Home Improvement

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It's amazing how you can find yourself drawn to design aspects that you never thought that you would be interested in, don't you think? Today's 'Home Improvement' post is not necessarily one that I would really decorate my home with (see: cow tile work), but I certainly think that the image above is inspiring. Green is one of those colors that I think is so often overlooked when it comes to home interiors, and yet, it is one of those colors that pretty much have whichever impact you want it to. Pale greens can be calming and quite pretty, while emeralds and kelly greens are much bolder and make a stronger statement. I find the idea of a green kitchen interesting, in that green is often associated with a state of calmness. In the kitchen, cooking and being with family and friends, should not be a stressful activity. Who knows? By incorporating more greens in the kitchen, and not just on our plates, our general stress levels may even lower. All of the flowers don't hurt, either.

What do you think of green interiors? What about green kitchens?

Check out this green formal room that I would love to daydream in, as well.

Dress Up

When it comes to red dresses, and kind of red pieces in general, I'm always back and forth. I seem to love red on other people, but aside from a red lip, I usually stay away. While I'm not one to shy away from colors, red for some reason is one color that rarely shows up in my wardrobe. Maybe it's the fact that it's such a bold color, or that sometimes is over-powering on my pale skin, but every time I attempt a red garment, I end up leaving without it. This Topshop 'Florence' crepe dress is next on my list to attempt, though. Though completely red, it seems as if this specific red may be a hue that might actually work. In it's fairly simple silhouette, but with the interest of a bit of skin around the midriff, the red is easier to take in, while still making the bold impact that it obviously does. 

What do you think about red? Love it or hate it?

Dress Up

Photo via Lee Oliveira

This week's dress up feature is one of my favorite warm weathered dress options lately. While quite daring and not for the shy stylista, it manages to come across as ladylike and polished, even though it is essentially completely see through. With all of the heat lately, sometimes clothes are the last thing that I want to throw on. This dress, though I'm not quite bold enough to attempt it yet, seems like the perfect piece for those days when the heat is unbearable. Also, the fact that it is see through opens up various opportunities to style the pieces underneath the dress. While in the image above she opted to match the white dress with white high waisted briefs and bra, it would be fun to attempt different colors, patterns, and textures, as well, such as neons, leathers, or stripes.

What do you think? Are you brave enough to attempt this look?

Tuesday Shoesday

Even though it is below freezing up in Syracuse right now, and we're in the middle of December, I find myself browsing sandal options for once it gets warmer and I won't be the only one who will be able to see my pedicure. With the black and white popularity during the Spring '13 shows (see: Marc Jacobs and Jil Sander), I realized how these bold graphic straps would provide a simple interesting element to a breezy dress or billowy shorts. However, since it is going to be chilly for quite a while, for now, we will just take notice in the black and white to use as winter wear inspiration and keep these on our minds come spring. 

Tuesday Shoesday

In the past few years, I feel that leopard accessories and accents have taken the place where red ones used to thrive. Previously, a pop of red in either a shoe or purse made an outfit a bit sophisticated and complete without overwhelming the outfit as a whole. However, it appears that the red trend for accessories had long faded and made way for leopard in all realms of accents. In seeing this great mini-heeled loafer, I remembered how I had wanted to be a wearer of red and how red accessories and shoes can act almost like a swipe of red lipstick--it pulls it together the look while still allowing the details and components of the rest of your pieces to make a statement, as well. And, with the small spikes on the heel, it adds a little bit of edge, without being too bold.

Do you prefer red or leopard for accents or accessories?

Home Improvement

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Black and white is a classic combination that can almost always do no wrong. Whether applied to clothing, photography, or in this case interior design, it always manages to look polished and amazing. This photograph is from a Manhattan dining room and kitchen featured in the September 2012 issue of Lonny Magazine. Designed by Lilly Bunn Weekes, the black and white is bold enough that it makes a statement and is the feature of the room, but by being applied to the backsplash of the appliances, is not overwhelming for such a common space of the home. 

Would you decorate a room in black and white, or are you a die-hard color fanatic?