We’re making some changes to the kids’ playroom space, turning it into a library/study instead since they’re getting older now and in elementary school.  The space is narrow measuring 9 feet wide and I’ve always loved the idea of building a window seat in here and pulling up a table in front of it for homework, reading, games, art, etc. 

I thought about adding bookshelves around the windows but that felt too cramped so we’re going with just a basic window seat + cushion + pillows combo along the bottom that will add some extra seating and storage up against this wall. 

And let’s face it.  What’s better than a casual and cozy built in window seat with throw pillows galore, I ask you. 

New England Home Magazine

House Beautiful

Muse Interiors

Better Homes & Gardens

Coastal Living

Better Homes & Gardens

We decided to use IKEA cabinets to create our window seat and last weekend Matt made the three hour round trip (driving + purchasing = 3 full hours!).  The idea to use cabinets to form the base came from Aubrey + Lindsay’s brilliant window seat in their kitchen.  We originally thought we’d have to build the whole thing ourselves from scratch but then I remeasured and did some more research and found out three 36” x 24” x 15” Akurum cabinets would fit the space perfectly, so I was sold.  

The cabinet is 15” in height so we can build a base and add a cushion to bring it up to a proper seating height at 18 ½ – 19 inches max.  Unfortunately we found out after Matt returned home that the stock clerk supplied him with the birch and not the white finish cabinet frames (grrrr!) but instead of making the trip again and exchanging them, I’ll solve the problem with a little primer and paint. 

We’re off to a good start so far seeing how the three refrigerator upper cabinets fit the width of the room perfectly – they’ll just need to be screwed together and trimmed out on the sides.

Most of the cabinet frame won’t be visible anyway since the cabinet doors (which you buy separately – strange but true) are full overlay and those are white, and the top will be covered by a cushion.

We also have to build a base that allows for venting and attach the doors.  Then I’ve got to find some 2” foam and sew a cushion cover for it too, plus add a bunch of cozy pillows for comfort and color. 

For the venting issue, I’m kind of in love with the idea of constructing a base that has a decorative curve in the front like this built in seat shown below. 

Sullivan Conard Architects

We’ll be working on this project over the next week or two, hoping to finish it up soon, I’ll keep you posted!  Any of you having visions of built in window seats dancing in your heads?  They’re pretty charming right?

.

second image from here

Next up is a special treasure – a black and white sketch and watercolor Matt found at a Paris street faire in 1999 – you can catch a glimpse of Notre Dame in the background where he is talking to the artist Pierre-Yves.  It was so simple and lovely we just had to bring it home!  It’s been framed in classic black and gold and now hangs in our living room.

I’m a dork when it comes to collecting travel tchotchkes and the one I always bring home if I can is a mini monument.  Yes, it’s true I have a “monument collection”!  Don’t mock me, I totally love it, and I can’t stop myself from picking them up from a street vendor or local tourist shop.  We’ve seen a few monuments in our travels from the Coliseum to the Alamo and it’s my crazy way of tying together the memories from the pictures with the actual trip itself.    

But I have to say of all the things I treasure most, it’s my travel journals.  Someone once told me in my early twenties to keep a travel journal on big trips and I’ve always followed that advice.  Before the kids came along we did a lot more traveling abroad and I always kept a journal on the trips – do you do this?

My travel journals are my favorite treasures and that “thing” I name when asked “What would you grab if your house was on fire?”  (Other than the kids and pets of course.)  Inside I’ve jotted down all the memories from the day and with a simple glue stick secured the receipts, maps, napkins from restaurants, and ticket stubs too. The pictures and written notes of the funny moments are the best ‘souvenir’ in my world, better than any thing I could bring home.  I bring them out every few years and we crack up recalling all the sights, sounds, and phrases overheard from those weeks spent in foreign lands and not captured in pictures.  

So friends, what about you?  What treasures have you discovered in your travels? 

Link up your favorite souvenirs, can’t wait to see!  You can link up through May 31st!

