Backyard Envy | Mallorca Vacation Home

Heavy summer rain has hit New York today, and coupled with the heat of the past weekend, I'm dreaming of escaping to an exotic beachside locale with sunny weather and a refreshing pool. Lounging at this vacation house in Mallorca is precisely how I'd love to spend a week or two (or three!) this summer...

And, (lucky me) it's available for rent here. Maybe if I wish hard enough, Mr. V and I will be lounging in those two poolside chairs by the end of the season! If nothing else, I'm enamored with the row of topiaries in square terracotta pots. Isn't that wonderfully chic? It would look great on any patio, from this Mediterranean backyard to a city terrace. It's something I would love to try one day...

Also, happy one month engaged to the amazing Mr. V! What happy times there have been around here lately.

Images found via desire to inspire; Original images via Nuevo Estilo. 

Feeling the Heat

New York was a scorching 85 degrees today, which, despite the cool and steady breeze, immediately made me want to dive headfirst into a pool...

While it's nice to feel that summer is almost here, it was a bit unexpected to walk out my door and feel the rush of warmth on my face. That being said, I'm so excited for the things that come with the change of season...Vacations, outdoor dining, and the general merriment that accompanies the summer months. I can't wait!

Image via Architectural Digest.

Winter Wonderland

The latest issue of Architectural Digest features this Colorado home that really makes me yearn for a trip out west!

The stunning views are highlighted by the interior, with a Serge Mouille lamp, custom chairs by Jeaneret, and a Christopher Wool work on paper above, and Loro Piana cashmere-lined walls and curtains in the image below this.

In the living room above, a Richard Prince painting, stools by Atelier AM, and a vintage Prouvé chair create a great mix of design and warmth. I love that in Aspen, you can bask in snow's magical qualities that often get lost amongst the chaos in Manhattan.

And...In Colorado, you can have an amazing heated pool from which to enjoy it! I can only imagine the serenity of swimming here while surrounded by the frozen forest. Stunningly gorgeous.

All images via Architectural Digest December 2011, Architect: David Finholdm, Interior Design: Atelier AM, Photographer: Pieter Estersohn.

Poolside Masterpiece

What better to have by your pool than a Alexander Calder stabile from 1963?

Amazing. And it fits so serenely with the sleek pool, closely cropped grass, manicured hedges, and modern furniture. A lovely setting for a beautiful work.

Image of the backyard of Jane and Marc Nathanson's 1920s LA home designed by Richard Hallberg. From the April 2007 Architectural Digest, Photographer: John Ellis.

Floating Away

A few lustworthy pools that would be just perfect to celebrate in this Labor Day weekend!

A home in Vero Beach from Elle Decor, Photographer: William Waldron; Cynthia Rowley's Manhattan townhouse from Elle Decor, Photographer: Roger Davies; Robert and Barbara Brannen's Tuscan home from September 2002 Architectural Digest; Peter Morton's home designed by Richard Meier in Malibu, lap pool between main and guest house from W October 2006, Photographer: Simon Watson; Ben Stiller's backyard from Elle Decor; Italian home from Elle Decor, Photographer: Andrea Ferrari.

Cozy Combinations

I haven't been able to get this house out of my head since I first saw it in the April/May 2010 issue of Lonny. Both the exterior and interior are quite lust worthy, and I love how the design plays with bold combinations of dark and light elements. Here are a few of my favorite snippets from the tour of graphic designer Ashley Putman's seventy year-old Houston house.

Isn't it gorgeous? Check out the entire house and article at Lonny here.

All images via Lonny April/May 2010, Art Direction: Michelle Adams, Photographer: Patrick Cline