surf sister

yagottabekiddin'me-

as if i wasn't craving summer enough...

heather ross for walden.

favorites unite.

be still my heart.

brimfield love

last thursday my dad and i took a little road trip to brimfield...

we met up with my friend amanda

and set out to scour the fields

so

so

SO

much to see

i tried

but couldn't

leave without this bar cart

i have a thing for anything teak and mid-century.

plus, i got it for a steal

we left over-stimulated, with swollen feet and satisfied until september

(i can't do that july show in full-summer heat)

staircase love

ok, so i'm the first to admit that i haven't always been a fan.

for a while there, amy butler bored and annoyed me

but the latest collection?

LOVE

(most of it)

especially the navy blue.

i hadn't found a place to use any of it in our house yet...

so when i heard that graham + brown is producing the wallpaper (!!!)

my wheels started turning...

thinking maybe for the risers on our staircase?

reid likes the idea in general- he even pointed out a photo in last month's this old house...

love either of these:

hopefully they're not too girly?

a little more inspiration...

roomenvy

tea4joy * door16

what's next for rikshaw?

head over to the rikshaw design blog today

to check out my suggestions

for where i'd love love love to see those gorgeous block-printed textiles next!

thanks to catherine for asking me to participate!

xoxo

eco-chic agua

i've had lifefactory's glass baby bottles bookmarked in my "someday" file for a while now

but they've just added something that i could certainly use now...

glass water bottles for the grownup crowd!

i do love my klean kanteen, but seeing how much is left in the bottle would be nice too...

for the love of liberty

i have a huge place in my heart for target.

ok, maybe it's an obsession.

honestly, i find a reason to go weekly, and if i don't need anything, i call my sister or mother (who live in places target does not) asking them if they need anything, just so i can have an excuse to go.

i love nearly everything about their "making design accessible" mission. there partnership with "it" designers?

brilliant.

i loved proenza schouler. missed john derian. sadly under-whelmed by orla kiely. anxiously awaiting gaultier...

and now, it's official...

liberty of london.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

(the video preview? AHHHH-MAZING!)

NOT to be missed.

march 14th.

be there.

via

reading

one of my new year's resolutions is to read more.

(more resolutions to come...)

my bedside stack is getting unreasonable and my library requests insane.

in the age of all-digital, i am so drawn to this :

a book-due calendar! LOVE it....

you can personalize, and keep track of all that you read and aim to every month.

via designsponge

5 fab gifts

i met catherine, of rikshaw design, last year at a trade show and i was immediately i was blown away by her gorgeous products, and how friendly she was. seriously, she's got it all going on...

not only is she gorgeous, and unbelievably stylish...

but her line of block printed bedding for children is off. the. hook.

rikshaw just introduced twin sizes, but i'm still hoping for some full size sets

OR

shower curtains!

can you imagine?!?

well, this cool chick has a super chic blog that gives me dreams of glamour, even when i'm blogging from bed in sweats.

so, i was blown away and over-the-top excited when she asked me to participate in her "5 fab gifts" series.

check my suggestions out today!

renter's reality- the BIG reveal!

way back in june, i posted some suggestions for amanda, about her living/dining/ meeting space in the house she and her husband rent.

well, the room is finally pulled together and, i have to say, a HUGE improvement.

fun and relaxed, but "grown-up" from the college dorm days.

and, definitely presentable enough to meet with clients in.

without further adieu...

dining space

from dining looking to living

living space

from entrance looking to living

well done amanda and jeff!

more details about all that they did on amanda's blog.

all photos orchard cove photography

anthropologie scout

tonight.

sundance channel.

10pm.

man shops globe.

does he need an assistant!?!

manifesto

mark pavey

it's offically fall... time to turn over a new leaf!

found.

i first spotted these AMAING leashes in Martha Stewart Living and was won over by their chic simplicity...

then, the sartorialist confirmed my thoughts of effortless cool on the streets in soho.

oh, how i miss having a dog!

when the time comes, this will be my go-to accessory...

making the most of a multi-use space

My sister, Meggin, asked me for some help in making over the most-used room in her house; the kid’s playroom. This room sits at the far end of, and is very open to their kitchen.  Sunny and bright through cold Vermont winters and open and breezy with a slider to the backyard for the summertime, it’s a multi-use space to say the least. The playroom also serves as a guestroom (note the daybed) and a den for movie night. However, the kids rarely watch TV, so Meggin wanted to be sure that it wasn’t the focus of the room. The kids love to create, so an art space is a necessity, as is a place for dress-up and setting up the train tracks…

