Winter Warmth Inspiration

Red is everywhere in this living room from H&G.

Since the weather has turned cold (especially if you're in Chicago right now as I am), I've been very much inspired by warm cozy fall colored interiors. Plaids, reds, oranges, and mustard yellows have been making me feel very warm though I am shivering at the thought of going outside. Snuggle in and enjoy!

Nothing says warmth like animal prints (and fur). I love the feeling of enclosure in this room--time to settle in with my favorite design books and shelter mags...

The fire is lit and those two chairs look ready for some action. I love the rusty red of that rug with the woods in the room. By Eldon Wong.

I always equate Amanda Nisbet with bright and poppy colors and while this is still bright and poppy it feels warm and cozy. Her attention to little details like the backing of that slipper chair are genius.

I KNOW this is no NOT me, because let's be honest, it's all neutrals. Fur is practically my middle name though and I have a weakness for modern art like the painting over the long sofa. By Pamplemousse Design.

Summer Thornton, a Chicago Designer, adds a stunning blue and green tartan plaid to the dining arm chairs at either end of the table. All you need is the turkey and stuffing (and cranberries, mashed potatoes, more stuffing, and yams!).

You must take a look at Oscar de La Renta's fall fur runway collection. It's so gorgeous. I loved the purple paired with the salmony orange and the delicious fur.

Alessandra Branca is another Chicago designer (what an odd coincidence that I keep picking them while I'm here)! Gorgeous table setting and warm rusty red walls with a pop of geometric Greek Key pattern on the drapery. I might visit her store today!

I hope these have gotten you inspired too! As much as I would love to stay inside my sister's warm apartment today, I must attend to some Christmas shopping (Branca). Other small changes to make your home feel more cozy are tartan throw blankets on your sofas, fall/winter inspired table cloths, warm candles around a room, or changing the lampshade to a soft brown instead of a crisp white color. Have you done anything else to channel winter warmth?

Alicia B.

Oscar de la Renta: Swoon

I just got the new Vogue for this month and of course flipped DIRECTLY to the spread on Oscar De La Renta's home in Connecticut. No, he's not an interior designer, but interior design and fashion work incredibly close together. It's so interesting to watch the trends work off each other. Anyway, Oscar De La Renta is an incredible designer, let's just get that out of the way because it's obvious. His house in the Connecticut countryside (as well as his wife) is gorgeous/adorable. Take a look:

In the article, he loved the house but his wife didn't so he "gave" her the bedroom because it is her favorite room. Isn't that so sweet? Look at the incredible architectural detailing here. The bed isn't really my taste (a little bit to frou frou) but it looks perfect for his adorable and elegant wife.

He uses more of that floral motif (as in the bedroom above) in the wallpaper here and it matches the drapery as well. And on the right, that chair is so classic and weird; I love it.

This style might not be everyone's taste, but I think it's beautiful. If you look at every little bit of this room, each part is so personal. You can really tell that each object has been collected; it might have a special meaning or a story to it. Plus, how can you not love the mouldings and the slightly rounded ceiling in this room? I DIE.

Oscar (we're now on a first name basis) says that he bought the house for the view/property that it was on. Well played ODLR. Well played.


Alicia B.