Remember when in a blog post about personal style a few weeks ago I said I had a friend that could make anything look cool? Well, I was talking about my childhood buddy designer Caroline Hedaya. As kids and even teens, Caroline had personal style in spades and so it was no surprise when, after graduating from FIT (at which we took many painting and drawing classes together), she started her own fashion line… Of course, all this time, I’ve been waiting around to see how she would decorate her own place (cause you know that’s all I care about). And when she and her husband started to furnish their two bedroom apartment, I went along for the ride…

Sooooo, now that its done  (or as done as an apartment can  be in the life of “a creative” – the morning of the photo shoot Caroline and I painted her bedroom lampshades purple.) I am so excited to share it with you.

Why? Well, aside from the fact that its beautiful, it’s a space that reflects its owner, through and through. And I like to see that, and I like to share that with you too.

In addition to having the space professionally photographed – thank you very much to Shirley Serure, who did a PHENOMENAL job, you can’t even tell that it was the gloomiest day ever- Caroline and I played dress up. I mean, can you really walk into a fashion designer’s place and not go through her closet and try on her clothes? No, no you can’t.  So, I ask your forgiveness in advance for marginally cheesy to extremely cheesy photos, but really, we were just having fun. And it was super fun.

In addition, I asked Caroline a few questions about what makes her tick, where her inspiration comes from, etc etc…

Ok… enough shpeil! Here are the photos and interview and you can click through the gallery to see even more shots! ENJOY!

Caroline is wearing pants from her Spring 2012 collection(it will be on her site soon), and I am wearing a vintage leather dress from my Mom. And I hope its not lost on you that we are matching the bench- is it? (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

2. What was the first thing you bought? 

The first thing I bought was the Essey Grand Illusion table. I love it so much! There is something so glamorous and fun about it, which is basically the aesthetic I was going for in this apartment.

 The Pièce de résistance in the apartment, the floral settee. You know I googled, cut and pasted to get all the accents right on that one right? (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

3. What is your favorite piece?

My favorite piece in the apt has to be the multi color settee, it ties the whole apartment together. Nicole was with me when I bought  it, everyone was like “It’s cool, but what are you going to  doing with it??” Again it didn’t make sense but I purchased it cause I just loved it, and now it’s a piece that I know I will have forever.

(I admit, I was totally skeptical. But I WAS the one who made her put it in the window!)

Caroline picked up the tufted orange chair in Williamsburg. The Chanel lamp is from the NYIGF. Melvin Sokolsky photos were a gift from Caroline’s grandmother.(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

4. What is your least favorite?

The piece I like the least in my apartment would probably be my side table. It’s just plain nickel with a mirrored top, but it serves it’s purpose.

 Fake tea anyone? Cheeseball factor is high here, I know… But fun? (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

5. What mistakes, if any, did you make? 

I kinda regret painting my room white. I love it cause its crisp and clean, but sometimes I wish it was a color or wallpapered. I’ll probably end up painting it.

Setting the table for y’all. (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

6. How do you see the relationship between fashion and design?

 To me fashion and design are both about expressing yourself. While I don’t think everyone who loves fashion loves design and visa versa, I do think if you are creative you can appreciate both.

Don’t you love how Caroline uses the same silverware in two different colors? Makes her already glam and girly place setting THAT much more special. Steal that idea, people. (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

You can see the turquoise chandy in this pic. (Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

Guess where caroline got that long TV unit? IKEA! By customizing and using half glass panels and half lacquer, as well as covering both with one long piece of custom glass, she totally made it look like one expensive piece!

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

 We aren’t tweedle-dee and twiddle-dum! We are wearing a classic Caroline Hedeya print! We both agree that the dress I am wearing (and now own- thank you!)  is one of our favorite CH pieces ever. I think we need to reissue it for Spring 2012? PS, Caroline cut those shoulders off herself. 

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

A four poster, simple side tables and a custom bench. I SWEAR that luggage(a gift from her grandmother) was there when I walked in 2 days before the shoot! She was packing and I said, WE NEED to leave this out for the pictures!  Also, note the eggplant lamp shades! Still wet. 

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

11. What is your favorite style secrets/ design tricks?

 I think my trick is I only buy what I love, and so I don’t have tons but what I do have I use to death and have for years.

(I can attest to that, Caroline keeps her wardrobe lean and mean. If she doesn’t love it, its not in there… where as we all know I hoard things… makes it harder to do anything, including getting dressed, because you have to wade through so much crap to find something good!)

Caroline’s mirrored  vanity. I LOVE that slipper chair. 

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)

I am very inspired by unique and creative people. I am also inspired by people who find something they love to do and run with it. It is one thing to say you want to do something and it is another to actually do it. So congratulations Nicole for making something that was just a hobby in the beginning in to a full time career.

A more masculine console grounds the space.

(Photos by Shirley Serure Photography for Sketch 42)