A Cool and Collected California Home

Wow I haven’t blogged in quite some time. Two years if you want to be all specific about it. Anyway, I guess the best way to start is to just jump right back in.

This space has been on my mind since it was published in Elle Decor….8 months ago. When I say space I really mean this crazy awesome home designed by Rita Konig and architect Gill Schafer. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to express my feelings on this project. It’s that good and includes everything I love from botanical wallpaper to vintage rattan furniture to a painted brick facade. Do I have a house crush? Probably.

The property was actually a YMCA camp in the 1880’s and it still has that kind of eclectic vibe.  Konig and the super hip couple who purchased the land certainly kept that feel in mind with the overall design and details. Details like reclaimed wood floorboards that were spaced as if they were there 100 years, quirky oil portraits, hand blown windows and a vintage trunk reposed as an outdoor cocktail table. The whole home has the air of a laid back vacation retreat not a formal residence. I think I am so drawn to this particular project because there ARE so many layers. Obviously much love and care went into the whole selection process. Check it out.

I said botanical wallpaper and I delivered. Love this paper by Pierre Frey. Check out his website such good stuff. Back to the above pic please look at the brass window hardware. Again another rich detail that makes the space.

Pretty room of pretty. Quite and soft yet so much character.

Konig knows the way to my heart. Rich hunter green paint (Emery & Cie’s Vermoulu 6) with a killer galley wall and white-painted floor. Look at the corner bookcase and library light please and thank you.

I want to drink here. Love a dark and moody bar area. This will be the pre dinner cocktail spot.

And this will be the after dinner nightcap spot. That ivy detail with the vintage painting just kills me every single time. Such a cozy collected space.

Photos by Eric Piasecki /Source:Elle Decor

Brass Lamp Idea

Lately I have been coveting a certain brass table lamp something fierce.  But not just any old brass lamp mind you.  A seriously stylish futuristic one. Say hello to this beauty from Circa Lighting.

Ralph Lauren Home Carthage Table Lamp

Now lets enjoy these spaces where it is used to great effect. 

Kelly Wearstler

Traditional Home via Pinterest

via Remodelista

via The Decorista

Now the Ralph Lauren version from Circa Lighting is $609 which I have to admit is less expensive then I anticipated.  But many of us do not have an extra $609 to spend on a table lamp.  But I remembered Ikea offers this piece in black or white and it is only $79.

 Could you spray paint or gold leaf the whole thing?  Hmmmmm, I would like to try it but then again if I mess it up I’m out $79.  My thought would be to practice on a cheap lamp from a thrift shop or dollar store. Any advice from the expert DIYers out there.  Anyone?  It would be a great weekend project.

Speaking of weekend, happy Friday all!!

Office Designboard Take Two

Go tiny design board that won’t post any larger than the above size no matter how much resizing I do!

With that out of the way above is what I would so with my small office.  Now in reality not all could ever fit.  That gorgeous shiny gold screen would be way out of proportion and take over one whole wall.  But it definitely helped me focus my thoughts on the overall look for the space.

My walls are a bit more pink and less blushy nude than above. Pink Hibiscus 2172-60 from Benjamin Moore, a coral pink is what I have.  The walls have been painted for about 4 months now I just have been procrastinating obsessing over what direction to go in. Immediate needs are few but I reallllly want a new desk bad.  Dreaming about this from West Elm.

