I could pretend that the upcoming Memorial Day weekend has me in summer mode, but let’s be honest, I could be in summer mode all year long. Lucky for me, some of the newest arrivals over at Spanish retailer Zara Home are sustaining my sunkissed delusions with tropical touches for my warmer weather decor. Let’s go travel-destination-style today, shall we?
It’s a long time coming, but hopefully worth the wait! If you’ve been following me for at least (ahem) a year, you know I’ve been slowly but surely working on transitioning my daughter’s nursery to a big girl room. While I didn’t want to have to get new of everything, I definitely wanted to tie in a “cute bohemian” theme somehow, some way. Lo and behold, with the help of an elephant lamp, a vintage peacock headboard, a D.I.Y. canopy, John Robshaw, Jonathan Adler, and a last-minute kantha ikat quilt purchase*, I was actually able to pull it off! My FIRLs Irene and Sabra came to the rescue to style and photograph the space, and I am THRILLED with the result, as is Leighton (clearly!). I hope you are too! Sources below…
For those that don’t follow me on Instagram (say what?!) you may not know that I share snippets from around my house every so often that I don’t share here. I work from home so it’s fun and easy for me to take a quick snapshot during my day when a little something catches my eye. It can be a welcome distraction in that Monday thru Friday, 9 to 5 grind sometimes too…
I apologize for the brief (but beautiful!) post today — swamped with deadlines, meetings and illness. But I wanted to be sure to share this space that keeps me going whenever I get to steal a glance at it. A living room by designer Catherine Kwong for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase House 2013, it’s a 1970′s sophisticate’s dream. The Cy Twombly-inspired floor and the Milo Baughman-like chairs are leaving me dizzy with delight!
“The design was inspired by Mick and Bianca Jagger in the 1970’s – the young and wild, traipsing-to-Saint Tropez years. I was doing research for a client and discovered all of these beautiful old photos of Mick and Bianca that depicted a wild romance. They were impossibly stylish and full of excitement, with a bit of scandal, of course. So I designed this room for them; a place for late-night parties with rock royalty and the jet-set. I wanted the room to be just like Mick and Bianca: luxe and decadent, but with a rock ‘n roll edge.” ~ Catherine Kwong
I haven’t done an “E List” in quite a while, but what better reason than upcoming Mother’s Day? You know me though, my version is gonna be about putting the sexy in this mama’s day, both in her home and closet, with 10 ideas to take it to the next level…
Today is my 10-year wedding anniversary! You may remember I posted this D.I.Y. chandelier by Lindsey Adelman back in March. Well, I immediately put the husband to work, and he really came through for me. I love it! Paired with flowers from recent photo shoots, it makes for a very celebratory scene, doesn’t it?
Welcome to Erika’s fantasy world, episode #622…starring this dream home in hillside Portugal (obrigada, Albertina!). My distant-future abode has got all the elements I lust-at-first-sight rolled up into one, including vintage mid-century modern furnishings within a contemporary shell, oodles of cozy furs and hides, art appreciation, standout lighting, poolside dining, and best of all: that view! Alentejo, take me away…
If you are a regular reader, I don’t need to tell you that I live/breathe/decorate by a #1 rule: WWKWD…as in, “What Would Kelly Wearstler Do?” So you know I had some fun putting together my ideal Mother’s Day brunch setting using placemats from Stone Textile with this in mind. Add in my grandmother’s gold-rimmed china with budget-friendly finds, throw in some color with supermarket flowers, and voilà, we’ve got ourselves a KW-inspired “modern glam” tabletop…
About a month ago, I posted how Michelle Adams’ bedroom gallery wall inspired me to redo my own. This is my 3rd version over the past two years, but with each revision, I get to explore a different aspect of my style. It’s so fun! In the midst this new exploration, I wanted to share a few quick pics of the progress thus far (I’m waiting on two pieces, and will have a formal shoot with my photographer in the next month, along with some other updates I’ve been making in the house!).
I’ve also been developing my design book library, so swapping out books into different groupings according to what’s speaking to me lately has been a great exercise. Bottom line: in your workspace, you should switch it up often to remain constantly inspired!
How was your weekend? Mine was surprisingly productive (after my quick Palm Springs trip!): worked on my gallery wall, made progress on my canvas, cleaned out the garage, and finally had a chance to delve into one of the more recent additions to my design book collection, Kelly Wearstler’s Rhapsody. I’d seen many of the shiny, extravagant interiors featured in the book, but had not seen this organically glam beach house in my local O.C.. Of course, the throwback to a vintage 70′s vibe — complete with rich wood paneling, soft-on-the-skin furry chairs, driftwood objets, overstuffed furniture and classic Platner dining chairs – captured this North Shore, Oahu girl’s heart immediately. Takes me back to that redwood house in Hawaii I grew up in…sigh…
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small shop
[a brand styling studio]
by Erika Brechtel
xoxo@smallshopstudio.com
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