Monthly Archives: October 2009

Ottoman Empire

29 Thursday Oct 2009

Posted by in Furniture

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

coffee table, ottoman, seating, Wisteria

I am a big fan of the ottoman. While most of us have seen them as a great place to rest our feet, they are really so multi-functional. I have four of them in my living room. One placed with a big matching arm chair and then a set of three matching cubes in front of my couch. When we aren’t lounging with our feet up, we can pull them out for extra seating or use them as a coffee table. I particularly like them as coffee tables when there are little ones running around because they are typically soft with no sharp corners. I find this one (from the fabulous people at the Wisteria catalog) particularly appealing. It is graceful, yet substantial. This could easily be placed in a living room with a tray on top to use as a coffee table or go at the end of bed to rest a suitcase (or clothes that you’re just too tired to put away), or it could stand alone in front of a fireplace as extra seating. No matter where you put one, you are bound to get ample use out of it, and if you are tight on space or need to stretch your dollar, you can’t find a better piece.

L-O-V-E Lacquer

28 Wednesday Oct 2009

Posted by in Flooring

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

flooring, laquer, paint, Tory Burch's house

I was flipping through the pages of Elle magazine at the gym when suddenly the elliptical came to a screaching halt when this lime green lacquer floor appeared in an article about the inside of Tory Burch’s house. L-O-V-E this! While I am partial to all things lacquer, this may be the best use of it I’ve ever seen. Not everyone may want a lime green floor, but the possibilities are endless as to what color and patterns you could do, and as someone who has a textured tile floor (installed by the previous owners) in my kitchen that I hate because every spec of dirt gets trapped in it and it’s impossible to clean, the smoothness of it is incredibly appealing to me. It is officially part of my kitchen re-model (that is only happening in my head right now until I hit the lottery).

Photo by Paul Costello for Elle.

The Art Of Monogramming

22 Thursday Oct 2009

Posted by in Accessories, Kids

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

framed monogram print, Jack & Lulu,

Jack & Lulu is a company known mostly for its high quality stationery in both fun and sophisticated prints, but my favorite item from them is their framed monogram print. It comes in 20 different patterns, including a few for boys. While it’s a great gift for any age, I think this might just be the perfect baby gift. It’s fun, attractive and they’ll never outgrow it. At $50, it’s also reasonably priced, especially for such a high impact, personalized gift.

Lounge Lizard

20 Tuesday Oct 2009

Posted by in Furniture, Kids

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

bean bag chair, Fatboy

First there was the bean bag, then there was the papasan and now there is the ultimate in lounge chairs, the Fatboy. But the difference with the Fatboy is that there is something sophistacated about it, and it comes in awesome colors and prints like the Marrimeko one. A room with nothing but Fatboy lounges could easily be very chic and not look like your old dormroom.I can also totally picture a sleek pool with nothing but the outdoor Fatboy lounges surrounding it. Outdoor items in general are also great for any room where your kids hang out since they are meant to stand up to the elements. And of course, I couldn’t overlook the super sleek metallic Fatboy. Wouldn’t you love to sink into one of these with a glass of bubbly in hand? Whichever you prefer, be prepared to lounge for a long time.

Globe Trotting

17 Saturday Oct 2009

Posted by in Accessories

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Anthropologie, globe


Few things are more classic than a globe.  Perfect for your den, study or child’s room. While this one from Anthropologie isn’t going to teach anyone where specific continents, countries or oceans are located, it looks like it’s been passed down a few generations and will also never be out of date (at least not until global warming kicks in and continents are partially under water).  Plus, there is something about having a globe in your house that just makes you appear smarter.  This one will make you appear smart and stylish, and who wouldn’t want that.

Drink Up

16 Friday Oct 2009

Posted by in Tabletop

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Boylon Soda Bottle glasses, Eco-friendly, The Green Glass Company

I love these recycled Boylon Soda Bottle glasses by The Green Glass Company. The colorful, retro inspired designs are just the type of thing that will put a smile on your face in the morning when you go to pour yourself a glass of juice, and I love filling my house with smile inducing objets.  Not only are they cheerful, but they are actually salvaged from New York City restaurants to save the bottles from landfills, and as an added surprise you never know what combination of glasses you’re going to get since there are a total of 16 different bottles.

You’d Be MAD Not To Check This Out

15 Thursday Oct 2009

Posted by in Shops We Love

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Calypso St. Barth, Jonathan Adler, warehouse sale

There are few designers I love more than Jonathan Adler. The man is a genius! So when I opened my email this morning I practically jumped out of my seat with excitement over the notification of his upcoming warehouse sale. I quickly checked my mental calendar to see what I had going on October 22-24th and then started planning who I would rope into watching the kids while I made the 3 hour drive to New York so I could enjoy a little piece of heaven-my favorite items at 30-70% off!

About 10 seconds later, reality set in. I don’t have a job at the moment so making the 3 hour drive to swim in fabulous design would be thrilling, but I’d be crying the whole way home when I left empty handed. So instead I’m going to encourage all of you to play hooky and take advantage of this fabulous sale and then share with me any of your great finds so that I can live vicariously through you. And if you feel like treating your favorite blogger to a little something special, I’ve been really missing my whale butter dish since it broke.

One last thing that really shouldn’t be overlooked, the sale is in conjunction with Calypso St. Barth which has equally fabulous clothing, accessories, candles and more at 50-75% off.  So call in sick and run, don’t walk to this fantastic sale.

Paper Statement

14 Wednesday Oct 2009

Posted by in Inspiration, textiles, wallpaper

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Eco-friendly, Grand Jubilee, mod green pod


Wallpaper can either be spectacular or horrible and often there’s a very fine line between the two. One of my favorite ways to use it is with a really bold pattern paper in a small space such as a powder room. I love the Grand Jubilee pattern by Mod Green Pod which also comes in coordinating fabric. And it makes twice the statement because it’s vinyl free and hand printed with non-toxic inks.

Chalk It Up To Good Style

14 Wednesday Oct 2009

Posted by in Accessories, D.I.Y.

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

chalkboard paint, Wisteria.com

Chalkboards are no longer just for the classroom. They are a great way to keep tabs on all the happenings about the house and can be a fabulous addition to the kitchen, home office or playroom. While I love chalkboard paint, it’s difficult to frame out so unless you’re going to paint the entire wall with it, it’s not always the best option. This chalkboard is one of the first I’ve found that makes a utilitarian object so attractive you can use it any room of the house. First on my list of things to do: order one.

Show Me Your Mussels

12 Monday Oct 2009

Posted by in Tabletop

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Artful Wares, Mussels,

Nothing says New England more than a good ol’ clambake…mussels, clams, lobstah and all the fixings. However, they are an awful lot of work and really only doable in the summer season. Now you can enjoy your favorite crustaceans and bi-valves in new form all year round with serving pieces and tiles made of crushed shells by Artful Wares.