P.S.

My birthday is this Wednesday...which one of you lovely readers would love to get me any one of these awesome prints by Chinese artist and comic illustrator Xiao Bai for my special day?!?! I'll love you long time.

Don't Judge a House by It's Non-Descript Exterior

Hmmm...I've been naughty. It's been about two months since my last post and I completely forgot the name of the magazine from which I ripped these photographs. Whoops! That being said, these splendid images might not be new to some of you design devotees and I apologize for not sharing them sooner.

Floor to ceiling windows? Yes, please!!

I'm j'ador-ing the color palatte here and don't even get me started on how much I dig that floor lamp.

Yeaaaah, those bar stools aren't cutting the mustard.

Welcome to my backyard, ain't she sweet?

The jury is still out on this wallpaper...I definitly would have gone a silver metallic route.

I wouldn't kick this setup out of my bedroom...

Let's see...fuscia colored sand encased in clear lucite to make a writing desk. Oh, hells yeah.

If I were about to give birth to a little baby girl instead of a boy in a few months, you'd better believe this is how her nursury would be decorated. Except there would be a white crib instead of the bunk beds, of course. Duh.

And finally, a cozy outdoor space where many a bottle of wine would be consumed...

Sequin Lovin'

Oh. My. God.

I know House of Slappy typically doesn't do fashion posts, yada yada yada, but it's my blog and the only other thing besides sushi from Uchi, sinful chocolate and incredible wine I absolutely cannot resist is freakin' sequins! I think I just found my long lost twin (except for the fact she might actually be wealthy and I'm Bedazzling a cardboard belt). Not to mention these lovley sequin pants got me out of my week-long posting funk. Hmmm...might be time to put my new Project Runway edition sewing machine to work with which my awesome hubby recently surprised me!

Oh yeah - I need these shoes, too.

via coco+kelley

Guest Post: 7 Design Essentials

Hi Everyone, this is Crystal and I blog over at Plush Palate. I'm so excited to be part of House of Slappy as a guest blogger today and to meet all of you! Andrea asked me to do an interior design post, so I thought I'd start with the basics. So, here's a look at the 7 essentials of my design philosophy...

1. Splashes of Color: Color can be intimidating but the good news is you can easily experiment with accent pieces (like throw pillows and ottomans). Then, when your mood changes , you can switch them out with new ones (I'm always redoing the color palette of my apartment!). This is the easiest way to create an instant visual stimulations!

2. Look At Me Pieces: Every room should have at least one unexpected, attention grabbing piece. This is what sets an average room apart from a fabulous room! Don't you just love walking into a space that leaves you floored with surprise? The oversized wall medallion in this Jay Jeffers designed living room does just that.

3. Fresh Flowers: It's been said a thousand times before, but fresh flowers really do make all the difference in a room (please no artificial ones!). They bring the outside in, are already perfectly designed by natural, and quickly bring life to any space. 

4. Mixing Styles & Eras: Nothing says modern day designer like the ability (and confidence) to mix design styles and eras. This keeps a space interesting and unpredictable. The key is to make sure there's a common element that ties it all together and keeps the look congruent (like a color palette or clean lines). I love how the designer here mixes mid-century modern chairs with a contemporary table on the left, and modern Barcelona chairs with a traditional wood table on the right. 

5. Drapery: Oftentimes people overlook drapery to save money or because they simply don't think they're important to the design process. But drapery truly is the finishing touch to any room. It's like the jewelry you wear to complete the outfit, the frosting on the cake, and the bow on top of the present. It helps visually tidy up a space and makes it complete.

6. Embracing White: Oh how I love white! I'm just so drawn to the pure, clean, and fresh feeling the color evokes. That's probably why all my dishes, towels, sheets, and even my couches are white. I believe every home should have at least one white space to retreat to and escape from all stimulation and stress of the day.

7. Layers of Texture: As we all know, design is in the details. And perhaps the detail that is most important of all in creating a warm and inviting space is texture. I love the way designer Darryl Carter has a floor rug on top of the carpet showing that you can never have too many layers. And on the right, the designer mixes elements like a plush carpet, cotton throw blanket and wood to create different tactile experiences. Simply Delicious :)

Happy Friday everyone! Love, Crystal

*Sources from top to bottom, left to right: Michael Robinson Photography, James Merrell, Jay Jeffers Design Group, flowers via Carolyn Barber Photography, James Tse Photography, left drapery via coco+kelley, right drapery and whites via Reed Davis Photography, bottom left via Elle Decor, bottom right via James Tse Photography

Not Fair!

Good news: I'm SO excited! After months and months searching for a swag chandelier to hang above the pub table in the kitchen, I finally found one I love!

Bad news: It's freakin' $2,900. Whhhhyyyy do you people do this to me?!?

Well, any of these will do, too. Only $485?!?!

Note to self: Confront parents a.s.a.p. as to why I don't have a trust fund.

Via Pieces, Inc.

More good news: Special guest Blogger tomorrow. Woo Hoo!!

Home Sweet Home!

Helloooo! I'm back in Austin - well, we actually arrived yesterday afternoon (we were supposed to have gotten home Saturday afternoon) and I was so dead to the world I barely had the energy to watch my TRH of New Jersey from last week. After 3 days of flight delays, bad weather and cancellations, it only took 3 days longer than expected to get home. Good times! Thank bejeezus for First Class seats and free flowing wine!

Here's some eye candy while I continue to wash the funky airport smells out of my hair and recuperate from our journey...

Molori Safari Lodge, South Africa

Maine Bound!

Well kids, the Mr. and I are off to Maine ear-ly this morning. And by early I mean by the time you are reading this we have somehow managed to get our butts out of bed by 3am. That's right. I don't even remember the last time I had to go to sleep before 9pm. And most importantly, I went to bed so early I had miss tonight's season finale of TRHW of New Jersey!! Ugh, I don't know if I can make it until Saturday to watch it...

Anyway, its not really a "vacation" in the traditional sense, since we are going there for his Grandmother's memorial service (she passed away last year and this was the best opportunity for a bunch of his family members to all get together). I have, however; always wanted to go to Maine and I'm sure it will be a very beautiful, somber and peaceful trip.

I've managed to find a few incredible photos of our hotel room and I do have to say, I don't know if seafood and exploring Maine will be enough to get me to want to leave the hotel...

Now this is what I'm talking about. Except, in reality there would be Cabernet in those wine glasses.

After we feast on fresh seafood and bottles of wine, we can chill in our cozy little bedroom.

And in the morning, walk down for a river-side brunch with Bloody Marys and/or Mimosas with freshly squeezed OJ.

And then get massages in the fresh air and warmth of the beautiful sunlight...

JUST KIDDING! I wish! This is where we're really staying. The finest Best Western Bucksport, Maine has to offer... No, seriously - this is THE best hotel there.

Woo Hoo!! Gotta love that shiny comforter. Better believe I'm bringing a pair of surgical gloves to peel that germicidal comforter off the bed! Wow, I sure do hope that T.V. is in color and converted to digital by now.

Did you say 'Outdated Hideous Brass Bed Frame?" My favorite...don't get too envious of me!

At least we'll have a waterfront view, right?

See all of you wonderful readers next week. Hope you all enjoy the rest of the week and have a great (and under 100 degree weather) weekend. And I'm SO excited for next Friday when a special Guest Blogger will be stopping by House of Slappy!

P.S. My imaginary hotel is really the Mystique hotel in Santorini, Greece :)