DESIGN BLUEPRINT: Modern Dining

I just came across this mid-century modern dining room again, I've seen it several times before. But every single time I fall in love with it all over again. It looks perfectly lived in, yet super stylish.

Whether you want to remodel your dining room asap to look like this, or you only like certain elements, one important thing to remember.... Don't forget to get a cute cat!

 

DESIGN BLUEPRINT

Mirror via 55 Downing Street

Pendant Light via Lamps Plus

Framed Art via Minted

Small Framed Art via Serena & Lily

Shelving Unit via Ikea

Candle Holder via Crate & Barrel

Feux Cherry Blossoms via Pier 1

Silver Vase via ZGallerie

Area Rug via Wayfair

Dining Table via LexMod

Armchair via Blueprint

 

- Cori

CURATED NEST: Stylish Transport

I can't help but notice the backpack trend. But I'm not talking about Jansports...

I'm talking about bags for a stylish mother, college kid, working woman or all of the above...

Here's some ideas:

1. Nordstrom

2. Michael Kors

3. Eileen Fisher

4. Nordstrom

5. Rebecca Minkoff

6. Topshop

7. Coach

Inspiration image via Eileen Fisher

 

- Cori

Lucy's First Birthday - a garden party!

It's hard to believe that Lucy is turning one in less than month!  I'm not sure where the time has gone!  While she won't remember her first birthday, it's still fun to plan a baby birthday party - no demands for Barbie or Minecraft  themes, so now is the time for me to do what I want decor wise.  I decided to go with a slightly girly (but not overly frilly) garden party theme, and thanks to a little help from Minted, our gathering is really coming together.  Here is the concept board for what we are doing.

While I doubt I will pull off quite so elaborate a shindig as some of the images suggest, the idea is there - and luckily I have a bunch of watering cans, galvanized pails, and mason jars that should help make it a true garden party. Minted is providing the Botanical Affair bunting banner, cake toppers, a table runner and confetti that really tie the decor together. And I found this cute invite on Paperless Post that reinforces the theme. 

Can't wait to show you more photos of the party pulled off.

DESIGN BLUEPRINT: Sleep in Style

The founder of Domaine Home has started a design studio and needless to say the designs are beautiful. This bedroom is a perfect harmony between good design and comfortable living.

Unpredictable choices lead to great design. For example, the double nightstand situation and the extra long arm sconce. While you may not normally design your room this way, I can bet that you will now....

DESIGN BLUEPRINT:

Long Arm Sconce via All Modern

Wired Bowl via Crate & Barrel

Framed Art via Minted

Upholstered Bed via Restoration Hardware

Geometric Side Table via West Elm

Faux Cherry Blossoms via Pier 1

Glass Vase via World Market

Area Rug via 55 Downing Street

Watercolor Pillow via Etsy

Lines Pillow via H&M Home

Desktop Globe via World Market

White Nightstand via CB2

- Cori

Styin' Mama: Local Love Affair - Curator

Since Jess is out in NJ and I'm all the way here in San Francisco, I thought I'd change it up a bit for this post and write a bit about a local gem.  The power of the interweb means that these days none of us has to be limited by zip code, so maybe it's time to discover something from a far-away-land.

I'll try and pepper these Local Love Affair posts in from time-to-time going forward so you can see what inspires us in different parts of the country.

Over the years I have been blogging for Jess you might have noticed that I am a fan of a little brand called Curator (see here and here, among others). This line was founded by two best friends who wanted to make clothes locally, using sustainable products wherever possible, to go the distance in a busy woman's wardrobe.  I became a fan when I left the workforce to care for my LittleMan and needed clothes that were chic but comfortable and machine-washable.  Even though I didn't last long out of the workplace, my love for Curator has endured.  A few years ago they went from wholesaling to running their own little retail operation in outer Noe Valley, one of those far-flung-but-utterly-cool enclaves where families and hipsters and dot-commers all converge for brunch on Sundays.

If I had to say what keeps me making the haul out to their shop, it's the sheer simplicity of the clothes, a go-anywhere sensibility that suits my life.  (I've worn the Jocelyn dress to the beach and to a black-tie optional cocktail party with a simple change of necklace and shoes.)  Sure, a it's easy to say that a T-shirt is a T-shirt is a T-shirt, but anyone who's actually found that perfect tee knows that the simplest things are often the hardest to pull off.  Below is a round-up of some of my favorite things this spring (all available for order!).

 

http://www.curatorsf.com/lillian-dress/

http://www.curatorsf.com/jocelyn-dress/

http://www.curatorsf.com/mabel-dress/

http://www.curatorsf.com/juniper-striped-boatneck/

http://www.curatorsf.com/ezra-denim-top/

http://www.curatorsf.com/larkin-pant/

http://www.curatorsf.com/quarter-moon-bib-necklace/

http://www.curatorsf.com/silver-orbit-midi-rings/

http://www.curatorsf.com/zig-zag-tote-b-w/

http://www.curatorsf.com/tom-selleck-pillow/ 

 

- Jaime

 

 

CURATED NEST: If Walls could Talk

There's no better way to add personality to your space than with a gallery wall.

It's also a fun way to include your selected art pieces with fun projects that your kids made for you. Take Joy Cho's studio for example...

1. Beet via Crate & Barrel

2. Baby Alpaca via Sharon Montrose

3. Dior Dame via ZGallerie

4. Kodiak Brown Bear via Davies Babies

5. Quiet River via West Elm

6. Arise via Minted

7. Slow Ride via Jay Fleck

8. Yellow Sun via West Elm

 

- Cori

STYLIN' MAMMA: Game on

Last Tuesday at my client site I suddenly realized I’d worn the exact same outfit four days in a row.  Not the exact same clothes, mind you (ew) but the exact same outfit of dark skinny pant, white top, blazer, pointed-toe shoe, and necklace.  Saturday night, Sunday day, Monday, and Tuesday.

“But that’s what you wanted to do!” replied my colleague.  “You said you wanted to move to a uniform.”

“I guess so,” I mused.  “I just didn’t expect to be so literal about it.”

We all have a uniform.  That mom in the park with the red clog mules and the red lipstick and the vintage cocoon coat over her boyfriend jeans?  Uniform.  The other one, in the ponytail and the Lulu pants and the purple running jacket?  Uniform.  I would love to say that my uniform involves a lot of really special pieces and retro lipstick but my uniform is in fact EXACTLY the outfit described above.

The realization has been somewhat liberating.  I’m buying less.  Because no matter how much I love that embellished blouse, I’m never going to wear it.  On some, unconscious level I will always pass it over for the basic white shirt hanging next to it.  Every time.  I used to buy special, sparkly things and then literally plan to work them into the rotation, but lately that just seems like too much work.

Keep It Simple, Stupid.  Know your game.  Rock your game.

My game is pictured here.

- Skinny Jeans
- Perfect Tee
- Blazer
- Flat City Sandal
- Pointy-Toe Flats
- Cross-Body
- Easy Dress
- Tennies
- Sunnies
 - Jaime

DESIGN BLUEPRINT: Collaborative Style

The best working environments are stylish of course (like this one we recently talked about), but personally I love collaborative work spaces.

If done right, they usually mean big open spaces with lots of light like this space above, designed by Studio McGee. The large white surface area will win me over every time, while clustered lighting is fun at home and at work.

Get this look....

Pendant light via YLighting

Framed Art via Minted

White Chair via All Modern

Sideboard via Crate & Barrel 

Area Rub via Loom

Table Lamp via Lamps Plus

White Desk via BluDot

 

- Cori