Inspired by Cynthia Frank

.01 Abstract painting | .02 Regent demilune table | .03 Orange chair | .04 Horn accent table | .05 Casa Bello Sofa | .06 White floor lamp | .07 Rope coffee table | .08 Seagrass table |.09 Grey velvet pillow

I know, I know....I took a very long break from the blog - But let me say this: When one steps away from the internet for a bit and focuses on business, one gets a whole lot accomplished and finds new sources of inspiration!  One also ends up swooning over other people's homes and contemplating selling everything you own and starting over!

One such home is that of Elle Decor contributing editor, Cynthia Frank!  I've loved Cynthia's style for a while now and didn't even realize it - turns out photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank consulted Cynthia, her mother-in-law, while decorating her lovely New York apartment (blogged about here).  Now I'm being a little exaggerated when I say I now want to sell everything I own and start over - I just really love this home.  Those vintage plaster lamps made me sigh and the black and white marble floor! This inspired me to add a little bit more color to my home for summer and was the overall style inspiration for my "Girl on a Budget" project (which I share more on later) - think lots of white and pops of color!

I put together a Cynthia inspired board above with some great pieces from Horchow (they're having an incredible sale right now), West Elm and Etsy.  That rope coffee table has my name written all over it!   Granny chic, what?

Where do you get decor inspiration from?

Office Envy | J.Crew

I came across some images of the recently remodeled J.Crew corporate office on Instagram and I haven't been able to stop stalking looking at the stunning interiors since.  I have a serious case of office envy!  Serge Mouille lighting, vintage Beni Ouarain Moroccan rugs, Milo Baughman chairs, herringbone raw oak floors, and a striking hot pink sofa...I mean I don't think it gets much better than this!  I would have no problem working around the clock in this space because it feels more like a home than an office. I put together an inspiration board based on some of the photos I found on Instagram and it has be contemplating redecorating my entire apartment! So inspiring!

Beni Ouarain rug / Siena sofa by Organic Modernism /  Major brass chair by MGBW / Leila Jeffreys' Vincent photograph / Metal alcove wall shelf from CB2 / Praying mantis floor lamp / Fritz low bookcase by MGBW / Black gallery frames from West Elm

images nettysetgo, jolalangford, dwittybunny, jack_oc

Inspired Interior | Club Monaco

I may have gasp when Club Monaco revealed the interior of their new Belgian store yesterday.  The intricate dental moldings, beautiful wood floors and loads of antique furniture make this space feel more like an apartment -- I litterally want to move in!  The sawhorse table in the back of the store reminded me of the Vika desk, so for today's inspired interior I'm thinking office space.  To get the look, we'll pull elements from every area of the store.  To start we'll paint the walls a soft grey then layer a vintage-feeling rug over a sisal rug rich in texture.  Touches of brass, a hutch for storage, and a classic Elbow chair that compliments the store's wood floors complete the look.  I don't know about you but I think I could get a lot done in an office space like this.

Noir Colonial Hutch | Benjamin Moor Horizon paint | Circa Lighting Boston Functional Library Light | Carl Hansen Elbow Chair | Oly Studio Jonathan Stool | Home Decorators Amelia rug | Sisal rug with black border | Ikea Vika Lilleby desk

A Matisse Moment

It never ceases to amaze me how inspiration can come from any place at any time.  When I was in New York I went to the Met to see the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit and ended up finding this beautiful painting by famed French artist, Henri Matisse (1869-1954).  Espagnole: Harmonie en bleu (Spanish Woman: Harmony in Blue), 1923 belongs to a small series of portraits in which Matisse depicts Henriette Darricarrère.  In each case, she appears before a different fabric background and is outfitted with various ethnic costumes and accessories.  Here she is dressed as a Spanish woman.  Although this painting was completed in 1923 the interior, with its patterned tablecloth, floral wallpaper, bright colors and hint of whimsy, feels very current. Art is one of my favorite sources for color inspiration -- I always seem to find new and interesting combinations. Above I've gathered some interior objects inspired by Henri's use of color and pattern! Are you feeling this modern day Matisse moment?

settee / yellow pillows / turkish kilim pillow / vintage oushak rug /  green venetian lamps / zanzibar gold leaf mirror / cobalt blue bench

(Images by Kristin Kerr)

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)

Inspired by Cy

My love for Tom Delavan, former editor at Domino and current editorial director at Gilt Home, has officially resurfaced!  Over the weekend I was combing through the features section of the recently relaunched Gilt Home and I must say, the editorial content shines under Tom's direction!  The site is filled with interesting pieces on entertaining and trends but “Inspired by Cy”, Tom's piece about how the 1966 Horst photo of Cy Twombly’s Rome apartment influenced the design of his living room, really struck a cord with me.  In the feature, Tom walks the reader through his process of translating inspiration into reality.

"The image that became my obsession featured Twombly’s son Alessandro and his dog in front of a huge painting entitled “The Triumph of Galatea.” I loved how this glorious piece of art was leaning casually against the wall—it was sophisticated yet informal; the perfect mix of art and life. This family was really living with this piece, evidenced by the dog and child. I wanted that for my own home. Placing the 3-year-old in front of the painting seemed to be Horst’s tongue-in-cheek way of acknowledging the most common criticism of Abstract Expressionism by the uninitiated: “My child could paint that!” And, as far as the piece itself—well, I’m still enamored of it to this day. To me it is the perfect balance of color and whiteness, of scribbles and negative space, of spontaneity and mindfulness."

Knowing he wasn’t going to be able to afford a Twombly painting anytime soon, he thought about what really inspired him about the photo, and realized that he could replicate his favorite elements. Tom went for the tonal look in the photo of Cy sitting back and mimicked the general whiteness punctuated with dabs of color.  For the furnishings Delavan used classic pieces of furniture such as 18^th-century chairs and a traditional English sofa, but placed them casually, as he imagined Cy would have done.  The resulting room feels inspired, not copied -- it captures the mood and slouchy elegance of Cy's without replicating every detail.  I guess this room is proof that creating an effortless, airy look actually takes a little effort and a vision!

So I must ask, where do you look for inspiration?

(Images Gilt Home and NYT)

Get the Look...

trove ray necklace // by malene birger crepe-jersey dress // mary leather tote // lanvin wooden wedge sandal

vintage suzani // bamboo fabric // raspberry velvet // milk glass lamp // four poster bed // gilt frame // floor lamp // chaise // aubergine glass bottle // parsons mirror console

I'm pretty sure if Isabel López-Quesada's bedroom (posted earlier today) was an outfit this would be it.  See the resemblance?  It's funny how my taste in interiors and apparel really seems to overlap...I saved this By Malene Birger dress to my desktop a few weeks ago with the tag line "need it now" (I must be having a vibrant violet/raspberry moment).  The color is perfection but really it's the modern mix of materials and styles that make this outfit work -- just like the bedroom it incorporates both glamorous and rustic elements and uses classic neutrals to balance out the vibrant hue. Pictured above are two ways to incorporate Isabel's modern mix into either your closet or your casa.  Which do you prefer?

Inspired Interior | Sarah Davison

 Ever since stumbling upon the images of this apartment designed by Sarah Davison, I haven't been able to get them off my mind.  The neutral sofa and Harry Bertoia diamond chair mixed with ethnic pieces (like the ikat pillows and Moroccan chandelier) keeps the space feeling young and fresh. The eclectic mix of old and new compliments architecture but will feels current.  Renters, take note, this is how you decorate with white walls. 

With a few key elements you could create this look in a space of your own...

chandelier / sofa / ikat pillow / cocktail table / amethyst / vase / painting / dresser / shell / diamond lounge chair / side table