Restoration Hardware: Baby & Child Gallery

Restoration Hardware has made an enormous transformation and just last month, it opened its very first Baby & Child Gallery in Corte Madera, California. The Gallery is a retail space meant to change the way in which consumers view children’s rooms and nurseries. The Baby & Child Collection is presented in installations throughout the gallery. Restoration Hardware’s Chairman and Co-CEO says "we are expressing our own unique and authentic point of view throughout every detail in the gallery. From the classic and perfectly proportioned Palladian architectural elements and the timeless high quality finishes like hand-troweled Venetian plaster, to the harmony created between the relationships of the furniture and architecture; from the sophisticated arrangements of furnishings and decor, to the juxtaposition of artifacts and artwork that create an atmosphere of fantasy and intrigue; this is unlike any presentation of children’s furnishings in the world." I personally love the nod to classic French and Belgian designs that is found throughout this collection. While I generally love a “young traditional” or eclectic look in design, I don’t think there is anything sweeter out there than French style furniture for a child, especially a little girl. I was blown away the last time I visited Restoration Hardware and from the look of it, The Baby & Child Gallery is even more stunning.

{This looks so serene and peaceful, not to mention timeless and elegant.}

{I would have LOVED this room as a little girl. I love the play on scale as well as the feminine, French look.}

{This room feels strong and masculine, but more importantly, it’s something that would stand the test of time. It’s completely appropriate for many ages. How great are the series of silhouette prints?}

{A Very Masculine, Very Belgian-Inspired Space}

{Many Unique Elements for a Boys’ Room}

{The Beautiful Restoration Hardware Baby & Child Gallery in Corte Madera, California}

La Dolce Vita’s Fourth Anniversary

La Dolce Vita’s FOURTH anniversary was this past Tuesday, but I completely forgot about it until yesterday afternoon since things have been as hectic as ever. I cannot express how thankful I am for your readership, encouragement, feedback and support over the past four years. When I first started La Dolce Vita, it was just meant to be a creative outlet for me. Over time, it has become so much more, including an incredible source of personal growth. Writing this blog has become an integral part of each day for me. So many wonderful things have come into my life as a result of this blog, including you, my wonderful readers and friends. I wish I could have a glass of champagne and a macaron with each of you, but that might be considered overindulging. :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 

{Image via Sterling Style}

Graphic Image iPad Case Giveaway

Graphic Image is one of my favorite purveyors of chic leather accessories. Their line features products that are classic, elegant, and most importantly, completely functional. La Dolce Vita has teamed up with Graphic Image to give away a Crocodile Embossed Leather iPad/iPad2 Case in the color of the winner’s choice along with custom personalization. The case is available in the pretty brown pictured above, Pink, my personal favorite as well as Bottle Green.

Graphic Image is also offering a 20% discount on all goods for La Dolce Vita readers. Simply enter the code “DOLCE” when you check out.

1. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me which color iPad case you would choose.

2. Leave ONE comment on this post between today, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 and Wednesday, July 20, 2011. A winner will be announced on Friday, July 21, 2011.

For Extra Entries:

3. Follow La Dolce Vita on Facebook.

4. Post about this giveaway on Twitter with a link to this blog post for another entry (follow La Dolce Vita on twitter in order to show me your tweet). It is up to you to return to this post to enter your additional entry after tweeting about the giveaway.

5. Anonymous entries will be ignored, so please include your e-mail in your comment. Your e-mail address will never be used for anything other than to notify you if you are the winner.

Olivia Palermo: Fashion Blogger

{Olivia Palermo after the Valentino Fall 2011 Valentino Haute Couture show in Paris}

Rumor has it that “it girl” and fashionista extraordinaire, Olivia Palermo is starting a fashion blog later this year. She has really sky rocketed to Style Icon status over the past couple of years in spite of her negative portrayal on MTV’s “The City”. But after all, none of us can really know how real reality TV actually is. There is no denying that Olivia is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to style. She veers towards the classic, but always adds a special, unique touch, making each ensemble memorable. She’s at every important fashion event, she has the best in fashion at her fingertips and she possesses an uncanny knack for mixing high and low. Can you think of a better person to blog about fashion? I certainly cannot. Here’s hoping that Olivia’s blog comes to fruition soon so that we can get a first hand account of her fabulous style.

