Decorator to the Stars

Meet Hernan Arriaga, Argentinian-born decorator with an impressive roster of clients, and beautiful rooms to back it up with!!

 ...going to the Caribbean soon?
Check out his new home shop, Azul Mar, on the island of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic!

You will find an amazing collection of antiques and artifacts from all over the world!


















 
This petrified wood stool is from Iran.... If you are "in the area" the store (Avenue Abraham Lincoln No. 1000) is a must see, but if you are only able to visit virtually (like me), please do so here.

Love the pop of color of the flowers, but how about that sculpture to the left.... Very cool!

Notice the Antler chandelier in the foreground, along with the very subtle white on white wallpaper.... typically not two things you would put together in the same room, but it totally works here!!!

Hope you enjoyed this little introduction!
I encourage you to view Hernan Arriaga's website, lots of beautiful interiors to drool over!

Have a wonderful start to your week!!!

Natasha

All images here. (PS. the music is hilarious :)

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

The new Dabble Magazine is out, so curl up with your iPad and enjoy!!
The first snowflakes hit the North East today, so what better way to start your weekend than with a cozy fire, a warm blanket and pretty Glassybaby votives.

Stay warm, where ever you are!

Natasha

Image via Dabble

It's (still) the Weekend...

.. at least for a few more hours!

Had a few quiet days; Visiting the local antique stores, made it home with a few really cool items (I'll share later), perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Stopped at the market, and baked a wonderful Pumpkin Bread! I was inspired by Trina this week!

Been looking for bedroom inspiration...
rumor has it our bedside tables are arriving next week ! Yeah!!

Hope you had a great weekend, too!!

Natasha

Image #1 Janis Nicolay, Image #2 Ashlee Auerbach

S'more, please!

Look... a new way to work the pretty Glassy Baby votive's!
I don't know if was yesterdays sweet tooth or just the yummy colors of the S'mores that made me look for these images... I guess it's less calories for me to look at the images, rather than indulge in the real stuff!   :) 

Are s'mores part of your holiday entertaining menu?
Don't they look amazing? I love dark chocolate and graham crackers, and the marshmallows are just the glue that binds this treat together!! :) Would be a good idea for  Halloween, if you are entertaining...

Hope you have a wonderfully sweet weekend!

Natasha

All images via Pinterest

{Fall} House Love

Last year I featured this Summer House in a Winter Holiday post, complete with a thick blanket of snow and a Christmas Tree. This time around I will share different images, more appropriate to fall!

(OK, so I know enough about flowers and blooming bushes to know that the above image was taken in the spring - as the rhododendron blooms in the springtime - BUT the colors in the interior of this house (below) lends itself well to fall, don't you think?) 

Warm and cozy colors mingle with candlelight and a beautiful book! I purchased this book (Rajasthan) and it's completely worth a long afternoon, curled up with a blanket!!!

Weather use for sleeping or simply for a cozy and relaxing spot, this nook is soooo inviting!

Imagine cool weather, the stack of glossy magazines, nowhere to be, and lot and lots of tea lights!! I am in LOVE with the skinny picture ledge, filled with all these different, muted colors of glass and candles... surely they look magical in the evening!!

The warmth of the wood in the kitchen is echoed throughout in other textures such as the pillows in the background... Notice the matte black paint on the walls, the door and the huge light fixture. Lots of glossy surfaces as well throughout this house, helps to bounce the light around! This might be a log cabin painted black, but it is not a black hole, or a cave, but a light filled Scandinavian Summerhouse, dressed for fall with lots of texture and wonderful fabrics!

Look at that amazing piece of artwork on the wall!! Entirely made up from butterflies... and I love how the over sized urns are perfect in scale!

Peaceful exteriors as well! ;)
It is very common in Scandinavia to paint woodwork black, and I really like how it plays off of the naturally weathered decking...

Wonderful terrace to enjoy the last days of summer, and with the outdoor fireplace, why not stay outside just a little longer? I am happy to see this house clad in fall colors, hope you enjoyed it as well!!

Natasha

All images via Bonytt, Norge

First Nest

Hi all!
Came across these images again today; I know this small First Nest apartment made the rounds on all the design blogs, quite a while ago, but I just felt it was worth showing again.... Enjoy!

So pretty and crisp!
That yellow lamp base is such a happy punch of color!!

Love the black chair in this light filled room!! Notice how the pattern in the curtains pick up all the colors in the room....
I would have made them floor length, though!

Girly mirror and a pretty little spot for hair and make-up, perhaps even for writing a little note....  A lucite stool provide seating, and can be pushed under the "desk" when not in use, keeping the room light!

My first apartment was in the best location, but not this stylish :)

Natasha

All images via Traditional Home

Nordisk Eksotisk

There is a new book in town, and I can hardly wait to share with you all!!
It's a book, the first in a series, with so many wonderful images of homes from Denmark. I won't go into too much detail, as I could get lost in explaining why this is such a wonderful book, and why you should have it, and look at all those designers "at home" and......

This is the bedroom of Danish fashion designer Naja Munthe. I just love the colors and all the fantastic textures!  The fur throw is cashmere backed... Talk about luxury! How about an oversize image of your child, propped against the wall? Naja Munthe has just launched a new home collection, and it's easy to see that her creativity reaches far and wide!! All of Naja, and husband Henrik's, house is featured in this book, NOT to be missed!!

