Malm Fireplaces

Tawny and I were discussing what she should get her husband for Christmas and without missing a beat I exclaimed  - "A fireplace!"  They have a really lovely home in an adorable neighborhood, but no fireplace...can you imagine?  Really, the horror. 

I live in Texas, and around October I start cranking the AC up so I can begin my day fireside.  Not the most environmental option, I realize. 

Tawny - these are the fireplaces that I was telling you about!  They are from a company called Malm, and Sean and I are both obsessed with them.  Talk about a surefire way to take a room from ho-hum to off the charts.  In saying this, I understand that these are a pretty strong and specific look but I can imagine them in a large range of interior styles.  And oustide?  Forgetaboutit!  Just fantastic.

Do what do you think?  Love 'em or hate 'em?

{images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

Thomas O'Brien

I rarely, if ever post photos of an entire home.  Typically this is because I like details here and there, but am not sold on the feel of the entire space.  It has been two years since I first laid eyes on Thomas O'Brien's Soho apartment and I believe I have thought of this home more than any other that I have laid eyes on.  The funny thing is that here I may not be in love with every detail but the space has me sold from start to finish.  Casual, elegant, rich, masculine, - I am referring to the space not O'Brien himself - though it's not a stretch to believe he may be all these things as well. His home feels highly personal and the colors make me want to move right in and stay a good, long time.  I think that if I had to choose one entire home that achieves the feel that I am going for, this may well be it.  Though I would have to go all out color in the kids spaces, at least.

{all images via Aero Studios}

terrariums

As the weather changes and all the green begins to die back I find myself more and more drawn to little bits of the color to bring inside.  Terrariums have become very popular and I think that they perfectly fill this role.  I never knew that they could also be cute, and yes, funny, until I saw these.

They are from the etsy shop weegreenspot and I am afraid that my windowsill will be quite discontent until it provides a home to all three.

spotted here.

moomah

Have you ever come across a concept and felt tinges of pain in you heart that you didn't come up with it?   What I'm feeling is a bit more than a tinge and it's over moomah, in Tribeca.  If I'm not genius enough to create this space, I'd settle for living near it. 

The brain child of Tracey Stewart (Jon Stewart's wife!), this multi-purpose destination is a kid friendly space like no other.  I just wrote to inquire about franchise opportunities and no, I'm not kidding.  Doesn't ever city deserve such a wonderland?

This is "Supertryer", moomah's mascot.  He has an assortment of ways to encourage young and old to try new things.  Here you find him enjoying afternoon tea.

And don't even get me started on their logos, branding and materials.  Really phenomenal.

See more of moomah here. 

{all images via moomah, Design*Sponge and Apartment One}

apartment therapy, the book: a giveaway!

In honor of Eva's room being featured today on Apartment Therapy's ohdeedoh, I'm giving away a copy of Apartment Therapy's decor book.

Let me tell you about this book.  I think that it is my very favorite decorating book in my possession.  For the same reasons that made Apartment Therapy a cult favorite, this book has the same chops.  These people know how to pick 'em.  Real homes, real people.  These aren't professionally decorated abodes - though maybe their owners should go pro.  These are some clever geniuses.  It is truly idea and inspiration overload.  Each home featured shows a floor plan, a survey which includes advice, the story behind the home and a resource list.  This makes for some seriously good reading.  Not just pretty pictures, I tell you - real meat!

If you would like a chance to win - leave a comment below telling us your favorite detail of your home.  I'll announce a winner next Wednesday -

decor pendulum

Most of my adult life I have been all about French Country.  Traditional silhouette, toiles and brocades and damasks - I ate it all up.  And then something changed.  We lived in Morocco for awhile and I could literally feel my tastes changing.  Bright colors trumped soothing palettes and more and more clean lines called my name.  My style got - for lack of better word - artsier.  And yet I still love traditional.  I still love those classic silhouettes and those ornate patterns and calm colors.  But now I love them in small doses rather than wall to wall. 

And as trendy as it sounds, now I do appreciate the aesthetic of mid- century architecture and furniture design.  I love Scandinavian design and neutral backgrounds with bright, bold pieces.  But again, not too much.  I don't want my house to be undecipherable from an actual home in Scandinavia, or worse yet, in the American suburbs of 1955. 

The trick is getting the mix just right.  And this weekend I believe we fell off the edge.  We  were out looking for some extra book storage and came across this console -

and this end table-

We got them both for $50.  And suddenly the room has become far too mod for even me. Three pieces in one room with those cone shaped legs?  Uh-oh.  The pendulum has swung and it is apparently very difficult for me to lay down cash for traditional pieces where  I am far too quick to spend on simple & modern.  Is there hope for my living room.  I am about to go hunt down a very fancy library ladder to undo what I've done. 

