The Novogratz home in Trancoso Brazil

Most of us have heard of the vibrant New York based Novogratz family. We either watched their shows: 9 by design on Bravo or more current - Home by Novogratz on HGTV.This Husband and Wife duo create moder home designs by mixing high and lows while adding playful and artistic elements.
If you  have watched the shows then you have seen their most recent home (I say most recent because they move so often) and that home is totall modern fabulousness. Well, I came across another home that they own in Trancoso Brazil which happens to be an amazing antidote to their home and life in NYC. Such an amazing laid back paradise for the family to unwind. Take a peek, I'd love to be transported right Now so that I can swim and lounge by that amazing pool, then take a nap in the hammock, drink a tropical drink in that fun bar, later take a shower in the festive pink bathroom followed by a good nights sleep (so that I can do it all again the next day) in of the serene bedrooms. Ahhhh how relaxing. Let me know what you think :)?

Don't you  just love the roof overhang, the beautiful warm colors, tropical foliage oh and that pool. So lovely

[ all photos via The Novogratz Blog ]

What is it about hammocks that makes you feel so so good.

Beachy splendor

So Fun! Seriously, Such a happy Shower!

Peaceful

I hope this brought you a bit of relaxation and sunshine to the end of your week.

xoxo

Is Domino magazine coming back?

It's snowing like crazy here in Chicago. We did get a little spoiled with the warmer weather in October, November and December, so I guess we are due for some Chicago wintry weather. On the other hand I hope we don't get covered up completely, since I have a very busy day tomorrow.
I wanted to share with you some interesting gossip I have been hearing regarding Domino magazine. I know many of you were sad when this magazine pulled it's plug so I am excited to see what this talk is all about. Check it out by clicking here --> "Another Iteration of Domino".  Would you love to see Domino come back in another format? I still love my read lead magazines, but it would be fun to see it in any format at this point :) Have a great weekend, stay warm :)  Xo

Interior Design Textile Obsession

beautiful luxurious sofa upholstery and pillows

fantastic geometric voided velvet sofa with soft romantic sheer drapes- beautiful

a fun intricate fabric pattern

beautiful leopard velvet pillows quilted satin mattress cover, velvet bolster pillow and great wool bed upholstery

beautiful heavy voided velvet sofa

lovely pattern drapes

I am an Interior Design Textile Junkie! YES that's what I said :) I have a thing for design fabrics. Ever since I can remember I loved textiles, I loved playing with different patterns, textures while creating layered vignettes fabric vignettes- it was quite fun, it still is, but now I do it with lots more knowledge and purpose :) .
My mom also been very passionate about textiles, I remember when I was little, she used to purchase so many different fabrics (for the home or apparel) to either update the draperies in the house or have the tailor make new dresses for my sister and I. We used to admire the patterns and colors and often picked them ourselves. I still remember one of the last summer dress that she had the dressmaker make for me, it was white silk fabric with beautiful vibrant colorful butterflies all over and yes I picked the fabric and designed it myself, it was fun :). 
There is something amazing about luxurious great quality fabric that adds a great level of sophistication, interest or just a fantastic character to a room.
To this day I LOVE the part of an interior design project when I get to select textiles and create a perfectly balanced interior environment for my clients.
By layering, blending textures, selecting the right type of fabric for the space as well as the scale of the print and pattern, you can completely transform a room to an amazing landscape.
I love all types of textiles since they are all relative to what you are trying to achieve in the design. But my favorite are beautifully crafted luxury textiles with lots of confidence in pattern and color. I love love vivid colors, luscious heavy velvets, heavy linens, beautifully crafted damasks, fun masculine geometric patterns as well as modern bright florals. When it comes to textiles and anything else in the design goods industry (furniture, textile, lighting etc.) great quality and great designs usually are more expensive, but they oh so worth it on so many levels.
Tell me what types of textiles do you enjoy?
Have a beautiful rest of the week!

