Chandeliers

I love chandeliers. I'm not talking about the ornate over top kind you would find in a hotel lobby (although those are pretty fabulous!) but light fixtures to hang in your entry or over your kitchen table. As a rule of thumb, most chandeliers should hang 30-34" above the dining table (or kitchen counter) and be about 1/3 the length of the table. In an entryway, it depends on your ceiling height, but generally no more than 1/3 the way down or center it with an over-the-door-window if you have one. But overall, you are the one living with it, so place it where you feel comfortable and think looks good.

Lighting is always important and adds warmth and vibrance to the room. But some of my favorites below and more works of art.

GLAM

Think Hollywood Glamour. Many women especially love this style, and who wouldn't want to walk into a home and feel regal and adored? Luckily this style has been picked up by many affordable home furnishings brands so you're sure to find something

in your budget (or at Homegoods!)

Bergdorf Boutique by Kelly Wearstler

Z Gallerie version for $249

Ballard Designs Moravian Star $139

Ikea Kulla Lamp $69

(this shade would look cool as a table lamp)

Unknown manufacturer

You could buy a black chandelier (crystal or plastic) and add your own sheer drum shade around it

INDUSTRIAL

I love the look of industrial design paired in a modern setting.

The fixtures below would look great over a wet-bar or counter, a loft, or near an old brick wall :) I featured all clear glass pendants, but I also love mercury or other metal coverings

Velocity Art and Design $130

Early 20th Century Industrial Cage Lights

Pottery Barn Calhoun Glass Pendant

Grey is the new Beige

An easy way to recognize a newer home vs an out-of-date home is the walls. No longer is beige the neutral color palette. For a while there, during the tuscan-style craze, taupe was the new beige. But now, as I have always been a fan of, grey is the new taupe. Next time you are out looking at model homes, or shopping decor stores, you'll notice a lot of grey...and I think it's here to stay (at least until another neutral color makes it way....although stark white is also making a comeback, but more on that later...) Grey can be warm or cool, understated or dramatic, more blue or pink or beige. I especially love it on the walls, on a sofa, in bedspreads and in bathrooms. I can't seem to get enough!

So here are some rooms to inspire your space and mind. Enjoy!

photo courtesy Tine K Home

Designed by Nathalie Vingot Mei

Billy Joel's Home

Julianne Moore's Home

This dreamy grey velvet fainting sofa is only $575 online at urban outfitters!

photo via flickr

As far as paint goes, it's best to paint a sample of it on a wall or board and look at it in the AM and PM. It generally shows up darker than expected. With that in mind, a lot of people have liked Benjamin Moore's Silver Fox or GrayStone1611 for a darker grey; or Behr's Gray Castle for a nice light grey.

P.S. I had to add this photo of Molly Sim's Soho apartment, designed by Kishani Perera. Fabulous. Check out the rest here.

Fall is here!

Personal photo taken just outside of Boston

Autumn is my favorite season. Perhaps it is because of my East Coast upbringing, but there isn't one thing I don't love about the fall. I love the smells, the cool weather, sweaters and scarves, the comfort food, and of course the changing leaves. Just as any other season, autumn can be transformed into your home as well. The colors of browns, burnt orange, burnt red and gold can bring a warm palette through throw pillows, blankets and accessories. Tabletops, (more posts on this to come) mantles and doorsteps are the perfect canvas for festive decorations. And of course a pumpkin spice candle burning in the background sets a cozy mood.

image courtesy flikr

Thomas Paul always has brilliant products to accessorize the home; such as this Artemis throw pillow in brown

paired with this pillow from Jayson Home & Garden

or the Blossom runner in Persimmon to liven up an entryway.

You can easily spray paint the pumpkins and change out the florals to the color

that works best for your space...vibrant red? chic white? gothic black?

I just loved the twist on color for this serving table:

images courtesy Martha Stewart

With a neutral palette such a grey, drapery and floor lamps can easily be interchangeable for future seasons. I love the punch of gold to the already swanky room:

A geometric pop-art inspired room takes orange at its liveliest:

images courtesy apartment therapy

For a more traditional approach and shades of pumpkin:

Or add some moroccan spice paint and caramel ottoman as a more subtle approach in a modern room:

images courtesy bhg.com

Our community is sponsoring an Oktoberfest Festival this Saturday, and I couldn't think of anything better to welcome this beautiful season! Happy Weekend!

Welcome!

Design is my passion. I wanted to start this blog as an online journal of my design inspirations as well as current projects. I welcome you to explore, comment and ask questions to all things related to home decor. So sit back and dream with me. I hope to inspire your interiors!