Dark and Moody

Hi.

There has been a black cloud over Charlotte the past few days with Flo's winds blowing by and until the power went out I spent some time working on a new project and updating my Pinterest boards.  I am a bit obsessed with that.   I saw these images on both Pinterest and on Flickr and fell in love with their simplicity, beauty and .. well fruit moodiness.   I love, love, love a good dose of black and if done right, purples tied in can be strong color combination !  My one piece of advise -  just do it in one room not everywhere for that drama.. in my opinion but hey, that's just how I would do it.

photo by girl in the kitchen - sara ghedina (here)

photo by girl in the kitchen - sara ghedina (here)

This color combo is so gorgeous - has me thinking all about blackberries . .

FOR THE CAKE BASE

10 stone Medjool dates

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup hazelnuts

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

3 Tbsp virgin coconut oil

1/4 tsp sea salt

FOR THE TOPPING

2 cups blackberries

2 cups blueberries

3 stems basil

3 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp lime juice

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 Tbsp starch

1 tsp agar-agar

1 cup  blueberries to garnish

For the cake base coarsely chop dates.  In a pan without oil, roast almonds, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds until they begin to crack.  Chop cooled nuts and kernels in a blender.  They should not be too coarse, so that the mass will keep well but is not ground to flour.  Add dates, coconut oil, and salt, and continue mixing until you get a sticky mass.  Fill mass into greased springform (26 cm dia), and with a large spoon, press firmly into the form.  It should create a rim of approximately 2 cm in height.  Place cake base in refrigerator.

For the filling, pick off basil leaves from stems and finely puree berries with basil leaves.  Then pass through a sieve.  Add coconut milk to fruit puree and season to taste with maple syrup and lime juice.   Then stir in starch and agar-agar with a wire whisk.  In a saucepan, while stirring continuously, bring berry puree to a brief boil.  Then pour into a bowl and let cool until lukewarm, stirring occasionally.  Spread filing on a cooled cake case and place tart in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.  Then garnish with remaining berries.  

But on the subject of black and plum - let's talk design and that combination. 

This is one of my favorite pieces at Shain Gallery by artist Yvonne Mendez.  How brilliant is the lighting and colors in his piece.  Love it and find it inspiring.  Inspiration for interiors can come from anywhere - art included.

artist - Yvonne Mendez

Or even a floral combination can inspire me as well for a design look !

In looking at all my Pinterest saves, I've pulled the combo I am talking about, take a look !

First place to start BEFORE you pick your paint - fabric.  Purples can come in so many different hues, here are a few of my faves we offer at Lucy and Company.

Another moody and fabulous piece just in from Saliha Staib (at Shain Gallery) .  In an earlier post I showed you a more Spring like green version, but I am loving this as well.  So dramatic and perfect in my plum and black combo.

I would love this in a library . . . and clearly I love this sofa !

Happy Inspiration . . . 

Ralph's Style . . . Fashion to Interior

Hey !

So I ran up to Brevard this weekend to do a little work on an upcoming ADAC project as well as catch up on laptop paperwork.  I get a lot done up here in these quite, pretty surroundings.  On my first full day though I did indulge in everything I love.  Being solo - I cooked what I wanted, watched what I wanted and read all about Ralph Lauren's evening at Central Park celebrating the brand's 50 years.  If you have a chance you must take a look (here).  It will no doubt get you ready for Fall !  The venue was amazing and for me, it inspired so many things design wise and reinforced my love of heritage meets modern.  The setting for the show was spectacular.  The Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, in so many movies and so iconic.  The crowd was A-List and to just name a few, Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg, De Niro, Anderson Cooper, Martha Stewart and of course Anna Wintour all in the first row mixed in with many of his esteemed fashion colleagues - Calvin Klein and Diane von Furstenberg.   I must have seen some 100 looks weave through the crowds, gorgeous models - men, women and kids.

The warm, rich velvets, flannels and wools, a touch of the beaded and leather all with a casual, and chic urban feel.  A little military surplus and fabulous patchworks.  Fashion does inspire interiors and with a new mountain house project in the works I saw things that I want to introduce in that project.  I found myself particularly drawn to disheveled velvet with appliques paired with leather jackets and long wool coats.  I loved it all.

So as I sit with my 2nd cup of coffee this morning, I thought I'd give you a glimpse at his runway show and how I was inspired, interior wise !

Who's who for sure at this show !

I fell in love with these looks.

I started thinking of some of the fabrics, rugs and furniture I have come across that capture the look and feel of his show.

The velvets

The brass details and patterns.

Ah... an this patchwork pattern.

A touch of animal print and embroidered detail.

The mix of elegant and casual.  This images shows exactly what I love in fashion terms !

The one showstopper . .
What do I mean?   Every room needs a showstopper have it be a piece of art, a chandelier, even a pillow.  This gorgeous dress becomes even more amazing with the detailed back.

So after watching the entire show and then pulling up his entire new collection I immediately wished for Fall to hurry up.  I love wearing boots and sweaters.

I see my interpretation of the look in many of my favorite textiles and furniture pieces.

This one fabric has always been a favorite of mine.  A velvet with color tones in a classic, yet modern floral pattern.

This particular wall paper has the feel of an applied applique. The chair in several fabrics, all appearing worn has that layered vintage feel and when combined the room looks lived in with a little history as oppose to all shiny and new.  All these yummy velvets by Romo Black Edition !

More velvets . . and don't overlook the old walls, how I love that !

Another velvet floral I adore.

So for fun I took a few of his pieces from the show and mixed in my interior interpretation !

I've always thought an amazing chandelier feels like an expensive piece of jewelry in  a room.

F. Schumacher offers beautiful patterns in leathers, stamped velvets and of course the constant leopard that never goes out of style.  A touch of it, just like a pair of shoes is enough and make such a statement.

Patchwork  in velvets and wool walked down the aisle and I immediately thought of a rug I found recently by The Rug Company (here) and the mix of worn leather with gold detail reminded me of one of my favorite coffee tables.

If you know me I adore London.  I saw a few union jacks in the collection and the Vivian Westwood rug and tapestry immediately came to mind (here).  I also came across a Schumacher crown applique recently.  

Another Rug Company beauty, this Military Brocade by Alexander McQueen for the Rug Company (here) mixed with a hammered metal chandelier and fabulous trim all remind me of this killer leather vest. 

Horn lamp, having the same feel as this gorgeous dinner wear by Ralph Lauren's home collection 

(here).  

I particularly love the patchwork rug and a little leather, especially with the buckle side detail and this  black tufted piece both available at Lucy and Company !

So I put together a Ralph Lauren runway inspired space filled with what I took away from the show.   A little interpretation of the look.

Wall coverings - a Phillip Jeffries flannel stripe
Chandelier, black side chair and black table lamp - all Ralph Lauren Home
Black floral velvet curtains - Osborne and Little
Fringe back chair, pillows, curtains, sofa, side tables and floor lamp all through Lucy and Company

Fun day !

Thanks Mr. Lauren for a glimpse at a beautiful night, 50 years and an amazing show !