MILES OF TILE

With summer amidst us, I find myself seizing every opportunity I can to be outside.

Whether it's dining al fresco or a walk through the park, I love happening upon charming outside spaces just like this.

Isn't this tile a total showstopper? The blue and white palette reminds me of summers in Capri and vacations in the Greek Isles. A little piece of Mediterranean bliss!

Happy Friday everyone! Have a lovely weekend.

Love,

Crystal

*images via Erin Ever After and Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine

PLAYING HOOKY

Cassie just arrived for the weekend and that was all the excuse we needed to take our editorial meeting from the office to the San Francisco streets! Everyone needs a little hooky in their life, wouldn't you agree?

*image via from Ainsley, with love

CRISP + BRIGHT

As a gal who grew up in Seattle, I'm always excited to stumble across a (new to me) designer from my childhood city. When I saw Ted Tuttle's Washington home in a recent issue of Elle Decor, it was love at first sight.

His decision to paint the walls in Benjamin Moore's Super White (it was wallpapered when he purchased the home) and to bleach the oak floors (after also considering ebonizing them) was such a smart move. Because the weather in Washington can be a little dreary, this creates a sunny feel even on those gray, rainy days.

I love the look of those substantial dining room chairs (faux-wicker chairs from Crate & Barrel) paired with the dainty silhouette of that table. Since the rest of the space is sparse -- no area rug, no window treatments, minimal wall decor -- this heavy look totally works.

Ted, like me, is partial to using a minimal color palette, which is why I love the aesthetic of this space so much. Can't you imagine coming home to this house, slipping into something comfy for the night, and feeling energized and relaxed all at once?

ANNOUNCING RUE ISSUE SIX

I'm so excited to announce that Rue Issue 6 is live! I just got back from a 40 hour, whirlwind trip to LA where Anne, Cassie, Bri, and I met up to put the final touches on the issue. We had a blast staying up all night (listening to old school TLC, SWV, and Boyz II Men no less!) and putting together what we feel is our strongest issue yet!

And I'm also proud to say that not a single home tour is from the U.S.! We really wanted to shine the spotlight on international design with this travel issue and worked hard to bring you inspiration from all over the world! Here's a look at some favorite shots from each of our 5 home tours:

Mexico.

Sweden.

Singapore.

Iceland.

Brazil.

A big, heartfelt thank you to all the people who helped make this issue happen. Hope you enjoy it!

*images via Jose Villa, Emily Anderson, Alexander Pihl, Scott A. Woodward, Emily Anderson, Woodnote Photography

PARISIAN GETAWAY

With a possible jaunt to Paris scheduled for September, I find myself daydreaming of French antiques, Parisian interiors, and old world charm.

Though a bit too rustic for my everyday taste, wouldn't this make the most charming pret-a-terre? A girl can dream...

Now, enough daydreaming for me and off to work I go! See you back here on Monday with Rue Issue #6! Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

*images via Marie Clair Maison

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Do you know who's blowing it out of the park with their furniture campaigns?

Dedon! I'd love to know who the creative director behind these shoots is. Better yet, I'd love to switch jobs for a day. If only for an excuse to travel to Southeast Asia!

P.S. For the first time ever, we're asking Rue readers to help us pick the cover for our upcoming issue, out on Monday! If you'd like to weigh in, we'd love to hear from you!

THE CRYSTAL HEIRESS

I just got done reading a fantastic interview with Nadja Swarovski, of Swarovski Crystal fame, in the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar.

I loved the snapshots of her fashionable London townhouse and glimpse into her infinite closet! The aesthetic is tailored and classic, with a touch of opulence. Just like the jewelry!

WHITE OUT

Remember how I decided to go dark in my new place and paint everything gray? Well, I've been having a lot of white envy lately...even missing the light and airy feel of my old place. At the end of the day, white will always be my favorite color for a home. But as I remind myself, experimenting with color and something new is good for me as a decorator. Or so they say ;)

*images via a note on design

TASTING ROOM

Last night I got back from a perfect weekend in wine country. I'm so lucky to have such beauty at my finger tips in San Francisco as well as your patience while I took a week off from blogging. It was just the thing I needed to get re-inspired. There are going to be some changes around here...but more on that later!

One of my favorite parts about wine tasting is the anticipation as you walk up to the winery to see what the interior space will be like. It's fascinating to me to see how different each one feels. When we walked into the Medlock Ames tasting room in Healdsburg on Friday, I forgot all about the wine as soon as I saw the design!

The wood floors and walls are a soothing shade of pewter gray and work perfectly with the (modern) California wine country landscape. I also loved how the light fixtures were hung from exposed piping, a look that was repeated in the base of the bistro tables outside and at the base of the bar inside. The accordion sconces, black chairs, and steel countertops all scored big in my eyes too.

So while the wine server poured us our flight of Chardonnays, Pinots, and Cabernets, I couldn't help but ask about the designer when I should have been asking about the varietals. Turns out Will Wick, a favorite San Francisco designer of mine, was the mastermind behind the look.

I should have known!

*images via my iPhone

A NEW WEEK...

Friends, I've disappeared again and I'm sorry. Some exciting and time-consuming things are happening in both my professional and personal life so I've decided to take a little time off from blogging. I strive for a healthy work/life balance and I'm learning to keep some things just for myself right now.

I was at Lake Tahoe this weekend on a beautiful hike when I began to lament the fact that I hadn't brought my camera to capture the gorgeous view from up top. Then I thought to myself, "Some things are just better captured as a memory." So I decided to take a picture of the view with my mind and keep it just for me. And that pretty much sums up my state of mind these days: someone who is present to life and living in the moment. So I've decided to take one thing off my plate, blogging for now, so I can have a little extra time to do just that.

Thank you for your visits and your understanding...be back in a bit!

Love,

Crystal

*image via pinterest, original source unknown