Month: November 2013

Fabulous Friday | Baccarat Apartments NYC |

Fabulous Friday | Baccarat Apartments NYC |

When I hear the word…Baccarat…I automatically think of beautiful clear cut crystal glasses..and stunning oversized chandeliers. The Baccarat Brand is synonymous with style and class and timeless beauty. Located in Baccarat, France since 1734, the range has expanded from crystal glassware and vases, to commissioned pieces for heads of state, window panels, chandeliers, paperweights and perfume bottles.

And then it got super busy…Baccarat created an American subsidiary in 1948 in New York City. In 2003 Baccarat relocated the head office to Paris. In 2005, Starwood Hotels acquired the famous brand in the United States.

In 2012 Starwood announced it would use the name for a luxury hotel chain “Baccarat Hotels and Resorts” which will feature company’s crystal chandeliers. And that leads us to here..NYC

Opening of New York’s Baccarat Hotel & Residences in November 2014. The newest architectural landmark in the center of Manhattan—a striking fifty floor tower enveloped in a layer of sparkling glass, a mark of the brand’s elegance.

 

Located on West 53rd Street in the heart of Manhattan, Baccarat Residences is across from the Museum of Modern Art and a short walk from landmarks like Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall and Central Park.

 

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Every aspect of the residences represents the very best — the most luxuriant surfaces, soaring spaces, custom Baccarat pieces created uniquely for residences — a thrilling design only possible under the visionary creative eye of Tony Ingrao. Each detail has been considered and perfected.

 

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The rooms look opulent and yet contemporary..with a fusion of the French elegance blended with the NYC style. I love it..I could stay here…Definitely…

…Sx

White Chalk Interiors Design Tip of the Week | 3D Images

It can help your visualisation when renovating to arrange for 3D images of the spaces. Check out our video.

…Sx

Weekend Round Up | What I Wore | Neck Candy

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Right now I’m crushing on big, costume necklaces. There are loads of options out there and they are not an expensive accessory…But they sure can look a million bucks! I’ve searched around and found my top 3 so far.

These pieces can be worn super casually…with jeans and a white T Shirt..I think this is the best option..Or at night as a more formal look. The best thing is that these little precious bundles, will not break the bank, and I predict you will wear them easily through the festive season and on into the cooler months.

 

Option 1 Perspex Camellia from Lovisa $29.95 …I really like this piece…it’s a little Chanel-like and quite eye catching. Black and White will never date. It’s timeless.

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Option Two – Lola Statement Collar from Forever New – $39.95. This piece is a perfect colour combo for Spring / Summer and will give vibrancy to most outfits in your wardrobe. Pair the aqua blue crystals with your blue denims and it will look amazing and fresh for Summer.

 

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Option Three – Diamente and Brass Choker from Lovisa $29.95. The sparkly ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’ inspired choker will add glamour and sophistication to a simple black dress…But I must admit, I think it will work better with a silky black shirt and jeans. Effortless chic. This one is so new I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet!

 

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Enjoy hunting around for these oversized jewels. Have some fun with them. And sparkle darlings..sparkle..

 

…Sx

http://www.lovisa.com.au

http://www.forevernew.com.au

Fabulous Friday | 4 Rooms That Need Task Lighting

We all need task lighting.

Task lighting is a way to increase illumination for a specific activity in a room. It is to be added as another layer of light in the room, used to decrease eye strain while reading or working. Once the activity is complete, it can be turned off without diminishing the overall lighting in a room, though it can be dimmed to contribute to the overall glow.

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KITCHEN TASK LIGHTING

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The kitchen is where the majority of specialized tasks are performed, such as food prep, cooking, homework and entertaining. You can benefit from brightly illuminated countertops, which is possible with under-cabinet lights. Pendant lights or vent hoods with lights are essential over cooking zones.  You should have pendant or track lighting above eating and socializing areas in the kitchen, and a good trick is to put them on a dimmer so they can be lowered to create a calmer, atmospheric glow during meals.

BATHROOM TASK LIGHTING

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The days of a single overhead light in the bathroom are long gone. Today’s bathrooms can benefit from vanity lighting around the mirrors used for personal grooming, and a set of lights to turn on while showering.  From wall sconces to swing arm lamps, be sure to use lighting fixtures specifically designed for the high levels of water and moisture in a bathroom.

BEDROOM TASK LIGHTING

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If you like to read in bed, good bedside lighting is a must. This can be in the form of table lamps, or a swing arm lamp near the bedhead. Floor lamps beautifully illuminate sitting areas, and for walk-in closets, lights that activate automatically when you open the door are one of the greatest tasks lighting ever.

