Let's see...what else have I got?

Wow, you all were decidedly not interested in baby Oliver's to-be rockin' nursery. Four comments? ..and I worked my tail off on that board, too. Sads.

Well...how about this? We learned yesterday that baby #3 is another GIRL!! From the get-go, I figured we were destined to have girls, but I took one of those Gender Predictor tests, and it said Boy. So, I had sort of gotten used to the idea that we'd have an XY child in the mix. Turns out, I should've trusted my instincts, as an ultrasound tells no lie, and a baby girl it is. No worries, though, she's looking perfect, and we're delighted and blessed for that.

Still not what you're looking for?

OK - how about some pretty rooms...The latest Lonny killed it. Sent me into some kind of design schizophrenia.

The house full of creamy (and in some cases, contrasting) neutrals have me seriously questioning my devotion to color...

...and then I spy glossy persimmon and aqua velvet (the fabric, not the aftershave), and I feel a tugging at my soul.

Lacquered walls - will we ever get over it? Not when it's this good.

How perfect would this be to reflect our overseas life?

Hey! They're mooching off my inspiration!

3-D butterfly art, Lonny Style:

3-D Butterfly art: Casa G Style:

Lonny's Glossy Turquoise Bureau:

My Glossy Turquoise Bureau:

See? We are of equal, rad style.

This pink couch, amid all this amazing natural light, gives me huge amounts of inspiration for when we move to Rio. What? Did I just say that? It's a secret, so shush.

Now for the quiz:
1) What two things did I reveal in this post?
2) What Missoni item did you snag from someone else's cart yesterday at TarJAY?

Trendspotting: Curvaceous-Legged Tables

This elegant, warm, and feminine office featured in the latest Traditional Home stopped me in my tracks. Specifically, that desk! With its exaggerated, bulbous legs. What a brilliant way to feature such striking curves; to set the dark silhouette against the glowing backdrop. I immediately coveted it.

Source: google.com via Alison on Pinterest

Interior Design by Julie Kays for the 2011 Pasadena Showcase House

... and look! The same piece turned up a few pages later in this room designed by Mark Williams.

Source: traditionalhome.com via Alison on Pinterest

In fact, these curvaceous models are popping up all over the place. A more rustic version:

Source: traditionalhome.com via Alison on Pinterest

So, where's a gal to source one of these lovelies? This version on Alice Lane is pretty, but will set you back nearly two G's. Pretty, but no can do.A quick search on Ebay yields some styles with potential. I'd touch this one up with a darker stain, and drop the leaves down to use as a great entry table for a small space. Still, it's more barley twist than truly curvy.

I think you could really work some magic on this small, corner version - Buy it Now for SEVEN DOLLARS, people!

Again, this one doesn't offer the same unique silhouette, but I do love the ebonized finish.

Not quite the perfection I seek, but totally do-able, and I trend I can certainly handle more of.

Déjà vu?

I've lamented before that, typically, my magazine subscriptions arrive two weeks after all of you have already feasted and had your fill of the latest issues. So, I have mixed feelings of gratitude and spoiler alert-wariness when a blogger scans early pics of the glossies before Zinio even has the digital versions posted. (What's up with that delay, anyway?)

Anyhoo....Alcira couldn't contain her excitement over the latest Elle Decor, and from what I saw, I can't say I blame her. But WAIT - that house - the one in Bahia, Brazil - I've seen that before! Recently.

I distinctly remember thinking the house didn't look like a typical Brazilian home. Rather than the usual plethora of low-profile, contemporary furniture, this home had lots of textures, textiles and patterns, layers of them - on a blue and white background. Ethnic-Beachy. Goodness.

And then, it hit me. I had seen it in the Sotheby's real estate listings (because I troll sites where homes cost more than a lifetime's earnings.) Yep, this home of Brazilian designer, Sig Bergamin is for sale. Listed for just under $4 million, in case you're interested.

Bergamin's NYC apartment was featured in ED in January. Wonder why the editors featured the same designer twice over such a short time? As if there's not a ton of talent out there to publish!

Anyway...back to the beaches of Brazil...

There's so much for the eye to follow in this house, here's a few of my take-aways:
- Oversize poster and fine photography art have won me over - many times.
- There's a still a strong case to be made for suzanis (and Ebay has tons)
- Layering chunky jewelry over figurines and other tchotchkes is a brilliant way to add color, texture and whimsy. I'll be doing it, too!

Late weekend Design Porn

You may have headed to Sunday services this morning, but tonight you can worship at the altar of this design porn. Sorry for the crappy scanned images - desperate measures...

This room is the embodiment of imperfect perfection. You may not be able to tell, but the leather chesterfields have worn arms, and the chrome of the can chairs is rusted. Still, everything is just so....right.

