my head space

Lost Socks and An Organizational Epiphany...

2015-01-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

This is not one of my typical posts. I've been trying to write just about home and decorating since I started this blog.

Today, however, I'm going to write about something that's on my mind. Organizing. It is home related. But this isn't about giving tips - though I am including some. It's about admitting that organizing is painful for me and that I feel it's an area in which I falter. For those for whom it comes naturally - you suck! (But I love and admire you.) And how sometimes I feel less-than because I struggle with it.

Granted, I have gotten better over the years - much better. I have also hired experts to help me which has been huge. I can also see what needs to be done in other people's homes, and organizing other people's spaces is easy to me. It's not my stuff so I don't have any weird emotional attachment. But my own spaces, my own things are more complicated to manage.

I'm trying really hard to stick to my goal of staying organized and maintaining some semblance of order in my house/office this year (see my Home Resolutions post). So after a client meeting in the morning and some invoicing and research I needed to do for another client, I actually cleaned up my office for a bit today - 5 minutes a day at least, right? - and was feeling very proud until I looked at an article I had kept about organizing and suddenly felt deflated again. Sigh...

The article was from Parenting magazine in 2005! The article itself is slightly (a lot) irritating and I'm not sure what compelled me to keep it for nine years. (It mentions keeping a bag in your car of all the items that need to be returned such as videos. Remember those?! RIP Blockbuster.) After looking at it I felt bad about myself.

This article is called "6 Secrets of Organized Moms". I'll get to the secrets in a minute.

The image they included with the article. Cute, huh?

The other thing this article had was a sidebar with "5 Don'ts":

Don't look for lost socks. Don't put away toys all day. Don't keep everything in your head. Don't make returns all day. Don't try to do everything at once.

"DON'T look for lost socks." Is that really a big organizational problem for people? They spend hours upon hours looking for lost socks?!

[Here is my one tidbit of organizational advice: We have a basket on top of the washing machine with extra socks. Every once in a while I will find a mate which is lucky. But sometimes I just go through it and "match" up socks that are alike enough. Because at the end of the day, who cares if your socks are exactly matched. My girls sure don't - they actually like them mismatched. And I really don't - they are in my boots so who's gonna know. Even if someone did see them, I really wouldn't care. BTW, the credit for this goes to a past sitter. And it's a great system.]

As for the other ones: I write lists. Whether I pay attention to them is another story. I don't do everything at once. I tried, but found that I only have two hands. I make my children put away toys most of the time, and they are getting better at it, but that's what the basement is for. I close the door and the toys are put away. :) And as for returns, I'm pretty good at that because I actually want my money back so it's a non-issue for me.

And what are these SECRETS that make you an amazing, organized mom? The secrets are:

1. Discipline saves time.
Yes, I know, and I do a lot just to maintain on a daily basis. But all that extra stuff? Sometimes putting together Legos, helping my daughter's with their homework, shopping and playing Solitaire on my phone or pretty much anything else is way more fun.
2. Have a place for everything.
I have places for stuff, problem is when you have too much stuff to fit in those places. And more stuff coming in every day...
3. They have a system for everything.
Yeah, I do too. My system is to put stuff in piles and eventually get so overwhelmed by the piles that I slowly go insane. That is what I'm trying desperately to avoid right now. Do I need a different system. Sure. But I've had this system pretty much all my life - I think I inherited it from my Dad - so how I'm going to change it I do not know.
4. They delegate the tasks they don't have time (or don't want ) to do.
Who are these women delegating stuff to? Do they have a staff? Because if I don't do it, or I don't nag my children to death to do it (or I don't have the $$ in my budget to hire someone to do it), then it doesn't get done. I don't even ask my husband. He does enough already.
5. They don't stress over what's for dinner.
I don't. Never have.

[True story: It was close to dinner time. My 2 year old at the time was hungry. So she got the take-out menus and the phone and handed them to me so I could "make" dinner. Not one of my finest parenting moments. Oh well. Today, I do try to pretty regularly make dinner and so does my husband and sitter, and somehow my kids get homemade meals most nights. Not saying they're culinary masterpieces, but better than take-out. And take-out is still something that happens.]

6. They know what's important to their family - and ignore the rest.
This one I do. The ignoring is what get's me in the disorganized mess I'm in though so I think it's counterintuitive to the rest of the advice.

The article ends with "I just try to do what's best for my child and me. That's been the key to efficiency." Hah. In large part, it's because of my kids that my house is a hot mess. And just because my house has areas of mess doesn't mean I don't try to do what's best.

I was feeling all bad about myself because I wasn't the Organized Mom. But then I thought - and so what if I'm not?! Maybe I'm the Fun Mom. Or the Creative Mom. Or the Volunteering Mom. Or the Working Mom. Or simply just the Mom-that-tries-her-best. It's OK. We can't all be Gwyneth Paltrow or whatever other mom you find annoyingly perfect.

The other thing I realized is that I'm NOT not organized. I just need to stop keeping stuff I don't need and that is not useful to me. Organized for me isn't about stressing over dinner or having a system or even having places for stuff. It's about getting rid of things!!!!!

Yes - where I put things is important. Having spaces for stuff is a good thing. I have spaces. I have spaces in spades. But for me it's about getting rid of articles and catalogs, old homework, old books, shoes, clothes, home items, toys - things I (or my family) simply don't need.

My to-do list, etc.

So now, feeling better about myself, before my girls come home from school I'm going to do some more of my to-do items (like this Blog) and tackle one more of my office piles. I'm also not going to stress about being the "Organized Mom" because I'm the creative, fun, working, volunteering, tries-her-best, solitaire-playing, homework-helping, somewhat organized mom and I have some trash to take out. :)

xo, CM

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Home Resolutions Even I Kept

2015-01-08T16:32:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year!

Back in 2013 I posted this blog about Home-related Resolutions. Did I stick to them? Some of them for sure. It might've taken me to 2014 though. Stop judging. ;)

I wanted to take a look at my resolutions and see what needed tweaking and what's been accomplished. The fact is, I gave good advice. None of it is particularly difficult to do, given the time (and a desire). I think I did pretty good accomplishing it (better than my yearly diets), but I did make some tweaks to it.

So I present to you my 2015 list of Home Resolutions!

Home Resolution #1 - Pick one (or a few) task/s a month to keep my home safe and in good shape
I wrote that this one is not fun and exciting to do. It's also completely forgettable because it's not fun or exciting. So, the resolution is to pick one or a few things to accomplish each month, fill out some dates on your calendar each month to do them and set reminders. Lots of reminders!! Reminders are key. Without those reminders it's easy to forget or ignore these things that are rather important. So remember.... REMINDERS!

Borrowed this checklist from dspInspections.com

Home Resolution #2 - Resolve to bring home only those things that I truly love
I have accomplished this. (I'm actually working on this for my closet, but that's another list.) Every time I go anywhere, I ask myself over and over while I'm walking around the store or barn sale, etc. with my hands or shopping cart full - DO I REALLY LOVE THIS? DO I REALLY NEED THIS? 9 out of 10 times I don't. I don't! 9 out of 10 times!!! Do you know how much stuff, not to mention $$$, I saved by asking myself that and being completely honest? My husband will say not enough, but I think it must be millions. Well maybe not millions -- but definitely hundreds!

One way I have reduced this is by "shopping" online and pinning the things I like on Pinterest. Please tell me you have joined Pinterest?! If you haven't - it's a must! Apart from being a potentially gigantic time-suck, it's actually one of my favorite design/shopping tools. The thing is, when I find things I like (for myself or a client) I pin them. This way, I can go back through and determine what I really like and what's not going to work etc. So now, when I find something I love, I pin it. If I can't stop thinking about it then I know that I must have it - and hope that I can afford it.

I need a table for my Living Room. I'm currently eyeing this beauty from Wisteria.

Home Resolution #3 - Don't rush it - decorating takes time
This goes hand-in-hand with Resolution #2. You can't just buy stuff to fill a room. You have to be considerate in your decisions. Do you agree? Having said that, eventually you have to make a decision. You can't just be thinking about a space forever. And if you can't make a decision you need to call me. I'm serious. I make great decisions all the time for my clients. In the meantime, though, as you're pondering what you would like, do the Pinterest thing. But don't just pin the stuff and never look back. I bet if you look at them again, you'll realize there are a few things that really stand out. Then go from there...

Visit my Pinterest. I have loads of great stuff pinned and organized. And don't forget to follow me.

Home Resolution #4 - Eliminate clutter and get organized
I have a confession. It's pretty bad. Sometimes I don't know what to do with something, or I'm too lazy to deal with it, so I put it in a designated pile. Then when I clean up areas, instead of actually organizing the stuff and throwing out what I really don't need, I put the piles of stuff in bags. Yup. I'm a bag lady. I have had to get help in this area in the past (Irene Zaso from OASIS - thanks again. I might be calling you soon!)

