Over the weekend I spent some time with my family in Eastern Market. I’m in awe of the colors and new discoveries you find in open air markets.

I love the rich royal blues of these vintage dishes…

And the beautiful vivid colors and arrangement of these paintings…

…as well as this antique truck that was just sitting and waiting for a nice home to call its own.

It is such a great community of artists, farmers, antiques vendors and other merchants as soon as I left, I felt I needed to go back to soak up more inspiration.

…Is like a woman without lipstick, said Diana Vreeland.

There’s something rather DV about these Fu Dog Bookends from CB2. I think that’s why I love them.

You know DV loved herself some red…

{DV’s drawing room. image via gala darling}

By the way, if you haven’t read Diana Vreeland’s book, DV you are missing out on a really fun inspirational read. You must pick it up…

If the fashion fairy was to betow one fashion week wish on me, it would be to stay at the Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh, Scotland. Designed by Rosita Missoni in conjuction with Architect Matteo Thun, they used the hotel’s design as an opportunity to highlight Missoni Home and expand the Missoni brand.

{images via hospitality design}

Pops of energetic color and design materials help to translate the fashion house’s textured geometric knits into interior decor. But it’s those oversized urns and  those fringe drapes that have me swooning (seriously I’m on the verge of passing out- and yes, I’m a tad dramatic).  Anyhoo, Missoni is planning three more hotels in South Africa, Jordan and Brazil, and I can’t wait to get a peak at those interiors. Can you say Hotel Missoni Cape Town? I’m ready to pack my bags!

Have an amazing weekend!

xoxo,

Jessica

I was on Robert Allen’s site yesterday doing  research for work and I stumbled upon Design Studio.  A collaboration between Robert Allen and Sherwin Williams, Design Studio is an inspiration site currently depicting beautiful color stories  inspired by the 2010 Color Forecast. The two companies broke them down into 4 color groups, Leaf (greens), Hydrangea (blues), Terrain (earthtones) and Tulip (pinks). Below, I have selected four of my faves from each collection.

Leaf: Neo Traditional

Hydrangea: Beach Retreat

Terrain: Modern Safari

 Tulip: Chinoiserie Modern

Talk about hard to choose! All of the palettes are really amazing. To see the beautiful corresponding  Color Library from Sherwin Williams make sure you click here.

Ilse Crawford’s design for the restaurant Matsalen in Stockholm has me swooning, especially over her gentle palette of warm neutrals. I love that the restaurant’s palette is accented with gold lighting fixtures in lieu of silver, nickel or chrome. Somehow it makes it even more elegant and inviting.

{images dezeen and matsalen}

I’m putting Stockholm on my list of cities to visit right now.

Lately, It’s been rather busy in Design Wonderland.  I’ve picked up some fun freelance work of late and today I’m assisting with a showhouse installation, with a holiday theme. Think Global Glamour!

But when I saw the  holiday decor in the home of antiques dealer and designer Edie van Breems , I instantly wanted a whole series of homes to decorate with at least one inspired by her Swedish style. I love the casual elegance and the  wheat. It is traditional part of Swedish holiday decor and lends beautiful additional textures to Breem’s neutral color scheme.

{images via country living}

The holidays can be so hectic,  it’s a  lovely idea to create a gorgeously casual  and relaxing holiday at home. Even the holiday home can be a retreat.

Happy Monday!  I’m back from a quick mini-break to NYC and I’m ready to tackle the week! I really hope your week is amazing and fabulously short (due to Thanksgiving if you are in the US). This week marks the beginning of my favorite time of year and I can’t wait to break out the holiday music this week!

But I digress…back to swooning over design…

Amy Butler’s handmade rugs collection for Chandra are bold, colorful and just dreamy all around. They come in two sizes, 5′ x 7′ 6″ and 7′ 9″ x 10′ 6 and are sure to brighten up any living space. 

{caracas}

{field poppy}

{morning glory}

{chrysanthemum}

I featured just a small sampling  of her wool rugs but is it bad to want them all? Anyhoo, they are available for purchase here.

Sometimes internet wandering begets great rewards and amazing eye candy…

I’m totally in love with these bold and graphic fabulous furnishings  I saw on the online shopping site Vintage and Modern from the dealer Sultan Chic :

I think this antique Chinese blue medicine chest needs a home, preferably mine. And those dining chairs… SWOON.  They remind me of the furnishings  you see  in a Jamie Drake interior.

I saw so much stuff on the site that I loved, I would need another blog to show it all. These fab finds will do for now but believe me, with everything from jewelry to art to furnishings, I have Vintage and Modern bookmarked.

I saw  a sneak peak of art doyenne and Pink Line Project founder Philippa Hughes’  DC  home on Apartment Therapy.  And there’s way much too design and decor fun not to share.

Don’t you kinda want to move in? Philippa Hughes’ warm and inviting home is an inspiring melange of color, unique design details (see swing below)  and midcentury and modern furnishings all contrasting the industrial elements of her home.

{images via Washington Spaces}

As founder of the Pink Line Project, Hughes is committed to advancing the DC art scene.  Her home, a  gallery itself of up and coming artists, is a colorful and exciting reflection of her commitment. Who says DC design is conservative?

P.S If you are  sourcing art  for a client (like I am right now) the Pink Line Project is a great place to start.

I stumbled upon these beauties and they were just too GORGEOUS not to share:

{images via flickr}

The pics were shot by uber-photographer Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, December 2007.  These are some of the most beautiful images I’ve seen with its styling  and the swoonworthy mix of colors and patterns.  These are  perfectly suited  for an inspirational day in Design Wonderland!