Vintage Furnishing Finds | with Chairish

Friends. Have you heard of Chairish? It's an amazing vintage goods shopping site that's making huge headway amongst the marketplace...and they've definitely caught my eye. So much of what I do revolves around shopping, and seeking out one-of-a-kind (often vintage/antique) finds that lend my clients' spaces an unmatched amount of interest. After all, my design aesthetic is very much 'collected' -- meaning nothing hails from the same vendor, storefront, era, or patina. It's counter-intuitive, but an immense amount of work goes into the 'casually evolved' room, which means I'm incessantly scouring online shopping sites and local antique dives. So...here comes Chairish...and suddenly my hunting days are easier...and yep, my wallet less full.

So many of my designs evolve into a relatively neutral palette, so I thought it would be super fun to pull myself out of that realm and into one that's more colorful and playful, yet still uber-refined and chic. Bold...but with an air of classicism. So, thanks to Chairish and their well-stocked inventory, these bright yellow mod beauties served as my jumping off point. And yes...they are crazy. So how do you incorporate such a statement-making find, and keep the space from overwhelming the eye and dating itself too quickly?

You surround these babies with simple, serene furnishings and accents, and incorporate classic lines, textiles, and decor:

And that's the key to executing a super-bold piece--it's all about the balancing act, and anchoring the statement with paired down pieces. In order to do just that, I toned down the canary-hued upholstery by incorporating a lavender gray-hued French Provincial sofa that complements that yellow and soothes the eye. And, the sofa's classic, elegant lines offset our statement chairs' modern shape and busy tufting. The next item introduced is an antique Turkish rug--it's gorgeous, classic pattern and neutral colorings anchor the furniture in such a calming manner. And, the charcoal threading allows the sofa's coloring to really 'pop', but also make sense. And from there I simply filled in with more clean-lined and neutral accents and artwork: the brass hardware on the wall sconces mimics a toned-down canary yellow, providing that key element of repetition to the design. Graphic, modern artwork is offset by simple sketches and a classic oil, and I just couldn't resist that emerald-hued Scalamandre throw pillow--the perfect addition to that European sofa.

So there you have it! My statement of a design board, thanks to Chairish and their amazing vintage goods, and those fabulous canary yellow accent chairs.

Happy shopping! Happy Thursday. Hope you're feeling uber-inspired.

IN THE WORKS: MY STUDIO.

So, if you've been following along with the daily craze that is my life, you most likely know that my Maple and I are busy renovating a little historic 'cottage,' as we call it. Well, countertops are getting installed tomorrow, and I can't even begin to tell you how antsy I am with anticipation! After nearly four months of attempting to be patient, we'll finally finally have a working kitchen. With new cabinetry, and counters. I am pinching myself.

But, aside from working on the cottage, we've also been renovating my design studio. And she was in bad shape. She's a little A-frame rectangle of a space...with tons of potential...in an amazing locale...she just needed a lot of help to realize what a hidden gem she could be. So, we started by ripping out the dingy paneled ceiling, to expose those original rafters:

Looks daunting...but she's on her way to coming along. The next step is to spray some insulation between the rafters, and get those beams and rafters painted. Then the walls will get a gleaming new coat of fresh, white paint--which has been a huge debate, but I want it super clean and open since the natural light is really lacking. Then will come the fun part--the lighting install!

And, in terms of design inspiration, here's a few images I just can't get out of my head: 

A simple, yet extremely well-designed facade. Street cred is uber-important, in my book. Passerby's need to know you're a design studio, and you're good at what you do!

 Doors and windows are a simply way to amp up any facade. And again, I'm craving some major curb appeal, as my little studio is currently lacking in that department. To the point that I'm reluctant to even put up a sign. And this architectural doorway is absolute perfection!

  

Well-planned organization and storage is an absolute must, so I'm lining the entire back wall with a shelving system, then containing it with a wall of gray linen drapery. Easy access to samples and paperwork, yet totally concealable when we want a cleaner environment to work and create within. 

And I mentioned the natural light is really lacking. I have one measly window, and a solid metal door (that's of course seen better days). Simple, effective solution? A dutch door, I think! 

And, for the interior: white slipcovers, warm woods, and a hint of brass...

