Interior Lust: Lauren Conrad's Penthouse

I'm breaking away from style again today and going back to interiors and design. I intended to keep posting about interior design on a regular basis, and just didn't keep up with it... best laid plans am I right? So as I dive back into posting about pretty spaces, I had to share one of my style crushes home.

Lauren Conrad's Beverly Hills penthouse was featured on InStyle and did not disappoint! Her home was a very surprising departure from what you would expect from LC. Lauren gives off a very classic, feminine vibe and you would think her home would reflect that too. While you can definitely see her in the design, there was awesome unexpected juxtaposition of masculine and feminine elements with bright pops of color. For every bit of tufting, nail head trim, and brass, there was a very clean line or something in a glossy black that made it feel more modern. I'm going to shut up now and let the pictures speak for themselves.

Dream House

Once in a blue moon I'll come across a design project that really just knocks my socks off. Typically I will like one component of a home but not another. Loving each part that I see is a rarity for me (I'm picky and difficult just so you know). I recently started following Rach Parcell on Instagram (yes yes very very late to the game), and as I scrolled through many pretty pictures I kept stopping on the ones of her newly built and decorated home.

First, the house is grand. It has huge ceiling, tons of light, and gorgeous natural elements throughout like exposed wood beams and Calcutta gold marble. Second, the attention to detail is spectacular. I love the serene palette of whites and grays, neutrals never looked so good! The kitchen is to die for, I could literally do several posts on just that. The real stunner though, at least for me, is her closet/office space.

This is no ordinary closet. This is the stuff of dreams. Yes it is enormous and so beautifully designed, but oh my gawd Becky that leopard carpet is B-A-N-A-N-A-S! You say you like gold, white lacquer, and animal print? It's all there ladies. I too would hang out in my closet if it came close to this one. Also that puppy is gorgeous and makes me that much more jealous.

I'm assuming there is so much more fabulousness left to this home, but my stalking abilities/time I want to spend stalking only go so far. I do suggest you check out Rach's blog Pink Peonies and Instagram, and also the Alice Lane Home as they did the install. Hopefully if Rach ever saw this post she would think it was nice to have such home/style admiration and not utterly creepy. Fingers crossed!

The light in this home is unreal and the entire wall of windows is spectacular. Don't get me started on the chaise...

 Holy kitchen! Where do I even begin? Maybe the brass fixtures, marble, open shelving, island, or range. I can't. It's too much pressure!

Glorious table and chairs as if they weren't going to be on point, puhlease. The light fixtures are no joke either. Each is gorgeous and different. Also I'm really digging that beam in the bedroom. 

The powder room makes my master bathroom look like a gas station restroom. If I never have anything else in my home but a soaking tub I can die a happy woman.

I'm doing my best not to write too much but come on this the most ridiculously amazing closet I've ever seen. I'm smitten with everything in it, including that lab. Note to future husband: if you can deal with leopard carpet in the home, you may have anything you want..ANYTHING!

Design Obsession: Statement Doors

A lot of people don't know this about me, but I am a closeted design freak. I could spend hours looking at pictures of gorgeous spaces, design books/catalogs, and perusing the internet just taking it all in. I definitely attribute my love of design to growing up in a DC suburb surrounded by gorgeous homes that were impeccably decorated, living in New Orleans for two years, and most recently my trips to Charleston. Personally, I think it's pretty cool to be able to appreciate a sconce or trim when for most of your life you wouldn't have given them a second look. With appreciation for design comes an awareness to detail, and man are there some gorgeous details out there.

Unless you live under a rock, you have heard the term "statement jewelry" or more commonly "statement" necklace. But what I am obsessed with lately are statement doors. While my taste is fairly traditional, I love the idea of a pop of color that makes a home stand out among the rest. As a child, I always wanted a house with a red door (no clue why) thinking that was as bold as I could go. Now, the possibilities are literally endless!

The coral door on a classic Cape Cod style home is so sweet and really brightens up the darker wood. This is probably the first time I have ever liked anything in orange. I am so in love with this bright orange door, the hardware, the central location of door knob, ugh just everything!

A turquoise door with gold hardware (a personal style favorite) pops in all the right ways against this white home. I love the matching shutters too! This home is straight up elegant, and I love the updated twist with the bright, cheerful yellow door.

Ah, there's the red door from my childhood dreams! It looks great against the gray and the white trim is perfect. I am usually not a pink fan, but this magenta door is gorgeous. The contrast and greenery are so right.

The green door may be my favorite of the roundup. It's so (sorry for doing this) chic. Kelly green is one of those colors that's timeless and works so well as an accent color. I die, I swoon, I everything for this door. Provence, well you don't have to say much about its beauty, but the cobalt door is magnificent. I love the rustic exterior and the rounded door frame. Blue and white, can you really go wrong?

How about you? What do you think of statement doors?