Botanical Rug

Do you love the look of black-background botanical prints? I love 'em, ergo, I love this rug.

Colors really pop when put against a black background. I think the key to using this rug is to make it a focal point and juxtapose it with simple, modern elements.  Example: a dining room with a modern parsons table, lucite chairs, and a huge glittery gold chandelier. The gold chandy is neither simple nor modern, but it helps balance heaven and earth in your room so the ground doesn't feel so heavy and ornate. Go.

 

Captain Obvious

Remember when I said that all shades of lavumchid (lavender/plum/orchid) are having a moment?

I just wanted to be real obvious about it and show you the October covers of House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda.

I died at the cover of HB when it hit my mailbox last week - a green and plum Chinoiserie dining room! And I noted the hip use of lavender on the cover, which prompted me to write that post last week. And then Elle D came. And then Veranda. And then I realized that all is right with the world.

I have not always been a lavumchid lover...until I realized it was the perfect color to use against the green in my dining room. That began my love affair two years ago. I tend to adore it as an accent color more than the main event. But damn it's chic.

I haven't dived into these issues yet, but I'm so looking forward to it.

 

Success! Mason's Dresser

The Craigslist gods finally smiled down upon me, and brought this little gem of a dresser into my life:

It's wicked cute and the perfect dimensions for Mason's nursery. Julianne and I may have driven into the middle of nowhere (which, shockingly, was only 20 minutes from where we live) to meet an interesting gentleman who we liked and feared simultaneously - but hey, it was $40! Definitely in the budget.

Now, what to do with it. It has a cute little indented squiggle across the top, and each drawer has a decorative indentation. So I could Dorothy it.

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Or otherwise paint it decoratively.

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But I also like the classic look of a solid color.

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Really excited to contemplate this project!

And y'all, mark your calendar for this Sunday (the 25th) morning if you're local to the DC area. I'm having a yard sale!!! Actually, Julianne (aka Mason's mom) is hosting it at her place, but I'm going to push a lot of loot off on anyone that comes by. I'll try to do a post this week with some pictures. If you're interested, shoot me an email - daniela@aestheticoiseau.com - and I'll give you the details.

Mason's Nursery Fabrics

Let me tell you, Julianne and I are having the best time working on Mason's nursery (her little boy, due in January). She is a dream client because I fire ideas/thoughts/links at her constantly and she likes to pull triggers as much as I do.

Case in point, we have pulled the trigger on some bomb fabric. I am so in love with this combination:

Waverly's Aquatic Tango in Bark will be used for the curtains and crib bumper.

This gorgeous stripe from Richloom will be used for the crib skirt.

And Swavelle's Baxley Fresco Green will upholster that awesome vintage rocker that we purchased.

Mason's room is painted spring green, so the blues and browns will ground it a bit and give it some earthy tones that Julianne loves. And the cheery green on the walls will mix so well with the deeper greens in the curtain fabric.

We've been pulling other triggers as well, so I'll be sure to fill you in.

Friday Crush

Remember when we talked about painted dressers? I held one photo back. Go nuts over this painted piece expertly placed by the talented Megan Young. LOVE.

I am off to celebrate three decades of living with my beautiful bffs. Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday.

Angie & Lavumchid

I think lavender/plum/orchid is having a moment, don't you? I love how Angie Hranowsky has used the regal hue in this home:

The tones in that work of art are outstanding. My favorite color to pair with lavumchid is definitely green....something about the combo is so, so attractive.

The shade of lavumchid that I have worked in throughout my own house is definitely the orchid tone, like this room by Angie:

The shade is characterized by touches of pink, and I LOVE, LOVE it. Especially how Angie uses it here with brass and wood.

Have you always been a lavumchid devotee? Or a new lover of its various shades? Or you're still not into it?

Images from Angie Hranowsky Design Studio...

p.s. Every time I speak Angie's name on this blog I feel compelled to tell you how much I enjoy her work. It's amazing. I love her. I want to live in all of her homes. She's prolly my favorite designer.

 

Painted Dressers

I have been in search of the perfect long dresser that can get a paint makeover for Mason's nursery (my friend Julianne's baby boy who is on his way in January). Craigslist has not been good to me. But I've seen so many lovely inspiration images that my heart is becoming more and more set on the idea.

Have you seen this mismatched-drawer-pulls-genius created by Lindsay? Woah. Smart move on her part and I love how it turned out.

I think a spring green tone will work quite well in the nursery and the sweet lines of this dresser would also be perfect. I would switch up the knobs, but I'm digging the color. Dresser by Barb via Birch + Bird.

For locals in the DC area, this dresser is currently listed on Craigslist. I love the pale blue shade and it would look dynamite with some sleek brass handles. 

