"Modern Mix"

Elle Decor

I am in love with this room. In fact, I pinned this picture up on the inspiration board next to my desk. I love the contrast of the traditional and modern pieces with a little "world traveler flair" thrown in. The vibrant orange sofa combined with the Moroccan rug. Antique french canape chairs with tribal print kidney pillows. The rich brown deer skin ottoman and the carved wood coffee table contrasted with the sleek silver floor lamp. It's perfectly put together if you ask me. Have a great weekend!

"Jardin Ethnobotanico De Oaxaca"

With all of the glorious weather we have been having, I feel as if "Spring Fever" is setting in...if only for a little while. I saw a great article on the "Jardin Ethnobotanico De Oaxaca" and fell in love with the contrast of styles, textures and colors within the garden. Take a look...

all photos by Dana Gallagher

Have any of you ever been here? I really want to visit! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

"National Portrait Gallery"

The National Portrait Gallery is another wonderful museum I visited while in Washington D.C. They have amazing pieces including the following...

"D Train" by Robert Estes

 "Fortune Telling" by Satomi Shirai

"People In The Sun" by Edward Hopper

"Untitled" (We Will No Longer Be Seen and Not Heard) by Barbara Kruger

"Visitation" by Walton Ford

Really looking forward to seeing "In Wonderland" at the LACMA in the next month. Are there any exhibitions you are planning on seeing? I would love a recommendation!

The Peacock Room

I have a new found obsession with all things "Whistler". I visited Washington DC during the holiday break (yes...I went from Miami, Florida to Washington D.C. in the dead of winter!) and took a stroll around the Freer/Sackler Smithsonian Museum of Art.

visitingdc.com

 The museum is relatively small with a beautiful central courtyard. I was particularly interested in checking out "The Peacock Room", which has been restored to its appearance from 1908.

http://www.asia.si.edu/

Charles Lang Freer used the room as a space to display his collection of more than 250 ceramics  pieces from throughout Asia. Originally designed by the architect Thomas Jeckyll, the room was redecorated by James McNeill Whistler as a "harmony in blue and gold".

http://www.asia.si.edu/

Charles Freer believed that "all works of art go together, whatever their period.", not only can this be seen in the Peacock Room and the diverse collection it holds, but also in the Freer Gallery as a whole.

http://www.asia.si.edu/

 The detail of the space is a fantastic feast for the eyes. The space becomes even more spectacular the third Thursday of every month when the shutters are opened and the sunlight washes over the brilliant blues, greens and golds within the room.

"LA Art Show"

Happy Friday! Rachel here, guest blogging about my weekend plans...and perhaps yours.  I was invited to attend the opening party for the LA Art Show this past Wednesday. Here is an image of "the scene" at the convention center...

I spent most of my time on the "Contemporary" side...here are a few shots of some poppy pieces by artists Natalie Featherstone and Speedy Graphitto...

Bright and edgy, with a sense of humor. I also wandered over to the "Historic and Traditional" side where there were beautiful photographs, oil paintings, pieces by Toulouse Lautrec and vintage posters.

all photos by Rachel Eisner

There were so many wonderful things to look at and be inspired by that I've decided I must go back this weekend. It's kind of a perfect plan, because it will be raining. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, perhaps I'll see you downtown!

"Ocean Ave."

Rachel here, guest blogging on this unseasonably warm day of January. I am loving the glorious weather we are having...this is the ONLY way to spend the winter months! This feels like a continuation of my holiday trip to Miami...without the humidity, of course.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katphotos/

While in Miami, I took in as much Art Deco as possible. Personally, I love this period in architecture and design. At its best, art deco represents elegance, glamor, functionality and modernity.

http://casarosaarquitetura.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slddigital/4436002337/

During my visit, I ate at a fantastic restaurant off of Collins Ave.called Indomania. The food is traditional Indonesian cuisine reinterpreted by the friendly Dutch couple that owns the establishment.

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos

I ordered the Rijsttafel Vegetarian, which consists of a smorgasbord of delectable dishes, they also serve a version with meat or fish. I highly recommend this restaurant if anyone out there finds themselves in Miami Beach!

Stone Crabs are another delicacy I like to eat whilst in Miami...preferably on a sail boat, with my favorite Captain...Uncle Pete, and his two co-pilots...Chewy and Giorgio.

cmccid

cmccid

What did you do over the holidays? Whatever It was I hope you had fun, and found some visual inspiration!

"New Year, New Inspiration"

Hello Dear Readers! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. I am looking forward to refreshing and revamping with bold brights in 2012!

House Beautiful

Marigold, bright yellow lacquer, juxtaposition of pattern with a flash of metallic silver...

House Beautiful

 Red linen chairs really pop against the teal on the wall covering. Antiqued gold frames add to the richness of the space, and the organic glass chandelier gives an otherwise traditional space a modern twist!

House Beautiful

Pretty pink pattern on pattern and bold stripes makes a cheery place to wake up in. Happy 2012!