Art

An Inspired Workspace and Weekend Links

What a great table and desk area overall.  I have a lot of work to do this weekend so an inspired desk area seemed fitting on this Friday morning.  I would feel the need to be extra productive and efficient in this setting.  The black marble Apollo stool kills me every time I see it.  Isn't it a work of art?  Here are a few links to leave you with this weekend-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

gift guide

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

[ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 ]

Valentine's Day is so much fun.  My favorite part (aside from all the chocolate) is looking through all the cute cards and choosing the perfect ones for my loved ones.  We don't really exchange gifts on this date but there are so many cute things out there that I thought I would make a pretty little board for you.  Here it is-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

antonio buzzetta

Home || Black and White Inspiration

[ lamp | headboard | mirror | chair | rug | side table | stool | pillow | settee ]

Have you seen photos of our old house?  Well, it was filled with color to the top. I mean fuchsia curtains, light blue walls, green sofa.....and this was just the living room.  I really loved how all the colors worked together and we enjoyed living in this space every single minute.  But now, my home is definitely more muted.  There is color, but I'm finding tranquility in mostly grays, whites and blacks.  Black and white rooms are elegant, peaceful, simple and maybe even a bit sexy.  Here are some fabulous pieces in black and white (the headboard is to die for!) that are sure to inspire you. What do you think?

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Art

Everyone Needs a Nude in Their Art Collection

I think every art collection needs a good nude.  Nudes have been an important subject throughout art history- from the Greeks all the way through to contemporary art.  Artists have created nudes to explore different themes like- athletic prowess, the divinity of procreation, mathematical proportions, seduction, fantasy...among many others. The female body has always been a focal point.  In my small and humble art collection I was missing a good nude. 

I have a couple of male nudes framed that I drew in my high school figure drawing class which I love, but they didn't feel official.  When I did my One Room Challenge in the fall a nude in my closet seemed liked a brilliant idea.  It was Jennifer from The Pink Pagoda who suggested it, and genius it was! And I have to say that I love my nude more and more everyday.  She has really become part of my life.  Going into my closet feels like a sweet respite. So, I'm here to insist that if you don't have a nude already you need to get crackin' and find one!

Here are a few rooms I loved with nudes-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Ashley Pittman

Jewelry || Ashley Pittman

There is a lot of buzz in Dallas around local jewelry designer Ashley Pittman, so I thought you all needed to know about her too in case you didn't already.  Her line got picked up by Bergdorf's, which is always a good sign, right?  Her cuffs and bangle sets are fierce and totally fabulous. 

It all began when she went to Africa serving as a volunteer for the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS initiative in Rwanda and was moved by her experiences there.  She came back inspired to help the locals and put her finance and law degrees to good use. Her collection provides employment and business training to local artisans and through her own foundation she donates 10% of all profits to help fund a rural primary school and a health clinic.  So every purchase is doing good. Her pieces are made from natural horn, fair-trade semi-precious stones, and other materials like bronze indigenous to East Africa. Fabulous jewelry- check, and doing good- check.  I love killing two birds with one stone.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

fashion and style

On My Mind || Flower Power

[ blue and white room | skull and flowers print | pink peony stationery | floral pillow | purple floral Moroccan tea glasses | faux peony | black and white floral dress ]

I agree with Ralph Walso Emerson's saying "the earth laughs in flowers".  They are so lovely to look at... to smell. They can soften our moods and hearts almost immediately.  I just love them anywhere and everywhere and now that Spring is only two months away (can you believe it!) we can let ourselves dream a little bit.  I know many of you have probably seen this blue and white family room, but I have loved it from the first moment I saw it and to this day I think about this photo quite often. I just had to share it with you. I discovered this floral skull print only yesterday via Instagram and it led me to a young brazilian artist called Francisco Valle. His work is very cool, see it here. I really like the contrast and negative space.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

bathtub

The Wooden Bathtub

When it comes to bathrooms I'm usually attracted to glamorous ones.  You know, maybe they have some amazing marble, gold accents or some kind of fabulous modern lighting. But there was something about this simple and serene bathroom that I was very attracted to even in its rustic style.  After a moment I realized that it was the spectacular wooden bathtub that really caught my attention. It makes quite the statement.  In my renewed love and respect for bathing (instead of showering) I could not help but admire this sculptural piece designed by Nina Mair.  The tub and basin are carved from a solid blog of aromatic walnut and then refined, polished and oiled by hand. I can envision the bathing experience being magical.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Art

