Let's talk about House of Cards

Our holiday weekend was non-eventful.  Ben had to work some, and the girls had school on Monday, so ours wasn't your traditional Memorial Weekend, kicking off the American Summer.

I do feel like we participated in a little bit of National Past-time-ness, though.  Ben and I got some serious TV time in, watching the entire series of House of Cards.

We've been in Brazil five years, and as far as I'm concerned, blissfully ignorant of most TV pop culture.  I've never seen an episode of Downtown, Mad Men, or Breaking Bad.  

It seems a little ironic, then, that shortly before we move back Stateside (to the DC area, no less), we find ourselves completely addicted to this show that elicits the worst you can imagine about the inner workings in the Nation's Capital.

In the most twisted-delicious way.

Kevin Spacey at his finest/darkest.  If you, (like me) loved him in the Usual Suspects, American Beauty, or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you're going to piss your pants over HoC.

Robin Wright is brilliant, beautiful, and so on-the-mark as the ultimate Washington Power Wife.  (Aside: Have you SEEN her bod?  Isn't she 50-something?  Amazing.)

Previously unknown to me - Kate Mara - with her piercing doe eyes - makes me fearful of my daughters growing up. 

I apologize if this is old news.  I tend to be late to the scene like that.  If I'm not, then - go.  Subscribe to Netflix, and try not to binge on the whole season in one sitting.

Put the kids to bed first.

*P.S. - Come back tomorrow.  I got to interview the woman who's brought us photos like this.

 via Rue

It's insightful, and just overall badass.   See you then.

Well, tan my leather!

How is it it's already mid-week????

I've been planning this post since Monday, but somehow life, Motherhood, and wrecked computers (all three of 'em) got in the way.  Oh well....here goes

When it comes to leather goods, I've always been a saddle color kind of gal.  Something about the natural tanning, combined with perfect hardware appeals to my luxe-but-not-too-much sensibilities.

Now, I'm dying to put together some kind of tan leather/hardware combo in my casa.  Not in a wagonwheel kind of way, either. 

See those stools?

Maybe some MCM goodness?

This one's Ebay - it got away.

Maybe just a couple of these floating around an a lot-of-white room?

Like this...

If this weren't black, it could play nice

Woah, now, horse.  What's this?  Perfection is what they are.  Hold on, lemme check.....

Damn. My taste is rich. *source

What are you obsessing over, lately? 

all images via my pinterest unless otherwise noted

Memory like an Elephant

It's funny, some days I can't remember whether or not I put on antiperspirant, but there are images from well-worn glossy mags that are burned into my brain - I could tell where I sat when I first saw them.  This (crappy scan) of a vignette from a 2008 House Beautiful is an example.  I have always, always loved this lemon photograph by interior design photographer, Victoria Pearson.

Source: Uploaded by user via Alison on Pinterest

I remember researching her work when I first saw it, to find out about purchasing a print. 

Never had any luck.

But, guess what Mrs. Meare's happened upon while scoping out Nathan Turner's shop in LA?

Source: isuwannee.com via Alison on Pinterest

*Bum ba da DAAAAM!"

Sound of me clicking through his site.

*PfeeeeewwwwSqueeeek*

Sound of air slowly being let of me when it puts me through to his 1st Dibs booth

Source: 1stdibs.com via Alison on Pinterest

*Ka POW*

The Price.

Still, closure.

Fall Color Obsession: Saddle and Peacock

Every year about this time, it happens. That lust for all things Fall. I actually try to discourage my brain, since the seasons here in Brazil are opposite of the US, I have little opportunity to relish the fullness of the North American Autumn season, and it always leaves me a little remorseful.
Sometimes, I say to hell with it, and seek out the symbols of the season, other times (like this), they hit me - WHAM-O!

That was the case when I saw this image. Could the warm, saddle leather of the Wassily chair look any more fantastic paired with the peacock-blue of the small bureau?

Megan Young Designs

To me, the colors read comfort, nostalgia, hospitality - all symbols of the Autumn season, and now, my official Fall color-combo obsession. For the record, I'd also throw in some deep, rich cognac, but balance it with a punch of chartreuse - much like this designer did.

I began scouring my house for an area I could work in the combo without doing a complete overhaul.
Living Room.
Coffee table - certainly not saddle leather, but the color is similar. Great.

Broken, and in need of H.E.L.P. Ikea media armoire: Not. So. Great.

If I could get my hands on some Hague Blue paint, it could work magic, ya know?

Source: google.com via Alison on Pinterest

A tad O'Killed, but....

Source: google.com via Alison on Pinterest

Can you see it?