Getting help is one way to get started. But really, you have to just stay on it as much as possible and allocate time. (Calendar. Reminders. 'nough said.) I worked on this one throughout the year by tossing out as much as I could. I've gotten really good about most things. Even my beloved magazines. Now, I only keep the home ones. And of those I only keep one years worth. And I have them in magazine organizers and I go through them regularly. Now I need to do that with my kids' stuff...

These are my very neat, almost always organized, office shelves.

Want to do it yourself? One of my favorite blogs is A Bowl Full of Lemons. If you take a look she's on week one of her "14 Week Organizing Challenge". My kitchen is fairly well organized (thanks to a past sitter), but I just purged a bunch of stuff in my kitchen desk area. That's the other thing - invest in some heavy duty trash bags and in a large recycling container (I have a full-sized trash can). And if you need containers to help you organize go to The Container Store, IKEA, Walmart, etc. The Container Store is actually one of my favorite places. I could spend hours in there. And yes, the irony is not lost on me.

I always feel so much better when I just remove stuff from my house. And OMG there is a lot of stuff the gets accumulated!

One of my favorite places to shop - The Container Store.

Home Resolution #5 - Don't let a $0 to small budget prevent the decorating of a space
There are many budget-friendly decorative solutions for almost any decorating dilemma. For me it often means moving things around and trying to find new places for things that are hiding in closets or in other rooms. For relatively few dollars you can paint, slipcover (I can't sew, but if you can this is a great option), or reinvent furniture from garage sales, thrift stores or relatives' attics. If you need a spruce up, but have no money to spend how about do a home decorating exchange with your friends? They probably have pillows, artwork, even paint that can be exchanged. It's a fun way of getting rid of the things that no longer fit in your home and replace it with something you like from a friend.

And if you aren't sure what to do, I can help. I can't tell you how many times I go into client's homes and by moving a few things around they have completely different spaces.

This is a great website with information for using what you have to redecorate your home.

Home Resolution #6 - Make the kids take ownership of their things and their spaces
This is a new one. Back in 2013, my girls were 8 and 5. Old enough to help, certainly, but too young to do it very well. So I had them do what they could which was minimal. This year is different. This year they are 10 1/2 and 7 1/2 (the 1/2 is very important) so they are both very capable of doing their part. The biggest issue with this is the constant reminding and the constant reminding and the constant reminding. I'm sorry. Did I repeat myself? Sorry. I do that a lot. Some days go better than others, but the fact is they are FINALLY cleaning up after themselves most of the time - and that is HUGE. So this year I resolve to keep REMINDing them until I don't have to anymore. Maybe they will have learned before they have their own places. One can dream.

So that's it. Those are my resolutions - at least for my house. Do you have any?

Have any tales to tell or any other home resolutions that you would like to share? Would love to hear from you.

xo, CM

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Colorful Appliances Make a Comeback

2014-11-11T12:18:00.001-05:00

About a year and a half ago I wrote a post called "A Rainbow of Kitchens." It featured a whole rainbow of kitchens with cabinets in a myriad of colors. They were examples of brave soles who chose to think outside the refrigerator box so to speak of kitchen cabinet colors. But even in researching that post I didn't come across colorful appliances.

Well, things have changed in 1 1/2 years.

Don't worry - stainless steel appliances aren't going anywhere. It's still the #1 desirable appliance color when buying a home. But if stainless steel isn't your thing, and you want other options for your kitchen, guess what? Colorful appliances are making a comeback in a BIG way. And they are so COOL!

/Garden Web/

/The Big Chill/

/My Desired Home/

/NYC Style & a Little Cannoli/

/This Old House - Viking Color/

/Arizona Wholesale/

Are you brave enough to create a kitchen with colorful appliances? I have a good friend that was a complete trend setter and when she redid her kitchen she used an Oxblood Red Stove and everything else was stainless. Her stove was the highlight of the room. It looked amazing.

What do you think? Would you consider adding more color into your kitchen? If I didn't have a cooktop (and I actually cooked more often), I would totally get a new stove in blue!

xo, CM

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Frame It Out

2014-10-22T13:12:00.001-04:00

I love looking at pictures of apartments in Paris. I don't know why, but they always have a ton of tall white walls and they mix that with antiques and modern pieces. The style is beautiful and bohemian and classic and very, very, well ... French. The intricate moldings on the walls and ceilings are really what make the rooms so special and old-world. They are almost always painted white. And it's beautiful and classic and clean.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the look of white trim - set against any paint color it immediately makes the room seem cleaner and brighter and more finished. But what would happen if instead of white trim you picked another color? I know, I know. Scandalous stuff. Hold yourself together 'cause things are going to get a bit crazy as I show you what rooms look like when you add color to the trim.

Ready? ...

First and foremost I'm going to start with black. I mean it is the antithesis of white. It's also oh-so-bold and graphic. But does it not look elegant and amazing?!

This grey trim on the watery blue walls is subtle and divine.

Slate blue trim on creamy white walls makes this beautiful bride's picture evening more sophisticated.

Love that the case moldings, baseboards and built-ins are all in the same elegant grey.

Additional images available on my Houzz Ideabook - see below... So pretty.

If you would like to view these and other examples of painted crown moldings and trims, please visit my Moldings Ideabook on Houzz.

Moldings, Baseboards & Trim

What look is your favorite? Or do you still prefer white on white? Let me know.

xo, CM

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Climbing Up the Walls

2014-10-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

My current decorating obsession revolves around wallpaper - or wall coverings if you are fancy or Google.

(If you Google wallpaper you get wallpaper for your computer screens. I guess Google is "fancy" too. Maybe they should hang out with Iggy Azalea. Now I can't get that "Fancy" song out of my head.. I digress...)

So wallpaper. It's a big trend making its way back into home design and I love it and I want it on all of my walls in every pattern and color. There are just so many to choose from!

Wall coverings really impact the room in a BIG way, probably more so than any other decorating choice since you're talking about putting a lot of color and pattern all over the room - and spending a lot more than you would on paint. So choosing wallpaper can be tricky - and why you most certainly need someone with a trained eye, like myself, to help you pick it out. :)

OK, so how do I look for wallpaper for my clients?
1. What is the function of the room?
2. How do you want the room to feel?
3. What color pallet do you want for the room?
4. What other elements exist in the room?
5. What is the budget for that room?

Then I go searching through hundreds of books - and online under "wall coverings" for the color first. Next, I think about the style and size of the room and the wall space available and I weed out patterns that won't work. Once I do that, I'm typically left with a handful of patterns and I will usually give my clients a choice of my top 2-3.

To give you some examples of wallpaper, here are some rooms I absolutely love - and some I don't...

I absolutely love this! For a bedroom, this pattern is - well - dreamy. It's beautiful, not overwhelming. As if you are waking up in a small forest. So out of an elegant Disney fairytale...

Traditional Bedroom by London Architects & Building Designers Hill Mitchell Berry Architects

I actually love this wallpaper and it's a bold choice for a small bathroom. I don't like it in this room - with that floor. I think that it competes with the river rock floor tile. Had the flooring been simpler it would've worked. But busy tile and busy walls - too much!

Eclectic Bathroom by Washington Interior Designers & Decorators Margaret Carter Interiors

Also love! Because the space is so bright and open, and there is so much of the white, the very bold pattern works. And on those incredible barreled ceilings too. A-mazing!

Traditional Bathroom by Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers Eberlein Design Consultants

If you have a home with a very long hallway or entryway, the most fabulous thing you can do is cover the walls. Especially if the wallpaper peeks into the other rooms in the home - and those rooms have coordinating color pallets. Gorg!

Contemporary Living Room

Another example of entry/hallway.

Traditional Entry by Dublin Architects & Building Designers Optimise Design

I'm not always a fan of focal walls, but I love it in this case. If you have an odd wall that sticks out, or you don't have an actual focal point in a room, you can make one by using wallpaper. So fun!

Midcentury Living Room by Other Metro Photographers Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly

How adorable is this laundry room? It's small, but oh so cute!

Eclectic Laundry Room by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Lucy Interior Design

I really want to like this room, I really do. The owners of this room were super brave and really went for it. To me it's a bit overwhelming. The pattern is so strong and there are hardly any breaks for your eye to rest. It's kinda hypnotic - and not in a good way. Maybe if the back wall was also a painted bookcase?

Eclectic Family Room by New York Architects & Building Designers Incorporated

What can I say? Like, like, like.

Transitional Family Room by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Martha O'Hara Interiors

This is an ideal way to add texture and color - and they carried it into the kitchen area. So beachy!

Traditional Living Room by Larchmont Photographers FISHER HART

Refined elegance in a kitchen? Absolutely. No veggies or chickens in site in this kitchen.

Transitional Kitchen by Brooklyn Photographers Jacob Snavely Photography

These people have a good sense of humor about their dining room. They took a space that is normally so formal and serious and had some fun. Bravo!

Eclectic Dining Room by Los Angeles Media & Bloggers Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

I love the mix of non-traditional pieces with the very traditional wall covering. (I used the "wall covering" here because I happen to know this is exquisitely expensive so wallpaper just doesn't seem to fit it.) It makes the room unexpected and interesting - in a good way.

