Office Inspiration: Grégoire's Gem

  One of the perks of now working at an interior design firm is the sheer joy of being surrounded by tangible inspiration all day long. I am deeply affected by the landscapes in which I live and work in, and my new work environment makes me truly happy. Instead of the interior rigidness of a financial institution, I am now surrounded by a flood of rich fabrics and textiles, architects drafting elaborate blueprints, a sea of French antiques, and, a library full of auction and design catalogues. Thus, I bring you my latest obsession. If I could jump in to this landscape, I would. The images come from the French design publication Côté Sud and depict the most idyllic residence on the French Riviera. The vacation home belongs to Grégoire Gardette, legendary photographer, designer, publisher and graphic designer. Now all I need is a new white bikini, my Bain de Soleil and a tall glass of Pellegrino - dreamy! In addition to salivating over the serene scenes above, be sure to view Grégoire's portfolio, here: http://gregoiregardette.com/fr-en/

Mark Your Calendar: SF Decorator Showcase

The Decorator Showcase is my favorite annual event in San Francisco. This year, I am particularly excited about the house selected, as I have been mesmorized by the ivy-covered home ever since my first walk in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Last year, the home sold for $18M making it one of the most expensive (residential) real estate transactions within the year. It should also be mentioned that it sold above asking price. (For those unfamiliar with the San Francisco real estate market, this is more common then you would think). The Decorator Showcase will be open from April 26 - May 26 this year, showcasing the work of over twenty six interior and landscape design firms. The event, open to the public, is a fundraiser for the San Francisco University High School. Last year, the event raised over $622,565 (net).

I reccomend attending the event on a weekend morning or after work. It's a wonderful event to go to with friends who appreciative design, and also makes for a fun pre-dinner date activity.

To learn more and purchase your tickets, visit here.

Bahama Mama

When I began constructing this post, I realized I had inadvertently created a theme I seemed to be following. I do have the itch to travel and find myself recently intrigued by island homes and the lifestyle that inevitably accompanies. (If you missed "The Good Life" post, you can get caught up here). There is something to be said about jetting off to a home-away-from-home to enjoy the simple pleasures you so adore. I loved reading about Alessandra Branca's Harbour Island getaway. The photographs that accompanied the piece made me love sick for pink skies, refreshing cocktails, afternoon island breezes and the ease that comes with such landscape. I particularly like that Alessandra, a Chicago based interior designer, chose a deep coral-red as one of the prominent colors in her designs. The color compliments the lush greenery and natural colored textural elements throughout the home, lending to a cohesive yet non-fussy look. See the feature in Architectural Digest here.

Garden Party Ready

Admittedly, this particular catalog is usually put in the stack of discarded mail, however this month, it gave me pause. The cover is perfectly enticing and all things Spring, showcasing a garden oasis with two chic seating areas. It is a scene I would teleport to in an instant - truly my definition of heaven. If you're in the market for outdoor furniture, I encourage you to look at Frontgate. Currently, they are offering 20% Savings on all furniture sets. My pick? The Grayson Collection in white with jade cushion fabric. Images via.