When the LA Times recently ran pictures of the Pickfair Mansion, which was often frequented by luminaries such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Joan Crawford, Albert Einstein, and Amelia Earhart, I was particularly taken with the grandeur of the foyer. So, for this latest What You're Wanting, I asked how you'd decorate this glamorous entry.
I was really impressed by the look that Mrs W put together. She writes, "I love the mix of organic and ornate details in the foyer of the Pickfair Mansion. If I were to redecorate the entry hall, I would want to keep the pieces light and simple so as not to detract from the beautiful architectural details in the space. I would use a round table in the center of the hall to carry through the medallion on both the ceiling and floor and accent it with fresh flowers. I would use an armoire in a light color to add storage without bogging down the space. Two chairs on either side of a small table would give a place to remove shoes, etc. I would finish the design by adding details that echo the doors and ceiling like a few ornate frames and maybe a floral accent pillow."

Mrs. W wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for the look. Nice going!

For another cool look, read more

One of my favorite local design shops here in San Francisco, Eden & Eden, which is run by brother and sister design-philes (Rachel and Chas Eden) who hail from Britain, just launched an e-commerce store on their website, and I couldn't be more excited . . . for you! Of course, I stop by the shop all the time, so I can make my purchases locally. But for those of you outside of the Bay Area, you now have access to all of Eden & Eden's beautiful, quirky, and decidedly Brit treasures from your very own computer. The site is divided into home, jewelry, apparel, and handbag categories, but of course, you know where I'll be shopping. I've been drooling over this green Blah Blah Cushion ($95) for some time now, and seeing it looking so smart on screen may just have pushed me over the edge. Go on over and check out the shop!

London-based photographer Rachel Whiting graduated from Brighton University in 2001 and has since been shooting interiors and still-life professionally, and landscapes personally. Her long list of clients includes a wealth of popular publications, such as Brides, House Beautiful, Eve, Frieze, Coast, and Architects Journal. What strikes me most about her work is how she flawlessly captures color. She brings a warmth to her images by revealing the tiniest tonal variations, be it in a colorful bedspread or a stack of white linens. Beyond that, she manages to make even cluttered spaces look simple and neat — a power we'd surely all kill for. To see some more photos of her work, read more

Self-declared "anti-decorator" RJ Thornburg, one of our Designer Spotlights, brought his design talent and a lot of flea market finds to his Pennsylvania 1860s farmhouse weekend retreat, which was in need of major renovation. Before then, though, the bathroom was decorated in typical Pennsylvania country style — lots of florals, dark tones, knick-knacks, and (gasp!) a toilet seat cover. Thornburg transformed it into a relaxing, light-filled escape with clean, white walls, a classic, freestanding tub, and lots of artwork. And, he turned the small alcove area into a lounge by setting a comfy cushion there.
To see the transformation, read more