Effortless Chic

So I said I wasn't back to blogging, buuuut then I saw this room.  Bathroom, to be more precise.  Oh yes, I said bathroom.  I know, shut up...right?!?

See, bathroom!  Or as owner Miranda Brooks, a landscape designer and Vogue Contributing Editor (and wife to architect Bastien Halard, nephew of famed photographer Francois Halard), notes:

“It’s like a library/sitting room with a bathtub in it,” says Brooks. The hanging light is by Gerrit Rietveld. The bench is 18th-century Swedish and the curtains are made of indigo-dyed Japanese mosquito netting.

Yes, ma'am, I do concur.  And might I add, fabulous!  When I'm all grown up I want to live just like this.  True effortless chic.

{images via Vogue, check out the rest of this beauty via my addiction, ahem, I mean my Pinterest page}

Wee Bit of Indigo

This one's for you, Mb.

Hello, Hello! Where did the summer go? Back to school is the official motto in our house. Those long summer days are behind us and homework and soccer practice fill up the calendar. Nonetheless, my head is in the clouds, or, more accurately, at the beach. I want to park my seat on that chaise above and gaze mindlessly at the pool + ocean view. Wishful thinking, but a girl can dream.

{images via AD Spain, courtesy of Isabel Lopez-Quesada, spotted on ECLECchic}

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

Man, that wall packs a punch! Bold, graphic, dynamic this dining nook is casual elegance at its best. This so could have gone the route of crafty, happy hands. However, that fabulous greige faux bois wallpaper, those kicky stripes, and the vintage-y furniture make for some fine, fine dining. Well played.

{image spotted on the equally fabulous, 10 Rooms}

I have become a pinning machine.

In fact, this is the very reason why I avoided the lure of Pinterest for so long. I knew I would get sucked into the abyss. Knew it was dangerous to even dip a toe in. But, alas, it is too late. I'm hooked. So here are the fruits of my "labor"...enjoy!

As for me, well, I'm off to pin some more...but you knew that was coming, didn't you. ;0)

{images from here}

These Are a Few of My Favorite...Pins!

Love the rustic vibe and I don't know if it's simply the light, or if the walls are really a wonderfully watery blue stain, but I am transfixed.

Ok, now the fact that I am intrigued by this one is, well, intriguing. I'm not normally one who heeds the siren call of pastels, but I'm really enjoying the way they warm up those brushed concrete walls. Oh, and the rug...I'm really enjoying that rug.

The window. Oh lord, the window.

Black. Lacquered. Kitchen. Sheesh, what's not to like.

I'm feeling all zen-like just looking at this. Om....

{images via my Pinterest, yeah, I'm hooked}

P.S.- We MINTY gals love nothing more than spotting one of our fabulous finds on one of our favorite sites. This time it's an amazing OKL Tastemaker Tag Sale and these fun pear and apple condiment servers. The OKL version are, sadly, sold out. $199 for the pair.

Aaah, but here's our MINTY version. Wonderfully whimsical brass containers with a beautiful vintage patina. Unlike the OKL pair, ours come with the original glass liners and a perfectly fitted wee brass spoon. They make the ideal finishing touch for your holiday table, brunch table, or a simply lovely Mother's Day gift. And, at $45 each, you can have all four for the price of the OKL pair. Can you say, steal! Visit MINTY on FB for more information.

So...

I've been all smug, friends. Patting myself on the back and telling you that despite desperately wanting to keep every MINTY good that crosses our doorstep, I've held strong. Been resolute. Well, up until now, I have. However, everything changed when I found these amazing pieces below. Gorgeous vintage, woven Guatemalan textiles in the most beautiful rainbow of color and pattern. Oh yeah, and then there's the mirrored frame. With gold detailing to boot. Yep, I'm a goner, all that puffed-upedness gone out the door. Game changer.

It all started with the one above, now hanging in Susie's amazing home. I discovered it at the most fabulous estate sale. It belonged to a world traveler in every sense of the word. Quickly I snagged it and took it straight to MINTY. Then Susie saw it, couldn't resist the siren call of textile goodness, and promptly took it home. Done. It's the perfect partner to her sublimely framed vintage scarf.

Seems innocent enough, right? However, I could not stop thinking about its sisters. Long story short, a series of phone calls later and the remaining treasure was mine. My intentions were pure. I had every plan to offer these lovely textiles to you, our sweet MINTY friends. And then I brought them home and all hope was lost. I decided I can't part with the giant square beauty below, but I'm not completely greedy. The two other rectangular lovelies are available to a good home. They are bright and beautiful and also treated to that fabulous mirrored frame.

The rectangular panels measure 36" wide x 18" high and there are two available at $325 each. If you're interested, email us here. First come, first served...once they're gone, sadly, they are all gone.

But, that's not all. As I mentioned, to say that these came from the home of a well-seasoned world traveller would be a huge understatement. Remember these sexy, shiny stools? Yep, same seasoned world traveler. Lucky for us, in addition to the Guatemalan panels, we have available these beautiful Panamanian Molas. Handmade using a reverse applique technique, these stunning textiles are wonderfully graphic.

They measure approximately 29" wide x 24" high, with slight variation. Priced at $200 apiece (total of 4 available) they would make a wonderful addition to a gallery wall, or can easily hold their own as a singular bold statement.

If you would like more information on any of these pieces, please email us at MINTY and we will happily provide all the details. In the meantime, I promise to keep my paws off all future MINTY finds. Pinkie swear.

Although, since I'm spilling all the beans today, I must confess that at this very moment I am having a very difficult time keeping those aforementioned paws off this.

Verdant.

I was scrolling through my most recently saved inspiration images and I noticed a common thread...the color green.

Like this gorgeous malachite mirror. And can we just talk about this fabulous bathroom for a second. From this angle it looks just like my powder room configuration. Except, of course, my powder is nowhere near as fabulous. I haven't stopped thinking about this image since I spotted it the other day. If I could recreate this bold and beautiful space, I totally would! Could you go for something this wonderfully brazen in your home?

I'm also feelin' some intense love for that awesome piece of art. It's like Lilly Pulitzer gone abstract.

Um, hello lush and tropical. Nice to meet you.

Okay, if this isn't the most beautiful fabric you've ever seen, then you're lying. It's Judy Aldridge's new dining room and yes, I am green with envy.

And just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any better, shut your mouth, it does. Oh lord, just look at that sofa and faux malachite table.

Kermit said it ain't easy being green, but I say, what do frogs know.

Happy Monday, friends!

{images 1/2/3/4/5}

Samperton Style

I first fell for Schuyler Samperton's fresh take on traditional years ago. I still remember a feature in one of the shelter magazines (House Beautiful, maybe) highlighting her wonderful green hued study. In fact, I think it pops up in one of the images below. Well, her portfolio continues to delight. Familiar forms are somehow young and new when she works her magical touch. Beautiful, classic, and timeless also seem apropos when describing her style. I just really love it all and if you have a moment to scroll through Samperton's portfolio, take note of the rugs. Her choices are absolutely drool-worthy.

P.S.-Samperton has recently joined the blogosphere. Check out Sparks, Interior Design and Beyond for more of her unique point of view.