Week 2: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Room

Hi Folks! The One Room Challenge started last week and we are off to a great start with Lucy's room. Here is a reminder of what Lucy's board looks like now.

Over the past week we have made quite a bit of progress. We installed some shelves in this funny nook that is created by a chimney bumpout and the wall.  The use of space is so much better!

And I have been experimenting with rugs. I got this large oriental rug on craigslist for a steal and I loved the size and how soft it was but alas, it just looked too masculine.

I ended up purchasing a rug from an Etsy Seller in Turkey and I love it (the one on my board). The colors are subtle and the dancing ladies on the rug are so fun!

It  smells a bit like a hookah lounge which I suppose is the price you pay when you buy a rug from Turkey. But the smell is dissipating and nothing a good dose of Febreze won't fix.

Stay tuned on Instagram and next week on the blog as we get up and running with paint colors and other new purchases!

Bold Rustic Kids Room

Hi, Kate Cabiltes here!

While on one of my favorite daily reads My Domaine recently, I found this adventurous kids bedroom haven crafted by New York based interior designer Brad Sherman. This ode to the mountains was lovingly created with neutral furniture and bold primary colored accents. With a wallpapered mountain statement wall, the nod to mother nature is achieved tastefully. By adding cozy blankets and whimsical throw pillows, a hanging swing and layered rugs, the look is complete.

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

White Deer Head Plaque via Home Decorators Collection

Hanging Rattan Chair via Serena & Lily

Emmerson Day Bed via West Elm

Sheepskin Rug via Ikea

Fakse Rug via Ikea

Woolrich Hudson's Bay Capote Throw Blanket via Backcountry

Mod Love Needlepoint Throw Pillow via Jonathan Adler

Mirage Grey Wallpaper via Graham & Brown

Inspiration image via Brad Sherman

- Kate

Week 1: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Room

Hi Folks!  I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather.  I'm very excited to announce that I will be participating in the One Room Challenge and re-vamping Lucy's room for the next six weeks. For those of you who not familiar with the One Room Challenge, it's a 6 week challenge where 20 selected design bloggers transform their space from start to finish.  The great thing about the One Room Challenge is that the rest of us out in the blog world get to participate, link up, tag our projects on social media and showcase our work alongside the twenty chosen blog stars.  This bi-yearly event is the brain child of Linda from Calling it Home and is now in it's 11th season. It has been such a success that it is co-sponsored by House Beautiful Magazine and has a lot of product sponsors that work with the challenge as well. I was lucky to be able to have my hardware showcased in Paige Minear's family room last spring in one of the 20 featured rooms.  Paige did such an amazing job it really inspired me to take the plunge and do a room this fall for myself.  And thankfully Paige is coaching me through this process (hello, waking up at 2am to link up?!) so I know what to do!

So, without further ado, let's get down to business.  Some of you may have seen Lucy's room back when I did a little house tour before we moved in.  This is what her room looked like when the previous owner lived here (fuschia much?)

And this is what it looked like just a week or two ago.

Definitely an improvement but the room still doesn't feel put together. It's a nice big bright room on the second floor of our house, and unlike the rest of the house, the trim is actually painted white, which i like.  There are a lot of hand-me-downs like the rug from our master bedroom and the tapestry on the wall and as you can see I was experimenting with some wallpaper ideas that didn't ever come to fruition. Everything is currently so creamy and the room lacks personality. I got that awesome love seat on craigslist (more on that later) but the 80's pattern definitely needs updating! Obviously, there is much to do.  Here is my design board for Lucy's room.

I wanted her room to not feel too juvenile or babyish. But I still wanted it to be fun and playful.  Hoping this combo of sophisticated rusts, peacock/teal lends the right mixed boho vibe.  Now for the not so fun part.  My task list:

- Install shelves in nook
- Paint Walls
- New Roman Shades
- New Rug
- Re-upholster love seat
- New big-girl bed
- New Artwork
- New nightstand
- Paint dresser
- New Mirror and Lamp

Yikes! I've got my work cut out for myself. Lots of sourcing, tasks and getting stuff pulled together.

