Yipee! It's Friday!

I want to wish you all a very happy weekend...I'd like to spend mine skipping through a field of green grass in the warm sunshine :) How would you like to spend yours? Au revoir!

PHOTO CREDIT: FFFFOUND!

What's New: Bright, Bold Colors for Spring

SIMRIN RAJA ROUND PLACEMATS; UNISON STATIC PILLOW IN MAGENTA; LAYLA GRACE BAMBOO CHAIR IN TEAL

WILLIAMS-SONOMA HOME BUTTERFLY ART

COST PLUS WORLD MARKET GLASS LANTERNS

IKEA LUSY BLOM RUG

JONATHAN ADLER DOUBLE CONCENTRIC PILLOW IN BLUE

POTTERY BARN - BASKET WEAVE TEXTURED THROW & CREWEL DOT PILLOW

CRATE & BARREL CARLEY TEXTURED PLATES

WEST ELM SCOOP BACK CHAIR

Domino Closing it's Doors

If you haven't already heard, Conde Nast is ceasing publication of Domino magazine and it's website. The final issue will be published in March 2009.“This decision to cease publication of the magazine and its website is driven entirely by the economy,” Mr. Townsend said. “Although readership and advertising response was encouraging in the early years, we have concluded that this economic market will not support our business expectations.” I am beyond depressed by this news! Domino is hands-down my favorite design magazine and I go to their website constantly for inspiration. I never thought I'd be so upset over a magazine going out of business, but I am really bummed. So get in your last few fixes of Domino and enjoy it while it lasts, because it will be gone by Spring :( What other magazines and/or websites do you look to for design inspiration?

Spring (Fashion) Fever

I know that Spring is months away and it will be a while before any of us can sport a strapless sundress, shorts, cute skirt, sandals, etc...but I couldn't resist doing a little pre-spring "window" shopping to get out of the winter blues mood I've been in!

1 & 2) Banana Republic

3) Rosette Strapless Mini Dress - BCBG

4) Express Spring Collection (left)

5) Anthropologie Spring Collection (right)

6) J.Crew Lattice-print slub-linen Camilla dress

7 & 8) Citizens of Humanity Spring Collection

9) Express Spring Collection

Quote of the Week

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."

- Pablo Picasso

BEACHSIDE STROLL VIA ART.COM

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

LUCY ORCHARD

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

AGAVE VIA ART.COM

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

Happy Friday

I'm so glad it's Friday! It's been one of "those weeks" for me and I'm glad to see it come to an end. I decided late last night to take a spur of the moment trip to visit my girlfriend Michelle in Santa Barbara. I'm skipping work today and am looking forward to cruising up the 101 along the coast to clear my head and get away! I wish you all a happy weekend and will see you back here next week with some fresh new posts. Au revoir!

ALL OF THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS ARE FROM PHILLIP JEFFRIES INSTALLATION GALLERY ON THEIR WEBSITE. WHICH ROOM WOULD YOU LOVE TO HAVE AS YOUR OWN? I PICK #4...THAT CHANDELIER IS TO DIE FOR!

Searching for Inspiration

Today I feel stuck - I've been trying to work on two different residential projects but am having inspiration overload...so many ideas spinning around in my head, yet I can't focus on anything. Nothing is making sense and all I'm feeling is overwhelmed! Isn't it funny when some days the creativity flows like a river and on others, it's a like a dried up creek? What do you do when you're feeling this way? How do you get past the "writer's block" or "creative barrier?" I can't even think of an interesting topic to post about! So while I'm sitting here at my desk, waiting for the light to go on, I've been getting lost on the website FFFFOUND! (no pun intended), where you can view incredible photo galleries of all sorts of subjects (kinda like flickr). These photos were so magical and beautiful - I want to be the girl in the first photo (or the one taking a nap in the bathtub, fully clothed). Hopefully tomorrow will be a better, more productive day.

Bedroom Ideas: Nightstands

I'm always looking for different ways to change up the "usual" way most of us decorate a room...for instance - nightstands in the bedroom. The typical bedroom usually has two matching nightstands, with two table lamps, flanking a bed. I searched high and low for inspiration photos on how to mix it up - here's what I found...

This one is a bit difficult to see, but the nightstand is actually mounted to the wall with a swing arm lamp.

I love the large vases filled with coral and sand, as well as the crystal chandeliers that add a touch of glam.

A red chair stacked with books and a small reading lamp.

A simple long white shelf mounted over the bed is a great way to create a nightstand without having to actually use a piece of furniture - great for tight spaces.

Thick built-in floating shelves - very zen modern.

How about designing an entire floor-to-ceiling built-in around your bed?! Great way to maximize your space!

This industrial looking cabinet looks great with the mechanical-like lamp. The upholstered headboard and bedding soften the metal accents - I love this combination!

What other creative ways are there to design "outside the box" with bedroom nightstands?

PHOTO CREDITS (FROM TOP): 1) ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, 2)KELLY HOPPEN, 3) DOMINO, 4&5) POINTCLICKHOME, 6) DOMINO, 7) NICKEY KEHOE.

Quote of the Week

I recently purchased the new book by interior designer Celerie Kemble, To Your Taste, and absolutely love it. Not only are the photographs of her incredible work inspiring, it's also beautifully written with tons of practical advice and tips on design. Instead of a quote for today, I wanted to share an excerpt from the book:

"People are often afraid that their taste is wrong; they are fearful that the cost of making changes will be prohibitive; they are anxious about making expensive mistakes; and, more broadly, we are all busy - it often seems easier to put off the time-consuming task of reordering your home than to tackle it, even though you long to be surrounded by an environment that soothes and delights you...It can all see daunting to someone who does not know the terrain. Armed with information, the right attitude and the understanding of beauty and comfort, these challenges, and others you confront, can be gracefully overcome."

PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) JONATHAN ADLER & LIVING ETC.

A New Look for the White House

Interior Designer, Michael S. Smith, has been selected to design the new Obama White House. Smith is known for his work with high-profile celebs and is based out of Santa Monica, California. "In a statement released by Michelle Obama, Smith was lauded for his "family-friendly style," and is rumored to be shopping already at kid-focused "everyday retail stores," according to the Washington Post." I think Smith's designs have a casual elegance about them. His rooms are beautiful, refined and look as though you could just move right in and feel at home. I can't wait to see what he does for the Obama household - I think they made a wise choice in hiring him to transform their new home into one that looks and feels like it's "their own". Below are a few photos of his award winning work. You can also view the top 10 favorite rooms designed by Michael Smith over at Domino.

Enjoy your weekend! It's supposed to be in the 80's here in Southern California which is good and bad...I'm not ready for this heat yet but it does lift my spirits and gives me a tiny bit of "spring fever." Stay cool, warm, safe, etc., wherever you live and make sure to do something fun or relaxing!