Design OBSESSION- Thomas Paul

One of the things I love about design is how the smallest things can inspire you and lead you down an unexpected style path. I went to Vintage Living in Snider Plaza in Dallas today and bought myself a Thomas Paul notebook for work. It's so darling, orange and white, and matches the mousepad I got a few months ago. Now that I had made my second Thomas Paul purchase, I was curious as to what other treasures he might have in store. Thomas Paul is from NYC originally (so jeal Thomas!) and his company started with neckwear designs and eventually morphed into pillows in 2001.

chairs photo via thomaspaul.com

Although you can't purchase his designs on his website, you can see an extensive view of his decor collection. It is FABULOUS. Thomas Paul seems to be in good company in the newest wave of decor; a mix of retro, Hollywood Regency, Asian, Moroccan, French, and of course lots and lots of COLOR.

Love these pieces from Thomas Paul.

This pillow from Thomas Paul would be PERFECT for my new guest room. We're doing a Nautical meets french flavor and I would love to add this to the bed or a slipper chair.

Thomas Paul's Designs remind me alot of Jonathan Adler, who I adore. I had been fawning over this orange lacquer tray in a recent issue of Coastal Living.

While the tray is gorgeous, and comes in a few other FAB colors, it's a tad out of my price range. This lacquer tray from World Market is current on Sale for $12.00. Much better!

couch from Quatrine

photo via lisalubyryan.com

I am loving COLOR right now, although I've been a little afraid of it in the past. I think the best avenue for a color beginner like myself is to decorate with mostly neutral larger pieces (i.e. couches, chairs, tables, etc.) and use color on items that can be easily changed (pillows, trays, rugs, curtains, etc.) I love these neutrals!

Thomas Paul designs can be purchased at a host of retailers, including one of my favorites, Anthropologie!

Silver Screen Style...... Inspiration from my Favorite Cougars

photo via thelittlebighouse.blogspot.com

Cougar Town is without a doubt my favorite new show. I haven't found one I really really liked since Sex and the City and Friends ended in 2004 and it's been a sad six years without a good comedy. I'll be the first to admit that I have pretty sub-par taste in TV and Movies, mainly because my criteria is pretty skewed. I prioritize like this: set design, costume design, entertainment value. Yes, in that order. Fortunately, Cougar Town possesses all those things. I have all the epies recorded on my DVR and I rewatch when I'm happy, sad, sleepy, hungover, lazy, etc.

I love love love the set design in this show. Jules and Ellie both have fabulous homes in the cul-de-sac. I'm probably so into their houses since they both fall into the 1960's Palm Beach Retro Decor group, but in different ways. Jules' house is much more modern and understated, while Ellie's house looks like a fabulous retro doll house, complete with damask wallpaper, a pink/green/white color combo and lots of white furniture.

abc.com

Love Ellie's House.

If she were a real person, and I like to think Brian and I are alot like her and Andy...( Comon! I can be a little "firm" from time to time and Brian's pretty goofy), that she would have taken inspiration from a room like this one from Elle Decor

photo via thelittlebighouse.blogspot.com

Jules house is pretty fab as well, though Ellie's is more my style. I do love Jules' kitchen and bedroom though.

I love the chair and headboard in Jules' boudoir... You can find the real things at West Elm and Restoration Hardware.

abc.com

Even Grayson's House is stylish.... It's Man-Chic.

video courtesy of youtube.com

One of my favorite recent scenes of Cougar Town....

I'M LOVING....Asian Inspired Decor

photo from Elle Decor via chinoiseriechic.blospot.com

Asian Inspired Decor goes way back. Some of it good, some of it bad, and some of it very very ugly. The photo above is one of the room at Ms. Aerin Lauder's abode. God she's Fabulous.

My favorite magazine, Domino (I want to cry everytime I think about it) showcased lots of asian inspired decor, and even used chinoiserie wallpaper to cover their book! (which was gifted to me by my sweet bestie, Miss Lauren)

Right now I'm loving all types of Asian Inspired Decor, Whether it be Fu Dogs, Buddha Heads, or Chinoiserie Fabric and Wallpaper.

