I Heart This Rug

Sometimes it's the simplest thing that catches your eye and makes you smile. This rug is a perfect example of that. Nothing fancy. Just some simple heart goodness.

Love.

St. Ermin's Hotel and Little Details

While in London a few weeks ago, I stayed at the lovely St. Ermin's Hotel.

Sure it was pretty overall, but it was the little details that made the hotel really special. Things like the huge mosaic floor in the covered porch of the entryway. I know it would cost a fortune but wouldn't it be awesome to have something like this on your porch with your own emblem or family initials incorporated in the design?

And then there was the inside. White carvings covered the walls and ceilings but it was the lighting that made it special. A number of lights were on the floor providing up-lighting that truly highlighted the carving details. The chandeliers looked nice during the day but offered wonderful light and shadows in the evening hours.

So, so pretty.

The Curious ABCs

Have you heard of The Curious ABCs?

The Curious ABCs was created and illustrated by Kevin Lindberg as a way to teach his sons how to read. Equal parts artwork and learning tool, these ABCs are now available in a hardback book, an ipad app, and as prints for your home.

Click here to pledge to the kickstarter program and receive some great items in return!

Thanks to Christie for introducing this to me!

Cameron Diaz's Manhattan Home

Have you seen the latest issue of Elle Decor? Cameron Diaz's West Village apartment, designed by Kelly Wearstler, is featured and it is magnificent. Her space is glimmering and glamorous, with lots of rosy hues and metallic gold accents.

Gasp! The backsplash, counters, and fixtures in the kitchen (below) are made of unsealed brass. How amazing is that?

Jillian spotted the gold ceiling trend at the beginning of the year, and it looks like she was onto something! Ceilings in both the master bedroom (pictured below) and the guest bedroom (two down) are covered in gold wallpaper. So luxe. And what a nice element to stare at while lying in bed! 

Be sure to read the entire article here.

Elle Decor is really amazing this month. For more design goodness, check out these two inspiring spaces: here and here.

*****

photos by William Abranowicz via Elle Decor

Clover Market (September 2013)

Yay, It's Clover Market time again! This past Sunday marked the first Clover Market of the Fall and it was great! Many of the same vendors were back but there were a lot of new faces, too. It felt bigger and better than ever. We lucked out with the weather—it was absolutely gorgeous! Sunday was the perfect day for marketing. 

Here is just a sampling of what I discovered.

There really was so much more, though! A great selection of vintage and handmade goods including furniture, home accessories, jewelry, and items for kids. They even had face painting for children!

The next Clover Market is scheduled for October 13th. (Check here for details). Hope to see you there!

*****

all images by The Pink Chalkboard

Doors of Notting Hill

While in London last week, I went to the market at Notting Hill. Walking there from the tube, I passed by a charming street of nearly identical townhouses. Identical in shape and size, but every one was a different color. I wish I had taken a photo of the street but instead only photographed these doors. It's amazing how the house/door color combo greatly change the way each house looks.

(It may seem like I've been jetting all over the place lately – Chicago, Montauk, London – but honestly, this is rare! Definitely enjoying taking photos of what I see, though, and sharing them all here :)

P.S. See the purple door on top? It reminds me of Mindy's mom's door!

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Montauk

A few weeks ago, I traveled to the Hamptons and spent an afternoon in Montauk. I had heard of the loveliness of the Hamptons and it most definitely did not disappoint. Montauk is at the end of the island and its famous lighthouse is at its tip.

Climbing the rocks around the lighthouse led to pretty photo ops of both water and rocks, but it was the rocks that really captured my attention.  

I like photos like these where something mundane is zoomed in on and you start to notice small details in the variation of colors and textures. Wouldn't they be pretty enlarged and framed?

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Not So Subliminal Art

Happy Friday! As you head into the weekend, I thought you might enjoy this little piece of art I spotted last night. I was reading a great article about the new Ace Hotel in London (decorated with lots of locally made, hand crafted objects), and this photo of one of the guest rooms caught my eye.

Do you see that little print on the far right side of the ledge?

It totally cracks me up! Not that I need any encouragement to spend money...but what an irreverent touch! Brilliant. 

You can see more of Ace Hotel's latest London outpost and their unique approach to hotel design here. 

Have a great weekend!

*****

images via AFAR Magazine

My Spicy Granny Chair

A couple of weeks ago, I also posted about my current color crush: Habanero Chile. I included a screen shot from Real Simple featuring this quote "In a glossy finish, it will make a grannyish chair look cool and modern."

Well, with some TLC, fun fabric, and this awesome paint color, my estate sale find has gotten quite a facelift!

Unfortunately I don't have any "before" photos to share with you (what was I thinking?) but I can give you an idea of what it looked like when I found it: very dark stained wood with a needlepoint seat cover. I actually found something similar here. Very granny, right?

Here is a close-up of the floral detail on the top of the chair. So nicely crafted.

While I was busy painting, my mom and sister-in-law recovered the seat cushion with this black and white ikat fabric. (Thanks, guys!)

I'm not sure if it's cool and modern, but this piece is definitely spicy. I love how cute my granny chair is now!

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Wisteria's Ghost Table

I have long been a fan of acrylic furniture (owning two pieces from CB's Peekaboo series), and my heart went pitter patter over the weekend when I spotted this new beauty in Wisteria's Fall catalog.

I love this curvy style of furniture reinterpreted with modern materials. I actually have a version in metal that I bought from Pottery Barn several years ago and a similar version makes an appearance in the Maltese vacation home I posted about last week. 

But, I have to say, this table looks even more amazing in acrylic!

As if that isn't enough, this piece is currently on sale. How can I possibly resist?

*****

Traditional Ghost Table via Wisteria

Purple Door Update

I recently posted here that my mom and I painted the front door of her house purple. Well, we've lived with the color for a couple of weeks now and are both convinced that we made the right decision. Now that it's settled, I can finally share some photos with you!

Here is the front exterior of her home before:

The purple we chose is Dewberry from Sherwin Williams. I didn't want a purple that had too much of a red or blue tint, and I think this is right in the middle. I also wanted to go really dark.

Here is the after!

The color is actually a little less blue than it appears in these photos.

In the scheme of things, painting your front door really is an easy change. But wow! It can have major impact (and be a little scary!). Now that it's all said and done though, I love thinking that my mom will be known for "the house with the purple door."

What do you think? Would you give this a try?

*****

images via The Pink Chalkboard
Dewberry via Sherwin Williams

Interior Decor Accented with Pops of Pink

I love the little pops of pink used throughout this Maltese vacation home. From tinted glass, to pillows and accessories, to hangers hanging in a closet(!), it's just enough to make this unique space warm and inviting.

Interested in seeing this space in person? This apartment (named Indulgence Divine) is for rent! Check here for more details if a vacation to Malta is in your future!

*****

all images via we heart