Do any of you ride from decor pendulum as well?  Does it make you feel dizzy and disoriented? 

Eva's pale blue room down the hall

Welcome to Eva's room! 

We moved into this house after returning from living overseas with barely a stick of furniture to our name.  We were attempting to furnish an entire home on next to nothing.  I often hear terms thrown around like "budget decor", "design on a dime" and ahem, "design within reach" and I often find the rooms to contain nearly nothing that I would consider budget.  Or perhaps their dime is just worth a little more than mine.  When I say that Eva's room was done on a shoestring, I mean a shoestring!  And odds are we found that shoestring at IKEA. 

The bed & dresser - IKEA.  The curtains were made by Sean with fabric from IKEA.  Clock and lamp - IKEA.  I made the bulletin board by attatching together two large cork boards and then spray adhereing on it fabric that we got from - wait for it - IKEA. 

The bedding and side-table (we went a little crazy here) and got them from Target.  The two pieces of art are from Etsy.

The branch bed print is from Black Apple and the dove release print is from Belle and Boo.  The cherry blossom mural was painted by my best friend, Tawny.  All together it is just perfect for Eva and she loves her own little corner of the world.

downtown chic: a giveaway!

There is a lot to envy about Robert & Courtney Novogratz of Sixx Design but I am going to try to keep my jealousies at bay.  First off, this family is impossibly cool.  Seven kids in (including two sets of twins!) and these parents' hip is clearly here to stay.  Did you hear that the entire family has a modeling contract with the Ford Agency?  I didn't even know that that kind of thing occurred.  And they seem to somehow have stumbled into the position of NYC (and beyond) rock-star decorators.  Not decorators to rock stars.  You see, Robert & Courtney are the rock stars and their style is all their own. 

Rarely do I read a decor book cover to cover - but theirs, I did.  Downtown Chic chronicles the Novogratz's journey from their early days as an aspiring actress &  Wall Streeter to some of the most innovative interior designers today.  They are also generous with insider tips and the book is full of sumptuous photos detailing the before and afters that have made them famous.

Of all of their projects it is their Great Barrington home that really won me over.  I would move in to that house in a heartbeat. 

 

 

I just so happen to have an extra copy of Downtown Chic on my hands.  If you want to be inspired into a style that is all your own, leave a comment below.  I'll be choosing a winner next Tuesday. 

Jens Risom Rocker

Well, hello there gorgeous.  This is the lovely redheaded offspring from the marriage between Danish designer Jens Rison and Design Within Reach. 

I love her. 

Alas, I shall wait to bring her home until they are offering some sort of two for one deal.  I won't be holding my breath.

spotted here.

stools

So I began by looking for new step stools as my children incurred three (yes, sigh, three) step stool related injuries, yesterday alone.  I love you Ikea but your stools are about to rob me of my little loved ones. 

 

I remembered seeing these at DWR (which my husband and I like to call "Design Nowhere within Reach") - old school library stools that roll and then lock into place whenever any weight is put on them.  Perfect. 

Then I found something similar here.  These are a little cheaper come in lots more colors.  I think these would be great for little feet in the bathrooms, with none of the dreaded stool scooting that has caused us so many tears. 

I also spotted these at the same shop and I think they pretty well fit the bill for my kitchen step-stooling needs.  They are nearly identical to the vintage one that I'm ever pining for at my sister-in-laws house. 

And for the record, if I were planning to throw away my children's college fund for stools from DWR - it would be for these:

or, be still my heart, these:

(with cushions, please)

Now don't those just look pretty?  How important is a good education anyway?

an update

I have this bad habit of posting on certain things in our life and then never following up on the initial posts, so I have decided to do a bunch in one fell swoop.  Here goes...

1. I decided this past Earth Day to make an environmental baby step each year as my way of celebrating the day.  I was wanting to take the composting plunge as this years's step. 

I ended up going with a cheap black, plastic box model that I spotted at Sam's just after writing the post.  I didn't want to hold off any longer as I knew it would never happen and I decided cheap was the way to go right now, so I could see if we were really up for the commitment. 

I also bought this counter top caddy.  Well, we have been composting ever since and i really love doing it.  It is so fun knowing that our kitchen scraps will soon be bringing forth "black gold" for our autumn plantings.

