Dinner is served!

May 18, 2017
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So far in my 30’s I have hosted maybe 4-5 dinner parties. Dinner are one of my favorite things to host, gathering my friends around the table. Now that is something I have grown up with…table…food…friends,family and stories. Also something that Italians love…Food, wine, and family (friends are considered family). Growing up my parents would always throw dinner parties for their friends putting out their best china or sometime causal. I remember when I was a kid I wanted to throw parties just like my parents. Now that I am older I have taken their tradition of dinner parties and adding my own funky twist to it.

The last dinner party that I hosted was about a month ago, gathered my closest friends and of course we made pizza, with wine and a bunch of laughter. This is how I decided to set the table.

my very own dish

@juilacavallarodesigns

Table cloth- custom made with Gaston Y Daniela fabric * napkins- Madeline Weinrib @ San Francisco Design Center * Plate- Dandelion ( San Francisco location closed) * Charger- Pier One * Glasses- Waterford wine and water * Fork/Spoon/Knife- Grandmothers collection

Now that the weather is starting to get nicer, people actually want to be outdoors, days are longer, sunny days with some hot summer nights(if you live outside of the city) I thought what better way to blog about how to dress your table and yourself for a dinner party. See some of my favorite photos of dressing your table ( all images are from pinterest)

girly
sophisticated
garden fresh ( my favorite flower)
Fresh flowers
Elegant
summer love
what you can do with a wine glass

 

Most of the time you learn how to set a dinner table properly by your grandmother or your parents, but this day and age we tend to forget the traditions. Seems like everyone is in a hurry to go somewhere . In case someone has not taught you how to set a table don’t worry pinterest is here to save the day.

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Pinterest

Now what would a hostess proper attire would be. I think dressing up yourself is a lot more rewarding than dressing your table. Don’t get me wrong both are fun, but showing off your outfit is a lot more fun. One of my favorite dress that I wore to a wedding but heck why not wear it to my elegant, sophisticated dinner party.

me

Me 2016

 Now if that is too formal here are some fashion dinner party attire taken from

My Style..California Style 

garden fresh
funky
girly
sophisticated

RSVP

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Under $5,000 Beach Room Getaway

May 7, 2017
shoreline

Half Moon Bay, California

Summer is around the corner, and summer is my favorite season of all. Longer days, BBQ with friends, warm beach days in the California sun. I normally blog how fashion meets interiors, but this time around I decided to just blog about Interior Design. I decided to turn your bed room into a beach room getaway on a budget, that’s right on a budget…under $5000.00.

beach on a budget

Created by Julia Cavallaro Designs

How to achieve this beach look under $5000.00

*Artwork-Allposters $299.99 for framed 50″ x 38″ *Nightstand- Ashley Furniture – $ 158.95 (2) *Lamps-Wayfair $118.99 (2) *Bench- Sears– $328.31 *Bed- Wayfair – $592.00 * Bedding- Nordstrom- $179.00 * Paint- Benjamin Moore- Florida Keys Blue 2050-40, Clearest Ocean Blue 2064-40, Costa Rica Blue 2064-50 (at your local paint store that carries Benjamin Moore) *Mirror-Bed Bath and Beyond – 18″ x 24″ – $39.00 * Rug- Living Spaces – 8′ x 10′ – $395.00 * Candles- Bed Bath and Beyond – $ 10.00 (2) * Pillows – Bed Bath and Beyond – $ 25.00 each ( 4) * Duvet Cover- Macy’s– $100.00 * Chest of drawers- Pier 1– $550.00 * Vases- Amazon– $ 24.99* Grand total $3244.17.

However you design your budget bedroom, just remember just ride the wave and listen to the waves crashing.

Julia-Signature

International color for Love…Red

February 20, 2017
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@juliacavallarodesigns-instagram

Since February is considered the month of love. I associate love with the color red.

There are many more meanings of the color red than just love. Some cultures believe that the color red is a sign of good luck, bring good fortune to you. Others believe that the color red symbolizes joy, life, energy and creativity. There are also ways on how a color makes us fill physically such as it increases enthusiasm, stimulates energy, increase blood pressure, encourages action and also confidence. It can also provide a sense of protection from fears and anxiety.  All About The Color RED .

“Red has guts …. deep, strong, dramatic. A geranium red. A Goya red … to be used like gold for furnishing a house … for clothes, it is strong, like black or white.” – Valentino

Gone with the Wind
Runway 2017
Beyonce Grammys 2017
Golden Globes 2017
Carrie Underwood Grammys 2017

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” I always put in one controversial item, it makes people talk”- Dorothy Draper

Dinner Party AF300
Caliente
Morocan Red

Benjamin Moore – Dinner Party, Caliente and Moroccan Red

All images are from google.com

 

Just like Scarlet O’Hara, you can never have too much red in your life.

