10 Things I can't live without - Elizabeth Boland

Hi Everyone. So you've read about the 10 things I (Jess Davis) can't live without and most recently Jessica Burne shared her top 10 list. Well today we are learning more about another member of the Nest Studio team: Elizabeth Boland. Along with being my former next-door neighbor, Elizabeth is the quality and shipping/receiving maven at Nest Studio. While that couldn’t be farther from her degree in journalism and past professional life in publishing and consulting, it feeds her penchant for attention to detail, love of learning new things and delight in being involved with an industry that is new and fascinating to her. Another bonus is after hanging around with the folks at Nest Studio, it’s inspired her to actually paint, decorate and generally spiff up her own home. Elizabeth keeps the wheels turning on our incoming and outgoing inventory, heading up our quality control and making sure things are packaged as best as possible and shipped out in a timely way.  Take it away Elizabeth:

After really thinking about what I really couldn’t live without it kind of turned into a list of “things that have made my life so much better.”

Coffee - The top of the list is a large, quality, morning cup of coffee with a little bit of sugar and a little bit of milk. I’m the only coffee drinker in my house so I have an old Melitta single-cup drip maker that has gone on week-long vacations to destinations around the country. Why worry about what kind of coffee pot is at the rental or if the quality of the brew in the lobby is good?

Google Calendar - Second only to coffee is the use of Google Calendar. I used to kick-it with a paper date book to make sure I kept my life and eventually my family of five in some semblance of order. It’s probably the Virgo in me that now has family members color-coded and reminders being pinged to text and e-mail’s. It’s not a flawless system but I’ve only forgotten a child once during a random, half-day at school in almost 20 years!

Black Sharpie - I keep one in my handbag at all times and it is amazing to realize how many times it has come in handy. Labeling random items, hiding scuff marks on black high heels, handing it to a teacher in a clutch moment. They frequently get given away so I love getting a pack of them every year in my Christmas stocking!

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm - Another constant has been Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm. With a tube or two always within my reach, it’s the quickest way to make sure there is some sort of color on my lips while moisturizing in a more natural way.

Honda Odyssey - I hesitate to admit that my Honda Odyssey mini-van is also something I have come to rely on and love. We just bought our second after putting over 250,000 miles on the first Odyssey, mostly from vacations up and down the East coast and as far West as the Mississippi River. My van has carried building supplies, mattresses, furniture, people, yard waste, more people, sports equipment, suitcases, vacation accoutrement and most recently everything to equip a freshman college dorm!

VRBO - With five people in our family and the travel industry geared mostly for four, I was also an early adopter of VRBO. Our first entree was a gamble as we traveled 1,300 miles away with three young children but we were hooked when our economical rental turned out to be a beautiful house with a pool.  Since then, we have stayed in everything from camping cabins to palatial homes all over the continental US and Hawaii and only had one clunker along the way.

Haagen Dazs Ice Cream - One food item I really love is Haagen Dazs ice cream. I have lived within walking distance to one of their shops for almost 20 years and now it’s like the old sitcom about the bar “Cheers” (where everyone knows your name) when we walk in. I try whatever new flavors come along but my old favorites usually win out.

Nerium Night Cream - A fabulous discovery I made a couple years ago was Nerium Night Cream. I was highly skeptical about all those miracle products that promised to make my face look smoother and younger. After a friend discovered Nerium and I saw dramatic improvement in real time, I was convinced. Those multi-step skin systems get old fast. This one-step, after you clean your face for the evening product really works!

Dansko Footwear - As much as I still love to get into a pair of rockin’ high heels (currently a fave pair of suede platform heels) slipping into a pair of Dansko clogs or sandals feels like going home to me. I played it boring with basic black early on but now love to wear some of the great prints and iridescent colors. Pairing them with a fun pair of socks peeking out for the cool weather and then catching a glimpse of the combo during the day can remind me to enjoy little pleasures.

Trish McEvoy Dramatic Lash Mascara - Last but not least is Trish McEvoy Dramatic Lash Mascara in black. After many years of trying different mascaras both high and low end, I kind of fell in love after the first use. All I’m ever looking for is a mascara to go on quick, smooth and easy, stay put for however long I need it to and then come off as easily as it went on. This magic tube does it all!

