{a fond farewell to summer}

. . . lovely to be back again after a stunningly beautiful weekend filled with sunny, sunny skies and balmy mid-afternoon breezes fitting for the last long-weekend of the summer -- even as the early mornings turn crisp and it's nearly time for soft scarves, tall boots and elegant trenches, one last look at the perfect loveliness we leave behind . . .







{images: 1 - country style; 2 - collette dinnigan; 3 - Rooms to Inspire in the Country by annie kelly; 4 - Living by Design by john stefanidis; 5 - belinda merrie; 6 - house & garden; 7 - michael graydon; 8 - oberto gill - all images via the ever-inspiring brabourne farm -- thank you, felicity!}

{inspiration: black + white}

When there's a moment to spend sorting through the abyss that is the closet, often find myself wandering away to do other things -- sometimes difficult to pare down and part with things, infinitely easier to sort through the hundreds of photographs in inspiration folders -- and happened upon these lovely shots of black + white -- the best of both worlds: bright airiness contrasted with bold elegance . . .









{images:1 - otis & frank; 2 - brigitte bardot via moodboard; 3 - elle decor; 4 - the french bedroom; 5 - desire to inspire; 6 - tiny k; 7 - desire to inspire; 8 - unknown; 9 - australian home beautiful june 2008; 9 - kate moss by bruce weber for vogue november 2006 via moodboard; 10 - skona hem}

{home inspiration: old world glamour}

. . . quite possibly the most romantic ever, have completely fallen for this master bath designed to evoke the luxury and glamour of a powder room in a 1920s grand hotel, with perfectly elegant details such as mirrored bureaus and calcutta marble, an antique gilt mirror and mosaic tiles, vintage gilt & crystal sconces and a 1930s french tufted settee, floods of light and a mirrored tray always filled with perfume and roses . . .

{images: scans, photography by john granen for house beautiful june 2010, interview by lisa cregan, bathroom design by carrie hayden}

{inspiration: task lamps & dramatic wallpaper}

. . . here, it's elegant neutrals and everywhere marble, but seem to return, again and again, to the sophisticated combination of dramatic wallpaper and task lamps in this powder room -- quite surprising, really, as often drawn to light and bright walls and delicately pretty sconces -- and yet . . .

{p.s.} many, many thanks for: this lovely post

{image: rita konig via department of the interior}

{colour inspiration: driftwood}

. . . soft summer skies and the nostalgia of worn floorboards, quiet glimmers of crystals on a chandelier, a sequined wrap or a mirror -- on this early may afternoon, daydreams are filled with the warm, seaside shades of driftwood . . .

{images: 1 & 3 - scans by this is glamorous, photography by polly wreford for at home with white by atlanta bartlett; 2 - gemma comas; 4 - new farmhouse style via the city sage; 5 - a previous post; 6 - photography by andrew hayes-watkins; 7 - 1st option via sanctuary; 8 - tumblr; 9 - brabourne farm; 10 - dreamy whites via felicity; 11 - thread social}

{a little champagne + the winner is . . .}

. . . a quick hello on the way out the door and also sending along warmest congratulations to helena from london, winner of the lovely, lovely cable & heart bracelet give-away:

***congratulations, helena!***

thanks to everyone who entered and hope you're well,
xo

{images: via a glamorous little side project}

{a charming mix of things}

. . . lately have been receiving many lovely e-mails inquiring about the things that inspire and thought it might be fun to compile a beautiful list of current inspirations, of the things that enchant and captivate and the thoughts that turn into daydreams and the things that flutter, flutter through the imagination -- and so, a charming mix of things . . .


. . . poems on mirrors {via felicity}


. . . natural wonders {one & two}



. . . always, backstage photos {via definitely golden}

. . . topknots {via scout-holiday}


. . . amazing crystal caves {via all the mountains}

. . . a room with a view


. . . smokey eyes & upswept hair

. . . side by side {via pink wallpaper}

. . . origami hearts


. . . gold & glass {via apartment therapy}


. . . chloé {via haute design}

. . . velvet chairs & herringbone floors {via felicity}

. . . and still, socks & heels

{p.s.} wednesday already! how the week has flown -- hope it's wonderful where you are,
xo

{images: 1-3 - souvenirs via julia}