Ruthie Sommers------Genius in Human Form

I'd like to start this post by saying that I LOVE VERANDA.

I love it with all my heart and soul.

I really do. They consistently have the most amazing content.

And they play to southern girl's appetite for glamour better than any other magazine.

I also love designer, Ruthie Sommers.

Whom I first discovered in my past favorite magazine, Domino.

I've written about her genius in the past.

And when I tore open the pages of this month's Veranda, I literally could not

believe my eyeballs.

Because this project is beyond.

It's everything you want to be.

It's bright, happy and sophisticated.

It's glamorous and playful.

Obsessed with this high gloss black entry.

And I love how she pulled colors from the doors in the art and the bench.

I can't even talk about this situation.

It's fabulous. The antiqued mirror, the 1940's leopard bench.

The sconces.

I DIE I DIE I DIE.

Bless Rachel Zoe for allowing women to truely express their orgasms over great design.

And the bed treatments, OH, the bed treatments.

Oh behalf of ugly bathrooms everywhere, this single room makes up for it. I love the detailing on the cabinets. And I love the Murano chandelier.

This living room makes me want to never be afraid of color again.

It's living proof that risks are worth taking.

Love the rug and love the purple sofa.

images via From the Right Bank and Veranda

And this bedroom was the perfect girly finale.

I love the canopy.

Thank you Ruthie for treating my eye-balls.

And Thank you From the Right Bank,

for grabbing these images.

Dreamy Closet

I've seen alot of bloggers talk about closets.

Why? Because we bloggers like to talk about pretty, fantasmical things

and closets that are larger than the size of normal human's bedrooms

are fun to think and dream about.

The number one thing I think of when I think of fabulous closets?

Carrie Bradshaw.

Duh.

She spent 75% of Sex and the City in that beautiful thing.

And she told Mr. Big to just get her a really big closet in lieu of a diamond ring.

I mean, the guy was a bazillionaire---he probably could have sprung for both,

but we won't get into all of Carrie's bad decisions on the show/movies.

And let's not forget her beyond amazing closet in SATC 2

Are they ever going to make a third movie?

Because it's honestly never going to get old for me.

If they can make 37 renditions of Die Hard, can't

they throw our generation of ladies a bone?

Anyway, I got to thinking about a Carrie Bradshaw worthy closet for us mere-mortals.

And it goes something like this.

Luscious high-gloss walls in Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink and Lucite and Brass Closet Rods.

With the addition of a small loveseat (or tufted bench if you're super short on room)

upholstered in a pink ticking stripe and adorned with grey linen and raspberry chinoiserie pillows.

The confetti like fabric? It's from Schumacher's Lula DK Child line.

It's called Jelly Bean in Pink Lemonade. How precious is THAT?

Dear Lord, Please make sure I have baby girls someday.

I can't help but think that with a closet like this,

it would make even the most stressful of days seem like they were going to work out.

Even if you just fell in Dior.

And who could resist this 1930's dressing table set for the closet?

To Die.

images via Schumacher.com, A Storied Style

The tufted Loveseat on my board is from Sparkle Barn,

a new discovery of mine.

They also just sold this amazing vintage sofa.

I cannot even tell you all of the wonderful possibilities it has.

What does the closet of your dreams look like?

Comon Knock on our Door....

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my front door.

Specifically the entry area to my home.

I'm always fascinated, particularly in cities like London and New York, with beautiful door ways.

It's not just the beauty of the door, but the whole set-up. The perfectly potted plants, a lovely door knocker. All of these elements create the perfect first impression of your home.

Right now my doorway is kind of a snoozefest. It's plain black, with a little window and white trim.

It needs some jazzing, that's for sure.

I wish I had room for a symmetrical situation with boxwoods on either side of the door, but alas, I really only have space for one awesome looking plant.

I LOVE the idea of a mint door. And I think it would look pretty perfect with my current house.

The exterior is light grey with white trim and black shutters. Mint might just be the perfect pop of color.

More treats for your eyes.

I LOVE these side by side pink doors.

Ombre is my fave.

After I settle on a paint color,

I'll be settling on a fun vintage door knocker.

Like this pineapple on Etsy

Or this sexy lion.

Rahr.

images via Pinterest.com

Which door is your favorite?



Green is the New Black.

I'm in love with dark green.

And it's all Tory Burch's fault.

 

Because she makes beauties like this.

 

Or perhaps it's Michael Kors' fault.

 Or Yves Saint Laurent

Suede and Glitter Bootie by Rachel Roy

 I can't get enough of this rich, delicious color.

So dark that it's almost black.

I love this montage of Joan (Christina Hendricks) in Mad Men wearing my favorite hue.

In my mind she can do no wrong....much like Tory.

As I often love in interiors what I like in fashion,

I'm super into dark greens in rooms.

Love this Farrow & Ball paint color, Studio Green

 

I love the dark green on walls.

The deep color is so dramatic and beautiful.

 And it's gorgeous on exterior doors.

And although I'm a die-hard "light" nails girl who refuses to follow the shiny black nails trend,

I might have to try on green nails for size.

images via Pinterest.com

Really, this green is a neutral.

Use it as you would use black....See what kind of fabulousness ensues.

Reasonable Rugs----The Urban Myth.

 

I was talking to a friend today about how hard it is to find reasonably priced rugs.

And reasonably priced, attractive rugs are even more rare.

So I thought I'd make a few picks.

Now, if you're on a major budget, a good sisal is really the way to go.

 

This one is at Pottery Barn--- $199 for a 5 X 8!

But some people need a tad more pizazz injected into their lives.

So here, my friends are my Five Rugs under $500

 

LOVE this Safavieh Martha Stewart Kalahari Grey Rug----$425 for a 5 x 8

I love that it's an animal print, but still ultra-neutral.

via Rugs-USA.com

These two are techinally the same rug in two different colorways, but they were too 

good not to show both.

I love the whimsical feel of the dots and the graphic quality.

The black and white version is so classic and sexy.

It's yearning for some gold and piano lacquer----just sayin'.

They're $299 for a 5 X 8

via PBTeen

 

Love the mid-century mod quality of this one from West Elm

$349 for a 5 x 8

 

This one is actually from Restoration Hardware baby & child.

$379 for a 5 X 8

It's a good secret to buying rugs. 

The "baby" versions are the same size and typically A LOT cheaper.

 

Most of the other rugs are relatively neutral.

But if you need a real shot of color in your life, go with this stunner from Ikea.

$399 for a 6'4 square.

Which one is your favorite?

Light or Dark?

I used to be a "light" paint color girl, all the way.

I like to add color with furniture, accessories, and art.

And I do love the look of light walls with dark floors or bright window treatments.

 

But lately? I've been seduced by the glamour of dark wall colors.

 images via LeSueur Interiors

 I love the drama and the sophistication.

And really, if it's done right, they can provide just a much contrast in a room.

images via Pinterest.com

What's your preference? Do you love light walls with bright accents?

Or deep dark walls?