NY Times: Jamie Drake's Temporary Rental

I love the chairs and flokati rug.

Jamie Drake, interior designer to the likes of Michael Bloomberg and Madonna, managed to decorate his temporary condominium at the cost of $19,400.  The costs include paint, the silk taffeta window treatments, silk pillows, ceiling lights, and the reupholstering of several pieces of furniture. 
  

The desk lamps are from Artemide Tolomeo.

The green wall is Forest Moss by Benjamin Moore.  The pillows are from ABC Home.

The hand chair brings new meaning every time you sit down.

When you've got views like that, you definitely want as much seating as possible facing out towards the windows.

Kelly Wearstler Returns to the Avalon!

Kelly Wearstler is not my obsession, just a passion. In the February 2010 issue of Lonny Magazine, they took an in-depth look at Kelly Wearstler bringing mid-century, Italian flair into the Avalon Hotel. Wearstler did the original interior design when her husband, Brad Korzen, originally redeveloped this 1940's hotel. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of this Beverly Hills hideaway, Wearstler was back at work updating this chic boutique hotel that originally helped put her on the national interior design map. Check out some of the breathtaking pics as Wearstler weaves her decorating magic.

The blue terrazzo is unbelievably beautiful. The bar stools with the gold plating exude class and sophistication.

Love the chairs.

A lounge seating area that functionally allows every patron to have their own seat.

I just liked how the calm mood is evoked in this setting.


The colors, natural light, and clean decor makes this the ideal place for a cafe.


I'm blown away by the crackled glass base detailing. That is a dining set that I would pay some serious money for.

Lounge chairs that are fully padded in white.

It is amazing how true artist draw their inspiration.

The wallpaper is ridiculously cool. I spy the Cora Floor Lamp in the corner.

Leg Warmers

Surely, your overworked dining chairs get chilly, too?! All day long, being pulled in and out and all around the house. They deserve a little something special to wear. Give them Chair Personality Socks.

My favorite are the argyle variety. What was once plain is now a prepster chair! Get 'em at Charles & Marie.

More, More, More Chalkboards!

I know, I know... Enough already with the chalkboard stuff! I promise that this is the last post on chalkboard stuff for quite a while.

I was looking at the Made by Girl blog, and she had a post on really cute chalkboard walls, so I had to share!

I like this a lot better than any tile backsplash out there!

Maybe this is what I should do with my old Ikea table... fun for my future kiddos!

You're So Vain

Everytime I pull my desk chair into the bathroom to flatiron my hair, I wish I had a vanity. First of all, there's barely enough room in the bathroom in which to put the chair, and if hubby and I are trying to get ready at the same time, it's downright impossible. I'm hoping I'll be able to make another small change once we move into a bigger apartment (and after that, a house!).

Jolene Modern Chic Vanity Table by deerdane on Etsy.

I found this photo on Apartment Therapy, and I think it's perfect for my needs. It's compact, inexpensive, and clean-lined. It doesn't hold a lot of stuff, but I'm not exactly what you'd call high-maintenance. My makeup drawer consists of a tube of Maybelline Great Lash and some concealer. Since I'll be losing my desk to a dining room table, this will be a great alternative location for my clear Ghost chair. All that's left is finding the perfect mirror and I'm all set! I love it when things go my way...

Weekend Inspiration

This weekend, my husband and I finally got to see (500) Days of Summer. Loved the movie and LOVED the chalkboard headboard in Tom's apartment! It makes me want to copy it in my bedroom, but, alas, I already have a real wooden headboard. But how cool would it be to create a modern headboard one day and a curvy, baroque one the next? Talk about creative license!

On a related note, I was reading my Daily Candy today and found that Hudson Paint is making chalkboard paint in some fantastic colors. Because most people don't want to paint their kid's wall dark, dark, dark grey. I really like the Bakery Green and the Safety Orange for bright and fun colors.

The Next Big Thing

According to, well, everyone, turquoise is the big color for 2010. Judging by the aqua selection out there, I'd say they are right...

photo via Apartment Therapy.

Paulette Lamp by Arteriors and available by special order at High Fashion Home.

Sequined Cabaret Tank from J. Crew.

Blue Fish Plates in various sizes at High Fashion Home.

1644 Sandal by Mystique from Piperlime.

Kelly Wearstler's Hue

Hue by Kelly Wearstler

Who doesn't love Kelly Wearstler? I got my sister-in-law this book for Christmas, and she loved it. Kelly is arguably the most talented interior designer in America. If a picture says a thousand words, then check out the photos below courtesy of the LA Times.

Also, here is a quick synopsis of the book:

Kelly Wearstler is the ultimate trendsetter in interior design. Hue by Kelly Wearstler builds upon the success of her first monograph, Modern Glamour, and includes recent, unpublished projects, including her home in Beverly HIlls, celebrity residential projects as well as some of her latest hotel projects. Hue celeberates the power of color in Kelly's work and the possibilities of color in interior design and decorating. A must-have for amateurs and professionals seeking design inspiration America's top interior designer.

The Bird Cage

The Garden of Eden collection by Ontwerpduo. Photo by Lisa Klappe.

Is it Spring yet? Because this looks heavenly...

I equally adore this Aviary Castle (yeah, castle is right) from Anthropologie. I think I feel a ray of sunshine already!

Tear It Up

One pattern, so many possibilities...

I found this one at Design Milk by way of NotCot... I am a wallpaper fiend. I could literally drool at the thought of using this wallpaper in my future home.

Install the sheets, then peel off any pieces you desire. Made by ZNAK, customized by you.

Here's another way to show off your kid's mad art skills.