Gift Guide Part 3 : Her

Here it is, the 2013 gift guide for Her.

1. Stacking Ring. Like copper and brass in interiors, rose gold has become a HUGE trend in fashion over the past year.  I love the sparkle and detail of this ring from Leif Shop.

2. Shearling lined slippers. There is nothing nicer than slipping on a pair of cozy slippers to keep ones feet warm over the holidays and these moccasins from J Crew are just the perfect pair.

3. Stella McCartney bag.  I have adored the Falabella bags forever - one of my design must-haves, therefore it just had to make it's way onto the list.

4. Little Ceramic Pot.  I always have things that are just stowed on my bedside table and this little White and Gold pot from Etsy shop UpInTheAirSomewhere is just the perfect little thing to have holding for all my bits and pieces.

5. Clear Frame Glasses.  While I know that this item isn't for everything it is something on my list this year and so I just had to include.  I know that the trend has been for thick, dark plastic frames, and while I do have a pair like that, I now really want some clear plastic ones like these from Derek Cardigan.  Only question is can I pull them off??

6. Leather and Canvas zip pouch. I love things being monogrammed and these little zippered pouches are a great accessory for whatever one might need.

Gift Guide Part 1 : Home

Well, it's that time of the year again! Hard to believe we are already in full holiday mode and so here comes my Gift Guide! What better a way to start the 2013 series than with yummy treats for the Home! Hope you enjoy, find some inspiration and don't forget to check back for guides to gifts for Him, Her and new this year Pets. 

1. Colourful Honeycomb Coasters from Leif Shop. I love a little bit of colour in a home accessory, especially when it's in a pixilated pattern, and these hand-painted coasters offer just that bit of punch to your coffee table.

2. Teacup and Small Tray.  This simple yet extremely elegant set would be perfect for a spot of afternoon tea!

3. Almoco Copper Flatware. This year has been one of brass and copper in the world of interiors and I just love the little edge this cutlery gives.  

4. Grey Felt Storage Bin from DWR. I just love the simplicity of the design, durability of material and really can picture this in any interior.

5. Brushtroke Glasses. In a colour palette designed by Le Corbusier, these glasses are produced by Lobmeyr and are to me, perfection.

6. Restorations Hardware Italian Tipped Sheets. I love these - the simple edge detail adds a little contemporary twist without losing the crisp clean look of white linens.

All Wrapped Up

I am obsessed with paper, paper products and wrapping. I think that the amount of effort one puts into a gift (and yes, the wrapping part counts) says so much about a person and really helps to elevate any gift big or small.  Last year I did a post on wrapping (see Wrap it Up) and had such fun putting it together, that with only a few more days left until Christmas I thought it would be good to do another.

Wishing you all a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

A x

I just love the plan white box or papper with a little twine and then the use of paint cards as the notes - so simple and can be used throughout the year, but make the colours more festive (or add a little red way mark) and you are ready for the holidays.

Apartment Therapy

liebesbotschaft

Nothing better than some simple paper and then a really great bow!

Julep

I just love the simplicity of materials for this wrapping but you can really see the effort that has gone into the wrapping.

A Gift Wrapped Life

I drive my husband crazy by keeping interesting papers in the hopes of one day using it as wrapping.  Well this NYC subway map is a great idea and just looks so fun!

The Knot

Finally, I think that the ultimate way to re-use paper is wallpaper as wrapping.  In the design field we always order too much just to be sure we have enough, and some of the colours and patterns (as below) really do make for great gift paper.

The Clever Blog

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Last year I had a lot of fun with my post on wreaths (see Decorations all Around), so for this years Holiday decoration ideas I thought that I would spread my reach a little further.  With Hanukkah starting tonight and Christmas being only a few short weeks away, I am sure this weekend is when most people get their decorating hats on and set to the task of making ones house look festive for the holidays.  Here are some ideas that will really help you spread some holiday cheer in your home.

Marion House Book

Paper Statement Christmas Ornaments

Apartment Therapy

Camilla at Home

Although traditionally wreaths are a Christmas decoration I think that they are just festive!  Over the last couple of years I have seen more and more that are just decorative and add a little winter cheer to ones home.

Lizzie Joe Designs - Cork Wreath

Embellished Living - Felt Rosette Wreath

Sweet Paul Mag - Photo Wreath

Gift Guide Part 2 : Home

For the second instalment of my guide I wanted to share things for the home - after all this is an Interior Design blog and the fun part.  I was very conscious when making my selections to consider that not all of us are prepared to spend six figues on gifts for the home this holiday season, and so my selection are thing I would love and that aren't going to break the bank.  What would make the top of your list?

1. Roberts Retro DAB Radio. Okay, this has been on my list for the last several years.  I think that it is an amazing addition (aesthetically) to an interior, and adds a little touch of quirk  with this said, do people still listen to the radio??

2. Pillows from Christian Zuzunaga

3. Alvar Aalto Squiggle Vase

4. Adnet Mirror. This is probably the priciest item on the list, but seeing as he is one of my favorites, I couldn't leave him off my home gift list.  Many have tried to copy his mirror, but when it comes down to it, the stitching detail and proportions just can't be beat with an original!

