design crush « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘design crush’ Category

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

I’m crushin’ a lot this week. Oh yes I am. Jessica Helgerson has been on my radar for months and I just now realized I had yet to post about her! Based in Portland, Oregon (a place I’ve never been and am dying to go to), this green designer has quite a talent for making modern spaces feel warm and traditional spaces feel modern. She and her husband, architect Yianni Doulis work on many top to bottom renovation projects together (so cute) and the results, as you can see, are pretty spectacular.

This first home is totally the kind of space I am CRAVING right now- clean lines, crisp white, modern yet with a hint of nature to it. What I am especially loving is that it was a plain ol’ ranch style home that was made into a modern marvel. While looking at real estate, I have been attracted to the open layouts of ranches, but am typically a traditional Georgian or Colonial style girl exterior wise. THis is one great example of how you can take a boring ranch and spice it up in a modern way.

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What it looked like BEFORE:

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A couple other spaces that made me jealous:

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Posted in Inspirations, architecture, design crush | 28 Comments »

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

I have always thought I was born on the wrong coast- a true beach bum at heart, I absolutely HATE winter/snow/cold/hideous layers of clothes/runny noses/frozen toes. So I always thought I’d leave the frosty shores of New England and finally go “home” to California. Cut to me at 30, still living in Boston and still bitching about the cold, yet totally unable to leave. A true New Englander, I complain a lot about the weather, yet I love this place endlessly for some reason. Even after a long weekend in LA, I craved the aggressive driving and chip on the shoulder attitude we Bostonian do so well. I figure I am where I’m meant to be… and then I saw the home of California gal Jill Johnson from Waterleaf Interiors in Coastal Living. She embodies that California girl I have always wanted to be perfectly. Adorable home in Manhattan Beach? Check. Thriving design business with best pal? Check. Home store? Check. Adorable hubby and kids all of whom probably surf and then go out for an organic vegan brunch? Check. Check. Check. Kill me now.

Let’s start with her own home- I love the beachy feel, light colors, open kitchen shelving and ample amounts of upholstered seating- specifically in the kitchen.

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Here are some other images from Jill’s portfolio:

And here’s her adorable shop:

Maybe I wouldn’t miss Boston all that much…

Posted in design crush, lifestyle lust | 29 Comments »

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

I spotted Elizabeth Kimberly Designs over on Caitlin Creer’s blog some time ago and just dug it out of my bookmarks this morning through my cold induced haze. This particular project is what sold me on EK’s design work, as it combines color, serene white, traditional and modern all very well and looks, so, well- perfect.

What a dump, huh? :)

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I could not love these doors more.

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Bright + light

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I think that’s glass tile behind that mirror!

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The nail head trim on this built almost sent into a seizure it’s so awesome.

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I could get used ot this kitchen. Oh yes I could.

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I spy white Barcelona chairs….

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I’m dying. Seriously, dying.

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The Rose Tarlow zebra paper I’ve been itching to use…

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Do you think they might invite me over for wine?

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AMAZING.

Posted in design crush | 49 Comments »

Monday, February 8th, 2010

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The second I saw the cover of the March issue of Elle Decor I fell in love. The dark navy walls and trim offset with pops of pink and gold had me swooning all over the place. The rest of the home that room came from did not disappoint either (don’t you hate it when there is one stellar room and then the rest of the home is a let down?) The space in question belongs to Oprah producer Ellen Rakieten, who got help from fellow Oprah guru Nate Berkus and designer Anne Coyle in decorating it.

Can I just say, I LOVE THIS SPACE!

From the antique meets modern living room, to the chinoiserie wallpapered dining room, to the clean, crisp kitchen to the perfect home office (inspiration for my own) to the dreamy dressing room and serene all-white bedroom. I could move right in and not change a thing and be a happy girl.

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Posted in Inspirations, design crush, room to love | 16 Comments »

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

I’ve had Ryan Korban’s site bookmarked for months and for one reason or another hadn’t written about him yet, until now. After a weekend of intense de-cluttering, cleaning and organization I came to the conclusion that I need to keep the CRAP out of my life. I only want valuable, meaningful, beautiful objects in my home and the power to toss/recycle/give away knick knacks that not only clutter my space but my brain as well. Looking at Ryan’s work I feel a sense of purpose and an extraordinary richness in each object. He’s edited, but not in a psychotically minimalistic way. I love his mix of traditional and modern, dark and light, colorful and serene. It’s sort of “boho-riche”(I totally just made that up) -Greenwich Village meets Greenwich, CT.

And did I mention he’s friggin’ 25 years old? Check out his own apartment on The Selby. And be sure to note the orchestral version of the White Stripes “Seven Nation Army” as his background music on his website. The kid is just too cool.

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The new Home Collection from Target has a definite Korban sleekness to it- for WAY less! Loving them all (click each pic for the direct link!)

