Friday's Worthy Links

A few favorite links I found on the internet this week....

- I loved taking a peek in to some of my favorite interior designer's offices on Carla Ann's blog here.  Take a tour of Bunny Williams, Betsy Burnham, Barbara Berry, Thomas O'Brien,  and Windsor Smith's workspaces.

-This infographic shows the best jobs for all 16 Myers-Briggs Personality Types.  As an ENTJ, I loved seeing architect listed as an ideal job for my personality type (closest thing to interior designer).  Have no idea what the Myers-Briggs test is?  Go here to take it and find out more.

-Have you guys seen The Holiday?  After seeing that movie, I always thought the idea of swapping houses with someone for a getaway vacation (at no cost) seemed so romantic.  Nicole Cohen, writer of Sketch 42 Blog, recently switched houses with a family in LA for the holiday using the "creatives-only" house-swapping site Behomm.  She shared her experience  and photos of the house here, and I think this might be the coolest house I've ever seen.

-This Mommy Wars video made me laugh out loud.  Even though I'm not a mom, I am always surprised to see how dogmatic mothers can be about the "right" way to care for a baby. From breastfeeding, to working moms, to stay-at-home dads, this parody will crack you up. 

-These days, there's an app for everything.  Interested in outsourcing your life?  Joanna Goddard shares how.  Ha!

TGIF!!  Enjoy your Friday and your weekend, everybody!

XOXO, 

Sam

Honoring the Greats: Milo Baughman

For the third installment of my "Honoring the Greats" series, I am spotlighting furniture designer Milo Baughman.  Baughman was a modernist who forever changed the landscape of design by creating pieces with sleek, sultry details.  He believed above all else that good design meant it stood the test of time.  It wasn't too trendy or frivolous, but classic and unpretentious.

 {Thayer Coggin}

Milo grew up in Long Beach, California and studied product and architectural design at the Art Center School of Los Angeles and at Chouinard Art Institute (which later became the California Institute of the Arts).  He also served in the army during World War II, during which time he was active in designing officer's clubs.  After returning from war and completing his studies, Milo worked for a modern furniture store and then went on to establish "Milo Baughman Design, Inc" in 1947.  He designed furniture using walnut, Formica, and iron which exudued a distinctive Los Angeles style.

Drexel invited Baughman to their North Carolina headquarters in the late 1940s to create a major collection of furniture.  He then went on to run a custom design shop with his wife at the time, Olga, from 1951-1953.  Beginning in 1953, Baughman began collaborating with furniture manufacturer Thayer Coggin.  By the 1960s and 1970s, his new collection was eagerly awaited at the High Point Market each year.  Some of his most iconic pieces came from this period, such as the 951-103 chair, the 820-400 chaise, and the 989-103 lounge chair (also referred to as the t-back chair):

 

  {Thayer Coggin}

 

 I wanted to featured Baughman today because I continue to see reproductions of his classic pieces pop up all over Etsy, 1st Dibs, and my favorite mid-century antique stores.  I even wrote a post before lusting after his chair designs. They are also often sprinkled amongst interiors featured in magazines and online home tours.

{Pair of Milo Baughman Chrome Barrel Chairs}

 

 While many of his chair designs are enlivened by such effects as tufted upholstery, Baughman tended to let his materials carry the aesthetic weight, frequently relying on chair and table frames made of sturdy and sleek flat-bar chromed metal, and tables and cabinets finished with highly-figured wood veneers. The fact that Milo's design work is STILL sought after over a half century later shows that he did indeed accomplish his goal of classic, timeless design.