Apartment Therapy via chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com

Fu Dogs are something that I really really want right now. They're FABOO. I think I want turquoise one's for the living room. They'll be a great contrast with the orange, mocha, and grey.

bookends from byrdshop.com

bookends from cb2.com

The blue one's are beautiful, but there's always Red......

and Yellow..... These are actually candles from BlissLivingHome.com, one of my fave home sites.

photo via doublyhappy.blogspot.com

My friend Lindsay (Hi Linds!) told me about these beauties from Target, I think she actually bought them for her APT.

I'm also really into the Buddha heads. Jill and I were in Area on Lover's Lane a few months ago and saw this fabulous buddha head. Isn't it amazing? It's stone with gold leaf painted on the curls. It's pretty huge but would be amazing on a large coffee table or mantle.

For something a little more understated... and affordable, this candle from BlissLivingHome would work too.

My mom would love these Terracotta Soldier Candle from BlissLivingHome

Design OBSESSION- Madeline Weinrib

Hi, My name is Mackenzie and I LOVE Madeline Weinrib. SHE IS FABULOUS!

According to her website, madelineweinrib.com she is the granddaughter of Max Weinrib, who founded New York City mega-style home store, ABC Carpet & Home. So clearly, the fabulousness runs in the family. I came by my obsession pretty honestly. First, I'm loving ikat prints right now ( me and every other home decorista) and Second, when I move into Brian's we need more fun pillows to go in our living room! While I can't currently afford any beautiful Madeline Weinrib pillows, I can dream!! Maybe with my next big commish.....

Love love love all the Ikat Collection Pillows.

Pink and Orange Mor Pillow
Iris Luce Pillow

Hot Pink Luce Pillow

Pink Antoinette Pillow

Organic Blockprint Pillows

Love love love these.... Does anyone want to Donate to my pillow fund?

Pink Stella Fabric

Ok, I think we all know that I like this because of the name.... but it's really beautiful too.... I think I would recover a chair in it, or maybe a dressing room ottoman.

Orange Thistle Fabric.... Yes Please!

All photos courtesy of MadelineWeinrib.com

Beautiful Vintage Pieces in the Heart of Dallas

The next part of my series on Dallas Home Stores will focus on Vintage Living, one of my favorite Dallas home stores. This fabulous place is owned by internationally renowned interior designer, Lisa Luby Ryan. According to her bio, she started her design career in 1985. I've actually met her in the store when I was there buying this darling mousepad/notepad for my mom for Valentine's Day.

She is so so nice. I fought the urge to jump up and down, totally starstruck, and tell her that she's my idol. She really is. Her taste is fabulous. Vintage French, mixed with Swedish, mixed with Industrial, with a hint of color and interest added in. Please enjoy the photos of her beautiful store! Go visit Miss Lisa and the folks at Vintage Living in Snider Plaza in Dallas, TX.

all photos courtesy of lisalubyryan.com

Living Room Lovin'

photo via www.lisalubyryan.com

My mom got me a new coffee table recently at an estate sale. It's black painted wood with gold detailing and a leather inlaid top. Although it's not exactly what I would have picked out for myself, the more I live with it, the more I like it. Before the new table, I had an ottoman with books and a tray on it as my "coffee table." I took pictures of the living room with both set ups and different pillows.... Which do you like better? Instead of a tray on my new coffee table, I added a white lacquer box (very chic 1960's palm beach style, dontcha think?) from Home Goods, which if you've never been (it's the home version of Marshall's and TJ Maxx) is FABULOUS.

While I'm on the subject of Living Rooms, I feel that I must admit to my readers (i.e. Lauren, Watson, and Mom) that I don't yet have curtains. Yes, I know, please don't judge me. Maybe it was my attempt at denial that I actually live here. Anyway, I've had my eye on some at West Elm for a while that I think I'll snatch for the three rooms that need curtains when I move into Brian's in July.

I really like these curtains for our bedroom. Especially since most things will be gray and white, with just a splash of yellow. I'll be getting my dressing table chair recovered in a mustard silk dupioni, so this subtle yellow stripe will play off that.

These will be for the living room which currently has mocha gray walls and will have my white couch and chair, an orange tufted accent chair, and a black coffee and side tables. I think the bright white will be simple and a nice contrast with the walls.

I want these curtains in the white and flax color for our guest room, I think they'll add a little interest to the mostly nautical flavor.