Gift Guide for Him

I have a confession to make. I am not the best when it comes to shopping for gifts. While I love the holidays, quite frankly, I find the entire shopping process tiring and daunting. I'd rather just stick to someone's list and go from there. I know, sounds boring. But it's less of a hassle. So I polled my husband for his top picks and these are his suggestions. These items may be found at Restoration Hardware. (1) Luxury Plush Foot Duvet $16; (2) Leather Manicure Set $55; (3) Monte Carlo Poker $149; (4) Artisan Leather iPad Pocket $99; (5) Artisan Leather iPhone 4 Cover $39; Luxury Plush Robe $59. 

Colorled tiles is the Focal Point - Outstanding!!!

Ahhh, after a much needed short Thanksgiving break (which I'm very thankful for), I'm back to blogging.

 Lately, I've been on a kitchen and bathroom kick. Here's a bathroom I fell in love with. I wish my bathroom looked like this. I totally love it. This is an absolute must add to my inspiration folder. The colored tiles adds pure drama to the shower and tub areas in this all white bathroom is. I must admit for you to pull this off you must be completely commitment on the selected tile. It's not like paint where you can simply paint over the color you're not happy with. Nevertheless, this is a great idea to add drama to your bathroom. 

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Cheers

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Where ever your journey may take you, have a safe and wonderful Happy Thanksgiving. 

Cheers!!!!

Discussing Color with Fawn Chang

I recently attended a Color Trends presentation by Fawn Chang. For those of who don't know Fawn, she's a renowed Color Consultant for PPG Pittsburgh Paint, Interior Designer and Feng Shui expert. The topic of discussion was 2011 color trends. As I sat through the presentation, one thing stuck. Color is predicted to come back in a major way.

Certainly exterior forces is driving this trend. Homeowners are flocking towards bold and bright colors rather than dominating greys and beiges of the past years. People are tired of feeling down and defeated by the recent economic disaster. Color seems to be the answer. Some people will still hold on to the beiges and greys as these are classic colors that performs as a perfect backdrop for touches of color. Individual expression appears to be the presiding theme. 

Here are the four predicted color trends:

"craving for silence and space - freedom to think, to renew, to remove all boundaries and begin again"

"delicate and complex sense of style - tradition and confidence"

"fashionable, spirited and sassy - happiness and fun-loving"

"exotic, sensual and eclectic - vibrates with the pulse of life"

These color schemes ranging from modern to exotic are quite uplifting, energetic and hopeful. Stay tuned for the color of 2011.  

Cheers!

Un-Traditional Thanksgiving Tablescape

Well, I'm just about all set for Thanksgiving. I'm patiently awaiting family, food, laughter and a jolly good time with the people that means the world to me. My color inspiration for this table came from my snake plant aka mother-in-law's tongue. 

I love the layers, play of patterns and textures of this table. The centerpiece is a combination of wine bottles, wine glasses, cinnamon scented pinecones and candles for mood - all elements to engage the senses. I chose this type of setting rather that a traditional flowered centerpiece because I wanted something fun and different. Also, once the wine drinkers clear the center of the table there'll be plenty of room for the food. 

Of course what's a Thanksgiving without some of these......

Cheers!!!

Fun Fantastic Fab Clocks

Lovin' these quirky looking clocks. 

Happy Friday!!!!

The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience

A friend shared this really cool video with me. I wanted to share with you guys. Technology is amazing. Enjoy!!!

The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience - London from Ralph Lauren on Vimeo.

Kitchen & Bath - My Ultimate Love

"The Enclave" by interior designer Jamie Herzlinger. I saw this kitchen and bath design and fell in love with its clean lines, layout and overall open feel of both spaces. 

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This contemporary kitchen appeals to me because, for one, the cabinets are not touching the ceiling. There certainly appears to be more than enough storage for every kitchen gadget one needs. Secondly, I like that the wall ovens are side-by-side rather than stacked as this set-up eliminates the need for continuous stress on one's back. Thirdly, the layers of lighting sets the mood, brightens the space and makes it inviting. Although I can't see the refrigerator, I suspect its outfitted with a cabinet front; keeping with the cleanliness of the contemporary style.    

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The centered diagonal wash station is brilliant. Notice that the sinks are opposite and diagonal to each other; clever set up. I love that the tub and shower are one and is decked out with multiple shower heads and handheld systems. The shower and tub enclosure keeps the layout clean. Love the subtle architectural detail surrounding the window. 

These two spaces are being added to my inspiration folder for sure. 

Dressing up for the Holidays

Dressing your space that is. The holidays are steadily approaching with no stopping in sight. Yes, it's time to pull out the holiday bins and get busy prepping your home. Some of you might go all out and do a total revamp including painting and maybe investing in a few pieces of furniture. Some might want to just swap out a few pieces of accessories. Whatever route you take, I believe the simpliest method of dressing your space for the holidays is via accessories because it's quick, less costly and doesn't require a lot of prep work. Color is the one element that instantly adds a punch and freshness to your space.  

Almost everything featured in this board is from Crate and Barrel except for the ornaments, which are from Restoration Hardware.

For a subtle or dramatic change, try some color. I guarantee you'll like and appreciate the difference. 

Cheers!

Why I Love Color so much....

...because it was all around me. As a native of the Caribbean, specifically Jamaica, color is a prime part of our lives. The Caribbean was colonized by several European countries including Spain, England, France, Holland and Denmark. Without diving into too much historical detail, it was the influences of those countries that shaped the architectural landscape of many parts of the Caribbean. It is here I find my inspiration from time to time. Rich in color and architectural details, this gallery of creativity is my motivation.   

 

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Cheers!

"URBAN AFRICA" by London Architect David Adjaye

Another reason why I will forever cherish my trip to London. On display this past summer at Design Museum, London was architect, David Adjaye's photographic journey/story of Africa. Lucky for me I was allowed to take some pictures, while some were strictly off limits. I learned things I never knew before.

Satellite map of Africa. 30 million sq km; highest mountain is Kilimanjaro - 5895 m on the border of Tanzania and Kenya; longest river is the nile - 6671 km followed by Congo - 4320 km and Niger 4160 km; Longest Lake is Lake Victoria - 68,800 sq km; Largest desert is Sahara - 9.1 million sq km; largest rainforest - Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo

All the flags of Africa; 54 to be exact

Languages - If my memory serves correct, I believe there are thousands of different languages spoken in Africa. 

Borders and capitals

Sudan is the largest country - 2,376,000 sq km; smallest country is The Seychelles - 270 sq km; South Africa is the richest country; Poorest countries includes Sierre Leone, Malawi, Burundi, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Population Density - Africa is the second-largest continent in the world in both area and population. It covers about 20 percent of the earth's total land area and has a population of nearly 1 billion people. 

The white area is uninhabited

In Adjade's own words: "Recording buildings to study the build environment is part of being an architect. Just because you come from New York doesn't make you a more sophisticated city person than someone who is from Kigali. I want to define the nature ot the quality of a city." While delighting in the diversity of the cities Adjaye acknowledges that architecture is now 'planetary' and that architects can build anywhere across the globe. This he says increases the need for a more intense understanding of place and context.