New Orleans Dream House

Continuing my obsession with all things New Orleans, (it never really subsides but has been kicked into high gear after my trip this weekend) I had to share a dreamy little shotgun that is so adorable.

Built inside a South Carolina factory and shipped to its home in one of New Orleans’ historical neighborhoods, this shotgun cottage is the most popular building style in the Big Easy. Most shotgun houses are one room wide, and three to five rooms deep.Rarely do shotgun cottages have formal entries. This monochromatic parlor acts as a space for welcoming and entertaining guests.Floor-to-ceiling bookcases add a sense of history and accentuate the room’s 10-foot ceilings.A wall-mounted faucet pours onto a modern flat-surface sink, where the water spills into a surrounding channel.Tongue-and-groove paneling reinforces the casual nature of this open living space. Gas lanterns are a Big Easy icon.Square-back dining chairs combined with an antique bench around the dining table feel less formal than a complete set of matching chairs.An apron-front sink, bin pull hardware, and a beaded-board island are all iconic cottage elements.This unique pantry portal was a vintage door from an old New Orleans bank safe and is installed on a sliding track.Built-in cabinetry and convenient open shelving store bills and household paperwork.Designers Ann and Jane Dupuy used marine rope and grommets to attach a tailored canopy to the four-poster iron bed.A basic walk-in closet is transformed into a boudoir with patterned wallpaper on the walls and ceiling, a crystal chandelier, and an upholstered ottoman.Trimmed-out open shelves provide handy built-in storage in the laundry room.An ironing board cabinet is hidden behind a door, conveniently located when needed, and out of site when not in use.The multipurpose guest room and study is filled with rich accents such as a leather armchair, a pair of lacquered nesting tables, and ribbon trim on the pillows.A simple chest was transformed with a few coats of shiny black paint and a decoupage treatment.The lyrics to Johnny Cash’s “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart” gives this bathroom a sense of humor.Head-to-toe pink walls, ceiling, and trim create a sweet space in this little girl’s bedroom.A little bit of formal architecture is introduced into this children’s room with a hand-painted medallion glued directly to the ceiling.The back wall of doors extends the living area to the porch. The substantial trim work above the doors adds height for a seamless transition to the tall ceilings inside.Enclosing the courtyard in a backdrop of deep shades of green sets a peaceful atmosphere. The furnishings pop against the soothing palette.

via My Home Ideas

I Love Gallery Walls

Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. I don’t believe that applies to art on the walls. When done right, a gallery wall can be spectacular. It can be done in any room, with or without a theme. It can cover a blank wall or a busy one, a small room or a large one…just make sure you’re happy when you walk in and don’t be afraid to take a few decorating chances.

via The Decorista

Vanity

pale-blue-vanity

I am lucky enough to have a vanity. It’s a very special piece of furniture that was given to me by a dear friend of the family. It’s the essential piece for a lady that loves to get ready. That may not be every day but it does happen. I stumbled upon some gorgeous vanities on {this is glamorous}. I prefer the mirrored versions, you?

mirrored-vanitycountry-living-decorology

via {this is glamorous}, The Decorista

My sweet little vanity :)

Home (Dreams & Musings)

Jan/Feb 2010

I’m house-hunting again. Robert and I are trying to find a place for June 1 and I’m getting antsy. I’m hoping for a big backyard, a front porch, a cozy kitchen and lots of closet space. We’ll see what we end up with. Here are some (dream) spaces I’m loving…I’m trying to keep in mind I’ll be living with a boy. It should be interesting. All images via decor supersite Lonny. What are some of your favorite sites for decor inspiration?

Kitchen

Mar/Apr 2011Dec 2010

Jun/Jul 2010

Bath

Bedroom

Living

Dining

Office

Emily of Cupcakes & Cashmere – House Tour

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If you haven’t heard of Cupcakes and Cashmere, you’re behind. Emily Schuman has developed a lovely blog with a religious following where she showcases outfits, recipes and shopping lists. She and her fiance moved into a new house and Apartment Therapy photographed it for our enjoyment. I like her style and decor choices, although they may not be exactly my taste, she has great ideas. See the full post (including where she purchased most everything) here.

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On Display



Many of us who love fashion often have a hard time finding storage for (much less getting rid of) our treasures. If you’re short on space and proud of your beautiful things, why not display them? When your beloved items are visible they will be enjoyed by friends that visit and you’ll be reminded to wear them more often.

the-coveted3the-coveted4

I love the look of shoes in bookcases or shelves. I’m so proud of my shoes and if I hide them away, I will occasionally forget an old favorite. I also die for the hat display.

