. . . the colour grey has appeared here many times, and whether amidst monograms & ruffles and chignons & chandeliers, intermingled with sequins & sunlight, or perfectly paired with petal pink, it is classic and warm, and always elegant, and there is something quite enchanting about its dusky hues, as with clouds on a bright february afternoon . . .
CONTINUE ---------------------------------->
{two lovely things | colour inspiration : shades of grey}
{two lovely things: trompe-l'œil & morning coffee}
. . . there are few things lovelier than tufted velvet and that first morning cup of coffee, especially if the tufted velvet is a grand headboard, but what if it were not a headboard at all, but actually wallpaper? [one of the best trompe-l'œil, ever, should think, and the next best thing . . . ]
[recent two lovely things]
* ponytails & polka dots
* a place for everything
* shades of autumn
* lace & leopard print
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* perfectly mismatched
{images: wallpaper via rockett st. george via pinterest, image via madellia; e n e r g y by neamoscou via a previous post}
{monday, monday & autumn whites}
. . . and the summery things were not packed away, as planned, this past weekend, afternoons spent, rather, in the november sun, and evenings on dinner dates at old favourite places . . . but happily, there is still time, for whites, crisp & warm, have been drifting past summertime to autumn [here & here], and straight into winter . . .
{p.s.} at home, pair with warm tones & leopard print
{also} : winter shorts
{images: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight}
{two lovely things: lace & leopard print}
. . . while there is undoubtedly a noticeable crispness in the late-september air, the sun still shines brightly and the afternoons are still warm; at home, while quite adore cosy nights in front of the fire, not nearly ready to stow away white bed linens, and so, perhaps best to take things slowly, mixing late-summer and early-autumn in patterns and textures like lace and leopard print . . .
recent two lovely things
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* on display
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched
{images: d. porthault; the lonny blog}
{wicker & white and summer delights}
. . . and while we're on the topic of grasping every last beautiful moment of summer for as long as we can:worn wicker baskets and folds of languid lacy things, heart-shaped waffles and breezy morning dresses, peonies and starfish, and always, seaside dreams . . .
{favourite five: photographer debi treloar}
“... for me it's all about the subject and the light”
The word “photography” comes from two individual words: “photo” meaning "light" and “graph” meaning "to write", literally translating to the wonderful definition, "to write with light", and there is no better way to describe photographer Debi Treloar than as a “light writer”.
Treloar's photographs are images that appear to be written with the most beautiful light, capturing not only its illuminating element, but also the soft, lightweight quality it can bestow when in the right hands.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Debi began her studies in art, developing a particular love and passion for photography. Living and working in London for the past 15 years, she has produced the photography for over 30 books on interiors and food that have been published around the world in many different languages. She has worked on a variety of well-known publications, including Elle Décor UK, Italy, Germany, France and Japan, and IDFX Magazine.
Best known for her photography of food, gardens, interiors and lifestyles captured in a modern, and simple style, Debi has notably participated in the creation of a series of French cookery books by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde {one & two} and also shot the food photography for a series in the Sunday Times with Tom Conran.
This week, eager to take advantage of the many photo opportunities the summer sunlight gives, we ask Debi her:
{5 favourite tips for capturing a beautiful image:}
1. Go to the tropics! Everything always seems to look good there! It's not always an option, but try to have something beautiful in front of you or put it or them into the best setting you can find.
2. Make sure the light hitting whatever you are photographing looks beautiful -- if it doesn’t, walk around it to see where it looks better from, or move it to a place with better light.
3. The angle you take the picture makes a huge difference -- for example, if you take a picture of a person from low it makes his or her chin and neck look bigger, but if you take the photograph from high, it will make his or her face look thinner.
4. Try to expose the picture right; for example, if you use an iPhone and take a snap of someone, and they look too dark, by touching the screen where his or her face is, it will lighten it. If it is still too dark, choose the darkest part of the screen and the exposure will lighten -- I wish my work cameras were like that!
