Ivy de Leon | Home Decorating, Design Inspiration

Organizing: Entertainment Center

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Hello, again. I’m back from Blogfest2013. I had a great time and will be posting about it tomorrow. Today, I’m bringing you a sponsored post that I’m very excited to share with you. Wednesday is the day I do my organizing and 15 minutes “Molly clean ups” (Do you remember the kids’ show?) I’m focusing on organizing my entertainment center in the family room, which gets lots of use, but little attention.

Between the flat-screen TV, gaming system, DVDs, and cords, the entertainment center is in need of an overhaul. I thought of disconnecting the gaming area, but when my boys come home from college we play the games. We all love to play during the holidays, too. To organize this area and get inspiration, I ‘m looking to California Closets for storage solutions. It’s important to me, that the entertainment center be stylish and functional.

I like the combination of open shelves to display decorative accessories and hide the videos and games. Thank you California Closets for re-introducing me to your products for organizing the home with style. California Closets is more than just closets. Take a second look.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged California Closets, entertainment center, media center, Organizing, shelving, storage, storage solutions | Leave a comment

My Week In Pictures

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Time sure goes by fast when you’re having fun. The week started with Mother’s Day breakfast by my 12 year old lovely daughter, Next, was Spring Market at the D&D Building, a dentist visit (not fun), and sourcing for fabric.

Spring Market at the D&D Building with Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Mary McDonald. Martyn has a new collection of wallcoverings and Mary has fabulous collection of fabrics exclusively for Schumacher. (The black and white panels are from Martyn’s new line of black and white wallpaper.) I also bought copies of their books and had them signed. They were both very gracious with the time.

Designers Michael Tavano, Alla Akimova, Christopher Coleman, Bella Mancini and Tara Seawright wow us with their tablescapes inspired from their favorite Spring getaways.

Fabric sourcing for project at Brunschwig & Fils.

Next week I’ll be in NYC for Blogfest 2013. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there. Have a wonderful weekend.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Blogfest2013, fabrics, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Mary McDonald, Schumacher, tablescapes | Leave a comment

Happy Monday: 5/13/13

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Good Morning,

I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day.

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Crazy for Seersucker

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Seersucker for him…looks fabulous!

I love this wedding gown. Perfect for renewing vows.

A seersucker pencil skirt for the weekend.

A beautiful upholstered settee in the bathroom of Mary McDonald’s Hollywood guesthouse. (Photograph by Miguel Flores-Vianna, as seen in Domino Magazine)

Now you see why I’m crazy for seersucker. Seersucker is like a favorite sweater, bringing comfort and style that is tried-and-true.

Images: suit, wedding dress, skirt

Posted in Decorating | Tagged casual fabrics, seersucker, Spring, summer, wedding dress | Leave a comment

For the Graduate: Tulip Table

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Graduations are exciting times filled with joy and accomplishments. With my son graduating next year, I’ve started planning for his new apartment. (Oh, to be young again. The excitement of a new career and first apartment.) Finding furniture pieces with good bones and comfort on a budget is easier when you have a plan. With my son’s love for great meals, I’ve started with the dining room. The tulip style dining table is my first choice. It’s modern and will grow with him.

It makes for a good card table, too. He could then pass it on to his sister.

With wedding season here, I think the tulip table is great for a couples first apartment.

The tulip table is available at various price points. A great investment for many years of dinners with friends and family gatherings.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged furniture, good bones, modern, tuliip tablle | Leave a comment

Mother’s Day Gifts for Her

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Mother’s Day Gifts, Hints and Wants… the gift of time, support a great cause,

sunsets on the beach,

lilacs, peonies and travel.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Posted in Decorating | 1 Comment

Happy Monday: Gardening Tip

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

May is bringing Spring showers this Monday morning. Here’s a tip. The soil is moist after the rain; head outside to the garden. Weeding is easier. Your back will thank you.

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“I love spring anywhere, but if I could chose, I would always greet it in a garden.” -Ruth Stout

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Cinco de Mayo Party Tips

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner. So what are you waiting for? Instead of waiting for an invite, host the party. Not enough time to send out invitations, opt for electronic invitations. This one from Paperless Post is perfect for the occasion.

Picture of Sunset Sangria Recipe

Serve a Cinco de Mayo signature drink. Sangria is festive and easy to make. Personalize your cocktail. Give it a name. “I’ll have a Red Head Ruby,” sounds like a party.

Head over to Party City for Cinco de Mayo party hats and decorations….keep it simple, less is more. For the menu: Tacos for everyone. Give your guests a choice of beef, chicken or shrimp. If the weather is warm, turn on the grill. It’s a simple dish and guest will enjoy serving themselves. Remember to play great music and put fresh flowers on the table. Above all, enjoy time with your friends.

Thanks for stopping by.

Images: 1 /2/

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Cinco de Mayo, cocktails, party invitations, party tips, signature sangria | Comments Off

Pollack Textiles

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel Doriss, Design Director for Pollack in Soho to view the Spring 2013 Collection. I love the process of seeing and feeling the fabrics, as well as, meeting the team of designers behind the collections.

(Images and description via Pollack)

WE LOVE COLOR, the Spring 2013 Collection, offers 20 designs, 6 drapery fabrics and 14 upholsteries. The collection is available in POLLACK’s showroom in Manhattan’s famed D&D Building as well as in fine showrooms throughout the United States.

