turquoise accents in a european cottage

the front window which faces the "secret garden"

Visiting with mon amie, Marion is always a treat. We both share a love for cappuccinos and croissants, antiques and vintage finds, and priceless little treasures found at local second-hand stores. 

Her home, or "nest", as she calls it, is an amazing cottage here in Costa Mesa, filled with family heirlooms from Germany and beautiful little things she loves. Marion has such a gift for bringing them all together in interesting vignettes. 

I really love her use of turquoise and blues sprinkled throughout her home. Here are some of my favorite spots in "the nest". 

more of the gorgeous turquoise with cobalt
and flowers by Marion

blue and white ginger jars are always a classic

the subtle color palette of the dining room is enhanced by this beautiful robin's egg blue

a beautiful little altar in the dining area

a great collection of blue and white porcelain

I love the set of 4 transferware plates commemorating
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor

the kitchen window

our little buddy, Dante helps guard the house!

hydrangeas bring in a touch of periwinkle blue 

more on the "secret garden" another time!

ciao! fabiana

spring favorites from Stella & Dot

Stella and Dot's new Spring items are soooo fun, and thank you to my favorite stylist Cynthia for pointing me in the right direction!  These gorgeous accessories are my Spring Essentials.  I adore the entire Alila Collection, but especially this cuff bracelet. Designed around Dot's extensive lace collection these pieces add a feminine twist to the bohemian trend. 

The Getaway Bag finally is now available in black! It's the ultimate travel bag and fits perfectly under the airplane seat, but also expands to fit extra purchases. I love it as a striped bag, but when it expands, you get a fun little pop of pattern.

The Marlin Earrings are available in both gold and silver and are the delicate earrings you never knew you needed but can't live without. Chic and modern!

The Arc Pendant is an affordable way to approach current trends without breaking the bank. It is the perfect start to a trendy layered look.

The Gilded Path Double Wrap screams So Cal style. 

I have barely taken this off since I got mine! 

These two turquoise pieces are the perfect way to add a little bit of my favorite color into the mix. The Turquoise Stone Cuff and the Turquoise Stacked Ring mix and match perfectly with so many of the accessories I already have! They are my go-to baubles when I need a little boost to my look! 

ciao! fabiana

beachy keen, anthropologie style

Designer Colleen Bashaw transformed this vintage Tudor beach house on the Jersey Shore with stunning and quirky décor for one of the founders of Anthropologie. Fun colors mixed with natural elements are the key to this coastal style.  

 

Brass accents dominate the kitchen, but it’s nicely balanced by the gorgeous color of the island, Benjamin Moore’s Turquoise Haze.

More turquoise in the breakfast room. And what about those chairs?  Purchased at Serena & Lily they add just the right amount of color and texture. 

The sisal rug installed on the wall of the front entry complements the pattern of the cement tile floor beautifully. Pendant light by Arteriors.

Designer Colleen Bashaw started working on this home for her clients right after Hurricane Sandy had destroyed most of the interiors with flooding. This wiped the slate clean and enabled her to design this Bay Head, New Jersey home with no preexisting elements to distract her. 

The magical Peonies wallpaper is by Brett Designs, and the mirror is one of the few items in the home from Anthropologie.

Colleen wanted to give the master bedroom the effect of a cocoon, and I think she succeeds!

In the daughter’s bedroom, the approach was texture on texture on texture for an anthro-type vibe.  

This lace-front armoire is a one-of-a-kind find from Anthropologie, with patterns inside and out, and all-around!  

Palm Leaves wallpaper by Cole & Sons compliments the swirled tile pattern on the floor of this guest bathroom. 

ciao! fabiana

P.S.  Make sure to check out our blog shop this week.

real housewives of new york's jewelry

Have you seen this week's episode of 

The Real Housewives of New York?

I'm a little obsessed with

 Carole, Heather and Kristen's style

of wearing layered jewelry.  

They do it so well!

Look at how they layer

at least 3-5 necklaces and bracelets.

It's a great look for summer!

Such great mixing and matching.

What a fun green dress, Carole!

This look of 
mixing beads and delicate jewelry 
on Kristen is my favorite.

Here's Heather again sporting lots of layers of silver.

Kristen always looks great!

Love the turquoise earrings with the red dress!

Sonja seemed a little stressed out 
with everyone, especially Ramona...

and what about that outfit?!

Do you hide your shoes when you go to a beach  party?

Cute earrings Ramona!

They remind me of these

Seychelles earrings I have 

by Stella & Dot. 

LuAnn's turquoise necklace is pretty, too.

I'm always drawn to that color!

Behind the scenes beach party photos from Bravo.

One great thing about the housewives shows,

the previews are almost better than the show itself!  

Stay tuned for some pinot tossing next week!

ciao! fabiana

a stunning beach house tour

This is one of my favorite houses down by the beach. It has incredible designer details and mixes antiques with seashells and beachy accents.   

Great curb appeal is achieved here with a clean palette of 

white and traditional brick and is finished off with a long 

wrap-around porch and citrus trees in pots. 

A custom made seashell address 

medallion hangs on the porch.

A hand made seashell address 

medallion hangs on the porch.

The living room is a perfect mix of antiques

in an ocean and sand color palette.

A natural fiber rug and

window shades pull it all together. 

My favorite part of this family room is the seashell encrusted fireplace surround. It has all the amenities a family could want, including easy access to the backyard swimming pool.

The white kitchen gets a bit of color from the turquoise tile backsplash, and a breathtaking mermaid mosaic highlights the kitchen and sets the tone for this seaside theme. Majolica plates in greens adorn the window on the right side. The rich wood floor gives the whole space warmth. 

The dining room greets visitors at the front of the house and is just off the kitchen.  It's walls are a vibrant turquoise venetian plaster and the dining chairs are a sandy colored linen, finished off with playful striped seats.  French doors open up to the front porch.

Perfect balance and symmetry makes this room simple, 

and the colors make it so fun!

The master bedroom is a quiet sanctuary 

with its own private outdoor retreat.

The soothing colors continue on through the master bath.

I love the mix of bohemian chic antiques with the colors of the sea. 

A nice little quiet spot in the hallway.

A fun,beachy spin in one of the bedrooms.

Here the decor has turned sweet and feminine.

A useful study nook at the top of the stairs. 

Custom pierced cabinets define the laundry room area.

A beautiful pool, a fire pit with comfortable seating

and a barbecue station enhance this backyard.

Notice the second mermaid mosaic.  

This one is the focal point of the outdoor space.

A third story deck is blissfully enjoyed,

especially when gorgeous Pacific sunsets

can be easily spied from a comfy spot

on the outdoor sofas. 

ciao! fabiana