top celebrity fashion 2011: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Belgian Decor at Cote de Texas

If you have not visited Joni Webb's fabulous blog, Cote de Texas, this is the week to stop by! Joni is an extremely talented designer in Texas. Her blog was recently selected as one of the top ten decorating blogs of 2008-9 by the Washington Post. This week Joni reviews the Belgian Style that is so hot right now across the country.

Joni describes Belgian decor as "quiet and monotone .. plain linens .. antique elements – ancient stone floors, beams, marble staircases, and acres of limed wood - everywhere. Textures are a very large part of this style – rough, rustic woods and stone surfaces are played against smooth, shiny crystals and glass."

In our increasing complicated world this is a style to come home, relax and unwind in - serene and almost austere.

Please stop by Cote de Texas and see the entire post.

I have saved it as one of my all time favorites, so do not miss it! Here is the link: http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/belgian-design.html

Friday, January 30, 2009

Premiu

Mary de la Nicole Richie fashion si JMC de la Victoria Beckham style mi-au acordat unul dintre cele mai populare premii printre bloggeri : premiul "Your blog is fabulous".
Huge thanks ladies!

Eu trebuie sa:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which you think are fabulous.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
Blogurile pe care eu le consider FABULOASE sunt:
R.R
DaDaMoDa
So fash'on
DEXstil
Carola's musings
Style diary
Vogueite
Song os style
Choo's box
Fashion in my eyes

Expo Ideal Mariaj

In perioada 30, 31 ianuarie-1 februarie 2009 are loc Expo Ideal Mariaj, expozitie organizata de revista Ideal Mariaj.
Expo Ideal Mariaj se prezinta sub forma celui mai mare eveniment de profil de pe piata romaneasca, organizat pe o suprafata desfasurata de aproximativ 7000 mp. Expozitia se afla deja la cea de-a patra editie si isi propune sa ofere solutii complete pentru ca ziua nuntii sa fie transformata intr-un eveniment de vis si organizarea acesteia sa beneficieze de optiunea de a alege dintre cele mai bune agentii specializate in domeniu.
Peste 130 de firme participante, de la case de moda si de bijuterii, echipe de stilisti de la saloane de frumusete, firme de design floral, agentii organizatoare, case de productie audio & video, companii de inchirieri limuzine, agentii de turism, pana la scoli de dans.
Expo Ideal Mariaj se adreseaza atat viitorilor miri, persoanelor implicate in organizarea unei nunti, cat si oamenilor de afaceri cu interes in industrie. Cei care vor trece pragul Expo Ideal Mariaj vor putea afla care sunt ultimele tendinte in materie de rochii de mireasa si costume de mire, bijuterii, machiaj si coafura, invitatii si marturii, aranjamente florale, cadouri, destinatii pentru luna de miere.
Revista Ideal Mariaj a pregatit pentru cele trei zile ale expozitiei, un program special, care va cuprinde o prezentare de moda, cu scop umanitar sustinuta de vedete autohtone, demonstratii de machiaj si dans sportiv, mini-concerte sustinute de artisti precum Andreea Antonescu, Elena, Anna Lesko, Lavinia, Lili Sandu, Niko, Haiducii, Morosanu, Distincto sau Anes.
Programul de vizita al Expo Ideal Mariaj este urmatorul:
Vineri - sambata (30 - 31.01.2009): 10:00 - 19:00
Duminica (01.02.2009): 10:00 - 16:00
Pret bilet: 10 ron.

DC Designer Series: Paul Corrie

I'm very pleased to feature interior designer Paul Corrie in my new ongoing series on DC Designers. I first saw Paul's work at the 2008 DC Design House, where he turned a bland lower level hallway into a rich and highly textured art space, featuring carved canoe pieces from New Guinea alongside a 19c french walnut side table. I particularly remember the very well done lighting scheme. (check out the hallway featured in Washington Spaces here) These images with permission from Paul's site - Paul Corrie Interiors - all photography by Michael Crosset of District Creative.

Restrained, elegant, intriguing - just a few adjectives that come to mind when I look at the above living room and this multi-purpose dining/reading space. Love the use of the wall lanterns. A great reminder of what a well placed, over-sized mirror can do.

Wish I could enlarge this photo - it's one of my favorites.

Notice the marble divider on this countertop by the sink - I rather like that idea. The bridge goose faucet is pretty nice too!

