Have a Glamorous + Joyous New Year!

I cannot believe that 2009 is coming to an end and that I actually made strides towards two of my three resolutions (I didn' cut back on my coffee intake--opps)! Thank you to all delight by design readers and fellow bloggers for making 2009 such a wonderful and exciting year. I cannot wait to see what 2010 brings!

(images via style and substance, sunday suppers, christine rudolph and scanned from January issue of vogue)
Wishing you all a very glamorous an joyous new year!

primping in symmetry

I have feeling that I am not the only one who spends more time in front of the mirror primping for New Years Eve than most nights of the year. Adding all the extra glitz and sparkle takes time! And I wouldn't mind spending that extra time in one of these perfectly symmetrical (and lovely) bathrooms.


(via nuevo estilo and maura mcevoy)
I think the bathroom is one room where symmetry seems natural and easily achieved.

packing list {beach vacation}

Although it is quite cold here what I am craving more than vacationing to the beach is the resort wear that the vacation would come with (I very much dislike open toed shoes and winter clothes). If were to take such a trip and thaw out from the crisp Wyoming air, these would be the staples that would surely find there way on to my dream packing list...
A colorful and shear j.mcLaughlin scarf, a dvf tote to carry my stacks of shelter pubs, durable and fashionable rubber gucci sandals, the perfect evening out sparkle of a henri bendel bangle, a lightweight sharon gill tunic that can go from the beach to evening and of course the perfect palette for it all--a cream vix bikini.

new years eve {over the top to last minute}

For those of you that are not burnt out from hosting holiday parties and are brave enough to host New Years Eve--this post is just for you! These are some of my favorite palettes and looks for one of the most festive nights of the year. I am especially fond of the playful ethnic mood set by tones of chartreuse and a Moroccan flair. It is such a nice departure from the traditional shimmer and shine of the season.

And for those of you that really want to go all out---I love the idea of draping the ceiling with flowing ribbons, the glow of candles and injecting some Great Gastby glamour.

Or if you prefer a more modern feel why not play with a bold peacock inspired palette?

And if you are pulling the evening together at the last minute--don't fret! There is no reason that you cannot pull the paper whites (or other seasonal potted plants) from around the house to the table alongside some simple votives.

(images scanned from Set with Style and via Canadian House and Home, Anna Beckman, Jenifer Altman, Tricia Foley
Also, I am thrilled to be nominated for the Apartment Therapy Homies. Don't forget to vote for your favorite blogs by tomorrow (12/29) at 5 PM EST.

italian country inspired {new year's outfit}

Wow, I cannot believe that Christmas is over and that the new year is only days away. So much to think about in preparation--first and foremost is what to wear! New Year's Eve is definitely an occasion that deserves glamour and makes the annual trip to the closet for the perfect outfit a very fun one! I usually go for bold color and over the top shimmer but this year I am leaning towards a more neutral look---and my favorite look is inspired by these country style spaces.

(scanned from italian country living)
Just the right touch of sophistication, earthy tones and personality.

(dress via matthew williamson, lee angel earrings, club monaco clutch and miu miu)
In the whirl of the holiday rush I am still behind on blogging but promise to be back in full force once I get back home to Jackson Hole (en route today!).

Happy Holidays!

I am so sorry posting has been so sporadic the past few days but I am definitely a last minute person when it comes to the holidays and have been quite busy! So I think it is best I just sign off until after all the hustle and bustle is over! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday filled with joy, snow, brown paper packages and the ones you love.

(via noah webb, unknown, sunday suppers and virgina macdonald)
A very happy holidays to you all!

boxes + a birdcage

You may have noticed from my previous posts that I love birdcages in homes and for events-I think it is the whimsical quality that they instantly inject. I am especially fond of the unique idea of using them to house pillar candles as part of a Christmas scape.

(Scanned from December house and garden)

Lovely and simple, don't you think?

just a hint of holiday {baubles + pine cones}

I love holiday decor that you can leave up long after the needles of the Christmas tree have fallen and the new year has been welcomed. Which is why I am quite fond of the simple and subtle touches that pine cones and silver baubles add to a home this time of year.

(from various back issues of Canadian House and Home)

They create an elegant and festive look while relieving the pressure of instantly having to de-decorate as soon as the holiday season is over.

{contemporary country} soak

All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays can be both physically and mentally exhausting--from the cookie making, strategic ornament placement, parties and playing santa's little helper. I know that I am in need of a little moment of relaxation and this luminous bathroom set in the italian countryside would be just the place.

