Holiday Party for Preservation!

This awesome flyer compliments of Kara Clark Holland (original photo of the Arcade by Rob Powers of Built St. Louis).  It's like a dream come true: my favorite building with the worlds largest keg on the roof.  Here is some info form the Old North Restoration Group about their newly rehabbed space where the party will be held.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker, a holiday classic! I look forward to this ballet every season. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions... or ones you would like to start?

Designer Bedrooms: Four Poster and Canopy Beds

I just can't seem to get the image out of my head. Designer Charlotte Moss showcased a gorgeous four poster canopy bed in her Aspen home that made quite a dramatic statement.

According to Wikipedia, a four poster bed is a bed with four vertical columns, one in each corner, that support a tester, or upper (usually rectangular) panel. A canopy bed is similar to a four poster bed but with ornate or decorative fabric that is often draped across the upper space between the posts and a solid swath of cloth may create a canopy directly over the bed. Here are some of my favorite designer bedrooms featuring four poster and canopy beds.

This guest room in an Ojai Valley, California estate was designed and briefly owned by interior designer Kathryn M. Ireland. Actress Reese Witherspoon now owns 6+ acre ranch style compound designed by Wallace Neff. While in residence, Ireland used her own colorful suzani inspired fabrics to cover the chunky four poster bed. The stunning long pillow is made of antique suzani fabric.

Designer Nancy Price created a formal, yet tranquil retreat in her master bedroom. The dark wooden Planter's Bed by Hickory Chair contrasts beautifully with the soft, white bed linens.

In this nautical bedroom, designer Tom Stringer placed a traditional four poster bed between two matching 3-drawer sidetables. The sunny yellow sidetables coordinate beautifully with the bed's headboard in Ralph Lauren's Coastal Stripe. Keeping the room simple and serene, Stringer paints the walls, ceiling and antique chandelier white.

The antique barley-twist four poster bed makes quite a statement in this traditional master bedroom by designer Meg Braff. The room's red, white and lime green color palette is beautifully balanced.

In this soft pink, white and brown bedroom designer Gary McBournie centers a Loire iron canopy bed by Niermann Weeks perfectly between two windows. The sweet bedside chest of drawers with monogram is a lovely touch.

The black anodized aluminum four poster bed by Ralph Lauren takes center stage in this modern bedroom designed by Kerry Delrose. The sleek carbon fiber CF1 chair in black leather also by Ralph Lauren gives this white, tan and black room a punch of color.

This tranquil bedroom was designed by Albert Hadley. The 18th-century folding bed in a soft shade of blue is covered in white linens to keep a simple look.

Wow. This stunning mirrored four poster canopy bed in this room designed by Jonathan Berger was based on a 1940s Serge Roche bed. I particularly like how Berger mixes the patterns - the geometric rug and stripes are brilliant together!

Are you sold on four poster canopy beds? For more information on manufacturers, interior designer Patricia Gray has compiled an excellent list of 10 Top Four Poster Canopy Beds.

*images from House Beautiful and Elle Decor

Sunday Suppers LOVE...

Sunday Suppers- if you don't know them you should, if you don't love them your crazy!!












All Photos + Styling: Karen Mordechai

Modern elegance mixed with 1940s glamour

Not too many of us are blessed with the means and circumstances to live among such decadent furnishings, but we can dream! And besides, that's what the glossies are for. So when I was flipping through some of last year's magazines I rediscovered Ralph Lauren Home's 2008 "Mayfair" collection. In fact, I'd posted some other shots from the Mayfair ad campaign in the August 2008 post here. I think it doesn't hurt, especially in this season of giving to others, to give to yourself a little - even if it's just for a moment, in one's imagination, drooling over the keyboard.


oh that bed...that vanity...

I really like the clear to black candlesticks





I wear this same outfit when I have to go to the post office

via Ralph Lauren Home




via Color Me Happy

Another great artist on Etsy - and 20% off for you!

