I absolutely love the giant, Adler-esque entrance gates (and their logo, BTW.)

The welcome desk is genius. Having that wide open expanse showcasing the natural beauty of the place is the best artwork money can buy (or can’t buy…)

The rooms are FABULOUS. Actually, I think the decor of this whole place is spot on for a Mexican beach resort- calming but not stark, ethnic but not kitschy, natural but not uber-crunchy, contemporary yet traditional.  Love the modern headboards, the use of Mexican Otomi textiles (I still need to find a use for one in my home) and the private terraces with plunge pools. I mean, what’s not to love?  The transition between the natural outdoors and interiors is so seamless, it’s almost as if you aren’t sure where the beach ends and the rooms begin.

The pools, obviously look insane. On the rocks, with salt- Gracias.

I can only imagine how tasty the authentic Mexican food is in these decliciously designed restaurants. I’m salivating thinking about it, actually. And it’s 7:30 a.m., which is kind of gross.

Someday I’ll go. Until then, I’ll have to manage my stress with yoga class. :)

]]> http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/05/i-want-to-go-to-there-capella-pedregal.html/feed 23 http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/04/i-want-to-go-to-there-blackberry-farm.html http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/04/i-want-to-go-to-there-blackberry-farm.html#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:50:41 +0000 Erin Gates http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=3809

This began as a post about Elle Decor’s brilliant new website (check it out- even though I didn’t make the cut for their “Blogs We Love” section- humph!) I was cruising about, looking at all the great images and resources when I came upon an image of Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.  I’ve seen this place before a few times in various publications and sites and have always admired the ubiquitous image of a serene row of rocking chairs overlooking a misty valley and thought “Yep, I could totally throw back some vino right there”. The design of the interiors is just as enticing as the exterior imagery though- and that may be what finally gets me down to Tennessee, a place I’ve never thought twice about visiting, truthfully.

Over the weekend though I was chatting with my family about dream jobs and designing and running a B&B/ inn came up.  I totally fantasize about that- and I’d do what Blackberry does so well which is decorate each room uniquely in a different style.  The beauty of small inns is that you have the freedom to do that and I think it would be buckets of fun for me creatively and for guests.  You can take so much inspiration for your own home from viewing places like this!  I’d have an absolute BALL getting to implement all the ideas that keep me up at night! I know running a property and business like that is more than just sunshine and hugs and baking muffins, but I’d like to think I’d be an excellent designer/ cruise director/ yoga teacher/breakfast maker. Anyways, sorry for the digression- without further ado the heart-stoppingly gorgeous images of Blackberry Farm!

If you decide “Hey, this place pretty much rocks and I think I’d like to live here”- you can! Blackberry Farm Living is their new cottage/home community where you can plunk down permanent roots!

And just to round out the perfection that is this award winning bit of heaven- their online shop where you can buy goods from the farm itself or perhaps their exclusive china that is a charming mix of sleek and country….

So, when are we leaving?

 images via Blackberry Farm and Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Shawn also did this kitchen makeover for Country Living Magazine a while back- a testament to his vision and ability to create spaces on all budgets!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

]]> http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/03/country-living-shawn-henderson.html/feed 15 http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/03/lifestyle-lust-emersonmade.html http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/03/lifestyle-lust-emersonmade.html#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:09:09 +0000 Erin Gates http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=3621 I’ve been having one of those weeks where I just simply can’t deal. It’s taking forever to get myself into this new office, loose ends are attempting to be tied up with the sale of our home, deadlines are coming at a rapid fire pace and yesterday I got a flat tire which put a nail in the coffin of my last nerve.  All I can think about is giving the fast pace up and moving to a farmhouse far, far away where I can live a wholesome existence of gardening, painting, writing, sipping tea, feeding chickens and making crafty crap to sell on Etsy. And then I popped over onto Design*Sponge and saw the sneak peek of the home (and life) belonging to Emerson and Ryan of Emersonmade and it nearly sent me into convulsions of pure jealousy.  Not only because they are the cutest flipping couple on the planet (new couple crush!), but they are living the life I currently lust for! They left Manhattan to take up residence in a farmhouse in New Hampshire and run their gangbusters business from an old mill nearby. They do it all themselves, including modeling for the site. I am posting a crapload of pictures because not only do I love their home/product/photo styling but Emerson’s outfits are flawless and think they are fabulous inspiration! It’s no surprise that she has a clothing line coming out in 2010- and doesn’t she look like the perfect “real girl” for J.Crew? The hubby too, my goodness.

Get ready to get your envy on….

THEIR HOME:

I have to interrupt your gazing to emphasize this PANTRY! Are you kidding me? This is a-ma-zing!  To add to their totally impossible cuteness, these two only eat unrefined foods, no sugar, flour or processed ingredients. I, however, just ate a lot of processed ingredients for breakfast. *sigh*

If these guys are looking for fab new best friends, we are totally ready to party. :)

Palais Rhoul is a seriously stylish mix of modern decor and traditional Moroccan style. I am quite enamored.

