Hear them roar!

Good morning....so nice that its Friday. We are having a string of incredibly beautiful weather. 70's, slightly breezy, sunny skies and NO HUMIDITY. This is key for me, I can deal wtih the heat but really have a problem wtih the oppressive humidity so I am loving this weather! 
So what are your thoughts on animal prints? Leopard, tiger,zebra, etc....I happen to like touches of animal prints in a room, not too much more than touches however. I love the look on an ottoman, a small area rug, maybe on a small chair or a grouping of pillows. Am not such a fan on very large pieces of furniture like sofas or large rugs or surfaces. The neat thing is it seems to work with almost any style decor and virtually any color. I have thought about incorporating only tiny doses into the new house and in considering it have been looking at a lot of images to digest the look and see if I think I would like it. So thought I might share some of my "findings" with you. I love a number of the smaller traditional styled ottomans, in a classic traditional room, it somehow gives a little twist and takes any "fussiness" out of the room, in my opinion. I don't mind a smaller rug here and there, but couldn't handle wall to wall animal print carpeting. Its an interesting design element and one that is fun to play around with......Would love to know, as always what you think!

A bold zebra rug can look fabulous even in the most formal of living rooms, Dan Carithers

Love the mix here for the crisp blue and white against the dark wood paired with a zebra rug, it really works, Decorpad

A leopard ottoman gives a sense of texture, pattern and boldness to this elegant room, House Beautiful

Zebra stripes for this elegant dark stained staircase, Alina Apteker

Love this space by Mary McDonald, bold and beautiful!

In a simple but elegant bedroom, this brown zebra rug adds some flair to the room, Lonny

Joe Nye used a bold zebra print and tiger pillows to give a fun flair to this study

Willaim Eubanks seems to like using animal prints, he did so beautifully in this very formal study, blending fine antiques and blue and white china

I like how Elizabeth Dinkel choose to bring in leopard in small doses such as the pillows and small benches, the elegance of the serenity of the room are maintained

Todd Romano went bold with this navy painted room and a geometric zebra rug

Bunny Williams chose an animal print rug for her beautiful office

A new take on an old classic...blue zebra stripes! Roger Davies photographer

Ashley Goforth used leopard as an accent in this otherwise black and white room

Elizabeth Dinkel used a small scaled bench covered in zebra for a little punch in this master

Brian Watford chose a few beautiful patterns including a dark gray zebra for the pillows in this elegant and streamlined bedroom

Candace Olsen used a leopard pillow on the brown chairs

I like this elegant marble floored foyer with the leopard runner.....Decorpad

Jamie Drake did not hold back in this yellow dramatic bedroom with zebra bed and rug! 

David Adler's elegant stairway complete with leopard runner

The zebra ottoman looks quite fabulous with this unique color combination...Mary McDonald

Leopard on the walls...who knew! Arch Digest

Graciela Rutowski used two pair of elegant animal prints on these simple beautiful chairs

Clare Watkins went for a zebra patterned rug to add interest to this setting

I like the of many traditional elements here paired with an exotic zebra skin rug, Mary McDonald

How about leopard on dining room chairs like in this elegant dining room, Rene Margies

A zebra ottoman paired next to a coffee table....DM magazine

Living room of Madelaine Castaing

A pair of zebra covered chairs and pillows add a little "animal instinct" to this opulent room by Rose Anne De Pampelonne

I feel like I can almost hear this sofa roar....loaded with its zebra pillows. Against the white sofa its quite beautiful and dramatic (though I would use only 2 or 3) Sarah Kaplan

Anne Coyle used a leopard area rug to add some life to this otherwise fairly monochromatic room

Perfect example of how you can mix prints like florals, checks, solids and leopard!

Barclay Butera choose a leopard area rug as an expected floor covering in this blue and white room

Another view of another room in Madelaine Castaing's home

Mary McDonald gave tiger full court press in this room, too much for me personally but its "a look" for sure!

This elegant transitional living room gets its drama from the zebra rug, Elizabeth Dinkel

This dramatic foyer gets a zebra rug for extra drama, Hortencia Vitale

Ralph Lauren's "leopard" carpet

Lawrence Boeder used a pair of leopard pillows for a little punch in this bright lime green space

Lawrence Boeder used a pair of small stools covered in leopard (this is something like I could see myself doing, just a small touch in a traditional room)

Markham Roberts used an elegant tiger velvet on this traditional ottoman, beautiful colors!

How about the punch of drama these little zebra stools add to this fun black and white bedroom? Decorpad

Mary McDonald used a zebra ottoman in the middle of a pair of chaises to act as  a small table

So what do you think? Did you hear them roar? I love the look of a small touch of leopard or zebra but wouldn't personally be able to live with large pieces or large rugs, it wouldn't feel soft and serene enough for me. But give me a stool, an ottoman, a small chair, or a few pillows and I like it! I always love to know your thoughts and so appreciate your wonderful comments!

 Have a wonderful Friday!

Things I am loving Thursdays and house update!