I was lucky enough to be offered a 20% off discount for you guys from the shop Depuis on Etsy. I think her photography is really lovely and the best part is it would match with almost any decor style! Here are some of my favs:








If you see something you like, mention "Decorology" in your order for 20% off. Go to Depuis's Etsy shop to see all her work.

If you live in the NYC area, check out her work at the Park Slope craft fair this Sunday.

Yes, No, or Meh... How do you feel about this fireplace? (Plus a lovely roundup of fireplaces)

I ran across this fireplace in metropolitan home. It was really the chimney breast that caught my attention. It's not my style but I still can't make an unbiased judgment as to whether or not I like it. I suppose I can say that I like the concept of customizing, or calling out the chimney breast, but I just can't carry off zebra stripes. What do you think?

via Metropolitan Home

So, this inspired me to sniff out some fireplaces that I was certain I liked!

I think this is so pretty and sweet. It's a similar idea to that above - but instead of painting the chimney breast it's been wallpapered.
image and instructions at Ideal Home

via Flickr
I thought this was a sweet idea - with the photos, and as you can see it also works in many architectural situations.

via House to Home

All four of these images make me gush - and a great way to use a fireplace that is non-working or out of season.
via Abbey Goes Design Scouting

via Fireplace Decorating


I think the magic of the image above is that the painting above the fireplace is almost the same size and proportion as the fireplace opening. The stark white walls also make a striking contrast.


via Apartment Therapy

And the winner of "Country Color" is....

Sallie Ann! Congratulations Sallie Anne! Please email me at ashley@decorologyblog.com with you shipping address so I can get you your book to you asap!

Check out my style profile on Old World Charm!

I was so flattered when Shannon from Old World Charm asked me to answer a couple of questions about myself for a feature on his new blog - which I'm very excited about- Old World Charm.

What made you decide to strike out on your own as a Web designer?

Well, it all started with me designing a Web site for a friend of a friend, and it took hard work and dependability to sustain and build up clientele. I also have word of mouth to thank, which led to a lot of clients, meaning often staying up until 3 a.m. to meet deadlines. I then realized that I had to make a choice. I had to either strike off on my own or continue working at a company and discontinue freelancing on the side. Though there were aspects of the corporate world I was going to miss, I knew that it was really important to me that I work for myself. I’m the kind of designer who needs to start with a blank canvas every now and then, and I also really like interacting with people and my clients. It is also very important to me that I travel, and I’m very fortunate to possess a skill that allows me to take my work on the road when inspiration strikes (or is needed). So I went out on my own full-time in August and haven’t looked back! You can see some of my work at ashleywhitedesign.com

When and how did you first become interested in decorating and interior design?

I think I’ve always been interested in interior design. I’ve been a chronic rearranger my ever since I was a little kid. For me, setting up my room was how I played. That interest was brought back to life in 2007 when I signed a lease for a beautiful studio in a Brownstone. I didn’t have the faintest idea how to make a studio feel like a home. So online I went, discovered amazing design blogs, amazing ideas, and I was hooked!

If you want to read more, here's the interview!


Old World Charm, isn't even a month old yet, but it's already full of some great inspiration. Here are my favorites so far!

Interior Designer David Coote

Winter is white. And so is Dave Coote! Not in that sense of course! I mean his white interiors are his hallmark.

Dave Coote is a UK based furniture and interiors designer well known for his retro style with an emphasis on reclaimed materials. His clients include Marks & Spencer, BHS, Laura Ashley, John Lewis, Ikea, Homes & Gardens, Red, Country Homes & Interiors and many others.

Dreamy and ethereal, austere and delicate...white...guess what I think of them!

Ladies and gentlemen I give you: Dave Coote!

























































You might want to check out his shop Pale and Interesting
Or go to his website right here

There is a MckLinky party going on at The Inspired room. There are many links there to other blogs showing winter inspiration. Hop over and read them all!