My latest crush: Blackband Home & Design. One FAB porthole mirror, and a little peek at my apartment..

I'm giddy today as I am sharing with you the newest addition to casa de Ashley, the gorgeous Porthole Mirror. Convex and framed out with a painstakingly detailed antique gold finish, the mirror was inspired by an antique discovered by the brilliant minds over at Blackband, so the piece is truly a very special replica. The gold is a perfect compliment to my robin's egg blue walls.

*Swoon! I love it!

It really turned out to be a perfect addition to my space - I couldn't be happier.

A close up of the detailing that went into getting the perfect patina.

I thought the cloche bell jar was a nice complement to the convex surface of the mirror.

I found an abandoned robin's egg, so I emptied it and brought it home to see if I could find a place for it in my apartment.  I also had some feathers from our guinea fowl, so I strung them both up in the cloche as an objet d'art.  What do you think?

Getting back to Blackband, here's a little bit more about them:

"Wendy Blackband, co-owner of Blackband Design, is one of Southern California's most sought-after designers; known for her eclectic take on coastal elegance. A California native, Wendy grew up on Balboa Island and has traveled and lived in Africa, Spain, Australia and South America. Her style inspiration has been influenced by vibrant colors and foreign cultures that punctuate her fresh and
distinctive "Coastal Bohemian" look. 

Blackband Design enjoys a well-deserved reputation for fair pricing, exceptional client service, and a personalized approach for every project, regardless of scope."

Here are a few more goodies from Blackband's online store that I have my eye on:

 Vintage wine jugs.

 Red coral (this would also look great with my light blue walls)

 White and blue lamp.  Love it.

Blackband also does interior design and showcasing.

This might possibly be my dream bed.


Want to see more? Go to Blackband Design to shop online and see more of their work.


 disclosure*: I received the mirror as a sample from Blackband Design

Announcing the winner of the Crash Soy Candle!

 And the winner of the Crash Soy candle is commenter #3 -emcSquared! Congrats! emcSquared please contact me at ashley[at]decorologyblog[dot]com with your shipping address, and I'll ship out your candle ASAP! Thanks everyone for entering!

Awesome deals on some mid-century mod. pieces

I can't decide if I want a glass console or coffee table. This furniture is great for keeping an open feel to a room, because since you can see through them they don't take up much visual weight.

$285 for the console

only $295 for the coffee table - can't really beat that.

and only $139 for the nesting tables - I'm trying to decide if I want to go with two small tables, like the nesting tables, to serve as a coffee table in my living room, or the clear coffee table...hmmm... Anyway, if you want to snatch up one of these great deals, it's on sale at HauteLook (but only for the next two days or so!)

A pretty, clean-burning candle, and a lovely little giveaway...

I'm not a huge candle person, but I do like to have some lit for special dinners, guests, and a relaxing soak in the tub.  One of the main things that bugs me about candles though, is how unevenly they burn, leaving me left with a huge chunk of wax.  Which is why I wanted to give a special shout out to Crash Natural Soy Candles.  I have been burning one of their 100% natural soy wax candles for for 6 months now, and it's made a believer out of me.  The candle really does burn much more cleanly, smells lovely, and amazing- the wax stays even.  No more burning your fingers trying to light a wick inches below the wax surface.

The wax actually reminds me of milk a little bit... I wanted to do some research to see if soy wax actually is better, and I found this article on Mother Nature Network. The article states: "Candle wax is made from the petroleum byproduct, paraffin. Burning a paraffin wax candle, even if it smells like scrumptious apple pie, is like inviting a diesel truck into your home to let off some exhaust … the soot from both diesel fuel and paraffin wax contains a noxious mix of carcinogenic petro-carbon nastiness that can mess with your health, blacken the inside of your home, and emit toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene. Gross. And as you probably know, petroleum isn’t exactly renewable.

Vegetable-based soy wax isn’t 100 percent perfect (as with many agricultural products) but it’s a heck of a lot better than “gas wax.” They’re longer burning (with none of that soot), come in just as many tantalizing scents, and often the companies who produce soy candles go all out by using recycled-content packaging and lead-free paper/cotton wicks. Most candle shops and home boutiques should carry soy candle lines and if they don’t, make a request. Just make sure they’re 100 percent soy wax."

One lucky reader will receive a Crash Candle, in a glass designed by Angela Adams. The winner will get "Beach Rose" a lovely peppered rose scent in a 7.5 oz decorative glass.

