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Hello! How's life during the busiest day of the week?  I'm helping out a friend re-decorate her apartment on a budget.  It's a fun and challenging task indeed, and while she's enjoying her time away on vacay,  I will surprise her with the mood board and drawings when she gets back and I'll share the design process here soon.

While I was searching for the perfect wall color for the accent wall at Benjamin Moore, I stumbled across chalkboard paints.  I mentioned previously how I love chalkboard paints in kitchens, but long behold, they're even better on the home office wall!


via Benjamin Moore




via House to Home. uk



I was one of those naughty kids drawing on the walls with crayons non-stop.  Because of that she had to re-paint  the walls or re-apply wallcovering every year. Thinking about it, it's great for design studios especially while brainstorming and conceptualizing.  What other chalkboard applications can you think of at home?


Hello Everyone!  I'm back! I have to admit, I missed posting.  After a tiring yet fruitful day of crammed meetings of 6 within a day in Kuwait City and two days of presentation appointments in Qatar, I'm glad to be back home.  I will miss the five-star hotel bed sheets though  and the yummy buffet breakfasts :)

Remember those days of last song syndrome when you can't get a song out of your head?  That song in my head right now is Wiz Khalifa's Black and Yellow.




Contemporary kitchen design by  Atmosphere Interior Design Inc. Living room design by Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.



Hello Everyone!   I'm feeling extra inspired today so I have gathered a collection of brilliant home make-over ideas that would be applicable in various scenarios.


Here's a second taste of  matching what food I think of cooking and eating in each featured kitchen. So what food comes to mind?  Feel free to share, what food you first think of?

Contemporary kitchen design by New York interior designer, Valerie Pasquiou Interiors + Design, Inc Contemporary kitchen design by New York interior designer Valerie Pasquiou Interiors + Design, Inc   Food in this kitchen: Moroccan Couscous with a glass of Pellegrino

Color for Him, Her and Home..



Eclectic dining room design



Have a relaxing weekend before going back to work. Awesome first day of the year!

As we are all going to be extremely preoccupied in the kitchen tomorrow for the New Year feast preparations, well, I thought of creating an inspiration board of dreamy kitchens and the food I'd love to associate preparing in each of them. During the last few years of half domesticated life abroad, I'm doing the cooking myself. I love throwing dinner parties. With the limited period we have before our guests arrive, it is always a big help to have an organized kitchen. The whole relaxed vibe would definitely be absorbed by the food.

traditional kitchen design by Seattle Architect Bosworth Hoedemaker

Food in this Kitchen: Pad Thai and Penang CurryFor some reason, that's the taste I get from my palate looking at this photo.

The warm tones of wall color, wood finish and slate of the kitchen below. I love the way the black appliances were matched against the wood tone. The intimacy of the breakfast nook next to the fireplace is very homely.

Image via: The White Company

I'm recently smitten by candlesticks as it is the perfect season to flaunt them. With all the feasting during these consecutive holiday weekends, the dinner party hosts are tempted to elaborately dress up the formal dining.

Eclectic Silver-Plated Candlesticks
Apart from the chandelier and pendants that are always at the center stage of illumination, Candlesticks are the eye candy of the season.

These Addison candleholders below from Pottery Barn are inspired by the 19th century bobeche. A handcrafted mix of solid and handblown glass that are available in various sizes with trays for decorative accents.

Top tip: 'Your candles will burn for longer if you keep them in the fridge before lighting them,' recommended by Lizzie O’Prey, author of Create Your Dream House and Garden.

Overhead lighting is very un- flattering during dinner parties as they are too bright and they cast shadows. Dimmer switch will definitely make it better. Switch on lamps instead and keep the lighting low. Scatter tea light candles everywhere to create the glamourous mood. Unscented candles work best at the table. Always remember, everyone looks stunning under soft golden light.

2 Days left for 2010. Let's make them memorable.