Reade and Hudson

inspired by Aspen

2013-01-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

The view of Ajax mountain from our living room and balcony is simply stunning and one of the reasons I initially loved this apartment. Waking up to see the mountain is so peaceful and the perfect way to start to the day!

I have rustic, cozy interiors on my mind. I love how these rooms feel fresh, but still reflect the ski lodge spirit.

new year

2013-01-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays! I had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends, while enjoying a little blogging break. I spent a busy eight days in New York enjoying the city, seeing our great friends for New Years Eve, and working on the Soho Studio I designed... just a few last decorating details and it will be complete! Andrew and I also soaked up lots of time with his amazing nephew and the sweet new twins.

I am so thrilled that after a very long lead time our new sofa arrived yesterday! Talk about creating a positive change in our living space to start the new year off right. I wish some of the proportions were a bit different but it's always hard when shopping for an existing item rather than designing a custom upholstered piece of furniture. I still smile every time I walk in the room now (though please excuse the grainy iphone photo) and can't wait to get some colorful decorative pillows in the works!

how to frame a scarf

2012-12-18T07:03:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to get a few last minute things done before I head off to Ohio & New York for the holidays. I had this lovely silk scarf I knew, unfortunately, I'd never actually wear. The more I looked at it the more I knew it would make the perfect piece of art for my office, and I loved that it would bring in a good dose of color.

I didn't realize how much I missed my wonderful art framer until I began plotting my own framing! I knew I wanted a thin silver leaf frame with just a little detail, so I was happy when I came across this profile.

After measuring the length and width of the scarf, and subtracting a half inch from each side to be sure the edges of the scarf wouldn't show, I placed an order. The frame arrived within a week, but unfortunately it arrived without assembly directions. Not that this is rocket science but still, it's new to me. After searching around a bit online I found some good tips and got to work.

The frame was easy to put together with a bit of wood glue and the included fasteners. I do wish the corner seams were a bit tighter, but it's not bad.

I laid the freshly pressed scarf over the acid free foam core backing I ordered and used straight dressmaker pins to secure the scarf to the edges of the foam core. This part was incredibly easy and even a little fun.

Once the scarf was perfectly pinned in place I moved it over to the frame and carefully laid it on top of the glass. Several Glazier points hold the backing in place. After adding the included hanging hardware I was set!

Now I love walking by the room and peaking in to see my new artwork!

Color of the year for 2013!

2012-12-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Pantone just announced the color of 2013.... Emerald Green! I could not be more excited since Emerald is one of my favorite colors for both the home and fashion. It's fresh, fun and can be mixed with a wide range of other colors or left on it's own as the main pop.

gifts that give back

2012-12-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

Looking for that perfect gift? Why not choose one that gives back. All of these lovely items are either from companies who donate a percentage of their sales to charity, or online shops which directly benefit the artisans in impoverished areas who make them.

Handwoven scarf

Nest birch candle

Leather passport cover

Two surfers at Rockaway photograph

Brass Rupee earrings

Printed foldover clutch

One Hope Merlot

cozy up

2012-12-03T21:53:00.001-07:00

One of the easiest ways to add warmth to any space is through the use of sheepskin throws. Either casually tossed over a chair or placed on the floor these little throws do wonders for a room. I threw one over a chair in my living room and haven't thought about the hideous cushion hiding underneath once since then. How easy!

The best part? They are extremely easy to find. Ikea sells a version (though you generally have to dig around a bit in person to find a good looking one) and Design Within Reach has some really lovely ones as well.

holiday decor

2012-11-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! The holidays are officially here and my mind is quickly turning to festive decor. I love the simplicity and pop of unexpected color this wreath brings, made by the ever creative folks from Real Simple.

This sweet little "kissing ball" was created by Martha Stewart, of course.

I'm thinking of keeping things simple this year and a little tree like this seems doable.

Some other lovely images that have me inspired...

