February 28, 2011

Lustworthy Kitchen: Mediterranean Flair

Recently I was introduced to the incredibly talented Celia Tejada, PB Teen's Creative Director and fellow San Francisco resident. One look at her kitchen and it's plain to see: this gal is after my own heart! For starters, she shares my belief that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Perhaps it's that Mediterranean blood we both share.
From a design point of view, I love the light and airy feel she captured by choosing to work with white as the anchor color for the space. Such a choice could easily feel too stark and sterile, but this kitchen is anything but that! Layering the space with beautifully patterned rugs, colorful accessories, and a good dose of greenery, Celia creates a warm and welcoming place.
One trend that I have yet to get tired of is restaurant inspired kitchens. I love how Celia uses a stainless steel strip, like the ones used to hold order slips, to display her photos and hold dishware. A creative alternative to traditional cabinetry.
One peek at her stovetop and Celia's Spanish roots shine right through. You can tell that this isn't just a beautiful kitchen to look at, but one that gets used with lots of heart and soul.
What kitchen would be complete without a cozy little sitting area? If you're lucky enough to have the space, a comfy love seat invites guests and family to gather around as you prepare your meals. But most importantly, it provides a place for you to rest your head after that successful dinner party you just threw!

*images by Michal Venera for Elle Decor

February 23, 2011

Project SF Home: Week 1

So, as I embark on the massive task of decorating my new place in San Francisco from scratch, I thought I'd chronicle it here on the blog. I'm hoping that 1. it'll keep me accountable to actually getting stuff done in a timely manner and 2. (hopefully) provide a bit of inspiration along the way.
Since my place is completely empty, save my bed, I thought it would be convenient to paint now rather than later. The downside is that I'll have to make sure my furniture works around my paint colors, not the other way around. But I think I can do it (hopefully I won't prove myself wrong.)
Since my Chicago home was so light and airy, I knew I wanted something warm and moody in SF. So, I've decided on gray - a fantastic neutral I just can't get enough of.
So, I took to Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball's sites the other weekend and started ordering samples of grays. I wanted a beige undertone (not too blue, green, or purple), and here's what I choose, clockwise from top left: BM Chelsea Gray, BM Silhouette, F&B Cornforth White, F&B Down Pipe, BM Bunny, BM Sweet Innocence, BM Graytint, BM Bear Creek, BM Stone Harbor, and BM Revere Pewter.
After testing them all on various walls in my home, (and staying very organized with labeled paint sponges along the way :) I have some clear favorites: Cornforth (my absolute favorite of all!), Chelsea Gray, Stone Harbor, and Revere Pewter. I had heard such good things about Down Pipe, and though I love it, it has too much of a green undertone for my aim. Oh well...someday in another home! Which are your faves from above?

I also took notes of what I'm thinking for each room - here's a look. Now, I have to find a white for all the molding. So, if any of you have some favorites, I'd love for you to leave them in the comment section below!

Hopefully, for next week's update, I'll have my white!

February 22, 2011

Hold That Thought

So I know I promised to start chronicling the design process of my new home today. But...

truth be told, the Rue girls stayed out way too late "working" last night at Airplanes and Blazers, and now we're running around Vegas finding last minute props for tomorrow's shoot. Which, by the way, is in our wackiest location yet....but that's a different story.

Stay tuned till tomorrow!

*image via pinterest

February 21, 2011

Sweet Dreams... A Giveaway from Select Comfort!

When the nice people at Select Comfort contacted me a few months ago about trying out one of their Sleep Number mattresses, the timing couldn't have been better. I was prepping for my move from Chicago to San Francisco and jumped at the chance to leave my cheap-o mattress behind and start fresh with something new.
When I arrived to SF just three weeks ago, I found my new bed waiting and have never slept better! A special mattress filled with air (not springs), Sleep Numbers allow you to adjust to your preference. And as an added bonus for all you coupled people, you can set different levels of firmness for each side. Or if you're like me, you can roll around depending on your mood :) I'm currently a number 65 on the right and 45 on the left.

