Friday, September 30, 2011

Earthly Elements

My favorite interiors are ones that blend natural elements with sleek, modern design so it's no wonder I fell for this rustic yet modern vignette the moment I saw it.  The twig-like Casamidy Hiver Opera armchair, soft, chartreuse cushions and textured moose antlers seems like such a winning combination.  I loved the idea of this image so much that I decided to paint it and hang in it my guest bathroom.   It's not good, it's not bad but it's mine, so I love it.

(photograph by david prince for elle decor)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Where I'd Like to be Today

I know, I know you've probably seen Jenna Lyon's bedroom a million times but this here blog is my virtual inspiration board so I'm posting it because:
a) I love it
b) dark walls feel like a warm hug on a rainy fall day
c) I found this amazing lands' end bedding that reminds me of it
Oh what I would give to lounge in its Olatz-clad bed with a stack of books and a toasty fire. It's been a stressful week with lots of life-changing decisions so I'm in need of an escape....
I'll share the details later but for now I'd rather share this Jenna Lyon's inspired bedroom:
benjamin moore chalkboard paint / lands' end shelby bedding / vintage red coral branch / etsy vintage portrait / jayson home and garden cloches /  four cubes led digital clock

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Stylish Interiors

I came across this amazing Veronica Beard leopard trench while flipping through the latest issue of Bazaar and just had to find out more about this New York City-based company. It turns out that Veronica Beard is the brainchild of two stylish sisters-in-laws, Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, that apparently know a thing or two about interiors.  I was a fan of Veronica S. Beard's colorful home when it was featured in Elle Decor back in 2009 and now I'm just dying to know who designed the home featured in their Spring 2011 campaign.  Whomever it is I want to befriend them and learn their style secrets...

Monday, September 26, 2011

Need a Ray?

I'm not typically a fan of the ever so trendy sunburst mirror but this one by Made Goods works for me.  It's called the Dawn mirror and it is fashioned after a vintage bracelet...a bracelet that must have looked exactly like this Pam Hiran necklace I purchased from ModCloth last week.  Striking resembalance, right?  I wore the necklace over the weekend and received a ton of complements.  It's probably the best $50 I've spent in quite some time and a radiant addition to my fall wardrobe. 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Design Hunter | Jayson Home's Fall Flea Market

I hope you have a fabulous fall weekend! If you live in Chicago be sure to check out Jayson Home + Garden's Fall Flea Market....there are tons of treasures from across the globe just waiting for a new home. Here are a few of my favorite vignettes and pieces from the amazingly styled event.
(photographs taken by kristin kerr for simply smitten)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Specimens

I know what you're thinking, but no, these are not photographs.  I'm in complete awe of Carly Waito's insanely perfect, meticulously rendered Specimens series.   These semi-precious gems and minerals look so real they almost pop off the page.  Add one to my Ultimate Wish List, please!
(found via)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The House of Windsor

Have you seen The House of Windsor in the October issue of Veranda? I love just about every inch of the 8,000-square-foot estate...especially the rooms designed by Windsor Smith. Her color palette is so inviting and I love how she mixed pieces from different cultures and eras.  A suzani-covered ottoman, a Belgian canapĂ©, and the most amazing African beaded chairs are all seamlessly incorporated into her design.   
You can tour the entire house here.  Be sure to let me know what you think!
(Images via Veranda Unveils)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Enter Autumn

I can't stop starring at this sublimely decorated entry hall from the March issue of VerandaDavid Netto is a genius.  The chalky William Kent style console and geometric marble floor in shades of black, white, and tan are insanely gorgeous but what I really love is the green felt table with bullion fringe. This space has the perfect mix and feels warm and inviting.  So with fall right around the corner (only 3 days away), I couldn't help but gather some items inspired by this look.

Here's all you need to be chic this autumn:

Friday, September 16, 2011

I've Found my New Calling...

Right now I feel like that guy from the Stanley Steamer commercial...you know, the guy that says, "Now, I mean I wouldn't say I'm a doctor. But I wouldn't say I'm not a doctor, either".  Replace "doctor" with color trend forecaster and that would be me...totally kidding!

