love me a bold chair

Make a statement in your home with a bold chair. 

Pick an interesting shape and color and it will

for sure become a favorite accent piece.

Do you have a statement chair in your home?

ciao! Fabiana

photos 1  |  2  |  3  

mirror in the garden

Hanging a mirror in the garden can move
 Chi energy in the garden 
in the direction and flow of prosperity.

It can also expand a small area through reflection of the surroundings.

It’s a fun way to enliven a garden or outdoor area!

ciao! fabiana

 photo credit: dear daisy cottage

home tour: best of kitchens and dining

I'm so excited to go on the Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour coming up on May 14th.  It’s always a fun day, and this year, they will be showing seven homes!  The day starts with the morning reception at Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop for a little brunch. Then we are able to start touring the homes. 

I always enjoy the diversity of the homes shown on the tour, and I especially love seeing the kitchens and dining areas all dressed up.   In between viewing all the homes, we stop to enjoy a yummy lunch and browse the boutique with gorgeous views overlooking Newport Harbor. 

After lunch, we finish touring the rest of the homes and conclude the day with an afternoon champagne reception hosted at Barclay Butera Interiors.  Their Newport Beach showroom is always a treat to visit, and it’s really a lovely way to end the day!  Will you make it to the home tour this year? 

Here is a peek at some of my favorite kitchens and dining areas from past years...   
   

 

 

ciao! fabiana

For more Newport Harbor Home Tour inspiration,
check out this brand new book:

pretty garden accents for the shade

I just love the look of these tall planters.

Wouldn’t they just add a pop of color to a boring shady spot in the yard?

Here’s what went into them….

via bhg

ciao! Fabiana

elements of style

  

Create a vignette in your home that speaks to your guests when they arrive through your front door.  What style do you want to convey to your friends?  Are you an understated sort or do you feel playful and girly?  Change it up as the seasons change or as your mood changes. The entry or foyer of your home is the perfect spot to put together a few of your favorite things that describe who you are!

photos via rue

ciao! Fabiana

a bright spring table top

 

A bright and cheery table is all set to enjoy an

alfresco gathering for just a few friends.

Don’t you love the idea of using a pashmina as a table runner?

BHG offers great ideas and easy to follow

instructions for making place cards and even

a few yummy recipes that will wow your guests!

Just check out the link below to enjoy the

company of friends while entertaining in style!

 

for instructions, printables and bonus recipes, visit bhg

ciao! Fabiana

fun ideas for a water-conscious garden

"Use small plants where you can see them up close. Even the tiniest touch of green can make a big impact when used in the right spot. Consider using an outdoor coffee or dining table to showcase your favorite small specimens of succulents or a miniature fairy garden — it’s sure to be a conversation starter."  --  Camille Beehler

ciao! fabiana


photo credit:
Camille Beehler Landscape

the dramatic world of timothy oulton

Timothy Oulton’s distinctive style is definitely dramatic. He's a designer known for over-scaled comfortable pieces. Maps, flags, stacked books and unique lighting are some of his signature trademarks. 

It’s a sort of edgy beatnik style meets cool British mod style that fits into the 21^st century perfectly. For a closer look at these fun furnishings, visit Timothy Oulton at one of his many locations. 

Here in OC, we have a showroom in Costa Mesa at HD Buttercup in SOCO. You'll be inspired!

  

 

ciao! fabiana

how to add color with home accessories

This mid-western home would fit in perfectly here in California.  It’s light and airy and fun!   The colorful accessories add life to the neutral background colors of the upholstered pieces, walls and floors.  

It’s so easy to change the look and feel of a room when you can easily switch out pillows, throws and collectables.  I really like how the homeowner, Wendy Brown mixes and matches patterns and colors.  

She has a great eye for design, and I love that she exhibits a sense of history in her rooms.  Her love for tradition has overflowed into her business with the desire to keep the art of hand-written notes alive.

Her company Brown Ink is a charming paper company that offers pretty stationary, journals and writing implements.  

Don’t you love getting a 
handwritten card or letter 
from a friend?

Back to the décor….

Favorite collections add a pop of color 
and personalize this vignette.

The vegetable garden and beautiful shed are interactive additions to the yard.  The family spends quality time here planting and harvesting goodies. 

Just inside the garden, Wendy’s home office is small, but there is room for everything that matters!  The long butcher block desk surface spans the length of the room and is centered in front of this bright and cheerful window.  Again, color is added with  accessories.  

photos via bhg & brown ink

ciao! fabiana

two gorgeous kitchen pantries

Which pantry door fits your style best?

ciao! fabiana


via Designed w/Carla Aston

kitchens with painted cabinetry

How do you feel about painted cabinetry in the kitchen?

It’s an easy way to give your kitchen a facelift.

I love the bright clean look of them,  

But remember, if you plan on painting,

the secret to a successful paint job is
 prep, prep, prep!

ciao! fabiana