5. Try new technology! Try some apps -- they really help to enhance pictures -- I personally like “camerabag”.
p r e v i o u s f a v o u r i t e f i v e s :
* painter: janet hill
* jewelry designer: suzie gallehugh
* artist: michelle armas
* jewelry designers: megan & moira flynn
* actress & writer: shiva rose
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist, part 1: denise porcaro
* floral stylist, part 2: denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* interior designer & architect: nina freudenberger
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama
* food editor & author: donna hay
~ laily
{all photography by debi treloar from the book romantic style by selina lake & sara norrman}
{diy: dip-dyed perfection}
. . . had a moment to flip through the new summer issue of sweet paul over coffee this morning, and while it was filled with lovely things, fell absolutely in love with the feature on natural color, with a romantic cardigan bathed in pomegranate juice, a pretty little tote dipped in red cabbage and turmeric, and the most beautiful pillow shams the colour of blackberries . . .
{images: sweet paul magazine, summer 2011, photography by ellen silverman, styling by paul lowe}
{hello & early morning musings}
. . . while it may be infinitely easier to slow things down {just a little} on weekends, during a busy work week, there is the wonderful opportunity to find a perfect balance, and while there is always time for cups of coffee and spring bouquets, after reading this earlier in the week, have come to the realization that, now more than ever, there might be more time set aside for breakfast and the morning paper, for afternoon tea away from the office and more late lunches on terraces, and time spent in the sun, especially with summer soon on its way . . .
{images: getty images; *peanut (lauren) on flickr}
{favourite five: interior designer tricia foley}
When it comes to home décor, luxury can be found in simplicity. In the field of interior design, Tricia Foley is the authority when it comes to clean lines and natural elements, adding a classic touch to every project she encounters. Whether she is restoring a quiet country home with timeless rustic details or decorating a grand Upper East side city dwelling, Tricia uses neutral color schemes and soft color palettes to create soothing backdrops to help her clients lead meaningful, composed lives that are, at the same time, filled with sophisticated elegance.
above, a sample of tricia's work for ralph lauren home
With a clientele that includes Ralph Lauren Home and Bloomingdales, her highly-regarded work has graced the pages of Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Country Home, Southern Accents, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living and The New York Times.
In a sometimes bewildering world of too many interior design inspirations and decisions, we are utterly delighted to have Tricia, the author of ten design & lifestyle books, share with us the:
{top five things everyone should know about interior design}
1. Respond to your surroundings.
If you respond to your environment and the given architecture, the design will fall into place naturally. Treat your design plans as the backdrop for your life – it should be a natural fit , not a stage set.
2. Keep it simple.
Don’t try to look for the newest trends, but look to what is tried and true for you. I always focus on function and light and making the most of the space, creating adequate storage, and streamlining things so that homekeeping is a joy not a burden, and my home is a haven not a stressful place.
3. Make it personal.
Tearsheets are an invaluable source of ideas and its important to keep a scrapbook/workbook with the all details and colors and fabrics you love to create your own look . Whether you are working with a professional designer, contractor, or kitchen designer or whether you are doing this yourself, it helps to visualize your end goal.
4. Aim for comfort.
Make sure that the lighting is right for the way you use rooms, that you have good reading light, task lighting for computer and cooking, dining chairs that fit under tables, comfortable seating for lounging and relaxing, low maintenance coffee tables if you like to put your feet up on them … try out beds, and sofas and make sure that they feel just right for you.
5. Invest in the classics.
Whether its from a flea market, Ikea or Sotheby’s, the furnishings that I find I use over and over again, are the big white painted cupboards that organize everything but keep all the little things out of sight; the farm tables that are pressed into service as kitchen tables, desks or sofa consoles; big glass cylinders that are in still-lifes on the mantel, have candles in them for dinner parties, or are filled with big flowering branches … Wall colors change, pillows change, art work and collections evolve, but these have become the signature pieces in my home.
{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* jeweler: camille eddera
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
~ laily
{all images from tricia foley's website; image 5 from country home via housemartin via apartment therapy}