Luster » roundup

Shopping: Call of the Wild

Luster — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:25:00 +0000

Digging around in some old interior inspiration, I came across this photograph of a sunroom in Countess Dorothy DiFrasso’s Beverly Hills home by the renowned interior decorator Elsie de Wolfe. The wall mural entitled ‘Zebra and Black Panther with Cacti’ (1936) by Charles Baskerville was custom made for the home, and became the backdrop of many Golden Age Hollywood parties hosted by DiFrasso in the 30′s and 40′s. It’s amazing how modern this still looks today, and its relevance continues to inform style across interiors and fashion.

Get the look:

{01. Mia pants and Mia blouse | 02. Lion pendant necklace | 03. Gold claw post earrings | 04. Leopard phone case | 05. Curved animal box | 06. Calf hair sandals}

For more on Hollywood Regency jungle style, check out Mrs. Robinson’s lair from The Graduate

Photograph: by Simon Watson for House and Garden

I Spy ::: Polka Dots

Luster — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:00:53 +0000

I’m a girl who has always liked Polka Dots. They’re so fun and perky. Ever since I spied this Miu Miu blouse, I have been on the hunt for a polka dot blouse for spring in my price range. J.Crew had one in the fall that sold out very quickly, and so the search continues. It seems I am not the only one with spots and dots on my brain.

1. Carrie Bradshaw in Paris {remember this outfit? One of my all time favorites in the series} | 2. Polka Dot Tape | 3. Monaco Gold Dot Highball | 4. Basenji Clutch | 5. Dizzy dot Henrietta | 6. Polka dot mini skirt | 7. Zooey Deschanel on the cover of Lucky Magazine {Photo by Robert Erdmann/Creative 24} | 8. iPhone 4 case | 9. Effie blouse

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::: Color dip :::

Luster — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:00:33 +0000

I’m so ready for spring and summer with all these color dipped beauties. Makes me want to start dip dyeing everything…

::: Hey, sailor :::

Luster — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:39:20 +0000

The Nautical trend has been hanging around for a couple of Spring/Summer seasons, and just about every clothing store you visit will have their version of the sailor striped boatneck shirt. Coco Chanel is credited for seeing the striped shirts worn by Breton sailors, and introducing her “marinière” shirt to the fashion world in 1917. They have never gone out of style. You could blame my Connecticut seashore upbringing, or the fact that my brother and I were dressed up in sailor suits when we were toddlers {see embarrassing photos below} but I am not sick of it yet.

{Above} Me on the left, my cousin, and my brother, just back from Newport probably. {Below} Me, in the family’s preferred toddler dress code: sailor style. {thanks a lot, Mom!} xo

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Top photo by Billy & Hells via Etsy | President and Mrs. Kennedy view America’s Cup race, September 15, 1962, Photograph by Robert Knudsen via Apartment Therapy

::: Facet Fancy :::

Luster — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:31:30 +0000

While I was looking around for inspiration for a new print design based on triangles and facet shapes, I came across so many beautiful objects I had to share. Now, I am loving faceted anything…it’s geometry at its most elegant.

Edmond Pendant Light / Etch Pendant / Scale Necklace / Assembly NY Geometric Terrarium / Little Faceted Necklace / Bracelets by Lauren Manoogian / Orbit Table Lamp / Boulder Ring / Small Facets Ring

Studio Bel Vitro Pendant Lamps via Coco + Kelley / New Nature Systems by Russell Leng / Facet tealights / Oil Paintings by Carly Waito / ZAP Rug

Spectral Necklace and Wedding Prism

Faceted wood planters by Pour Les Alpes

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Imitating {Edie}

Luster — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:42:51 +0000

Many years ago, I caught my first glimpse of style icon Edie Sedgwick in a video reel dancing at an Andy Warhol Factory party, and like so many others since, I was instantly transfixed by this girl with the blonde pixie cut and black opaque tights. Randomly today, I came across the maker of the original leather rhinoceros shown in that Vogue 1965 photo shoot where she is doing an arabesque in her New York apartment, listening to the Kinks, and is just about to become the “It” girl of 1965.

