My project...

COtTaGe cHArM

I renovated my cottage down the shore about 3 years ago and this year I did some fun decorative additions. I didn't have time to do much before my film went into production but I was able to squeeze in the installation of a ventless biofuel fireplace and I put up wall decals. I picked a few favorite quotes. 

Here's the end result along with a couple of photos of the place furnished.

It wasn't too difficult to do, but it did take me about 1.5 hours including prep. Once I got the hang of it...I was done:)

The ceilings are high so I'm considering adding another set right up to the pitched/2nd ceiling line...

 

The fire was just lit when I took this photo, so the flame was still low, but once it gets going the flame runs fairly wide and gets stronger. It throws some heat too which will be nice and cozy in the winter. 

I added blue glass bottles and a valance for color...

I put up Donna Karen polka dot sheers and added a pop of color with the blue pillow and a floating shelf for the cable box.

Who can resist a basket full of ivory soap?  

I also added solar path lights this year. They're not all sun-charged yet in this photo so it's hard to see all of them...finally I don't have to guess my way down the slate path to the front door:)

I'd usually give the porch floor boards a fresh coat of stain every year, but not only did I not have the time, but I believe they are worn to perfection. I couldn't bring myself to make it look "perfect"...it's perfect as-is...don't ya think?

Dear Men...

Hello, my friends!

I wrote a funny article...Last week I pitched it to Huffington Post...Arianna emailed me back in a few hours with a personal email (that I was giddy to get) and said that she'd like to publish my article and added that I can post my articles at Huff Po any time I want...

It's been a fun week!

No matter what side you're on and who you're voting for I hope you can put that aside and enjoy the point and the humor.  Here's the link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dear-men-who-dont-want-a-woman-president-and-the_us_57a0ce40e4b07066ba1fbdf1?xspvr2o1sknl7q4cxr

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dear-men-who-dont-want-a-woman-president-and-the_us_57a0ce40e4b07066ba1fbdf1?xspvr2o1sknl7q4cxr


@rockwellroberta

My project...

Here's a sneak peek at the house I worked on over the winter. The client's home is in New York's Catskill mountains...can't wait to have that fireplace lit up and take more photos.

I was playing with the styling here, brought in quite a few accessories to move around and try out, some made the cut, some didn't. We're still waiting for the sofa table and a few minor details, then I'll take a few more photos of the entire room and make sure I have a flash!

Details: Ralph Lauren antique trunk used as one of the coffee tables, Ralph Lauren log baskets, Signoria Firenze and Rani Arabella cashmere throws, Gumps tray,  Pierre Frey toss pillow fabric, Shabby chic seating, Edelman leather's damask suede (not pictured), Kravet and Ebanista upholstery, antique area rug, Ebanista black lacquer nesting tables...more to come. See drawings below:

Here was one of the proposed furniture layouts done in an inked perspective drawing...

We ended up going with this layout. As you can see we replaced the chaise/daybed with a settee and instead of a standard coffee table we went with an antique Ralph Lauren trunk.

My Project:

I'm working on a townhouse for a friend of mine. She got a divorce, sold her house, has 2 kids away at college and asked me to help her with her new place! 

I wanted to update her look with a chic sofa and found this one from BSC Co. It's slipcovered in Kravet's velvet in a cream color and has a multi-pillow back with ebony stained wood legs. (Sofa and fabric to the trade only, so email me if you'd like something) I want it to be casual yet sophisticated and comfy for when the kids come home since this is now her main living space. The sofa we selected is the single bench sofa shown above.

We're in the process of getting a second set of pillow case fabrics selected so she'll be able to change out the look for the spring/summer ...and I think we may go with various red patterns like ticking, wide stripes, floral, etc... although the jury is still out on that. We'll put down a large jute rug and then this small rug thrown over it on an angle. The one shown above is a wool blend from the Montego collection from Burke Decor. She also asked to have an animal print somewhere, so I thought this alternative rug might do the trick. 

 She wants a ottoman coffee table and I found the one on the board at Crate and Barrel and this one above with exposed legs from West Elm, although it will be in a solid dark color, not a pattern so it doesn't compete with the patterned rug.  Both ottomans are well priced under $300. 

The end table is a Milia from Zinc door and the table lights we'll get from Home Goods, but the ceiling light above is from Layla Grace and the sconces are from Lumens.

Aside from the sofa and jute rug that's already confirmed, we're still deciding on the other pieces. You'll see those in a future post but I thought it might be fun to share some of the process with you and show you some items we're considering. It'll be interesting to see what direction this room ultimately goes in!

Until then, I'm having fun playing around with these boards!