Simple shelves elevated in status by the accent pieces and the restraint shown in the arrangement below.

Love, love this dining room. Isn't the patina on this table gorgeous?

Perfect choice for a light fixture in the dining area in the background of the photo. Really like the metal leg feature on this couch.

I always appreciate it when a designer highlights close-ups of the details of their work. You gain a sense of the quality of the pieces they select and the attention to detail. The pale grey of the shade is

lovely.
Seriously like these sconces - especially paired with the brown shades.
For more examples - do check out the site of this talented designer.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Have you gotten yours yet?

A little over a year ago, January 18th to be exact, I had the good luck to come across Cartolina Cards. I love the sumptous rich colors and beautiful images - and now - in addition to cards there's notebooks!! These recycled 4 X 6 notebooks are available online at Greet Q. Be sure to check them out.

Below is something I just couldn't resist when the most recent email from blue bell bazaar came by. Love this vintage locket - can't wait till it arrives. Hope it looks as good on as it does in this lovely shell.

San Francisco Design Center

My heart starts beating faster as I get off of Highway 101 and make three short turns to get to this beautiful brick building, the San Francisco Design Center. The SFDC is comprised of three buildings; the Showplace, Galleria and Garden Court. Together, they house over 100 showrooms and is open to the public.

I had to run up to the city, so I thought I would stop in and visit a few of my favorite designer showrooms.

One of the first showrooms I went into was the Christopher Peacock Cabinetry Showroom. We’ve all seen their gorgeous ads in the magazines. It’s even more lovely in person.

Did you know that Christopher Peacock has their own paint/color line? You can see it here.

Another view of the same kitchen.

Another kitchen in the Christopher Peacock Cabinetry Showroom. This kitchen is a much different feel than the one above and the design aesthetic is more casual.

A bathroom in the same showroom. I love cabinets that have open shelving for towels and baskets. The dark wood, marble cabinets and floors give this display grandeur. That’s my BF Claire (shopper extraordinaire and ready to go in a moment’s notice!) in the mirror.

The last kitchen of the showroom. Lovely cabinets with simple panels. The backsplash mixes the style up a bit, but this look isn’t quite what I prefer. The lighting in this photo wasn’t very accurate, as you can tell from the photo below of the same kitchen.

There are my beautiful carrera marble countertops! Even though the light fixtures are stainless, like the stove, I think I would have preferred this type of lighting above the countertop…

Butterscotch Parallels Giclee Pendant Chandelier

Butterscotch Parallels Giclee Pendant Chandelier from Lamps Plus.

This was a tile showroom that we went into and I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t remember which one. But, I love how they recessed the wall to add the oval mirror and encased it in white tiles. The sconces are perfect for the space.

Here’s a close-up of the same space.

Another sink display in the same nameless showroom. The tile below the pedestal sink is a bit busy for my liking, but I’m a big fan of pedestal sinks, so I had to photograph this display.

I LOVE the tile in this display. The geometric pattern is so striking and perfect for this dark sink base.

Another wonderful display of geometric tile with a beautiful sink. Very simple and understated.

We had a bit of time before we had to head out of the city, so we walked around the design district and found a few lovely shops…

Epoca, filled with treasures of yesterday and today. But, be sure to bring your credit card with a big credit limit, because the prices are not for the faint of heart.

From their website… “consisting of antique and 20th century furnishings, the epoca collection spans the classic, traditional, and modern. a classically inspired pair of austrian empire ebonized side chairs, a traditional English George I burl elm chest-on-chest, or a modern French Art Deco etched glass chandelier may be that special piece that catches one's eye at epoca".

We found another treasure-trove in the design district that was just amazing. They had antiques and reproductions alike. There was something for everyone and we went digging!

My favorite item in the shop. An original Tang Dynasty horse statue. I believe the price tag was around $23,000! A little bit above my budget, but I’m on the look-out for a good reproduction. My friend and I were a bit worried about the stability of this little guy in the event of an earthquake, given it’s value. I hope the shop owner is insured!

Walking deeper into the shop, my eye didn’t know where to go to first. Beautiful bowls, statues, furniture and period pieces everywhere.

As you can see from this photo, we even went into the dark recesses of his back room to see all of the shop’s goodies! The pottery and those carved wood pieces in the back were piquing my interest.

This vase is a reproduction of the original. The color was more of a sea green. It was absolutely beautiful, but I could not talk my friend into purchasing it.