Art that looks like interiors...

1. Living Room via Attic Magazine  

2. & 3. Living Rooms by Celerie Kemble

- Lauren

More on the house

So, a few more photos from the past couple of days.  A lot of progress since the last update earlier this week. YES, we are still moving in on Saturday.  YES, there is still a lot to be done in the next 24 hours. It will by no means be finished. But it should be ready enough for us to move in. Today they did the last coat of poly on the floors, installed the plumbing, refinished the bathtub, fixed the kitchen cabinet debacle, hooked up the HVAC, and got the downstairs painted. Tomorrow the counters get installed and a final coat of paint goes on the kitchen floor. Appliances go in and the cleaning crew gets to work.  Down to the wire I know.  I definitely lit a fire under my GC's arse.  Crossing all fingers and toes, no matter how short they are.

kitchen before they took the cabinets back out and installed the correct ones

dining room starting to look good in elegant black

master bedroom paint job - a soothing brown/grey

Bryan's room being painted an buttery artichoke yellow (considering adding a DIY black chalk-board wall down the line)

And the living room looking a lot more finished than before.

Stylin' Mammas: All Play, No work

My husband, Babyman, and I were sitting down to dinner when the subject of style came up (honestly, I forget how).  Babyman said, "But Mommy, you don't have style!"  My husband rushed to my defense: "You would be surprised, Babyman.  In some circles, Mommy is known for her style."

"Do I have style, Mommy?" asked Babyman, suddenly concerned.

"You have a signature look, my love.  You have a personal style." (Babyman exclusively wears "cozy pants" and graphic tees, preferably of the Cars-Toy Story-Star Wars variety.)

"But do I have BIG style?" he pressed.

I guess the apple falls closer to the tree than I thought.

So here it is, my ode to my son, and his big big style (Grey long sleeve crew, Star Wars Hoodie, Puffer Vest, Old Navy Fleece Pants, Converse Sneakers).

For Mamma, The local designers at Curator keep it real from their lovely Mission shop.  Let's call it "vegan": this faux bomber is low-commitment and trendy. Hats hide all manner of sins (when was the last time you actually styled your hair, Stylin' Mamma?). Keep 'em guessing with an edgy accessory: 

A pair of skinnies and some can-do boots and you're ready to rumble (or tumble, or chase, or climb...)

 - Jaime

The house - a little update

Well, not much time for blogging lately.  Today was spent rushing around fixing issues with kitchen cabinet measurements, purchasing a new sink (in lieu of the one that was mis-ordered by the showroom) in time for counter top templating, and dealing with a lost drivers license that was later found.  We move in on Saturday and there is A LOT to be done before then.  Here are a few photos of the house taken in the past couple of weeks.  Crossing my fingers that we don't encounter any more speedbumps between now and the weekend!

The living room last week when the floors were being sanded and walls were not yet closed up

The basement sheetrocked (guestroom looking toward new bath)

One of the bedrooms with the floor stained, walls primed and ready for paint.

The bathroom - subway tile getting installed.

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Living Room by Jeffrey Bilhuber 

2. Living Room by Unknown  

3. Living Room via Domino Magazine

- Lauren

Guest Post: Fall Weekend Getaway

Soyoung from Dogear Press is back today with a little autumnal inspiration:

We’ve had the first hints of fall with wonderfully cooler weather here in New York
City, and it has me dreaming about a long weekend getaway to New England. I’ve
always wanted to do a trip to take in the fall foliage, but have yet to do so. Admiring the
gorgeous autumn trees (my digital SLR would definitely make the trip with me), hiking
some mountain trails, sitting by a cozy fire, and digging into a pile of New Yorkers
sounds like a perfect few days.

Image sources:
New Hampshire
cozy by the fire
wear
carry
read

The living room shelving bonanza

Yes, that's what I'm calling our amazing living room built-in that's happening.  Prior to construction that wall looked like this.

This is what it will look like when it's all said and done (plus a few accessories, books and some window treatments). 

The built-in-behemoth houses a coat closet, AC registers, window seats, AV equipment, lighting, bookshelves, and a TV.  I think the only thing that's missing is a mini bar.  And thanks to Danika over at Overlays, this thing is going to be one of a kind and quite the show stopper.  I've selected her Natalie overlay in a custom size to be inset into the panels on the closet doors with mirror behind.  It's going to be high impact for not a lot of dough.  And of course we will be using some hardware from Nest Studio as well (selection TBD).  I've added some Princeton sconces from Schoolhouse Electric Co (it didn't hurt that they were named after my alma mater) to illuminate our manuscripts and some throw pillows from Ikat and Batik for a touch of comfort and color.   The only thing I'm struggling with is the TV.  I wish I could do a beautiful mirror over the mantel but alas, the only / best location for the TV was right there.  So that's where it's going (otherwise we'd be spending a lot of time in the basement and why do that when you have such a lovely living room with windows?).  I'm hoping if I accessorize around the TV it won't be quite as noticeable and that maybe it will blend into the grey wall.  Or perhaps one of these days I will create some sort of folding DIY TV artwork that camouflages it.  Add that to my list of never-ending DIY projects.  What do you think of our sizeable storage solution?

