A NEW Blog Party Why don't you Join

Hello Lovelies! The chapter on this page has come to an end, we have moved to much nicer digs OVER HERE. It will be a happier and fun place so if you are up for some kick ass inspiration, Design Blog Party style, why don't you bring over your toys and join the fun! See you in a bit, In the meantime I'll whip up some mojitos :)  ~Peace

Minimal TGIF and a Hot Chick

I know there has been a bit of a pause here. The truth is that with the wedding preparations and million of other details it's been a crazy few weeks and I had to step back for a bit. Also there will be some changes around here I will be moving the blog to sit within our design site soon. I promise it will be a fun, exciting and cozy place, where you will feel more comfortable :) I know you will like that change. There will be some fun new things coming up so stay tuned! :) Today I wish you all an amazing weekend and for those longing a beautiful Friday I got some TGIF Minimal Modern Design photo for ya with a Hot Chick :)  Is this how most of you feel? How amazingly light flooded is this room?! PS Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely Mommas and your Moms! XO

(I have no idea where this photo is from besides that my friend Joann from Kandrac & Kole had it on Facebook and I thought it was so perfect)

Have a beautiful weekend!

Bedside Clutter

I Recently had someone ask me a question on "how to keep a bedroom look put together and serene while being able to keep their books and magazines on their bed side". I thought this was an excellent question and I am sure many of us struggle with this. I am one of these book and magazine junkies so I can totally relate. I love beautiful clean lined bedrooms, yet I love to bring my books and magazines to my bed as well. The bedroom can easily start to look cluttered or resemble a mini office or library if you don't plan this out before your design your bedroom.
There are a few ways to maintain a great look without sacrificing to keep books and magazines next to the bed.
Here they are:

Opt out for concealed bed side storage. Whether they are build in pieces or larger pieces with drawers and ample storage - it's an excellent solution to keep your books and magazines out of sight for everyone to see. It keeps the bedroom clutter free yet it houses all your necessities close by so.

Another great storage idea is to look for a bed that has storage below. Therefor you can still have a beautiful minimal bed side table and your good reads close by when you need them.

For a beautiful softer look, bring in some skirted side tables. The books can sit underneath the skirt and not be seen when you enter the bedroom. You will also have an opportunity to have a beautiful table skirt made out of a fabric with either a punch of color, fun pattern or just add a layer of softness to your bedroom.

I would love to hear if you struggle with a similar issue and how you resolved it. Also I am excited to hear what other dilemmas you have and I might just answer them on the blog, so do leave them in the comments :)

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

xo

photo credits: mimimeg , palsmith, pinterest

Eclectic Beirut Villa

Now that the holidays are gone, I have a ton of other projects that need to be finished. The office is well on it's way, yet there are a ton of finishing details that will still need to be decided upon. Although the general idea, plan and design is complete, I can't help but want to include some fun eclectic layers and elements in the clean, modern and structured space. I love to infuse interiors with some character, punches of vivid colors, modern art and unusual pieces that add that special spice to the whole recipe. It really makes the interior come alive and speak to the persons taste (in this case mine) and makes it feel personal and more like home.
Some interiors on the other hand have so much character, that by adding layers of furniture art, color and significant pieces, make it incredibly interesting and personal on another level. I love the feeling of those spaces. Although some are not necessarily rooms that reflect my aesthetics, they could be interiors I would love to spend some time in. I would take in every detail and breathe in the essence of the collected stories that make up these environments.  Talking about color, eclecticism and interesting pieces. Take a look at May Daouk's Beirut Villa. It sure will have the color lovers and eclectic aficionados mesmerised...

This room feels so fresh young yet so grand. The scalloped arches add grandeur texture and whimsy The purples and pink make it feel fresh and chic.

I just love the eclectic feeling this room exudes. Although I would have probably added some great luxe modern pieces and edited a bit this space has so many interesting pieces. The mix of purples, blues and pinks here is so pretty, the flood of light through these amazing detailed windows is divine. Each piece seems to have a story and so much interest that makes you stop and take a closer look...

fun

 cutie pie pooch relaxes in the hallways lined with beautiful lanterns and soft purple tone on the walls

Fabulously relaxed yet elegant bedroom enveloped in fresh colors and layers. It feels incredibly comfortable

I would love to spend a month or 2 or 3 here,,, such a happy and interesting place filled with fascinating objects that hold so many stories...

