A few modern tables

My good friends just got a comfy and sleek new sectional sofa and asked for my help in identifying a new coffee table or coffee table-alternatives (stools/ottomans/small tables) - of course I said yes!  Especially since our furniture/decor purchases are on hold until we buy a new home... I have to live vicariously for the moment!

Their style is modern/mid-century modern and they're looking to replace their long rectangular table to avoid a "tetris-y" situation.  They like the idea of a c-table or two (perhaps this one), since they often use their laptops while sitting on the sofa.  They're also thinking about adding one of CB2's knitted poufs  to the room (I'm such a fan).  We're still consulting, but I found a few fun tables that I had to share.

Mag Table by Offi at Designpublic

This table is multi-functional - a great feature for apartment-dwellers!

The one below may be a bit too brown (they're hoping to balance out some of the darker wood/leather tones in the room)... but, I love the concept, and the tipped legs.  How fun!

Blu Dot Lily Pad Coffee Table at Designpublic

I love the look of organic elements in modern spaces as well...

Monkey Pod at Overstock

Natural Tree Stump Side Table at West Elm

 
Know of any great sources for affordable modern furniture?

Design Plan: Brooklyn Living Room

A few weeks ago, I previewed the living room of my good friends in Brooklyn - who are looking to spruce up their space with pillows, color and texture (these are the same friends with the "Brooklyn bohemian bedroom").  I'm so happy to have found the time to put the finishing touches on a design plan for them! This room has fabulous bones... classic furniture, a smashing rug and beautiful views.  I had so much fun picking out accessories for this space and rounding up some cobalt blue accents to punctuate the neutral/black/red color scheme.  I hope they like it!

Pillows on sofa:
lopamudrahomedecor via etsy
West Elm Totem Pillow Cover
Koko Company Magic Hand Pillow

Pillows on red chairs:
Room & Board Tree Pillow
Jonathan Adler Tramp Pillow

Pillow/throw on off-white chair:
sukan via etsy
West Elm Chunky Tassel Throw

On the floor:
West Elm Honeycomb Floor Cushion
Overstock Royal Blue Pouf

Tabletop accessories:
CB2 Rubberwood Tree Set
Capri Blue Jar Candle
Z Gallerie Porcelain Birds

Upcoming design plan

Remember my "brooklyn bohemian bedroom" design plan?  My next design plan is for the living room in the same apartment.  My friends have a very cool apartment (catch a glimpse of their dining area here) - and beautiful classic pieces.  As with their bedroom - they're looking to bring in some color and texture to make the room feel more finished.  I have some really fun ideas and look forward to putting them together and sharing them soon.  For now, admire their stylish pad!

LOVE this rug!

Now, I just need to find some time to put it all together!  It's been a busy time again at work - which explains the light posting these past two weeks.  But, I'm off today and looking forward to a fun day with my girls!

Have a great weekend!

Design plan: A Pink Nursery

A while back, I posted some fabric ideas for my friend's daughter's nursery.  We've had several discussions since then, and have moved away from a brown print for the curtains - so, I went back to my favorite online fabric sources to scout out pink prints.  Starting with the foundation of the existing light pink walls, off-white carpet, cute crib bedding (shown in the top right corner of each plan below), and white sofa and chair, I identified some fabrics, art and accessories, and put together a few design concepts.

Curtain fabric is Annie Selke Scramble; brown chevron pillow fabric is Premier Prints; pink and white flower pillow fabric is Premier Prints; house pillow is Land of Nod; brown pillow with pink applique is PBTeen; white bookcase is PBKids; alphabet print is by Frilly chili (etsy); elephant print is by trendypeas  (etsy).  I added a mock white valance with pink trim and pink throw blanket on the sofa. 



Suzani curtain and pillow fabric is Premier Prints; pink and white pillow on chair is Annie Selke Links; table lamp is Restoration Hardware Baby & Child's Hayden lamp (and is on big sale); pink moroccan pouf is from Overstock.



Curtain and pillow fabric is Marimekko Keisarinna; brown dots pillow fabric is DwellStudio; face "pillow pal" is Land of Nod; green pouf is from Overstock; pendant lamp is RH Baby & Child's Adler Pendant.

Which is your favorite?

Brooklyn Bohemian Bedroom: Part II - Sources

Accessories in all 4 Versions:

Senegalese white/yellow hamper, available at Furbish.

Turquoise capiz lotus candle holder, available at Furbish.

Chevron covered box, available at Zhush.

