Month: February 2018

The Most Spectacular Bridges, love letter to London by Anya Hindmarch Rumi, do you love me? via belle vivir blog

Happy Valentine’s Day y’all… I hope you get to spend your day in great company hence, with whoever you wish.  I think Valentines Day can be any day of the year, in my case it’s more accurate to think it’s on our Wedding anniversary, which happens to be in two days.  We have officially moved the celebration of love to that date ever since…although there is the occasional exchange of cards today… Below, are a few links of the week, all of them appropriate of the day and amusing.

The Biggest Valentine’s Day Myths of All Time.  You’ve heard the story about how Valentine’s day was created, who was Valentine -if there was ever one.  This list may not answer those questions but it’s funny.

The Roses That Might Last Longer Than Your Relationship.  Did you know that natural roses can be preserved with its structure intact and last up to a year thanks to a process called Dehydration…  Not only that but you can buy an arrangement of Infinite Roses and either give them to someone or better yet keep them for yourself.  I would love one for my study.

The World’s Most Spectacular Bridges.  If you and your loved one decide to stay inside tonight, why not virtual-wondering the world… This list of spectacular bridges is pretty impressive.  I recommended to visit one of them in my Guide to Uzes, you can see it here.

Can Tylenol Help Heal a Broken Heart?  In case your relationship didn’t last more than the flowers and your heart gets to be broken, which I hope never happens.  Tylenol may help with that.

The Most Spectacular Bridges, love letter to London by Anya Hindmarch via belle vivir interior design blog

One last note, how pretty is London today…? Dozens of giant inflatable red heart balloons are showing up in various landmarks across London today.  This extraordinary and beautiful design project is a love letter to London by Anya Hindmarch. The balloons will appear from dawn until dusk every day across London during Fashion Week.  ‘surprise love letter to London’ as a tribute to its strength and to celebrate our amazing creative city.”  Anya Hindmarch.  photo via BOF instagram acct.  Read more about it here.

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I love a good sale, who doesn’t… As a matter of fact I enjoy buying my clothes on sale more than on regular price.  I think that I’m becoming very frugal, curiously enough this new practice of mine doesn’t always cross over to home decor purchases.  However I’m always in the look-out for beautiful accessories on sale, also for furniture or for fabrics or anything in between.  For the special deals of the week I found these beautiful and elegant neutral-tone home accessories on sale that I couldn’t help sharing them.  It’s true that you can’t go wrong with a neutral tone decor.  There is something so special and remarkable about the mixture of browns with blacks, brass and beige contrasting with textures of rattan, plaster, sisal and hemp fabrics…  The overall effect often found in a neutral decor is dramatic to the eyes yet soothing to the senses.  The first one in the list being an Eagle Convex mirror.  In case you didn’t notice, we love a Convex mirror.

neutral decor special deals of the week via belle vivir interior design blog

 

Alabaster Pillar holders in two different sizes.  This rattan basket also comes in two different sizes. The strong and abstract lines in this black and white Skyscraper photograph is pretty modern and classic at the same time.  Regency Eagle convex mirror is always a good idea for when you are looking for a way to incorporate a classic elegant object in your home.  And of course the clean modern sconces to contrast with any other strong traditional element. Recessed wall mirror in antique brass finish for a touch of glam that never fails to impress.  A shell lamp in case you have  beach house or you just want to bring the beach feeling inside instead.  This chandelier has been in too many a dressing room, but perhaps it would go well in a hallway…  And finally a Moroccan hemp pillow in graphic black and white stripes.

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Architect Peter Pennoyer transformed this 1857 New York City townhouse after the interior has been altered too many times.  The building or the townhouse is a four-floor Italianate redbrick building in Greenwich Village which had been previously converted into separate apartments and as a consequence many of its original features and layout had been removed.  The owner of the townhouse enlisted Architect Peter Pennoyer for the major undertaking of the Interior Architecture and Shawn Henderson for the Interior Design.  Pennoyer is known for his elegant classic aesthetic “I usually like to keep the old materials, the beams, at least,” the architect says. “But this was unsalvageable.”  as told to AD.  And so it all began on a three year renovation project to restore the single family home and bring it back to its original beauty.  The serpentine staircase illuminated by a skyline is the master piece of the renovation and it was further embellished with subtle texture and flecks of silver leaf added by Henderson over its white plaster walls.  To see the before pictures of this impressive transformation go here.

