Obsession Du Jour: Sawyer | Berson

The triple threat design firm (architecture, interiors, landscape) of Sawyer | Berson is my latest obsession, and with good reason.  Covering all my favorite local stomping grounds (Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, The Hamptons, just to name a few) with their impeccable taste and creations, it's easy to see why I'm so fixated on this talented team, and I'm sure you will be too!

Monday's P.O.P.

plummy purples

Image via: Grant K. Gibson

Dress shopping anxiety

I know a lot of my friends do not feel that dress shopping is as awful as bathing suit shopping, but for me it absolutely ranks right up there. I also know that I sound a bit dramatic about this, but after spending over three hours in a department store this week (with the world's most patient saleslady) only to walk away empty handed, I'm feeling a bit deflated about the whole experience. 

We have roughly four dressy occasions on the calendar already this spring and I really need to get at least two new dresses, but shopping for them is bringing to light all my personal body image issues (not to mention the realization that you can actually see the pounds I put on this winter when I take off my coat!)  So, rather than risk wasting even more time and another dressing room melt down, I've decided to comb my favorite online shops, have all the dresses shipped to me, try them on in my softly lit house, along with my heels (and my spanx) and literally keep calm and little black dress on...

If your body issues are anything like mine, you'll appreciate this round up of "bra friendly", not too short, not too tight and nothing shiny, selection of cocktail dresses I've created below.  I'd love any feedback on some flattering dresses, I'm all about feeling comfortable, since it's really the only way to look great in my book!

Top image via: Caroline Daily

{new series} Divine Details: Nailhead Trim

Hello, I'm Katy Byrne from DBK: Designs By Katy. Sue's blog was one of the first ones I started reading, so I'm excited to begin as a contributor for her new series: Divine Details. It's sounds cliche, but it's true, design is in the details. Ever wonder why you love an interiors shot, or what makes one room better than another? Chances are, it's the detail work.

To begin our discussion I'm going to talk about nail heads. Want to know what I love about the first shot? The nail-head trim. Adding nail heads to a piece can turn the ordinary into extraordinary. One thing you may not consider when buying furnishings is how many choices went into that piece of furniture. It may have several fabrics. The legs (or any exposed wood work) has various finish options that were also carefully chosen. Finally, many manufacturer's offer additional finishing touches, like nail head trim. You can go large or small. Nail heads also provide a DIY opportunity to turn that old console into something amazing. Most local workrooms carry nail heads. Pick up your favorite finish, a hammer, and get creative! Next time you're buying furniture, ask what additional options they offer. Chances are, it's a great opportunity for beautiful trim!

Thanks for having me, Sue! Be sure to check out my blog:Designs By Katy and remember, it's all in the details!

Images Via: Phoebe Howard, Miles Redd, Marlien Rentmeester, Navy Dining, House of Turquoise

Go Navy!

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The more navy pieces I add to my closet, the more I want!  I used to only wear my navy tops with white jeans, but the past few seasons I've come to love the look of navy paired with black and even navy with denim.  These are a few of the chic navy pieces I've currently got my eye on...(luckily Shopbop is having another one of it's major 25% off everything events, use code INTHEFAMILY14, offer ends 4/17.) Is there a specific color catching your eye these days?

PS: Today's the last day to take advantage of the sale going on at zhush!

New Arrivals and a Spring Sale!

new arrivals

As I scramble to get my taxes filed in time, get our act together for the second night of Passover, rustle up some Easter baskets for the weekend and sort out all our new arrivals here at zhush...I wanted to make sure you all know about our "tax relief" sale going on right now through tomorrow! 

Take 15% off everything in the store (with promo code: April15) including sale items and all our fabulous new arrivals (like these colorful notepads and this chic phone case, two of my faves!) Why not scoop up all the gifts you know you're going to need this season...Mother's Day, Graduation, Teacher Gifts, etc. Happy Spring everyone!

Luxury Redefined

It was Lonny Magazine that introduced me to the masculine elegance of Ryan Korban's interiors, I've been a big fan ever since.  Ryan's work is not the easiest to stalk, so I'm very excited about his new book, Luxury Redefined, which will be released tomorrow, April 15th! I've just ordered my copy, and can not wait to get it. There are so many great interior design books coming out this spring, which ones are you most excited about?

