I was meeting a friend for lunch in West Hollywood earlier this week and may have detoured into West Elm and a mini shopping spree shortly thereafter.  Our living room was so close to being finished and just needed a few little extra pieces.  It was all too much to resist!  The next room on the agenda?  Our master bedroom.  It’s an addition that was added on to the house by the previous owners and it is humongous!  All we … +more

Since it is officially post-Thanksgiving that also means it’s officially socially acceptable to start putting up your holiday decorations!  (Quick confession: I snuck some greenery out on the mantel last weekend.  It was a weak moment and I couldn’t help myself!)  While you’re sprucing up your interior decor, why not update your table with an inexpensive table runner?  It sets the stage for the whole table.  Personally, I’ve always preferred a table runner over a full table cloth.  I love … +more

Does anyone else go through phases with house projects?  After taking a few months off this summer from doing anything to the house, we have been on a roll lately.  While I was in New York last week, we had the concrete for our new driveway poured and this week I have been meeting with landscapers about hopefully starting some outdoor projects this fall.  Meanwhile, I have been taking stock of things going on indoors and the places that still … +more

By: Emily Westervelt

This is our first ever Effortless Chic video of any kind!  Can you believe it?  What did you think?  How cute is that table runner? Are you obsessed with it? I am!

Here’s the skinny on everything you’ll need to recreate the table featured in that video for whatever your next big fete may be:

1. Table Runner

Why, what a perfect opportunity for a pop of color or a striking pattern! Our little number is obviously … +more

Have you ever put together an entire outfit based on a small detail, say a pair of earrings?  If so, then you will appreciate that this entire cocktail and tabletop was inspired by these gold animal stir sticks!  A gilded alligator floating above some sweet fruity bubbly, what could be better?  The sweet fruity bubbly is something I have dubbed the Cherry Temple or The Grown-Up Shirley Temple and is a lovely combination of extra dry champagne, fresh cherries, … +more

A few years ago if you had told me that I would consider a throw blanket an accessory I would have laughed out loud!  It’s hard to tell when I first became enamored with interior design, but it has definitely intensified since moving into our house.  We still need so many things to fill the space!  I’m trying to break things down step by step and keep it simple.  Right now, what I really have my eye on are chic … +more

I used to think that I was a dessert person.  Over time though I realized I’m actually just a really-into-delicous-food-in-general person.  My favorite meals are the ones that last four hours, are filled with lively conversation and end with something sweet for dessert accompanied by Irish Coffee… this one has a twist!  It is the perfect nightcap,  if you ask me, so I thought it would also be the perfect drink for our second edition of Cocktail Hour!

If you … +more

Few things are as satisfying to me as getting to do projects around our house.  The room that has been getting all of my attention lately is our half bathroom off of the laundry room.  It is so convenient for outdoor entertaining because it is directly inside from the patio.  The previous owners, though, had been using it for storage and a place for their cat’s litter boxes so it was in major disarray when we moved in.  The sink … +more