Contemporary Dining Room by New York Architects & Building Designers Dufner Heighes Inc

I could go on and on, but you have an idea of what I mean about wallpaper. It's transformative of a room in a way that no other single element of decorating really is. Only paint color comes close to that amount of impact - and even then not nearly to the degree as wallpaper.

Like? Don't like? Are you brave enough to cover your walls? Tell me what you're thinking.

xo, CM

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Something Wicked This Way Comes... Outside

2014-10-08T12:32:00.001-04:00

Have you already decorated for Halloween? My girls won't let me yet - they say it's too early, though I'm itching to put out our decorations - and to do my 2nd annual pumpkin painting.

So in the spirit of Halloween - and if you are still searching for some great Halloween decorating ideas - here are some of my favorites.

If I had a large holiday decorating budget, time, ability and/or a handy husband with the time to help me, and the place to store it after the holiday is over, I would SO do this!

Traditional Exterior by Atlanta Media & Bloggers Between Naps on the Porch

Simple. Love it.

Eclectic Patio by Cherry Hill Interior Designers & Decorators EASYdesigns

Piles of pumpkins!

Traditional Entry by Dallas Landscape Contractors Southern Botanical, Inc.

Great use of your existing flower beds - and some bails of hay.

Traditional Landscape by Boston Photographers Mary Prince

These are so fun - and a couple of hours of work max!

Spaces by Madison Media & Bloggers Erin Lang Norris

Cheese-cloth in place of that nasty, cheap webbing. Spooking - and reusable!

Spaces by Union City Interior Designers & Decorators Full Circle Interior Solutions

Adorable!

Traditional Porch by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Creepy crawly...

Contemporary Exterior by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Love the hanging hats!

Traditional Exterior

Boo!

Traditional Exterior by Denton Interior Designers & Decorators In Sight Designs Unlimted

Layers of fun, decorative lights.

Traditional Spaces by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

How cute are those pumpkin ghosts?

Traditional Kids by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Have you put up your Halloween decorations yet? Please share. I would love to see them.

xo, CM

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Underfoot

2014-09-30T10:57:00.002-04:00

Carpet, hardwood, tile. You would think this would be a rather short post, but step into a flooring showroom and you are reminded that there are seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to the flooring in your home.

There are some awesome options out there that you may, or may not, know about. Here's what I'm liking of late...

Who said wood floors have to be expensive? Particle board with a high gloss finish.

Contemporary Home Office by Melbourne Architects & Building Designers Statkus Architecture Pty Ltd

Plywood floors with a satin stain.

Contemporary Kitchen by Altona Design-Build Firms Challenger Living

Herringbone pattern for the wood floors. Makes a standard wood floor that much more fabulous!

Traditional Living Room

Elegant and concrete? Normally not two things you would think of together. But this sealed and polished concrete looks amazing in the elegant, modern home. You can mix in any color you like for the look you want too.

Modern Entry by Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers make architecture

Wood and marble tile. So Old English Manor.

Traditional Powder Room by Fort Worth General Contractors Glendarroch Homes

Painted wood, for less than fabulous wood floors is a great option. And when they start to wear a bit, they look even better.

Traditional Sunroom by Winnetka Interior Designers & Decorators Jeannie Balsam LLC

How incredible does this brick paver flooring look? Fantastic for high-traffic areas.

Mediterranean Entry by Washington Architects & Building Designers Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc

Wall-to-wall carpet tiles are so fun. You are limited only by your imagination.

Contemporary Kids by Brooklyn Photographers Alexander Johnson Photography

Modern Dining Room by Rockwall Design-Build Firms Modern Craft Construction, LLC

Sisal is a amazing carpet option if you want some texture under your toes, but want easy clean-up too.

Traditional Staircase by New York General Contractors Benco Construction

Carpeting brings a softness and elegance that no other flooring can provide.

Contemporary Bedroom by Osterville Architects & Building Designers Nicholaeff Architecture + Design

The antelope pattern (not real antelope!) in this runner blends in perfectly with the hardwoods, and adds a layer of pattern in an otherwise boring hall/staircase.

Transitional Staircase by Houston Interior Designers & Decorators Sally Wheat Interiors

The big star in this room? The carpet. Wow.

Midcentury Bedroom by Santa Barbara Interior Designers & Decorators Maienza-Wilson Interior Design + Architecture

Carpet that mimics the pattern and color of hardwood? Kinda cool.

Traditional Basement by Stratford General Contractors Craftsman Construction

So, so lovely.

Traditional Bedroom by Larchmont Photographers FISHER HART

Glass is so unexpected to incredible effect.

Mediterranean Dining Room by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Wortmann Architects

Contemporary Bathroom by Edina General Contractors John Kraemer & Sons

Oooh. Sumptuous leather.

Traditional Kitchen by Stillwater Interior Designers & Decorators Kelli Kaufer Designs

You know all those pennies you see lying around...This is one way of using them.

Spaces by Vancouver Photographers Tyler Wilman

The look of wood, the durability of tile.

Contemporary Bathroom by Alpharetta Kitchen & Bath Designers Keri Morel Designs

Laminate flooring has come a long way.

Traditional Basement by Northvale Design-Build Firms Creative Design Construction, Inc.

Yes it's parquet flooring and yes it's beautiful.

Eclectic Entry

I could probably keep going, but you only have so much time (and interest) to spend on flooring. I know, I know. Only a design geek like me could be so excited over flooring. But as you can see, there are boundless options beyond just your standard Home Depot hardwoods, tile and carpet. (Not that I have anything against Home Depot, 'cause I don't.)

xo, CM

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I Got That Fuzzy Feelin'

2014-09-23T14:17:00.000-04:00

Could it really be that I haven't actually posted since February?! How horrible is that! Where the heck have I been?!

Oh yeah, once I thawed from the Polar Vortex, I was slightly over-committed what with constant volunteer hours at my daughters' school, time commitment to the Girl Scouting troop my daughter's belonged to, a huge, but fun, time-suck of a school Talent Show, and oh yeah - my business!

So really I let the blogging slip. Which is a shame really, because in generally I have lots of thoughts to share, but especially about decorating. There's always something new to share.

Admittedly, I'm lame and I wish I was better at this whole balancing thing. Regardless, I'm going to go on as if no time at all has passed and this is just my latest post....

My feet are cold. I'm sure that's not something you wanted to know about, but the fact that they are cold, and I'm currently trying to warm them up under one of my dogs, is what inspired this post. It's all about warm, fuzzy furniture. Think fuzzy stuff only belongs in a kids room? Think again. Although what kid wouldn't want a fuzzy chair?

Transitional Living Room by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Eclectic Living Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Green Couch Interior Design

Eclectic Bedroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Tara Seawright

Transitional Bedroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators indi interiors

Traditional Family Room by Portland Architects & Building Designers Emerick Architects

Contemporary Bedroom

Transitional Living Room by Houston Interior Designers & Decorators Sally Wheat Interiors

Contemporary Living Room by Atlanta Photographers Erica George Dines Photography

Contemporary Living Room

Eclectic Bedroom by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators RSVP Design Services

Where do you find such scrumptious fuzzy furnishings? Here are a few pieces to get you started.

Wool Stool - MACK

Soft Icelandic Wool Blanket - Etsy

Lounge Chair - Dering Hall

Wool Rug - NuLoom

OK. I'm off to get some socks and a floor heater. My feet are freezing and there's no Polar Vortex in sight. I'm doomed... :)

xo, CM

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Polar Vortex...

2014-02-03T15:26:00.005-05:00

We here on the East Coast/Mid-Atlantic-area are experiencing one of our more snowy and cold winters in a few years. I'm not sure if the Polar Vortex is a real thing or just a new catch-phrase for ridiculously cold temps, but whatever it is it is also the inspiration for today's post.

I'm not a huge fan of the cold and snow (I was born on a warm island so warmth are more my thing), but I do love what it does to the landscape. When snow is falling, everything is soft with shades of grays and blues and whites. Once the snow is done falling and the sun comes out the sky is blue and there are shades of blues and pinks reflecting off the snow. It's really beautiful - at least from inside. :)

Take a look at some beautiful interiors that reflect the Polar Vortex.

Transitional Bedroom by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Martha O'Hara Interiors

Traditional Living Room by Tampa Design-Build Firms Ramos Design Build Corporation - Tampa

Traditional Living Room by Vancouver General Contractors Kits Construction

Transitional Living Room by Stamford Interior Designers & Decorators Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

Transitional Kitchen by Dc Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Interior Style by Marisa Moore

Contemporary Living Room by Bethesda Kitchen & Bath Designers Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Contemporary Bedroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators AM Dolce Vita

Transitional Bedroom by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Abrams Limited

Contemporary Bathroom by Denver Photographers Teri Fotheringham Photography

Contemporary Dining Room by Dallas Carpet & Flooring Dallas Rugs

Transitional Living Room by Markham Interior Designers & Decorators Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc)

Contemporary Kids by Dc Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Interior Style by Marisa Moore

Contemporary Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Contemporary Living Room by Brooklyn Photographers Rikki Snyder

Pretty, right? So at least the Polar Vortex is good for something other than skiing. Oh and watch out for the yellow snow! :)

xo, CM

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A Quick Look Back So I Can Plan Ahead...

