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Coup D’Etat | San Francisco

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without an excursion to the Design District. If you only have an hour to spend, you simply must head straight for Coup D’Etat. Their spectacular mix of eclectic pieces – beautifully curated by owner Darin Geise – will leave you stimulated, inspired and dreaming in shades, shapes and textures you’ve never imagined. They are truly one of the most original interior design shops in the district, and one of the few that deal both with the design trade and the public.

One of the things I loved most about the showroom was their courage with the use of scale. From massive, carved-marble figureheads to oversized and unusual lighting, this is undoubtedly the go-to showroom when in search of statement pieces. Just take a look at some of these incredible finds:

Their delightfully unexpected mix of antiques and modern pieces can also be perused online through 1st Dibs here. If someone could please buy me that peacock {seriously} my visit to their showroom will be complete.

Wishing you an eclectic and inspired weekend!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 14th, 2012|2 Comments

Sources of Inspiration | KRAVET + ANTHROPOLOGIE

People often ask me where I start when designing a room or a home. The starting point is always as unique as the project, but in every case, it’s about inspiration. Inspiration can come from almost anything, but all good designers will have amazing trade-only resources that offer exclusive products that are simply unavailable to the general public. One of my favourites is Kravet, a fourth generation, family-owned, high-end fabric company that also offering trimmings, wall coverings, rugs, home furnishings and accessories. They sell to the design trade only and are always my first destination when searching for fabrics and wall coverings that will bring a space to life. Here are a few shots of a recent trip to their Toronto showroom.

SOUTHBOUND PLUME EARRINGS – Anthropologie

LACED DELPHINIUM BLAZER in navy + SUNBLAZE LACE SKIRT paired with the UNDERGROWTH TANK in navy – all Anthropologie.

Summer’s trend toward lace is still holding strong for the Fall. I just couldn’t get enough of it with this outfit and decided to go for broke with lace-on-lace. I love the feminine edge it gives to this professional look. Navy is also still going strong both in fashion and interior design this season. The combination is on-trend without feeling too much somehow. Bold yet sophisticated. Totally Anthro.

One of the reasons I adore the team at Kravet is that they always go above and beyond to make me feel at home. Val was a most gracious hostess to us as we drank in the creativity of the new collections in their beautiful Toronto showroom.

I fell in love with these beautiful durrie rug samples.

Goldenrod Leather Laser Cut-Out Handbag – Anthropologie

I love popping into the city for the inspiration and adventure that await. There is a hum, a buzz to life in Toronto that is contagious. I always leaving dreaming a bit bigger and swimming with ideas. This trip was no different.

I hope today’s taste of fashion and design left you inspired to travel into the big city in search of new looks for both closet and home. Would love to know what you find!

xo
s.

All photographs by Gabriela Hansen

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|August 30th, 2012|0 Comments

Making Summer Last | Outdoor Fire Pits

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the days have started to get shorter. As this terrestrial ball takes yet another spin around the sun, the glorious season of freckles and flip flops is starting to bend her knee in a gentle curtsey. The endless days of summer have started their slow-motion run straight into the awaiting arms of Autumn.

I love the Fall for all it’s splendor. The colours, the crispness of the air, the cozy sweaters, the Fall harvest and the heart-warming meals. But I’m not ready to go there just yet. Summer and I have a few more memories to make together first.

For me, one of my favourite memories is snuggling up by the fire on a summer’s evening under the stars. So for today’s inspiration, I’m featuring two of my favourite fire pits along with a couple of campfire essentials to go with.

As Leonardo DaVinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I think that sums these two different yet sculptural simple fire pits quite nicely. Both from Design Within Reach, they have distinctly different personalities. The fire pit above has a more casual air about it, and given its handles could easily be transported in the back of the car for impromptu beach bonfires. The fire pit below has a stronger, more architectural presence to it with it’s very angular, crisp lines. I love that it also metamorphoses into a coffee table when not ablaze.

No childhood campfire would be complete without s’mores! Let’s face it, most grown-ups love them too. I don’t eat sugar so I can’t partake, but I’ve still fallen head over heals for the design of this marshmallow roaster from Terrain.

Organic, elegant and reasonably priced, it adds a designer’s touch to the experience of roasting those white fluffy orbs to golden perfection. Speaking of which, why not have designer marshmallows while we’re at it? Cinnamon Sugar, square and handmade in LA, these are perfect for the foodies in our midst.

Last but not least, why not get designer with your chocolate, too? Artisinal chocolate purveyor Antidote has a banana chili chocolate that will no doubt make campfire conversations much spicier!

However you plan to spend your last few weeks of summer, I hope they are filled with the stuff that memories are made of. If you’re like me, you’ll definitely make time to snuggle up and watch for shooting stars.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|August 24th, 2012|0 Comments