Design Inspiration: Suzanne Kesler

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new classics

Suzanne Kesler's mantra is "a room should be collected not decorated."  As an Atlanta-based designer, and graduate of the University of Cincinnati's college of  Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, Kesler knows a thing or two about how to achieve that end.  She has won numerous awards, been featured in all the top decorating magazines, has a furniture line called Hickory Chair, a rug line through Safavieh,  a fine art production through Soicher-Marin, a fabric line through Lee Jofa and, of course, an accessories production through Ballard Design.  If you somehow don't know Suzanne Kesler by name I know you recognize some of these spaces...take a look!

suzanne kasler

These Deco sunburst mirrors have come back in a big way (I know you knew that) and I don't know if Kesler is responsible for their reemergence in popularity but she certainly helped it along.  Many of her rooms include these mirrors; even her outdoor spaces.

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This room definitely shows her southern roots.  It is warm and toasty in feel and has an updated traditional vibe.

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She knows how to keep it simple, powerful and memorable.  

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Ah, this is why I love her.

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Just look at this room!  It is a study in perfection.  This is a designer who really thinks it through.  Your eye travels around:  The focal point is the dark wood hutch which relates to the painting, firescreen, ottoman base, sofa leg, and pillow on the couch.  Nothing screams but there is method.


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She really does meld European and American design together so well.


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This dining room is one of my favorite spaces--ever!  In fact, the whole house is this gorgeous.


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Kesler's signature design

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I really like that she does fun, punchy colors outside mixed with all the white.


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Pretty fantastic outdoor space, no?

I had a tough time choosing which spaces I wanted to feature.  They are all so beautiful.

Well, I'm off to substitute.  At least it is an English class and at my husband's school.
Should be a good day today!

Mini Monday

Cold weather is supposed to be rolling in at any time now, and I have found some gorgeous coats for the little one in your life.

Monsoon Girls' Coats

For a very long time, Monsoon did not ship to the U.S.  Now they do.  It may be just another chain store in the U.K., but along with its sister store, Accessorize, it was one of the Cat's and my favorite stores to hop into.  It didn't matter where we were.  And it's because of coats like these; especially, you guessed it- that middle one.  I love the color orange, and I think bright pop of color like that is so fun for fall.

And just in case you want more choices, here are some more cute choices from one of our other favorites, Zara.

Girls Coats from Zara

~Lori

Sweet Spot Sunday: Polka Dot Pumpkins by Marcus Design

Lori happened to come across this blog Marcus Design pretty recently.  It is a really great design blog and Nancy Marcus does some cute DIY projects now and again.  I think these polka dotted mini pumpkins are super cute and slightly sophisticated at the same time.
 I also love the fact that Nancy teaches college part time (which, as many of you know, has been my goal as well).  I am really jealous of one thing though:  She is a Canadian and got to go see (and meet) Tommy Smythe recently.  I want to go!!!  

Here are the supplies you will need to paint your own fabulous little pumpkins this year.  Check out her site for more information and tips.  I know I will be doing this myself...but I think I will do stars.

Marcus Design really is a sweet spot and these pumpkins have the sweetest spots yet!

Saturday Inspiration: Rober Doisneau

How about some beautiful images from famed French photographer Robert Doisneau for your Saturday?

Champs De Mars Gardens
image via Zillion Arts
Don't you just love this picture?!  There is so much joy in it.

Le Baiser  or   The Kiss
image via Zillion Arts
This photo became an "internationally recognised symbol of young love in Paris" (zillion arts).
This photo was actually staged; Doisneau witnessed the couple kissing and then asked them to
recreate the kiss for his camera.  Even staged, it is gorgeous.

Children in the Palais Royal Garden
image via

This is one of my favorite portraits- Les Pains de Picasso
French bread fingers?  I would have slowly nibbled on them throughout the shoot.
image via Leftyheart

Happy Saturday!

~Lori

"Cut on the Dotted Line" Necklace

This year I am not planning to dress up for Halloween.  But....I saw this awesome necklace on Pinterest last year and my mom made it for me!  I think it is a really fun way to do 'Halloween' without really going all out. Gwenna calls it my "Sally neck" you know, Nightmare Before Christmas.  I love it.  Thanks Mom!

 (I don't know whose original idea this is, so let me know if you do so I can give them credit)

Minor Obsession: Zara Blazers

We here at Desert Girls Vintage love a good blazer.  Maybe it's the English major in us, but doesn't a good wool blazer just sort of scream academia to you?  No?  Okay.  Maybe it's just us then.  Or me.  Maybe it's just me.  That's okay, though, because the fact of the matter is that I love a good blazer, be it wool, cotton, or jersey.  I've rounded up my faves from Zara here, but believe me, there are plenty more to choose from.  Can you tell which one's my favorite?!

All images from Zara
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I've also been obsessing over some other things...
Like these donuts from Chicago's Glazed and Infused.
And this two-tier table, which is perfection...
And recreating this costume for the Cat, using some pieces we already have from Zara.

What have you been obsessing over lately?

~Lori

Dollhouse as "Haunted House"

 Since I would like to have a pumpkin carving party at my house in a week I have a been a bit obsessed with decorating for Halloween but in a kid friendly way.  My daughter Gwenna has a dollhouse so why not use it for the decor...with a few little additions.

 My mom made an awesome "Happy Halloween" banner out of burlap for her house (I will post it soon) so I copied her with this mini rendition.  I just painted "Haunted House" free hand and hot glued the burlap flags to a bit of orange ribbon I had in a drawer.  I then bought some mini pumpkins and elevated them with amber votive holders on the terrace of the 'haunted house.'

 Now what if I served cupcakes using this dollhouse?  I could turn it the other way so the rooms face out and fill them up with the cupcakes.  It would probably hold around 30 of them. Wouldn't that be cute?

So easy and fun....even though my son reminds me daily that it isn't "scary."  I don't do scary...sorry  kiddo!