Get the Look - Outfit to Room

It is no secret that I have a love affair with fashion and the inspiration it gives almost all of my designs.  I have a list of blogs I read daily and am always delighted to find new ones with fresh ideas and creative, original content.  An office favorite (with interns alike) is the ever-chic, Blair of Atlantic Pacific.  We always enjoy seeing her stylish take on classic pieces and this outfit was no exception.  Pairing a navy chevron DVF tunic with pink pants and her ever growing collection of gold baubles, this look is both glamourous and approachable.  

Our team agreed that this bedroom pretty perfectly captures the preppy glam feel of Blair's outfit, and we even gathered together a few key pieces that can help you achieve the look in your own home.

Jonathan Adler Sputnik Chandelier  ||  Pier 1 Imports Blue Plush Pillow ||  Jonathan Adler Design Your Own Rug  ||  Nordstrom Flokati Throw  ||  Modish Harrison Headboard

With the color blocking trend still in the forecast for Spring 2012, would you consider stepping out in a pair of brightly colored trousers or perhaps wearing one on your nails is more your vibe?  Either way, we say this trend is here to stay. What colors are you most looking forward to moving to the front of your closet and how will you rock them?

Image 1 Atlantic Pacific, 2 sourced from Pinterest

Room With (Beyond) a View

I realize it is not yet snowing in Maryland (and a little difficult to get in the spirit with January temperatures hovering well above freezing), however, when I saw this room I immediately knew that I had found a house I could really live in.

With a warm, neutral color palette and open floor plan, I love everything this room has to offer.  From the furry fabrics, timber frame and dramatic bar lighting, this space definitely sings to me. Not to mention, the view isn't too bad either.  Does it sing to you?

Happy Monday!

xo,

stephanie

*Image: Holiday home in Zermatt, Switzerland by Philip Watts Design

The Friday 5

I feel like this week has been all about project sourcing and deadlines.  I have been on the hunt for several key pieces and was able to put a small dent in my growing list of "accessories to find." This gorgeous, gold mirror was spotted while consignment shopping and it is going to make the lobby of this commercial property really come alive.

One of my interns showed up to work with these neon nails and I couldn't get over this yummy color. 

Aside from the projects I am working on for others, I too am working on a little branding project of my own and am considering using this sketch (drawn especially for me) in some of the detailing.  This shape continues to reappear in my life and designs as seen here and here.  Should I view it as a sign?

 More exciting updates on that in the weeks to come...

Playful feather balls I can't wait to slip into a tablescape centerpiece.

For those that know me best, you would agree that I am a true "art lover"--one who respects the creative process and believes that the art (and accessories) make any room.  I recently had the pleasure of collaborating on the concept of this commission put together for a very special residential client.
The piece really came to life after the gold detailing was added last minute.  It was then hung
on the wall (here) earlier this week.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo,

stephanie

Look Book Inspired - Louis Vuitton Cruise 2012

FOR weeks now, runway and look book images for Spring 2012 collections have been popping up on blogs and being "pinned" like crazy, as magazine editors predict trends for the upcoming season.  I have always felt that if you watched the runways closely and recognized the trends in fashion, you would have a good pulse on what trends to expect in interior and event design as well.


With that being said, I was especially fond of the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2012 Catalogue shot in Paris by Mark Segal.  I love the mix of textures, metallic accents, and the marriage of the feminine with just the right amount of edge.  I then began imagining the type of living space each of these characters (all portrayed by model Arizona Muse) might retreat to after walking the bustling city streets...

...lunching in the park...

...or lounging lakeside for a long, relaxing weekend.

I have been fortunate enough to travel to Paris twice to date, however my last visit was close to a decade ago now.  Both visits were life changing experiences and I can't wait to return. Either way, each of these rooms are chic and glamourous in their own right, just like the entire LV collection.

Any of them speak to you?

xo,

stephanie

Images 1, 3 & 5, 2, 4, 6

YES - Recharged and Ready

This week has already been a bit of a blur with back-to-back project deadlines, an all day chapter board retreat, and two more crazy days ahead. Can you believe it's only Thursday? That got me thinking about what I can do to recharge my batteries and wake up feeling like this...  

Like many of us, I have so many exciting ideas (and projects) brewing that I often find it difficult to simply turn off my brain...which, at 3 AM can prove to be rather challenging (a few nights in a row especially). Good thing I have a pen and trusty sketch pad close at hand, just in case the perfect paint palette hits me in the middle of the night or the seating solution to the wedding floor plan that has puzzled me for days.  

I hope you too wake up tomorrow feeling like you are ready to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!  Don't forget, however, that it is the balance we all strive for...a beautiful place to retreat and clear our head, so each of our individual "YES" banners continues to fly high day after day!

xo,

stephanie

*images 1-2

Jason Wu For Target

Another designer collection is coming to Target and this time it is with Jason Wu! Known for creating feminine frocks for the likes of celebrities including: Jessica Alba, Alexa Chung and even the First Lady herself, Wu is one of a slew of designers to make an affordable line for Target.  Starting on February 5 (did you write that date down, ladies?), you will be able to snag clothes, bags and scarves with a price tag of $60 or less.  The pieces feature classic silhouettes so you'll be able to wear them for years to come.  Check out a few standout looks from the collection...

If his collection is anything like my experience interviewing shoppers for the much anticipated Missoni collaboration last fall, it is sure to sell out fast, so be sure to grab your favorite pieces early.  Peek here at the entire collection.  Anything special on your must have list?

