Colour Palette No. 9 - Tomato Red

The color red...scientists have discovered its power, ladies in this color are more likely to be asked on a date, and there is no denying its pervasiveness.

Here are my picks for paint colors to achieve this colour palette.

Benjamin Moore Ladybug Red

Sherwin Williams Red Tomato

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Barclay Butera, Veranda, Architectural Digest

Paper Obsessed No. 5 - Lost Art of Letter Writing

I recently received a note that said "you did something great today and I noticed" followed by two little sentences...what impact those words had on the rest of my day!

Trust me I'm all for e-mail, text messaging, and social media; but nothing replaces a written note. A written note that takes the writer's time and effort to the next level. After all, it starts with the stationery it is written on. Stationery tells you almost as much about the sender as the shoes they chose to complete an outfit.

If you have ever received a gift of stationery you know how it takes your breath away for a moment. Because this gift was THE gift that was not chosen for you in haste. This gift tells you how truly special you are to the giver.

Don't feel overwhelmed when you are looking at the blank note card. A few short heartfelt phrases will be just fine.

Loving this clever invite!

 Here are some "cheats" for your letter writing.

Image Sources: Amazon, Kate Spade Crane, Wooster & Prince,



Design Questions Answered No. 2 - Zebra Prints

You don't even know how my heart was racing when I was answering the following question:

"What home decor goes well with zebra print?"

Any animal print should be considered a neutral. Though some animal prints pair better in a room's decor then others, the zebra print is one that is like that favorite purse that goes with anything.

I do caution that animal print should not be the foundation of a room's design, but rather an accent. Take a look at these rooms and notice how the room just wouldn't be the same without that touch of zebra.

So whether your look is traditional, contemporary, transitional, vintage, or coastal - zebra print adds the finishing touch.

Image Sources: Design Sponge, Ralph Lauren, House Beautiful, Windsor Smith, Elle Decor

Paper Obsessed No. 4 - Art Appreciation: Engravings

My obsession with all things paper reaches its ultimate level when I share my love for engravings. I am in awe of the meticulous process that created such beauty.

According to Wikipedia engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself such as an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing images on paper as prints or illustrations; these images are also called engravings.

Engraving was a historically important method of producing images on paper, both in artistic printmaking, and also for commercial reproductions and illustrations for books and magazines.

Here are some examples of vintage engravings.

The realization that one is holding art so tendiously and patiently created, sometimes over 200 years ago makes one speechless.

Image Sources: Flicker, Vintage Ephemera, Banana Strudel

RSVP Collection No. 27 - More Wine and Its Labels

As a reader of my blog, you know its the label that "has me at Hello" with wine. (See RSVP Collection No. 7- Wine and Its Labels).

Well, I had to share some more label attractions.

Reminds me of James Bond and that's not bad at all.

Shoofly! Don't bother me.

Love a good piano bar.

A man...in a suit, looking all dapper. Just sayin.

X marks the good stuff.

Image Sources: Cheap Wine Ratings

Translation - Fashion to Home No. 6

I am a fan of Heidi Klum's Project Runway and thought it would be fun to translate this season's winning designer's fashions to home design.  This season's winning designer, Anya, has a leisure, easy, relaxed style in her designs, while using fun graphic fabrics.

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Decor Pad, Coastal Living, Traditional Home, Veranda, Project Runway Lifetime Television

Be Inspired No. 22 - Maison de Luxe

Mark your calendars for one of the most design inspiration treats this year. Maison de Luxe in Beverly Hills sponsored by Luxe design+ is being held at the historic Greystone Mansion. It will be open December 2 - 22, 2011 with rooms designed by over 20 of America's finest designers.

This 46,000 square foot mansion is filled with history. According to the Friends of Greystone website in 1926, Doheny gifted his son Edward “Ned” Laurence Doheny Jr., and his daughter-in-law Lucy, with a 12.58 acres parcel of land. This land acquired by Doheny in 1914, was adjacent to his 429 acre Doheny Ranch. It is on these 12.58 acres that Greystone mansion was built, at a cost of $3,135.563. It became the largest undertaking of a family estate in the city of Beverly Hills.

The creation of the grounds began in 1926. A three-leveled gardens designed by German born landscape architect Paul Thiene, mixed a variety of garden styles and themes based on Italian and English gardens. There were nearly 100 different species of plants and flowers on the property, representing every continent. Incorporated in the gardens, were two cascading waterfalls, two lakes, and a green house. The estate included a swimming pool and pavilion, tennis courts, kennels and a charming playhouse, as well as stables and a gatehouse.

Greystone’s exterior is 19th century English revival architecture with a combination of two story turrets faced with Indiana limestone, Welsh slate and leaded glass windows. The interior is 18th century in style and includes fifty-five livable rooms in 46,054 square feet, including the entertainment wing consisting of a theater, bowling alley and billiard room.
Many events have been held at the mansion since it became a public icon. One of my favorite films was partially filmed here in 2006, The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Ed Burns, Nancy Meyers, Director.
For more information on the Maison de Luxe event visit http://www.maisondeluxeatgreystone.com/
 Image Sources: Friends of Greystone