This home belong to a couple that works in the fashion industry... Every where you look, there is something you will want to touch or take a closer look at! An incredible treasure trove of finds from all over the world, at first glance it's very busy, but step back, take it all in and you will be surprised and would want to stay longer, I promise!!! SUPER Cool!!

I know, I know, I keep saying skulls are not my thing, but in this home they totally work, you would almost expect them to be there....

Lookbook for SAGA Furs, created by Nikoline... no peeking allowed, but if you would like to see her home, check it out in the book! Liv Tyler has worn Nikolines clothing, this girl knows a thing or two about design and trends...

Check out this link to view the cover of the book; Visit Visit, Nordisk Eksotisk. The book even has it's own website (in Danish), and you can join all the other fans over on FB, if you like.

Go ahead, even if you don't read Danish, the pictures alone will make it worth your while!

Natasha

All images via Visit Visit

A Dash of Mocha

Welcome to my home... I wish!!*
Does this look welcoming or what? Follow me, and we will explore together, this is a Swedish home bathed in light and grounded by wonderful accents.

To me, this qualifies as White Done Right!! These light filled white rooms where the light just bathes the interior, have been grounded beautifully with a Dash of Mocha.

Looking a little closer at this home, a lot of texture is revealed. The Moroccan wedding blanket on the big chair, the different cushions, the kilim on the floor, the woven baskets, the little Asian lantern in the windowsill... Great mix!

A view through french doors reveal yet another white space just beyond...

Close-up of an eclectic collection of items; nothing "goes" together, yet it all works in creating a personal story!

So simple and beautiful!
Not only a Dash of Mocha, but also a Pinch of Mint....

What do you think? Does all the white scare you?? I like the dark brown accents, and I also really like the mint green country cabinet in the last image, reminds me of one I saw at a friends house, purchased in The Hampton's... She uses hers as a bar and storage for glassware.

Natasha

Images via Skona Hem

* For the record; This is NOT my home.

La Brocante

Finally, I am able to share this great store with you!
Now do you see why I just HAD to come back and check it out... Not just once, not twice, but all of three times, before we were able to enter this FAN.TAS.TIC store... driving from 1/2hr away.... (third time's the charm, as they say, and it held true!!!)

The large french church clock is the owner, Mette Valbjorn's favorite. I almost picked up some of the very reasonably priced ironstone pieces, the rich creamy color and good condition made it hard to resist!

Check out the pretty mirrors leaning up against the wall....

A few religious artifacts were on display, you could even pick up some very pretty, old prayer beads. And who could say no to angle wings...?

To get a better view of these chocolate Tolix chairs, check out this little teaser post, from a few days back....

Great for all you lovers of white!

A little of everything; Garden ornaments, industrial lighting, cool chairs, farmhouse tables, pretty mirrors, ironstone table ware.... I particularly loved all the old glass pieces, but since it would be difficult to carry in the suitcase, I left without!

The owner of La Brocante, is 36 year old Mette Valbjorn; a mother of three young boys. Prior to opening this jewel of a store, Mette and her husband, Ib Skov, were shop owners in the same town, but in a completely different line of business....
While La Brocante the store is a hidden gem, I am happy to say you, too, can shop the faboulous selections, as La Brocante is also on the net (http://www.labrocante.dk/), and if you would like to read an article (in danish) about La Brocante from the local paper, click here.

Happy shopping; Do(n't) spend all your money :)!

Natasha

All images via La Brocante

Letters to write

Today is super rainy here in South Florida, Tropical Storm, actually.... What better time than this to catch up on a few notes?

Stay dry out there :)

Natasha

Image Via Rue

House with a History

Interior Designer Kirsten Jersild lives in this old yellow house, in fact, she is the third (!) generation of her family to live here....

Old and new, classic and classics mingle in perfect harmony!
Black Vico Magistretti table and black Bestlite lamps are perfect companions in an all white space!
... And the picture wall warms up the space beautifully.

This old table, with it's peeling paint, is from Gotland in Sweden, and the chairs date back to the 1700's! Not only do I love the patina of these furniture pieces, but also how this area mixes so well with the modern black coffee table in the same room!

What a space for the tub!!!! Love that black, matte floor....

The re-done kitchen has the original fireplace; currently two beautiful, presumably french, church candelabras are displayed. At the end of the bright and light filled kitchen, is a door leading in to the owners sleeping quarters....

Not only was the dark, exposed  wood wall a surprise to me... it's almost rustic, and then again not... Beautifully edited antiques and a crystal chandelier to boot!






















Perfect spot for the Louis XVI tall mirror! So simple and effective, not jut using the mirror for it's reflective surface, but showcasing the beauty of the mirror itself.

Ending this house tour with another beautiful moment. Love the contrast; dark and light, curves and straight edges, matte and shiny... Very, very pretty!

Interesting thought....
So few people have houses, that stay in their families for this long, but tell me; Why would you ever want to leave?

Natasha

All images by Birgita Wolfgang Drejer for Bolig Magazinet