 

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Tweed and more Tweed

January 12, 2017

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Tweed fabric

It has been awhile since I wrote my last post about lace. In September I took a trip to Italy and Portugal. Portugal- a must visit I say. The people, the culture and the food it’s a hidden gem. As I express so many times in conversation with people my love is Italy. Their culture, the food, the fashion, changing every 6 months and the way of life.  Now I know I am bias because I grew up in a very Italian household and going to grandma house was not a hop skip or a jump, it required a 14 hour plane ride not a direct flight from San Francisco and 9 hours difference, but I would not change that for the world. As I got older, going to the beach was always fun but learning about different cities within Italy made my love for the arts even stronger. Which lead to my love for fashion and Interior / architecture design. When I am touring around I am always looking into clothing stores, and observing what people on the streets are wearing and take that back to San Francisco. On my many trips downtown I did notice that the main key fashion statement was Tweed..its back so bring out your Chanel #5 tweed, black and white, even grey and white. I even bought a black and white turtle neck poncho that is tweed from Zara. It keeps me so warm

Miu Miu 2016
Joseph Abbou

Tweed can be used almost anywhere. A sofa, a chair, a pillow, an ottoman even drapery. What is a tweed – are an icon of traditional Irish and British country clothing, being desirable for informal outerwear, due to the material being moisture-resistant and durable. Tweeds are made to withstand harsh climate (tweed) . Ralph Lauren home is by far the most iconic for tweed and menswear suiting fabric for the Interior Design world. See below ( google image)

ralph-lauren

Ralph Lauren Home

Some of my favorite tweed wallpapers:

http://www.amandahanley.co.uk/
http://www.cole-and-son.com/en/
http://www.amandahanley.co.uk/

As well as another idea on how to use “menswear” tweed as drapery. Christina who is a sales associate at The Shade Store in San Francisco was kind enough to email me a photo from The Shade Store facebook page. An installation that makes the room put together, by adding accent pillows to match the drapery.

the-shade-store

The Shade Store facebook page

Some inspirational interiors that have used tweed some way shape or form (google image)

Maybe everyone can find their Watson to their Sherlock Homes

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Lace

August 13, 2016

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When you think of lace you think of 3 things…1. a wedding dress 2. shabby chic from the early 90’s and 3. little old Italian ladies crochet lace.

Number 3 sticks out in my mind the most, I remember as a little girl my Italian grandmothers would have these amazing handmade lace table cloths, bed covers and even coffee table settings all in lace. It was an art to make these types of pieces. Once used in 16th century lace became popular in fashion and home decor.  Lace was also used by clergy of the early Catholic Church as part of vestments in religious ceremonies. Fast forward to 2016, we are still using lace in fashion and interior design. ( images are from google and pinterest)

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Alexander McQueen

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Oscar De La Renta

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Lace can be used in so many ways. It gives your space and your fashion a bit of sassy!

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What’s hot now

July 3, 2016

 

I decided to do something a little different with this entry. I have also updated my blog site as well. I added a couple of pages…Design Advice- you can now email me with any questions you have about fashion or design and I also added Faves, this page will give you insight to my favorite things.

I wanted to incorporate must haves for different styles of fashion. I love Hollywood glam, and Boho chic. What I thought would be a good third style is 70’s. I just love the color that the 70’s bring.

70’s Retro

70's board

*Fashion- Jeffery Scott- SS016 *Orange Chair- Windham Chair by Kravet Inc * Wood table- Ikea * Orange Lamps- Lamps Plus *Green Sofa- Kent Sofa by Kravet Inc. * Rug- Modern Rugs * Lounge Chair- Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller

Boho Chic

boho chic

Fashion- Stella Nolasco SS016 *Hanging Chair- Anthropology * Lamp- Anthropology * Rug – Anthropology * Pink Chair- Anthropology * Cocktail Table- Anthropology * Sofa- Malibu Sofa by Kravet Inc.

Hollywood Glam

Hollywood Glam

Fashion- Marchesa SS106 * Classic Velvet Chesterfield Sofa- All Modern * Chaise- All Modern * Lamp- Lamps Plus * Chair- Kent Chair by Kravet Inc * Cocktail Table- 1stDibs * Rug- Hair on Hide by Kravet Inc.

As for paint for these three themes I always love Benjamin Moore. Here are three of my favorite paint colors that will tie into these themes:

Boho Chic

Skylar Song 778
Coral Gables 2010-40
Navajo White OC-95

70’s

Rumba Orange 2014-20
Cool Aqua 2056-40
Willow Spring Green 418

Hollywood Glam

Emerald Isle 2039-20
California Blue 2060-20
Crushed Velvet 2076-10

Styles are always evolving, but they are never gone.

