monday musings: mixed metals.

M to 4th power. Remember the days when you were forced to choose either gold or silver? I would say those were the good ole' days, but who am I fooling? They weren't. Whoever once stated that mixing metals shouldn't exist is totally rolling over in their grave right now. David Yurman put those bad teachings to bed years ago and now we have all suddenly jumped on board. It gives any space a collected, bold, mature and masculine aesthetic. I have plans for mixing metals in multiple spaces in our house and I cannot wait to share the finished product (Hint. Dining room would be one). Let's look at some heavy metal spaces. 


I have been in awe of this space ever since I laid eyes on it. That ornate mirror. That chrome stool. That glass and chrome nightstand. That silver sun mirror. Want. It. All. 

{houzz}

Mixed metals in a kitchen. This is brave right here girls and girls. Those pendants are too much for my little heart to take. Anyone notice the chrome backsplash?? Major. 

Larve. Larve. Larve. Super glam and chic space with none other than mixed metals. I see silver, mercury glass and gold up in here. Doesn't this room look like it fosters creativity and productivity? Almost looks like it does the work for you. 

{the glitter guide}

A semi masculine living space. I am beyond obsessed with the gold leaf iron coffee table that steals the room. Let's not forget the other chrome and iron elements that are totally marrying this space. It works. 

{rue magazine}

Ahhhh. A calm, peaceful and serene living space. The blank slate of this room allots for memorable accessories such as gold pigs and furry chrome stools. The mixture of the metals is so subtle in this space that you hardly notice. 

Holy. Mixture. Are you not dying over this room?!?! That mercury glass cabinet is almost too much for me to go on. Hold. Ok. I am back. Silvers, golds and brass oh my. I am not positive of the original source on this one but if I had to guess, I would say Kelly Wearstler. Does it or does it not have Kelly written all over it?!?! Duh. 

Lovely masculine sleeping quarters. Dying over that lantern pendant. Mostly gold accents but a few silvers woven in between. 

{lonny}

Same house, different room. Love the gold nailhead detailing on the chairs mixed with the chrome lighting. Chic. 

{lonny}

Another calm and inviting living space with tons of mixed metals. Who would have thought?! 

And a larger image. Are we seeing the silver accordion table happening here?  I am slightly in love. 

{the lennox}

Some serious permanent mixed metals here. This is so glam I can hardly even stand it. 

{pinterest}

Gotta throw some mixed metal arm candy in the mix. Had to. 

{honestly wtf}

What do you think? Are you brave enough? Go for it. You won't turn back. Loves!

How about another grilled veggie on the barbie??

Spoken in an Australian accent, of course. Happy Friday! We made it. As a side note, Grill Mama is in the house today! I need that classy apron. These recipes go out to all of you vegetarians, vegans, herbivores and carnivores who just so happen to adore vegetables. You all are aware of my recent grilling obsession, so let's just roll with it. I have yet another grilling opportunity for all of us. Veggies. I will tell you what, I have always been a veggie lover, but adding the grill into that equation is pretty much mind blowing. Not literally. For real. You can grill any type of vegetable, really. Lettuce, tomato, corn and peppers to name a few. You name it, I'll grill it. Take any vegetable that you currently enjoy, and grill it. I guarantee you that it will intensify your love for that veggie ten times over. Trust. 

{Grilled Corn, Crema Mexicana Cilantro Crostini}

{Balsamic Grilled Vegetables}

{Grilled Salad}

{Grilled Artichoke with Lemon Aioli}

{Grilled Caesar Salad}

{Spicy Garlic Grilled Bok Choy}

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend planned. Whether it be filled full of sunning, productivity, relaxation or something entirely different...may yours be fantastic. Loves!

Your lighting expertise is desperately desired...

Loves! You know what today is?!?!? Thursday. That's all I got. It could be another special day, but I am not sure what that may be. I so need your help, like woah. Our dining room currently has a hanging light fixture that literally makes me cringe every time I pass it by. It is like a faux finished bronze tiered, frosted glass fixture. Ewww. Is. All. I. Can. Say. It has got to go. My vision for the space is a dark, mixed metal space. Glam all over. Blacks, greys, lacquer, metals, crystals, a major chandy and glammy bar cart. So the first item on the agenda for me, is the lighting. It must be done. So here are the requirements for the overall goal of the lighting: It must be chic. Glamourous. Unique. Showstopping. Jawdropping. Got it? I am prepared to spend maybe a little more on this piece as I see that it really is an investment in the space. It will be the focal point. All eyes on her. 

The plan. For those of you that do not know, the headquarters for Shades of Light is actually located 2 blocks from my house. Lucky, ducky me. Can we say problem keeping my paycheck, much? So I have decided, one of their lovely and glamorous fixtures will adorn this room in the near future. Here is where you all come in. I need your help deciding which one it will be. Ready?!?! 