This gorgeous home is so perfectly decorated it's making me miss New England in the winter!

obsessed

2012-11-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

I can't stop stalking these gorgeous items which feel rich, warm and perfect for the cool winter days ahead.

1. geometric scarf

2. dark geode earrings

3. room with a view

4. candied vanilla almond hand wash

5. white leather and gold iphone case

6. resist die pillow

7. ombre blue velvet pillow

6 days to go!

2012-11-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week. Time is flying! We'll be spending Thanksgiving with my cousin at his wonderful girlfriend's home, along with their great friends. I'm excited to have our first Aspen Thanksgiving after years of celebrating with friends in Manhattan. The best part is that we'll spend the morning hitting the slopes for opening day!

If we were hosting dinner I would definitely be planning a table setting in the direction of these beautiful modern and simple designs. I'll have to save these images away for next year.

I love how the gorgeous gold flatware really pops here!

via Dwell Studio

via digsdigs

Enoy the weekend!

rejoice: we have a coffee table!

2012-11-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

I love brass and glass coffee tables and have been on the hunt for the perfect one for the last several months. Tables like these are classic and work with so many different styles. I can see having one for years.

I especially love tiered tables which can hold books and magazines on the lower shelf.

After an exhausting search I finally came across a gorgeous table which arrived today! The living room is a little on the narrow side so it was a bit of a challenge to find one in the right scale for the room. Not only am I thrilled with the details but it's amazing to be able to put my feet up again!

modern vs. contemporary

2012-10-30T09:13:00.000-06:00

One of the questions I'm asked most is what is the difference between Modern interior design and Contemporary.

Modern design actually refers to a period in time. The style began in the late 1800s and was further developed by the German Bauhaus School of Design beginning in 1919. Modern design places an emphasis on simplicity and function. It plays heavily on vertical and horizontal lines, open floor plans and a minimalist uncluttered aesthetic. Modern design celebrates natural light, makes heavy use of natural materials and uses color in moderation.

Contemporary design began in the 1970s as a blend of past styles. It is current design from recent years and design that is produced now. Contemporary design is broad and includes many variations. Elements may include curved lines in architecture and furniture and the use of color. But remember Contemporary design may still incorporate modern pieces of furniture or modern elements. Contemporary design is ever changing and of the moment.

Any easy way to remember the term is Contemporary = Current.

lighten up

2012-10-18T18:27:00.000-06:00

I love this creative use of unique antique mirrors which really brighten up this room. Hanging mirrors opposite your windows will reflect your natural light. While I love a dark and cozy room, sometimes it's nice to let the light in during the short winter days.

Want to brighten up a dark room? Start with color. Painting the walls a bright white is the obvious first thought, but consider using warm pales tones as well. Whites and light colors bring in light by bouncing it around the room thus creating a feeling of brightness.

Add metal and glass accents to keep the reflected light moving around the room. This is a great chance to add some brighter color as well.

Lamps, lamps, lamps! Focus on adding table and floor lamps rather than harsh overhead lighting. Nice white linen lampshades will help spread soft flattering light throughout the room. Place a lamp next to a wall mirror to make the effect reach even further.

Consider furniture with exposed legs which visually increase floor space making your room feel larger and airy.

Hang your drapery panels at the edge of your windows and a few inches above. This allows the maximum amount of light in while visually increasing the size of your windows.

To finish throw in a few velvet or faux fur accessories and your bright room will still feel cozy and warm for the cool winter months ahead.

what a difference hardware makes

2012-10-16T11:15:00.001-06:00

I like our apartment. We had one weekend to find a place and I feel really lucky we landed where we did. Especially after looking at place after place with terrible carpet and hideous kitchens. And not only terrible carpet and hideous kitchens but one place in particular stands out because it had terrible carpet which actually ran up the side of the kitchen cabinets! Wow.

As much as I like our new home there are still things I would have done differently if we owned our place (what a shock, right). Take for example these very rustic cabinet knobs which feel a little too Arts & Crafts to me.