Have a great interesting week :)

xo

Happy Easter in Pastel Pink

Wishing all of you Happy Easter and a wonderful weekend! Feel free to infuse a bit of pink pastels, they suddenly make a your life a bit more pretty, sweet and romantic, yet they could be so chic and modern as well...  Xo

Pastel pink and Gold dipped eggs, so precious yet so modern and chic which I love!

VIA

Pastel pink tufted banquette, so soft and so fantastically fresh! The wallpaper makes it more sophisticated and the white is just so crisp! The silhouette of the banquette back and the plush tufting reminds me of a delicious frosted cupcake! Yum!

Via

Pastel Pink Peonies, so beautifully soft and romantic. :) The table is so elegant yet so relaxed. Just perfect!

via

Would love to hear how decorate your eggs or infuse the Easter spirit into your homes

xo

Malachite Fabric

I had some questions and requests about the malachite wallpaper that I had proposed for a Chicago interior design project. I shared it here with you guys along with other materials for the bedroom design. Since I love malachite I can see how others would love to use it in various forms: wallpaper, fabric, furniture, objects etc.Specifically I had someone ask a question -where they could obtain this beautiful design in a fabric form.  So here are some options:

This is actually one of my favorite fabrics, it's so luxurious yet so modern and fresh

I absolutely LOVE this fabric by Tony Douquette for Jim Thompson. The color is So divine, so fresh so vibrant, just a perfect jolt of freshness and movement to any room.

How beautifully does this textile uplift this room! Suddenly the room looks crisp fresh, timeless yet there is so much personality. Photo via Elle Decor

And this chair beauty just looks divine in the Jim Thompson Malachite. Such a great juxtaposition of vibrant and subdued.

I was wondering if there are other options, perhaps in a different price bracket and I found a similar malachite print fabric option on Spoonflower! They have it in various colors and for a steal of a price. I have never used Spoonflower for any fabrics needs so I can't attest to their quality and would love to hear if you ever have?  Interior Design fabric lines such as Jim Thompson has many advantages besides a great design, amongst other things- you know the dying process, the blend, you can have it treated and it goes through a specific durability, colorfastness as well as flammability testing so you know exactly what you can use it for. Designer fabrics also stand behind their products so the peace of mind is always great.  On the other hand if you are not so much worried about that, this option might be great.

Here are some of my favorite colorways in this print:

I am sure there are other malachite fabrics out there. If you know of other great sources -do share in the comments, also if you have used it or seen some great ways the malachite fabric was used in an interior point us to the photo :).

Have a wonderful Monday!

xo

Chicago restaurant interior design, Filini

A few months ago my client and I went to the Filini Chicago restaurant  for lunch, it's located in Aqua tower near Millenium Park . I had done a few interiors in Aqua so I am pretty familiar with the building and let me tell you how much that area benefits from this new gem. If you love modern yet sexy interiors then you will appreciate this locale and I encourage you to go even if just for a drink. It shares an entry with the hotel so you will not only get your eyes full with fantastic sleek and balanced lobby design, you will get to enjoy the restaurant's interior design eye candy and eat some yummy gourmet food as well. Take a look at this beauty, but I have to add that the photos do NOT do this space justice, you should definitely check it out on your own.

 This place is FULL of so many amazing details, I love the contrast between the sleek and rustic. Check out the ceiling!

 I just Love this floor, and always loved these fun chairs :)

 Communal style tables  along the wine racks.

I couldn't find photos of the velvet banquette along the front window that my client loved yet you could see in person for yourself :)

Photos courtesy of Filini Restaurant Photos by Chris Close

Have a great rest of the week!! xo

Inspiration, colors, textures, shapes

I am LUSTING over this amazing floral blend arrangement. Everything about this is just so perfect: the colors, the textures, the shapes - just the perfect design and true eyecandy! Flowers are so magnificent and when planned and arranged in a certain manner they can become a work of art, just like interiors...

photo via thefrenchbouquettulsa.com photographed by James Walton

Happy Monday! xo

Happy Spring!

