SO GOOD YOU COULD EAT IT

Let's pause for a moment and feast on the deliciousness of this space. It's all so tasty, my eyes don't know where to start (or stop!), but I'll try.

I think the oversized black drum shade takes the cake. It's a bold move that works brilliantly. And notice the extra little detail they added with the ceiling medallion? The small touch goes a long way in giving it more presence. There's a lot going on in the rest of this space (seating galor, pictures for days, objects everywhere), but it feels far from cluttered and instead, perfectly edited. The trick? Keeping everything in the same color palette (blue, black, and beige) to create visual consistency. Love!

*image via the decorista's tumblr.

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

WINTER WHITES WITH HINTS OF BLUE

Who says white is just for summer? The bright color reminiscent of a pure bed of snow is just as stunning now as it is then.

Paired with a hint of blue, be it a bolster pillow, billowing curtain or painted wall, the feeling is always crisp and forever fresh.

Layer it with different shades of blue for a look that has dimension and depth. Mixing textures - velvet, tulle, and linen - helps too.

Aww...the visual equivalent of a day at the spa. Refreshing, rejuvenating, and fresh.

*images via Martha Stewart, Dress Design Decor, and Jeff Andrews Design

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!

Cobalt Blue, I Can't Get Enough of You!

I know what you're thinking. It's spring and I should be posting palettes of blush pinks, faint lilacs, subtle yellows, and other soft hues. But life is too short for rules and I can't get enough of this deliciously saturated little corner in cobalt blue!

Which brings to mind Windsor Smith's kitchen! Made famous by the September 2009 issue of House Beautiful for its unexpected boldness, the blue creates drama and mystery while the white George Smith wingback saves it from feeling too heavy. Whether you can picture it in your own home or not, the luxury of it all is hard to resist whatever time of year!

*images via Erin Ever After & House Beautiful

Tiffany's Blue, I Love You

I can't think of a better way to start the weekend than with a perfectly feminine, wonderfully elegant, extraordinarily stylish space like this one....in Tiffany's blue no less!

Enjoy a happy and stylish weekend darlings!! xoxo, Crystal

*image via Canadian House & Home; room by Mary McDonald

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!

Tried & True: Classic Blue

Somehow I think my weekend trip to Texas inspired this one. An all-American favorite and classic choice, blue appeals to our sense of home and comfort. From daytime denim to evening silk, it's tried and true, always stylish, and irresistibly versatile!

*fashion is Ralph Lauren Spring 2010 via style.com, interiors via House Beautiful and Ralph Lauren Home

What's Your Style In One Picture?

It's a pretty hard question, isn't it? Alek at From the Right Bank to the Left Coast has a challenge going on where she asks, can you find one picture that sums up your design style? This proved difficult as mine is constantly changing, but here it is! And no, I couldn't choose just one, so I'm cheating and submitting three :)

One thing that I love and just can't get enough of is mixing rustic elements, like these beams, columns, and table with super modern pieces, like these Arne Jacobsen Ant Chairs and Cellula Chandelier. I'm also currently on a hot pink kick, so this color is more than working for me!

Two words: leaning mirrors! I love them everywhere and in any room! Add the clawfoot tub and antique chandelier and it can't get much better! But wait, it does. Ceiling beams and a Barcelona-esque chair! 

I know I posted this room earlier in the week, but it has quickly become a favorite of mine. It's visually clean, but still achieves so much texture, luxuriousness, and warmth! 

And it's no coincidence that all three pictures have chandeliers. I'm currently in love with them! I hope you'll submit your picture too and participate in the challenge right here. It's so much fun to see what others choose!

*images via From the Right Bank, The Selby, Skona Hem

Another Swedish Home to Fall in Love With

This place is just stunning in my eyes! The the soothing color palette of grey and blue mixed with warm elements like wood and brass, create the perfect balance of warm and cold, new and old, modern and rustic. And my heart swoons!

Perfection!! In September I'm moving into an apartment with a similar fireplace and I've already started scouring eBay and Etsy looking for two candelabras like these for the mantle! I'll take the chandelier too, please :) The sparse accessorizing here is what does it for me. It highlights the few special pieces present and they command so much more attention because of it!

This chandelier has single handedly made me consider using brass and gold finishings for the first time in my new place! It's hard to step away from my comfort zone of silver and nickel, but I'm up for challenging myself to try something new!

The modern, clean lines with pockets of warmth and vintage finds is pretty much my aesthetic in a nutshell. Do you like it, too? How would you describe your aesthetic?

*via Skona Hem

Inspirational Room of the Week: Revival Home

There is so much goodness in this room, where to start?! The velvety red on the walls is perfection. Imagine it without the strong color and it just isn't quite right. The period mixing shows great confidence and restraint on the part of the designer.

The modern light fixture and chairs add unexpected sass and pizazz to the otherwise neoclassical space. And the rounded windows and french doors into the room are the types of architectural details that truly make a space! More of those lovely windows and great design down below.

Happy Friday! See you Monday. xoxo Crystal

*images via Metropolitan Home

Dreamy Blues

I'm running on a few days of sleep deprivation after a travel weekend, busy days at work, and lots of evening commitments. The dreaminess and relaxation of these blues are calling my name and telling me to come back to bed. Wouldn't that be nice?!

*images via Design*Sponge and Katy Elliott

Soothing Blue Doors

Wouldn’t it be nice to welcome your guests through an inviting blue door like one of these? Or paint an interior one this color to change it up a bit inside? 

And this one below - I’ve been day dreaming about this color ever since first seeing it a few month ago. My mind keeps coming back to it over and over again. It’s so soothing and the perfect amount of sage and blue. 

*images via Katy Elliott and unknown

Style 360º: Nautical Navy

Don't you love how you could start with the room to get the outfit inspiration? Or start with the outfit to get the room design?

They're both so tastefully done by referencing nautical elements but not being obvious (or cheesy) about it. There's just the right amount of sailor vibe in this beautiful room and beachy coolness in her look. I love the navy stripes in both, which always achieve such a visually clean experience. Perfect look for summertime!

*room via Katy Elliott fashion via Marie Claire