Delightful Daily: Oversized Botanicals

High Point Market Oly Studio Showroom via Mash by Tiffany

Tips & Tricks: 10 Ways to a Beautiful and Functional Entrance Hall

Entrance halls often receive very attention while it should be the exact opposite. They are your home's first impression, they set the tone for the entire house. Don't make it bland. Go bold, dramatic, vibrant, whatever will convey what's to come: bold color, big print wallpaper...

This month we took a glance at a few entrance halls. Remember when Alex shared her entrance hall project? I thought it would be a good complement to give a few tips and tricks to style and zhush your own entrance hall.

Ty Larkins Interior Design

1. Your front door should be freshly painted inside and out. The inside of the door gets forgotten much too often but it's just as important as the outside.

2. A good entry hall is a well-appointed one. Make sure that everything that usually ends up on your hall table (keys, mail, etc) has its place. Think trays, boxes, mail sorter racks... 

Ana Antunes' House on Home Styling

3. Do I really need to mention that a hall table is essential? It needs to host organizing elements (trays and things), bits and baubles, a nice lamp or two...

4. A bench is bliss in a entrance hall. Especially when you have kids. But even adults sometimes like to lace their shoes sitting down to avoid the balancing art of standing up shoe-lacing.

Bunny Williams via Lonny

5. Just as the entrance hall sets the tone for the entire house visually, it does so through smell as well. Think fresh blooms or a nice fragrant candle. Remember "wet dog" or "smelly shoes" is rarely the essence we try to go for.

6. Lighting is important in an entry hall and should be soft and inviting. It shouldn't feel like FBI questioning so I suggest dimmers and one or two lamps at eye level on the console table.

Charles Faudree's Details Book

7. If you don't have an entry hall closet, plan storage space for shoes and coats. This doesn't mean that your entire shoe collection should end up in the hallway, but it's important to have at least a few hooks, and maybe a small carpet or shoe rack for shoes.

8. Storage baskets, I suggest weave, are great especially in colder climates, with kids or for anyone who doesn't have an entrance closet. Besides, it's the easiest place to dump all the junk that's lying around when unannounced guests ring your doorbell. 

Lizzie Bailey via Lonny

9. A mirror is essential to take a quick glance at ourselves before going out, or to help disheveled guest fix their hair when they walk in.

10. Art is always nice in a hall, especially if you have a big collection throughout the house. Make a bold first impression by putting one of your most impressive pieces at first sight when you walk in.

Suzanne Dimma via House & Home

Want to read more of my tips & tricks? Check out my weekly Top 5 series on Damask & Dentelle.

Delightful Daily: Fresh Summer Breeze

Mona Ross Berman via Design Manifest

Delightful Weekend

via House Beautiful

Worthy Links: 27.04.12

Another one bites the dust, friends. Everything is ticking along slowly but nicely at la casa Savvy, though I wish I could say the same for my schedule... I'm looking forward to some well-earned downtime this weekend, though I'm afraid there won't be much of it!

1. Right on the money again, Jess speaks of the good and real career. Thought you'd be rescuing the planet, curing cancer, and making hundreds of thousands of dollars while working a 9 to 5 job – from a sail boat in your pajamas by 25? This post is for you.

2. Jenny opened Minty for business and aren't we glad she did? The shop is chock full of wonderful and affordable vintage treasures. Brass and lucite abounds!

3. I'm loving Erin's latest series Wear/Where featuring two of my all-time faves, Gaby and Tobe!

4. Bean gets me every time but this photo is especially sweet! Lucky Sarah to have such a photogenic furry friend!

5. Erika interviewed interior designer Gabriel Hendifar?! Gasp! Jealous, impressed. A must read interview!

Have a relaxing weekend!

Delightful Daily: Muted Bedroom Tones

Gabriel Hendifar

Top 5: Solutions for Small Spaces and Awkward Layouts

You probably  know that I recently moved into an apartment. Well actually, “moved” is a big overstatement because I have yet to spend a night at my new place. However, I must say it’s coming together nicely. 

Too often, rentals are cursed with small and awkward layouts. Mine wasn't spared, but I like to think that the nice features (ornate ceilings, wooden floors, good sized windows) make up for it in a big way. 

There are many ways to get around living in a small but functional space and I'm sharing 5 of them today on Damask & Dentelle. Come over for the full post. I'm sharing decorating plans for my new place!

