As Good as Gold! Let the Rush Begin!

Metallic isa mainstay in fashion and home design. Every season, editors exclaim “Silver is Sweet this Spring!”… “Bronze is Back for Good”… “Deck the Halls with Silver Balls!”. I say stop the press and stick with metallic for good! We all need something shiny in our life, and the smooth luster of decorative metal makes my mouth water. I have to declare that I am leaning towards the warmth of gold for my own personal interiors. It looks fantastic year round – up against linens, wools, chocolate, fuchsias, and rich indigo. I’m not afraid of a little eclectic either. I have polished nickel reading lamps, brushed silver drawer pulls, antique gold wall mirrors, and a gilded bar cart. However, the autumnal season is upon us and surely, editors will be shouting “Gold is Hot this Fall. Again!”. So be it. And embrace it. Wear it, and turn it on.

French Decor Chair, $1,650 | Serena & Lily

Nuvem Round Wire Basket in Gold, $32 | Alessi

Serpent Brass Bracelet, $615 | Robert Cavalli

Gilt Tile in 4" x 8" by Michael Smith | Ann Sacks

Vine Side Tables, Price TBD | Robert Bristow for Ralph Pucci

Silhouette Column Library Light in hand-rubbed brass, $525 | Circa Lighting

Turquoise Lava Vase, $745 | Vivre.com

Sheba Wallpaper in Gold, $150 roll | FlavorPaper

Woodcut Wall Tattoo in Gold, $59 | Surface Collective

Givenchy Gold Croc Embossed Leather Flap Clutch, $716 | Bluefly.com

Golden Suzani Pillow, $175 | Jayson Home & Garden

Golden Burberry Peep-toe Twist Pumps, $495 | Zappos.com

Kenneth Cole New York Pinstripe Dial Watch, $175 | Nordstrom

Gold and Silver Wool Rug, 8' x 11' is $1,253 | Safavieh

Gold Bamboo Flatware, $114 for a 5-piece setting | Ricci Silversmith

Warp and Weft at the Fort.

I’ve been dying to bring a Fort Street Studio area rug into one of my interior design projects (and uh, preferably in my own home). Somewhere around two years ago I received a catalog with the name Fort Street Studio across the front – I opened up the cover and was smitten (and probably smiling). I blog about rugs here and there because they can be so inspirational, almost like a painting for your floor. A beautiful rug is the perfect jumping point for room color schemes and design ideas. At Fort Street Studio, Janis Provisor and Brad Davis design 100% silk custom hand-knotted contemporary creations and have master craftsman in central China who meticulously weave original patterns and textures with rich quality and painterly effects. Is it time to build a ‘Fort’ in your living space?

Asian Field Rug in Lilac

Broadband Rug in Khaki

Argyle Rug in Blue and Brown

Petal Rug in Tan

Karl Rug in Moss

Scratchpad Rug in Sienna

Orbit Rug in Citron

Walton Rug in Melon

Plaid Rug in Blue

Sparkler Rug in Brown

Pinks Rug in Pink

Pattern Me: Zig Zaggity Zag.

Everyone has a weakness. One of mine is for anything zebra, leopard,  striped, and chevron. If you’ve seen the fashion house of Missoni (they are excellent with coordinating many colors in their clothing and home wares), you’ll understand my wide-eyed reactions to this lovely pattern.

I love the Chevron Pattern!

Zig Zag Rug | West Elm (Two to choose from!)

Ibiza Zig Zag Throw | Barney's NY

Zig Zag Stool by Pols Potten | Lekker Home

Missoni Neck Scarf | My-Wardrobe.com

Mother of Pearl Wall Tiles | Maya Romanoff

Girls Zig Zag Gloves | Old Navy (adorable!)

Black Diamond Zig Zag Hoops | Max and Chloe (they rock!!)

Four Duvets by Area | Design Public

Zig Zag Console Table | Global Views

Chevron Ironing Board Cover | Etsy

Zig Zag Table | Altura Furniture

Amicale Zig Zag Scarf | Bloomingdales (love the fruity colors!)

Fabrics and Trimmings Kelly Wearstler | Lee Jofa

Great Idea.

Timothy Paul Carpets, located in Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC has the most amazing selection of carpets for all budgets and homes. When helping a girlfriend select an area rug and colors for her new condo loft, I got a great idea when I came across framed pieces of unique fabrics.

Display at Timothy Paul

Intended as a sales tool for a line of fabrics sold in the shop, they also make terrific graphic art displays for any space (i love the accent lamps too). Thanks for your help Jeremy and good luck with the rug Jessica!

Show My Feet The Color.

I love this rug. It was in the August issue of House Beautiful and the more I flip through the pages again and again, the more it continues to grab all of my attention. For sale from ABC Carpet & Home (one of my favorite retailers on earth), this multi-color Ikat style rug is handmade in India using vegetable-dyed silk from vintage saris. It retails for $4,299.

Haryana Ikat Rug | ABC Carpet

Smart Bargain.

I recently came across this bargain online at Smartbargains.com. I frequent these online discount giants on occasion and this week, I fell in love with the Greek Key Sage Outdoor Rug. It comes in two sizes and I think the color is so relaxing and beautiful. It adds a splash of cool vibe without getting in the way of other outdoor decor and plantings. Or use it in the dining room under your busy dinner table – cleans easily and will not stain. Get it while its HOT!

I love Jayson.

Never stepped foot in this Chicago-based shop. But I’ve worn out the website. Jayson Home & Garden sells sophisticated and unique house furnishings and plants and flowers. My hit list includes:

The Decatur Chair

Frank Table

Sprouting Whale Tray

Love Paperweight

Sleek Bamboo Pot

Suzani Bed Cover

Amy Lau Design.

I’ve been following New York-based designer Amy Lau for a few weeks now. Besides her terrific design talent and creative eye for blending colors, patterns and pieces, Amy has received quite a bit of press in the last two years. Since 2001, she’s gained the confidence from a client list that includes top notch musicians and hi-end fashion designers. Just this year, Traditional Home Mag, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home and New York times has put Amy on their top designer lists. Her talents have now filled the shelves and shops with new abstract rug designs, funky furniture, and cool ceramics. I need some inspiration from Amy Lau. Like now. Take a look…