Luis Bustamante, A Master

Simply amazing.  Classic design at the master level.  Design by Luis Bustamante via his site here.      (ps, I want that sofa and everything else too)

Eye Candy: Enveloped

There's something special about a bedroom that envelopes you literally and figuratively.  This is Tory Burch's NYC bedroom, with Fortuny fabrics and walls stenciled in the same pattern.  (Decoration by architect/decorator Daniel Romualdez, images appeared in Vogue, photography by Francois Hallard)

Don't Miss Out On This!

Just in case you miss the November issue of Southern Living, here's the ultra-chic and interesting Thanksgiving table setting by Charlottesville's Christy Ford, designer and proprietor of And George.  (Images via And George, photographer by Christy Ford)

Donna of A Perfect Gray fell in love with this beautiful painting and identified the artist, Kiki Slaughter, and put up a wonderful post up featuring her work.

Shark Car

Came across this Shark Car while in St. John USVI last year. How fun is this?! Hope you have a great weekend.

Library Kitchens?

We all know library dining rooms are wonderful but what about a library in the kitchen?  When I saw this kitchen by designer Mary Evelyn, it had me thinking how successful a kitchen library combination can be.  Although these are two rooms, the strong connection between them makes it feel like one cohesive space.

In this case, books share equal footing with kitchen cabinets creating a uniquely interesting space.  (image from here)

In this small space, a cozy kitchen feel is added to by the proximity of this library dining area.  (Image from a Homeaway cottage rental here.)

Eye Candy: A Toasty Bedroom

Designed by one of my favorites, Nestor Santa-Cruz, this bedroom is a beautiful combination of coral, taupe  and brown.  Love it.

Painted Faux Agate Walls - WOW!

I came across these amazing faux agate walls by designer Susan Jamieson of Bridget Beari in the 2012 Richmond Show House via The Scout Guide. Combined with an amazing painted floor, this is drop-dead, high end gorgeousness.

Love Susan's choice of a glass railing to keep the views open.

Braid trims out the room and an antiqued mirror door is covered in fabric adorned by a P.E. Gueirin acrylic door handle.

Here's a behind the scene of how these walls were created by Jeff Ragland of Holtz.  The custom shelves are painted in Pickle No. 37, part of her custom color line for Fine Paints of Europe.

From the Stacks: 2005

DC designer Nestor Santa-Cruz's apartment was featured in Elle Decor back in Nov 2005.  Nestor is an  immensely talented designer with an impeccable eye.  This space is from seven years ago and its appeal is timeless. (Photography by Rick Lew)

Subtle Pattern Mix

Love the subtle mix of pattern in this living room by designer Cheryl Brantner in the LA issue of  Luxe magazine (more here, photography by Grey Crawford.) When I visited Cheryl's site, I was struck by her versatility as a designer.  This masculine room with strong lines and color is just one example.  Hope you have a great weekend!

An Ode to 90

My aunt passed away this summer, just shy of 91. I admired her and respected her greatly.
When I was a young mom, she came to visit when my son was just a few months old.  Fussing in my arms, Ryan was inconsolable and I kept trying to coddle and comfort him. She caught my eye and emphatically stated, in her perfect New England accent,
"Put that child down. You'll arrest his development!"
I immediately laid him down on a blanket to watch him fuss a bit but eventually settle himself as he happily began to move along the floor. Rita was right. (a phrase that should be carved in stone.)

Later in the day, after listening to me complain incessantly about my boss and her foolish business practices, Rita simply said, "Why don't you just work for yourself." Her question flung open the door to the idea of self-employment and a business of my own. Eighteen years later I still happily count myself as a small business owner.

This summer I found myself absorbed with woes of too much work and not enough free time that I entertained the thought of writing a blog post titled, The Summer of My Discontent. Trust me - it would have been an exercise in self-absorbed pity

Then I attended Aunt Rita's memorial service and read the poem she had witten on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Even in life after death, my practical and accomplished Aunt was giving me just the kick-in-the-pants I needed. Thank you Aunt Rita. You are loved and missed.

Ode to Being Ninety
by Rita E. Duffy Pervier 

Ode to myself
Before I'm on the shelf
The time was sublime
With much laughter and shine
Of course some bitter, but others better
Challenging to be a "go-getter"
Each morning exciting
What unknown to unfold
Disasters/Surprises
A passing parade - family, friends untold
Giving love and friendship
Pure GOLD
So thank you as I speed to 91 - more fun