The May edition of Lonny is out!

The May 2012 edition of Lonny was (finally!) released yesterday and it features lots of gorgeous eye candy for the design-obssesed among us. The issue is mainly focused on outdoor entertaining but it has some great indoor spaces as well (plus a vibrant bonus trip to Morocco, a place I've always wanted to visit). Everything in this issue feels bright and fresh and airy - perfect for late spring!

Here's what I'm bookmarking from this issue...

All white outdoor furniture (love the tulip table outside!) with brightly colored place settings (pg. 96)

Still love me a sunburst mirror, plus layered rugs, and a bright antique lamp (pg. 129)

Bright white kitchen with shelves and subway tile (pg. 141)

Embrace the bold! Mix 'n matched dining room chairs with Red Eames chairs, and striped black and white wingback chairs. I adore this combination! (pg. 162)

Statement art: large pop-art Jackie O. Sassy and classy. (pg. 165)

Love the blue bamboo chairs and seahorse table! Great lighting fixture and potted plants on the table too. (pg. 172)

Expert use of modern vintage style here. I love it all, especially all the lucite, the bell jar, that subtle yet glam wallpaper, the ornate mirror, the gold bookcase, and the blue bust! Fantastic. (pg. 188)

Just a lovely little desk nook! (pg. 194 - but check out pg. 195 too for the desk details - perfection.)

A sequined coverlet! Can you stand the glamour?! (pg. 224)

What were your favorite moments in the May edition of Lonny?? Do share. And if you haven't read it yet, just click here and enjoy!

Inside the home of... Benjie Jones

I came across this home of designer Benjie Jones last week in Atlanta Homes mag and have just been itching to share it with you. There's so much to love here, from the colors (an expert use of black) to the architectural elements to the artwork and masterful mixing of eclectic style. But best of all is his Christmas decoration sense. So many subtle, lovely touches, I can't help but be, well, Enchanted.

Let's peek into Benjie's world...

So gorgeous! I can't get over his style. I love this quote from the piece:

"Albert Hadley once said ‘once you hone in on your own aesthetic, everything you buy goes together.’"

White wood floors

Lately I've been thinking about how lovely white floors might look in our bedroom. But painting your floors white is a big commitment. I won't pretend it doesn't make my palms sweat a little just thinking of it. But then I look at incredible spaces like these, and fall in love all over again.

{Desire to Inspire}

{1 Kind Design}

{Pintrest}

{ffffound}

{Vogue Weekend}

My biggest concern is how the white floors will affect resale value. As beautiful as they are, I understand white floors are not for everyone. Some people scoff at the very idea of painting over hardwood. I happen to not love the blonde hardwood we have running through our home and wouldn't mind painting over it in one room.

It's kind of like how I painted our office a super dark navy blue, or how I want to wallpaper the ceiling in our guest room. In my head I think, perhaps if I do it well, it will actually help the value. But painted floors are a lot harder to reverse than dark walls. This is true.

Sigh.

Let's go back to pretty pictures. Here's white wood floors done well in other rooms and spaces.

{Living, Inspired}

{The House}

{Interiors Originals}

How about you? Would you paint your floors white? 

Let's discuss.

Lovely lucite

Though I don't personally own a morsel of it, I admit to being a total lucite lover. I know it's not for everyone but in small doses I think it packs a lovely "subtle yet strong" design punch. Don't believe me? Talk with me, walk with me, down a little path I like to call Lucite Lane.

In living rooms...

Love that it's a trunk!

In dining rooms...

As or with desks, tables and consoles...

Odds and ends...

Okay, admittedly, the crib may be a bit much, even for a lucite lover like me (that just seems dangerous). But, can you start to see the appeal of lucite accents? I love how in some of these rooms, they blend right in and let you experience the mood of the room unobtrusively. Then in other rooms it plays a larger, bolder role, just begging to be admired.

So, have I converted you to lucite (if you weren't in love already)? 

{All photos via Pintrest}

Inside the home of... Ashley Stark

This month's issue of Elle Decor features a stunning tour through the home of Ashley Stark, heiress to the Stark carpet and home furnishings empire. I thought it might be fun to take a peek inside this colorful, chic and carefully curated NYC apartment, so kick of your shoes and let's head inside this our first home tour.

Starting with the foyer...

Standouts for me here are that oversized vase with branches and the positively exquisite Karl Springer snakeskin bench. Truly to die for. Next, into the living room.

I love all the interesting patterns and colors here. Your eye keeps traveling round and round the room putting it all together. My favorite is in the right corner, that juxtaposition of 18th-century Italian armchairs with the skull print from Damien Hirst, and that super cool brass palm tree. 

Now into my two favorite rooms. First the bedroom...

I can't handle that gray velvet headboard, it is honestly my dream headboard. Then my eyes immediately travel up to the Venetian glass light fixture that adds such a glamorous feel to the room (you don't always see major fixtures in a bedroom). I also want for my own that studded cream dresser/console piece on the far wall. Hello gorgeous.

The "dressing room." Could it be any more my style? The mirrored dresser. The shag rug. The lucite chair. The antique wood desk. And did you notice that pink skull atop that stack of books? Ashley seems like my kind of girl. 

Some more photo gems from Ashley's incredible pad, including one of the lady herself...

{all photos from Elle DECOR}

What's your favorite part of Ashley Stark's home?