Peter Peter Pennoyer livingroom Shawn Henderson

This living room is the epitome of glamour, from the color scheme and the art work to the furniture selection.

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I remember the time when maternity clothes were anything but fashionable.  Lot’s of big shapeless maternity dresses, stretchy pants, pleated top, and other unflattering options… Nowadays, things are different, pregnant women have found the way to look not only cute while pregnant but also stylish, chic and very well put together.  I remember while pregnant I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of wearing heels and a baby bump-hugging dress (although I find the name super adorable and they look very comfortable and fitting for the mother’s body.)  However, now if I were to try to embark on that journey again, I might even consider it.  To be honest, pregnancy after the third trimester is very hard on the body and it’s more so on the back, so I believe this is an approach that can be conceived prior to those months, after that all that you really want is to get it over with and get to meet the new addition to the family.  Meanwhile, until those final weeks come, pregnant women can still look good in one of these casual and chic maternity fashion outfits.  Below, a roundup of stylish maternity clothes.

chic maternity fashion, maternity clothes, Chrissy Teigen via belle vivir blog

Chrissy Teigen wearing a very fashionable pregnant outfit

chic maternity fashion, maternity clothes via belle vivir blog

A flowery baby bump-hugging dress perfect for Spring.  Double-breasted sleeveless long coat, which is super chic.  Over-bump maternity tights.  White mules.

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motivational quotes belle vivir quotes

There is nothing I enjoy more than a good deep conversation.  If I were not an interior designer and a lover of all its entwined branches I would have been a lawyer, politician or activist… Don’t we all have some level of double lives… I say that the eye has to travel but, the mind needs to be fed… Although here at Belle Vivir Interior Design blog we often talk about fashionable subjects, we don’t fail to realize that everything in the field with a decorative purpose is undoubtedly replaceable.  Therefore on our weekly motivational quotes day, I’ll be sharing links that intend to enlighten us as well as occasional design related articles.  I’m fully aware of the importance of chit-chat, in fact it’s an integral part of gracious social behavior while keeping us out of confrontations.  However, meaningful and worthwhile conversations are way more interesting and that starts with the nurturing of the mind and spirit, just keep the antithetical ones between you and your loved ones.  (But most importantly) who doesn’t want to be a better human in general…?  A spiky journey, ah… Anything that can ease that difficult path, is helpful.

We all know how integral Emotional Intelligence is in every aspect of our lives, from self awareness to empathy.  But it’s hard to really grasp the deep meaning of EI.  This article defines it and fills us in on 5 Powerful Secrets on How To Increase Our Emotional Intelligence.

If you are a mother with small children and want to get them to listen to you, it may be as easy as to talk to the ear, I mean the proper ear.  One way to make your children listen to you.

Confidence in oneself determines the level of success in our lives and you may not know that the level of confidence you have on yourself can solely depend on you.  5 Steps to boost your confidence, no matter your starting point.

On an artistic note, French are not happy with Jeff Koons’s gift to Paris.  Perhaps next time Koons should pick the correct neighborhood..?  If the intention is to honor the victims of recent terrorist attacks then the art should go where the tragedy happened, yeah…?

Remember my New Year wish to you, well it turned out that it may be more useful than you think.  7 Morning Rituals That Will Make You Happy All Day.

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The days are getting 2 minutes longer everyday.  I can notice it every late afternoon and that makes me so happy and excited.  Soon we’ll be ditching the heavy coats and boots and embracing lighter clothes… Just the thought of it is inspiring.  For now I would be content visiting one of these art exhibitions and fashion events during this month of February.

art exhibitions and fashion events via belle vivir blog

New York

New York Fashion Week From Feb 8-14

Fall 2018 fashion shows kick of in New York on February 8th until the 14th.  I can’t wait to see what Fashion Designers will present and what the fashionistas wear on the streets.  To see the schedule go here.  The entire month of February is the month when Fashion Designers present their Fall/Winter Collection in different cities around the world.  The fashion marathon goes in this order New York from Feb 8-14, London Fashion Week Feb 16-20, Milan FW Feb 21-27 and Paris FEb 27 to March 6.  I wonder how fashion editors and buyers survive…

NY NOW at Javits Center From February 3-7

NY NOW takes place twice a year featuring three collections, Home, Lifestyle and Handmade.  It’s the premier market for all that’s new and on trend in specialty retail.

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