That's a wrap folks! Stay tuned for our newest team member, Sharon's top 10!

Kate Cabiltes: Beautiful Boho Bedroom

Hi Everyone! I know we have had a bit of a drought this past year blog wise. I'm hoping to fix that in 2016 with a few more guest posts as well as more posts about our house progress. Today we have Kate Cabiltes posting for us about getting that ever-so-popular boho look in the bedroom. But first, here is a little about Kate

Kate is a freelance interior stylist and interior design student living with her husband and cat in Queens, New York. She has always been obsessed with restaurants and hotels because of their amazing design details and is ecstatic to make a career of it. Her personal style is rustic modern or boho chic although she is passionate about helping friends and clients embrace their personal style to create a home that both speaks to and comforts them. When not working, Kate enjoys exploring the city and spending her time and money on the amazing food that NYC has to offer. She also loves romantic comedies, floral design and running. You can follow her on Instagram @fueledbywhimsy and visit her blog Fueled by Whimsy and you can stop by Laura Weatherbee Design Studio to see her guest design contributions. Take it away Kate:

When designing bedrooms I loooove the boho look but I often struggle with making bright colors and busy prints work together in harmony, especially in a smaller space. A trick that I have caught onto which interior designer Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors has mastered is blending several cheerful bohemian motifs with an equal amount of minimalistic and often solid colored neutral pieces to achieve a balanced yet unique look that is fun but not overwhelming. 

For more inspiration and eclectic accent items, check out the blog and e-shop of designer Studio Matsalla.

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

Lamp via Ikea

Mirror via Anthropologie

Square Pillow via Amber Interiors

Pink Rectangular Pillow via One Kings Lane

Bed via Overstock

Kilim Rug via Amber Interiors

Yellow Rectangular Pillow via Studio Matsalla

Nightstand via Crate and Barrel

Polka Dot Potted Plant via Jenray

Cactus Potted Plant via Claylicious Etsy Shop

Tassel Pouf via Barneys

Inspiration image via Amber Interiors

- Kate

Postmod: Maximizing your small space

Last week I shared a post I did for Jaime's new website Postmodyrn about how to design with kids in mind. This week, I'm sharing another recent Postmod post I wrote about maximizing your small space:

The unfortunate part of living in a cool city like New York or San Francisco -- or even living in the surrounding suburbs -- is that you pay a high price for space.  Often, we are stuck living in a space that works but isn't our "dream home", so to speak.  So we make do with what we have.  A question that I often get from friends and clients in high-rent areas is, "How do I make my space feel bigger?"  Today I'm giving you a couple of tips I've learned along the way, and next month I'll reveal a little more on how to make your small space feel larger.

Use appropriately scaled furniture:  So much of the furniture out there these days is huge and overscaled.  A giant sectional with huge roll arms might be great for the double-height suburban great room, but in a San Francisco high-rise condo or a 1927 cottage outside of New York, one has to be a little more concious of scale.  The good news is that many brands such as Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware are carrying "apartment-sized" furniture these days.  Aside from seeking out items that are specifically labeled as apartment-sized, there are a few key things to look for, scale-wise.  As mentioned above, large roll arms take up a huge amount of real estate but don't increase the seating area on a sofa. Look for sofas that have tailored square arms, tight backs and are not quite as deep to maximize your floor space.  Same goes for appropriately scaled coffee tables, dining furniture, etc.  There is something trendy going on with bar-height tables, but they don't work well for families (have you ever seen a high chair that works with a bar-height table?) and they take up a lot more visual space than a normal table.  A large china cabinet might work in your parent's formal dining room but consider a lower slung buffet that is open above so you can display some artwork and stage the top like a bar.

Tailored appropriately scaled furniture keeps this space from looking cramped. Source

Think of how you experience a space: Divide your space into zones even if you don't have dedicated rooms.  In my house you enter directly into my living room (my dream home one day has an entry foyer and a mud room).  I especially hate this part of my house in the winter time when we have coats, boots and snow that gets tracked in.  I was able to carve out a space in the living room that feels like an entry.  How so?  I delineated the space with a rug, and made sure there was a coat closet, a place to sit and a console for dropping sunglasses and keys.  Similarly, in a small condo without a separate dining area, carve out a dining space behind a sofa or in a corner.  Often times a bench or banquette tucked up against a wall works better than using chairs around all sides of a table because it allows the table to sit closer to the wall (because you don't need the space to pull a chair out). 

