There's Something About Orange

While just about any technicolor shade is right on trend this summer, there's something about orange that I'm loving right now. Perhaps it's because orange seems just right for the increasingly warm weather. Or maybe it's just the punch of bold, bright, cheerfulness that my wardrobe needs right now. Or maybe it's got something to do with how well it pairs with other colors I love like navy blue, turquoise and white. Regardless, orange is a "must have" for me this summer.

The key to pulling off head-to-toe orange? Keep the silhouette simple and streamlined; the color is the standout here, so keep the details unfussy and accessories (try just some simple gold jewelry) to a minimum. Also, stay monochromatic if you want to keep the look feeling sophisticated and edgy as too many bold colors easily read as too young. Nude shoes are a great (and leg-lengthening) choice.

Despite my love of statement-making color, I'll confess I don't always have the hutzpah to wear head-to-toe brights myself. I all too often tend to retreat behind black, navy or gray. If you're anything like me (and I expect many of you are), then the easiest way to play with the bolds and brights found on the Spring 2011 runways is to incorporate these shades into your existing wardrobe in smaller doses, via shoes, jewelry, and handbags.

Source List:

St John Double Face Crepe Jacket and Pencil Skirt (Nordstrom; $795 and $395)

Diane Von Furstenberg Bateau Neck Dress (Nordstrom; $285)

Verbena Dress (Tory Burch; $350)

Kate Spade New York "Daycation" pouch (Nordstrom; $50)
Lanvin Grosgrain espadrilles (Net-a-porter; $595)
Elephant Belt (Kate Spade; $95)

Cara Accessories Bead & Metal Bangles (Nordstrom; $48)

Dylan Large Shoulder Bag (Linea Pelle; $415)

Tory Burch Synthetic Straw Shoulder Bag (Nordstrom; $350)

Horton Sandal (Tory Burch; $295)

Shabby-Chic Linen Ballet Flat (Banana Republic; $79)

Juicy Couture Endless Summer Stackable Rings (Nordstrom; $88/set of 3)

The Elephant in the Room

Palmer Weiss

It's no secret that elephants are an incredibly popular motif in interior design right now. From paperweights to side tables, they're popping up just about everywhere. My favorite iteration so far though has to be this chic console table, shown above in classic white and below in cherry red. It's safari-chic but all glammed up in slick lacquer. 

Ruthie Sommers

You can snag one for yourself from Circa Who on 1stDibs. If you're looking for a less expensive way to bring an elephant home with you, here are a few other great options:

Source list (clockwise, from top left): (1) Hook, Anthropologie; (2) Cast-Metal Elephant, West Elm; (3) Bottle Stopper, ZGallerie; (4) Bookshelf, DwellStudio; (5) Blue Elephant, Pieces; (6) Stationery, Iomoi; (7) Tape Dispenser, Iomoi; (8) Side Table, Revival Home & Garden; (9) Silk-Screen Print, Serena & Lily; (10) Salt & Pepper Shakers, Jonathan Adler; and (11) Pillow, John Robshaw.

HUGE Sale at Mod Green Pod!

Just wanted to alert everyone to a huge sale going on now at Mod Green Pod, an eco-friendly fabric and wallpaper company based in Austin, Texas. Everything, yes, everything is currently 50% off. Fabrics are now $15/yard for solids and $20/yard for prints. Wallpaper is currently $55 a roll. Hurry while supplies last! I'm thinking of picking up some fabric to recover a small bench I bought on One King's Lane a few months ago.

And no, I'm not a paid promoter, just a big fan. A few years ago, I used their Grand Jubliee fabric in cream to recover a wingback chair. It's now one of my favorite pieces of furniture -- and where I nurse Baby G. every night!

Happy weekend!

Baffling Pregnancy Products

There are some truly ridiculous pregnancy products out on the market today. While I understand that expectant mothers may want to create some keepsakes and mementos of such a big event, I daresay that there are a few memories that may not really be worth memorializing and reliving.

Recently I joined zulily, a Gilt Group-style sample sale site dedicated to products for children and maternity. While zulily has great sales on lots of wonderful products (email me if you want an invite!), from time to time they do hawk some rather ridiculous products. This week, the belly casts on offer from Proud Body take first prize in my (very unofficial) "Baffling Pregnancy Products" contest.

A belly cast. Really?! For starters, the process for making a belly cast would be not only a bit ridiculous, but potentially uncomfortable. The last thing I really want to do right now is get naked and drape wet plaster across my giant belly and then let it dry (itchy!). And once it dries...what exactly am I supposed to do with it? Well, I suppose you could always perk up that plain plaster cast with some paint:

These look like baby shower games gone very, very wrong.

