Pumpkin Panache

Painstakingly detailed work via Martha Stewart.

I've never been a big Halloween celebrator myself, but I do love a good pumpkin carving session. You can't be squeamish when it's time to pull the pumpkin-ey guts out! The things some people can do with a pumpkin and a knife- it's amazing! I'm sure I'll see lots more creepy creations after Halloween is over, but to get you (and myself) in the ghoulish spirit, here are some good ones I've found:

Only one problem- your pumpkin will be completely naked by the end of the night. It's still awesome, though. Via Extreme Pumpkins (yes, there are entire websites devoted to the art of pumpkin carving!).

Great pumpkin concept- unfortunately it was made with Photoshop and not a knife. If anyone is willing to give it a shot, send me a photo and I'll post your effort! Via Worth1000.

It takes a very steady hand to make a skull this perfect from a pumpkin. Via Extreme Pumpkins.

I want to try another Martha Stewart idea this year- painting my jack-o-lanterns with black paint to up the spooky factor!

Another Photoshop design that I would love to see done! Via Worth1000.

A filigreed jack-o-lantern face. That's quite a practice in patience! Via Martha Stewart.

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Wedding Edition

There's no doubt about your answer when you're wearing this Dior ring!

I love a good wedding... especially when it's mine. Yes, it's finally here! I'm getting married on Saturday! And with all the wonderful wedding spirit in the air, I had to bring on another edition of Fashion vs. Furniture, because it's my favorite thing to do! Enjoy! (My, my, my, but weddings do bring out the exclamation point-edness in me!)

A Modern Art Gallery Soiree

An art gallery might not be the first place that comes to mind to host your wedding reception, but it could be an amazing option! All the decoration you need is in the art, so everything else should be kept clean and simple. For the dress, pick something that is a work of art in itself. I love this quirky layered gown I found at Martha Stewart. Gallery photo via Flickr, Dress by Lela Rose.

A Casual Beach Bash

When you take the nuptuals outdoors, it's a good chance to get relaxed- dress and all. Kick off your shoes (yeah, like you could walk down a sand aisle in heels!), and put on a flowy gown that matches the casual atmosphere. Dress by Angel Sanchez.

An Intimate Restaurant Affair

A reception at a swanky restaurant, such as Tavern on the Green in New York, is a great excuse to wear something glam and sparkly. Everything in the room, from the crystal to the velvet chairs, seems to light up, and why should the bride be any different? This dress from Lela Rose should do the trick quite nicely!

An Airy Picnic Party

I've always loved the idea of a sweet picnic reception on a lovely Spring day, but alas, a lovely Spring day in Houston is as difficult to predict as what I'll be doing in 30 years! For those of you with year round beautiful weather (Northern California, I'm looking at you!), a picnic complete with gourmet sack lunches and charming cotton blankets is a romantic way to celebrate in the daytime. This J. Crew wedding dress is perfect for a day in the park, too!

A Classic Hotel Celebration

Is this Carolina Herrera gown not just perfect for the setting at the Hotel Icon? A timeless backdrop deserves a timeless look, and Carolina Herrera always delivers that! There's really nothing more to say, except that this is beautiful!

A Family Backyard Festivity

If you're fortunate enough to have a generous backyard, put it to good use. I love how rustic the decor at this wedding looks. String up some lights for when the sun sets and the party never has to end. For an outdoor fiesta, I'd choose a gown in a classic shape, created from comfortable vegetable-dyed silk to stay cool all evening. As for fighting frizz- you're on your own! Dress by Adele Wechsler.

A Different World

A full view of The Great Indoors by Aurora Robson.

I apologize in advance for telling you this on such late notice. There is an amazing exhibit at the Rice Gallery and I've only just seen it. Aurora Robson has created a new world inside the Rice Gallery. You might remember the blog I wrote about another exhibit entitled Dans la Lune by Kirsten Hassenfeld. This was another one of those experiences- the kind where every direction I turned there was something new and beautiful to look at. The artist literally transformed the small gallery space into, what I would describe as, a colorful planet in outer space.

Every piece of the 15,000 plastic bottles she collected was used to create something beautiful.