2014-01-06T20:32:00.004-05:00

2014!!! Can you believe another year has just ended? It's so cliche to say it, but time just flies when you're having fun - and are busy as heck.

My horoscope - yes, I like to believe in them when they are good - says that I am going to have a seriously good year, especially the second half. So I need to plan accordingly.

If I may, I would like to take a moment to reflect on 2013. I tried really hard to be diligent about my blogging, but honestly, things got completely chaotic for me in the summer and it became increasingly difficult to get through my regular work day, much less find time to blog. Best laid plans…

So thank you for sticking with me - and supporting me in 2013. As a result, I resolve to do my best to plan and execute more posts in 2014.

I was also hoping that this was something you could help me with this year. What would you like to see me blog about? If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears and would love to hear them.

Here is a list of the 'my head space' Posts you liked the most for 2013 (and what inspired them):

10. Outskirts of Time in Morocco / book I was reading about Morocco

9. Curious About Icelandic Interiors - Small House / an Icelandic friend's FB pictures created a deep curiosity about this small, beautiful country

8. I'm Seeing Green! / Pantone color of the year for 2013

7. Oscar Glamour - Home Inspiration / the Oscars of course!

6. Romantic and Sexy Bedrooms / Valentine's Day

5. A Rainbow of Kitchens / an HGTV show that featured a red kitchen made me want to see more colors in kitchens

4. Mint Green and Coral / beautiful, favored color combination

3. Gray + Blue = Cool Spaces / blue with anything, but one of my favorite color combos

2. 5 Ideas for Pretty Outdoor Spaces / the warmer weather had me looking outdoors

And finally…

1. Vanity Fair's Lake Como / my trip to Italy (and George Clooney)

I agree. These were some of my favorites too. Though, I was really surprised at the response I got about the Icelandic home, and not really surprised that homes on Lake Como might draw your attention.

While I draw inspiration from lots of random things, I would seriously really love to hear about what you would like to see as well. So drop me a note - I want to hear from you, please! Did I mention I wanted to hear from you? :)

Well, off I go to start on my 2014 list of To-Dos. Stay tuned for more posts! Wish me luck - and I'll do the same for you!

xo, CM

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A Better Small Bathroom

2013-10-29T15:44:00.000-04:00

Compared to the average size home in the US, ours is definitely on the large end. But if you saw the bathroom that my two daughters', and any guest, have to share you would be surprised. We're talking so narrow you can touch both walls if you stand in the center and reach out your arms - and not even that much. And it's dark too - no natural light and not well lit. The sink area can accommodate two people, though it has only one sink, but then the commode and tub are in their own little "room" separated by a small door and wall. The door is impossible to close without having to climb on the commode - and don't even get me started about bathing my kids in the tub with the toilet in my ribs...

Not every bathroom can be big and spacious. Some houses just don't come built that way - and most budgets don't either.

Here are some great inspirations for small bathrooms with great functionality AND style. They are not any bigger - just better by design.

So how do you make a small bathroom look bigger and better?

1. Eliminate as many visual and physical barriers as you can - an open space will immediately appear larger.

Modern Bathroom by Miami Interior Designers & Decorators DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL

Beach Style Bathroom by Coronado Design-Build Firms Flagg Coastal Homes

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

Contemporary Bathroom by Thornhill Interior Designers & Decorators Avalon Interiors

2. If you can, add some natural light. Skylights and/or small windows will brighten any small space immediately making it appear bigger.

Traditional Bathroom by Lexington Design-Build Firms Feinmann, Inc.

Modern Bathroom by Brooklyn Architects & Designers Ben Herzog

Traditional Bathroom by San Francisco General Contractors Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

3. Speaking of brightness - can't add natural light? Upgrade your lighting scheme. Use a combination of small incandescent ceiling lights, a hanging light and sconces. Side lighting helps eliminate shadows that down lights create.

Modern Bathroom by Philadelphia General Contractors Hanson General Contracting, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom by Kailua Interior Designers & Decorators Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs

Traditional Bathroom by La Jolla Tile, Stone & Countertops Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures

4. Create additional storage and counter space where ever possible. Creating shelving nooks and additional surface space will aid you in making the space more functional and appealing.

Contemporary Powder Room by San Carlos Interior Designers & Decorators RKI Interior Design

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jo Alcorn

Contemporary Bathroom by New York Photographers Chris A. Dorsey

Traditional Bathroom by Tiburon Interior Designers & Decorators Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom by Austin Architects & Designers Cornerstone Architects

5. Use the best materials you can afford - small can still be luxurious!

Contemporary Bathroom by Sausalito Architects & Designers Urrutia Design

Contemporary Bathroom by Other Metro Architects & Designers PLAN architecture | design | strategy

Contemporary Bathroom by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Alan Design Studio

Have any favorites? I sure do. I'm ready to knock down that door and wall - as soon as I have it in my budget.

Stay tuned for more interior design inspiration!

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Pumpkins!

2013-10-14T16:06:00.001-04:00

I love decorating pumpkins. But I am no Martha Stewart and have no carving ability whatsoever. I think it requires an amount of patience that my ADD-type of personality does not have. Plus, I'm not a fan of pumpkin goop (although the seeds are yummy when roasted) and they don't last very long at all once they are carved.

However, I do love painting and decorating the pumpkins. That is much more my speed. My daughter's like it too because there is no danger of a trip to the emergency room - or less so.

Anyhow, I'm taking my girls to the pumpkin patch later today and I thought I would share with you some great ideas for decorating your pumpkins - doing random searches I found almost all of my favorites at Better Homes & Garden. Oh and I'll apologize now for the puns, but I had fun thinking them up.

Enjoy!

Golden pumpkins. - BHG

Trick or treat yourself to this large bucket of pumpkins. Create the "dots" with paint instead of drilling holes. - BHG

I'm not a big fan of bugs, but I like these creepy, crawly spiders. - BHG

Cute as some buttons and bows. - BHG

Any kind of paper will do - but imagine using a ghost story... - BHG

Some glitter glue and a few "jewels" make this one of the fanciest webs I've seen - BHG

A feathered Raven and jeweled wire gives this pumpkin its flair. - BHG

WHOO thought construction paper could turn two pumpkins into this cute owl? - BHG

Decoupage some leaves to make this beautiful centerpiece! - BHG

Boo-tiful in black. - BHG

I'm batty over these cleverly painted pumpkins. - BHG

These pumpkins got nailed - with some pretty nail-heads! - M y Love of Style

This fancy lettering is a wonderful trick! - BHG

Tulle cute! - BHG

Simple as a game of cat and mouse. - BHG

OK. I realized this is carved. But you can do this same thing with black dots and fuzzy mice cut in half. Cute either way. - BHG

This wins as the Cinderella of all pumpkin transformations. Please look at the "mice"! - BHG

Hope you enjoyed my pumpkin treats - and that this has inspired you to go get a pumpkin and go all crafty on it. :)

I'm working on some more Halloween and Fall-related blog posts which are coming soon!

Have a wonderful Fall day!!

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Sweater Weather

2013-09-17T15:38:00.004-04:00

Hi there. Remember me? It's been a while I know. I had to take the summer off - too much for one person to handle. But I am back and I have some great new stuff to share with you.

Today's blog was inspired by sweaters. Mostly because today is the first day that I could really feel Fall coming - and I LOVE Fall and all that comes with it: Cooler, crisper days; leaves changing color; and boots, jackets and sweaters! Yay!

I was actually shopping for some throws yesterday for a client's sofa and there were some really pretty, cable-knit-inspired options that I just adored. Here are other items that can bring that sweater coziness to your home decor. Enjoy!

Midcentury Home Office by Portland Media and Bloggers Lola Nova - How cute is this planter cozy?!

Eclectic Spaces by Chicago Kitchen & Bath Designers Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Midcentury Living Room by Amsterdam Media and Bloggers Ninainvorm - Fun floor covering!

HGTV - I love this colorful wreath - I imagine one with football team colors...

Eclectic Bedroom by London Interior Designers & Decorators Design-OD

I want to snuggle under that blanket and read a book!!

Modern Kids by Chicago Carpet and Flooring FLOR - So fun!

Traditional Living Room by Nashville Interior Designers & Decorators Brad Ramsey Interiors

This rug will keep your feet toastie during cold months.

HGTV - Knit napkin rings bring a bit of charm to the table.

Contemporary Living Room by Denver Interior Designers & Decorators Lauren Mikus

Warm up a "cool" space with cozy knit throws and pillows.

Modern Hall by Chicago Carpet and Flooring FLOR - Just love FLOR!

HGTV - This might take an X-Large sweater!

