Summer Stripes
June 6, 2018 by Melissa | 0 Comments
Image courtesy of Soho House
In my opinion, nothing says summer like stripes. I love a beautiful classic striped towel at the beach or pool.
Image courtesy of Goop.com
On a cool summer evening, I also love a long-sleeve striped boatneck shirt. It is a quintessential French look that many iconic Americans have embraced.
I think that summer stripes are just as appropriate in the home as they are in summer clothing and accessories. The best and most cost effective way to make seasonal changes to home decor is with throw pillows. Stripes are great because they work well with most other patterns. I find that mixing stripes with other floral throw pillows makes a room feel less feminine. I also love mixing stripes with more formal fabrics to bring a more casual feel to a space. I have been looking for striped pillows to add as accents to my office and guest room. Here are some of my favorites so far.
With all of these options, I am ready to get my house summer ready. Bring on the stripes.
A Perfect Picnic
May 23, 2018 by Melissa | 0 Comments
PC: GalMeetsGlam
This is a bit random, but for the past few summers I have been thinking that my family should do more picnicking. In my mind’s eye, it seems idyllic. The big blanket, great food and wine, letting the kids fly kites and maybe even watching the sunset. Now, for the record, I have absolutely no picnic gear and no experience picnicking anywhere but the beach. My beach experience, however, was less picnic more “packing a lunch for a day at the beach.” So, basically, I have no experience picnicking. But, I am undeterred. I am going to make it happen this year and, if I have anything to say about it, we are taking our maiden voyage this weekend.
PC: BonAppetit.com
Of course, I am not willing to do this half way. It is amazing what some people can do with a picnic. It must takes hours of preparation and lots of help transporting things to the site. While I am inspired by all of the amazing picnic images I see out there, I am pretty sure that my own picnic will not be quite as pulled together. Nevertheless, since I need to gather some basics, I decided that I may as well choose pieces that I love.
Sources:
Of course, no picnic is complete without picnic food. I think the best picnic food is food that tastes great at room temperature. I don’t have any interest in bringing a camping stove or portable BBQ on a picnic. Everything below can be made ahead and transports fairly easily. I would definitely be excited to see this feast on my picnic blanket.
Recipes:
With my gear and menu in place, all that is left is finding the perfect patch of grass for my blanket. Wish me luck!
SF Decorator Showcase 2018
May 22, 2018 by Ariana | 0 Comments
Every year I look forward to visiting the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. The annual fundraiser benefitting the financial aid program of UHS brings the talents of a new group of local designers in one spectacular home. This year, the Showcase home sits on the prestigious Marina Boulevard with spectacular views of the Bay. The painted exterior was certainly a stand-out on this tony block, and definitely caught my eye.
Inside, the interiors did not disappoint. Each room reflects the creativity and style of a different interior decorator and as such, every space is unique.
This colored glass structural mobile substitutes for a chandelier and catches light from the bay view.
I love the gilded branches in the kitchen’s light fixture, and the beautiful blues in the countertop accent the deep blue cabinetry.
This colorful space is adjacent to the kitchen.
Every year I notice different trends in the Showcase, this year showcased unique paint treatments like this graphic ombre effect, which serves as wall art.
This beautiful bespoke nursery was the epitome of glamour and thoughtful detail, from its custom-made acrylic and brass crib, the custom wallpaper and coordinating window treatments. This de Gournay wallpaper was made specifically for the room and after being hand-painted, was sent to India for beading. Just look at the detail here:
The Showcase allows designers the opportunity to have fun, so one can have a room devoted to rose all day!
Or a closet that serves as a DJ space…
This tranquil retreat is probably one of my favorites:
I also enjoy the textural variety and layered composition in this lounging space:
This room was titled “Lady Cave” and filled with lush textiles:
Textural wall treatments were spotted all over the house:
The master bedroom was filled with so much creative inspiration, and these magical lights:
The adjoining master bathroom used a surprising forest green to great effect:
One of my favorite shots from the second floor stairwell, I love how the light interacts with the mesh surround and the wallpaper…
If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Decorator Showcase and see all the rooms in person. It’s open until the end of the month. To see prior years, click here, here, and here.
