Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fall Favorite: Sister Parish Design

There are few things we love more at GDS than fall and Sister Parish Design. Sister Parish personifies classic American decor with a part opulent, part cozy, cottage vibe. Sister is the grande dame of American interior design and with names like Kennedy, Rockefeller, Whitney, Paley, and Vanderbilt on her client list, it's no wonder why. We're still taking a page, or three, out of her book. She once said, "Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what is useful, what is lasting." The Home Collection from Sister Parish Design is just that-- beautiful, modern home accessories outfitted in lasting, quintessential Sister Parish prints. See our favorite Sister Parish Design finds below, along with her signature looks that were just as good then as they are now:

Swatches of Sister Parish Textiles

Sister Parish Design, the current fabric, wallpaper, and home collection branch of the famed design firm, took what Sister did best-- layering prints--and created a varied home collection of signature trays, dog beds, and more. 


Classic Sister Parish Table Setting
Sister Parish & GDS tip: Don't be afraid to mix prints and colors. Many times, trying to match fabrics and colors looks just like that, trying. Instead, don't over-think. Go with what feels right. And in most cases, your gut won't lead you astray. We especially love the napkins and placemats. 


Table Setting Closeup

Mixing traditional summer colors like red, white, and blue, with a fall-inspired fabric, like this floral, automatically changes the seasonality of your pieces. 


The "Sister" Tote Bag
Nothing is more classic and versatile than a canvas tote. The new collection of tote bags, weekenders, and shoppers is the perfect gift for your design-minded friend. 

Can't get enough Sister Parish? Check out our Sister Parish Design Pinterest board to see even more from the design genius. 

all photos courtesy of Sister Parish Design







Monday, September 17, 2012

Personal Shopper: The Best from Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware just debuted their Fall 2012 lookbooks. We expected to see pages of muted Belgian linen, distressed wood furniture, and industrial accessories. Instead, we were greeted with French art deco and midcentury pieces. Their comprehensive source guide is massive, not to mention even bigger with two additional new source guides: one for small spaces and another for baby and child. Sifting through the plethora of offerings can be a bit daunting. We've selected our must-have pieces from Restoration Hardware's new fall releases.

all photos courtesy of Restoration Hardware
We have a few loves from this look: the slender candlestick desk lamps are perfect for an office space, buffet, smaller table or mantle. Source Tip: go for the metal shade over the linen. We also love these wing chairs; they're definitely not your typical "catalogue" wing chair. And the black walnut armoire is gorgeous. For such a large piece, it doesn't feel too bulky.



We love the nautical vibe of this mirror, handmade from beveled and mitered glass. The French art deco-inspired desk is a new departure from the industrial look that has been synonymous with the brand in recent years. 


The French art deco look continues with the prism lighting, and mirrored tables. Our other obsession here? Black. Black is back! And we're all for it. Check out our Pinterest board for more of our favorite ink-hued picks. 


Hello polished steel, double-frame Italian Carrera marble washstand. The simplicity of this 50's-inspired  bath collection is gorgeous. We want it all. 


This bed is a reproduction of a 19th-century French military officer's bed, down to the finials and aged brass. It's also available in a full or twin. 


RH has never produced a platform bed, so it's nice to see this upholstered one. Everyone can use a faux fur throw somewhere in their house and this oversized one is ideal for a bedroom. Another must is the cantilevered midcentury armchair, available in 12 different leathers. 


Very few spaces can handle the scale of something as large as this tufted sectional. It's a great alternative for media room seating or to cozy up with blankets and magazines and kick back for a weekend retreat! This unique piece lends itself to industrial chic and could just as easily be the perfect piece for your winter mountain home. Source tip: Mix metals! We like the brass finish on the mirrors combined with the iron finish on the chandelier. 



Here is the swing arm version of the French column lamp we just showed you. The black linen minimizes the big scale of the oversized Chersterfield chairs and sofa. 


Another one of our absolute must-haves. This stacked-wood table is great for a small dining room or a breakfast nook, along with the new midcentury dining chairs framing the window. 



This nickel bar cart, paying homage to Milo Baughman's iconic midcentury designs, is an absolute stunner. We're also huge fans of the 60's leather link bench. 


Parisian art deco crystal lighting is one of the big trends in RH's revamped look. Their black and white limited-edition photography is also special. It's hard to find mass-produced artwork that feels curated. And their photography collection is just that.