Wish me luck! And feel free to follow along daily at my instagram account or check out #oneroomchallenge to see what everyone else is doing.  And of course make sure you are following the One Room Challenge on their official instagram account to see which rooms really inspire everyone.

10 Things I can't live without - Jessica Burne Davis

Hi Everyone!  Some of you may have read my 10 Things I can' live without post.  Well, I thought it was a fun exercise and I thought it would be a great way to introduce you to my team and make them think about what fuels their fires.  First off is Jessica Burne Davis who I introduced a while back. Yes, you heard me right. We have the same last name.  Jessica A and Jessica B Davis - I could tell you all kinds of funny stories about this. But more on that later. Jess B is my right hand woman.  Here is her top 10 list:

Black Goody Hair Tie  - Since the age of 5 my hairstyle vacillates between being long and slightly less long. Yet I can’t go more than a few hours with my hair down. I buy these hair ties in bulk and have them everywhere in case a hair emergency strikes.  More often than not you’ll find me in a ponytail or bun.

Neostrata Bionic Face Serum - I am cursed with dry, oily and sensitive skin. This serum is a miracle. I apply it before bed and when I wake up my skin is smooth and flawless. It’s magic in bottle. Too bad it can’t take off those 10 pounds I would like to lose!

Keurig - Waking up in the morning for me is torture. I’m so envious of my bright-eyed non-coffee drinking husband. Since I am the only one who needs a caffeine jolt, my Keurig is a lifesaver.  I can brew 1 or 2 cups (ok – sometimes 3) in the morning without waiting for a huge carafe to fill.  I do feel badly about the environmental waste of the K-Cups, but I’m not ready to sacrifice the convenience.

Mac Eyebrow Pencil - My relationship with my eyebrows is complicated.  Let me preface by saying that I’ve always loved my dark strong brows.  Due to my sensitive skin, waxing makes me red and raw. So, I’ve been doing my own shaping for years. I even survived the 90s without over plucking.  But the left is high and the right is low. One is spiky and the other arched.  I discovered the Mac eyebrow pencil a few years ago when I went to Kelly Shultz of Julu Beauty. She’s an amazing local esthetician who taught me to use makeup to add definition and shape without overusing the tweezers.

White Cotton Bath Towels - My dream would be to have weekly spa appointments on my calendar.  Unfortunately, with my hectic schedule and tight wallet, this is an impossibility. So I pamper myself however I can. My morning routine is more indulgent using spa quality towels. My favorite brand right now is the Hudson Park collection from Bloomingdale's. They are super luxurious for the price.

Sunglasses - Sunglasses are accessories that I can't live without. Even on a cloudy day they are always within close reach. Most of the time, sunglasses will be either on my face or pushed up to keep my hair back. While I love the aviator look, I find the frame gets tangled in my ponytail.  Right now I love this retro cat-eye from Tory Burch.

Statement Earrings - I’ve discovered fun jewelry later in life.  When I was little I remember making fun of my mom when she wore statement necklaces.  Now the joke is on me because I can’t leave the house without wearing something bold. My latest obsession is gold dangly earrings.  They transform my black yoga pants and jean jacket into a stylish put-together outfit.

Microsoft Excel - I have to admit I’m a huge Microsoft Excel geek. There's nothing that a good spreadsheet can't fix. Pivot tables, vlookups and macros become my personal challenges. I'd like to say my nerdy tendencies are just limited to work but actually that’s not true. I use spreadsheets for birthday parties, menus and recipes, and if I go far enough back in time I can probably find the study guides I used in college.

Kindle E-Reader - I am a voracious reader and never thought the day would come when I preferred an e-reader over an actual book. Since most of the classics are free in digital form, I’ve rediscovered gems that I either never read or didn’t appreciate in high school.  Somehow it’s easier to tackle a 1,000 page tome without having to hold it in your hand.  On the flipside, I can discreetly devour the Twilight Series without any nosey passerby glancing at a trashy book cover.

Target - What can I say about the magical place I call, in a chic French accent, Tar-jay? This store fits every one of my needs.  A quick trip for milk and eggs ends with a hammered brass bowl in my checkout cart. Or I’ll go looking for clothes for my daughters and come home with a new shade of nail polish. Regardless of my shopping list, I’ll come home from Target with things I never knew I needed but that I am so happy to have.

