Bookshelves

Whether your bookshelf is a god-send to stay organized, a place to keep your favorite items out of reach from the kids, or the home to all of your favorite books, a perfect shelf can be the centerpiece of your personal style! How many ways can you arrange your shelf? The options are endless. I find myself switching around one or two items almost weekly to find my perfect display arrangement. I love using art pieces as a backdrop to some collectibles. Try using books in an unexpected way: as a platform for a beautiful bowl or urn-like vase, alternating stacked sideways and upright, or even by cover color. Use your shelf as a canvas for adding seasonal decorations to keep your shelf dynamic! When creating your perfect shelf, think about using the space wisely. Should you switch up the shelf size by taking out a few (if removable) or making the shelves smaller or bigger to customize the fit for that awesome framed watercolor of yours? Think about proportion and balance more than symmetry. You don't want your shelf to be predictable, but you do want it to be eye-candy pleasing. There's no perfect recipe; that's what makes it fun!

Tucker for Target

Don't you just love it when a designer comes down the expensive (yet fabulous) fashion ladder to meet our budgets? I certainly do. I want to introduce the Tucker for Target collection. Meet designer Gaby Basora. “My line for Target was inspired by my passions for art and travel, and has a carefree elegance that is fashionable, but never fussy,” says Basora. I’m excited about interpreting my vision and creating a budget-friendly collection that women everywhere can enjoy.” Two things I love: fashionable without fussy. Enjoy.

Shop the Tucker for Target Collection

Sequins

In my opinion, sequins are timeless. They sparkle and glitter and glitz like few other embellishments. They are my personal favorite. I've been told that the very best way to wear sequins is to wear only one piece adorned with the lovely sparkle at a time. I couldn't believe how many sequin items found a home at J.Crew. I've shared a few of my favorites!

Fashion: Shapes & Colors

In fashion, color brings the shape of clothes to life. As of late, I've noticed how some clothes fall short of fabulous because they were the wrong colors with the right shape OR the wrong shape with the right color. Of course, I attribute high importance to both elements. I've been captured lately (maybe because I'm looking forward to fall?) by the rich, jeweled colors contrasting with an airy counterpart. I stumbled upon such beautiful examples. I've all but drooled over the timeless silhouettes with such classy touches of an embellishment. Although my days don't call for this kind of elegance, I'm learning to focus in on my wardrobe in the way of shapes and colors.




Berry Oscar de la Renta; Pink Louis Vuitton
Gold Lela Rose, Navy Monique Lhuillier

Let's Take a Look at Art

Here are some of art's wonderful examples of color in action. Examine each painting. How does the artist evoke emotion and energy through careful placement of color? Is it through shadows? A window? Nature? Attire? Although I plan on continuing to further explore color in art, I want to first hand the mic to you: What about these (or any other piece!) paintings capture you? What makes each piece special and distinctive? And of course, how does the use of color and light weave its role throughout the entire work? Can't wait to hear your thoughts.


Poppy, Georgia O'Keeffe
Twilight on the Sound, Darien, Connecticut, John Frederick Kensett (1816–1872)
Mighty Proud, Norman Rockwell, 1958
Philosopher in Meditation, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1632

House Beautiful: A Bright and Bold Summer Beach House

In the July/August issue of House Beautiful, I fell in love with Krista Ewart's California beach bungalow! The article highlights ways to make the most of your small spaces. In Ewart's space, she uses bold color to expand the room. She explains: "I don't think you should ever restrain yourself! And big, bright, and bold actually makes small spaces seem larger. The more statement pieces, the better." I'm totally inspired. I was encouraged to tell one of my readers, Maria H., that even white walls do not limit the use of color in your own space. In this beach house, with exception of one small use of wallpaper, the backdrop is sterile white! Such a surprise to see with such bold accessory colors. Plus, bright, fun, and inexpensive accessories can be swapped around to sync with your mood. Don't worry about making the plunge to the color world for fear of over-commitment! Pick your favorite colors and run with them!

The Future: Eco Friendly Paint

What's the latest in paint technology? Eco-friendly paint. Benjamin Moore offers a line of paint called aura paint, using colorlock technology, a technology that bonds the pigment color microscopically to the paint film, allowing for low odor, fast dry time. In addition, this technology rises high above safety standards, with its incredibly low amounts of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). Benjamin Moore's Aura paint has no true competitor on the market, indicating its innovation in paint technology. Aura's promise to be green without compromising excellent color gives further proof to its unique place on the market. Benjamin Moore offers every one of their colors (3,500 of them!) plus most colors from other competing paint brands in the Aura line. It's a painter's dream come true.

View the Key Features of Benjamin Moore's Aura Paint, and you may never buy another brand again!