HANGING AROUND: TASSEL TIME

Adding a tassel to everything was de rigueur in the 80's. Today, the tassel has its place, albeit a more subtle one. Rather than hanging them from dresser pulls, doorknobs and lamps, try them in a less conspicuous role. They will never lose their allure as tiebacks, it just depends how luxe the look you are going for.

 Photo courtesy of Geronimo Balloon Troopers

With giant hanging tassels made of ribbon, Geronimo Balloon Troopers gigantic balloons deliver happiness. Seen here, a red balloon flying high in downtown LA.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Anthropologie's Sombrero Sheet Set with a mini multicolor tassel border

Photo courtesy of Leif

Like  a charm bracelet, Lennebelle's Tassel Bracelet in Topograph has a festive tassel swagger

Photo courtesy of World Market

Throw on this cheap and cheerful scarf with coral tassels to ward of the crisp autumn chill from World Market Cost Plus

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Pom Tassel Mini Bag from Anthropologie.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder
A jolly orange knotted tassel on C. Wonder's Suede Foldover Tassel Clutch is simple and suave.

 Photo courtesy of Blair Ritchey

Hang a tassel on it. Add this little dash of color with Blair Ritchey's suede or lambskin tassel to a clutch or case as a zingy zipper pull.

ORANGE ALERT

Orange seems to have incredible staying power. The Pantone Color forecast of Tangerine Tango being THE color of 2012 is showing few signs of letting up. Perhaps that's because it is such an uplifting color that complements a variety of schemes, when used sparingly.  Chevrons and ikats in this color du jour have hit critical mass, but hey, I can't say I mind.

A three box Vanity Set from JM Piers in glass-covered orange faux lizard keeps odds and ends at bay.

Chelsea Textiles Furniture added a Jetson-would-like-this  Wingback Chair with contrast trim and button tufting along with a simple arm. So good looking.

Lacefield Designs has many new patterns to add to their stellar assortment, like these orange and white printed beauties from the gift show.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder

The oversized scale of this C. Wonder Chevron Pillow makes it a cozy addition to a sofa.

Sandra Morgan's HP Designs laminated placemats are easy to clean and always look crisp. Her new ikat pattern was especially striking.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder 

A lacquered orange bamboo bowl from C. Wonder incorporates shiny and matte for a nice contrast.

Dana Gibson launched travel bags, including this one with her cheetah pattern that can also be found on pillows

She also launched a zig zag pattern that's also great.

If you want to use a chevron in a bigger way, Dana Gibson's new Pagoda lantern is divine. She sold out at the gift show, so I hope new stock arrives soon as I have it earmarked for my apartment freshening.

But wait, there's more! A painted bombay dresser is petite charmant.

I am constantly amazed at the endless assortment of great pillows out there now. V Rugs and Home does unusual things with appliques that add a bit of texture.

One question I get a lot is where to find nice shower curtains that are reasonably priced. Jonathan Adler's new Arcade Shower Curtain is trimmed in grosgrain ribbon adding a nice, dressy detail.

Carnaby Street dishes from Jonathan Adler have a tight graphic geo and work well as catchall trays.

Adler's new Arcade bath towels come in all white with an orange border or a geometric all-over diamond pattern. Towels add a lot of zip to an all-white bath.

Arteriors Cassidy Porcelain Lamp in orange resembles something that lives 10,000 leagues under the sea, adding a breezy island touch to any table.

Photo courtesy of World Market Cost Plus
With a chic double ribbon border, World Market's orange lampshade looks like a bigger investment than it is.

After it's debut at High Point, bloggers can't get enough of Lexington Home Brands Aquarius collection orange dresser.

CHIC SEASIDE 4th OF JULY

Are you ready for the 4th of July? Or are you feeling like it just snuck up on you like ever holiday seems to? Get ready for some fun in the sun, with some beach reads, red white and blue wardrobe additions and entertaining basics that will carry over from year to year. Because after all, this classic color combo is going nowhere fast.

Photo courtesy of Assouline

Photographer Claiborn Swanson Frank's new book American Beauty by Assouline  captures accomplished women in their natural habitats.  With a distinctly American point of view, her photographs tell their design stories with a mix of glamour grounded in realness. 

Photo courtesy of West Elm

Melamine plates are a great basic to have on hand for summer entertaining. Schooner Melamine Plates from West Elm has old school summer idyl charm.

Photo courtesy of West Elm

Serve seafood on this cute stripey fish platter by designer John Newdigate for West Elm.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder

Make sure your holiday guests don't leave rings on your Oomph tables! Nautical Paper Coasters, set of 12 C. Wonder.

Photo courtesy of J. Faukner

Send cute thank you notes for your hostess gifts like these Nautical Lifesaver Thank you's from J. Faukner.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder

Need a cheap and cheerful hostess gift to give in a pinch? Try this Anchor Decorative Plate from C. Wonder.

The classic anchor and striped border are ship shape.

Photo courtesy of Clare Vivier

Having just visited her all-white Silverlake shop, I was instantly taken with this Clare Vivier racing stripe pochette. A great carry-along or addition to a stuffed market tote.

 Photo courtesy of Rikshaw Designs

Block printed in India, Rickshaw Designs Classic Kurta goes from beachside to barside.

 Photo courtesy of J. Crew

Take to the waves in style with this crisp navy and white Anchor Bathing Suit from J. Crew.

Photo courtesy of J. Crew

Guys, here are some J. Crew stylin' shorts to wear to Docktails, a new expression I learned for dockside cocktails. Yup, you heard it here.

 Photo courtesy of MZ Wallace
Tote it all with MZ Wallace's manageable stripey red and white tote.

