Fall Reds & Trompe L'Oeil

Quirky Trompe L'oeil & Reds for Fall via www.stylemachineblog.com

Quirky Trompe L'oeil & Rich Reds for Fall via www.stylemachineblog.com


Quirky Trompe L'oeil & Rich Reds for Fall via www.stylemachineblog.com
If I'm going to wear (or exhibit) the color red, it has to be something extra special, super minimal, or downright kooky.  It's a color that has big impact in carefully edited doses (awesome), and can easily end up looking ....well, gaudy as hell.  But I say, if you (or your living space) are going to end up looking gaudy as hell, at least do it purposefully.  And have a shit ton of fun with it.

While specimens No. 1 & No. 2 pique my curiosity, I'm completely smitten by this wonderfully weird steak n' roses rug by illustrator Nathalie Lété (and check out her other items available at Anthropolige) via The Jealous Curator.  Shades of red for fall & winter 2013 via the Pantone Color Report.

Most Wanted | Porcelain Jewels

Porcelain Jewelry by Andres Gallardo | www.stylemachineblog.com

Necklace with porcelain horses by Andres Gallardo | www.stylemachineblog.com

Necklace with porcelain rabbits by Andres Gallardo | www.stylemachineblog.com

Necklace with porcelain horse and elephant by Andres Gallardo | www.stylemachineblog.com

Porcelain Lion Necklace by Andres Gallardo | www.stylemachineblog.com


Are you speechless yet?

So generally speaking, I'm not a big jewelry person (hang on don't slap me yet).  I find that the vast majority of jewelry available, even by high end designer brands, is pretty boring.  Apart from a few classic, simple pieces for every day - thin gold bangles, a slender pendant necklace, etc - jewelry should be carefully edited, and pack a significant, relevant punch.   

Enter the new tzar of statement jewelry: Andres Gallardo.  Whatever this guy is drinking, I'll have what he's having.   

Not only is his aesthetic right up my alley (porcelain, flora, fauna, feminine, and cleverly absurd), his pieces are hand crafted in small batches using found porcelain objects. Prices start at an extraordinarily affordable $100 and run up to around $650.   

Plunder more Andres Gallardo whimsies here:  Website  /  Shop  /  Blog  /  my personal fave, "Broken Horse" necklace


Fresh Color : Neo Prep!

Neo-preppy style with pretty prints and shades


Just a petite roundup of pretty things in fresh shades and simple shapes; Perfectly Neo-Preppy accessories for the last month of summer.  (I'm kinda sad already, but also looking forward to a season sans bugs)

Favorite picks for this week...  



/  1  /  Samudra's Canvas Tulum Wave Pouch, $65 because, girl,  the beach looks so good on you.  /  2  /  Tatty Devine's Butterfly Necklace, $56 is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen - never been a fan of plastic jewelry... until right now.   /  3  /  Always on the lookout for a unique, feminine (and affordable!) watch.  Cold Picnic's Leather Icona-Pop Watch in Yellow, $50 totally fits the bill.  /  4  /  I'll admit, I haven't tried  Byredo's Palermo Eau de Parfum, about $126 (€95) but the packaging is so divine, and I love a perfume with notes of citrus.  /  5  /  What's better than a sweet fruit or floral print?  Dolce & Gabbana's Fruits & Florals Scarf, $495 of course!  /  6  /  Last, but never least, the ultimate steal: Zara's Pointed Ballet Flats with Ankle Strap, $40 are a simple, chic twist on the everyday ballet flat, and guaranteed to go with everything. layout created with polyvore 


Mandatory Break Time & News


A much needed break & Design News via StyleMachineBlog.com

Whoa!  I can't believe it's almost August.  Forgive me for the sporadic posts this month?  I've been working on several design projects, including this portfolio website for a client, a complete re-design of my Rive Gauche Craft blog, massive tweaking of my  illustration & design studio website (design tweaks and making room for recent projects), and plenty more.

I've been pretty stressed lately (entrepreneurship is basically a massive can of worms), so today I took a much needed break from all work.  It was really hard to do, believe it or not.  But it was great to spend the whole day with  my man... embroidering. (!)  I taught him how to do a couple of basic stitches, and we each made a little something to frame for the walls- his is a favorite math equation (so nerdy!)  and mine reads "Go Away" in fancy curly pink lettering.  Photos?  Perhaps; I hate to make this story glum again, but its actually been raining for the past few weeks around here, and I haven't had enough light coming through the windows for photography.  Poo.  Yes, I said poo.  

On a much lighter note, I'm psyched to announce that StyleMachine was featured on the very fab Pugly Pixel's "Launched" Series this weekend!  Also, check out Rive Gauche Craft on the Pugly Pixel blog/web designer directory.  (Awesome!)

P.S.  If you're a blogger or web design lover and you haven't had the glorious aesthetic experience and wealth of resources that is the Pugly Pixel blog, let's change that.    


Decor Guide | Eclectic Interiors

A Decorating Guide to Bohemian Modern Interiors
Prettiest Bohemian Interiors | Get the Look


Is it just me, or do bohemian style interiors seem so much harder to replicate in your own space at home?

One of my personal on-going projects is the arrangement of my apartment.  While it's generally the sort of project I devour with gusto, I've often found it frustratingly tricky to create this kind of eclectic look and still maintain a sense of order.

Maybe it's just a personal peeve of mine (doubtful), but even though I crave a space filled with wonder and curiosity, I seriously need a space that's organized and free of clutter-y distractions.

That's what makes this whole bohemian-modern thing so perplexing (and alluring).  It offers a richly lived-in and well-loved vibe, and for the masterful few, a calming sense of unobtrusive order.

For the rest of us, I've pulled together a few common denominators, derived from careful observations of the best of the best (see sources below).  Look out Kelly Wearstler, I've made us mortals a cheat sheet!

A Cheat Sheet for Bohemian Modern Decorating via StyleMachineBlog.com


Instead of talking specifics (i.e. "this lamp" or "that rug"), I've divided everything into key elements... color, texture, and pattern, and given quick explanations for why and how certain details can be used together.  Understanding the basics is half the battle, no?

Hopefully, you can use this guide to take a look at what you already have in your decor arsenal at home to see what fits the bill.  The next step is mixing old (playful vintage charm) and new (sleek, modern, and effortless).
     

Be sure to make use of these:

•  thrift stores - Oh the endless retro tchotchkes!  And be on the lookout for things that can be transformed with a simple coat of paint

•  patterned fabrics - perfect for "customizing" the look - pillow covers, and even curtains are a cinch to sew

•  Grandma's vintage hand-me-downs

•  DIY's - but only the ones that end up looking like something that would fit right in at Anthropologie.  No "loving hands at home", in the words of my fashion illustration professor.  You know what I mean.

•  Anthropologie - my favorite shop for beautiful/retro home goods.

•  Target - inexpensive and full of sleek/modern options for the home (*ahem* Nate Berkus )   But be wary of anything too campy or dormitory-esque.

•  Ikea - The Swedes have quite a handle on modern and minimal


Finally, gorge your eyes on inspiration from a few of the very best...


/  1. Furniture Workshop Co-Op founders Poppy Lane & Scott Gibson's Melbourne home via The Design Files, photo by Sean Fennessy, styled by Lucy Feagins  /  2.  blogger guru & designer Bri Emery's home via Design Love Fest  / 3. artist Mary Nelson Sinclair's New York City apartment via Lonny  /  4.  Swedish designer Lisa Marie Andersson's home via Mackapar (visit Lisa's adorable dress shop, Up the Wooden Hills)
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