Great online magazines are here!

Now that we finally have power back, I spent a few hours catching up on some of my blog reading, going through some emails, pinning some things on Pinterest- basically being a complete computer junkie. And lucky you....my sloth-like behavior leads to this very juicy post sharing three uber-cool online publications that are 'must-reads' in my book.

First, House of Fifty, the holiday issue. This mag is the creation of Janell Beals, author of the Isabella and Max blog. It is filled with contributions from a multitude of design-blogging veterans and it is quite the page turner! Complete with a great gift giving guide, tips for hosting house guests through the holidays and a great feature on a decor photographer who offers some insight on getting a good shot! You can subscribe, too, so future issues don't miss your inbox!

This is a holiday MUST READ! Check it out here!

And just in case you missed out on the last issue of House of Fifty, you can check out where I blogged about it here!

Issue Two! Read about it here!

My next recommendation for a good online read is Toujours Magazine, a great lifestyle and decor pub that I stumbled upon on while reading one of my fave blogs, Armonia Decors. Emily Ruddos, author of Armonia Decors, offers great tips on how to get your home fall-worthy. Plus, with articles entitled 'Jewelry for Your Lamp' and 'Not Your Grandmothers Pre Fab' you can tell this magazine has got a lot of personality and inspires visually!

Tou Jours

And the last online mag you have to check out comes to us from down under: Ivy and Piper. I found this publication on another one of my favorite design blogs Amber Interiors. Amber is an interior designer who just oozes cool- and she is a contributor in the lastest Ivy and Piper edition. This image book is so amazing- I'm talking chevron carpeted steps, red and white checkered floors- I am telling you- your eyes won't know what to do first! It will be a pinning fest for all my Pinterest peeps!

Ok, I have shared enough! No go get your Keurigs brewing and start reading! Let me know which you enjoy!
Oh- FYI- in the interest of full disclosure, these publications and blogs have not asked me to write about them or feature them. I am not being compensated in any way. However, if they felt the desire in their little hearts to thank me- I have some ideas of my own!! Really, I wrote about them because I love them and I love to share!

Virtual Room Design Giveaway

I apologize if this is a repeat for some of you...it did not publish to my email subscribers!
I have a new giveaway this weekend! This past Wednesday...(after finally getting power back after 3 1/2 days!) I had the pleasure of hosting a vendor table at the Visiting Nurse Association Benefit Book Signing. Sarah Brokaw (daughter of Tom Brokaw) was there to sign and present her new book Fortytude which inspires women to make the best of their forties and beyond...and you can buy it here.

Anyway, it was a great night- the guests were wonderful, intelligent women- many of whom had some interest in having their home decorated. The Homestyling101 table was filled with portfolio pics and the chance to win a Virtual Room Design for anyone who left their email to subscribe to this blog! So now, I am opening that giveaway up to my current readers as well!

A photo of the Homestyling101 vendor table at the Book Signing

What you win: A Virtual Room Design- If you win, you can email me pics of the room in question along with some specifics on what you would like to do with the room and I will put together an inspiration board with all new items, colors, accessories, etc for you to use! (Example below...)

How to enter: Subscribe to this blog!
Or....follow us on Twitter here.
Or....Like us on Facebook here.
and just leave a comment on this blog to let me know how you entered (and you can do all three if you would like!) Leave one comment per entry!

This contest has been extended to run through Wednesday, November 9th at 8 pm. Share with your friends and enter as much as you can! Good Luck!

Hollywood Haunted House

I have a mini-obsession with movie homes and I have become completely hooked on the blog Hooked on Houses which has the most amazing info on movie, tv and celebrity homes. In honor of Halloween, I am sharing some pictures via Hooked on Houses of one of my favorite Hollywood  Haunted Houses...from the movie Practical Magic.  Have a great Halloween and be safe!

This amazing Victorian was built just for the movie....it is truly one of a kind!

The interiors of the home were all sets built in an LA studio...so authentic!

And the eerily normal town scenes were filmed in Coupeville in Washington State.

What is your favorite scary movie home? And do check out the blog Hooked on Houses...it is daily read for me!

Pink Purchases Against Breast Cancer!

So October is Breast Cancer Awareness month (yes, I realize October is almost over!)as many of you already know. I found this very cool list of 19 Pink Purchases on the Oprah website that benefit breast cancer awareness and research and just felt like I had to share!

Thank you, Oprah! Great list!

Some or all of the proceeds of the purchase of these items go towards Breast Cancer charities...I love when shopping benefits more than just fulfilling my dirty little desire to shop!
You can find the entire list here but here are some of my faves on the list:

Rebecca Taylor Cami 50% proceeds are donated! Buy it here!

Dying for this pink sapphire from DeVille Fine Jewelry...100%  proceeds donated! Buy it here!

Top it off with some sweets! Buy these here!

Hoping that all our shopping will benefit this great cause. Feel free to share other goodies whose proceeds benefit breast cancer! More reasons to shop and more money going to a great cause!