 In my own home, we've created an entry space in the living room.

Use furniture that does double duty: In a small space, double duty is a key word (or words).  Use an ottoman with a tray on top of it instead of a coffee table.  This works as a footrest, storage (if you have a storage ottoman), and is much more child-friendly than a table with sharp corners.  In carving out spaces within a room as per the above recommendation, consider a bench or day bed between two spaces. It doesn't block the view, adds seating, and can even function as a guest bed in a pinch.  Places like West Elm have a slew of small cocktail tables that can double as stools for seating and tuck nicely under consoles and next to sofas. 

Storage ottomans along with mirrored frames add space to stash stuff and bounce light around.  Source

Use Mirrors:  I'm not saying that you should turn your home into a Vegas lounge -- no mirrored ceilings please!  But it's true that mirrors expand the view and double the feeling of space.  Consider mirroring your kitchen backsplash (mirror is a low maintenance surface, easy to clean as a backsplash and allows you to see the party when you're facing the wall chopping crudites).  Adding a piece of mirrored furniture gives a touch of sparkle and doesn't feel as heavy as its wood alternative (although please don't buy the entire mirrored bedroom suite).  And strategically placing a mirror so that it reflects a view of the outdoors is a great way to make a space feel airy and open. 

A mirrored back splash expands this tiny kitchen. Source

Stay tuned for more space expanding tips in next week's Postmod post.

How to Transform a Kitchen with Paint

I'm sure a lot of you have noticed that I've been seeking out various other projects now that our house is basically done on the interior.  I've been gardening like a maniac and much to my husband's chagrin I have been trolling Zillow like a maniac as well, hoping to find the next great house ripe for a revamp.  Of course, it's next to impossible to find something for the right price that is reno-worthy that also has our amazing proximity to town, trains, park etc.  But I have to keep looking so that opportunity doesn't pass me by!  In the meantime Zillow also has this amazing function Zillow Digs which is a great place to get and save design ideas for when that project does strike.  So when Jennifer from Zillow approached me about a guest post, the timing seemed perfect. Of course, kitchens are the best place to put money into a home from a value standpoint, and there is no better and cheaper way to transform a kitchen than with paint. Jennifer, take it away:

Kitchen remodels are expensive, often costing homeowners tens of thousands of dollars for complete overhauls. Some kitchens struggle cosmetically, but still have good structural integrity and layouts that don’t need rearranging. In these instances, dated cabinets, countertops, appliances and décor can be upgraded with one simple material: paint. 

Consider repainting the following four surfaces to freshen lackluster kitchens. 

Paint the Walls

Source: Greg Fischer

Select neutral shades, like off-white or light grey, to welcome natural light in the kitchen. Going too dark might make the space feel confined, and potentially deter real estate buyers in the future. Patch any wall divots or damages before priming. Using a high-quality applicator, apply smooth, even strokes of paint. Make sure to regularly dip rollers, otherwise the paint might dry out in bristles and cause fading.

Refinish Existing Cabinets

Source: Zillow.com

Rather than replace, reface cabinet doors and drawer fronts with paint. First, remove doors and wipe down the insides and fronts of cupboards. Cleaning is a crucial step in the process, since years of fingerprints and food splatters might compromise a smooth paint job. After thorough cleaning, prime the wood so the paint adheres correctly. For a high-gloss finish, use a sandable primer. Research paint types before selecting brand-specific colors. For instance, oil-based paints are best for long-term durability, but can be messy to handle. Latex paints specific for cabinetry emit fewer fumes, but don’t set as evenly as oil paints. Regardless of paint type, opt for a sprayer to ensure a smooth finish.

As long as they are in solid condition, keep cabinet boxes and frames. If doors and drawers have dated embellishments that can’t be sanded out, consider replacing them. Paint boxes and frames using the steps above to match or complement new, design-friendly doors.

