Into the deep...

I could not help but be drawn in, when I saw this image for the first time!! This garden has been designed by Fernando Wong, an award winning Landscape Designer from Florida.

As much as I love flowers for their beauty and vibrant colors, I also appreciate a well planned garden with lots of foliage. Living in Florida I see many gardens, but not a lot of flowers... I have come to appreciate all the variations of greenery; Foliage in many shades of green, ranging from almost yellow, to white, to blue-ish to Kelly green... you name it!
It takes a real professional to make it look this good though, and a small army to keep it up :)

Do you have a garden? A green thumb? A terrace with potted plants? I have a very small front terrace with a beautiful and fast growing palm, and a back terrace with a few orchids in "hibernation". (from time to time I am lucky to see them re-bloom :) )

We planted a night blooming Jasmin in the back, and it is so fragrant and beautiful!!
Natasha

Image via Fernando Wong

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

The new Dabble Magazine is out, so curl up with your iPad and enjoy!!
The first snowflakes hit the North East today, so what better way to start your weekend than with a cozy fire, a warm blanket and pretty Glassybaby votives.

Stay warm, where ever you are!

Natasha

Image via Dabble

Pillow Talk!

Stumbled upon this image over here, and just fell in love with the colors and the textures!
The wool, the fur, the mirror embroidered fabric...

Do you change your pillow covers as the seasons change? For a pop of color? Or not at all?? 
Natasha

Image via Hviit

Peaceful Monday

Truthfully... I could have stayed in bed today!

And had my bedroom been this light and dreamy, well, then it would have been even harder to resist :) Notice all the different textures! An all white room need not be boring, and white is not just one shade, but you knew that, right? 

Keeping your clothes out on display could be a good idea, but it does require a certain restraint and organization!! I can tell you this from experience.... my clothes rack looks nothing like this.

I have always been a sucker for a checkerboard kitchen floor, and this is no exception!
In fact, I think I like it even more in this color way, very soft!

Nothing really matches, and that's part of the charm, I think....
Tolix chairs are an all time favorite, I would love to own a few!

The only spot in the house with a pop of "real" color. So easy to change the pillow covers and other accessories, depending on mood and season. Did you notice the subtle wallpaper? White on white done right!!

Hope you have a lovely week ahead of you!

Natasha

Images via Mixr.se

Black with a touch of Pink

                                   

I am kinda liking this patten leather skirt! Love the style of the skirt, the "not too strappy" heels and the touch of pink to soften up all the black... 

... and how about an interior interpretation of that outfit? How did I do??

I think those glossy, faceted black subway tiles are totally cool.... however, you might be cleaning forever, as every single little drop of water would show, and that would drive me crazy!

Perhaps in a powder room? Too much?

What do you think?

Natasha

Image #1 via Mood board, Image #2 via Mixr                                                                                                        

Singing in the Rain

Well, so today is a total washout...
I will be at work, and hope to get a lot done since the distraction of beautiful and sunny weather is not in the cards!

Stay dry :)

Natasha

Image via Northern Light Blog on Pinterest

Bhutan: Royal Wedding

King Wangchuck (31), the "Dragon King", married his fiancee, Queen Jetsun Pema (21) this past week, kicking off a three day celebration in the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan, in the Himalayas.

The ceremony took place at a Himalayan monastic fortress. The King and his Queen were married in a traditional spiritual Buddhist ceromony, and were dressed in traditional attire. The Queens crown is made of heavly embroidered silk brocade. Five blessed scarves have been placed around her neck.

The bride on her way to the monasty, wearing her traditional wedding dress and jewelery. It is worth noting that while Queen Jetsun is wearing traditional attire, her engagement ring and wedding band are of the "new world" kind! (See image #1)

King Wangchuck and his bride in their official engagement photo. Both the King and the Queen are educated, speek english and share a common interest of the arts.

The tiny Kingdom of Bhutan is located in the Himalayas, between China and India. The Dragon King is a constitutional monarch, and the people of Bhutan has an elected government.

Happy Wedding Day!

Natasha

Images via IB Times

S'more, please!

Look... a new way to work the pretty Glassy Baby votive's!
I don't know if was yesterdays sweet tooth or just the yummy colors of the S'mores that made me look for these images... I guess it's less calories for me to look at the images, rather than indulge in the real stuff!   :) 

Are s'mores part of your holiday entertaining menu?
Don't they look amazing? I love dark chocolate and graham crackers, and the marshmallows are just the glue that binds this treat together!! :) Would be a good idea for  Halloween, if you are entertaining...