{Dominique DeLaney}

 

{Emily Henderson}

{Remodelista}

Nate Berkus used Milo's classic t-back chair design in this lovely NY apartment:

 {Nate Berkus via So Haute}

{Ryan Korban}

 

"When I left Art Center, I thought Modern design would change the world. Now, I no longer have such lofty hopes, but perhaps the world is just a bit better off because of it. In any event, good Modern has already proven to be the most enduring, timeless and classic of all design movements." - Milo Baughman

View previous "Honoring the Greats" posts:

Tommi Parzinger/Billy Baldwin

Bedside Glamour

One of my favorite pieces in a home are the bedside tables.  Call me nosy, but I love seeing what people display on them- whether it be family photos, the book they are reading, a candle, or a mix of artwork and decorative accessories.  My bedside table consists of a stack of books I'm working my way through, a painting by Lola Donoghue, a Nest candle, a few framed photos, and my reading lamp.  And if I'm being honest, often my space heater- I get so cold at night!  Today I wanted to gather a collection of my favorite bedside table situations so we can admire them together:

{Ashley Goforth}

Houston designer Ashley Goforth has a classic, clean palette that is evident in this serene bedroom.  I love that a small framed piece of art and fresh flowers flank the bed.

{Emily Beare}

Nothing gets me like a collection of framed photos. The fun, ceramic lamp adds a touch of whimsy to the space. 

Swivel sconces are great for a bedside.  They can be swung around to provide reading light and then moved out of the way while sleeping.  They also free up space on your nightstand!

{Christy Ford}

{Elements of Style}

Ideally, a bedside table should consist of your favorite things.  A blue and white ceramic lamp, warm coffee, and fresh flowers make this boudoir a dream:

{Ralph Lauren Home}

{Bill Ingram and Simon Watson's bedroom via House Beautiful}

And who doesn't love a comfy chaise lounge for extra reading space?

What do you keep within reach of your bedside?

Friday's Worthy Links

 {Grace Kelly on the beach, circa 1950}

This week flew by, and I was SO thankful the sun finally shone in Houston and warmed up enough for me to wear a sundress.  Even if it was only for a few days, the warm weather reminded me spring will be here before we know it (and in Houston, we call spring summer).  Here are a few things I found inspiring or interesting this week...

-Paloma interviewed Kelly Wearstler this week on her blog, La Dolce Vita, and I loved learning more about her personal design process and life.  Wearstler is one of the most interesting people to me.  Although I'm not always a fan of her interiors, her originality and effortless cool are so inspiring.

-These 24 diagrams help explain portion size and healthy eating in an easy-to-understand way.  I printed a few and placed them inside my pantry for quick reminders!

-Speaking of diagrams, these diagrams show how much the "perfect" female body has changed in the last 100 years. 

-I'm a perpetual organizer, and having things in order around my house just makes me feel at peace.  This article from Refinery 29 focused on decluttering for spring challenges readers to get rid of one thing you no longer need every day for 30 days.  Could you do it?

-I always love reading Bri Emery's personal life updates on designlovefest.  Even as a big blogger, she's still so honest and raw, and I love that!  I guess I also love hearing about her dating experiences and single life since I recently got out of a  long-term relationship myself.  In her post last Friday, she opened up about how she 's adjusting to single life.

Any big plans this weekend?  I'm excited to be going to Artopia tomorrow night.  I hope to see some of you Houstonians there!

Sam Loves: 1

Call me crazy, but I'm already looking at bikinis for summer.  I guess I'm trying to get motivated in my workouts and not too depressed by the fact that we still have all of February and March to get through! I recently discovered Triangl Swimwear, an Australian bikini company with lots of bold suits, and I'm dying for their Milly Bikini in Candy Pink:

 

Shop This Board:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Linked Gold Bracelet $50/Triangl Milly Bikini in Candy Pink $89/Tory Burch In Color Book $36/Bali Hai Tassel Necklace $15/Bounkit Earrings $285/Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals $70/Le Specs Sunglasses $50

Can you tell I'm ready for sunny weather?!  :)

What's on your wishlist these days? 

