Month: May 2019

Maximalist design, Dries Van Noten’s home

Maximalist decor doesn’t mean to go crazy without any reference and harmony.  On the contrary, a well-appointed more is more design requires strict planning and focus.  This is the Maximalist decor we’ll be covering here, an over the top design style that harmoniously and cohesively morphs into sumptuous, lavishly extraordinary homes that feel nothing if not authentic.  Maximalist design has three main design bases, lots of colors, patterns, and comfort byways of a lot.

When it comes to Maximalist interiors, the more, the better.  More patterns, more texture, and objects are a must.  Most of these objects are often collected from travels, and if not it’s important to make them feel like it.  If there is a design style that gives us the ways to have a happy home, that would be a more is more decor, since it’s a way for homeowners to bring inside what they genuinely love.  Imagine a home where you cohabitate with your favorite books, comfortable, decorative pillows, collected objects that bring to mind favorite memories, and arts all while displaying them in a way that feels natural and innate.

maximalist design, Valentino Garavani's home

Valentino Garavani’s home.  This home is so beautiful that it deserves a post of its own.  I’ll be doing it soon.

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patricia green slippers

Besides slippers being comfortable and in many instances chic, they are also very versatile in that we can wear them for a plethora of occasions.  From fashion-forward embellished Gucci pairs to all over ultra soft genuine shearling slides, there is one pair of slippers to satisfy everyone’s social needs.  Backless, airy, and swell-proof, slippers are great to keep under your desk when those heels are not bearable any longer, fashionable enough to wear around the house, and above all super comfortable.

For slippers that are meant for indoors only, Vogue magazine recommends getting them soled  “Take them to a local shoe cobbler and get them soled. You’ll have yourself a pair of designer shoes…”

Below, 6 pairs of chic slippers that will provide you with comfort and style during the summer season.

roam slippers

Roam slippers, Faux fur straps are padded and lined in cotton fleece.

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Dior and I fashion documentary

We all love to peek behind the creative process of design.  Either you favor Fashion or Interiors, the take away from Fashion documentaries could be beyond inspirational with the films usually merging the two design fields simultaneously.   They can also provide a glimpse of the reality behind success which is more often than not based on many personal struggles.  These documentaries grant access into some of the world’s most inspiring figures and the iconic Maisons behind them.  Below, 13 of the best Fashion documentaries to watch.

Dior and I fashion documentary

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The secret garden at the Ritz, Paris via Town and Country

If you’ve been to Paris, then you may be very familiar with the Architectural design element known as trellis, lattice or trelliage.  You may have seen lattice all over Paris’s parks and exterior building walls.  Originally created as a garden element for mainly the separation between the more wild areas and the formal ones, trellis eventually took a more functional role as structures for grapevines, climbing roses and ivy plants to climb on.  Nowadays their most modern use is more for the decorating aspect rather than for its function so much so that we can see it very often indoors covering interior walls.  When lattice is used inside the house for covering the walls in intrinsic design its architectural effect is even more of a statement.

lattice, dining room with lattice on walls and ceiling

A home in Palm Beach with lattice on walls.

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lounging clothes, three graces london linen caftan

I make an extra effort every time I get back home at the end of the day to not slip into a non-acceptable although extremely comfortable sweatpants.  I always try to wear chic lounging clothes in the house.  I usually wear a nice long skirt with a tank top and a cardigan in the winter and kaftan or cotton jersey dress in the summer.

When we relocated to Dublin, Ohio, I made two promises to myself, one to never catch myself in a mall or anywhere outside the house for that matter, wearing sweatpants and two never to use a drive-thru.  I can happily say I’ve kept those promises so far.  It’s easy to let go of yourself for the sake of comfort, but lounging clothes don’t have to look like you are ready for bed.  Actually, most of this selection below will also be suitable to make a quick emergency run to the supermarket.

High waisted pants, Nimo with love kaftan, Seaside off the shoulder top.

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spring post lemon in the back of a convetable beetle car

Nothing is more charming than a beautiful lemon tree either in a garden or inside a home.  At the end of this post, you’ll find a selection of potted lemon trees you can buy online as well as a roundup of citrus-infused perfumes ideal for Spring.  Potted lemon trees can be kept outside in the summer and inside in the winter.  To learn how to take care of them indoors read The Truth About an Indoor Lemon Tree.

spring post lemon in the back of a convetable beetle car

Since I can remember my favorite scent has been bergamot.  I seem to gravitate towards perfumes with this citrus undertone which for some reason make me feel incredibly happy.  “Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange, with a yellow or green color similar to a lime, depending on ripeness.  Genetic research into the ancestral origins of extant citrus cultivars found bergamot orange to be a probable hybrid of lemon and bitter orange.  Extracts have been used to scent food, perfumes, and cosmetics. ” Wikipedia

spring post lemon villa fiorentino italy

We started working on our backyard to make it into a garden that is soothing, inviting and very Mediterranean-looking.  There is something to be said about that perfect Mediterranean weather where all the pretty plants and flowers I love seem to thrive.  Here where we live, in zone 6, the cold season can be very hard on olive trees, cypress pine trees, French lavender, and climbing roses but I’m sure there are always alternate options to choose from.  One thing is definite; I want a lemon tree or two or more.  Happy Spring!

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