Option 1:

I am in love with this piece because it has an old world glamour to it with the draping crystals and the high polished chrome metal adornment. I think it is unexpected in the space, and I can't get enough of unexpected.. 

Cascade Pendant

Option 2:

Option 2 is a classic fluted shade pendant. I love the scalloped edge of this piece and it definitely brings in that refined classy look to the space. 

Fluted Shade Lantern

Option 3:

Ok. I hate to play favorites because after all, I am always equal opportunity. However, I am so partial to this piece. I have seen it in the flesh and it is even more marvelous in person. So my love for this pendant is partially because it has the appearance of silver and gold. Which again, we know I love mixed metals. Besides, it looks amazeballs in the space. 

Screen Shade Pendant

Option 4:

A traditional oversized lantern. I cannot seem to get enough of these. They look great in any design, frankly. It appears a little gold in the image, but it is in fact chrome. 

Canopy Lantern

Option 5: 

A very chic tiered chrome and crystal chandelier. This is a very modern take on a classic chandelier. I love all of the interesting angles, not to mention the multiple drum shade adornment. Holy. Shades. Of. Light. You stop my heart. Need a defibrillator. 

Modern Tiered Chrome and Crystal Chandelier

Option 6:

A very modern option, the pencil arm chandelier. Again, loving the drum shades on this piece. Adds something other than just straight out metal into the room. Kind of loving the look. 

Pencil Arm Modern Chandelier

Option 7:

A sheer screen chandy. The transparent look here is to die for. I must say. Very glam. 

Sheer Champagne Shade Chandelier

Option 8:

And last, but certainly not least, this bamboo number. Is this not nutso? I have used this in other designs and I am heavily contemplating on using it in my own house. I love the 60's Hollywood Regency feel this piece adds to the room. Perfect juxtaposition with our cowhide rug. I love. 

Bamboo Rod Chandelier

So what is your vote? Cast your ballots please! I have to be honest here, I am really leaning towards #3 and #8. Option #9 would be keeping the existing atrocious piece, which is not an option, so do not write it in on the margins of your ballot. I cannot wait to see what you all think! Loves!

Favorite Room Feature: Rebecca June

Good morning my loves. I am so exhausted but I am going to be a fraud and lie and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for everyone!!! (I am typing this with bags under my eyes while slamming my morning coffee. Sigh.) Ok. So to cheer me up and get me inspired for the day, we have the lovely Rebecca June that is lovely enough to be sharing her favorite space with us today, her dining room. So I know I always say this, but you if you do not know Rebecca...if you seriously do not. You need to get acquainted. I do not even remember how I came across her, but I am so glad that I did. Rebecca is a lovely interior designer that also happens to share all of my hobbies (obsessions): fashion, dogs and TV. I absolutely adore her and you will too!

I am so excited to be featured on Sadie + Stella!  I hope that everyone is as in love with my Dining Room as I am.  In the four years that we have lived in our condo, it has changed dramatically, but I think it is finally finished...for now. 

When we first moved in there was carpet in the dining area.  That drove me crazy, and when we got these beautiful oak floors installed I thought I would want a rug, but I am loving how open and fresh it looks without one.

Besides adding the molding on the back wall we also added the wall full of ledges.  I currently have some of my favorite books and a few small pictures on display.  Lately though, I have been toying with the idea of taking everything down and putting nothing but vintage mirrors on them to bounce the light around even more.

I have this amazing Crate and Barrel bowl that I got for our wedding that I put silver balls and a few disco balls in.  The best part is when the light streams in in the afternoon how the room lights up.

One of my favorite parts of the dining room though, is how it spills into our living room. 

All Pictures via Rebecca June

I hope you all enjoyed a look at my dining room!  Please come visit my blog and see the rest of my home and other things that I love!

xoxo,

Rebecca June

Summer Series: Citrus Sizzle Cocktail

Did I promise you a cocktail this week, or did I promise you a cocktail? I am pretty sure I promised you one. Well here she be. My citrus sizzle. With my hectic work schedule, design work and the overall chaotic life I lead, more and more I have been finding myself needing a little happy hour cocktail. Since we are in the throws of Summer, I have a few requirements for my libations. 1. It must be colorful. (Yes, only for me would that be a requirement. Psycho.) 2. It must be an adult beverage.(alcohol, duh). 3. It must be refreshing. 4. It must not contain 1,000 calories. I know I always mess with you guys and tell you my recipes are zero calories. I am such a jerk like that. But this time, this time only, this recipe really is a low calorie drink. You will NOT be disappointed. I have the perfect dress to match this cocktail. Who does that?!? Honestly. Matching their outfit to their drink. I swear it is catalogued in the DSM as a documented mental illness. Let's citrus sizzle. 

In case you are having a minor mental blackout, here is what is going on...

The Citrus Sizzle Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 shot of Orange Vodka (I prefer Grey Goose. I am classy like that.)