The weather is so beautiful and it makes me think about the outdoor living spaces! I love that Spring is here and the bonus is that it feels bit more like Summer :) Hope all of you are feeling the beautiful happy effect from the sunshine.  I'm including a happy video and a beautiful photo that should put a smile on your face. Happy Spring everyone!   xo

Such a beautiful garden, filled with flowers and greenery and the dog makes is so much more welcoming and full of life. I bet the fire makes the nights pretty special and cozy. :)  via bhg.com

How about this Great Dane Slide :) too adorable!!
Two CUTIES!!!!  XOXO

Have an amazing happy spring everyone!

xo

It feels like...

It feels a bit like this today:

It inspires me to create interiors that feel like this:

And makes me want to spend time like this:

Hope it's nice and warm where you are! Enjoy this beautiful week!

xo

images via pinterest, housebeautiful & decorpad

Bright Kitchen

I was finishing a design of a kitchen and the idea was to create a crisp, fresh bright and sleek kitchen with lots of light. There is something about a bright kitchen that makes me so happy. Take a look at this timeless kitchen that is so simple yet so sleek, so beautiful and so happy from all the light and the beautiful meals that are whipped up there.

 via Things That Inspire

Inspired by Geese

I live and breathe to be inspired and fascinated. Striking a bit of emotional note feeds my soul. I love to read great stories, seeing incredible pieces of art and learning about fascinating people their stories & their passions. I am also fascinated by animals, their purity, love and commitment which is also a big part why I haven't consumed them for quite a long time. Today I came across this intriguing inspiring analogy/story that I am sure will inspire you all. I think it's a perfect way to end a week and reflect a bit. Stop HERE at Renee's blog to read this captivating story about Geese, it will stop you in your tracks, inspire and hopefully give you that emotional tug. I wish you all an incredible week!

Besides it's pure breathtaking beauty, this image means so much more after reading this story, it's that feeling you get when looking at a piece of art and learning what it really means, why some parts look the way they do and what they reference to.  It's absolutely breathtaking and so much more special now...
Image Via

Aren't these colors fantastic! Via

xo

Relaxed Glamour

When I design an interior one of the most important parts of the design recipe is the feeling and emotion of the space. This is something you can't fake or skimp on. When we think about homes we love or spaces that move us, the feeling of the environment is what creates that. A perfect design mix that creates this amazing emotion for me that I love I call - Relaxed Glamour. This blend really stimulates my nostalgic juices through classic elements, my beloved modernity, comfort and elegance. It makes me think about the interiors I spent time in when I was a little it was always a perfect blend of classic, modern, comfort and elegance- pure perfection. Here are some spaces that give off that feeling to me.

 The colors are divine and the flood of light, windows , textiles, flowers and china with fresh baked goodies and tea remind me of my childhood.  Photo via Elle Decor

This space is so perfect. The gorge damask sofa brings me back to my childhood as do the windows and flowers, the modern elements bring it the exciting element that I love and love to infuse. Via Elle Decor

The juxtaposition here is so fantastic, classic backdrop sets the tone modern elements infused through art, coffee table bright yellow upholstery adds so much relaxation and comfort.  Via Domino mag

This room is so different yet feels So good. It's so elegant yet so so relaxed in so many ways, the muted color palette creates an amazingly relaxed feeling, the grand ceilings and fab windows as well as the sophisticated bouquet wallpaper motif adds great elegance. Layered relaxed pillows blankets and sheets as well as bare floors tone it down. This also gives me such a comfortable feeling and reminds me of my childhood days in Poland

Via Sarah Klassen

Inspiration, Interior Design Business, Blogging and Friends

It's been a crazy fun couple of days. I was out in LA at a Design Blogger Conference which I also attended last year. What a wonderful couple of days packed with inspiration, knowledge and lots of fun. Here are a couple highlights:

Amongst so many other amazing people I loved meeting and chatting with renowned Bunny Williams. She is so amazing, so real and so full of wisdom.

Great time with some of my favorite girls!