the power of mixing pillows

Never underestimate the statement that even the smallest of accessories make...
One of my favorite ways to add some fun to your space is through pillows. Pillows, when placed well, can be such a huge decorative impact for your space. A low budget way to add some serious style and swagger. The real style comes in the mix of styles, patterns, textures and sizes.
Here are some of my most favorite mixes for you to pull inspiration! 

images pulled from decorpad, pinterest, via domino mag, livingetc & housebeautiful

The Art of Living: bedside swagger

So, thankfully I made it out of the hurricane Irene unscathed. God bless the entire east coast for dealing with this mess, my heart goes out to all who were affected! In any case...
I spent lots of extra time in my bed during the rain and remembered the importance of having a stylish bedside table. The essentials are different for every person as its such a personal choice what to place there. I personally love a lamp for reading at night, flowers and candles for delicious fragrance and something good to read. Curious to know, what do you guys keep on your bedside table?
Anything like these lovely little trinkets?

1) alex papachristidis 2)unknown 3)styleathome.com 4) rue 5) small shop studio

Style-icious Sunday: decorating with roses

Being that hurricane Irene has caused me to be indoors for a few days, I decided to brighten my world with white roses all around my apartment. Sometimes domestic bliss is in the little things...
When styling spaces, I like to make sure that at least some sort of bloom is in each vignette. It just really finishes off a fabulous display of beautiful accessories. It even compliments the most gorgeous fashions too!
nothing is more delicate and pretty than a light rose color palate...
roses always make the perfect centerpieces!
images via weheartit + pinterest
P.S. So many of you have written the sweetest emails about my new newsletter series, decorista deluxe. Thanks for the feedback! Glad you are enjoying it...stay tuned, lots in the works for this weeks!  

10 things that rocked my world this week! august 27

1. Spent the week in the Hamptons with Melanie getting ready for a few upcoming projects. Loved shopping along the main street in Bridgehampton, incredibly fun!

 2. I love chairs...seriously I have a small obsession with really great shapes. This very beautiful hot pink velvet with bright orange trim just stole my heart.
 3. So for a client living room, I am loving this look for a pair of chairs. Black velvets, gold and stripes with white linen. Very sophisticated chic.
 4. Nothing excites me more than a beautiful skyline full of white puffy clouds. 
 5. Found this shiny grey metallic fabric for a chair in my apartment. Only $13 a yard. 
Fabulousity on a budget! 
 6. By the sea, color inspiration just abounds. Sea shells on the shore are such a gorgeous greige color palate. I loved it. 

 7. Glitter letter artwork is the new business. Anything and anyone that uses the word love...I am totally into it. 
 8. I know I am an adult, but I am such a sucker for anything Hello Kitty. My mom and I always talk about my obsession I have had since I was a little girl. Isn't she just the cutest?
 9. Now this was my kind of office space of the day! Gorgeous blue pool + laptops + plush pillows = total weekend vacation bliss.
10. I have a small obsession with Skippy peanut butter and this is my new favorite snack. 
Strawberry Skippy toast. YUM!

office space of the day...coveting the offices of Who What Wear

Join me in taking a peek inside the offices of the fashionista's behind Who What Wear...
white walls + tufted high back sofa + monogrammed pillow + super chic gold lamp =
decorista bliss

So incredibly chic, stylish and full of city girl glamour and I can't get enough of it.  

I am such a sucker for well styled bookcases.
 (coming soon in my newsletter I will give you tips on how to do this properly...so stay tuned)
all images via the covetuer

the prettiest of bedrooms...


With Hurricane Irene quickly approaching the east coast I am ensuring that my cute little bedroom is overly cozy and comfortable...
I have to make sure my surroundings are pleasing to all the senses. I'll be sure to stock up on water, lots of jasmin + gardenia candles, a lush fur throw, my freshly washed sheets and  probably some beautiful white roses to set atop of the fireplace.
I am just crushing on these lovely bedrooms today. Plush, soft, romantic...there is nothing better than coming home (or getting rained in) to the most delicious bedding and delightful furnishings. For me, its the ultimate domestic bliss! 


michael smith design
michael bruno design




needing. wanting. loving. {mixing metallics}

Oh I am so very in love with the gorgeousness of mixes of silver + gold...
Nothing looks quite more put together than mixed metallics. I truly believe that the art of the mix is the best part. Mixing highs and lows, patterns and prints, furs and linens....it's all so very fun to do. I encourage all of you to never shy away from mixing silver and gold. Metallics are very in style and can compliment even the drab-est of decor styles.

quite glamorous, no?

