Wrap me in Regency and call it Christmas.

It can difficult define personal style. Especially when you look at a bajillion images of well-designed spaces (and a KAjillion of poorly designed spaces), you begin to appreciate some verison of almost every/any kind of style. So usually I'm all "Ohhhh I'm a little globalchicvintagemoderneclectic-ish" when it comes to defining my own style. But fret no more amigos, I am a big gooey ball of Hollywood Regency right now. It's like a drug, and I'm on a binge.
  

(David Hicks via)

Gimme some sparkly gold, high contrast prints, over sized art, a dash of eastern influence, confident color, a show stopping chandelier and a heavy dose of high gloss somethin', and you'll find me giddy with excitement.

(Dorothy Draper's Greenbriar Resort via)
Black and white is a staple ingredient. It commands attention by flaunting it's drama. (And this interior was designed in the 50's. The 50's! Thank you for paving the was D.D.)

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Add a burnished ceiling for the glam-est of all.

 

(Woodson & Rummerfield)

This space is thisclose, but not quite there. What would I add? A colorful pattern that works with the ceiling and a dramatic chandelier.

The basics of this style:
* Mixing styles/decades is a must
* Something influenced by our eastern friends.
* Graphic pattern.
* A black and white element.
* Brass/gold.
* At least one chrome thing.
* Bold color
* Punchy wall paper.
* Opulent light fixtures & oversize chandeliers.
* details in vignettes.
 I'd say that if you have half those details going, you're HWR-ing (Hollywood Regency-ing) it up. But don't forget you can hit two birds with one stone (Graphic wall paper that's black & white? three right there,  brass table lamp? two. A bright colored parlour chair? two again.) See. It's easy.

(Miles Redd via Domino)

But why, you say, do I like this style so much? Well, there are a few reasons; first, because it means I can go thrifting and display my treasures (which is a no-no in stepsister: clean-lined modern), and two, it's SO confident. And we all know confidence is a stealthy magnetic superpower. AND you can span decades of style in one place.You mean I can buy stuff off craigslist AND pick pillows in bold 70's prints? Mmmmmhm. (No wonder why I've been a Kelly Wearstler propaganda machine lately, she is like the Godmother of modern Hollywood glam, it's all beginning to make sense.)  

Well, now you know where I stand, what do you think? Which style makes you tingly?

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Hip Hotel: Viceroy, Anguilla, Caribbean

It's true that the name "Viceroy" (as it relates to hotels) is synonymous with chic and swanky resort to rest our tired head. And the Kelly W designed Anguilla location does not disappoint. (Kelly designed all of the Viceroy hotels except their Snowmass location- I think -I'm basing this purely on the images from Snowmass.)

Especially love the concierge in a Panama hat. He fits so well, and to think if he was in a black suite he'd blend right in with the desk and go almost entirely unnoticed. I'm pretty sure Kelly had input about hotel uniforms.. The lobby is the most 'urban' feeling space in the entire hotel. More graphic, bolder, dramatic all around.

The Anguilla location is a particularly interesting study, this is very different from the highly urban locations like Miami, Santa Monica and Palm Springs. This is a beachy oceany resorty destination, not the urban playground Kelly's style is more used to.

Round brass mirrors feel like portholes, a nod to the ocean-front location.

The entire hotel is in a muted, sandy palette, which is a deviation from Kelly's typical no-holds-barred use of color. I would imagine this relates to the sandy tropical location and relaxed agenda.
Note to self: tall antiqued mirror with sconce and console tables = happy sleeping. 

Just what the doctor ordered..

(alita lounge)
The strictly linear and organized barrel chairs balance out the textural organic shapes from (presumably) local driftwood.

How about a snack on the beach from their Bamboo Bar & Grill. Mmm.



(Boutique at the hotel)

Oh good, I left my flip flops at home, I'm sure they'll have a nice pair in here for me...

Ta-Da!

Wait. This is a hotel? Because it looks exactly like my house. See, there I am up on the balcony. I've just had a dreamy massage and a foot bath with too many orchids floating in it. Ok fine you're right, I'm fibbing. A girl can dream right??

xoxo
-julie

(all images via Viceroy Anguilla)
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Happy {glee} friday...

Flash mob in Portland anyone?? I  was seriously trying to hold myself back from getting up and trying dance along... so fun.

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THANKS {to you!} GIVING!

Well I certainly have tons and tons to be thankful for, and my family and friends know who they are. So I'll spare you the thanks to them..

