Single-Girl Style: Cold Light in Quebec

north american whites, as opposed to scandinavian

Here's a home that reminds me of that old memory of my aunt's apartment. It belongs to model/stylist, Azamit. Done all in white, this two story loft is about as open and airy as possible. The high ceilings allow a lot of light to get in through those tall windows. The block glass wall keeps light filtering into the bathroom. Modern, yet relaxed and unfussy. 

Color Story: Cold Light

utterly restrained: white on white with a little punch of color and pattern

Thinking about Lulu D's "glam eclectic" bedroom on How to Make it in America got me thinking about restrained color palettes. Given my tastes, you wouldn't think such a topic crosses my mind too often. But I actually find simple color schemes quite refreshing. I just don't want to live in them. But in my memory are some of those hazy, likely inaccurate, images of places from early childhood that informs my sensibilities to this day. I call it "Cold Light" after that Yeah Yeah Yeahs song. 

Rooms on Film: How to Make it in America

lulu d's (nicole laliberte) ladylike boudoir

Another of those shows I barely ever saw before it was cancelled. It clocked two seasons on HBO. Before it bit the dust, How to Make it in America did impress me with some of it's NYC digs, all designed by one Kelly McGehee.

State of the Blog

lotus & fig: the scarf. my new calvin klein score from marshall's

During the holiday break I'm taking some time to do a bunch of posts that have been on my mind for quite some time. So there will be a slew of new posts that feature film and tv screencaps, though the topics will be slightly different.

Color Texture Pattern: An Exotic Livingroom

home office/guest room from architectural digest india

This room is a dream, impressive in it's balance of elements which manage to be both eclectic and rich, colorful and serene, rustic and sharp. Everything is grounded on a brown/wooden base found in the architecture and case goods.

Domino Magazine Returns!!!

all new content! read it and weep sweet tears of joy!

We've all heard the rumors and now it is a fact! Domino magazine, which once came out of nowhere to bring home design to the average workaday Jane, is now back in print! No more biannual rehashes, but a quarterly publication of fresh, new content. Let's all give ourselves a pat on the back for keeping the beacons lit. Many things die on the battlefield of American commerce and only occasionally do we, the people manage to demand it back from the grave. (I'm looking at you, Milani Cosmetics. Some of us depend on Gourmet Coffee #37 lipstick!) 

But, I digress...

Color Texture Pattern: Bright & Quirky Scarf

close up of my new favorite neckwarmer

It was supposed to be a quick stop at Target for some cheap (well-priced) body lotion. Y'know, the big pump bottle. Somehow I wound up in the accessory section - stay on the tiled floor, stay on the tiled floor - and suddenly this flaming beauty just popped up from the rack. A scarf that radiates spring in every fiber with it's searing colors, fine-gauged texture and quirky pattern.

Pattern: Olsenboye Scarves at JCP

olsenboye scarves at jcpenney

Popped over to the Manhattan JCPenney to see what all this Joe Fresh hubbub was about. In a nutshell, it is righteous. Fantastic colors and patterns. It was kinda delicious. On the way out I swept through the accessories department to look at scarves and saw some great color/pattern combos from Olsenboye.

They're a lovely flutterweight, the patterns borrow from a few cultures and in warm and cool/brights they are pretty damn fetching. Hello Spring!

Pink and Orange Bedding

slip into spring with a little exotica

It's official: I have a weakness for bedding that may require some rehab. After the recent IKEA acquisition, I took a good look at the new Bar III line at Macy's. Like the Style & co. line before it, Bar III has some real lookers in it's catalog. And of course that led to a store visit to handle the goods in person. 

Someday: A Lotus Sink

My Friday evening was full of serendipity. Prior to the fabric run and stumbling on the new domino magazine, I was strolling past Gracious Home in Chelsea and spied a gorgeous sink in the window. 

Domino: Small Spaces is Out!

on newsstands in new york city

Took a stroll after work tonight and hit The City Quilter looking for pink and metallic gold fabric (only found one option), and then hit a Universal News. Upon crossing the threshold, I spotted it and scooped one up. 

Guess what? You've seen most of this stuff before. 

Rooms on Film: Revisiting "Think Like a Man"

meagan good as mya in think like a man 2012

About a year ago, I did a brief "Rooms on Film" post on the trailer of Think Like a Man which hadn't yet opened. One of the reasons I'm revisiting this film is because of this post by Kimberly Ward at Pink Eggshell blog. The line that struck me most was, "Because we have to see images of ourselves living well to know that we can achieve it." That line immediately called to mind this movie whose struggle to be accepted as mainstream entertainment was much-discussed in the media. 

