Color Inspiration: Pink and Aqua

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by SOF in bedding, Bedroom, fabrics, Kids

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Benjamin Moore, Color Inspiration, Pink Peonies, vintage aqua Mason Jar, Willywaw

It’s no secret that I’ve long been obsessed with pink peonies, and for the past several months I’ve also been enamored with the color aqua, and the two of them together is just sheer perfection. I paired this year’s first big bloom from my garden with the vintage aqua mason jar I picked up at Brimfield a few weeks ago to make my Memorial Day weekend a little brighter. But it doesn’t stop there. Oh, no, no, no. After several months of redesigning my daughter’s room (in my head) and going back and forth on how to create this color combination in her room I have finally made a few calls. The issue is not so much that I didn’t know how to incorporate the color combination, but more that I didn’t want to paint her room pink and half of the rooms in my house are already some shade of blue so I wasn’t sure I wanted to go there either. BUT, the paint has been purchased. The bedding has been purchased. And several accents have been purchased. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come of my 3-year-old’s room!

Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua

Ralph Lauren Pink Oxford Bedding

Jellyfish Print Fabric by Willywaw

So that is just a taste of what’s to come. I’m so looking forward to making this color combination a permanent fixture in my home. There is much more to come in this room as I also incorporate some of what already exists in the space which has a bit of a vintage eclectic feel. It’s guaranteed to be a fun and colorful space!

Stay tuned…

If you’re looking for more color inspiration, you may like:
Happy Birthday Golden Gate Bridge!
Welcome to the Year of Tangerine Dream
Purple Reigns in These Rooms

The Perfect Frosting Color

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by AMM in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids, Shops We Love

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

cupcakes, food coloring, frosting, Oh the lovely things

I never seem to get the frosting color just right when I attempt to color it myself, (not to mention the fact my baking skills are severely lacking). I found this great D.I.Y. over at Oh the Lovely Things. All you need is a standard box of food coloring that contains yellow, red, green and blue. Take one cup of frosting and add the number of drops indicated under the color you want to use and voila! A pretty little frosting that can be applied to cupcakes or any other sweet confection you are baking. For more details head over to Oh the lovely things. Note: the colors in this photo look a little soft to me so adjust the number of drops accordingly.

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First Birthday Party Ideas
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A Sweet Idea

Chic Finds for All Ages from Land of Nod

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by SOF in Accessories, bedding, Bedroom, Furniture, Kids, lighting, Living Room, Mudroom, Outdoor, rugs, textiles

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Kid's beds, kid's storage solutions

Many of you who have children are probably familiar with the fun and stylish kids’ catalog Land of Nod. But as I was perusing the catalog at the palace of catalogs (a.k.a. Pamela’s house) so many things caught my eye for more than just the kid spaces in my home. To start these chevron baskets come in bright and bold colors to add a pop to any room and come in a set of three nesting baskets. I love baskets with tops so that you can really hide things away.

I also am loving these Canvas Mega Sorters. Last week at Brimfield I found a vintage canvas mail bin that I thought would be great for mudroom storage, but I didn’t buy it and ever since I’ve been obsessed with finding something else that would fit the bill. With three storage compartments this will allow me to separate my son’s, daughter’s, and husband’s hats, mittens, shoes, and whatever else they keep in the mudroom. And at $25 it’s even more irresistible. The big question is should I get it in navy or orange?

Also, in the basket category are these great looking Load Bearing Storage Baskets and Hampers.

I love the Jenny Lind style beds and in this turquoise color they are just fabulous! It also comes in white and raspberry in both twin and full sizes. This bed is perfect for a beach house guest room!

The Animales Grafico Bedding would make quite a statement on the turquoise bed, but it would also be great for just about any other bedroom in the house too.

The Tuffet Seater is woven around a metal frame and can be used indoors or out. It would be great stacked on the patio for extra seating.

And for a little bit of glamor, these hanging mirrors are perfect for a powder room, entry, or bedroom.

The Squares to Spare Lamp adds a touch of modern chic to any room in the house…and comes with a rainbow of shade options to really customize your look.

And don’t forget to put something stylish underfoot like the 100% cotton Magic Carpet Rug.

So the next time you’re looking for some fun and colorful decor items (that also happen to be really affordable) consider turning to Land of Nod for big design even though it’s geared towards our littlest inhabitants.

