At Home with Kim Vallee

ALL occasions, GIFT IDEAS | March 11, 2010

Nature’s Tale Soap Tins

The tin box of the Nature’s Tale Soap Tins collection is so adorable that I would repurpose the tin box for something else. This Portugal soap collection is available at Anthropologie in four scents: Eucalyptus and Aloe, Orange Blossom, Lotus Flower With Sugar and Desert Rose & Pomegranate. They all look tempting. We always need a reserve [...]

DINING, TABLEWARE | February 23, 2010

1 Comment

Stephanie Marin’s Tree Party Dish

If you are looking for a Wow factor at a party, this is it! This is a brilliant idea from the French designer Stephanie Marin. It is available in three formats. You can display a bush or gather a few to form a tiny forest. Made with beech, the taller party dish is strong enough [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor | February 11, 2010

0 Comments

Butterfly Bag Chair and Stool by Bev Hisey

I met Bev Hisey at the IDS last January. She is a talented home decor designer. I was in awe with her latest creation before I sat in her bag chair made of 3mm 100% wool felt. I went to heaven when I sat down. It is truly one of most comfortable chairs I had the [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor | January 15, 2010

1 Comment

Ofuro: A Wood Soaking Bath Tub by Rapsel

Ofuro has a east meet west flavor. Designer Matteo Thun has created for Italian brand Rapsel a Japanese style soaking bath. Beautifully made of larch wood, Ofuro grabbed my attention since we can deeply submerge yourself in it. Form and function are united. I love it! + Rapsel + via Trendir

LIFESTYLE, WORK and life | January 9, 2010

2 Comments

Take More Time for Yourself

My New Year’s resolution is about living a more balanced life without diminishing my professional success. One of the advantages of being your own boss is that you can decide to modify your work schedule to fit your lifestyle. And this is exactly what my husband and I decided to do this winter. We both enjoy [...]

TRAVEL | October 29, 2009

2 Comments

Opera: the chic return of the folding camper

I am curious about this upscale folding camper that comes with luxury beds and an enclosed teak veranda. I perceived it as an extension of the glam camping (also known as glamping) trend that grows over the last couple of years. But Opera has the advantage of delivering comfortable camping wherever you wish to camp. [...]

TRAVEL | October 5, 2009

1 Comment

More Designer Hotels

I introduced the Missoni Hotel a couple months ago for their bold use of colors in a bedroom. Missoni is one of many designer brands who joined the hospitality market. These days, the fashionista can do more than decorate her home with designer’s bedding and cushions, or entertain with tableware from the same fashion maven than [...]

ENTERTAINING, OUTDOOR entertaining | September 1, 2009

3 Comments

Silk Lanterns Elevate the Garden Party

Inspired by the fabulous work of LA-based event design Flite, I examined how to best use silk lanterns in a garden party to get a stunning effect. It starts with the superb Vietnamese silk lanterns, which are a lot more sophisticated than Chinese paper lanterns. When you are hanging lanterns, mix the shapes and alternate colors. Pumpkin, [...]