At first, you walk in through a vibrant tunnel, with each section looking unique from the one before. In the center of the tunnel, you come to a small cave, centered around a solar-powered, LED-lit, vivid red ornament resembling the heart of the world. Outside the tunnel are free-hanging configurations that conjure images of alien creatures.

I couldn't get enough of the free-hanging heart within the center of the tunnel.

One of the lavish creatures hanging outside of the tunnel.

According to the artist, her landscape was based on the human body, explaining the warm color palette used. Perhaps the coolest part of the exhibit is the materials she used: recycled plastic bottles. Any green you see is a Sprite bottle. For the ribs of the tunnel, she used only Poland Spring brand water. Most of the plastic is airbrushed with water-based paint giving it an impossibly consistent, tinted look.

A closeup of one of the hanging ornaments. I can only imagine how much time it took to create just one of these detailed masterpieces.

See the Rice Gallery website for more information, but keep in mind that pictures don't do this exhibit justice! If you have time to check it out before it closes on Sunday, October 26th, prepare to be amazed!

HF Weekly Obsession: The White Stuff

I have a vision for my future. One day, I'll get a cute little home in the Houston suburbs and thoughtfully decorate it. Of course, my family room will be stain proof, mess proof, and every other kind of proof you can imagine, but I'll have a room of my own in which to use my favorite color palette: white with white with white. I see shabby chic white living rooms in decorating magazines and wish I could do that. But, messy husbands and (future) kids dictate that white furniture is not in the cards. In the house in which I grew up, my sisters and I knew that playing and spilling was done only in the Family Room, and the Living Room was for holidays and adults only. Mom wouldn't appreciate a Kool-aid stain in her nice white carpet. So maybe I can have my cloud-hued dream room. First, I'll invest in this:

Sharp, white leather in a grid tufted pattern with modern chrome legs would make the perfect cocktail table in front of a white sofa. Rex Bench by American Leather.

After my white room is complete, I'll throw a party serving only clear liquids (as in that episode of Sex and the City), and then install a gate to keep out the Kool-aid!

Typographical Content

We write all the time. We jot down phone messages, pen thank you's to our friends and family, and maybe even do a little Dear Diary-ing from time to time. Our penmanship can identify us to coworkers, siblings, possibly (yikes!) the crime lab. The way we cross our t's and dot our i's (I've finally outgrown the heart-over-the-i stage!) is a part of who we are, like our face or voice. That being said, some artists take it to a whole new level. Peruse NotCot and you'll find countless entries on typography (well, okay, only 109 posts, but that a lot!), and some of the findings are nothing less than magnificent! Here are some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure...

Customised Fruit by Sarah King @ Evening Tweed

Crop Circle Typography

Ink and Water by Craig Ward

Typography for GQ Russia by Yehrin Tong

Neon Typography

Letter E by Dan Tobin Smith

I [heart] Milton by Oded Ezer

Fashion vs. Furniture: Project Runway Style

Bravo posted the final collections of the final SIX contestants weeks ago (is this a new thing?) so it was then that I began scheming to make a Fashion vs. Furniture out of it. I picked a favorite look from each designer's collection and paired it with a room that fits the style. The results are all over the map (and some just plain went off of the map).

Jerell's Design:

This dress, by Jerell, is a whole lotta busy- but it really works. The patterns and textures complement each other rather than fighting. A girl who wears this must have an apartment that is just as eclectic as her wardrobe. A vibrant mix of colors, patterns, and accessories make this place wild, but visually enchanting! Photo by Annie Schlechter.

Suede's Design

Suede designed a look that is clean cut and preppy. A girl in that dress would want an elegant and clean home that plays with proportions. Stripes are the ultimate in prepster chic and the room above makes good use of them. Photo by Max Kim-Bee.

Joe's Design:

Going for a rustic look doesn't necessarily condemn you to Wranglers and plaid shirts. Joe's design is rustic and girly at the same time- a breezy summertime frock. For home, take an otherwise sweet and feminine room and add cowboy touches like cowhide pillows. The rest of the room is urban lofty. It's the definition of eclectic. Photo by John Granen.

Korto's Design:

Young women always look lovely in color. Korto was very liberal in her bright color use for her collection. The apartment above looks like a young woman's dream home. Vibrant and playful- there isn't a single color of the rainbow you won't find in here- it's super feminine and perfect for a bubbly girl. Photo by Melanie Acevedo.

