Touch of Gold

Warm metal finishes are showing up everywhere!  Think gold, un-lacquared brass, bronze, and copper.

Kitchen and bath fixture companies are now offering these finishes for their more transitional and contemporary styles.

I recently saw this New Ravenna mosaic tile in person at Architectural Ceramics in Baltimore.  It's gorgeous!  I also like how they mix the finishes here (the faucet is polished chrome).

Gold mirrors and lighting are classic...

Pretty table base...

Kelly Wearstler

Warm hardware is a sophisticated look with the grey cabinets...

Buttery drapery and gold cocktail table work beautifully with the grey walls.

Hab Chic Blog

Hab Chic Blog

Celerie Kemble

Things That Inspire Blog

Sara Richardson

Enjoy the rest of your week!  Contact me if you would like help turning your home into one that you love!

Where Antlers Never Go Out of Style

Rainbow Lake in the Adirondacks was beautiful.   Below is a picture of our lakefront area.  We spent most of our time on and around this pier fishing, jumping, swimming, launching kayaks and eating meals.  The lake was great for rafting and wakeboarding.  Much smoother then the Magothy River!  

We spent a day in Lake Placid which included checking out the the Olympic Center.  The ride simulating the luge and ski high jump was very cool.  Also the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery served us great food and their award winning UBU beer.  I do have to admit that once I walked outside and noticed all the Ironman triathletes walking around (due to an event scheduled later in the week) that I regretted the hamburger I had just devoured.

We all agreed that one of our all time favorite things to do was swinging on the rope swing!  It's provided hours of entertainment for the kids and adults.

Thank you Dad for hosting such a wonderful and memorable vacation!

I quickly learned that homes in the Adirondacks are called "camps".  I did take pictures of some pretty "camps" on the lake but I have to say the boathouses stole the show!  I was impressed with how much effort was put into their design.  

Our "camp" was filled with antlers.  In the Adirondacks and other mountainous areas antlers have been used for decoration for a very long time and will probably never go out of style.  Outside of these areas, antlers have been the rage for several years now.  After a quick google search I discovered that in 2008 The New York Times predicted that antlers were on their way out.  Well, they still seem to be going strong and are being used in all kinds of interiors whether rustic, modern or traditional.  I believe they've remained popular longer then expected due to their sculptural look and people's desire to connect to the past and/or natural world.

Check out how antlers were used in these interiors.

via Canadian House and Home

via Canadian House and Home

via Canadian House and Home

via House Beautiful

via Southern Living

via House Beautiful

via Canadian House and Home

via Colorado Homes

via House Beautiful

via House Beautiful

via Veranda

They aren't for everyone but they can definitely add some fun to a space.  Would you put antlers in your home?  If so, here are a couple that I found for you.

Restoration Hardware

West Elm

Have a great weekend!

Paris...What Strikes?

Reid and I just got back from a 6 day trip in Paris.   We must have walked between 6 - 8 miles a day in search of museums, churches, cafes, and boutiques.    It was exhausting but well worth it.  Paris is a beautiful, romantic city that in my opinion has some of the best architecture, art and food in the world!  And no, the strikes did not impact our trip.  Well, that's not entirely true...but a little more about that later.   Below you'll find my favorite pictures from our trip.

Also, I recently completed a design plan for a client's guest bedroom in which the inspiration or jumping off point for the room was a pretty painting of a french flower shop that was given to my client by her son.  During my search for furniture, bedding, fabrics and accessories for this room I was surprised at how many items I came across that were considered "french".  Maybe a trend but one that in my opinion that is worth investing in because these items are inspired by french antiques that will stand the test of time.  Below you'll also find my  favorite "french" items from national catalogs.  Enjoy!

This picture shows a contemporary structure in front of the Louvre called "I Like America".  The artist, Mounir Fatmi, is in the running for France's most prestigious contemporary art prize, the Prix Marcel Duchamp.

On our last full day we had planned to see Versailles but our plans quickly changed when we learned the workers went on strike.  So instead we went to Giverny to see Claude Monet's famous gardens.   It turned out to be a good choice.  The gardens were beautiful, even in the fall.

Monet's house

A neighbor

And of course...the Eiffel Tower

OK...I had to include a picture of my favorite pair of boots that I really wanted to buy.  But Reid, the sensible one in our relationship, quickly convinced me I was completely out of my mind after he saw the price.  Vanessa Bruno, a talented french fashion designer,  just opened her first store in the U.S...in LA of course.

Enough about our trip...here are my favorite "french" finds that you can order right here in the US.