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Pendants by Phil Cuttance 

2. Bedroom by Unknown  

3. Foyer via Architectural Digest

- Lauren

Stylin' Mammas: Print it

My obsession of the season is tiny little animal prints on clothes.  I can't get enough.  And if you have kids (which I do, obviously), they love 'em!  ("Mommy, why do you have elephants on your shirt?  You're so silly, Mommy!")  I recently found a bunch of floaty scarves with owls on them that make perfect end-of-year gifts for my kids' teachers: playful, but right on target for these hipster educators (often spotted in brightly-colored skinnies).

I've also been experimenting a bit with the print-on-print trend, though I still feel it's somewhat risky.  For a low-commitment, totally elegant take on the looks I might pair this black and white bird blouse with the subtle metallic bird skirt from Anthropologie...and keep shoes totally simple in a nude patent leather.  If it's chilly, there's no reason you couldn't throw this elephant-print scarf around your neck with a black blazer.

If dresses are your thing -- and they're usually mine; is there anything simpler?? -- here's one cheeky office look (with an edgy flat, lady like bag, and cute owl necklace) and one desk-to-dinner sheath (with a fab cross-body bag, a sexy heel and some killer earrings) that do the job right.

- Jaime

Exterior Paint Colors Round Two

So a few weeks back I posted a photoshopped version of the outside of our new house.  Right now it's sort of a dirty off white. I was considering painting it grey, but in reality, the charcoal that I would prefer is too dark for painting vinyl siding (supposedly dark colors can absorb heat and cause the siding to warp). 

So in re-thinking the colors, my new solution is to power wash the outside and cross my fingers that the white is brighter and less dirty. Then all we have to do is paint the shutters and trim black and dark grey and do a nice yellow / avocado door. Sort of an updated farmhouse feel. I think combined with some better landscaping this will look nice and fresh. And of course a pale blue ceiling on the porch adds a touch of cool and a nod to tradition.

Before

After

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Interior by Viva Wallpaper  

2. Bedroom via Domino Magazine  

3. Living Room by Alexandra Rowley

- Lauren

The state of affairs

Well, Labor Day came and went and I can't believe summer is officially over.  Here in New Jersey, the heat is still rearing its head and I'm trying to take advantage of it as much as possible before the crisp fall days set in (something I'm looking forward to after 4 + years in Cali).  I recently discovered a tucked away playground in Hoboken with a fun little water park. Been taking Bryan there on the warm days and he loves playing with the bubblers and watching the water wheel.

Speaking of the little guy, can you believe his first birthday is right around the corner?  I'll be working with Soyoung from Dogear Press and Kelly from Studio DIY to create a fun and memorable first birthday bash.  Bryan is turning into such a big boy.  With 6 teeth and counting, he's been going to day care twice a week and seems to be settling into a nice routine here on the East Coast.  We're looking forward to moving into the new digs at the end of September (though I'm sure there will still be renovations in progress) and taking advantage of what the neighborhood has to offer - parks, music classes and mom's groups.

On the hardware front, my production run is in and orders are being fulfilled.  And, I'm super excited to have been approached by several showrooms (mostly in the South, oddly enough) to carry the line. More official announcements on that later.  I've been working feverishly to get my press kits done and out to shelter publications, and I have some new prototypes that are on their way to me as we speak. Looking forward to sharing all of that with you all as it moves forward.

The house is coming along fairly smoothly (of course there are the requisite hiccups and added expenses).  But so far so good. I promise more photos and concept boards shortly.  Most of my time has been spent selecting items and paint colors, placing orders and running to various showrooms.

With so much going on, it's important to take time out to rest and breathe.  Watching Bryan marveling at the water bubbler or babbling to the cat - those are the moments that hold the most meaning and magic in our day to day lives.  Thanks for joining me on this crazy journey of late. Can't wait to share what the next few months have in store.

A Birthday Beer Tasting

My sister-in-law Soyoung from Dogear Press is back this week, helping me fill in while I attempt to keep our renovation under control.  Today she's giving us some masculine party inspiration:

This year, my husband (who also happens to be Jess’s brother!) and I didn’t get the chance to properly celebrate his birthday, and I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about it ever since.  If we had a spare weekend, I would have loved to throw Stephen a summer evening beer tasting party on our Roosevelt Island rooftop.  Below is my inspiration board for a more elaborate version of a birthday beer tasting.  I especially love the idea of using a giant roll of kraft paper to list various beer stations.  It would also be fun to design a custom label to place on some beers to give away as party favors!

Images sources:

1/Locale: left and right 

2/kraft paper: top and bottom 

3/decor: top and bottom 

4/favors: left and right 

Weekend Instagram

Our Labor Day weekend was fun and relaxing. Dinner with friends, bagels and lox at the Hoboken waterfront overlooking the city, staying in for movie night and then culminating in a block party on our future block in Millburn.  We met a lot of great neighbors and confirmed the fact that we are moving into a great neighborhood full of fun families and tons of kids. How did you spend your last official weekend of summer?