2.  I also wrote that we were attempting some square foot gardening this spring.  My gardening skills are utterly lacking and I have done nothing but murder plant after plant in the past.  Well, at long last - success!  I live in the desert, but guess what?  The veggies and flowers in my garden are blissfully unaware of that fact?  I have flowers that have shot up nearly taller then our fence and veggies so plump that they surely will be on the grill not later than tomorrow.  Here are a few pictures I took yesterday after a good rain storm (true, it is monsoon season here, so that may not be hurting the cause either.)

The whole thing is pretty unruly.  I'm thinking we need to cut some stuff back and we definitely to stake the tomatoes - but it still gets me misty eyed looking at it!

3. So far as the Le Creuset collection, well, I never did get around to mentioning it to my mother-in-law.  You see, if there is one things that it is difficult for my folks, it is a collection left unfulfilled.  Since that post - we have celebrated no major holidays but I am the proud recipient of 5 glorious pieces.  I love them, I love them, I do.  Most of my pieces came from a Le Creuset outlet store.  These places are phenomenal.  I'm not quite sure why anyone would ever pay full price if they knew these existed.  There's a full list of the outlet stores here. 

These are my pieces:

4. We ended up getting Sean a flip video camera for Father's Day.  He had mentioned it in the past and it just seemed like the perfect time.  We have loads of photos of our kids but have just really failed in the video department.  My brother-in-law Bill is always going on and on about how we need to be videotaping them.  And he's right.  Photos are amazing but every time Bill pulls out his gobs of footage - there is something to actually getting to hear their sweet muppet voices and witness their hilarious antics.  As a child I loved those nights when we would all sit around and watch all home movies.  Hopefully will the size and ease of the flip, we will actually begin to integrate this into our lives.  Sean was thrilled.

5.  Speaking of cameras, I've been trying to figure out my new one.  I decided on a Nikon D60.  I also got these lenses: a 50mm f/ 1.8D AF and a  55-200mm f/ 4-5.6 G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom and an external flash.  I am super excited and continue to shoot away as I am figuring out how to take a decent photograph.  The D60 seems like a great DSLR to learn the ropes with.  I LOVE it.

 

6.  The floors look great.  Sean stenciled our dining room floor while the kids and I were out of town and they look amazing.  We still need to seal them and replace the floor moldings so we haven't moved the furniture back in yet...but now I'm liking the room even without furniture!

 

(Not sure that you wanted all of this information, but this is for all of you that had any lingering questions.)

We're having a loud thunderstorm here, utter bliss.  Happy Tuesday to you!

{all photos besides manufacturers are mine}

lace floors

Remember when I went ga-ga over these lace floors?  I went ahead and bought the stencil and it has proved to be the perfect project to keep Sean busy while we are out of town.  Talk about a win/win/win situation.  (Well, for me at least.) 

He is only about a quarter of the way done and these pictures were taken on his phone so they are pretty grainy - but you get the gist.  I am just so thrilled with how they are turning out.

I'll take some better photos once I get home.  Speaking of which - I am looking into getting a new SLR camera.  If you have any strong opinions for or against a camera - I would love to hear.   Thanks!

Jayson Home & Garden

When visiting Chicago there are several obvious must sees:  Millennium Park, North Michigan Avenue, The Art Institute, the Museam of Science & Industry...oh, and Jayson Home & Garden.  This place is a treasure trove of everything from beautiful vintage finds to modern showstoppers and even fresh cut flowers and gardening goods (as the name states). 

Here's a peek at some of my favorites:

Ngoc Minh Ngo: homes

I'm a little late on this one, but I have only just discovered the work of photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo.  I love the casual elegance that she infuses into each of her photographs. I had trouble editing down my favorites so I am sharing my favorite home photos here and doing a separate post of her exquisite photographs of food.

quatrefoil

I am a sucker for anything envoloving a quatrefoil. I'm not typically one for symmetry but there is something about them that, well, make me happy.

Oh, to see the world through quatrefoil shaped glasses-

"In architecture and traditional Christian symbolism, a quatrefoil is a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter."  It is also a common element is Gothic architecture as well as a Celtic symbol for good luck.

Do you think this would all be too much?

Yeah, me neither.

{images: Van Cleef & Arpels, *Pia*, Lawrence OP, wikipedia, buildings fan, pianoforte, (collage clockwise:mirror, jars, screen, drum table, tiles, blue chair, yellow pillow, multi-pillow, wood chairs, white table) paloma 81}

kitchen blues

Lately all of the kitchens that have been catching my eye, come with pops of blue.  Blue has never been my go-to color so I am finding this a bit surprising.  If I went ahead with Sean on the all red pot option, it would be based on how stinking adorable they would look in one of these bluesy kitchens.

I love how the color of the cabinets off set by the color of the ceiling. The Moroccan lantern is a nice contrast.

