Dream Home: Small Shop Studio

Today, the fabulous Erika of Small Shop is sharing her “Dream Home” with us. You may recall that I shared a tour of Erika’s gorgeous actual home earlier this summer, so you’re definitely in for a treat. Erika has amazing, glamorous style. Enjoy!

So honored to be included in this fun series! But I must admit I was surprised how difficult it was for me to nail down the look and feel of a house T.B.D. in all forms - the location, the shape, and all the countless goodies to fill it in. The possibilities are endless!

One thing I do know for sure: since my husband is an architect, we will one day build our own home, most likely here in Southern California. Another certainty: it will take on a contemporary shell of glass, concrete and wood (his style). The trick for me will be to soften up the interiors with sophisticated chic furnishings, accessories and art (my style).

First up, the exterior. Obviously lots of windows and light. A view would be ideal. (A head start, my husband worked on the house below left and right.) Right at the entry, I'd like to glam up the husband's modern leanings while retaining the open, clean feeling of the architecture. Definitely need a pivot door. Rich materials, and key pieces of furniture and lighting will be the starting point for my scheme. A James Nares painting or two will bring in a few accents of color. Nothing is more sophisticated than carrera marble in the kitchen. But to keep it from looking cold, I'd add in some wood and a design statement like a Dixon copper pendant or a Goyard-patterned backsplash. Also a definite must: dining on sleek chairs (preferably Milo Baughman, although the Fendi-upholstered pieces below right aren't too shabby). Just need the Billy Cotton pick-up chandelier to top it off. By sexy I mean fire and fur; by chic I mean Missoni and Hermès. (Can you tell how much I really want a Dixon copper pendant?) Give me a place I can retreat to -- travertine or marble, gold and glass. And I'd love to have a dressing room with natural lighting, if I were to be picky about it.

My daughter will definitely require a room that is pink. I will require that it is filled with patterns and pieces that surround her with a chicness she is already growing into. My office, easy: Kelly Wearstler-esque, no question. Here I get to be as colorful and creative as I want, to be visually inspired each and every day. Lastly, our house would not be complete without an outdoor area for family fun and entertaining. Thanks for taking my little tour with me! And although I realize my style's not for everyone, I hope you were able to get an idea or two out of it! All photo sources are available via my Pinterest board.

Dream Home: So Haute

Today’s “Dream Home” is one of my favorites in the series so far. The beautiful and talented Nicole of So Haute has put together some gorgeous rooms for us. They are classic with a glamorous twist. If you watch Million Dollar Decorators, this is exactly what comes to mind when I think of the “L.A. English” term that Mary McDonald uses-– in short: elegant, yet relaxed. I could move right in!

Hi! It's Nicole from So Haute here. I was so excited when Paloma asked me to share my dream home here on La Dolce Vita. I had so much fun pulling together all of the images...it was quite difficult to narrow it all down!

_{Photo: Tim Barber}

At this point in my life, after nearly a decade of New York City apartment living, my dream home would be a classic, Georgian style house in California complete with 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, an outdoor living space for entertaining and a swimming pool, of course! It's bright and airy with a fairly neutral palette, a little bit eclectic and exudes that intangible California cool vibe which I've always been drawn to. Let's take a little tour, shall we?

_{Photo: Timothy Whealon}

Apartment living has never afforded me the luxury of a formal entry so I want mine to feel luxe with a touch of drama. The deGournay wall covering with a pattern of climbing vines is quite stunning, isn't it? This entry definitely sets the tone for the beauty that is to come when you walk further inside the house...

_{Photo Christopher Peacock}

I love a classic white kitchen and my California dream home will be bright and sunny with French doors opening up to the back patio, just like this one. Classic white subway tile and a casual dining area lend an understated yet refined sense of style to this kitchen. The only thing I would change is the pendant above the table...I'd go for something a bit more streamlined.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

The formal dining room in my dream home will be quite the stunner - just like this dining room by Windsor Smith. It's all about casual elegance with its crystal chandelier, beautiful hand painted wall covering and antique French furniture juxtaposed with a more casual dining table and sisal rug. This is the perfect space for all of the fabulous dinner parties I'll be hosting!

_{Photo: Schuyler Samperton}

How pretty is my wall papered powder room? The antique mahogany cabinet used as a vanity makes the space feel so warm!

_{Photo: Michael Smith}

Now we're in our family room where we spend most of our time. It's timeless, elegant and above all else, comfortable.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

This jaw droppingly stunning sitting room in Windsor Smith's house is the inspiration for the formal living room in my dream home. It's a perfect spot for entertaining.

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

My California dream bedroom would have an airy and eclectic look with pops of ethnic textiles...just like this room by Katie Leede. Do you notice the common thread in all the rooms in my dream home? Large windows that let the sunshine pour through! It makes such a difference!

_{Photo: Peter Dunham}

Just off my dream bedroom is this quaint little patio where I'd sit out and enjoy my morning coffee while catching up on my daily reads.

_{Photo: Jonathan Adler}

And no dream home would be complete without a dream closet! Here's a peek inside my glamorous closet/dressing room.

_{Photo: Windsor Smith}

And now we're in my dream master bath...classic white marble with a subtle dose of soft pink. Beautiful and timeless!

_{Photo: Lonny}

_{Photo: Lucas Studio}

The guest bedrooms in my dream home are inviting and elegant with warm wood tones and pops of pattern....like the two rooms above by Lulu de Kwiatkowski and Lucas Studio.

_{Photo: Elaine Griffin}

The guest bath is also classic with white tile and a Greek key border incorporated into the floor tiling. I always love a Greek key pattern! The floral and vine wall covering adds a whimsical touch.