Metal wrapped parsons desk.  Simple and classic but I think the finish amps up the glam factor.  And I like me some glam factor.  But I was checking out 1st Dibs and came across this black antique stunner. Now I in no way can afford it but I may be able to find something similar in a thrift store.  All I would have to do is sand, paint and refinish.  I think I could do it but there would be a lot of searching and visiting local thrift shops.  Believe me I love to do just that but it took me two years to find a buffet for the dining room. But I lucked out and found the ONE for only $20 dollars.  I’m impatient, I want it now!

via 1st Dibs

via 1st Dibs

1950s Python leather Eames chair originally from the Time Life building.

via 1st Dibs

Lacquered 1940s dresser, would use this for storage.  Yes, those are brass caps on the legs and the inside drawers are lacquered in black. Shiny, Shiny

via Madeline Weinrib

Perfection via Pinterest

Arteriors Screen via Zinc Door

I love mixing modern pieces with traditional. The spoon back chair reupholstered in a polka dot fabric, that kind of reads as an animal print, is unexpected and fun. A striped purple, orange and pink turkish pillow placed on the chair brings in color and texture. Throwing a modern orb table beside the chair is not only a little crazy but it balances out the openness of the legs. Give the table a classic urn lamp and you got yourself a cozy put together little nook. Oh and that antique mirror is so good why not add four.

Later this week I will dicuess the art and accessories because I need to talk about that gem shaped lamp on the console.  So cool and it comes in a dozen colors.

Happy 1st day of March everyone!

Shot In The Arm

I need a kick in the pants after this weekend.  Work was crazy and the post I intended for yesterday is not going to work. Due to technical difficulties and my wackyness perfectionist tendencies. 

With that said, some big bold color is needed to start the week off right.  

 

Lots and lots of color

Jenna Lyons

I want to go here and I need that lounge.

Jonathan Adler

Perfect on a black glossy floor.

French chair livened up with yellow leather/vinyl

Always loved this nook

Mary McDonald

All via my Pinterest.

Click to follow-I post some reallllly good stuff, promise!

Animal Print of the Month-February

Being that this is the time of love and all (Okay I know Valentines Day was over 10 days ago) I wanted the February animal print of the month to be one of my favorites.

BEHOLD

via Lonny Magazine June/July 2010

This is the lovely bedroom nook of designer Elizabeth Bauer and I have been in love ever since I came upon it in Lonny over two years ago.

Using Rose Cummings blue and white Zebrine paper on the walls and ceiling gives the area a cozy vibe.  Even though the nook is basically part of the seating area it feels like it’s own separate space.  Such a smarty pants idea for a room that needs to serve two different purposes.  This Elizabeth Bauer knows what is going on.

So pretty are those D. Porthault bed linens. It would be like your bed was sprinkled with candy colored confetti.  Very very expensive french confetti.  Honorable mention going out to those pink lamp shades, great use of color and another excellent idea for a tiny room.  Can’t fit a table lamp, use a swing arm wall sconce.  

The whole studio apartment is feminine, eclectic and oh so pretty and colorful.  Sometimes you just need some pretty. But definitely not your everyday typical pretty.

All via Lonny June/July 2010   Design by Elizabeth Bauer

Photography by Patrick Cline

Blog Crush

Sometimes I stumble across a new blog (new to me anyway) that I just can not seem to get enough of. Right now Gorgeous Shiny Things is that blog.  My blog crush if you will.

The author, Danika Herrick can work some major design magic with a paint brush, some paint, tape, a  ruler and a blank wall!  Oh and sometimes there are vintage furniture pieces involved.  Her crazy colorful interior design and renovation projects are original, inspiring and just plain AWESOME.   All written about in a fast paced approachable style that is fun and interesting to read.  Like a good conversation with a close girlfriend.

She is a mom with two young boys and a husband who works in real estate.  They moved five times and FIVE years. Always renovating and redecorating in each new home.  Her background is in interior design but I she started her own company recently.  If you read design blogs then you are probably familiar with O’verlays.  Yep, she along with her business partner created them.   Just the sheer amount of what she has accomplished is something to look up to.

Lets talk about the picture above shall we.  This used to be a wood dresser people, now it is a sea green masterpiece with shiny gold hardware.  Note the wall-that is not wallpaper it was done by hand with a gold pen. Seriously.

Lovely guest bedroom and office then…..

