love it, live it: item inspired interior, west elm stella bed

I was cruising my favorite furniture sites for new pieces and I came across the fabulous Stella Metal Bed from West Elm.  The spindle design may be traditional, but the brass finish definitely injects a bit of mod glam.  This bedroom is glammishly serene with its texture, clean lines and a clean color palette.

Product sources available upon request at TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

online design services, e-styling by 20.twelve.3 Interiors

e-Styling 1.0, Fresh & Fabulous $129

e-Styling 2.0, Small Space Styling $179

2-Styling 3.0, Large Space Styling $229

Contact me at TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

love it, live it: item inspired dining room, anthropologie grassland stripe dining chair

A quick Style Board to close the week out.  Anthropologie has so many fabulous pieces right now, I jumped back to their site and chose the Grassland Striped Dining Chair for this week's inspiration.  With rich colors, a glossy wall and plenty of other textures, this dining room is glam and sexy.

Product sources available upon request at TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

yes, hire a stylist/designer before doing home upgrades

My realtor guy asked me to take a quick peak at a home he has listed that isn't moving.  It's been a couple of weeks and in the Denver real estate market that is like a couple of years.  It is a nice home, in a nice area.  The house was built in 1970, so yes, it needed to be upgraded at some point.

Let's start in the kitchen:  at some point, black accent tile was added to a white tile back splash, but there are also some off-white tiles.  The floor I'm guessing may have originally been linoleum, it was replaced with tile; a stone colored tile which doesn't really get along well with the black and white...and off-white?

Next, the master bath:  the floor is done in cute red and white penny tiles, the wall is white 3x3 glazed tile with a black accent tile.  Great!  A black, white and red bathroom...with faux rock tile in the shower?

On average, homeowners stay in a home 13 years before making a change.  Whether making home improvements while in the home for personal reasons or to upgrade for the inevitable selling of the home, it really makes sense, not to mention it pays off in the end, to hire a stylist/designer for a consult.  We LOVE putting things together to create a harmonious cohesion that looks fabulous!

I'm not talking "staging" here, I'm talking about upgrades, changes to be made well before even the thought of selling.  We can even help before you buy a house that needs upgrades. 

I am located in the Denver Metro area of Colorado, but I can also help out of state, even out of the country, with an e-Styling Consult.

Contact me at TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM for details, or call 303.718.2765 

classic bardot: style without trend

I'm not sure if it was the obvious chill in the air this morning or the same old cookie cutter Instagram style shots (skinny jeans, same top as whats-her-face, scarf, super high heels, big photo op bag, pretty but same hair as the next trendy fashion blogger save for The Man Repeller and Bat Gio, true style pioneers),  but I'm ready for a new season of style.  But Instagram has become boring, so I look to my favorite style icon for real inspiration, Brigitte Bardot.  I'm not sure if "trends" existed back in the 50's-60's-70's, if they did, Brigitte must have been the originator.  

Why do we label things "trendy", especially if it has been around for awhile (cutoffs, trench coats, etc.)?  I am to the point that if I see something labeled trend or trendy I avoid it like the plague.  Maybe it's because my age is not trendy, but I prefer classic with a touch of Bohemian.  Slouchy elegance with an edge.  I also believe a gal should be sexy, but sexy has nothing to do with revealing, some skin of course, but there needs to be some mystery.  Sexy comes from confidence, you can't be it if you don't feel it...bedhead and a lined eye help too.

Of course we look to designers and magazines to get a feel for what's in each season, but if you can only wear something trendy for a season, is it really worth buying?  There are of course exemptions:  shoes and outerwear.  But even then, these items shouldn't be so trendy that they can't be worn again and again, in following seasons.  There is a way to be stylish without being trendy, just take a cue from Brigitte...

kale and white bean salad with lemon truffle vinaigrette

A tasty new favorite to add to the "kale files"...

Lemon Truffle Vinaigrette

3 T extra virgin olive oil

1 T truffle oil

1.5 T of fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. truffle salt

1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Combine all above ingredients and whisk until blended. 

Salad

4 C kale, thinly sliced or torn into small pieces

1 1/2 C white beans, if using canned; drain and rinse, use the whole can

Combine kale, beans and dressing in a plastic container with lid. Shake container vigorously. Serve with Parmesan. 

Enjoy!

love it, live it: item inspired interior, anthro slub velvet edlyn sectional

HELLO!  I have been lost in Bra-Bra Land (more on that later), and felt the need to see what is happening in my other favorite world of home furnishings.  My first stop was Anthropologie, and I SQUEALED with joy when I laid eyes on Edlyn!  I am very picky about sofas, and men, very, especially when it comes to sectionals, and men as well.  Edlyn has clean, sexy lines and is dressed in velvet.  Not your standard colors of velvet, but gorgeous, sexy, rich hues.  So naturally, Edlyn inspired the first Love It, Live It Style Board in over a month.  Clean lines, a touch of masculinity, plenty of texture and just plain sexy...

Product sources available upon request at TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM