Neutral Accents

Lately, I’ve been really into neutral fashion accessories, especially shoes and purses. So it got me thinking about neutral accents for the home. I usually post on bright and colorful interiors, but boho-luxe can be done in earth tones also-the trick is to vary the textures of the accessories. Here I’ve compared a few accessories for the home to their closet counterpart.

I love Moroccan Poufs-they add such a fun layer to a room. This particular one in Neutral with Olive Stitching is a great accent. The leather adds an element of edge and masculinity-just like your trusty leather bomber jacket.

This striped wool pillow adds a soft touch to any room. These would look so great on a leather sofa. the wool although soft, still adds an interesting texture-this would be like a great scarf in your wardrobe.

I love these African baskets. The patterns are so intricate that they add enough pop to a room even without color.  Think of the basket as a great Bottega handbag.

Boxes are also very versatile accessories. I love anything in horn. I liken the horn boxes to a great pair of glossy neutral strappy sandals that go with everything.

These agate trays are like the jewelry of the room. A wonderful neutral with the slightest hint of color and smooth texture.

Inspired By: J Crew Fall 2010

If J. Crew’s Fall preview is any indication of what fall will look like-than we can expect an earthy palette of rust, olive, and camel with a shot of peacock blue. The colors go beautifully together. I love the subtly of the colors juxtaposed with the luxury of the fabrics. As usual fashion translates to home. Here are some pieces inspired by J Crew Fall 2010.

J. Crew Fall 2010 Preview

Photo by Habitually Chic (visit here for her amazing coverage)

A Garden Stool in Peacock Blue looks great next to an upholstered chair or tucked under a side table.

They are so versatile and add some interest to a room.

An olive colored vase would look great with beautiful purple flowers. Heath Ceramics could have written the book on earthy, natural colors.

I love objects made from natural elements-this onyx urn really picks up the rusts and browns.

These Cashmere throws are the perfect soft touch to any room. The colors keep with the subtle palette.

This decorative box adds another shot of blue and also picks up the glimmer from all the sequins uses in J. Crew Fall 2010.

Friday Favorites

Oh, Fridays-how I love you. This week flew by and I hope our sunny weather continues into the weekend. Here are my picks for Friday Favorites-things that have inspired or captivated me or things I simply can’t get out of my mind. Hope you enjoy…

Art by Brice Marden. I love the brushstrokes, colors and squiggles. Sotheby’s has 2 of his paintings available in an upcoming auction.

Isabel Marant’s Flana Jeweled Linen Jacket. If it wasn’t sold out on Net A Porter-I seriously would consider the purchase!

The subtle scent of Jasmine is permeating the air outside my apartment-a true sign Spring is here.

Rita Konig‘s Bar Set Up-I love a well set up bar. Rita’s is a great inspiration.

Christopher Spitzmiller‘s Louisa Lamp in Linen Glaze. Perhaps a lamp to go anywhere, with any style.

And my absolute favorite-The Commune Shop Tent.  I secretly want to live here. Check out my post on Boho Chic Outdoor Spaces featuring Commune Design here.

One Kings Lane Presents Tastemaker Tag Sales

If you haven’t already heard, One Kings Lane is hosting its very first Tastemaker Tag Sale this Saturday, featuring one of my favorite designers-Nathan Turner. Every Saturday, a different tastemaker will curate  an exciting, eclectic mix of  vintage finds; one-off samples; décor and furniture from their own  branded line.  The lovely Andrea Stanford, Design and Style Editor of C Magazine (my favorite publication) and newly appointed Design Ambassador for OKL emailed me a preview of some of the great items Nathan handpicked for the debut event-expect a wide selection of textiles, antiques and vintage finds.  The sale begins this Saturday at 8 am.  The line up for future tag sales is fantastic-you won’t be disappointed.

The wonderful and talented Nathan Turner featured on the OKL Tag Sale Invitation

Vintage Map of Africa. $469

How amazing would this be in a boy’s room!

Silk Ikat Pillow $149

My favorite accessory in one of my favorite patterns.

Industrial Light Fixture $479

I love Industrial lighting-these would look fantastic in a living room or as interesting bedside lights.

Nathan Turner for Elite Leather Pouf $999

Poufs look great in front of a fireplace, or tucked under a side table to be pulled out for impromptu seating.