{Chic Simplicity}

{Channeling a Golden Goddess while on the Streets of Paris}

{I love this look!}

{Front Row at a MANGO Fashion Show}

{Resplendent At Valentino’s Fairy Tale Love Ball in Paris Last Week}

{Gorgeous Colors}

{A Classic Shirt Dress and Leopard Booties}

{I know I could not pull of pleated leather shorts in this lifetime, but Olivia is rocking them!}

{Casual Chic at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic}

{Olivia always looks so effortless.}

{Olivia can accessorize with the best of them. I love her bold choices.}

 

{Images via Pinterest}

Stella and Dot: Fall 2011 Collection

{Model is wearing the new Marchesa Necklace, the Aurora Cocktail Ring, the Bardot Spiral Bangle in Gold, the After the Rain Bracelet and the Serpent Bangle}

Stella and Dot’s fabulous Fall 2011 Collection is here and I could not be more excited about it. It’s my favorite collection of theirs since they first got on my radar in the fall of 2009. The new collection is bolder and more glamorous than anything I’ve seen from Stella and Dot in the past. I love that many of the items this season have a cool, bohemian vibe a la Rachel Zoe. It’s bananas! I’ve already made a wish-list of the pieces that I definitely plan to add to my wardrobe. These are a few of my favorites:

{The Leona Pendant features a hand-cut Labradorite stone and it might just be my favorite piece in the entire line. I love the bold, glam, boho look and the fact that it lends itself so well to being worn with an assortment of bracelets or a fab cocktail ring. It' makes a big statement without being overwhelming and I can think of about a million things that it would look amazing with.}

{The Serpent Bangle is another piece that fits into the glam, boho category. I also think it’s rather classic. It reminds me of some of my mom’s jewelry from the 70s that I love.}

{The Pegasus Necklace is a striking bib of intricate gold feathers hand sewn to silk organza cascade. It is entirely made by hand and is already a favorite of the editors at several fashion magazines. It’s so unique and so bold. I love the varying shades of gold.}

{The Double Wrap Pyramid Bracelet is the perfect shade of green for fall. Wrap bracelets are still super hot and this one is no exception.}

{Stella and Dot’s bracelets look amazing on their own, but they’re even more fabulous when you layer a few styles together.}

{I am attracted to jewelry in shades of turquoise more than any other stone or color out there. I gravitate towards it over anything else, so naturally the gorgeous new Marchesa Necklace is right up my alley. The mix of chains is at once feminine and edgy. This would look just as great with a little black dress as it would with a jeans, a white tea, and a blazer.}

{I love the coordinating Marchesa Stud Earrings. They’re lovely on their own!}

{Those who know me know that I love a good chandelier earring and a fabulous cocktail ring. The size of the new Chantilly Lace Chandelier Earrings is perfect—not too big, not too small and the delicate lace pattern is beautiful. The matching Chantilly Lace Cuff is equally gorgeous.}

{The Juliette Gem Drop Earrings are another pretty pair of chandelier earrings. I love the slightly smoky hue of the stones.}

{The Estate Chandelier Earrings are a must for anyone who looks good in earth tones!}

{The Contessa Jade Necklace and Camila Ring feature the prettiest shades of green.}

{Starting in August, Stella and Dot will debut some statement-making, limited edition pieces by designers like Lizzie Fortunato. The rest of the Fall 2011 Collection is available now.}

{Every Stella and Dot item comes beautifully packaged and arrives within a few days, making it an ideal gift, whether for yourself or for someone else! How fabulous are these little boxes? I love the patterns!}

 

This is just a small sampling of Stella and Dot’s absolutely gorgeous Fall 2011 Collection. To see the full collection, click here.

