Renter Friendly Lighting

For all you renters out there, the probability that you are going to have an electrician cut a hole in your sheetrock and fish wires for electrical sconces is probably slim to none. This is especially true if you deem your current apartment as "temporary." Sconces add such a wonderful ambiance to a room that it doesn't seem right to deny yourself that luxury. As we all know, candlelight is beautiful, flattering, and romantic. These "candle sconces" are still sophisticated and beautiful. So until you can enjoy the "real thing" induldge yourself with a pair of these....

{Lite Deco Wall Sconce from Room Service Home $199 }

{I've always liked this sconce that graced the cover of the very first issue of Domino. }

{Found it here. }

{You can actually plug this clean lined, classic sconce into the wall! Brillant!}




{Gorgeous Pewter Sconce from Pierre Deux $65 }

{LOVE, LOVE this sconce, and it comes with an 84" cord! Buy it here for $359.95 (comes in brass and steel). }

{Add a light, feminime touch for $79.95/ea.}

{Add drama for just $39.95 ! }

{Simple Glamour $79.95}

Hollywood Glam

We here at Material Girls LOVE LOVE LOVE the Hollywood Regency style (also known as Hollywood Modern and Hollywood Retro). This look was made popular by Kelly Wearstler, a Los Angeles Interior Designer whose style has been described as "formal but liveable" and "luxurious but attainable". Her style mimics and reinvents the designs of Dorothy Draper, an Interior Designer during the 1920's whose glitzy neo-baroque hotel and restaurant interiors became known as "baroque fantasy"- her signature style.

These two books encompass the Hollywood Regency style and are fabulous design books every design enthusiast should own-Sold at Amazon

Design by Barclay Butera

Design by William Haines

Trina Turk- Designed by Kelly Wearstler

Another famous Kelly Wearstler design

Dorothy Draper's Design- Hampshire House

A few characteristics of the Hollywood Regency Style:

-Style lends itself to mixing and matching different looks and design elements

-Luxurious materials

-Oversized furniture

-Sparkling chandeliers

-Bold graphics

-Asian accessories

-Tons of mirror

-Lots of lacquer

Four words that describe it: glamorous, elegant, modern, and creative!

In all, it is a modern look partial to decorative details over severe minimalism. My favorite description of this style is that it "embodies a spirit of living rather than the return to a specific type of design or a specific point in time. She's a way of life where people are truly living in the moment, and not distracted with text-messaging during dinner, or living a life where quality time together equates to quiet time in front of a television during premiere week."

I love the mod graphic fabric on this lucite Mambo Bench from 655 Home

This gold geometric screen from Inside Avenue is exquisite and would look great as a room divider or as a decorative piece against a wall.

This silver mirror is another one of my favorite pieces from Inside Avenue. They actually have an entire section devoted just to the Hollywood Regency style- be sure to check it out!

This Hollywood Regency armoire from Inside Avenue (we just can't get enough of them!) would look tres chic in a bedroom or living area.

We are seeing black chandeliers everywhere- this one is actually off of Ebay and starts at only $450

This set of six white lacquered chairs can be found at 1st Dibs (Robert Massello antiques)

This pair of gorgeous cerulean blue ceramic lamps is also at 1st dibs

Love this bedside chest from Inside Avenue

These online stores are your best bets for decorating in this glam style:

-Inside Avenue

-Brocade Home

-1st Dibs

-655 Home

-Councill Furniture

-Jayson Home and Garden

-Ebay- search "Hollywood Regency"

If any of you have ever decorated in this style, we would love to see photos of your home!

What's blooming at Bloomingdale's!

I am always on the lookout for new candles to put around my house. I saw these oh so cute vintage floral pattern votives and candles that have a 40 hour burn time and are priced at only $12.50-$22.50 at Bloomingdale's. What a great way to start looking forward to Spring! With all this cold dreary weather, we need a visual pick me up!

Modern Baroque

www.brocadehome.com

Say goodbye to minimalism this year. Elaborate and luxurious home furnishings and decor are now taking its place! Baroque is definitely back- I am such a girly girl and I have to say I am partial to this design style. Minimalism has never really been a word in my vocabulary. I am the girl who would fill a home with only chaise lounges and dressing tables if that was deemed practical. Brocade Home's romantic, feminine, deep hued, and ornate furniture fits me to a tee. This look is going to be all the craze this year. Brocade is thought of as "the feminine home for the 21st century". I couldn't agree more. Brocade has lovely decor at very reasonable prices.

Just launched in the Fall of '06, Brocade Home seems to already be spreading like crazy. It was created by Lisa Versacio (Lisa's the one who started West Elm, part of the William Sonoma empire). They have a semi-annual sale going on right now (savings of up to 40% off!) I especially love their chandeliers, oval chairs, and adorable gifts. I also love how even though all of their decor is very ornate, textured, and patterned, they chose to use very understated colors including silver, peony, pebble, espresso, parisian blue, ink, and ivy in most of their decor- nothing too bright and showy- just plain glamour in its most affordable form.

Now Screening!

Finding the perfect piece of art big enough in scale and reasonably priced can be daunting. These screens or panels, many of them hand painted, are beautiful and affordable (especially considering the sizes).

One of of the biggest mistakes you can make with art is buying something that is too small. Always buy bigger than what you think you need.

I just recently discovered the Worldstock of overstock.com.

{$94.99!!!}

{$119.99}

{$500 from Neiman Marcus}
{$549 from Horchow}

{$399.99 on sale from Gump's}

{$499.99 also on sale from Gump's}

New Design Site!

I recently discovered Avaliving.com. It's a vertical social networking site that launched just over a month ago to help connect professional interior designers, industrial designers, architects, textile/furniture/wallpaper designers, fine artists and anyone with an interest in interior design and it's components.

Ava is inviting design enthusiasts from all over the world to join in on the conversation, increase your social capital, post links and photos of recent work and inspirations and get in touch with your creative side. The site is free and very easy to use (all you need is a valid email address and a love of design). They are always looking for new content, submissions and ideas! What a fun and easy way to connect with other professionals who share the same passion for design that we do!

Re-Think Wallpaper

"Wallpaper" is a word that strikes fear in the heart of anyone that has been stuck living with some unfortunate paper for any given amount of time. For every "good" wallpaper there are 5 horrid ones.

Wallpaper can be a blessing. If you find one that moves you, it is like living with your favorite piece of art everyday. My dream Dining Room would be dressed in hand painted Gracie wallpaper.

Here are a few wallpapers from Walnut Wallpaper and Cole & Son that would be gorgeous in a Powder Room, Dressing Room, Dining Room, etc...