It's the weekend...

...and since I can't get away, I guess some pretty flowers in the office, a few traveling books for inspiration will have to do the trick.

Had dinner with a very interesting jewelry designer and a friend this evening, talking about places visited, all our very different backgrounds, and it got me in the mood to look for a few new books. More on the fantastic designer in a later post (hi HB)!

Have a great weekend, traveling or not..............

Natasha

Image via TableTonic

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

I thought this mirror was so cool when I first spotted it in Domino, in Jonathan Adler's apartment, as I recall. I love the pops of color in this almost white apartment, and the peacock mirror lends great texture and interest to an otherwise linear design.

Then it popped up again in the apartment of Max Azria, in a slightly more ethnic inspired room.

Equally demanding your attention!

And now you can be the happy owner of a reproduction by visiting here.

.... who is the fairest of them all?

Natasha

Image #1 Domino via Flickr, Image #2 unknown, Image #3 here

Texture Snapshot

Found this image via Fric & Frac the other day.
While that post was on something entirely different,
I am sharing this image solely on the basis of the great composition and texture!

Of couse I love the pink cherry blossoms on the branches, the shell (or is it coral?) and the open weave basket....



What do you think? Do you decorate small areas in your house, make vignettes?

I have a friend (hi MB) that, just like I do, have a "supply cabinet". In fact she has told me that when building her house, a decision to move the a/c unit out into the garage was made, so to make room for the said supplies. When attending functions at her house, I always wondered how it often looked different... until she showed me her "stash"!

In real estate the slogan goes something like "location, location...", well, how about "rotation, rotation", when dealing with interiors? A great way to make what you already own look new again!!

Now, I do not have a lot of storage in my little home, but with my new kitchen comes an additional row of three, double cabinets. I am looking forward to unpacking boxes from the attic, and starting the vignettes!

Happy decorating!

Natasha

Image #1 Fric&Frac Image #2 Victoria Hagan Via Marley&Lockyer

I spy....

... soft linen colored pillar candles!

While out shopping for knobs for our new kitchen, I came upon this color candle. Normally I go for white candles, or a soft blue-ish green (Cucumber sent) from Restoration Hardware.

The above image is from French Essence, by Vicki Archer. I just loved the book, and I am so inspired (read; jealous) of her beautiful life in St. Remy-de-Provence!

And guess what? I was (and I still am!!!) super excited when Vicki Archer left a comment on my tiny little blog! How super cool is that?? I aspire to be as well written, as she is.
If you are not familiar with her books, you should be! ;)
If you can not get your hand on them, check out her fantastic blog here!

Can't wait to light my new candles!

Natasha

It's the Weekend...

This little bouquet of casually arranger flowers remind me of home.

When visiting my family in Denmark, one of the things I love are the always fresh flowers on the tables, in the windowsill, on the nightstand.. Casually arranged like the image above, don't you think they are pretty?

Kitchen update;
It's an absolute mess, no cabinets, no walls, broken tiles....
(I hear there were critters with many legs.... eewwww!)
You did say it would be bad before it got better, right?
Exactly when does it get better???

I'm just asking!.............

Natasha

Image via Black*Eiffel

Just Because...

...in my previous post, I explained why I thought I should be owning a blanket from Hermes, and I also said I could spot them a mile away ;) !

Stay warm,
Natasha

Image here

White done right!

OK, so I don't even know where to start.

As you may know by viewing older posts that I have done, I do like the crisp combination of black and white. I prefer an all white room, with black accents, and I must admit, I love everything about this particular room.

EVERYTHING!

Light is such an important factor, and here there is so much of it. The black furniture grounds the room perfectly, love that it's glossy, so to reflect the light and not appear heavy!

White (denim ?) slip covered cushions, the zebra upholstered ottoman, ads a bit of flair and extra seating. Great size for the artwork, very simple and clean.... great pops of color, moving the eye from the flowers, to the books back to the blanket.

Now, can we discuss the Hermes blankets?

The first initial of my last name is H, that should entitle me to one blanket! The first initial of my married last name is H, that takes care of the second blanket!!!

I have long had my eye on the Avalon blanket from Hermes, but I am in no position to be spending that kind of money, however - perhaps - one day I will be the happy owner of one of these fabulous blankets...but until then, I will continue to spot them a mile away!!!
(Never mind that 11 months of the year it's so hot here in Florida, that this blanket would just be eye candy... does that really matter?)

Natasha

Image here

Fashion

For some reason I am really drawn to this dusty green color!
I first spotted it here and now outside the Rochas Show in Paris.



I found this beautiful image today, created for Vogue;
I just adore all the feathers, the dark colors, her alabaster skin, red hair, blue eyes!
Photography and styling at its best, done by the best!!

Spending an hour in blog land, has been a nice distraction....

Natasha

Image #1 here
Image #2 Photo by Ellen Von Unwert via dustjacket attic, styled by Grace Coddington

It's the weekend...

...and unfortunately I missed a bridal shower due to work.
Congratulations to C., I hope you had lots of fun with all the girls!!

Natasha

Image unknown

Kitchen Countdown

I have been looking at cabinets, knobs, counters, colors, appliances, lighting etc, etc, etc for what seem like an eternity. And now our new kitchen is only a week away from being started! YEAH!