Instead! I want to thank YOU and send a special shout-out to some of the ladies who write blogs that make me laugh, inspire me or where I otherwise spend endless hours. I'm more inspired, more giggly and in general a better designer for these peeps (in no particular order):
* Blair at Studio 13. Girllllll we were separated at birth. It's true. When you stub your toe I feel it too.
* Raina at If the Lampshade Fits. Your humor has me in stitches. I'll be sending you a doctor's bill for the stitches soon.
* Anna for La Boheme. We've been buds for a while now! Your eye for picking out images is amazing, love that you mix in some forreals architecture, you remind me that it's not always about interiors!
* Erin at Design Crisis. You and Raina can split the doctor bill for stitches. I am regularly reminded about how much my writing sucks compared to you.

Honorable mentions: Emily Henderson, I swear we are really good friends even though she's never commented on my blog. Jenny from MFAMB, please keep up the curse words and being generally on the verge of inappropriate (or not on the verge).  Brittany at For the Love of Gold, because there's a chance we're the same person.

And now for the mushy stuff. I am SO incredibly wonderfully appreciative to all the people who stop by and read my ol' blogaroo. You have no idea how much it means to me, this much!

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Your comments are like little sweet affection biscuits that I can't get enough of..

Cheers to you all! If I could, I'd make turkeyfor all of you (or a alternate for the non-turkey eaters), and we'd sit here:

(installation by Jim Denvan via)

Now I'm off to gobble...

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BIG xoxo..

-julie

 

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Fresh Holiday Flowers

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Wait that's a lie. Christmas is my favorite, mostly because I like the hearty anticipation of what's nestled under the tree. Either way, both celebrations come with a good reason to get a little creative with our table tops for the feast. The trick to updating your foliage without totally veering off the holiday path is to include some deep and moody colors that reign true to the chilly season..

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Crimson and petal pink paired with deep eggplant  heighten drama and add a dash of femininity.

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Wispy twigs and golden cockscomb (who came up that name? quite the sense of humor) give a nod to the traditional colors of the season, but the delicate coral and dusty foliage are pretty sidekicks.

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Love the mini Birch stumps and the sneaky succulents in there.. the yellow persimmon and punches of red make it perky and fun.

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This really tickles my fancy. It's like bright pops of magenta are whispering "Julie, if you don't mind, we'd love to be lounging around on your desk all year". The glowing ranunculas (which I happen to be particularly fond of at the moment) are giggling and batting their eyelashes at me. I am quick to say, "Oh but of course my dears, come join me"...

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A bold golden, ebony and onyx mix make a dramatic statement (again there are those giggling ranunculas). Dusty miller also seems to be making its rounds... noted..

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But no matter what, you'll be able to find me here at the end of the feasting and chuckling, singing my food baby to sleep...

xoxo

-julie

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In {RETRO}spect.

They say history repeats itself right? Well interior design is certainly no exception. Have a peek at these super graphic 60's and 70's interiors.. I swear some of them are nearly current..

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Love that chandelier.. The glowing coffee table and mirrored ceiling are also noteworthy elements.

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Ha, the glamorous cigarettes and coordinating ash tray are too funny. But hell-oh check out that lucite and chrome chair, I'd give an arm and a leg for that puppy! That chrome occasional chair in the background ain't so bad either.

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Australia's well-known Florence Broadhurst's signature metallic wall paper.. Apologies for the quality of the photo, but the sofa and that paper were just too good not to share.. See some Florence Broadhurst rugs here.

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Graphic white grommets on the chair, white ginger jars against a black wall, framed butterflies. .. hmmm. feels awfully familiar..

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The use of multiple levels in interior architecture dominated in the 70's.

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I'm not really sure what's going on here.. is her son looking up her skirt? In which case this is quite disturbing. But aside from the strange mother/son thing going on, the bright pattern (swap out the burnt orange for cobalt blue and we're talking business) and greek key on the hand towel is quite desirable these days.. 

I think J Adler and K Wearstler might have been inspired by this era, and certainly David Hicks too....

Let's have a quick look at some of Kelly's spaces..

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The Viceroy lobby.

And now a few Adler rooms..

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So there we have it, history repeating itself right in front of our eyes. Next up? Fasten your seat belts in preparation for a little plaid and a dose of floral-y chintz....

xoxo

-julie

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You fancy a roundup of delicious? Me too.

(via Design Sponge Design by M Design.)

(via Mochatini)

(via Mochatini)

(thank you Raina)

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(via The Diversion Project)

(found here, buy here.)

(found here. learn here. (her lipstick is Clinique Red Red Red.)

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