with just 5 days until my pregnancy due date,

i am really looking forward to a refreshing cocktail.

and what could be better than to pair that fine cocktail with one of these

colorful and festive cocktail napkins.

cheers everyone.

etsy

leontine linens

drainsfield & ross

etsy

drainsfield & ross

leontine linens

drainsfield & ross

drainsfield & ross

i have been searching lately for dramatic rooms that are dark and stormy looking but that are brightened up with black and white art, colorful books and upholstery that pops against the dark backdrop.

this one above is from the most recent elle decor magazine and the walls are painted in farrow and ball’s ‘off black’.

i like the lavender combination with the blue and i love the collection of black and white art, mixing graphic pieces with softer, more romantic nudes and drawings.

this one is also from elle decor and was designed by richard mishaan.  the wall color is farrow and ball’s ‘drab’.

in some of the rooms, they paint the trim and casings the same color as the wall but in semi-gloss.

in others, they paint the trim and casings white.

photo by elle decor.  wall color is farrow and ball’s ‘railings’.

this one above is my favorite.  love the orange with the blue.

this room feels like it needs a bit of color to me, but i love the blue hue they selected for the walls and how they’ve continued it throughout the room in different textures.

white helps to lighten the room.

glass, silver, warm woods and gold seem to work well with this color scheme.

I love this piece!

It is a rectangular cocktail table with a simple brass X base

The top is a cream lacquer with hand applied and hand colored butterflies in a swirling organic pattern.

Italy, circa 1954

Available at Van Den Akker Antiques in New York

Sometimes at the end of the day, you just need a cocktail.  Why not do it in style?

A glass of chilled persecco would be even more enjoyable in these bohemian crystal Artel highballs and an Alembic ‘blood and sand’ style cocktail would taste even better in one of these double old fashions.  Sue Fisher King in San Francisco carries this line of gorgeous glassware, hand-blown and engraved in Prague, Czech Republic.  I love these!

how about an elderflower liqueur cocktail in these glasses:

some red wine in these would be mmmm, mmmm:

my dad always loved an old fashioned:

for the night owl:

we have been entertaining a lot lately, so i’ve been trying to keep fresh flowers around the house.

it’s one of those cheap, easy ways to make your house look a lot better.

i found these boot vases and thought i would put together a few vases of differing styles.

for a rainy day:

i like the drama of this one:

feeling a little more casual:

a classic by lalique:

for your lovely guest bedroom:

these make me laugh, hee hee:

everyone needs a little more purple in their lives:

setting a table combines food and decorating – two of my favorite things.

beautiful dinnerware is the combination of these interests as well, so i have enjoyed spending my morning looking for my favorite unique and exquisite dinner plates.  what is your favorite china?

sweet and simple:

for your fresh sashimi:

for the lobster bake:

for my brother chaz, who gave me the book “a passion for blue and white“.

for the mushroom risotto:

for the bird lovers:

for the recorder player in my neighborhood who practices everyday at 5 pm.  he is thankfully, starting to get much better.

for the squash blossoms:

this one was called “femme du désert avec poule”

and for your pet:

these dishes were designed by nymphenburg, alberto pinto, and mottahedeh

well, the name roberta freymann is popping up everywhere lately.  i was in michigan with my fabulous aunts who were wearing her bib necklaces.  i came home and my sister was chatting about her new, gorgeous saphire bib necklace given to her by her friend katie.

then i am reading an article in elle decor about my childhood acquaintance, veronica swanson beard, whose house is filled with roberta roller rabbitt’s graphic patterns.

and then finally, i see another gorgeous bib necklace in town & country magazine.  she is everywhere!  so i decided to check out who this person is and now i officially have a girl crush.

this person is fortunate enough to be able to travel around the world, working with all sorts of artisans to design unique, original, alluring accessories, home decor and clothing.

i am green with envy!

i found these today at the flea market

they were painted by morris

in the 1860’s.

can’t wait to see how they look framed.

thanks for coming with me leslie!

i am working on a new project in san francisco

and i’ve decided that people need a little more purple in their lives

so we are painting the dining room an aubergine color

designed by kelly wearstler

designed by jamie drake

my mom told me never to wear purple or orange.  now i wear both.

i thought these pillows were beautiful and different.

they are from rani arabella and are made in italy.

isn’t this one handsome?

they have some beautiful cashmere throws, too.