Ada & Darcy

I recently discovered Ada & Darcy, the gorgeous blog of Australia-based interior designer Kellie Collis.

Ada & Darcy takes my breath away with Kellie's eye-catching photos of her own home, her DIY projects, and the pure & simple beauty that she admires.

Kellie has a passion for all things beautiful, especially fabulous interiors. She is always looking for new and gorgeous things for her interior design and styling business, and for her online store that will be opening very soon.

Her precious babies, Lily & Molly...

Colorful pillows & vibrant flowers grace Kellie's home...

If you're looking for endless inspiration, a romantic and ethereal place to get lost in, visit Ada & Darcy here. You may find yourself spending much time perusing it as I have! It's fabulous!

photo credits: Ada & Darcy

Design Legends Entertaining Tips

The ever-s0-talented Jennifer Boles at The Peak of Chic never has a shortage of the most informative and fun posts on her blog. I'm a huge fan. Jennifer has done numerous posts about entertaining, many about table settings from the vintage Tiffany's entertaining books, which are some of her favorites.

There are so many wonderful posts of Jennifer's, that I couldn't help myself from plagiarizing one of my favorites from July 2008, "Entertaining with the Pros."

Let's go back in time and see what tips some of the design legends have to offer. And, thanks Jennifer. Love your commentary!

"Elsie de Wolfe had a lot to say about entertaining. So much so that she wrote Elsie de Wolfe's Recipes for Successful Dining. De Wolfe believed that "the perfect meal is the short meal." Remember, De Wolfe wrote the book at a time when dining was a bit more elaborate than today. A few other tidbits: Never have high flower vases on your table. Keep your table decorations "low, low, low."And "Curried Veal Kidneys" is a recipe for successful dining."

"Dorothy Draper, the merriest of decorators, once wrote that a "delighted hostess is a delightful hostess" (this from Entertaining is Fun!). Dorothy had a point-- who wants to be around a harried hostess? She also wrote that she never held up a dinner party for more than half an hour waiting for a tardy guest. And canned turtle soup with sherry is something that one should always have in his pantry. (Do they still make canned turtle soup?)"

"Dorothy Rodgers thought (and wrote) a great deal about entertaining. The woman certainly was attuned to the details and planning of dinner parties, weekend house parties, and casual affairs. Rodgers' advice included using cloths on small tables as opposed to place mats, using matching crystal stemware, and passing crackers with the first course. Oh, "The Game." "Improbable Conversations," and "Botticelli" are all FUN parlor games, at least according to Rodgers."


"Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, the late directrice of Nina Ricci couture house, wrote all about Entertaining with Elegance. Did you know that yellow asters and orange chrysanthemums in a copper container make a chic floral arrangement? Or that asparagus tips with a bit of mayonnaise rolled up in thinly sliced white bread makes a tasty tea sandwich? And that wine glasses should be filled one half to two-thirds full? You do now, thanks to Ms. Dariaux."

"Mark Hampton was not a fan of table linens made of polyester. He also thought one should avoid using colored candles (unless it was a Christmas celebration) as well as narcissus and lilies- too odoriferous for the dinner table."

"Bunny Williams liked to have a drinks tray set up on a table so that guests could help themselves to libations. She also used Pepperidge Farm thin sliced bread for tea sandwiches and Duncan Hines brownies for dessert."

If you want to read some additional posts of Jennifer's on entertaining, visit here, here, here and here. Or just go over and add The Peak of Chic to your Google Reader to keep up on the latest and greatest.

Now, hurry up and get that turtle soup ready for Thanksgiving!

vintage photos and content from The Peak of Chic

Fog Decor

photo credit: marksmotos

I love summer! Just kidding. Summer in San Francisco is like...well ...winter. June, July and August are the foggiest months here. Fog forms over the bay when warm air is cooled by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. If you drive 10-15 miles south of San Francisco, you can be in 80 degree temperatures. Very strange. Whether you're living in, or just visiting the City by the Bay, be prepared to wear winter attire.

I stumbled upon this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, "How Fog Colors a Designer's Palette," written by fellow blogger & freelance writer, Anh-Minh Le. It focuses on the challenges that decorators face with the foggy climate of San Francisco.