Bam!  This is the view of the opposite side of the room behind the closet door.  Yes, that geometric mural was painted by hand and it is oh so amazing.  The Dorthy Draper inspired chest is, I think an Ikea find done up with O’verlays. 

O’verlays and mirror working hard keeping the glam.

Paint and plastic templates to get this effect.  Not yours mommas stencil.

Her bathroom before

annnnnd after. More O’verlays at work!

Go NOW to read and partake in some more design and renovation goodness. I should say everything she does is budget friendly.  Sometimes all you need is a $30 bucket of paint and a ruler to create something amazing!

Design Board Happenings

TADA!

I was all set to have a big giant inspiration board ready for today’s post.  However, after several attempts this is as big as it gets people.  Remember I AM NOT a graphic designer, I just play one one this here blog.

Above is what I would do if I had a gazillion dollars to spend and could just buy from 1st dibs like it was my job.  In my mind this is what my office would look like.  All pretty, sparkly glam, modern and traditional at the same time.   Here sherbet colors and fabrics would mingle with a brass 1970’s screen and a chinoiserie table lamp can cohabitant with a burnt orange and purple velvet stripe toss pillow. Aw yeah.

  Notice my favorite discontinued Jane Churchill fabric on the antique black bench.  So perfectly wonderful in a small doses.

Despite the technical difficulties this was too much fun and I will continue to create mood/design/inspiration boards for your viewing pleasure.  Go HERE to see a larger view.

By the end of the week part two of the office will be up and ready.

Wait till you see the deck and office chair.

Spring Is Coming…..Soon

Did you notice that it is staying lighter longer in the evenings?  Well, up here in Pennsylvania it is.  This fact makes me very very happy.  It will soon be March and winter will be over and done with!

Till then we can all partake in the bright splendid color below.

via Pinterest

Apartment of Ivanka Trump via Little Green Notebook

via 1st Dibs

Katie Ridder

Phillip Gorrivan via Pinterest

Yeah ok I had an aqua and mustard yellow moment.  I got no issues with that.

Have an awesome weekend!

More Glossy Goodness

I know I posted about my obsession with lacquered walls last week but you must take a look at this.

Spied last evening on the blog A {Little} Dash of Ash.

  Deep glossy navy walls along with a brown checkerboard wood floor creates some major contrast.  The wood along with the white ceiling keep it from being dark and moody.  Also, everything here looks like it was chosen with care from the artwork to the  peices on the console.  Yeah, that console is awesome too.  Love that the molding and trim are the same color as the wall. It makes the space seem larger.

I was curious, did my research and found it is the apartment of  Todd Romano, published in Architectural Digest back in February 2011.  The space is a tiny studio in New York but the color scheme is big and bold.  Lots of color against glossy navy which are throughout the WHOLE space.  Pay close attention to the red stacking trays,  lime green velvet chairs and an amazing collection of art. Oh it is so so good!

Images via Architectural Digest & A {Little} Dash of Ash blog

Photography by Thomas Loof

Domino & Pink

Since it is Valentines Day tomorrow I thought I would post on two things that I love:

The color pink and Domino magazine. 

You probably all know about THIS joyful news. Domino is coming back, sort of….they are publishing a special edition called Quick Fixes which will be available this Spring.  From the sound of it it will feature photos from the original magazine along with tutorials on how to achieve some of the decor ideas shown in said photos.  Stay tuned it all goes down April 17th.

Domino certainly delivered on giving the color pink it’s due.  Enjoy!

I always loved the covers Domino. Back then it was a breath of fresh air in the shelter magazine world.  They used fresh and modern fonts, graphics and photography that was not so staged.  No fancy stuff uppity couples here people. Oh and they featured pink…a lot.

 I am having a major flash back right now. I remember reading Domino at my desk when I worked at the furniture store when I was in my early-ish twenties.  I got in trouble for reading when I should have been doing client work.  Aw, memories. Do you have any Domino related nostalgia…do tell!