Today we are off to London! Can't wait to see all our friends and explore the city - just hope the weather holds! Then on to Madrid and Portugal for quick visits. More to come. . . 

Any favorite cafes, pubs or shops I should not miss? I would love to hear your recommendations!

{via here and here}

California + Vintage: DIY Bottle Collection

When I helped my brother decorate his Venice beach apartment this winter, we spent a fabulous day at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and had lots of great finds. One thing he was drawn to right away was these cool seltzer bottles, so we decided to create a collection of vintage bottles and I love the effect! The red is a color which runs throughout the apartment {you can spot the red metal chair above} and the blue is a wonderful, unexpected pop of color. The smaller ones are antique medicine bottles and some are over 100 years old. I adore the layered feel of this collection but also it reminds me of a really fun day and hope my brother will love adding to it over time!

Here is more vintage bottle collection inspiration for you . . .  loving this idea. It can be dressed up or beachy - up to you!

A few more shots of his great collection! 

PS it's his birthday today and I would just like to say he is pretty much the most wonderful brother ever. Happy Birthday Andrew! I love you!

London Living!

We are headed to London next week to visit friends and I am so, so, so excited! It only seems fitting to post this fantastic Notting Hill townhouse via Elle Decor. Sigh, the colors, the mix of antiques and modern pieces, the tall elegant window . . . amazing! 

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Happy Memorial Day

Even though we don't celebrate it here in Singapore, Memorial Day still means the official start to summer! To celebrate here is some beach house eye candy - this amazing NY seaside home was decorated by Nate Berkus. I admittedly have a serious design crush on Nate but also just love the playful and eclectic twist on a traditional beach home. The whole space looks perfect for entertaining but my favorite detail might just be those amazing painted floors! 

Hope you are all having a fabulous long weekend! 

These tangerine painted bookcase interiors are so lovely and unexpected! 

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Style Crush: Tilton Fenwick

Ever since I first spotted their work, I have had a major style crush on the NY based design firm of Tilton Fenwick! The young design firm was started by Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham in 2010, and has been rising fast ever since. I love how their interiors are both traditional and cozy while still being playful and fresh. Their use of pattern is also especially fantastic - these spaces are such great examples of how to beautifully layer patterns of different sizes {you might notice their love of wallpaper!}. 

I am so drawn to the inviting and a bit old-fashioned vibe in these interiors, do you see anything inspiring?

Visit here for more of the duo's beautiful work! 

Design Dedication: The Chevron

It's no secret I adore a chevron - almost any chevron! And even though we are used to seeing this chic pattern on everything lately from pillows to trays, upholstery, stationary, clothing, and dishes and more, I think it is most at home on the floors or walls. After all, the chevron's origins are as a variation to an inlaid herringbone floor. I love to contemplate how the design world has run away with the chevron and how it all began. Here are some of my favorite inspirations. . .  

I really love this image above - how fun is this oversized chevron wall paper? What a brilliant way to hang a traditional striped paper! 

{See, they are different! Chevron on the left and herringbone on the right}

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Daily Detail: Aqua + Lemon Office Chic

I love when a room just grabs me - and this one definitely qualifies! It is both traditional and fresh, sophisticated and playful, and just plain beautiful. Here is why I think it works:

{1} An unusual color palette of soft aqua and lemon is tempered with multiple tones of brown

{2} The floral shade fabric is contrasted with the strong geometric greek key carpet

{3} The patterned pillow on the sofa pulls all the colors in the space together

{4} Lastly, the giraffe statues and organic form tray add visual interest and texture

Do you think this interior works? 

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