Planning a Nursery

Babies are precious.  I love their fresh scent, and their adorable little fingers and toes.  They are a gift.  And when my best friend is told that she has been blessed with a gift times two, it's time to get the nursery in order. And this isn't just any nursery. I'm talking about a nursery for twins: a boy and a girl.  Talk about hitting the baby jackpot! Trying to design a nursery for mixed sexes is challenging but I think we are off to a decent start.  We have to work around freshly painted yellow walls and dark wood furniture from Pottery Barn that was inherited. Not too shabby! Nothing "cartoon-y" was the request, but chic with a modern flair is what the soon to be parents are looking for. I thought it would be a challenge to find something that fit the bill but I immediately thought of Serena & Lily.  Their nursery bedding is nothing short of fabulous.  And I love the fact that they offer matching paint colors and fabric by the yard for any extra coordinating pieces you may need to have made.  

It will be interesting to see how the room comes together....

Do you know of any great on-line vendors for nursery bedding and accessories? If so, do tell....

Baby photo via Serena & Lily; Sample Board by Mrs. B.

It's all about details

Did you read the recent post over at Beach Bungalow 8? The post is about a chair with a rather unique detail- the ring pull on the back of the chair. And maybe not so unique anymore as this detail is seeming to pop up more and more frequently. I first fell in love with it a few years ago when Italian architect Michele Bonan designed JK Place Capri. Both photos are Bonan designs and this little detail seems to be one of his signatures.



JK Place (Capri, Italy)



Hotel Vendome (Paris, France)

The question posed to readers on Megan's blog was whether or not you like this particular chair detail. The comments were a mixed bag. Here is how I responded:

Megan's post got me thinking in general about details in design.  Details are very important to me and I will fret over the smallest feature. I never overlook them because they can make all the difference. You know, the difference between "wow" and "woooow". 

Here are a few design details that I absolutely love. From these photos you can see how they add interest or in some cases actually make the piece.

Ribbon and nailhead trim.  The space between the nailheads shows off the pretty pink ribbon.



Button detail.



Contrast welting.



Drapery detail in my office. I added a Windsor Smith fabric ("Purpose") to a pair of off-the rack drapery panels for a custom look.



So, my dear readers, I will leave you with this quote from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

"God is in the details." 

Drapery Walls in the Bedroom

Can you see a trend in my posting these last few days? Bedroom design is on my mind.

Windows in a bedroom can sometimes be tricky. It's typically unorthodox to place a bed in front of a window. But what happens when this is the only wall where it actually makes sense to place the bed? This is the case in our home. I have been considering doing wall-to-wall drapes, a small departure from what was specified by KD Space where shades are also incorporated.  Our room is fairly small and I think the wall-to-wall look will be very theatrical. But not in an over-the-top kind of way. I think it will make the room feel like a cozy cocoon. 





Photos via Desire to Inspire, Adela and Tessie, Patricia Gray, Vanessa De Vargas, and some unknown.

If you have sources information, please let me know.

Using On-line Interior Design Services

I really can't go any further posting about my bedroom design without saying thanks to Katie of Katie Denham Interiors. Katie has a delightful blog called Katiedid and offers KD Space, an on-line interior design service.  If you are in the Sacramento area she also provides traditional design services.

You must know that early last year I solicited KD Space for my bedroom re-do. I gave Katie a few requirements:

(1) Work around a fabric I love (shown on the drawings as no. 13).
(2) Incorporate lots of storage.
(3) Provide options for a non-upholstered bed.

Katie put 2 designs schemes together for my bedroom.  Although I love each of the 2 options she presented me with you'll notice as the room comes together that I am using her designs as inspiration. That's what I love about using an on-line design service. You can put your room together identically as the designer specified or use bits and pieces. You have tons of flexibility. Now a days, there are many designers offering similar services but Katie was a pleasure to work with. She was quick to respond and her fee was very affordable. Most importantly, I love her creativity. If you ever have considered using an on-line design service I would highly recommend it. Working with a designer is a collaborative effort. They can help you put together a cohesive design and prevent you from making some costly mistakes.

 

Option 1:


Option 2:

Floorplans and Elevations:

Inspiration boards and drawings by Katie Denham Interiors.

Kitchen Design

Mr. B and I are in the process of redesigning our home. It is a slow process and we'll be taking one room at time. I haven't thought much about the kitchen until recently. And the one thing Mr. B and I have agreed on loving is a white kitchen. A contrast from what we have now: black cabinetry.  Black cabinetry is so in vogue now but we need a change. To mix it up, if you will.  Plus white looks so clean, sophisticated and timeless. I envision white cabinetry, dark grey paint, white marble countertops and a white marble backsplash in a herringbone pattern.  I was giddy with joy when I saw Cabinet Designer Christopher Peacock's own kitchen. His reality is my dream!