Don't let my doodling skills fool you. I'm serious, peeps. (Now go ahead and tell me what you think)

Custom Sofas on the Cheap(ish)

I've apparently been living under a rock. I only recently learned about the Custom Sofa Design website, where you can (as the name infers) design your own sofa. There are tons of styles to choose from, several grades of worthwhile fabrics, trim (like nailhead and contrast welting) and, even cushion upgrades like feather and down blend. So basically, you can work up your dream sofa like the pros, but drop significantly less cash.

**Update** They went out of business (wah waaaah), but are referring clients to Sofa Craft. It seems the options are similar, but there isn't the mind-boggling assortment of them. They also don't preview fabric samples, which makes it difficult to visualize.

The possibilities are limitless, and the range of styles could be used in any type of interior. Some of my favorite styles are:

the Lola

the Desmond

The Kentwood

the Leon

...which I used as the starting point for a little design board goodness

Mirror, Chandy, Painting, Floor Lamp, Coffee Table, X Benches

But wait! There's More! Headboards and beds - shapes of which you'll recognize from very high-end vendors.

the Marc

In a fawn velvet
Hello Luvah!

the Octavia

Punch it up in a begonia linen -
It could be....Braziliant!

Has anyone had any experience with their products? If so, spill it!

Loving

My new Armas

You should have one, too. Happiness guaranteed.

Your Questions, Inspirations, etc..

Just a real-quick post today, as we're still enjoying the five-day National Holiday that is Carnaval.

First: How Totally THERE is that malachite/cheetah pattern combo? Of course, it's via Tony Duquette's Master Mind, and I'll still draw inspiration from it. Lots.

Second: I want to answer your questions/comments - I really do, but it's rully frustrating when I can't reply to you via email because, well, you haven't put your email into Blogger, and all I get for a return address is: .
I've investigated other comment/reply platforms, but they seem to have as many cons as pros. So, unless you have a better suggestion, perhaps you could help a girl out! If you use Blogger, here's how to do it:

• Log into your Blogger account
• Go to your Dashboard, then Edit User Profile
• Select "Show my Email address"
• Under "Identity," fill in the email address you'd like to receive comment replies to.

Cool.

Now...to answer a few of your questions from the Dallas Client post:

The fabric for the curtains is Sarita. We bought it via Lewis & Sheron - as far as I know, we cleared out the last of their yardage, but it's possible you could find it from another vendor.

The new kitchen hardware pulls are the Lugarno knobs are the Gilmore line from RH in polished nickel.

The lantern pendants over the kitchen island are the Bolton lanterns via PB - they were on sale, and are no longer available, but the Gothic would give a similar feel.

Hope that helps, mi amigas. See you tomorrow for a special Fat Tuesday post!

Instant Obsession

Nate's "upholstered stool" by HSN. I'd probably reupholster, since it would take, what, half a yard to recover two? Then, I'd sit back and bask in their delicious-ness.

Daydreamin'

There are many days where I fall prey to daydreaming about how I'll design our home once we get back to The States. I look at our sad, abused microfiber sofa and pine for the day I'll be able to purchase a nice, quality sofa in the fabric of my dreams.

My need to temper those thoughts was not aided when I spied the newest additions to Serena & Lily's furniture line.
The Miramar is an ode to the traditional, English roll-arm sofa.

I've recently thought this is the shape I'd go for if in the market, but then S&L did a little tricky-trick and offered my other fave: anything with nailhead trim by way of the Spruce Street Sofa.

I don't know about those legs, though...

Wait! A happy medium? Why, yes! The same Spruce Street in the slipcovered option. Perfect.
Now, if S&L would begin offering a larger selection of fabric options (say, like some veeeeelvet) we'd be in business!

Art that got away

A few years back, I spotted a painting at the Paris Market in Savannah. It was a very large canvas - probably six feet tall - of the back of a woman dressed in a ballet costume. It sounds cheesy, but only because my description is beyond lame. It was gorgeous, ethereal, and I wanted it with my whole being. Despite being the work of a SCAD student, we couldn't swing the price tag, and it would have done it a huge disservice to strap it to the roof of our VW Corrado.
Still, it haunted me. Still does.
I searched the artist online, but never found anything. I've since forgotten his/her name, but never that painting. That's why you should hock things to buy art that speaks to you.

I've found similar attempts, but nothing that makes my heart skip the same way.

Then I saw this...

via

Yes, that's a real tutu on canvas. Clever I'd say. They could be on to something...

S&L is slayin' me with these...

Serena and Lily's new cross between an ottoman and a stool, the chakki. Loving the classic Indian details, and the choice of fabrics. Consider them on my wish list.

Oh, and a set of the Senegalese baskets, too!

Why chose one?

Remember the other day I mentioned my latest obsessions with settees and non-matching chairs in a dining room setting?

Why should I have to chose one or the other?