Living Room by Vancouver Photographers Heather Merenda - Hand-knit sweaters as art!

Eclectic Living Room by Houston Architects & Designers 2Scale Architects

Is it too early for Christmas stuff? It is, but how cute are these?!

I know - don't kill me for putting something in there about Christmas already! But if you want to make them - now is the time to get started! :)

So start unpacking your sweaters. And if you have any old ones - you know what you can do with them!

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Independence - USA Style

2013-06-29T17:46:00.000-04:00

In a few days we will be celebrating the 4th of July. I thought a great way to get in the mood for celebrating our great nation's independence is to look at some spaces that have been decorated in USA style. And if you don't know what that is - well you will now!

Family Room by Rehoboth Beach Home Builders Echelon Custom Homes

Traditional Living Room by East Hampton Interior Designers & Decorators James McAdam Design

Eclectic Living Room by Dallas Media and Bloggers The Cavender Diary

Traditional Family Room by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Bruce Kading Interior Design

Traditional Kitchen by Lagrange Kitchen & Bath Designers Splash Kitchens & Baths LLC

Traditional Family Room by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Billy Beson Company

Modern Living Room

Eclectic Bedroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Tucker & Marks

Contemporary Living Room by Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators Patrick Sutton Associates

Traditional Family Room by Petoskey Architects & Designers Shoreline Architecture & Design

Staircase by Rehoboth Beach Home Builders Echelon Custom Homes

Traditional Home Office by Seattle Interior Designers & Decorators Kimberley Bryan

Traditional Kitchen by Woodinville Architects & Designers eric gedney | ARCHITECT

Traditional Kids by Atlanta Architects & Designers William T Baker

Contemporary Bedroom by Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators Patrick Sutton Associates

Modern Staircase by Fort Lauderdale Interior Designers & Decorators b+g design inc.

Traditional Hall by Holland General Contractors Troxel Custom Homes

Traditional Bedroom by Easton Interior Designers & Decorators Bountiful

Eclectic Kids by Naples Interior Designers & Decorators Ariam Interiors

Traditional Family Room by Dallas Media and Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Contemporary Dining Room by Long Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Wolf & Wing Interior Design

Traditional Family Room by East Hampton Interior Designers & Decorators James McAdam Design

Family Room by Chicago Architects & Designers Mandy Brown

Traditional Kitchen by East Hampton Interior Designers & Decorators James McAdam Design

Contemporary Kids by Amsterdam Media and Bloggers Holly Marder

Exterior by Charleston Architects & Designers Frederick + Frederick Architects

Eclectic Bedroom by New York Photographers Rikki Snyder

Contemporary Bedroom by San Francisco Media and Bloggers California Home + Design

Contemporary Living Room by Cambridge Architects & Designers LDa Architecture & Interiors

Eclectic Family Room by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Thom Filicia Inc.

Traditional Dining Room by Little Rock General Contractors Bret Franks Construction, Inc.

Traditional Garage And Shed by Lake Oswego General Contractors MCM Construction Inc

Traditional Bedroom by Santa Ana Interior Designers & Decorators Darci Goodman Design

If you would like to see more of what I like and what inspires me, you can follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

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Outskirts of Time in Morocco

2013-06-25T16:17:00.001-04:00

New York Times Style Magazine, T Magazine did a feature called "Lost in Time" (written by Christopher Petkanas and photographed by Simon Watson). It is definitely worth reading because it gives wonderful background to the pictures that you are about to see - a place literally on the outskirts of society and time.

The colors are so beautiful, the setting so peaceful and yet harsh. This town pushes into the Sahara, the driest place in the world. There is not much to support the city, yet it continues to thrive and attract some culturally rich individuals. You would find this place and think it a mirage.

Enjoy!

Taroudant’s lunar-like landscape.

Local children play soccer outside the town’s ramparts.

The Belgian decorator Christophe Decarpentrie sits under a pergola at Le Bastion, one of four homes he shares with his partner, Abel Naessens, in Taroudant.

A stairway leading up to the terrace of the French decorator François Gilles’s house, which he designed with Arnaud Maurières and Eric Ossart.

A bedroom is shaded by arches poolside at Le Jardin/ Bassin, another home shared by Decarpentrie and Naessens.

One of the terraces at Le Bastion.

A sitting area in Le Petit Palais, another of Decarpentrie and Naessens’s houses.

Their guesthouse, La Bergerie, from above.

Beds in La Bergerie.

The living room at Le Bastion.

The entryway at the home of François Gilles.

The dining room, which leads to one of the property’s four courtyards.

An aerial view of the dining areas and swimming pool.

The painting studio of the late Chilean artist Claudio Bravo.

A cactus garden outside the walls of Bravo’s home.

A stairwell leading to one of the house’s terraces.

A view of the lap pool and exterior of the hotel Dar Al Hossoun at dusk.

The hotel’s sunken garden, designed by Maurières and Ossart.

A guest room, also decorated by Maurières and Ossart.

The house peacock wanders the grounds at Dar Al Hossoun.

A dense garden of cactuses and exotics surrounds the lap pool at Dar Al Hossoun.

A view of Karl Morcher's garden in Taroudant, Morocco.

Those glorious floors! The painted ceiling. The unbelievable gardens. I'm in love - I can see why people make the trek there. At the very least, I should get a house peacock - though my husband would not be thrilled with me.

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Serious BBQing Goin' On...

2013-06-22T21:31:00.001-04:00

It's officially summer, not that you needed the calendar or the moon to tell you that. The fireflies and cicadas told us it was here weeks ago.

Regardless, nothing says summer like having some super yum BBQ.

If you know me you know I'm a girl that likes to eat - not cook. That does not, however, mean that I don't dream of having an incredible outdoor kitchen.

So in honor of summer and BBQ'rs everywhere, I offer you some outdoor kitchen inspiration. And if you end up building an outdoor kitchen, please invite me to your first BBQ. I promise to bring the drinks!

Traditional Kitchen by Charleston Interior Designers & Decorators LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

Contemporary Patio by Winter Park Design-build Firms Phil Kean Designs

Contemporary Patio by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Designers Arterra LLP Landscape Architects

Contemporary Kitchen by Sausalito Architects & Designers Urrutia Design

Eclectic Kitchen by Beverly Hills Interior Designers & Decorators Sandy Koepke

Traditional Patio by Sacramento Architects & Designers Debbie R. Gualco

Traditional Patio

Modern Patio by Sugar Land Architects & Designers JMC Designs llc

Traditional Patio by Lexington Kitchen & Bath Designers Anna Marie Lewis

Traditional Patio by Pendleton Landscape Architects & Designers The Collins Group/JDP Design

Contemporary Patio by Austin Architects & Designers Cornerstone Architects

Traditional Porch by Houston Design-build Firms Stone Acorn Builders

Traditional Patio by Philadelphia Architects & Designers Wyant Architecture

Modern Patio by West Palm Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Jacki Mallick Designs, LLC.

Traditional Patio by Mississauga Interior Designers & Decorators Jacqueline Glass and Associates

Some some incredible ones and a few small ones thrown in. Proving you don't have to have a crazy, huge home to have an outdoor kitchen. Happy BBQing!

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Modern + Outdoors

2013-06-19T00:11:00.001-04:00

Where I live, school is finally over the summer as of today. Now we have 10 weeks of summer to enjoy. We've lived in our house for over 10 years, and we have gone from a completely blank slate of a back yard, to patio spaces, a small pool area and a gorgeous garden - I'm not bragging because my mom did almost all of it.

So if you are trying to enjoy this short-lived summer and spend time outside, I have found some pretty, modern outdoor spaces that might inspire you. And if you don't have a big yard, that's OK. I found some small spaces that still totally rock!

Love the bench with the built-in fire. Some pillows and all set.

Spaces by San Francisco Architects & Designers John Maniscalco Architecture

A wired arbor is such a great idea. Perfect ceiling fan.

Modern Patio by Dallas Home Builders Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC

Condo outdoor living - love the row of pots.

Contemporary Patio by San Francisco Photographers Alex Amend Photography

Incorporated the outdoor living into the architecture of this house, instead of adding it as an after-thought.

Modern Exterior by Austin Architects & Designers Cornerstone Architects

This is pretty, though getting to the seats might be a bit precarious.

Modern Patio by Vancouver General Contractors kbcdevelopments

Nothing missing here.

Modern Patio by Phoenix Design-build Firms the construction zone, ltd.

Keeping it simple so the views rule.

Modern Patio by Scottsdale Architects & Designers Carson Poetzl, Inc.

So simple - love the sealed concrete floors. Might do well with just a couple of additional accessories.

Modern Patio by Portola Valley Architects & Designers emily jagoda

The strings of lights rule. Makes an ordinary night seem more magical.

Contemporary Landscape by San Francisco Architects & Designers Nick Noyes Architecture

No matter the size of your patio, potted plants should always be included.

Tropical Landscape by Vancouver Landscape Architects & Designers Glenna Partridge Garden Design

Small, neat yard. Sometimes less really is more.

