My time in Madrid...aka La Decorista

While I was away in Madrid, I really tried to take some time away and refresh. After reading this post, I knew getting out of town would be the best thing for me. I needed to get away, see new things and become re-inspired. So, while I was in Madrid, visiting family, I did just that...

I mean, the second I got there I was blown away by the design. The airport was out of hand amazing. Photos cannot capture the bad-ass-ness of this place. I was madly in love with it. Shortly after, the first little spot we went to eat was so stylish and on point. Throwing little furs on the chairs to keep you warm. What?!? I loved it. 
 Every where in this town has serious style. Take for example, this art store. It was in an old school pharmacy with walls of drawers and it was incredible. All of the restaurants had the most interesting light fixtures, too. Speaking of restaurants to not talk about the food in Madrid would be a disservice to this city. The food was absolutely incredible. I ate so many amazing things, I just was blown away. So blown away, in fact, that I forgot to take photos...oops!
 This was one of my favorite restaurants, La Manuelo. The style was very art nouveau whimsical and just very, very cool. Stone walls, black and white striped curtains, curvy accents, metal elements, feather lights and gorgeous spanish tile. 
Obviously, the architecture in downtown Madrid was beyond breathtaking. 

Not surprisingly, I took pictures of all the doors in the city. The moldings and the woods were so gorgeous. Not to mention the door knockers. They were almost always in gold or brass + all the lions just stole the show.
My favorite part of Madrid was el Rastro. We went shopping for antiques all day on Sunday. Everything  was insanely good. 
How cool are these Paris letters?
I am seriously considering putting a cat in my home, and some religious paraphernalia too.
 This one store had a collection of suns that was out of this world. So in love.
All in all I had a wonderful time, resting, recharging and relaxing. But, now, its back to business. 

3 WAYS TO TRY TORTOISESHELL

Things are getting crazy around the city for New York fashion week. My clients are all in a hurry to get things looking good for their guests visiting town. So I have been a mad woman scouring the streets of new york for some fabulous accessories and I found a pair of incredible chairs with the frame in tortoiseshell. My heart skipped a beat the second I saw them. That pair was sold but since those beauties I have been dying to use tortoiseshell in other ways...


images...dining room photo//console styling//the tortishell mirror//tortiseshell wallpaper

Wallcolor Wedensday: Pretty Purple in Beirut

“Above all, design is not about theory—it doesn’t matter whether pink and green go together. What matters are objects. They’re what give soul to a house. My home is a sanctuary where I’m surrounded by things I like.” -- interior designer May Daouk...

I love this beautiful home in Beirut decorated by Bunny Williams' former employee, May Daouk. She moved to Beirut from NYC about 10 years ago and has made this rare + gorgeous home, one of her very own. I am smitten by the way she mixes colors and have really come to be fond of the idea that all colors go together. 
Blues, purples, pinks, greens, red and gold to boot! Everything exotic works in this space.
In fact, Beirut barely even has many homes, as this is one of the few in the downtown area. 
It's so fascinating to me to see homes from around the world. Go Margaret Russell! 
Simon Watson for Architectural Digest 

needing. wanting. loving. {bone inlay pieces}

Oh the loveliness of bone inlay furniture pieces. I attended NYIGF this week and saw such fabulous and stylish bone inlay work. My favorite were the mirrors, the detail was incredible. However, the minute I laid eyes on these chairs at this dining table, I knew I had to have something like these sweet things in my new apartment. Unfortunately, I have no room for a dining table and chairs but perhaps I could go with a mirror or stylish tray...


GORGEOUSNESS...


office space of the day...exotic prints in the workspace

I am having a curiously strong attraction to exotic patterns lately. They are so on my radar. How incredibly chic is the pattern-a-licious work space?
Gorgeous exotic pattern + painted green desk + inspiration board + old school typewriter=
domestic bliss

how fab are leopard stairs? I swear they will always be in style. 
I am a long time fan of zebra print in any color. I love these delicious drapes.
The mix of tiger print and tortiseshell. AMAZINGNESS!