NAUTICAL NIRVANA: HIT THE DECK!

A few gorgeous sunny days in a row make me crave summer, including the crispness of tailored sailing-inspired seaside interiors.

In the spirit of red white and blue, nautical nonchalance and sunny days on the water, I am feeling the preppy, peppy punch all around for spring!

Photo courtesy of Trowbridge
Known for his sepia toned Marine portraits, British photographer Ben Wood works out of his photography studio on the Isle of Wight. This locale means he gets to shoot world class J Boat regattas like Cowes Race Week. Get your time on the water by adding his work to your collection with Trowbridge's beautiful triptych prints.

Photo courtesy of Oomph
Don't navigate the waters alone, plot your course with the map inlaid Fenwick Chart Table by Oomph. They use NOAA charts so you can plan your next voyage over cocktails.

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily
Belly up to this woven South Seas Bar Cart from Serena and Lily. It will be smooth sailing since casters make it easy to transport it from room to room and a lower shelf provides storage.

Photo courtesy of Beeline Home
Thick red ridges in the Ohm Mirror from Bunny Williams' Beeline collection resemble thick ropes if you get creative. The red lacquer finish is ship shape sharp.

With a red and white striped grain sack shade and blue blown glass wine bottle base, nautical nirvana has been found. From Europe 2 You.

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily
A thick, perfect coil of rope in Serena and Lily's Spinnaker Lamp is just so good looking anywhere, nautical or not.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home
Ralph Lauren Home's shiny chrome Montauk XL hanging pendant will keep everything illuminated, like your kitchen island.

Photo courtesy of Tory Burch
Add some visual interest to the edge of the sofa with Tory Burch's kicky wool and cotton Chevron Blanket in navy and white with whip stitched edge detailing.

Photo courtesy of West Elm
Your coffee and tea get also get in on the stripe action with West Elm's porcelain striped mugs in a fresh shape with crisp blue line at the lip.


Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home
A wide painted stripe on the Jacqueline Bowl from Ralph Lauren Home adds a graphic touch to the table.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder
The blue and white wave patterned C. Wonder bowl can provide a happy home for mixed nuts during cocktails.

Photo courtesy of Haus
And speaking of cocktails, you will need a chic way to open up your Regatta Ginger Beer bottles for Dark 'n Stormies. How about a cool rope resembling bottle opener from Haus Interiors?

Photo courtesy of Julia B
A little bit of red, white and blue together in elegant cocktail napkins with hand - embroidered monograms from Julia B.

Photo courtesy of Waterfall Designs
For friends that have dropped their anchor together, these unbreakable glasses by Waterfall Designs through Etsy are just the thing.

Photo courtesy of Link Outdoor
With a bit of whimsy, Link Outdoor has created rows of embroidered fringe on a solution dyed acrylic. Love it. If you have not seen their entire collection of imaginative fabrics, it is worth discovering.

Photo courtesy of Perennials
A zigzag paintbrush stroke on Perennials Swish in grotto adds a naturalistic component to an outdoor fabric.

Photo courtesy of F. Schumacher
An oversized chevron pattern always looks right by the pool. F. Schumacher's Cote D'Azur Antibes Chevron fabric.

Photo courtesy of Designers Guild
Christian Lacroix's vivid Riviera in sevres blue through Designer's Guild looks like an aerial view of beach umbrellas.

Riviera in garance

Photo courtesy of Designers Guild
William Yeoward's Manacor woven in poppy.

Photo courtesy of Julia B
Stripes can also transform your bed as with Julia B.'s new Versailles pattern with an undulating border.

Photo courtesy of West Elm
Do the kids need a new place to hang in their room? A wide striped square pouf from West Elm is the spot to chill and watch a movie.

Photo courtesy of Three Potato Four
Sea Salt Soap from Sweden in darling packaging. From Three Potato Four.

Photo courtesy of J. Crew
Mainsai Rope Bracelet from J. Crew is sharp. There is a proliferation of bracelets out there with rope lines recently.

Photo courtesy of Lemon and Line
Lemon and Line creates a variety of styles from ropes of all colors. The Nantucket Collection of Nautical Rope Bracelets with a jaunty knot make great gifts for sailors. They even do custom club colors.

Photo courtesy of Tory Burch
Is this the neo Nantucket Bracelet?! Tory Burch's Woven Turnlock Cuff looks good with the glimmer of gold hardware.

Photo courtesy of Sailormade
Sailormade takes three strand sailing rope and channels the classic J Boat style with their double wrap Endeavor bracelet. The brass brummel hook closure makes this a dressier option.

Photo courtesy of Skipjack
Mariner Rope Bracelet made of nylon sailing lines from Skipjack in a killer red.

Photo courtesy of Chance
Cashmere yards wrap around these stripey Elizabeth Yarborough Yarbie bangles at Chance.

Photo courtesy of J. Crew
I noticed this highly covetable Tillary Tote in J. Crew stores a few weeks ago and was waiting for it to hit online so everyone can get dibs. With enough room for your ipad, red leather detailing and wide stripe printed on linen cotton canvas it is a bag to carry through summer.

Photo courtesy of Uniqlo
What is nautical style sans boatneck French dress like this staple from Uniqlo?

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
Get in the swim of things in Anthropologie's Tidal Dock Maillot. 1950's styling will have you feeling as fab as a classic pin up girl.

Photo courtesy of Toss Designs
Cap off your collection of casual resorty shoes with Toss Designs Chevron Espadrilles. Magnifique, non?

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
Store your phone in this diminutively darling Jonathan Adler Jute Sailboat Pouch.