.

I have both a love and fear of the ocean.  I’m drawn to the visual beauty and rhythmic sounds of the surf beating on the sand, but the power of the ocean still frightens me since I almost drowned in it as a young girl after I was caught in an undertow.  I’ve snorkeled in deep water but I refuse to swim in the waves, and yet I still can’t resist the allure of a beautiful Northern California coastline.

The kids always find a way to entertain themselves too, digging for creatures or building fortresses only to have the waves wash them away.

The beach is the place for impromptu swordfights and multiple attempts to fly a kite.

It is also the place where all the noise of the world stops and the rhythmic peaceful music of the waves takes over.  Most of the time I just stand back and take it all in, the sound of the surf, the changing light across the water, and the repetition of the waves as they approach the shore.

And every now and then something magnificent and unexpected takes me by surprise.

Hours pass by and then chilled by the evening breezes, we leave as the sun sets watching the colors change with the softer light.

Windblown and happy, we dust off the sand and head to The Tides Wharf for a cup of the best clam chowder within 50 miles.

With full stomachs and happy hearts, we drive home as the kids fall asleep in the backseat having spent a blissful day on the coast.

We can’t spend everyday there, but I do love the smell of the beach back home. If you’re landlocked and can’t get to the coast anytime soon, here are my three favorite beauty products that I use that capture the essence of the beach!

The first is Mario Badescu’s Summer Shine Body Lotion, it has a soft shimmer and very light tropical scent – perfect for summer nights spent in summer dresses!  The next is Bobbi Brown’s Beach Body Oil and if anything captures the essence of surf and suntan lotion this is it!  It’s absorbs quickly and I get a lot of compliments whenever I wear it.  The last is Bumble & Bumble’s Surf Spray, great for misting in your hair when it’s wet for the look of windblown locks after a day spent on the sand.

I hope you all are enjoying this last day of the long weekend and the kickoff to summer!  Tomorrow is the ‘Favorite Souvenir’ link party, so link up any of your favorite finds you’ve acquired on your travels!

Finally, today is also a day of honoring our fallen soldiers.  Thank you men and women of our military for all you have done to to protect and defend our country.  Today we remember you.

.

Today is ‘best of the blogosphere’ day and Amanda and I team up every two weeks to bring you our favorite projects, ideas, and posts we spy out there in blogland.  Here’s the list, enjoy.

This is the most simple yet genius idea – spray painted mason jar lids transform this ordinary Target dresser and give it a mid-century modern inspired look, via Apartment Therapy. 

Painted flags make statement headboards and Carmel at Our Fifth House proves it with this Union Jack pegboard headboard in her son’s room.

Who says potting benches are just for plants?  Why not turn one into an outdoor bar, like this one from The Creativity Exchange.  Cheers!

Overlays overlays, how do we love you overlays!  Check out this IKEA Malm dresser upgrade by Jen at I Heart Organizing.

With all the parties and gatherings you’ll be invited to, here’s a simple idea to doll up the dessert you bring (or serve as hostess) – these bendable fabric cake flags via Poppytalk.  

Craft a statement necklace with a tutorial found over at Making It Lovely, perfect for adding a dose of color and style to your summer wardrobe.

Don’t miss a beautifully written post by Nester who recently visited Africa with the Compassion bloggers.  She eloquently relates the feelings that come with blogging about “first world problems” having experienced real third world problems in her post titled The {African} Elephant in the Room. 

That’s it for this week folks, and thanks Amanda as always for helping me round up a few of these picks, you can visit with Amanda at her lovely blog Serenity Now.  If you’d like your latest project or post considered for this series, be sure to send it our way to bestoftheblogosphere@gmail.com.

Today we’re painting walls and installing cabinets at the Alma house, then driving out to the beach for some seafood at the coast, can’t wait!  

Enjoy your Sunday, 

.

How about an opportunity to win some pillows for your home?  This weekend, two lucky winners will receive a $100 shop credit to Pillows by Dezign, plus free shipping!

