Sam Loves: 2

Happy Thursday my loves!  How's your week going?  I am currently watching St. Vincent while putting together this post and I must say- this movie is seriously touching.  Naturally, since it stars Melissa McCarthy, I thought it was going to be a laugh-out-loud comedy.  And although it is funny, it's making me tear up as I type this.  Definitely put it on your watch list!  And here are a few other things I'm loving right now...

1.) Is it peony season yet?  I can't wait to see these beauties gracing the flower aisle of Central Market.

2.) I'm loving Tory Burch's Fleming Patent Handbags, $465 for all their vibrant colors!  They are the perfect size for a date night or a girls night out.

3.) I think a collection of pink tennis balls should be the new table centerpiece.  

4.) This scalloped Embroidered Sheet Set on Gilt, $99, is perfectly stylish AND affordable.

5.) I love statement necklaces, and Bauble Bar's Gold Kocoum Bib Necklace, $44, 

6.) Marc Jacobs is the man, and I'd say this quote is my new mantra.

7.) Amanda Nisbet's Upper East Side office, photographed for Lonny back in 2012, is a playful mix of color and quirk.  I love the Jonathan Adler screen shown near the inspiration board- it provides a functional yet whimsical divider!

8.) Urban Outfitters' I Literally Don't Care at All Mug, $10, is my sentiment exactly and perfect for sipping coffee out of on lazy weekend mornings. 

The 10 Chicest Laundry Rooms

One thing all interior designers will tell you is that there isn't ANY space in a home that's off limits from being beautified.  Every room should be functional and thoughtfully planned while also being beautiful- and that includes the laundry room!  I love seeing laundry rooms that have been built or renovated with a family's specific needs in mind.  As a dog lover, I thought this custom-designed puppy shower was genius (and adorable)!

{Houzz}

I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time loading, steaming, and folding laundry each week, and it would be a little less grueling if I had pretty wallpaper and art to look at:

{Scandinavian Chic}

{Christine Dovey}

 {Munger Interiors}

 {Munger Interiors}

Short on space?  That doesn't mean you can't still have a lovely space to do your laundry.  These folding doors open to reveal a laundry nook with a stunning metallic tile backsplash:

 {Remodelista}

{HGTV}

I also love the look of brick flooring in wet areas.  And it would be pretty convenient to have 2 sets of washer/dryers- but I can only imagine how many loads of laundry and/or kids it would take to justify this!!

And last but definitely not least- how perfect would it be to have your washer and dryer conveniently stacked in your closet?  Austin Bean designed this custom dressing room with ample storage and beautiful finishes:

{Austin Bean}

Needing, Wanting, Loving: A Touch of Tortoise

Happy Tuesday!  Are you all surviving this cold weather?  The only way I am making it is by gearing up for pool season and keeping warm weather in mind!  I recently got this bikini and this sun hat for summer, and seeing them in my closet is making me look forward to the warmth (and keeping me motivated at the gym)!   A few weeks ago, I came across this gorgeous living room and instantly fell in love with the tortoise coffee table:

{La Dolce Vita}

It provides the perfect focal point and looks lovely paired with the club chairs upholstered in Aerin Lauder's flamestitch fabric, Watersedge.  A faux tortoise finish adds such character and charm to casegoods and accents around a home.  How fab is this tortoise shell patterned wallcovering?  

{Andrew Howard via Traditional Home}

Adding just a touch of the luxurious finish really goes a long way:

{Bunny Williams}

{Grant K Gibson}

M Y  F A V O R I T E  T O R T O I S E  S H E L L  P I C K S:

A Little Color for Spring

I am so looking forward to the weather warming up in the next few months so I can break out the rompers and sundresses.  I stick to a minimal palette during winter, but love to incorporate brighter colors and pattern in to my wardrobe during the spring and summer months.  I definitely want to invest in a cute, airy kimono this year...

I'd like to don a few crop tops paired with pleated shorts looks...

Bright sundresses and heels are always my favorite summer outfit, though!