The kitchen below is another one of my favorites by Connecticut Interior Designer Lee Ann Thornton. I have been an admirer of her designs for a long time and I love her attention to detail.  Lee Ann use to live in Los Angeles where she designed children's rooms before moving back East where she opened her design firm in 2003.  I sure wish she was still in Los Angeles because I would love to collaborate with her on a new kitchen!

Photographs by John Bessler for Traditional Home Magazine and Lee Ann Thornton

Happy Fall

Today is officially the first day of Fall. And I couldn't be more excited. Fall means pulling out the sweaters, drinking hot cider, and snuggling...to name a few! I only wish I lived in an area that experiences true seasons. Here in Los Angeles they just sort of blend together. 

In early October I will be heading up to the mountains for an extended weekend trip with my girl pals.  It has turned into an annual ritual that I look forward to each year. I always have such a good time just handing out with the girls.  No husbands or kids allowed! With the mountains on my mind I though I would share a couple of fabulous retreats. From mountain chic to casual comfort, I have each style covered. Which do you gravitate to?

Mountain Chic.
Interior Design by Kullman & Kravis

Casual Comfort.
Interior Design by Mimi London

Photography by David O. Marlo for Architectural Digest.

From My Desk to Yours...

If you read yesterday's post carefully you already knew that this post was coming. 

Here is my office space at home...it is a work in progress.  It is one of my favorite spaces! I share an office with Mr. B. and his desk is on the opposite side of the room.  His side of the office has a completely different vibe than mine. Think mid century modern...and it's way cool. Fortunately, the two styles mesh very well. The room is almost complete.  We just need to finish the cabinetry and a few minor details.

I hope you enjoy a glimpse inside our home.


I love having fresh flowers on my desk.

The painting was a "get well gift" from Mr. B a few years back. I have never framed it because it has moved around the house a few times. However, I think it has found a permanent home now.  One of my pen/pencil holders is actually a YSL make-up brush display from a now defunct I.Magnin store. The clock is from Pottery Barn. The little red book is one of my favorite desktop accessories. It is actually a Berlitz English/Italian dictionary from the 1950's. 

I found this brooch at a flea market and knew I had to have it. I definitely couldn't pass it up since it only cost a buck or two. I love the detail of the embossed leather and stylish gold monogram. I will never actually wear the brooch so it sits on my monogrammed notepad...it found a new life as a paper weight.

I had a lumbar pillow made for my desk chair with an oversized chenille houndstooth pattern. I love the fun, graphic look of the design. It keeps things from looking too serious.





Original photos by Mrs. B. 

Bottega Veneta: Let them dress your nest

Bottega Veneta is one of my favorites for leather goods.  And if money were no object,  I would have Bottega Veneta dress my nest. Or at least my tabletop.  Here are a few images from the Fall/Winter 2010/11 catalog.

A few years back, Bottega Veneta collaborated with German porcelain manufacturer Koenigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, also know as KPM. 

"Every piece is shaped by hand and meticulously hand-painted with a border inspired by Bottega Veneta's signature intrecciato weave. This year, Bottega Veneta and KPM have expanded the collection, adding new items including breakfast settings with complete coffee and tea services. Deep bowls have also been added to enhance the functionality of the line." - via Bottega Veneta.

Although the following two pictures are not food or dining related I had a hard time not including them because I thought they were just so fabulous.  They have an urban but slightly masculine feel which I am particularly drawn to these days.

St. Regis Hotel (San Francisco)

The exterior of the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco is rather unassuming and discreet.  In fact, unless you are actually looking for the hotel you can easily walk right past it.  However, if you are lucky enough to step foot inside you will find that there is a whole other world waiting for you.  The public areas on the ground floor are very sophisticated and chic without being pretentious.  Think lots of zebrawood paneling, herringbone wood floor and lots of reflective surfaces like glass and mirror.  Oh yeah, and who can forget the amazing glass chandelier above the bar. It's gorgeous.  Overall the hotel is very comfortable and the bar service in the lobby is always impeccable.  Mr. B and I try to jet set up to San Francisco at least once per month.  We joke that it is our home away from home.  The bar at the St. Regis is always on our list of places to stop by.  It's an oasis in the middle of the city.

More on the St. Regis tomorrow. Stay tuned for something really special.

My drink of choice at the St. Regis: the "Ginger Pom Cosmo" made with ginger beer and pomegranate juice. It's no longer on their drink menu but just ask for it and they will be happy to make it for you.

Don't feel like you have to come to the bar just for cocktails because the food is pretty amazing.  The sweet corn chowder had me wanting more. 

The pork bun trio satisfied my craving for dim sum.  These are fairly new to the menu and are incredibly delicious.