Month: January 2014

Equestrian style
Joe Maer Stylist

According to Chinese calendar this year is The Year of the horse which doesn’t really predict many positive outcomes, on the other hand however, “The upcoming Horse year is also a ‘yang wood’ year, when people will stick more to their principles and stand firm. So it is hard to negotiate or compromise as there are more tendencies for people to fight for their ideals.” Reuters.  The first sentence sounds good enough to me.  Have a good one.

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I posted about Iksel wallpaper, the Paris based company whose designs are influenced by Iznik and global design, a few years ago.  Dimonah and Mehmet Iksel, the founders and owners, have “a unique and avant-garde digital image bank” of glorious and beautiful wallpapers and panels.  Miles Redd used Iksel’s Eastern Eden wallpaper in this beautiful Brooklyn townhouse in his signature color, blue.  Iksel wallpaper is not for the weakest of heart, is for those who want their homes to create an impact and leave an impression on those who visit.  The aesthetic is in general global chic…
Iksel wallpaper, Miles Redd via belle vivirA very romantic space featured in House Beautiful and designed by Miles Redd.  Chinoiserie inspired chair painted in white contrast and blends at the same time with the blue ikzel wallpaper.
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 Scandinavian decor
Scandinavian decor is heavily influenced by nature.  Usually the architecture is clean and modern with simple lines without details such as moldings and frames.  The modern style of the spaces is mostly warmed up by tones of wood, soft fabrics and shaggy rugs which give an overall feeling of coziness and brightness.  Whiteness is key for Scandinavian countries where sun is usually out of sight or goes down too early and comes out too late.  Although it’s not particularly my style I appreciate the relaxation it offers.  Other strong element of Scandinavian style is the absence of pattered fabrics.
Scandinavian decor via belle vivir

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Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do and Are Ok To Do

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to be a couch potato for one day.  As a matter of fact it is
good to do it.  It feels good to not go outside one day and instead
cuddle up inside with a good book or just catch up with your favorite TV
shows and do absolutely nothing.  Order take-out, better yet: delivery.

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to skip the playground for once and instead take him/her to a
fancy restaurant where he can learn cool and sophisticated words such as
‘Pappardelle’ and ‘Meunière’.

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to not get your manicure done one week and instead spend more
uninterrupted time with your loved ones.  You can always get your nails
done any day but family time is priceless.

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to go back and rewrite one or two of your new-year
resolutions.  More realistic and approachable goals will make you
happier and most importantly you get more results when you focus on the
day by day action when compared to a deadline.

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to say no because you simply don’t like the idea.  Just remember to be nice.

Seven Guilt-Free Indulgence You need To Do via belle vivir blog

It’s ok to not worry about dating for once.  Enjoy your single
life, make lots of friends, travel, make lots of mistakes.  It took
Edison 10,000 fail errors to come up with the electric bulb.  Mistakes are
the only path to learn.

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It’s easy to recognize a warm and cozy home.  Is that feeling of familiarity and honesty that invites you to stay longer, put up your feet while asking for more hot coco and praying you don’t have to leave ever again.  That’s the feeling we all want in our homes notably because our homes are the best reflections of our real selves.  Hence it would be practically impossible to have a  warm heart and not have a warm home or vice-versa as it’s equally impossible to create fake characters of our home.  The great news is that the process to make a house feel cozy and inviting may be even easier to tackle than we all think.  Here are five elements to make a cozy home and to create the most inviting of spaces.

five elements to make a cozy home via belle vivir

ADD COLORS

While all-white interiors can be very relaxing, color makes homes cozy.  By colorful interiors I mean spaces with either warm tones or full colorful ones.  Colors have a special magic to bring out the soul in the room and it’s also the easiest way to change things around.  Usually warm and dark colors provide a better result at accomplishing coziness.  Painting a wall, upholstering a sofa or adding a colorful rug are only a few of the ways to bring color inside a home.

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