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Posted in crazy awesome, design crush | 28 Comments »

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Still loving just about everything Nate Berkus puts out for HSN. Some really good items for last minute gifts too!

This ikat frame set is just delicious, but the tabletop accessories grouping is GENIUS. No need to think about what works with what on your foyer table or side table- it’s all here!

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These natural stone napkin rings are STUNNING (and would make gorgeous bracelets if only larger). I would love these paired with sleek formal china and heavyweight linen napkins.

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I’m all about black and white right now, and this zig zag throw (also available in gold and cream) and rug are simple, modern ways to add a graphic punch.

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This greek key rimmed tray is so elegant and looks like it costs way more than it does! As for these ikat journals in a boxed set? I.DIE.

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And just in case you need a reminder of WHY Nate is such a genius- some images of his work:

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Posted in Inspirations, accessories, cheap decor, design crush | 16 Comments »

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

I was introduced to Kristen’s work by a mutual friend and I am ever so glad I was. The girl is beyond talented. After working for both Ruthie Sommers AND Kelly Wearstler (quite a resume) she went out on her own and is creating spaces that make me swoon. BIG TIME. Not to mention her new website is pure perfection. Take a gander.

Posted in Inspirations, crazy awesome, design crush | 18 Comments »

Monday, November 16th, 2009

I’ve mentioned Susanna Salk’s Weekend Retreats book before in this post (my current favorite one to look at repeatedly), and I was lucky enough to get to ask her a few questions recently about some of her favorite things!

1) What are your favorite places to retreat for the weekend?
Our lake house- where we are now full time because it feels like a retreat every day of the week, year round! But we also love to travel, usually somewhere urban with culture, like Barcelona, Buenos Aires or with rocking accessible beaches like Nantucket.
Susanna’s lake house (from her blog)

2) Not all of us can afford a separate home for weekends and holidays- any tips on creating a “weekend retreat” feeling in your own home?

Either let the light in and keep it sparse by removing anything you dont love or isn’t essential. Buy some amazing sheets or throw pillows to create an instant new mood. OR keep the light OUT by creating a cozy nook, filled with only your favorite throws, pillows, candles and books.

3) What are your five favorite items for the home currently?
Love the new vintage moth pillows at West Elm. Anything suzani. Love the new furniture line at Restoration Hardware: all that Belgian rustic chic.
I am always buying affordable flatware: obsessed with Pottery Barn’s new horn flatware. And I just bought a bunch of their mercury hobnail cachepots which I will use everywhere throughout the holidays….

(Click on pic for links to product)

4) What are your two favorite paint colors?
Decorators White by Benjamin Moore: we used this all over the lake house and combined it with chocolate stained floors: gorgeous! I’m about to paint our master bathroom in their Off Black in high gloss thought (if my husband will agree: I’m working on him!)

5) What’s on your shopping list for fall/winter? Any favorite items you simply cannot live without?
I am always looking for new quilts to jazz and warm up my bed: Anthropologie’s are amazing.

Check out Susanna’s other amazing books as well here. Thanks Susanna!

Posted in books, design crush, design tips, interviews | 4 Comments »

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Last week I was lucky enough to get the chance to meet Kathryn Ireland (no, not KATHY Ireland, much to the hubby’s dismay). She came to Boston for a lecture and book signing for her new book Creating A Home and her PR people so kindly sent me the book to review and asked me to come! She was delightfully funny and charming (side note: for Xmas all I want is a British accent) and her book and new line of fabrics are too! The book focuses on her renovation of a magical Ojai, CA home she purchased (and recently sold to none other than the insanely lucky Reese Witherspoon!) It’s such a happy home with tons of bright colors, natural historic elements, entertaining space and lots of outdoor living as well (which I simply cannot get enough of). Can’t you picture sunset cocktails with tons of friends here?

I am LOVING the bright, bold colors and prints of her new line of fabrics!

And speaking of Reese Witherspoon- not only does she get this house (for her WEEKENDS) and Jake Gyllenhaal, but she looked seriously fierce in these great outfits in this month’s InStyle. I love every single outfit- completely flawless in that “cool but not too trendy” way. The best thing about this spread though is that they used off the rack clothes on her- shoes from Aldo and dresses that we all can get! Those are some smart people over there at In Style who keep their finger on the pulse of the public! As for Reese, if I didn’t love her, I’d hate her….

Posted in books, celebrity, design crush | 16 Comments »

Monday, November 9th, 2009

(why can’t I ever look this cool in photo shoots?)

I was lusting after Molly Sims new office space this weekend and did a little research to find out who designed it. Turns out, it’s Kishani Perera (formerly of Fuse ID design) who has been working with Molly for years (amongst other celebs). I am totally enamored with her laid back Hollywood style- it’s a little vintage, a little glam, a little natural. A wonderful combination in my opinion!

You can wipe that drool off your keyboard now.

* all images via Kishani’s website. See for credits.

Posted in crazy awesome, design crush | 19 Comments »