I've Struck Gold

It's funny how life is. I intentionally overwhelm myself with design resources, be it blogs, magazines or TV shows, for inspiration and ideas. I feel like I eat, sleep and breath this stuff, and every once and a while, something really stands out.

After flipping through a million (approximately) wallpaper books to no avail for a very particular client, I figured the answer had to exist on the internet (I can't be the only person who goes online before looking through catalogs?). In amongst my search, I found the most incredible work of designer Elizabeth Dinkel.


Similar to Celerie Kemble, Dinkel originally embarked on a career in television after completing her degree. However, the successful career of her interior designer mother inspired her to pursue her true passion. As someone who has also taken a slight detour, finding this out was like the icing on the cake.


Her interiors are contemporary, traditional, colourful and bold. She mixes all the elements to create these inspiring and original spaces that I can't help but admire. Elizabeth Dinkel sits up there with the likes of Celerie Kemble, Suzanne Kasler and Alexa Hampton (my design Gods).




If you also love her work, there's a great interview HERE that's well worth a read. Among her great advice, she mentions that Benjamin Moore's “Acadia Green” is one of her favourite colours - "its almost a non color, a grey-blue-green and works really well as a backdrop in both modern and traditional venues".

All photographs taken from websites linked in this article.

Since I'm an Avid Reader...

I seem to have a small obsession with collecting beautiful design books lately. It started with Celerie Kemble's To Your Taste, then Home By Design, then Modern Glamour...and tonight, I fell for another beautiful picture book. I'm sure it has words in it, but truthfully, they will not be read. Unless I don't understand something in the picture.

I have admired Suzanne Kasler's website and design work for a long time (and still anxiously await her textiles collection!). Her interiors are elegant and timeless, and I love the way she uses colour. Bright red books on a shelf, a turquoise vase on a mantel; her look is feminine and clean. There are so many beautiful photographs in her book Inspired Interiors! It is definitely a must-have if you share her style!

Of course, when I'm not drooling over these glamorous design books, they sit openly on my nightstand. Even the bindings are a thing of beauty..........or at least Lonny says so:

If you have the luxury of owning stacks of colourfully-bound books and plenty of spare time, I keep seeing these colour-coordinated bookshelves and stare in envy every time. To me, it's like a piece of art.

Of course, the time and patience this "art" requires is beyond my realm. In these moments, I pile my collection in no particular order and remind myself that being "eclectic" is okay, too.

*Photos in this post taken from Lonny Magazine, Suzanne Kasler, etc.

This Is London

A few months ago, I signed up for the GOOP newsletter - the very chic brainchild of Gwyneth Paltrow. It's a look at the finer things in life, like 5-star hotels around the globe and trendy restaurants serving the latest raw-organic-vegan-environmental-detoxing (did I get them all?) foods fit for a queen. I particularly love Gwyneth's travel recommendations, as it lets my mind wander to locations I'd love to see and hotels I'd like to...........see the lobby of.

Hotels like The Connaught in London, England are the ultimate design inspiration. Unlike many neutral magazines and home decorating shows, they push the envelope with colour and texture. I'm going to have to do a running commentary on this one...

Welcome to The Connaught.

The curved velvet sofas, classic lamps and incredible entertainment console....I'm in love.



Oh, Romeo...

I love the sophisticated-beachy feel that this suite has. The tall beams and curtained bed frame give this room great scale, but I think I'll pass on the two psychedelic chairs.

This chair, on the other hand, is so very Celerie Kemble (note: my favourite).

I'm adding this to my "Welcome to the Jungle" post. How did I ever forget about the sweetness of potted herbs for a kitchen?

Probably the closest I'll ever get to it...

Why thank you, Theodore.

I love the simplicity of this suite.

I love it all, including that amazing bath tub and nautical window/medicine cabinet.

The lamps are what won me over in this...

This bar and lounge area is such an unusual mix of colour, texture and pattern. I also love this space (primarily for its gray, rather than brown, walls).

Those bar stools are a piece of art.

Theodore, I change my mind. I'll take one of these.

Oh yes, and that countertop is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

It's a little blurry, but isn't the finish on the fireplace stunning! If this is what afternoon tea looks like, count me in.

All photographs courtesy The Connaught website.

Happy travels!

The Homes of Aerin Lauder

Photo: {this is glamorous}, edited from Allure magazine

I always find it inspiring to read about successful young women, find out about their road to success and learn how they really live.

Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, the granddaughter of Estee Lauter, has definitely become one of those people to me. Of course, she had the good (great!) fortune of being born into the Lauder family, and with that came many perks; unlimited amounts of make up ranking highest on her list, I'm sure. In all seriousness though, Aerin seems to be a classy and intelligent woman who balances life between roles as wife and mother of two, and Senior Vice President for Estee Lauder. And of course, her homes in East Hampton and New York City are as glamorous and elegant as you would imagine.


In the July/August issue of Elle Decor (yes I know I'm behind the times), they captured both of her tastefully chic homes. Together, they are truly two of my favourite "celebrity" homes, and her use of whites, blues and feminine accents have created quite a signature look. (Supposedly this was a favourite colour combination for Estee, and Aerin has stayed true to a lot of her traditional taste.) There's an element that reminds me of Celerie Kemble's style (which I also love), and despite its formality, I really can picture two young boys running around either house.


Aerin worked with Victoria Borus of B Five Studio, but it's very apparent that she has her own innate sense of style based on her fashion choices, and more importantly, her position as Creative Director at Estee Lauder. In the article, Aerin even gives a little decorating advice:
1. "The easiest way to freshen up a room is a new paint color.”
2. “I update the dining room by finding a fabulous new fabric. I’ll have it made into a tablecloth or just fold a length of it and run it down the center of the table.”
3. “Make the most of children’s artwork. I use terrific frames and paperweights from the Conran Shop to showcase my sons’ art.”

Here are a few of the incredible rooms from Aerin's East Hampton home:

I love these vintage Frances Elkins stools!




In her Manhattan home, she seems to have created a very family-oriented space, with of course, her signature touch of elegance.


The eggplant walls make such a beautiful contrast with the white artwork and gold chairs. This room must look gorgeous at night.



Ah, the piest de resistance! Aerin's Manhattan dressing room remains one of my favourite rooms of all time. This was the first room of her home that I ever saw, and I'm still in awe.

A big part of my obsession with this room is the beautiful wallcovering by Gracie. I have found a close alternative from Romo, another great wallcovering and fabric company, that would give the same effect.


The first two are "Tamaki", the second two are "Seraphine". Both are available in about eight colour varieties.

I know, I felt happier after seeing her homes too. To read the full Elle Decor article, click here.