Vintage Look with Polka Dot Walls

Be Dotty…
There is enough going on in this little gem of a polka dot infested room as it is!  Generally I tend to veer towards the less is more philosophy when it comes to decorating type tchochkes, but even with all of the pattern play among the vintage pillows, plates, et all in this room, I still love it.  The bold mix of color and pattern feels more warm and inviting than chaotic, and I think it has a lot to do with all of those bright yellow circles on the wall.  Another case in point that a little polka dot love can make anything better.

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 Photo from updatedallas.com

The Polka Dot Techy

Spots for Techy’s

If you want a little fun in your life, try adding some polka dots onto your tech devices. Certainly makes you smile and adds some pop to your tech wardrobe. No matter if its an iPhone, ear plugs or any computer cover,  polka dots can be found and are the in thing! Personally, my favorite  is the iPhone polka dot cover…  visually makes me happy instantaneously  and  its stylish to boot!

ipnPolka Dot iPhone Cases

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Pattern of the Week: Polka Dot Wallpaper

Connect The Dots….
…or no, actually don’t. This week we are going to focus on fabulous Polka Dots for home design. They are a bit of a  surprise with this years home trend as polka dots flourish throughout the home in wall covering, fabric and accessories.  First up…this fantastic foyer. . these  look sophisticated yet playful at the same time. I love the simplicity and elegance of this polka dot entrance way. It’s even more special when updated and mixed with the Pantone color of the year: Emerald Green. I am seeing spots!!!

 joanna-henderson

Polka Dot Elegance

Photos from apartmenttherapy.com  Photography from Johanna Henderson and Design to Inspire

Polka Dot Fashionista’s

Do The Polka!

Despite what it may seem from my last post, the best polka pieces are not just for the rich and famous. In fact, my absolute fave casual pieces were found in street style pics courtesy of theberry.com.  Whether your polka dot apparel comes with legs or armholes, you can’t go wrong by pairing them with solids, letting the dots be your statement!  As an aside, this post also emphasizes the ceaseless success of the black and white combo.  Sorta makes me wanna do the polka for a week non-stop. Are you seeing dots in your future?

 photo 1

Lolobu.com

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Style Star: Olivia Palermo & Emma Stone

Celebs Seeing Spots

Polka dots; a classic print that will forever be in style.  Good for young and old, evening or casual, the look of these dots is somehow always fresh.  Celebs far and wide clearly agree as I have spotted, wink wink, some of their best red carpet and front looks are bedecked in these dots.  Some of their best fashions, in fact, are at the formal end of the spectrum…a little surprising considering how equally good they look atop little girl frocks.  But c’mon, how could you not love that hi-lo bubble hem version on Olivia Palermo or Emma Stone’s maxi number?

polka dots

Emma Stone / Olivia Palermo

Photos courtesy from PR from Teenvoque.com article by Anna Cooperberg

Pattern of the Week: Retro Bark Cloth Prints

Retro Bark Cloth

As a designer, I love to search, find and touch vintage fabrics and wallpaper prints. Bark cloth which seems to be coming back into home fashion was originally a popular fabric in Asia, Indonesia, Africa and the Pacific. It was made from beating inner fibrous tree bark but is now made from cotton and other synthetic fibers woven in a thick weave. Bark cloth fabric has a soft, semi nubby feel to the material and was named Bark cloth because it’s texture was similar to tree bark.

floral bark cloth

Rare 1930′s Georgia O’Keeffe Orchid Bark Cloth

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Pattern of the Week: Retro Bark Cloth Prints

Retro Bark Cloth

As a designer, I love to search, find and touch vintage fabrics and  wallpaper printsBark cloth which seems to be coming back into  home fashion was originally  a  popular  fabric in Asia, Indonesia, Africa and the Pacific. It was  made from beating inner  fibrous tree bark but is now made from cotton and other synthetic fibers woven in a thick weave. Bark cloth fabric has a soft,  semi nubby feel to the material and  was named  Bark cloth because it’s texture was  similar to tree bark.

floral bark cloth

Rare 1930′s Georgia O’Keeffe Orchid Bark Cloth

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Recycled Bicycle Wheels Make Contemporary Art

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…Repeat

This isn’t the first time I’ve posted about amazing recycled and reclaimed items, and it won’t be the last.  Today’s post comes via North Carolina artist Kent Youngstrom.  Yes, there is deep and symbolic meaning behind his works, but I love them for their rustic look and mixed media composition alone.  I mean a bike wheel on a wood plank painting?  Genius!  A new piece of art not in your summer budget?  Go green-er and make your own!

bicycle art renew-painting roomset

Artist Ken Youngstrom

Photos from cb2.com, Renew Painting by Ken Youngstrom, Interior room from cb2.com;

Style Star: Angelina Jolie

Style Star:  Angelina Jolie

The beautiful Ms. Jolie has always been a polarizing figure…throngs of fans envying her sexy look and applauding her humanitarian efforts…and throngs of Jennifer Aniston fans chastising her formerly questionable antics and relationships.  After her recent announcement regarding her preventative double mastectomy, parties on both sides of the fence have to applaud her selfless sharing.  As one of the most prolific sex symbols of our time, her choice could not have been an easy one.  So Ms. Jolie wins my vote as this week’s style star for always carrying herself with grace and poise – the most stylish adornment any woman can have!

angeliina

 Photos courtesy of posh24.com and photos source from Wenn.com and popsugar.com Jennifer Aniston info from huffingtonpost.com photo source: Wenn.com

Pattern of the Week: Snakeskin Walls in Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Snake It

The 2013 Kips Bay Kips Bay Decorator Show House was transformed into a luxurious home this year by various celebrity top designers. If I am in New York in May, I always love to walk through the house to get inspired by each designers vision. Today we feature interior designer Robert Brown’s sitting room. Robert Brown is a brilliant designer. His interior makes me feel like I just stepped into a stylish home inspired by the show “Mad Men.” Its warm, inviting, eclectic yet modern conjuring a retro feel. The sitting room features a large scale snakeskin wall covering. I’m not a snake lover by any means but I have to say, he was right on trend as snakeskin in any color, size or variation are all the rage in fashion this year! You can’t help love it! So let me ask you, if you can wear snakeskin… could you live with it?

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Kips Bay Decorator Show House / Robert Brown Interior Design

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