A few of my favorite things: theSCOOP

Cheers! I'm Laura from theSCOOP, and I'm pleased to share some of my favorite things as part of Holly's guest blogger series this month. Below are some treasured items from my personal collections:

Two pillows given to me by my sister. The left pillow she made from the skirt of a vintage dress. The right pillow is from West Elm and I love the beaded edge detail.

This vignette, in my kitchen, is composed of some of my favorite acquisitions from the past year: a reworked rattan chair from Home Girl, a peonies print by Kari Herer, and a painting by Chad Wys that reminds me of a storm over water.

Amidst the toys and books that get thrown about the house during the day, my writing desk offers a calm place to rest the eye, as well as a spot to store stationery, stamps and even a pile of books "to-read". The classroom scene print by Ryan Feeney echoes the reflective nature of this working space.

Speaking of books: These Target storage bins, from Victoria Hagan's Perfect Pieces line a couple years back, are sized just right for my daughter to rummage through and make her own selections for us to read together. The grasscloth and hardware details bring a bit of polish and sophistication to her room.

My most treasured photo is this image of my grandmother holding my mom at about 6 weeks old; it's just so tender and sweet. I keep it on a bookshelf in my family room, where I can look at it every day. The silver lantern behind it is from ZGallerie and the nested bowls are from Anthropologie. The bowls sit on top of a gift box that I kept because I liked the fifties-ish pattern (especially placed next to the image of my mom, from the same decade). Not shown: I have a huge bulletin board in my office, part of which I call my "bride wall" which is another one of my favorite things. Here, I keep photos of my best friends on their wedding days; it's a personal space that allows me to see my favorite people in some of their happiest moments.

The aesthetic I identify with and that I'm starting to define, but I think has always existed within myself, is equal parts detailed and spare, classic and modern. It's examplified by the following people, places and things: The modern vision of Loeffler Randall designer Jessie Randall - strikingly graphic, elegant forms with just-right details, a palette of pale gray silk, barely pink metallic leather, black wool and light woodgrain, with a tiny sliver of cobalt blue suede. Patterns by Neisha Crosland. Ballet and all that goes along with it: the movements, the classical music (adagio and allegro), the shoes, the costumes, the form-fitting practicewear. Iridescence: opal stones and vintage lustreware. A few rustic elements thrown in: cowgirl boots and country line dancing, the dirty-shiny look of mercury glass, rough-hewn wood frames for art. The cities and countrysides of Italy and Japan. Music by Carla Bruni, Regina Spektor, and almost anything with violins. Interior and graphic designer Angie Hranowsky. Chocolatier and branding genius Katrina Markoff of Vosges Chocolates. Anything that my sister Kristen makes or wears. Marfa, Texas (never been - would love to go). Blank notebooks (especially Moleskines that I cover with my favorite papers).

My favorite advice, from a style perspective, came from my mom - who told me at a young age that every room needs a touch of black. Judging from my current space, I took this advice to heart, and then some. Particularly because I am drawn to pale colors that verge on pastel, I need healthy doses of black to ground the compositions and avoid an Easter-egg effect. The color has become a consistent element throughout our home, and now I'm starting to incorporate it more into my wardrobe as well - to play off the pale pinks, grays and aquas I tend to wear. -Laura

(images: theSCOOP)