Revamp Old Appliances

Source: Lexie Longstreet

Paint dirty or chipped appliances using specialty epoxy paint, one 6-inch foam roller, a foam brush and painter’s tape. First, wash appliances down with warm soap and water or an ammonia-based solution. Scrub nonmetal surfaces with steel wool to remove deep stains. Use the roller to apply paint and the brush to smooth out any air bubbles. Wait at least a few hours, preferably overnight, between two coats. This process can be applied to any dingy or dated fixtures, including refrigerators, range hoods, stoves, dishwashers and toasters. Match appliances for a polished, put-together look.

Create a Chalkboard Wall

Source: Martinkovic Milford Architects

Make to-do lists handy and messages visible with chalkboard walls. Choose locations close to the fridge or pantry door, so when items run out they can be easily noted. Leave important reminders about appointments and commitments for family and friends. Lightly sand shiny metal surfaces, like stainless steel, before applying chalkboard paint. Use painter’s tape to mark off the desired location, and allow curing for three days before use. Consider adding molding around chalkboard walls to conceal borders. “Season” the board by rubbing the entire surface with white chalk. Erase with a wet cloth or disposable towel.

According to the 2014 Cost vs Value report by Remodeling Magazine, major kitchen remodels cost an average of $109,935, with a resale value of $69,973 – meaning homeowners only get 63.6 percent of their investments recouped. Paint is extremely low-cost and especially beneficial for staging homes. Although basic, fresh paint modernizes culinary spaces temporarily to benefit existing residents and potential buyers alike.

Stylin' Mamma: Problems

You can say it: I have a shoe problem.  I know.  Everyone who knows me knows.  This week I promised myself an "unsentimental shoe purge" and I came up with 3 pairs.  3 pairs out of -- easily -- 75?  More?  Some I wear more than others, some I haven't worn in years, but shoes are that ONE item of clothing that will always, always come back around.  I feel sick when I go to buy a pair of black knee-high boots and I think about the gorgeous black knee-high boots I had right after college that would be PERFECT.  Why did I get rid of them???  Because the heel seemed clunky?  Because the shaft start to feel like an awkward height?  Why didn't have the foresight to know: they will come back around?

So I have a shoe problem that extends beyond collecting to hoarding.  But here's a dirty secret: I also have a denim problem.  When you are a mamma, it is easy to fall into a denim rut.  When you are a Stylin' Mamma, you keep trying to break out of the denim rut only to find yourself gravitating to stylin' denim: High waisted!  Floral print!  Zip-leg!

I need to get a grip.

This summer I'm deep into my denim shorts.  I'm wearing 'em sporty, and I'm wearing 'em chic.  Playground?  Nike Frees (yes, those again), durable watch, aves, and a perfect pullover. Writers' meeting?  Button up, jacket, flats, and headband (what can I say?  I'm into them.).

Oh, and p.s.: I'm totally in love with these shoes.  

What's your problem?

 

- Jaime

Stylin' Mamma: Spring Breakers Triple-Play

My husband and are going on vacation!  Just the two of us, for two nights, traveling on an airplane.  I am delirious with excitement.  After years of packing up the car with toys, food, pack n play, Bumbo chair, DVDs...I just can't express in words how thrilling it sounds to pack a carry-on and GO.

What to put in said carry-on?  That is the question.  And though I have a closet full of options I can't help thinking that for my first vacation sans children in nearly three years, I should splurge on a little something.  Right?

Methinks these cargoes will do the job nicely.

Taking in a baseball game on a balmy Friday night calls for a casual textured sweater and a lightweight scarf for flair.

The pants do double-duty on Saturday for shopping and brewery-hopping with flat sandals, a roomy cross-body, simple lace blouse, and filagree earrings.

Finally, Saturday night on the town is a no-brainer when you change into a d'Orsay heel, add a blingy necklace and show a hint of shoulder.

A curling iron and some lipstick and I'm ready to fly.

- Jaime

Art that Looks Like Interiors....

1. Table by Oscar Narud
Other sources unknown
-Lauren

Blogger Style Challenge: Leigh's Layers 2

Leigh put together a second style board for my Blogger's Style Challenge. It's fun, casual and comfortable. I can't believe those awesome kicks are from Naturalizer!

