designer love: miranda brooks landscape design

I never thought I'd be pullling weeds from my lawn in the dead of winter, but with it vacillating between icy, freezing temps and 75 degrees every other day, that's exactly what I've been doing as of late. I don't normally mind the upkeep, but with our bermuda grass brown and crunchy, I can't help but long for spring and summer when everything is lush and emerald green around these parts!  It's especially got me thinking of New York-based landscape designer Miranda Brooks and her stunning portfolio!  I love how she doesn't try to over plant or over style - instead, she lets nature take the lead with perrenial beds and borders, boxwoods and amazing hedges.  I can't wait for consistently warmer weather to get my planting on!  Here are some of my favorites from her portfolio:

And I especially LOVE her work at the Connecticut home of architect Daniel Romualdez, recently featured in Vogue:

To see more of Miranda's work, check out her website here. 

gingham style

I must admit, I've never owned any gingham until I picked up this fabulous button down a few weeks back and have since found myself reaching for it in my closet constantly!  Gingham and it's larger print big sister, buffalo check, are classic, traditional, a little bit rustic and bring a fun, fresh vibe to any space.  Mixing old and new is a great way to create a lived-in space that looks collected over time and a traditional print like gingham adds an old-school kick when mixed with more modern elements.  The same goes for your wardrobe - like the fabulous faux fur vest below.  Here are some fabulous examples of how a little gingham adds a crisp twist to your interiors (and your closet!):

Amy Meier

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BHG

Kitties + Couture

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Amy Meier

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Southern Living

New England Home

Name is Grace

Coastal Living

cheeky

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and since I've never really been the overly sappy/sentimental type, I was thrilled when I found these cheeky cards by Sweet Perversion on etsy!  One of these is definitely going in my handsome hubby's next care package!  Given the fact that it has been a while since we've seen each other, I think he will completely appreciate the sentiment, haha! Check out the entire line of hysterical adult cards here and be sure to order one for your Valentine!  Have a wonderful weekend!

philip barlow

Oh, summer.....sometimes it seems as though you will never arrive.  While Mother Nature continues to lose her mind in these parts, I am soaking up the sun and salty sea air vicariously through these amazing oil paintings by South African-based painter Philip Barlow.  I had to do a double take when I first laid eyes on these beauties - I thought they were out of focus photographs!  His paintings truly capture the essence of hazy summer days spent by the sea, don't you think?  How fabulous would one of these look over a mantle or sofa?  Talk about a conversation starter!  Here are a few of my favorites:

To see more of Philip's paintings, check out his website here.

kelly mcguill home

I've always been a fan of the "less is more" design philosophy-simple and classic will never go out of style and interior designer/photo stylist/blogger extraordinaire Kelly McGuill is a pro at nailing this aesthetic each and every time.  I've been following Kelly's blog for a while now and have always been drawn to her clean spaces, but none more than her own New England home.  White walls are the perfect backdrop for art, warm wood furniture, lots of natural textures, potted greenery, mixed metals and ton of natural light.  Her entire home is warm and inviting and effortlessly pulled together-I especially LOVE her dining room with the mix of furniture and storage pieces and a fabulous white plate wall:

 

To see more of Kelly's work, check out her portfolio here.

All photos in this post by Eric Roth Photography.