22Jul

Celerie Kemble at Kips Bay Decorator’s Showhouse

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 Celerie Kemble Interiors

I know that you, my lovely friends, may have seen this room before but I loved it so much that I thought it would be only right to post about it. In fact this was my favorite room in the entire Kips Bay Decorator’s Show House 2011. Kemble Interiors converted this pine-paneled room into a sophisticated, feminine library with magnificent details. The color scheme is perfectly harmonious making nothing stand out by itself, rather make the whole room balanced and harmonious. The verre églomisé ceiling depicting a Chinoiserie scenery, a creation of Miriam Ellner, helps draw the eyes towards the ceiling and emphasize the height of the room. My favorite part is the selection and placement of furniture, especially the pink tete-a-tete in front of the floor to ceiling windows and the very chic selection of side and cocktail tables. To brighten up the wooden paneling Kemble Interiors covered the bookcases with white faux leather and lucite shelves. The only thing in this room that I find a little bit odd is the fact that the sconces are mounted right into the art above the fireplace. Other than that I could seriously move in tomorrow and not change a thing.

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 Celerie Kemble

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 Kemble Interios

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 Kemble INteriors

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 fire place library

Kips Bary Decorator's Show House 2011 kemble pink tete a tete settee

First three images via Kemble Interiors, rest by Belle Vivir.

18Jul

Gallery Walls Ideas: Wall Art Composition

wall art composition, Gallery wall home decor ideas via belle vivir blog

I love the aesthetic of this room above where the color scheme is kept to neutral colors. I especially love how much the art modernizes the space.

I have had this post about gallery walls Ideas or wall art composition saved for a few weeks, and lucky for me I have something interesting to share with you today. An art wall composition with mixed and matching frames is to my eye a lot more interesting than one that keeps the same frame and displayed in a contained group. I think it’s a more collective and exiting look. Here are a few wall art composition ideas to inspire your home decor. I think that as long as one keeps similar color scheme in the art and in the frames and keeps an equal distance between them, anyone can do it well. Of course having great art doesn’t hurt either. Enjoy!

wall art composition, Gallery wall decorating ideas via belle vivir blog

This room is a great interpretation of ” Glam granny”. The silhouettes represent the old part of the room but in a very stylish way.

Food For Thought and “enjoy your weekend”

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln

Image via New York city lights and illustration by Rene Gruau.

14Jul

Last day of the series with Beth and Kristy from My Design Chic

I wanted to thank all of the fabulous ladies who collaborated in Staycation in Style series and my fantastic readers for supporting it. I hope we have accomplished our goal of bringing everyone suggestions as to how to spend the best time in your own skin and in your own town. Today is the last day of the series and I couldn’t think of a better way of ending it with Beth and Kristy from My Design Chic. The mother and daughter’s great eye and taste comes across in their beautiful blog which is a must to visit. I’m up for all of their great ideas. Who doesn’t need a relaxed weekend or some extra sleep?

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Summer is the perfect time to get away from everything and take a break from your normal routine, but, sometimes, between packing, flying, stopping the mail, finding someone to feed the cat… Shew! Getting away can feel less like vacation and more like, well, work. That’s why we think that, every now and again, finding a way to relax and recharge in your own home can be an even better way to truly unwind. What’s the best start to our perfect staycation? Why, sleeping late, of course — it’s guilt free! Sleep hours, like chocolate calories, simply do not count while on vacation.

Perhaps the loveliest transition from sleeping to waking is a piping cup of tea, in your pajamas, overlooking the most beautiful view in your home. If we felt so inclined, this would be a prime time to catch up on some long overdue journaling.

The last thing some people want to do on their vacation is work out, but yoga makes us feel so refreshed we don’t even think of it as exercise. Deep, quieting breaths, a few sun salutations and meditating on all the things for which we are thankful really put us in that vacation state of mind.

Or, better yet, recapturing our childhood with some time in a swing.

No vacation would be complete without some time on the courts. Adrenaline pumping, fresh air and good friends. Does life get any better?
We would like to thank Julie so very much for choosing us as guest bloggers while she’s away relaxing. However you choose to unwind, we hope the rest of your summer holds many moments of restful bliss! Best, Beth and Kristy

13Jul

Nancy Marcus’ takes on how to Stay in Town in Style

Today We have the pleasure of having Nancy Marcus from Marcus Design sharing with us her tricks to enjoy ourselves while in town. I am already putting into practice some of her clever and low-key suggestions on how to rediscover our city or town like a tourist and see the beauty in the everyday activities. Thank you Nancy for so beautifully collaborate with this series.

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Hello lovely Belle Vivir readers!! I am so honored to be here today and I thank Julie for including me in on this fabulous ‘Staycation in Style’ series.

My personal favorite thing to do when not jet setting away for the summer is to explore my own city, and more specifically, the local markets.

What is more summery and inspiring than a farmer’s market, where you can indulge in the fresh and colorful bounty of the season?

Or better yet, discover fabulous treasures at the flea market, and come home with a bundle of blooms from the flower market to adorn your table. It’s also a great way to eat locally grown foods and stumble upon local artists. I can’t think of a better way to spend a holiday in town!

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12Jul

Stay in Town in Style with Debby Steele

I knew that when I invited Debby from Inspired Design to collaborate in this week’s series I was doing the right thing. I came across Debby’s gorgeous blog a few months ago and was immediately smitten by it. Debby didn’t fail to contribute with fantastic ideas and stunning images for all of us to get to enjoy ourselves while staying in town. Debby, thank you so much for so kindly accepting to be a part of this series.

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Hi Everyone! It’s Debby from Inspired Design. When Julie asked me to do a guest post on staycations, her timing couldn’t have been more perfect, seeing as our family just enjoyed a little staycation. Here are my suggestions for creating the perfect vacation at home: Unplug the phone and hide work phones, work computers and basically anything that will keep you from feeling like you deserve a break. Sleep in, take extra long showers and linger over delicious breakfasts… al fresco if the weather allows. Take your camera and explore your city or town the way you would if you were on a destination vacation. You might be surprised at the details you’ve never noticed, and you will have a renewed appreciation for where you live. Take a great book outdoors will a tall glass of iced tea and let yourself be transported to another time and place. Explore your local boutiques and treat yourself to a little something special. Plan a Parisian style picnic in a beautiful setting. Ham and cheese on baguettes with butter, macaroons, fresh fruit and sparkling water… don’t forget the flowers and music. Treat yourself to dinner at your favorite restaurant and order champagne. Toast yourself… you deserve it! How would you spend your staycation?

via 1, 2+3, 4