Eligibility to win one of two $100 shop credits to Pillows by Dezign:

1) Visit Pillows by Dezign and select your favorite among their collection, then name it in a comment on this post.

2)  For a second chance to win, share this giveaway on either Facebook or Twitter and leave a second comment telling where you linked (FB or Twitter).

Giveaway ends Monday May 28th at 8 p.m. PST, two winners chosen at random, US and Canada only.  By entering this giveaway you agree to this site’s giveaway policy and Official Rules of Entry, good luck!

.

Did you catch the May issue of Better Homes & Gardens?  It highlighted the topic of innovation, so today I’m sharing my favorite apps for smartphone and iPad over at Centsational Style.  Share yours too!

* * * .

Next Tuesday is another Fair Weather Link Party and the ‘out of the box’ themes continue with ‘Favorite Souvenirs’.  Got a special token you’ve picked up in your travels?   I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!  Tell us your story on Tuesday May 29th!

 * * *

My latest article at My Colortopia is live, it’s all about choosing the right neutral, be sure to check it out.

* * *

Now that it’s summer, it’s time for a summer ad special!  There are only four more 125 px squares and they are available at a discount for a short time only, save 15% with the code CGSUMMER  -just click “Your Ad Here” to hop on board!  

* * * 

The two winners of the $100 gift certificates in the Decor Steals giveaway are #54 Lindsay(at)OfffortheSeason and #339 Sydnie Cunningham.  Winners check your inbox, I sent you an email! 

A great giveaway is coming up later today, so stay tuned.

What are your big plans for the weekend?  Headed anywhere fun?

.

Today Mr. Courtney Lake of Courtney Out Loud is back as a Contributor with his story about how he chose pavers for his own backyard setting, and offering some very valuable tips on selecting the proper pavers for your outdoor space too.  Enjoy! 

“Spring is in full bloom and the heady sent of the first blooms are beckoning us to light up our grills, put on shorts and enjoy our yards. Yet for many of us, our outdoor spaces are long forgotten dumping grounds of mismatched furniture, yard supplies and kiddie pools or worse, the outdoor spaces are just vast barren patches of concrete, grass, or in my case, gravel.

When my Partner and I opted to invest in our outdoor space last year, we were completely at a loss on what to do with it. We inherited a barbell-shaped space that was half French limestone pavers surrounded by pea gravel and dirt. Functional but not very user friendly is how I would describe the old space. The major issue was the pea gravel which (1) the neighborhood cats assumed was their personal litter box, (2) didn’t allow the patio furniture to rest evenly as the legs always sank an inch and (3) wood floors and pea gravel don’t mix unless you enjoy refinishing and patching scratches every few months.

We opted to spend the majority of our budget on replacing the pea gravel and dirt with something a bit more “friendly” both underfoot and to our interior floors.  Since the builder had already started with the limestone pavers, we decided to continue with the look because it was economical since we only needed enough pavers to complete the space, the limestone is pretty durable and finally, we actually liked the neutral look of the pavers.

 

Before we came to this decision, I did a considerable amount of research to determine if continuing with the limestone was the best fit for us (which it was). Today I have recruited Ethan from One Project Closer to help establish some important ground rules for selecting the best pavers for your needs.

1)  Determine How You Will Be Using Your Outdoor Space

Sounds simple enough, but it was the one thing that took the longest to determine for my own patio redesign. Outdoor spaces are quickly becoming extensions of the indoor living spaces and consumers want their patios, porches and yards to reflect their home’s internal architecture and furniture but with low maintenance products. I advise clients to think about the following when decorating their outdoor spaces:

a) How is your interior space decorated? Can we replicate a similar mood outside with weather appropriate materials?

b) Will you be using the space for entertaining or for more solitary moments?

c) How much time and budget do you want to allocate towards the maintenance of your outdoor space?