[1] Phoebe Coleman Love me Tender Necklace
[2] Chambray Jacket
[3] Loft Shirt Dress
[4] Hayden Harnett Kitana Shoulder Bag
[5] Naturalizer Corina Pump

Art that Looks Like Interiors....

1. Bathroom by Myriam Balay-Devidal
2. Dining Room by Pat Steir & Joost Elffers via Elle Decor
3. Dining Room by Stephen Shubel

 - Lauren

Guest Posting - Hardware Update

Today I'm over at Look Linger Love talking about the new collection I'm putting together for my hardware line. Hop on over to check it out and find out more about where I get my inspiration.

Valentines Blogger Style Challenge: Bessie's Bright Weekend

My coworker Bessie put together a great little mom's weekend outfit  - maybe for brunch or a jaunt to old town Pasadena.  I love the "Mrs" earrings - a fun little Valentines Day reminder.

[1] Kate Spade 'Say Yes - Mrs' Stud Earrings
[2] Kelly Wearstler Airbrush Squares Scarf
[3] Michael Kors Medium Bedford Satchel
[4] J Crew Perfect Gingham Shirt
[5] Kenneth Cole Ladie's Watch
[6] Express Zelda Jean Legging 
[7] Kate Spade Faceted Bangle
[8] J Crew Olympia Suede Sandal

Blogger Style Challenge: Rebecca Jones from Low Life Couture

Thanks Becca!  Love this outfit.  Can't wait to see everyone else's creations (remember you have until the end of February to submit a fun outfit styled for mom)

I am honored to be here from LowLife Couture with my "back to reality" outfit for a new mom!

I am convinced this comfortable but glamorous get up would make anyone feel like a million bucks.

Hope you enjoy, and come visit my world!

en by mrsbeccasjones 

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Guest Post: East Coast, West Coast - Part 1: The Rug

Thanks to my Boston buddy Michele of The Department of the Interior for her guest post today: 

As if I didn't already have enough friends who have migrated West, (ahem, Jess), my friend Jay recently ditched me and all of his friends on the East Coast for an opportunity to shack up in San Francisco. I don't really know why he'd ever want to leave Boston but he did. Now he's all complaining that his apartment isn't "done".  It's only been a month, be patient I tell him, but he's still anxious and ridiculously motivated. So I've been trying to help him select a few pieces of furniture for his smallish but very cutish one bedroom apartment. Which, by the way, is located across the street from Golden Gate Park, which I see is very nice from the photos he keeps sending me.

Since I'm still East Coast, we've been communicating via facetime, ivideo, email and texting. One afternoon he went on a rug searching bender.

The rug I really wanted him to get is this Ikea Stockholm Rand rug $199.00, but apparently they are sold out at every store in the country. He told me there was someone selling it on ebay for twice the retail amount. What's up with that?

So he finally settled on this shaggy Memphis Stone rug from Crate and Barrel. There's no wool in it so his feet won't get itchy.

My challenge for the living room now is to convince him that he needs a fabulous coffee table in a very bright color.  Like this one made from the hood of a Camaro.

The Weld House

How hard can that be with all of those amazing flea markets I keep reading about?

Stay tuned for my post on Jay's Entry. It involves a map.

By the way, if you're wondering how I got my text messages off my phone, I used Decipher TextMessage, made by Decipher Media of which my now West Coast friend Jay is co-founder.

Thanks Jess for inviting me to post a guest blog on The Eagle's Nest!

Michele

Guest Post: A Thanksgiving Table with DesignstILes

Hi Eagle Nesters. It's Irene from designstILes, filling in for Jess while she's on mommy duty. Thanksgiving is practically here and today I'm sharing an easy to create table setting fit for the food festive occasion.

When deciding how to decorate my table, I look through the items I already own and then fill in the blanks with pieces that fit my vision. If you have incomplete sets, don't be afraid to mix and match.

I'm always first inspired by color. Typical Thanksgiving colors are oranges, browns and yellows. To make things interesting, I add in an unexpected hue. For this table setting, I remembered I had leftover striped fabric in an ivory and celadon. I had just enough to use as a tablecloth. I then saw these ceramic pheasants at Z Gallerie and new immediately I'd want to use them. They're festive, add interest and bring in more color. The gray plate and orange trim napkin are also from Z Gallerie. The decorative pumpkins are from my local grocery store. The acorn candlestick holders were purchased at the flea market a few months ago. The stemware, vase and fake leaves were already pre-owned. I let my tablecloth inspire me and based the rest of my colors from there. I always like to add fresh flowers. I kept these simple so as not to detract from the pheasants.

