A Pinterest Inspired Purchase: Moroccan Poufs

After pinning this image, I realized that our living room needed a couple of Moroccan poufs not only as extra seating, but as an ethnic accent in the space.  By buying them unstuffed, money was saved on both the shipping and the actual poufs.  I filled them with extra blankets and towels that were taking up too much linen closet space.  I love the way the leather color and stitched design look with our rug and woodwork.  Take a look:

Stairway Photo Walls: 7 Images & 7 Tips

After seeing photos hung along a stairway in last week's The Way We Live, a reader requested more examples of this win/win decorating trend.     Take a look at these 7 images and get ideas on creating  your own stairway to family 'haven'.

Do you have a photo wall?  If yes, my readers and I would love to see it.  Send your images to debra@cocoonhome.com.  Many thanks!!

Images: 1./2./3./4./5./6./7.

The Way We Live: A Spontaneous New Year's Day Visit

Instead of a typical New Year's post about milestones and resolutions, I'll share with you photographs of our first 2013 day, spent in Noe Valley with friends we met while living in SF many years ago.  Now that we live near one another spontaneous visits are possible and with a couple like DS and BB you can always expect a warm welcome (even with 3 crazy kids in tow).  Their home is cozy and eclectic and reflects their passions and travels.  Seamlessly mixed vintage finds, textiles, art and interesting artifacts, this home is truly an example of  The Way We Live.  Take a look:

During our visit we shared in a Southern New Year's tradition of eating black eyed peas and collard greens which symbolize future wealth and good luck.  Here's to wishing everyone both in 2013!    I ate two entire bowls...

Happiest of new years and many thanks to DS and BB for sharing the first day of 2013 with all of us and you.