Topsy Design

D&S Kuhn Inc

2)  Choose the Right Materials

You want to create a flow between the indoor and outdoor space and the best way to do that is to repeat color and materials found in your home. However, many of the surfaces you would use in your home are not amenable to outdoor use without considerable upkeep.  Ask yourself questions like whether the look of slate outweighs the convenience of stamped concrete, etc. 

One issue that I found while researching pavers was understanding in what environments could the pavers be used.  Natural stone is beautiful and hard wearing but comes with a host of unique issues. For example, sandstone tends to have large amounts of iron ore in it making it not a suitable choice for saltwater pools since it will develop rust stains.  Or in my case, as flowerbed edging since plant fertilizer reacts in a similar fashion causing rust stains.

If you are looking for maintenance free or low-maintenance alternatives to natural stone, Ethan suggests, “look for manufacturers who are utilizing surface techniques that focus the pigment and aggregate at the surface. This helps prevent oxidation. And regardless of what you choose, use a good solvent based sealer to protect the pavers. This simple step alone can protect your investment for 10+ years.”

Sennikoff Architects

DuChateau Floors

3) Get The Math Right

So I may or may not have measured correctly when doing our patio causing us to be short several tiles and extend the project by a day.  However my math mistake cost us several hundred extra dollars since we had to retain the crew for one more day to finish, which meant an unexpected cost expenditure for labor. Ethan suggests that a good rule of thumb for measuring your yard for pavers is to add 5%  for waste to your estimates.  If your patio is irregularly shaped, divide it into uniform sections to measure to help with your estimate.

4) Lay It Out and Lay It Down

Just like any other room, pattern is essential in creating a sense of movement and liveliness. While pattern can be incorporated into the space via pillows and cushions, why not be more adventurous and lay your pavers in an interesting herringbone or circular pattern.  You can also opt for irregular shaped pavers like flagstone, which will give you tons of visual interest.

If you are going to attempt this design element, then be sure to follow the above mathematical rule and measure accordingly.  Depending on your pattern of choice it can increase your total material allocations by as much as 20%.  If budget is constrained and you still want the “wow factor” consider creating an outdoor rug in the center of your space – it’s impactful and uses considerably less materials than doing an allover design.

AMS Landscape

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape

Outdoor Environments Inc

5) Know What Lies Beneath

Regardless of what stone you choose, you need to choose the right base to support your outdoor surface.  Choosing the correct base materials not only helps with creating a uniform look, it will drastically improve the wear-and-tear on the material. “The base product should be a consistent 4” minimum or 6” in vehicular areas” says Ethan. “Use CR-6 crushed stone or RC-6 recycled concrete with a leveling course of 1” concrete sand. This combination is good for all types of pavers.” notes Ethan.  He stresses that one place DIYers tend to skimp is with the paver joints, and recommends homeowners “use a polymeric sand for joints because the binder will keep the sand in the joints and your stones in place.”

Martha Stewart

6) “Accessorize” with Greenery

Depending on your level of comfort, you may want to forgo a paver or two in lieu of adding areas of green space. A sea of stone can be a bit monotonous and austere.  By breaking up the vertical plane with dots of greenery, it gives the eye a place to rest and also places where you can design your own outdoor vignettes.  You can also opt to add greenery around the paver joints instead of throughout the design.  Remember to choose a plant that can take foot traffic like a moss or bent grass.

via Casa Sugar

Fresh Home

As you can see, choosing what goes underfoot in your outdoor space takes many considerations, but your efforts will give you the perfect jumping off point for all your other creative endeavors.  With simple planning, research and even a little DIY, you can have create an extension of your home that you and your family can use through the warm summer months.”

Courtney Lake is the writer behind the blog Courtney Out Loud and runs the interior design company Courtney Lake Interiors.  Courtney enjoys spending time with his partner, cooking, and playing with his dog Scruffy. Connect with Courtney on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you so much Courtney and Ethan for your valuable tips today!!  There is so much to consider when choosing an outdoor surface but you’re both right, taking the time to do the research, choose the best product, and invest in the proper surface installation will add both beauty and real value to your home.  Excellent advice gentlemen!

