two girls, one apartment. here we go...

two of my good girl friends just got a place together and need some help decorating. the chance to decorate a girls-only city pad? naturally, i jumped on that opportunity. sadly, my best friend has somewhat... how do i put this delicately... masculine taste. she likes grey. and green. and abhors all things girly and considers me a flashy dresser if i pair a colored top with my sparkly necklace. well, rats.

either way, she sent me the couch she likes this morning, and i actually like it a lot! the clean lines and nailhead trim make this a great piece to work off of.

and to my surprise and delight, she started sending along very bright (and feminine!) looking pillows. so i ran with it and immediately hopped over to my favorite pillow cover source, fabricadabra.

i tried to keep the bigger items toned down and cater to her quasi-traditional taste. the coffee table, chevron rug, lamps, and mirror are all basic, neutral pieces that you could really use in any style room. i added in more feminine, glam pieces with the sconces, bookends, beaded hurricane, pillows, and of course, the gold pouf (which i'm aware wouldn't make it into this living room in a gagillion years, but heck, i think it looks awesome).

gosh, i haven't done one of these lil' mock-ups in ages. that was fun.

ok, now back to work.

On the Cover of a Magazine

You may know her better as Things That Sparkle, but my talented friend Alex Berlin made it to the cover of this month's Chicago Home and Garden magazine! And yours truly has the styling credit for this cover shoot (recognize that lovable grey pouf?). It was such a fun day and so surreal seeing Alex's beautiful home in the pages of our beloved city publication. Make sure to pick up this month's Chicago Magazine - you'll find CHG as a special insert into this edition!

Here are a couple behind-the-scenes shots from the day. I told you before, it's never as picture-perfect off-camera. Yes, you are seeing a couch in the kitchen.

LCY Styles and Graphics: Pyar and Co. pillows

I am so happy to share with you a project I've been working on the past couple months. Pyar and Co. (pronounced pee-ar, the Indian word for love) is a new company founded by Paula Queen here in Chicago. Paula, who along with launching this company is simultaneously raising a soon-to-be one-year-old boy, asked Danielle to photograph and me to style her new custom line of pillows, all of which are designed by Paula and hand-crafted in India. The silks, beads, and sequins are all individually dyed, stitched, and delicately sewn together by skilled artisans. It was a privilege and a challenge getting to style such beautiful objects.

Because we were just trying to showcase the pillows, I had to gather other props that would work with the aesthetic of the brand. I went with very neutral, natural elements. A Moroccan wooden side table, baskets, a sisal rug, and other white and black neutrals were brought in to showcase Pyar and Co.'s colorful and whimsical products.

After the photo shoot, I then had the opportunity of tackling the graphic design portion of the Pyar's branding. I designed the new website, that just went live yesterday! It's a rare opportunity a graphic designer gets to work with the images they helped create. It's been really special helping the look and brand take shape from the beginning and it will be a lot of fun watching it evolve in its first year. So go on and check out the new site!

Paula, congratulations, again. I've been having so much fun working with you, and you should be so very proud of the beautiful and quality new collections you've created for people's homes!

LCY Styles: Danielle Moss' Home Tour in Rue Magazine

So did you all read the new issue of Rue that came out yesterday, with a special focus on small spaces? You did? Oh, good.

So can we discuss 1. how flippin' adorable and lady-fied Danielle Moss' home is? and 2. how great it is having such talented friends like Bailey and Danielle, that when their homes get published, I get to be the one who helps style and fluff up the spaces so they're photo-ready for their grand debuts? It's awesome. Believe me I know this.

Ok, first, let's get the Pinning out of the way. Go on... get at it. You know you want to.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that my inherently chic friend gave me a near perfect canvas to work off of; it was easy-pie working with the gold and girly accessories she had strewn about, adding flowers here and there (most of which came from Jayson Home and Garden - an excellent source if you're styling in the Chicago area!), arranging books and candles, and of course - adding my token green apples and a few other favorites to the space. How fantasmic are the wired shelves in her kitchen?! After arranging, rearranging, and rearranging some more, I think we settled on a near perfect mix of kitchen accessories, displayed just right. Notice the "Yours" and "Mine" chalkboard cruets? Cute, right? Yeah, I thought so.

And sidenote: if anyone is in the market for a knock-your-socks-off scented candle, the Archipelago Black Forest candle is just what you need. Seriously. Don't bother looking anywhere else.

Oh, and did you see the name of the Danielle's feature? The Everygirl. How apropos?

Always a good day when my name is spelled correctly!

LCY Styles: Alexandra Berlin Design

  

  

I recently collaborated with my friend Alex Berlin of Things That Sparkle to style her north-side condo. At first it was so she'd have professional photos (courtesy of my better-half Danielle Moss) for her Alexandra Berlin Design portfolio (she's a fancy interior designer). But then we got to do it all again when we learned Chicago Magazine wanted to feature the beautiful space! We can only share a few of the detailed shots that won't be in the feature, but I think they're awfully perty! You'll probably be able to spot some token "Alaina definitely styled this" items: specifically the Pelligrino, green apples, and the wallflower starburst.

Thoughts?!

photos by Danielle Moss