• The Truth About Romance

    Romance for me is all about atmosphere.  It’s not necessarily defined by luxury and indulgence (although that works too).  It’s more about a warmth that is at once alluring and thoughtful.  And it can be found anywhere … Listening to a sexy mix on Pandora; alone on a cold night next to a roaring fire; at a breathtaking art exhibit; overlooking a misty river; in a tiny shop tucked away in a gritty part of London; or, of course, cozied up with your loved one in a hotel suite for the weekend.  The misconception about romance is that it’s exclusive to those with a black Amex or a wedding band.  It may smack a bit of  “personal growth”, but romance is everywhere.  We just have to recognize it when it’s in front of us.

    paragraph

    IMG_8488  IMG_3451  az  KAP_9648[1]  IMG_4637  IMG_0220  IMG_0317   R30A6931   IMG_6257  IMG_6182  Paola Kudacki & husband James Penfold - So Haute  peonies   pendant  fire45  park  IMG_0268

    paragraph

    Happy Valentine’s Day from Luxe & Lucid, XO

    paragraph

    IMG_6267

    signeture

     paragraph

    * All photos c/o T. Huntley save row 3, image 3.  Thank you Paola Kudacki & husband James Penfold for being the sexiest, most inspiring couple on the planet.

    paragraph

  • L.A. = Love Affair

    I made a pit stop in LA for a couple of days on my way to Arizona for Thanksgiving. 

    Sunshine, shopping and some of the best design sources in the US – it was heaven!

    Below are some highlights from my fabulous 48 hours in the city of angels.

     

    chamberlain hotel


    I stayed at the Chamberlain in West Hollywood.

    A Kelly Wearstler-designed boutique hotel tucked away in a lush, leafy neighborhood.


    First stop – Jean de Merry. 

     

    JDM 01 

     

    Huntley & Co. is doing the modern wing chair and chandelier below

    in an apartment overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland.  So cool!

     

     JDM group

     

    The Collection Los Angeles is a great new resource I haven’t used before. 

    They have an incredible selection of vintage furniture, lighting, accessories and jewelry.

     

     Colln 02 - Copy

    paragraph

     Like the vases above and the matchstick caddies below.

    paragraph

     Colln 03

     

    Funny how the only bauble in the bunch is what made its way into my shopping bag.

    So predictable!

     

    Bracelet

     

    Downtown is signature LA – sexy and chic with the nicest salespeople to boot.

     

    IMG_0698
     

    Loved the lacquered red side tables below.

     

    DT 02


    I thought I had died and gone to heaven at Dragonette.

     

    IMG_0781

     

    Patrick Dragonette’s eponymous shop is gorgeous online, but in person it’s on a whole different level.

     

    Drag 01 

     

    Gorgeous vintage and custom furniture, lighting and accessories.

    And his vignettes are insane!

     

    Drag 02

     

    paragraph

    After all of my hard work on La Cienega, I made my way over to Melrose.

     

    Comme-ca-melrose-fb-76705654[1]

    paragraph

    For a lovely meal at the charming bistro Comme Ca.

    And to explore the beautiful courtyards and gardens of the neighborhood.

     

    paragraph

      JDM 04 

    Arch 02

     

    paragraph

    paragraph

    And of course, a trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without a little retail therapy.

     

    paragraph

    paragraph

     TOLII

     

      I fell in love with the beautiful things at Temperley London.

     

     TOL 03

     

    Wrapping things up in the Chamberlain lobby before checkout.

     

    PB240018

     

    Sad to go, but off to AZ for more sunshine!

     

    Footnote: There are dozens of other LA hotspots, but some worth a stop: 

    Bar Tosca at La BohemeLucques, Paul Marra,

    Dolce VitaKitson, Decades and Anastasia Salon.