{McKenna Bleu}

 {A Spoonful of Style}

{Barefoot Blonde}

{A Spoonful of Style}

Any fun plans for the weekend?  I'm excited to be getting my hair done this afternoon and then heading to San Antonio for a quick getaway.  Keep up with me on Instagram this weekend: @peakoftreschic !

M Y  S U M M E R  F A S H I O N  P I C K S:

House Updates

Today I thought I'd share a few decor updates happening around my casa.  The first one is that I finally found the perfect piece of art to go above my sofa!

As you can see from the picture, my living room has two windows that start approximately 4' above my sofa to allow extra light in (I live in a townhouse, so the windows really only show the stucco of the house next door!).  This presented a particularly difficult design challenge as I wanted to find a statement piece of art that would extend most of the length of my sofa, but it couldn't be more than 39" inches in height.  I finally came across this piece, "Rhomba" by Kelly O'Neal, at Found for the Home and LOVE it.  Right now, I have it paired with two pink mohair pillows, but am having two pillows upholstered in Schumacher's Shock Wave in Platinum/Jet made right now to add to the mix:

Last fall, I added this pretty Aerin burnished silver table lamp to my sofa side table (you can see a peek of my old art and throw pillow combination). I love this lamp, especially because it has both brass and silver accents. My living room, kitchen, and dining room are all open to one another, so fusing finishes together and allowing all spaces to flow well is really important.

Now on to my dining room- I added a cheeky Slim Aarons photograph last week that I purchased from One Kings Lane! This photograph was taken in Sardinia near the Monte Malo villa of architect Jacques Couelle, and was the perfect piece to go above my bar cart:

I spent a lot of time picking out the perfect bar cart.  When it comes to cocktailing, I don't joke around, and I knew I'd need a piece with lots of available space that would help when I entertain guests.  I also wanted to pick out a cart that fit in well with my surrounding decor.    I went with Macy's Vitale bar cart because I loved the modern, modular lines, the size, and the price is hard to beat (now $399).  The monogrammed cocktail napkins are from Mark & Graham and the deer vase came from Anthropologie, although they no longer sell it.  On the opposite wall are two pagoda shelves I picked up at a garage sale (the estate sale gods were good to me).  I decorated the shelves with some of my favorite coffee table books and decor:

And lastly, I added Slim Aaron's Topping Time to my bedroom wall (another One Kings Lane score!).  I love it because it's now the first thing I see when I walk in to my room, and it makes me happy (and anxious for pool season):

I am planning to get my bedroom, living room and dining room photographed soon after I finish a couple more things, so you can see the whole space rather than just tiny snippets.  

I hope you like what I've done so far! It's always a work in progress. 

Twinning

Growing up, I always wished I had had a twin brother or sister.  I thought it'd be so fun to share a room (was I crazy?) and have someone there to talk to when falling asleep- kind of how the girls on Full House did.  Looking back, I think having one older brother was perfect and I doubt I would've actually enjoyed sharing a room!  However, I always love seeing designers create a children's room with two twin beds.  I also like the idea of a guest room having two twin (or full) beds rather than just one queen or king.  It makes sense when hosting guests that aren't married or comfortable sleeping in the same bed!

{Ashley Putman via Lonny}

I love that Nick Haslam added a striped canopy above these beds for an extra special touch:

{Nick Haslam}

{Patrick Mele}

{Lonny}

{Vallone Design}

These headboards feature one of my favorite textiles of all time- Quadrille's Kazak:

{Country Living Magazine}

This bedroom is the perfect room for a set of adventurous little boys: 

{Ellen Niven via House Beautiful}

Munger Interiors always designs the cutest rooms with twin beds, like this bright, happy space:

{Munger Interiors}

Now I just want to get back in bed.  Here's to hoping today goes by quickly and easily!!

XOXO,

Sam

Valentine's Wishes: Sadie & Stella

Long time no talk my Peak of Tres Chic lovers. I am Sam's BFF (gal valentine) Lindsay from Sadie + Stella and I am about to get ALL lovey dovey up in here. What better place to spend Valentine's Day than with my girl crush Sammy P?? So, naturally for any holiday (actual or commercially produced) I have a constant running list of items I would find acceptable to receive as gifts. VDay is no different. Make it girly. Make it pink or red. The more cheese, the better. Since I am a giving person, today and every other day, I am going to share my lust list for this oh so loving day. Get your beau, mom or gal crush to splurge on these musts for you. Be still my heart. 