Art || New Etsy Shop - Le Petit Atelier de Nana

I'm really excited to introduce you to a new Etsy shop with original art called Le Petit Atelier de Nana. These paintings are beautiful, vibrant and dynamic. You will love the explosive color combinations and if you love finding new sources of original art for your home you must bookmark this shop.  I love these paintings, but you know what I love even more? The artist.  She is one of my dear, dear friends and her name is Stephanie Lessing.  Not only is she a talented artist, but just such a creative soul in general- aside from painting she also makes the most amazing jewelry and cooks the best dinners.  So, yes, she is a good friend to have. She was the one with whom I made these pearl rings and necklace. 

Stephanie was born in Paris, grew up on the French Riviera (yes, she is super chic!) and studied in Monaco at the Graduate School of Plastic Arts before entering Ringling College of Art & Design in Florida where she majored in Fine Arts and minored in Photography. She also studied Interior Design and Fashion  and now resides in Dallas, TX which is where I met her almost 7 years ago!  I really do hope you fall in love with these pieces as much as I have. Here is more of her work-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

food

Friday || Prettiest Pink Restaurant in London

Since I was researching restaurants last week and then pretty pink furniture this week I came across this amazing restaurant in London called Sketch which is comprised of several rooms and ambiances offering different types of food.  The concept was conceived by three-star Michelin chef Pierre Gagnaire and famous restauranteur Mourad Mazouz. This specific room is called The Gallery, a Gastro-Brasserie, which serves tea and dinner. But don't be fooled the other rooms are equally as interesting.  Pink girly heaven indeed.  

I'm really into the monochromatic look lately and this room was just so beautifully executed I cannot help but adore it. Brass and pink really are a match made in heaven.  And how perfect are the shapes of those club chairs?  London needs to be on my list for this summer.  I have been trying to make it happen for a while as I have a good friend who lives there and I would love to visit.  But as luck should have it we have not been able to make our summer plans coincide.  This year, perhaps!

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Albertina M. Cisneros

black and white

On My Mind || Modernized Black and White

[ kitchen East Brisbane House. Photo by Anson Smart| black and gold stemware | Tibetan lamb hairpin stool | striped d'Orsay flats | perforated bag | bow back top ]

I can never get tired of black and white.  They are such a classic color combination yet these picks I'm presenting you with today are modern, daring and edgy with just a hint of classic.  That sleek black and white kitchen is one of the most handsome spaces I have seen in a while.  The dramatic marble veining combined with the sleek black cabinetry really make for a dream worthy space.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

books

You can never have too many coffee table books

Just like a woman can never have too many shoes, a home can never have too many coffee table books.  Not only do they beautifully dress up tables and shelves but they always offer the prettiest of inspiration and may even tell a little about you.  Are your books about fashion? interiors? artists? places? An eclectic, like me? Now matter how many times I have leaved through a certain book I always seem to discover something new each time I pick it again.  I also think they are the perfect present to give and receive. 

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Albertina M. Cisneros

DIY

DIY || Turn your kid's art into fabric

I'm posting this early so if any of you want to try and do this you have plenty of time until Mother's/Father's Day. Little Miss A is wildly creative and very generous.  She loves making gifts for her grandparents especially. So, for every gift giving occasion, in this case it was Christmas, we put our thinking caps on to come up with a project that she can make for them.  