In the Hamptons today and will be at the Designer Showhouse...make sure to follow me on Facebook for the fabulous photos!

For My Readers...The Decorista Deluxe



This blog has been such a blessing to my life and I am always looking for ways to give back to you. You guys are awesome and you all send me emails, questions and comments asking me for my advice and inside tips and I love it. 
So,I have found a way to share with you, the answers for the decorating dilemmas that you face. 

Dying to know where to find that perfect coffee table? Do you find yourself searching for the lamp you saw in that post? Are you overwhelmed by the abundance of paint colors at your local Benjamin Moore? 
I'm here to help!
Sign up for The Decorista Deluxe weekly newsletter!


Each Friday I will share with you...
  • how to create Decorista style in your own home 
  • my top picks and where you can find them
  •  the latest on my projects 
  • answers to the most popular questions you ask.

{So make sure to leave your questions in the comments}

AND don't forget to LIKE The Decorista on facebook for photos and behind-the-scenes videos too! 

Wallcolor Wednesday {the bold and the beautiful, royal blue}

This week, I decided to spend the week in the Hamptons...
I needed to get out of the city, badly. The earthquake in NYC yesterday was such craziness. A little spooky. Being out here in this gorgeous, small beach town, I am constantly seeing the most lovely shades of blue. My heart just adores it! Light blue skies, deep blue waters, pretty aqua pools, and the most beautiful blooms. Blues are the epitome of coastal living so I thought, why not highlight deep blue walls today.

This blue living room could totally be a Hamptons living room. Very traditional and preppy, I love the sophistication and style. 

Color palate inspiration...Grant K. Gibson does gray




Absolutely inspired by...
 Grant k. Gibson and his decorator showhouse dining room. 
I am loving his use of deep gray walls and kelly green dining chairs. 
The bright color just looks so rich against the deep and dark dining table. Throw in a dash of black and white to the floor and a bit of brass above with lighting and we are in swoonville. Bits of blue and white china + pops of pretty pink flowers never hurt anybody either...am I right? Fab job. 

secret of domestic bliss #54...glossy black doors

The decorating of my new apartment is coming along rather quickly. Its amazing what a girl can get done when she is on a mission. One of the first things I had to change was the inside of my front door. I have always longed for glossy black doors inside a home, and I finally made it happen for myself. 
(P.S. to see more progress on my apartment and for updates on my latest projects sign up for my newsletter here)
There is nothing more chic than gorgeous, dark and glossy black paint. Do not hesitate to add a little chic to your world with a gorgeous black door, especially if the finishes on the knobs are gold or brass. So very stylish. 


Don't you just want to walk into this???? This photo inspired my own door. love! 

1) Ashlina The Decorista 2) decorpad 3)nate berkus 4)martha stewart living 5+6)mfamb

because today I am LOVING sconces

This afternoon I had a wonderful time scouring the city for some great finds. For some reason, I found the most amazing sconces and now am obsessed with finding a perfect pair for my new apartment. Maybe even more than one pair will do the trick! I love the way they look solo too.

LOVE this mirror/sconce....gorgeous! 
I really love these white ones too! 

1) 2) urbank 3) elledecor 4)lonnymag 5)mary macdonald

10 things that rocked my world this week! august 20

1. I painted stripes in my new apartment hallway and I am absolutely enamored by their style and swagger. Feeling super good about my decision. 

