Selamat Designs Side Table

I bought a fun table for Lucy's room to go along with her love seat back when we were doing the One Room Challenge.  Caning is super popular right now and I love the texture it introduces into a room.  I chose the Bodega Side Table from Selamat Designs. Here it is on our original concept board. I love the way it looks here.

If you haven't taken a look at Selamat's offerings yet - so much cool stuff and a great collection with Justina Blakeney of the Jungalow.  As I was putting together Lucy's room I encountered an issue when I decided to keep her dresser in its original wood tone instead of painting it and suddenly the side table was starting to compete with it.  In the end I switched her side table to the silver stump from our room and relocated the Bodega Table to our master bedroom.  It really rounds out our little reading nook!

It's been so cold out recently that I love the idea of cozying up with a book here (now to find the time)!  How has your holiday season been going?

Warm Holiday Guest Room

Happy Holidays all, Kate Cabiltes here!

As a host with holiday guests you know of certain must have guest essentials to stock the room with, but striving to outfit a room in a cozy way can make all the difference in truly making guests feel comfortable. The country home of Ashley Putman featured on Southern Living several years ago (as well as numerous other blogs and publications including Lonny) provided endless inspiration to me when seeking out cozy winter vignettes for my own small spaces. This guest room featuring the classic Pendleton blanket is filled with warm cozy neutrals that give off an eclectic beachy mood as well. To get the look, pull rattan or seagrass elements, lots of stripes, and a few kitschy knick knacks and you have the look. White paneling on the ceiling or headboard add additional coastal vibes. This is a look that can work year round but is appreciated even more during the cold Northeastern winters!

Here's how to get the look in your guest room...

Lotus Flower Capiz Shell Chandelier via Houzz

Birch Story Wall Art Print via Minted

Seagrass Table Lamp via Boston Interiors

Fouta Yarn-Died Stripe Sheet Set via Serena & Lily

Glacier National Park Blanket via Pendleton

Davidson Tufted Headboard, Talc Linen via One Kings Lane

Helado Throw via The Citizenry

Wire Bird Figurine via Target

Inspiration image via Southern Living

- Kate

Lovely Lamps with Barbara Cosgrove

Hi all.  Well, you've seen the nitty gritty of how Lucy's One Room Challenge room came together. Another one of my favorite pieces in her room is the table lamp from Barbara Cosgrove Lamps.  Lamps are a really hard part of the design process for a lot of people.  So many spaces rely too heavily on overhead lighting, but table and floor lamps are key to making a space feel finished. They add an extra layer of light - a warm glow - and allow you to vary the lighting in the room by the time of day and situation. Not only that, but lamps give you more functional focused lighting whether its for reading, putting on makeup or working on the computer. The other problem people encounter is the scale of their lamps. Usually people veer too far in one direction selecting lamps that are way too small for the space.

For Lucy's room I knew I wanted a task lamp for reading at her sofa area.

I also wanted a lamp on the nightstand.  The Mythic Llama Lamp from Barbara Cosgrove was just the right piece. It's large so it has presence but it's not too tall since the nightstand itself is pretty tall already.  It has a certain funky unexpected quality that I love in introducing in kids' rooms.

I've rounded up a few more of my favorite Barbara Cosgrove Lamps for your perusal.

From top to Bottom / Right to Left:

Study Lamp: These are the unsung heroes of so many interiors. The tall candlestick shape works well on a console where you need a little light or sparkle but don't want to take up too much visual space.

Brass Orb Lamp: Love the neoclassical lines of this beauty. She'd also look amazing with a black shade.

Star Lamp in Wood: Love how sculptural this is. It is so modern yet has such an iconic shape.

Extra Large Double Gourd: A classic lamp and great way to add a shot of color to any interior.

Dots in Boxes Lamp: This lamp feels so architectural and the light shining down on that texture is sure to give a dramatic effect.

Building Block Weathered Lamp: Beautiful and classic with a nice square shape which is a bit different than your typical table lamp. Definitely a statement piece.

I am a collector / hoarder of lamps, art and chairs, so writing this blog post will likely inspire a few new additions. Do you have any cool lamps in your home?