Amazing what the inside of some cabinets can do.  More white and this kitchen would have been mighty vanilla.

I know that these cabinets are probably black but I have saved this photograph for a long time.  It's the one that began my love affair with navy blue cabinetry. Just go with me on this one.

That one shade has some serious impact.

I loved a random colored set of chairs thrown into the mix.

Here the shades match the stools for double pops of blue.  I really love that floor.  I might have left the shades & stools neutral and gone blue with the gingham floor.

Love all of the soothing tones and the subtlety of the floor.  What a great space.

These fantastic tiles pack maximum punch.

There are just so many things that I love about this kitchen that it's hard to know where to begin.  I guess the turquoise door is  pretty great place to start. 

The color along with the exquisite details makes me think of cooking within a Tiffany's box.  I'm open to this concept.

Peaceful, simple, lovely.  The curtain and backsplash definitely add to the appeal.

Here was the initial inspiration for my mix matched Le Creuset collection. Doesn't it look sweet against blue?

I am a big fan of colored moldings and these two shades of robin's egg are near perfection.

I am loving this bold, blue statement piece.  This kitchen speaks to me. 

Those tiles are so gorgeous.  To me, they look somehow delicious & decadent. Not a bad backdrop for a kitchen.

I really love this shade of blue.  

Love how the color is just at the top here. Definitely draws the eye up and gives a lofty sense.

Blue checkerboard floors are the perfect finish to this lovely breakfast spot.

The second photo that inspired me towards mixing & matching.  It's like a candy store for cooks.

Love these discreet pops of blue in a simple setting.

Love the blue.  Love the black.  The peonies, the stools, Nate... love it all.

The slate blue looks perfect is this fabulous rustic kitchen.  That stone is pretty awesome as well.  Yeah, I'd cook there.

This floor is so simple yet so unexpected and dramatic.  On a sidenote they seem like they would be pretty easy to clean up.  Would totally do this.

boo-ya.  It's true - I LOVE this. 

Bright, happy and the colors of my new pot collection.

{1, Domino. 2, 12 Great Spaces. 8, 9,10, 11  Domino/ Decorology.  13, Martha Stewart. 16, Sunset.  19, Domino.  21, William Waldron. 22, Delight by Design. 23, Jonathan Adler for House Beautiful via Decorology.  Please let me know if you have the appropriate credit for any of the rest of these images - thanks!)

garden style

Today I am feeling inspired by Judy Tomkins (a photographer that also became a landscape designer at age 60).  I love the ways in which she melds her gardens and interiors with a casual, effortless style.  And that she took up a second career at 60. 

all images from Martha Stewart.

guest house

Ever since I saw these images in Blueprint Magazine Cottage Living, I have thought of them often.  I love how this former bird sanctuary has been turned into a fantastic space - what I would use as a guest house.

I am also often reminded of a little blurb from an old Susan Branch cookbook of mine -  "Heart of the Home".

Susan writes: My house is very tiny and I wanted a place for my guests to feel comfortable, so out in the backyard I built a little "shed" exactly the size of two king size beds.  Half of it is bed and the other half is chairs, a table, etc. It's whitewashed, dried flowers hang from the rafters.  There's no electricity but lots of candles & windows.  Very cozy & romantic.

I just love this idea.  Even with really small home (or especially with),  how fantastic to have a totally private little spot for your guests to make themselves at home.  It needn't be lavish, just thoughtfully prepared.  

I love to have guests but rarely like to be the guest.  Perhaps that's because so often we feel "in the way".  One day I hope to have little guest house.  Simple, but lovely enough that the guests just keep coming.

smoke & mirrors

First the candle sconce caught me eye.  Then I saw these mirrored lampshades in a Pottery Barn catalog.  I am clearly intrigued.  Does anyone have a mirrored fixture like this?  I am so curious how it looks in the evening.

intimate art

We got the idea out of Blueprint Magazine and just adapted it a little.  (oh, Blueprint - How I miss thee!  Our love affair was just-so-brief!)  It was really Sean that adapted it.  Years back we had decided to photograph or scan all of the meaningful little gifts & trinkets that we had given each other over the years...and then sell them in a garage sale.  I can hear the collective gasp of horror but you'd be surprised at how well a photograph serves the same nostalgic purpose as the actual item.  Besides, we got rid of a lot of stuff in this process & were also able to take one of our best vacations ever with the proceeds.  But I digress.

Sean had the great idea of taking these images, blowing them up and creating a gallery wall in our room. We've only just started this but we plan to let it grow organically over time.  I love the idea of a wall of art that is ours and ours alone. 

{images from Blueprint}