How many of you are also ready to ditch the old in favor of the new? Well, my dears, the Select Comfort people aren't only nice, they're also generous and today we're giving one lucky reader their very own Sleep Number bed! Here's what you have to do to enter: Follow this link, fill out the quick questionnaire, and mention that Plush Palate sent you!

A winner will be announced next Monday. Good luck!

P.S. Remember how I told you I was coming to SF with nothing more than my clothes and a few personal belongings so I could decorate my new place from scratch (RIP Chicago home)? Well, this bed is literally the only piece of furniture I have and tomorrow I'll start chronicling the process of making my new place a home. The final product will be revealed in our anniversary issue of Rue...hope you'll follow along!

February 18, 2011

Weekends Are For Dreaming

Remember that part in Jerry Maguire when Tom professes his love to Rene, and Rene responds, "Shut up, just shut up. You had me at hello. You had me at hello." ?

Well, those were my words exactly as I flipped through the gorgeous images in Stephen Karlisch's new photo set, Italy Summer 201o. "You had me at Italy Summer. You had me at Italy."
And since it's Friday and weekends are for dreaming, let me get lost for a moment in the memory of when I lived in Rome. Of late nights stumbling across Piazza Navona in high heels and good company. Of long, drawn out weekend lunches eating pizza al fresco.
Of cute Italian carabinieri clad in Armani designed uniforms. Of slower days, vibrant culture, the Mediterranean sea and sun, and of two glorious years of self-discovery.
Tell me friends, where do you go when you daydream about your happy place?

Have a beautiful weekend!

xo,
Crystal

February 17, 2011

"Ladies of Rue" Photo Shoot with Trent Bailey Photography!

I heart NYC! And even more so after our recent whirlwind trip to The City just a few short weeks ago. You may remember we were in town for the Rue Issue Three Launch Party and some other celebratory events and meetings.
It's not too often that all four Rue gals are in the same city at the same time so we definitely wanted to make the most of it. And what better way to do that than with our first ever "Ladies of Rue" team photo shoot with celebrated photographer Trent Bailey!
If you don't mind me getting sentimental for a moment, having these team photos are so special to me. The girls mean the world to me and to be able to share this journey with them is a gift, a pleasure, and an honor! I couldn't ask for a better team or friends!


Trent, thank you for these beautiful images and a truly joyful day! And friends, stay tuned, we'll be sharing images from more scenes in the coming weeks and months. Cute bartender and impromptu model included!

February 16, 2011

Small Space Inspiration

Necessity is the mother of creativity. Those were my thoughts as I browsed this home tour over the weekend. A 200 square foot space never looked so roomy or inviting.
One of the most creative things the renter did was turn a guest mattress on its side and flank it against her bed. It provides instant shelving and an element of softness in the 'bedroom' - an idea I probably wouldn't have come up with in a million years.
A quick DIY project. Painting dozens of cheap-o toy figurines in white then gluing them along the edges of a mirror. Texture creating genius.
As for sticking with all white walls and ceilings, I'm in complete agreement. It's the oldest trick in the book, but white truly does make a space look bigger. A natural choice for an intimate studio like this.

After the side-turned mattress, this one is my next favorite: a bench placed over a sporadically used radiator. Not only does it help hide the unsightly thing, I'm sure it keeps her dining quests nice and toasty.

*images via The New York Times

February 15, 2011

Perfect Escape: The Ace Hotel

Since Rue entered my life, I've been doing a lot of travel. And until Rue entered my life, I thought hotels were decidedly uninspiring places no matter how hard they tried. Then I met the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and everything changed.
If you follow the magazine on facebook, twitter, or our blogs, then you know that the Ace is pretty much our favorite place on Earth. It was our hotel of choice while shooting the 'Girls With Glasses Jingle Bell Rock' feature (remember that one?) and of course our home during the wildly popular wedding event, Hitched.

