Lush Bella

the heat wave continues...

we're staying indoors this weekend. how about you? if we do go outside,
it will be when the sun goes down and temperatures drop.

we'll deploy some version of what you see below. cafe lights, a cooler full of beer,
a radio so we can listen to the royals vs. the twins, a fan to keep us cool,
and incense to keep the mozzies away.

hope it's cooler where you are!

1. CAFE STRING LIGHTS via target 2. SOLAR RADIO via brook farm genera store 3. COOLER via janus et cie

4. BOTTLE OPENER via rejuvenation 5. PILSNER GLASSES via serena and lily 6. PEDESTAL FAN via fanimation lighting 7. INCENSE COIL via amazon

Poolside with Slim Aarons

photograph: slim aarons

At 3:00 pm, the temperature hit 104 degrees. Is it any wonder I'm longing for the pool?

1. RAFFIA UMBRELLA via pottery barn 2. BILL MIO SWIMSUIT via norma kamali 3. VINTAGE CHAISE source unknown 4. OUTDOOR MARKET UMBRELLA via frontgate 5. AMALFI BAR CART via janus et cie 6. VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE BUCKET via high street market 7. SOFIA MINI 4-PACK via francis ford coppola winery

Fluoro Fever

While having lunch the other day, a girl wearing a gray tee, white ankle skinny jeans, and neon pink T-Straps walked by.
The whole outfit had me at "hello", but it was the neon sandals that made me stop and ask where she found them.

One could set out to decorate a room by taking a cue from this stylish girl. The gray top balanced the brightness of the
white denim while the vibrant pink sandals lent a bold, yet playful air.

In a room, a pop of color, like highlighter pink, can provide a vivid splash of color to an otherwise neutral palette and keep
it from being blasé or overly sweet.

As you can see below, a shot of color can liven up a home and create focal points in a room. For those of you shy about
using bold color...start small. Give yourself permission to go outside your comfort zone.

Fluorescent color and a 19th century Italian chandelier mingle happily.
Image via Carolyn Quartermaine

A tablescape featuring a vase of flowers painted with fluorescent paint displayed under a glass cloche.

Image via Sania Pell At Home

Home of Silje Aune Eriksen. Offcut Stool designed by Tom Dixon.
via Door Sixteen

Color pop dining room table
Image via decor8

This rug lends a dash of color and nomadic twist to a predominantly white bath.
Image via the style files

Acid neon green gives this kitchen a sharp modern edge.
Image via Pinterest

A set of early-19th-century chairs upholstered in high-gloss brilliant plastic

in the dining room of Christian Lacroix.
Image via Vogue Living Houses Gardens People

1. NEON STRIPE SKIRT via j.crew 2. BOX BAG via zara 3. JULIANNA CLUTCH via calypso st. barth
4. ITALIAN SUMMER SCARF via j.crew
5. BELLE BY SIGERSON MORRISON RANDY NEON SANDALS via madewell

The Scented Home

To me, a fridge full of snapshots and doodles, area rugs strewn with squeaky dog toys, and mantels of mementos make a home.
So too does a home's scent. Not bacon still lingering two days later or running shoes parked near the front door, but the good stuff.

The ideal scent for me is a mix of petrichor, amber, bergamot, teak wood, and a slice of fresh lemon. I deploy a mix of the
following with the exception of indoor gardening.

SCENTED CANDLES AND ROOM MISTS ~
Although everyone has their own preferences, here are some favorites of mine. You may find something to love.
Niven Morgan Gold
Cote Bastide Amber
Diptyque Feu de Bois for wintertime
Trapp Burmese Wood

HOUSEPLANTS ~
My green thumb stops at the front door. Either for lack of warm, sunny windows or a house that is kept too cool in winter,
I've had little success with growing plants indoors.

Jasmine–reminds me of a garden we kept in San Francisco.
Gardenia–I've never had luck with this one. If you have, what's your secret?
Indoor Fruit Tree–try the dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon or Kaffir lime.

FRESH FLOWERS ~
No cutting garden? No problem. Try the local farmers' market, the grocery store or flower shop.

Recycled Glass Bottle by Creative Co-Op via One Kings Lane

Image styled by Olga Naiman

In a vase of this size, in place of flowering branches, try giant tropical leaves.

If arranging flowers intimidates you (and it does me),

check out Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature.

A page from the book – Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature

Nearly anything that holds water can be used as long as its scale and size suits the bouquet. Instead of reaching for a bud vase,

consider this collection of old chemistry and laboratory flasks.

Image from Heart Home Magazine Issue 2

A few favorites...

1. SHANE POWERS OPAL LARGE VASE via west elm 2. MARIA MOYER HIVE ORB via west elm

3. MARIA MOYER GRID ORB via west elm 4. SHANE POWERS OPAL ELONGATED VASE via west elm

5. VINTAGE FRENCH PITCHER via one kings lane 6. VINTAGE DEMIJOHN BOTTLE via jayson home

7. TEXTURED EGG VASE via west elm

inspired by downton abbey

i have a habit of reading the contributor bios of
every house beautiful i get. in the 02/12 issue,
miles redd mentioned his latest obsession –
the new season of downton abbey.

though i love period drama pieces, i'm ashamed to admit
that i hadn't heard of it, so i spent the next several evenings
watching season 1 on netflix. i, too, am now completely obsessed.

it's no wonder they landed a golden globe for best
television mini-series.

the sets are ravishing; especially, lady mary's bedroom.