It's all in the details {Restoration Hardware - Fall 2012}

I've been a bit m.i.a. this week at a 2-day conference for work in San Francisco.  We were lucky enough to be there on some of the most gorgeous days the city has had.

We were also lucky enough to get some pretty special gifts.

{iPod shuffle in the invitation!}

But of everything that we were given, I think my favorite items were the Fall 2012 catalogues that don't drop until September 4th, along with a presentation from the exec's on all the new pieces and how they came to be; from Paris flea markets, to late night concept meetings, to repainting until just the right design was reached.

Now since the catalogue isn't dropping for a few more weeks, I can't discuss the new collection, but I can show you a few pictures of my new RH pen.

Pretty nice pen, huh?!

On a side note, there's been a lot of talk about branding here in blogland.  I've read a bit about it {here} and {here}.  I think Resto is such a great example of branding.  It really is all in the details.  {All photos are from the 2-day conference.}

 {afternoon snack}

{our chandeliers brought in for the conference}

 {RH journal and pen in the background}

{concert at The Fillmore}

I guess it's been a week of shameless plugging!  Check out my early post {here}.  Thanks for humoring me.

Have a wonderful weekend!

LMF
*all photos original to champagne reveries

San Francisco Restoration Hardware

I had to work this weekend, but I'm not sure I really get to complain since I got to do it at the Restoration Hardware Design Gallery in San Francisco.  It was my first time there, and unfortunately my sad iPhone photos do not do it justice at all.  The place is amazing.  I was ready to move in on the spot.

  This sofa belongs in my home.

 As does this chair.  So perfectly gorgeous.

 I love the huge, open clock on the wall.  I'm still trying to decide if I can pull it off in my house.  (FYI - I lack the cathedral ceilings that this space has.)

 I may have a small obsession with chandeliers.

LMF

South of France

One of my must-do's in life is to rent a place in the South of France for a summer.  Ideally, I'd love to have a summer home there someday, but I would be thrilled for a very extended vacation.

The French are known to have this effortlessly chic style, which I absolutely adore.  From what I've seen though, it's anything but effortless.  It's deliberate and well-thought out, and only appears to be effortless.  It's one of the great many french paradoxes, like taking the most vacation but still being one of the worlds super powers, or having the richest and creamiest food, but having the lowest heart disease.  IT truly is dumbfounding, and enviable!

This weekend I finally managed to sit down with the newest issue of Elle Decor.  The summer home of Inés de la Fressange was featured and it truly was the epitome of french style.  In my opinion, it was exactly how a summer home in the South of France should look.

At my first look I loved the architecture of the home and the simple white palette, with black accents (my favorite colors - in decor and fashion).  My first thought though was that it seemed a bit bare, but then I realized that if I was leaving my city life behind for a couple of months that it's exactly the kind of place I'd like to be.  In the short article, Inés is quoted saying, "decor has a great deal in common with fashion.  You have to have several basic pieces, just as in a wardrobe - furniture that resists passing trends. Then you add accessories - a vase, a rug - that play the role of a belt around a dress or sweater."  It sounds so simple.  And the result comes together looking so simple.  But in between there are so many well-placed decisions.

It's easy to imagine yourself coming in from a leisurely bike ride down to the sea and kicking off your shoes and relaxing in the living room:

I love the stairs here.  It opens the space up so much you don't realize how small it really is:

The kitchen was probably my favorite shot.  I could definitely see myself coming in from the local market and chopping up vegetables here for a lunchtime salad, or having my morning café at the counter.

Just dreaming of France, as usual...

LMF

All images from Elle Decor - full article here