Lately, my weekends have been packed with visitors and parties…and this one is no exception! The crew and I will be heading out tonight to celebrate my friend Lyndsy’s birthday. Since she’s such a lover of yellow (as I’ve mentioned before!) with a weakness for cupcakes… this one’s for you Lynds 
Happy Birthday!!
And this little bit of yellow inspiration is for the rest of us 
(Image via PointClickHome)
Have a mellow (or not) weekend!
Just when you thought we were done with coral, seashells, and other seaside inspirations, the couture collection from Jean Paul Gautier brought it back with a sexy, mystical twist!
I’ve been keeping my eye on the couture shows, just to see what might pop up to inspire me, and I LOVED this collection!
It seems like a mix of an oceanic underworld meets ming dynasty… and the umbrellas are heavenly!
Mmmmm. I might have to translate this into a room like I did with the Balenciaga collection last fall…
Anonymous Wow. Part mermaid, part jellyfish. The black dress and umbrella are stunning.
Anonymous Very interesting texture and design. Great post and happy weekend!
~Kate
Anonymous That last image–feathery black dress and sheer, fringe-y parasol, is stunning.
Anonymous Was scrolling through some of your posts, found this one from a year ago. I still think it is divine! I ADORE the umbrellas/ parasols!
How warm and lovely is this chandelier from moss?
It’s made entirely of white goose feathers… I can’t imagine how you would keep this clean, but it’s such an original piece. I would love to see it in a girly powder room of all whites and soft pinks.
It also comes in rooster feathers which could be very dramatic in a darker space…
Anonymous awesome, i love the goose feather one. i’ve always wondered the best way to clean feather features like this.
Anonymous I love that goose feather one – I used it in an inspiration board at Christmastime. Lovely!
Anonymous what fun! it must be a billion trillion dollars.
Anonymous I have never seen a fixture like this before. I take it feathers are not flammable?
Anonymous I love feathers…Donghia has this feather trim, I’m not much a trim person but it looks fab! Great post!!
~Kate
Anonymous OOh I love the white goose feather one! It is seriously so gorgeous!
My favorite dress by far at the SAG awards the other night was French actress Marion Cotillard in Nina Ricci…
A stunning, simple silvery grey that literally made me gasp when she walked out to present. LOVE IT.
Anonymous French weekly inspiration and french actress, vive la France!!!
Anonymous oui oui, soela! vive la france! apparently, i am in need of some time in your beautiful country
Anonymous Wow, GORGEOUS!
Anonymous hello, one more French girl reading your blog today. I just discovered you via Brilliant Asylum. Lovely blog you have!
Anonymous I am loving this dress and the color is divine. It’s so elegant and chic. Do we know who the designer is?
Viva la France, indeed! I just finished a French post.
Anonymous I forgot to mention that I love the weekly inspiration on your sidebar. Great photo!
Anonymous me, myself & i ~ the dress is nina ricci. and yes, the weekly inspiration was completely coincidental, but my how they compliment each other!
Anonymous omg, i agree completely! she is sultry and stunning. love the corset top, ah….
Anonymous A big fat Duhhhh on my part. You only have Nina Ricci’s name mentioned a couple times…the dress is lovely.
While this room may not be the most glamorous or original I’ve ever seen, I chose it because it’s such a perfect example of juxtaposition and balance. The simplicity of the pieces make it a lesson in design.
Red is one of the hardest colors to design with, because it can overwhelm a space so easily. In this case, each side of the room is balanced with the red stools on the right, the red print on the left. The wood chairs lend warmth to an otherwise stark white dining space, and also compliment the warm tones used in the kitchen itself. Even the slate grey floor adds to the room by mimicking the stainless steel appliances and adding depth. On a style level, this room is a wonderful blend of modern traditional as well!
Anonymous I love it, it looks cool but comfortable, like a family could live there, but you could have an artist gallery out back too, very good find indeed.
Anonymous i agree michelle! this room seems very clean and crisp, but you can actually picture someone living in it
Anonymous I love this room! And I could picture ME living in it!
Anonymous ditto kate. i adore the kitchen table & chairs.
As I noted in my earlier post, Anna at Perfect Bound asked me to participate in her “Registry Bliss” series last week (which apparently she is turning into a regular thing, so if you’ve got your own list, sent her a shout!). Another tough item for me to decide on was a chandelier. I feel that everyone should have one gorgeous statement piece to hang in their entry, above the dining room table, in the bedroom… wherever you want to add a bit of drama and glamour – no matter what size your home or budget.
My first instinct when Anna asked for this list was to go big, so I went right to the Baccarat Black Crystal Chandelier.
