Whispers of Purple

They say that purple is still on trend and here to stay for awhile.

Though it may not be my go-to color, I'm loving it in small doses.

These cloths draped over a table are just the whispers of the color I could go for.

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday.

xo,

Crystal

*images via Design Addict Mom and unknown

CALIFORNIA BOUND!!!

By the time you read this I'll be on my way to California kicking off a 20 day Rue trip - peppered with play! - with my main gal Anne!

We're starting in LA, making our way to Palm Springs, then back to LA and capping the trip off with a week in San Francisco. Photo shoots, a Halloween party, appointments, and most importantly, getting issue 2 launched (!!!) are the items of our days.

With Bri and Cassie around too, it's bound to be a good time...but we promise not to get into too much trouble ;)

See you tomorrow!

*images via Mochatini and coco+kelley

Designer File: Bryn Alexandra Interiors

Last weekend in High Point, I had the privilege of meeting Bryn, an interior designer from Charlotte, NC and just about the sweetest gal you'll ever meet (the type who offers you her flats after you've been in 4 inch heels all day!). We spent the evening together with a group of mutual friends and I learned that Bryn truly "lives what she loves." At the age of 25 she decided to leave a good career in advertising to follow her lifelong passion for design. And she's never looked back!

I love the way Bryn's interiors are full enough to feel finished, but streamlined in such a way that her contemporary aesthetic really shines through. In this particular space, the rich purples and warm browns punctuated with a bit of fuchsia in the flowers creates a classically polished yet young living space.

With Bryn, you'll get a look that mixes high with low, new with old, and a spaces that feels collected rather than contrived. She's a gal who truly understands that the affordable can be stylish and that good design should be accessible to everyone.

If you weren't already convinced of Bryn's talent as a designer, than this bedroom alone should do the trick! The black and white color scheme softened with milky grays and glamorized with gilt golds is the perfect balance of all things soothing and fun!

*images via the portfolio of Bryn Alexandra

Handmade in Philadelphia

Beautiful, eco-friend jewelry....

that arrives in packaging like this...

...yes, please.

*shop Bario-Neal Jewelry

THE PERFECT PLACE

You guys, I'm going crazy (in a good way!) with decorating ideas for the new place! I suppose that's how you know you've found your passion...when color swatches, fabrics samples, layout plans, and paint colors get you more excited than anything else. So this here is my latest and greatest find when it comes to my apartment inspiration file:

It's perfect in every way! From the gray walls (I'm currently leaning towards Benjamin Moore's Chelsea Gray for the living room), to the arched windows, to the leather poufs, to the subtle graphic on the rug - it all comes together in such a warm and inviting way. Oh and we can't forget the desk - a sweet little moment in this space. Perched on a diagonal (brilliant!), a quiet little writing corner from which to draft handwritten letters and fill up a journal feels like an old fashion luxury I'd happily welcome into my life!

*image via decorpad

A NEW YORK KIND OF DAY

I'm headed to New York today (just a quick trip - I'll be back later tonight), so I thought I'd share a quirky and inspiring Brooklyn apartment with you from the city that never sleeps.

Black walls and skulls. Halloween must be just around the corner!

An indoor garden. Us city dwellers should take note.

Collected objects gathered neatly thankfully save this space from feeling too tchotchke.

Perfume bottles can be so pretty. I'm especially intrigued by the Love in Black bottle - I wonder what it smells like.

Buggy eyes. A designer once told me that every room should have at least one jarring thing in it to keep us surprised. And those eyes are certainly jarring if not all together frightening.

*images via The Selby

LEFT ALONE...

"I don't want to be alone. I want to be left alone." That Audrey, she was full of good quotes.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, my dears. I'm going to savour my first one home in weeks and keep it quiet and simple. Thanks for stopping by this week. Your visits and comments mean so much to me. See you on Monday.

xo,

Crystal

*images via Denise Crew

SF OFFICE INSPIRATION

As my move to San Francisco rapidly approaches, I'm getting giddy with excitement just thinking of all the decorating possibilities for Rue's new office! I've been gathering images for a few weeks now and currently Suzanne Kasler's Atlanta studio is serving as my no. 1 jumping off point for office inspiration.

When I work, an orderly and clutter-free environment is non-negotiable for me and that's exactly why I'm so drawn to this space. The neutral colors and perfectly organized space eliminate any visual noise and distraction. My days can be so hectic as it is that a soothing space to ground my senses is just what I need to stay focused.

I also love all the texture in this space. It helps to keep the studio from feeling too slick or sterile despite all the whites and ivories. The cushiony feel of the jute rug, the soft fabric on the chairs, and the grainy quality of the bamboo curtains bring a lovely tactile element to the office and create a warm and inviting embrace. But my absolute favorite thing in the room? Those big drum lamp shades hanging over the tables! Nothing says, "I'm ready to work" like some serious task lighting!

Let's hope Anne is on the same page when it comes to the office decor ;)

*images via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle

NEW COLOR OBSESSION: HUNTER GREEN

It all started last weekend while touring the Hickory Chair showroom in High Point when I spotted a single, velvet pillow in a beautiful hunter green. It was paired with teal and I thought, "how magnificently unexpected!" After that I kept spotting the same green everywhere I went. And so a new color obsession begins!

I think a lot of people are afraid to use green in their home. It's not as safe as our standard blues and grays, nor is it poppy enough to come to mind as a first choice accent color. But when done correctly, it can be wonderfully luxurious and create quite the statement.

In this charming home, owned by British designers Stephan Eicker and Gavin Houghton of Eicker & Houghton, they opted to pair it with warm colors, like reds, yellows, and golds. The result is a traditional space that's positively lovely and perfectly layered.