Hope some of my tips helped you for your Thanksgiving table.

Happy Thursday!

Guest Post: Shades of Grey

Thanks to Mlle Paradis for her guest post on color - Grey is one of my favorites right now (not surprisingly since my living room is pewter, powder room is gunmetal and guest room is an almost black charcoal:

Hello to Jessica, and welcome to lovely baby Bryan.  Thank you for letting me spend a little time here.

Hi everybody, I'm Mlle Paradis.  I blog at Passage Paradis about  L.A., England, a little of everything - mostly by way of my own photos and my love of color.  I am a sometimes painter of pictures too, but this post started because I was painting my kitchen.  And I was trying to decide what color to paint it.  In the end I settled on an orange and grey palette, but not without a nice art-y, blog-gy detour through that color relationship.  I hope you enjoy taking that little trip with me!

My last summer's, kitchen project, started because I was unhappy with the maple cabinets that read so orange, but a bolt of inspiration came by way of GREY.  It seemed like such a great idea.  The combo of the two colors has always been a favorite of mine, though not easy to make work.  In order to be sure about my choice, I had to investi - ruminate........   And I found some great stuff in the blog world.

via poppytalk

Here's a little of how the internal conversation went:  

......Eyes mix color without our even knowing it.  So I could have black and white in some parts of the room, which would stand in for grey.  B/W gives a strong graphic punch.  But: must tone the orange right down, otherwise it fights with the black and you get close to Halloween combinations.  (Hello to self: "Oh yeah!  That's why we don't normally decorate with it!?")

via Fiona at CafeCartolina

This above is a perfect integration of the orange and neutrals.  Somehow the delicacy of the cabinetry and the sheen of the lacquer softens the orange.  When I first bought my house, I happened on alot of orange lacquer along the lines of this cabinet and was really tempted by it.....but......go on, reread the preceding paragraph!

via bobbi at lazy designer

Grey can be so many things.  Rustic, shimmery, industrial.  And a variety of greys makes for such a restful visual. Which is what I think made the choice of grey most appealing to me.

I love what Camilla Engman did with greys and oranges.  (And recycled envelopes!) Wish I could hang this in my kitchen.  There's something at once sorrowful and joyful in this piece.  A reminder to include some good art in the "new" kitchen.

Who knew grey could be so energetic?

I guess you could call these putty colors.  Or stone.  But I shy away from  GREIGE.   (Please!)

design darling via a perfect gray

This picture made me realize that I could pop in a lot of crisp white.  A little shine.  To get something quite elegant.  You don't even really need the French bits and bobs to get that effect.

And yes, let's really forget the "greige".  We're talking silvered timbers here.  Misty mornings.  Barnacles and lichens.  Pussy willows.  Dried sage leaves.  Inspiration seeps in from everywhere, doesn't it?

these two paintings and torn paper collage above, via Sophie's' Seed Capsules tumblr

Here again what art can teach us:  this is like a modern take on a J.M.W. Turner - a London sunset through the fog and the soot.  But see the equal parts orange and grey?  That means you got some big old fight goin' on here.  Yeah ok.  But London's burning?  Maybe not so much for my kitchen.

Again though.  Something about a tidy grey with clean crisp edges makes you seem very snappy and on top of it all.  Even if you're just a painting.  (Model take note.)

Whispers of grey?

Washes of grey?  Who doesn't like the look and feel of slab floors and zinc counters?  That's what grey evokes.  There's something solid and timeless about it.  It's cool and warm at the same time.  I was getting somewhere with all these pictures.  Until....... 

The very last inspiration picture.  When I got to this picture, it was the end of June by then and starting to get very outside outside.  The idea of staying inside and painting a kitchen was not really appealing.  And I was inclined to just say:

 "To hell with kitchens -  - - - LET'S JUST GO ON VACATION"!

Which I did not.  But this pic comes close, don't it?  BIG.  SIGH.