At Home: Books, Textiles And Botanicals

Yesterday I decided to take some photos of the house after being away for the long weekend. Settling back in felt so good, that it prompted me to capture the "home sweet home" feeling through my lens.  This made me realize how this house gradually evolved into a home since we moved into it over three years ago.  As our essential furniture pieces remained the same, the smaller items, those that give our spaces their personality, have continually changed.  Pillows and art have been added and also moved around the house.  There's never a shortage of new plants, fresh botanicals, repurposed accessories and an array of current books and magazines.  It's uniquely our space and we are very grateful for it.  

Take a look: 

The Kilim pillows are from Yayla Rugs in Cambridge, Ma., while the textile that drapes over our sectional is from the Alameda Antique Market in the East Bay.

Our once yellow womb chair from Reside (Cambridge, Ma) was reupholstered in a vintage Knoll fabric in a tone very similar to our mid-century brick color.

Stacks of magazines, some old, some new, next to favorite design books offer inspiration as well as pleasurable reading. 

The bell garland is from Anthropologie (from years back) and the brass candlesticks are from Rare Heir, an antique shop in Oakland, Ca.

Foraged Acacia branches are displayed in a vessel found in a thrift store alongside a Heath Ceramics bud vase, a gnarled root and a wooden candlestick also found in a vintage store. 

This area of the kitchen was designed to display interesting/meaningful items and botanicals.  Since it's where we spend most of our time, I really wanted a designated spot for pretty and inspiring things.  The black and gold box is from West Elm, the Kwan Yin statuettes from Sugi in Lafayette, Ca., the wooden salt bowl is from Terrain and the vintage glass is from a recent visit to the Alameda Antique Market.

The large stripped pillow is from Garza Marfa while the smaller is one from One Kings Lane.  The metal table bases were found during a trip to Maine.  We added glass tops and spray painted them cobalt blue to be used as night tables in our previous home. In our current "project room" they happen to work perfectly with the rug from Yayla Tribal Rugs and the Peruvian blanket from the Marisa Mason studio in Oakland, Ca.  

What things do you love about your space and where did you find them?  Do share!

Layered Neutrals: Part 2

I recently had the opportunity to visit clients who recently welcomed their second child.  After a brief hiatus from working on their home, I stopped by to stylize their living room with a couple of plants, several patterned pillows and a comfy throw.  Seeing how the space emerged from the virtual room inspiration (below) into real life was quite rewarding.  As life settles down for the growing family more personal touches will be added, but for now they have the foundation for an inviting living area to read, play and watch TV.  Many congratulations SH and JH on your adorable new arrival.

These are the key pieces that make up the room.

1.  EQ3's Mañana Floor Lamp    2.  Williams and Sonoma Herringbone Flamestitch Rug 3.  West Elm's Paneled Armoire  4.  Suite NY's Friday Lounger 5.  Room and Board's Tyne Round Coffee Table and 6.  the Mota Wedge Sectional from Viesso.

A Few Good Pillows & 7 Decorating Tips

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Over the weekend I played around with the pillow shams I bought in Cambridge at my favorite rug shop last month.  Using inserts I already owned, I stuffed the kilim covers and placed them on our sectional.  Our prior pillow collection was a mix of kilim, cotton and shag in light natural tones, but I'm really liking the way the deep pink hues look with the dark brown sofa and the brick wall.  The plan is to get a few more to balance out the large seating area and to purchase art for the brick wall.  Take a look at our renewed sofa.

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I love mixing things up every once and while around the house.  The kids take notice and the space suddenly feels revived.  Here's a few more ideas to freshen up your space with little or no money spent.

1.  Remove curtains or replace them with a patterned fabric that is appropriate for the season.

2. If space allows, re-arrange your furniture.  

3. Add plants or repot the ones you have in coordinating containers for focal interest. 

4.  Give your sofa or chair a new look by draping a throw on it. 

5.  Rehang your art or find wall space for pieces you haven't hung yet.

6.  Rearrange your coffee table accessories; add books and magazines that you may not have read in while.  Keep books open to a page you find inspiring. 

7. Let your kids change things around for a day.  You'll either be completely mortified or pleasantly intrigued by how they see the space.  It's only for a day!

If you recently made some changes around your house, I would love to hear about them.

Client/Friend Collaboration

During my stay in Cambridge last week, I did spend a few nights at a friend's home (who had also been a client) and was reminded of how much I enjoyed working with her.  Because our styles are so different, we challenged each other in areas that were out of our mutual comfort zones.  Where I tend to be more miminalistic and tonal in color preferences, my friend has a more classic and traditional approach to decorating with bolder colors and prints.  Together we collaborated in bringing together a mix of textiles and patterns that resulted in a refined, transitional space.  The images below tell the story.

Thank you EVB for giving me the opportunity to work together on your beautiful home.

Room Inspiration: Botanicals & Neutrals

Botanicals, neutrals tones and a mix of metals inspire this room's classic, yet contemporary look.

The essentials are:

Tufted Ditte Sofa, Baldwin Coffee Table, Botanical Prints, Safavieh Rug, Marble Print Pillows, Slim Leather Sling Chair, and the Twin Beacons Light.