{two lovely things: golden shades of autumn}

. . . nearly november, and there has been overcast skies, blustery, leaf-strewn winds, and bouts of rain, and so, to brighten these last october days, golden artwork and gilded accents, warm white cable knits and sun-soaked high-waisted trousers, and it's off to the flower markets for as many bouquets as one can possibly carry . . .

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things
* ponytails & polka dots
* a place for everything
* lace & leopard print
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* perfectly mismatched


{images: framing spaces & hanneli; outfit: miu miu collar, ralph lauren cable knit sweater, screaming mimi's high-waisted trousers}

{two lovely things: monograms & pink roses}

{two lovely things:} crisp whites and black stripes with always elegant monograms, and pale pink roses just after a rainstorm . . .

{images: tracey overbeck stead via brabourne farm; flickr}

{two lovely things: bits of gold}

. . . two lovely things : the autumn weight of classic herringbone, beautifully set off by the seeming weightlessness of always glamorous gold, and perfectly polished in taupe, paired with delicate and elegant bands of gold . . .

......................................................................................................

r e c e n t t w o l o v e l y t h i n g s
* ponytails & polka dots
* lace & leopard print
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched
* a place for everything

{images: martha stewart living october 2011 via bright bazaar // 14 k gf hexagon ring by gabriela artigas, in yellow or rose gold, available here, originally seen at fieldguided}

{two lovely things: ponytails & polka dots}

. . . and if you find yourself having far too lovely a time on weekends, leaving the beginning of the work week with little time to spare: a silk bow blouse in pretty polka dots & a low ponytail for easy elegance, and it's coffee and out the door in perfect style . . .

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things
* lace & leopard print
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched
* a place for everything


{image & cindy blouse from the fall / winter 2011 collection by greta, via simple blueprint}

{two lovely things: a place for everything}

. . . and while on the topic of perfume bottles & lip gloss scattered about on desks and vanities, absolutely adore the idea of wicker baskets to keep everything in its place, from shoes in the entryway to books beside the bed . . .

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things
* lace & leopard print
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched


{1 - the marion house book; 2 - photography by darryl carter via luxe life}

{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 . . .

......................................................................................................

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}

{two lovely things: perfectly mismatched}

. . . two sinks, side by side -- his & hers -- a chrome and glass cocktail table as a shelf for perfume and hair pins, and perfectly mismatch mirrors before the busy-ness of the day begins . . .


{p.s.} if you're looking for us, we {p. & i} have traded in the hustle & bustle of the city for a place in front of the fire, in an impossibly romantic log cabin in the mountains, with very spotty internet access, a million miles from everything x

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things
* on display
* books & blossoms
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace
* ruggedly refined
* rest & relaxation


{image: living gazette}

{two lovely things: rock & refined}

. . . still sorting through a million photos, but couldn't help but be a little sidetracked by these perfect combinations -- whether leather & cashmere, rough-hewn & gold -- or here, soft chambray paired with layers of tulle for day, and distressed denim paired with pretty pleats by night, shall never tire of rock & refined . . .

{p.s.} which is your favourite?

......................................................................................................

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


{images: 1 - editorial, billie jean, we like we love magazine, photography by wilkosz & way; stylist, lindsay sutton; hair & makeup, alicja wilkosz; model, mikayla fritzke from ford models / want management; 2 - thats chic}

{two lovely things: rest & relaxation}

. . . has been one of those weeks, where, despite having a million things to do, thoughts could not help but wander to these last few weeks of summer, and with family to arrive from paris for a few weeks, painting & decorating projects, design work & interviews, it's lovely, lovely to have the weekend to {hopefully} find a few moments to spend in the early-august sun . . .

{p.s.} still to follow, weekend wishes & links x

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things:
* ruggedly refined
* books & blossoms
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace
* on display


{images: one - nuevo estilo via chapman interiors blog; two - j.crew via chapman interiors blog}

{two lovely things: on display}

. . . currently, favourite pairs of sequined heels and golden strappy summer sandals are displayed in a glass cabinet {much like this one}, but after happening upon martha stewart living decorating editor, rebecca robertson's, picture rails as shoe racks, now dreaming up entire dressing rooms with walls lined in beautiful shoes . . .



{p.s.} also adore the idea of using beveled mirrors and a floating shelf to create an entryway console

......................................................................................................

recent two lovely things:
* ruggedly refined
* books & blossoms
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace


{images: from great adaptations, text by kelly tagore & photography by seth smoot, martha stewart living july 2011 digital version for the ipad2, screen captures by this is glamorous}

{two lovely things: ruggedly refined}

. . . it's always interesting when one's tastes begin to change, however imperceptibly, and even if only for a moment . . . here, one has come to expect light and bright and a glittery glimmer; a dash of ornateness and maximalist tendencies -- and yet -- inexplicably drawn to the soft black leather and dark, heavy drapery of these rooms, rugged, and yet refined, beckoning and yet a little mysterious . . .



{or perhaps it is lure of bright panelled walls and perfect pools of light?}

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* books & blossoms
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace


{images: one - photography by pia ulin via head over heels; two - photography by bryan w. ferry of the blue hour}

{two lovely things: books & blossoms}

. . . two lovely things {besides coffee & croissants for breakfast this morning, of course}: a little time to catch up on a few nearly late projects and even a few emails, and positively filling every room with enormous bouquets of peonies . . .

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace


{images: one | two}

{two lovely things: secret gardens & on the terrace}

. . . late-spring rain and blustery breezes, and lately there are fallen petals everywhere -- between the cobblestones, and winter-worn fountains, on boxwood hedges and in secret gardens -- and the scent of freshly picked roses in etched glass vases and beautiful bouquets of lilies of the valley are enough to make one wish for every morning on the terrace . . .

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès


{images: one, two}

{two lovely things: chalkboards & garden sheds}

. . . a grand and gilded chalkboard intermingling with dusky olive velvet and always elegant chevron floors . . . and a charming gardening shed with wonderfully ornate bracketed shelves and a porcelain sink overflowing with delicate late-spring blossoms . . .

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} recent two lovely things
* a paris apartment & hermès
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets


{images: 1 - original scan from côté paris via belle vivir, discovered via head over heels; 2 - country living via brabourne farm & also seen at the french tangerine}

{two lovely things: a paris apartment & hermès}

. . . how we arrived at thursday {or mid-april, for that matter}, is an utter mystery, but the spring sun has been shining and have you ever had amazingly enormous plans that hinged on the completion of a million smaller ones? . . . and in a few months' time, the beginning of one of the grandest adventures, and despite excitement uncontained for the things to come, for now, there are to-do lists and always emails, handwritten thank you notes and long lost friends to be reacquainted with -- and so -- a few moments away to get caught up, leaving you with these two very lovely things . . .

hope you're having a stunningly beautiful week so far,
xo

......................................................................................................

{also} recent two lovely things:
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms

{parisian apartment, coté paris via haute design, click here to view the rest of this amazing home; hermès via fashion in my eyes}

{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}

{weekend inspiration: bar carts & blossoms}

. . . for the weekend, a perfect bar cart with cut crystal decanters, gilt frames and fuchsia roses, champagne and cobalt stemware . . . and flowers in your hair . . .


{images: 1 - from atlanta homes & lifestyles, jennifer boles' bar cart, photography by david christensen; 2 - the bottom of the ironing basket}