{décor inspiration: sheer opulence}

. . . while it may be wonderful to explore the possibilities in the clean lines of minimalist and modern interiors, at the end of it all, it always comes back to the luxe warmth and sheer opulence of intricate inlaid floors and elegant chaises, breathtaking wall murals and tufted chesterfields, delicately carved and paneled walls and gold & crystal chandeliers, enveloped by yards of pooling drapery and autumn evenings spent perched on leopard print cushions by fire . . .

{images: the diversion project; lonny via greige; flickr via julia; elle decor via greige; nicholas haslam, sheer opulence via from the right bank; brabourne farm; trouvais; rdujour; lilac and grey; lonny}

{favourite five: designer & author india hicks}

In fairy tales, humble and gallant princes defeat their adversaries, succeed to kingdoms and marry beautiful princesses -- and although India Hicks’ family legacy would suggest that to be her destiny, and even though she is very proud of her heritage -- her life hasn’t been based on Prince Charming sweeping her off her feet -- instead, she has created her own happily ever after as a a successful model, designer and author.





Born in London, India's father was famed interior decorator, David Hicks, and her mother, Pamela Hicks, the daughter to the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma. As India's grandfather was the last Viceroy of India {and gave the country their independence in 1947}, she was appropriately given her name.



As the Goddaughter of The Prince of Wales {and also his second cousin}, India was one of the bridesmaids at his wedding to Lady Diana, above. Of the experience, she tells us that “riding in a horse drawn carriage in central London was rather magical . . .”



At 17, India traveled from England to Italy, meeting up with designer Emilio Pucci, and was asked to model his catsuits.



She then continued her studies in art and photography, and upon completion, moved to New York, where she was discovered by Ralph Lauren and began a successful career as a well-known fashion model of the 1980's and 1990's, modeling for the likes of J.Crew.



In 2007, India hosted the Bravo interior design competition TV series Top Design.





Now living in the Bahamas with her partner and four children, she has published an interiors book titled, 'Island Life', as well as a lifestyle/fitness/beauty book titled, ‘Island Beauty’ , and has also created a luxurious all-natural body and home fragrance line with Crabtree & Evelyn.



According to India, her “father's great design legacy has impacted me and remains a source of influence...”



And so, in addition to all of her designing achievements to date, India has also added a new fine jewelry line, influenced by her father [who once designed a line for the famed French jewelry house Chaumet], and her grandmother’s extensive and matchless jewelry collection, which included the Star Tiara of Queen Victoria [more about tiaras, here, if you like].



In light of all her many projects and accomplishments, for this week's Favourite Five, we had the chance to sit down with India to find out her:

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{five favourite tips for living a successfully balanced life:}

1. Not indulging in too much of a social life. Now-a-days I would prefer to be at home tucking my children into bed than attending a social dinner, especially as evening hours can be so productive in the home office, no phones ringing, no interruptions, no dogs needing to be exercised.

2. Keeping your body and soul in shape. I try to exercise 5 days a week.

3. Being born under the star sign Virgo. We are phenomenally organised -- we even organize piles of paper clips.

4. Not being ashamed to ask for help, for instance, having some one else cook the kids dinner.

5. Not spending too much time worrying about the little things.

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p r e v i o u s f a v o u r i t e f i v e s :

* food editor & author: donna hay
* photographer: debi treloar
* painter: janet hill
* jewelry designer: suzie gallehugh
* artist: michelle armas
* jewelry designers: megan & moira flynn
* actress & writer: shiva rose
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist, part 1: denise porcaro
* floral stylist, part 2: denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* interior designer & architect: nina freudenberger
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama
* jewelry designer: cc skye
* designer & ceramicist: reiko kaneko
* perfumer: anne mcclain

~ laily


{images: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 - photography by patrick cline for lonny, interior design by david flint wood; 2 - domino via a previous post; 9 - via india hicks; 10 - from island life via minty; 11 - collage by this is glamorous; 12 - india hicks by british photographer jason bell for viyella autumn/winter collection ad campaigns via rdujour}

{two lovely things: lace & leopard print}

. . . while there is undoubtedly a noticeable crispness in the late-september air, the sun still shines brightly and the afternoons are still warm; at home, while quite adore cosy nights in front of the fire, not nearly ready to stow away white bed linens, and so, perhaps best to take things slowly, mixing late-summer and early-autumn in patterns and textures like lace and leopard print . . .

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recent two lovely things
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* on display
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched


{images: d. porthault; the lonny blog}

{décor inspiration: patterns & texures}

. . . only a few moments this morning before brunch, to flip through the latest issue of lonny, and instantly fell for the chicago home of designer lauren gold; and while a little surprised to be drawn to such deep shades at a time of year when the world feels awash with sunlight, could hardly tear away from the richness of the patterns and textures -- leopard print and tufted velvet, vintage glass and high gloss black, leather and gold . . .









{images via lonny july/august 2011, more at the inspiration board}

{happy monday and . . .}

"Be in love with your life. Every detail of it."

~ Jack Kerouac

. . . there are few things quite like awaking to the slow seduction of sunday light, followed by a {rather romantic} early morning walk to the café and strolls about the fruit markets for plums and summer peaches -- a welcomed change of pace from last week's flights and drivers and barely unpacked cases . . . and now, a sunny, summery monday, and ready for a new week and all of the wonderful things that it brings, catching up on correspondence and beginning new projects, finalizing plans and feeling the warmth of the golden afternoon sun at every turn . . .

hope you've had an astonishingly beautiful weekend, and that your week is off to a perfect start, roséline xo

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a f e w l o v e l y l i n k s
* colour inspiration: dusky lilac
* art: ordinary people & disposable objects {via yellowtrace}
* at the office: perfectly lovely
* for summertime: garden roses & a countryside picnic
* summer sales: belted chambray dress & striped jersey top
* in the garden: the grounds of versailles
* beauty: a proenza schouler manicure {via honey kennedy}
* eco chic: lilac shopping bags {via snippet & ink}
* travel: out of africa
* for cool, late-summer nights: elegantly tied
* for fun: baroque eyes
* fashion inspiration: pretty pleats & a topknot
* recipe: strawberry soda

{p.s.} thank you for the link-love: here & here

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{as always, a few things you may have missed}
* at the shops: summer trips
* notes from the weekend & a few lovely links
* runway inspiration: no. 21, new york
* table for two: campari-citrus sorbet
* afternoon breezes & the first day of summer

& n e w f o r t h e w e e k:
* storage inspiration: wood drawer dividers
* one week left of wimbledon: game, set, match

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{images: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven; jack kerouac quote via patterson maker}

{two lovely things: green & white}

. . . two lovely things: wallpapered cabinets & beautiful bunches of narcissi and it's beginning to look a lot like spring . . .


{images: patrick cline for lonny magazine & gingerlily flowers}

{two lovely things: open shelves & elegant black}

. . . while lately have been favouring wallpapered cabinets, {especially in romantic spring florals}, had forgotten how classically beautiful shades of onyx and midnight can be for showcasing stacks of beautiful books and antiques, or a collection of everyday dishware and fine china, and adore how strikingly lovely the palest pink of the roses and stacks of gold-rimmed teacups look against such a background . . .

{p.s.} more black shelving


{images: 1 - patrick cline for lonny; 2 - high gloss}