 2. The NYIGF was pretty cool, I went like 3 or 4 different times just incase I missed anything. The last day was fun because they actually sold things off the floor so my clients and I snagged up a few goodies. I really wanted this super playful poodle lamp, but it was sold before I got to it. bummer.
 3. I have the coolest Super in the entire world...(for those of you who don't live in NYC, your Super is sort of like your building handyman). His name is Allen and he is probably in his 80's and used to be a big Hollywood actor guy. He gave me this cute keychain as a housewarming gift. gotta love the guy.
 4. Honestly, how cute is this plate I found at UrbanOutfitters? Who could love anything more than french fries...or in my case Sweet Potato Fries. 
 5. Since exploring around in my new neighborhood, I have found the most fabulous antique stores I have ever seen. One of them had this collection of rose gold outdoor light fixtures that just took my breath away. I could just picture it....glossy black paint + rose gold beauties = bliss
 6. Did I mention that my new apartment is literally 2 blocks from Central Park? I am so so so in love with the magic of the park, its the perfect anecdote to crazy city workdays.
 7. I'm slightly obsessed with pressed butterflies...and my local Housing Works had this cute cute cute piece. Had to snag it. 
 8. Oh, how you can take the girl out of Hollywood but not Hollywood out of the girl. I went crazy for this collection of old hollywood movie photos in antique silver gold frames. Looked stunning as a focal wall. 
9. Gray and Gold metallic cowhide rug......say whaaaaaaaa? Gorgeous! 
10. Had my very first ever TRENTA starbucks iced coffee. Holy cow the thing is huge. Don't you just love the way soymilk melts down into the coffee? I adore that marbleized look, especially when it comes to decor.

needing. wanting. loving. {bone inlay pieces}

Oh the loveliness of bone inlay furniture pieces. I attended NYIGF this week and saw such fabulous and stylish bone inlay work. My favorite were the mirrors, the detail was incredible. However, the minute I laid eyes on these chairs at this dining table, I knew I had to have something like these sweet things in my new apartment. Unfortunately, I have no room for a dining table and chairs but perhaps I could go with a mirror or stylish tray...


GORGEOUSNESS...


The Art of Living: how to decorate with mirrors

I love decorating with mirrors, but I find that I am bored of just a simple mirror all alone on the wall. I like panache and extra effort when it comes to styling them. There is something about just a little something extra, that really can take your home decor to another level. It's interesting to see how adding mirrors to my own apartment brings a new dynamic and new dimensions. I am inspired to create even more creative displays with mirrors...
I also really love the look of gatherings of mirrors, they are highly effective for any smaller room as it creates a dramatic look AND as we all know, mirrors give the illusion of more space! 
There is such charm about leaning mirrors too, never underestimate the power of unstyled style.
I love mirrors in a bigger grouping of items as well.
This is a little something I am dying to try in my new apartment. A vertical line of mirrors in between windows, this is sure to maximize some natural sunlight. I love it.

1) greige 2,3) passiondecor 5,6,7)nuevoestilo 8)domino

Wallcolor Wednesday {grey + beige = greige}

The walls in my new apartment are finally done and I am just smitten with the color. It's a soft greige that really just warms up the space. I love the way metallics look against the color and small pops of black look fabulous too! The greige creates such a cozy and ethereal look, I can't wait to throw in some pops of color to really make the walls sing...

I love the way the beautiful outdoor lighting hits the soothing walls, makes for such a dreamy space. 


couch contemplations...an aqua tufted sofa

Okay, I've nailed down the wall color for my new place...at least I think so. I am going for a GREIGE (grey and beige mix)...and I seriously love that word, it couldn't be cuter. 
To go in my seriously teeny studio, I want a big pop of color and I think I have fallen for this amazing tufted sofa. So colorful and full of personality...
This is the exact photo from the website. It's curvy and buttery in leather. I looooooooove it.
What do you guys think?????

bliss in the kitch' {dark, gray and dreamy}

So, my little kitchen in my new apartment is adorable, but it needs a splash of color on the cabinets. I am leaning towards dark gray. For some reason, gray is so soothing to me and it can make any color look better and really pop!
NYIGF is this week and I am so inspired by all of the fabulous things on display...I found this amazing pair of gold foo dogs that I am dying for. How great would they look in a dark gray kitchen....snazzy!

1) livingetc. 2) decorpad 3)casasugar 4)mariakillam

Style-icious Sunday: rainy day decor inspiration

Such a heavenly sunday in the city today. Rain in the streets and decorating on my mind. I have got to get together some inspiration for my new space. I can't wait to get it all done already, I am the most impatient decorator when it comes to my own space. Today I am inspired by the color palates of these adorable fashionistas with bubble umbrellas, something I definitely wish I had today...how incredibly chic are those sweet umbrellas?


viaDDDhusandhem.jpg



and now...my current love of life...mint green!