Julia-Signature

Gone Surfing until Summer is over

June 23, 2016
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Going Surfing ( pinterest)

Well summer is finally here! Warm weather, summer clothing. Time for winter clothing to be put away and linen pants and cute dresses to come out from hiding. Some of you follow my pinterest board “Goin Surfin”. I got into surfing and the lifestyle in high school. I think I have mention it in previous post. I lived in that lifestyle, clothing wise and even designing our guest room into a surfers haven. Surfing is a religion to many surfers, it is being one with mother nature.

Trends go in and out just like the ocean and sometimes they return but with the twist of whatever that year is.

Here are some of my pins from Goin Surfin pinterest board-

https://www.pinterest.com/jujubean13/goin-surfin/

Here are some interiors that have inspired me to live the surfing lifestyle. Since surfing is all about being near the ocean and being free. These interiors show examples of light and airy spaces. Some have a lot of colors and most are very clean spaces, with liner lines and very monochromatic feel to it.

Pardise

Living free with mother nature maybe that is what we are intended to do

 

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California Dreaming

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flowers, floral galore

April 24, 2016

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Is that time of year again…spring yes, but also my favorite type of music festival here in California…Coachella!!! Its not just about the music that is the huge part of it, but what the fashion is…floral. I have notice in the fashion magazines and also in stores everything is over sized floral! Throughout history fashion and interiors floral were named Jacobean type, small scale so that you can fit so many floral woven and prints into a single yard for a chair or a dress. In today’s fashion it is still called Jacobean prints or woven but now they are oversize. (all images are from google image)

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway at the Oscar De La Renta fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015 on September 9, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

In today’s interior design world, i have seen more bright colors, also more floral type of fabrics and wallpapers as well. (all images are from google image)

 

This is not your typical grandmothers, or shabby chic floral but more with a 2016 twist. You can dress up your room with some bold oversize floral patterns!

Julia-Signature

Orange…is it the new black for Spring?!

March 20, 2016

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Bouncing into spring 2016 I have noticed that new color for spring is Orange! What comes to mind for the color orange…an orange of course but also as everyone would know Hermes! (google image)

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More importantly orange has a whole psychology behind the actually color, when I think of orange I think of warm sunny days. I found this list of orange describing words. (google image)

orange-color-psychology

 

Now that we have some describing words, the meaning behind the color orange here are some fun interiors and fashion that I think will be popping up this spring. (all images from google images)

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Benjamin Moore Interior paint- below

Fun Interiors

Also you can add orange wallpaper and orange pillows to your sofa or chair.

Always have fun decorating your fashion style with some oranges in your life

Julia-Signature

Diving into Indigo Blue

February 9, 2016

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Many of my friends know that one of my signature colors that I wear about 99.9% of the time is Indigo Blue. Wither it be Jeans, blue and white stripe or check shirt, or my signature Sloan pants from Banana Republic. The color Indigo Blue has been around since the Greco Roman time.  Historically, indigo was a natural dye extracted from plants, and this process was important economically because blue dyes were once rare. In today’s world it is associated with Jeans.

This weekend I had the privilege to attend my company’s winter sales meeting in Los Angeles. As you have read in my previous entry that I love Los Angeles fashion, to me Los Angeles is the capital of fashion, casual fashion for the West Coast. New York is by far the leader in Fashion and that would never ever change.  As i was sitting in my chair looking at all the new textiles that my company is coming out the most predominate color of this year is Indigo Blue. Which I do think it is funny that it is not the color of year, even though a periwinkle blue is. I have always loved the color Indigo Blue and also Navy Blue actually any type of blue. To me blue is a sophistication, a different type of class. Black will always be the number one color but I do not know when you wear either Navy or Indigo Blue a whole new ” I run the world” attitude.  With that being said here is my concept board of Indigo Blue that i have created for a interior space…just a few of my obessions: (made by Julia Cavallaro Designs)

Concept board

You have your chesterfield sofa ( a must in my book), a channeled back chair – very vintage – there is my signature a stripe light fixture, blue lacquered buffet, modern rug, end table with curved legs, and of course I could not complete the space without Benjamin Moore paint – Symphony Blue and Old Navy.

Having Indigo Blue interiors also will make your space have a sense of sophistication as well. Here are some of my favorite Indigo Blue Interiors ( google images and pinterest)

Starting from the upper left hand corner- the shower- I could not get over how the tiles are position – bricks. It almost makes you feel like you are enclosed in a deep part of the ocean lost in your thoughts. In the upper right hand corner- I am obsessed with wall art, graffiti – having an image on the wall you can dream you are in another world. Bottom left hand corner- has to be one of the most interesting space- it is perfect for a dreamer. Last but not least the bottom right hand corner- perfect space for a minimalist.

Not only does Indigo Blue shown in interors, but it can also be displayed on table tops or even better your nails – have this color and it is to die for…

Most of you ( my readers ) know that this blog entry is not complete without fashion here are some Indigo Blue fashion, and it is not just jeans (google image and pinterest)

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Whatever style or type of blue you either wear, or create your interiors with – just wear or living in like you own the whole world.

Julia-Signature