_{Photo: Carrier & Company}

My third guest room will be transformed into a chic home office/library to house all of my decor books and serve as a home base for Nicole Gibbons Studio!

_{Photo: Kristen Panitch}

Heading back downstairs, through the kitchen and out the French doors will bring you into my fabulous outdoor living room which features a fireplace and an array of chic furnishings. Everyone says the kitchen is the heart of the home but for me, this outdoor living space would be the heart of my home. I love to BBQ so I'd cook outside on the grill as often as I could!

_{Photo: Katie Leede}

And finally - a pool, complete with umbrella covered lounge chairs. Perfect for lying out in the California sunshine! Thank you Paloma for inviting me to share my dream home and thanks to everyone for following along on my tour!

Dream Home: Savvy Home

It’s back! The “Dream Home” series is back by popular demand—at least for today. So many of you sent in nice comments and e-mails saying how much you’ve enjoyed this series. We’ve had an amazing line-up of participants in this series who have provided so much inspiration to the rest of us who have loved every last square inch that they’ve dreamed up for these “homes”! If you haven’t gotten enough of the “Dream Home” series, please let me know who you’d like to see participate. I’m certainly open to bringing it back if you guys are still enjoying it.

 

Today’s special encore “Dream Home” comes from the stylish, Gabrielle of Savvy Home. Enjoy!

 

Hi all, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here, thrilled to be sharing my dream home with you today! I've been refining my Dream Home for as long as I can remember in my head, but to materialize it in images was so much harder!

 

Even though I'm a city girl, I want a home with lots of space both indoors and outdoors. The house is a bit unassuming from the outside but don't let that fool you, it always makes for a greater impact once indoors!

 

 

Let's start with the front porch, shall we? Beautiful, classic and surrounded with greenery. With obligatory red door above and a few brass accents.

 

 

The foyer is warm and inviting but not over the top. I love lived-in family homes and I hope my home reflects that. This particular foyer reminds me of my godmother's house. She's always had impeccable taste and was the inspiration for this room.

 

 

I love an older house with loads of character. Our living room has loads of architectural features without being too formal. It has lots of space to sit, gather, and read. This room was inspired by a beautiful villa once we stayed at in the South of France.

 

 

Next stop is the dining room. It's often used as more of a library than a dining room, but a quick clearing of the table and rearrangement of chairs and it's back to the perfect spacious dining room for entertaining!

 

 

We have a powder room on the ground floor if you need. Since it's only an occasional space, I went bold and covered the walls in my favorite wallpaper, Scalamandre zebra.

 

 

The kitchen is at the back and features lots of windows and bench space. I love to sit in the kitchen in the morning and take time to sip on a coffee and read morning news (or blogs)!

 

 

Breakfast is served off the kitchen in this perfect little breakfast nook. Today we're serving the classic: eggs scrambled with goat's cheese and spinach or french style crepes. What would you prefer?

 

 

The TV room is a favorite for everyone. Ample seating and thick walls is required! When we entertain, we're only a quick sliding panel away from hiding all the electronics!

 

 

I personally prefer curling up to a book next door in this little nook that leads into the garden.

 

 

Speaking of the garden, have you seen it yet? The pool is at ideal temperature and the flowers are in bloom. My favorite part is the beautiful reclaimed bricks herringbone paving.

 

 

We've even recently added a cabana at the back. It's the perfect addition for all our entertaining!

 

 

But let's go back inside and I'll show you the upstairs. Family portraits and artwork cover the walls. The sisal carpet is soft and carries on throughout the upstairs.

 

 

The kids rooms are colourful and feature grasscloth walls, plush carpet, and a collection of stuffed animals. ( M and I are not planning for kids at the moment but that doesn't mean to leave them out of the dream house right?)

 

 

The family bathroom is big, bright and clean!

 

 

We also have a playroom for the kids filled with all the essential... Comfy couches, storage (for toys and art supplies), and lots of books. It's also a great place to do home work!

 

 

I wanted to make the kid's space colourful so I painted the doors a stunning cobalt blue!

 

 

Down the other side of the upstairs hallway is a more toned-down grown up space. The glass door gives us a bit of privacy and tranquillity.

 

 

It of course leads to the master bedroom! It my not be perfectly tidy but it feels lived in.

 

 

Separate from the rest of the house, the master bedroom is spacious and filled with windows. And it's the perfect space to unwind.

 

 

Because we wanted a clutter free bedroom, we of course had to make space for a couple of walk-in robes...

 

 

One for me, and for for M!  There's a ladder in mine for hard to reach items and a built-in dressing table which makes getting ready a breeze. M was never a fan of the idea of having two rooms dedicated to dressing, but he secretly really enjoys the shower in his dressing room.

 

 

As for me, I'm perfectly contempt with the master ensuite's double shower! Or, when I have time, the divinely relaxing soak tub...

Not far from the bedroom, I also have a little office. I work from home so I need a peaceful and organised space! It's perfectly me!

 

 

I even have my own litte private balcony overlooking M's office...

 

 

When I say M's office, it's really more of a man-cave to watch sports and what not. He loves it there. And I don't have to put up with football, Cheetos stains and beer!

 

We have a couple of guestrooms for our friends and family. They're everything you would want from a guest room and more: serene, relaxing, clean, and fresh flowers always make them smell wonderful!

 

Of course, every guest needs a perfectly appointed guest bathroom and I think this one fits the bill.

 

 

Thanks for visiting! I hope you've enjoyed the tour.