Chic Today

Check out our article "Material Girls on Metallics: Silver Versus Gold" featured on the online magazine, Chic Today! This month's topic was Gilded Glory so you can imagine how much Lauren and I had to say about gold and silver! Thanks again Rossella- we had so much fun contributing to this month's magazine!

Zebra Cowhide Rugs

This is strictly a self serving post but, has anyone purchased a stenciled zebra rug? I would like to buy one but wasn't sure about Ebay... the prices are good (buy-it-now in the $200's) but I'm still a little squirmish about it...

Above two pictures are examples of the ones available on E-Bay.

This rug is available online through Neiman's. Is it just the styling or does it look better? Worth the price tag?

A link on E-Bay led me here to this rug...border or no border?

I've also seen a few in Houston ranging from $400-600ish. I'd love any feedback/advice anyone has to offer!

I do hope I never tire of this stuff...

I love antiqued mirror! I just really hope it is not something that gets so overdone that I grow weary of seeing it. I just think it is so beautiful, especially on this pendant from Pieces.

Outdoor Living

I have long been obsessed with one day having a custom tented cabana much like Katie Stassi's.(picture via la dolce vita)

Although in my opinion, nothing can beat custom, Z Gallerie just made it a whole lot easier to get the look for less. These canopies are very chic and very affordable. Available in three colors (black, lime green, and espresso) I still like the classic black and white combo. Which one do you like?

Perfect Floor Lamp

I saw this floor lamp at the Room & Board store in Chicago and it was love at first sight. For some reason, I don't really like floor lamps...but oh this one...perfection, and only $199!

Chez Chanel

I love getting a good glimpse into the home of a celebrity, as you all have probably figured out! The interior of a home can just say so much about a person (captures his or her real personality, background, and style- things that even the sneakiest of paparazzi can't dig up!) The home is such a personal part of one's life and a rare facet of a celebrity that we do not get to see very often. Where do they go when the paparazzi are all gone, the red carpet rolled up, and the movie cameras stop rolling? Do they favor modern or traditional style in their home? It's so incredibly intriguing to me that we have decided to profile more and more celebrity homes in the future...but to start with- here's a look into Coco Chanel's apartment!

This celebrity home profile is unique because Chanel has developed into such a great international fashion legend and it's cheating a bit because her "home" that we are examining was actually on the third floor of her Chanel store at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris. She mainly just entertained and worked here- she really had a place at the Ritz down the street; however, this third floor apartment is so elegant and fascinating that I had to share with you all! Everything is still in its place from her death in 1971...

Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel- introduced one of the most famous perfumes in the world (Chanel No. 5) in 1922 and her signature little black dress in 1926. Her fashion creations could be described as relaxed, casual and more masculine than the previous decades had been. She was a bit of a fashion rebel- designing suits, short skirts, purses, women's trousers, dresses, and costume jewelry. After she died, Karl Lagerfeld took over her empire in '83.

An old photo of Chanel's apartment

The mirrored staircase up to Chanel's apartment- built so she could stand in one spot and see what was happening on every floor of the Chanel store! Genius!

The fabulous dressing rooms below her apartment

A chandelier in her home that had interlocking 5's and C's

Chanel's sitting room- I love all the books displayed and the opulent gold mirror above the sofa. Her sofa is upholstered in suede beige which was very unusual for that time.

Birdcage in her Sitting Room

Chinese screens she used as wallcovering...

Her exquisite Dining Room...I love all the symmetry!

Celebs sporting the Chanel look

Keira Knightley was chosen to be the new face of Chanel- replacing Kate Moss. A short film was made with the star acting as a "modern day Chanel". Go here to watch the video and to get a virtual tour of Chanel's apartment! It's pretty interesting actually.

One of my favorite websites is Claudia's The Paris Apartment- she sells gorgeous furniture and accessories like the bench above- incredible pieces that you would see in a Paris apartment such as Chanel's. Click here to read her fascinating blog!

Chanel once told Harper's Bazaar that "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance" which I think is even true in Interior Design- sometimes less can be more and I love looking to Chanel for inspiration in her sophisticated fashion designs and in her home.

Time to design!

Sometimes I squint to see what time it is on my 15" wall clock, but with the one above featured in this month's House Beautiful, I don't think that will be much of an issue for this family! This ten foot wide wall clock is massive! Jay Jeffers designed this home and justifed using such a large piece with the fact that the Living Room ceiling is incredibly high, the windows are huge, and the clock "grounds it all". Installing this wall hanging was no easy feat...they had to remove the doors in order to move it into the house. What is your opinion- do you like this large scale look or do you think Jay went overboard? This clock needs to be in the Interior Design Guinness Book of World Records (if there was such a thing!)

PB Deco Style

I was so excited to see these mirrors in a home featured in April's House Beautiful. They are from Pottery Barn and I have had my eye on them forever! I first saw them in their catalogue and then they disappeared from their website not too long after. I could not locate them anywhere for purchase but somehow quickly became obsessed with them.