And again....then what?! Am I going to hang this up in my house with pride? Not a chance. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I'll go ahead and say it: they're all kind of, well, hideous (though I'll admit the  frog is a rather clever use of the shape). Beyond that though, what an incredibly awkward (and personal) thing to show off to friends and neighbors. "Oh that? That's just my naked torso when I was 39 weeks pregnant with Junior -- weren't my breasts magnificent?" Talk about embarrassing Junior.

I mean, I've heard of bronzing baby shoes, but this is just ridiculous....

And no, I'm not ashamed of my pregnancy body. In fact, I'm rather proud of it given that I've managed to keep my weight gain to about 20 lbs., the bulk of which is in my bump, as it should be. That said though, I don't really feel the need to immortalize it in plaster.

Second prize goes to the Mommy Measure Pregnancy Tape. I spied this one in a parenting magazine I was flipping through at my OB/GYN's office last week. Now, you can track your growing belly's progress, marking off those inches with little hearts. Seriously. This can't be a big seller. Most women I know don't even want to know their weight at the doctor's office!

Frankly, I found it upsetting enough to realize that not only did I no longer fit into my own jeans, but I didn't fit into my husband's either (and, at this point, I'm not even close to that). I just can't picture myself pulling this sucker out in a few years time and marveling at how at one point my waistline passed 38" (and then 40"...) inches!

What about you? Spied any baffling pregnancy products out on the market? If so, please share!

Bedding for the Fashionista

As with throw pillows, there are approximately a bazillion fabulous options for bedding. And I for one can never get enough. Truly, great bedding can make a bedroom -- and it's far easier to swap out with the seasons (or your mood) than furniture. If you're a lover of linens like me, then you'll be thrilled to hear about a few more wonderful options to add to your wish list. Two of my favorite fashion designers are jumping into the home goods market by launching bedding collections at Bloomingdale's this month. 

Diane Von Furstenberg's new bedding collection (available now) is, unsurprisingly, all about bold, colorful prints that are right on trend (think batik and animal print). In short, exactly the kind of bright, bold prints that I gravitate towards (and why I covet DVF's iconic wrap dresses). One could argue that it would take an adventurous, confident person to pull these rooms off, but I'm a big believer of "fake it til you make it." Basing a bedroom around some of these prints will not only make you look confident, but ultimately feel confident. After all, how could you wake up in one of these beds and not feel like you could take on the world?

Kate Spade's collection (available later this month) is softer, with a feminine, preppy vibe with that slightly playful twist that the label is famous for. These are the pretty linens you'd expect to see on in a chic bachelorette pad or perhaps in the guest rooms of a classic east coast beach house. Regardless, these are the types of linens that make me sigh and think "oooh....pretty." 

Object of Desire

I'm totally in love with this ottoman/stool (dubbed a chakki by Serena & Lily). Available in two finishes (white and a dark walnut) and 12 fabrics (including some fantastic prints), it's a truly versatile piece that would work in a bedroom, living room or den. Even better? The cushion is slip covered for easy washing; perfect if you've got small children or pets. The one downside? It's on the pricier side at $450. That said though, it could really make a room.

A little retail therapy...

How did I not know Jonathan Adler was coming out with a diffusion line over at HSN?! Mayhap I've been focusing far too much on babies and nurseries over here. In any case, get yourselves over to HSN.com pronto and check out all the Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler line, which includes plenty of candles, lamps, vases, pillows, throws and other accessories in Adler's signature motifs and bright colors. I just picked up the greek key throw and greek key diffusers. What a nice little shopping pick me up for this otherwise tired Monday!

La la la Lucite

I'm thinking about getting this chaise for my home office (in a lilac fabric though, not the black). Not only does it have killer Lucite legs but it's also got a nice, curvy back which perfectly suits the super glam, Hollywood Regency look that I'm going for in there. Even better, I can get it (tax and shipping included) for under $1000. A very good price considering how expensive Lucite/acrylic pieces often are.

Anyone have any experience with this particular manufacturer (Light Energy Studio)? I'd love to get some feedback on quality as I hate purchasing furniture sight unseen.

