Currently Coveting

Another week, another bundle of beautiful things.  Today's batch of beauts was inspired by a gorgeous picture interior designer Angie Hranowsky posted on Instagram.  I think miss Angie and I might just be soulmates -- I'm pretty sure the bench in her shot is covered in the Kathryn Ireland Moroccan weave I've been obsessing over!  Also, how amazing is that Anthropologie teal throw? Hey, Angie, post more pictures, please! xo

painting by rebecca cabassa / fleece flounce throw / waylande gregory stool / amythest cuff / black + white eivor throw / lucite chair / tufted sofa / brass candle holder

Inspired Interior | Christian Bérard

My home office is in desperate need of a little decoration -- no matter how many pieces of art I hang the white wall just aren't cutting it.  I'm thinking about doing a little Christian Bérard homage.  Pictured above are the trompe l'oeil architectural details he designed in collaboration with Jean-Michel Frank for L'Institut Guerlain.  What is often mistaken for as paint is in fact grosgrain ribbon and silk cut to resemble Bérard's brushstrokes.  No, he was not trying to fool anyone with his faux architectural details, but that's the beauty of them- they're whimsical and perhaps not all that difficult to mimic?  New York designer John Barman, took inspiration from the Guerlain interior and used Bérard-style brushstrokes to add interest to the otherwise straightforward bedroom pictured above.  In the third picture, Sara Story painted faux molding in the hallway of the Elle Decor Modern Living Showhouse but kicked things up a notch by using two shades of gold paint to create the illusion of a shadow.  Obviously I love the gold. 

Since I rent and actual wood molding are not an option this might just be the easiest way to achieve my very own Rachel Roy-inspired office. Someone bring me a yardstick and a can of paint!

(Images: 1 / 2 / 3/ 4+5)

Office Envy | Rachel Roy

I'm having a serious case of office envy thanks to the Rachel Roy's Parisian-inspired midtown showroom!  I simply adore the neutral color palette but the details are what really stand out  — the beautiful raw oak floor, the handmade porcelain pendants, the rich wood tables perched on acrylic legs, and the charming moldings on bright white walls.  And can we just take a minute to talk about Rachel's desk?  The vintage screen turned modern glass desk might just be my favorite piece in the space...this is most definitely an idea I plan to use in the future.  Everything about is showroom is right — it's exactly the kind of office that I hope to have one day.  What does your dream office look like?

(Images Refinery29) 

A New Spin on Art

I love the idea of using a craft store spin-art toy to create original abstract art.  In the pictures above Miles Redd made his own expressionist splatter then took it to a copy shop to have it enlarged and printed on watercolor paper.  I think the key to creating a sophisticated, modern masterpiece is to use a single color -- let the splatter be the main attraction -- and then finish it off with a sleek frame. I’m definitely going to try this when I have more wall space!

I'm pretty sure I had a spin-art t-shirt party when I was a kid, anyone else? 

(Images 1, 2, 3 Domino Magazine scanned by moi, 4) 

Design Hunter | Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques Fair

Sooo, this weekend was pretty inspiring -- I attended the Botanic Garden's Antiques & Gardens Fair on Friday and on Saturday my sister and I bopped around the city looking for furniture for her new condo!  The Botanic Garden's show is one of my favorites because there's always a great mix of vendors from across the country.  I've noticed in recent years that there are more moderately priced items which is great for a young collector like myself.  I didn't go to the show with the intention of buying anything but I did end up getting the little brass "love knot" paperweight pictured above - it was one of the least expensive things available!  Below are pictures of some of the pieces and booths that I found particularly inspiring... 

There is no doubt I'm a lamp lady...this blue French Opaline lamp caught eye and immediately reminded me of the one in Katie Lee Joel's former living room.

Covet Studio had one of my favorite booths -- I was so very tempted to purchase these green velvet Milo Baughman stools!

    I'm on a mission to find a pair of all brass lamps similar to this one from The Find.

The ladies at The Find always have great, reasonably priced accessories.

These beautiful lamps reminded me of the ones in Brooke Shields' living room.

Lee's Antiques always has a beautiful booth!

Don't you just love that teal wall?

