Chic Coles

Mt. Washington Hotel Spa Night

2013-05-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight, we had the pleasure of attending a spa night at the Mt. Washington Hotel in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Spring is in the air, flowers are starting to bloom, the whole landscape is lush and green and the view from the hotel is just magnificent! The spa they were treating us to tonight,

was the most beautiful we had been to and I just cannot wait to visit again. But it's not just the spa rooms and the pool area - it is also the large dining area and the newly renovated rooms that give this hotel in the heart of the White Mountains such a tranquil and peaceful air. Although we have houses in the area, I would just love to have a quiet weekend away at the Mt. Washington Hotel.

*All images compliments of the Mt. Washington Hotel

Basecamp Hotel, South Lake Tahoe

2013-05-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

For an upcoming trip to Tahoe, we were on the hunt for a fun place to stay.

We've rented houses and condos in the past, but couldn't quite find one available with the right combo,

cute and homey with the right price tag. Which is when a friend suggested we check out

Basecamp. Even the name sounds intriguing. From what the photos show, it seems to

be the perfect mix of simple rustic.

All of the lighting is fantastic and the colors throughout are fun!

They even have air plants, which seem to be all the rage these days.

You can even go "glamping". The tent inside of the room seems

like a great way to get that camping feeling while not actually

having to go through the set up and bugs. Seems cozy.

All images from the Basecamp site.

Isabella Dean on Etsy

2013-05-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

This post will be short and sweet just like the subject, but I just had to share

a recent find with you - these sweet state necklaces by Isabella Dean on Etsy!

They would make the perfect gift - for graduation, Mother's Day, Birthdays -

they are delicate and really beautiful in gold or silver!

A Little Blue Throughout

2013-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Every once and a while we have to post on our favorite color blue. It is a color that can be used through out a house in every room. This Lake Michigan home designed by Martin Horner has used the color blue beautifully, layered in patterns and texture. What a beautiful classic home. So well executed in its design in keeping with the integraty of this lovely house.

Images Compliments of : House Beautiful

Wingback Headboard

2013-05-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Currently, I am sleeping in a full size bed - it is the same bed I had in college with a pillow top mattress and I have absolutely loved it...I am having major anxiety about upgrading my bed to a king - I will have to get all new sheets (talk to my mom about this one - I have the largest selection of sheets for my full mattress that get switched out weekly), a new mattress and a new headboard. Although I am hoping to keep my current bed for a future guest bedroom, the idea of getting a linen navy tufted wingback headboard for my next bed is making it all worth it!

Linen Navy Tufted Wingback Headboard // Geometric Morgan Pillow

Jetson Table Lamp // Perla Parsons Tables // Garnet Hill Scallop Percale Bedding

Art on a Ledge

2013-04-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's quite a personal preference, whether or not you like the look of art on a ledge (shelf).

Personally, I love it; constantly pinning images of this design idea.

But for some reason, I'm having a hard time deciding if it's something I want to incorporate

into my own home. You might remember these pieces I've been collecting. It's time they found a home on the wall, shelf or not. So the question remains, how do you all feel about the look?

Wallpaper Up

2013-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wallpaper is up....!!!! We are so happy with the outcome. It totally opens up the hallway. Gives pattern and movement to the space. Wallpaper can really add so much character and charm. Now to have the new living rug delivered and two sofas reupholstered. Nothing better than a project coming together.

Design Love: Brian Paquette Interiors

2013-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

You will remember Brian as one of the break-out stars in Rue Magazine when he shared

his home; which although teensy tiny, was all sorts of amazing. Even his small kitchen

had pizzazz and one in which I still find inspiration for my own kitchen. I'm happy to call

him one of my online friends and have been wanting to share his work here on Chic Coles

for quite some time! When he launched his new website, Brian Paquette Interiors

I was thrilled to peruse all of his fantastic work, homes that he hadn't shared

on his equally wonderful Instagram stream.

Brian is so creative, while still making spaces that are homey, with a talent for

mixing patterns, colors and textures. I'm hoping he'll make a trip to San Francisco

and come help me with my house (hint, hint Brian :) Below are a few of my favorites!

