All posts filed under: decor

kitchen musts from a modern design perspective

There are many sides to my interior design taste but there is only two sides to my requirements and those are: STREAMLINED and FUNCTIONAL. I am a sucker for European design and will always opt for their products as a result of it rather than conform to most things in the states. Although, slowly as always but surely, the states are incorporating  “some” modern design styles while manufacturing their products. Anyway and either way, the reason I prefer a more streamlined approach to design (in this case appliances and other kitchen gadgets) is because  of the way the product makes a statement without being over the top. So, without further ranting and raving, I have included below my kitchen musts. The products can be found on Outinhome.com, Lamp-stylehue.com and LIMN.com.

french linen, laundry bags and throw pillows

Now here is a concept I am growing to love these days. French linen bags and pillow covers being introduced in the U.S.  I have seen them pop up here and there in the past, but not to the extend I notice them more in stores these days. I like it and have included some photographs  for you to ponder over as well. Just in case you are wondering, these items are available at Restoration Hardware and Neiman Marcus and I am almost certain at your local boutique designer stores. Let me know what you think?

nostalgia of french vintage posters

One thing I can’t seem to get enough of is, French “vintage” posters and postcards. To me, they are a clear reminder of  “perhaps” a more simpler time and in my case a great focal point for when I am stressing about the most current of times. I usually stop at every store, whether in the U.S. but mostly  abroad and flip through the racks and display cases housing these wonderful works of ar, which are now reprinted in postcard or poster form for our viewing pleasure and of course to purchase. I can’t get enough of them and for that reason I have included some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

admiring restoration hardware

For a few months now I have stayed away from most things pertaining to  the home, mainly because I just sold mine and also because I am what one may call “in transition” with my life. But about a week ago I walked into a Restoration Hardware store because even though I desperately tried to walk by without looking, I couldn’t help succumb to the new theme from within the store, enticing my curiosity. Not sure if most of my readers are familiar with the store, so I have included a link here just to set the stage for you.  Anyway, I walked into the store or “the gallery” I should say and to my amazement, it had transformed into the most exquisite and delectable and almost museum like display of the most wonderful, classic and in a unique way functional pieces ever put together for the consumer’s viewing pleasure. Well done Restoration Hardware! After picking up a catalog and pointing out the wonderful pieces to my brother as we circled the store, I came home …

fascination with stripes in style

I don’t know what it is about stripes, but I do admire seeing designers incorporate stripe decor into interior designs. I would probably shy away from doing so myself, but do wonder if I could have the option, what choice would I go with. So, just to share my choice of colors, shades and style, I have added a few photos for your viewing pleasure or perhaps just mine: Tell me what you think about stripes in your home?

interior affair for this woman over 40

If someone were to tell me I won a good amount of money to redecorate my home, of course after relocating to Paris or perhaps to New York, I would immediately go to the internet for the most inspiring styles and decor to incorporate or copy for my nice, new loft or apartment. For a person like me, who likes change almost on a weekly basis, it is really  difficult to pin point any particular style. I use what I like and sometimes that may mean it is too unconventional, somewhat bizarre or even  eccentric for my circle of family and friends, but for the most part it works for me. The way I see it, I really don’t feel that every room has to be the same in style, I also like mixing and matching furniture, colors and themes as long as there is some interesting flow to what I have created. So, although some of the photos I included are just the tip of the iceberg of what I see happening around me, …

my love, love relationship with Paris

I once said, Acting is my destiny, Paris is my lifestyle and architecture is my passion. With that said, I want to dedicate the next few entries to all things Paris and share with you Paris through my eyes: One of my favorite things to do, while in Paris, is take photographs of the roof facades of the beautiful buildings all around the city . Most people look straight ahead when walking. I spend the majority of my time looking up as I walk, zooming in with my camera on the most beautiful or unusual and sometimes bizarre rooftops around Paris. I can probably spend numerous days capturing these shots and sharing them with my readers, but for now I have only included a few for your enjoyment.

how much would you pay for a greeting card?

I am a greeting card fanatic  and a collector and a true appreciator of the evolution of the greeting cards. Get the point?  So with that said, I spend about thirty to forty minutes at the greeting card section in bookstores and visit every Specialty greeting card store in any and all malls. What I have noticed, unfortunately, is the price of the cards ranging from $3.95 all the way to $10.95, making it a challenge to consider purchasing a good one no matter how we appreciate the person we want to give the card to.  I know gourmet cards is a new strategy used by the card companies (kind of like labeling restaurant cooking as Gourmet) in order  to stay in business since MOST ANYONE can make a card now on their computers or from products purchased at an ART store to create a card from scratch. The problem the distributors and designers don’t understand is that how could any (middle now referred to as poor class)  consumer consider purchasing a card well over $4.00? From …

treat yourself at anthropologie

Some stores may be intimidating or just not the right style for some woman, so they simply avoid going in for the fear of the unknown or the lack of interest in experiencing something new. In my opinion, all women need to experience  Anthropologie and if you happen to live  in a city or town or a country where there is an Anthropologie store near by, please consider going in and buying yourself something just for the fun of it. The store reminds me of  a cross between a French Provincial boutique with a hint of a shabby chic theme and although I am a fan of modern decor, I simply love walking through Anthropologie  and admiring all the colorful displays and products from ceiling to floor. I often buy myself a neatly wrapped bar of soap from France or a bizarre hook for my bathroom and even a costume jewelry piece with unique or unusual compilation of beads and colors stranded together. Kitchenware is also fun to look through and can be incorporated into any …

getty museum garden envy

Nature, gardens, plants, trees and flowers, you name it and I am there to enjoy it and take pictures of. One place I completely love to visit is the Getty Center (Museum) Gardens in Los Angeles. It’s an inspirational place to say the least and an extra ordinary maze to walk through while enjoying over 134,00 square feet of pathways lined with exotic, amazing, colorful, beautiful plants, flowers and trees as well as streams of waters flowing down toward a neatly arranged sitting area under Bougainvillea vines intertwined inside several oversized wicker planters. Everywhere you look, there is another rare flower in bloom and foliage in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Each plant is so strategically planted in order to get the proper light or shade necessary  for them to flourish to their full potential. There is nothing out-of-place and not a scent too strong. The feeling one gets walking about the gardens is unexplainable and yet recommended for everyone to experience at least once in their lifetime. What I also find fascinating is  watching …