I am head over heels for this beautiful bedroom! I admire how the designer has skillfully blended toiles of different patterns and scales and mixed in just enough white to give it a light handed touch. If I knew where this room was I would have to go over there and beg them to sell me the stunning mirror they have used as a headboard. It absolutely makes the room, although the beamed ceiling and the fabulous rug make quite an impact as well. I wish I had a view of the whole room to show you - or the entire house for that matter. But we'll have to settle for this lttle gem.
There's a new Material Girl in town, the town of Brooklyn, NY to be exact. Meet Abbey, she's armed and dangerous with a Masters degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute, one of our countries finest interior design schools. She is joining the dynamic duo of Emily and Lauren and their fellow cohorts in design Jill and Julie.
Thanks to the addition of Abbey they are now spanning the country with M Girls living in and running design businesses in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and now The Big Apple.
If you're not familiar with the Materials Girls blog (winner of my vote for cutest banner) check them out here. They're smart, savvy, passionate about design, and ridiculously young to be so successful.
They are getting ready to unveil a redesigned site soon and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us. Hey girls, if you need a designer in Vegas let me know - I'm available.
I have not read an issue of Architectural Digest since their March 08' issue on the Bush decorated White House when I questioned their poor timing, here. I have been a fan on and off but over the last few years I just couldn't get excited about the interiors they were featuring. But when my husband brought home the January issue with Brad Pitt on the cover I felt obligated to give it a once over.
design: Peter Marino photography: Durston Saylor
To my surprise the issue was absolutely stunning, filled with a scintillating variety of diverse designs that, while certainly luxurious, offered inspiration that could be applied to any interior.
The locations of the homes featured are as exciting as the interiors. From this beautiful home in Beirut, which seems to be such a departure from the images we normally associate with the war torn city, to a collectors paradise designed by Samuel Botero in New York.
design: Samuel Botero photography: Phillip H. Ennis
Jennifer from The Peak of Chic, recently posted inquiring what had become of the decorative arts collector. Well Jennifer, I believe he's doing very well and living in this gorgeous apartment which is done to perfection and filled with a diverse collection of art, architectural elements, and antiques.
design: Hendrix Allardyce photograph: David Matheson
One of my favorite interiors in the issue is this eclectic but elegant home in Melbourne. The jubilant mix of furnishings in the great room is nothing short of perfection. It is a study in the superb use of scale, balance, and harmonious effect.
It takes a lot to overshadow the glorious Mr. Pitt but I was so entranced by the interiors in this issue that I almost forgot about him. The issue takes a look at the efforts of his Make It Right Foundation to help rebuild the devastated neighborhoods in New Orleans using safe, affordable, and sustainable homes. Learn more about the organization at www.makeitrightnola.org.
On another note: Hot on the heals of their New York auditions, Architecturl Digest is holding another series of try outs in California. Brooke Gianetti - get on over there !
In an age where shelter magazines and design book publishers are in serious trouble I plan to do my part and subscribe to AD. If this issue is any indication of things to come I know it will be well worth the price of admission!
Shine Home has been everywhere since coming on the design scene in 2005. Their clean fresh take on classic design motifs adds a crisp, fun edge to any interior.
So it's no wonder they caught the ever talented eye of uber-desinger and trendsetter Philippe Starck. It seems he was so inspired with their lighting that he chose to feature it as the focal point of his new watering hole and chic celeb hang out, The S Bar, in Los Angeles.
Shine Home table lamps are hung dramatically, upside down from theatrical wire over the bar and tables creating an almost Alice in Wonderland sense of confusion. What's up is down, what's down is up......
My favorite element of the space is the fabulous canvases that are hung against all the walls depicting antique french wall paneling, wallpaper and a dramatic faux portrait gallery.
I think it is a very fun, eclectic cocktail of modern and classic styles thrown together in an irreverent and somewhat imbalanced mix that works in that special way that only Starck can pull off.
My only question - What kind of cocktail would you order in a bar like this?
This gorgeous window treatment makes this vintage iron bed look like it is floating in the clouds. Master workroom professional Mary Ann Plumlee, of Plumlee Place Ltd. is the artisan behind the construction of these luscious balloon shades and panels. Check out her site, Workroom Intelligence, one of my favorites.
What do you do for fun in St. Petersburg Russia in the middle of winter? According to the locals you build an ice house - or in this case a giant ice palace.
Complete with ice landscaping, furnishings and accessories.
An ice dressing room. Are those boots Jimmy Choo on ice?
Every ice palace needs a throne room
And to my delight there is a draped bed in the Master Ice Bedroom!!! See the rest of the luxury igloo here.
photo: sorry - can't remember 
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