Chicago Trip

I spent the weekend in Chicago for a wedding and stayed a night in the fabulous Allegro Hotel in the Theater District. Upon entering, we were greeted with free wine and delightful decor. It felt a bit Jonathan Adler-esqe with strong colors and playful patterns, and relied heavily on fantastical wallpaper. It was a notable hotel design-wise and service-wise.

Photo from allegrochicago.com

Photo from allegrochicago.com

I also took my first taste of Rick Bayless food at his Xoco casual cafe for lunch. Delicious. Beyond good–one of the best lunches I’ve had in a while. I own his cookbook and have made some of the sauces that we tried on the food at Xoco, and I have to say that they can be made to taste very similarly at home.

In other news, I’m guest blogging over at The Borrowed Abode today about incorporating vintage pieces into your modern home. I use a lot of examples from my home, so be sure to check it out. While you’re there, make sure you read a few of Jane’s posts just for renters, like selling yourself (and your pet) to a prospective landlord, and telling your landlord about making changes to your apartment post-hoc.

How was your holiday weekend?

-Liz

Design Love: Navy and Dark Wood

I’ve recently been attracted to some images featuring navy blue walls and dark wood accents. Can I make a space like this in my house? I may be running out of room for decorating…

Image via Centsational Girl

Image from Lonny via Bryn Alexandra Interiors

Image from Lonny via Name 5 Things

Photo by Laure Joliet

Weekend Updates: Windows and Succulents

It was a nice weekend this past weekend. Brentan and I got some projects nearly finished, and started some new ones, and ran a 12k through San Francisco!

First off, Brentan put a nice frame around our bathroom window. It’s not painted, but it’s already looking much better.

I worked on finishing a shade for this window, but of course it’s not up because the frame still needs to be painted. So you’ll just have to wait and see.

As we were walking Daphne on Saturday, we came across a garage sale in the neighborhood. Usually garage sales in our area suck, but this guy was selling a bunch of succulents he propogated for $1 each. I bought a bunch and have plans for these babies! I got all of the below succulents for only $12! That was a nice day, and a nice feeling.

What were you up to this weekend?

-Liz

Korin’s Funky Modern Office and Guest Room: Mood Board Ideas

Funky Modern Den

Colors: Gray, mustard yellow, tomato red

(I’m helping Korin decorate her new condo. You can see the suggestions I’ve made to her living room here, her bedroom here, and background about our project here.)

Your den is a mini version of your living room, but a little more funky and fun. A small sleeper sofa, like one of the two below from cb2, is made for a space like this that gives you a comfy place to watch movies on your computer as well as a space just for guests (so they don’t have to take over the living room).

A few fun office novelties, like the No Fair Bookend and colorful clock, make this formerly dim space fun. Boxes hide extra books and electronics.

I would also suggest a piece of art for above the sleeper couch (a graphic poster would be great), and a floor lamp to brighten the space.

Mood Board Sources:

Flex Orange Sofa, Cb2, $999 http://www.cb2.com/bedroom-furniture/furniture/flex-orange-sofa/f5680 80″Wx37.5″Dx33.5″H (15″H seat) sofa; 80″Wx49″Dx15″H bed.

Or: Vincent twin sleeper, whatever fits better, cb2 $999 http://www.cb2.com/bedroom-furniture/furniture/vincent-graphite-twin-sleeper/f5342 Sofa-chair: 51″Wx36″Dx29.25″H (17″H seat). Sleeper: 51″Wx91″Dx29.25″H

Helix Wall Mounted Desk and bookshelf cb2 $249 and $199—I think this will give you the most use of your little space in the den. http://www.cb2.com/desks-office-chairs/furniture/helix-wall-mounted-white-oak-desk/f6341

No Fair Bookend, ModCloth, $39.99, http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/Furnish+Decorate/-No-Fair-Bookend

Stick it good tape dispenser, Modcloth, $12.99 http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Stick-It-Good-Tape-Dispenser

Metal Wall Clock with Wooden Balls, Amazon, $31.30 http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Wall-Clock-Wooden-Balls/dp/B001L7X8BO/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_b

Kasset Boxes, $9.99 for 2, Ikea, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70180390

Candy Girl Door Hooks, for your guests’ things, Modcloth, $19.99 http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Candy-Girl-Door-Hooks

Patrik Desk Chair, Ikea, $149 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60064621

iznik dhurrie rug, West Elm, $249 for a 5×8 http://www.westelm.com/products/iznik-dhurrie-g220/?pkey=cpattern-rugs-flooring

What I learned from Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool Contest

Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool contest is officially over. And I didn’t win.