Happy Thursday! I don't know about you but I cannot believe we are in June. Where is 2011 going!! As I do on almost every Thursday post, I have included a few house updates. Things are definitely moving along, lots of finishing going on particularly upstairs, wood floors are finally totally done! Doors are hung, casing is complete around all doors and windows. Now they are working on hallway casings. They are finishing up the little odds and ends on the stone in bathrooms and they will soon be ready for their plumbing fixtures as well as vanities (due in a few weeks) So progress is being seen and though it will never feel fast enough, I have to sit tight. My camera died during the middle of my "photo session" so I included what I was able to take.  I cannot believe summer is officially here, I feel like it really crept up on us!  I just hope it lingers and doesn't fly by and before I know it I come to face to face with a new shipment of black and white marble notebooks and chock full aisles of school supplies...ugh!
HOUSE UPDATES. So here is basically the finished foyer floor (except the rondele design in the tower) as well as the wood flooring upstairs and the breakfast room is basically done, except for a few minor little odds and ends. Now they have just completed "antiquing" the beams for the family room and that installation is underway!

 SUMMER GETAWAY. I like to often include a travel destination in these Thursday posts. Don't know if any of you have been to the uber charming venerable Charlotte Inn in Edgartown, Marthas Vineyard but if you are in the Northeast and looking for a great vacation/weekend idea....look no more. This is a fabulous converted Relais and Chateaux property, the owners redid the two 18th and 19th century  homes so beautifully, it inspired its own coffee table book, "Behind the times on purpose". There are 25 beautifully appointed rooms, only catch is no cell phones and no kids! The rooms are done in English country complete with antiques old oils and beautiful worn Persian rugs. As I am writing this post I am suddenly craving a trip there myself! It truly is like stepping back in time.......

And the book upon which its based.....

A PRETTY FROCK FOR SUMMER. I love beautiful summer prints in soft, light airy fabrics. I also love great little dresses and tunics that are easy and don't require a lot of thinking. One line I discovered not too long ago that I think has very chic summer pieces is Jules Reid. Love all the fun prints in such great summer colors. She has a great way of mixing them and I think its a really sophisticated but fun summer line. Click here to see more.

MONOGRAMMED COASTERS. I think every home should have coasters....they might seem old fashioned to some, but practical yes they are! I think these are great looking and would certainly work well in anyones home. They are crystal and come with the choice of five different monograms. Because they are crystal, no worries about them clashing with your decor...great gift idea too! Click here to see more.

COLEFAX AND FOLWER. An oldie but goodie. Few can compete with the old world line of British, Colefax and Folwer. And after looking at some of their newer additions to their wallpaper line I am reminded that they are still going very strong. The English country look but updated, fresher, crisper and more "now". Doesn't appear old and stodgy as I think many think of this line as being. This newer line is really quite fabulous. Lots of beautiful old world feeling but very elegant papers. Love the soft washed colors. Take a look....do you have a favorite?

LADUREE. I for one, (and I know there are countless others) am thrilled that Laduree is opening up their first U.S. location in New York, right on Madison Avenue!!  If you don't already know this famed Parisian bakery and master of the macaroon world...then you will soon! Their macaroons are as delicious as their stores are beautiful, just like little jewels. And few will argue that they make the most heavenly macaroons in more flavors than you can count. My husband and I bought several boxes while in France recently as "souvenirs"...needless to say, only a handful made it to their recipients :)  (The new address will be 864 Madison and is slated to open in July)

GREAT OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING PIECES. For all the time we spend outdoors in the summer, it pays to invest in beautiful service pieces and place settings. This is not your mothers melamine however. I love this grouping of plates, they come in assorted colors/patterns..arent' they great looking? I love the idea of mixing and matching with smaller solid plates and colored glasses. This great little company also has some other fun items for summer entertaining and I think the prices are good too, always a big bonus. From Vivaterra, click here to see more.

Set of four mixed patterns and colors

Beautifully colored glass bowls

Handpainted pitcher and glasses

Reclaimed wood lazy Susan

Quartz tealight holders...pretty for a beautifully set table outdoors

Whitewash root bowls, these could be fun for serving

WHITE LANTERNS. I love lanterns and candles, any low light for that matter outside especially when entertaining. I especially love how white lanterns look on a beautifully lit summer night with the the stars shining above..something about the white just pops and really sets the mood. Love these, can see these scattered all over a patio, on tables and right on the patio, by the pool or flanking a back door...possibilities are endless!

CORAL INSPIRED DINNER SERVICE. I wish this was cheaper becuause I love it and could so see a table all set, wtih the white lanterns above and this china...love the color. That's the good news, the bad news is its about $500 a place setting...oh well its fun to look! Its by Raynaud Limoges. Pretty isn't it?

A FRENCH SETTEE. Love this piece of furniture, looks great well just about anywhere! In a living room, bedroom, foyer and even a bathroom (if you have the room) the delicate lines and soft toned woods make this elegant piece of furniture something I definitely want to use in the new house. I also like a settee at the foot of a bed. Do you like them too?

Under Spanish Moss

Love the idea of a highbacked settee as part of the seating arrangement in a cozy breakfast room

Well that's some of what I am loving this Thursday..how about you, anything special you want to share? Wishing you a wonderful and happy Thursday.