5. Tea Bag Infuser

6. Petrified Wood Book Ends

7. Soda Stream Source is the latest addition to the Soda Stream Family and I think the best one yet.  The craze of making ones own sparkling water has really picked up and for this addition to their collection, they have enlisted the design help and environmental expertise of Yves Béhar,

Gift Guide Part 1 : Her

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and for those of you that took part in the craziness that is the Black Friday shopping weekend, you got some great deals and have had a good start to your holiday shopping.  I thought that since today is Cyber Monday, it would be a good time to have the first instalment of my 2012 gift guide. Over the next couple of weeks I will share the things that I think could make great gifts for those around you this holiday season.  

1. Cole Haan Skylar Reflective Oxford shoes. These Shoes are incredible. I have actually never seen anything like it.  They are the classic leather oxford shoes with one change - they have a reflective material coating on the upper of the shoe making them completely reflective with flash.  The shoes are black, but when they are caught in light they become high viz silver. 

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs ring

3. NewbarK Lazer Cut clutch

4. Chan Luu Ombré scarf

5. Essie Nailpolish

6. A tablet sleeve. I am a big fan of felt and leather together and think that the softness of felt is perfect to protect ones tablet device.  An Etsy shop called Fele Case makes cases for pretty much any kind of tablet, eReader or electronic device and I think that they are the perfect combination of cool and functional!

Inspired By

Fall! It is hard to ignore that the seasons are changing.  Although the weather seems to be holding out now the colder days have hit Manhattan and so it is only a matter of time until it turns for good.  I am worried for what the colder weather will be like this winter, but for now I am putting that out of my head to enjoy the amazing colours of the fall. Since it has been a while since I had an Inspired By post, I thought it would be good to ring in the week with my favourite feelings of fall!

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens

Elle Decor

Pinterest

I love these chairs and know that there is nothing particularly autumn-like about them, however I love that they are upholstered in an old Hudson Bay blanket and they just feel so warm and cozy.

Sit and Read

Fall and getting into the colder seasons for me has always been about cable knit. I think that it is great that knit no longer only means sweaters - whether lining for hunter boots, or a little texture for your home, it is a comforting and cozy and reminds me of the change in season and wardrobe.

Image Credits : Photo 1,  Photo 2, Photo 4,  Photo 3

I just loved this selection of yarn. What a stunning Fall Palette this would make - a nice selection of warm neutrals with a little pop of colour.  

Flickr

Little Vignettes

Things have been so busy around here I am a full month behind on my design reading! I was home sick on Wednesday and managed to get through the September Issue of AD - finally - and found myself a little disappointed.  I love AD and usually feel that there are a handful of projects that I swoon over but somehow not this time.  I did however like bits and pieces from many of the articles, so I thought I would compile a few of my favourites for this post.  To me they are great little vignette's that not only inspire but are great expressions of interior design, architecture and styling.  Gotta love a good shot! Happy weekend to all! 

A x

A 1930s mansion revised by Steven Gambrel

Photographer Oberto Gili

 A Las Vegas Mansion

Pieter Estersohn Photography

An Upper East Side apartment by Jamie Drake

William Waldron Photographer

Minimal New York City apartment

Nikolas Koenig Photography

Milly de Cabrol decorates a NYC loft

William Waldron Photographer

Danish Delight

Happy 5th of July all! Yesterday was Independence Day here in the US, and it was very strange having a day off right in the middle of the week - not going to complain, however I really feel that I should have taken advantage and either taken the couple of days before or after as an extended vacation.  Anyways, back to reality, and back to work on this hot Thursday.  I am wrapping up this project in Aspen, and as I posted here, I'm in the middle of accessory shopping and thinking about how the project is going to be styled for the client hand-over.  Lately I have found myself going back to basics with websites such as Tine K Home. They are a Danish home accessory supplier (to the trade only I am afraid), however not only do they make great home goods, but their have a simple palette and an incredible eye for styling.  Definitely worth a look at their site and their blog for all those creative holes that need to be filled!

Tine K Home - Inspiration Gallery

The Finishing Touches

I am currently in Aspen working my little tail off at an installation - sorry that I have been a little MIA this week in terms of posts.  We arrived here on Monday morning and have spent the past three days carrying boxes and furniture into the house and all around.  It has been in the high 80s (30 degree Celsius) with the sun blazing high in the sky and so it has made for a very hot and hard installation.  This, however, is one of my favorite parts of a project - when you get to see all the months and sometimes years of hard work pay off and everything comes together.

We are turning over the house in a couple of weeks (yup, this is the first trip of a few to Aspen over the next little while for me) and as per usual my mind is in overdrive as to how this is all going to come together.  I am thinking about setting the scene for when the clients see it completed, what the vignette's throughout are going to look like, and general styling of art, accessories and flowers is going to be.  I thought I would share some of my favorite styling images of the moment and see if you had any thoughts? What is it that you do in the final stages to get a project to pull together? I hope you all had a lovely weekend and I would love to hear from you on what it is that you think makes for great styling.

All Photos available through my Pinterest board Styling