Book Review - "The New Glamour" by Jeff Andrews (#17 - 2019)

The New Glamour: Interiors with Star Quality by Jeff Andrews

If you buy one coffee table decorating/interiors book, buy this one.  Seriously, it's that good.  I was lucky enough to meet Jeff and talk with him a bit at High Point Furniture Market.  He's so nice and really interesting and, being a fan of his work, I enjoyed speaking with him.  I even got my book signed (yay!):

Book Review - "The Magnolia Story" by Chip and Joanna Gaines (#3 - 2018)

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Super quick and easy read, written mostly from Joanna’s perspective with Chip’s take scattered throughout, it’s the story of how they got where they are now. Their struggles and successes as well as lessons learned along the way. Sometimes it felt a little oversimplified but overall I would totally recommend it. In fact my almost 10 year old daughter is reading it right now! 

Vera Wang's New LA Home

As promised, here's a peek inside Vera Wang's Los Angeles mid-century modern home which was built in 1967.  Wang tapped LA designer Steve Hermann for a 3 year renovation of the home.  It's modern and sophisticated, just like Vera.  Check it out:

This woman is 62!  She looks amazing!

Her closet filled with her signature black and grey hues.

Images via Harper's Bazaar, photographed by Douglas Freidman - click here for the interview and story.

Kardashian Klosets - I mean Closets

That darn Kardashian branding makes me go nuts with the K's (I shake my fist in Kris Jenner's direction).  I've mentioned before that I watch every Kardashian show, which is shameful but strangely inspiring (interior decorating-wise of course) and in that post I shared some pics of Khloe's amazing closet.  Well, in September's InStyle magazine they have a feature on Kim, Khloe and Kourtney's closets which are stunning and chock full o' designer goodies, so I wanted to share. 

Kim's glam, rich and almost masculine (with all the dark wood and clean lines) closet - well, one of her closets.  The article mentioned she has one more for shoes and handbags.  The article also mentioned that Kim used to be a professional closet organizer (!).  How about that chandelier and ginormous Givenchy tote in the corner - fabulous!

Kourtney's more realistic closet.  I love the carpet and wallpaper.  I also dig the chair in the corner, big enough to sit in and yet it doesn't feel like it hogs the whole space.  This one is a great use of vertical space!

And here's Khloe's closet, which I've shared before.  Still love it and is my fave of the three - I mean who doesn't dream of a mirrored island with drawers galore in your closet? 

Which one is your favorite?

BTW - I ran to the mall last Friday, had a few extra minutes to kill so I popped into Sears to check out the Kardashian clothing collection that just came out.  Um, well, no.  It was not my cup o' tea (probably because I'm like 10 years older than their target audience *ahem*), I wanted to like the leopard print blazer - can't find a picture online - but for $99, I expect better fabric and a better print execution.  Now if it goes on sale for $19 I may be all in, but for now my money is best spent on other things.

Images via InStyle

True Confession Time

First, I just want to apologize for my lack of posts over the past couple of weeks - I'm working on a big project which involves staring at a computer screen for hours on end and at the end of the workday I just can't bring myself to look at a computer screen for one more second.  So I've been avoiding any extra computer time.  Staring at the TV, however hasn't been an issue.  I've been watching way too much TV lately, between just wanting to zone out after the little one goes to sleep at night, to struggling with a touch of insomnia, I've logged a disgusting amount of TV watching. 