Warm white walls, and a gray-washed A-frame ceiling will provide the perfect, neutral, uncluttered backdrop for all the design-doings we have going on.

I'm thinking antique mirrors will go a really long way in reflecting the natural light...

And I'm just dying for the installation of a bold, geometric floor to happen! 

And so that's my studio--very much in the works, but coming along. July 1 is the finish deadline, as I have an exciting new addition to welcome into my studio space! ... An intern... :) So fingers crossed all goes according to plan. Can't wait to share the finished space with you!

So, until next time...

HAPPY MONDAY.

PARADISE FOUND.

So, I don't know about you...and your current whereabouts...but I'm in a part of the country that's been all-too-friendly with winter for far too long, and I am really super over it. You know the notion "out of sight, out of mind?" It must work with seasons, too...right? Well, I'm giving it a try. Winter, we are done. And I will no longer think about you, or see you for that matter. So here's to spring. And here's to summer. And here's to lively colors, bold prints, sunny shoulders, teenie bikinis, and a late spring vacation to Latin America that I can hardly, hardly wait for:

Yep, in preparation for vaca, I'm going bottoms-up on citrus-infused, pretty-hued beverages, and channeling thoughts of Marysia Swim's geometric bikini, luxe turkish beach towels, Mara Hoffman's lively coverups, ethnic-inspired textiles paired with ocean-hued paint, a clutch that's worthy of Latin America, pretty in peach Nars blush, chic leather sandals, and thoughts of lounging amongst this insanely chic poolside.

What about you? Just as ready for warm, beach-beckoning weather as I am?

HAPPY WEDNESDAY.

DESIGN ICON: LISA FINE.

If you're enamored enough with design as I am, then you're probably in a constant state of self-education...incessantly absorbed in all-things design...fervently on the hunt to find more, see better, and therefore do better. And, if you know me at all, you know that I love spaces that aren't overly contrived, or "designed." In fact, that's sort of my design mantra, to wrap rooms in a "collected" aesthetic, full of furnishings, artwork, and accessories that are representative of you, your family, the places you've been, the sights you've seen, the things you most love, and all those stories you tell.

Perhaps no one does that better than the uber-chic Lisa Fine.  One glance at her home--and her interior design--and you feel like you know her. She's obviously well-traveled, well-cultured, and well-educated--with an air of sophistication, balanced by a casual ease. See what I mean?

{images via elle decor}

Feminine, yes...but well-balanced by dark and sultry tones, hard lines, and bold contrast. The rooms are all exuberant, but grounded by an informal ease. And don't they all tell such amazing stories? I could just sit in each one, and be so easily entertained...imaging all the lands she's ventured, the sights she's seen, and the faces she remembers.

And there you have it, my career aspirations: to be a savvy world-traveler and collector of storied things, and to bring those sights and that education back to my clients and their homes, to help them achieve their own collected, storied spaces. Such amazing inspiration, that Lisa Fine is!

RED.

So, any designer will tell you that we all have these so-called color crushes. They can be fleeting, and happen out of absolutely nowhere, but crushes they are...none-the-less. And mine is red. (Okay, one of them is red...as I have a lot going on at the moment). But seriously...give it to me...and all of its goodness:

{all photos sourced here}

See? Just glorious...I know. Red is just so chic when it's executed tastefully. And the above photos are the perfect evidence of that!

So, with that said...and an amazing dose of red...

HAPPIEST FRIDAY.

Go get you some weekend! 

THINGS I HAVE MY EYE ON LATELY:

As you know, I pretty much always have design on the brain. I go to bed thinking about it (usually curled up with my iPad and pinterest)...dream about it...and wake up more than ready to face the day doing what I absolutely love. So, here's a few of those design-related things that I've really been eyeing (and thinking, wishing, dreaming about) as-of-late:

Red velvet sofas..nearly as delicious as their confectionery counterpart. 

Molten hot chocolate...in super white cups and saucers. A perfectly pretty afternoon spread, no?

Oh how I love my own from Fish's Eddy. Seriously. Best dinnerware buy ever.

 Black and white tile. Our love affair will never end. 

Paneled interior shutters. Perfection...in every way.

Hoping to adorn our cottage windows with a pair that are just the same.

Leontine Linens. 

Give them to me.
Please?

