Utterly Gorgeous

When I saw this image, I sort of gasped at its beauty. Yes, it's just a stove in a kitchen, but to me it's so much more! It's a perfect color palette, it's elegance at its best, and it's an example of beautiful styling.

The glistening of copper on the stove is perfectly exquisite against the seafoam green of the backsplash. The bottles to the left tie the colors in so beautifully and have me dreaming of old-fashioned kitchens with touches of femininity!

*image via House of Turquoise

Something Blue

Why do I love this room so much? Because it goes against the grain! When doing a neutral space like this one the tendency is to go with muted furniture, adding touches of color only through the accessories. But homeowner and Style At Home editor Erin McLaughlin turns that inclination on its head and I love it! Instead, she went bold with her beautiful blue sofa and neutral with those fantastic little pillows. The effect is a gorgeous space that's perfectly dramatic and soothing all at once!

Thanks everyone for yet another wonderful week here on the blog, enjoy the weekend! xo, Crystal

P.S. Head over to City Girl Chicago where I'm a guest today and tell Cara I say hi!

New Online Magazine: Nonpareil

On the heels of others like Lonny and Nesting Newbies, another fabulous online magazine just popped up! Nonpareil is the new online darling of DIY wedding projects and I'm already smitten. Just take a look at this gorgeous tabletop and you'll know what I mean. (By the way, isn't it refreshing to see a chair other than the chiavari used at a wedding for once?)

Not getting married? No problem! Thumbing through the first issue last night, I picked up tons of entertaining and styling ideas! So much inspiration at my fingertips, of course the only natural thing to do now is throw a party!

West Elm in Chicago!

For all you Chicagoans out there, we have our very first West Elm in The Windy City! Today, the Lincoln Park location (1000 W. North Ave.) officially opens its doors to the public! I have long turned to West Elm when in need for something fresh and modern, but up until now my purchases (this, these, and these) have come via the website. I'm thrilled I can now shop the collections in person! Here's a look at some of my favorites from West Elm:

I have been dreaming of sectionals lately. They are so versatile and perfect for big parties or movie night lounging! The Blake Sectional is my top pick!

White ceramics. I can't get enough of them! I have my own personal collection building and can't wait to add these to the group!

Though definitely a departure from my usual style, I am drawn to these Wrap Dining Chairs. I adore the modern wingback silhouette for something unexpected.

Round mirrors are definitely on trend right now, and this one makes a great statement! I love the multicolored rim in rich hues for a strong outline.

Every room needs a rug and West Elm's selection does not disappoint. I'm thinking of trading in my sisal one for something with a strong graphic pattern like this. I could look at that beautiful beautiful motif day after day...

*Click here to find a West Elm near you or shop their website

Café Inspiration

We get our inspiration from everywhere: travel, museums, architecture, fashion. But one of my favorite sources for creativity is cafes. They pull at my heart strings with their cuteness and send me to a place of nostalgia and relaxation. Perhaps it's because as a child I dreamt of owning one, as a college student I used to study in them, and as a young adult living in Italy I couldn't help but poke my head in all of them.

Spending some time in a well styled café is just as good as any design magazine for dining room ideas and tabletop inspiration.

Pretty shelving and displays, beautiful woodwork and moulding, I can see this one translating well into a beautiful kitchen design.

Here, the worn in feel is so inviting and cozy. I can envision a little kitchen nook using the same rustic woods and industrial seating. Perhaps in a country cabin or mountain lodge? Who knows...the possibilities are endless.

*images via Sunday Suppers, photography by Karen Mordechai

Welcome February + A Quote

I have a feeling I'm not the only one asking, "where did January go?" as we welcome a new month today. Throughout January I've enjoyed reading via so many of your blogs about your goals, optimism, and intentions for the new year. In short, I sense a collective sentiment that 2010 is going to be the year!

As we continue to make our way into 2010, today I'm doing a little personal inventory of where I am with my goals, making sure I stay aligned with and focused on achieving them. Each new day, month, and year is another gift and opportunity to do our best. With that being said, I'd like to leave you with a little quote that's hot on my mind right now:

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

Happy February my dears!

*images via this is glamorous and Canadian House & Home

A Touch of Pink

I've seen Arne Jacobsen's egg chair in many colors, but this is the first time I've ever seen it in pink. The smoothness of its form and warmth of its color are utterly perfect in this space.The daydreamer in me is imagining that this perfect little room exists somewhere in a Parisian flat. Oh doesn't a European getaway sound so nice? Perhaps like the one Tina just took? Or better yet, a jaunt to Copenhagen with a stop at the SAS Royal Hotel to take in the magnificent lobby Mr. Jacobsen designed the chair for in the first place? Yes, that would be nice.

Happy weekend, everyone! xoxo, Crystal

*image via The Right Bank

Double Take Interiors

I posted this top image a while ago because I was drawn to the photo gallery, serene whites, and fluffy rug.

Then, last night I stumbled upon this while perusing the photography of Anson Smart. Of course, I perked up with excitement at its familiarity. I love it when that happens! It reminds me that creativity is shared, execution is unique, and inspiration is communal.

