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...

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A FORT LAUDERDALE DECORATING STORY...

My weekend in Fort Lauderdale was super successful. I spent so much time in the vintage & antique stores around here scoring things for my clients pad. Like I told you all before, she is a young + stylish fashion designer and her style I will call, VINTAGE PALM BEACH CHIC...

Her 2 bedroom condo is so bright, think white walls and lots + lots of sunlight. She loves brass and her motto for her home is the more gold, the better. Could it get much better??? 

(Anyone in the S. Florida area need an interior decorator...CALL ME...I LOVE it here.)

I have scored like a winner in Vegas when it comes to her furnishings so I will share with you a few things we found on the first day....

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Style-icious Sunday: light, bright and flea market chic

It's a beautiful day in the city today, the weather is perfect! Dying to head to the local thrift and see what fun things they might have for my new digs. While I am much more modern glamour...I am secretly in adoration of the thrift store finds and romantic glamour that goes along with it. The eclectic mix of items can be incredibly pretty. 

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decorating ideas...wonderful walls of white frames

Oh how I love a good "white done right" room.

These are two very cool rooms with gatherings of all white frames.

Super chic and super easy to recreate...

1. grab a can or two of high-gloss spray paint

2. get a few random frames with detail at your local thrift shop (always buy in odd numbers)

3. spray away!

Easy as 1, 2, 3 and very inexpensive. I just love this kinda stuff.

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Tablescape tuesday {what to look for at the thrift store}

Love the look of this shabby chic tablescape? 

For mere pennies you can recreate the look...

All you have to do is hit up the local Goodwill or Salvation Army and stock up on these goodies.

Brass candlesticks, You can literally find these everywhere for less than $2. What I suggest doing is getting some spray primer and paint in bright white. Then you can get some light pink long tapered candles to complete the look. (You can change the colors of candle according to your decor...snazzy!)

 It's true, beautiful bright white china is usually out of the budget BUT a saavy decorista can re-create the look of beautiful dinnerware by scouring the thrift stores for mis matched pretty pieces.  The trick is to keep your plates to the same accent color scheme (think golds + pinks, or silver + turquoise), after some time of shopping you will have build yourself lovely collection. It will look like magic on the dinnertable.

Clear mason jars are probably the easiest on the budget and will totally recreate that fishbowl look that elegantly embraces beautiful blooms. They can also serve as hurricanes for tea-lights when flowers aren't and will create a magical mood.

 

I firmly believe that mismatched flatware in silver is effortless. Literally they come in bundles at your local thrift store or flea market. Choose your favorites and don't worry if they look awkward, their individual beauty will shine through come dinner time.

Don't be afraid of purchasing random breakfast chairs from your local thrift. The more different each chair is the better. The key is to make sure that the chairs are really sturdy and have a strong base. They are unloved little guys who will look brilliant together with two coats of bright white paint and some light sanding. Once they are all finished they will give that perfect shabby chic look.

all images via flickr.

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book love: jonathan adler Chic + Inside Today's Home vintage

If you haven't read Jonathan Adler's book

My Prescription for Anti-depressive living 

you must get it now!

It's so much fun and filled with so many great ideas and inspiring photos.

One of my favorites has always been this little vignette of his home...I think it is the adorable guy with a little mustache. 

Anyway, I always had this photo in the back of my mind and always was curious about his book selections (like I am every other designer). 

To my absolute surprise...I recognized this book

INSIDE TODAYS HOME at a vintage store in palm springs...This book is fantastic.

Jam packed with decor tips and photos from the 70's. It's like a fun encyclopedia of decorating with everything from spacing to fabrics to glass to resources. I love it.

Score!

If you see this book at a local thrift store, get it. You wont be disappointed! 

and in other blissful news...I am guest blogger today at the beautiful Helena's blog...

A diary of lovely. and it is so lovely!

check out her blog and the post here.

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decorating with collections + Palm Springs vintage shopping

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! Hope you guys are ready for a fun day...