If you'd like a chance to win the just like Crash Candles on Facebook, and then leave a comment on this post! You have until May 29th, 6 PM EST to like them and leave a comment. Good luck!

You can also shop their selection and find out more about Crash on their site.

*disclosure:  I received a candle from Crash as a sample

A 600 sq. ft. California Cabin Retreat

Stocked with finds from budget go-to's like west elm and ikea, this rustic retreat was made beautiful on a modest budget. Even the cabin (it's a rental) was found on craigslist! 

The cabin was built in the 1970's, but they've managed to make the wool paneling look fresh.

The chairs are by West Elm.  I have been scouring Craigslist for a similar table - I love it!

LOVE the chevron poufs - they add a punch of mod to the space.

I could read on this couch all afternoon.

Any retreat needs a well stocked bar. I am a coffee girl above a cocktail girl...so I might have a fancy coffee bar instead.

Read details about the cabin and the pics above on Country Living

Go into the light - rooms that is....

there's little more beautiful to me than bright white rooms.

all images via Lonny Mag

Beautiful textiles for the home - Maresca Textiles

One of the easiest ways to give your home a freshening up for spring and summer is by changing out soft goods - pillows, throws, linens, etc...  I recently started this in my home, and was lucky to be introduced to Maresca Textiles,  a line by fellow RISD grad Kathryn Maresca.  Based in Savannah, GA, Maresca Textiles are always hand printed or embroidered in the USA, and inspired by the Southern low country.

Check out the aqua beauty I snagged for my sofa this spring.  My walls are a light aqua, and my couch an olive green.  I have always loved olive green and aqua together, and the color is perfect.   I also love the hand drawn, organic pattern - so cool!

Here are a few other favorites of mine that you can get at the Maresca Textiles Shop -

This pillow would also look fab on my couch...

Which is your fav?


Aqua bolster via Maresca Textiles, Vintage Hmong Textile Pillow via The Loaded Trunk, Quilt by Karma Living (frequently on flash sales at HauteLook sign up.)

Happy weekend and Beautiful Spring Accessories!

What's better than some new accessories for spring? 

There is less than one week left to shop  my trunk show on Stella & Dot.  

Please just remember to select "Ashley White" as your hostess during the checkout process.

Stella & Dot has a plethora of wonderful Spring jewelry...

The Height of Chic: Spaces that make you say "Oh, la la!"

I had the honor this week of writing a guest post for the fabulous Julie of Belle Maison and Modern Chic Home.  Below is the post:

Every girl needs a little glam right?  Even though I work from home, I still try to put on a little make up or some gorgeous shoes from time to time. The same goes for your abode – neglect it long enough and it shows.  Even if the glam you give your home is small, it can go a long way – and you and your space will look and feel fabulous for it

A little (or big) pop of bright color in an otherwise “sensible” room screams style and class.

There are two handy tricks for making a space look luxe in this room.  The large gallery canvas adds edge and sophistication, as do the matching sconces.

A wallpaper or paint job that combines matte and gloss finishes adds instant elegance.  Even a room with basic furnishings will look stunning.

You can’t go wrong with a little touch of metallic either, like these gold dipped goblets and the table base…  

{IMAGE SOURCES: ; IVY & PIPER MAG; DECOR PAD; HOUSE OF FIFTY, Lombok, ADORE HOME MAG}

See the original post on Belle Maision

The talented Maryam of My Marrakesh reveals Peacock Pavillions to Lonny Mag

When my boyfriend and I visited Morocco in 2009, Maryam, of My Marrakesh and her husband were a tremendous help planning our trip. I had been a huge fan of My Marrakesh since before I even started Decorology. Her blog is so spectacular, that it's no surprise that her guest accommodations in Marrakesh are equally stunning. If you haven't heard of it already, "Peacock Pavilions" is a splendor of Moroccan art and craft work, and Maryam's amazing attention to detail sets it apart.

The amazing work on the steps is all stenciling..that door is amazing, too

The Sufi Scribe is my favorite suite...I LOVE the sconces!

I adore the drawing on the wall - so beautiful..

The "peacock" wallpaper on the wall is pretty cool too...

Blue wards off the evil eye.

Checkout the floor, and the lanterns in this suite.

Read and see more about Peacock Pavilions in the newest Lonny Mag.

 Check out my travels to Marrakesh, Fes, and Essaouira in Morroco.