17May

Mark D Sikes All America Outdoor Patio

Mark D Sikes Patio Summer version

Mark D Sikes has quickly become a very popular Interior Designer thanks to his All-American, exquisite timeless style as it’s greatly represented in his beautiful West Hollywood outdoor patio. Not to mention his own home which has been featured in probably
every single Interior Design blog. I myself became acquainted with Mark’s beautiful work when posting his black bathroom a few years back. But since summer is almost here and we’re all yearning for a comfortable and inviting outdoor patio ready for entertaining,
a venue to throw a party or two, we are relying on Mark’s outdoor patio for some style inspiration. What I love most about Mark D Sikes exquisite choices for his outdoor living space is the smart, four level terraces he created to enhance the architecture of the space. Regulars would just install a deck, fake wood included, but why be regular when you can afford to be exquisite, and when you are Mark D Sikes excellence is the only way. Good design planning pays off as in Mark’s case, where his lovely patio can be seen from almost every room inside the house. The fountain he redesigned and replaced can be heard from even the bedrooms upstairs, how soothing that must be… I saw a few before pictures of the patio where all there was a neglected hill. After seeing the transformation from a haphazard patio to a sophisticated brick paved outdoor living space, my appreciation for well design spaces is further enhanced, from Interiors, to patios to landscaping to a whole new level. It’s amazing what good taste and good design can create. I love to see before pictures, that’s when you can see the real magic.

16May

Belle Vivir will get a makeover

Belle Vivir Interior Design blog is going through a simple makeover. Hopefully tomorrow our site will be easier and prettier for all your enjoyment. We apologies for any inconvenience.

16May

Caroline Sieber’s London Home: A Fashionable Life

Caroline Sieber’s London home is a colorful oasis that aims to bring the happy touch to the often grey days of London. The house that she shares with her husband Fritz von Wetenholz and their daughter is located in the leafy Notting Hill neighborhood and the result of the design is a combination of the couples respective childhood homes aesthetics. The colorful house was designed by the couple in an eclectic way “something more contemporary, younger… feminine but not ditzy.” Caroline who is a fashion stylist and Chanel brand ambassador, says. The living room which runs the entire depth of the house is covered in a custom tropical wallpaper by Zuber, with is a mixture of furniture from different styles such as a gilded Victorian-looking sofa, a marble cocktail table designed by the couple and other furniture pieces from the nineteenth century. Caroline Sieber’s home was published in the November issue of Vogue 2015. A couple of years ago I posted about her impeccable style which as chic as her house, you can see it here.

The living room Of Caroline Sieber’s London home with its custom tropical wallpaper by Zuber makes such a focal point, no need for wall art.

15May

Poppy Delevingne’s Luxurious Bathroom

Poppy Delevingne’s luxurious bathroom is like a gift that keeps on giving. It’s also a girl’s dream with marble covering counter tops, shower and floors and accents of polished brass fixtures. Delevingne’s bathroom is right up my alley. The walls are covered in a De Gournay green wallpaper, but don’t fret, the luxurious wallpaper seems to be protected from water and moisture, thanks to the glass enclosed marble-covered shower, as you can spot in this video she did for Jo Malone.

Poppy Delevingne taking a selfie in her fabulous bathroom from her Instagram acct.

The beautiful bathroom also shows some functional features, as a closet for storage and a glass and brass metal three tier side table next to the free-standing bathtub for easy access to toiletries.

poppy delevingne'd luxurious bathroom, via abelle vivir

Make it your own

Framed chinoiserie wall mural would add a great touch. Brass deck mount exposed faucet, brass sink faucet, a more modern version freestanding bathtub, three tier side table in brass and acrylic.

Second picture by Bjorn Looss, scanned by me from Porter Magazine

14May

Happy Mother’s Day

12May

10 Ruffle Dresses to buy the season

Lately dresses and tops are all about soft layers of classic romantic ruffles. I remember when growing up my mother used to dress my sister and me the same and ruffle skirt dresses were usually the norm. Now, although this season’s dress is casual and playful, the Ruffle Dress, is in no way like the ones I used to wear as a kid. Coming in versions of off shoulders or cold shoulder, asymmetrical skirts in soft fabric, plain or flowery, they are ideal for day city walking as well as for evenings.