HAPPY PREP FOR TODAY

When I think of preppy spaces, my thoughts initially turn to old money, yacht-inspired rooms, Lacoste sweaters and buckskin shoes. Over the past few years, there's been a shift in what is considered preppy, but all prepsters agree on one thing: Being preppy isn't just how you dress, it's also a lifestyle. New-school prep consisting of vivid colors paired with stark white and a dose of large scale geometric prints (think Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic), finds favor with both old and new pedigrees. Take a look at these spaces inspired by individuals who don the sharpest popped collars and decide if you fit into the preppy design spectrum. Tell us: Are old-school or new-school prep?

eclectic bathroom design by atlanta interior designer decordemon

Mar Vista 1 by Vanessa De Vargas contemporary kitchen

contemporary kitchen design by los angeles interior designer Vanessa De Vargas

traditional spaces design by other metros interior designer Tobi Fairley

Beautiful walls, ceiling and floors traditional bedroom

traditional bedroom design by cleveland interior designer Kim Metheny

la jolla muirlands home traditional bathroom

traditional bathroom design by san diego interior designer andrea may

modern kids design by charlotte interior designer Emily A. Clark

bathroom design by new york interior designer Tara Seawright

The French Tournament Edition Backgammon & Chess traditional accessories and decor

traditional accessories and decor design by Restoration Hardware

NEW ZEALAND WIND GRASS

Add easy color, texture, and movement to your yard by including New Zealand wind grass (Anemanthele lessoniana) in your design. Landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith uses this feathery perennial for many residential design projects in the western United States, and finds that its great looks and low maintenance requirements are constantly the subject of praise. "I would say one grass that we receive the most comments about in our landscapes is Anemanthele lessoniana," he says.

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contemporary exterior design by san luis obispo landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

other design

PORTLAND KITCHEN SPECIAL

Having a fireplace smack-dab in the middle of her kitchen wasn't initially on Houzz user Carole Meyer's remodel wishlist, but after visiting a friend's vacation home in Mexico, she knew it was a must-have. Her friend's home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico had two opposing fireplaces in a long living room.

Meyer was struck by their dramatic look and decided to install one fireplace in her kitchen and one on the opposing wall in her living room. The warmth of the fireplace is echoed in her kitchen's rustic cabinetry, flooring and backsplash. "I didn't want any stainless steel in my kitchen," she says. "I wanted a more mellow look, because our house is a little Old-World-meets-modern.'"

eclectic kitchen design by portland photographer CAROLE MEYER www.carolemeyerart.com

VIOLET'S MAGICAL NURSERY

While pregnant with her daughter Violet, Lauren Hufnagl wanted to create the perfect nursery. Since she was working with a small space on the top floor of her house, she knew it would be difficult to create a nursery that created a balance between restful and serene and playful and stimulating — all without becoming too busy. The solution was found in simplicity — Hufnagl stuck to a grown-up palette while accenting with quirky accessories, and relying on a "less is more" mentality. "I love modern children's design," she says. "But I was also trying to maintain a warm and cozy feeling."

contemporary kids design

TOP DESIGN EVENTS September 2011

Get wrapped up for fall with Bojagi, traditional Korean wrapping cloths in San Francisco, or with one of Dale Chihuly's collected wool trade blankets in the Northwest. Get an early start on Halloween by visiting Tim Burton's exhibition in Los Angeles, or scout out the season's latest design trends at Decorex International in London. If you're looking for ways to be inspired, or just enjoy getting out amid other design lovers, here are 7 events on our short list from around the world.

LACMA: Tim Burton Exhibit, May 29-Oct. 31, 2011

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Wrapping Traditions: Korean Textiles Now

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Exhibit: Dale Chihulys Northwest, May 21-October 2, 2011

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other design by Fallingwater

Celia Birtwell | Bird Song & Milson Ticking Cushion pillows

pillows design by celiabirtwell.com

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FALLINGWATER, HAPPY 75th

There have been many times over the years that we've visited Fallingwater, a house located in the hills of western Pennsylvania. We've done the regular tour, a Sunday brunch tour and attended an evening reception there. In each occasion, Fallingwater never failed to enchant, enliven and teach.

The house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1930s for Edgar Kaufmann, a Pittsburgh department store owner, and in 1991 it was named the "best all-time work of American architecture." In 1963 the Kaufmann's son, Edgar Jr., entrusted the house, land and original furnishings to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which today continues as conservator of this remarkable building.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Fallingwater, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, caretakers of Fallingwater, will be holding "an enchanted evening" at the house on Friday, Sept. 17, 2011. (Learn more about the event here.) An evening reception at Fallingwater — with the house aglow like a lantern in the woods while the sounds of the waterfall, soft music and good conversation fill the air — will be like no other.

other design by Fallingwater

CUSTOMIZABLE DISH DRAWER

There are a lot of great organization methods for kitchen drawers, many requiring custom work or help from a professional. A pegged dish drawer, however, is something you can install yourself. The clever idea piqued our curiosity in a recent Houzz User Kitchen of the Week, and we haven't been able to get it out of our heads since.

If you have a deep kitchen drawer that's become a rattling mishmash of dishes, picking up a pegboard and dowels at your local hardware store could provide you with the perfect solution. Take a look:

Painted kitchen with walnut contemporary kitchen

contemporary kitchen design by other metros kitchen and bath Keith Fennelly

Milwuakie Split Level contemporary kitchen

contemporary kitchen design by portland showroom Pacific Northwest Cabinetry

traditional kitchen design

THE GAME ROOM

Football season has arrived, and we know what that means: Fans everywhere are perfecting their media or living rooms, creating the ultimate pad to watch the game with friends. However, it seems like such rooms have taken on a rather stereotypical decorative stance: dark rooms in dark basements with dark upholstery. Why can’t we watch the games in spaces with a little more style? That said, I’ve organized a few photos to inspire us to rethink the home game room, and how we can do so. In other words, let’s chic-ify football Saturday, shall we?