It’s absolutely stunning and over the top. But then I thought… well, I might as well look around a bit more to see what other black glass chandeliers were out there… and came up with a load of options!
I love the smoky glass used in this piece from Horchow. It makes the chandelier feel a bit less heavy than the Baccarat one. (Pssst… I think that this is the same exact one here for less!)
This beauty is from Pieces. I love the idea of the round bulb in the chandelier – it gives it a dramatic deco feel!
And then of course there’s always a lovely Murano Glass…
After these stunners, I started thinking a bit more economically – space and price wise – so I found a few smaller pieces as well…
This little one is from Black Orchid Interiors in the UK.
And what might be two of my favorites (because I can actually afford them!) are these little ones from Lamps Plus
This is actually a dark amber glass, which I think is a really nice warm option (and only $299!).
This piece is larger, but I love the idea of the black finish with the clear crystal detail – such a beautiful contrast. This piece is only $790, and you can find it right here.
Anonymous consider this my official registration for the amber glass chandelier. I can see it making my living room glow now…
Anonymous i KNEW you’d love that one! i’m considering it myself for my bedroom… i think it would warm it up a bit
Anonymous http://lh5.google.ca/jessicacwaks/R2sr49vGLnI/AAAAAAAABHM/7RGzKVm-zDU/DSC00976.JPG
I have this black fixture in my bedroom- it’s so dramatic but I love the contrast of the black with the creamy white walls
Anonymous I really love the black glass chandeliers (are those designed by Phillipe Starck?)! I’ve been looking for lighting lately and keep running across them all over…have you seen this one:
http://www.ylighting.com/aha-sl-ginetta-s.html
I’m in love!!
Anonymous well, it seems i’m not the only one who loves a little black glass! jessica, the chandelier in your bedroom is beautiful and i love the contrast as well.
jen, the chandelier you linked to is very cool! i love the modern take.
Anonymous I hate to be a comment-photo-hog but I’ve posted much better quality photos of my black chandelier that are actually in focus! haha
check it out here:
http://jessicaclairesworld.blogspot.com/2008/02/snow-day-snow-day-snow-day.html
Happy Friday!
Back in October I blogged about my new obsession with finding the perfect portrait. I fell in love with one on ebay, but it got away. Well, in the last week, my interest has been refreshed by spaces and places featuring gorgeous and intriguing pieces of art that I am coveting for my walls.
It started with a few different rooms. This first one from Abbey Goes Design Scouting and popped up a few weeks ago.
Then, Anna at Absolutely Beautiful Things blogged about this portrait found at Soulful Adornments, (don’t you just love that name?).
Haunting, isn’t she? I absolutely love it.
And then… I came across this amazing home featured on ATLA that is not only an incredible example of how to mix multiple styles, but has portraits EVERYWHERE!
Check out the entire slide show to see more inspiration!
So, now my hunt is back on. But I fear I have some competition as the portrait love seems to be spreading these days… watch out ebay!
Anonymous I love these! You and Anna at absolutely beautiful things are on the same mission…they are just so beautiful.
Anonymous Great inspiration photos. I only have one oil painting that I love that Im hanging in my house. Ive been on the hunt to find more but there is so little out there in the affordable range.
May I ask what you expect to pay for these portraits? I feel like Im out of touch when I see them for sale at some local junk shop for a thousand dollars.
Anonymous yes, i feel the EXACT same way! i would love love love a portrait, but they are virtually impossible to find….where are all these lovely things?
Anonymous I should take a picture of the large portrait my parents have over the fireplace in the living room. Its of a Flemish nurse and is definitely a conversation piece when newcomers see it.
Anonymous And also one of my grandma in the den/library of her house. Obviously my family shares your obsession
Anonymous thank you for all the comments ladies! yes, anna and i are definitely on the same hunt… it seems like we all are! as for pricing… i’d love to find something under $1,000. if it’s by an unknown artist, it seems to me like it shouldn’t be too pricey, but art is art! an if it’s in good shape, especially framed, i’m not surprised to see it for more than that (unfortunately!).
Anonymous I’ve always love potraits. Check out the ones in a home recently featured by Cote De Texas’ blog..they are to die for! I’ve been on a mission for several years for just the right one and have notice prices going up and up…good luck on your search.
life is in the details. style accordingly.
Love these sunny images!
Now I have a hankering for cupcakes
Thanks for the fashion post below, I hope you do the room you mentioned.
You brightened my day!:)
these is so cheery:) thank you xoxo
I love your blog!!! And the yellow is fabulous!!
Thanks to all of you for stopping by!! Glad the yellow could add a little cheer
~ Cassandra
Thanks girl! The yellow, cupcakes and Saturday night were too perfect! Love you!!