10% off at D. Lawless Hardware

Back in April, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door shared with us her secret source for beautiful, budget-friendly hardware: D. Lawless Hardware. I'm excited to announce that Derrick Lawless has graciously offered 10% off everything on his site to all Odi et Amo readers. To take advantage of this discount, simply enter the coupon code odietamo at checkout. I've been meaning to jazz up my Pottery Barn dresser and side tables and some new, colorful glass knobs are a quick, easy way to give these basic pieces a bit of character.

Happy shopping!

Exciting Changes & Online Expansion

Exciting changes with an adventure into new markets here at Timeless Designs! With a great deal of success over the past years and the continued popularity of our designs more than ever (and we thank you!!); this expansion is to meet those ‘growing pains’ we have been experiencing and to give our customers an even greater opportunity in shopping with Timeless Designs. Our quality, passion, uniqueness, and creativity for which our designs are well known will never change, just get better with this new avenue.

We are so excited and very pleased to announce our next venture, or should we say online venture! After months of hard work and dedication, we are proud to announce the opening of our online exclusive shop at Ruby Lane!

Here categories are broken out on the home page; easily view 'View All Shops Items' to see everything in our shop, including pending sales and sold items. Want to know what's new with our shop, check out 'This Week’s Arrivals' for designs listed just that week or look into 'New Today' and see what we just listed that day and as always for reduced items see the 'Sales Items' section.


Bookmark and browse our shop often as we will be getting even more creative, funky, chic, and a little wild for our future designs. We have expanded not only the item descriptions but more photos of each design showing details, earrings and pendants close-up and a few photos of the pieces hung from busts.


Don't miss anything with Timeless Designs, subscribe to our shop and receive notifications when we add new items or make changes to existing listings and receive special announcements about sales and promotions within our shop; the best part, you get to chose when and how often to receive these announcements.


No worries!! Our blog and website will still remain and be used more for information about industry, education, trends, lapidary, shows we'll be attending, and showcasing of all our designs; including galleries of some of our most hot and unique sold designs, as well as debuting current pieces available for purchase in our exclusive online shop at Ruby Lane.

What are you waiting for………..check out our new shop and find some of natures most unique and individual beauties to purchase!

10% off at Rugs USA!

If you enjoyed Janell's recent guest post in the Shop like a Design Blogger series, then you'll be excited to hear that Rugs USA has offered Odi et Amo readers 10% off their entire order from now until July 4th. Simply enter coupon code WINRUGS at check-out.

I've been searching for a rug for my master bedroom for some time now so I'm off to check out their inventory.

Happy shopping!

Save or Splurge: Peacock Mirror

Kristen Hutchins and Hillary Thomas

I love a gorgeously detailed mirror, and one of my current favorites is the Indian peacock mirror. Peafowls hold a lot of meaning in Hindu religion and the Hindu god Krishna is often portrayed wearing a peacock feather in his headband. Right now, peacock feathers and motifs have also been enjoying renewed popularity in interior design and fashion. A peacock mirror is a great way to bring in some subcontinental style into your home, and it works beautifully with exotic fabrics and accessories, as Kristen Hutchins and Hillary Thomas did in this Californian living room. A neutral palette doesn't compete with all the pattern and luxe detail and works beautifully with the Spanish-style architecture.

Jonathan Adler

This exotic mirror is also a great counterpoint to more modern interiors. I love how the antiqued and intricate detailing of the mirror brings some patina and richness to all the sleek newness in the rest of the foyer. It's also a great hit of sparkle and light against the white walls and ebony floor. Very glamorous. Note too the placement of the mirror in this room. By placing the mirror at the end of the long wall, Adler creates a great focal point, leading the eye into the house.

Fortunately, there are iterations of this mirror in just about every price point. Do you think you can tell the difference between the ATM version (on sale for under $200) and the platinum one (priced at a jaw-dropping $2400)? Take the poll below to test out your eye (and don't cheat by clicking on the links first!) -- I'll post the answer tomorrow. And, if you were wondering, both versions can be hung either horizontally or vertically.

poll by twiigs.com

{6} I'm craving this Spring.

1. Jonathan Adler's new stationery line. I'm a huge paper freak so I was ecstatic to see that the purveyor of Happy Chic had delved into a new line of stationery and paper goods. Aside from the usual note cards and journals, Adler also offers wrapping paper, paper plates and paper lanterns (prices start at just $4.95). Now I just need a great excuse to throw a party....

2. A bold blue bag. I'm a big believer in the power of a great bag (or pair of shoes) to perk up your wardrobe. This Spring, a bright blue bag is the perfect alternative to black or gray (and it won't show dirt like white or cream would). My pick is the "Branded Stud" leather bowler bag in cobalt blue by Ted Baker ($245). It's perfect not-too-big/not-too-small size and outer pockets make this a sensible choice, though it's the contrast purple stitching that really pushes this one from "love" to "lust".

