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!

Week 6: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Reveal

Hi Everyone! I can't believe it's the final post of the One Room Challenge.  It's been a whirlwind and it was a little, shall we say, down to the wire.  But here we are and we got the room finished and photographed.  Just as a little reminder, here are a couple before photos.

Here is the concept board.

And here is the final product. You will see that a few things changed along the way from concept to implementation but overall the look is the same. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. I'm not totally sure what my favorite element is.

 I  love the mirror we got from Zuo Modern over my vintagedresser.

I absolutely adore Lucy's reupholstered loveseat done in durable Crypton. She loves hanging out on it and looking out the window.

And how is that amazing painting by one of my close high school friends Erika Huddleston?  I plan to do a whole dedicated post later but she is so amazing and does these beautiful plein air paintings in Austin.  This is a just a small quickie by her and I love how it brings out all the colors in the room and sits against the wall color so nicely.

I'm in love with the shades and the fabric I chose from Spoonflower as well. And I am totally digging how the whole bed wall turned out with the Jenny Lind Bed, funky lamp from Barbara Cosgrove and gallery wall. It looks so nice against the Ben Moore paint color we selected.

Obviously FLoopy approves.

Also so excited by the way my shelves worked out in that niche.  Such a nice way to display some of my little collections.

And I was pleasantly surprised by her little book shelf and how nice it looks under our Photos.com Slim Aarons print.

And of course let's not forget how great our facets hardware looked on my craigslist nightstand. Especially against the orange of Lucy's awesome rug!

Lucy's really enjoying her space as is the rest of the family. It's fun to snuggle on her big girl bed and do story time on the love seat.  Hopefully she will love it for years to come.

It  was a fun ride. So glad it's over (redoing a room, documenting, blogging about it and linking up in the middle of the night on a weekly basis is a bit of a time suck to say the least), but so happy I did it. I'm already thinking about what room I might want to tackle next spring.

Moody Sophisticated Study

Hi all, Kate Cabiltes here!

This captivating masculine study by talented Salt Lake City design firm Studio McGee is worth exploring. Its walls which boast unique moulding are coated in a unique dark green paint called Salamander by Benjamin Moore, a hue that can vary depending on sunlight exposure. Hosting a classic wooden desk and vintage kilim rug outfitted with accents such as an octagon mirror and live fig tree, this room is serious yet swoon worthy. This look could be achieved in different variations - a dark blue wall would be another eye catching alternative.

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

Magically Nuanced Paint via Farrow & Ball

Siena Small Flush Mount Light via Studio Visual Comfort

Silver Octagon Wall Mirror via Lamps Plus

Echnops Bunch, Dried via One Kings Lane

Chic Ceramic White Marlbese via Overstock

Morris Grey Desk via Crate & Barrel

Fiddle Leaf Tree via Z Gallerie

Lita Vintage Sumak Rug via Amber Interiors

Inspiration image via Studio McGee

- Kate

Product Spotlight: Classic-03

We are excited to begin a new series that will regularly feature the Nest Studio collection. Please share any photos of our hardware installed to be included in an upcoming product spotlight.

Up first is the Classic-03.

Our classic series hinged drop pull is the ideal piece of jewelry for statement millwork and furniture. Its shape draws from the Regency style of Dorothy Draper adding a touch of clean-lined classicism to any space.

We love this beautiful powder room featuring our Classic-02 and Classic-03 from Tharon Anderson Design.

Take a look at this fabulous kitchenette from Bevan and Company.

The satin brass looks exquiste against this black vanity by Chrissy & Co

Love this fun workspace by JW Kitchens

Week 5: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Room

Hello Everyone! We are on to the last week before our big reveal!  Can't believe it's almost done. What a whirlwind!  Here is what her concept board looks like:

Some major things have happened over the past week.  Lucy's shades have gone in and we received her bed from Land of Nod!  Here are some shots of the shades. I had them custom made by my drapery lady Cathy Cohane. She is absolutely amazing.  I used this Shibori Fabric from Spooflower shop Price Designs.  The designer, Stacy was kind enough to scale up the fabric so that it felt a little less busy and then I added this rust colored tape trim and this cream tassle trim from Etsy.  I love how they turned out.

Next up we got Lucy's big-girl bed. Wegot an awesome Leesa mattress for the bed. It works out well because the new slatted bed doesn't require a box spring. We have a similar mattress on our master bed so we knew this would be super comfortable. Also love how easy it is to order and that it comes in a box (so much easier for going up and down stairs).

I am in love with the Jenny Lind bed from Land of Nod, so that is what we ended up getting. Here it is getting set up. Note Lucy's changing reaction.

Stay tuned next week for our final reveal with gallery wall and bed styling!

Jess B Kitchen Reveal

Its Jess B here. Yikes! Its been well over 6 months since I've written an update on my house renovation.  Well, we are moved back in and thrilled with absolutely everything! The floors turned out warm, rich and actually easy to maintain and the paint scheme gives the  whole house a cohesive look.

While I was so proud of my DIY cabinet makeover I did a few years ago, the kitchen is my favorite space from the new renovation.  Check out the before (and way before) pictures here.

We finally got back the professional shots and here is the big reveal.

It is bright, modern and clean. The satin brass Facet Series hardware is like sparkly jewelry for my cabinets. Below are some close-ups of some of my favorite spots.

Here is my hidden dishwasher.  I love how the focus shifts from utilitarian to pure luxury.

Finding the perfect range was a personal quest for me. It definitely deserves a completely separate post on how I chose this functional yet gorgeous appliance.

We couldn't completely hide away our microwave. But the cool pull-out drawer makes it so fun to use.  It only needs a brass curving handle. Maybe this is something Jess can design for the line!

I can't believe that this is really my kitchen. If only I can keep it this clean all the time. Stay tuned for more details on the counter tops, appliances and furnishings.

Week 4: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Room

Hi Everyone! We are at Week 4 of the One Room Challenge. Yikes! That means one more week of progress and the big reveal on November 10.  Still so much to do, but we are getting there. I've been really enjoying doing this as well as following along with everyone else's rooms.  So much inspiration! I can't wait to do a round up at the end of my favorite rooms, so stay tuned.  And if I haven't found you yet and you are a fellow participant, leave me a comment and I will hop on over and check out your room. As a reminder, here is Lucy's room's design board:

Last week was all about paint. This week we've made a lot of headway.  We hung the mirror from Zuo Modern (how great does it look with our Barbara Cosgrove Lamp?!)

We also hung the Photos.com Slim Aarons print.

Apologies on the horrible photography. This is what happens when you pop in between naps and before bedtime to photograph. Here is a zoomed out view.

AND..... Lucy's loveseat is back and looking fabulous.  Here is what it looked like before in all it's 80's glory.

And here is the after reupholstered in a durable Crypton chenille and a rust colored linen piping. Love love love how it turned out.

I picked up some throw pillows at World Market and Anthropologie as well.  Not sure of the final configuration but here are two options. Which do you prefer?

Option 1

or Option 2

And I installed my faceted brass knobs (F-02-SB) on this mirrored nightstand that I found on Craigslist. I think it really ups the ante on the look.

Can't wait to get drapery up next week and get our bed delivered!