31Oct

Hammered Brass

a 1950’s Italian hammered bronze sconce, via House Beautiful

Only a few would argue with me that if there were a synonym word for Glam that would be Brass. I know that finishes in a decor would depend on what environment you are willing to create. In a farm house you may probably find chrome or brushed chrome instead of brass? But for environments or atmospheres where a dose of sophistication is required you probably would end up with some brass thrown in. It’s a classic! Hand hammered brass takes all that up a notch by adding texture and a sense of provenance. We’ve seen it vastly used in Moroccan design, which is known for being exotic and sometimes over the top. Below are a few items that would make anything else around them dance and be merry. Enjoy!

home decor with hammered brass accessories round up

Clockwise from top left, a pair of Tommaso Barbi Sconces, Truco gold pitcher (it’s porcelain but it has the same effect as hammered brass), Brass hammered hook, bathroom sink, Vase by David Wiseman, Twig one arm sconces, Hammered ring cabinet pull, Hand-hammered gilt & patinated bronze side tables, antique gold Helen cuff,

Truco Gold bowls.

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I’m in the process of sprucing up this blog’s “looks”. My goal is to create a clean and undistracted background for the images and posts to stand out. I’m pleased with it so far but it’s actually a work in progress.

28Oct

Have A Happy Weekend

I’ll be signing off early for the week. I wanted to apologize to my blogger friends who I haven’t been able to visit as often as I’d like. My days are pretty hectic these days my friends. Between work and deadlines, Lucas’ new school adaptation, family responsibilities, and daily duties, it seems that waking up at 6:00AM sharp and going to bed at 10:30PM is not enough. I can’t find a time for leisure, although I know it’s important to do so. It looks like the only “free time” I can get is when I get to spend time with the little one, which is probably the most important time of all. I hope you understand. 🙂

These images of extraordinary Architecture make my day. Enjoy your weekend.

Images found via Tumblr.

25Oct

Home Design Trend: Paint Technique

The living room done by Carrier and Company had a very subtle and delicate linen technique.

Up until a couple of years ago the word “paint technique” would make many, including myself, freak out!. The first thought coming to mind would’ve been that weary sponge paint technique of the 90’s that was just eekie-cheapi-looking… Now wall paint technique have refined itself to the limit. Most of the designer showhouses I’ve visited lately have had many walls covered in these new and exquisite techniques. The latest was Designer Visions Showhouse 2011 where basically all three apartments had two or more rooms covered with Ralph Lauren’s paint techniques which offer a range of finishes from Natural Linen to Antiqued Leather. My favorite finishes so far are Natural Linen and Venetian Plaster. Now this last one may not appeal to everyone but I think that in modern apartments where architectural details are lacking, this would add interest and character.

The living room done by Carrier and Company had a very subtle and delicate linen technique.

In the den, Carrier and Company applied another linen technique in an orange tone where you can appreciate the effect better. Below, a closer look.

This decorative paint done on the entryway of this year’s Designer Visions Showhouse is Venetian Plaster and was done by Ricardo Brizola. The same technique, below, was done on the hallway walls of Elle Decor Modern Concept home this year.

images via House Beautiful, Casa Diseno,

24Oct

Need some sleep

I feel like my head weights about seventy pounds right now and every time I open my eyes is like having my eyes being punched. All I’m going to say is, if you’re planning on having a baby or just had one, do not and please take note, do not rock him/her to sleep or you’ll regret it. Yes, it’s very pretty and sweet and tender to put your little one to sleep, but when your child is three and he still wants you to put him back to sleep whenever he wakes up, it’s not that sweet I’m always amazed at how many serene-faced people ask me “when is the other one coming” hello!? where were you when we needed the advice of not rocking him to sleep? Last night we were so exhausted that we took him into our bed, my husband got relegated to the guest bedroom. Not a good idea, sleeping with the little one in the same bed is like sleeping with the energizing bunny that is running out battery, but like all batteries that are about to run out, you never know when one of his arms or legs is going to unexpectedly land on your face.
images via tumblr

20Oct

William Hogarth: Serpentine Line and a lot to thank him

William Hogarth 1697-1764 England, was a painter satirist and social critic during the 18th ct. His satiric paintings and engravings mostly covered and criticized social and political situations by ridiculing conventional and social standards of his times. One of my favorite work of his is Marriage à-la-mode, a series of six paintings which were later engraved and published, ridiculing arranged marriages where of course the unhappiness of the entire family ends with the tragedy that covers everything from murder to suicide. Go figure! “Moral: don’t listen to evil silver-tongued counselors; don’t marry a man for his rank, or a woman for her money; don’t frequent foolish auctions and masquerade balls unknown to your husband; don’t have wicked companions abroad and neglect your wife, otherwise you will be run through the body, and ruin will ensue, and disgrace, and Tyburn” And you may be wondering why am I reading all this and you’re right! but William is entirely responsible for what’s called Serpentine Line or Line of Beauty which is the S-shaped curved elongated line that frames an object. He thought that curves, not Sophia Vergara’s in this case, were more dynamic, more interesting to see, more lively and not as dead and static as straight lines. And I so much agree. When my professor said these things in class last year I thought “Clever man!” He probably had no idea that his theory would transcend to furniture, hence the Serpentine sideboard and many more wonderful good looking furniture and sculpture that we enjoy today. Below, a few images that show gracious and beautiful curves.

Tasting Autumn: Getting in Synch

It’s clear that every season has its own trademarks; Daffodils for Spring, lemon zest for summer and cashmere for Fall. I’m glad that the Perfect Mother Nature walks us slowly into changes in weather. But once the season is in full bloom it’s time to enjoy it in every possible way and form. After all, that is what good living is all about. I want to share with you a short list of things that I’m either enjoying right now or I’m willing to start trying soon. Enjoy!

Speculoos spread, Pate a tartiner au speculoos; I love Le Pain Quotidiene and the last time I was there I bought a jar of Speculoos spread and I gotta tell you that it’s as perfect as a crispy sunny day in Fall or it’s like having ginger bread or cinnamon cookies but less sweet with a pinch of salt. Unfortunately, their website doesn’t sell online..what? but this is one Le Pain Quotidiene probably in every country.

If you live in the City and don’t know of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese you are missing a lot. That if you are a cheese lover like moi, I can literary live on cheese and crackers. Every time I go to the lovely Flat Iron district I pay a visit and this time I picked their anise and lavender chevre, yes I also frowned when I saw it, but it could stop you on your tracks once you taste it. You can literary smell the lavender in it and if you have it in a pressed sandwich it will hook you.

Bite lips, the first time I heard the term I thought, what’s with that? Who wants that? But as long as I can emulate the sexy look, that’s healthy enough for me. I have mentioned the Greek products Korres before and how happy I was with the fact that as organic as they are, made of Quercetine and Oak, they work. I’m using lip butter (sort of like a moisture lip gloss without the gloss and its hideous stickiness) in quince and it’s like having the perfect natural look with a reddish tone on your lips.

Tom Ford’s new makeup line will be available at Bergdorf apparently on November 1st and you can pre-order. The colors of the nail polishes look amazing. This Plum Noir is gorgeous enough to put a fight for, exactly what I need to fully embrace Autumn.

I have this lavender and rosemary scented candle in my master bathroom and even when it smells a little bit much I love the cute little glass cup it comes, it looks like an emerald, and I love it.

Month: October 2011