(scanned from italian country living)
I love the contrasting styles of the phillipe starck basin and the 19th century French chandelier. Happy Monday---off to complete more holiday tasks!

kate spade {photo wall}

One of the many reasons that I love blogging is that I am able to find such satisfaction in strolling through stores simply to find inspiration. One of my first stops after to coming home to Chicago was Oak Street-- I was on complete visual overload and found many things to covet but one of the things I loved the most (just after a stunning ruby red zac posen dress at Barneys) was the beautiful wall in the Kate Spade store.

So I of course decided to document it with my i phone. Such a well arranged collection of items and unique styles.

I especially love the pink ampersand, adorable necklace decked owl and the beautiful peony photo. Click here for picture hanging hardware.

decked in bronze

Ever since this post I have had an infatuation with bronze for the holidays and my affinity for the color as a festive one grew when I saw this editorial in Elle Decoration. It is absolutely the perfect hue for a romantic and intimate holiday dinner.


(images scanned from elle decoration)
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

gift guide {luxurious stocking stuffers}

Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages and when it comes to stocking stuffers that is definitely the case--or at least I think it should be. Unpacking them has always been one of my favorite parts of Christmas day and I know I would love any of these small but luxurious trinkets in my stocking this year....

After all every girl needs something that comes in a perfect orange hermes box, a timeless chanel scent, a colorful accent on their desk, a coffee table worthy candle and a classic piece of jewelery. What are the luxurious necessities that you are craving this season?

christmas {down under}

I am getting on a plane today, one of my least favorite things, and heading home to Chicago for the holidays. However, with the bitterly cold weather we have had lately I think I may just be able to bear the much longer flight down to Australia and enjoy a Christmas dinner under this gum tree. Rannuculas, birdcages and cherry blossoms...oh my!


(via country style)
Also, thank you all so much for your sweet comments yesterday about delight by design's mention in the London Times!

all about the classics {color}

Continuing on my classic holiday kick--these are just a few reasons why scarlet red and soft green will never go out of style and always be synonymous with this season.

(flowers by rountree, dress from Carolina Herrara Pre-Fall 2010 collection and invitation from parrot design)

(flowers and hanging bottles via karen mordechi, mantle from the portfolio of andrew bordwin and macaroons via canelle et vanille)
Do you agree? Are you a traditionalist when it comes to holiday decor?

Also, I got the absolute best news today--delight by design was included in the London Times list of the top 50 design blogs!

classic christmas {dining room}

As much as I have tried to stray away from my traditional Christmas decor tendencies I can't help but be attracted to the nostalgia of classic holiday decor. Which is why the combination of fragrant paper whites, an elegant (yet surprisingly casual) table and the beautiful pine garlands of the dining room of Mary Macdonald just make me sigh..


...and it is also the reason that today will be completely devoted to classic holiday style. I will be back shortly with some lovely examples of why red and green are rightly so the most popular colors of this season (as well as some gift ideas for the classically inclined gals on your list).

color therapy {bolder than hermes orange}

It is amazing how the weather can effect your mood and today the gloomy and gray skies are completely draining all of my energy. I though a little pop of this bold citrus hue would brighten up day and help get me through my to do list...

...whether the color is in the form of high gloss paint on the wall or paired with cool blues on an adorable spring dress or a simple note card.

all tied up with a bow!

I just got home from a very festive and quite fun Christmas party and when trying to decide what to wear I was very much wishing I had one of these lovely bow adorned pieces. They are all the perfect blend of feminine and festive.

(natalia brilli necklace, kate spade clutch/tote, valentino sandals and fendi dress)
What staples are you sporting this season!?

luxury gift guide {home decor addict}

If you want to truly make the home decor addicts on your gift list blush then these items will do the trick. And if you are feeling generous you can just purchase all these pieces and provide the makings of a subtly elegant and whimsical living room.

(missoni home stool, madeline weinrib throw pillow, area rug designed by vivienne westwood for the rug company, geometric alpaca throw from pieces, kaleidoscopes by kelly wearstler, provence perfum bottle from anthropologie and french birdcage from pieces)

a very welcome weekend

Sorry that I have been a bit absent the past few days. In addition to being under the weather (-10 to -20 temperatures in the morning will do that) I had an event last night--that although incredibly fun definitely drained the energy I had left in me. So I am more than ready for the weekend and the lovely entry doors to these rooms seemed like the perfect way to welcome it...

