shelter loves...

I hope you smoothly transitioned into the back to school routine. I've mentioned it before but I am ready for some structure at home and a CALM September. (besides living on a soccer field) I am excited to build fires in my fireplace, finish up my new office space, organize my home and get back to preparing recipes using fresh in-season foods. Here's what I'm loving this week: 

1. Layered dressing. The "puff" sleeve and feminine bows are making a come back this season. Here is a cute puff sleeve top. I find this style very flattering. 
2. I fully appreciate flowers that bloom into the Fall season. Dahlia's are available in a number of varieties, shapes and colors. They make a fantastic cutting garden. 
3. I have a thing for great camel colored boots. Camel matches almost any shade and is a nice break from black. These booties are made in Italy and would surely become a wardrobe staple. 
4. Try matching the trim to the walls for an updated, unique look in a room or two. I love how this room mixes modern and more classic elements. 
5. Eleanor was a wise women. Sometimes we ignore our instincts, I find they are more often than not, spot on. Follow your heart. 
6. I purchased this body wash recently. It's fabulous!! I'm hooked. 

Mantel design

My apologies for the radio silence, between work and my kiddos, life has been insane! This week I've been working on two mantel designs, one will include a television above (only choice) and the other is simple and on the small side. I find clean and refined is usually the best solution for a timeless design. Here are some of my current favorites that include: recessed television options, incorporating surrounding millwork and shelving or just clean simplicity. Cheers! Happy hump day, y'all! 

This is gorgeous both from a design and execution standpoint. 

A stone option 

This suits a smaller room 

Well proportioned fireplace surround that includes the television

Another stone option 

Double sided

Shelter Loves....

Happy Saturday!! I love how a New Year ushers in the concept of fresh starts and new beginnings.  We are bracing for a 
Nor-Easter in Boston so I am in a cozy down, nesting mode. In fact I nest all winter. Hehe.

Here is what I'm loving this morning! Keep warm and stay safe. xoxo

1. & 5. For those of you lucky enough to be jetting off on a warm vacation this winter, I am adoring
this woven clutch and this fabulous tortoise necklace as take alongs. 
2. Bows + velvet, please.
3. Half the battle is your mindset!
4. One 2017 goal is to start to read more again. I used to read a ton before I had children.
I would love a room with built in bookshelves someday. My books are packed away and
scattered in random places. To house them in the same area would be divine!!
6. Julia always looks so perfect, it kills me. This was a beautiful shoot and home with Lela Rose. 
7. I love the idea of displaying coral in a non-functioning fireplace or during the summer months. 

Miles on Fire Island......

I'm a fan of Miles Redd's style. So it was fun to come across his Fire Island vacation home. This 3,000 sq. foot bungalow is perfectly placed between the bay and the beach. It's completely different than his maximalist style we so often see. His laid back abode is simple and has kept with a number of the original details such as the Malm fireplace and natural cedar walls. It looks to be the perfect escape from his hectic career and lifestyle in NYC. “Even though I will always love beautiful things, I’ve relaxed my hold on them,” Redd says. “At this stage in my life I’m starting to love beautiful space even more.” - I couldn't agree more, with age seems to come this longing for more simplicity in life.....See more details and images of Mile's home here. 

Welcome Home - 7 steps to creating a cozy home

'Tis the season for entertaining and keeping warm! There isn't much better than visiting a welcoming home or relaxing in your own. Whether you are hosting for twenty or enjoying a night alone, a cozy home is the perfect place to gather or rest. A home should be a refuge (cause isn't the world crazy enough?)...Everyone has their own ideal. I am constantly striving to make my home more welcoming. 

Today I am sharing a designer's perspective on creating a cozier home. Be safe if you are traveling today. xxx

1. Fresh Flowers
When I can, I purchase fresh flowers for my home. I love displaying them in small vases around the house. This is a great idea if you are entertaining.