White Interiors

After the wonderful January heatwave we got hit with a ton of snow. It's kind of crazy to go into such a drastic direction, yet I am definitely used to this given that I live in Chicago. ;-) It could be pretty nice if you make the best of it. My dogs also like the snow, and keep nudging me to throw them snowballs so they could chase them. 
Another wonderful thing about having everything covered in snow outside is the amazing light. I am not sure if you know but light is what you see after it has been reflected from a surface (these are some of the things you learn in detail in Lighting and Color theory courses while in design school, the science behind it etc. Good stuff :) ) That is why same light can look so different in completely different interior, surrounding etc. Anyway, so given that there is plenty of beautiful White snow outside, everything is so much more brighter. Even nights are not as dark, it's quite fantastic.
The reason why I am so excited about it is that I love me some bright sunshine peeking in through the windows or when I drive and now it's even brighterrrr :). In addition even though I love me some colorful and moody interiors I am also a huge white on white fantatic. I love the modernity, the crispness and the fresh feeling of a pure white interior. It could look so modern but it could also be so soothing and elegant.
Below are a few beautiful white interiors for you that embody the fabulous white on white aesthetic along with that soothing feeling it gives.
I'd love to know how you feel about white rooms, do share your thoughts in the comments below. Happy Friday!!

Elegant white living room, layered in textures and details

beautiful relaxing white bedroom

beautiful light flooded white office, it's so fresh soothing

perfectly elegant kitchen with crisp white cabinets

Beautiful, mostly white living room accented with lots of shiny surfaces

Beautiful casual white beachside dining. So relaxing!

xo

Bissfull as Spring

Currently the weather here in Chicago more resembles Spring than "Chicago in January" weather. The temperatures make the birds chirp and even some flowers started to bloom. I know it's not going to last long yet it's oh so magical. Tomorrow should be the end of this few warm-day-wonder, but I just love it so much. You know when Spring is here and everyone starts to wear lighter clothes (especially here in Chicago) everyone is out, the sun is shining. It's just that perfect happy feeling. This great feeling of joy, garden leisure, and outdoor festivities. Just love that feeling and we are having a glimpse of that now.

All of you that live in climates where it doesn't get to the single digit freezing temps, you should feel so lucky!  I envy you ;-)  I vow that one day during the really cold seasons I will seasonally temporarily move to the warmer climate and work from there. :)  Enjoy your week! xo 

lovely blooms

casual outdoor living

November, December, January & February home office :)

pinterest

xo

New Year New beginning

Can you believe Christmas and New Years are already behind us. It feels strange writing 2012, then again it does so every year :) . My holidays have been busy but in a good way. Between hanging out with the family, going to museum, eating, and flipping through my design books & magazines, there has been plenty reflection, and planning the amazing year that is ahead of us.
I had some thoughts on updating our website, and perhaps merging the blog into it, (I would love your thoughts on that, perhaps any of  you have done that). Also there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes, our office design, projects and soo much more. Besides the design business other very important part of my life- health, fitness, inspiration, quality time with my puppies are big Non Negotiable Parts of my daily New Year plan routine. Oh yeah and then there is also the wedding that will be here before I know it :)
Life never slows down so making sure that you have a plan of action and boundaries is very important to keep me in check. I would love to know your New Year plans, do share them in comments below. I wish you all an incredible, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!! xoxo

Beautiful new Campion Platt book that I didn't get a chance to read yet but flipped through to admire the photos

The day after Christmas my Sister and I went out to lunch and then stopped over at our fabulous The Art Institute of Chicago Museum - The Modern wing, to get inspired look at beautiful pieces of art and relax.

You all know by now how much I love to cook healthy vegetarian meals, It feels so good to make something super delicious that is also so nourishing. Here is one of my breakfast creation.  I am often the Chef Extraordinaire - creating amazing dishes out of whatever we happen to have in our fridge. Here is organic brown rice with mushrooms, avocado and tomatoe & and fresh parsley - yum.