Room to Tabletop

I look forward to the day when I can set a fabulous table for an intimate dinner party. Matthew Williamson’s London living room is a favorite of mine. The room’s eclectic  patterns and colors were a fun springboard to use to find tableware. Here’s what I came up with…

The Inspiration

The dinnerware-I originally was going to choose a Missoni pattern, but I went with Haviland’s Damousse instead.

I thought the bold mix of blue, pink, and gold plus the floral print better captured the vividness of the room.

These candlesticks echo the gold  coffee table, but a more modernized version. The room is so eclectic that

I wanted to add a different more modern element. From 1stDibs.

The anemones are a no-brainer- I would arrange them in a sleek red vase to pick up the hints of red from the room.

I like the simplicity of William Yeoward’s Bess Goblets. They tone the room down and filled with red wine-they would add another beautiful color to the table.

I love Glassy Baby-Prom Dress is the perfect finishing touch to use as votives. I’d scatter dozens around the table

Piles of Pillows

Pillows are hands down my favorite accessory. They truly transform a room from boring to beautiful and really finish a space. I like a heavy mix of pillows-full of great patterns and colors. The best thing about pillows is they can be changed without a lot of hassle. Try changing them  seasonally to instantly update a home from a Winter/Fall feel to a Spring/ Summer feel.  In my opinion, the more pillows the better. Here are some great examples of piles of pillows.

Photographer, Calliope’s Living Room from Elle Decor

Source Unknown-I probably would introduce a different color-a little too much blue, but great pillows

And how did I miss this beautiful example of a Moroccan Wedding Blanket? (click here)

Source Unknown-a really good pile of pillows here.

Amanda Peet’s Living Room by Nathan Turner for Domino

Molly Sims’ Office by Kishani Perera-perhaps my new (to me) favorite room.

I love the piles of everything going on here.

Moroccan Wedding Blankets

Moroccan Wedding Blankets have often been blogged about, and for good reasons they are simply gorgeous.  The blankets or handira are hand-loomed from sheep’s wool and cotton in small villages throughout Morocco.  Prospective brides and relatives sew by hand each sequin. The blankets are said to protect the user from the evil eye.

A Suite at the Parker Palm Springs by Jonathan Adler

Kate Hudson’s bedroom designed by Roman Williams

Source Unknown

Source Unknown

A beautiful example from L’Aviva Home

Maryam from My Marakesh also sells beautiful wedding blankets through her blog.

Spotlight on: Suno

Over the weekend, I popped into Barneys just to browse and, of course, came home with a new purchase-from Suno -a small New York based clothing line full of tribal prints and flowing textures. Suno, founded in 2008 by Max Osterweis, not only delivers fresh prints but his company employs fairtrade Kenyan artisans to carefully recreate the patterns and samples made in New York. His mission is to  raise awareness for growth and stability in a region plagued by violence. His Fall 2010 collection is inspired by late 1960s American interiors, traditional East African textiles, Klimt, and travel. Here are some examples of his brilliance at patterns and more so, mixing patterns.

Looks from Fall 2010

Looks from Spring/Summer 2010

The blouse in the bottom picture is my newest purchase.

Suno was just featured in the April Issue of Vogue.

Birthday Wishlist-Help Me Decide!!

As my birthday approaches in a few weeks, I am trying to decide what I want. I really want a tan purse-so the question is do I go with the classic Chanel Tote or the edgier Proenza Schouler PS1-quite possibly a new classic? Thoughts?

Proenza Schouler PS1-I think this will be a new classic. I need to make sure I like the style.

Chanel Classic Cerf Tote

I almost bought this once-and I regret not doing so. At the time, I thought it was a bit too classic, but it is a forever piece.

Spotlight on: Espadrilles

Espadrilles, once the tradtional shoe of peasants,seem to be popping up everywhere.  These days, Espadrilles have come a long way from the shoe worn by peasants. They remind me of  wealthy and tanned South Americans. They remind me of being on vacation and hanging out by the beach. Really, they are the unofficial shoe of Summer and the quintessential boho-luxe shoe.  Here are some great versions that I’ve seen lately.

Myomu Espadrilles come in a variety of colors and patterns

Tory Burch has a few cute pairs for Spring

My All Time Favorite-TOMS Shoes.They are more espadrille-esque, than the traditional. I am a huge TOMS fan-I love the idea and simplicity behind the company and the impact it has made on raising awareness for those in this world that are in need of shoes. Blake’s mission is simple-One for One.

Grace Kelly looking chic (as always) in Rear Window.

One of The Sartorialist‘s subjects looking laid back and edgy in his.

A Chic Editorial Image from Elle.