Wabi Sabi

Doesn't this remind you of that one time? You know, that time when you woke up in that cozy bed overlooking the Alps? No? Okay, me neither, but one can dream... ;)

Winter Palette, one

To kick off our winterizing series, I wanted to begin with a palette that exudes a true feeling of winter. What comes to mind is a cold house, grey skies, hard materials, bare trees. So nothing cozies up a winter house like big fur blankets, velvet upholstery, piles of firewood with a bright blazing fire, and treats to warm you from the inside.  A few coats of grey and teal paint here and there and you've got something perfect for the mood of the season and it's oh so chic! Stay tuned this week for my favorite products from today's palette...

Winter, Winter...

Here we are folks. Winter is upon us. Did nobody tell you? Yeah, well it feels like it crept up on us, too.  All of a sudden (or so it seems), it's cold, and it's dark...and it's the time of year where the basically the best idea anyone ever had is to stay inside where it's warm and cozy. With some good food, some red wine, candles, a fire...what excuse could one even make that beats staying in? This next month we are going to talk about winterizing. I'm not talking about insulation here guys, and I'm not talking decking the halls here, either.  I'm talking about fur blankets, warm sheets, fuzzy slippers, and hot toddies. In December, we are going to focus on trying to make that New York loft feel a little more like a family cabin in Montana. Stay tuned...

Cuckoo for Kilim

Gemma Oversized Kilim Clutch, $149 SecretSouth.com.au

Kilim is one of my favorite prints, and has become increasingly re-popularized lately. What's fantastic about these prints, weaves, etc., is that they go perfectly with any neutral interior or wardrobe.  Whether or not you have minimalist tendencies, kilim adds a little fun and color, without being a trend that comes and goes within months. And in my opinion, it often gets better with age.  So keeping up with yesterday theme, doesn't this gorgeous oversized kilim print clutch remind you of those orange fall leaves and bare birch tree trunks? Would go great with just about any fall wardrobe.

well, it's November

Well, it's November, and that usually brings one thing to mind.  Okay, BESIDES turkey (and trust me--this time of year I think a lot about turkey, too).  Every year when this month rolls around, I like to start dreaming up the different ways I plan to ready my apartment for the cold winter months ahead.  Halloween already has me in the holiday spirit, and the brisk air has me pulling out the warm stuff (read: cashmere and fur).  But how about ways to bring this all home, cheer things up indoors and make it feel warm and cozy when it's cold and gray outside? 

I came across this gorgeous picture the other day and decided that every month, we'll be starting you guys off with a photo to set the theme for the month.   This month, what better way to begin than with the warm orangey-red colors of fallen leaves to inspire a little warmth inside...

Green with envy

YSL Metallic Snakeskin Evening Box Clutch

Hmmm...How to sell my possessions to get my hands on one of these this Christmas?

Pardon our dust!

Annie Leibovitz, 2004

Pardon our Dust! We are still in the process of constructing our layout and getting this blog rolling. I'm doing lots of research to bring you unique and original posts you haven't already seen before in design.  In the meantime, we are on Facebook and Twitter, so follow us for your rustic-meets-refined fix!

Hello readers!

I'd like to take a few minutes to introduce myself  :)

My name is Jess and I am an interior designer living in New York City.  Classically trained in architecture, interior design and furniture design (yes, LOTS of years studying and design studio), I love all things style and design.  I believe that the many different aspects of creative modern day life-from architecture to travel to music to fashion--are all intrinsically connected, each one influencing the other as trends emerge and classics remain.  A fashion designer might take inspiration from clean architectural lines, an interior designer might be inspired by a fabric seen in a clothing store or on the runway, and so on.  

The same searches that led you to my blog, are the same things I encounter and ponder daily, so I am constantly searching for ways to bring you, my readers, new and clever ideas to update, upgrade, and cozy-up our living and working spaces.  Why shouldn't you love the space you live in?  Why shouldn't your space reflect who you are? Having grown up in the mountains out west and now having lived in New York for almost 10 years, my style is a reflection of both phases in my life.  A mix of the newly-loved and the well-loved.  The forested mountains and the concrete jungle. I try not to stick to themes like "rustic" or "contemporary", but I love a fresh, cleanly designed space with a touch of earthiness. Modern rooms juxtaposed with real things.  Things like weathered woods, exposed bricks, vintage furniture, exotic textiles, soft fabrics and furs--a combination of textures and surfaces--each which carry a mood, an emotion, a memory.  Sorry if I'm sounding a little Brad-Pitt-Chanel-No.5 here, but design just makes me feel something.

One thing that so many people who have come to my home always say about it is "This space feels EXACTLY like Jess" (and I love to entertain at home so stay tuned for those kinds of ideas too!).  But what this blog really strives to do, is help you bring out the best of your personality in your space, while keeping things fresh, modern, and classic. Not too trendy, not too expensive, usually functional, (though I have been known to splurge here or there!), I try to find the best ways to bring you chic ideas which inspire.  

Though I am a designer by profession this blog is more a hobby- just something to help my family, friends and fellow blog readers find great ideas!  I appreciate all of you who follow this blog and share these ideas with friends.   Here's to many years of delicious design discoveries.

xx

Jess