GET SPOTTED: MUSE

“High glamour is only one role that leopard plays. It's the Meryl Streep of trends. It can suit a rock chick's rebellion; it can be hippie, high-end or hip-hop. Small wonder these spots stubbornly refuse to fade.” (Meenal Mistry, Wall Street Journal)http://online.wsj.com

Christian Dior does leopard, image via pinterest 

Vogue 1948, image via pinterest 

Vogue 1939, image via pinterest

1951, image via pinterest 

Joanna McCormick, Dior 1957, photo by Henry Clarke, image via pinterest

 Pierre Balmain 1956, image via pinterest 

Bette Davis, image via pinterest

Jacqueline Kennedy 1967, image via pinterest

Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard, image via pinterest

1957, image via pinterest

Natalie Wood, 1950's, image via pinterest

Mitzah Bricard, Christian Dior, image via pinterest

 Marie Therese in suite, muff, and beret by Pierre Balmain, photo by Willy Maywald (1954), image via pinterest

1950's Jane Russell, image via pinterest

Marilyn Monroe, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), image via pinterest

Carmen Dell'Orifice, image via pinterest

GET SPOTTED: INTERIOR

Add leopard to your home with an area rug, pillow, throw, or even a wallcovering.  Here are a few photos to inspire your spotted interior. 

“Leopard is an animal design, and my designs come from nature.” Roberto Cavalli

Gallery by Mary McDonald, image via Elle Decor

Aerin Lauder's Living Room, image via Elle Decor

Aerin Lauder's Living Room, image via Architectural Digest 

Living Room by Bunny Williams, image source unknown 

Bunny Williams's Office, image source unknown 

Family Room by Bunny Williams, image source unknown 

This month's issue of British Homes and Gardens, note the Rose Cumming leopard print pillow in the center of the sofa. 

Rose Cumming's leopard print linen, image via Dessin Fournir  

Albert Hadley in his red hallway with a leopard runner, image source unknown 

This is my personal favorite leopard print fabric: Cowtan & Tout, Zanibar.  Shown on the right, in color Forest.  http://designs.cowtan.com

GET SPOTTED

A few years ago, I received a faux leopard coat for Christmas.  I was instantly obsessed!  Leopard belts, jewelry, shirts, shoes, handbags, and coats…I could not get enough of this playful print.

A longtime favorite of designers, celebrities, and the public, this print has made quite an impact over the years.  Beginning as a symbol of status and wealth, leopard print was a favorite among Christian Dior’s muse Mitzah Bricard. 

In addition to leopard’s influence on the world of fashion, this print has played a significant role in interior design. Similar to zebra print, leopard adds an exotic and graphic element to any room.  Albert Hadley, a well-known American interior designer, was an avid fan of Rose Cumming's leopard print linen.  Hadley was known for his daring designs, which often featured combinations of classic and contemporary themes.  Furthermore, Hadley and other designers promoted the use of the leopard pattern in interior design, allowing its popularity to grow. 

Today many well known designers, including Mary McDonald and Bunny Williams, have used this exotic print, and consequently leopard made yet another appearance on the Fall/Winter runway.  This versatile pattern has been reworked in various colors and textures, lending itself as a perfect addition to any scheme.  The leopard pattern is classic and edgy, establishing it as a design that will stand the test of time.  

Image by Olivia Pearson

STUDY: MY COLLECTION

Here are a few books from my bookshelf:

What I am currently reading: 

• The Chaperone: My mum recommended this book and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  A novel about the summer Louis Brooks and her chaperone visited New York City.  

Reading for the evening: 

• The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald's magnificent portrayal of 1920's America and the American Dream.  This novel has been celebrated throughout the decades.  The most recent representation, Gatsby features Leonardo DiCaprio as the alluring title character.   
• Rocket Boys: I was a huge fan of the movie, October Sky, and it led me to read the book. I highly recommend this to anyone, at any age.  Rocket Boys inspired me to follow my dream of studying Architecture, even though there were those who said I should not.
• Rules of Civility: A timeless New York story, where a young girl slowly rises into high society, by her beautiful charm, and the magic of a chance encounter.  