How many of you have been in this position before, having to choose the proper pavers or stone for your outdoor living space?  Any tips or advice to share?

.

Here’s a peek at the three and my favorite takeaway ideas from each one!   

First up, an arbor covered patio designed by Chef Marcela Valladolid, star of her own Food Network show – it made perfect sense that her space was focused on dining alfresco! 

Here’s Marcella posing in her space, she’s so lovely and gave us all a brief cooking presentation on using fresh herbs in summer grilling.   

Some takeaways:

Those tailored Parson’s style dining chairs are slipcovered in outdoor fabric and zip off for easy cleaning, I totally loved that idea!

Those bronze star light fixtures were brought in by Marcela, but they were my favorite accent along with that living wall. 

The next outdoor space was designed by superstar interior designer Elaine Griffin, who I call the “Queen of Layering” and she is never shy of color!  Elaine is bubbly and magnetic in person, and a delight to talk to.  She created an outdoor oasis for casual conversation filled with lush plantings and a bright blue trellis covered backdrop. 

The takeaways:

Don’t you love how Elaine is fearless with her layering of color, pattern and texture?

The third space was designed by Danny Seo, green living expert and lifestyle blogger. Danny’s space was an outdoor patio designed for watching movies outdoors with a projector, complete with seating and snacks for guests and two dramatic chalkboard walls.

Takeaways:

All the furnishings came from the Lowe’s outdoor patio collection but the designers added a few of their own touches to pull their spaces together and make them unique.  Aren’t they all wonderful?  I was so impressed!  

I have to show you the view from the loft where the event occurred, hello gorgeous skyline of Manhattan! 

It was such a great event and an opportunity to meet these designers and see their work in person. Thank you Lowes for the invitation! 

*some images courtesy of Lowe’s and Melissa too, thanks so much!  Not a sponsored post, however Lowe’s did provide for my flight and hotel in NYC.

You can now vote on which space you love the most – each designer gets $25,000 for their chosen charity but the winner gets an additional $25,000, so that’s $100,000 total for some great charitable organizations.  Nice work designers!  Head on over to the Designer Challenge on Facebook to vote!

Which idea from these three outdoor spaces was your favorite? 

.

Last week I was invited by Lowe’s to an event (more on that later) and also had the chance to hang out with blog buddy Melissa from The Inspired Room.  We had our own ‘girl’s day out’ in the city, she Instagramed some of our adventures like this crazy pedicab ride down the middle of Broadway.  There’s something about the pulse of New York City I find so incredible, and it’s especially appealing on a beautiful day in May. 

Our hotel was in the Fashion District so Melissa and I headed out first on foot to Bryant Park which has one of the most beautiful canopy of trees in the entire metropolis. 

We took a quick jaunt through the park and loved this restaurant’s exterior covered in repeating trellises and ivy – how charming is the old fashioned streetlight? 

The huge lawn is as big as a football field and is surrounded by skyscrapers, the ultimate juxtaposition of man versus nature, right?  According to Bryant Park’s own website, it’s where “thousands of nature-starved office workers gather for lunch on any fine weekday”.  True!

The park is filled with classical urns and monuments and a piano player entertained the lunching crowd with live music.  Seriously enchanting!

Next we headed to the New York Public Library on the backside of the park, another favorite landmark I love to visit.

I can’t get enough of amazing architecture like this, the building is 100 years old and I find the detail in the arches and fixtures so inspiring.  

Hello beautiful bronze medallion door! 

Around the corner is a view of the Chrysler Building, which if you had to pin me down, it’s my favorite skyscraper in this town. The Art Deco design just kills it for me.  Did you know that it held the record for world’s tallest building for almost a year at one point in history? 

Just down the street is Grand Central Terminal – I adore that blue constellation ceiling and those windows are amazing.  Call me crazy, but the smell of a train station is one of my favorite smells in all the world and if you head downstairs, you can smell it too.