Apart from feeling like you've slipped back in time to a stylish moment somewhere in the 50s, the Ace oozes with unforgettable design inspiration. And for a group of style lovin' gals, how could we ask for more?

The Ace is rustic, retro and artsy - all things I don't have enough of in my daily life. So to slip away for a weekend at the Ace, whether for work or pleasure, always feels nothing less than the perfect little escape.

For booking information, visit the folks at Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

February 14, 2011

James Franco...





...will you be my Valentine?

*images via We Heart It

I DREAM OF CAKE

I've been doing a little research on my new city, trying to find the best restaurants, shops, hidden gems, wine bars -- you name it. And last night I came across the person who is likely going to be my new go-t0 cake maker, Shinmin Li from I Dream of Cake in San Francisco's North Beach district.
Though they do traditional style cakes too, I got a kick out of these "Haute Couture" sculptural designs. Fashion so delicious you could eat it. Literally.

Wishing you a very *sweet* Valentine's Day!

February 11, 2011

HAPPY LOVERS WEEKEND

Love it or loathe it, cupid's arrow is undoubtedly in the air...
For me, Valentine's Day is just another excuse to wear pink and bask in an unapologetically girlie weekend with dark chocolate, red wine, and good friends.
Whether you're curling up with your sweetie this weekend, throwing a singles party, or enjoying some down time alone...

Don't forget to treat yourself to a rose. Gorgeous emerald ring optional.

Happy Weekend!

xo,
Crystal

*images via W Magazine

February 10, 2011

RESOURCE: WALLPAPER WONDERFUL

Yesterday I tweeted that I was looking for wallpaper resources (I'm planning on doing my new entryway), and this wonderland of a resource was sent to me! As an aside...further evidence that Twitter is the new Google.

Here's a quick look at some of my faves from the round-up of beauties.
I'm still on the hunt for more sites and sources, so if you have a fave, I'd love for you to leave a comment and tell me more. A girl can never have too many choices!

February 9, 2011

Evening Musings

I've been pondering notions of success and failure a lot these days. What are indicators of success? Financial stability? Popularity? Purpose driven work? If others perceive you to be "successful" does that mean you are in fact successful?

Truth be told, with my new life as a self-employed business owner, that fine line between success and failure feels forever omnipresent - as though I'm always just a hair away from big success or tremendous failure. Should we come to terms with failure as a possibility or stick to the kick-in-the-butt notion that failure is not an option?

Would love to hear your thoughts as I muse this evening...

*poster via here

New Design Shopping Site: InteriorConnector!

Have you heard the good news? There's a new design shopping site on the scene and I'm already developing quite the addiction. Founded by Beth Neuhas in an inspiring move from law firm life to her lifelong passion for design, InteriorConnector is a carefully curated site of the best products, boutiques, and to-the-trade vendors out there. I spent a bit of time on the site this morning in search of inspiration for my new home, and here's what I came up with:
A bit of feminine glam, shiny surfaces, and interesting decorative details are just the vibe I'm after! Thankfully at InteriorConnector there's a whole lot more where that came from! I'm also totally loving the editorial content they offer site visitors in the form of Decor Basics, an archive of informative and entertaining article from the industry's best! Is it just me or is this 'retail meets editorial content' trend totally worth the bookmark?

February 8, 2011

Until We Meet Again

Though I'm personally parting from the look with my new home, I'll never get tired of looking at crisp white walls, deep warm woods, and accent colors that come from pillows and pictures alone. It's a classic formula, but it's one that will always be my fave.



In an attempt to stretch my own design aesthetic and challenge my sensibility, I've decided to live on the edge and paint my new walls dark gray. But as I thumb throw images like these this morning, a little string tugs at my reluctant heart. White, until we meet again...

*images via Automatism
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