These rosettes were a huge selling point for us on this house. Such character. The original ones are still trimming the windows on the second floor but these are brand new. Even the belly casing has been made to look like the original though.

During the whole renovation, our goal has been to preserve the character and the history of the home but update it for functionality and beauty. These built ins are a microcosm of the entire renovation. A nod to the past with the freshness of the future. And this is only phase three!

It’s the same blue we are using in the half bath and we are so in love with it. It’s such a beautiful matte navy blue. Almost looks like chalkboard paint. It’s gorgeous and adds so much depth to the built ins.

Stay tuned tomorrow for phase three!

Remember the gaping hole?

Well last weekend, Dad brought over the three base units that will house a total of six deep drawers.

And then this weekend came the top units that will have three to four shelves in each. In they came, three giant boxes at a time.

I should mention now that we are just so incredibly lucky to have my Dad helping us. Not only through this entire renovation, but especially at this stage of the game. Dad is an exceptionally talented carpenter but in particular when it comes to these finishing details. These built ins will be so well made and look original to the house with gorgeous trim and those rosettes found throughout the house at the top. It’s a crucial part of the entire renovation.

I know how hard Dad has worked on these and we so so so appreciate all his efforts. This truly is ’The House that Rene Built.’ Thank you Dad.

Disclaimer: Virtual shopping involves no actual money, exchange of goods or services, or legitimate currency of any kind. Enjoy!

This canopy bed is so so lovely. The gold tones add such a sophisticated element to room and you know me with my whites and creams! Fab!

Nothing stuffy about this chaise lounge done in a casual denim. And who doesn’t love a collection of vintage mirrors?

I just think this room looks oh so cozy with all the fleece blankets, shag rug, and over-sized plush chair.

A leather Eames-inspired chair is always in style but this one is extra playful with it’s distressed baseball-glove look.

I’m a sucker for minty-aqua but what caught my eye in this room was the great use of storage! Talk about a place for everything! Even the bed legs act as a bulletin board. Genius!

And finally, my favorite room- hello rustic luxe! Exposed barn boards and distressed metal lanterns along side poofy beanbags and stylish surfboards. I could hang out here all day!

BRIGHT BOWLS OF PRODUCE

Encourage healthy eating and add a pop of color with bowls or platters of fruits and veggies.

CANISTERS

Whether displayed on the counter for easy access or in the pantry, playful canisters liven up a kitchen and keep your dry goods… well, dry.

DISH TOWELS

A solid color works fine but there are so many fun designs out there. Educate yourself on knot tying while you cook, show off your city pride, or my favorite- turn a handwritten note or recipe into a towel by following Emma’s instructions here.

HERBS OR SUCCULENTS

Planting an herb garden or succulents on a kitchen windowsill brings life to a kitchen- plus the herbs are quite handy when cooking! I love these little tea tins or tea cups as planters. Though most herbs are pretty hardy, just remember that modern windows are so energy efficient that they block UV rays making it difficult to grow plants in a windowsill. Succulents on the other hand, can grow in the harshest of conditions.

]]> http://whereweareblog.com/2013/08/21/kitchen-decor/feed/ 2 julierswanson Fruit 3 Fruit Fruit 2 Canisters French Canisters Dish Towel Boston Dish Towel Dish Towel Windowsill Garden in Tea Tins Succulents in Tea Cups Windowsill Garden http://whereweareblog.com/2013/08/13/the-a-b-cs-of-a-r-t/ http://whereweareblog.com/2013/08/13/the-a-b-cs-of-a-r-t/#comments Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:00:13 +0000 http://whereweareblog.com/?p=1424 ]]> Art! It’s every kindergartners favorite subject! And still one of mine. And I find the art people choose to feature in their homes absolutely fascinating.

Whether you’re fridge is covered with finger paintings or you display original fine works under gallery lighting, what you hang in your home really says something about who you are.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to study under some fabulous art teachers and learn from the experts traveling through the most famous museums in Europe. I’ve bought art and created it. I’ve gone through a total trippy van Gogh loving phase, then a 180 to the simple and soothing Frank Weston Benson, and currently an obsession with bold typography.

With so much out there, how do you choose what’s right for you and your home? Here’s a couple tips from this art-loving-lady straight to you.

1. Don’t buy or hang anything that you aren’t absolutely in love with. Everyone may love an impressionist painting over their mantle, but maybe you’re a Dogs Playing Poker kind of house.

2. Think outside of the frame! Hang an antique washboard in your laundry room, or some funky antlers in a man cave, or heck- even frames themselves can be art!