Recap of my 2011 Interior Design Business adventures

I can't believe how fast year 2011 has gone by. I guess when you are super busy, you can't help but just strap yourself to the seat and enjoy the ride. This year has been absolutely fantastic for so many reasons, I grew stronger, took many risks, worked on great projects, met amazing people and learned so so much. I know the next year will bring many more amazing moments, friendships, accomplishments and memories but in order to really appreciate it I have to step back and point out a few events that have been part of my 2011 interior design business journey. I wish you all an amazing 2012 and would love to hear about your journey and plans! Xo

My business traveling for the year started with Design Bloggers Conference, what a wonderful event it was. I connected with so many friends and met amazing people.

This year was filled with lots of amazing conversations and learning experiences going through it along amazing masterminds such as Tobi Fairley & Jennifer Brouwer next to me has been a great growing experience.

The New York Business conference was also fantastic not only for the learning part but for the wonderful ladies that I shared it with :)

And some more amazing dinners with amazing design business ladies!

I participated in a great local Design Harvest event on the Chicago Home and Garden panel

I was featured twice in the Chicago Home & Garden magazine

I was also one of the designers giving locals design advice (I'm in the blue dress) at a fun event hosted by ASID & Chicago Home & Garden mag

My High & Low holiday table decorating  was featured in two local publications, Chicago Home & Garden & Daily Herald

And not to forget that I met the wonderful Mr Steve Nobel not Once but twice this year, he sure is fantastic and incredibly smart man.

Cheers to an amazing 2012

xoxo

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I have been wrapping up a storm around here since we celebrate on Christmas Eve. That is when we sit down to a twelve dish dinner, say a prayer, share wishes by breaking a blessed wafer and at the end of the evening open up presents. Hope your time is spent in love and peace.
Do share your traditions in the comments, I'd love to hear how you spend the holidays :)

yummy pink presents! how chic

My presents are stacking up, lots of leopard, and black and gold wrapping :) yum!

Enjoy, reflect and relax!

xo

Deep Hues in design

I love rich deep hues. The use of strong vivid color, whether it is in interior design or in fashion, exudes confidence and passion and can inject so much personality and warmth. Whether you use one bold color against black and white or amongst other colors, the effect could be so incredible, sophisticated as well as fantastical = two perfect attributes that I think every interior should include. Take a look at these images of interiors and fashion that use bold colors so successfully.

 tory burch stores know how to show off their bright hues, such an amazing luxurious space, the gold and luxurious details allow the bold tones to play so nicely together.

amazing colors, so chic!

I just love the feeling of this kitchen, saturated color cabinets against black and charcoal, such a yummy cozy feeling.

Your individual style

I love fashion, I draw much of my interior design inspiration from the fashion world. Just as in interior design, in fashion you can really express yourself in so many ways. I absolutely love this video of Lynn Dell by Advanced Style. It outlines few very important parts of my own design philosophy.  In the video Lynn notes key points of what I strongly believe in and express with my clients: you don't have to follow trends express yourself, accentuate positive and eliminate the negative, strong color.
Lynn is an owner of Off Broadway Boutique in NYC.  I'd love to meet this fantastic woman in person and perhaps design her home, I have a feeling it would be a ton of fun :) . Make sure to watch.

Christmas decorating by Chicago interior designer

Check out my holiday decorations featured on Chicago Home + Garden magazine 's Blog Design Dose. You can also read there the inspiration and further details about the concept. :) Enjoy

photo by Edyta

xo

How to decorate for Holidays with Ornaments

I love decorating for the holidays, it is such a fun way to really transform a home while really having fun.
There are so many ways we can create beautiful vignettes utilizing items we have, cherish and want to display. Here is a fun way to decorate with Ornaments from the fabulous One Kings Lane Co-founder Susan Feldman.

I look forward to seeing your decorations!

xo