A pair of framed vintage landscape designs at the Arch Vintage booth.  These would look great flanking a fireplace...I'm a sucker for symmetry.

Everything in Michael Del Piero's booth was jaw-dropping!  Her style is impeccable and her collection of mid-century furniture and ethnic accessories really stood out from the crowd.  In my opinion, this set of mid-century chairs, reupholstered in a soft, creamy leather, won best in show!  Notice the legs?

How was your weekend?

(Images kkl for simply smitten)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday dear readers!  I've been a bad, bad blogger this week so please accept these flowers as a token of my appreciation for all of you that take the time to pop in every day and check out my ramblings.  I love hearing from each and every one of you so thank you, your comments mean the world to me.

I have a some great adventures planned for this weekend so be sure to check back on Monday to see My Weekend in Pictures!  

Hugs,

KKL

(Image KKL for Simply Smitten)

From Mid-Century to Modern

The words mid-century modern usually make me cringe, thoughts of nasty brown wood, scratchy orange upholstery and cats (don't ask) pop into my head, but lately I've been seeing a lot of my favorite designers and retailers putting a modern spin on the this understated retro style.  Chelsea Textiles debuted its new range of Mid-Century inspired fabrics and furniture at Maison & Objet 2012, the clean lines and subtle, muted colors balance perfectly with today’s interiors and I can't help but notice Danish influence behind Jason Wu's new furniture line for Canvas Home...even West Elm is getting in on the time warp with this super chic nightstand.  All of these pieces are great but why spend a fortune on reproduction when you could buy a relatively inexpensive vintage piece on eBay and make it your own? 

I've been obsessing over this black & white Madeline Weinrib suzani mid-century Scandinavian foot stool for quite some time - those brass sabots had me at hello - so last night purchased my very own stool on eBay for $30!  The blue fabric isn't my cup of tea, so the stool needs to be reupholstered, stat! The wood legs also need to go, the brown does nothing to show off the lovely brass sabots (new favorite word). Pictured above are the fabrics and paints I'm considering. Part of me thinks I should go neutral but a bigger part of me thinks this is a great opportunity to do something fun. How's a girl to decide?  With your help, of course.  Which look do you love?

textured wool / lush lamb / wild leopard 

In the Bathroom | Art + Rugs

Over the weekend I met a client at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Spring Sale with hopes of helping her find a few affordable pieces of art for her living room. Although my client didn't end up buying anything I came home with a lovely abstract floral painting by Mika Horibuchi.  Usually when I see something I like I know if it's going to work...

I hung the painting in my guest bathroom the second I got home and sure enough it looks great but since one purchase often leads to another, now I'm thinking I need to replace the sisal rug that currently masks the unfortunate tile floor with a worn, muted kilim or persian rug.  I think adding a vintage or antique wool rug to a contemporary bathroom is a beautiful way to add contrast and elegance. Just look at the pictures above and tell me you don't love this look?!?  I'm already on the prowl for one on ebay so if you have a great vendor/store to recommend please do tell!

(and a new rug will most likely lead to me needing new towels...oy!)

Mad for Monaco

Getting away always seems to reenergize my spirit and open my mind to fresh ideas.  Because I'm not planning on going anywhere particularly inspiring for at least a few months, the lovely details in this Timothy Whealon-designed residence in Monaco will have to calm my travel appetite until then.  This home is just one of the enchanting residences featured in the special international Grand Tour issue of Architectural Digest (I highly suggest you pick up a copy).  I've always wanted to visit Monaco, mostly because of Grace Kelly, and you can bet that if/when I do go I will track down this beautiful residence -- I figure it won't be that hard...a large home with a stunning conservatory amid the city's glimmering high-rises -- and snap a pic!  And who knows, if I'm lucky maybe the owner will invite me in to see his inspiring collection of European antiques and mid century pieces...we'd have tea in the conservatory and discuss why he chose blue carpet for his bedroom (the only thing I hate about this house).  A girl can dream, right? I strongly believe that travel can change your life and the way you live, so do tell, what are your travel plans for this summer?

(photography by simon watson for architectural digest // scanned by kristin kerr)