FAMILY ROOM TASK LIGHTING

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This is where you can benefit from many different layers of lighting to accommodate the wide variety of activities that happen in the family room. On the ceiling, adjustable track or recessed can lighting on dimmer switches makes it simple for you to control how much light goes to where. Adjustable floor lamps and table lamps are quintessential task lights that also contribute to the room’s décor and ambient lighting.

Gone are the days of task lighting being a bright, stark single bulb. Feel comfortable adding feature task lighting. Function and Form together always knocks it out of the park.

…Sx

Weekend Round Up | Who wears the Pants |

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone, it seems, has their ‘go to’ part in their wardrobe. The easy option. The, choose anything from this section and add to it, part. For me, it is pants. Or jeans.

I am a serial pants wearer and for me it’s all about the comfort factor. Jeans or pants are easy to wear when you are running around all day… plus I can forgo tanning cream on my legs and get dressed way quicker.

 

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I have found over the years that pants suit my body shape better. I don’t have much of a waist, and if I wear a skirt i can tend to look a little ‘blocky’. I have about 6 staple bottom half options, ranging from jeans, (light and dark), plus black, charcoal and white pants. These are on constant rotation on a daily basis. Just keep adding a range of tee’s and jackets, and the options are never ending.

Which do you prefer to grab? Pants or skirts?

…Sx

Fabulous Friday | Glass Bottles |

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We all know that everything tastes better in glass. But I didn’t realise until recently, how much better. Tea, green smoothies, even cool water with lemon slices. In glass. Much better.

 

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I was travelling through China a few months ago, and everywhere you go, people are carrying glass bottles with infused tea inside. Glass bottles with straps, covers and handles. The Chinese taxi drivers don’t leave home without 2 or 3 glass bottles full of green spicy leaves and hot water. Glass tea bottles are BPA, phthalate, PVC, and polycarbonate free.

 

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Using glass for hot or cold drinks means no chemicals leaching into your drink and no metallic taste. The wide mouth bottle design makes it easy to add loose teas, fill-able tea filters, or ice.

 

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In China I bought a glass tea bottle with a black rubber cover for insulation. I use it every day for my green smoothie or tea. I fill it up with my drink of choice, throw it in my handbag and sip away whilst dropping the kids to school and then on to the office. It tastes fresh. It looks good. I’ve converted.

 

…Sx

Mid Week Inspiration |Design Detail | Round Desks

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I usually do things on a whim..and today is no different. This morning I was working from my dark timber rectangular American style desk, complete with high back leather office chair..I was channelling corporate..and as I write this..some 8 hours later..I am at a round marble, white sculptured base table..with clear Louis Ghost chair. Clean fresh and minimalist. New look. But the question is..can I work from a round table? I like it. It’s neat. Simple. I give it a week…

 

 

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Could you work at a round desk?

 

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Or do you need to keep it straight…

 

…Sx

White Chalk Interiors Design Tip of the Week | Measure Spaces

White Chalk Interiors Design Tip of the Week | Measure Spaces

Measure twice, cut once..the famous saying that can save you a fortune in both time and money…my Video Blog this week is all about the measure options to ensure you get it right every time…

…Sx

Weekend Round Up | What I Wore | Hats

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Rain, Hail or shine..I love a good hat. Hats will hide a multitude of sins and is the perfect addition for a week full of Spring Racing Carnival celebrations.

Tuesday | Melbourne Cup Day |

A barbecue at home with friends on a warm Spring Day…So I Wore | Senso Black and Perspex Heels, Zara White Tuxedo Pants, Myer White baby doll top, Thurley Gold Jewel Cuff, Chanel Beaded necklace…The Hat | Sportsgirl White Panama.

Thursday | Ladies Oaks Day |

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A Ladies lunch at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, instead of heading to the track, was a pleasant change. Watching the races on the big screen and not having to line up for a glass of Champs was a definite plus. So I Wore | Witchery Black and Nude Snakeskin Pumps, Zara White pencil skirt, Zara Ivory silk zipper shirt, the perfect race wear cropped pink jacket from Mrs. Press and my Sass & Bide camellia as a wrist piece… The Hat | Original Don Belisario Peach Panama.

Saturday | Emirates Stakes Day |

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The last official day of the Spring Racing Carnival, is family day. The day when the kids join in and with family and friends we celebrate the conclusion of the carnival. It was a rainy, cool day, that actually cleared up and was almost perfect. So I Wore | Miss Divolina pointed Black Heels, Zara Black Mid length swing skirt, Witchery Black sheer shirt, Sass & Bide White and Navy Capelet, Sass & Bide Camellia – on the hip -this time. The Hat | Rubik Purple Felt Gangster.

Another exhausting but fabulous Racing week…done and done…til next year.

…Sx