Which brings me to my true confession - one I'm not proud of at all, in fact, I'm embarrassed and yeah, somewhat disgusted with myself.  This is hard to admit, but I've been watching a whole lot of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians", "Khloe and Lamar", etc.  There, I said it.  Don't think less of me.  Ugh, I just can't explain it because I find them highly irritating, yet there I sit.  No one can deny that Kim is gorgeous, I mean she's stunningly beautiful.  But what else is there?  Bruce?  Well, okay I kinda like Bruce, he always seems like he's trapped in a weird dream/nightmare, spouting out the occasional words of wisdom while trying to escape by  building toy helicopters and remembering how awesome his life was in the 70's.  No one can deny that Kris is a master of marketing her kiddos (good and bad).  And let's be honest Kourtney, bless her heart, is the least likeable most vapid human being I have ever laid eyes on.  Her baby dady Scott is king of all slimeball/douchebags with not one redeeming quality (he makes Spencer Pratt look like the ideal man).  He's the type of guy that every girl should avoid at all costs.  Living with a bunch of cats would be better than him.

And yet, I still watch.  However, I may have figured out some of the appeal for me.  I think I love seeing the clothes and interiors.  Yeah, I don't sound superficial AT ALL.  But stay with me.  Because that's all there is - there's no storyline, they don't do anything really interesting - BUT they do wear gorgeous clothes and live in beautiful houses.  Which should not be the basis for any TV show, but there you go.  I'm particularly smitten with parts of Khloe's house - specifically her home office.  Check it:

Source: casasugar.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: casasugar.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Gorgeous, right?  Here's her closet - prepare to swoon...

Source: thecoveteur.tumblr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Her shoes?  Shut up...

Source: elle.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: elle.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Another image from her house...

Source: elle.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I love it - I love seeing it all (though, I could do with less of the dozens of pictures of themselves they have in every house).  I just can't help myself.  So, I'm not telling you to tune in, but if you do find any of the (many) Kardashian shows on your TV, I recommend putting them on mute and enjoying the scenery.

There, I feel better that it's out in the open now :o)

Amazing Hotel Alert! - Armani Hotel Dubai

On April 27, 2010 Giorgio Armani opened up his first hotel - Armani Hotel Dubai - in Dubai's Burj Khalifa (aka the world's tallest building).  It's exactly the luxurious minimalism one would expect from Mr. Armani.  Almost too minimalist for moi (the hallway looks like something out of "The Matrix"), but you be the judge:

(Can I get a floral print or something to break up the lines?  LOL!)  Get more details and read more about it here.

Images via Interior Design

Happy Weekend!

I just love this image, what a happy kitchen, one you wouldn't mind washing dishes in - LOL! 

Hope you all have a very happy weekend!

Image via House of Turquoise

I want this! - Every Cloud print

I'm totally on board with this print and it's message.  We all need to be reminded of this during difficult times.  (It's also a great alternative to the - I may be slapped for saying this - tired "Keep Calm" print - it's a great print, but personally, I'm sick of seeing it).  Find it here.

Image via Keep Calm Gallery - no the irony of the shop name isn't lost on me, they have a lovely array of the "Keep Calm" prints in lots of colors if you are interested and don't want to slap me - LOL!

Love Julie Bowen's home featured in April 2010 InStyle

Julie Bowen's home (featured in the April 2010 InStyle) is great - I've said this before, about other homes too - not 100% my style, but I love bits and pieces.  It's a fun mix of things and kid friendly.  Her sister, Interior Designer, Molly Luetkemeyer designed the space.  Of course I was a bit slow in my post (all my posts) this week and the divine SHELTER blog beat me to the punch - go here to see her fabulous post about this house.  Oh snap, I gotta up my bloggin' game!  LOL!

Images via InStyle photographed by James Merrell

Love this! Polka Dot Little Girls Room

I just adore this room designed by Emily Clark (which I found via Design Dazzle).  Love the polka dots on the wall, love the monogram pillows, just the overall vibe is so adorable for a little girl/tween. 

Images via Emily Clark via Design Dazzle

Real Simple - Decorating with Purple

The January 2010 Real Simple magazine had a great feature about decorating your house with purple.  They had some great purple furniture, paint and accessory picks.  If you love purple, go check it out (also check out this purple color story I posted a few months ago).  Enjoy!

Images via Real Simple

Love this!

I love this image, love the colors, love everything!