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Hang in There! Alessi’s Gianni A Little Man Holding on Tight
Our Picks for Pottery Barn’s Best of Summer 2012

Etsy Pick of the Week: Ingenuity of Zipper8Lighting

05 Saturday May 2012

Posted by PEY in Eco-friendly, Etsy Pick of the Week, Kids, lighting

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Etsy, lighting, Zipper8Lighting

Lighting is always a challenge, but Zipper8Lighting has infused a little fun and artistry into this category. The upcycle of old book pages for the Artichoke pendant above makes this perfect for a nook in a library – a little whimsy for a serious space! – or a mudroom or a kids room.

In addition to the unique use of materials, I love the way the light is diffused. Depending on the type of bulb you use, this could be a crisp, cool white glow for a white interior, or a warm, soft accent in a colorful space. Allison Patrick’s architecture background is surely the key to these sculptural works of art, so be sure to visit her shop on Etsy to see more of her great lighting solutions.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Understated Glow
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Inspiration in the City

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by SOF in Inspiration, Kids, Outdoor, Shops We Love

≈ 3 Comments

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B Bar & Grill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Central Park, Haagan Dazs, Housing Works, inspiration, LEGO Store, Manhattan, Montague Street, New York Palace Hotel, Rockefeller Plaza, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Top of the Rock

We had the most wonderful visit to New York City this past weekend. It was the first time that we’ve taken the kids into the city, and while I normally love popping in and out of fabulous shops, that wasn’t on the docket this weekend with a 3 and 5 year old in tow. However, luckily New York is never short on inspiration –I adore the rounded arms on the park benches above– no matter where you look…perhaps so much so that my husband was wondering when I was going to walk more than a block without whipping out the camera.

We started out in Brooklyn Heights for a birthday party for my husband’s aunt with his siblings and cousins who had flown in from across the country. If you are considering ever moving to New York, consider Brooklyn Heights unless that is, you have an aversion to hipsters (don’t listen to the Manhattanites who will likely tell you they’ve never been there). It’s a combination of urban life combined with streets lined with brownstones that are so pristine that you think you might be on a movie set. Combine that with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and a program in place to rehab a collection of piers into an amazing parks system (including a carousel enclosed in glass!), and I’m almost ready to to pack my bags (except for that I’ll never leave Newport)!

We stayed at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott which is literally just two blocks from the entrance to the bridge. From there we wandered over to the Promenade about a half mile away which has sweeping views from the Statue of Liberty to uptown as well as beautiful gardens and a great playground.

Luckily, the party was at my husband’s cousin’s apartment and just so happened to be right on the Promenade so all we had to do was wander upstairs and enjoy more beautiful views both across the river…

and down below!

When we left the party this door (and many others) caught my eye. I could spend all day looking at the doors, fencing, and other accoutrements that adorn the homes in New York.

On our walk back to the hotel, we wandered down Montague Street where we found the world’s first Haagen-Dazs shop (who knew it was in Brooklyn?) so we of course had to indulge!

I did a little after hours window shopping next door at Housing Works which is a thrift shop that benefits people living with HIV/AIDS. Just in the window, this shop had great pieces at amazing prices and knowing that your purchase goes to a great cause makes it even better.

We started off our Sunday with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge which was both lovely and amazing.

Than we headed to Manhattan for brunch with friends at B Bar and Grill in the East Village and then started our sightseeing adventures. My son wanted to go to the Empire State Building, but thanks to C & B reader Erika who suggested we go to Top of the Rock instead, we avoided the major lines and got some spectacular views of Central Park and the rest of the city.

I love the view from the Top of the Rock of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Palace Hotel a block behind it.

Then we headed downstairs to the one shop I got to pop my head into during the entire trip, the LEGO store. Who would have thought that I’d find any inspiration while appeasing my children’s unending want for new toys, but this wall of LEGOs was very cool.

And I love the way the ceiling fixtures were made to mimic LEGO pieces!

After the LEGO store we took a cab up to Central Park for the kids to go to the playground at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue. From there we walked over to a friend’s apartment on 74th Street, and as we were walking down 72nd Street I noticed this amazing home. Unfortunately, this photo doesn’t do it the justice it deserves, but every other block on the lower facade is an amazingly intricate scrollwork pattern that is to die for!

Not to be outdone, the home next door was equally as stunning even without the intricate scrollwork.