Get it:

Row 1 (Left to Right): Painting/Candle/Book/Wink Clutch/Lips/

Watch/Pillow/Necklace/ Tapers/Heart Sweater

My Current Skin Routine

If you read my Friday's Worthy Links post last week, you may recall I mentioned my love of Heather Clawson and her blog, Habitually Chic.  She did a skincare post a few weeks ago that inspired me to share my own morning and evening routine with you all today.  I am such a big believer in taking care of yourself, and especially your skin.  I know a lot of people gawk at the expense of many quality skincare products as well as the cost of facials.  But to me- what is more important to invest in than your own skin?  Let me start by sharing a quote from Heather's post that I agree with wholeheartedly:

"To put this in terms many of my design friends and followers will understand, you wouldn’t build a house and expect it to stand for 8o years without routine maintenance like sanding, filling, and painting- and that’s how we should regard skincare."

Now you may be thinking- why would I listen to what a 27 year-old has to say about skincare and age prevention?!  Well, I will be the first person to admit I am still learning and discovering what works best for me when it comes to my skin.  However, I have had the world's best example and teacher out there when it comes to aging gracefully- my mom.  Even at 57 and with never having any sort of plastic surgery done, her skin is flawless:

Honoring the Greats: Albert Hadley

Today I wanted to celebrate the life of one of the most iconic designers of the twentieth century- Albert Hadley.  Hadley passed away in 2012 at the age of 91, but his design work live on and so does his legacy.  He grew up in Tennessee and attended school at Parsons School of Design before fighting in World War II.   When he returned from the war, he went on to train under the prestigious decorator A. Herbert Rogers.  Hadley opened his own firm shortly thereafter, and was met with considerable success.  His client list includes former Vice President Albert Gore, Diane Sawyer, Babe Paley, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the Astor and Getty families.  In 2010, Lonny Mag did a home tour and interview with Albert in his Upper East Side apartment, and of course every detail is perfection:

Known for his kind, down-to-earth personality, Albert is the perfect example of a go-getter who wasn't afraid to follow his dreams.  When he returned from the war, he knew he wanted to be in New York City where all the big designers he followed were based:   

 "When I came back, it wasn't long before I had decided that I intensely wanted to be in New York City—it was where  the design work that I had been following was. In those days, as it still is a bit today, interior design was seen through publications so I knew of every important person working!" Hadley admitted, laughing about the ambitious youngster he had been. "It's still a mystery how I was able to be so outgoing and outspoken amongst such icons of design, but I made it my point to meet them all! I explained that I wasn't looking for a job and that I just simply wanted to meet them. Strangely enough, all without exception were open to meeting me. I started with the top ones of the time like Rose Cummings and Billy Baldwin—you know, the big firms."

Hadley is also well known for his work with Sister Parish.  They began working together in the 50s.  Sister Parish had just finished decorating the private family quarters in the White House for the Kennedy family, including the oval drawing room on the second floor, where the president liked to receive foreign dignitaries, and was looking to go in to work with someone.  She hired him after finishing the White House, and in 1962 he was made partner in her firm, creating Parish-Hadley.

{Albert's bathroom features his own whimsical wallpaper design, "Fireworks", by Hinson & Co.  I believe this paper has been discontinued now, but contact Hinson if interested!}

More of Albert's fab work...

You can read a fun interview The Editor at Large did with Albert a few years back here. I found the article so inspiring and interesting!  One particular quote that stuck with me regarding Albert's design process is this:

"Each project is a very personal thing and has very little to do with trends as far as I'm concerned," Hadley said. "I've never been involved in trends or fashions—maybe what's fashionable but that's never been a priority. I think it's a very serious business and one that takes concentration and dedication to both the physical situation, meaning the architecture, and the people who are personally involved—the owners, the inhabitants."

PS- Today I am over on my girl Lindsay's blog, Sadie + Stella, sharing a few Valentine's gift ideas!  Go check out the post and give Lindsay some love.