Hope you have a wonderfully sweet weekend!

Natasha

All images via Pinterest

{Fall} House Love

Last year I featured this Summer House in a Winter Holiday post, complete with a thick blanket of snow and a Christmas Tree. This time around I will share different images, more appropriate to fall!

(OK, so I know enough about flowers and blooming bushes to know that the above image was taken in the spring - as the rhododendron blooms in the springtime - BUT the colors in the interior of this house (below) lends itself well to fall, don't you think?) 

Warm and cozy colors mingle with candlelight and a beautiful book! I purchased this book (Rajasthan) and it's completely worth a long afternoon, curled up with a blanket!!!

Weather use for sleeping or simply for a cozy and relaxing spot, this nook is soooo inviting!

Imagine cool weather, the stack of glossy magazines, nowhere to be, and lot and lots of tea lights!! I am in LOVE with the skinny picture ledge, filled with all these different, muted colors of glass and candles... surely they look magical in the evening!!

The warmth of the wood in the kitchen is echoed throughout in other textures such as the pillows in the background... Notice the matte black paint on the walls, the door and the huge light fixture. Lots of glossy surfaces as well throughout this house, helps to bounce the light around! This might be a log cabin painted black, but it is not a black hole, or a cave, but a light filled Scandinavian Summerhouse, dressed for fall with lots of texture and wonderful fabrics!

Look at that amazing piece of artwork on the wall!! Entirely made up from butterflies... and I love how the over sized urns are perfect in scale!

Peaceful exteriors as well! ;)
It is very common in Scandinavia to paint woodwork black, and I really like how it plays off of the naturally weathered decking...

Wonderful terrace to enjoy the last days of summer, and with the outdoor fireplace, why not stay outside just a little longer? I am happy to see this house clad in fall colors, hope you enjoyed it as well!!

Natasha

All images via Bonytt, Norge

A few images that inspire!

Following along with Northern Light, you are probably aware that flowers - in all shapes, sizes and colors - are of great inspiration to me...

... and look, even the petals can be candied and eaten! I have not tried this, but the idea is super cool. I have, however, been eating fresh flowers for as long as I can remember; in salads, as decorations on cakes etc.

And these colors... just absolutely YUMMY!!

These image really have nothing to do with each other, yet somehow they all work!
Are you inspired by flowers and their beauty? Do you cook with the petals?

Natasha

Image #1 Via Pinterest, Image #2 via Nordens Skattkammer, Image #3 Via BellaMumma, Image #4 via Pinterest

A Dash of Mocha

Welcome to my home... I wish!!*
Does this look welcoming or what? Follow me, and we will explore together, this is a Swedish home bathed in light and grounded by wonderful accents.

To me, this qualifies as White Done Right!! These light filled white rooms where the light just bathes the interior, have been grounded beautifully with a Dash of Mocha.

Looking a little closer at this home, a lot of texture is revealed. The Moroccan wedding blanket on the big chair, the different cushions, the kilim on the floor, the woven baskets, the little Asian lantern in the windowsill... Great mix!

A view through french doors reveal yet another white space just beyond...

Close-up of an eclectic collection of items; nothing "goes" together, yet it all works in creating a personal story!

So simple and beautiful!
Not only a Dash of Mocha, but also a Pinch of Mint....

What do you think? Does all the white scare you?? I like the dark brown accents, and I also really like the mint green country cabinet in the last image, reminds me of one I saw at a friends house, purchased in The Hampton's... She uses hers as a bar and storage for glassware.

Natasha

Images via Skona Hem

* For the record; This is NOT my home.

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

... again, I know :)

If you don't already know, the new rue magazine is out, it's the 1 year anniversary issue, YEAH! Congratulations!! Can't wait to really dive in, looks like some great stuff has made it on to the pages! 

Natasha

Image via rue magazine

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

I have liked artist Inslee Haynes for a while now (I featured her in a previous post here)... In the new Ivy & Piper issue, you can not only get to know Inslee, but also see more of her fun watercolor girls :)

Have a great start to your week!!

Natasha

Image by Inslee Haynes via Ivy & Piper Magazine