11/30/2019

Understated Holiday Decorating with an Advent Calendar

Christmas decorating involves the same tasks as a move, with its countless boxes that have to be unpacked, evaluated and composed into knockout arrangements. The main difference is that once a move is complete, you’re done. Christmas cleanup has an approaching end date, add all the celebrating, shopping, wrapping and family time, a person can be seriously tuckered out. Once the New Year hits, it’s time to repack the holiday–and don’t forget the safeguarding of Christmas ornaments that have the fragility of spun sugar. Are you feeling the internal tremors build? To minimize an episode, consider simplifying Christmas this year. (We may not even get a tree, but stay tuned to see how that plays out with the family). The idea was spurred by the first holiday addition to the home, a simple advent calendar from Trader Joe’s, which has become more than my go-to for frozen taquitos and cinnamon rolls. Their novelty items have always delivered in nostalgic design, but this year’s advent calendar is leagues above the garish Santa scenes that epitomize the holiday staple that spurs children to wake early so they can prod open the day’s corrugated door for a bite-sized chocolate. The engaging North Pole scene, probably drawn by the same artist who illustrates Nantucket shopping destinations, is given added detailing with a “Christmas Tree” candle. (The scent of pine is so authentic, it became the inspiration for the aforementioned idea to omit a tree). Thus, back to our design philosophy in “styled living simply achieved,” create holiday vignettes, such as an advent calendar display, to keep the home from being invaded by unnecessary Christmas decor. The result may promote a restful holiday season.

A minimalist holiday trend with an advent calendar and Christmas candle. The result could be the answer to a peaceful season.

Resources:

Advent calendar: Trader Joe’s

Christmas Tree Minimalist candle: Brooklyn Candle Studio

Art: ducks goose

Posted By
11/19/2019

How to Create Seasonal Holiday Decor without the Kitsch

Decorating for the season does not have to be about turkey prints or holiday motifs, which is the equivalent to Eiffel Towers sealing French style. This past weekend I experienced a first, a visit to the Christmas Tree Shop. I mistakenly had the notion that anything with Christmas in its name would be enchanting, imagining a Santa’s workshop with singing elves crafting items in the mist of gingerbread and holiday music. In reality, it’s the fancy cousin of the Dollar Tree. There were grommet curtains that appeared to be salvaged from a roadside motel, stuffed flamingos wearing Santa hats and, this one was new to me, Mommy to Be nutcrackers. Shoppers had their carts filled with the stuff. Carts! All purchases that will inevitably make its way to the curb with a free sign taped to it. This brings me back to my lament over the consumerism epidemic released by such establishments. The best way to put an end to faux poinsettia garlands is not buy them. Take stock of your own inventory and select beloved pieces that can create a beautiful yet subtle vignette that signals the holidays.

 

A simple arrangement, complimented with a design book in the same scheme, achieves a tasteful holiday display.

[Read more…]

Posted By
10/15/2019

Keeping Up with the Pumpkins: 5 Inspired Ways to Decorate the Porch for Fall

Pink Cinderella, Bitter Gourd, Caveman’s Club–these are not trending GIFs but a variety of gourds. Remember when it was just an orange pumpkin carved with a jagged smile? Now decorating with gourds has mirrored the pumpkin spice craze, a bit out of control with enticing results. Doorsteps are crammed with them. Nurseries charge a fortune by creating makeshift patches with a hot cider stand. Kids don’t even carve pumpkins because it’s too overwhelming to pick just one. In the spirit of our no-fuss approach to decor, don’t let the farm stand wheelbarrows bully you into picking too many, in a few weeks those rotting carcasses will cause fright no haunted house can replicate. Choose a few that catch your eye and assemble in a clean, festive design.

1. Evaluate Your Entry

 

[Read more…]

Posted By
10/04/2019

Not Just a Fashion Thing, Layering the Bed for a New Season

It’s layers weather, which is as much a part of fall as Halloween kitsch and an invasion of gourds. Transitioning summer clothes with added pieces is an effective, seasonal way to adjust to the crispness of autumn. It secures style and comfort, a necessity that also applies to bedding without the hassle of losing those added pieces in the backseat of a cab. Dressing a bedroom with a grouping of blankets and textiles will style the room and achieve a comfortable haven during the year’s best sleeping weather.

Source from different vendors for personalization.

[Read more…]

Posted By
09/19/2019

For Adults Only – a Design Story – Styling a Master Bedroom Dresser

When you live with kids, sitting on lightsabers and bins of toys that mysteriously chime at random times is customary. There’s a lot of branded textiles, gear and explosions that happen in the kitchen sink. Our home is a colorful one, on all terms, but particularly because of its creative dwellers who are always nudging some art form along. With such an onslaught of kid areas, there needs to be one space that is unabashedly grownup. Take advantage of the design opportunity to design a styled bedroom dresser.

A thoughtfully appointed chest that identifies the needs of the sophisticated dweller.