Craig and his list rarely let me down, so I will continue my search because I think a painted piece would be a great addition to Mason's room!

 

Southwest or South Beach?

Is it Southwestern? Or South Beachern? This rug:

That's a trick question, because it's both. It's a little Miami Vice. And yet so chic with its hip Southwestern ways. I can't stop staring.

A black couch with straight, mid-century lines would perch nicely on this floor textile. Accompanied by gold wall sconces. And maybe some pillows in tones of yellow and aqua. And an emerald green throw for good measure...and these shoes to coordinate with said throw.

Agreed? How would you style it?

p.s. It's the Tribe rug by Matthew Williamson for The Rug Company.

 

Morocco by Way of Etsy

Look at this cool Moroccan loot by Etsy shop Beldi:

I have yet to jump on the Moroccan decor party train, but I do think one or two well-placed accessories like these can really add a nice layer to a room. LOVE the striped bowls....one would look fantastic sitting on a stack of books on a coffee table. And I am a great admirer of the leather poufs that are all the rage - and this shop has some awesome colors like that pink!

Shop it out here...

 

Friday Crush

Photo by Melanie Acevedo

Pink + Black/White Stripe + Brass + Blue/White porcelain. Is it weird that when I saw this picture on Department of the Interior it felt like me, the coffee table version? I feel so drawn to the whole style of the vignette. Feminine, artsy, bold, colorful, warm. Like me, I'd like to think.

We're drowning in the D.C. area. I've never seen so much rain all at once. I hope you and yours are safe and dry. Enjoy the weekend...see you Monday!

 

Ikat Pillow Set

Y'all, this is genius. Etsy seller ginette1223 puts together a set of 9 ethnic patterned pillows and sells them for $180. All the mixing/matching work is done for you. And you can outfit your whole sofa with one click of your mouse.

What if you had a pink velvet couch and put all of the red ones on it? Bananas!

I would get this settee and put the entire multi-pack on it (first pic above);

So, so good.

See all of the available combinations by clicking here!

 

Americana

I came across this fabric, Braemore's Brookside Stripe in Rouge, and I really, really wanted to put it on a spindle chair.

And then I'd put the spindle chair in a room whose walls are painted a gray-ish blue, like Behr's Cumberland Fog:

And sit it atop a a straw-colored rug:

And pair it with a lovely federalist sideboard:

A fetching combination of Americana...

 

Scenes from this Weekend

I am happy to report that the new rug looks fabulous in our living room. A very happy purchase.

My darling friend Julianne and her husband David are expecting a baby in January. And I get to design the nursery, carte blanche. Bless them. Juli and I did a little shop-hopping on Sunday and found the sweetest vintage rocker that will be getting an upholstery makeover:

We also saw this quirky print that we both liked:

And the highlight of the weekend - spending time with this little monkey. My nephew Charlie:

Hope you guys had a great holiday weekend! I for one am thrilled that summer is on its way out and fall is around the corner!

Friday Crush

Photo by Coliena Rentmeester via luckymag.com

Not quite done with the home of Marlien Rentmeester. Her bedroom is ridiculous. Please note:

1) The flying bird fabric in soothing tones of aqua and tobacco. Does someone know the name of this fabric? I must have it.

2) The mixture of black and brown, one of my FAVORITES in both wardrobe and interior.

3) The brown and ivory rug with a touch of chevron? Or is it just askew?

4) The peak of a seaglass-colored ikat bed skirt.

5) The beadboard ceiling.

This room makes a beautiful case for ivory walls with white trim - a combo I usually don't think about. Everything about this space is truly perfect. My own bedroom has blues/aquas/neutrals with birds, two sunburst mirrors and I have been contemplating a chaise. So this was my kindred space when I saw it (though, like, a gillion times better).

Have a lovely Labor Day holiday. I think I'll take Monday off, so see you Tuesday!

Leontine Heaven

This is what heaven looks like. Leontine Linens as far as the eye can see...

I had the immense pleasure of attending a little Leontine Linens "trunk show" hosted by Sally Steponkus. It was a religious experience. The thrill of seeing such divine monograms on equally exquisite linens was a supreme way to pass an afternoon.

And look at Sally's gorgeous bed:

There are no words for what this looked like in person.

I finally pulled yet another trigger - I'm the proud new mama of fingertip towels in the Rayford mono:

I opted for a french blue applique on white terry and it's going to be bananas beautiful. I know y'all were partial to the Maxwell in this decision, but it wasn't available for the size towel I chose.

But do not fret. I left a very healthy Christmas wishlist with Jenny, my new Leontine liaison.

If you would like to succumb to the beauty of Leontine and place an order, contact Jenny at jenny@leontinelinens.com. And thanks to Sally for hosting such a feast!