She also caught the eye of Bob Dylan, and this song is thought to be written with her in mind. For more on Edie, skip the recent movie called Factory Girl and read Jean Stein’s biography Edie: American Girl

Images: Cover photo Edie by Fred Eberstadt, Edie on a Rhino found here, Edie by Billy Name from Edie Factory Girl

Be Mine {Valentine}

Luster — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:23:08 +0000

It’s getting closer to Valentine’s Day and I’m smitten with all these lovey dove items…

Polaroid Heart by Warren Heath via 79 ideas

Sequin heart pins & shoe clips at Ban-do

Love Greeting Card set & Valentines Letterpress Card from In Haus Press via Creature Comforts

Can’t wait until February 6 when I’ll be making Valentines with my dear Remy at Spacecraft in Williamsburg via Viva Snail Mail {images via Valentine’s Day Crafternoon Party}

Valentine treats for you & your sweeties X and O Smores | Hot chocolate with marshmallow hearts | Pear Raspberry heart pie | Conversation Heart Cookies

and…bags designed by Twig and Thistle to carry them in. You can download and print the design right here

{Top image: Fabric Hearts by Ashley Meaders, photo by Our Labor of Love}

{Green} with envy

Luster — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:26:53 +0000

Watching the parade of emerald dresses down the red carpet at Sunday’s Golden Globes has me all green with envy.

Remember Keira Knightley in Atonement? I have always loved emerald, and particularly when it appears in small doses…

…like this shot of emerald on the velvet chaise, and the hint of it on that curtain.

Some pretty accessory pieces that would be just the right dose of this color…

…And I found a glass emerald perfume bottle this weekend up in CT at Papyrus when I popped in to buy a card. It does not seem to be on their website or anywhere else online, but it’s so beautiful in person, and only $14 on sale if you can find one in a store near you.

{Images: Golden Globes Red Carpet Coverage | Delight by Design via Homes and Gardens}

{Friday Faves} + playlist

Luster — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:42:45 +0000

This week has been one lovely blur with long work days and a slew of fun social events. It will be a busy weekend as well because we’re heading up to CT to visit family and go to a friend’s party. Before I head out, I wanted to share some favorite things hanging around my desktop today. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo

Just read about this hotel in Northern Sweden called Tree Hotel. Wow.

Watercolor chevron by Joanna Goss makes a pretty background wallpaper | Gazelle bookends from ebay that I received for xmas from my husband | This hidden fox teacup always makes me smile when my coffee gets lows enough to see him peek out | Josie Maran Argan Oil – because I love anything that is multi-purpose. This is a completely organic /natural product with no fragrance that moisturizes you from head to toe (hair too) | Issue 11 of Lula magazine edited by the amazing Mulleavy sisters behind Rodarte. I have been reading little by little to make it last | Herb infused water that keeps you hydrated all day | Acrylic Bookstand from Taschen. I love being able to display and easily leaf through your favorite coffee table books whenever you want, with this beautifully designed stand | More acrylic desk accessories, a stapler and a tape dispenser that makes it a little more chic to get some work done | And a roundup of favorite tracks playing on iTunes today.

Color Theory ::: Black & Gold

Luster — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:15:27 +0000

The styling of Julianne Moore’s character in A Single Man by Tom Ford was one of my favorites in 2010. Deco is also having a revival with all the Black and Gold pattern combinations I am seeing.

{Image sources | Clockwise L-R} Julianne Moore in A Single Man | Granite Table | Women’s Bangle Watch | Lacquer Jewelry Box | Tulip Lamp | Rope Bracelet | House of Harlow Leather & Gold Necklace | Tom Ford Black Orchid Bath & Body | F. Scott Fitzgerald Flappers and Philosophers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith | Beaded Pillow | Striped Metallic Knit Halter top