{colour inspiration: warm summer whites}

. . . a million and one wonderful things still left to do this week, business trips and summer weekends away, projects & plans and letters & emails . . . and so, a few moments to collect thoughts and get lost for a short while in late-spring things -- glossy pages to flip through, a box of chocolate truffles tied with ribbon, the sound of crashing waves and the beautiful silence of warm summer whites . . .

{p.s.} exciting news a little later


{images: one | two | three | four | five | six | photography by andy crawford}

{two lovely things: books & blossoms}

. . . two lovely things {besides coffee & croissants for breakfast this morning, of course}: a little time to catch up on a few nearly late projects and even a few emails, and positively filling every room with enormous bouquets of peonies . . .

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace


{images: one | two}

{day & night: badgley mischka}

. . . bare shoulders and a sexy little white halter dress for traipsing about by day, and dazzling silver sequins in the moonlight by night . . .

{p.s.} of course, the latter could just as easily be worn by day as well, for what could be more fun than sequins in the afternoon?

{also:} more day & night here & here


{images: badgley mischka resort 2012 via style.com}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . this past week, it has been all pretty skirts, lacy blouses and billowy dresses, and so, could not help but fall for these impossibly elegant summer whites . . .

{p.s.} also from this collection: deep coral & ombré


{monique lhuillier resort 2012 collection via style.com}

{summer fashion inspiration: white magic}

. . . and now that the magnolia trees have long flung their petals to the wind, there is such excitement for days of belted short-sleeved sweaters and sexy city shorts, for long, elegantly chic jersey dresses and bare shoulders, and most of all, chantilly lace and sunkissed skin . . .





{p.s.} the lace dress in the first is by brioni, the top, belt & shorts in the second is by max mara, and the stretched jersey dress in the last is by chanel

......................................................................................................

{editorial: white magic; heather marks by max abadian for flare, june 2011; styled by elizabeth cabral via noir façade}

{style inspiration: bright whites & bits of colour}

. . . while in theory, may love the thought of stepping out in vibrant spring hues, in actuality, much more likely to dash out the door in pale & pretty neutrals . . . and so, was delighted to happen upon a perfect compromise: a crisply tailored white coat accented with an elegantly thin fuchsia belt and pale yellow clutch, or long layers of lace and cool colour-block sandals, or perhaps, floor-length in warm whites, cinched with a perfectly preppy band of kelly green . . .


{images: anna selezneva by mariano vivanco for vogue russia, june 2011 via fgr}

Inspired Rooms: Jimmy Schönning

Swedish designer, Jimmy Schönning has truly captured my heart in his interior visions. He has styled spaces for publications such as vtwonen, elle decor, hus&hem and sköna hem.. I've had these images on file for a while now, but I suppose my little trip to ikea last night have brought them back to memory. So glad for that.


There is an abundance of my favorite things, clean lines, color, white, planks and industrial elements used in a comfortable atmosphere.

 I would be a very happy lady indeed to occupy this romantically forlorn room.

{style inspiration: pure romance}

. . . and after the breathtaking glimpses of veils made of layers of ivory silk tulle trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers, talk of tiaras and insanely chic fascinators and hats, very nearly considering traipsing around town while running errands -- the bookstore, the bakery and flower markets -- wearing a french bandeau birdcage veil with reckless abandon . . .







{images: photography by elizabeth messina for twigs & honey on etsy via greedy girl via a cup of jo}

{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}