Ahh the joys of renting.

Luckily knobs are such an easy item to switch out and they can really make a difference on a piece of furniture. I had these polished brass knobs on my mind and was finally able to track them down online.

Now this slightly dated tv cabinet feels a little more fresh and modern. And the switch out took less than five minutes (seriously). Mission complete!

hello zara home

2012-10-12T07:52:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the States! I've been anxiously awaiting your arrival...

Have you checked out Zara Home's new online site yet? If not I suggest you take a peak around. They have lots of cute accessories and shipping is free during the month of October! Here are some of my favorite items:

I love the angles of the Meltiar hourglass!

This herringbone weave and cool metallic shade make for gorgeous baskets.

The perfect gold frame for just about anywhere.

The pretty and subtle Bolonia vase

Stay warm with the Costa throw.

Too bad it's acrylic instead of wool but I love the pale gray stripe.

look organized

2012-10-09T05:36:00.000-06:00

One of my best tricks for keeping my place looking neat and organized is the use of trays. I keep one on my coffee table for remotes, odd magazines and pens which would otherwise be scattered around the table top (and floor). I love that I can toss everything inside and the table looks visually neat. This living room by Celerie Kemble uses the same idea.

This tray, though pricey I'm sure, adds a nice pop of color to the mix.

Trays can also keep all those little vanity items from looking cluttered and messy.

I find when I actually see my jewelry instead of tucking it away in a jewelry box I'm far more likely to wear it. I've been working on finding the perfect tray for my closet shelves.

And of course they work wonderfully on counter tops and bar carts for liquor, accessories and glassware.

I have found a few unique trays at One King's Lane sales and Etsy. Shops such as The Well Appointed House and West Elm generally have a great selection as well.

new arrivals

2012-10-04T18:07:00.000-06:00

Wow is really October already? In September we moved to our new place, had amazing friends visit from Atlanta and Denver, plus spent 6 days back in NYC. It was a fantastic month and time flew by. Now I'm looking forward to October since we have nothing major on the calendar and lots of time to get organized, settled and explore Aspen.

I've been a little obsessed with both ebay and brass these last few weeks which has lead to a few new arrivals. I love the warmth antique brass adds to a room and fall is the perfect time to add a warm metal to the mix. First up are these gorgeous candlesticks which shipped from England. I love seeing them up on the mantel.

I also found these modern shaped brass bookends and I couldn't be happier with their old patina. They are really heavy and will definitely stand up to the stacks of books and magazines in my office!

A departure from the brass but a cool ebay find nonetheless, these wood table legs are about to be refinished to serve as my office table. Now if I could just find a beautiful piece of walnut for the table top...

I have to admit I love getting packages!

Jeremiah Goodman

2012-09-21T07:38:00.000-06:00

I can't remember exactly where I first saw Jeremiah Goodman's incredible illustrations but I do remember being blown away by the energy and detail of his work. He is a legend in the design world having designed the covers for Interior Design magazine for over 15 years, and taking commissions from renowned interior designers such as Dorothy Draper, Michael Greer and Eleanor Le Maire. Goodman has also captured the rooms of Carolina Herrera, Yves St. Laurent and Bill Blass to name a few.

He uses watercolors and guache to create these beautiful and moody pieces. I love his use of light and the feeling he evokes in his work.

Mr. Goodman continues to draw and paint everyday from his 18th floor Upper East Side apartment.

I'm dying to pick up a copy of his book Jeremiah: A Romantic Vision. Prints and note cards are also available through London based Dean Rhys Morgan.

juju

2012-09-19T12:45:00.000-06:00

Despite popping up everywhere these days I still love my Cameroon Juju hat. It has found the perfect spot in every apartment I've lived in the last several years from the Financial District, to Midtown, Tribeca and now Aspen. I love the soft texture and pop of color a Juju hat adds to a room.

