Summer dreaming

The weather in New York is still being a tad fickle, but the forecast shows that by next week we are going to slide into the 70's for good. I am already counting down the days until we can escape the city on the summer weekends. I  could not picture a more perfect home for the summer than the below Lake Michigan house designed by Martin Horner and featured in House Beautiful. It was this picture of the kitchen that originally stopped me in my tracks...

Oh, Hello view!

Cooking at home has really never sounded better...

That chandelier is major and also shows how important light bulb selection can be - a basic candelabra bulb would not make this piece pop. These feel like little buoys! 

I love the eclectic feel versus the expected "beachy" decor. There is an amazing attention to detail from the tile surround on the fireplace to the trellis screens that divide the living room and dining room....

Just a few more water views...no big deal.

If I could only own one rug I am pretty sure this one would suffice.

The perfect mix of patterns and multi-blue hues in the master bedroom. 

A custom fireplace built high enough so that you can see the fire while laying in bed...naturally. 

A detail shot from the powder room - I must use this wallpaper somewhere soon! 

A shot of the exterior of the home as featured on HouseBeautiful.com. The interiors may be a lot for some people, but the layering really exudes a coziness that translates perfectly into a vacation home for me. Summer cannot come soon enough!

Crush: Furbish Studio & Jamie Meares

One of my favorite stores and a constant go-to for inspiration is Furbish Studio. Unfortunately, it is geographically undesirable so I am forced to ooh and aah at all of the goodies thru the confines of my computer screen. I was thrilled to see that the Everygirl recently shared a feature on Furbish and their owner/ designer/ tastemaker/ blogger/ all around cool chick, Jamie Meares. Jamie founded Furbish 3 years ago and they have been grooving to the beat of their quirky and colorful style ever since. They recently moved into a new retail space and have me seriously considering a quick jaunt to Raleigh...

*photos from The Everygirl

A few of my favorite finds at Furbish:

Artwork by Furbish's own Keila Marino...

Suzani!

I am a sucker for their upholstery - everything is unique and the perfect combination of comfort and fun...

A few new arrivals via Furbish's Instagram feed. Yes, please!

Mercury footed bowl. Wouldn't this be a great little catch-all for keys?

Pink ikat lamp - with claw feet perfection.

A long time fave - the Mr. & Mrs. cocktail glasses. I bought the husband a set of these for Christmas and he promptly commented that these were really more of a gift for myself than him. He may be on to something, but even a gent deserves a little Furbish in their life!

*photo from The Everygirl

Did I mention Jamie also pens the lifestyle blog, I Suwanee? Check it out, you won't be disappointed. Promise.

Hello Again!

Please pardon the major interruption in blog posts! 2012 went by in a flash and was full of major milestones, career growth, and countless memories. In the midst of all the excitement To The Tens was abandoned, but will be making a major comeback in 2013. First up will be a design overhaul of the site. Please bear with me as TTT ramps up and looks a little shabby (hopefully shabby chic?!) until the end of Feb/ early March. A little recap of 2012 and tease of more goodies to come...

I worked with a super cute family in Brooklyn on their living room "spruce-up." Major bonus, they loved Martyn Lawrence Bullard's Sinhala Linen print via F.Schumacher. Obsessed!

Enjoyed an amazing girls weekend away to The Parker Palm Springs.

Continued to pull together our apartment and collect any and all things elephant. Is there such a thing as a crazy elephant lady?? Really though, an elephant bar cart is WAY necessary.

Turned 30 - yikes!

Became addicted to Instagram (username: pp_pal)...and that fabric.

And the major time suck/ labor of love that was 2012...I became a Mrs! 

Much more on that to come...

It feels good to be back! 

xo

PLP

(my new initials - double Ps!)

Bedroom Inspiration

Our bedroom is being painted today and I am beyond excited to get home and see that transformation. I have been pulling images for weeks of bedrooms that I love and (after realizing I love too much!) narrowed down my vision: neutral paint on the walls, clean white bedding, a bold patterned rug and fun accent pieces. 

The winning paint color was Patriotic White by Benjamin Moore - it is not exaclty white and not exactly light blue either, but adds a sense of warmth and light to a room.  

Patriotic White as seen in a couple bedrooms...

A few of my inspiration images for the bedroom in general...

I know I have posted on this bedroom (as seen in Lonny) before, but I just love the collection of pillows on the bed- those monogrammed his/her initial pillows kill me! I also love that it is not overly matchy.

 I definitely gravitate towards white bedding with pops of color coming from window treatments, rugs or a fun accent chair.

(via Lonny)

One of my all time favorite rooms by Sig Bergamin - love the wallpaper, awesome art, insane Rug Co. rug, and suzani throw - love, love, love it all! A little more going on then I would probably want in my bedroom, but it is a goldmine of inspiration. 

(via Elle Decor)

Stay tuned for images of the newly painted bedroom!

Moving on Up!

I am finally moved in and beginning to feel settled. I have found myself greatly ignoring the advice I constantly give to other people though: "take your time, it's good to live in a place for awhile." Yes, well I cannot seem to control myself. My head is constantly spinning with design ideas and I have to be pried away from the computer so that I don't purchase yet another piece for the place! So, I have decided to take a break (a short one!) from the decorating to share my progress on the living room. I do hope you like it, it already feels very much like home to me...

The first night after the move...

Our new coffee table is delivered!

A little more organizing and propping...

The tree outside our living room windows makes me feel like I have a bit of a respite from the city... My prize flea market find (aka Bessie the elephant) looks right at home too!

 So there still is a ton of work to do - paint on the walls, new side tables, new lamps, window treatments and down the road I plan to reupholster the two benches - (yikes, here I go again!).  I will say that I truly love this room. It is in one word: cozy. 

I will leave it there for now - more apartment updates to come next week!

Spring Updates

I would really love to repaint my living room a light blue or a pale pink to give it a little face-lift for Spring, but as I live in a rental and may be moving soon I have been looking for more temporary ways to spruce up my place and Spring-ify it!

Switch up your throw pillows, add some fun accessories bursting with your favorite Spring colors, change out your heavy throw for a lighter patterned one, and lots of fresh flowers or potted plants!

Magenta La Fiorentina throw pillows by Furbish Studio. 

Rope doorstop by Ballard Designs. 

Red Magnolia tablecloth by Anthropologie. 

Peacock tray from Jayson Home & Garden. 

Potted hyacinth plant. 

Blue and white zig zag throw by Jonathan Adler. 

Daybed Delights

I spotted this vintage fretwork daybed over at the Petite Flea online at Jayson Home & Garden. Is it not amazing? I would love to curl up on it with a book and a glass of wine. I can just imagine the oohs and aahs it would elicit from guests - quite the showstopper!

Now to find an apartment with a large sun room...

Apartment Living: Joe Nye

I was thrilled to stumble upon an old House Beautiful feature of  interior designer Joe Nye's Los Angeles apartment. At only 900 square feet it is a true study in how to make the most of your space!  While it is obviously impeccably decorated it also exudes comfort and warmth and as Mr. Nye fully admits it is jam packed - no room is left lacking...

 "I was worried about living in such a small place. But I found out it's freeing! I decided to practice the decorating philosophy that I preach to my clients: Live the way you live for 350 days a year. The other 15 are aberrations." (Joe Nye as told to House Beautiful).

"I love stuff. I want to come home to more. Being around a lot feels good to me." 

"This is done to the nines. I recently contemplated doing my bedroom ceiling with raffia wallpaper, but my friends all told me to "Stop decorating!"

To read the entire interview online click here (I highly suggest it!)