Stylin' Mamma: PJ Dressing

I am not going to lie to you: this PJs-as-fashion moment is speaking to me.  Not in the way that the athleisure moment speaks to me -- I wear my workout clothes to work out, thanks.  More in a kind of elegant-yet-comfortable way that can translate to the office, or (dare to dream) Date Night.

Any fashion enthusiast worth her salt will post some caveats around PJ-dressing.  These are my Top Three:

1. Nice shoes, nice hair, nice sunglasses, nice bag: REQUIRED.  Your clothes can be comfortable but the rest of you needs to telegraph chic.
2. Fit is everything.  Keep the cuts trim and cropped, not baggy or oversized.
3. Fabric is also everything.  This is not the time for cotton jammies.  Opt instead for satins, nice wools, or high-quality knits.

There are really two ways to take this look: one is in the direction of knitwear.  With a structured satchel and a pair of sleek flats, this is a great alternative to a pantsuit for work.  I like to choose two pieces in the same color (such as the gray outfit pictured here), or in two complementary, neutral shades (tan and cream, for example, or black and white).  If your day calls for something a little more formal, then a sleek heel with a pointed toe adds length and glamour.

The second option, for holiday-party drama, is PJs-as-tuxedo.  For this look choose a dark or jewel-toned color palette and a slightly cropped, slightly flared pant.  A strappy sandal or bejeweled slide finishes it off.

Too much?  Too soon?  Riff on the look (and reap many of the same comfort benefits) by pairing a tunic-style sweater with wide-leg cropped jeans for day, or a satiny PJ-style shirt with skinny jeans and heels for evening.  

Now, to stay awake!  

Winks!

Sunglasses - Oak + Fort Sweater (in gray mix) - Oak + Fort Cropped Pull-On Trouser - Everlane Modern Loafer (in burgundy) - Coach Saddle Bag 

Finley Velvet Pajama Blouse - Eileen Fisher Cropped Satin Pant - Banana Republic Sandal - J. Crew Satin Envelope Clutch - Embossed Holiday Glassware 

- Jaime

Winter Scandi Living Room

Hi, it's Kate Cabiltes!

I have been obsessing over Scandinavian interiors the past few months and with winter approaching the coziness of many scandi-style homes is bringing me endless inspiration. This dreamy living room spotted on Pinterest is filled with layers of texture and pattern making it a bit busier than your typical Scandinavian room that is characterized often by minimalism. The furniture and decor is streamlined and neutral and the colors are predominantly neutral and white, creating a mood that reads warm and fresh. One of my favorite parts is the fur throughout - it kicks the relaxation vibes up another notch, making it impossible not to think of yourself lounging in the chair with a book and tea in hand.

Here's how to get the look in your living room...

Gemma Crystal Tiered Chandelier via Pottery Barn

Scandinavian Christmas Poster via Etsy

Kubus Candleholder via By Lassen

Starlight Candle Lantern via Wholesale Mart

Slab Marble Coffee Table with Antiqued Silver Base via CB2

Mongolian Lamb Fur Rug via Amazon

Sherpa Shag Chair via Gotahav's

Burgunda Aiko Pillow via Lulu & Georgia

Tulu Khaki Pillow via Amber Interiors

Inspiration image via Daily Dream Decor

- Kate

More thoughts on Exterior Paint Color

As we enter the height of winter, that means one thing.... spring is around the corner! I know, it's hard to imagine as forecasts of snow are now on the horizon. But now is when you have to start planning your big spring projects. And here at Chez Davis our big spring project is going to be painting the exterior of our house.  Just as a reminder here is what the outside of the house looks like now (sans the new picket fence).

In a previous post I'd explored the idea of a more historic color scheme including painting the window sashes dark.

While I love a dark window sash, it just won't work with our existing storm windows. I next thought about a grey palette.

I like the direction but it seems a little bland.

There is a sort of peacock blue house around the corner that I love so I thought this might be fun.

But then circled back to an even darker grey with a few more colored accents.

