ASHLEY STARK'S MANHATTAN PAD

How fabulous is Ashley Stark's Upper East Side apartment? I'm in love with her paint choices for the walls and all that fun, colorful art. It's the perfect balance of paying reverence to its prewar heritage (hello beautiful architecture!) and modernizing it with contemporary pieces. I'm pretty sure it'll make it into my favorite home tours folder asap!

P.S. Rue's Holiday issue goes live tomorrow morning, but until then, a sneak peek here and here!

A European Sensibility

A home straight out of Europe. A space fit for a high society Parisienne. Yes, except it's actually right here in Chicago and home to talented designer Stephanie Wirth of Leo Designs.

How could this be anything but love at first sight? A blend of European antiques and period pieces updated in white and anchored by a glossy black floor. This is the stuff my heart is made of! Oh and let's not overlook that pretty little bar cart in the middle. It gleams with perfection.

What's so unique about this space is that it has no area rugs. I can't remember the last time I've seen a home without them. The look is expansive, raw, and unforced. Also, the lack of vibrant colors encourages us to notice the raw attributes of the space - the beautiful wood floors, the crown moldings, the ceiling medallions, the doorways.

What a poetic corner of the house. All those right angles and linear aspect of this space are foiled by the curvaceous, ornate features of the chair. Like I said...love at first sight!

*images via Chicago Home & Garden, discovered via From the Right Bank, photography by Tate Gunnerson

The Talented Miss Alaina

Friend and fellow Chicago blogger, Alaina of Live Creating Yourself, has out done herself yet again! If her home tour wasn't already enough to confirm that this girl's got an eye for style and true talent, yesterday she debuted pictures of her dressing room and they are absolutely fabulous.

In a one, two, three part series, Alaina walks us through her decorating process from start to finish, sharing her sources along the way. Don't you just love watching real life people with real life budgets bring their homes to life with personality and style?

Alaina's a talented graphic designer but I keep telling her she should be an interior decorator, too! And of her teacup jewelry organization, Martha would be proud!

If you'd like to see the full reveal, check it out here!

Back with International Inspiration

It feels good to be back my friends. Of course I miss observing new culture and the idyllic vistas of the South of France, but as design enthusiasts, I'm sure you understand that there's truly no place like home. And especially when you have a home you love.

Apart from spending on decadent dinners, I also found myself unable to resist purchasing every international decor magazine I could find. Eager to peep into the way other countries do it, it seemed a luxury to pick up a copy of Cote Sud Maison for example at a reasonable price.

One thing I didn't plan on was a day in Italy. But being so close to the border, my heart couldn't contain it and I hopped on a train and head straight for the nearest big Italian city, which was Genoa. Oh how my heart sings (...and cries for the missed memories of living there...) when I'm in that magical country!

When I spotted a copy of Marie Claire Maison Italia at the Genoa train station between rows of magazines and hundreds of titles, I made the newsstand boy get up on a latter and fetch it for me. What a treat! To bring new inspiration to my day, to take a breather from our American mags, and find new sources to love.

This here is a home as featured in the Italian magazine, of Pascale Cottard Olsoon, a gallery owner in Stockholm where she exhibits the best in design at Gallery Pascale. Realizing the city didn't have a central place to celebrate the work of beautiful, creative, inventive, and functional design she founded the gallery to much success. No doubt that the next time I'm in Stockholm, I'll be paying a visit to the gallery for sure.

*Thank you all for warmly welcoming my guest bloggers last week! Vacation is so much more rewarding when you know your blog is in good hands and you can truly unplug and shelve the laptop for a week.

Lately Loving: Berry Hues

Last weekend I stumbled upon this beautiful home featured in Nuevo Estilo. Aside from rocking that perfect balance of streamlined yet full, I couldn't help but think of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries when I saw it!

Perhaps I'm getting slightly bored with my beloved neutrals and muted tones because lately I'm in love with rich, saturated hues - colors that evoke mystery, drama, and strength. Isn't it interesting how the colors we gravitate towards seem to say so much about where we're at in life at any given time?

The oceanic blue in that painting is just perfect against the purples and golds in this room. It makes my eye perk up with excitement and slip into relaxation all at once. The way colors interact with each other and the effect they have on the way we feel is something I'll never tire of observing.

The only way the dark works for me is because it's anchored with so much white. I wouldn't be able to handle it any other way. The sofa reminds me of a cup of frozen yogurt, topped off with raspberries, just the way I order it. It's delicious!

What I find most fascinating about this home is the mix of blues and purples. The blue brings the masculine, the purple the feminine and together they create a space for anyone to love!

Brian Atwood's Milan Home

A longtime favorite house tour of mine, here's a look inside shoe designer Brian Atwood's beautiful home in Milan. Decorated by boyfriend Nate Berkus, the mid-century modern style (albeit done well) is usually not my cup of tea. But what makes the space completely irresistible for me is...

This unforgettable palm-print wall covering! If it looks familiar that's because it's the same hallmark design found in the café of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Who would have thought, such an improbable choice would live on so vividly in the design file of my memory!

And speaking of unforgettable, thank you my sweet, sweet readers for all your warm birthday wishes yesterday. You single handedly contributed to make my day feel extra special. I'm truly lucky to have you!

*images via Elle Decor, photography by Simon Upton

Blissfully White

Is your heart ready to melt at the sight of all this blissful white? Here's a house that had me gasping when I saw it!

Style at Home design editor Ann Marie Favot waited until she knew exactly what she wanted, saved the money, and then had it all custom made. The result is a beautiful home with intention.

Two low shelves from Ikea create the illusion of a mantel and add an architectural element that wasn't already there.

What I love most about the kitchen is the Carrara marble backslash. It's much more affordable than a slab, but creates the the same look.

A midcentury modern dining nook with beautiful silhouettes and sculptures in the form of those chairs and the bubble lamp.

What a sweet little mud room! Porcelain tile floors softened by Barbara Barry damask print wallpaper.

The key to warmth with whites is mixing various shades and textures of the color as done here in the bedroom.

A perfectly styled dresser and vanity. The furniture is Ikea, but the signature touch is definitely Ann Marie's!

*discovered via Escapade