Grand Central Terminal always reminds me of Cary Grant and Eva Marie-Saint in Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest’ (love that movie!) and is one of those places that looks truly amazing when rendered in black and white.  What do you think?

Stunning right? 

Yet another “must see” for NYC tourists!

We had lunch at the famous Oyster Bar inside and the list of “fresh catch of the day” was a foot long.  After lunch we headed out to walk off lunch through the Fashion (or Garment) District.  This gown in a shop window caught my eye, I loved all the detail and the dusty salmon color too.

Our last stop was Mood Fabrics which I’ve wanted to visit for years.  Three floors filled with bolts and bolts and bolts of fabric and embellishments.

Seriously people, three entire floors of this in every kind of fabric that exists.

Even faux fur, reowr!

I might have gone a teensy bit crazy obsessing over all the fabrics and secretly wishing I could bring a dozen bolts back home with me.  Is that too much to ask?  

I know, right? 

That’s not even a drop in the bucket!  If you love fabric too, it’s definitely worth your visit. 

And what is a spring walk in the city without a visit to a local flower shop? 

Beautiful.

After our day on the streets we headed to an evening event, the Lowe’s Designer Challenge – three completely different outdoors spaces designed by three designers competing to win for their favorite charity, I’ve got some pictures of those spaces to share next! 

So long NYC, I miss ya already.

Ever been?  What are your favorite spots to visit in the Big Apple?

.

Dear Kate,

“I have a 1960’s Thomasville china hutch that originally belonged to my grandparents.  I will never part with it for sentimental reasons. It is solid pecan wood and in great shape.  With that said, I would love to paint it but I feel horrible guilt, crazy, I know!  I am a grown woman with children of my own and yet I still worry about my mother’s opinion.  Please share with me your thoughts on what to do with my hutch.

Thank you, CC”

CC also shared a picture of the room where the hutch sits, and she’s converting her formal dining room into a sitting room for reading and visiting with friends.  The space is 10 ½’ wide (shown) x 13 ½’ long and she will be adding some additional seating. 

Answer:  Hi CC!  First let me say what a nice solid piece that is, lucky for you!  My first piece of advice is to remove the spindles on the side doors which make the piece feel dated.  Consider replacing the spindles with a single glass pane or even removing the side doors entirely. 

The second thing to consider is rather than painting the entire piece, try painting the inside white like Tiffany’s hutch from Five Hundred Miles.  

Brightening the inside with paint adds a nice contrast and also plays off the geometric mirror on the opposite side of the room.  You might also consider a subtle graphic area rug like this one to create softness underneath and add even more contrast against the beautiful wood floors and hutch.  After you paint the inside, I’d live with it for a while to see if the look grows on you.

If after a few months, you still feel the same desire to paint the entire hutch, then my belief is you should do what makes you happy and what works for your taste and style and feel absolutely no guilt about it.  Holding on to the hutch is how you pay homage to your grandparents but there’s no need to keep it the same wood tone if it doesn’t work for you, so go ahead and paint it. 

If and when you do prime and paint the entire hutch, I vote for a timeless color and a pale cream or warm white is a no fail choice.  (I love Ben Moore’s ‘Linen White’ and used it to paint my family room cabinets.)

Take a cue from these three hutches below, all painted a shade of cream or white and enhanced with a wallpapered or stenciled back.  Notice how in this first image, the side doors were removed, and the piece now feels fresh and modern.

Better Homes & Gardens

Adding wallpaper to the back adds another chic pattern to the room like this version from Lonny magazine and can be replaced if you want a change down the road.

Lonny Dec 2010

One last thing, I’d glam up the hardware like this hutch makeover by Honey Sweet Home.  A little Rub n’ Buff should do the trick! 

Honey Sweet Home

What do you have to say lovely readers?  Any other ideas or input you might have for CC?  How have you incorporated inherited furniture into your home and made it work for you? 

.