I'm totally on the fence. I think I need to experiment with actual swatches when the weather warms up.  What do you think?

Bed Basics with Leesa

One of my favorite things about Lucy's room is her new bed.  I love the Jenny Lind bed from Land of Nod but what I really like is how comfortable the entire bed due in large part to her new Leesa Mattress.  There are several companies out there that offer a foam mattress that ships to your door and that you can try for 100 days. Leesa's mattress is definitely the best of these options.  Here is the Leesa Mattress when it was delivered.

We  got the mattress a little before the bed. Having it shipped compressed into the box made it so much easier to store until the bed arrived. If you recall, Lucy was very surprised when the bed was delivered and assembled.

But once we put the mattress on and she got to roll around all over it she was sold!

Dressed with linens from West Elm and Ikea, the bed is casual and comfy. 

Lucy's still stuck in the crib for as long as we can pull that off, but she is becoming more and more eager to try out her big girl bed.  And for now it is a great spot for naps, and bedtime stories.

Thanks to Leesa for such a great product and for making Lucy's room so comfortable and inviting.

Art with Photos.com

Hi Everyone! It's hard to believe that Lucy's room is done.  I've been thinking about all the other projects I need to tackle this winter in the house - some not fun (like tuck pointing our basement foundation walls) and some exciting - like sourcing art for our living room.  Speaking of art, what did you think of the art selections in Lucy's room?  I loved the gallery wall and Erika Huddleston's amazing painting.  And I really love the way Lucy's little bookshelf wall turned out with that fabulous Slim Aarons print!

We  got the print from Photos.com and I am now obsessed with cruising their site to find art for the rest of the house and for some of my design clients. Because they are part of Getty Images they have a huge bank of images to draw from and some amazing classic press images that you've seen before.  The framing and matting options are also nice - simple gallery frames and options to print on canvas and paper.  Here is a round up of some of my favorites, which I think would make great Christmas gifts for that discerning aesthete in your family.

Left to Right / Top to Bottom-
Swimmers and Surfers on the beach by Jason Hawkes: I know that beach photos are all the rage but I still love this - the humanity mixed with nature!

Verbier Vacation by Slim Aarons: I am loving all of Slim Aarons' work on Photos.com  It has such a modern quality.  This ski mountain photo is a fun take on that.

Girl Snorkelling by RJW: There is such moodiness to this piece.

Vogue 1949 by Clifford Coffin: Very poppy and graphic!

Fort Peck Dam by Margaret Bourke-White: I love the architectural quality of this and how the light and shadow plays

Matryoshka dolls for sale at souvenir shop by Holger Leue: Artistic but still sweet. Would be great for a kid's room

In Flight by Arthur Elgort: I love how editorial this is.  A recognizeable model but a funny pose and interesting companion.

White Cow by Jojol Photography: This could look so cool printed large in any number of settings.

What are your favorite pieces?  Are you eyeing anything for any art-lover friends and family this holiday season?

Mirror Madness - Zuo Modern

Many of you commented on the mirror we selected for Lucy's room. It has such a cool deco vibe and really opens up the room and adds a level of sophistication.  I wanted to share a little with you on the sourcing for the mirror. I had a really hard time finding something unique and cool. Here are some images of the mirror installed.

We got the mirror from Zuo Modern and couldn't have been more happy with their product and customer service.  Zuo is based out of Canada, so may be unfamiliar to some of you.  I thought I'd round up some of my favorite finds from their site. They have such a wide range of offerings. They are consistently modern in style but often have a fun nod to the past and traditional detailing that adds a unique spin.  Here are my picks!

Chandelier / Mirror / Side Table / Coffee Table / Lounge Chair / Bar Cart / Dining Chair.

Thanks Zuo for such a great addition to Luyc's room.  I'm excited to keep checking back as we work through the other rooms in the house!

Upholstering with Crypton

Hey there everyone! How is the Thanksgiving planning going?  Last week I gave you some details on the paint selection and painting process for Lucy's One Room Challenge bedroom.  Today, I wanted to tell you a bit more about upholstering her love seat.  I immediately fell in love with the lines of her little love seat when I found in on Craigslist.  It was such a great find at just $50.  