Kate Spade

My bedroom

See the tutorial on this arrangement here

 2. Rugs 
Carpets and rugs can make a room. They beautifully warm up the space and are a great way to add color and texture. I love both new and vintage rugs and try to mix in each type on my projects. Always ensure it is the proper size. Postage stamp rugs in a large room don't work nor do rugs that don't fit properly.

3. A fireplace

I have a small house for my kids and on my wish list when I was looking was a fireplace! I light mine as much as I can....A warm fire cozies up a home in an instant. I love to arrange and rearrange the mantel top too.

Aerin Lauder

 4. A well stocked bar 
I love displaying vintage glasses and decanters. It's far from this elaborate but you get the idea!

5. Delicious homemade food (this is for entertaining of course but even when I cook soups on Sundays for just myself my home feels more inviting)

See this story on Waiting on Martha, she also has a cool shop here!!

6. Candles and layered lighting

I am not a fan of overly fragrant candles but something about the warm glow of a candle is both flattering and relaxing. I light them on my kitchen counter, in the bathroom and on my mantel.

A well lit house is the key to a beautiful space. I put as many lights on dimmers as I can and I always, always layer my lighting sources and types!

Who styles a table better than Tory Burch!????? Gah, her tables settings are perfection.
**Tory is having a great sale, Code: Thanks. Take 30% of when you spend $250+

7. Textiles

Blankets, crisp white towels in the bathroom, clean window treatments. The soft goods in your home will work wonders for making it more welcoming!

The black and white of it, holiday decor!

There is something so appealing about the graphic tension between black and white! I'm using this color combo this year as the inspiration for my holiday decor! (stay tuned for another photo shoot of my fireplace and front door decor - I will be sharing my images of Thanksgiving asap. - I can't wait to see them from the photographer!) I am also going to use boxwood wreath's inside my home...purchase one here. Black and white ribbon is available on the Internet. Here are a couple sources..here and here

via Erin Gates I love Erin's home, as you know we are friends. This black and white plaid ribbon is adorable!! Her book would be a wonderful gift!!

via Kate Spade

A simple but gorgeous holiday table

Shelter Loves...

WOW! How is November almost over and Thanksgiving just two days away? I wanted to share today's post before I head out to run a zillion errands. There's lots to love lately.....Here is a round up of my current favorites!

1. I have a fireplace and I'm going to light it for the first time on Thursday! Everything about a fire instantly warms up a home. This simple screen is the one I'd like to have...
2. You can't go wrong with a little suede bootie. I live in them all winter season. This is the Fulton by TB. Adorbs! ;)
3. Art work brings depth and a personal touch to your living space. I discovered this piece by artist Kindah Khalidy on Furbish Studio yesterday.
4. J. Crew is having a 30% off your entire purchase sale today. This cozy look is adorable...buy all the pieces here. (Have I mentioned I am slightly obsessed with vests?)
5. So TRUE! I admit, I love staying in and relaxing.....especially by a fire with a glass of wine and a good movie.
6. I think I found a new favorite designer. These pieces by Martin Grant are both sophisticated and sexy = a winning combo no doubt! I wish I had a dressy event to wear this belted bustier top to this winter!!

function!

Aesthetics and design cohesion are a huge part of my job as a designer, but a third element that shouldn't be over looked is functionality! I'm personally craving organization in my life right now.

I'm sharing this room today not for the aesthetics of the design but for how they used the perimeter of the space.  Each planned out "zone" ties together with the architectural elements of the home beautifully. The left hand side wall houses the tv, closed storage and open display shelving. The central focus of the room is the fireplace and built in seating wall. The right hand side is a designated personal work space. These three areas make wonderful use of the room's floor plan. I also love how they have incorporated an art shelf above the desk area.  I most likely wouldn't have matched the fabrics so perfectly but the bones of the room are clean, concise and well done! Images via ( I also would have flipped the comfy looking chairs to face the tv)