READER REDESIGN: A baby boy's room

My close friend from college Jen has managed to have babies 3 months before me both with Bryan and with Lucy. Sadly, she lives on the west coast so we have yet to arrange a meetup of our spawn, but can't wait to do so at some point.  Her new son Rory commandeered what was the former guest room in her house. Similar to with Bryan's room in our old LA house, Jen wanted to keep the wall color and drapes the same but punch up the color scheme and make it cuter for a little boy.  Keeping a paint swatch of the wall color next to her computer monitor, Jen hunted through all sorts of options and agonized about color pairing until she found the perfect rug online and then it all came together.

After sending me an email with her selections and refresher photos of the existing room, I suggested adding orange ribbon on the leading edge of her drapes and on the bottom of her bed skirt to help them tie together with the rug.  She also kept the project on-budget by purchasing the big pieces of furniture from IKEA. Here is a panorama of the new room:

Jen's big project was knitting the chevron blanket on the crib to tie everything together. I love how it brings all the colors up onto the crib and has a totally Missoni feel.

The chair is from Pottery Barn and the ottoman was a Craigslist find that Jen recovered in a matching fabric. At the eleventh hour, Jen also decided that she wanted to knit the striped pillow on the chair which was completed just before heading to the hospital!  She also sewed the other pillows on the chair and her husband Patrick's aunt made the quilt.

The two side tables next to the chair are from a little antique store in Healdsburg.  Jen spray-painted them white. One is actually a magazine rack.

The photos are pictures she took in Africa and then framed in cheap IKEA gallery frames.

I know that hanging artwork above a crib can be a safety issue, but I think a nice mobile (maybe one of those twigs wrapped in yarn ones to tie in with the blanket) would be the icing on the cake.

Thanks Jen for showing us your space. Rory is one lucky guy!

DESIGN BLUEPRINT: The eclectic sophisticate

One of the most challenging, yet most fun type of spaces to design is one with an eclectic aesthetic. It requires pulling from many different sources and styles.

This bedroom, designed by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick, brilliantly coordinates a broad color palette, modern furniture and fun wall art. The room is both whimsical and sophisticated, not an easy combination to achieve.

Design such as this would require a lot of custom work, such as that duvet cover.... most likely high-end fabric purchased and made into bedding. The framed artwork has a very specific border color, most likely done by a professional framer. The rug is both the perfect color palette to tie everything together, as well as an abnormally large size.

Don't be discouraged!... There's always a way to apply any design style into your own home, no matter your design resources or budget. Check out my design blueprint below....

DESIGN BLUEPRINT

Chandelier / Lamps Plus

Gold Framed Wall Art / Accents & Art

Abstract Art / Crate & Barrel

Landscape Art / Crate & Barrel

Leopard Pillow / Target

Green Geometric Pillow / Z Gallerie

Green Bolster / Improvements

Faux Fur Pillow / Dwell Studio

Antique Wood Stool / Chairish

Bed / Room & Board

Bedding / Urban Outfitters

Nightstand / CB2

Table Lamp / Crate & Barrel

Area Rug / The Rug Company

 

- Cori

Inspiration: Hardware 3

I promise to show you guys some new hardware concepts soon - just trying to get prototyping done and not reveal so much that someone comes an rips me off before I can get things in production.  In the meantime though, inspiration abounds and I can come up with designs faster than I can get anything prototyped.  So here are some things that have caught my eye lately:

A - This Ralph Pucci Sconce is a stunner. The uncut rock crystal against the perforated brass is such a great use of both materials

B - Kelly Wearstler's jewelry is so architectural.  I love the texture of this ring and the use of the raw gemstone.  

C - I love the texture and facets on this box by Laura Kirar for Arteriors. Everything that she does is so sculptural and artistic.

 

D - This hanger from Carl Aubock on 1stdibs is so clean and cool.  I love the simple lines, the organic shape and the mix of wood and brass. 

E - This little bracelet from Madewell is something I'd love to own. As with previous hardware inspiration posts, I'm still digging the idea of cutouts.  Could be so cool on a cabinet pull.F

 

F -This check-in desk by David Collins evokes old school steamer trunks. I love the leather and brass strapping and rivets

CURATED NEST: White on White

I don't know why there's any rules about when to wear white; it's perfect. It might just be a California thing, but I tend to ignore those color guidelines.

And to take it one step further, in my opinion, you can never go wrong with white on white. This oversized hat, paired with a that dress is the definition of casual elegance. Don't worry about matching the perfect shades of white, mixing it up is ok too...

1. Backpack / Nordstrom

2. Knot Bracelet / Motilo

3. Blouse / Net-a-Porter

4. Overalls / Topshop

5. Pom Pom Socks / J. Crew

6. Nike Air / & Other Stories

7. Jeans / J. Crew

8. Camera / Samy's

9. Birks / Barneys

Inspiration image via Her New Tribe

- Cori

Stylin' Mamma: Campfire Song

Last summer I wrote up a little post referencing Parent Trap-style camping glamour.