WE LOVE COLOR, CULTURED COTTON and CARRIAGE CAR: Color runs the gamut with WE LOVE COLOR, CULTURED COTTON and CARRIAGE CAR, a trio of unique surfaces. The twisted yarn used in WE LOVE COLOR works in a small basket weave and brushes the surface with faint vertical strokes of tone-on-tone color. CULTURED COTTON’s simple equation is that very fine mercerized cotton yarns, a warp satin construction, double width looms and a long, refined color line equals the essential, affordable window fabric. It is further enhanced by its 12 charismatic color offerings. CARRIAGE CAR, with the appeal of cotton velvet, offers a dense all-polyester pile, combed with delicate horizontal voids via a fine cotton slub yarn in the ground weft.

DOTTIE and DO SI DO: Exuberant texture in clear colors is the theme of DOTTIE and DO SI DO. DOTTIE takes the optical route, with rows of dimensional matelasse dots aligned in a lustrous grid on a corded cotton ground. DO SI DO turns to a lively bouclé yarn to weave its soft, nubby surface.

ETCHED FLORAL: Embroidery acts as an artist’s tool in ETCHED FLORAL, sketching confident strokes of metallic color on a douppioni ground, drawing abstract forms that assemble into flowers and fill the remaining space. In the end, the surface becomes a remarkably evanescent experience of light and shadow.

RUFFLE starts simply enough, with two layers of fabric -one, a bare whisper of nylon organza, the second, a reflective polyester taffeta. The two are embroidered together at regular intervals with sinuous lines of stitching, while a laser cuts only the taffeta into wide vertical ribbons that seem to hang freely in the air.

Thanks Rachel and Jennifer for the tour and sharing your beautiful Spring 2013 collection.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged D&D Builiding, fabrics, Pollack, Rachel Doriss, Spring 2013, textiles | Comments Off

Love One Another

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

It has been a very sad week in Boston and Texas. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

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Thanks for stopping by.

Images: via

Posted in Decorating | Tagged inspirational quotes | Comments Off

Kitchen Bliss: Combi-Steam Oven by Miele

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

When you fall in love, you want to share it with the world. I’m in love with Miele’s combi-steam oven. It all started at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show last month. The latest oven innovation combines the power of steam and convection technology into one appliance.

“The Combi-Steam Oven is the perfect partnering of Miele oven technology,” said Kathrin Pfeifer, Product Manager for Miele. “We’ve combined true European convection technology which offers the best cooking environment for roasting and baking with our unique external steam generator to create an all-in-one-oven that provides the consummate cooking fusion.”

One of the design marvels of the Combi-Steam Oven is its award winning lift-up control panel. Strategically hidden behind the panel are the water and condensate containers. A simple touch of a button automatically lifts the control panel providing easy access to replenish the water reservoir without having to open the oven door and interrupt the cooking process. Compared to the Miele Steam Oven, the new placement of the water reservoir also increases the oven’s interior capacity by 40%, providing ample space for multiple dishes or large roasts to be cooked simultaneously.

The combination mode allows you to regulate both the cooking method and temperature, but also the moisture level. By introducing moisture into the cooking process, the oven creates an environment that is ideal for both browning and searing meats, as well as baking moist cakes and breads.

Once cooking is complete, cleanup is quick and simple. The interior of the oven’s CleanGlass Door features a smooth, flush finish for easy cleaning, while the exterior features Miele’s signature Clean Touch Steel™ finish, which resists smudges and fingerprints. Special stability hinges also make the door a durable and stable surface to hold dishes (up to 17lbs) as you remove them from the oven.

The Miele Combi-Steam Oven (DGC 4084/4086 XL) is available in both the Classic and Europa series and requires 240 V. It retails for $3,695. The design fits in all kitchen styles and it works hard making cooking fun and effortless.

(images and description via Miele)

Posted in Decorating | Tagged appliances, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Kitchen, Miele, oven, roaster, steamer | Comments Off

Spring Bathroom Reveal

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

My kids’ bathroom got a splash of Spring color. Here it is guys.

For a budget friendly update I found this great basket, ceramic elephant and rug at HomeGoods. I am unable to paint the walls because it’s a rental home.

The coral bench was a great find at Target. It was the perfect color to welcome Spring. I wanted to sew a window shade, but did not want to take a chance with expensive fabric. Instead, I made a roman shade from a table cloth from Target and added a pom pom trim. Not bad for a first try.

I love these cute heart shape soaps I found in Tampa, Florida earlier this month.

I like the look of double shower curtains. These two panels from HomeGoods got a little coral accent.

Some magnolia blooms from the yard bring the amazing fragrance indoors.

I hope you’ve been inspired to add color to your home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged bathroom, coral, HomeGoods, reveal, roman shade, Spring, Target | 5 Comments

Stay Stylish In The Garden

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Do you have gardening fever? Step in your garden with style.

Stay styling in bright colorful boots and protect yourself from the sun in a raffia hat.

How I love early spring, with the promise of green and blooms.

Cheer up with pruning shears in a floral pattern. This organic solution for pests and fungus will come in handy for growing vegtables.

Keep your manicure protected in the garden with hand cream and stylish gloves.

Happy gardening!

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Posted in Decorating | Tagged gardening, gardening boots, gardening essentials, gardening hat, shears, style | Comments Off

Update: Coral Design Board Inspiration

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

The kids’ bathroom is coming together. I picked up an upholstered bench from Target. The bathroom window needs a new shade. It has been a while since I used my sewing machine, but I’m up to the challenge. Off to get some supplies.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged bathroom, coral, double curtains, sewing | Comments Off

Out and About: Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Ivy de Leon

Between Spring breaks for the kids, I attended the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Once again the designer tables for DIFFA Dining by Design are creative and beautiful.

Amazed how everyday objects inspire designers. This installations is made of brass coat hangers.