When I saw them in House Beautiful I can't tell you how refreshing it was to see a normal affordable household name like Pottery Barn in a big design publication. You usually don't see decor from places like PB, Crate and Barrel, Z Gallerie, etc in my favorite magazines. They usually try to focus more on "To the trade only" resources and it's nice to see a well known designer such as Jay Jeffers pop a PB mirror into one of his designs! Don't you agree?

Featured in the Pottery Barn catalogue this year....I love this Deco Mirror- looks great in a series of two or three grouped together. Wish I could find it somewhere- might have to take a trip to the PB outlet in San Marcos!

Another great read!

Another book recommendation we have for you is "Flower Sense" by Tricia Guild. I love Tricia's Interior Design work and believe that she has an incredibly creative eye for floral arrangements as well- but not just any arrangements, these are simplified ways you can add even just a few flowers to your room and transform it dramatically! Her fascination with flowers in Interior Design led her to create this book and what a fabulous and interesting book it is! Available at Amazon for $26.40 (lots of beautiful photographs to keep you entertained and inspired!)

Mini Lamps

My friend Lindsey brought my attention to these- Gorgeous Helen- comes in a set of three different wine shades that are designed for you to put over your wine glasses! (You put a small votive candle in each glass and voila! You now have an adorable centerpiece for your party) $20 for three shades

"Coloring Book"

A book by Stafford Cliff about how to get the best effects with color in Interior Design. An inspiring book for homeowners as well as designers! $26.37 on Amazon

Tile in disguise!

When I first saw this photo in Metropolitan Home, I thought it was wallcovering, but it's tile! The tile in the photo is from Bisazza- called Velvet mosaic. This tile is made with colorful enamel and 24k white gold leaf! $156 per square foot of tile is a bit more than your average wallcovering but the look is priceless! Looks so fab in this Dining area!

Ikat for all budgets!

How are we feeling about Ikat these days? Although I still really like it, I feel that it's just a trend that will come and go just like any other fad...but right now it's major and so eye catching, I can't resist doing a post on it!

I love the cotton-silk dress above by James Coviello- was featured in In Style this month as an ensemble for the "Ikat woman"- don't worry it's only $504! Sheesh! Where's the Target knockoff of it?

Can't resist Ikat pillows- especially in pink!

Another more whimsical and fresh take on the Ikat pillow by Madeline Weinrib. She has tons more colors available on her website here

More Ikat by John Robshaw

Not ready to splurge on just a trend? How about buying inexpensive Ikat from Nate Berkus' collection at Linens and Things! $19.99- what a steal!

This I like to call traditional looking Ikat....another one by Madeline featured in Elle Decor

More Ikat featured in Elle Decor- I love how it instantly livens up a simple sofa

Z Gallerie Ikat pillow- this abstract pattern of diamonds is a more modern take on the traditional Indonesian technique

And of course you can always rely on Pottery Barn to carry the latest trends at relatively inexpensive price points. This oversized print and bold colored pillow gives you a fun new way to incorporate Ikat into your home!

We'll let you know when the next big trend comes around to take Ikat's place... but with so much Ikat everywhere, I don't think it will be too soon!

Country Living Design Contest!

I thought this seemed like a great contest for any and all Interior Designers- wanted to let you all know about it! It's being held by Country Living and the DIY network. You can win a chance to help design part of Country Living's 2009 Home of the Year in Sawmill Village, West Virginia. Deadline for submission is 4/30. Learn more about the contest here. This would be an outstanding and fun opportunity for any designer out there- be sure to take a look!

Reese's Ranch

Now that the confusion is put to rest to the question- are Jake and Reese together or aren't they? (Judging from their recent trip to her new ranch house for her birthday, they definitely are!) but what I am really confused about still is the fact that in March's House Beautiful, they featured a gorgeous ranch house in Ojai, California designed and owned by Kathryn Ireland. House Beautiful claims that this is her house; however, my recent Us Weekly claims the same ranch house is now Witherspoon's five acre estate that was built in 1923. It says she bought the house "partially furnished and it was originally a barn built by famed architect Wallace Neff". Did Kathryn originally own and live in this house, decorate it, and then decided to sell it to Reese? The mystery remains! All I know is this...the house is huge...four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a country kitchen, great hall, blacksmith's shop, and a four car carriage house will be plenty enough room for Jake and Reese to raise a few kids of their own someday! (we can dream)

Most of the fabric on the upholstered pieces come from Ireland's own collection. Suzani fabric, farm tables, antique chandeliers, and vintage chairs are spread throughout the house.

I adore this fabric!

If anyone knows the answer to solve my house mystery, I'd love to hear it! I have to say, I was very happy to find out that this was one of my favorite actresses' new vacation home. A gorgeous house goes along great with a gorgeous man! Good for you Reese!