Flower Show

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

What could be a better way to welcome spring but with a lovely flowers show. The green houses filled with tropical flowers. This orchid is such an inspiration of color. The bulbs in full bloom were such a joy to see. We are hoping spring arrives soon here please! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

Classic Style

2013-04-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have been feeling a little bit under the weather lately,

not to mention, the April showers are in full effect here in

Houston. There is only one thing that is making me feel better...

daydreaming of new pieces for my spring wardrobe.

Jcrew Peplum Navy Top // Michael by Michael Kors // Tory Burch Pearl Tunic

Kendra Scott Earrings

Anthropologie Sauble Tunic // Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote // Iris & Ink Crepe Dress

The Grand Trunk Railway

2013-04-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we spent time over in Maine and we came upon these two amazing buildings. The first, a one room school house and the other was a railway depot. They both had been moved to the town center near the Bethel town hall in Maine. They had been renovated beautifully. The shake roof, thin board siding, amazingly molding around the windows, the antique brick chimney and the granite steps make this depot so special. The plack on the depot states the depot was from the rail way line called "The Grand Trunk Railway" from the Quebec and Montreal railway line to Portland, Maine.

Both of these buildings will go into the file for wonderful inspiration.

On the Seach for the Perfect Lumbar Pillow

2013-04-05T06:30:00.000-05:00

There is really something quite amazing about taking the design process

one piece at a time. I've been trying to work this way in my own living room

with bits and parts. One item that has been on my list, but not quite coming

together is the perfect lumbar pillow; the search for something with a subtle color

and a beautiful graphic eclectic pattern. Below are a few on my list.

Any other ideas of places to search?

Spring Stripes

2013-04-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

I am so glad Spring has arrived and I can wear bright colors, maxi dresses and spring stripes.

I will be sporting every single one of these!

1. Michael Stars Halter Maxi

2. Hive and Honey Stripe Maxi

3. Gap Striped Work Out Racerback Tank

4. JCrew Stripe Shirttail Dress

5. Top Shop Stripe Bathing Suit Bikini

6. Gap Stripe Canvas Tote

Happy Easter

2013-03-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Easter is such a happy time of year. What could be better than a basket of jelly beans, chocolates and delicious deserts. We hope that everyone enjoys family and friends this holiday weekend.

Images Compliments of : Southern Living

Affordable Spring Lighting

2013-03-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

We all know I am always on the lookout for affordable

lamp options - especially when they are the perfect spring

colors and would completely spruce up my space for the new

warmer months ahead. My friend Julie sent me this link

to some of the prettiest colored lamps on overstock and knew I

just had to share! She is getting the yellow for her living room to

sit on either side of her sofa, but i'm thinking the metallic gold or the

bright orange are coming home with me! What do you think!? Best thing

is, they are priced as a set - two for one!

Pattern on Pattern on Pattern

2013-03-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

When our April issue of House Beautiful came we were so excited with each turn of the page. The front page has Traditional Style Now on the cover. It is always interesting to see how traditional style can be interpreted with having the classics but keeping it fresh and new. Clearly, John Knott and John Fondas were able to achieve this fine line extremely well. With the fabric house of Quadrille at their figure tips, with its amazing line of fabrics and wallpapers they designed a masterfully designed house on the cost of Maine. This issue is a keeper to show how to combine patterns, colors and design all together in one room that works with a flow through out the house.

Images Compliments of : House Beautiful

ArtStar

2013-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to sourcing unique pieces for clients, one of my favorites

is 1st Dibs. The prices are usually a bit higher, especially on things like artwork.

Which is why I was thrilled when I came across ArtStar.

All of their selections are fantastic and the price is just right.

Below are a few of my top picks!

Summertime, Cheryl Maeder

Hawaiin Beach, Richard Silver

Butch and Dora, Grant Rohloff

Parking, Frank Webster

Exxon Station, Frank Webster

Orchid, John Grande

The Hermitage, Richard Silver

Untitled (for Jennifer), Libby Black

Houzz Ideabooks

2013-03-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Every month, we create an Ideabook for Houzz - our guest picks for all things interior design!