The past few weeks have been very busy for me.

I have been on a shopping spree for my online store that I will be opening soon (stay tuned).

I have hit up my favorite spots all over LA and Palm Springs with gusto. It has been a blast!

The shops in Palm Springs just blow my mind, they have the most amazing and rare items. 

One thing I love is the abundance of collections and I really love decorating with collections. 

Here are my favorite collections I found on this particular shopping excursion.

The above collections were found at one 'must shop' Palm Springs boutique... Bon Vivant.

 Rare and gorgeous glass (similar to the glass in the Parker Hotel). I think this glass in collections would be gorgeous in any home. These brass owls are adorable too, it was so hard not to want the entire group of cute little guys.

These gorgeous horses and uber cool vintage VW beetles are from HEDGE. It's a ridiculously gorgeous + fun vintage furnishings store in Palm Springs, that I just could not get enough of.

{Kelly Wearstler + Trina Turk shop here}

The guys who own the store are out of control friendly...if you ever get to go ask for the special iced coffee. It's delicious!

{I was so smitten with those VW beetles, I had to come home with the pink one...too cute!}

Here are some more shots of the packed with goodies store.

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this is how i roll...for my planet

instead of shopping for new stuff...

happy earth day!

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weekend finds...

So after hearing your feedback on my post about my love affair with empty frames

I took your advice...

I want you all to know how much I appreciate the love + feedback you always give.

It warms my heart. 

After scouting for a few more gold frames, I found 2 that fit perfectly inside the big one.

(in real life...it looks bangin'. photos don't do it justice)

also, while at the flea market

I found this beautiful framed Vintage Vogue print. 

It was marked for $25 and I got it down to $15.

it is now happily at home over our bar cart. 

we love it.

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hoot hoot...owl love

So I found this little owl from a local thrift store near UCLA.

I thought it was so cute and it was only 1 dollar.

I thought I recognized it from somewhere, it felt familiar, so I loved him.

Then I realized its from Urban Outfitters and I loved it even more.

Inspired me to search my files for interiors with owls.

I must say, they are kinda growing on me. 

via HomeBug

via apartmenttherapy

via NJ

via brideslittlewhitebook

(find this art @ Mary Beth's Art etsy shop)

(image via: lineacarta)

(image via:remodelista)

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melrose trading post

Went thrifting with my boys this weekend.

We had a blast and spent our entire Sunday there, sorry church. 

Found some cool stuff.

Ate some great veggie burgers + hot dogs.

If you are ever in LA, it's a must go.

For more info...melrosetradingpost.org

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The joy of thrifting: Part 2

Remember back when my sweetheart and I went thrifting,

and we found a jewel for his super swanky pad?

(to refresh your memory see post here)

Well, we finally got it up! We are so excited and my boo is so excited because 

he picked it out all by himself.

After much hard work,and a few hefty tools...

Our prized piece is now on display...

It's perfect!

Don't you just LOVE vintage finds for the home?

We soooo do. 

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gold rush

Metallics have been making a huge comeback and this Christmas I have been bringing gold back into my home. I think it brings a bit of glamour to any outfit of any room. 

I'm spending my holidays in Palm Springs this year, hoping to get some vintage shopping in.

I am ever in search of the perfect gold items to put some pizazz into my pad.

Here are some of my most inspirational favorites.

(where i am dreaming of writing Christmas Cards)

(where i wish i was dreaming)

(dreaming of this handbag)

{images: dailymail.co.uk}

(also secretly dreaming of wrist candy in gold form...)

the midas touch by misosouper featuring FOSSIL watches

Items in this set: 

Juicy Couture 'The Beau' Boyfriend Watch, $295

Fossil Watch - Chronograph Silver Dial - FS4402, $115

Kenneth Cole Reaction square stainless steel case watch at Kenneth..., $95

MICHAEL Michael Kors Multifunction Bracelet Watch - Gold - Nordstrom

Stuhrling Original Aviator Pro Men's Chronograph Watch from..., $1,455

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