plants

Fresh picks for a New Year

January 12, 2017

Happy New Year readers! Wow – can’t believe we are already 1/3 of the way into January! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break – I know I did. A little downtime is so good for the soul, isn’t it? And my boys must be approaching the teen years because they were sleeping in like they never have before! I remember many a cold winter Sunday morning at 5:30 am trying to entertain a toddler when it was still pitch black outside. (Hang in there moms of little early risers! Your time will come!)

Anyway, one of the (few) things I love about January are all the new product launches by my favorite stores and companies. Everyone seems to want to turn over a new leaf in the New Year. I thought I’d share a few new things that have caught my eye from some of my favorite sources.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Mix’n’Match marble shelves from World Market.
How pretty are these? And so on-trend with the mix of marble and brass. Would be pretty in a powder room …

Also from World Market, a super-chic table lamp! Hello … acrylic and brass … always a great combo!

I’m always on the hunt for interesting planters and vases. Especially this time of year, it’s nice to have a little greenery around. These planters from Wisteria are so unique. Alone on a console or pair the two sizes for a pretty centerpiece.

Also from Wisteria, I love the clean lines and foot detail on this rustic console table.

Natural fiber rugs are always a great addition to any home. I love that this new one from Serena & Lily has a little pizzaz to it with its gingham pattern. Would be fun in front of a kitchen sink.

New from Terrain, these iron votives are so pretty. The punched metal gives them an industrial flair.

I usually shop Currey & Company for lighting, but I sometimes forget they have great furniture pieces too. I love this tiered side table with its cast aluminum top.

Isn’t this the best Bin Pull from Rejuvenation?

I’m always excited to see the new collections from Loloi rugs. This rug from their Delphi Collection is so pretty. It’s muted colors would work in a variety of spaces.

Have you all started watching the new season of Fixer Upper? These wood grain chargers from Magnolia Market are so cute. A fun addition to the dining table.

I didn’t realize until I put all the pieces together in a collage how well they work together. Can you tell I am drawn to neutral pieces, metal and natural wood? I think after the holidays everyone is craving a little more simplicity – but things like these can still help warm up your space once all of the decorations are put away.

What changes will you make to your home this month?

Happy New Year!

January 13, 2015

… and uh, Merry Christmas too! Between the holidays and the kids-home-from-school-cold-days, it’s been awhile!

Hopefully you all had a little R&R during the holidays! Now, let’s start the New Year off right! I’ve got lots of client appointments lined up for January already … it’s a great time to make a fresh start. And since we’re spending so much time inside these rooms of our homes this time of year, it’s only natural to start picking apart the things you don’t like and look for ways to make a change.

I thought I’d share a few things on my radar lately … maybe they will inspire you to make some little “change-ups” around your house!

I am loving these bath towels from Kassatex … darn, would have been a great Christmas present idea!

Speaking of Christmas presents, after 16 years, we finally decided to retire the everyday dishes we registered for at our wedding. My parents, in-laws and sister were kind enough to help me collect a new set for Christmas! I did a lot looking before I finally settled on these:

It’s the Marin White Dinner Collection from Crate & Barrel. I really liked the kind of uneven gray edge that gives it a unique, organic feel. I also wanted a set that came with a large wide bowl (they call it a pasta bowl). We use this size a lot for soups, meal-size salads, chili … and, of course, pasta!

Now that your dining room table is cleared of Holiday centerpieces … what about designing a custom table runner at Loom Décor? You can select your fabric and border from a great selection of gorgeous prints and even some metallic solids.

I’m also loving the glass and Lucite hardware at this fun French site.

Maybe the males in my house are rubbing off on me, but I love this blue, locker-inspired cabinet from Ikea … and it is only $99! I would use it as little media cabinet in a basement family room or for craft storage in a kid’s playroom.

Another great steal … this coffee table from West Elm. I love the mix of wood and metal. Kid-friendly with the rounded edges!

I also have many dog-eared pages from some of my favorite magazines …

This light fixture from Urban Electric caught my eye … it feels unexpected in this room, but I kind of like that.

Campion Chandelier

I’m also kind of digging this rug from Kravet.

Kravet Fine Facet Rug

Finally, are things feeling a little bare at your house now that all the greenery of the holidays is gone? Terrain has some nice preserved and faux options to bring a little life and color to your house and help us all get through these winter months!

Adiantum Fern Bunch

Dogwood Branches

Faux Blooms Bunch

And last, but not least … while many people like add a fur throw or pillow this time of year, we decided to add something else a little furry …

His name is Pancake and is he 7 months old! He was rescued from a rough neighborhood in the city, but seems to like his new home.

He also likes to follow our 15 year old cat, Luke, everywhere he goes. Luke is a good sport, but sometimes he needs a little separation.

We are super excited to have this little guy pitter-pattering around the house … one of our best home additions yet!

What I’m loving …

February 7, 2013

It’s hard to believe that our first real snow didn’t come until February this year … I secretly love the cold snowy days when you are forced to stay warm and cozy indoors. This past weekend I logged a few hours online as I watched the flakes fall outside my window and came across quite few new things to love …

So I hope you don’t mind this fairly random post, but I thought I’d share them with you here.

This is the time of year where I am so craving indoor plants … there’s no more holiday greenery and there’s nothing pretty outside either. Having little pots and vases around the house makes me happy. I really love the collection of interesting planters I found at Terrain …

I also totally love this idea I found over at Jones Design Company for turning a tea towel into fun kitchen art.

You can read the whole article here.

Did you know that online retailer and catalog company Horchow is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary? They’ve brought in Sally Horchow the original founder’s daughter to give the brand fresh new look.

It was fun to peruse around their site and see some new products, bright colors and fun prints.

Over on Design Chic, I loved their post about sisal stair runners … I’ve always thought this was a clean, sophisticated look. Here are a couple of my favorite examples.

Finally, have you all heard of Mark & Graham?

It’s a new brand under the Williams Sonoma parent company that offers a really fun assortment of personalized and monogrammed items … everything from bar ware:

to linens …

to jewelry …

pillows and throws …

even the cutest paperweights …

What about you? What have you been swooning over online?

A Natural Cover Girl

October 2, 2012

Ever wonder what those gorgeous, leafy trees are called …you know, the ones that often grace the cover of magazines …

… and seem to be nestled in the corners of the most glamorous, swoonworthy rooms.

It’s called a fiddle-leaf fig!

I have been searching for one of these trees (actually a bush!) for many years now. Finally, I asked at my favorite florist (locals … you all know Sadie at The English Garden Flower Shop) where I could find one.

As always, she came through for me and tracked down several sizes at one of her growers in Florida.

I wanted tall and trimmed (topiary style). You can also get them where the leaves grow all the way down the trunk.

A week later, she delivered this beauty to my living room!

I just love the big full leaves. These plants like lots of indirect light and to dry out a little between waterings.

I hope she will be happy in my living room for many years to come!