Delightful Daily: Occasionally Girly

Cathy Kincaid Interiors

Gab Loves: 25.04.12

1. Vintage Framed San Francisco Map | 2. Gold Ceramic Lamp | 3. Ansonia Matouk Monogrammed Linens | 4. Abundance Throw Pillow | 5. Velvet Racetrack Floor Pillow | 6. Wide Pinstripe Throw Pillow | 7. Serena & Lily "S&L Blue" Paint | 8. Stella & Dot Campari Necklace | 9. Dransfield & Ross Strada Wastebasket | 10. Serena & Lily Beckett Desk | 11. Oomph Tiny Table IV | 12. Khotan Antique Rug | 13. Senegalese Storage Baskets | 14. Jonathan Adler Templeton Sofa

Delightful Daily: Crisp Bedding under Soft Canopy

Phoebe Howard via Atlanta Home Mag

Designer Crush: Alessandra Branca

I've confessed my love for one of Alessandra Branca's designs before but the time has come to talk about it with you in depth. I visited my aunt on the weekend and innocently lying on the coffee table was Branca's (not so new but oh-so delicious) book, New Classic Interiors. Oh my, I suddenly became the most anti-social person in the room! I couldn't look away until I had analysed every single page in its smallest detail.

If you're not so much a fan of classic interiors, bear with me and admire the art of decorating.

Colors, textures, accessories: everything is carefully selected and so beautifully put together. Note the trim details around the window sills.

From maximalist to carefully edited, the elegance remains.

Speaking of elegance, is there anything more elegant than a masculine office with black walls, jewel toned velvet accents, sophisticated plaid, and a golden retriever?

I don't normally go for stainless steel kitchens but this one is so full of warm light and traditional lines that it smoothes the steel over.

 High gloss lacquered walls always leave a lasting impression. This two-toned entrance is no exception!

Multiple conversation areas, fresh blooms, coffee table reading, warm tones, well-appointed fireplace, all essentials for the perfect living room.

Loving the contrasted high gloss dark trims here. The pale yellow blinds bring the light in an warm up the room. It must feel like sunset all day in that room.

This bedroom is totally over the top and very New York but I love the bold choice of colors and the geometric patterns. I'm sure it smells like gingerbread too!

This bedroom above is one of my all time favorites! Branca made such smart use of an incredibly awkward layout. The cohesion between the patterns and fabrics only enhance the feeling of comfort.

And last but not least, who wouldn't want a backyard like this one? Classic, completely timeless and elegant.

What do you think about Alessandra Branca's work? See her entire portfolio here.

Delightful Daily: A Coveted Hallway

Brian Gluckstein's Entry via The Coveteur

The Great, The Good and The Ugly: TradHome 2012

Can we start by acknowledging that TradHome isn't quite what it was when Lonny was in the picture? I hated their new magazine reader. The front sections were so-so at best.

That being said, we still need to acknowledge that there was some serious eye candy in the New Trad Designers of 2012 section. Shall we?

The Great
Palmer Weiss
I've been a fan of Palmer Weiss for a while (see proof here) but this home knocked my socks off. Red lacquered ceiling, yes please! Soft and relaxing master outfitted with soft blue grasscloth wallpaper and monogrammed Leontine Linens? Don't mind if I do.

Nick Olsen

My favorite of the lot. I must have awwed at these two photos for at least an hour! The colors, the textures, the shapes everything is extremely well put together. New-trad at it's best! Favorite elements? The soft-red chairs against that stunning travertine fireplace; and the rug and hand-painted screen combo in the bedroom.

Christina Murphy

Christina Murphy is one of those designers who just "get it". Just enough colors, perfect proportions, varied but not hodge-podge. I mean the entry below is a masterpiece, obviously, but even the simplicity of the dining area just seems so right. I also have developed a huge crush on the sconce and the two small frames that sit below it.

The Good

Allison Hennessy

This house was definitely all kinds of pretty and Hennessy obviously knows her craft. That being said, parts of me wanted to go in there and throw in a few unexpected items! However, if you love symmetry and color themes, she's your girl!

Tamara Kaye-Honey

I normally am a huge fan of Tamara, and I adore her shop House of Honey, but part of this house felt somewhat "bitsy" at times. Like it needed one big ribbon to come in and tied it all in together! However this bedroom was lovely.

Gideon Mendelson
Some of the rooms felt a bit "safe" for my taste, but Mendelson creates what I call well-edited interiors. Simple color palettes, interesting lines, quality finishes.

The Ugly
Tammy Connor
Ok so technically there was nothing truly ugly in this year's designer portfolio, but I found Tammy Connor's designs a bit underwhelming. This outdoor area especially: although it looks very functional and probably equally comfortable - I would happily sit there and sip cocktails for hours - it doesn't feel very "new-trad" to me. Nothing groundbreaking here. A beautiful house but that belongs in the Traditional Home print magazine.