For that reason, this will be a multi-part post. I have some thoughts on this movie and it's portrayal of the modern Black experience which feel too big for a set design post. Plus, there are all these homes to cover.

So first, Mya's house:

In Print: Real Living Australia on Zinio!

Dreams do come true! Popular lady-homestyle mag from down under, Real Living Australia is finally available on Zinio.com. You may recall this post from a year ago in which I called on the magazines of the world to get themselves available to their overseas fans. And they finally delivered! I promptly bought the March issue and read it. 

It was worth the wait. 

Color Story: Vibrant Luxury

photo: john huba for town & country

Layers of sophistication. That's what this room has, floor to ceiling. African mudcloth, wool drapes, woven throws, silk pillows, velvet seating, handcarved and weathered wooden furnishings and glossy surfaces. Hardwood floors laid in a chevron pattern.

And then there's the color...

Single-Girl Style: Global Mod Living

move-in ready, just needs one tweak

Seeing this livingroom in Cottages & Bungalows magazine last year was a jolt. What a an inspiring room. It's very casual and comfy, heavy on paisleys and blockprints, the colors are fresh and feminine and the bones have simple lines for a simple, modern feeling. 

The only thing I would change is that stuffy rug. 

Rooms on Film: Carlito's Way

This is a brief one (and mildly NSFW), but I just love it. New York stories are one of my favorite film genres. Maybe that isn't a bona fide genre, but a good New York City film is a very special something. Those are movies that allow you to feel the city, to believe you're really there. On my short list: Desperately Seeking Susan, Girlfight and Beat Street. To name a few. 

And then there's Carlito's Way...

Chez Moi: Moroccan Patterns

It started with the latest issue of Adore Home magazine. As soon as I saw the image above, I was inspired to dig out my own Moroccan-patterned bedding. Both of these duvets came from the now defunct Brocade Home.

In Print: Bold Color

eye-popping graphics, adore home (feb 2012)

Much gratitude to the overseas online magazines out there. While we're shivering through deep winter (shrieking, when the wind is fierce), they are serving up gorgeous summer rooms and bright, uplifting color. I'm thinking of making "it's summer somewhere" my new catchphrase.

Color Texture Pattern: Jewel Tones

rich indian bedroom with boldly painted walls

I gravitate toward warmer colors in my home choices. Even my teals tend to have warmer undertones. But there's nothing like some jewel tones for luxurious intensity that doesn't burn your retinas.

Retail Odyssey: Springtime at West Elm

new organic bedding: bead print ikat

How they tempt me. Somehow, West Elm just keeps bringing the interesting and cozy homewares, season after season. It's no secret that their Moroccan and Indian offerings are my favorites. But I also find their Modern, Greek, Japanese, etc. compelling. Their latest goods zing with color, pattern and shape. How not to be impressed?

Single-Girl Style: Studio Living

photo: ngoc minh ngo

For the umpteenth time I was considering this delightful room that has been floating around Pinterest for months. How beautifully the colors blend with the patterns and textures. Yellows, reds and pinks grounded by whites and tans. Wools, silks, canvas and crackled ceramics. Paisleys, swirls, dots, geometric florals and African mixes against stripes. Wouldn't it be nice to see the entire room?

And then it hit me. We already have.

Fuschia + Aubergine: Cool, Bright Bedrooms

luxurious winter retreat

Turns out my obsession with the deep purple and fuschia Lanvin gown from 2012 has not abated. And here's how I'm feeling during the current deep freeze:

Rooms on Film: The Dark Knight Rises

Here's a room I've been dying to cover ever since The Dark Knight Rises opened back in July. It is seen very briefly, but it was fabulous all the same. If you don't do action/superhero flicks you probably missed this one. And no, it isn't "stately Wayne Manor."

Chez Moi: Zara Floor Runner has Landed!

It's here! The runner shipped very quickly (and dropped $10 in price the same day mine arrived, but okay). At first, the pattern seemed really huge and overwhelming, but now that it's down on the floor it feels like a really good choice.

Cozy Under Foot: Zara Home Runner

istanbul runner: my hallway can't wait

I finally did it! Ordered something from Zara Home. The Istanbul runner has been on my mind for quite some months and it's finally gonna be mine. My jubilation over the availability of Zara Home goods is too much to chronicle - and I do mean chronicle - in this post. After failing to set foot in either of Paris' two Zara Home stores during my solo vacation back in 2007, I have been eating my heart out browsing their website over and over again! 

But no more. At last, a little Zara for me.

Dazzleships: Happy 2013!!!

Happy New Year! Everyone I love is alive and relatively well. I hope the same is true for you! Let's see what 2013 holds for us all.