Some day I will find the time to wander the city aimlessly with no time crunch. And the next time, I will make it beyond the LEGO store to at least the Saks shoe department because I know my daughter, although only 3, will be equally as content there as I am.

Where do you find your favorite inspiration in New York City?

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Life is about using the whole box of crayons. ~RuPaul

Etsy Pick of the Week: Vintage Red Objets

11 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by PEY in Accessories, Etsy Pick of the Week, Inspiration, Kids, Kitchen, Outdoor, Shops We Love

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

bellalulu, Etsy, Red, retro jumping shoes, vintage, vintage galvanized bucket, vintage Kodak Timer, vintage red camping stool, vintage red game balls

As you know, we love vintage goodies here at Chateau & Bungalow. And, this week I stumbled upon bellalulu‘s shop to discover a range of vintage objets that satiated my desire for the unusual mixed with funky function. After making a quick wish list, I realized that Amy’s color inspiration was being channeled: red was popping! The vintage Kodak Timer above would be great for the kitchen, but also fun in a kid’s room. How about a set of vintage game balls (below) placed in a clear glass bowl as a festive centerpiece, or nestle the balls in the galvanized bucket out in the backyard? In addition to these beautiful red treasures, be sure to check out all of the vintage finds at bellalulu.

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DIY Pennant Invitations

06 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by SOF in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids, Parties, Weddings

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Baby Shower Invitations, DIY Invitations, Pennant Invitations, wedding invitations

I just made these invitations for a friends baby shower and totally love how they came out. Check out my DIY on how to make them over at Parentables today!

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First Birthday Party Ideas

A Birthday P-ART-Y!

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by SOF in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids, Parties

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Art Party, Birthday Party Ideas, Kids Birthday Party, Toddler Birthday Parties

This Sunday is my daughter’s 3rd birthday. While April Fool’s Day suits her perfectly, Pamela’s daughter turned 3 last week and so it was only natural that we’d have a joint birthday party in between their birthdays since they are best buds. You may remember we did the same last year with a pink and purple extravaganza (their favorite colors, respectively). We figured this year is probably the last year that the girls won’t have a specific request for a theme for their birthday party, and since we’re on the verge of crossing the line into full on all princesses all the time, we decided we’d instead take advantage of the fact that they both L-O-V-E to paint and have an art p-ART-y!

On our shopping trip to Newburyport about two months back, we found bowl scrapers that bear a striking resemblance to artist’s palettes at a kitchen shop and scooped them up as we knew they would be perfect for our invitation. We printed out the text on various colors of colored card stock and cut each blurb out to look like a splat of paint. (If you missed our DIY Envelope Liner last month, this is what we used it for.) I love how they turned out!

To welcome everyone to the party, I put out our easel with balloons with a welcome message. I probably could have picked up a new one without the years of paint and chalk marks on it at IKEA since they’re only $15, but I like the authenticity of a well used easel.

Inside the table was set with a simple bunch of spring daffodils. I protected my dining room table with a painter’s drop cloth from Home Depot that had the look and feel of a heavy duty linen. And we scattered paint chips across the table in the pink, purple, and green color scheme we were using.

Each place was set with a palette shaped placemat that I cut out of chalkboard paper. I couldn’t find a template or actual palette to use as a base so I had to free-hand one and then use that as the template, and I think they turned out pretty well. Each place setting also had a personalized smock for each of our pint-sized guests.

We found the smocks (purple on one side and pink on the other just like the girls like) at Michaels for $1 each and then bought stencils and paint to monogram them. (Note: stenciling goes much faster and smoother with two people; one to hold down the stencil and one to do the painting.)

We knew that once the kids started arriving, the chaos would quickly follow so we pre-set the table with the fruits in veggies in nut cups as though each of them were a different paint color.

As the kids arrived, we guided them into the back yard to play while we prepared the main course of individual pizzas. The 4″ frozen ones from Trader Joe’s were perfect!

After lunch was finished we got ready to paint. Each child got their own canvas and we spread bowls of paint out across the table. While we intended to do this inside due to the forecast, the weather men were wrong (shocker!) and it turned out to be a beautiful day so we quickly reorganized and grabbed a folding table from the basement to put on the deck so the kids could paint outside which was perfect (and kept the mess outside!). In addition to the canvases, we also gave the kids pieces of cardboard (that we collected from shirts coming back from the dry cleaners) so that they could practice paint if they wanted to or just in case they wanted to do more than one painting.

