Classic Wednesday, white and blue

Very few color combinations is as classic as blue and white. A combination that has been used since the time of the Ottoman Empire and in places as exotic as Morocco, it's been adopted by American Design since the longest time. Blue and white is a timeless combination of which one never gets tired, because as someone recently said: “it's in nature.” That is probably why we never get bored of it. Below are a few images of white and blue rooms dating back as old as 1966 to prove it.

Hotel Mystique in Santorini, Greece

Inman Cook 1966

Mario Buatta 1977

Madeleine Castaing via

Madeleine Castaing. God I love this lady!

Ceiling of The Blue Mosque in Turkey.

Oscar de la Renta gorgeous table setting via

Michael S. Smith
Below, more modern ways of using this combination today.

via Elle Decor

Two previous images Todd Alexander Romano's apartment recently featured in Architectural Digest February issue.

In a more transitional way by Miles Redd.

via Lush Belle

Quote of the Week and gorgeous bookcases

"You know you've read a good book when you turn the page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend" Paul Sweeney

Miles Redd

Ines de la Fressange

Jessica Helgerson

Spring finds from Marc Jacobs colorful skirt to Furla candy bags

Loving strong colors lately and Spring is the perfect season to wear them.

I love this Marc Jacobs Simone striped skirt via.

Miles Redd

Vogue Living Australia

For the fun girls these Furla Candy bags are a must.

Mirrored beds,

I have a big French 1940's mirror above my sofa and I can't avoid the thought of the mirror falling down. Imagine what wouldn't I think if I got to sleep in a mirrored bed not to mention if the mirror is hanging as a heavy headboard. I'm certain that all these beds are built steady and that my thoughts are nothing more than just me being myself. I'm keeping these images in my file for when and if I get over my fears. But if you're looking to sleep like a Hollywood star there are a few places where you can buy mirrored beds or even costumize it. If you prefer the non-four-poster style, for custom mercury antiqued bed like Bunny Williams' unforgettable bed (first image) go here, or if a mirrored bed is too much for you but still want some glam then a mirrored crown is another option, you can find onehere.

Jonathan Berger

Domino

Who doesn't remember this image of Miles Redd having his coffee in bed while wearing tuxedo?

Paris Hilton bedroom via Decorpad

Ranjana and Naeem Khan photo by Simon Upton for Elle Decor


Donna Griffith

this is brass but it gives almost the same effect by Tom Scheerer. via

Jonathan Adler

Also Jonathan Adler. This time, his own bed.

Christmas, the Miles Redd way

While looking for images through my files for my earlier post I remembered this house that was designed by the glamorous Miles Redd. This house was featured in last year's December issue of Elle Decor and I love that its holiday decor is grand and festive yet easy to execute.

All images from Elle Decor. If you didn't get to see this home you can read about it here.

The comfort zone

I believe that the planning of a space cannot only rely on practicality while ignoring style, nor can it be vise versa. Comfort and beauty should harmoniously coexist. Like William Morris once said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I am truly convinced that our surroundings influence our beings and if we put in our homes only what we love based on comfort and functionality beauty will reveal itself. After all, having a warm, comfortably functional and beautiful home to come back to at the end of a long and hectic day, is what we all covet. Don't take me wrong, if I could afford a Claude Lalanne chair I'll maybe purchase one but I'll first make sure I have enough space to enjoy it more like a displayed chic piece of furniture rather than an everyday-use one. These spaces below are chic without sacrificing comfort.

Vogue Living

This room designed by Miles Redd has lots of pillows for the owners and guests to rest their back and upholstered furniture to provide comfort as well, the lacquered walls and orange coffee table bring in that chic factor.

Robert Couturier used a very comfortable couch and a very chic cocktail table as contrast in Frederic Fekkai and wife's living room.

I just feel like cuddling in Michael Smith's yellow couch.

Living room designed by Ames Ignham

Red Code

When in doubt wear red. - Bill Blass!

photo by Tria Giovan.

I guess Valentino would agree with that quote. Red has always been associated with glam and splendor and it seems there is no rule of thumb to make it work in any type of interior. Either in softening up a near by iron spiral staircase or adding that certain "Je ne sais quoi" to a mid-century space as in Mac Jacobs' Paris home in the last, far bottom picture.

Ines de la Fressange's office.

top image from via Costal Living, 6 via Pink Lemonade , last Marc Jacobs Paris' apartment via Moodboard
photographed by the late Fernando Bengoechea.