Maryam in Cote Sud

There are blogs that I like.

And there are people who write blogs that I like. 

I have been reading Maryam Montague's blog 

My Marrakesh

for years. Voting for her and her blog in the 

"Best African Weblog" awards, back when blogging was special, and prized as a manifestation of one's life and soul, not as another tool of the trade. 

Times do change, though, which is a good thing, and some people with their integrity and vision keep my heart alert as they progress spiritually and professionally. 

My Marrakesh turned into M.Montague, it now has a souk and a fabulous hotel that I would love-love-love to visit one day, and a non-profit to benefit and empower future women.

And so,

I was thrilled to see Maryam, her husband and their hotel and life projects featured in one of my favorite magazines ever, Cote Sud. 

Friend, 

I am so proud of you!

xoxo

Rena

Friday Interiors-Burlap and Gold

Hotel in Paris

Wedding shoes, Brussels

Brussels

Athens, hand weaved dress of Eva Palmer-Sikelianos

Ring, Ermitage Museum, currently exposed at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens

There is so much to be said about burlap and gold.

The texture

The possibilities

The quiet 

classy

almost mystic 

link 

between the rough and the indulgent

The Rich and The Poor

Try it for 

an opulent, decadent, elegant mix.

xoxo

Rena

My favorite Summer interiors

I love rattan weaves. 

Tribal print fabrics. 

And those art prints blossoming the heart off the clear walls

An exterieur, actually, but have you seen the new Junglaow home?

Sings to my heart od warmth and happiness.

My new home, wherever that will be, will have open shelving instead of cupboards. 

Why hide when you can shine bright?

Can you spot those two Happy Turtles?

 Love,love, love!

I hope Summer is bright and bursting with color and happiness.

xoxo

Inspired by denim

Cobalt blue is the colour to have around you this summer, whether in clothes or home decorations.

It is the colour of deep spirituality that helps you focus.

Try indigo and ultramarine, and feel regenerated.

{all images IKEA}

Guest post: Joanna: Cool Neutral Interiors

Hello, dear friends,

Recently, I have asked you if you would like to guest post for me, while some major changes are taking place in our lives.

I am glad to welcome today, Joanna, with a lovely post that I believe you will enjoy, too.

Remember, if you'd like to guest post for The Happy Turtle, you are most welcome to

e-mail me at happyturtledeco {at} gmail {dot} com.

Enjoy!

Hello, I’m Joanna. I write for Arcadian Lighting, an online source for beautiful chandeliers, wall sconces, and lighting fixtures in many styles and finishes. I love interior design. Luckily, I get to spend my days writing about it. I gather lovely decorating images and ideas and share them on blogs like Happy Turtle. The post that follows is centered on neutral interiors. I included different styles and tones so hopefully you’ll find a room you love.

This is such a beautiful neutral space with its taupe walls, leather bed and warm wood floors. The chandelier is so elegant.

A modern dining room in neutrals of cream, white and grey boasts a mixture of wicker and plastic furnishings. The huge clock is grand.

This farmhouse kitchen is charming with its apron sink, whitewashed floors and rustic furniture. It is so bright and cheery with its windows and door.

An eat-in kitchen features a mixture between traditional and country. A collection of white and cream ware looks lovely in open shelves above an apron sink.

A mother of pearl light fixture hangs above a casual farm table surrounded by woven bamboo chairs. This look would be lovely in a seaside cottage.

This bedroom has a romantic feel with its greige walls and mixed neutral bed linens. It’s the perfect space to curl up and enjoy a good book before bed.

An eclectic bedroom features neutrals on the walls, floor and furnishings. I especially love the cowhide rug mixed with the formal furniture.

A neutral bathroom is the perfect setting for a stunning silver tub. The contrast between the rustic light fixture and the tub’s shiny finish fits the space nicely. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Which room is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for affordable and brilliant lighting fixtures, ceiling lights, and pendant lights, as well as lighting ideas!

Knit Lights

I can't begin to tell you how happy these knit lights make me feel.

Modern.Casual.Comfy.Homey. Versatile.

I found quite a few versions on the net, and I love them all.

 Perhaps you could give them a try at home? 

Found here and here.

 

Bottega Veneta Living

I know Bottega Veneta from the lovely signature pattern of its chicissimi leather goods.

I find it interesting that its devotion to perfection is reflected in the creation of residential areas, 

like this one in Rome.

I love the mushroom backdrop, perfectly relaxing and very chic, 

accentuated by the lovely mustard and red, reflecting the colours of the eternal city.

It is the same attitude towards colour that appears in the firm's Early Autumn collection

Proof that good taste and solid craftsmanship will last and last bringing comfort and pleasure.

Live a tasteful life,

Picture arranging

I have a tutorial for today, on how to arrange pictures on the wall. This is of course a chapter to be found in many interior design handbooks. Still, we all need a refresher course from time to time, don't we?

My search today started with this post by Anna Spiro of the distinct East-meets-West fusion interiors.

{credit}

The mini tutorial I found comes from Design FormuLA. It includes several possible arrangements of pictures of various sizes. I found the grids like the one below very helpful.

 
{tutorial, picture credit and more pictures here}

My most favorite arrangement, one that depicts the importance of harmony in all that we do comes from a painting by Swedish artist Carl Larsson.

It tells me that anything beautiful is even more beautiful when we see it around us, in our homes...

Love Domino Style button

Hello, dear friends,
This is a quick reminder about our rendez-vous this coming Tuesday, February 10.
Go through your image banks, leaf through our favorite magazine, scan, post and save, to join in on "ILove Domino Style".
As my gift to you, there is a button sitting on my siedebar. Feel free to copy the code and post it in your blogs. Then on Tuesday come back here, leave a comment and a link to your post, and let the party begin!
Isn't this button just lovely? I think it brings out the fresh yet elegant style of Domino. A very talented blogging lady made it for me, but I am not going to tell you who it is until Tuesday! And there is more in store!..So click back soon!

Loulou love

The Decembre-Janvier issue of french magazine Atmospheres features one of my style egeries, French designer and YSL muse, Loulou de la Falaise.
In her own words:

'I like cotton, velvet and handmade fabrics such as kilims and blankets from the Atlas mountains. And I also have a weakness for bayadere (colourful striped cloth) - I put it everywhere!'

'My favourite materials are painted or gilded wood, lacquered objects, decorative paintwork and ceramics with a cracked surface.'

'I'm consistent in my tastes. I like bright, multi-hued fabrics and colours.'

'To find inspiration in everything can become automatic if you allow that little machine in your head to work.'

'Seated on my sofa by the enormous window, I dominate the entire space, and the light is magnificent.'

(Propos recueillis chez Daily Mail as extracted from Fashion Designers at Home . Shop photography dynamist on Flickr).

An interview with Mme de la Falaise can be found in Le Figaro. Her shop on 21 Rue Cambon, Paris, a few steps from Chanel (no 29).