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.

 Photo from updatedallas.com

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!

Polka Dot iPhone Cases

 Marina Ear Phone Plugs

Mod Polka Dots

Photos from slickfans.com for the iPad cover, iphone covers from katespade.com and chicase.com and polka dot earphones from apartmenttherapy.com  in black and white, google.com for Kate Spade iphone cover selection.

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!!!

Polka Dot Elegance

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

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?

Lolobu.com

Zoulou Bathing Suits

Yayoi Kusama for Loius Vuitton 2013

 Jenny Packman S/S 2013

J. Crew

Photos are courtesy of theberry.com and article by Alex. Jenny Packman white polka dot dress:Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com and website for image from style.com, Lolobu.com black polka dot jacket, black polka dot skirt, Loius Vuitton handbag, accessories and clothing by Yayoi Kusama designer  and photo from designboom.com and also from nymag.com , Zoulou bathing suits for 2013 from shopzoulou.com,  Biege polka dot sweater from J Crew fashions and photo from chictopia.com

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?

Emma Stone / Olivia Palermo

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

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.

Rare 1930′s Georgia O’Keeffe Orchid Bark Cloth

Bark cloth became very popular and was often used for drapes, upholstery and slipcovers from the 1940′s through to the 1960′s. Often these vintage prints featured tropical Hawaiian flowers, abstract boomerang shapes, or novelty themed patterns like cocktails and glasses. Bark Cloth has a soft texture yet slight nubby feel to it. If you want a cool mid century look to your interiors, try these “ Jetson” type retro prints ..aren’t they “fun fantastic“!

50″s Lounge Chair / Bark Cloth Cushions

Photos courtesy from ebay.com for the vintage orchid floral, Bark cloth pillows from Pinterest Nancy Lake, retro chair from Pinterest Nancy Lake from fab.com, definition of Bark cloth is from ask.com, Fashion items made in Bark cloth from sustainablog.org

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.

Rare 1930′s Georgia O’Keeffe Orchid Bark Cloth

Bark cloth  became very popular  and was often used  for drapes, upholstery and slipcovers from the 1940′s through to the 1960′s.  Often these vintage prints  featured  tropical Hawaiian flowers, abstract boomerang shapes, or novelty themed patterns like cocktails and glasses.  Bark Cloth has a soft texture yet slight nubby feel to it. If you want a cool mid century look  to your interiors,  try these “ Jetson” type retro prints ..aren’t they  “fun fantastic“!

  50″s Lounge Chair / Bark Cloth Cushions

Photos courtesy from ebay.com for the vintage  orchid floral, Bark cloth pillows from Pinterest Nancy Lake,  retro chair from Pinterest Nancy Lake from fab.com,  definition of Bark cloth is from ask.com,  Fashion items made in Bark cloth from sustainablog.org

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!

Artist Ken Youngstrom

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

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!

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

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?

Kips Bay Decorator Show House / Robert Brown Interior Design

Fashionable Snakeskin

Photos courtesy of Architectural Digest and Kips Bay Decorator Show House; Interior design by Robert Brown Interior Design; Snakeskin images courtesy of style.com and photos Craig McDean for US Voque January 2013; cocosteaparty.com Mad Men images for 1960′s interiors inspiration mattersofstyleblog.com