Kenley's Design:

Kenley is undisputedly the queen of retro on Project Runway and her final collection was no different. While she usually went for eyecatching floral prints for her frocks, I was more drawn to this sleek, black number. It's old school glamour, very ladylike, and stunningly sophisticated, like this room is also. Classic animal print along with sexy sixties inspired chair bring that retro feel. Dark wood brings to mind a dim martini bar. Photo by Brandon Barre.

Leanne's Design:

Leanne's impeccable designs are all about structure and morphing a two-dimensional material in a fabric scultupe that wraps are a body. For her final collection, she employed cool, airy colors to allow the designs to take the lead. This room is equally ladylike and mixes shapes and lines- curvy baroque chairs mesh with straight edges. Each piece is different, but they are all unified by their cohesive color scheme. Photo by Francois Dischinger.

Waste Not

Even if you don't consider yourself to be "green", recycling is an easy thing anyone can do to prevent waste. After you empty that jar of jam, instead of tossing it in the garbage, rinse it and recycle it. It only takes a few extra minutes (if that) of your time and there are tons of places at which to drop your collected containers if your neighborhood doesn't collect it for you. Earth 911 will help you locate recycling centers in your area.

That being said, the toughest part of recycling can be keeping everything separated so that you can drop it off later. Of course, you don't need anything fancy- labelled trash cans would do the trick, but here are some great containers I found to keep your recycling organized.

If there are only one or two people in your house and you don't have a lot of garbage, these stackable baskets are a cute way to sort your recycling. I like them because they're inexpensive, come in lots of cute colors, and don't take a lot of floor space. Basic Stack Baskets, $6.99 each, The Container Store.

If you have a larger family and enough room for several slim garbage cans, try the SimpleHuman Slim Step Garbage Cans from Crate & Barrel. They'll hold a lot of recycling so that you don't have to drop it off every other day. $39.95 each.

If you really require a space saving design, or if you love to hear your aluminum cans crunch, try the Ecopod. There's a hole in the top for cans or bottles, which you can crush and then collect in a container in the bottom. Also, lift the lid for paper and glass storage. Unfortunately their online store isn't currently open, but check back if you're interested.

You can recycle more than plastic, metal, glass, and paper. If you want to take your recycling to the next level, start composting. I've blogged about the NatureMill Indoor Composting System before, but it's worth another post! Just drop in your leftover food, coffee grounds, etc. and two weeks later you will have recycled fertilizer perfect for tending to your plants. As soon as I get a house, I'm getting one of these! Starts at $299. $399 for the above model.

One Sofa, Four Ways

I've been pondering something: Why do people with already fantastic style hire stylists? Why do people with impeccable taste hire designers? I think I know the answer (and no, it's not for a lack of time, though that could be a reason as well). Sometimes you need a second opinion. I see things from my own perspective and it can be hard to look beyond that. But I could bring in another opinion (a stylish sister, perhaps) and an idea that never occurred to me comes to life!

I thought about the way we accessorize new arrivals in our store. No two people design vignettes the same way, but can get equally dazzling results. With that in mind, I gathered two of my fellow bloggers to help me in accessorizing a plain jane sofa for the benefit of you- the reader. Who knows, maybe you'll take our second, third, and fourth opinions as the inspiration for your redesigned living room!

First, our plain jane sofa, ready for action:

The Aiden Sofa makes a perfect blank canvas with which to begin our work, $1849.

And, here are the results:

Sarah's Idea

Elliot Chair, $2699; Organic Cocktail Table, $1209; Arden Side Table, $389; Jet Set Black Silk Pillows, $50 each; Carmine Persimmon Velvet Pillow $68; Bamboo Vase, $189; Pomegranate Room Diffuser, $40.

Stephanie's Idea:

Cedric Cocktail Table, $695; Cedric End Table, $450; Remington Adjustable Stool, $369 each; Wilton Antique Rust Table Lamp, $89.95; Horse Drawn Wagon, $59; Caswell Red Pepper Pillow, $110; Caswell Fudge Pillow, $90; Guava Wood Pedestal Medium, $19.95; Guava Wood Pedestal Small, $13.95.