Thanks Jess B! It was so fun to read this list. Several of these items (sunglasses! Target!) are high on my list too. Can't wait to see what the rest of the team comes up with.

Airy Neutral Kitchen

Hi, it's Kate Cabiltes!

I don't know about you, but I have been drooling over kitchens on my Pinterest feed more than ever as of late. This kitchen in the Nashville home designed by genius design firm Pencil & Paper Co was recently featured on lifestyle blog Style Me Pretty and I think we can all agree that it is nothing short of perfect. 

With a wall of exposed brick painted white, light marble top counters, and cabinets coated in a muted green, a neutral but bright space is achieved. Accents like hanging brass light fixtures, a neutral jute rug, and pops of live greens throughout keep everything airy and gorgeous. This space is open and practical yet inspiring to a point where I'd be begging to host a cocktail party here stat.

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

Eugene Small Pendant, Antiqued Brass via One Kings Lane

Starch Whitewash Paint via Ralph Lauren

Statuario Tiles via Calacatta USA

19" Maidenhair in Planter, Faux via One Kings Lane

Adjustable Height Bar Stool via Wayfair

Delta Champagne Bronze Single Handle Bar Faucet with Swivel Spout via eFaucets

Skylight Paint via Farrow & Ball

Textured Jute Rug via Serena & Lily

Nine Space Stripe Hand Towel via Wayfair

Murchison Home Hand Duo via McGee & Co

Ceramic Animal Money Bank via Kohl's

Inspiration image via Leslee Mitchell

- Kate

Stylin' Mamma: Cozy Casual

Okay, so Gap just released this plaid collab with Pendleton and I might be a little bit obsessed and launching into full-on Fall Lust Mode.

This poncho?  I die.  Somebody hand me a warm, bourbon-spiked-something -- preferably in a cool mug.  (Also: this headband for the Babygirl in my life?  I think yes.)

I know!  I know: last month I talked about how we here in NorCal don't really need "fall wardrobes"...But can we dream a little?  And can we at least buy this bag?  Please?

For starters, there are these boots.  Which -- full disclosure -- I happen to own, and which I feel would go so nicely with my hypothetical poncho. (Particularly if paired with cropped trousers, like these.)

 

For tops, I'm a layering girl, so I might throw on a graphic tee shirt with a vintagey cardigan that will work inside or out.  

(If this is all feeling a bit too California-casual, we can always inject a wee bit of glam with a statement lip (at a gateway price).  I just bought these on a whim from Sephora and I'm totally obsessed.)

Okay, I admit it: I probably won't get the poncho.  But I hope you do.  And I hope you wear it apple-picking or leaf-peeping or something charming like that and write to tell me about it.  

Stay cozy, Mamas.

- Jaime

Bright Colonial Dining Room

Hi all, it's Kate Cabiltes! 

As you likely have seen on at least one respected design site as of late, Michigan home of former Domino editor Michelle Adams is as charming as it is breathtaking. Filled with thoughtful vignettes and eclectic combinations, this Colonial home is brilliantly styled. One of my favorite spaces in her abode is the dining room. Adams kept the bones neutral and basic with all white walls and a light jute rug over the hardwood floor. Furniture is classic wooden and mostly whitewashed. It is filled with unique decorative accents and paintings that give it a historic but fun vibe. 

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

Citrus Still Life Oil Painting via Etsy

Shade Light via Irvin's Country Tinware

Munn Works Painting by Christina Modigliani via One Kings Lane

Linen Side Chair via One Kings Lane

Lucerne Dining Table via Wayfair

Hills Napkins in Blue Slate via Rebecca Atwood

Barlow Hurricane Candle Holders via Crate & Barrel

Faux Magnola Leaf Bush via Michael's

Inspiration Image via Michelle Adams

- Kate

10 things I can't live without - 2016

Last week I revisited the 10 things I said I couldn't live without back in 2012.  In case you didn't read the post or the original post, to clarify, these items are not essentials - I can actually live without these 10 things, but the idea was to use this as a branding exercise.  So here we are in 2016 and here is my new list  - a few repeats and few things that are categorically similar but not quite the same. Here goes (in no particular order):

