Since I am a huge fan of antiques I wanted to share with you today my favorite new place to shop – The HighBoy! This online hidden gem is a hit for finding hidden antique treasures, timeless furniture, fine art, and definitely something unique and one-of-a-kind!  The antiques are pretty much scoured from all over the world, although most of them are from Italy and France since they have the most beautiful history and collection of antique goods.

The HighBoy is like a big family of antique dealers and designers from all over the world who sell their antiques and finds. If you are looking for something truly one-in-a-million, I would definitely check this place out. I just spent a few hours skimming through their never-ending pages of mouthwatering furniture and artwork which is drop-dead gorgeous! I LOVE this place! Not to mention, they offer worldwide shipping and a guarantee on authenticity and satisfaction – a bonus!

Here’s a quick background on the shop: It was founded by Olga Granda-Scott, a graduate in art history studies in both France and Italy as well as an expert in European art and antiques. Olga joined her father’s antique business in Miami and is reinvented it for her generation by creating The HighBoy’s online marketplace. Her husband, Douglas also works with her and helps build and expand the brand, promoting a younger, sleeker aesthetic and outlook on antiques.

They have tons of gorgeous items like this gold sheaf wheat table that was actually Coco Chanel’s FAVORITE – you can see it in her apartment on Rue de Cambon that we featured on our blog here.

I love the fact that more and more of our younger generation are becoming interested in antiques – they are rich with stories, have been woven through wars, expeditions, and revolutions. It’s really amazing to be able to have a piece of history in your home that is able to propel you into that state of imagination where you think of all the places and hands that piece has been through. It’s an amazing feeling and plus if you are looking to live green, antiques are the way to go!

After hours of browsing, here are some finds from The HighBoy that really caught my eye:

The have a lot of nice decorative items that you can sprinkle throughout your home for a touch of high-end decor like this lion statue and Louis Vuitton case.

Silverplate Lion, Louis Vuitton Train Case, Enameled Vases, French Bar Cart

My favorites are the sofas, arm chairs, and stools from their shop are mostly French and Italian pieces. Everything about them just drools opulence, and reminds me of the romantic, classy hotels from old movies.

Louis XV Needlepoint Arm Chair, Italian X-Frame Stools, English Giltwood Settee, Italian Lounge Sofa

The trend on starburst mirrors goes way back, and The HighBoy proves that with these pieces form the 1800’s and 19th century France.

Gorgeous Sunburst Mirrors: French Ebonized Antique Mirror, Gold Gilt Sunburst Mirror

To polish off a chair or sofa, the cushion selection is endless and beautiful.

Green Coat of Arms Pillow, French Tapestry Pillows, Italian Silk Brocade Pair, Italian 18th Century Pillow

Hope you liked my sneak peak! Check out The HighBoy and let me know your thoughts, I’m sure you’ll be addicted after your first visit!

Who doesn’t love pampering themselves and dipping into a lifestyle filled with luxurious fabrics, lush interiors, and premium service? We’ve scoured the web for some of our favorite hotel rooms around the globe that all have a few things in common – artfully tailored rooms with enchanted interiors, ingenious design, and the best service right at your fingertips! From antique French provincial style, to exotic Asian decor, taking a break at one of these drop-dead gorgeous hotels is an experience that will surely last a lifetime. Take a look:

Paris: The Shangri La Hotel

The Sangri La Hotel Paris is one of my favorite hotels to enjoy not only the service and luxury, but also the amazing views of the Eiffel Tower! The whole hotel is re-decorated and has been restored in a blend of Empire and luxury minimalist.

The ornate finishing’s throughout the whole hotel really give it an astonishing charm and elegance. I absolutely love the mix of rich marble and wrought iron with gold leaf finishings, absolutely stunning!

The bedrooms are really fit for Marie Antoinette! This bedroom carries an intriguing stamp on French style, filled with rich unexpected flavours and highly coveted antique furniture. I would definitely call this a magical design moment.