Brian's Idea:

Leather Earl Chair, $1589; Copenhagen Coffee Table, $609; Carioca End Table, call for pricing; Skyler Lamp, $209; Cowhide Pillow, $99; Sage Mohair Pillow, $140; Zecar Flywheel Car, $12; Awika Wind-Up, $12; Newton's Cradle, $6.50.

Jennifer's Idea:

Exposition Chair, $1429: Sukiya Coffee Table, $999; Soriano Side Table, $199; Whirl Bronze Pillow, $110; Plaza Aqua Pillow, $75.

All items are available at High Fashion Home.

These aren't your normal misfit toys (Part 1)....

Here comes Santa Claus, here come Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane!! Christmas is coming sooner than you may think. Here are some cool tchotchkes that we fully stock and are ready for immediate order!

Dart Coat Hooks, Set of 3, $32.95

Guys tend to decorate their bachelor pads in the "coolest" stuff they can find. I think these dart coat hangers oughta do it.

Decanter Vinoglobe, $13.95

I dunno about you but almost my whole family drinks wine at dinner so when we received these decanters, I thought it would be the perfect gift at a infinitesimal price for those winos!

Sign & Seal, $11.95

Tired of using your personalized, uber expensive pen set? Yeah, we've got a neat upgrade. The pen spins too--cool, eh?

Driinn, $6.95

This next gift idea would have to be one of the best ever! Reason being...everyone has a cell phone...which, of course, requires charging and that annoying cord that always takes up so much space and gets tangled--mine drives me crazy, as you can tell. This little gadget helps minimize all the hassle and attaches to the outlet using the charger itself! So yeah, I just helped you with about 8 people's gifts, easy cheesy.

Beer Bands Bombed, $6.95

Another great one for my peeps who enjoy alcohol, particularly beer. It always gets confusing when no one remembers who's beer is who's but...no worries! Beer bands will solve your problem. Choose a word like ripped or polluted and that is officially yours. Back away, that's my beer!

Cool Jewels Ice Tray Cube, $7.95

Do you know any female that likes to throw girly parties? I know a few and they would all be ecstatic to receive this as a gift. Basically, it's your classic ice tray except the ice cube molds are in the shape of jewels--no more cubed or crushed, gimme diamonds!!

Giant Stainless Hip Flask, $27.00

Why settle for the typical 8 ounce flask when you can use the big daddy, stainless steel, 18 ounce hip flask!?

Family Guy Monopoly, $39.95

The only show in Fox Television history to be resurrected twice...Family Guy! Now as a monopoly game so if you can't get enough of the TV show, here's the perfect gift for you!

One Man Shy Lamp, $120.00

This is probably the most interesting lamp I've ever seen. This light is controlled by the switch protruding from Mr. P's (FYI- Mr. P. is the lamp's name) body. You might have to look twice.

Easy Rider Chopper, $59.00

Last but not least! I thought this would be a great gift for someone who loves motorcycles or anyone who likes to collect vintage pieces. Other vintage items that we carry include airplaces, horse drawn carriages, armor, fire engines, pirate ships, and lots more! So come and take a look, you can get all your Christmas shopping done in one place!

HF Weekly Obsession: I'm In Love With A Sofa...

This is a recent addition to the High Fashion floor and I'm in love. So modern! So cozy! So... tufted! It would definitely be a stand out piece wherever it goes. My favorite feature is that it can be uber-modern (shown here with super low stainless steel coffee tables) or tres-eclectic (I'm seeing white laquered baroque tables with jewel tone accessories). And, if black leather isn't your thing, it also comes in white. Three words: Fab U Lous.

For more info about the Diamond Sofa, click here.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: Weeds

If you've never seen Weeds, I suggest you give it a shot. A suburban mother dealing pot is not your average plot line, but Mary Louise Parker is great in the role. No doubt to the reason why they made her home look so, ahem, organic.

Lots of muted colors and materials bring nature indoors.

This freeform Vladimir Kagan piece is fits in seasmlessly. Check out the huge beach ball pillow!

The fabric and the style makes the chair a true standout! I love the simple drawings displayed above.

How To: DIY Flower Arrangements

Everyone wants their home to look impeccable to the last detail when they have guests over. It's also nice to come home after a long day at work and have your home look clean and welcoming. When you desire that extra little bit, it helps to have some flowers around. They'll make an imperfect room look that much better. Don't just grab a prearranged bouquet from the grocery store. It's easy and prettier to do it yourself. I've collected lots of inspiration pictures to get you going.