The birthday girls were hard at work creating their masterpieces! And they were the last ones to finish up so I’m pretty sure we picked a theme that they were very happy with.

My son and his finished product.

All the masterpieces laying out in the sun to dry.

After they finished painting, it was cupcake time! We put the cupcakes on a wooden artist palette and then filled three smaller round palettes with various sprinkles and cupcake decorations so that the kids could create their own cupcake masterpiece.

Make a wish…or two!

Note that it was very important that we made sure every child had a cupcake in hand before we placed the sprinkles on the table. They couldn’t wait to dive in and start decorating and it would have quickly turned disastrous for this age group if we hadn’t done that!

And when it was time to go, we sent each guest home with the masterpieces they created at the party, their smocks, and another small canvas with easel, paint, and paint brush to thank them for p-ART-ying with us!

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Our Picks for Pottery Barn’s Best of Summer 2012

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by SOF in Accessories, furniture, garden, Inspiration, Kids, Kitchen, lighting, Living Room, Outdoor, Parties, rugs, Tabletop

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Chevron Rugs, Potter's Bench, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Summer 2012, Rope Lamp, Sail Canopy, Wicker Furniture

Did you get the new Pottery Barn catalog last week? I have to say that there are quite a few treasures in there, actually in both the regular catalog and the kids catalog. So many in fact that I thought I’d cull some of them out and share some of the amazing-ness with you, just in cased you missed it! Let’s start with the insane boat cleat and nautical rope gallery wall above (sorry, I couldn’t find a better picture). Love, love, love!

And since you know I love all things nautical, this Rope Table Lamp definitely fits the bill. You just have to make sure to use it as a fun accent and not as overkill. For instance you wouldn’t want to have a ship’s wheel coffee table (just in case you happen to have one of those) and these lamps. Sometimes less is more!

Also in lighting, the new Caged Glass Pendant is a great look and a great size at a great price!

The Woven Rattan Drink Cooler is perfect for summer entertaining indoors or out!

As you may remember, I love salt cellars, and this turtle set couldn’t be cuter. Plus, they have lids which makes me think that maybe, just maybe, my salt won’t get sticky in them here by the ocean where it’s a major problem.

I’m kind of obsessed with the dhurrie rugs in a chevron pattern or bordered in colors like pink, navy, and chocolate.

And the pint sized Chesapeake Potter’s Bench–can you stand it!

The Tavern Chairs have an awesome vintage vibe and I love the colors, but I have to say I probably wouldn’t spend $119 each on them. Fingers crossed for a great sale!

The Tree Fort Loft Bed rocks!

The Wicker Elephant Table may be in the kids catalog, but it would be equally at home in an adult space too.

The Woven Shark also is super cool and only $39.

If I weren’t married to a sail maker, I’d be all over this Sail Canopy.

I think I could keep going, but that ought to be enough to start your summer shopping!

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Limoges: Perfect Delights for Easter Hunting

26 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by PEY in Accessories, Celebrations, Kids

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Gump's, Imperial Faberge Egg, Judith Leiber Miniaudiere, Limoges, Limoges Easter Carrot box, Limoges Easter Truck, Limoges Garden Tote box, Limoges Lucky Fortune Cookie, Limoges Opera Glasses, Limoges Wind Up Mouse

The childish delight of hunting for eggs and chocolate bunnies has always been equal to the special goodies often hidden in an Easter basket. At this time of year, Limoges boxes themed with carrots, bunnies and eggs seem like the perfect treasure to delight any age or decor. The craft of Limoges boxes — once upon a time they were used as snuff boxes and then used as pill boxes by the aristocracy — is centuries old, and today make a wonderful collectible to keep or to give as a gift. Between the Limoges Garden Tote Box with a removable carrot hidden inside the tote (above), the Limoges Easter Carrot Box with the hidden porcelain bunny and egg, and the Limoges Easter Truck with a removable porcelain egg there is a box for everyone at Gump’s.

And, if the artistry and detail of a Limoges box appeals to the collector in you, then be sure to pursue the collection further. These are miniature handmade jewels that are more attainable than say a Judith Leiber Miniaudiere or an Imperial Fabergé Egg! Here are a couple of my favorites . . .

Limoges Lucky Fortune Cookie with fortune