Really amazing quality and the 80's upholstery was in great condition - despite the fact that it reminded me of an elementary school photo backdrop.  

We lived with the loveseat for quite some time but when it came time to actually design Lucy's room I knew I had to suck it up and do something different.  I wanted to accentuate the lines of the love seat and also use something extremely durable and toddler proof.  I selected a Crypton called Graceland (color Sorrel) from Calico that I love and complemented it with a rust colored linen on the welting to bring out the lines. I worked in hotel design for many years and know Crypton as a very durable tough-as-nails fabric finish that we used on casino chairs, hotel lobby sofas and the like. It is super stain resistant and repels almost anything.  Often it had a sort of hard / rough finish.  But Crypton has come so far from those days. The fabric I selected is like a chenille. So soft and a beautiful neutral color that I never would have chosen in a standard solid linen or cotton which would have stained immediately. The rust colored linen welting adds a different texture and given it's dark and so sparsely used I wasn't worried about it staining.  

Thus far the sofa has held up super well. I can't wait to revisit in 6 months after a winter of toddler hands to see how well it's faring. I'm sure it will be amazing. Thanks to Crypton for making such a great product that we will love for years to come.

Dreamy Whimsical Bedroom

Hi all, it's Kate Cabiltes!

I'm an admirer of interior designer Emily Henderson and her quirky style, and this makeover she did on her own master bedroom makes me swoon! I love the dreamy blues and peaches paired with the soft white and tans, making the space super light and ethereal. Taking clean midcentury pieces layered with a few fun patterns and lots of texture, the space is a warm and inviting oasis of a master bedroom. I especially love that she sourced from some talented local makers: textile designer Rebecca Atwood who created the marble fabric on the upholstered headboard and furniture maker Katy Skelton who designed the Scandinavian inspired safari bench.

Here's how to get the look in your bedroom...

Light Globe Pendant via Wayfair

XO Watercolor Printable via Etsy

Marbled Stripe Pillow via Rebecca Atwood

Hemstitch Solid Sheet Set via Target

Safari Bench via Katy Skelton

Abrams Nightstand via Lulu & Georgia

Tan Wool Brim Hat via Pacific Sunwear

Shag Puff Pillow via Anthropologie

Inspiration image via Emily Henderson

- Kate

Painting Lucy's room with Benjamin Moore

Hi All. Well, the One Room Challenge is officially complete and I'm so excited to take a little breather.  That said, there is still lots of info to share on the selections we made, so here is the first of those posts.  When I was concepting Lucy's room I went back and forth about what to do with the walls.  Originally I really wanted to do a wallpaper but I soon realized that was out of the budget.  Once I found her rug, I figured that I had the opportunity to do something more dramatic on the walls. The rug, while patterned, is fairly subtle in coloration. Though I love an airy white room, I was getting pretty tired of how washed out her room was looking.  Benjamin Moore has one of the widest color ranges and such a nice palette of in-between colors that aren't too saturated and aren't too grey so I knew I wanted to work with their swatch book when it came to selecting colors. I ordered some larger color swatches and in the end chose Dartsmouth Green which is a beautiful green that really walks that line between saturation and subtlety. And of course it didn't hurt that Scott went to Dartmouth so I liked the little tongue-in-cheek reference.

Though the room had been painted white it really only took a couple of coats of Ben Moore's Aura paint to get the room looking good. The color saturation and coverage was unparalleled and I love that it is a paint and primer in one.  Anything that helps me skip a step is very much appreciated.  I also love that the paint has no VOC's.

We took precautions and kept Lucy in our room for a couple nights while her walls were being prepped and then painted but the smell dissipated very very quickly. Since this is a toddler room, I'm especially excited that the paint is so easily cleanable and easy to touch up.  The final product is so beautiful.

Can't wait to figure out what room to take on next! I will definitely be using Aura for whatever projects come my way.  Stay tuned for more paint related ideas about what we plan to do on the outside of the house! And a big thank you to Ben Moore for providing such a great easy-to-use product.