Version 1 Pillows/Fabrics:

White crinkle puff standare pillow sham by PBTeen.  See all the other lovely colors below (I could see turquoise, purple or black also working well in this room).

Turquoise velvet smocked pillows by Etsy seller, Mills Design Co.



Silk flamestitch pillow, available at Fabricadabra. 
Silk flamestitch fabric (on lampshade), also sold by the yard at Fabricadabra.

  Version 2:

Yellow ikat fabric for standard pillow shams, available at Fabricadabra.

(Less expensive alternative, available at Fabric(dot)com.)

Punjab Peacock by Iman Home fabric for lampshade, available at Calico Corners.

Silk flamestitch fabric for long lumbar pillow, see above.

Version 3:

Pavo Euroshams, available at Anthopologie.

Fuschia Purple Wool Ruffle Rose Pillow by thatfunkyboutique on Etsy.

More pretty rose pillows at thatfunkyboutique.

Yellow ikat fabric for lampshade, see above.

Version 4:

Yellow chevron square pillows, available at Fabricadabra.

Black and white paisley pillow, available at Wisteria.

Punjab Peacock fabric for standard pillow shams and flamestitch silk fabric for lampshade, see above.

Do you have any other great sources for bohemian fabrics, pillows and accessories? 

Brooklyn Bohemian Bedroom: Part I - Design Plan

Remember my friends in Brooklyn with the cool dining room pendants that inspired my industrial lighting post?  They just have all-around fabulous taste... so, I was more than flattered when they asked for my help in putting some finishing touches in their bedroom and living room.

Their bedroom is already beautiful.  Bright and light - and punctuated with these amazing bold and colorful curtains...



 a lovely grass green embroidered bedspead...

and, they're considering doing this moorish stencil accent wall in yellow and white (of course, I'm loving this idea!).

Royal Design Stencils on etsy

They are going for a bohemian vibe, and asked for some pillow ideas.  I came up with a few ideas... and threw in a few other accessories that would coordinate with any of the looks. 

What do you think?  I had so much fun putting these looks together, and can't wait to get started on their living room. 

Check back tomorrow for sources!

Swatches: A living room spruce up

My sister and her boyfriend are looking to spruce up their living room and invited me over yesterday to

"consult" on a design plan... of course, I was excited to help out! 

Many things can inspire a design plan in a room.  Some people start with a rug or a piece of art.  I usually look to fabrics for inspiration, so, I searched for a few patterns that I thought could jump start a color scheme.  Their walls and furnishings are all pretty neutral, which means there is room for a little jolt of color. 





Khandar Jewel

Pop Garden Daisey by Heather Bailey

Richloom Cornwall Garden

Richloom Oslo Bluebird

Richloom Pia Cameleon

Waverly Garland Honeydew

IKEA Stockholm Blad curtains in green

Since they rent their home, they're not looking to make any major changes or purchases - but, I think with a little rearranging, painting, sewing, craigslisting/thrifting, and a pop of color - their space will be more functional, look refreshed and will reflect their style and personalities better.  I'm looking forward to working with my "clients" to come up with a plan - and will keep you posted!

Collections

A displayed collection can be a great conversation starter, a beautiful focal point of a room, or simply a way to add interest to a table or wall.  It's also the perfect way to make a space personal.  My mother-in-law is a master collector.  Through her many travels with my father-in-law, she has been able to infuse their homes with a wide variety of collections that reflect the richness of their experiences. 

Visiting my in-laws this weekend reminded me that I should really start a collection and encourage my girls to identify something they'd like to collect.  As a child, I collected elephant figurines and dolls (the souvenir kind that wear traditional garb).  I loved always having something to hunt for when traveling or shopping in a new place - and to receive gifts from family members who knew just what to bring for me.  Sadly, neither of my collections fared too well over the years - and, what pleased me at age 7 is not necessarily what I would choose to display in my home as an adult.  So, I'll have to brainstorm a bit and come up with something new!

These first photos show the powder room in my in-laws' apartment, which boasts 2 vast and lovely collections:  African combs and miniature boxes.  Apologies for the photo quality (I've learned quickly that my iphone is a poor replacement for a real camera)!

These next few photos were taken at their vacation home in the Hudson Valley.  The furnishings and decor are largely inspired by the log cabin style of the home.  Rustic antiques, antlers and Americana abound. 



But, there are also many touches of their global adventures.

And, lots of plants!  With all those windows and my mother-in-law's green thumb, the greenery is always vibrant.

What kinds of things do you collect?