Reading for design inspiration:

• Victoria Hagan, Interior Portraits 
• Gil Shafer, The Great American House 
• Michael Smith, Houses
• Eric Cohler, Cohler on Design 

Favorite childhood reads:

• Eloise at The Plaza: New York, Pink, The Plaza, and a Pug.  What’s not to love about Eloise!  My favorite part of the Eloise series is how Hilary Knight magnificently captures the quirky characteristics of the pug breed. As someone who grew up with two pugs, Phoebe and Prudence, I can relate to every illustration.
• The Very Little Girl: A 1953 publication about a very little girl who grows big enough to have a little brother.  A story identical to my own childhood, when my wonderful younger brother arrived.

STUDY: THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS

I have always loved books.  Growing up, I can remember spending long afternoons in my grandfather’s Study, looking through his expansive collection on anatomy, photography, and architecture.  I started my personal collection at a young age, and it has grown with me over the years.  My current bookshelf features everything from one of the first books my parents shared with me, to college Art History and Architecture books.  When I read one of these books, I am reminded of when and how it came into my life.

At work, I often go into homes to discover there are few or no books. I sometimes wonder if one day everyone will have a Kindle on their coffee table.  Will bookcases no longer serve a purpose in the home, other than to store our electronics?    

Books are not only educational and inspirational, they are also a great decorative and personal element to any living space. If a client asked me to purchase a box of books for their bookshelf, I would find this task incredibly challenging.  A book collection is a personal expression.  The content, history, and purpose of the book are all necessary in creating a distinctive set.  I often find myself opting for inspiration through pinterest or Google searches, but this modern habit does not compare to the natural enjoyment that comes from picking up a book and flipping through the pages. 

I am someone who consistently has a filled cart on Amazon;  design, photography, travel, and fashion books are frequently added.  One day I hope to have a magnificent Study or bookcase to showcase my collection.  Here are a few photographs to inspire your personal Study.

 Image via David Hicks

Image via Suzanne Slesin

Image via Michael Smith, Elle Decor November 2008

Image via Elle Decor

Image via James Huniford

Image via Victoria Hagan, Elle Decor 

Image via Elle Decor 

Image via Jeffrey Bilhuber

NEW ENGLAND AUTUMN: HOME SWEET HOME

I was very excited when my copy of Gil Shafer’s The American Home, arrived on my doorstep.  To this day, this is one of my favorite design books. Many of Gil Shafer’s designs feature traditional, classic, and livable spaces, similar to the home I grew up in. 

My childhood home is an old farmhouse constructed in 1831 featuring reused doors from the 1700’s, wide plank floors, horsehair insulation, and large fireplaces with beehive ovens.  As a child I didn't understand the unique qualities of an old house.  I remember the sad day, when my little brother dropped my spiral glitter wand, between the wide plank floor boards.  Oh the frustration!  I could see it, but it was beyond my reach.  To this day, the wand remains beneath our bathroom floor.  As the years went on I got over the imperfections of our old house, and gradually fell in love with its charm and character. 

Today I often favor the look of older homes, and for this reason I feel a strong connection to many of the interiors in Shafer’s The American Home. In honor of Autumn, and the return home, I thought I would feature some of my favorite interiors in Gil Shafer's book.

Images via Gil Shafer's The Great American Home: Tradition for the Way We Live Now

NEW ENGLAND AUTUMN: OUTFIT INSPIRATION

This time of year always makes me nostalgic for my home, in Western Massachusetts.  After a long summer filled with vacations and visits, Autumn is a time to return home, as well as the routine of school.  As a young girl, I would spend long afternoons at the kitchen table, with a pencil in hand and blue lined paper scattered about. My homework sessions were often complimented by fresh Atkin’s Farm apple cider and cider doughnuts, and homemade pumpkin seeds.  Other Autumn activities included apple picking, re-stuffing Stanley the scarecrow (complete with worry lines on his forehead, thanks to my 5 year old handiwork), horseback riding, trips to the Big E, soccer games, and collecting fallen leaves. 

Today I live in the city and my activities are slightly different, but one thing remains the same; my love of Autumn attire.  This time of year the air is too warm for a parka, but cool enough to wear layers. There is something very comforting about putting on a pair of riding boots and a blazer, to enjoy the Autumn chill.  One of my favorite sources of inspiration for Autumn attire is Ralph Lauren; here are some of my favorites.

Images via Ralph Lauren