The Art of Living: WINDOW WONDERS

Every once in a while you happen upon a space thats a little odd in design. Especially the modern buildings around downtown NYC. The shapes of the buildings aren't traditional at all, so when it comes to decorating, you have to get creative. Windows can always be an interesting spot. Sometimes you have that extra or irregular window and no idea what to do around it. So, I've been on the hunt for some intoxicating and innovative inspiration...

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The Art of living...CHIC SIDE TABLES

Even though I am a designer and pretty much always go for a proper bedside table, the decorista in my heart loves clever solutions. I am so into unique bedside tables these days. What I love most is finding new and clever ways to reinvent old things. I am so partial to vintage shops and thrifting...its a love affair I have had since I was very young. So, I love searching for examples of that and new and inspiring ideas. Thank goodness for pinterest, it helps satisfy that craving...

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The Art of Living...collecting smarts

HOW TO MAKE YOUR COLLECTIONS LOOK CHIC:

Group them all together! 

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The Art of Living: making doors more chic with wallpaper

The moment I spotted this gorgeous entryway, I let out a sharp gasp! How gorgeous + dramatic, no? I quickly realized the effectiveness of wallpapered doors and remembered the way I adore Martinique Wallpaper ...

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The Art of Living...like a Kardashian {via Instyle}

Take a peek inside the closets of the Kardashian sisters...

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The Art of Living: inspired bookcase styling

No longer are the days for bookshelves to be used for books...

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The Art of Living: keep your dining room hip

If you guys love to entertain as much as I do, something I have just got to suggest to you is mixing up your dining room seating....

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The Art of Living: make your entryway chic

Lately I have been stressing to my clients the importance of having an entryway that just has lots of panache....

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The Art of Living: how to decorate around a tv

Having a television can be a tough decorating problem to tackle...

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The Art of Living: bedside swagger

So, thankfully I made it out of the hurricane Irene unscathed. God bless the entire east coast for dealing with this mess, my heart goes out to all who were affected! In any case...

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The Art of Living: how to decorate with mirrors

I love decorating with mirrors, but I find that I am bored of just a simple mirror all alone on the wall. I like panache and extra effort when it comes to styling them. There is something about just a little something extra, that really can take your home decor to another level. It's interesting to see how adding mirrors to my own apartment brings a new dynamic and new dimensions. I am inspired to create even more creative displays with mirrors...

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The Art of Living... a chair in the bedroom

So, ever since I can remember I loved hanging out in my grandparents bedroom and sitting in the guest chair while grandma would get ready for a special event. It was one of my favorite places as a little girl. Now, as I am decorating an entirely new bedroom for myself, I have decided that this time I insist on having a chair. Nothing more perfect than a place to read a book, sip tea or have a friend to sit and chat with you (moments of domestic bliss). I am smitten with these chairs in the bedroom. Very smart and very sweet. 

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The Art of Living: elements of a party pad

One aspect of domestic bliss is entertaining at home. Such a difficult thing to do here in these NYC apartments being that they are so small. However, you can get creative no matter what size your space with just a few fun touches. 

An oversized dining table...even if the table is a tad too big, it really makes for a great entertaining spot and can double for a work space when you work at home.

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The Art of Living: mixing mirrors and pattern

My top two obsessions right now...mirrors and fabulous patterns. Mixing these two together can be SUCH a chic looking combination. I love this red geometric patterned wallpaper mixed with an ivory finished mirror...very, very sophisticated. I don't know what it is about the mix, but the right pairing of pattern and mirrored frame can be incredibly impressive. It can give a room the perfect touch.

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The Art of Living: layered living rooms

When decorating your home, it's important to create a gathering place. A room where everyone can collect together and enjoy great conversation and fun, that is what creates domestic bliss! 

Some people prefer the kitchen, much like my family, but I also really love the feel of an entertaining ready living room. A well decorated living room will have multiple seating/conversation areas, walls layered with gorgeous pieces that elicit great conversations and plenty of fabrics, patterns and interesting textures. I always think too many mirrors never hurt anybody...oh, and never skimp on reading material either. Big photography based books make for the most fun! 

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the Art of Living... bringing home Hollywood

So I just want to let you all in on something that I got today that just warms my heart. This gorgeous Sophia Loren print is going in my new cozy bedroom. It looks amazing framed in white and on my muddy gray walls. I can't stop staring at the photo, its perfection.

It got me thinking of my love for vintage photography and I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite to get you inspired. Hollywood photography in a home can be very chic and give a room an entire mood change. Photography can conjure up emotion, which is essential for achieving domestic bliss! (I fondly remember NKTOB posters on my wall doing the same thing for me as a young girl.yes mom, I will always love you for doing that for me). For some, rock and roll shots give a bit of edge and for others old hollywood starlets add a touch of glamour and romance. Whatever your preference, I say go for it, you can't go wrong. 

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The Art of Living... a chair in the bedroom

So, ever since I can remember I loved hanging out in my grandparents bedroom and sitting in the guest chair while grandma would get ready for a special event. It was one of my favorite places as a little girl. Now, in my small NYC bedroom, I have decided that this time I insist on having a chair. Nothing more perfect than a place to read a book, sip tea or have a friend to sit and chat with you (moments of domestic bliss). I am smitten with these chairs in the bedroom. Very smart and very sweet. 

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The Art of Living: dining room de-lights.

So with my recent obsession with nude colors, you can imagine that these gorgeous pillows and beige breakfast area had me at hello. Next to the pretty colors, I fell hard for the lighting. I love pretty lighting above a dining table. So gorgeous!

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The Art of Living: great kitchen/bar stools

I love meeting my new clients in the city for the first time. Especially when they are fun, sweet and fabulous! 

Yesterday, I met my new beautiful client, Dina and we chatted on and on and realized that in NYC sometimes there is just no place for a dining table (that so won't fly with me...love to entertain)!
 However, for the most part, all I have to search for when looking for seating options are bar stools. The name 'bar stool' for some reason just gives me the jitters....I am not in love with them. So, in search for the perfect bar stools, I found a few that changed my perspective.

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The Art of Living...gorgeous natural light

As I have been endlessly searching for the perfect apartment in the city, I have come to realize that you just can't have it all. Well, maybe you can on the upper west side but anywhere in the middle of Manhattan you are probably going to compromise on an amenity or two. I have come to terms with maybe not the perfect sized closet or bathroom but something I will not part with...ample sunlight. I simply could never wake up to a dark apartment and be happy. Sunshine makes me utterly blissful and how beautiful are those morning coffee moments with bright sunlight? 

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