Today I am so inspired by the amazing office of Lucky editor Eva Chen featured in the new Domino {it's a bit different than the original shelter mag which folded 4 years ago and is more of an online shop, but I am still thrilled they are back!} Offices can end up so sterile and utilitarian but Chen's work space oozes layered sophistication and charm. It feels so personal and lovely yet also so professional - a perfect balance! 

Here's why it works:

{1} Modern office pieces (like the glossy white desk) are paired with vintage elements (like those fantastic midcentury visitors chairs) for a wonderful juxtaposition.

{2} The color palette is overall muted and monochromatic with just a few pops of vibrant pink, lemon yellow and cornflower blue for a bolt of energy.

{3} Metallic elements throughout lend a bit of modern glamour and prevent the space from feeling flat. 

I could certainly work here! How about you?

{images via Domino here}

Daily Detail: Rustic Elegance

Today for your daily detail, it's a lovely pairing of seaside rustic + glam modernism! I think these two styles are usually at odds but this living room is so unexpected and elegant. 

Why I love it:

{1} The color palette of hazy, soft purples and blues is so sophisticated yet grounded

{2} The roughness of the console is balanced by the sleek brass side table and luxe velvet sofa

{3} The casual styling of the console table is beautiful but not too formal - it's a great trick to lean art instead of hanging

{3} The rope coffee table {enough said - it's fantastic!}

Dream Office. . . Bright and Eclectic

Hi all! So sorry for being so absent lately but the truth is I have been crazed with work and some great new design projects. And as I have been spending the majority of my time at work, I felt it very appropriate to share this incredible home office by designer Jenny Wolf. I am so inspired by the eclectic combo of vintage glamour and mid century mod pieces with organic textures, like the cowhide rug and freeform wood cocktail table. The pop of pattern on the ceiling is a fantastic surprise and really softens the matte black of the walls. The whole space looks so cohesive and pulled together but not at all matchy - just lovely! 

What do you love about this space? 

House Tour: Dramatic Glamour on Mercer Island

Moody, dramatic and so luxe! My eyes actually popped when I saw this incredible home by design icon Kelly Wearstler. And I was so surprised to find out it's located on Mercer Island, the small island just outside Seattle where I grew up and my family still lives. Now, I know it's not for everyone but I think the mid century mod inspired glamour of this home is really stunning. The outside of the home is classic Pacific Northwest, a rambling 1946 split-cedar and brick home but as requested by the owners, the inside is a different world "equal parts Parisian jewel box, scholar's retreat and natural wonder" in KW's own words. . . . amazing! I find the whole project so inspiring and creative and love all the organic textures and varied natural materials worked in. I think the library is my favorite space, such a fantastic combo of black, brass and the palest mint green!

So what do you think? Gorgeous or does it make your head hurt? 

This bold De Gournay wall paper is so gorgeous it makes the whole space {& would it have fit perfectly into my mint + black post!)

These stairs alone kill me! wow! 

{All photos for Elle Decor by Mikkel Vang}

Instant Glamour: The Urban Canopy Bed

I love the urban glamour and cozy-chic vibe of this fantastic bedroom by Michelle Adams of Lonny {which I am also in love with!}. I always am drawn to the architecture and structure of a traditional canopy bed, but for many of us without mile high ceilings, they are just not an option. One brilliant solution is to use simple curtain rods mounted directly to the ceiling. It is such a sleek, affordable and flexible alternative. Once the rods are mounted you can have six curtain panels made of your favorite fabric {as Adams did} or just alter ready made panels. She used a simple cream linen lining, but the inside is a great place to add an unexpected fabric too. I also love this bedroom for its layering of different textures and patterns - the key is keeping them all in the same color family, here black, white and neutrals.

So pretty and eclectic! 

{via}

Old World Glamour: William + Kate!

Ok, I know everyone is blogging about the royal wedding! So I won't gush for too long, but just to say I loved her dress, I adored the lush indoor forest of 20 foot high trees, but mostly I loved the old world charm of the day! Being in Asia I was lucky enough to watch the wedding at a lovely hour, 6 pm and I was stuck at the timeless glamour of the whole event. I hope you got to enjoy it too! 

I also love this print from Taylors Type on Etsy! Great way to commemorate the day! 

xo Allison

Spicer + Bank

Bulletin Board Glam

I adore this small dreamy work space by Angele Parlange, featured in Lonny. Who says bulletin boards have to be boring, solid brown? I love how Parlange used a gorgeous oversized antique frame and a lovely blue floral fabric to cover it. This way the board looks as beautiful empty as it does filled with inspiration! LOVE!

A Gorgeous Michigan Wedding!

The wedding of my beautiful best friend is featured in lovely bridal blog Style Me Pretty! The wedding was in the back yard of the groom's family home and was just as charming and picture-perfect as the images suggest (and a total blast too!) I am a huge fan of Style Me Pretty so I am especially excited to see Rachel and Evan gracing its pages! And I know I am biased but between the stunning dress, the wild flower centerpieces with feathers tucked in, the amazing pie table for dessert, and the quaint barn for late night dancing - I can not imagine a more beautiful wedding. Even if you are not planning a wedding, there are so many fantastic tips for entertaining - casually glamourous for sure!

The bride's talented father hand painted these signs on antique barn wood! 

Read the whole article and see many more gorgeous photos here on Style Me Pretty! 

{Photography by Synecdoche Photography and event planning and design by Flourish Event Design} 

Cocktails and the Chic Bar Cart Roundup

Seeing as how its Friday and how I am having a weekend reunion with my best four girlfriends from college, I certainly have cocktails on the brain! And on that note, I have dug up some of my all time favorite bar carts. Setting up console or rolling cart as a bar station is a great use of a corner of your living room or a small hallway. Having a beautiful and well stocked bar makes impromptu drinks easy but it does not have to limited to traditional bar items and can be a lovely vignette - perfect to displace a favorite vase or small piece of art. (Pictured above; the bar of LA caterer Lulu Powers via Lonny magazine) 

Styled and photographed by Deborah Jaffe for Domino magazine, a perfect way to make the most of a small space between two windows! 

A manly, sophisticated bar by Thom Felicia in House Beautiful - a bar cart is a great addition to the library! Whisky and first editions just seem to go hand in hand....

Another fabulous bar by Thom Felicia, featured in Canadian House and Home. I love the casual, collected nature of his table and its size! Perfect for summer parties! 

A charming antique bent wood bar cart under a collection of blue and white ceramics - chic even without glasses or bottles! (photo via Madebygirl blog).

A fully stocked vintage bar cart by Ruthie Sommers, via Lonny magazine.

I adore this 1950's italian bar cart by Cescare Lucca, sold through Gustavo Olivieri Antiques - a perfect spot of mid-century modern sophistication, I can just see mixing the perfect martini here! 

The Emory bar cart from Horchow - a wonderful option for small spaces.

Really, IKEA? yes! This minimalist stainless steel bar cart is the Flytta cart by designer Nicholai Wiig Hansen.

A classic beauty - the Cosmopolian Bar Cart from William Sonoma Home.

Cheers! Bon Week End!