Here are my initial thoughts:

1. Your rug is looking threadbare! I think a soft indoor-outdoor rug (8) would be the best option for this space- stain resistant means super easy clean up after craft time and it will stand up to the wear and tear of heavy traffic areas and Vermont mud season.
2. The daybed is a necessity- for cuddling up with some books and for movie nights with the hubby (not to mention it's the guest bed!) but, it takes up a LOT of space and, with the current configuration, leaves corners as just a place to hide junk. Let’s push the day bed into the far right-hand corner. Because the slider opens from the left, we won’t be limiting access to the backyard. I would love to see a good solid curtain rod with floor-length curtains to cover the slider. These are a must have for the privacy of guests staying in that room anyway, and it will cozy things up a bit. When open, push them to the right side of the slider, covering just a bit more of the door than the bed sticks out into (this will disguise the fact that the daybed sticks out into the slider a bit). Just make sure the daybed is 4-5” from that far wall, so the curtains can fall nicely and be pulled open and closed easily. I’d love to see oatmeal colored linen with thick navy horizontal stripes… so get sewing! These curtains will add so much interest and richness to the space.
3. The beanbag has got to go! I know it is cozy…but oh-so 80s and a total floor space hog! If you really just can’t part with it, recover it in an outdoor fabric and bring it outside in the spring and summer for the kids to dive-bomb into or for you to knit in while the kids explore. It can live happily in the garage when not in use.
4. I am dying for some larger art in this room. For the most part, the current wall art is far too small and incohesive. You have beautiful photographs of your family thanks to Amanda at Orchard Cove... so get them up on the walls! Order some large size canvases of your favorite family/ kid pictures! 

                                

I figured it would be easiest to describe this in “zones” as colored on my new floor layout

RED ZONE

• This would be a great spot for the craft area. I think a long, low table is necessary for creating. I love the stainless steel table tops that Ikea is now offering (VIKA HYTTAN 47x24in)… chic and SO easy to clean and scrub… it will NEVER stain, and looks better the more beat up it gets! Pair it with these fun, child height legs (IKEA's VIKA OLEBY legs in the 17" height) and you're good to go.
• On the desk, I would have one basic set of small storage drawers for craft supplies, each labeled (with an images, rather than words) for crayons, paintbrushes, glue sticks, scissors, etc.
• On the same wall, above the chair rail, tack up a selection of brightly colored job jackets (1) in different sizes and horizontal/vertical configurations. This is SUCH a fun way to display your children’s creations and new work can be switched in and out with easy for ever- changing art!
• On the narrow wall to the left I would hang a magazine-type rack (2) for paper storage- construction paper, plain white paper, etc. and keep it loaded all the time for easy access
• I would hang a flat-screen TV high up in this corner, in perfect view from a cozy spot on the daybed, yet out of the kid’s sight

BLUE ZONE

• This is a perfect spot to some of Ikea’s larger kid friendly storage drawers (3). I think it is critical for kids to be able to clean up their own spaces early on, and nothing enables them to do this more than knowing where things go… get your camera out and take some snapshots of their most-used toys that will go in these drawers (legos in one, trucks in another, dolls, etc.) affix one clear photo on the front of each drawer so Anya and Evan can not only access their favorites easily, but put them away as well… it works like a fun matching game!
• Your space heater can easily fit to the right of this unit
• Above the chair rail on this wall, get a few of those beautiful family photos (4) made up on large sized canvases!
• Lose the small mirror on the small bit of wall to the left of the sliders

 GREEN ZONE

• The daybed will now be all the way to the left of this space
• Get sewing! Above the sliders you need a sturdy wooden curtain rod with a nice, hearty curtain to cover the slider
• Against the side of the daybed that you see when you enter the room, let’s put a DISPLAY BOOKCASE here. I LOVE the easy access these offer to favorite books, and, with them so visible, books will be one of the first things the kids see and grab for. Perfect!