Oh hello zig zag floors and striped walls with vintage paintings. I want to hug you.

“Why yes, I WOULD like my room to look like a super sweet tent. Thank you.”

La Mamounia is the most famous hotel in Marrakesh, recently renovated and the host of one hell of a celebrity packed grand re-opening party. It looks incredibly opulent and full of incredible detail.

Can you imagine this? A nice sunset picnic in the desert? Because I sure can!

A fabulous detail of the pool- the bottom patterned like a Beni Ouarain carpet!  it’s one of my goals in life to own one of these bad boys.  I love how they go with any style decor and in any room. A must have.

Even Jenna’s got one- so you know it’s good.

I also LOVED this Marrakesh themed spread in Bazaar last month (thanks Absinthrill for scanning- I had no patience this morning).  I adore the colors, layers and patterns shown here and the “looseness” of the styles- I plan to adapt this for spring!

]]> http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/03/take-me-to-marakkesh.html/feed 32 http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/02/get-lost.html http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/02/get-lost.html#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:22:28 +0000 Erin Gates http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=2977 A friend of mine suggested I start watching Lost. Yep, you read that right, START watching it.  I love TV, but don’t watch a lot of the shows people assume I would i.e. Gossip Girl, The Hills, The City, anything Housewives related, Greys Anatomy, etc.  But I decided to give Lost a go with the first season DVD and sweet baby Jesus, I. AM. HOOKED.  Like drug-addict hooked. When the last episode on the DVD finished and there were no more I became completely panicked and seriously considered going out to by the whole series. But my willpower reared it’s ugly head, and I shall now wait for Netflix to deposit the next one in my mailbox. The sight of that sweet red envelope will make me convulse in glee.

Here’s the thing though, part of me was kinda jealous of the people on that island.  that’s how deranged I am right now with this winter weather. It’s just so damn pretty (despite the smoke monsters/polar bears) and made me think of my two weeks in Hawaii and lifetime ago. And now all I can think about as I sit here with a pile of work to do is going back to Kauai- more specifically, The Princeville resort on the Napali Coast where we stayed for one of those weeks (the other at the very glam Four Seasons Wailea).  It’s been purchased and renovated by The St. Regis and looks better than ever, but the best part about it is the location.  It is the most peaceful, happy place on earth and I want to go back NOW. This frigid weather is turning me into a complete sourpuss.

I need sun.

I need warmth.

I need TO GET THE HELL OUT OF NEW ENGLAND.

Ok, I’m done venting. Thanks.

Crazy? Check.

How could you not be happy with this pink umbrella over top?

Oh, hello awesome yellow bamboo print. You are adorable.

I can totally see myself reading here with a cool gin & tonic in hand. Oh yes I can.

What would I wear to such a vacation spot, you ask? Why none other than the Morocco-meets-Palm Beach designs of Jules Reid! A former interior designer herself, Jules totally rocks the beachy/resort look without being sickeningly sweet and embraces designer prints like ikat (so is Gucci for Spring 2010, like this pink ikat dress). I adore these looks and wish it were warm enough to toss one on right now. Alas, I’m reduced to throwing on my big, ugly down coat once more.

Jules Reid

Then I clicked on their other property, Cocoa Beach in the Maldives, and just about had a stroke. This resort follows the same wellness approach but on the beach. The rooms are strikingly simple and soothing, something you can use as inspiration for your own home in order to make it feel more calming, perhaps? Either way, these destinations are calling my name. LOUDLY.

*It’s snowing outside, which will turn to heavy rain later. New England, you kind of suck sometimes.

*I did not sleep a wink last night- perhaps because I threw myself a little pity party with some wine at 10 pm. It was a total scene. You should have been there.

*Due to said pity party, I now have a wee bit of a headache and zero motivation. All I want to do is get in bed and watch The Holiday and Love Actually.

* My decision to hand line all my holiday cards was idiotic but I can’t back down now. Bring on the paper cuts.

Okay, enough bitching and moaning from me- let’s take a little break from all the frantic shopping, fa-la-la-la’s and bad Christmas music to look at pictures of a warm, sunny spot that has nothing to do with the holidays! If I could run away here to the Cavo Tagoo Hotel on Mykonos right now, I would.

I’d sit right here for hours on end and do nothing but read, listen to music, eat and drink luscious fruity cocktails.

Then later I’d move over here and repeat the same:

Then skip off to the spa to bliss out:

Then sit here for a lovely meal overlooking the sea:

The retreat back to one of these LOVELY rooms for tons of sleep:

I could totally use a vacation like this right about now- how about you?