Modern Landscape by Brooklyn Landscape Architects & Designers Little Miracles Designs

Love the tiled floors.

Contemporary Patio by Victoria Architects & Designers Christopher Developments

I love the awnings. And I like the stone with the pavers.

Modern Landscape by Encinitas Landscape Architects & Designers Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

Large stones are a great way to deal with a difficult hill-side. Hmm. Might need to consider something like this.

Traditional Landscape by Cohasset Landscape Architects & Designers Amy Martin Landscape Design

Again, just because you have a condo doesn't mean you can't have a great outdoor space.

Contemporary Patio by Burnaby Architects & Designers Olive E + O

You had me at the wire chandelier.

Contemporary Patio by East Hampton Architects & Designers Nigel Lewis Design LLC

Love the stone face used - kept the look very modern.

Modern Patio by South Dartmouth Architects & Designers Lawton Design Studio

Small yard? Yes. Lots of style? Definitely.

Modern Landscape by Brooklyn Landscape Architects & Designers Little Miracles Designs

So zen.

Asian Patio by Aliso Viejo Photographers Andrew R. Abrecht Photography

Tin roof on the arbor provides lots of shade from the sun.

Modern Exterior by Austin Architects & Designers Nick Deaver Architect

I don't know about you, but I have some great ideas for my outdoor living. Hope you saw something that inspired you too. Now go get your sunscreen and sunglasses, and enjoy the sunshine!

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White Hot!

2013-06-15T23:17:00.001-04:00

I love white in the summer - clothes and decor.

It's charming, cool, clean, fun, elegant, cozy - but not boring. And these spaces are all most definitely white hot.

What's your favorite?

Traditional Living Room by Southport Architects & Designers Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Modern Patio by Houston Architects & Designers Allen Bianchi

Eclectic Living Room by Amsterdam Home Stagers HUISSTYLING

Eclectic Bedroom by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Neslihan Pekcan/Pebbledesign

Contemporary Dining Room by Boston General Contractors Woodmeister Master Builders

Mediterranean Living Room by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators gogo gulgun selcuk

Contemporary Living Room by Portland Photographers Philip Clayton-Thompson

Traditional Bedroom by Costa Mesa Interior Designers & Decorators Jessica Bennett Interiors

Traditional Dining Room by Charleston Interior Designers & Decorators Margaret Donaldson Interiors

Traditional Living Room by Quogue Architects & Designers Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Contemporary Dining Room by Amsterdam Media and Bloggers Iris

Traditional Living Room by Malvern Furniture and Accessories Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Traditional Bedroom by Atlanta Architects & Designers Castro Design Studio

Traditional Family Room by Clarendon Hills Architects & Designers Culligan Abraham Architecture

Traditional Kids by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators Amy Lambert Lee

Traditional Family Room by Charleston General Contractors Jamison Howard

Modern Hall by Oconomowoc Interior Designers & Decorators Robert J Erdmann Design, LLC

Eclectic Living Room by Brooklyn Architects & Designers Neuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.

Eclectic Living Room by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Contemporary Living Room by Sag Harbor Interior Designers & Decorators Susanne Kelley Design

Traditional Family Room by Salt Lake City Interior Designers & Decorators Sita Montgomery/The Family Room Design Studio

Contemporary Kids by Solana Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Lori Gentile Interior Design

Traditional Dining Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Candace Barnes

More summer inspiration on the way so stay tuned.

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Turquoise Waters & Bright Sunshine!

2013-06-05T22:46:00.001-04:00

If ever you want to decide what colors you want in your home, just look outside your window - especially in summer. What colors draw your eye? Bleached whites? Flowery pinks? Leafy greens? Sandy neutrals?

Today, my eyes are focused on the bright sunshine reflecting off the pool. So pretty, happy - summery!

Please enjoy this vibrant color combination - a lot looks great, but a little goes a long way too. Maybe you'll be inspired to bring some into your home.

From Digs Digs

Entry by Santa Monica Interior Designers & Decorators Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

Traditional Kitchen by Newport Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Homescapes Design

From Creative Influences

Eclectic Bedroom by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators betsy burnham

Modern Living Room by Asheville Artists and Artisans Element Clay Studio

From Etsy

Contemporary Kids by Scarsdale Interior Designers & Decorators Clean Design

Eclectic Bedroom by Houston Media and Bloggers Casa Greer

From Creative Influences

Eclectic Porch by Other Metro Media and Bloggers Dear Daisy Cottage

Contemporary Entry by San Anselmo Interior Designers & Decorators Ann Lowengart Interiors, LLC

From Creative Influences

Contemporary Living Room by Lake Oswego Architects & Designers Nordby Design Studio, Architecture & Interiors LLC

Eclectic Bedroom by Los Angeles Home Stagers Madison Modern Home

Contemporary Living Room by Saint Louis Photographers Matt Harrer Photography

Eclectic Bathroom by Decatur Kitchen & Bath Designers Renewal Design-Build

Eclectic Home Office by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Story & Space - Interior Design and Color Guidance

Eclectic Spaces by Amsterdam Photographers Ida Lifestyle

Contemporary Living Room by San Francisco Media and Bloggers California Home + Design

Traditional Living Room by Pawleys Island Photographers Julia Ryan

Traditional Kitchen by Kaysville Architects & Designers Hyrum McKay Bates Design, Inc.

Traditional Home Office by Miami Beach Interior Designers & Decorators BROWN DAVIS INTERIORS, INC.

Contemporary Kitchen by Washington Architects & Designers E/L STUDIO

Eclectic Living Room by Jamestown Furniture and Accessories Barbara Schaver @ Furnitureland South

Modern Bedroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Amy Lau Design

Eclectic Living Room by Memphis Interior Designers & Decorators Anna Baskin Lattimore Design

Traditional Kids by Newport Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Pacific Family Homes

Pick a few items to brighten up your space or go all out - either way it brightens up any room. What bright color combos do you like in the summer-time?

More summer inspiration on the way so stay tuned.

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Mint Green and Coral (Peach/Salmon) - It's Ba-ack in a Big 80s Hair Sort of Way

2013-06-04T00:38:00.001-04:00

I like reading Orlando Soria's "Hommemaker". It's a very funny, informative home decorating blog. He recently posted about the return of palm tree prints. A few days later, just by chance, I was watching a very retro Shelly Long movie, Troop Beverly Hills (circa 1989), and there was a scene in it that had the troop "camping" at the Beverly Hills hotel and the wallpaper in the room was - you guessed it - palm tree.

The Beverly Hills Hotel Martinique wall covering.

Screen captions of the overlooked Troop Beverly Hills movie - starring Shelly Long and lots of awesome 80s stuff, including huge shoulder pads and those awesome walls! And what is up with that cigarette holder?!

And then I was checking out the new website for Zara Home and wouldn't you know it, but more palm tree prints!

From Zara Home USA.

So what I'm saying is that the Palm Tree print is back - along with many other items from the (gasp) 80s - in a new and updated way (thank God) of course. Have you noticed all the mint green and peach (well now it's coral because it's brighter)? It's all over fashion and all over decor.

These are my favorite items and rooms that hail back to this decade shoulder-padded decade. It's hard for me to say that since that's my youth we are talking about and it was just a couple of years ago, right?!

Gorgeous doors. I absolutely love them from World of Driftwood. This is some serious color inspiration!

From a past OneKingsLane.com sale.

Contemporary Desk Accessories

Pillow from CB2

Traditional Duvet Covers by Sausalito Furniture and Accessories Serena & Lily

Cool mint green stove for just the right retro kitchen from ArchiExpo.

Contemporary Dressers Chests And Bedroom Armoires

Mint-colored Palm Leaves wall covering.

Eclectic Living Room by New York Photographers Rikki Snyder

Modern Armchairs

Pretty, beachy living room from Country Living.

Asian Duvet Covers

I love the pop of color from the chairs from Newly Domesticated.

Contemporary Artwork

Contemporary Mirrors

Traditional Bedroom by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Contemporary Knobs

Traditional Bedroom by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Eclectic Kitchen by Portland Interior Designers & Decorators Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

I kinda really like the mint green. Hope somebody wants it in a room and asks me to help - hint, hint. ;-)

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Florence, Venice & Family: Italy Part 3

2013-05-26T23:08:00.003-04:00

I don't want to be one of those people that bores everyone with their vacation photos, so I'm going to wrap up my final stops with my favorite pictures. After Rome, we took a couple of days in Florence, Venice and then Como/Bellagio/Lecco to see my family.

And that was it - we headed back to Rome by way of Pisa and the coast with a five minute stop to see the Mediterranean Sea. Along that route, we found lots of interesting towns that would be so cool to stop into the next time we go. Amazing ancient towns and very cool, semi-empty beaches.

So enjoy my favorite pics - again most of the photo credit goes to my hubby. He had a great time playing photographer.

After this - I promise to go back to interior inspirations. :)

Ponte Vecchio - Florence @ Night

Near the Uffici - beautiful carousel in the middle of the old city.

No tour of Florence is complete with Michelangelo's David.