 YELLOW ZONE

• I am tucking the dress-up clothes behind this wall, which you cannot see from the kitchen, to keep everything looking tidy.
• One of my all-time faves, the Eames Hang-All (5), would be just perfect here… loads of hooks for all their favorite dress-up clothes and interesting to look at when bare! This could be hung on the short bit of wall on the far right.
• I ADORE this cloud shaped mirror (6) and think it would be just perfect in the dress-up corner. Remember to hang it BELOW the chair rail so the kids can see themselves!
• Under the windows, I would just love to see one of these fun, strap baskets (7) for dress-up accessories like fire hats and magic wands that can’t be hung up.

I can't wait to see how you transform this space! Good Luck!

(Sorry, Al, looks like there won't be any boating for you this weekend... This is quite a To-Do List!)

xoxo

public school

my husband is a high school english teacher, so when i saw these fantastic posters by public school, i couldn't help thinking of september 8th.

     

     

via simplesong

renter's reality

My longtime friend Amanda has been hinting for a while now, that when she and her husband finally have their own place, that she’d love my design advice.

Finally, she decided she couldn’t and shouldn’t wait any longer!

For those of us in our 20s, renting is our reality, and may remain so for a while. I am a true believer in working with what you’ve got and trying not to wait and wait for your “own” place to go ahead and make the place where you are, yours.

Obviously, there are limits to how much of a transformation can be done, and nobody wants to spend huge amounts of money on furniture that you don’t know will fit into your next move.

So, here is the low-down… Amanda and her husband, Jeff, are preppy and low-key, all about comfortable-living (I lovingly call AH my LLBean friend) and family. Amanda loves to cook, entertain and may have a slight addiction to Netflix while knitting. But, she also needs a place that she can meet with clients to discuss their photography needs for weddings and special occasions. So she needs to find the balance of making this living/dining space both a presentation area that is easy to clean up and looks professional, but is as appealing for Jeff to have his buddies over for football and beer.

I have been reassuring her…it CAN be done without spending the entire nest egg!

Here are the before shots, and a run-down of what I would do…Amanda, I know how you love lists!

DINING AREA

• We need some fresh color here! This will take some time, but hey, that’s why you have friends. All the trim, molding and chair rails in Decorator’s White- fresh and clean. On the bottom (beadboard) I love Benjamin Moore's Britannia Blue (1623) and on the upper part of the wall and into the entire living space, Brittany Blue. This is a beautiful grey-blue color that will change with the seasons and time of day and be a wonderful backdrop for your gorgeous art and photographs
  
• Turn the dining table the long way along the window and center in that space
• Amanda inherited the dining set from her Grandmother. No, not her style, but, FREE is! Let’s recover the seat cushions with something a little more fun, bright and modern. My favorite standbys ("beads" from Hable Construction) would be fantastic... two chairs in eachLose the tablecloth and, to give the table a new look, let’s paint the legs of the table in a high gloss (the Brittany Blue would be great). A runner would be perfect table-topper, and some hurricanes down the center of the table with lake rocks from your favorite places and pillar candles. This fresh surface is a great place to layout your albums samples when couples come over to discuss options!
• As a way to designate the space as it’s own “room” lets put a nice rug under the table (i'd recommend the indoor/outdoor version which is stain-resistant and easy to clean)
• On the left-hand wall (if you are looking out the window) let’s center the four photos horizontally, lower a bit and spread out. One thing I am noticing in general, is that your pictures are hung too high. This is a common occurrence in my apartment as well… That’s the trouble when you have a tall husband who is good with a hammer!
• Underneath those pictures, and again, centered on that wall, lets move in the beautiful chest of drawers. I’d love to see a collection of easy-to-care-for succulents of varied heights here, maybe on a vintage crocheted table scarf. This will add beautiful green tones and to pull from the photos. Otherwise, keep this surface free of clutter.
• Sweetie, those sconces have GOT to go…good lord! These are modern and white will add a nice contrast on the blue/grey wall.Yes, these are existing, and hardwired, but Jeff just happens to be a bit handy. Thank goodness. Be sure to turn off the circuit breaker before he tackles this, but, these can be unscrewed from the wall and wires detached and replaced with something a little more pleasing to the eye. When it is time to turn in the keys, the original beauties can be put back up!
• I am a huge fan of matchstick blinds COMBINED with long curtains. I’d love to see some floor-length curtains in oatmeal linen that have wide color-blocking of royal blue velvet and a green... again, mix the formality and fun
• Because this may be a meeting-contract signing spot, no one wants to see your dirty breakfast dishes. Let’s make a simple curtain that we will hang above the doorway on the kitchen side that you can pull closed when company is over. A fun print would be a great way to bring in a pop of color
• Pink chair moves to guest room