*images via Dress Design Decor and Anson Smart

Completely Enamored

I'm completely enamored with this space. It's a Sharon Mimran design that I found while browsing the galleries of Canadian House & Home last night for a little inspiration.

I dream of having herringbone oak floors just like these one day in the same glamorous, high gloss finish. I also love the traditional details, like the crown moulding and built-ins, paired with the contemporary furniture, like those futuristic chairs. Speaking of built-ins, can you make out the mesh front doors that were added to them? I love how they bring a new element (metal) and texture (netting) to the space. That window seat, with carved out niches for firewood on either side, is pure bliss. Sunlight and symmetry, what more could a designer ask for?

Crisp & Clean, Black & White

I don't think I could ever tire of the clean look of black and white. I especially love the clean, modern lines and lacquer finishes in these two spaces.

The cute, rustic kitchens are definitely popular these days, but today I am craving something fresh and bright to greet me in the mornings, like this one. The white is like a burst of sunshine and a skip in your step! The glistening black table is the perfect accompanying piece to help hold down the space and ground it from getting too airy.

I'm not sure which room of the house this is (a bedroom? a living room?), but the serenity of it is calling my name. The wall of storage, the pretty chair, the darling console, and vintage pictures, make it inviting and warm, despite the cold finishes and modernity. Plus, isn't the addition of taupe and brass into the black & white color scheme the perfect touch?!

*images via Living Etc. and unknown

Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge: Eddie Ross & Elle Decor

If you've been blog surfing lately and especially if you follow Eddie Ross on Twitter or Facebook, then you've definitely heard about his design for Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge. Eddie is representing Elle Decor in the competition with Bloomingdale and Apartment Therapy as the other two contestants.

While I'm sincere when I say that all three designs are amazing and showcase so much talent, I find Eddie's particularly memorable and impressive. It's that splattered paint wallpaper by Hinson & Company that makes it like no other design I've ever seen. In Eddie's own words, it's more "texture than pattern," and like "stars in an endless sky." I couldn't agree more.

I love his use of white furniture and ceramics as the base to his design. This allows the the wallpaper and colorful accents to really steal the show!

If there's one thing Eddie knows best, it's entertaining! His tabletops, propping, and styling for a hostess with the mostess are out of this world gorgeous....always. I love the mix of heirloom vases in both silver and brass here.

This beautiful display of delftware could quite possibly be my favorite thing about Eddie's design. The landscape motifs in blue against the blue splattered walls is so wrong it's right!

If you love this challenge as much as I do, you can head over to Apartment Therapy to check out the other two designs and cast your vote. Voting will run until January 28th!

Painted in Pink

This is a room that I keep coming back to over and over again. I can't get those 'strawberries and cream' colored walls with the beautiful white chair rail and molding out of my mind! It's perfectly sophisticated and serene. But the ornate and curvy fainting sofas upholstered in modern stripes are what really send me over the moon. I won't even get started on the thin lines of the tray table repeated in the statue stand and reading lamp - pure detail bliss!

A darker shade of pink and more overt sense of femininity are what draw me into this room. I wonder, could a man happily live here, too? Or is this clearly a woman's home? The beautiful white loveseat with perfect nailhead trim outlining its form is a true piece of art, don't you think? And those floors! Enough said. But my very favorite stylistic touch is that lone pillow in a velvety, burgundy brown exuding all that texture and warmth.

Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with lots of rest and happiness. xo, Crystal

*images via The City Sage and Elle Decor

Blogger Meet-Up with Judy of Atlantis Home

Over the holidays I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Judy of Atlantis Home and her youngest daughter Carol in Dallas. Most of you probably already know Judy and her oldest daughter Jane of Sea of Shoes. They're practically the biggest names in fashion blogging!

After exchanging a few tweets, Judy and I thought it'd be fun to meet up in person while I was in town. She recommended a little shopping trip to her favorite local furniture store, Again Design Studio. I can see why she loves it, everything in it was so unique and stylish.

Isn't Carol the cutest? I loved getting to know her and found out that she's got quite the design eye and is a very talented cook!

We all loved these oversized pillows made from vintage silk scarves. The mismatched patterns somehow look so right together. (So wrong, it's right? :)

Through our shopping trip and great conversation over lunch, I got to hear all about the fun projects these ladies have in the works! They were so nice, warm, and down to Earth that it makes me even more excited to support them and watch as they continue to have so much success!

If you'd like to read Judy's post about our meet-up, you can find it right here.

Guest Blogging: Black & White Stripes @ The Beauty File!

Hi Everyone! I'm just back from more travel and have to say I'm not quite ready to hit the work week running.

I was away from the blog for a few days but am thrilled to be back with a guest post on The Beauty File today! You can check it out right here. Let us know what you think! Have a fantastic day, see you tomorrow! xoxo

*images via Lonny, Fashion Gone Rogue

More Piping...

More piping to follow this morning's post. I like it on a bed, but after coming across this lovely photo tonight, I might even love it more on a tablecloth! What do you think?

*image via dress design decor