From top left: 1,2,3: Domino magazine. 4: Elle magazine. 5: The Knot. 6: Cynthia Mosser. 7: Vogue magazine. 8-16: Domino Mag.com.

1. A single bright bloom amongst leaves and grapevines suits a wine party.
2. Arrangements aren't limited to flowers- try large, colorful leaves from the garden for a quick bunch.
3. Small cream blooms wrapped in black paper and ribbon make a statement as a hostess gift.
4. Nothing is easier than one big bloom in a tiny bud vase.
5. Anemones are a beautiful flower when used just by themselves.
6. Try monochromatic blooms in a retro teacup for a feminine feel.
7. Flowers don't have to cost a fortune! Red carnations in a silver cup or pitcher are breathtaking. Use liberally.
8. For a larger grouping, use different containers with one type of flowers per container.
9. Traditional flowers, like red roses, look eclectic in a vase with edge.
10. For your next barbecue, float bright flowers in a clear container filled with water.
11. Hydrangeas are an easy choice- one stems covers a lot of territory.
12. Cute, retro aluminum cans make a perfect vase- place a plastic cup inside to prevent rusting!
13. Mimic the shape of a round vase with a packed in bunch of mums.
14. Gold vase + Pink blooms = Chic guest room arrangement.
15. If there is one color you'd like to focus on, find a flower in that color and just use one stem in a clear vase.
16. Redbud branches are beautiful when they bloom! Bring some indoors and use them everywhere!

Oops! She's done it again.

Kelly Wearstler, the ultimate trendsetter, has managed to land on the cover of this month's Domino (big shocker!). I just can't get enough of Kelly, so here are some nice pics from this interior design diva:

The vintage brass lamp screams sophistication.

That wall panel is ridiculously awesome. The blue leather chair provides some serious pop!

Most people play it safe. Ms. Wearstler is not afraid to incorporate modern prints.

Kelly's twist on black and white design that comes off warm, not cold.

Before and after proof positive that she can turn any bland room into something glamorous.

Met Home/Showtime House Tour: The L Word

Another stop on the Met Home/Showtime House Tour brings us to The L Word. When the show is about women, you expect the decor to be feminine and sensual- and that's what we got.

There is so much texture mixing in here- velvet, satin, leather... It jumps out of the picture!

How many women do I know that would kill for a shoe closet like this one? Let's just say, more than one.

Huge mirrors look great leaning against a rough tiled wall, and bathtubs like this one are so sexy!

The silver legs add modern edge to what would be a traditional chair.

Boys & Girls

A girly girl's paradise. Photo by Wesley Rose.

It's never easy to compromise- especially on something as important as decorating your home. Whether you are working with a roommate, a spouse, or a sibling, you have to find a middle ground.

I'll be taking on my own decorating project at home when I get married in one month. My husband, and all of his "man stuff" will be invading my feminine space. Gone will be the days of leaving my stuff on the coffee table and cleaning it up when I feel like it. No more shoes strewn across every room of the apartment. It's time to make room for another.

Classic man-zone. Photo by Brandon Barre.

I'm more of a visual learner (as I know many of y'all are), so I went in search of some inspiration for my gender-neutral decor. My fiance gave them the thumbs up, so what about you? Did I hit the nail on the head or am I too biased by my own style to find a true combination of masculine and feminine? Take a look...

The intricate shape of the chaise and chair adds femininity to the room while the neutral and textural elements ground the room and keep it masculine. There isn't a lot of embellishment to the vignette, instead letting the view outside take the lead. Photo by Gray Crawford.

I could envision a young couple entertaining here. Nothing about it screams "Guy!" or "Girl!", but the room as a whole is very stylish and simple. Little accessories placed around the room (like a bud vase of flowers) add that woman's touch. Photo by Melanie Acevedo.

Every piece in here is an example of balance. The color scheme of the room is perfectly neutral. The accessorizing is brilliantly executed and mixed well. My favorite part is the anchor of the room: the daybed-ish sofa. Feminine in shape, masculine in color and texture. Photo by Douglas Friedman.