Antique chinoiserie folding screens.

If they weren't all a million dollars, I would use one as my headboard.

A-typical, super-plush window boxes that are spilling over with gorgeous blooms.

Stunningly simple wallpaper that's muted...and textured.

Why yes you may live in my new hallway. Like, now.

 Gorgeously-hued (and patterned) jackets, mixed with acid washed jeans and chic heels.

Leave it to Zara to always do a number on me.

Perfectly simple and classic facades. 

This girl's been dreaming up all sorts of similar combinations

for the exterior of our little cottage...and my studio.

All perfectly pretty, well-designed things...no?

Inspiration. It really lives everywhere.

HAPPY TUESDAY, FRIENDS.

Hope yours is just as inspired.

P.S. if any of the above photos aren't linked to a source, you can find them here.

A KINDRID SPIRIT.

Have you seen the recent Southern Living? It's uber impressive. Not only for the drool-worthy homes they featured, but for taking a step out of their bounds (in my opinion), and publishing a design that's more sophisticated, chic, and refined than their bright, colorful, pattern-happy norm. Nothing wrong with the latter, I might say, but I certainly gravitate towards the design style they filled this issue with:

I mean...perfection...right?

There's so many things I love about this home.
The simplicity of the color palette. The graphic lines that add pops of interest. The mixing of metals, not to mention the old with the new...that give it such a sophisticated edge. The raw woods. The concrete. The sumptuous textures that abound.

Designer Lindsey Meadows totally knocked it out of the park.
And check out a few more snippets from her kickin' portfolio.
This girl has talent!

Always nice to find a kindred design spirit.
Impressive...no?

T.G.I.F., y'all.
AND  HAPPIEST WEEKEND.

INSPIRATION TO INTERIOR: REFINED READING ROOM.

I'm perpetually inspired by the beauty I happen upon on a daily basis--sometimes in the most unexpected corners of my daily agenda. Case in point: my yesterday's lunch: a chicken salad sandwich, accompanied by a slice of rhubarb tart, had while perched upon a 50s chrome bar stool at the most adorable drugstore / diner, atop a crackled, black bartop, totally reminiscent of aged-leather. Thanks to the brilliance of instagram, I was stunned (and inspired) by my midday meal...to the point that I began conjuring an interior design scheme with the entrancing colors and textures I devoured for lunch.

Gorgeous, no?

 A WARM / ECLECTIC / REFINED READING DEN. 

 Gray horsehair wallpaper anchors the bottom portion of the walls and couples perfectly with a small, vintage wallpaper print that emulates warmth on the top half of the walls.

The black chesterfield sofa is reminiscent of the bartop in the inspiration photo. 

It's a classic piece that willage with grace and maintain its value amongst the design world. 

I love the masculinity it provides the space!

A plush, vintage moroccan rug instantly cozies the space and juxtaposes the hard

materials and angles throughout, balancing the rich, dark hues in the room.

Classic geometric prints lend a vibrant, unexpected pop of color to the room. I'd adorn the windows

with double-width, pinch-pleat drapes made from the sage green and brown honeycomb print, and 

lighten up the chesterfield with raspberry La Fiorentina throw pillows. 

Plushy upholstered x-benches offset the hard angles in the brass, rectangle-base coffee table, and provide extra seating and/or leg propping. Also a good surface for an open, resting book!

A tall, mid-century table lamp composed of rich greens and blues perches atop a West Elm, grey wood side table. Both are a refreshing juxtaposition to the space, as their cylindrical shapes add softness and depth. And I can't get enough of the stark black, tripod floor lamp! Uber-chic. And I love how it popsoff the backdrop without warranting too much attention.

So...the moral of the story is...

INSPIRATION REALLY IS EVERYWHERE. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY.

THE FRIDAY FAWN LIST.

This Friday I'm: 

This fabric.

This vintage, brass fretwork chair.

This rug. 

Leopard done well.

The back of this dress.

This dramatic black sea.

As oversized art.

This 3-dimensional tile.

I would cover an entire wall.

And add a black velvet bench.

This organized and inspired nook.

This marbled paper.

Decoupaged to this $10 side table:

These heels.

This sofa.

This simple, but dynamic bedroom.

These colors.

And splattered paint.

Happy Friday.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

xo.