Designer Suzanne Tucker says yellows add warmth, as in this Julia Morgan apartment. Photo: Matthew Millman

San Francisco designer, Candace Barnes, used a regal palette, sparkling silver accessories and classical furnishings of her own design in her salon for the 2008 San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

Designer Susan Tucker- "The fog is a tremendous factor to consider in San Francisco. Obviously, colors like yellows and apricots are inherently warm and work beautifully. But when dealing with whites, grays and blues, you need to have a certain element of warmth in them to counteract the gray days and the quality the fog creates. Pick warm whites that have a slight yellow undertone."

my living room with a an off white palette & black & gold accents

my living room at night. Note the warm-colored white walls.

my dining room

When we moved into our home, (which happens to be the foggiest part of San Francisco), we left the original paint interior the sellers had painted. It is a warm white--almost pale yellow hue. It warms the room and gives is a glow. During the dreary foggy months, it adds cheerfulness and instant sunlight. I wish I had the name of the color. When repainting, I've had to match paint chips. It's a wonderful color, even in a non-foggy climate.

Designer Steven Miller used warm colors as an antidote to the foggy weather in this Parnassus Heights home. Photo: Cesar Rubio

Benjamin Moore color palette with warm colors

Designer Steven Miller- "The antidote to fog is color. A warmer color temperature in a room is a really good approach, so you don't feel like you're living on a glacier. The palette can include everything from a warm white to ochre, to brighter colors like orange, yellow and red. Burnt orange - an earthy orange - is a favorite of mine."

Blues can work well, but the red adds the needed pop of color. photo from Sunset Magazine

San Francisco interior designer Palmer Weiss was named in Domino Magazine's Top 10 Designers for 2008.

Summer in San Francisco can be dreary. Many people find themselves depressed, with the sun rarely making an appearance. I imagine it's similar to the London fog. In any event, it's good to know that there are some great decorating ideas out there to brighten up our homes. Candles & lighting work great too! And for most of you in living in squeltering hot climates...well..let's say, I'm a tad bit envious!

photo from here

"I wandered out like a haggard ghost, and there she was, Frisco, long bleak streets with trolley wires all shrouded in fog and whiteness." -Jack Kerouac, 19578140784244267805563

Jewelry for the Home

I've always loved turquoise, and summer makes me want to wear it and decorate with it.

You may have seen this fabulous turquoise Empire chandelier before by designer, Marjorie Skouras. Made of authentic turquoise beads draped in a classic southern style, it retails for $6,900. It may not be vintage, but I'm crazy for it!!

Check out more of Marjorie's fabulous creations and her beautiful portfolio here.

photo from marjorieskourasdesign.com

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Reservations, please...

I've never been to Buenos Aires, but after looking at photos of the Faena Hotel + Universe, it's time to start saving my pennies...

The 110-room hotel and residential complex is the brainchild of local iconoclast Alen Faena, a fashion designer turned real estate entrepreneur. He tapped fellow visionary Philippe Starck to drape the spacious interiors with a decadent decor rich in velvets, reds and golds, plus contemporary, all-white touches; imagine Belle Époque-meets-21st-century.

Upon arrival, I think I'd check in and head straight to the spa for some relaxation and pampering after a long plane flight. Perhaps the 5-star treatment massage and a facial treatment with La Prairie products. Oh, I'm relaxed now.

Now I'm off to "The Cellar" for a glass of wine. The Cellar has the largest collection of wines in Argentina. Love this sophisticated room!

A gal's gotta shop! La Boutique offers some exquisite items and I love the decor. I think I'll pick up a couple of things.

Pretty pooped now. I think it's time for sleep in one of the Executive Rooms, with wonderful views of the sunset.

Wake up time and I'm off to the Library Lounge to people watch, have a light breakfast and read the paper. Such a comfortable setting.

After a long day of sightseeing through lovely Buenos Aires, it's time for a bite at "El Mercado." They have an excellent menu with Argentinian cuisine. The decor is amazing with vintage and antique pieces throughout.

Loving this room.

What's a night in a swanky hotel without a show. El Cabaret has great live shows and you can't help but love the gold Chiavari chairs against the red backdrop. Wow.

After a full day, it's off to zzzzz.....

A girl can dream, right? Thanks for joining me at the Faena!

All photos courtesy of Faena Hotel + Universe

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