dutch blue

Would you paint your front door a gorgeous blue color? 

Most shades of blue have a sense of calm about them, but what can it really say about you?  

A homeowner with a blue front door is quietly saying that they view their home as a place of refuge.

Here’s a door that evokes a beachy, relaxed getaway. 

Those who paint their doors blue enjoy peace from the outside world.

Behind this door is the perfect retreat, calm, serene, and easy-going.

Blue is a color of imagination, freedom, inspiration and calm. Blue is the color of heaven and water, which makes it profound and fluid. 

Homeowners with blue doors are probably well grounded and true to themselves.

ciao! fabiana 

photo credit: Coastal Living, House Beautiful, House of Turquoise

McAlpine House, Good Housekeeping, Quintessence Blog, Elle Decor

For more home tour inspiration,
check out this brand new book:

My Amazon Picks

Trestle Glasses Collection, (Set of 4), Indigo

$37.81$43.00

 (81)

10 Strawberry Street Oxford 11" Dinner Plate…

$41.16$42.99

 (12)

Cotton Clinic 20x20 Gingham Buffalo Check Cloth Dinner Napkins …

 (40)

Cambridge Bamboo 20 Piece Plastic Bamboo Fl…

$29.24$47.99

 (9)

All

oscar fashion watch

Amy Adams

Presenter

Who’s tuning in to the Oscars on Sunday? Set your DVR’s early and make sure you record the red carpet arrivals as well! Some of my favorite fashion icons are nominated or presenting an academy award this year. This group of women rarely disappoints on the red carpet. What will they be wearing?

Michelle Williams

Best Supporting Actress Nominee for

Manchester by the Sea

 Naomie Harris

Best Supporting Actress Nominee for Moonlight

Nicole Kidman

Best Supporting Actress Nominee for Lion

Charlize Theron

Presenter

Brie Larson

Presenter

Emma Stone

 Best Actress Nominee for La La Land

I’m hoping the gowns will be feminine and gorgeous like the ones pictured here from the Vanity Fair cover shoot. The red carpet coverage starts at 3 pm pacific time. Can't wait!

ciao! fabiana

photo credit:

Vanity Fair

Fashion Gone Rogue

Red online

DuJour

Fashn Berry

Austin Hargrave

Vanity Fair

a moroccan beach house

How about a beach house filled with Moroccan style right in the middle of the Caribbean? Sounds like a fabulous idea! 

Designer Lien Luu dove right into this task by immersing herself on a two-week buying trip to Marrakesh. Her task was to take this ornate Moorish style and make it work on the light and airy island of Anguilla.

Ocean blue Moroccan patterned pillows and “Extra White” by Sherwin-Williams on the walls help to modernize the whole house.

This lounge area in the pink bedroom is framed by soft linen curtains. The authentic Moroccan tables help define the whole look.

Beautiful floor-to-ceiling stencils are the perfect backdrop.

All white and natural décor diverts our attention to the amazing tropical scenery. Layered textures make this space feel more cozy than cold. In a guest bedroom, an antique bedside table adds to the worldly sense of style. I love the mix of patterns! 

ciao! fabiana


via coastal living

a little getaway...

Everyone needs a little getaway now and then! More on this locale in a few days… 

ciao! fabiana

kitchens with character

What adds character to a kitchen and personalizes the space most? Well, I think it’s having a few elements that are perfectly imperfect! A rustic wood floor, an unfinished ceiling, 

whimsical lights, mismatched chairs, flowers from the garden, the possibilities are endless! There are so many ways to personalize your kitchen and add character. What's your favorite way?

This kitchen stopped me in my tracks! Amazing barn doors on the pantry and a colorful rug are the first things I notice about this fabulous kitchen. 

Using a variety of textures is a sure way to add layers to your design and create a live-in look. 

Just imagine if this beautiful brick wall was not here. This kitchen would be quite bland. And YES to that lovely light fixture and lucite bar stools!

A small all-white beach house kitchen gets a burst of fun by bringing in patterned cement tiles on the floor and shelf brackets that echo the swirly floor pattern.

Chairs are an excellent way to bring character into a space. Remember to contrast styles and textures. Mix, match and experiment. xoxo 

ciao! fabiana

photo credits:

House & Home

Leeann Thornton

Traditional Home

Orange Coast Magazine

House Beautiful

the alfresco life

Wow! We’ve had a few days of stormy weather, but today, the sun’s out, and I’m looking forward to the warm spring months ahead. I’m starting to plan for an outdoor dinner party or two, and here’s a little Sunday inspiration...

Alfresco dining under a shady tree is the ultimate way to connect with nature and enjoy a lovely meal with family and friends. 

Pick a sheltered spot. Think of this space as an outdoor dining room. Comfortable chairs and a rustic wood table are the perfect starting point in setting a glorious alfresco table. 

For me, comfort is the operative word. I want to spend quality time in the backyard while entertaining, so having few throw pillows and an umbrella is always useful. 

I can save myself return trips back to the kitchen by staging a pretty supply table filled with extra water, beverages, napkins, and condiments. And, I'll have a few little throw blankets on hand, in case guests get chilly.  

String lights, lanterns and candles are perfect to transition afternooon into evening. 

Dockside dining is so luxurious and relaxing!

If you’re fortunate enough to have a rooftop deck, take advantage of the situation and invite your friends to share the views!  

Or, save yourself the fuss, and stop in at one of your favorite outdoor cafés. The Ivy is everyone’s favorite choice in Los Angeles! 

I invite you to stop by my new Ciao Tablescapes page. It’s a collection of my favorite tablescapes that I’ve created since starting my blog in 2011. I'll be constantly updating this page with new favorites, so check back often!

If there are any holidays or themes you’d like to see, leave me a comment! You can find the tab at the top of my page or simply click here.

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

photo credit: Veranda, Flower Wild, My Inner Landscape, SB Digs, On Love Street, 
Midwest Living, Deer Pearl Flowers, The Ivy Restaurants, Merriam-Webster