Congrats to the winner:  Jordan’s Light, Location & Vibe

Photo from Apartment Therapy

I was honored to even be a part of the competition, and happy I was selected. Thanks for voting for me–I didn’t really come close to winning, but I did not come in last, and that’s what counts!

Here’s what I learned from the competition:

• I was one of 196 entries posted on the AT website. They received 453 total entries, so that means I beat the odds and was one of their accepted entries with a 43% acceptance rate (not exactly Ivy League rates, but still pretty good, and probably way self-selecting)
• According to the people of the AT community, but not my 6’2″ husband, I should hang my art lower, especially with the low ceilings
• People will give you advice, but you gotta go with what you love and works for your home
• Mid-century lines, wood, and vintage objects are way in, for a good example, see the international winner

I’d enter again, with another home, at another time. And I’d submit things to Apartment Therapy tomorrow if I thought I might be featured. It was so fun!

-Liz

Curb Appeal Gardening: Billy Buttons and Kangaroo Paw

Yesterday I got around to filling in the empty space in my front garden. I love the new plants I found (Kangaroo Paw, Billy Button, and Mexican Lime). They are quite eccentric for the area and I hope they fill in the garden space. I also hope to have a huge bouquet of Billy Button next season. There are so many pretty pics of Billy Buttons on the blogosphere, like here and here and here.

Yay flowers.

Also, there are so many roses blooming in my neighborhood now. Some are bigger than my face and they come in all kinds of colors. Perhaps I’ll take some pictures one day this week.  My roses got devoured by aphids this spring, but still have lots of buds on them. Maybe they will still bloom?

Kangaroo Paw

Korin’s Modern Bedroom with Vintage Touches: Mood Board Ideas

Modern Bedroom with Vintage Touches                   

Colors: Sliver, plum, dusty rose, and a little chocolate brown

(I’m helping Korin decorate her new condo. You can see the suggestions I’ve made to her living room here, and background about our project here.)

Vintage pieces and accents make the modern bedroom a bit homier and more lived-in. I suggest a 60’s era 6 drawer dresser, like the one pictured from Craigslist, and a few vintage decorative pieces like a milk glass vase or old mirror. The centerpiece of the bedroom is a wall decal or mural in the shape of the flowers inspired by the shower curtain in the adjacent bathroom—silvery-cream silhouettes on a plum colored wall. The rest of the walls can stay light (something shimmery and soft) or all go plum. Hang a mirror above the dresser and a full length mirror leaning against the wall.

The room can be lit with two table lamps, perched on awesome West Elm Random tables (citing back to your side tables in the living room), with vintage silhouettes, and a classic or vintage chandelier hanging over the end of the bed.

Add purple and silver throw pillows on your bed to tie it all together.

The overall effect is soft and feminine with a few organic touches, but overall modern lines that mimic the lines in the living room.

Mood Board Sources:

West Elm Random Table $149  http://www.westelm.com/products/random-base-side-table-g202/?pkey=cdressers-nightstands

Reflections shower curtain http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=120590

Vintage 1960’s 6 drawer dresser—this one is from craigslist, $180 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/fuo/2345576283.html

Meryl Lamp from Crate and Barrel, $69.95 http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/table-desk-lamps/meryl-table-lamp/s577297

Charles Nickel Chandelier from Crate and Barrel $399, http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/chandeliers-pendants/charles-nickel-chandelier/s170286

White vintage milk glass vase, Etsy, $10 (with some fresh lavender blossoms!) http://www.etsy.com/listing/59769460/milk-glass-hobnail-vase?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=white+flower&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage%2Fhome_decor

West Elm blackened metal mirrors- round above dresser and rectangular on floor for full length ($149, $349) http://www.westelm.com/products/blackened-metal-mirror-collection-c182/?pkey=cmirrors

Anything else you’d add or change for Korin’s bedroom?

-Liz

PS. You can check out the progress I’ve made in helping Korin decorate her new condo here and here.