In her seventh book, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces (CICO Books, $35, cicobooks.com), Ashwell tours twelve inspiring homes in the United States and United Kingdom. I love the use of soft, muted palettes throughout the book. Every room is somehow cosy, yet sophisticated. Take a look at a few beautiful photos from the book. Happy Friday!
Photo Credit: CICO Books
Has anyone else noticed that women (and men) all over LA and New York are running around in platform sneakers inspired by the Isabel Marant style? Sneakers are so stylish now, they're no longer reserved for errands on the weekends. So why don't you ever catch me in them, you ask?
I'm strangely self-conscious about my feet in sneakers -- I think they make them look gigantic. I'll go out on a limb with my olive green New Balances but that's about as adventurous as I get. So here are some of my favorites; I'll never wear them, but maybe I can live vicariously through you.
Take the Adidas Gazelle. I saw them featured in a magazine the other day and love the look, but they remind me so much of my childhood.
I always like high-tops like these Jimmy Choos, but I feel that I'm already too tall and skinny and I think they just elongate me. Something I just don't need.
Of all the popular styles, I am easing into the dark sneaker. These Common Projects sneakers are so comfortable, and classy enough that I could walk into a nice store and not feel like I'm improperly dressed.
How do you feel about style-conscious sneakers for grown-ups?
If you've seen the December issue of Living, you know I love to throw a holiday party! Once the menu is set and the decorations are in place, I focus on the music. While I enjoy a Christmas carol or two, hours of holiday-themed music can quickly become a drag. I find that it's best to play an assortment of upbeat songs. Here's a sampling of lively songs, compiled by a friend of mine who loves any song he can dance to!
No weekend in New York is complete without a bit of shopping! Today, I'll share some of my favorite shops and boutiques with you. Whether you're looking for a gift, a good read, or some magnificent home accessories, I know you'll find something fabulous to take home and treasure!
Book Marc, Marc Jacob's bookstore, is the perfect place to find uber-chic books. I highly recommend you check it out for unique gifts, fun personal reads, and books for home design.
Tinsel Trading is such a fun boutique - definitely spend some time in here and check out their stunning vintage gold ribbons.
Pasanella and Son Vintners is a very beautiful wine shop owned by my Decorating Editor, Rebecca Robertson Pasanella.
Jamali Garden design is the event planners' secret source for everything home. Go for one-of-a-kind finds!
via MySimpleDetails.
The Neue Galerie gift shop, because Weiner Werkstatte never goes out of style. The shop is just as incredible as the museum itself.
Calvin Klein has an excellent collection of housewares downstairs and you should definitely check them out!
CWonder is the perfect place to find bright, cheerful gifts. And the store's luminous décor is sure to inspire you.
Photo courtesy of BryanBoy
You relocated to New York more permanently this summer. What was your approach in decorating your new space?
I really wanted it to be completely the opposite of me. I love wearing prints, I love wearing color, I love texture, but I just wanted something that feels comfortable and minimal and almost bland. I’m obsessed with beige and off-white and eggshells; the only colors are touches of green and gold.
Fashion week is right around the corner. What can we expect to see you wearing?
A lot of prints and shorts and monochromatic looks. I got some leather shorts earlier this week. Now, that I turned 30 earlier this year, it’s kind of time to tone it down.
Who is your dream interview subject?
Steven Meisel. He’s such a recluse, he doesn’t really go to any events, but I’d love to pick his brain. He’s an incredible photographer and he’s really inspiring.
Is it even more tempting because he's not out and about?
Yes! It’s always like that! In this life, you always want what you cannot have, what you cannot get.
For the longest time...I started my blog in the Philippines, I grew up there, I lived there, and I spent all my life dreaming. Who knew? A lot of things are possible, a lot of my dreams have already come true. You can really make it happen in this day and age.
What city or destination always reboots your creativity?
