Sophisticated Decor Touch: A Chess Set

My father taught me to play chess. When he was a boy in school, he signed up for a chess tournament...the trouble is, he had no idea how to play. He went home, and his father taught him the basics. My dad won that entire tournament.

There is something so sophisticated and elegant about a chess set. Maybe it's the classic checkerboard pattern, maybe it's the elegant, sculptural pieces (which is your favourite? I like the knight), or maybe it's the harkening back to a time before video games. Either way, I'm always on the look out at antique stores and flea markets for the perfect marble chess set.

I think its presence adds a strikingly smart addition to a room.

Kelly Wearstler via The Coveteur

Alaina Kaczmarski via The EveryGirl

Elle Decor Showhouse via California Home Design

 Do you know how to play chess?
 xox
 

Equestrian Decor: Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year! It's officially the year of the horse. I was born during the year of the horse, so this one is especially fun for me. The past couple of years, I've seen equestrian decor popping up more and more, and I predict that now that it is now officially the year of the horse, it's going to become a major trend. It's always been a dream of mine to go horse back riding - although I'm a little bit intimidated by horses, there is no denying the sheer power and regalness of these gorgeous creatures!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Take a look at some of my inspiration pics for horse-related decor:

Designed by Kelly Wearstler via O at Home Magazine

via Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

via Apartment Therapy

via Design Darling

via House Beautiful

 Do you have any equestrian decor in your home? What do you think about this trend? Comment below!
xox

My Three Muses Pillow

Awhile ago, the lovely Erika of Small Shop Studio teamed up with Michelle Dwight Designs to giveaway a custom 'Three Muses' pillow to one lucky reader. Imagine my glee when I found out that I had won! It's here and it's good - in fact, I couldn't be happier with it! It's just so much fun and a great conversation piece.

When deciding on my muses, I tried to choose three women who represent different points of inspiration for me.

The first is Carrie Bradshaw. Although fictional, Carrie is a strong, independent women, a successful writer, and one hell of a dresser. She is my fashion muse, reminding me to always dress for myself - not a man, not the trends, just me. And to always, always, be a good friend.

 "The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you YOU love, well, that's just fabulous" - Carrie Bradshaw
 

'They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#DTCshEAvioidhSrA.99

'They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#DTCshEAvioidhSrA.99

 Kelly Wearstler is an obvious choice - my design muse. She is a visionary whose interior spaces read as stunning works of art. I always look to her work when I feel I am playing it too safe, when I need that extra push to be bold and fearless with my creativity.

"...there is genius in boldness. Fortunately...it is not a genius that is out of reach. All it requires is a willingness to make mistakes and to experiment, with a few considerations for the laws of attraction" -Kelly Wearstler

Last but not least, Audrey Hepburn, who I have always upheld as this sort of  standard of grace and class that I try to hold myself to each day. She was a Unicef ambassador and had such a positive outlook on life. She is also my eyebrow muse...if there is such a thing.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles" - Audrey Hepburn

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/audrey_hepburn.html#xXX8whso6wFE8loB.99

So now it's your turn! Comment below and let me know who your 3 muses would be.

Watercolor Wednesday

I've been slacking on Watercolor Wednesday the past few weeks and I've been missing it as a de-stresser. Lately I've been feeling very anxious and have been waking up with a sore jaw. Have any of you experienced this? I consulted Dr.Google (I know they advise against this but he gives such great diagnostics and usually leads one to believe they are dying of multiple ailments...I need this heads up!!) and apparently sore jaw in the morning means you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night. I do NOT like the sounds of that one bit. Hopefully the cottage this week will help me relax.

Anyways, I painted this on Monday and woke up considerably less sore on Tuesday. I've said it before, but painting really is a mind clearing process. While it's not a perfect painting, it is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Today's watercolor is inspired by a vignette from the amazingly fierce Kelly Wearstler. Girl kills it EVERY.DAMN.TIME. She is fearless in her designs, and I admire her so much.

Happy Hump Day lovelies!
xo

Stylish Coffee Table Books

I'm a total sucker for coffee table books. I love to read them, I love how they make a space look styled, and they truly make the perfect gift for any occasion. Here is a list of a few of the many books I'd love to add to my slowly growing collection:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Here is a look at my current collection:

I've received each one of these as a gift (excpet for GBGP which I won in a giveaway!) and I love each and every one.  Thank you to my brothers and their beautiful girlfriends, my godmother Aunt Trish, my darling friends Bre and Mike, and my loving Boyfriend for these beautiful books!
xox
To end off today, I'd like to send my thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the horrible events that took place in Boston yesterday. I am filled with sadness for all those who lost lives and limbs and loved ones. My heart goes out to you.

Feeling Blessed in the City

Yesterday, I ventured downtown via subway to check out the Art Gallery of Ontario with two of my classmates. We have an architectural analysis project in which we are required to visit a building in the city, experience it, sketch it, and photograph it. We chose the AGO for its stunning addition by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
The Galleria Italia was most impressive:

If you guys are ever in the Toronto area, I highly recommend it! It's so exciting to have such a vibrant and creative community at my doorstep.
How lucky am I that one member of my group is an amazingly talented professional photographer?

Also, how lucky am I that the same classmate made the amazing gesture of an early Christmas present?:

Such a nice, sweet surprise. I am so grateful to have a friend like him in the big city where I'm away from my family and it's easy to occasionally feel alienated.

Lastly, how lucky am I that I found a permanent part time job here already?!
The past few weeks I've just been doing some 'temp' positions.
 But now, I will be working at a 'big box' store as a flooring and decor sales associate.
Supporting myself throughout my education has always been a commitment of mine. I made it through one degree debt free with my own hard work. Here's hoping I can do it again!

The answer to my questions, SUPER lucky. I am so happy that God is blessing my life in so many little ways recently.
How have you been blessed lately?

Some School Stuff & Kelly Wearstler

Hi guys, I promise that next Friday I'll try to get back to the usual Fave Furniture series, I've just been settling in to school and such.
Speaking of which...Today I have my first drafting assignment! I'm so excited but a little bit nervous.
It's basically aimed at getting us used to the different drafting tools, as well as to learn the universal lettering style of the industry.

For next week I also have to "choose and interestingly designed object or project, such as an interior space, building, art work, piece of furniture, etc." to perform an architectural analysis on.
This means exploring issues such as shape, form, line, vertical and horizontal elements, etc.

While most of the suggestions given to us were of older historical artists and projects, I'd really like to discuss the lobby of The Tides South Beach Hotel, designed by Kelly Wearstler (who else could I choose!? She really packs so much drama and interest into a space).

I mean...gorge. Am I right?
I hope that the prof approves this one!
For more goodness check out the dining space of this hotel (also designed by Wearstler):

Woah, woah, woah. I'm going to have to work a picture of this into my presentation. I'm thinking to demonstrate the lines of that cool white and gold folding-screen-looking wall treatment, which is also used in the foyer (see the first image).

And those mounted tortoise shells seem totally relevant this week, what with Nate Burkus's Target line launching this week and all...The white shell is my fave thing in the collection I think!

Wish me luck y'all!
What designed object or project would you choose if you had this assignment?
xo