You can purchase your own from Laviva Home and I've also seen them floating around for sale on Etsy. Although they are a little bit of an investment, given how versatile they are they're worth the cost!

via Lonny

living etc

kronbali

ish & chi

elle decor

my former midtown apartment

mad for plaid

2012-09-13T08:48:00.002-06:00

This lovely little chair had seen better days. I originally found it at the Hell's Kitchen flea market several years ago. It was a steal at only $35 and the frame is metal making it incredibly strong and sturdy! While I love the Art Deco inspired stripe I upholstered the chair with after I bought it, the paint was chipping and the fabric was stained and in need of an update.

I found a little motivation Friday afternoon so I quickly broke out the staple gun and paint brush and got to work!

I love the cozy feel of this wool plaid fabric from Rogers & Goffigon and I had just enough to upholster the chair for the bedroom and save the rest for a lumbar pillow to match. Within 3 hours the chair looked fresh and new!

ripe berry

2012-09-10T12:15:00.000-06:00

The upcoming cool weather has me craving rich colors for fall. I'm especially loving this deep berry color for both for home and fashion. I haven't been able to get this gorgeous Phillip Lim bag out of my mind since I first laid eyes on it!

pillow I necklace I rough ruby studs I glass I nail polish I handbag I teacup I throw I candle

the move is complete!

2012-09-07T19:25:00.003-06:00

We finally moved in to our new place on Saturday! I unpacked boxes and organized for three days straight and I'm happy to say that all of the boxes are now long gone and our place is really beginning to feel like home. I'm especially enjoying taking quick breaks on the balcony with the peaceful view of Aspen mountain. And I couldn't be more thrilled with this gorgeous park right behind our apartment which I've been stopping by frequently.

Now let the design projects begin!

the trend list is in

2012-08-30T07:49:00.003-06:00

I tend to shy away from major design trends and stick with classic pieces which I know I'll love for years. But sometimes it's hard to resist a trendy accessory or two! The New York International Gift Fair just announced the latest home design trends which you should see popping up in stores over the next few months.

1st up...

Marrakesh Express

grab a lantern and a Moroccan pouf and you'll be set to go.

American Vintage

my guess is Pottery Barn will be all over this one.

Linen Revival

I do love linen - it's always a go to textile of mine for drapery and upholstery!

Graphic Modern

Sounds like it could be another big year for Chevron with the continuation of the graphic trend!

currently loving

2012-08-22T02:46:00.000-06:00

the simple beauty of graphic black and white.

unkown

jessica helgerson

unknown

tim whealon

amelia handegan

kate spade's apartment

looking back to Ludlow

2012-08-20T16:51:00.006-06:00

My first apartment in Manhattan was a little studio in the Lower East Side and I loved every bit of it. I lived there for 5 years and the apartment went through numerous changes and improvements. I wish I still had pictures from the day I moved in. The walls were originally both shiny and dirty (with a lime green accent wall, yikes!). They drove me insane. I spent every night of the first few weeks I lived there sanding and painting until midnight each night until it was done. And that was only the beginning. . .

I just came across these old photos which I haven't seen in years! This was the state of the apartment just before I moved downtown to the Financial District for a little change in scenery. There are a million design choices I would make differently now of course, but regardless it was such a great 1st place in the city and it really felt like home even on a tiny budget.

I have so many memories of incredible times with friends in this little apartment! Does anyone else have great memories from their first place?

granada tile

2012-08-15T09:47:00.000-06:00

I have been obsessed with Granada Tile's gorgeous patterns from the moment I first saw them. Their tile is made in Southern California using centuries-old techniques which involve hand pouring pigmented cement into metal pattern molds. The resulting tiles are as strong as concrete with rich saturated colors and amazing patterns.

Kristen Cunningham

via pinterest

Commune

unknown

Corazon, Portland OR

I would love to use the Bucharest pattern in a soothing sunroom or porch.

The graphic pattern Badajoz would make an amazing statement in an entry.

While the unique Escama Silver scallop design would be sophisticated and serene in a master bathroom.