To speak a little more directly to my own aesthetic though, I'd actually pair the green with other cool colors like blues, purples, and even teal (as seen in Hickory Chair) for a more contemporary, updated look.

How would you use green in your home?

*images via The Telegraph

DETAILS ALL AROUND

What makes a space special? More often that not, it's the details all around.

The exquisite black detailing on the floor makes such a splash it's hard to imagine the space without it.

What a lovely reminder that decorative art can be found all around...even on the ground we walk upon.

*images via unknown (please let me know if you have the source!)

HIGH POINT MARKET, HERE I COME!

High Point Market in North Carolina is the biggest furniture trade show of the year and I'm thrilled not only to be attending for the first time this weekend, but to have been asked to be part of the program!

I'll be flying down South bright and early tomorrow morning for what I hear is a whirlwind of an experience. Here's a little recap of what I'll be up to.

As soon as I arrive, I'll be heading to the Drexel Heritage showroom where my good friend Dana Hughes from Clairemont Communications will be hosting a fun event and videotaping me and others for the Drexel blog. Then it's off to a lovely Saturday night dinner (I hear Market is all about the dinners and parties anyway!).

Sunday morning I'm speaking on a panel produced by The Editor At Large titled, "Getting Your Projects Published Today - Unconventional Tips from Media Experts." I'll be representing digital publications along side editors from Veranda, Traditional Home and super successful blog, Design Therapy. If you're around, please stop by: Showplace West, 100 High @ 12:00pm!

After the panel, I'll make my way to the Century Furniture showroom for a tweet-up event with a some of my favorite twitter friends! My dear gal Shay Geyer of the Dallas Morning News will be hosting the event - be sure to RSVP here!

Then, before catching a Monday afternoon flight back home, I'll be attending a press breakfast where industry leader Bunny Williams will be talking about "The Tyranny of Trends." I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to meet Bunny, a true design icon of our day, and can't wait to hear what she has to say on this topic!

If you'll be at Market too and would like to meet up, the best way to get in touch with me is through twitter: @CrystalG_ Hope to see you there! Have a lovely weekend everyone!!! xo, Crystal

Also...

* I'm honored to announce Rue Magazine as the official media sponsor for Lavish! Read all about it from Anne!

* Thank you to Paloma of La Dolce Vita for featuring me on her Style Files series yesterday!

* If you haven't already entered Dwell with Dignity's contest, be sure to check it out here!

* Lastly, I'd like you to join me in congratulating and supporting Caitlin and Alaina in all their future endeavors as they move on from the Rue team. We are so grateful for all they contributed to the magazine and will cherish always our ongoing friendship and the irreplaceable memories we created together.

*image via Drexel Heritage, Century Furniture, and House Beautiful

The New Neutral

I've set my mind on a deep, velvety gray to work as the neutral in my new home. The warmth of its hue casts me into a place of dreams and cozy respite - the perfect feeling to accompany the next chapter of my life, no?

When gray dances with white it's positively striking (yet soft) and stunning (though subtle). And it speaks to my desire to step away from the wandering lightness of my current place and create a stronger, more permanent anchor in my life...

So my dears, if I were to paint a wall or two gray, do you have any favorites you can recommend to me?

*images unknown...

Delinquent Bride

A black wedding dress. Could you ever do it?

Personally, I could. There's something so spectacular and ironic about a departure from an age old tradition as ravishing as this to show your confidence and free will on your wedding day.

Mysterious, sexy, thought provoking, and bold - this is the quintessence of what fashion is.

Simply put, this stunning Vera Wang has me absolutely transfixed.

*photography by Jose Villa for Once Wed

TOUR OF MY HOME!

I'm just back from a wonderful weekend in San Francisco where the sun was shinning, the time was fun, and the city was more enchanting to me than ever. I even found my future apartment and Rue offices on the trip! So, as I start to close my life here in Chicago and set sail towards my future in San Francisco, I thought I'd give my Chicago home a proper post so I could remember it always.

The windows were what sold me on the place. They're the true show stopper of my home, the feature guests always gush about, and the thing I'll miss most when I leave.

The beautifully etched stone fireplace will be hard to say goodbye to also. It's kept me warm through many cold Chicago winter nights and transported me into relaxation with its blaze.

The decidedly feminine space has served as a reminder to me of my independence. The ability to create a cozy little haven, all to my girly self, is a luxury I have cherished.

Like little pockets of delight around the home, I place flowers in every room and have candles burning always.

A makeshift project of gathering magazine tear sheets meant to stand in as a temporary solution while I searched for art, turned out to be a more permanent one.

Simple things around the place make me smile, like this modern leopard print pillow which I adore against the antique chair.

My living room is rather large and so this second sitting area has been a fun way to try out a new look. The global flair is a departure from my usual but the one thing that stays constant is my love for my little gray sofa.

Moving to the bedroom, here's an image of the perfumes I've collected from trips and stays around the world.

My bedroom is a spot I particularly savor. It was the last to get attention and so now that it's done, I appreciate it that much more. In fact, propped up on my bed is where I get most of my work done these days.

Muted blues and grays paired with soft caramels create a soothing spot to start and end my days.

I generally gravitate towards solids over patterns, but I just love the way the otomi textile on the bed pairs with the pattern of the pillow.

Flowers, a candle, and books are my nightstand staples.

A little snapshot of my kitchen. It's small but adorable and has a glorious view overlooking the building's courtyard.

And speaking of the courtyard, have you ever seen something so charming? I wake up every morning and feel I'm in Paris or Rome. What a lovely feeling to have!

And so as I wrap my head around the fact that I'm leaving, excited as can be, I'm going to savor this home for the last few weeks that I have it...

*images: Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine