lazy sunday links: première partie

hello sophisticated friends. we've had some technical difficulties lately...my apologies!

we're going to ease back into this with a new series. 

.: lazy sunday links :. 

a collection of the things that have inspired me this week

...happy sophisticating...

 my husband and i are beginning plans to convert our 1934 carriage house [wannabe garage] into a fun hang-out space. i'm thinking barn lights & an industrial bar are non-negotiables.

 ran out of candles the other day. not sure how that happened, but was so glad to have stumbled upon this quick fix to make our home smell like a williams sonoma. give it a try!

just love this.

it feels like summer is already arriving in southern california, so i loaded up on cherry tomatoes to make this summer garden pasta.

"big girl in a skinny world" - a new youtube show starring my dear friend marcy guevara for marie claire. ladies of all sizes should check it out for tips on sophisticating your wardrobe!

cannot wait to bake this beautiful rose water glitter cake for a special occasion.

what are your favorites?

design obsession: cabins

happy monday!

maybe it's just me, but this monday has me longing for "the other." ANYTHING other than...this. now. the first month of the new year is over, i have successfully cannonballed into the deep end at work, the calendar is already jam-packed...and i find myself already yearning for a little escape. a little time to sloooooow it down.

if you're in the same boat as me, it's time to book a therapy session OR spend a minute or two or twenty on the photos below. i stumbled across these via bright bazaar via apartment therapy via cabin porn. just the sight of them was enough to give me a little moment of inspiration to carry me through. i'd love to own a splendid little place like this someday. not too big, not too fancy - just a room, a major view and lots of fresh air.

...happy sophisticating...

saturday splendor: steven gambrel

i recently stumbled across the site of s.r. gambrel, a remarkable design firm in nyc. i'm quite familiar with their work, as they've been featured in the pages of just about every design magazine i scour. why i hadn't thought to go straight to the source and dive headlong into the splendor, i'll never know. but i have now and let me tell you...it's glorious.

steven gambrel is the mastermind behind it all and i love his work for a number of reasons:
1- his ability to seamlessly blend the modern and traditional. he will combine unbelievably timeless furnishings with pops of mid-century modern in a way that is so elegant and confident and right.
2- his pops of color. i think we all know how obsessed i am with neutrals right now, but i couldn't help but become lost in his use of color. he uses bright, fun colors in a way that is not the least bit juvenile or cliche. so inspiring.
3- he has a background in architecture, which becomes abundantly clear when you dive into his work. it's clear that he spends a significant amount of time understanding the structure of a space, and then uses the design to elevate that structure. i think this is why there is so much variety in his work - he has the ability to adapt to what the house itself needs, and not just impose his own sensibility on things. this is no one-trick-pony.

this is a rather photo-heavy post. as it should be. give in to the splendor.
...happy sophisticating...

okay, i just had to sneak in my neutrals.




i wish i could sit there for hours. unbelievable light.


there are no words. just, perfection.








again with the light. and that daybed? utterly fantastic.





i mean, that piece! unreal.

perfect.


almost trumps carrie & big's closet.




now THIS is a children's room.

design obsession: all white spaces

happy friday. we are nearing the end of january so it must be admitted, 2012 is well underway. new beginnings are always inspiring to me - they make me want to toss out everything and start fresh.

i am finding myself inexplicably drawn to white spaces as of late. there is something so clean and new and hopeful about them. light always looks especially good in all white spaces, and i am nothing if not a sucker for good light.

image courtesy of house beautiful

this post is perhaps a bit image heavy, but they are all just too glorious. against an all white background, subtle variations have more substance, more depth. don't you just feel calm looking at all of them?

here's to a fresh start!
...happy sophisticating...

image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

love the table. love the cushion cover. love the architectural molding. love. love. love.
image courtesy of house beautiful

those accessories just pop!
image courtesy of house beautiful

those white wood walls are SO charming. the neutral palate makes the rug such a statement.
image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

so fun.
image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

i almost can't speak about this, it's so perfect.
image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

couldn't you just sit there with your coffee all morning?
image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

image courtesy of house beautiful

that. door. holy cow!
image courtesy of house beautiful

all white with metallic pops. heaven!
image courtesy of house beautiful

unbelievable subtlety. fabulous mix of textures.
image courtesy of design sponge

this might be my favorite. love the porcelain collection featured in the dark cabinet. heaven!
image courtesy of design sponge

i just know i'd be more interesting and productive if this were my office.
image courtesy of design sponge