular drapery panels hung on clips.}

{Mark Sikes' cozy and chic guest bedroom cemented my love for canopy beds after I was a guest in his home. I am officially a canopy convert thanks to Mark! Here, he paired a Suzanne Kasler for Hickory chair bed with custom hangings hung directly on the ceiling.}

{If you don't love the look of curtains hanging from the bed's canopy, you can always go without. The look is just as chic and a bit more modern as you see in this chic bedroom featured in New England Home magazine.}

{The last bedroom featured a pared down, chic palette of black and white while this bedroom by Taylor Borsari takes the opposite approach embracing color and beautiful, block-printed fabrics and wallpaper. This just goes to show the versatility of a canopy bed and how they can work with just about any style.}

{The Beverly Hills bedroom of Will & Grace creator, Max Mutchnick and his partner, Eric Hyman features an eclectic, masculine vibe. The canopy bed is the perfect choice to complement the high, beamed ceilings in the room. That Hermes bench is pretty amazing as well! | Image by William Abranowicz for ELLE DECOR}

{I love this tailored, masculine room by Robert Stilin as featured in ELLE DECOR. The headboard on the custom-made bed is covered in Peter Dunham fabric.}

{Timothy Whealon selected a white canopy bed in this tailored bedroom.}

{Tom Scheerer opted for a small, chrome canopy bed for the super chic room he designed for the Kips Bay Showhouse a few years ago.}

Are you a fan of canopy beds? Do you prefer a more traditional or modern look? Would you go with or without curtains?

Lust List: March 2014

I was planning to do an Oscars Red Carpet Recap today, but my flight to Atlanta where I am speaking at the Design Bloggers Conference this morning got very delayed and I didn't get in until the Oscars were nearly over last night and I only had time to order a bite to eat and practice my presentation a few more times. 
Alas, it is a new day and I am so happy that March is here! That means spring is just around the corner and hopefully, we can finally put winter to bed. This month, I am thinking ahead to the spring season with pretty new sandals, classic Slim Aarons photographs, fabulous layering pieces like pretty blouses and chic jackets, and a few statement pieces of jewelry. As usual, I've kept the palette pretty neutral, adding color through accessories. The look is clean and timeless with a touch of glamour!

This Week's Quote

{Image via vmac + cheese}