GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

One of my favourite things about Spring is running out the door in a light trench -- whether paired with a favourite pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, it is one item that always makes me feel hopelessly stylish and effortlessly put together . . .

{top: françoise hardy; above: kate moss}

In 1879, a young former draper's assistant, Thomas Burberry, invented gabardine, a comfortable yet durable tightly-woven, water-resistant fabric. This fabric was a stunning success, with orders flooding in, and the first major client being the British Army.

Using his own designs for officers' coats made 13 years earlier for the War Office, Burberry added shoulder straps and metal rings to his gabardine coat, and the trench coat was created. Today the Burberry trench coat remains one of fashion's most coveted pieces.

{above: jackie, audrey, kate}

Lightweight, weather resistant and eternally chic, the classic trench is as stylish today as it was when Audrey Hepburn wore one in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

{united bamboo trench with current / elliott 70's style bell-bottoms in distressed denim at la garçonne}

{cotton A.P.C. trench paired with paul smith striped shirt and just cavalli wide-legged jeans from harrods for an elegantly cool british look}

{a gryphon trench paired with acne skinnies and a proenza schouler striped tee for a perfect parisian vibe}

{images: 1 - françoise hardy via ms. muse; 2 - kate moss by ellen von unwerth; 3 - magnolias by alicia bock; 4 - via popartpistol; 6 - glamour uk august 2008; 7 - closet couture in vogue us may 2009}

Absentmindedly flipping through past issues of domino awhile ago and came across a favourite vignette {above} in the first ever issue, and was reminded of how beautiful lucite can look when paired with the perfect pieces and accessories . . .

{a lucite console is the perfect complement to a large antique French mirror and weathered floorboards}

{lucite office furniture in a february 2005 versace ad campaign featuring madonna and shot by mario testino; aside: also included, the eames soft pad aluminum group chair}

{lucite bases make these large mirrored coffee and end tables appear as if they are floating . . .}

{see also:}
* further reading
* caring instructions for lucite
* custom lucite trays {via here}
* lucite letters

{p.s.} Lauren Moffat Spring dress give-way continues until Thursday

{images: 1 - domino spring/summer 2005 - photography by squire fox; 2 - from boudoir by hilary robertson via concrete and honey; 4 - livingetc.}

Always love discovering new and creative ways to display collections. Here, adding a dash of the Equestrian Style to a room can be as simple as an artful arrangement of horse show ribbons and Equestrian awards tacked to the wall for a cool and casual look {above}, or beautifully framed above a table of awards and trophies for an elegant and winning presentation {below}.

{images: 1 - Francine Zaslow via design is mine; 2 - Mark Lund; 3 - kristatomic}

{photography by claire richardson}

Painted the sitting room an elegant gray in early summer, and almost immediately missed the pretty and chalky buttercream walls before the new paint had time to dry . . .

{via flickr}

Of course, am now adoring the new, sophisticated and saturated gray, but every once in a while think about the warm and woodsy tones . . .

{via hoping for happy incidents}

{first published in ideal home july 2008; via house to home}

{via flickr}

{photography by james merrell}

{maison-rêve}

{photography by james merrell}

{via flickr}

{photography by polly wreford}

{Fall 2008 Couture - Anne Valérie Hash - Runway; Irina Lazareanu; Photography by Marcio Madeira; via style.com}

{photography by james merrell}

{via flickr}

{Photography by Bjarni B. Jacobsen for Livingetc.}

Recently, P. {dashing as ever in Versace} and I had the chance to attend a gallery opening for a well-known British artist, and while we were sipping our wine and admiring the work in the bright and lovely gallery space, remembered how wonderful art looks against a clean, white background . . .

{via Homes & Gardens}

{via absolutely beautiful things}

{via emmas designblogg}

{via timfalle on flickr}

{via carolina eclectic}

{via Livingetc.}

{via andyland}

{photography by debi treloar}

{via house t0 home}

{via More Ways to Waste Time}

{a brick wall was exposed and painted white to add character, and a collection of art from Cornwall hangs above a vintage Tulip table and chairs; Livingetc., photography by Penny Wincer}

{via andyland}

{via Homes & Gardens}

{via Livingetc.}

{via decor8}

{via house to home}

{via design*sponge}

{via Livingetc., photography by Sharyn Cairns}

{via chic shack}

I love it when, every season, things get a little nautical in the dying days of winter. It's stylish and fresh, and always reminds me of off-shore breezes and the sound of the crashing waves that used to lull me to sleep . . .

{NataliaVodianova photographed for Vogue US}

{Life Jacket, painting, acrylic & oil on masonite, by Holly Farrell}

{Pleasure Cruise by Gilles Bensimon, Elle US}

{via Creature Comforts}

{Summer Days by Corrine Day for Vogue UK}

{Life Ring, 2007, painting, acrylic & oil on masonite, 20 x 22 inches by Holly Farrell}

{via anthropologie}

{ferry ride, last summer}

{via anthropologie}

{via The Inspired Room}

{via Martha Stewart Living}

{via house to home}

{3.1 Phillip Lim}