[Read more…]

Posted By
09/05/2019

Tackling a Guest Bedroom Makeover

There’s a lot of head scratching that happens when you are given a room that in no way represents what it will become. It’s like cheating off an exam from someone who will receive a F. Start fresh and study the space. This bedroom seemed smaller than its true size because of a clutter of random pieces that suited the room’s function as a multi-purpose play area. Bins of toys and an open floor may be fantastic if the plan is to erect Lego skyscrapers but an extra bedroom meets more practical needs.

Color and pattern connect the theme of this room makeover.

[Read more…]

Posted By
08/30/2019

The Charms of Disconnecting: Creating a Simple Country Home Retreat

While influencers continue to squeeze the hype out of hygee, here’s another back-to-basics Norwegian discipline to follow with catchy phonetics: Hytte, simple country homes that urbanites escape to from the rigmarole of city life. They are basic structures, with minimal electricity and furnishings, which is deliberate. The no-frills appeal dissuades you from a material mentality–enticements are found in the outdoors and leisure activities like the arts, cooking, music and intellectual play. The calm, controlled scheme in our featured East Hampton beach cottage follows the spirit of hytte. It’s intention is to restore, unwind and spend time outside. A reminder of a classic lifestyle that becomes increasingly challenged in our everyday lives.

Decor and leisure accents pull together the theme of a restorative home.

 

Creating a Unified Look

A paired back design is even more crucial in a smaller home. The locale, home’s time period and innate aesthetic are natural influences for the scheme. Once the style is established, connect through the rooms with a studied treatment. Here, the white foundation captures that epic Hamptons light. A palette of yellow, blue and hints of neons and black are both cohesive and modern. The materials are beach-resistant cottons, painted wood with modern and vintage furnishings to offer style and utilitarian comfort. There’s a roaming-through-a-gallery feel, which is intentional considering the graphic inclusion of art.

Texture and color connect the design.

Furnishings

Select solid pieces that are functional and support the theme. A vintage provenance always seals a personalized look, like a rattan living set painted in an unexpected color–functional and unique. Pillows, woven ottomans and Turkish throws add a comfortable texture and color. The chunky rope rugs warm up the room, which soothe bare feet and keep the space bright and upbeat in the cooler seasons.

Classical Pieces: More than Accents

To reconnect with a simpler lifestyle bring in supporting elements. A record player, deck of cards and an abundance of books are not only part of the decor but part of the routine. Candlelight creates a soft, soothing mood that goes well with music. Thus, weaning from our devices and sketchy coastal wifi has less of a bearing when reuniting with simpler pleasures.

Resources:

Yellow Rope Walk rug, Beach Bum basket: Colonial Mills

Dip-dyed stools: Serena and Lily

Turkish throw: Turkish-t

Record player: Crosley

Posted By
08/06/2019

What It Looks Like to Have a Pillow Obsession

Step aside shoes, pillows have moved into the obsession category and it’s easy to see why. Like shoes, pillows are that fun little accessory that delivers major impact to an ensemble. They’re also a lot more comfortable than a stiletto.

Despite a mix of pillows, they link together from shared patterns and color. Bring in coordinating accessories with a rug, art and coffee table accents to unify the look.

[Read more…]

Posted By
07/29/2019

Dieters Beware – Create a Kitchen You’ll Never Want to Leave

If there’s one place to be adventurous, it’s in the kitchen. Current designs are those pretty kitchens that follow a formula of white tile and stainless appliances that are so high tech, with a few clicks to your Smartphone they may be able to make you breakfast. For other tastes, kitchens are like summer and Christmas, there is something comforting in the nostalgic. Merging what’s new with the classics is always our go-to method, throw in some personal touches, and you’ll achieve the ultimate kitchen.

Create a kitchen of distinction by adding bold colors and unexpected details.

[Read more…]

Posted By
07/10/2019

Resist More – Edit Your Pieces for a Designed Result

Try going an entire day without buying something. While this is not a trendy celebrity challenge of the moment, the thought sheds light on our behavior as a consumer. During this East Hampton small cottage series, our team was confronted by an accumulation of so many belongings it had that overwhelming step-into-an amusement park feeling–and not in a good way–more like getting sick on your unfortunate neighbor scenario.

A few good pieces come together after an intense deliberation process.

 

A move is a therapeutic process that allows you to scale down to your basic needs. By evaluating what you want, editing out extraneous items that no longer hold value, you can effectively design a space that has a controlled theme and function.

The first area we tackled is a living room corner. Art is the key element to this home’s aesthetic, thus finding a place for so many important works is a worthy yet doable challenge.

A larger selection creates more of a challenge on choosing the best fit.

The Final Process

We chose “Doheny“, a large abstract painting because the wall could accommodate such a  piece and it looks less manic than a compilation of smaller works. The soft colors have enough touches of the seafoam green to compliment the vintage statement chair. Small accompanying accents like the blanket and stools offer both comfort and visual appeal.

If a lesson could be gleamed, avoid future impulse buys and choose something that will fit.

Resources:

Doheny painting: ducks goose

Stools: Serna & Lily

Blanket: Annie Selke

Posted By
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)