That's the living room interior...how 'bout this exterior? I know you could handle it as easily as me.

Vignette of the living room = Total. Porn.

Oh, dear Lord, this IS becoming a religious experience - Tufted, Orange Velvet Daybed against smoky walls?!!!

The Colonial chairs of this eat-in kitchen connote food, gathering, lingering - perfectly juxtaposing the linear aspect of the modern kitchen. I can't even talk about the open, glass door.

Stop it. I'm panting.
ALL baños should have:
a) Windows with Cremone bolts
b) White marble (LOOK. AT. THAT. TUB.)
d) A piece of furniture
e) Ferns

I could really smack Habitania for cruelly giving us this mere peek into what is surely a stunning bedroom, and YOU could probably smack ME for blurring the scan, but trust me, that headboard makes me dizzy.

all images via Habitania (aka Divine Being)

Was that as good for you as it was for me?

This Helps...

Internet and time issues have sabotaged my efforts to post over the last two days, but getting my (as always, belated) but nevertheless happy issue of Coastal Living with this feature shoo'd away my sads...

This kitchen, and Tom Scheerer's work in general, make my heart go ga-thunk, ga thunk...and, you know, he's not too rough to look at, either.

Happy Weekend, stalkers! Come back Monday for THE Giveaway!

Food GOOP for Thought

The August issue of Vogue features Gwyneth Paltrow; an interview and spread to promote her new cookbook, My Father's Daughter.

I'm not a subscriber to her lifestyle newsletter, GOOP, but every once in awhile I'll take a peek at what 'ol Gwynnie has to say. I'm part of that faction of people who's palate is flavored with a love/hate taste for Paltrow, but she has a keen eye for design aesthetic, (as seen by her Hamptons home, featured in House and Garden a few years back), and for that, I give her serious cred. Now, she's apparently showcasing her culinary skills in her oh-so-perfect kitchens. From what Vogue food writer, Jeffrey Steingarten, says (nay, gushes) girlfriend can hold her own. Of course she does have a "culinary assistant" to help.

This does nothing to lessen the jealous distaste half of my opinion.
Neither do the beautiful Testino images accompanying the article...

She does look rather perfect and fresh, no? Do you think it's good living habits, or the ever-so-slight touch of a plastic surgeon/aesthetician combo? Discuss.

It's never too late...

I can't even tell you how nice it was yesterday to actually be able to walk into a bookstore, and pick up a current issue of a shelter mag - in my case, Canadian House and Home. I realize I'm the last person to attend this party, but I've got extenuating geographical circumstances, if you will.

The magazine certainly lived up to its reputation as the latest go-to for the perfect mix of interiors eye candy. ...And, speaking of candy (which we'll all likely be enjoying a bit too much of this Easter weekend), look at the lovely shade of pink on this wallpaper!I'll take my Easter Brunch right here, thank you!

Now they're hitting us in the Belly

Today, it was announced by Conde Nast that they are discontinuing four magazines, including Gourmet. I haven't kept my subscription up since we've been down here (too frustrating when I can't find ingredients!), and, more often than not, reading Gourmet was an exercise in inspiration rather than accomplishment. However, they did have a feature along the lines of "quick & easy" meals that was more than doable for the less-than-culinary-pro.
I'm just so sad that yet another glossy that challenged and inspired us (this time, in the kitchen) has fallen victim to this retched economy. Sometimes, we need something above and beyond our daily mundaneness, ya know?

A 5-Star Day!

Do any of you remember reading - in a newspaper {gasp!} the daily horoscopes? You know how they'd rate the day your astrological sign was set to have on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? My mother used to call me up at college and say "'Hey, you're destined to have a 5-star day!'" It was just a fun little thing we did...

Well, I think I can safely (and most gratefully) say I had one heck of a 5-star day!

First, my friend, Camila over at High-Heeled Foot in the Door made the sweetest mention of MLHP in her post (thank you, again, CP)!!
Then, I just happened to check out the results from here

to learn I won 3rd place in the Vignette portion of the contest! I'm super-excited, because the prize for third place is this book...

One man's story of the trials, tribulations, and exhultations of home remodeling - I can't wait! There's also a gift card to Goodwill that I'll be donating to one of my Stateside friends.

Just in case you're curious - here was my entry. Remember the first DD I did on our guest bedroom?

...And, here's the Domino mag pic that inspired it...OK, O-kaaaay...I'll stop gushing! I don't win much, can you tell? Maybe I should start playing the Lotto - they DO have one down here, ya know!

I hope you all had a wonderful April 1st, and that you weren't Fooled too much!