What did you guys think of this year's edition? I want to hear it all!

Delightful Daily: Color Splendor

Meredith Heron via Style at Home

Delightful Weekend

via Rue Magazine

Worthy Links: 20.04.12

I'm not going to lie, with the move and a few other major things on my plate this week has got me swamped! I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend with a few girlfriend catchups. Molly and Victoria really hit the nail on the head this week talking about how most of us had been stretching ourselves thin since January.

Let's not forget that we are not in competition against anyone and that the fastest way is not always the best. Bottom line, let's take time to breathe, take time for happy moments and learn to slow down a little! Who's with me?



1. Erin talked about getting started in interior design and blogging. Tons of valuable info if you are in either situation.

2. This video by Danielle Laporte is perfect if you're in need for a little motivational boost! Thanks to Becka for sharing.

3. This has been all over the blogs this week so I will spare you a full length post, but L'Wren Scott's Parisian Perch as featured in Vogue had me drooling.

4. Jessica shared her dining room wall DIY process which we are very grateful for given that the result is so incredible!

5. I crushed over Meg's new series My DC. What a wonderful idea to meet likeminded bloggers - looks like these girls hit it off and had a blast!

That's it folks, have a happy weekend!

Delightful Daily: Lickability Factor

Kate and Andy Spade's House via Matchbook Mag

Top 5: Essentials for the Perfect Reading Nook

Today I'm over on Damask & Dentelle (as I am every Thursday) sharing my top 5 essentials for achieving the perfect reading nook. I rarely take the time to sit down to read a book and yet, I’ve always had this romantic idea of the reading nook: a corner purely dedicated to reading and comfortable beyond belief. 

There’s something comforting in knowing that when you get home after a long day, you have the perfect little spot to take your heels off and kick your feet up.

Come on over to see the full post and tips!

Delightful Daily: Red Velvet

Robert Couturier via Elle Decor

Gab Loves: 18.04.12

1. Dale Frank Painting | 2. Calypso St. Barth Chiffon Vee | 3. Sandy Chapman Hall Lantern | 4. Chinese Scissors | 5. Hermes Night Sandal | 6. Anna Sui Silk Tulle Sequin Embellished Dress | 7. Dwell Studio Medallion Band Citrine Fabric | 8. Antique Indian Elephant Table  9. Dransfield & Ross Strada Wastebasket | 10. Trina Turk Palm Springs Turquoise Pillow | 11. Woven Leather Bench (my new bench!)

Delightful Daily: A Kitchen In Full Contrast

William Hefner

Life Update: Moving Day!

Today is the big day! Actually, it's one of the big days because other crucial items are only getting delivered on the weekend: we're talking bed, computer, desk... Everything I need to actually move in. That being said, I've got to be at my new internetless apartment all day waiting for deliveries and a moving truck so I hope you will excuse my silence today. Make sure to follow quick updates on Twitter and Instagram!

Delightful Daily: Hints of Neon

CBB Interiors

House Crush: La Belle Époque Splendor

This house stopped me dead in my track when I was reading the latest issue of Architectural Digest. Nestled in the Monte Carlo Hills, the most impressive aspect of the house which was built in "La Belle Époque" is undoubtedly the glass conservatory addition that looks over the Monaco bay.

The house was so dilapidated when its current owners found it that the entire interiors were stripped out and planned again from scratch by designer Timothy Whealon.

Whealon mostly used furtniture and antiques used in the couple's previous townhouse in London and adapted it to the more relaxed and sunny Monte Carlo lifestyle. The David Hicks inspired chairs are a personal favorite.

Who wouldn't want to spend hours on end in that glass conservatory, curled up on the long chair reading a book, or playing backgammon at the game table...

The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms of the house because of it's simplicity. It doesn't scream "I'm a kitchen" yet conveys a relaxed vibe that all breakfast nooks should have.

The graphic wallpaper with the mid-century tulip table and chairs blend in perfectly together, as does the art. A red accent is the perfect addition to the neutral room so I hope the heirloom tomatoes get replaced regularly.

The wallpaper in the powder room is also magnificent, although I'm still not quite sure what to make of the grass stool below the sink...

Library of my dreams... I love the light fixture, the table and the light streaming in from every angle. All that's missing is a comfortable chair for reading (perhaps it's off camera)?

Although the bedroom is a bit too color coordinated for my taste, I can't deny the beauty of the royal blue velvet upholstered bed frame. I'm almost thinking of having mine reupholstered in the same fabric.

What are your thoughts on this house of dreams?