Take A Seat

As a girl I always dreamed about having a window seat in my room where I could curl up and read or play or nap. Sadly, old florida style homes rarely have the nooks and crannies that create the means for this wonderful elements. My current abode's picture windows have a twelve-inch ledge, thanks to the thick concrete walls used as the building's principal construction material. Sitting's not ideal (a little narrow) but I keep entertaining the idea of having cushions made, at least for the window in my bedroom. Because, how charming and delightful are these little window nooks? 

{Images via Pinterest}

Picks of the Week 6.27.13

This week's picks are a round up of items that will make your summer entertaining more colorful, fun and elegant. It's fair to say that the marble pastry board and the gold rimmed glassware are a direct result of the gorgeous images from Tuesday's Post. But they'll also add elegance and a touch of parisian flair to your next bar set-up. Furbish has the cutest curation of colorful cocktail napkins and pitchers. While I was putting together the graphic I noticed that I may have a problem with aqua and pink color combinations, in that they are all too frequent on the blog. But I love them! And a good gold accent...

Sources // 1 Seagate Pitcher via Furbish Studio / 2 Brass Bottle Opener via Hudson Boston / 3 Pink Cocktail Napkins via Furbish Studio / 4 Pink Ditsy Cocktail Napkins via Furbish Studio / 5 Glazed Pebble Dish in Gold via Hudson Boston / 6 Gold Rimmed Stemless Glassware via West Elm / 7 French Kitchen Pastry Slab via Crate & Barrel // 

Designer Spotlight: Anne Hepfer

I forget how I came across Anne Hepfer's talented designs, whether it was in a magazine or on pinterest. It's always a toss up. The native New Yorker now runs her firm of talented designers from Toronto. Her design aesthetic is known for mixing elements from a range of eras to create beautiful yet practical spaces. When browsing her portfolio I found myself drawn to her beach and lakeside projects in particular. 

Can I be hanging out in this outdoor room right now, with a glass or wine in hand? 

{Images via Anne Hepfer Designs}

Cool It!

The first day of summer came with an intense heatwave here in Boston and had me looking for delicious ways to beat the heat. Ways that didn't involve sugary and artificially flavored ice-pops. Cue naturally derived flavor syrups and soda water (or something stronger if you so desire!). Heidi Swanson and her blog, 101 Cookbooks, and pop-up shop, Quitokeeto to the rescue.

White Peach Maple Soda

Lemon Thyme Gin Sparkler (or Soda Sparkler)

Rhubarb & Rosewater Syrup (perfect with sparkling water or something a bit stronger!)

{Images via 101 Cookbooks & Quitokeeto}

A Tale of Two Dresses

I have this conundrum. One of my lovely affianced friends is letting her bridesmaids choose their own dress style and I cannot for the life of me decide between two options. But I've always been terrible with making decisions. I've wanted to collaborate with Cambria of Cambria Grace Photography ever since we met at Blogshop back in February so I thought, why not have a little photo session to determine which dress I liked better. However, when Cambria sent me her amazing photographs, I still could not decide. So seriously, which dress y'all?

If you're looking for an engagement or wedding photographer I cannot recommend Cambria enough. I'm highly self-critical when it comes to photographs of myself so I was amazed and joyous when these were emailed to me! Cambria, you're one talented lady! Mile grazie! 

Sources

Dress I // The Kylie in Dried Lavender Silk Chiffon from J. Crew

Earrings // Glacier Drops from Anthropologie

Bracelets //  Bridesmaid Bangle from Kate Spade and Chainlink Bracelet via J. Crew Factory

Ring // College Ring (similar signet here)

Shoes // Older Karolina Pumps from Kate Spade

Dress II // The Heidi in Dried Lavender Silk Chiffon from J.Crew

Necklace // Stella & Dot from a while back (similar here)

Earrings // Fireball Studs from J. Crew Factory 

Bracelets //  Bridesmaid Bangle from Kate Spade and Chainlink Bracelet via J. Crew Factory

Ring // College Ring (similar signet here)

Shoes // Older Karolina Pumps from Kate Spade

{Photography by lovely Cambria of Cambria Grace Photography}

Power Woman, Power House

With catalogs so perfectly enticing that readers often wish themselves into the pages, is it any wonder that Lily Kanter, Co-Founder of the popular home decor company Serena and Lily, has created a design-powerhouse of a home? The July/August Coastal Living has a lovely feature on Kanter's California home which also doubles as the neighborhood hangout every Friday night. Oh to live in that neighborhood...

Can we all stop a moment and admire the exterior: gray-blue siding, white trim and red muntins. Red muntins! I may just faint away in delight. And now, proceed inside... 

Read the full article and see more divine images in the July/August issue of Coastal Living. 