Fabric Crush: Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches

While I was searching for a few fabrics at the decorative center in Houston last week, I came across a tried and true textile I've loved for years-  Les Touches by Brunschwig & Fils. The pattern has a decidedly "leopard-print" look to it, but also feels graphic and modern.  I love it because it looks good mixed with more traditional textiles, solids, or even alone:

{Mark Sikes}

 {Mark Sikes}

{Amy Berry}

{Jamie Meares via Lonny}

{Good Bones Great Pieces}

 {Amie Corley via Design Sponge}

Dying for a bit of Les Touches for yourself?!  These newly-upholstered bergeres are for sale on Etsy.  Someone grab them before I do!

Or, for a smaller dose of the fabric, Arianna Belle offers throw pillows in Les Touches:

{Les Touches Blue}

{Les Touches Aqua}

{Les Touches Black}

 The aqua shade is my favorite, I think!  It'd be gorgeous paired with coral.  

Happy Wednesday!

Needing, Wanting, Loving: Fendi Peekaboo Tote

Every few years, I like to invest in one really good handbag.  It's the one fashion item I'm willing to splurge on, because I know I'll use it every day!  A few years ago, my big purchase was the Prada Lux Suffiano tote in argilla gray.  I've never regretted it because two years later and I'm still toting it around almost every day, as evidenced by this instagram snap last week-

It's such a versatile color and style that it goes with me through all the seasons and outfit changes.  Lately, I've been scoping out what I want my next handbag purchase to be.  And even with all the new styles released, I keep going back to the Fendi Peekaboo tote:

Epic swoon.  I first discovered this bag in the fall of 2011 in the handbag section of Bergdorf's- and it's been on my radar ever since.  The bag comes in a wide array of colors as well as patterns on the interior.  My favorite is the black leather with the Fendi logo inside, like the purse above.  It's called the "Peekaboo" because the front flap can be worn open, showing a peek at the interior, like model Irina Shayk is doing here:

 {Fashion Times}

I love her entire ensemble here and her Peekaboo just adds to the overall chic-ness.  Other than black leather, the other color I have been considering is the camel:

{Vogue}

But, the color options are endless!

{Fendi Google Plus}

To see all the fun color and style options for the Peekaboo, go visit Fendi's Pinterest board here, dedicated solely to this timeless bag.

What's your favorite handbag lately?

Shop The Manor: My Picks

TGIF!  I hope you guys have had a great week.  The sun finally came out today in Houston, and I hope it stays out throughout the weekend!  Today, I am honored to be featured on The Manor blog sharing my favorite items from their fab online store.  Are you all familiar with The Manor?  My friend (and fellow Houstonian) Beth DeLozier launched the decor site this past year, and it features everything from throw pillows and console tables to barware and cheeky greeting cards:

{Let's Make Out Card}

 

{Mongolian Lamb Bench}

{Piper Throw Pillow}

{Love Story Jewelry Tattoos}

Go here to read the interview, where I share my secret "superpower" and who I'd choose to play me in a movie about my life.

Thanks for having me, Beth!

Winter Chic

I find it harder to feel "put together" during the cold winter months.  Most days I just want to pile on layers and top it off with my North Face ski jacket.  This week has been brutal for us sun-loving Houstonians.  Temperatures have reached the low 40s and most days are overcast, but I'm trying to stay positive and inspired until spring rolls around.  I've been in a bit of a fashion rut lately, so today I wanted to pull together a few cold-weather looks I love for inspiration:

{Damsel in Dior}

{Olivia Palermo}

{Emerson Fry}

Emerson Fry continues to be one of my favorite sources of chic winter wear.  From coats and blazers to sweaters and accessories, their pieces have a soft, streamlined feel. Wrapping a scarf around your neck can act as an accessory that completes your outfit:

{Seersucker + Saddles}

{Happily Grey}

{Damsel in Dior}

It's amazing the versatility a good blazer can provide.  I love the idea of it making a statement through a pop of color or pattern, like the image above.  How do you like to 

dress  during the winter?