LIVING SPACE

• I want to play with the layout here as well… Let’s put the couch against the large wall, looking at the fireplace. My pet peeve (and maybe because I grew up in a TV-less house) is the focal point of the living room being the TV…especially when there is a fireplace! Yes, we are all television obsessed here in the US, but let’s make this a living, talking, reading, entertaining space FIRST.

• On either side of the couch, those great side tables you have (one shown next to the couch and the other currently serving as the TV stand). Get some woven baskets to fit on the bottom shelves of these side tables to store your knitting projects, remotes, etc to keep tabletops clear and clutter-free. Time to invest in some great lighting. I am totally lamp-obsessed… seriously, can’t control myself. You have the perfect place for a beautiful set of these ceramic gourd lamps (love them in a bright green to again, pull out the greens from your art). In the future, there would be wonderful in a boy’s room, pink + green girl’s room, or stay working wonderfully with the blues and greens you love in your main living space.

• 
  Throw pillows! Add some color and interest to the couch to break up the huge slab of blue (John Robshaw is amazing for pillows that would look fabulous here... search ebay for Robshaw and Thomas Paul). Also, a cozy cashmere blanket is the BEST investment. Folded nicely across the back of the couch looks totally acceptable (go for a solid color here...garnet hill makes a fantastic ribbed version you can find for fall) for guests and is just as cozy and warm as the down pouf you drag in every time you watch a movie!
  
• The photos on that wall that will be behind the couch are way too high. I like the idea of having large canvases here, as that will be the first focal point when people come in. That being said, I think the “lake-house in winter” picture has to move to the office…I know you and Jeff love the house and the memories there, but it doesn’t mean anything to potential clients and is a bit dark for the main wall. Blow up some of the AMAZING honeymoon shots and use the space for those personal-yet-relatable shots... maybe a layout like this:
• In front of the couch, you need a coffee table…nothing too fussy; you want to be able to put your feet up! I think something round or oblong would be great to break up all the rectangular shapes we are working with! QUICK! Check this steal out...perfect and nearby!
  
• On that large window, we are going to do the same thing as in the dining room: matchstick blinds with a nice wooden rod holding floor-length curtains.
• I would love to see you two invest in a credenza of some sort.
  This will easily move to any home you live in, in the future, and it has a million uses. I would always encourage something vintage over new…so start scouring your local antique stores! A piece like this would be perfect under the windows. This can hold a LIMITED selection of framed family pictures and a tray for keys and cell phones, as it is close to the door.
• Place the club chairs facing couch as a nice place to sit and meet. These can easily be turned to enjoy the fire (or TV)
  
• Let’s delineate this area as well, with a sisal rug…break up the nasty wall-to-wall!
  
  
• If you can remove the screen from the fireplace, do it! Store it someplace safe to be put back on before you leave! Start a collection of brass candlesticks in varied heights (scour antique malls and eBay) add white tapers and fill the fireplace with them… this would create such a simple, beautiful and interesting vignette, whether lit or unlit. For a romantic evening, light them all and cozy up on the couch… just as beautiful as a real fire, without the mess!
• Again, lower that picture above the mantle. It is large enough to even just sit on the mantle if you’d like. (I am so SO jealous that you have a mantle!) Keep this area free of photos… except maybe the large photo you have hanging on the wall now, to the right of the fireplace. Prop that up on the mantle on the right hand side…don’t be afraid to have the painting and photo overlap a little…I think it can look modern and relaxed. I think you need some height variations here, maybe just on the right hand side…some blue and green pottery vases, etc… I found these lovelies by Jonathan Adler on eBay for a steal!
• Let’s put the TV to the left of the fireplace. I would buy a relatively inexpensive console to put the TV on (at a slight angle- in towards the fireplace/seating area) and the DVD, wii etc can be stored away. Because it looks like you may have a lot, I would put a nice Japanese paper inside the glass windows to hide everything.
• Lose the footrest.