lifestyle lust « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘lifestyle lust’ Category

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

As I sat alone in my apartment last night eating a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats for dinner (pairing it with a nice Sauvignon Blanc, after much deliberation about what wine goes with cereal-repulsive) I stumbled upon the Boston-based food blog La Tartine Gourmand. It instantly whipped up the lingering dreams I’ve always had of being a fantastic cook / domestic goddess (and caused me to cast a judgmental eye on my choice of dinner). I spent hours clicking my way through her blog, enamored by her stunning photographs of the preparation of meals, the delicious final products and the life that weaves it all together. How beautiful to combine a picture of a sunny cranberry bog next to a styled photo of a freshly baked upside down cranberry cake, no? Only someone with effortless French style (she grew up in France-jealous) could make it all look so chic.Her photographs showcase her flawless eye and ability to turn the most simple ingredient or landscape into something impossibly charming. Style is style, whether it’s food, photos, homes, fashion, dance, whatever.

Someday perhaps I will be the kind of girl who spends a rainy day making gourmet delicacies for my family from fresh farmers market goods served on hand-painted ceramics and fresh linens– but until then I will just visit Bea’s world (and await her cookbook in 2011!)

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Posted in food and drink, lifestyle lust, photography | 22 Comments »

Monday, May 10th, 2010

I’ve been enamored of Sara Ruffin Costello for a while now- she of Domino creative director fame and this living room- probably the room most associated with her former employer:

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Apparently I am ridiculously clueless because I had no idea her husband was my FAVORITE interiors/lifestyle photographer Paul Costello. As if the living room + clever husband wasn’t enough to conjure some lifestyle lust, I then find out their West Village home in on the market- the one with the kitchen that is featured in the Domino book…… for $13 million bucks! Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!?! I still find it baffling and amazing when couples in their mid-thirties own homes with price tags like that. I did the mortgage calculator on that sale price just to amuse myself- and even if you could scrounge up the $2.5 million down payment- your monthly mortgage payment would be about $60,000. Am I the only one whose mind is blown by that number?

Anywhoo- here is the home. My question is…if you lived here, why would you EVER want to leave?

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Posted in lifestyle lust, real estate, ridiculously expensive | 34 Comments »

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

I haven’t been this inspired by a home and a couple in a long time. We’re talking MAJOR lifestyle (and plain ol’ STYLE) lust here. I am nearly speechless in awe of the pure, unadulterated awesomeness of sculptor/ furniture designer Fitzhugh Karol and jewelry designer Lindsey Caleo’s Brooklyn brownstone. In addition to their individual work they also are part of the family run business The Brooklyn Home Co. which specializes in renovating, you got it, Brooklyn brownstones. Their own project is the crown jewel though. The bright white space combines natural wood, metal, glass and modern and traditional furniture and accessories in such a clean but not boring way that I am going to use this space as PERFECT inspiration for my own new home. I am ENAMORED to say the least. I’m surprised that with two such massive talents residing in one space (and in a relationship) that it hasn’t ripped a hole in the space time continuum. Their coolness seems superhuman. Enough of my pontificating….feat your eyes on this….

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This barn door from a New Hampshire sheep farm set on tracks SLAYS me. No really, I may die from the awesomeness.

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Hugh made this hand carved bed. What a slacker.

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Their adorable dog is all, “You know you wanna be me”. I do, puppy. You are one lucky little guy.

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Lindsay’s jewelry is incredible too!

I think that’s all my brain can take before it explodes in fits of inspired thinking.

Photos by Emily Gilbert Photography.

Posted in I die., Inspirations, amazing find, crazy awesome, design crush, furniture, lifestyle lust, lustworthy, real estate | 32 Comments »

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

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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!

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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!

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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….

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So, when are we leaving?

images via Blackberry Farm and Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Posted in amazing find, crazy awesome, i want to go to there, lifestyle lust | 25 Comments »

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

No, I’m not joking. When saw these images I thought it was some hella cute flat in London. Come to find out, it’s a houseboat! Author Josie Curran and her boyfriend escaped the busy city life and moved to a river in England within a community of other houseboats. I cannot get over how idyllic this looks! Read about it here. And then can we discuss her insane collection of amazing rugs?

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I love the “silence” print above her bed and found it here at Kiss Her….amongst others I adore!

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And if you like the Kiss needlepoint on her bed, I found it here in Emily Peacock Tapestry’s Etsy shop.

il_430xN.104840348 So last week I wanted to run off to Marrakesh/buy a farmhouse in Maine, yesterday I wanted to move to the country, and today I want to move to a houseboat. Where is this wanderlust coming from?

Oh I know. Stress. The ultimate motivator to get the hell outta dodge!

Posted in amazing find, lifestyle lust | 23 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 »

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

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Chicago based reader Colette May contacted me with pictures of her self-designed town home last week and I had to do a serious double take with the whole “self-designed” bit, since her space looks more professionally done than my own, and I claim to be a designer! Colette’s story is even more inspiring than her space though, so I wanted to share both with you today.

