Month: January 2012

I’m a little bit under the weather today, but wanted to start the week with very powerful words to live by.

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Climbing leaopard rug by Dianne von furstenberg via belle vivir blog

The Climbing Leopard rug designed by Diane Von Furstenberg for The Rug Company has a very good vibe from the 70’s that I easily relate to.  Love it how Jeffrey Bilhuber used it in a hallway and don’t they look so perfect on the stairs below, also?
We are expecting guests this afternoon and we’ve been setting everything up for when they come to have a great time.  Tomorrow, it’s all about relaxing.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Climbing leaopard rug on stairs by Dianne von furstenberg via belle vivir blog

Climbing leaopard rug by Dianne von furstenberg via belle vivir blog

images via Jeffrey Bilhuber, The Rug Company.
frederique-mechiche-bathroom-bellevivir-blog

Frederic Mechiche’s bathroom in Paris has been featured in Elle Decor UK Interiors and most recently in Elle Decor US December issue.  And, no wonder why, with some changes and addition here and there this bathroom can transform into different personalities.  The grisaille wallpaper and the black and white checkered floor set the stage for the amazing copper, deep bathtub to be the focal point.  That’s until Andy Warhol pop art comes in.  Of course my favorite of all the settings is exactly that one, where neoclassical architecture meets Pop Art.  My kind of thing.  Enjoy!

Frederic changed the art in each of the shots covering a niche above the tub.

In this last shot featured in Elle Decor US he got rid of the niche and replaced the tub for a thinner one, in order to incorporate a marble column and an Urn with Greek key handles.  I also don’t want to know what’s in it.

Across from the bathtub, are the sinks with Empire looking cabinets.
New York city backyards charlotte moss in her nyc patio via belle vivir blog
Charlotte Moss in her New York City backyard.  Herringbone floors and metal balconies, who can be blamed for loving this? I know, I know.  It’s winter here in the City and no one is thinking about New York City Backyards, but it’s summer somewhere.  We don’t have a backyard, what we do have is a nice New York City view from all my East side windows and a deck.  Of course I’m not complaining although sometimes I joke with my husband that once we decide to move out of this house I don’t know if I could settle for a view of someone else’s wall.  I could, however, settle for a view that has any of these amazing and chic backyards.  From garden to outdoor patios, these spaces are to die for.  Of course I could also be happier if I get to look at a swimming pool.  Enjoy!
New York City backyards charlotte moss in her nyc patio with a pergola via belle vivir blog
 Another view of Charlotte Moss’ patio with a metal pergola and fireplace.

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Update: A lovely reader emailed me and informed me that this kitchen was designed by Emery & Cie. I once posted about their very unique and exotic inventory way back.  They have stores in many cities in Europe.   Thank you!

When there is larger than life ceilings there is for sure splendid.  I came across this magnificent kitchen over the weekend and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.  Don’t know much about it, only that it’s a Scandinavian Kitchen and I would say that apart from the stove being funnily small in scale the whole ambiance has a lot of provenance.  The Morovian Star Pendant does give the height of the ceiling much more credit and the adorable sconces are almost unnoticeable but that is part of what makes this kitchen feel charmingly old.  The incredible European tiles change from green to blue, surprising you and tying the predominant green to the less used blue tiles above the stove.  Enjoy! 

Talking about Morovian Start Lighting, isn’t this antique one amazing?  Available at Antiques Associates.