All photos original to RevolvingDecor.com and Act 2 Decor, LLC.
A Welcoming Guest Room
May 15, 2018 by Melissa | 0 Comments
PC: Studio McGee
Now that we no longer live close to most of our family and friends, we have the privilege of hosting guests at our home in Chicago. Thankfully, we have a dedicated guest room which makes it easy for family and friends to visit. While our guest room has been open for business for the past several months, it is need of a serious update. Sadly, it is at an end of the house where we do not spend much time (until we prepare for guests, of course). We purchased a new bed for the space when we arrived, but that was all we did. The bedding is one size too big for the mattress, and the towels and other accessories are all hand-me-downs from our previous homes.
PC: Amber Interiors
I would like to create a space that is not only serene but also to our visitors. Over the years, I have figured out that there are certain things that make me happy when I am traveling. Some small things include a reading light over the bed, a cozy blanket to curl up with, a robe, and a place to stash dirty clothes.
PC: TheEverygirl.com
There are a lot of inspiring beautiful places out there. The only piece that we currently own is the indigo upholstered bed. I love the classic, preppy look of blue and white. But, I also considering adding some lighter shades of blue and turquoise, and a few pops of pink. So far, here are a few of the pieces that I am considering.
Charleston Vintage Alarm Clock
Tripping: Portland, Oregon
May 10, 2018 by Ariana | 0 Comments
My daughter and I recently took a short trip up to Portland, Oregon. It was our first visit and we both loved the city. True to its reputation, the people are friendly, the food is fantastic (even to these spoiled SF dwellers) and the tax-free shopping can’t be beat! If you haven’t been, we highly recommend the short flight (at least from the Bay Area). It’s a beautiful, lush city surrounded by mountains and water. We spent our few days spending time with friends and exploring the city, mostly by foot. On our next visit, I’d definitely like to spend more time outside — there’s so much to see, from Mt. Hood to the beaches and numerous waterfalls. We can’t wait to go back!
In the meantime, check out our recommendations for your next trip:
Stay
We stayed at the newly-opened Dossier Hotel, which has a great location in between downtown and the Pearl, but tucked on a quieter street. We were lucky to have a view of Mt. Hood from our room. The design was inspiring and just hip enough for this mom and teenaged daughter. It’s restaurant, the Opal, is a great place for a quiet breakfast or a more lively happy hour.
Eat
After doing my homework, our mornings started off with Heart coffee (for me) and Blue Star donuts. Both were just a quick walk from the hotel and got us pointed in the right direction for our self-guided walking tour and shopping route, starting at Powell Books (which opens early and is HUGE!).
The Pine Street Market is a foodie’s delight. Our group tried Marukin Ramen, Kim Jong Smokehouse and OP Wurst for lunch. Of course we couldn’t resist a soft serve from Salt & Straw despite having very little room for dessert!
Source: Pine Street Market
Though Le Pigeon is probably the most well-known restaurant in Portland, we opted to dine at its sister restaurant, Little Bird Bistro. The classic french restaurant lived up to its reputation by taste, though the timing of service was a bit off on our visit.
Shop
Portland is a very design-centric city and has a wealth of chic home decor, clothing and lifestyle stores. It’s easy to take advantage of the tax-free shopping at these local boutiques (in addition to your favorite chains).
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- Source: The Oregonian
WM Goods ~ 1136 SW Alder Street
Alder & Co ~ 616 SW 12th Ave.
Carter & Rose ~ 3601 SE Division St.
Parachute Home ~ 820 NW 23rd Ave.
See
Multnomah Falls is a must-see and is only 15 minutes away from the airport. While we were taking in this majestic waterfall, a proposal happened (and was accepted) right next to us.
Portland Art Museum — The Art, Science and Life of LAIKA was an inspiring and educational exhibit, despite our lack of familiarity with his animated films. The level of detail and work that goes into making these films is awesome. We also appreciated that this museum has a separate wing that focuses on contemporary art, which I prefer. We were lucky to get exceptional weather during our stay (into the 80’s in April!), and the short, tree-lined walk from downtown to the museum was lovely.
Do you have any Portland favorites to share?
Unless otherwise noted, all photos original to RevolvingDecor.com and Act 2 Decor, LLC.