Hong Kong - I lived in Hong Kong for ten years from 1980 to 1990.  It is my childhood home and was my parents' home again from 2007-2012 (during which time I visited often during work trips to Asia).  Hong Kong will always hold a special place in my heart. The smells, sights, sounds (I heard jack hammers on the street the other day and it took me back to being a kid) and culture played a formative role in who I am as an adult.  I like to think that my open-mindedness, love of travel and appreciation of other cultures all stem from my childhood experiences in Hong Kong

Ramen - This was on the list the first time around and will most likely remain on the list moving forward. Ramen and just about any type of noodle soup is my all time favorite food. I think soupy noodles are the Asian equivalent of pizza or mac and cheese - pure and simple comfort food. I am a total sucker for intense flavor and spice so ramen is a perfect food for me - hydrating, flavorful, spicy, and nutritious (when the right items are included - veggies, eggs etc).  I'm making myself hungry just writing this!

Red lipstick - It took me a while to jump on the red lip bandwagon, but now I'm a convert. I find that when I'm dressing up for date night or a work function, a red lip really just ups the ante. I could be wearing torn jeans, a tee and clogs and the red lipstick can turn what is seemingly mom-wear into something going-out worthy.

Sketchbook - Specifically my small graph paper Moleskine sketchbook. I keep notes in here as well as all of my concept sketches for new hardware lines. I often carry it on the train - it's the perfect size for my purse.  My sketchbook helps keep me organized and consolidates all of my ideating into one place.  I would be a mess without it.

Bryr clogs - I have a love hate relationship with these clogs. I've had a few quality issues with them, but I absolutely adore the fit and the edgy designs. Unlike your regular Danskos or Swedish Hasbeens, Bryr clogs are made by hand to order (the price tag reflects this) and the designs are way more fashion forward. They are comfortable enough to trek around the city or to walk a trade show floor without getting blisters and they really elevate any outfit.

Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil Perfume - As I mentioned in last week's post, perfumes, and smell in general have a way of taking me back to a specific time and place. Obviously, this is not unique to me.  Because of this, when I go on a big trip I like to treat myself to a new perfume at the duty free shops. Last year when Scott and I went to Portugal, I fell in love with the fresh scent of Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil. It's now my go-to perfume and conjures up such fond memories of summer and wandering around the beaches of the Algarve and the cobblestone streets of Lisbon.

Craigslist - I mean, do people actually still use Craigslist in the land of Chairish, One Kings Lane, and local Facebook groups? The answer is yes. I still find that for the specific item that you are looking to source locally, Craigslist is a great bet. From my entry console ($50) to Lucy's bedroom loveseat ($40) to my King sized brass headboard ($75), I have scored so many amazing items on the super cheap via Craigslist. The key is to know what you are looking for and to keep checking back.

Our house - Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think about the fact that we live in such an amazing house.  Living in our 1879 Victorian also makes me feel like a real adult (for better or worse).  I mean, it obviously is an adult house when it comes to the amount of money we have to put in for maintenance, but also, when I think about what kind of person would live in our house, the person is a forty or fifty year adult with older kids - not us!  So it's kind of weird to think that we live here.  It's the kind of house that some would call a forever house.  And it will definitely take a lifetime to complete all the projects I have planned, so I certainly don't have to worry about ever being "done".  Stay tuned on the blog as we continue to make changes and renovate one room at a time.

Airbnb - As an Airbnb host for about six months now I have a new appreciation of this site. It provides us with supplemental income for our household, and the user interface and hosting system is really top notch. But I also love Airbnb as a traveller.  We've booked homes in the Fingerlakes, Portugal, New Hampshire and Maine for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room (or multiple hotel rooms). Booking an entire home or apartment has become so easy and is so key when traveling with small children - I have no idea what I'd do without it.

