{two lovely things: mirror, mirror}

{two lovely things:}

one.
there is a mirrored tray on the marble vanity in the bathroom that holds favourite perfumes and an hermès box of hairpins, and every morning, adore the beautifully organized and perfectly pretty way everything looks, but had not thought to include a personal photograph -- such an inspiring idea!

two.
next to aerin lauder's glamorous white & gold office, this one has been a long-time favourite for its wonderfully elegant mirrored desk, inviting stacks of books and magazines, and always seem to work better when surrounded by shoes . . .

{images: 1 - ryan korban's apartment photographed by lucas allen for domino magazine via brides; 2 - samantha reitmayer's home via design*sponge}

Ryan Korban

It's the small things in life, really, it is.

Perusing through blogs tonight, I happened upon an old favorite, Elements of Style. Noticing some photos I had saved in the past, I jumped to the designer's website without reading much (I have what I like to call, "reader's ADHD".) As soon as the website loaded I heard a familiar tune from my friend Jack. Yes, Seven Nation Army orchestra style.


So then I headed back to Elements of Style to soak in the post in it's entirety. At this point I knew this had to be special because having the White Stripes as your background music means we're instantly soul mates, not to mention that I completely get your design aesthetic.


Ryan had been featured on the Selby so I jumped over there to check out his place. Shocked, I had swooned over his pad a gazillion times. Once again, my reader's ADHD deferred me from investigating who this guy was. I think I had assumed "up and coming fashion designer" at one point. But seriously, from the red Persian rugs (I currently have 3), the brushed gold coffee table (my side tables are nearly identical to his), to the blue and white china (Spode's "Blue Italian" has been on my imaginary wedding registry since high school)... this guy is so up my decorating alley.


Then lets talk lighting. He has an affinity for gold fixtures, as do I. I feel like so many people are anti-gold and all nickel and pewter. The fixture in the kitchen is adorable and the faux bamboo bedside lamp... you're killing me Ryan.


So Ryan, why don't you come down to Nashville and hang out? I'll take you to Third Man Records, to my favorite antique shop and then back to my place to sit on my Turkish beauty while we watch It Might Get Loud. Then we can decorate!

Sound good?

(Photos via the selby + ryan korban)

{at home with: alexander wang}

Flipping through a past issue of domino and happily came across Alexander Wang's NYC apartment {above, styled by Lili Diallo} and remembered completely falling for its perfect mix of rock + refined -- a Terry Richardson photo hangs above the bed and beside a fantastically pretty flea market dresser about which Wang has said, "People are so self- conscious and afraid of things that might make them look cheesy. The coolest people are the ones who aren't afraid to look like dorks."

above + below: images of the bedroom from decorator and friend Ryan Korban's porfolio


above: amazing leather handbag {definitely on the fall shopping list} and shoes with see-through heels from the fall 2009 collection + a sexy, body-conscious dress from the resort 2010 collection

above: home office with perfectly arranged and framed portraits of models styled as oil-field workers, drifters and miners

above + below: bright and spacious new office space photographed by Todd Selby



above: a perfect mix of rock + refined

above + below: worn leather Chesterfield sofa


above: among the coffee table books is the work of iconoclastic photographer Helmut Newton

above: an all-time favourite from the resort 2010 collection -- assymetrical + blue sequins

{images: 1, 5, 9, 11 - photography by david black for domino magazine february 2008; 2 + 3 - ryan korban via desire to inspire;4 - nitrolicious + style.com; 6, 7, 8, 10 - the selby; 12 - style.com}

{two lovely things: shoes + lace}

. . . shoes on display and a beautifully ornate entryway . . .

{p.s.} more {two lovely things}

{images: 1 - ryan korban via desire to inspire; 2 - the selby}