Weekend Magic

With a cold and snowy weekend forecast in site, it looks like I may be spending a little time here.  I hope your weekend too is full of magic and lights...

xo,

stephanie

Inspiration - Purple Friday

Ironically, I am not usually one to talk at length about professional sports or football for that matter (I often have my nose buried in a design magazine while the game plays in the background), but it is indeed an important weekend for Baltimore as the Ravens travel to New England to play Tom Brady and the Patriot's.  I have to admit, I truly am getting excited for the BIG game ahead and that got me thinking about all things purple (aubergine and lavender too!), and inspired this post.  I hope it inspires you to add a little purple to your windows, walls or wedding!

Love it or leave it?  Personally I am fond of mixing it with oranges and pinks but combining it with the bright neon trend would be amazing too (I feel another tablescape brewing).  I will agree, it can be a challenging color to work with, but this weekend it will compliment anything YOU are wearing...

GO RAVENS!

xo,

stephanie

Images 1, Domino, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-8, 9

Interior Inspiration - B is for...

B.R.I.G.H.T.S!  That's right, I am (believe it or not) loving NEON and can't wait to incorporate this oh-so-fresh trend into one of my designs.  For a few seasons now we have seen colorful pieces walk up and down the runways and recently some of my favorite fashion bloggers have also embraced the trend with neon colored dresses, bright accessories and/or painting their nails a color that screams of fun.  Not only in fashion, but on furniture and fabrics alike, these bright hues definitely make a statement. Paired with creamy pastels like a cotton candy pink (so fun!) or all white walls (wow!), this taste of lemon zest really wets my design whistle.  After all, what better to inspire us during winter's gray days than some playful pop art and living in color?

Think you could live with something this vibrant or do you prefer a seemingly more serene retreat?  I don't know that I am bold enough to commit to this on my walls, but you may see me wearing it sooner rather than later!

Images 1-4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Baltimore BRIDE Spring/Summer 2012 - Concept to Reality

Last week I posted this with a peek inside the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Baltimore Bride.  I am often asked, "How do you come up with a concept for an event or an interior?" or "Where do you find inspiration?" For that reason, I thought I would post the storyboard my team and I created to share with our vendor partners prior to the shoot.  This was the jumping off point for our discussions regarding the tablescape color palette as well as the overall look I was trying to create...a clean, modern gallery feel with layers of detail and florals that would stop you in your tracks. 

So much time and energy goes into a project like this. There are countless creative meetings and oodles of tiny details prepping for our onsite partnership with magazine editors and photographers alike. For this particular shoot, I got the crazy idea to hand paint a large piece of art (my first original piece by the way painted on drywall).  Inspired by Wearstler's wallpaper, I knew the marble backdrop at Baltimore's Tremont Plaza Hotel was going to need a pop of color to create the WOW factor I was looking for.  That being said, I headed to the hardware store for supplies and used Valspar's "Peach Kiss" (2002-2C) for the base color to give a little contrast to our crisp white linen.  I then went to town with large brush strokes of intense color with Valspar's "Autumn Gala" (2004-1A) to create movement.  One of my interns assisted (in the back parking lot of my design studio) with the final touches of gold glitter. The pavement still sparkles in the sunlight and always makes me smile...

* Image by Stacy Zarin

Many thanks again to each of our talented vendor partners including: 

Charm City Cakes, Carla David Design, Fleur de Lis Florist, Table Toppers, Gore Dean, 

The House Downtown, Macy's, Pier 1 Imports, and the Tremont Plaza Hotel.

Serene Retreat

It is always about this time of year that I start daydreaming of the beach...fantasizing about a spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway full of early morning walks, a cool breeze and of course a fruity cocktail or two. This week I am taking time to put the finishing touches on a few interior design projects that I have been working on.  This storyboard was created for a client who wanted a palette of soft tans, pale blue, and crisp white (she also loves tufting). I like the way this feels spa-like with a touch of glam, approachable and refined.  I can't help but think about how gorgeous this palette would be for a baby shower or beachside wedding.  Perhaps this will inspire you to bring a little calm to your space.  

Happy Monday!

xo,

stephanie

The Friday 5

This week was all about event and interior projects.  These little blue birds are beyond cute (found them at Michael's) and were the perfect addition to one of my tabletop projects.  

This wall paper pattern is so gorgeous and when I stopped by the job site yesterday and 

saw it on the wall, I literally said "WOW" out loud.

Great company and meal, pretty menu cards and florals at an event planners luncheon at the

Hotel Monaco in Baltimore.

I also stumbled across this book in my travels this week and have always loved e.e.cummings poetry...
especially this one. 

When I got home last night, a package (all the way from Morocco) was on my apartment doorstep and it had this, the newest addition to my living room, inside!  L.O.V.E.

Charm City Style - More Spots

Yesterday the weather in Charm City was beyond beautiful and believe it or not close to 60 degrees.
I had a lunch meeting with fellow industry colleagues right on the harbor and it couldn't have been a better day to be outside.  From there a few quick stops before returning to the studio to continue prepping
for one of three commercial interior projects currently in development.
Sneak peek here at what I have been working on...

Tahari blazer, F21 leopard blouse, Simply Vera by Vera Wang wide leg denim, Charles David patent leather pumps, Aqua Madonna handbag, jewelry-vintage pendant, Sassanova, Michael Kors,
Tory Burch sunglasses, "Wicked" by Essie nails