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~ From Beach to Chic!

Category Archives: Living Room

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.

turquoise bed

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!

yellow bedding

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.

colored poufs/stools

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.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Mason Jar Art Nook
Hang in There!  Alessi’s Gianni A Little Man Holding on Tight
Our Picks for Pottery Barn’s Best of Summer 2012

Brimfield Antiques Show: Something for Everyone!

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by SOF in Accessories, fabrics, Furniture, furniture, garden, Inspiration, lighting, Living Room, Outdoor, pillows, Shops We Love, textiles

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Brimfield Antique Show, vintage finds

Yesterday I decided that the pull of the Brimfield Antiques Show was too much to resist and at the last minute I decided to get up at the crack of dawn and make the nearly two hour trek from my home to the biggest outdoor antiques show in the country. For those of you who don’t know what Brimfield (it’s referred to by one word like Madonna and Shaq because that’s what it’s status is in the world of antiques) is, it is essentially an entire downtown population filling their yards and fields with antique dealers (well, technically some people are importers and purveyors of new items, but either way there are lots of goods). And if the land owners don’t have dealers, then they are turning their land into parking lots to profit off the zillions of people who attend this thrice annual show (in May, July, and September). Chances are if you’ve bought a reproduction of a vintage piece at a major retailer, the original piece came from Brimfield.

Above, the lone vintage garden chairs gather together in hopes of finding a new home. I wonder what kind of green certification this show warrants as it is saving a lot of items from ending up in a landfill. But the most awesome thing about Brimfield is that there is literally something for everyone and the entire show is proof that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If you are a collector of anything from toys to Fiestaware to garden gnomes to baseball bats, you will find what you love at Brimfield. You will also find lots and lots of things that you cannot believe anyone would ever buy, but they do. And you will see everyone from the quirky hillbilly to the high end antiques dealer co-mingling to find the coolest stuff at the best deals. Television shows are lurking about filming to share the experience with people across the country.

I hope that this collection of photos gives you an idea of the breadth of items available at the show. I wish I had taken even more pictures, but as my hands became full with purchases, my camera made its way out less frequently.

I really loved this vintage glass cake stand, but while I would have happily picked up a cool cake stand, I knew that I could get a similar look for less in reproduction and since I wasn’t particularly passionate about having a vintage or glass one, I didn’t think the $45 price tag was worth it. The vendors are keen on trends and with the influx of dessert tables, they’re smart to price things high that are trendy.

If you are a collector of any type or color of glass then Brimfield is the place to go. It was only day three when I was there, and most of the glass was already 50% off. I was incredibly tempted, but since I didn’t really have a use for it at the moment, I decided to wait until I build that dream pantry/party closet.

Also in the world of glass are lots of cool glass jars.

These vintage vials of color dyes were very cool, but with children in my house I could only envision my living room rug turning a new color.

What’s with the vials? I really was drawn to them, but seeing as I couldn’t come up with what I would use them for, I couldn’t justify buying them. I’ve bought enough things in my life that still don’t have a purpose to know that.

Then I moved onto furniture. There is tons of fine furniture at this show, but that’s not what I’m really drawn to lately. I really loved this potting bench because of its rustic feel and the fact that it had a real sink in it. I could probably find a spot for it, but not one that hooks up to plumbing.

The Newporter in me loved this porthole side table.

And this amazing filing cabinet went from drab to nautical chic with some paint and a little nautical flag knowledge.

Why am I so drawn to the Union Jack even though I have little tie to it other than having been to Great Britain twice in my life?

Speaking of European inspired furniture, how about this French bistro inspired children’s set?! Unfortunately, my oldest is too big for it and my second isn’t too far behind so it wasn’t worth it.

This mirror bordered linen tufted headboard was to die for! It came from an Atlanta vendor who also had…

lots of other amazing headboards, and starting at $550, they were well priced too.

The same vendor had these great crab paintings as well as some oyster ones. I’m tempted to go back again and get one as they would look amazing in my living room and were pretty well priced. I have the guy’s contact info so if anyone is interested just message me.

He also had these fabulous wicker pendant lights for $95. Again, if I only had a place to put them!

When it comes to accessories, the options are endless, but these vintage books grouped by color reminded me of many of our previous bookshelf styling posts.

And all the twine you could ever imagine.

And if you’re fond of wooden crates, this is the place to go, although I was bummed to not be able to find any as well priced and good looking as the ones I got the last time I went.

We’ve seen grain sack pillows and coffee sack pillows, but how about a money bag pillow? These were reasonably priced at $20, but considering they weren’t even sewn and just closed with a safety pin at the top, I’m pretty sure you could make these yourself without thinking twice…if you happen to have a bunch of money bags laying around. Oddly, I think I might have a few, but sadly they aren’t filled with money.