Holding the Head of Medusa - I love the aged bronze

Il Duomo - so beautiful on the outside and in.

Villa St. Michele - designed by Michelangelo and overlooking Florence. Now a gorgeous 5-Star hotel. We were fortunate to have a wonderful meal there during our visit and spent time in their gorgeous grounds.

Gorgeous gardens at St. Michele. Love the lemon trees in pots.

Our pre-meal snack. How lovely.

Il Duomo as seen from St. Michele

Looking down on Florence.

Gorgeous landscape.

The gardens of St. Michele.

Gorgeous pathway.

Arriving just outside of Venice. Need to find parking and ditch the car for a couple of days.

Ciprianni in Venice has some gorgeous gardens too. Look at these Wisteria.

Night view of the Bridge of Sighs.

Venice in the late morning (not early risers - even in Italy).

Me in Venice.

Getting lost in the residential streets. Love the laundry lines.

What a lovely image. I'm sure these people really appreciate me taking a picture of their laundry and calling it beautiful. They would say I'm a crazy tourist, I'm sure.

Bridge of Sighs. Prisoners would walk from the judicial halls in the Doges Palace to the jail (left to right) and were said to sigh at their last look out to beautiful Venice and their loved ones.

The Doges Palace - Piazza San Marco.

Beautiful color door of a residential home.

Overgrown garden with the most beautiful roses - and the wrought iron fence...

Getting lost in Venice.

Beautiful "streets" of Venice.

Gorgeous old archway.

Venice canals.

Love the reflection of the Basilica at night.

Colored pillars - each indicated the family colors of the rich merchants who owned these amazing homes.

Raining in Como.

Como.

Childrens park on the lakefront of Como. Zucchero = sugar. So sweet!

The Basilica in Como - another gorgeous cathedral.

Rainy paths of Bellagio. My husband took this picture and I promptly fell on my bum. He took a picture of that too, but I'm not putting that on here! :)

My gorgeous 102 year old Great Aunt Josephina. It had been 13 years since the last time I had seen her. How fortunate that I was able to see her again.

I don't know what this is, but it's in Como. Pretty isn't it? I would like to live there. Just one room would do.

Only in Italy would they say - that's good enough. People are always amazed at how much it actually leans. Steve could not get enough. It really does lean - a lot. The fact that it hasn't landed on someone's head says a lot about the engineers that supported it - and left it like that.

The photographer, my husband Steve, looking out over the Mediterranean Sea. Next time?

That's it y'all. Hope you enjoyed all the images as much as I enjoyed watching my husband take them.

Up next... Some interiors - I promise.

Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Weekend!

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Ancient Beauty of Rome: Italy Part 2

2013-05-18T20:23:00.002-04:00

While the Vatican is a palace full of glorious riches, Rome rivals the Vatican in it's beautiful ruins. Just walking around the city, you are surrounded by history.

One thing I had expected, was a lot of dirty, black, old relics, but surprisingly Rome has been cleaned up in the past decade. The fuel is green, there are fewer drivers. In short, they have done a heck of a job cleaning and maintaining its state of beautiful, arrested decay. In short - amazing.

Anyhow, there is so much history in Rome I'm not sure I could see it all in a year, much less a day, but our guide sure did try.

Here are some of the amazing sites we saw. I hope you enjoy the continuation of my photo tour. :)

These are the famous Spanish Steps from my favorite movie, Roman Holiday. I wanted to have my Audrey Hepburn moment. Not quite what I had in mind.You should've seen them later. You couldn't even see the actual steps there were so many people.

The Roman Forum at night is ethereal.

More of the Roman Forum.

Chariot racing anyone? The Circus - almost three football fields wide.

The church that sits atop the catacombs.

Inside the Catacombe di San Domitilla - the oldest of the catacombs found in Rome.

Markings assigned to Christians in the catacombs.

More markings outside the burial chambers.

Frescoes indicate the burial site of someone of some importance during the period.

Sadly, the frescoes were vandalized to remove the images of the figures long ago.

The Chains of St. Peter Basilica (San Pietro in Vincoli) house the chains that shackled Peter when he was imprisoned for preaching about Jesus.

A beautiful, ancient keyhole on the door for a garden of the Order of the Knights Templar.

Reveals a garden that overlooks the Vatican. Read more here.

Me - in the rain - looking up at the stands of the Colosseum imagining my seats.

Lower level of the Colosseum where the fighters would prepare and animals would have been kept.

These arches are a feat of architectural marvel. Can you imagine the craftsmen that were used to build this?

Beautiful moss-lined corridors are so melancholy - especially in the rain.

View of the new Vittorio Emanuele II National Museum (built in the late 19th-early 20th century) from atop of the Colosseum.

View of Mussolini's office balcony from atop the Colosseum.

Remains of the massive bronze statue of Constantine on display inside the Colosseum is from 1100's.

More views of the Roman Forum from atop of the Colosseum.

I cannot remember what building this is. I'm sure it's important. I just loved the architecture of it, though. :)

Domed ceiling of the Pantheon - the temple of all the gods, was built with it's open top in the 2nd century. It was raining that day so the water was streaming in. Very cool.

I have to give credit where credit is due. My husband, Steve, took almost all of the pictures while we were in Italy. He's gotten quite good I think. Don't you?

I hope you enjoyed these pictures. I have some incredible ones coming up of a spectacular garden in Florence.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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Italy Part 1: Il Vaticano

2013-05-16T11:56:00.003-04:00

My father was born in Italy. My mom from Uruguay. And while I spoke Spanish, I've always felt more of a connection to my Italian roots. Anyhow, visiting again after so many years - it's been 13 years - was absolutely amazing. I had forgotten how incredibly beautiful Italy is.

As many times as I had visited, however, I had never been to Rome. It was not at all surprising that I loved it. How can you not!?! Everywhere you look are the reminders of all of our histories over the past 2000+ years. It's truly incredible.

No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to Vatican City. So that is where we will begin this photographic tour of Italy. First of all, I will say that visiting the Vatican really works the neck muscles - I think I spent most of my time looking up at the ceilings as you will see from my pictures. Just to be clear, no photograph can capture how breathtaking it truly is, but I hope you enjoy them none the less. Also, I didn't include many pictures of the Sistine Chapel (just one) because they just do not do it justice.

One last thing I will mention - instead of spending a lot of money on our accommodations (we stayed at the Marriott in Rome and it was terrific) we opted to allocate that money to private guided tours. Our tour of the Vatican started at 7:45AM before the crowds are allowed in. So for about an hour, we had the museums and chapel all to ourselves. It was worth every penny and I highly, highly recommend it!

Before you even get to the main halls, you have to gaze up at the incredible ornamentation. I love the beautiful workmanship that you see carved into the marble moldings and reliefs. And the glow of the lighting truly makes you feel the grandeur of this place.

Egnazio Danti, Hall of Maps, Vatican Palace, 1580s, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII, the Hall of Maps is 400 feet long and featured dozens of maps of states and cities with a focus on Italy. Considering they didn't have satellite imagery, the accuracy of the maps is truly amazing.

Ceilings in the Hall of Tapestries - Vatican Museum. The ceilings have a gorgeous 3D trompe l'oeil affect.

Walls and ceilings of an almost empty Sistine Chapel. The best Bible picture book in the world!

The Fontana della Pigna (Pinecone Fountain) outside the basilica. The symbolism is everywhere. The lions - authority and power, the peacocks - immortality, resurrection and guards of the Gates of Paradise, the acorn - possibly representative of the third eye.

The sculptures found all over the museum are incredible. This is the serpent biting Laocoon from the sculpture, Laocoon and His Sons was discovered in 1506 and is thought to date back to 140 BC.

Zoo Garden - all animal sculptures in two rooms. I just loved the incredible detail of this particular one - Animal Sacrifice.

A view of Rome from the top of the Bramante Staircase.

Even the most utilitarian of hallways are majestic. This is the exit out of the Sistine Chapel.

The Bramante Staircase, inside one of the Vatican Museums, is a marvel of Renaissance architecture, commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1505

Outdoor halls into St. Peter's Basilica. Can you tell I'm just in awe of the incredible artistry and craftmanship of these ceilings?

Incredible.

Pieta (Mary and Jesus) was sculpted by Michelangelo in 1499. It is both breath-taking and a heartbreaking depiction of a mother holding her dead son.

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Exterior of St. Peters Basilica.

Upcoming blog will be about my tour of Rome. I have a couple of unique images to show you - something most tourists don't see.

Please share your thoughts, or images, with me. Love to hear from you.

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Vanity Fair's Lake Como

2013-05-14T15:26:00.001-04:00

I'm still recovering from 10 day away - and frankly there are something like 700 pictures to go through in my camera so I'm not yet ready to share my pictures of my trip just yet. I found out yesterday, that George Clooney was in fact in Lake Como while I was there. How we missed each other I'm not sure, but since Lake Como is one of my favorite places on earth (even before George resided there) - I thought I would share with you an old Vanity Fair September, 2007 article featuring some amazing images of Lake Como, their residents, and their estates - including the most famous, George Clooney.