The inspiration for our kitchen is the image above. Our kitchen is small, there will be no room for a farmhouse sink.... I am not 100% on the knobs yet either; while I like these old (?) knobs used in this kitchen, I am not sure about the oxidized brass knobs with the chrome faucet. I do not think I am brave enough to install brass fixtures, while my eye is getting used to the warmth of brass, so far I have only been able to find a new brass fixture, and I am afraid of it looking too "shine-y gold" meets disco meets.... you get the picture!



We are also the proud owners of a bay window, while very small, it lets in a lot of light, and the cats love sitting in the window, watching the world (of lizards) go by.... I have decided to install a window seat, for them and for me ;) + the extra storage is needed!



...I have 1/10 of the space of this window seat, but it's nice to dream!

I keep telling myself to stay calm, as I know it will be bad before it will be beautiful!
Right? Right??

Natasha

Image #1 from my files, Image #2 Marley&Lockyer, Image #3 Coastal Living

Just Because...

I want to brighten your day...

Happy Wednesday!
Natasha

Image via Housemartin

Secret Stash

Today was the most gorgeous day!! Hardly any humidity, sunny, slight breeze..... I was fortunate to have the day off, so I was able to take it all in. The last couple of weeks have been cold and not very spring-y.

Today I opened all the windows, watered my orchids, went for a long walk... and painted my nails pink ;).



I have been loving this Essie color for over a year now, it makes me HAPPY!

Natasha

Image #1 Photo by Roger Davies, Image #2 Essie

It's the weekend...

Mr. Wonderful and I just received a beautiful invitation in the mail to an engagement party!
How exciting, can't hardly wait, love to get dressed up!!

Hope you have a great weekend!
.... see you at the Oscar's ;) !

Natasha

Image via Love, Luck and Angels.

House Love

A long while ago I saved this image in my files, those mirrors..... and of cause I just adore the white interior, punctuated by the back. (I suspect many of you recognise this image, though I do not recall where I got it from.) Turns out a little research - and luck - revealed that they are mahogany and they are from Sweden.



The owners of this Hudson River Valley home are Martina Arfwidson and David Weiss. Martina is the FACE behind this label, and David is a restaurant owner and a chef.



Typical Swedish bench, most of the ones I have seen, have actually been painted.... the seat opens up and storage is available below.



Beautifully simple !



OK, so the dog is cute, look how he is looking at you and paying attention :), but what I really love about this room is the fantastic light that is streaming thru the windows. Very calming and serene.





Meals with family and friends are enjoyed outside, over looking the Hudson River Valley.
What a view!... and look, even the deck has been painted white, how chic.

I came across this house tour (here) and I encourage you to check it out, you will not be disappointed, I promise! This house, the adjoining building and the location just can not be beat....

Happy Friday,
Natasha

Images (most) from MS Living.

I spy....

... Butterflies.



How pretty are these?
All hand painted by non other than the fabulous Lulu Dekwiatkowski.



I am so excited to share this blog with you. I stumbled upon Trail of Inspiration, via the Shelter. I had no idea Lulu was writing a blog and I am looking forward to follow her and the creative process. I understand Lulu hand paints all her motifs, nothing is done on the computer. Such talent!!



In the end of '09 I went to an event here, the draw for me was the fact that their pattern designers were on hand. They had a table set up, paint ready and came up with great motifs right then and there! It was so cool to see and made me want to get out my paint brush.

In design school, I dreaded having to get up on a Monday morning, really early, to be in school on time for the Media Class. How could I spend four hours painting?? Well, now that it's over, that is the singular most fantastic class, I SO enjoyed the time painting, it's so calming and peace full. Interestingly enough, in the age of technology and the many super talented designers out there doing their thing on the computer, I was the only one in my graduating class who turned out a hand painted Thesis Project. As stress full as it was, I loved rendering it the most!

Happy painting!

Natasha

Image #1, 2 & 3 Trail of Inspiration

Oh no!

I have caught the common cold..... For three years I have not had a cold, and let me tell you, I am not happy with the situation! I have been trying to flush it out of my system with tea!

While I truly do like tea, I would rather be enjoying it like this, than out of nessecity.

Natasha

Image #1 via fit2paddle, Image #2 Apartmenttheraphy

Front Page News

Danish designer and business women, Tine K. made the March 2010 cover with her light filled home.

This is the private residence of Tine K, she and her husband (also her business partner in Tine K Home) lives here along with their children.

While I am a big fan of white painted floors, I must say these shiny dark brown - almost black -

floors are FANTASTIC!!!

A few years back, when visiting Denmark, I picked up one of these silver trays, only in a smaller version, since it had to fit in my suitcase. I have been longing for the large one, and a friend of mine found one for my birthday last year, YEAH! (tx amd)

Texture is what makes this image work for me; the silver tray, the wood shakers, the ceramic containers holding the Asian utensils. Look how beautiful the hole pattern is....

On that same trip back I also picked up six of these soft lavender and white bowls, fortunately they all arrived in one piece!!

What a pretty way to keep everyday items displayed; functional yet beautiful.

Upstairs the floors have been painted white, and a mirror displayed to catch the light.

Great natural light in the bedroom, I could easily sit there writing this blog....

The birdcage has been featured in product shots for the Tine K Home collection, and I guess she couldn't give it up..... never has a feather duster looked so cool!

If you would like to read more, use this link, or perhaps pick up this months Elle Decoration.

Natasha

Image #1 here,

Image #2 -9 are from my files, some are from the TKH website.