{Photography by Jonny Valiant for Coastal Living}

Picks of the Week 6.20.13

I haven't had much down time recently but I do usually get a full day or at least a couple of hours on the weekend. My picks this week revolve around casual weekend wear that can take you from the farmer's market in the morning to the beach in the afternoon. The gauzy shirt can double as a quick beach cover-up and will dry quickly. I may also be obsessed with the new sandal from Jack Rogers, the Georgica, though I do feel like I'm cheating a little on my beloved Navajos whenever I opt for these instead. Whatever you do, don't forget sunscreen!  

Sources // 1 Embroidered Gauze Top via J.Crew / 2 Preston Sunglasses in Gimlet Tortoise via Warby Parker / 3 Tiki Short in Neon Azalea via J.Crew / 4 Avianna Large Tote via Sole Society / 5 Coola Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face via Birchbox / 6 Georgica Sandals in Cork & Gold via Jack Rogers USA //

Delightful Design: Shelter Island Low-Key Cottage

I'm a sucker for a shingled cottage, it's the New Englander inside of me. This lovely 19th century Dutch Colonial cottage featured in July's House & Home is the perfect embodiment of a low-key, relaxing vacation home. Nestled on Shelter Island, this cottage is filled with odds and ends collected from trips around the world as well as a blend of vintage and antique furnishings, the rule of the house is that life within be joyous and messy. The homeowner outfitted "the house with items that have weathered time, are flawed or broken - things that feel human." There's none of the pomp and circumstance found just a short ferry's ride away in the Hamptons. And the color scheme is killer. Starting with the fantastic coral colored front door and the transitioning inside to shades of black, red, and blues mixed with wood tones and brass accents. 

Read the full article and see more gorgeous images from Making a Splash in July's House & Home.

{Photography by Eric Striffler for House & Home}

Extra Office Space

I think I may have outgrown my little round dining table-turned-desk. I find myself without enough room for my computer, my papers and client folders. And forget about ever using it to actually eat a meal, most of that happens japanese style at my coffee table. I'd love to update my dining nook/office with a larger rectangular table and about three of those mint filing cabinets, plenty of storage for both files and my great-grandmother's silver. Then I'd like to commit myself to gold and acrylic accents with the same Russell + Hazel binder for each client/project. And because I cannot sit like an adult, a cute little cube to rest my feet on. 

Sources // 1 Willa Dove Side Chair via Crate & Barrel / 2 Jill Rosenwald Hourglass Pouf via Lulu and Georgia / 3 Ingatorp Table via Ikea / 4 Robert Abbey Koleman One Light Club Floor Lamp via Wayfair  / 5 Signature Three-Ring Binder in Gold via Russell and Hazel - El Casco Stapler in Gold via Paradise Pen - Acrylic Tape Dispenser via Russell and Hazel / 6 TPS Mint File Cabinet via CB2 //

More Kitchen Lust

I really need to make painting my kitchen cabinets and saving up for new countertops, sink and faucet a priority because every time I come across a lovely kitchen renovation I turn bright green with envy. It's hard to curb that jealously monster sometimes. Sorry J.Crew and Lilly Pulitzer, I'll see you again next year. This fantastic renovation was done by Elissa Toews and her husband in British Columbia. It's exactly what I want: white cabinets, subway tile, quartz countertops and accents of western maple. The beautiful transformation gives me hope that I can salvage the disaster, often referred to as "the hovel," which is my own kitchen. 

{Images via Elissa Toews @ Our House}

Delightful Design: Spanish Colonial Update

Every once in a while I like to go old school rustic. Old school Spanish Colonial rustic. This month's Lonny featured the fabulous colonial home of Ariane Dutzi, one time international fashion correspondent and current philanthropic visionaire behind Dutzi Designs. Situated in a tiny village along the Yucatan coast, this four-hundred year old home is fashioned from traditional rough hewn limestone and was once a series of small apartments. 

Removing some of these interior walls and leaving several rooms exposed to the interior courtyard has turned this home into a palace among the elements. Neutral muted colors and locally hand crafted furnishings helps Ariane find harmony with all the vibrant colors of nature and architecture surrounding her oasis. She does allow in a few of her favorite turquoise and pinks in the form of fresh flowers, throws and decorative pillows which can be swapped out on a dime. 

To read more about Ariane's home and philanthropic design company check out her feature in this month's Lonny Made in Mexico. 

{Photography by Genevieve Garruppo for Lonny Magazine}

Floralscape, Tablescape

My brain is fried. Let's look at some lovely floral centerpieces, shall we? I just love these vibrant tablescapes. Perfect for summer dinner parties, casual or formal. 

{Images via Pinterest}