FRESH INSPIRATION: SPRING FLOWERS

We are months away from spring flowers, which makes this a great time to consider adding flowers in all rooms.  Try fresh cut flowers from local markets in vases, jugs, or planters filled with topiaries and greens for a longer lasting approach.  In keeping with fresh green and blue inspiration for winter, try using blue and white chinoiserie planters and vases for plants.  

Here are a few of my favorite blue and white chinoiserie planters and vases to get this look: 

1.) One Kings Lane, Assortment of Two Patterned Platers in Blue www.onekingslane.com

2.) Ballard Designs, Blue & White Chinoiserie Collection www.ballarddesigns.com

3.) Ballard Designs, Blue & White Chinoiserie Collection www.ballarddesigns.com

4.) Williams Sonoma, Blue & White Ceramic Planter www.williams-sonoma.com

Maybe your thumb is not the greenest, try life-like faux arrangements like this one from onekingslane.com

Here are my top suggestions for flowers and greenery for your indoor planters: 

1.) Boxwood Branches 
2.) White Hyacinth
3.) Myrtle Topiary
4.) Paper White Flowers 

Images from various unknown sources

BRIGHTEN UP: LET THERE BE LIGHT

This is a great time to reconsider the lighting in your home.  A new table lamp is a wonderful quick fix for both updating and brightening a space.  I frequently advise clients to incorporate color and pattern using lamps and accessories.  Here are a few of my top picks for all budgets: 

1.) Ballard Designs, Suzanne Kasler Gourd Lamp www.ballarddesigns.com

2.) Layla Grace, Jaipur Table Lamp www.laylagrayce.com

3.) Lamps Plus, English Blue & White Porcelain Temple Jar Lamp www.lampsplus.com

4.) Circa Lighting, Mimi Table Lamp www.circalighting.com

5.) Layla Grace, Samantha Triple Gourd Table Lamp www.laylagrayce.com

6.) Layla Grace, Bunny Williams Home Chicken Feather Brown Table Lamp www.laylagrayce.com

JULY: BLUE & WHITE STRIPES

The Fourth of July typically means all things red, white, and blue, however I find it difficult to get away from my obsession of blue and white stripes.  My weekend is usually filled with straw bags, sweaters, shoes, and dresses in this nautical  color combination.  Here are a few beach inspired, blue and white must haves, for your Fourth of July celebrations. 

1.) Nantucket Looms Boatneck Sweater nantucketlooms.com
2.) Soludos Classic Stripe Original Espadrille www.soludos.com
3.) Mar Y Sol Collins Sisal Pom Pom Tote in Navy store.shopmarysol.com
4.) JCrew Seersucker String Bikini Top and Seersucker Hipster Bikini www.jcrew.com
5.) St James Striped Sailor Dress in Marine & Ecru www.saintjames-usa.com

If you are looking to add a pop of red, I suggest nail polish! 

1.) Essie Long Stem Roses 
2.) Essie Lollipop 
3.) Essie Really Red 
All Essie nail polish is available at www.essie.com

SPRING: GARDEN STOOL

Nothing shouts Spring quite like a garden stool.  They are great as side tables, seating, or decoration, and can be used indoors or outside.  Garden stools come in a variety of shapes and colors, however my personal favorites are white or blue and white.  I find a garden stool to be a great addition to any space.  Here is some inspiration for your Spring decorating. 

Images via Pinterest 

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: WHAT TO WEAR

In the summertime, I can't get enough of blue and white stripe fashion.  Shirts, dresses, skirts, and espadrilles serve as the perfect beach - side attire.  I love pairing blue and white stripes with a straw bag for a trip to the beach or gold jewelry and accessories for a low key evening. Here is some blue and white stripe inspiration for your Labor Day last hurrah activities.

Images via Pinterest

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: AT HOME

Blue and white stripes add a crisp summertime feel to any space.  I love a great blue and white awning for an outdoor space, or a set of Cornish ware cream and blue china by  T.G. Green, for a summertime breakfast.  Here is some blue and white stripe inspiration for your home.

Images via Pinterest

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: LAST HURRAH

There comes a time when I look forward to fall.  A return home after summer vacations and a shift to warm sweaters and riding boots.  Despite the many exciting factors of fall, I always find myself sad to see summer come to an end.  For this reason, I take Labor Day very seriously.  This is the last hurrah, or the time to do all of your favorite summer activities one last time.   

In the fashion of a last hurrah, I thought I would feature one of my favorite summertime color pairings, blue and white stripes. This classic color arrangement is frequently seen on nautical or beach items; umbrellas, towels, chairs, shirts, and dresses. It can be used anytime of the year and in various locations, but I find it most successful in the summertime.  

As the weekend rapidly approaches, I wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend, filled with summertime favorites.  

Image via Pinterest 

BLUE & WHITE: AT HOME

Add blue and white to your home with these accessories:

Blue and white ginger jars by Williams-Sonoma Home.  www.williams-sonoma.com

Blue and white decorative pillows by John Robshaw:

Aleppo Indigo Decorative Pillow www.johnrobshaw.com

Mosaic Decorative Pillow www.johnrobshaw.com

Mosaic Berry Decorative pillow  www.johnrobshaw.com

Blue and white area rugs by Dash and Albert.

www.dashandalbert.com

Blue and white table lamps:

Circla Lighting Sabrina Large Table Lamp www.circalighting.com

Circa Lighting Ralph Lauren Home Meredith Table Lamp www.circalighting.com

Bunny Williams Home Chicken Feather Lamp in Blue www.bunnywilliamshome.com

BLUE & WHITE: THE LAST HURRAH

As the hours of sunlight begin dwindle and the remaining beach days fade, I find myself clinging to that summer feeling for as long as possible.  Labor Day has always felt like the last hurrah of summer.  Growing up, my school was one of the select few that began before Labor Day; a schedule I always considered to be the most preposterous way to start the school year.  With this early start I used to pretend that those first few days of school were practice, they didn't mean anything, and soon I would soon be back enjoying summer.

Here I am, years later and I still feel the need to cling to summer.  As a final hurrah, I have decided to feature blue and white this week.  The combination of blue and white is a longtime favorite of mine.  This crisp and often nautical look has timelessness to it unlike any other color arrangement. 

Above, are photographs of one of my favorite seaside interiors by Victoria Hagan.  Here blue and white create a crisp and classic, nautical living space.  I love Victoria Hagan's use of shiny white walls with contrasting dark metal and wood finishes.  Additionally, the area rug compliments this space as a nautical graphic element, leading visitor's eye to the exterior seaside views.

Whenever I see this room, I want to sit back and enjoy the outside view. I picture myself enjoying a warm summer evening on one of these chairs, with a cool drink in hand, looking out on the harbor in the distance.  Finally my summer is complete.
Images from Victoria Hagan's Interior Portraits