Image via Style Court

Jonathan Adler's fun Home Office via Apartment Therapy

You know I'm a total Jonathan Adler fan so obviously I think his home office is very fun and cool!  See more pictures and the article here.

Images via Apartment Therapy

Love this!

Such a cool alphabet wall!

Image via Design Dazzle

Magazine wall, so cool!

I totally love this.  Glenn Leitch principal at Highland Associates renovated Playboy's (soon to be shuttered) midtown Manhattan office.  Check out the "magazine wall" in the reception area - which Glenn credits with getting them hired to do the job - made up of 15,000 Playboy magazines.  They were glued and stapled into 14-inch-high blocks, then routed to create tongue-and-groove connections and further supported by hidden steel tubes (see article and more photos of the office here).  I love that how when you just glance at it it seems like a painting (or some other sort of art) or even a quilt.  Completely awesome!

Images via Interior Design photographer Eric Laignel

Coastal Living's 2009 Seawatch Idea House

I'm a little late in the game checking this out - but I am loving the Master Suite, Master Bathroom and the Study in Coastal Living's Seawatch Idea House located in Sunset Harbor, NC.  Not totally 100% my style, but certainly appealing in a beach house way. 

Master Suite

Master Bath

Study

Images via Coastal Living photographed by Tria Giovan

Kate Walsh's home in InStyle

Featured in November's InStyle magazine, there is something about Kate Walsh's home that really intrigued me.  It's not totally my style, but I love elements here and there.  Kate (should I call her that? Sure, why not?) loved her character's bedroom on Private Practice so much that she recruited the set decorator, Melissa Levander, to decorate and furnish this house.  I'm particurally drawn to the bedroom (it's the tiny picture on the top left, sorry about that).  I love the warm neutrals and the midcentury yet sort of modern vibe and lots of textures that are pleasant. 

*note, I may be a complete dunderhead, but I can't find the darn spell check on this "new" blogger posting layout.  Please excuse my spelling, I try and check but I'm not sure I'm getting every word.  Does anyone know where the darn spell check is?  Good grief...

Images via InStyle.com

I vant to be alone, dahling

This is where I would like to be right now, alone, in silence.  Just me, the pool and that Ron Arad chair (okay maybe a more squishy, comfy chair to nap in).  Can you tell I'm in desperate need of some me time?  Yeah, I am. 

See more pictures of this house in Brussels designed by Agence Andrée Putman here.  See entire article here.

Image via Interior Design photographed by Eric Laignel

Jewelry organizing

I think I saw this article in Real Simple magazine in early 2008, when I was quite pregnant and trying to unpack and get the house semi-organized as best I could before the little one arrived.  Anyway, Real Simple helped her clean up and organize her jewelry and I just loved the way it turned out - you could see most everything and that was so appealing. 

With jewelry it can be "out of sight, out of mind" for me.  So I attempted to put something together that would enable me to see what I had too.  Keep in mind I was very pregnant and didn't want to buy anything, I just wanted a temporary solution that was quick and easy and I could fine tune it later (much later as it turns out - like when we move).  So I grabbed an old cork board from my office, some little brass screw-in hooks we had and that was it.  Here's what it looks like now:

My earrings and necklaces are hanging up there so I can see what I have.  Eventually, when we move, I want to make it look nicer with perhaps a frame and some paint and/or fabric.  But hey, it has served me well for something that cost nothing.  Oh yeah, and that's my nice walk-in closet that I will miss when we move.  I had it all to myself and it was right off the master bath.  Good times.

Top image via Real Simple, bottom image via me

I want this - chalkboard paint in 24 colors!

How totally exciting is this?!?  HudsonPaint has just come out with chalboard paint in 24 fab colors.  Imagine the possibilities.  I have a small table I painted in black (way back when chalkboard paint first came out).  I'm thinking about something for my daughter's room in a nice bright pink, we'll see...

$24.99 per quart more info here

Images via HudsonPaint