Amanda Nisbet

 I am constantly looking at design websites.  I stumbled upon Amanda Nisbet's work.  

If you know me, you know I love color- and wow, does Amanda do color well, or what?

Hello tangerine- I have heard that the design Gods have named you color of the year-

The zebra ottoman is beyond lovely.....

The banded roman shades are perfect.....

                           Doesn't every woman deserve a pink bathroom?

                                  My daughter would love this room....

                             

                                Thanks Amanda for those beautiful and colorful rooms......

Book Club

 Ok- so maybe it's a wine club. Don't judge :)   Either way, it was a great evening filled with laughter and friendship.  Seriously, if you met these women, you would put yourself on a waiting list to be included.  I have had the good fortune of meeting some wonderful friends in this town.  Bright, educated, kind women who freely give up their time and energy to make our community and schools even better.  Many of them work outside of the home, and still find time to volunteer and get involved.  This month's outing was at my friend T's home.  She just finished a massive kitchen renovation, and Robin has signed on help finish the project and design other rooms in the home.  The space is so beautiful and inspiring.  I am sure the photos will not do it justice, the lighting was dim, but believe me, it was like stepping into pages of a magazine.  What I loved the most is how they used modern elements to decorate an ultra traditional home.  It is a study in new- traditional.

     


                                      Check out the custom, round banquette.....

                             

                                 2 large, fabulous islands covered in thick creamy marble...

                       The french doors are everywhere....and there is a homework station tucked behind the banquette... LLOOVVEEE

           

                   Super- cool art...... and  the stop- you- in- your-tracks crystal chandeliers.....

         Thanks T for a great night....and thank you to my friends for just being my friends :)

Equestrian Inspiration

I do not ride horses. My husband needs 2 claritin to even be around horses. My sister, however is a  horse person, and has her own barn.  So in a way, I sort of grew up seeing a bit of the horse world  My daughter, however, has found her passion in horses.  When a child finds their passion, it is a wonderful thing to watch.  We recently took the plunge and purchased my daughter's first horse.  We have been lucky enough to have leased a wonderful pony for a few years, but it was time to let C experience horse ownership and the responsibility that comes with it.  Vincitore is a 5 year Belgium Warmblood.  He was imported from Germany and has his own passport- does that sound ridiculous or what? C loves him with all her heart, and hopefully, they will grow together.  When you own a horse, you quickly realize that there is an entire world built around all things equestrian.  Horses need clothes, and tack and accessories- the horse clothing part is actually pretty fun, and yes, our horse has "jammies."  The other thing you realize, is that the horse world has forever influenced the design world.  Of course, the designer that pops into everyone's head would be Ralp Lauren.  Does anyone capture the equestrian influence better?

                

Hermes is known for it's equestrian style,  taking chic to a whole other level......they have their own line of horse tack as well-  Unfortunately, building the house and purchasing the horse this past year means that I am not shopping at Hermes...Target, are you listening?  You need an Equestrian Chic collection :)

           

The Frye boot craze is everywhere....the clean lined riding boot will never go out of style. If I am going to be a true "horse show mom"-  I have to look good :)

                           and we have seen a lot of equestrian art popping up.....it is being used in modern spaces, as well as the traditional room         

I would love to find a large, modern and vibrant horse print for the beach house....the search is on :)

Mediterranean Memories

I was going through photos on my mac (gotta love iphoto) and realized that I had not posted any photos of our trip to Europe this fall.  We took the children out of school (educational, yes?)  -I turned the big 40, and it was a fabulous place to celebrate with my family.  The shore line is of course, so different form the New England Coast-   someday we would love to rent a house on the Amalfi Coast for the summer-maybe a house swap?    Sorrento would be perfect.  We visited Spain, France ,Italy and Monaco.  Italy, was at the top of the list.

Below, it the charming little port in Marseille, France

This is the town of Cassis- so beautiful, the colors are so inspiring! The food was wonderful- and did I mention the wine?

You can't go to Cote d' Azur without a stopping by a vineyard ....wine tasting, a definite highlight! 

Monaco was fabulous....yes, saw the casino:)

 Below, is Italy- Livorno

Leaning Tower of Pisa - had to do that photo- right of passage :)

 

Coliseum- Rome- amazing!

Amalfi Coast- breathtaking in person

Can't go to Italy without bringing back real limoncello :)

awww:) did I mention we have the same birthday?  

                           


                                  Below, a photo with Fulvio- the BEST tour guide ever!!

Gelato!!!!

Things I'm loving....

So back to the grind tomorrow morning.... (not really a grind, because believe me, I do not take one second of this life for granted ) but I wish I could slow down the weekly rush of sports activities, school and usual craziness a bit.  I look forward to the weekend though, and especially this weekend, as I get to watch my daughter and her new horse compete in New York.

  I am, however, definitely missing warm summer days and late sunsets.  Here are a few things I am eyeing for the beach house this summer.

First, check this Tory Burch bracelet out- in  Orange of course.... lucite- lovely lucite-

Next,  Claus Porto Soaps......perfect colors for the beach, yes?

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and last but not least, these perfect "martini" tables from West Elm.  The yellow is TO DIE FOR....need Robin to ok them for in between the blue chairs in the great room :)