Enjoy the pics!
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Crazy for Lake Como

Lake Como was the province of a few noble families, visited by artists, royalty, world leaders, and the cream of Old Hollywood. Then, in 2002, George Clooney put the tranquil Italian retreat squarely in the spotlight, and now reports have everyone from Bill Gates to Rupert Murdoch to Tom Cruise vacationing among its few magnificent Gold Coast villas. As BlackBerry-wielding Russian tycoons wave untold sums at the lake’s aristocratic homeowners, Janine Di Giovanni asks if Como’s days are numbered.

By Janine Di GiovanniPhotographs by Giacomo Bretzel and Annie Leibovitz

Villa del Balbianello, on Lake Como. Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale were both shot here.

Jean-Marc Droulers, C.E.O. and president of Villa d’Este, Lake Como’s most celebrated hotel, in his office.

Villa Pliniana.

Villa La Cassinella, rumored home of Richard Branson.

Michele Canepa with his dogs at Villa Il Balbiano.

Prince Gallarati Scotti at Villa Melzi d’Eril.

Aerial view of Como.

The gardens at Villa d’Este.

Real-estate agent Francesco Ugoni and American villa owner Robert Eves.

Giacomo Mantegazza at his home in Como.

Call buttons for waiters at Villa Erba.

A bathtub at Villa Erba, where Luchino Visconti once lived.

View of the city of Como from Villa Il Dosso Pisani.

George Clooney’s home Villa Oleandra.

Maximilian Canepa, son of Michele Canepa, and cousin Carlotta Saibene at Villa Il Balbiano.

Villa la Quiete.

The gardens at Villa del Balbianello.

Athena Besana Ciani at Villa Besana.

George Clooney visiting Villa Allamel, on Lake Como. His own home, Villa Oleandra, has a screening room, a gym, and a pool.

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Dreamy, right? I know.

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A Rustic Farmhouse in the Hills of Italy - an AD Article

2013-05-02T10:29:00.001-04:00

10 Days in Italy. Rome, Florence, Venice and Lake Como. My husband and I are taking an early 10 year anniversary trip. We are leaving the girls behind (thank you Mom, sister and friends!) and exploring the countryside, as well as visiting my Italian family (on my father's side). So I will not be posting anything new for several days. Though I hope to be able to share some pictures when I return.

In the meantime, Architectural Digest published this story of a rustically, modern farmhouse in Italy. The article appeared in the February, 2013 issue. Enjoy the images!

Buon giorno! xo, CM

A RUSTIC FARMHOUSE IN THE HILLS OF ITALY
On a pastoral estate in Umbria, aristocratic architect Benedikt Bolza transforms a centuries-old house into a grand, rustic dwelling for his young family

Text by Marella Caracciolo | Photography by Simon Watson | Styled by Howard Christian

Architect Benedikt Bolza with his wife, Nencia, and their five children at his family’s sprawling Umbrian estate, Castello di Reschio, where he rebuilds and manages centuries-old stone houses for clients.

For his own home on the site, Benedikt completely remade the interiors and added a glass atrium, visible here, to enclose the building’s courtyard.

The architect designed most of the drawing room’s furnishings, including the wood-and-brass console, the sofa, and the cast-bronze cocktail table.

In the dining alcove, the banquette and oak table were custom made.

A sitting area in the kitchen is outfitted with built-in sofas, a table fashioned from an antique door, and a floor of flagstones salvaged from nearby stables; the shelves are lined with jars of peeled tomatoes from the family’s garden.

The kitchen’s massive oak-top island features sink fittings by KWC.

A 1950s table sits at the base of the home’s main stairwell in a former courtyard, now enclosed in glass.

A custom-made chaise longue in the study.

In the double-height master bath, Benedikt designed the mirrors, heated copper towel racks, and travertine-top washstands, the latter equipped withLefroy Brooks fittings.

One of the guest rooms is appointed with a vintage English brass bed.

Benedikt designed the twin steel beds in this guest room, and Nencia hand-painted the floor.

Another guest bath, clad in mosaic tile, also features Lefroy Brooks fittings.

A guest bath has a concrete-and-resin shower with Lefroy Brooks fittings; the stone sink is antique.

The children’s playroom.

The garden room is highlighted by original limed-oak beams and a mantelpiece crafted from reclaimed sandstone.

One of the façades, which overlooks walled gardens, features a gridded brise-soleil that Benedikt created to filter sunlight entering the master bath.

Almost two decades ago, Count Antonio Bolza and his wife, Angelika, acquired Castello di Reschio, a 2,700-acre estate in the wooded hills of Umbria, Italy, with a vision of turning its rural houses—all of them centuries old and in ruins—into luxurious villas.

At the time, their son Benedikt was studying to become an architect, and he soon joined the family operation, overseeing the restoration and design work on the estate. In the roughly 13 years since, Benedikt has painstakingly rebuilt 22 of the 50 houses (another three are now in progress), complete with bespoke interiors, traditional gardens, and infinity pools. The estate also offers resortlike services catering to an elite international clientele of buyers and renters.

“We not only design the homes and gardens for our clients, we manage their properties,” explains Benedikt, who also serves as the estate’s director. For years he and his family camped out in the drafty rooms of Reschio’s 11th-century castle, but eventually the time came to put down more permanent roots—especially after his wife, Nencia (of the princely Corsini family from Florence), became pregnant with their fifth child. “The castle was freezing, and when it rained we had to pull out dozens of buckets and even some umbrellas,” Nencia recalls. “We needed a home of our own, and it had to be a big one!”

The couple decided to take one of the estate’s largest homes, which also happened to be among the most challenging to update. Though its timeworn stone exterior was in decent condition, the interiors were a different story. “It was a labyrinth of staircases and poky rooms for seasonal workers and their families,” says Benedikt, who is known as Count Bolza, a title conferred by his aristocratic Austro-Hungarian lineage. “The only solution was a radical one—demolish the interiors and rebuild them from scratch, adding a level for extra space.” The architect had initially set his eyes on a less complicated property, but Nencia insisted this was the one. “I was thinking of the children,” she says. “From here they can walk to the horse stables.”

By the time Benedikt and his team of more than 100 builders and craftspeople tackled the house, he had a crystal-clear idea of how it would all fit together. “The truth is,” he says, “I love to plan every detail, from the roof down to the tiniest lampshade.” In the early years of the Castello di Reschio project, Benedikt’s obsessiveness didn’t always go over well with the workers. “They weren’t used to detailed drawings, and they thought they knew better,” he says. “In time they learned to be more meticulous. I, on the other hand, learned from their knowledge of traditional building materials.”

One notable feature of the Bolzas’ home—which has two floors in some sections, three in others—is the fluidity of its structure. Most of the common areas are connected to an arresting two-story central staircase, composed of a solid sandstone lower portion and an open steel-and-wood upper flight. Set within the original stone courtyard, which is now enclosed in glass, the stairs are part of a luminous inner atrium that infuses the old building with a contemporary dynamism.

The home’s hub of activity is its vast kitchen, distinguished by a dramatic vaulted limestone ceiling striped with steel beams, a polished-concrete floor, stainless-steel cabinetry, and a wood-burning oven devised by Benedikt. “I love concocting recipes here with Marco Pellegrini, the chef who runs Reschio’s restaurant,” Nencia says. She notes that her kitchen can accommodate nearly three dozen people, thanks to large yet intimate seating alcoves. “It is common for us to have hordes of guests,” she says, “especially when my twin sister, Fiona, and her six children come to visit.” In the summer, when Nencia organizes theater camps for family and friends, at least 40 children stay at the house, she says, adding, “most of them sleep in tents in the garden!”
All the interior spaces were conceived jointly by Benedikt and Nencia, who first came to Reschio as a trompe l’oeil decorative painter in 1998. “Benedikt’s parents commissioned me to decorate one of the houses on the estate,” she remembers. “That’s how I met my husband.” Nencia likes to experiment with her own pigments. “I recently discovered that oil paint works well on travertine, so I decorated the floors of some of the bedrooms with colorful patterns.”

With the exception of a smattering of vintage pieces, most of the furnishings in the house—from the kitchen’s nearly eight-foot-square dining table (made of reclaimed oak and steel from wine barrels) to the locally crafted lamps used throughout—were designed by Benedikt. In the master bedroom, the upholstered armchair is bespoke, as is the freestanding cast-iron tub, cozily positioned near the fireplace. The couple’s double-height bath features hand-cut travertine sinks fitted with copper mirrors. Sunlight filters into the space through a two-story gridded brise-soleil conceived by Benedikt that resembles those found in traditional brick hay barns.

The experience of renovating the house and living with so many of his own designs prompted Benedikt to launch a line of furniture, which he plans to begin offering for sale online in May. The estate, however, remains his priority. “When my parents bought this property, I was only a student,” he says. “But I knew my destiny as an architect was inextricably tied to this place.”

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