.chandeliers...my latest obsession.

every now and then i come across something that makes me drool and say, 'oh.my.god.wow'.  lately in my searches that 'wow' moment has been coming from lighting.. chandeliers and overhead lighting in particular.  in my humble opinion, lighting can make or break a space.  to me, it is one of, if not THE most important element in interior design.  i love oversized drum fixtures you sometimes find in chic restaurants and the classic statement making crystal chandeliers in residential interiors.  lighting gives you the opportunity to easily bring in your own style and create an overall feeling of warm or cool space.  there are so many great lighting companies and options out there today.  why would you stick with boring fixtures?  here are a few of my favorite commercial and residential internet finds!


xo

found on e-interiors.net:  

  

found on overstock.com:

inspired interiors:

          

.dream a little dream.

i've been busy designing my future apartment... i can't help it! i'm anxious to move and get on with my life. i'm craving a change and it's always on my mind.. so why not get a head start, right?

i'm currently looking for bedding for this imaginary place and hopefully, in the next few months, it will no longer be my fantasy! i've been saving images of bedding and furnishings/accessories for months. i constantly look back on these images deciding which fits my current design taste best! i guess i don't really have a particular 'style'. my tastes change so often... however, after saving images i have noticed a common thread. i really like clean crisp spaces with natural elements, neutral colors, lots of texture, a little glitz and glam with few light pops of color. i tend to flock toward a mix of traditional, french country, shabby chic, and contemporary furnishings.

my advice for anyone trying to figure out their own taste in interiors, furniture, clothes, weddings, wedding dresses (i'm getting a head start on this too ;) shh!) or whatever it may be.. is to begin a file on your desktop where you can save images you like while checking out your fav sites. after a while, this stock pile of pretty pictures will form a theme and thus revealing your tastes! here are a few images in my current 'dream' bedroom folder. it's definitely still a work in progress! happy saving!

xo

          

.to each their own... 'good' design.

i love walking into a space and having that jaw-dropping moment only a designer may have. seeing a beautiful hand crafted inlaid wood table, or a stunning mirrored nightstand (I will own one some day.. even if I have to make it myself!), reclaimed wood timber flooring, an oversized grouping of lighting fixtures, or shimmering glass subway tile. a few (from a long, LONG list) of my favorite designers who i think represent an idea of 'good' design are celerie kemble, ryan korban, kelly wearstler, and kara mann.

everyone has their own idea of good design. i believe ‘good’ lasting design is an eclectic mix where inexpensive flea market finds and worn family heirlooms can coexist with contemporary architecture, timeless barcelona chairs or fine persian rugs; where rustic pieces live next to contemporary furnishings. i believe in incorporating multiple textures and patterns into a space with simple classic roots. my favorite design theory is one i learned in design school. we had a corporate design studio course in college where we studied a Japanese design concept called ‘wabi sabi.’ this concept focuses on the beauty of imperfection, rustic simplicity, modesty, and authenticity of unique beauty which results in spaces that are interesting, unexpected and one of a kind. i will one day design a home around this idea!

here are a few of my favorite found spaces. if only i had my own clients to show you my true idea of good design ;) enjoy!

xo

             

   

.travels.

i've decided a few months ago i.need.to.travel.  i'm 23 years old and i have yet to see anything west of chicago or east of nyc!  i want to see more of the world and subtract from my "places i want to visit" list.  i'm craving a trip to a remote island.. bora bora perhaps? turks and caicos looks fantastic..  the blue waters are calling (more like SCREAMING) my name!  the mountains of snow taking over pennsylvania have everyone with cabin fever feeling a bit on the cranky side and i need to get away before i get sucked in!

i was looking through my albums this morning and came across some pics from my last trip to nyc.  we went to visit the high line. this place is very inspiring and unique! i'm kind of engulfed in the whole LEED, historic preservation, and sustainable way of designing. when i saw an article about the renovation in a recent magazine i fell in love.  i visited with a good friend in december and he surprised me by taking me to see it.  after walking for what seemed like days.. in the freezing cold.. we arrived.. take a look at this mesmerizing place above the city streets!

xo