And not only are these stained glass doors lovely but they are also pocket doors! And how sweet is that westie vase on such a well styled table!?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

perfect [holiday] eat-in kitchen

This space from Skona Hem combines two of my favorite things--simple holiday tablescapes and eat-in kitchens. And then of course there is the beautiful molding, touch of fresh greens, unique room shape, and clean but not overly modern lines.


OK, time to pull my away from the computer and finally work on making my holiday cards!
P.S. The rest of this house is amazing too!

holiday palette {mist+bronze}

I know that blue has become somewhat of a classic Christmas color but I never had given too much consideration to it for my personal decor. I always thought it was too cold. Then I saw a misty blue paired with bronze and decided it was going to be the palette for my decor this year. It is the perfect combination for the casual warmth I was searching for this season.

(nut garland via studio choo, tablescape and tree via canadian house and home, diy garland via 100 layer cake, cocoa and churros via cannelle et vanille, card via rifle design and place setting via canadian house and home)
I don't know about you but I am so craving that hot cocoa and churros right now.

simple is sometimes best

I always keep ribbons from packages and love finding new ways to use them. Which is just one reason that I love the idea of tying them in a bow and letting them hang from chandeliers for the holidays. The other reason is that simple decor truly is sometimes best!

(via canadian house and home)

gift guide {for the gals under $54}

This year my friends and I are doing a girls gift exchange with a set price limit, so I have been looking for cute gifts that are of a reasonable price. And I know that I for one would be thrilled to be receiving (or giving) any one of these:

(emersonmade clutch for $38, linda and harriet paper flower pin for $24, teapot from anthropologie for $48, susyjack* cartlettes for $8.50, apron from anthropologie for $38, j.crew slippers for $54, lucia organic chai soap for $11)
Would love to know what cheap(er) chic gift finds you have!

{pastel} weekend retreat

When I saw this room by Sally Steponkus I instantly feel in love with everything about it--the soft pastel color scheme, the right touch of symmetry, oddly proportioned and well styled fireplace and not to mention my new dream coffee table!

I think this would be the perfect space to recoup from what has been a very stressful and crazy week! What are you all up to this weekend? I think I am going to lay low and work on the much overdue task of making my Christmas cards!

evening eye candy {simple holiday decor}

So I feel the need to warn you that this month delight by design will be dominated by holiday decor, gift guides and my own personal wish lists! I will do my best to try to insert some of my normal series but I have pretty much been saving up posts for this seasons ever since it ended last year! And I think that these images are at the top of my list--so simple and understated but yet still very festive. A few ornaments stacked in an empty fireplace or really empty alcove or corner...

Recycling the pages of books for adorable trees and garlands (I have to find a DIY for this one!)..

And since I am not going to be in my house for Christmas I am always looking for tree options that don't shed and think this one if perfectly darling..

And lastly I love this cute option for holiday table placecards...and you could even put little treats or a favor inside the bag.

(all images courtesy of Sarah Hogan)

Hope you all have a lovely evening!

cozy in cocoa

It was -5 when I woke up this morning and I am about to head to bed and can see ice building up on the bottoms of all my exterior doors. I am definitely in need of a cup of hot cocoa to warm me up but since I don't have any of the ingredients I am craving these warm cocoa pieces...

(via 3.1 phillip lim, virginia johnson, kate spade boots, banana republic necklace, manu ring and cally capellino clutch)
I esepcially want the ring and dress for this holiday party season!

Welcome December!

I have been waiting for this day for months—the first day of December and the day I finally let myself pull out all the boxes of Christmas décor! I have cheated a little bit and over the weekend filled up all my empty vases and bowls with an assortment of ornaments, hung stockings from my rafters and switched out my candles. I think that next on my list is going to be a wreath—I am trying to decide if I should enjoy the aroma of a real one or the longer life of a less traditional option. I have long loved ones made of metallic balls and love the fun twist of placing it around faux antlered critters on the wall.

And the whimsical nature of this one decked in marshmallows would certainly be perfect way to tempt a white Christmas.

Or I could attempt to make a soft and romantic wreath with greenery and beautiful blooms.
But it would also be fun to make one out of colored card stock cutouts.
Lastly I have always wanted to have a pine cone wreath but don’t think I would ever be able to create the lovely the texture of this one.

(via canadian house and home, anna beckman, homes and gardens, living etc, and canadian house and home)
Have you hauled your holiday décor boxes up from the basement?