Vinho verde  - This is my summer staple wine. We discovered it on our honeymoon in Italy (I guess the Italians have a local version) and then again when we were in Portugal. It's slight effervescence and lower alcohol content make it refreshing and easy to drink on a hot evening.  And the price point doesn't hurt either.  Go find some at your local wine shop!

Well, that's it folks. What are your 10 things you can't live without? Stay tuned as we explore our top 10 lists for the rest of the Nest Studio team.

Warm & Cozy Mid Century Bedroom

Hey Nest Studio readers, it's Kate Cabiltes dropping by for my bi-weekly product roundup.

Today I am sharing a warm and cozy bedroom by Cali-based interior designer Megan Tagliaferri of FLO Design Studio. This room is loaded with texture and mid century goodness. I like how Megan planted a bright mid century painting as a focal piece above the bed and wooden mid century nightstand. She plays with textiles in an array of patterns from the moroccan wedding blanket duvet cover to the geometric kilim rug. Velvet and striped pillows and a sheepskin rug add even more layers of texture to the room's canvas. This would be easy to replicate by combining a few mid century furniture pieces with textured neutral accents and a few other pops of color such as yellow and green.

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

"Conform" Painting by Nell Waters Bernegger via One Kings Lane

Madison Table Lamp via Jayson Home

Acorn Mid Century Nightstand via West Elm

Grey Wedding Blanket Shag Throw Pillow via Cost Plus World Market

Mustard Velvet Cushion via Holly's House

Wrap Large Bench via CB2

Dove Grey Tibetan Sheepskin via Abigail Ahern

Inspiration Image via FLO Design Studio

- Kate

Ten Things...

For those of you who have been following my blog since the dawn of time, you may remember the post I did in 2012 about the ten things I can't live without. The idea was to come up with a list of ten things "I can't live without" similar to the types of roundups that you would find in the pages of a luxury magazine like Architectural Digest, or Vogue.  I mean, if I were to come up with a list of then things I truly can't live without I think it would look something like this (in no particular order):

Food
Shelter
Transportation
Bug Spray
Sun Block
My Family (lest I list them all and happen to leave someone off)
Ramen
Vaccinations
Clean Water
Electricity

That's just off the top of my head. But the type of list I am actually thinking about usually involves a magazine interviewing someone famous like Michael Kors or Renzo Piano and the list often includes a lot of things that almost any human could live without: Teslas, Nars Lip Stain, Louis Vuitton Luggage and the like.  In any case, I find these lists to be quite humorous, but I also like them as an exercise in brand distillation.  What is my personal brand (and I don't mean just the Nest Studio brand here)? and what ten things sum up my personal image? And since four years have passed since the last time I thought about this,  I figured it would be a good time to revisit my old list and come up with a new one. Here is what we had in 2012 and a little blurb about where I stand on that item now:

Vegemite - Yup. I still swear by Vegemite and butter on an English muffin for breakfast but I'm not sure I will be including this in my next list - gotta move on to something more interesting and new.

Ramen - Well, since I would definitely need this on a desert island, it is pretty much a given.

Silver Birkenstocks - I love my Birks. I now have the white thin strap Birks and they are a summer staple.  But I have some other fun necessities of the footwear variety to share with you for 2016.

Loreal Voluminous Mascara - Always.

J Crew Matchstick Jean - Well, ya know, styles actually change. I have moved on to Madewell for all my denim staples but I do have fond memories of the J Crew Matchstick.

My Black 2008 Honda Fit - Oh man, I miss that car!  Maybe one day I will get another, but in the era of hauling 2 kids, a husband, an au pair and all kinds of other junk, I have moved on to bigger, more mom-like cars.

IKEA Svalka Bistro Wine Glasses - These are great.  Still an everyday wine staple.

Black Sharpies - I use these all the time still, but I think I will bring some other practical items to the list for this time around. Although most recently I have discovered black sharpie for coloring in grey hairs!

Kenzo Parfum D'Ete  - This perfume was so great!  I miss it and wish Kenzo still made it. I discovered it on vacation and have decided vacay is the best time to try and buy a new perfume (because later the perfume will always remind you of that holiday).  Can't wait to share my new staple scent with you.

Stay tuned for my new list and a 10 Things roundup from each member of the Nest Studio Team!