Mood Board for Mod Living Room

So, one of my very favorite cousins just moved into a new home and emailed me last week asking about an upcoming sofa purchase. She asked what my thoughts were on purchasing a sofa from Raymour and Flanigan.....is that a no-no in the decorating world? Hmmmmm, not sure how other designers feel but I believe that you should purchase the best sofa you can afford and one that best represents your innate style...as for sofas at Raymour and Flanigan- they carry all different manufacturers so I do believe it is important to find out how the sofa is constructed before dropping the dough on it.  This was the sofa she was considering from Raymour and Flanigan. I love the style and it seems to be pretty well made. So here is the complimentary mood board I put together (centered around the Raymour sofa) to inspire the rest of the room:

She had mentioned that she loved cherry blossom pillows she had seen around so I used those as a starting point and worked off of those. And I am loving the Etsy finds here...that lovebird painting is sweet and dark at the same time...they are corny love birds...but they are crows so that is kind of dark...loving the vibe! The pillows are also from some of my fave Etsy artisans, too!
Here are some of the items in the board:
Pottery Barn Peyton Drapes
Pottery Barn Bryant Floor Lamp
Crate and Barrel Lynx Rug
Pair of Cherry Blossom Pillows by amazing etsy artisan
Chevron Pillows by amazing Etsy artisan
Love Birds artwork by amazing Etsy artisan

In the end, my cousin purchased another sofa she had her eye on....it is red and very sleek...can't wait to see it in person and maybe design a new board around that one as well!

BTW, just to let you all know, I put together inspiration boards for many clients who do not live close by. Contact me for more details and I can help you develop your own room plan...plus you get full access to my discounts on any products purchased!

FYI, this board was put together solely for design purposes and I am not endorsing any of the products or companies used....I just use what I love!

A Nursery close to my heart...

So I had the pleasure a few months ago of designing a nursery that is near and dear to my heart. It was for my sister's first little bundle of joy and since my sister is one of the most special people in my life...I  knew this munchkin was going to steal my heart once I met him. And I knew his nursery had to be sweet, sentimental and a bit mod since his parents are two uber-cool urban peeps.

The nursery, however, was not without its challenges. Design challenge #1: my sister and her husband are renters so they are reluctant to hang anything due to their cement firewalls- it would just be a nightmare to patch them up. Design Challenge #2: They were also reluctant to paint the room since it was just painted and they do not want to repaint when they leave. Design Challenge #3: The room is very modest in size and needed to function not only as a nursery but as a small office for my brother-in-law who is an anesthesiologist. (Need I mention the size and weight of those medical textbooks!) Design Challenge #4: My sister is the client...for those of you who have siblings...you can relate....it doesn't always stay professional....like when I threatened my sister with "pick a rug or I'm picking one for you!".... can't say I have ever given my other clients ultimatums like that!

We wanted some mod touches and used the colorway of black, steel blue grey and pops of orange.

Loving the pouf as a seating option and footrest...in a small space we needed double duty!

Needless to say, I am very happy with how it turned out, my sister and brother-in-law are very happy and most importantly, my beautiful little nephew, Sabatino Joseph, born in May is sleeping 12 hours a night and I'd like to think my cozy nursery design has something to do with that!!

Inspired by the expensive Jonathan Adler initial pillow, we found an Etsy option that we loved!

Another Etsy find..the stencil was a great alternative to paint or hung art!

On a side note, my sister, besides being a new mom, is also an amazing photographer...she takes the most amazing photos of babies, children and families....and  now interior shots! Check out her breathtaking portfolio at www.preciousportraitsbyelena.com and if you are in the New York area, have her come photograph your family....you'll never take your own pictures again! P.S. I already have her booked for my Christmas cards!

Amazing Antique Spot: The Yellow Monkey

Sorry if this is a repeat post for some of you but my email subscribers were never sent this and I am trying to work the problem out with a re-post! 

Do you ever stumble upon something and then say to yourself...."Have I been living under a rock? How did I not know about this???" That is what happened to me last week. I was visiting a client's house in beautiful South Salem and on my way back to my office, I drove by a quaint little area in Cross River. There I found my latest obsession and go-to place: The Yellow Monkey.

Some of you local readers may have heard of this amazing gem of a boutique and you're thinking "hello...where have you been?" I was so excited about their eclectic mix of antiques and reproductions, I walked through the store three times with my jaw on the floor.

The Yellow Monkey has such an amazing collection of stunning antiques, garden pieces, reproductions, upholstered pieces and an amazing art gallery as well. On my third trip around I stumbled upon the glorious workroom filled with fabric books that could keep me occupied for days!

They also have an amazing selection of linens and throws that are absolutely luxurious!

Anyway, if you are in the area, check it out....if you aren't....visit their website...www.yellowmonkey,com Let me know what you are looking for. They like us designers over at the Yellow Monkey and will give us some discounts so let me know if you are ready to shop....I am itching to go back!

Check out their adorable mascot on the gorgeous couch!

You can also follow them on Facebook here!