Stop to Smell the Roses

Usually, flowery prints are a little too "sweet" for my taste, but something about the way they work in this board appeals to me. The bedroom seems charming without being frilly, and I love the beautiful heels displayed as art!

(image via Girl Meets Glamour, floating feather dish at Urban Outfitters, fleur de lis carafe from Maison Midi, venetian glass mirror on eBay, image via House of Turquoise, romantic rococo accent table via Shabby Rose Chic, vintage fabric union jack cushion from Cox & Cox)

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Fashion Forward - New Year, New Loves

Hellllloooooo 2010! Everyone survive the holidays?? I'm happy to say we made it through with flying colors in my neck of the woods, even managing to catch up with friends, family and much needed sleep. Woot! Now it's back to the grind and I must say I'm having a hard time getting into the swing of things. On that note, I think I'll put work aside for just a tad longer and share some of the delicious new items at West Elm. Admittedly, I was already pretty excited for a new decade and a fresh start, but with any of these lovelies in my corner, this year is bound to be bright. Mmmmm, shiny new décor... honestly, is there anything better?

Find more fabulous Fashion Forward finds (say that three times fast) over on Obstinate Pursuit!

(all items by West Elm! 2x2 console desk, round uplight table lamp, wrap dining chair, modular shelf, wood boxes with lacquered lids, andalusia rug)

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Weekly Whiteout

(image via Living etc)

Any room that brings the outdoors indoors, is where I'd like to be. From the fresh air to the farmhouse table to the charming benches and stools, this dining area begs to be lived in...comfortably. Don't even get me started on the fabulous art or quaint wood-burning stove.

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Color Clause

I like color. I swear. But I admit I’m drawn to some hues more than others. And, I don’t just want a blasé, primary color pillow on my sofa. If I’m gonna rock it, I need it to be rad. Like these book covers and this painted raffia top table. Oh, and if I’m gonna cook, I may as well have rad bowls in my kitchen to match my rad books in the living room. Don’t worry white; you’re still my first love. Though everyone has a price.

(book covers by Michael Kosmicki via Spagat, nesting bowls at the Moma Store, tini table lll at Oomph, image via A Creative Mint, jonas damon twice twice clock at Design Public, colored hand blown glasses at Toast)

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Cozy Up to Chic

I think a big misconception is that great style can’t be comfy. There are many people who believe a beautifully designed house will never truly be “lived in” and associate home décor with a sofa covered in plastic. The horror. I, on the other hand, feel the MOST beautiful homes are quite the opposite. They are the ones where you can put your feet up on the coffee table (maybe sans shoes, but still), or sit at the kitchen counter and laugh about your day. I believe homes need energy and life in order to really radiate – no matter how gorgeous the items inside! I wish I could jump inside today’s board, curl up in front of the fireplace (it's portable, by the way), and read all 10,000 books. I don’t know about you, but that house looks pretty stylish to me, and I suspect I’d be pretty comfortable there.

(dew drop coffee spoons and reef knot mug from Anthropologie, image frome Home Sweet Home, rattan pouf from Urban Outfitters, cashmere throw from White Home, portable fireplace from Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius via Decor8, genevalab sound speaker, medium, from Huset, velvet lined slippers from Toast)

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Fashion Forward - Beautiful in Black and White

My aunt who lives in Stockholm has an incredible black velvet chandelier hanging in her living room. I was 15 the first time I noticed it and have coveted it (blatantly) ever since. She’s an artist, and the fixture is an ideal representation of her daring creativity, great fashion sense and eclectic personality. Though the chandelier may seem out of place in my predominately white abode, I can say with absolute certainty that I would just make it work. You got that Aunt Ulla? I would make it work! I mean, in the event that you’d ever like to let me “borrow” it. I’m just sayin’.

Don't forget to check out all the great Fashion Forward posts at Paper Pocket today!

(black porcelain chandelier at Pieces, photo via Maggy Moon Interiors, vino wine glasses from Crate and Barrel, eternity band by bmjnyc on Etsy, modern herringbone blanket at Ortolan, photography by Bonnie Tsang via Snippet and Ink)

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Open Shelves? Open Book.

I LOVE the idea of open shelving in a kitchen. I repeat, “the idea” of it. The sad truth is I’m pretty sure the world doesn’t want to see my mismatched coffee mugs and embarrassingly adolescent cereal. But then, an image comes along like the one above and I find myself longing to take the doors off the hinges and let it all hang out! (So to speak.) Those moments of abandon usually last, oh, five minutes, before I’m somehow reminded of the level of dedication to organization required to pull off this look. And friends, let’s just say it’s a level I seem unable to attain. Sigh. One can dream.

(sofa by Moroso via Spagat, porcelain vase from Klein Reid, eclipse nesting tables and brazo floor lamp at Design Within Reach, pom pom throw by Calypso Celle, image via Decor8)

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