3. Trina Turk's indoor/outdoor pillows and linens. Trina's latest offerings in her nascent expansion into home goods are the epitome of Palm Springs cool. Trendy brights are paired with clean white in retro, yet on-trend geometric prints. I'll take one of each, please.

4. Restoration Hardware's Klismos collection. Speaking of outdoor decor, I'm drooling over Restoration Hardware's Klismos collection of outdoor furniture. [See? I'm not a total hater of RH, I promise!] The pieces feel modern with their matte gray finish and sleek lines, but the collection is grounded in classic shapes and forms, from the urn pedestal base of the dining table to RH's interpretation of the klismos (a Greek chair style marked by its curved back and legs). Of course, I'd perk up these pieces with some of Trina's pillows.

5. Stony gray espadrille wedges. Bettye Muller Menu Wedges (Piperlime, $195). For me, nothing says spring or summer like a pair of espadrilles. I love the sensible height of these wedges and the gorgeous putty gray color. As a bonus, these are sophisticated enough for the office (or at least mine).

6. The perfect pairing of color and scent. UK companies Jo Malone and Farrow&Ball have teamed up to create a new line of candles inspired by F&B's gorgeous paint colors. When Dave and I are in London in May, I'm going to have to swing by a Jo Malone outpost to get a nose on this new collection, but I'm already wild about the very idea of their Wild Fig and Cassis in Pelt. The aubergine hue is the natural choice for the warm, fruity (yet woodsy, thanks to the cedarwood) scent of fig and blackcurrants.

This really irks me...

Restoration Hardware is peddling antique unbound "book bundles" as objets de art. Firstly, I despise the idea of buying books as purely decorative items. Certainly, bindings and covers can be -- and even should be -- beautiful (see the new Penguin Classics series HERE), but I'm a firm believer that books you display in your home should be books that, you know, you've actually read and enjoyed. Secondly, the idea of filling your shelves with packages of mistreated, long forgotten literary works to achieve some monochromatic, industrial "style" strikes me as incredibly sad.

Salvaged Wood Kitchen Island ($2695) + {Reproduction} Vintage Barstools ($295)

On a related note, can Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Wisteria, etc. just stop with the "found" and "antiqued" furniture and accessories? I'm all for vintage and antique, but can't we just buy real vintage instead of faux? Decorating your home with items that look like they have history (but in reality either don't or, if they do, said history has no particular meaning to you) strikes me as incredibly fake.

Burlap sack turned tablecloth, for a mere $69

I don't really understand spending the big bucks just to decorate your home with discarded soda boxes and burlap. I know that many antiques are (quite rightly) expensive, but why is 50-year old trash suddenly a design statement worthy of a mark-up befitting its newfound trendy status? If you're going to decorate with inexpensive, "humble" materials, then the prices should reflect that. It's like buying a plain white tshirt for $100: just plain stupid. Beyond the absurdity of these prices, the idea of elevating the ordinary and everyday (of the Great Depression!) to designer status strikes me as bizarre and even a bit condescending: We aren't poor, we just decorate like it.

On a final note, prices and subtext aside, the Belgian/industrial look is just too damn depressing for me. I'm a big fan of gray, but we've taken the whole gray, linen, limed wood look way too far. A piece or two here or there (or gray walls) is one thing, but when its thrown altogether (as staged by Restoration Hardware in particular), a monochromatic color palette in gray tones makes a room look like it's had all the life sucked out of it. When used en masse, gray is just as blah as beige. Where's the joy?

Lest you think I've got something against the big name retail stores (which I really don't -- much of my own home is filled with PB, RH and C&B), here are two items that I'm drooling over:

Weathered Zinc Single Fex Mirror ($849)

I adore the quatrefoil shape of this mirror. And, while I think I'd prefer the frame's finish in something a bit more glamorous (silver leaf, perhaps), I don't even mind the weathered zinc. As it is though, I'll be waiting for this piece to go on sale before I consider making the purchase.

Lafayette Chandelier ($399)

I was absolutely shocked when I saw this chandelier in the latest Pottery Barn catalogue. It's so chic! So Pieces, etc.! The red faux coral is the perfect hit of color for a breakfast room or den. I'd maximize the beachy feel of it by pairing it when blues and turquoises -- and speaking of turquoise, wouldn't this be fabulous if there was a turquoise version? [Are you there, Pottery Barn? It's me, Averill. Bring back your Summer 2008 collection!]