But let's be real: camping is actually a pretty dirty, dusty, and sweaty enterprise.  It's all well and good to dream about pulling off Betty Draper bermudas and polos with a straw bag to match, but at the end of the day it's like: What do I own that I don't care if it gets destroyed in the mud or eaten by a deer?  

I know this because last weekend we went camping as a family in the soaring heat of Livermore Valley.  Four humans in one tent means packing light:

Shorts: Deconstructed and dust-friendly

Tanks: Sheer and lightweight, with a flash of color for underneath (bring 3-4, in case someone "inadvertently" throws a water balloon at you or squirts you with a mud-filled water cannon when your back is turned, ahem).

Sneakers: Because if you didn't have a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old and it weren't 97 degrees outside, you *might* consider hiking.

Flip-Flops: Because actually you are facing the conditions listed above and you have ZERO plans to be physically active.

Squirt Gun: Self defense.

Comfy Camp Chair (and Wine!): OBVIOUSLY.

Sunnies, Water Bottle and Hat: Always.

Ditch the watch and embrace the fact that you will not have cell phone reception.  And never forget your sense of humor, sense of adventure, sense of flexibility, or sense of s'mores.

Now.  Get out there and enjoy the view!

- Jaime

Design Blueprint: sophisticated relaxation

When you're home, you should feel collected and rested. And in order to accomplish this, your surroundings need to be thought out and well curated. Form and function must work together, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

The living room above, found via Caitlin Flemming, is both sophisticated and relaxed, not an easy combination to achieve in any space. When accomplished, this is perfect combination for a rejuvenating environment. 

There is no specific color palette. This space isn't black and white, or monochromatic with browns and beige. But rather, it's a little of both, combined perfectly to look effortless. The living room maintains a modern aesthetic with clean lines and modern patterns.

DESIGN BLUEPRINT:

Floor lamp / Room & Board

Sofa / Ikea

Throw / All Modern

White Pillow / Society 6

Area Rug / Crate & Barrel

White Rocker / Lamps Plus

Striped Pillow / Dot & Bo

Black Pillow / Dot & Bo 

Wood Bench / Crate & Barrel

 

- Cori

Curated Nest: Pool Party

It's pool party season! But pool party doesn't have to mean you throw your design aesthetic out the window.

You can include all your fun pool toys and juice cups, but add a little sophistication too... why not?! Your exterior should look just as good as your interior, even for a 1-day party.

Here's some ideas for your outdoor entertaining this Summer....

1. Drink Dispenser / CB2

2. Juniper Ridge Tea / General Store

3. Lounge Chair / Serena & Lily

4. Bird Feeder / Branch Home

5. Outdoor Rug / William Sonoma

6. Grill / Appliancist

Inspiration Image / Trendenser

- Cori

Stylin' Mamma: Bachelorette

This past weekend found me in Healdsburg in the NorCal wine country, loving some sun and girl time at my friend's bachelorette extravaganza.

The rambling party house had a long lovely pool, which became command center of the weekend festivities: tunes on the Jambox, magazines, and of course a whole lotta pink wine.

To kick off every summer I indulge in a little Old Navy mix-n-match.  The price is right and it's a treat to have a few bikinis to play with.  This year, as I officially cross into the latter half of my 30s, I am taking a little extra care of the dermis, tossing the usual caftan AND a sporty new rash guard in the bag.

In all, a weekend like this doesn't require much.  I am jonesing for a new weekender (ahem, the aforementioned birthday is just around the corner!) but truth be told I didn't need much more than a roomy beach tote, sunnies, two swimsuits, a pair of slip-ons and some flowy cover-ups.

 

Now I'm back in the city with the fog hanging low, but I've still got that post-weekend glow going.  Here's to young love, no?

- Jaime

It's official

I posted Lucy's stats and a few photos of her with big brother Bryan after her birth, but here is her official birth announcement and hospital photo (announcement design by my sister-in-law Soyoung Oh of Dogear Press)

Design Blueprint: Black and White

This living room, found on SF Girl by Bay and photographed by Idha Linkhag made me stop and stare, for quite a while. Unfortunately, Victoria Smith was blogging about Linkhag's amazing interior design photography and not spec'ing this room for us. 

But don't worry, I have spec'd this room for you. Or at least very similar furnishings. You can get this cool, modern and sophisticated look by using this blueprint below.

 

DESIGN BLUEPRINT:

Chandelier / Y Lighting

Table Lamp / DWR

Accent Pillow / Urban Loft

Off White Throw / West Elm

Sofa / Dot & Bo

Accent Chair / 

Throw / Urban Loft

Coffee Table / BluDot

Floor Lamp / Finnish Design Shop

Area Rug / Crate & Barrel

Shelving Unit / DWR

 

- Cori