Sorelle Interior Design's Summer Book Reading List

Take This Book Reading List On Your Summer Vacation:
Let's take a look at this summer's book reading list for 2011.  I personally look forward to the hot lazy afternoons, sitting poolside or lounging by the beach with my toes tucked in the sand.  Here's an overview of the most colorful books to sink your teeth into.  Soak it up just like the rays.

    

   

Hush by Kate White by Kate White - Thriller from Kate White the Cosmopolitian editor in chief

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry - "An Asperger's-afflicted woman finds the keys to life and her family history in the kitchen after her parents die in McHenry's inspired if uneven debut."

Terry John Wood's Summer House - "Captures the feeling that summer evokes with memories that last beyond the seasons."   

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen - "Hiaasen has easy targets in misbehaving celebrity sightings, tabloid stalkings, and spin control experts, and he makes the most of them."

Home Decor Items for Your Dinner Party Themes

Following up on our previous blog post on Coastal Couture Dinner Party Theme we are presenting some fab items that speak to us of elegance and are within reach for the average person.  Take a look at aa few home decor items to decorate your table with sparkle and add a coastal design feel.
1. Coastal Couture: Summer Dinner Theme Party
        Glamour - Making It Modern: It's About Attitude

Photo credit Neiman Marcus

By Michael Wainwright Palio Dinnerware ranges from $90-$145. 

Photo Credit nauticalluxuries.com

Embrodiered linen coral napkins with fields of coral add that nautical element.

Photo Credit weekendkitchenct.com

Coral spoons WOW!

Photo Credit Horchow

Dahlia Place Mats by Horchow $64 for a set of 8...

Photo Credit Pottery Barn

Red Coral Vase Filler from Pottery Barn just $16.50.

2. Natural Beach: Dinner Theme Party

       Decor That Will Give You a Tan!

Photo Credit Velvet Brown



Wicker placemats by Velvet Brown

Photo Credit cottageandbungalow.com

Beach house dinnerware prices from $65 - $105

Photo Credit stores.goredean.com

Geometric Fret Napkins in a beautiful Celadon color for that subtle green and great pattern $45

Photo Credit housedesignbuzz.com

Cube mini plant aeriums for centerpiece decor



Photo Credit Oneida

Iris light blue highball glasses

3. Cute Cottage: Summer Dinner Party Theme
        Opulent & Classic

Photo Credit Martha Stewart



Italian white dinnerware



Photo Credit Horchow

"IKAT" Table Linens

Photo Credit Horchow



Bamboo Lattice napkins from Horchow-stunning $71.90-$142.90

Photo Credit West Elm

Striped Ball Napkin Ring - carved wood $3.00/each

Photo Credit Williams-Sonoma

Laguiole Flatware in Black straight from the French countryside

Photo Credit Horchow

"Celtic Knot" Place Mat...HOT!

Summer House Design - Entertain In Style!

No more of the those boring dinner parties for you this summer.  It's time to dress up those table tops and feel good about inviting your friends and family over for summer dinner parties.  It's the perfect time to host an intimate or fun and casual dinner party and there are 3 styles that will WOW your dinner guests.

1. Coastal Couture:
This theme will transport your body and mind to the Gulf breezes that blow off the most famous beaches in the United States.  You and your guests will feel the sun, sand and sea no matter the location of the dinner party.  You have tons of room for creativity.  Think seashells, sand and starfish that all allow the senses to pratically smell the pungent but arousing aroma of the saltwater.  Glass bowls filled with sand and shells along with pieces of found sea glass that naturally form from glass bottles being worn down by the currents.  The different arrays of dazzling colors will be a talk of the party and mixed in with votives floating in water in any color bowl of your choice will create that special intimate ambience. 




A play of deep coral in the napkins and place cards will complement your plates and glassware.  Another amazing touch would be to intermingle palm leaves amongst the table just to add that special touch.

