Marketplace :: Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler for JC Penny

Where have I been? I had no idea Jonathan Adler recently launched an entire home collection with JCPenny! "Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler fuses colorful patterns, great design and quality at affordable prices in a glamorous new collection that mixes classic design and current trends." If you're a fan of Mr. Adler's work but can't quite afford it for your home, this line is an excellent alternative! His signature pillows range from $32 - $50, perfect for someone like me who's obsessed with pillows and likes to change them out frequently. Check out some fabulous items that caught my eye below. What's got you feeling "happy chic" from this collection? Go here to see everything!

 [IMAGE SOURCE VIA JONATHAN ADLER]

[IMAGE VIA APARTMENT THERAPY]

Get the look! Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler for JCPenny

Click here to view the entire collection with details on the items above.

xoxo,

I Heart Kelly Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler has been a favorite designer of mine for many for years. It's been exciting to watch her  evolve as a designer and see her expand her brand into other creative areas besides interior design. Kelly has managed to successfully launch a clothing & accessories line, jewelry line and home accessories collection, among many other notable collaborations and several published books. What I love and admire about this incredibly talented woman is how EVERYTHING she does - whether it's the way she dresses, designs a space, creates a necklace or piece of clothing - it ALL flows together cohesively and screams "Kelly Wearstler"! She has definitely defined her brand brilliantly, wouldn't you agree? I've grouped together some of the inspiration snapshots she's shared on her blog (which I'm obsessed with!), along with the exciting new collections she's designed. It's evident that natural stones, precious gems and textured materials are a huge influence on everything she designs. You can really see a common thread through everything she does!

[IMAGE CREDITS: KELLY WEARSTLER; MY VIBE MY LIFE]

New Book Release: Live, Love & Decorate

Many of you may be familiar with Martyn Lawrence Bullard from the recent hit show on Bravo, Million Dollar Decorators. Martyn proved to be quite a character, often using words like "Daaaahling" (darling) and "Delicious." It was interesting to be able to take a peek into the life of an incredibly talented interior designer who has designed for top celebrities like Elton John, Cher, The Osbournes, Kid Rock, among many others. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of his first book, Live, Love & Decorate, which chronicles some of his most incredible projects to date and is filled with incredibly beautiful and inspiring images of his creations! "Drawn to glamour, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, today’s Tony Duquette if you will, moved from London to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but became a star decorator instead, financing his way with a keen eye for flea market finds, which evolved into his hugely successful design business." If you're a design book junkie like myself, then you MUST get this book to add to your collection! To put it simply, it's Delicious Dahling :) Have a great weekend! xoxo - Julie

[IMAGE CREDITS: RIZZOLI; PHOTOGRAPHED BY TIM STREET-PORTER; IMAGE #2 VIA ANP; IMAGE #3 VIA JULIE THIGPEN]

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Live, Love, & Decorate, 
Rizzoli New York, 2011

Hardcover / 224 pages / 8½̎ x 11¾̎ / 200 color illustrations

Introducing: Creative Power Course - Rocking Your Business

 Listen up Southern California interior designers and design students...Sabina Vavra, Founder & Creative Director of Madison West Interiors, has launched an exciting new series of classes called Creative Power Course."Creative Power Course is a series of individual boot camp courses to help you, the emerging design professional rock your business. Whether youʼre a student, launching your career, or veteran entrepreneur itʼs all about playing into your strengths, knowing your weaknesses and taking it to the next level."

Sabina is a friend and esteemed colleague whom I've know for years. She's an entrepreneur who  successfully runs her own design firm, has appeared on TV, launched Flea Bag Bed (designers pet beds that are fabulous!), among many other exciting endeavors, and her latest venture, Creative Power Course, is one that I just had to share with you! "From topics like revenue streams to identifying your goals and passion, weʼre bridging the gap between school and the real world. Creative Power Courses aim to elevate your design business, no matter what stage of the game youʼre in with practical advice derived from real experience," says Sabina. Sabina will be appearing on Belle Maison next week as a guest blogger, so stay tuned!

The first Creative Power Course takes place in November! Here are the details....

 BLAZING YOUR PATH
November 3, 2011 10am - 4pm, Laguna Design Center, Laguna Niguel, CA
 
"Our debut Creative Power Course, Blazing Your Path, focuses specifically on you, your design empire, and your vision for the future. We’re talking about finding your tribe, the value of your cocktail line, marching through the door and getting it right. Get ready to blaze your own path in this creative and fruitful wold of design!" 
Hurry and sign up by this Friday, October 7th to take advantage of the "early bird special" for only $197 and bring along a friend for only $47! After Friday, the price will go up. Click here for details on how to register.

