spook-tacular halloween!!!

Wishing everyone a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

images via Redbook

beachy dreaming

Rain + dreariness + grey skies = depressing Cleveland weather.  I think I have a solution.  Printing these beachy, airy and uplifting photos to a life-size scale and plastering them all over my walls.  It will be like living in a fantasy world, complete with natural light and ocean views!  Kind of like a Truman Show scenario, but a little different.....

above images via Country Living

above images via House Beautiful

bring out the ghouls....

Halloween is almost here!  Are you prepared?  Do you have candy to pass out?  Costumes for the kids?  Tricks and treats?  Is your Halloween tree up?  Wait, what?!?  Yes, a Halloween tree.  Every year, my good friend from Arizona puts up her annual Halloween tree and decks the halls with all her ghoulish gear.  She is quite the Halloween buff, I think maybe because her birthday falls one day before the devilish day so it's a chance for a double celebration...  A couple years ago, I gifted her with some ornamental creatures from Pier 1 Imports to add to her tree display, and every Halloween I think about these ornaments and how darn cute they were.  And OK, I'll admit that I now want to start a Halloween tree of my own!!!

Wooden Devil & Mummy Ornaments

Wooden Dracula & Skeleton Ornaments

Wooden Thief & Jailbird Ornaments

Wooden Girl & Ghost Ornaments

st. regis royalty

Holy St. Regis......  The St. Regis Bangkok can be described using one word.  Regal.  It is a place fit for royalty.  With its top-of-the-line interior finishes, gorgeous design, and stately elements, it is truly breathtaking.

Lounge

...distinguished marble columns, clean-lined architecture, sparkling lights...

Jojo, an Italian dining venue

...elegant and modern setting, artistic use of sliding panels, showstopping light fixtures...

Drawing Room

...masculine feel, enduring tradition of afternoon tea, comforting wood tones...

Elemis Spa

...private sanctuary, tranquil atmosphere, feeling of floating...

...soothing sand and cream tones, accents of soft white leather, silvery Thai silk...

Grand Deluxe Room

...natural wooden floors, lush carpets with plush upholstery, unobstructed views of the city skyline...

Caroline Astor Suite

...refined color palette, whimsical use of contrasting pattern...

...floor-to-ceiling windows, refreshing use of materials...

info and images via Hospitality Design Magazine

friday fun find: wise + witty owls

The wide-eyed owl design of these Owl Measuring Cups and the geometric retro owl motif of these Owl Butter Dishes will create quite a hoot in the kitchen!  These accessories from West Elm would make the perfect gift for the kitchen connoisseur or add a touch of whimsy to your own entertaining!

colorado's calling...

Colorado is on our list of "places to go," and after researching hotels and restaurants in the area, it has now moved to the top of the list.  Ok, so we're not big fans of snow, but it seems like that is the prime time to go to take in all the gorgeous views.  There is hotel after hotel that offer both amazing architecture (both historical and new) and jaw-dropping interior design.  One of these hotels that I came across is The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa At Beaver Creek Mountain, located in Avon Colorado.  Without saying, the Westins and great architecture and design go hand in hand, but this one has a leg up on the competition - the surrounding landscape and atmosphere.  It's plopped in the heart of Vail Valley which provides access to skiing and year round mountain activities.  And I'm almost positive their 23,000 square foot Spa Anjali, Restaurant Avondale, Market Avondale, and the Lobby Wine Bar would provide great relaxation and nourishment after those long days of hiking, biking, skiing, and shopping!

eclectic exclusive

Ellen and Portia's transformed Beverly Hills estate... 

(And a little secret?  Ellen has an interior design obsession!!!)

Eclectic style:  an 18th-century worktable, vintage bent-plywood chairs, a 19th-century Belgian cocktail table, an antique rug, a collaborative Andy Warhol painting...

A glass ping-pong table created by an Argentine artist makes a playful statement in the gorgeous light-filled entrance hall!

Eclectic cont'd:  slipcovered sofas, Louis XVI bergere chairs, an antique fringed throw, mixed media sculptures, a Roman bust...

A screened porch addition houses a 19th-century trestle table and wicker armchairs.

Stilettos and sneakers!!!

Brazilian granite coping highlights the lap pool which is accompanied by lush green foliage and spectacular views!!!

images and info via Architectural Digest