I really love going to desolate places. I just got back from a trip to Utah and Nevada. Me and my best friend, she lives in L.A., we both flew to Salt Lake City and from there we just spent nine days driving to California. We stopped by all the deserts and the Salt Flats in Utah. it’s really inspiring to go to places where there are no traces of civilization. No paved roads, no water bottles, no human beings. It’s just like…wow, for the first time in my life I felt like I was really part of a bigger world out there.
Stylist and world-renowned blogger Holly Becker called into my show from her home in Germany. World traveler! Her blog, Decor8, is always beautiful and inspiring and I loved chatting with her. Listen to my show every week on SiriusXM channel 110 on Wednesday from 4-5p.m. ET.
What would be your dream decorating project?
I live in Hannover, Germany and there is a freestanding cafe in our city forest, Waldcafe Milchhäuschen, that has been around since at least a century and I dream of someday working with the owners to transform it into a stylish cafe and garden/lifestyle shop. The inspirations for my project would be The Royal Cafe in Copenhagen, Rosendals Trädgård in Stockholm,Terrain at Styer's in Glen Mills, PA and ABC Kitchen in NYC. I'd want to mix in fresh takes on more old-fashioned German motifs and recipes and prepare food that is light, healthy and delicious, too. As for the structure, I'd love to work with an architect to design a modern building with white 'fachwerk', skylights, transom windows, and lots of exposed beams using northern Scandinavian pine or better yet, pine from the Eilenriede forest where the cafe is located. I imagine brushed concrete floors since it is in a forest and receives a lot of foot traffic from muddy feet and lots of space to eat both inside and out along with community-style long tables that are very typical in German beer gardens using iron and pine, with industrial style lighting overhead. Of course, a wood burning stove would be a must for the Fall and Winter and in addition to German glühwein, I'd like to introduce New England style apple cider as it's hard to find here -- and homemade hot cocoa with marshmallows - of course! I already have the entire concept down - now I just need lots of money and the opportunity - the tricky part!
What’s your favorite color to decorate with right now?
I don't hone in a single color as much as complete palettes - I can easily become obsessed with a palette. I was shopping in Paris this past February at Merci and saw a splattering of orange, rust, gray and mint paint against a gray concrete floor in the women's clothing department - and then the clothing directly above it had those same colors along with emerald green, peach and metallic copper and a little brass. Ever since March, all I can think about is combining emerald green with a very pale peach and mixing in some charcoal gray, mint and copper with a little orange. I'm thinking to decorate my classroom in my studio space with this palette for my next decorating workshop.
What was the last great book you read?
I recently read, and loved, a book called Woodcut by Bryan Nash Gill and another called One by Victoria Alexander - both were very inspirational and helped me to think in new directions - I didn't expect both books to touch me as much as they did - the inspiration was so random and not what I would normally gravitate towards yet I cannot recommend both books enough. My note: Holly's book Decorate Workshop comes out Nov. 21, 2012.
Who are your must-follow Pinners?
Stylist James Leland Day. I had lunch with him in Paris over the winter and can't get enough of his impeccable style so Pinterest is where I go to see what's on his radar. I also love Leslie Shewring's Pinterest boards - they're gorgeous and inspirational. I really like following @lottaagaton, @taza, @whimsyandspice, @ayu0319, @zooeydeschanel and @photoshome on Instagram.
Whether decorating a boutique hotel, restaurant, or home, Kelly Wearstler rarely designs with a "less is more" approach. Everything the designer-turned-fashion muse touches seems to turn to gold (sometimes quite literally, given her opulent interiors).
Kelly's latest book, "Rhapsody" debuts October 23 and I got a sneak peek. The tome takes you through her creative process and features never-before-seen images of her latest work. It's bursting with her glamorous and energetic vignettes, all using her signature bold color, texture, and mix of both vintage and new. Throughout the pages, she dissects certain rooms and explains the importance of juxtaposing rawness and refinement to get her distinctive look.
I love how Kelly infuses her distinctive personal style into every room and always keeps you guessing.
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