 

2. Natural Beach

Give the whole party a natural, outdoors-y feel.  Choose whites as the main color scheme with light wood accent pieces.  Hang dainty lights from the trees if possible to bring an ethereal feeling.  Even on the hottest days - 98 degrees as I write this from Florida - the white colors will lower the temp and make it more comfy for your guests.  In Florida we do have the option of finding natural driftwood pieces that add a beautiful natural element as a centerpiece.  As far as colors go definitely incorporate natural linens, sea greens and ocean blues but very subtle throughout.  Matte ceramics and a few green potted plants for accents will top off the design.



Photo Credit occasionsonline.com



3.  Casual Cottage

Photo credit pepperdesignblog.com

When creating the dinner party inspired by a casual cottage setting it should be cozy.  When doing my research I found some interesting ideas for the cottage themed dinner party like adding cauliflower heads on a reclaimed wood table to add texture and create an unexpected centerpiece.  Use lattice panels to add a layer to the design.  Planted urns can be used as well for a different look.  You can even make a rug out of moss and throw in mis-shaped stones.  When creating the cottage look outdoors use rugs and sofas and even chandeliers.

Visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island Florida

Review of Refreshing Resorts....

Casa Ybel Resort is an island getaway and is Sanibel's only all-beach front resort.  It's a beautiful award-winning resort and embodies Sanibel's vintage island spirit.  There is a total of 23 acres of immaculate property that offers exclusivity like no other. 

Photo credit Casa Ybel Resort

It was rated by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the "Best Places To Stay In The World".  With miles of shelling beaches, Olympic size pool, tennis courts and a nature santuary you and your family will not be disappointed.

Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant

This is a piece of Florida frozen in time with an Old Florida Charm that will take you back to the 1920's when the lodge was built.  This is a one-stop vacation destination that combines dining & lodging for a once in a lifetime experience.  There is something for everyone at the Tarpon Lodge.  Play golf, go fishing or visit the ancient Columbian mounds of Calusa. 

Photo credit Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant

Keri Hilson: Home Design

Keri Hilson who was born in 1982 in Georgia and has since become a major recording artist, began writing songs at an early age and since has began establishing herself within the music industry.  In late 2008 Hilson purchased a 2 bedroom 2 bath loft in Atlanta for under $280,000 which included a rooftop deck and a 2-car garage.  Check out the home design pics below. 


Keri Hilson Home Design







Home Design: Bringing In The Old With The New

Picture credit Comer & Co.

I recently found a perfect example of what is extremely popular in the home design world lately which is bringing in the old with the new as Comer & Co.  This is the latest design shop in the neighborhood of Georgetown in Washington D.C.  Comer & Co offers an extensive collection of antiques and decorative items.  The owner Fred Comer and his partner Mark Manoff are always looking for the best of the best in home design.  Their design concept specializes in authentic pieces of the 18th and 19th Century English & Continental styles. 

Interior Design Product News & Reviews

Jason Phillips a designer born in New York in a family of furniture manufacturers is now the vice president and creative director of the The Phillips Collection.  Jason has gained international fame for his fresh, contemporary furniture designs.  One of his latest works is called the Al Dente Dining Chair that was inspired by an uncooked spaghetti noodle.

Al Dente Chair

 BD Barcelona furniture line is offered by BlueTrain LLC in the United States and is a Spanish company founded in 1972.  If offers high-quality products from the top designers of all time like this incandescent strip lamp called Olvidada ceiling lamp designed by Pepe Cortes.  It was forgotten until 1984 when BD discovered it and was put into production.


Photo Credit BD Barcelona - Olvidada Ceiling Lamp

 Nanimarquina a company begun in 1987 and has been designing rugs and other textiles.  The leading rug manufacturing firm's rugs play with colors so vibrant it will knock your socks off.  The Lasonges is a rug known for its own originality.  A study of simplicity and elegance.  It interprets a version of the traditional Persian rug by using an ancient Kilim technique.  This rug is designed by Ronan & Erwan Bourgullec for the 2011 season and contains 13 colors in a geometrical rhombus shape.

Lasonges Rug Photo Credit Nanimarquina