And if you’re more into fashion than home goods, there is plenty for you too. The former jewelry designer in me was incredibly tempted by this table, but then I remembered all of the beads in my basement and refrained from indulging. However, the vintage clothing, bags, jewelry, etc. are endless at this show.

So what did I end up going home with? I picked up this two-tiered round table because I was inspired by my friend Dani’s use of a similar one although I’m not sure I’ll use it the same way. I was also looking for a bench for my mudroom, but then I found these two wooden bistro chairs for a song and think they’ll work really nicely with my vision for my mudroom redesign. Plus, they’ll be easy extra seating for when I have a large group for dinner. And the baseball bat for my five-year-old who’s currently obsessed with all things baseball and the Red Sox.

I also picked up this turquoise mason jar which I can’t wait to fill with the peonies from my garden, and the amazing vintage turquoise burlap which it sits on.

And lastly, I grabbed this French stripe banding. I’m really excited to work these items into my own home and to make some of it into new products which you might just have the opportunity to buy yourself!

So if you are within a few hours radius of Brimfield, MA and looking for something to do this weekend, hop in the car and check it out.

Just remember:

1. Go with a set budget or else you’ll blow it in the first hour. Giving yourself a limit makes you really second guess whether you need something or not.

2. Have an idea of what you’re looking for and what it typically sells for so that you don’t overpay.

3. Be prepared to bargain. Everything is negotiable!

4. Carry a large tote or bring a wagon in case any of your purchases are heavy. I carried those chairs a long way.

5. If you really love something, buy it immediately or else it may be gone the moment you turn around.

6. Never forget that an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. For instance what some people would normally throw in their recycling bin, might be worth $1 each.

I really hope nobody paid for these, but as I said one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and that’s what Brimfield is all about!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Vintage Red Objets
Brimfield Report
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Sweet Meas for Upcycled Vintage Finds

White Interiors: Chic and Colorful

02 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by PEY in Bedroom, Inspiration, Kitchen, Living Room

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Celebrate and Decorate, Colorful Homes, design stILes, Follow Studio, House Beautiful, inspiration photos, Pinterest, white, white interior

all white dining!

Last week Sarah noticed that I was in a “white” phase with my , and she was right.  It seems that every so often I crave the serenity of white-scaped interiors after the daily immersion in the world of color that surrounds us.  Even in a white interior, texture of materials, shape and structure of furniture, architectural details, lighting and a single accent color can pop the mono-chromatic space; white can be so chic and vibrant!

Serene White Bedroom

While white interiors may not be practical – there are numerous new technologies in textiles and paint that have more durable and washable properties! – they are beautiful to dream about.  Whisk me away to any of these rooms for a couple of hours, and I might be able to skip a visit to a spa.

Image Sources:  Celebrate and Decorate, , Follow Studio, , House Beautiful, , design stILes,

If you like White Interiors, then you might like these:
White for Winter and Beyond
Monochrome Living in a Multi-Colored World
Dreamy Whites:  Vintage French Inspiration

Ship to Shore Interiors Overlooking Newport Harbor

27 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by SOF in Bath, Bedroom, House Tours, Inspiration, Living Room

≈ 4 Comments

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KPR Interiors, Nautical Home Decor, Nautical Interiors, Private Newport Homes

Newport Life Home & Lifestyle Magazine 2012Last fall I had the pleasure of collaborating with my good friends Kelli Rugg of KPR Interiors and photographer Maaike Bernstrom on a very cool design project that Kelli had just completed to be featured in the new 2012 issue of Newport Home & Lifestyles magazine. Kelli designed, Maaike photographed, and I wrote the story “From Ship to Shore”. The home is named after the yacht Columbia and sits just a stone’s throw away from where the actual boat is moored in Newport Harbor. Be sure to check out the story to read about some of the history of the home as well as the background on the new design. And below you can enjoy even more photos of this custom home re-designed to have the feel of a classic yacht interior.

*All images courtesy of Maaike Bernstrom Photography*

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Lotus Wallpaper is in Full Bloom at Farrow & Ball

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by PEY in Bath, Bedroom, Living Room, wallpaper

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

black, Farrow & Ball, pale blue, The Lotus Papers wallpaper, wallpaper, yellow

Beautiful, graphic, yet neutral.  This shade of Farrow & Ball’s The Lotus Papers wallpaper is a perfect embellishment to a simply decorated room, a hallway, a powder room and more.  This colorway caught my eye, and after a perusal of the other 30 colorways there is a shade for every palette plus a paint color recommendation.   Here are a couple more of my favorites to tide you over until you have time to check out this interpretation of a lotus-flower design drawn from the 19th century French archives at Farrow & Ball.

