Fur Better

Ann Taylor has fluffy and adorable fur pillows ($78; anntaylor.com). YOU ARE WELCOME.

[photo cred here]

Hit the Lights

Hi, I'm Susi, a blogger for Arcadian Lighting, where I write about design and lighting ideas and inspiration for the home. I love visiting blogs like Mellow Fever as a guest blogger. My post today is about 8 fashionable apartments. Small on space but not on style, these apartments are chic and fashionable. What makes a space fashionable for you? Floor, furniture, light fixtures, decorative accessories--each can make a stylish contribution. Enjoy!

Clean, modern lines make this open apartment feel fashionable and chic. Vintage and contemporary pieces mix together, just like in fashion, to create a cool living space.

I love this dining area that is bordered by a bookcase. Combining a dining room and library can give an apartment a fabulous chic pied a terre feeling. Eclectic finds make the space feel personal.

This chic apartment living room seamlessly combines living and home office areas into one fabulous apartment. A mix of furniture styles, crisp artwork, and clean lines make the space fashionable.

When the view out the window is spectacular, the décor of the apartment should be downplayed to avoid competition. The neutral décor of this fashionable living room manages to still be stunning, without competing with the skyline.

In fashion, black never goes out of style. In decorating, black is a bold statement on walls. Here, the kitchen and dining spaces are joined by the color black, expanding both spaces. The simple pendant light picks up that black theme.

For an apartment that is big on style but small on space, low profile seating is a good idea. Backless and simple take up less space than big, bulky pieces. I love the gallery wall.

Lovely elaborate “gates” separate the living room from the hall in this gorgeous apartment. A light pastel palette gives the apartment a fashionable, feminine style.

Beautiful ceiling lights set the stage for gorgeous art and furniture in this fashionable apartment. The dark chocolate walls recede, making the space feel larger.Wouldn't you love to come home to one of these fashionable apartments? Stop by Arcadian Lighting's blog for even more stylish ideas and decorating inspirations!

(Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

'Tis the Season

Unforeseen perks about living in New York City during the holidays: passing by Christmas tree stands, which virtually appeared overnight. There seems to be one every two or so blocks, and when I walk by, I'm smacked in the face with the warm, refreshing scent of fir trees. I'm that girl who stops and buries her face in the lush needles. Are you surprised? Not at all? Is that a compliment? No? Plus, at night, there are strands of bobbing lights criss-crossed over them. It's like a Christmas fairy just decided to do something about the smell of trash sitting on First Avenue.

When my family opted to buy an enormous (and fake) 12-foot tree, I insisted on getting my own real miniature tree. I just love the fragrance: inviting, a little sharp, and cozy. I get that needles make a mess and dry trees make for an unpleasant fire hazard, but I think that that's worth it. (Although I'd probably take a different stance if I, say, accidentally burned down my building). (Knock on wood). (Pun unintended but so awesome that I'm going to allow it). Real or faux, which do you prefer?


[photo cred here]

The Glass Doorknob

About three weeks ago, I stole something.

I stole a doorknob from a frat house. It was a pretty glass doorknob that most definitely did not belong in a hazy crowd of boys, so I slipped it into my purse and bolted. Now, I own this gorgeous doorknob and am trying to figure out what to do with it. I can't use it in a door because I'm actually not that handy. Plus, I think I'd need another doorknob for that. So. About the stray doorknob.

Things I could do with this lone doorknob:

1. Use it as a cork in the bottle of week-old Prosecco in my fridge.

2. Talk someone who IS handy into mounting it on a wall as a towel hanger.

3. Do something creative and DIY with it, but forget to glue a part so that it falls to pieces. Loudly. In the middle of the night. (This has happened before, most often with Christmas decorations).

4. Leave it where it is on my desk and be mildly irked that it's not serving a purpose.

What would you do with a spare, vintage-looking doorknob?

[photo cred here and there]

Floral Surroundings

For some reason, I've always considered wallpaper to be a little antiquated, something that peeled on the edges and paled in comparison to the bold color of paints. This might be because my parents literally stripped all of the wallpaper from our house a few years ago. Not that I'm pointing any fingers. (But I am).

Not anymore! I was researching Cynthia Rowley (naturally) and came across this wallpaper she designed for her apartment. I liked it. We fell in love. (It may not have been mutual...). Then, I found the floral paper (beneath)—it's just so perfect for a little girl's room. Florals with a graphic touch don't have the saccharine or even stuffy feel of the traditional patterns.

I'm jonesing for this quirky, graphic floral wallpaper from Flavor Paper (below):

When I get my own apartment and/or do not rent and/or have an expendable budget, playful floral walls will be mine. And there will be flowers everywhere. Obviously. And a Philippe Starck Louis Ghost armchair. Did I mention an expendable budget will have happened by this point?


[photo cred to Elle Decor and here]

Venus in Fur

In a cruel twist, one of my best friends has achieved my dream: a chandelier in the bathroom. This is in addition to high ceilings, a bay window and a kitchen with legitimate counter space (as opposed to a cart wedged up against the sink). How? She lives in a wonderful old building in Lincoln Park, Chicago. If her apartment were available in NYC, I'd have to sell my foot on the black market to afford it.

Just because trappings (har har) of luxury aren't built into my apartment here doesn't mean I can't fake them with warm, cozy textures like fur and fleece. Like so:

You never know just how tempting it is to turn that fur vest into a pillowcase until you catch a picture like the above. Not so crafty (or really attached to your fur vest)? Here are two terribly tempting options:

I love the Target pillow on the left for its a) price, and b) neutral color, but the Anthropologie throw on the right has just taken me to dinner and a movie before leaving me on the doorstep with just a peck on the cheek. I need you, flouncy fleece throw. I think we would be great together with a cup of tea and a chilly, drizzly morning. And let's be honest: it's not as though my IRA is going to keep me warm at night.

[photo cred here]

Neat Or Naughty

Are you neat...or not? I line up my pencils and have everything in my room just so, whether it be parallel or color-coordinated or arranged in height order. Ever since I've moved to NYC, though, my apartment is so clean that it looks sterile. I kind of want to leave a drawer open and scatter jewelry across my hybrid desk/dresser. On the other hand, I wouldn't be able to sleep if my perfumes weren't arranged by their top notes. (Yep). (Top notes). (Yep).

What would you suggest? I can't decide whether I want to turn my room into a really pretty, feminine pigsty or leave it the way it is and paint the wall or something.


[photo cred here and there]

Missoni Magic

Full disclosure: I'm far more excited for the Missoni for Target dishware than the clothing. Give. Me. Those. Mugs. And those trays! They're the exact things I need to spice up my very new and very white apartment. I want to buy a million and put them everywhere, just to make the place look lived-in and cozy. I wouldn't even keep them in cabinets.

I also adore this pillow—it's such a cute, 70s-esque riff off the classic Missoni weave. And the wine case would make a chic but inexpensive hostess gift. Just pop a bottle of Chianti in there and you're set. Wallet, be prepared!

(photo credit here)

City Living

I got an apartment in NYC with my best friend/college roommate! It was a hellish experience, especially since I'm not interested in utilities and size so much as gleaming hardwood floors, exposed brick and a pretty kitchen. My bedroom is tiny, but I'm excited to get my hands dirty and work with a small space. Up until now, I'm been spoiled with large bedrooms, and this will be...cozy. Nevertheless, it's New York City, so my expectations weren't too high to begin with. I can't wait to move in!

[photo cred here]

Spring Flowers

If only the cans of tomato paste sitting in my pantry looked as pretty and delicate as these...

[photo cred to here]