Diet 7-Up

Sugar Free Sweet and Sour Mix 

2 Maraschino Cherries + a splash of the juice

Orange Wedge

Salt

Make sure you rim your glass with water and salt before mixing your concoction. Then, mix all ingredients together and a cocktail you shall have. 

Drink and repeat. Seriously. All 4 must haves, have been met for my cocktail checklist. 

So my girl Courtney over at a A Little Glass Box has left you a little food for thought, no pun intended. No. You know what?!?! Pun intended. Courtney has some serious Summer fare happening over at her place today. I want to gorge myself with what she has got goin' on. 

I will have 16 of these. Please and thank you. 

What's on the agenda for next week on Summer Series? Fashion, my friends. Loves!

Monday Musings: Lovin' the Gingers (Jars)

Holy. Monday. Where in the hell did the weekend escape to? I feel like today should be Saturday, but I assume that is my delusion rearing its ugly head. Did we all have a fabulous weekend? I will tell you how I spent mine, assuming that you care. I spent all night and day of Friday cramming for an exam I had early Saturday morning. I spent Saturday morning trolling the city for goods. I hit up my favorite gold mine for items, Habitat for Humanity. I have to tell you, if you do not shop here, you are missing out my friends. I found a ginger jar that I could not live without that had a price tag of $1.00. Now for those of you who know me, and those of you who don't, I never carry cash on me. Never. (Even though I now live in a city that has a toll system, I cannot get it through my head that I need to carry cash. I actually had to engage in an IOU at one of the tolls this weekend, I kid you not.) Of course the minimum for a credit or debit card purchase at the Habitat Store is $10. Oy. I about left the store in a fit of defeat until this kind man paid my debt, on instruction that I come back to shop there. Done and done. I know it was a $1.00 folks, but I was overwhelmed by his kindness. After all, I could not live without this ginger. And he knew it. 

Which brings us to the subject at hand this morning. Gingers. Ginger jars. Let me just tell you. I have been adding to my blue and white ginger jar collection for some time now, but the stakes have just gotten extremely high. For some reason, I am hot on an obnoxious collection of these beauties. There is something so classic yet so whimsical about these ceramic jars. I feel like their individual and unique patterns all tell some kind of story. What that story is, I have no clue. But I bet it has a damn good climax. Let's take a look at some obnoxiously awesome ginger jar collections. 

This is what my brain looks like on ginger jars. I love this space and adore each and every blue and white ginger piece up in here. 

{pretty stuff}

Such a classically fabulous vignette. Who is loving these two blue and white vases that are adding a splash of color and pattern to the space? 

{via}

I spy a few of blue and white happenings in this space. This room has such a simple and clean feel that the only accessory that would make any sense to me would be a plethora of gingers. No. Not the kind you are thinking. 

{decorpad}

Lovely collection of all things ginger. The plates add a mixed element here as well as the bronze accessories. Off topic, but that bronze flower number is amazeballs. 

{coco kelley}

The one. The only. Jamie Meares. We are all incredibly familiar with this image, but it couldn't help but make the lineup today. Jamie knows how to work a ginger jar collection like no one's business. Jamie is my ultimate design crush. The mixture of reds and greens with the classic blue and white ginger jars absolutely sets me over the edge. 

{Lonny Mag}

Lovely splashes of ginger here and there. 

{reason to breathe}

One of my favorite dining rooms of all time. All time. Partly to do with that light fixture. Partly to do with the furniture. Mostly to do with its ginger jar collection. 

{via}

This is my kind of tablescape. 

{Holly Mathis}

For those of you who are just like me and are dying to expand your blue and white ginger collection, follow me: 

Get the Look: 1./2./3./4./5./6./7./8./9./10.

Strawberry Lemon Basil Infused Water

Friday. Friday. Here we are. I have had a freaking crazy week and could not be more grateful for the arrival of the weekend.  Have you all heard about the fruit infused waters that are out on the street? It sounds so illegal and forbidden when I refer to it in that way. What can I say? I love danger. Anyway, the infused waters are beyond refreshing, amazing and healthful. Some even claim to bring weight loss and serve as a cleanse. Well I am not going to make that outrageous claim with my Strawberry Lemon Basil Infused Water, but I will claim that mine is freaking unbelievable. Hold me to it. 

Ingredients:

2 Lemons

8 Strawberries

A handful of Basil Leaves

Water

Directions:

Slice lemons. Quarter strawberries. Tear basil leaves. Add ingredients to pitcher with ice and water. Refrigerate for an hour. 

Ummmm. Was that not the easiest recipe ever? Totally my speed. And I made it up. Evil genius. After you refrigerate, you get this. What a before and after. 

 Drink and repeat.

What is on the agenda for you dolls this weekend? Do not forget that tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of the S+S Super Summer Sale where you get 25% off of all design packages (local and e-design). Do not miss out! Love you loves!