This is how this DIY was born- For some reason Little Miss A always draws my mom wearing a pineapple dress (she sure has style seeing as though pineapples are so 'in' currently).  She mentioned she wanted to give her grandma an actual physical dress with hand-drawn pineapples for Christmas.  At first, I thought the idea was too crazy, but then I thought of Spoonflower. Brilliant! Spoonflower is an online service that turns your designs into fabric (and now wallpaper and gift wrap! and no this post is not sponsored).   She painted those two cute drawings- yada yada, yada, yada.....and we made two beautiful dresses for the grandmas and some pocket squares for the grandpa and dad.  And aren't these grandmas going to be the chicest ladies in town??  Uhm, I think so!

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Albertina M. Cisneros

home and interiors

Pink Interior Design Inspiration

[ murano lamps | photograph | sofa | Zanuso style chairs | Milo Baughman dining cairs | Karl Springer table]

Pink is certainly having its moment- from pale pink coats to pink in home interiors. I have to say I really like it love it (says the girl who used used to have fuchsia curtains in her living room). Aside from being such a pretty and youthful color pink is also calming and reassuring. Pink can be sweet and relaxing when mixed with other light colors, or cool and edgy when mixed with deeper more contrasting hues. Here is some varied pink interior inspiration.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

home and interiors

Just a few Things

It has been so cold here in Dallas but I'm actually really enjoying it as the days are sunny and beautiful.  I hope its not too cold where you are. I wanted to leave you this weekend with a few links to pass the time-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Domaine Home

Interiors || The Zhush's Home Reveal

I have been eagerly awaiting these photos ever since I learned of their existence some weeks ago. This is the home of insanely talented  Sue De Chiara founder of The Zhush.com which houses one of my favorite blogs and online home decor stores. Sue was part of the One Room Challenge this last fall, so I had seen a bit of her kitchen transformation, but of course was dying to see the rest of her new home.   Another exciting piece of this photo shoot is that Nicole Cohen from Sketch42 was the photographer. She is another one of my blogging heroes.  You can say I am a huge fan of both these ladies.  Here we go-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

food

A Feast for the Eyes and Mouths || A Few Restaurants I want to visit

Aren't these images spectacular? It's restaurant decor at its finest.  I can't stop thinking about this great article I read on the WSJ about the world's most beautiful restaurants.  Nothing like haute cuisine consumed in an equally haute designed space.  Let's start with the Restaurant n° 7 in Fez, Morocco.  Forget about the food which I'm sure is out of this world, I just want to move in! The tiles and stones are spectacular.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

cocktails

Drinks || A Cozy Winter Cocktail

There is nothing cozier than sitting by the fire curled up with a furry blanket with a yummy cocktail on hand.  It has been freezing in Dallas lately (which I love!) so thoughts of cozy evenings by the fire abound here right now.  byejoe 'red' liquor is the star in today's cozy wintery cocktail.  byejoe is a reinvention of China’s ancient spirit baijiu, the equivalent to Mexico's tequila or Russia's vodka. You may remember last year I prepared a holiday cocktail with byejoe that was also delicious (see it here).  byejoe 'red' is distilled from 100% red sorghum, one of the world's most important grains which is rich in antioxidants, B vitamins and is an excellent source of protein. It is also one of the only grains that is naturally gluten free. Sounds like the perfect base for today's cocktail!  Here is the recipe for today's libation- Beijing Bitter-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

fashion and style

On My Mind || Happy New Year

[ entry vignette | Lidsay Cowles pillow | poppy cocktail napkins | ear cuffs | art deco switch plates | tiger nude heels (on sale!!)]

Happy 2015!!  I hope you had wonderful celebrations last night and that this year will be the best yet for you all.   On my mind today (aside from a clean house and my huge list of projects for 2015)  is that beautiful entry.  I love how bright and simple it is.  The sconces and side chairs are fabulous.  I'm a big believer in the perfectly designed entry as it sets the tone for the rest of your home.  We have been living in our current home for almost a year and our entry is still not finished.  I just want it to be exactly right.  All it needs is a perfect large work of art. And you know how easy those are to come by right? 

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Albertina M. Cisneros