From colorful interiors to some of our favorite products, these Ideabooks represent

our personal style, interiors we love and products we would be elated to use

in our own home. Take a look at some of the Ideabooks we've been working on lately!

Wallpaper Going Up

2013-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

We are super excited this wallpaper has arrived! It is being installed in a hallway the first of April and we will take tons of pictures of the install and finished product. House beautiful had some beautiful wallpapers in this month's issue also that we wanted to share. Wallpaper makes such a statement. It gives a project such a feeling of individuality!

Images compliments of: Schumacher, Thibaut, Tyler-Hall, House Beautiful

Bringing the Outside In

2013-03-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of my co-workers sent me the link to Jan R. Carson Tree inspired mobiles

after she saw one of her creations in a conference room during a meeting.

Instead of using a chandelier, they had a suspended arial sculpture overhead,

adding beautiful and serene environment - not to mention a unique focal point for the room.

This same co-worker is also six months pregnant and fell in love

with the smaller scale mobiles Jan sells in her Etsy shop. They're perfect

for a spot in her nursery!

I would love to hang one over my dining room table as

a fun decorative option instead of a bright chandelier.

Pastels

2013-03-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

With Spring just around the corner and so many fun images of pastels popping up, we felt like a post on the colors of spring was in order! We are loving this living room in this month's Lonny with its beautiful rose colored chintz and pastel green stripes with a back drop of lemon yellow walls. It reminds us of the spring garden. The light of spring is so soft and gentle to the eye. It is like a fresh air morning in April and May.

Images Compliments of : Costal Living, Lonny

Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss Cookies

2013-03-08T13:00:00.000-06:00

This week has been a whirlwind of excitement here in San Francisco! Not only did I pass

my motorcycle safety class (vespa here we come) but our youngest Chic Cole, Leslie

is out in the windy city for the next few months, for a baking internship at Nopa.

Needless to say, there has been quite a few delicious sweets being whipped up

in our tiny kitchen. Our favorite so far has to be the Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss Cookies!

Peanut Butter Hershey Kiss Cookies

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Hersheys Kisses, 1 for each cookie

Pre-Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cream together butter, both sugars and peanut butter. Add 1 egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt.

Form in walnut size balls. Roll in white sugar and place them on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Press Hershey Kiss into each cookie when fresh out of the oven.

Enjoy!

Charming Exterior Planting

2013-03-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

With spring around the corner...I mean it, it is, even though we got more

snow last night, the seed catalogs have been opened and seeds have been order.

We are so exciting to see them sprout up and start to grow.

We plant a lot of annuals and perennials here in the

early summer and we grow all our own flowers.

We love all that color, but sometimes we just like the

simply style of boxwood's and all-green plantings.

So here are some images of just that!

The palladian style shutters that flank the front door have

boxwood shrubbery on both sides of the walk way.

The planters with boxwoods are so simple and traditional.

The last image below with white and green painted doors

with boxwood topiaries is just so fun, but classic at the same time.

Does this have you thinking about spring?

Images Compliments of: Southern Living, Photo's by Laurey Glenn

Treasured Gift from Africa

2013-03-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last Friday, I shared one of my most treasured possessions.

And this week I'd love to share a new acquisition that has quickly been added

to that list of treasured pieces. This gorgeous throw has found a coveted place in my

living room, after quite a far travel, all the way from Africa.

It is a special gift from my boss, Interior Designer Grant K. Gibson.

Head on over to his blog for tails of his travels, they are spectacular!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend! And happy first day of March!

Kendra Scott Baubles

2013-02-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have been so excited to visit the Kendra Scott

jewelry shop in Rice Village in Houston. They have

the most wonderful selection of jewelry, as well as

some fabulous technology that lets you customize

the different stones and metals (think touch screens and

gorgeous stones) and walk out with your creation. The stacking

rings, studs and selection of earrings are my favorite pieces!

What style do you love?

Pick your style...your stone color and your metal!