sometimes through the internet, there’s this weird melding of worlds colliding for me. i see something about an artist, designer, or photographer and then suddenly they just keep serendipitously popping up all over for me. and when that happens, i find myself wanting to know more, so i go scouting around — such is the case with london designer Cassandra Ellis. recently i featured this instagram account without really realizing that Cassandra Ellis and @atelier.ellis were one and the same — silly me. as a designer she transforms older victorian homes into charming renovated spaces i’d love to live in and she also makes gorgeous handmade paint to help create your own beautiful backdrops for home. so, i’ve discovered much more beauty from her simply by hunting around — for instance, i love theses spaces featured on remodelista and design*sponge, and i found out she’s written a few books, as well — like home sewn and Cloth: 30+ Projects to Sew from Linen, Cotton, Silk, Wool, and Hide to name just a couple. never underestimate the power of a little investigating online — it can lead you down a rabbit hole of discovery to so many more creatively inspiring people, places and things!

• photography via Cassandra Ellis; @atelier.ellis; remodelista; and design*sponge.

i love a good curve, whether it’s an attractive architectural arch or a spectacularly secluded built-in niche, perfect for hiding out. it’s popular these days to add a curve here and there, and i think it may be that kind of mystery a well-placed arch can add to a room, and it’s even trending in artwork, wallpaper and furniture these days, too — for instance, i love a great modular sofa. curves are always more interesting than plain old corners and straight angles, so i went on the hunt for some curvey inspiration to share with you – here are just a few of my favorites.

• photography credits in order of appearance: santa monica proper via taylranne; @arcosantiarizona via @sarahshermansamuel; interior design addict; Leonard Cohen’s retreat via @beau_traps; veranda; bungalow classic; Alexander Calder Sans titre via /jjujii; isometric chair via inmod; elle decor; masha miteva acryclic on paper via keep it simple; architectural digest france; Pablo Palazuelo via artnet; bolaget; velvet my soul; @pierre.yovanovitch; her side poster print via the poster club; rachel saunders ceramics; @arcosantiarizona; Michael Wolk Design; georgia o’keefe’s new mexico home via moon to moon; @cokebartrina; Riad 42 in Marrakesh, Morocco via design finder; santa monica proper via taylranne; ariele alasko; greige design; santa monica proper by @kristine.lo; general store, san francisco; riad 42 via design finder escapes.

Welcome to the weekend, friends. it’s been a long week and i for one am ready for some downtime. i’ve been reading a ton, and if you’re ever interested in what i’m reading, you can find my reading list on good reads. if you’re not a member (and it’s free), i highly recommend it for keeping track of what you’re reading, what your friends recommend and just a beautiful place for book lovers. anyway, as we head into the weekend i just wanted to share that with you. and now onto this week’s friday finds — a pretty vintage-inspired mix this week. have a restful weekend!

xo, victoria

1. i love everything about this beautifully styled fireplace mantel — from the distressed vintage mirror to the unique collection of old pottery and framed prints — it’s all just so perfectly proportioned.
2. this fireplace styling from australian-based photographer marnie hawson is spot-on perfect too. and who would think to place a tiny mannequin in the non-working fireplace? it’s so unexpected and fun.
3. i like this unique collection of artwork and accessories featured on thou swell via elle decoration. i always like prints that are hung without frames (even hung by washi-tape) but i’ve never had the guts to do it. until now — i think i’ll try it in my home office studio space.
4. i’m a huge fan of the fine little day, and this new woman poster by artist Isis Maakestad from fine little day shop is a great one. i may have to add this to my art collection.
5. if you love this beautiful dining room, then you might like to look into prop stylist heather bullard’s photo styling masterclass. she’ll be adding more US locations to her calendar so have a gander.
6. a wingback chair is traditionally, well, a bit too traditional for me. but this deconstructed wingback chair is really uniquely special. makes me almost start dissecting some of my furniture and checking out what the guts look like!
7. this portrait and vintage lamp from @materiadesigns is right up my alley. you know i love a great vintage portrait painting, and i’ve got a new batch arriving from france next month for super marché.
8. this is a very pretty sneak peek at the plant society’s new outpost and guesthouse in Paddington, Sydney via the design chaser. it’s also a destination for plants, planters and home goods, so check it out.

ready? we’re jetting off to the city of lights today, quite literally in this restaurant, because it really glows with gold. we’re headed to anahí, an old parisian bistro with cracked-porcelain-tiled walls (filled with gold!) — an iconic cafe that’s been reborn. think cafe chairs gilded in bronze and lots of shiny points of light, including their ornate painted ceiling. you’ll constantly feel yourself glowing in this really good light. this south American steakhouse is so sophisticated, right down to those gleaming vintage church candelabras in the windows, designed by the talented duo of Humbert & Poyet who contributed to the revival of anahí cafe with subtle touches of elegance and modernity. we’re getting into the spirit of the place and getting our fancy on, with a shimmery sequin skirt balanced out with a chic sheer black turtleneck over a sexy bra paired with a pair of low black boots. and we’re gonna toss a Leopard faux-fur coat over our shoulders just in case of chill. while we await our friends at the bar, i suggest reading a few pages from the luminaries by Eleanor Catton — a tale of the gold rush boom and bust — perfect for this gilded locale. it’s a brilliantly constructed, fiendishly clever ghost story and a gripping page-turner.

wear this there: j.crew Leopard faux-fur coat; Rachel Comey Malmo Top; j.crew Satin-bow paillette sequin skirt; Atelier by Vagabond Lydia Sport Boot in Black; Pavé vintage-inspired daisy chandelier earrings; O.P.I black onyx Nail Lacquer; Lebon Fearless Freedom Natural Whitening Toothpaste; read this there the luminaries by Eleanor Catton; clare v. bisous wallet clutch; j.crew Solid opaque tights; Scojo New York Jardine Place Reading Glasses; cos black patterned mesh bra.

• photography via anahi and trendland.

this week’s instagram worthy feed is just a little bit different, and honestly, that’s what i love about it. @arnaudmontagard sees the beauty in the mundane and captures it with such a beautiful eye. french photographer arnaud montagard now resides in brooklyn, new york and the way he sees americana is just so inspiring to me. his photographs depict the things we see every day but there’s so much beauty and light in them that they feel almost alive and his tonality is simply stunning. they remind me very much of one of my favorite painters, edward hopper. have a look at america through the talented eyes of frenchman @arnaudmontagard, and if you like what you see, check out his available art prints.

• photography by @arnaudmontagard.