3. Let’s get together yeah yeah yeah. Groupings can become their own piece of art. I have triptychs of all the places I’ve lived. Hung side by side by side, it tells a beautiful story of where I’ve gone to get where we are now. (<– nod to blog title!)

Or how about a gallery wall? Black and white photography in stark frames creates a bold look.

Or a haphazard arrangement in the same tone ads visual interest.

4. Yeah, you can frame that! We were thrilled to find old newspapers in our walls during our renovation. As an homage to our home, we’ve framed them and now they’ll live on the walls rather than in them. Why not frame a ticket stub from a favorite concert? Or all your fab shopping bags in your boudoir?

5. Showcase your own art. Whether it’s a quilt or an oil painting or macaroni art- show it off! Now I’m not one to fill up my fridge- but you know once we have kids, I’m going to encourage my Picassos. Hang clipboards or a funky clothesline to make rotation of today’s masterpiece a breeze. And quick clutter tip for all those “but I can’t throw this away” kids projects- take a photo of it or scan it. A memory stick or CD per year is a lot easier to store than boxes of popsicle stick trees and dioramas.

6. And finally, nothing is permanent. Selecting and displaying art is an art in itself! Have fun with it. What goes up can come down with a little spackle and paint!

Home goods!

I remember H&M’s home goods sections in their European stores but I’ve never seen them here in the U.S. The thing I love about H&M is how trendy it is but at such affordable prices. So why not get that studded top that you’ll probably only wear for one season when it’s only $9.99?

So when I heard their home goods were launching in the U.S. I knew I had another go-to store for our new home. Check out the entire collection at http://www.hm.com/us/department/HOME. Here are some of my favorites like this black and white map duvet cover for $24.95!

Or this fantastic sugar sack pillow for $17.95.

This collection of bathroom accessories is so sweet and vintage. Too bad it’s NY Transit System and not the good ol’ MBTA!

These Parisian bath accessories are just darling especially in that cool peppermint color! One towel for $17.95.

1. Chenille throws and cotton blankets create warmth- not just literally! The tone-on-tone texture when overflowing from a basket near the couch or folded and draping over an arm of a big comfy chair add depth and comfort to any room.
2. Classic contrast is my favorite design trick. Blending old and new or rough and slick is something I try to achieve in every room. I have a glass lamp that I’ve paired with a burlap shade. The glass once held coffee beans and sat in our kitchen in Virginia. Now I intend to fill it with big chunky fishing rope like in the beautiful glass bowl above.
3. A glass jug as a light fixture screams re-purposed-vintage charm while it’s single Edison bulb gives it a hint of minimalist modern flair. We’re hanging this one from Shades of Light in our entryway. Large enough to feel grand but the clear glass gives this smaller space a wider illusion.
4. In that same texture vein, I’m obsessed with Sisal Rugs. Simple and classic, these durable rugs anchor a room and look gorgeous on a slick dark wood floor.

This post was not sponsored by Pottery Barn. These thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

I think it’s pretty distinct. I don’t stray far from the colors and textures I love. And that’s in all aspects of my life- my clothes, my design style at work, my choices for our home. It’s all low key yet lush. Quality but not quantity. Simple and sumptuous. And then it hit me- Rustic Luxe.

Well it didn’t hit me as much as I pulled it from the mailbox. The latest Pottery Barn catalog introduced their Rustic Luxe collection. They describe it as “The art of creative mixing. Unexpected pairings of colors, textures and patterns make a home distinctive and inspiring.”

I’ve always loved Rustic Luxe but never knew my style was branded. My whole wedding was Rustic Luxe! A majestic barn, lace gown and tailored suit under a birch arbor, s’more favors with luscious satin ribbon, champagne in a simple wooden bucket. The perfect balance of comfort and sophistication.

But enough about our wedding – forgive me, I’m still a newlywed and in my eyes, it was perfect – but back to Pottery Barn. As I flipped through the catalog, it cemented my belief that this was the perfect term for my style. Key elements included wood, leather, simple glass light fixtures, and soft neutral colors.

Stay tuned tomorrow as we catalog all the Rustic Luxe core pieces and fun accessories we’ve already chosen for our new home. What’s your design style? Asian Contemporary? Hamptons Chic? Modern Glam? Country Cabin?

I’ve always been a fan of minimalism and monochromatic design. I find it soothing. We’re blasted with so much sound and light during the day – and especially working in advertising, I feel like I’m constantly having color and messaging thrown in my face. Isn’t it nice to come home to peace?

Two of my favorite simplistic monochromatic designers are Candice Olson and Sarah Richardson. Here are some samples of their gorgeous work. At the end of our renovation, I sure hope you can see the similarities.

From Candice…

And from Sarah…