Dream Home: So Haute

Today’s “Dream Home” is one of my favorites in the series so far. The beautiful and talented Nicole of So Haute has put together some gorgeous rooms for us. They are classic with a glamorous twist. If you watch Million Dollar Decorators, this is exactly what comes to mind when I think of the “L.A. English” term that Mary McDonald uses-– in short: elegant, yet relaxed. I could move right in!

Hi! It's Nicole from So Haute here. I was so excited when Paloma asked me to share my dream home here on La Dolce Vita. I had so much fun pulling together all of the images...it was quite difficult to narrow it all down!

_{Photo: Tim Barber}

At this point in my life, after nearly a decade of New York City apartment living, my dream home would be a classic, Georgian style house in California complete with 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, an outdoor living space for entertaining and a swimming pool, of course! It's bright and airy with a fairly neutral palette, a little bit eclectic and exudes that intangible California cool vibe which I've always been drawn to. Let's take a little tour, shall we?

_{Photo: Timothy Whealon}

Apartment living has never afforded me the luxury of a formal entry so I want mine to feel luxe with a touch of drama. The deGournay wall covering with a pattern of climbing vines is quite stunning, isn't it? This entry definitely sets the tone for the beauty that is to come when you walk further inside the house...

_{Photo Christopher Peacock}

I love a classic white kitchen and my California dream home will be bright and sunny with French doors opening up to the back patio, just like this one. Classic white subway tile and a casual dining area lend an understated yet refined sense of style to this kitchen. The only thing I would change is the pendant above the table...I'd go for something a bit more streamlined.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

The formal dining room in my dream home will be quite the stunner - just like this dining room by Windsor Smith. It's all about casual elegance with its crystal chandelier, beautiful hand painted wall covering and antique French furniture juxtaposed with a more casual dining table and sisal rug. This is the perfect space for all of the fabulous dinner parties I'll be hosting!

_{Photo: Schuyler Samperton}

How pretty is my wall papered powder room? The antique mahogany cabinet used as a vanity makes the space feel so warm!

_{Photo: Michael Smith}

Now we're in our family room where we spend most of our time. It's timeless, elegant and above all else, comfortable.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

This jaw droppingly stunning sitting room in Windsor Smith's house is the inspiration for the formal living room in my dream home. It's a perfect spot for entertaining.

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

My California dream bedroom would have an airy and eclectic look with pops of ethnic textiles...just like this room by Katie Leede. Do you notice the common thread in all the rooms in my dream home? Large windows that let the sunshine pour through! It makes such a difference!

_{Photo: Peter Dunham}

Just off my dream bedroom is this quaint little patio where I'd sit out and enjoy my morning coffee while catching up on my daily reads.

_{Photo: Jonathan Adler}

And no dream home would be complete without a dream closet! Here's a peek inside my glamorous closet/dressing room.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

And now we're in my dream master bath...classic white marble with a subtle dose of soft pink. Beautiful and timeless!

_{Photo: Lonny}

_{Photo: Lucas Studio}

The guest bedrooms in my dream home are inviting and elegant with warm wood tones and pops of pattern....like the two rooms above by Lulu de Kwiatkowski and Lucas Studio.

_{Photo: Elaine Griffin}

The guest bath is also classic with white tile and a Greek key border incorporated into the floor tiling. I always love a Greek key pattern! The floral and vine wall covering adds a whimsical touch.

_{Photo: Carrier & Company}

My third guest room will be transformed into a chic home office/library to house all of my decor books and serve as a home base for Nicole Gibbons Studio!

_{Photo: Kristen Panitch}

Heading back downstairs, through the kitchen and out the French doors will bring you into my fabulous outdoor living room which features a fireplace and an array of chic furnishings. Everyone says the kitchen is the heart of the home but for me, this outdoor living space would be the heart of my home. I love to BBQ so I'd cook outside on the grill as often as I could!

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

And finally - a pool, complete with umbrella covered lounge chairs. Perfect for lying out in the California sunshine! Thank you Paloma for inviting me to share my dream home and thanks to everyone for following along on my tour!