i have a crush!

i think it was in 2006 when i first saw in vogue what would become one of my all-time favorite homes. then again in 2007, the same home in the world of interiors. an upper east side apartment owned by a style editor and an antique dealer.

i loved how one large room was divided by half-height bookcases into a living room, dining room and a library- so chic! i loved all the layers, the mix of pattern and prints, the eclectic art collection, the artful arrangement of furnishings and to top it off the madeleine castaing signature floral stripe fabric on the master bedroom walls- instantly i was hooked! i loved this home!

when i moved to la a few years ago i discovered many new stores and showrooms. a fast new favorite was the fabric showroom hollywood at home. it was there i fell in love with the textile collection by carolina irving. i had found something wonderful and inspiring! beautiful prints and colors on linen and hemp that looked and felt hand printed- i fell in love with the patmos stripe, the tamar, calico and andaluz prints- i used all of them, and many others from this collection in my home! i love these textiles!

soon after i put two and two together and realized the home i loved was owned by the new textile designer i loved! carolina irving was a new favorite! i had a crush!

just last week i got to meet carolina at a party hosted by house beautiful and peter dunham! and lets just say she’s even more charming, more beautiful and more lovely than her home and her textiles! so kind, so warm, so talented- i met my crush!

carolina also has a fabulous clothing line with another brilliant textile designer lisa fine called irving and fine. shop here!

photographs by francois halard for vogue and simon upton for the world of interiors.