Toned Down

Thank you for all the sweet comments yesterday! I can't tell you how much your kind thoughts and well wishes mean to me.

I want to share this stylish studio -- a mere 350-square-foot space in New York City -- today for several reasons. First, I love a makeover. Show me before and after photos of just about anything and I'm there with you on the journey. But second, it shows how a change of paint can completely transform a space.

When we bought our house, we inherited some unusual color choices. Lavender walls in the living room, a sickly sunflower gold in the kitchen, neon orange in the basement and a primary green accent wall in the bedroom (not exactly relaxing!). So as much as I love bold color, we worked our way through the house toning down the hues.

This New York studio started out with baby blue and light yellow walls. But with some gray paint and smart furnishings, it became so sophisticated. Don't you agree?

Photos from here. 

See and be Seen

I'm loving this shopbop lookbook. The luxe See by Chloe clothes and the New York City backdrop are a fantastic pairing. They make me wish I were lounging in a posh hotel room and then heading out to see the city.

Photos from here. 

Light Bright

One of my favorite things about autumn is the incredible light that comes about this time of year. And I can only imagine how dazzling the light would be in this forty-ninth-floor home in  New York City, featured in Elle Decor. I also love the modern touches, from the clean concrete and white walls to the streamlined furniture. And how cool is that Bob Dylan photograph?

Photos from here. 

Wow Factor

When I saw hairstylist Sally Hershberger's Manhattan penthouse on Elle Decor, I was struck with how cool the place is. It's graphic and striking and just ... wow. Here, have a look.

Photos from here.

Winter Wonderland

The other day, I ran across these stunning photos of a snowy New York City. They're by Jamie, the photographer and blogger behind From Me To You., for a special project for Simple Blueprint. I keep returning to these images because the stillness and quietness of them is so magical -- especially when you consider they were taken in one of the most dynamic places on earth. I don't know how she did it ... but I'm so glad she did!

Photos from here.

Window Seat

Don't you just love looking out a window? Isn't there such simple but pure pleasure to be found in this activity? I like how a window lets you observe life taking place in front of you, yet physically separates you from it -- creating this perfect distance that allows you to take everything in a bit differently.

In any case, I was delighted to run across this New York Times slideshow. It features drawings from Matteo Pericoli's book, The City Out My Window: 63 Views on New York, in which he aksed well-known NYC-ers to describe the views from their windows.

The artist's drawings are spectacular, and the story behind the project only enhances them. Here, take a look at a few:

Photos from here.