Painting Architectural Details

I have collected images where paint was used to either highlight nice architectural details, or paint is used to "mimic" these architectural details. Either way, these are ways to highlight or add some nice features.

Love the blue trim against the sand colored grass paper.

Darker trim around the cabinets, baseboards and windows highlights the details from Coastal Living

Built in closet doors painted with white trim from Lonny

Frames and Headboard like architectural details made from contact paper-DIY tutorial here

Light gray painted on the door for emphasis on door panels

Painted architectural details

DIY Tutorial on how to increase the size of your existing baseboards from The House of Smiths

{Please note a few of these pictures have been saved on my external hard drive before I began blogging, and I don't have the source of some of the pictures. If you know the origin, let me know and I will reference these.}

Herringbone Floors

I have always loved the look of Herringbone floors since it gives a nice pattern to flooring, whether its wood, marble, painted or stained. The pattern is like little arrows drawing me in to the space! I read somewhere this style once was used in the most prestigious castles in Europe! 

This striped marble in herringbone is one of my favorites!

Stained hardwoods with herringbone pattern to mimic an area rug

Vintage floors with the great architecture, this must be European

Aged Antique Fumed Oak Herringbone floors

Herringbone floors from Armstrong

Another look with marble. Love the clean look of the white marble in the herringbone style

Blake Hotel

I came across the Blakes Hotel, in London which is one of Gwyneth Paltrow's favorites. The rooms are super chic and I can only imagine this being my "home away from home" while in London. The Blakes Hotel was designed by Anouska Hempel and is coined the "Design Hotel" with all of their attention to detail and an entire aesthetic experience.

This is from the Corfu suite and is one of my favorites

Another room in the Corfu Suite

Corfu Suite again, complete with the silver tea set.

There is a lot I love about this bathroom; from the black bathtub with white interior, with the built in shower and the 2 color trim against the white walls.

Love the wallpaper, which reminds me of antique writing, which is complemented with the modern look of the orchids and built in tv.

There is a lot black in this room: walls, furniture, lampshades, accessories, but pops of color from the bedding, curtains and prints on the wall.

Beautiful antique swan bed

Black and gold Venetian style room

Red and gold accented room with vintage botanical prints all over the walls!

Gold and white Venetian style room with red accents. I love the basket by the fireplace.

Red and white striped room (walls, linens, pillows, table skirts and even poles in the room), reminds me of a candy cane!

Jenna Lyons Inspirational Office at J.Crew

Time to take a sneak peak into Jenna Lyons, the President and Executive Creative Director at J. Crew's office and see what inspires her to create some of my favorite off the rack clothes, shoes and accessories. One of her favorites are stripes which can be seen throughout the J.Crew line and made us become immune to the shock of glitter belts, leopard calf hair flats and sequin trim. Jenna has helped launched the designer collaborations through J.Crew such as special colored Essie polishes, Lulu Frost jewelry, Cosabella lingerie, colorful New Balance tennis shoes and Timex watch straps. Standing at 6'5 in heels, this stylish working mom has helped transform J.Crew into the store you know you can always find something you gotta have.

All photos by Myra Iqbal as featured on Style List.

Lots of vintage inspirations from the colorful luggage, to the wall of photos! I am also noticing the new short hair on Jenna.

Executive Creative Director at work

Jenna's special colorful tape she found at Merci in Paris

Drawing of what Jenna thinks her body looks like

Inspiration board

More vintage and colorful inspirations that we see Jenna transform into clothes at J.Crew..I think they have cardigans in these colors.

Amazing NYC office view, and crown of J's given to Jenna from her staff

This years fall collection was inspired by "The Great Gatsby"..classic tailoring with a feminine feel.

Jenna's mementos

Some of my favorite right now!

Love this tweed jacket that is so feminine and fitted but in a fun color

Lulu Frost colorful coral and turquoise bangle is another pop of color for Fall

Cashmere henley with adorable buttons AND available in 13 colors.

Almost towering at 4 inches these cognac wedges with buckles are great for fall

Amazing Pool Houses

As Summer is winding down, school is starting back, pools will be closing soon, unless you own one of these amazing retreats of your own. I think having a pool would be a luxury along with weather to enjoy it all year long, but most importantly having that amazing pool house to go with it!  What does your ideal pool retreat include?

Amazing seashell adorned pool house in Malibu that was the home to an amazing bridal shower from California Style Magazine

This is poolside perfection down to the tiles from Cottages-Gardens

T-shaped pool with pagoda style roofed pavilion which provides some relief from the sun-Architectural Digest

Pool near greenery covered pool house adds elegance to this house in Palm Beach from Corcoran

Oceanside pool with two small pool houses help block ocean winds from Coastal Living

Victorian inspired pool house with romantic seating from Pinterest

English stone inspired open aired structure from Cote De Texas

Love this small cottage style pool house nestled between wall of Cypress trees. I do wish there were lounge chairs and umbrellas on both sides to even this out from Home Bunch

Stone pool house hidden in the mountains from Phoebe Howard

Sometimes you just need a fun drink!

I had a lovely girls weekend meeting my two best friends from college in Charlotte! As I was driving back, I had a call from my husband who had fallen off our roof and broken 2 bones in 1 ankle and badly sprained his other. I think he and I both are in need of a fun drink. Here are some fun and colorful drinks to celebrate a girls weekend, shower, birthday or for just because! What is your favorite "fun drink"?

Cotton Candy Martini-I am not sure if that cotton candy would make it in there since I would want to eat it first!

Lychee Grapefruit martini- I love the sweetness of lychee so I can imagine this would be good mixed with the tartness of grapefruit.

Cake Batter Martini-Now I am not a huge fan of the creamy martini's, I can usually just do 1, but this does tasty, but those colorful sprinkles are awesome!

Fresh strawberry puree and champagne-yum yum

What's better than an umbrella in your drink? A wreath full of umbrellas!