I've lived in my apartment for a little over a month now and it seems there's still a lot of empty space. Take the empty wall above my sofa...I could easily run out and purchase a bunch of inexpensive prints to fill the wall but I'm not going to. I've decided to wait to find pieces that I am absolutely in love with rather than rush to fill my home with meaningless things. When I moved into my own apartment I made a wish list of items and since then I've been slowly saving and checking them off.
One of the first pieces I knew I needed to have was a
Louis Philippe-style mirror - the simple lines, rounded corners and gilded finish really appeal to me. I purchased the one pictured above at a
Leslie Hindman Market Place Auction last year. I got a little carried away when bidding but I know I will have this piece forever. In my last apartment it hung above a console table, now it's the starting point for a gallery wall above my sofa. This piece is so versatile I know it will always find a place in my home. Below are a few of my favorite ways designers have used Louis Philippe mirrors to liven up a space. Which one is your favorite?
Above the Sofa: Nate Berkus + Anne Coyle incorporated a Louis Philippe mirror into the gallery wall of this study. I wish I could buy everything in this room, especially the
Michael Hainey bird painting!
Above the Sofa: Jodi Webb shared this gorgeous Louis Philippe mirror on her blog, Cote de Texas.
Above the Fireplace: A Louis Philippe mirror hung above the fireplace reflects the surrounding room.
In the Living Room: Laurann Claridge hung a Louis Philippe mirror over a 19th-century Biedermeier chest to create a beautiful tablescape.
In the Bedroom: Palmer Weiss paired a Louis Philippe mirror with a vintage chest of drawers and various silver picture frames.
In the Entry: A Louis Philippe mirror hung above a console table reflects light from a chandelier and makes the perfect place to take a quick peek before heading out.
In the Dining Room: A floor mirror layered over a wall of mirrors adds depth.
I'm not sure what I like more, the animal print carpeting used throughout the interior or that pool and loggia area outside. Either way, this Palm Beach abode deisgned by Kara Mann has me happily daydreaming of moving South once the crisp Chicago weather comes. The entire home is just beautiful! Which room is your favorite?
The urchin-like Jean De Merry Lumiere Chandelier is the star of the dining room but I also love how the metallic walls make the room glow. 
Possibly my favorite room in the house...I love how Kara mixed the traditional curtains, pelmet and wallpaper with a modern tulip chair and zebra rug.
Images: Kara Mann
Can you tell I've got fall fashion on my mind? I'm watching Project Runway right now and I'm completely obsessed with this Preen blouse Nina Garcia is wearing. Actually, I think Nina might just be my style soul mate. Her love of tailored, streamlined, architectural, asymmetrical forms is right up my alley. I wish I could swap closets with her because I bet she has some of these other gorgeous looks from the Preen fall 2011 collection hanging in there just waiting to be worn!
OPTION 2: Go (charcoal) Grey. This look from the J. Crew Fall 2011 lookbook pretty much sums up my style. A classic blue tailored oxford, a textured coat and an amazing chocolate brown leather bag (the same color as my ottoman). I like this option BUT it might be too safe.
I've had this gorgeous little vignette saved on my computer since 2008. I've thought about posting it several times but couldn't find the source...that is until I found the reverse image search website, TinEye. It's a blogger's best friend. So as you may have guessed from the title of this post, the image belongs to the lovely Anna Spiro of the blog Absolutely Beautiful Things. She snapped the picture while wrapping her staffs Christmas gift (lucky them!). I envy Anna's fearless use of color and pattern and her collection of blue and white pottery is to die for. Is it just me or do you want one of everything in this picture? 
I'm in love with these wood candle holders from Etsy shop, Pelle. I'm going to contact the shop owner this weekend and see if he'll make more because I think they's look great clustered in the center of my dining room table! I have a thing for mixed metallics...and rocks.
I’ve been hunting for a chandelier to go over my new dining room table for a few months now. I've scoured thrift stores, flea markets, craigslist and ebay but nothing affordable or amazing enough to warrant purchase has popped up. While I was on the hunt I did, however, fall in love with the incredibly expensive work of Lindsey Adelman Studio. Her Bubble series, with its stunning hand-blown glass globes and custom metal fittings, has both a contemporary and vintage vibe. It's exactly what I'm looking for, minus the huge price tag. 
Everything about the kitchen pictured above - the chandelier, backsplash, table and chairs - is perfection.
Despite the chandelier's contemporary design, it works well with the traditional millwork in the foyer pictured below. 
Lindsey's Knotty Bubble series, pictured below, is inspired by Japanese maritime culture and packing. Wouldn't it look great in a beach house?
Images: Lindsey Adelman Studio
And it wouldn't be a proper ostrich post without sharing Michelle Adam's living room. Cute and quirky. You can purchase this amazing ostrich wallpaper at The Wallpaper Collective.
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I didn't have time to take pictures of my guest bathroom but I did buy black shades for all the lamps throughout my apartment. I must say, it was money well spent! There's something to chic about a black lampshade, don't you think? Just look at the lamps in these rooms - I swear the black shades are like a touch of magic. Do you have any black lampshades in your home? 
