17Jan

Small Modern Kitchens: Beautiful Kitchen Design

Although I’m more inclined to a mixture of modern and traditional. My Interior Design style consists more of classic lines combined with modern touches; I appreciate modern and clean lines in Interior Design. Especially because it’s a smart way to go when dealing with tiny and narrow spaces as in these small kitchens. As it’s well known “less is more” and I’m not one that uses that term very often because mathematically doesn’t make much sense, lol. On the other hand, though these small modern design kitchens featured here are all small and with clean line kitchen cabinets, they all have something in common that stop them from being boring. These unique elements are the finishing on the cabinets, fixtures, and accessories. These smart designers kept things interesting with finishing such as lacquer, stainless steel, gorgeous marble as backsplash, and a lot of brass or gold accents. Lovely details that can make all the difference. Who said that modern kitchen design has to be boring?

small modern kitchens, stainless steel cabinets

Carolina Castiglioni with a modern kitchen design, harwood floor and cluster chandelier via T Magazine.

In small kitchens, we may not see a kitchen island or a dining are obviously because of the small space, but we can incorporate many other modern elements into the kitchen design. Some of my favorites small kitchen design ideas happen to be also functional elements such as open shelving, high gloss cabinets, stainless steel appliances since they all can make a small kitchen look more spacious. Having open shelvings also provide more counter space for food preparation. Below, more modern kitchen design ideas.

16Jan

For the home: Cluster Chandelier

cluster chandelier roundup via belle vivir blog

Caviar Lighting by Laura Kirar.

Often people underestimate the power of lighting. Lighting doesn’t just create the perfect mood or ambiance (tranquility, serenity, romanticism or harmony) in a room but more often than not becomes more of a focal point by itself. Take for instance the chandeliers we choose for our dining rooms where they usually hang more at eye level. It would be a very noticeable mistake, if not costly, to choose the wrong one. The cluster chandeliers I’ve seen lately in design magazines may just be what the doctor ordered offering simplicity and sculptural element at the same time. Their hanging globes (sometimes in different size) are together and connected by either wires or a metal structure. They also may come with facing down shades. Either style you choose these are destined to be a classic. Enjoy!

Bocci

Artcraft Lighting

Cluster Ceramic Chandelier

Cluster Chandelier

Tom Dixon

Modo 10 Globe Chandelier

Above and below, Usona

Amber Blubble Chandelier

14Jan

A Monochromatic Cabin in Megève

While many rich and famous take the first month of the year vacationing to warmer weather destination, others like myself go back to work and duty. Unnaturally though I would rather be somewhere else where there is a lot of snow and mountains- at least for a very short time. A Cabin like this one in Megève to come back to after a long day of skiing (with an aching body from all the falls) is of course part of that wish. The basic black and white
of this cottage is very soothing and fitting for the million dollar view of the Swiss Alps, however I would rather have seen a bit more shades of brown throughout. The cowhide chairs for instance are the queen of this house, what do you think? The kitchen with its monochromatic palette is a big focal point of the cabin and the tulip chairs with rabbit pillows are also a great warm detail. Enjoy!

10Jan

Statement Necklaces

Erickson Beamon, Dannijo, ASOS, BCBG, Herve Van Der Straeten, Lulu Frost.

Not long ago I shared with you that I’m working on a bijoux line. I’m also working on a print line and a small part of it is almost ready to share with the world. I’ve always loved how a statement necklace could instantly enhance a simple outfit. I hope one day I get to design and make necklaces as beautiful and important as these ones in these images. For now I’ll simply share with you a few good looking ones. Enjoy

Street style images from Monica Rose, Vogue, Elle Magazine and Lulu Frost tumblr.

09Jan

Studded Nailhead Upholstered Walls: Elegant Wall Treatments

studded nailhead upholstered walls in home decor via belle vivir

Studded Nailhead Upholstered Walls is one of the most elegant and relatively inexpensive ways to add elegance into your home. Bringing architectural interest into our home can be done by simply upholstering the walls in fabric or wallpaper and adding nailhead along the edges of the walls or in different patters as if forming a nailhead trim. This type of wall treatment brings dimension to any room. I’ve said before how I think that upholstered doors is the ultimate attention to detail. That is of course if there are no upholstered nailhead walls nearby to compare them to. The is definitely a great amount of work and effort that goes into creating one of these amazing studded nailhead upholstered walls. Especially those that form specific patterns over the wallpaper or fabric. This technique also brings instant coziness to any home decor style. There is already wallpaper designed to look like studded walls making the process a lot easier, and none the less beautiful. Phillip Jeffries has a collection called Rivet that comes in different color contrast. Shown in the picture below Enjoy!

This image above shows one of Philip Jeffrie’s Rivet Collection where the wallpaper appears to have embedded nail heads. You get the great result without the extra effort.

08Jan

Peplum Pants

One of the coolest things that’s happened to fashion lately is Peplum. It’s feminine, whimsical and beautiful! It’s nice to see it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, instead is spreading to other important wardrobe pieces such as pants. All of these models here would ook great with a cropped top. Don’t you think? Enjoy!
1- Zara, 2- Preen, 3- peplum skinny pants, 4- Peplum legging, 5- Alexander Mcqueen, 6- Peggy Peplum pants, 7- Crinkle Apron trousers