Jewelry is another prized possession that can be neglected when one accrues more than a few favorite pieces. Who needs artwork when you have baubles strung about?

jewelry-storage

Storing clothes and bags in an open space can be a bit tricky. I think it’s important to play up the organized chaos rather than organized or chaotic. Also, play up the femininity with the color palette and furniture. Case in point: chandeliers and pastels.

papered-closet

Site Meter

As much as we shouldn’t, we often judge beauty products by their appearance. Because don’t you feel more beautiful when surrounded by beautiful things? Especially Chanel…

All of this glorious inspiration is from my favorite blog: {this is glamorous}

Have a lovely weekend!

-P

Coveting the Director of Special Events at Vogue

Lately, I find myself checking The Coveteur almost everyday. As editors and various people at fashion magazines and houses as well as gals-about-town have become style icons in their own right, this site comes at exactly the right time. People are curious about the fashion elite. What are their favorite pieces? What does their closet look like? How do they store their shoes? I was especially drawn to Sylvana Ward Durrett below.

“Sylvana Ward Durrett has been a veteran at Vogue for nearly 8 years,
starting her career at the most iconic magazine of all time as the
Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour. Her determination and
spunkiness helped her climb the ranks at American Vogue, moving into
the fashion department as the Accessories Editor and eventually
landing feet first in the role of Director of Special Events, a title
she currently maintains. She’s one girl with a full plate: her
responsibilities include producing over 30 events a year, including
the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Dinner and the annual Costume
Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her style is the
epitome of effortless chic – mastering the art of putting together
envy-defying outfits on a daily basis.” via The Coveteur

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>All, Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>The dress is Roberto Cavalli from a few seasons back and I am absolutely in love with it. Every time I bring it out for an event I get butterflies! I love the flapper feel but I always add a touch of edge to modernize it a bit. For example with the Lanvin chain anklet heel pictured here. The chain and leather strap detail are just the right touch. The Chloe rose gold evening bag speaks for itself. It is an evening staple and goes with just about any look!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Roberto Cavalli; Shoe, Lanvin; Bag, Chloe</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I love this photo because it includes two of my favorite things in my apartment and closet: my Stubbs and Wooton skull and bones velvet slippers and my husband’s record player (he has never been so proud of anything in his life). The slippers are my Friday, wear-to-work staples. So comfy and great with a pair of boyfriend jeans. The necklace is vintage, a great statement piece to pair with a day or night look.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Slippers, Stubbs and Wooton; Necklace, Vintage</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This was one of my favorite seasons from Balenciaga. Such a vibrant print and it never goes out of style. I wear it with opaque tights in winter and with a bare leg and stiletto in summer. The clutch is a perfect statement piece for summer and fits everything!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>All, Balenciaga</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I don’t remember the season but it is a closet staple. I love that it has a preppy look with a modern twist.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Balenciaga</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Miu Miu; Shoes, Toms</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Clutches are a necessity for me. I have so many different types and colors and I continue to collect! The brights pictured here make me happy every time I carry them!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutches, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Manolo Blahnik</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This Chanel clutch literally goes with me to nearly every event. The iridescent midnight blue mixes with most evening looks, casual or formal. Shoes are Miu Miu. I can never get enough of studs!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Chanel; Shoes; Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clockwise from left to right: Clutch, Devi Kroell; Clutch, Kotur; Shoes, Christian Louboutin; Boot, Balmain; Bag, Balenciaga; Clutch, Celestina; Boot, Christian Louboutin,; Dress, Proenza Schouler; Dress, Jason Wu.</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I’m a maniac for a mini. Enough said.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Skirts, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I love these sequin “starry” tops ( Proenza Schouler and Derek Lam from right to left) paired with the photo taken by one of my closest friend, Victoria Will. She is a genius photographer, and this photo was my wedding gift!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>L to R. Tops, Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Bag, Chloe; Necklace, Fenton/Fallon </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Top, 3.1 Phillip Lim</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Vuitton bow pump with sequin heel. There are no words, they are just.... incredible. I knew I could not live without them…but then again I feel that way about every pair of shoes.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Louis Vuitton</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I’m a huge fan of Jason Wu. He is an old friend, I love him and I love the way his clothes fit. He actually custom made my dress for the Costume Institute last year (my first Met Ball as Director of Special Events!). I felt like the belle of the ball!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Jason Wu; Shoes, Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>When you work at Vogue you are acutely aware of the fact that color always looks better! Whether it’s on the page or on your body. So, needless to say, I have a rainbow of colors in my closet from shoes to dress to clutches and tights!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Victoria Beckham; Shoes, Manolo Blahnik</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This is a Celine top actually and it goes with a matching white lace calf length skirt. It so clean and simple and can be worn as a separate over my leather pants or tucked into a wide leg trouser. Ms. Philo truly has the Midas touch. Celine is so chic right now!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Top, Celine </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I got this dress for my trip to China in November. Going to bring it out for London Fashion Week too!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Dolce and Gabbana</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Another Jason Wu! I wore this to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Dinner in November and got tons of compliments.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Jason Wu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Marc Jacobs; Shoes, Christian Dior</span>

Images via The Coveteur. Photos by Jake Rosenberg.