Throughout the hotel you will see a lot of French as well as Asian infused décor with a hint of French marquetry and Chinese lacquered veneer. The silk fabrics and embroidery really set it apart and give it a hint of what “old world” really feels like.

New York: Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Hotel below in New York City is right on Fifth Avenue, in the heart of the city’s shopping mecca! It’s also minutes from Central park which makes it ideal for families with children. The lobby of the hotel is really where the show takes place – the huge oversized chandelier makes the impeccably chiseled moldings across the whole ceiling really sparkle and stand out.

New York: Citizen M

If you are looking for a home away from home, CitizenM in Times Square New York is the best place you can hang out, relax, and feel like you never left home! The whole hotel is designed to make you feel like you are in your own bedroom, living room and kitchen.

The living rooms are decorated in a way that is relaxing and comfortable. Don’t be surprised to find shelves filled with books, magazines, fun, and unique items from all over the globe.  The hotel is moving away from any traditional hotel clichés like trouser presses and bellboys and is swaying towards a modern boutique hotel feel with XL king-sized beds, fluffy pillos, free Wi-Fi, the latest movies, and big LED TVS!

I really love the feel of CitzienM’s hotels, they aren’t uptight and too glamorous, which makes me feel calm and relaxed throughout my whole stay. Even though I’m a big fan of over-the-top interiors, the minimalism in this hotel is sometimes just what you need to sit back and enjoy your stay in peace.

Monaco: The Grand Hotel Du Cap

The Grand Hotel Du Cap stands on 17 acres between Nice and Monaco with a magnificent white building and surrounded by tons of greenery and gardens. The hotel is planted right on the French Riviera so it also has an amazing view!

The hotel was fully renovated and has won many awards because of it’s 5 star luxury and good quality of service. The hotel is so beautiful that it has become the only building on the French Riviera to receive a “Palace” label from the French Ministry of Tourism.

 
I love how fresh and crisp the interiors are which makes everything sparkle and look clean. The lobby should always make the first impression on a hotel, and this one sure doesn’t disappoint! 

A color palette of gold, white, and eggshell blue is a refreshing mix of colors to complement the picture perfect scenery outside. With a great view of the French Riviera, there really is no need to focus too much on your interior decor!

We aren’t afraid of introducing color this time around and playing up the prettiest of florals for our upholstering or even wallpaper! With just a few small changes, you can quickly and easily transform your room from dull and dated to a bright, fresh and inviting space the whole family will enjoy.

Try a Nature Inspired Wall Mural

How else would you bring the outdoors in than with adding some foliage to the walls? No, we don’t mean digging out the old ivy leaf wall stencil; these days, there’s much more elegant and sleek looking options available. You don’t need to be an artist, or hire a pro to paint you a whole wall mural, there’s an easy way around it – wallpaper! Take this forest wall mural from Oldrids & Downton, for example. The wallpaper is super easy to apply and creates a great “window” to the outdoors in a room lacking a great view, or natural sunlight.

Use Chunky, Rustic Furniture

When it comes to furniture, you should stay away from man-made items like futuristic metal TV stands. For the naturalistic room, you should invest in traditional wooden furniture — the chunkier the better! A simple, rustic style table like this one from Pier One Imports is super sturdy and rugged masking any future nicks and dents. Combined with the forest wall mural, it’s a great way to enhance the natural look and feel of the room.

Remember to Accessorize!

Of course, you’ll need to soften the room with some cushions and throws to make the room inviting and comfortable. When choosing your soft furnishings, you should be looking to tie the whole room together. Mismatching prints are on-trend at the moment, so select a variety of style cushions in varying uplifting, bright hues to welcome in the warm summer months.

It’s all in the Details!

To add the finishing touches to your room, you’ll need to invest in a variety of ornaments and knick-knacks. Sticking with the outdoors theme, try to choose cute, unusual items that wouldn’t look out of place like various vases, statues, plates, and even rocks! Try a pretty paperweight made from Amethyst rock for a glamorous but natural touch!