When not busy finding gems for her home, Colette is a partner at Kindle Communications and single mom to 8 year old daughter Madeliene. At 38 she decided to have a child on her own after continuously picking partners who already had children or didn’t want them. It was “the best decision she ever made”, she says, and I for one admire her gumption in taking on such a huge responsibility on her own! A former model, Colette was tapped as one of Chicago’s best dressed women and has passed along her love for fashion to her daughter, who is already hoping to become a clothing designer. With only their new dog Oliver to add a little testosterone to the mix, Colette has created an utterly feminine space rich with textures that celebrates all things girly! Recounting her days of playing with Barbies and designing their “dream homes”, she feels a bit like this is her real life “dream home”!

Colette bought the town home three years ago, and says it was quite bland initially. After renovating the space previous to moving in, the first aesthetic choice she made was to paint all the window frames and railings black (which I LOVE). Looking at these pictures it’s hard to imagine what would be lost if they were white! She scours flea markets for vintage finds and mixes high and low throughout the space. Wanting a new palette but still loving her existing furniture, she decided to reupholster everything instead of start over. What’s so great about this space is that is entirely crafted out of neutrals, yet is not one bit boring. Colette’s used so many wonderful textures on each surface that your eye is delighted to dance from one to the next finding interest in each variation. Adding a knockout punch of black was a genius decision, and only reinforces my commitment to using copious amounts of black in my next home! I absolutely adore her glamorous yet grown up space and feel pretty lucky to be the first to share it with the blog world!

Now, if anyone knows of a fabulous single man in Chicago who might be worthy…. :)

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Posted in Inspirations, antiques, crazy awesome, lifestyle lust, reader tips | 63 Comments »

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

As soon as I saw the title of Paloma’s post yesterday, “Lucky Lady” on her Facebook feed I thought “it MUST be the Anna Kohler apartment”. And I was correct! Over the weekend I was perusing my dad’s copy of Renovation Style while out in CT and when I saw this apartment I began shrieking out loud. I may or may not have used expletives (which clearly is of some debate for me to use here) and flipped through the story about 50 times thinking “what does this girl DO for a living???” Without further ado, I present you one of the coolest bachelorette pads I’ve seen in a long time:

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To get Anna’s look here are some items that might be of interest to you:

Louis XVI dining chairs from Ballard Designs and a white glass chandelier from GreatChandeliers.com

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Modern floral wallpaper from Design Your Wall:

David Hicks fabric pillows from eBay and Kelly Wearstler pillows from Etsy

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Acrylic bar stools

With a couple coats of glossy white paint and new hardware, this eBay desk could be just like Anna’s.

Posted in Inspirations, because i love it, crazy awesome, lifestyle lust | 36 Comments »

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

So glad you guys all freaked about my boot purchase yesterday. I wore those babies all afternoon and unlike most new shoes, they did not hurt one bit. In fact, they felt like I had owned them for years! I am so beyond thrilled with my budget purchase!
As I was talking about them to my girlfriend last night I said “These boots make me want to be all country- and like, build outdoor fires, tend to farm animals and cook pumpkin based things!” Isn’t it funny how an item of clothing can inspire you to crave another life? Or a departure from your own just for a bit? As if perfectly aligned, I then clicked onto the Urban Grace blog and saw this posting about a farmhouse in the Catskills from the NY Times that would go PERFECTLY with my new boots. Because that’s the normal progression… to buy a house that goes with your Target boots.

Another part of my Target Boot Life- owning a country antique shop like the homeowner…

For an amazingly yummy dinner, make (while wearing the Target boots) Giada’s butternut squash lasagna (I substituted fresh sage for basil and it made it that much better). I made it once for Thanksgiving and it was INCREDIBLE.

Posted in food and drink, lifestyle lust | 16 Comments »

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Last week I was perusing some of my bookmarked blogs and came upon this entry over at Orange Beautiful. She had gone to NYC and toured the wine boutique Pasanella and Son and I instantly fell in love. Not only because I love me some vino, but the design of the shop is beyond charming, right down to the cork business cards! Come to find out, it’s run by a couple, one half of which is the senior home editor at Martha Stewart Living. I am beyond enchanted by their life- living in an apartment above their shop in NYC (loving that kitchen with the ladder and open shelving). So I’ve created a new category inspired byt them called Lifestyle Lust. I always see stories liek this that make me admire someone’s whole lifestyle, not just their space of their clothes.

Perhaps you recall this amazing wine tasting dinner spread from Blueprint magazine? I remember lusting after this space AND the table setting!

A vintage car, right in the center of the shop- also loving the craft paper rolls on the wall for signage!

A display and a gorgeous wing chair shot by Orange Beautiful.

The genius cards…

Let’s not forget that they sell great wine! From a selections called “As Good As They Look“, which provides choices based on the bottles AND the taste (I buy lots of wine based on if the label and bottle is pretty) to great gift packages perfect for housewarmings and celebrations.
I personally love the “Hot Date” which includes a bottle of sparkling wine, two etched glasses, a candle and a poem!

These gift baskets elimate the scary shrink wrapped cheese and sausages you find in most gift baskets and instead uses a theme to create a memorable (and classy) gift- like the Ski Weekend, which includes a bottle of Armagnac, two pairs of cashmere socks and lip balm.

For a really luxurious wedding gift you can send the couple a wine and wookbook of the month subscription or they will box up five bottles of sparkling wine, one for each of the first five years of marriage, labeled with the couples names and date on which they should open it! J’adore!!!

Images via Blueprint, Food & Wine and Orange Beautiful.

Posted in food and drink, lifestyle lust | 10 Comments »