High versus Low: Pop Quiz Time!

It's been a while, so I thought it was time for another pop quiz. One of these mirrored-top tray tables costs $699. The other, $69.99. Can you tell the difference? Place your votes below and I'll let you know the answer tomorrow!

poll by twiigs.com

Update: The majority is right. Table A is the Mirrored-Top Tray Table from Horchow and retails for $699. Table B is the Country Living tray side table from Kmart and is currently on sale for $69.99. Sometimes it absolutely pays to shop around!

Object of Lust: Moreno Nesting Tables

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this pair of Moreno nesting tables from Crate&Barrel. Not only are the tables a departure style-wise from the typically very contemporary C&B (these look more like something you'd find at Jayson Home & Garden), but they also look way more glamorous and high-end. Between the antiqued brass finish and the polished shell top, it's as though C&B were channeling Kelly Wearstler.

Sure, $399 is some serious dough to pluck down for a pair of accent tables, but these look as if they cost twice that. Even my very frugal hubby loved them and wanted them for his man room.

Trend Alert: Soft or Antiqued Brass

Palmer Weiss

A few years ago the very notion of brass fixtures was positively revolting. The polished brass faucets, door knobs and shower enclosures that were all the rage in the late '80s and early '90s had become the ugly duckling of the design world by the late '90s and early 2000s as designers and builders began favoring bronze over brass as the new metal du jour. Despite this fall from grace over the last decade, designers have recently been reintroducing brass as an acceptable metal. This time around though, the high sheen of polished or lacquered brass has been replaced by a matte (aka "soft") or antiqued finish.

Kelly Wearstler

The hallmark of the "new" brass is its softness and its subtly. The metal also has a way of giving a certain sophistication and age to even modern interiors. Brass coordinates perfectly with warm neutrals but is also a great foil for the cooler grays that have increased in popularity in the past few years. In short, the metal is just as versatile as nickel, but has the advantage of being a bit more unexpected. Like all metals, soft or antiqued brass is perfect as an accent, so accessories and fixtures are the ideal way to incorporate the trend into your existing decor.

Massucco Warner Miller Designs

I particularly like how a soft brass works with pinks and corals. The effect is pretty, yet sophisticated. And another example of how well brass works with pinks from the great Mary McDonald:

Mary McDonald

Alessandra Branca

In this bedroom by Alessandra Branca, brass nail head trim on the headboard coordinates with the vintage brass bedside lamps.

Canadian House & Home

I'm absolutely in love with this hanging pendant lamp. It's shape is traditional, but its oversized scale feels incredibly modern to me. While brass is often thought of as very traditional, this breakfast nook illustrates that it can work just as successfully in a more modern interior.

Elle Decor

A traditional brass nail head trim is the ideal way to subtly work this trend into your home. Don't worry about coordinating your other metals to "match"; oil-rubbed bronze (as shown above) is a beautiful and natural compliment to the warm gold tones in the brass. For a truly eclectic look, try mixing brass with nickel or silver.

This season, major retailers have begun to get on board with the trend and there are a ton of gorgeous (and even affordable) accessories and fixtures in brass to choose from. Below, a selection of my favorites:

Source list (clockwise, from top left): 1. Moreno Nesting Tables from Crate&Barrel ($399). 2. Hampton Upholstered Bench from Ballard Designs ($359 plus cost of fabric). 3. Meurice side table from Jonathan Adler ($295). 4. Albany pendant from Restoration Hardware ($49.99). 5. Van Dyke cocktail table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. 6. Derrick Tower small table lamp from Circa Lighting ($420). 6. Mother-of-Pearl knob from Anthropologie ($14). 7. Greek Key nut bowl from Williams-Sonoma Home ($28). 8. Orion Convex Mirror from Avid-Home ($240). 9. PB Standard drapery rods in Warm Brass from Pottery Barn ($79-$119).

Source List (clockwise, from top left): 1. Nate Berkus Etched Feather Tray from HSN ($69.95). 2. Basil Flush Mount from Circa Lighting ($420). 3. Brass Oval Lattice Planter from Ethan Allen ($119). 4. Brass candleholder from Pottery Barn ($59). 5. Sabine Brass table lamp from Revival Home & Garden ($315). 6. Calvin Leather Chair from Tonic Home ($1,585). 7. Costello Stool from Modern Dose ($365). 8. Egolomise coffee table from Beeline Home. 9. Bamboo brass table from Avid Home ($645).