If you live in the Bay Area, Creative Power Course will be making its way up to the San Francisco Design Center to offer the same exciting classes! Subscribe to their emailing list for details!

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Designer Spotlight: Liz Caan

Jennifer over at Made by Girl posted a tour of Liz Caan's design studio today, which I absolutely fell IN LOVE with! I dream of the day I can have a quaint little studio like hers, complete with the black and white striped awning over the front door to greet clients! Of course, after seeing how magnificent her studio is, I had to see the rest of her work, which is equally as beautiful. She's really mastered the use of color, pattern and scale in her designs. Take a look at some of her portfolio and go here to see the rest. What do you think about Liz Caan's work?!

  [IMAGE CREDITS: LIZ CAAN INTERIORS]

Inspiration Snapshot: Timeless Living Room by David Hicks

This photo was taken in 1978 of David Hick's interior design store in London, where he designed everything from the furniture to the ceramics! I stumbled across this photo while researching for a post I've been working on for Tobi Fairley's blog (where you can find me guest blogging on 7/17). I was looking into design icons who have played a major role on the influence and direction of interior design, and David Hicks was one name that kept popping up everywhere. It's amazing how the room in this photo looks as if it could fit right in to present day design, even though it was designed over thirty years ago! Sure, there are a few things that look a little outdated, but the overall style and color palette are pretty timeless. David Hicks was definitely ahead of his time! Who are some of your favorite iconic interior designers?

IMAGE COURTESEY OF BLOG I USED TO BE SNOW WHITE BUT I DRIFTED

New York (Part I): Lowe's Color Event with Nate Berkus!

A few weeks back I received a very special invitation to attend a small, exclusive color event in New York, sponsored by Lowe's and hosted by special guest, Nate Berkus. As you can imagine, I about died with excitement and RSVP'd yes immediately! The event was held this past Monday on the top floor of a building in Tribeca, in an open loft with bright white walls, white flooring...white everything. It was the perfect backdrop for all of the colorful swatches and cans of Valspar Paint placed throughout. The decor, food and live deejay were fabulous. The setting was intimate and there were only about 15 attendees, which were mostly design bloggers. Read on for details about what went down...

Nate spoke to us about his passion for color and how much he enjoys using it in his design projects. But like many of us, he used to refrain from using color in his earlier years as a designer because he was afraid of it. Three things that inspired him to introduce color into his projects, which he still looks to today, are nature, fashion and travel. The image directly above shows how Nate has created some of his favorite palettes by looking to objects such as a vintage suitcase, colorful scarf from India, etc. Where so you find your color inspiration?

Paint cans, brushes and supplies were neatly displayed and we were encouraged to pick up a brush and try out different colors on blank canvases.

Valspar's fabulous Hi-DEF Advanced Color System paint can cover up even the darkest of colors (even black, as seen in the top right photo), without using primer and in most cases, just one coat of paint. If I can eliminate priming a wall + two coats of paint, sign me up! Click here to see an example of how it works.

A stylish little meeting area.

Nate Berkus was everything I expected him to be: down-to-earth, friendly and approachable...oh, and super good-looking! I asked him how he eases clients who are"afraid of color" into trusting him to incorporate it into their homes. He said a great place to start is by adding pops of color with accent pillows, or maybe a chair upholstered in a colorful fabric...small doses still offer interest and energy to a space without overwhelming the client with color. If you read my blog, you know how much I love color and how I'm always trying to encourage people to just "go for it"!

Sweet and tasty treats for us to nosh on. My favorite were the mini cupcake bites - so adorable!

One area of the studio had a collection of all white furniture and accent pieces, which we later had the opportunity to paint in a competition.

Nate jumped in on the action and got to work on a little side table. Top right is Crystal Gentilello from Rue Magazine, painting a small chair with her team. It was fun to watch everyone hurry to complete their painted pieces in just 30 mins.

After a wonderful and inspiring afternoon of events, several of us met for cocktails at Plunge Bar, which is on the top floor of the Gansevoort Hotel. Great drinks and the most incredible views of the city! From left, Lea McIntosh of Nesting Newbies, Me, and two of the fabulous women from Lowe's marketing and PR who helped coordinate this fantastic event. I had such an incredible time and am grateful to have been a part of such a special experience. A big thanks to Lowe's and Valspar paint for making this happen!  I'll be posting Part II of my trip tomorrow, which will cover the great food, shopping and sightseeing my husband and I squeezed in in our 2 1/2-day trip!