Images via: Architectural Digest; The Fashionistyle

Monday's P.O.P.

purple peek

Image via: Oomph

Color In The Kitchen

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Someday my preference for an all white kitchen might change, but right now, the all white/stainless look is still my absolute favorite. Aside from the clean, chic aesthetic, white kitchens provide the perfect backdrop for all the colorful kitchen accessories I'm loving these days. 

Off The Grid

Back when I practiced law in New York City, my office was located in lower Manhattan, in an area known as the Financial District.  Basically, any further downtown and you would've been in a different borough.  I usually didn't wander too far from the office, for fear of getting lost.  Unlike the upper east side neighborhood where I lived at the time, most of the streets downtown are not on an organized numerical grid (that runs east to west and north to south). Instead, the downtown Manhattan streets all have these random names, making it easy to get lost (and I often did and still do).  But, given how chic this West Village townhouse, designed by Steven Gambrel, is...I'm thinking I wouldn't mind get lost here one bit...

Devine Prints and Patterns

Like most bloggers, I get a lot of pitches in my inbox...9 out of 10 times, nothing really catches my eye, and that's actually an understatement.  However, last week when I got the email about this cool DIY product, I was really impressed...(and I'm not really a DIY girl). The concept behind Devine Prints and Patterns is so simple, it reminds me of something my friends and I did back in the day in college. We all would cover our thrift store furniture with contact shelf liner paper and instantly update any piece that way! (cue my "why didn't I think of that?" moment!)

Sold at Target in several cool colors and patterns, I could see using these bright removable "wallpapers" in dorm rooms, obviously..and for renters and also for kid's rooms...since these tend to change a lot over time (as I'm learning!)  I love all the examples Devine Prints and Patterns  shared here today, and I'm sure you could think of even more...

Under $50 : Five Home Zhushes

 

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Craving a bit of a refresh in your home this spring?  Right now I'm loving this little "vignette recipe": a pop of color or two, an interesting piece (aka conversation starter) a bit of bling or metal and something rustic, wooden or vintage... and voila! You're bookcase or coffee table (or whatever your currently zhushing) will be instantly updated.  The best part, each and every one of these is under fifty dollars...some, even way under!

Dream Gardens

We survived one of the worst winters I can remember, and now I'm just grateful that my box woods and hydrangeas seemed to have survived under all that freezing snow. The calendar might say spring and the days are thankfully longer and sunnier, but I can't wait for spring to really arrive here already.  It's close, but there's still not a Forsythia bloom or Daffodil in sight!

Until our garden actually blooms, I've been gathering up the most beautiful inspiration over at Howard Design Studio. Each and every image captures the garden of my dreams.  I'm also tempted to pick up a copy of The Private Gardens of Georgia, which features a lot of Howard Design Studio's impeccable work.  Is it spring time yet where you live?

Monday's P.O.P.

painterly purple

Image via: House and Home

Spring Shopping: Sponsor Spotlight and Sales

Anthology House

Turquoise Tumbleweed

Hello~popping in on a Saturday to introduce two new amazing sponsors! The first is Anthology House, if you're in the market for super chic vintage furniture and accessories for the home you must check out this great source for Chinoiserie, Hollywood Regency, Mid-Century Modern and more! Really beautiful selection at Anthology House.

The next site is Etsy seller Turquoise Tumbleweed. I've blogged about the super selection of amazing designer throw pillows before (here), as I own a few of these beautiful pillows (and want even more). You must check out Turquoise Tumbleweed the next time you're looking to add some high end designer pillows to your home...seriously, book mark this site!

 Jeffrey Campbell

Lastly, Bloomingdales is having it's Friends and Family event, these are my favorite! It ends tomorrow, Sunday, April 6, 2014.They’re offering 20% off almost every purchase with code FF14. I've got my eye on a few pairs of leather block heel sandals and cute espadrille flats for spring and summer, not to mention the myriad of outfits my girls suddenly need for graduation and a few other dressy events.