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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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Preppy Chic: Lilly Pulitzer Johanna Chair

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by PEY in Bedroom, Furniture, Inspiration, Living Room

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

chair, Lily Pulitzer, Neiman Marcus

 We love a ready-made chair that looks like it’s custom, and the Lilly Pulitzer Johanna upholstered chair is just that!  A white carved armchair dressed in blue-and-white fretwork-patterned upholstery accented with fuchsia piping makes a bold statement in any room.

Image Source:  Neiman Marcus

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Garden Stool with a Twist

08 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by PEY in Furniture, furniture, Living Room

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Bea Cocktail Table, ceramic, cocktail table, Duquette, end table, garden stool, Janson, Made Goods

Garden stools are a wonderful compact solution for additional seating and surface space for entertaining indoors and out.  The Bea stool by Made Goods is a beautiful, functional objet that is perfect for any decor.  This circular ceramic table with the unique twist in the middle is available in four finishes – soft blue (above), crackled gold, glossy white and black pearl (below) – and small enough (15.5”Dx18”H) to fit just about anywhere.

If the twist sparks your need for a garden stool, Made Goods will not disappoint you because this is one of many.  There are design and color options to suit any lifestyle: twist, stripes, reverse fluted columns, hexagonal cutouts, floral and more.  Surely any one of these is a fun conversation starter at your next party!

Janson stool

Duquette stools

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Tangled Up in Blue…Lacquer

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by PEY in Furniture, Home Office, Living Room

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Crate and Barrel, high-gloss, Indigo, lacquer, Skye C-Table, Skye Rectangular Coffee Table

So many tables, and not enough space.  The Skye C-Table is a high impact table because of its sleek design that doesn’t take up any floor space; it tucks in over a sofa, chair or chaise to create a serving area or a place to rest your cocktails.  Perhaps the most intriguing element is the high-gloss indigo finish.  Yes, anything lacquered is amazing, and the indigo is a unique color choice offered by Crate and Barrel.

If you love this finish, but need a larger piece, then consider the Skye Rectangular Coffee Table.  This slim lined table is another great way to introduce this lacquered color into your decor.

These tables would be a great pop in any decor.  For the navy fans out there– you know who you are– this is another way to use the new neutral!

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Translation: Sailor Stripe Shirts as Room Decor

13 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by SOF in Accessories, bedding, Bedroom, Flooring, Inspiration, Kids, Living Room, pillows, rugs, textiles

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

French Sailor Stripes, Garnet Hill, Haus Interior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Land of Nod, Nautical Home Decor, Nautical Inspiration, Nautical Stripes, Roche Bobois, St. James Shirts, stripes

I don’t know if it’s the salt air wafting in my windows or the ships on the horizon when I gaze out the window, but somehow sailor stripes (the ones found on a classic St. James shirt) have become part of the fabric of my existence. I absolutely can’t resist them. My favorite is the combination of navy (but of course) and white, but I’ve also been known to fall hard for red and white, red and navy, orange and white or yellow and white. And while the nautical stripe has been a staple on the pages of fashion magazines for the past few seasons, we don’t often see it translate into home decor. I have a project to bring these stripes to life in my house that I’m hoping to be able to reveal very soon, but I wanted to find sailor stripes for the home that don’t require quite the same level of work as the ones coming to my house are going to need.

Then I came across these French Stripe Sheets from Garnet Hill last week and thought they were just about the perfect way to add sailor stripes to your life. And they are available as sheets (even for the crib!) and duvets so that you can make them as much of a focal point as you like.

Land of Nod also offers this Nautical Sheet Set which would do the trick.

These DIY striped headboards are pretty phenomenal as well, and I love the orange piping on them.

Or perhaps you favor something a little more portable like this striped kids play tent…

which also comes in red and has a coordinating floor pillow available.

Although I have to say that a handful of these sailor stripe pillows on a crisp white couch would just be perfection.

And for the table, Kahler’s Omaggio Vase would do the trick.

Or you could go much more highbrow with a look like this one by Jean Paul Gaultier for the ELLE Decoration Suite. To. Die. For. Sure it might not be super comfortable, but it sure gives me some inspiration on how to create some standout pieces with the same feel but more function.

Or there is Gaultier’s collection from his collaboration with Roche Bobois. I would do just about anything for that rug!

Oh, how I will never tire of the classic French sailor stripe. Stay tuned for a new way to use them very soon. I’ll give you one hint…it involves paint.

Image Sources:  Whoorl, Garnet Hill, Land of Nod, 4 Men 1 Lady, Brown Paper Packages, Brown Paper Packages, Haus Interior, Gretel Home, Trendland, Trendland

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