But seriously, I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the strange color schemes I've been blogging about hit the spring 2012 runway.  Take the mint + peach combo above.  I got some mixed reactions/comments when I posted about it here but just look how chic it looks in this DVF ensemble.  And the color of the Tibi pants picture below is dead on with the color of the chair I inherited from my Great Aunt.  Then there are the lovely frosty pastels from Phillip Lim's collection that look like they were plucked right out of Ruthie Sommers bedroom (posted about here).  Needless to say, there were a lot of color schemes that I would have never thought of but that I hope to use as inspiration for future projects...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Gorgeous Green Curtains

Why don't you...bring the outdoors in by flanking your windows with green curtains?
Make it bright emerald, or go with a deep, muted, mossy-green—either way, you’ll end up with a refreshing statement that reflects one of the world’s most abundant colors.  Designer Kay Douglass used green linen curtains in the absolutely sublime dining room pictured above.  The burst of green against the gun powder walls makes the room feel fresh and alive—it's green design in the most literal sense!  Below are some of my favorite rooms that use graceful green curtains...which shade do you prefer? 
Ruthie Sommers lined kelly-green silk panels with white ruffled trim for a feminine touch
Refreshing emerald-green Brunschwig & Fils silk curtains with greek key trim hang in this cozy dining room designed by Miles Redd. The Amber and gold finishes react really well with the green curtains.
The green curtains in Alexis and Trevor Traina's dining room, designed by Ann Getty, pop against the crisp white wall.
Claudia Wasserstein's very colorful New York penthouse featured in the September issue of Vogue
Lime green curtains in Fawn Galli's Brooklyn living room photographed by Francis Dzikowski

(Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Mad About Hue | Orange-Red

This saturated hue caught my color-loving eye while looking through the Spring 2012 fashion shows on Style.com. I mean, is it not the prettiest color you've ever seen? An orange-red gown sounds intense but both Derek Lam, above, and Christian Siriano, below, managed to tame this bold hue and send it down the runway.  I wonder if I could pull off a monochromatic orange-red room?

Have you been following the spring shows? What's your favorite color or collection thus far?
CHRISTIAN-SIRIANO-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-038_show_fullscreen_view

Monday, September 12, 2011

Golden Girl

So today, on this sunny Monday morning, I thought I would share a few project I completed a few months back.  Honestly, Golden Girl is probably a more fitting title for my blog than Simply Smitten.  Whether it's a table, mirror or frame, if it's gold, I love it and if it's not gold, I'll use Old World Arts Gold Leafing Kit to make it gold.  Above, I used the kit to gold leaf a vintage picture frame I picked up at a flea market.  I love how the gold makes the frame's cravings pop. I added a chalkboard to the inside and now this frame hangs in my kitchen.  It's the perfect place to jot down note to my man or my weekly to do list.  I'm thinking about adding a Ruby Beets tribal striped runner in front of it. 
When my aunt gave me this table a few years ago I knew that it had good bones - just look at that marble top - but I wasn't feeling the colored flowers.  Inspired by the Mattaliano Ramille Table, I decided to (obviously) gold leaf it.  Now it's the perfect pop of gold in my living room.  I love it!
 
I'm currently working on a painting inspired by this piece from Natural Curiosities...If I finish it this week I'll be sure to share it.  What's on your agenda?

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Mirrored Wall (Part II)

Turns out I'm not the only one with mirrored walls on my mind! Lonny launched their October issue this morning which features this gorgeous mirrored wall in the home of Lisa Sherry...and the best part of all is that they included a step-by-step tutorial on their blog! If you love this look as much as I do, be sure to check it out! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I know, mirrored walls often get a bad rap but their reflective surface instantly opens up a room adding a touch of glamour. I especially like the way smaller antiqued square mirrors look when hung in a grid. The smoky mirrored wall in Todd Romano's old apartment above is one of my all-time favorites! The tiles provide an enchanting background and help define this seating area as separate from the rest of his living room.
Antiqued mirror tiles anchor this chic vignette and create the illusion of another room behind the table. Just look at the way those red chairs pop against the wall. Love it!
This weekend I might just channel Versailles!  With a pack of Ikea tiles, a few decorative pewter stars and this genius tutorial I'll have my very own "hall of mirror" in no time!  What's your plan for the weekend?

(Images via Elle Decor and Nuevo Estilo)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Perfect Pantry

Yes, you read that right...this is a pantry, a pantry that is larger than my parent's kitchen and perfect because it's covered in a wonderful wallpaper designed by David Hicks for Clarence House called The Vase. I love this wallpaper in all of it's colorways but especially the yellow and white combination seen here. I'm using it in the guestroom/possible nursery of the house I'm designing in Maine. I mean really, who wouldn't love to wake up to this cheery paper every morning!?! 
The guest room "before" shots...I'll share the rest of the design soon!

(Image via At Home in Arkansas