It has been almost 10 months that you have not heard from me. Well I am back, and a lot has changed. I bought myself a condo! My very own space. It was a blank canvas! In a matter of 5 months it is coming along. I am still in need of a dining table and tons of art work, but it will get there in time. As I started with my blank walls and blank space, I got to thinking what type of feel did I want my condo to have? I have two huge loft like windows and with the vibe of the condo I wanted it to be minimalist, clean and contemporary, with that said and having 10 ft ceilings you could image the endless possibilities. Here is the before photo:
Before
As you can see the possibilities are endless. As I said before I wanted to keep with the theme of minimalist clean and simple, just how I like to live my life. I started a pinterest board of “condo vibes” and my vibe became something like this:
After
As you can see, it is coming along. I am really proud of how it has turned out so far. More to come soon as I continue to add to my blank canvas.
Its a new year, 2018! Out with the old in the new! This year I have decided to blog about “how to” as well as still sticking with adding Fashion Design to the mix.
Accessories, can either make or break a space, an outfit or in this case your cocktail table. In this blog I am going to show you “how to” design a simple table top.
First thing, decide what you want to feature. Is it flowers, books, candles? What is your focal point? In my option fresh flowers make me happy, so for me fresh flowers are a must on my table. I want to display them in a small vase. I have chosen this one from Michael’s . You want nothing too tall unless you are going to have long stem flowers. Of course my favorite flower are Sunflowers, but in this case I have chosen Peonies! (most girls favorite flower). Then pick a favorite candle, mine is Brentwood by Hudson Grace. I always like add a decorative box, one of my favorite type is Faux Shagreen from William Sonoma. I just love how simple and the texture is. Now you can put these items on a tray or you can just have them just sitting on the table. I like to have everything simple and clean so of course I would have a tray. I have chosen this tray by West Elm is because I love how simple and having a mirror bottom can bring light to your space especially if you have the candle burn. Of course I could not leave these books out of my space. I love fashion and why not have some fashion books such as Chanel, Prada, and Louis Vutton. You can choose whatever book you would like, it could be art, travel, photography. You want to create this space that is to you, to your taste. Pretty soon, when you start to put all these together this is what you have created.
William Sonoma
Michaels
West Elm
Hudson Grace
Peonies
Etsy
Created by Julia Cavallaro Designs
This creates a simple yet clean accessories for your table. Make sure that when designing your accessories, that it does not get to cluttery. My motto is create simple, live grand.
Its getting that time of year where you either put all your bright summer clothing it in the back of the closet or in a large bin hidden under your bed, and it is time to bring out the heavy oversize sweaters, pea coats, boots and winter accessories.
Living in California we are blessed with what we like to call “winter” do not get me wrong sometimes I wish we lived in a part of the US where snow falls. Fall is my favorite time of the year, transitioning into the leaves turning and then falling onto the ground, where you rake leaves and then jump into them. You cannot forget pumpkin spice everything. The best part of fall going into winter is being able to take out my wool socks, sweaters and even a wool undershirt. The thing that comes into mind when you think of wool is 1. it is itchy why would you want to wear that and 2. 1 is natural fiber that usually comes from a sheep or goat but there are some wool’s that come from camels or llamas. Some of my favorite types of fall clothing is my wool sweaters, I promise they do not itch. I have taken some of my inspirational wool fall fashion 2017. (images are from google)
You cannot have cozy fall fashion without some cozy fall interiors. Wool is the easiest fabric to clean. It is great for sitting chairs and sofas, if you do decide to re-upholster them in a wool make sure you get a wool that has been brushed, it will give it the more cozy look and also it will be more luxurious. I have also thrown into this blog 3 of my favorite Benjamin Moore wool paint. (images are from google)
Wool Peacoat CSP-25
Steel Wool 2121-20
Sheep Wool 857
Wool can come in many different colors, it does not have to just come in gray. Since it is a natural fiber and the sheep or goat wool is a natural color, vegetable dye takes the color so well. Do not be afraid of picking a dark navy or bright pink wool to add spice to your pumpkin latte!
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.
@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.
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 2016
Now if that is too formal here are some fashion dinner party attire taken from
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.
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.
Tweed fabricIt 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)
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 facebook pageSome inspirational interiors that have used tweed some way shape or form (google image)
Maybe everyone can find their Watson to their Sherlock Homes
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)
Alexander McQueenOscar De La Renta
Lace can be used in so many ways. It gives your space and your fashion a bit of sassy!
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
*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
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.
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)
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)
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)
Benjamin Moore Interior paint- below
2013-20 Orange Nector
084 Fiesta Orange
Fun Interiors
Also you can add orange wallpaper and orange pillows to your sofa or chair.
Serena and Lily
Lee Jofa Wallapaper
Always have fun decorating your fashion style with some oranges in your life
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)
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)
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.
