Summer in Seattle

Summer in Seattle is slightly unpredictable. When you wake up with the sun beaming through your windows and fall asleep with a warm breeze in the air -- Seattle may just be the best city on earth. Come July, when the weather forecast calls for consistent rain however, you think otherwise (and begin planning for weekend getaways to warmer temperatures).

With the hope that the sun will be more permanent than the dismal days of rain, plans for the perfect summer have begun. With the help of Bing, I have been exploring every type of sunny day activity. If the sun is on our side, this summer will be like no other. From lazy rides through the park to bargaining at the largest flea market Seattle has ever seen; and everything in between. Activities to engage our senses and to satisfy our foodie palates.

Get the Look: Rooftop Lounge at Ace Hotel LA

Outdoor entertaining season has arrived in Seattle (at least for this week)! We furnished our patio last weekend, but like any space in our home, it never seems quite complete. As if it needs one more accessory or the arrangement needs a minor tweak. 

In the past, I have sought design inspiration from the suite of Ace Hotels. I love their industrial design approach and nod to mid-century. Their designs fully engage the idea of "hi/lo." Within each hotel room, raw metal features (oftentimes re-purposed) pair perfectly with softer touches of a Pendelton blanket or bright splashes of art on the wall. 

Their outdoor living spaces are no exception. At their newest venture, Ace Hotel LA, concrete walls and live-edge wood tables and stools compliment the patterned design of the awning, the reclaimed kilim-wrapped pillows and army green canvas seat pads.

Typographic Art

I think I first became interested in typography as an interior accent, while watching Home by Novogratz on HGTV. Their creative and modern use of letters and fonts in their projects, always struck me as super cool. Walls accessorized with light boxes, spelling out a name or phrase. Vintage marquee letters arbitrarily leaned up against a shelf. A simple design detail whose impact can be quite understated or equally significant.

From simple to more decorative, here are a few examples of typography in the home:

If you were to incorporate typographic art into your home, what would it say? I'm still pondering that myself.... 

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Less is More

"Less is more." A true statement for many things. Not everything. But when all it takes to create a strong design statement in the home is a simple, striking decor accessory, then less is definitely more.

Glassybaby, a private, Seattle company, founded on the notion of charitable giving, produces gorgeous, one-of-a-kind votives, that when lit, effect a stunning statement. The variance in each handmade glass, draws the eye's attention, and when grouped in clusters, the votives need nothing further to compliment its beauty. They can stand alone as the perfect accessory adorning a table, or as the backdrop to a celebratory event.

Design It Like You Mean It

I like things slightly askew. Some say unusual. Not everything. But, if there is a way to do certain things in an unexpected way, I'll usually try it. Especially when it comes to the details in our home. Function does not have to negate form. And form, by no means has to be predictable.

Take my vanity for instance. There is not one piece of storage, whose purpose was intended for jewelry or makeup (except for the earrings stand -- found here). Every piece has a story, and was originally purchased to serve it's traditional function. 

Dreaming Big for 40!

40 is a milestone age that should be celebrated. The bigger the better, in my opinion. To celebrate my 40th, we will be jet-setting through Spain for two weeks with one of our favorite families. If I wanted to celebrate stateside, however, (and let's be honest -- if money were no object), this dreamy destination (images after the jump) may be the perfect backdrop for a HUGE 40th bash! 

A modern, ranch-style home, with a pool, visible from every room. My dream fête would be set in Palm Springs, with a glam, 1960's theme (think Frank Sinatra and Doris Day, Sean Connery as James Bond and Don Draper in Mad Men). Guests would celebrate with champagne and classic cocktails in hand and dine on decadent savory bites -- all while sitting poolside or settled around the mid-century furniture arrangement.

Simple Styling

I love the simpleness in beauty. When all it takes is one shining accessory to enhance an outfit. One simple bookend to improve the appeal of a shelf.

My home will ALWAYS be a work in progress (as suggested in this post, and here as well). Lately, in an effort to keep our design budget to a minimum, I've been resourceful in our interior styling. This means, tons of moving parts -- our bedroom bench becomes the interim coffee table, the living room ottoman shifts to the family room, etc, etc, etc.

One of the few inexpensive touches I've brought into to our home are blooming branches (shown in the image above).  Simple. Beautiful. Effortless. They require no styling -- throw them in a vase and that's it.....styled. They add the softest touch and the perfect amount of freshness to our home.

Vertical Edible Garden

I am not a green-thumb. Perhaps it's genetic, because neither is my mother.

I love having an edible garden though. Every spring, with the greatest of intentions, I plant my garden with vegetables, that require "very little" maintenance. I've had great success with beans, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers (hopefully I haven't just jinxed myself for future years). I've learned to stay away from any edible plants that entail true "green" skills -- unfortunately, herbs included.

Inside my Home: By the Numbers

Yesterday was a magical day in Seattle. We woke up to birds chirping. A pink sunrise. The smell of Spring air. And the most amazing, bright, happy natural sun light, beaming through our windows.

My senses felt so heightened. Everything just seemed brighter. Lighter. I was oddly inclined (and by oddly, I mean, I never "just" pick up my camera) to snap shots around my home. This was the my view....

Get the Look: Hotel Neri in Barcelona

Hotel Neri is a modern, eclectic boutique hotel, located in the heart of Barcelona. The architecture and design was guided by the concept of "play[ing] to the limit, without falling into vulgarity."

The hotel's virtual gallery of images, reveals rooms with concrete tabletops and polished metallic artwork juxtaposed with traditional seating and rich bedding. The restaurant and common sitting areas reflect similar polarities in design -- bright rugs, substantial window coverings, cement walls, plush sofas and a blend of modern and traditional lighting.

Currently Coveting

On a daily basis, I probably spend upwards of 4-5 hours online. It's a blessing and curse though. I love staying current on trends, news, my favorite blog reads. I scroll through the pages of home decor, lifestyle, fashion and other relevant sites -- all in the name of "research." Sometimes, however, it's difficult to separate "exploring for the blog" and "shopping for myself." A girl can dream, right?

Here's a peek at what I'm currently coveting:

Rag & Bone Leather Vest//Saint James Striped Tee//Up by Jawbone//Marc Jacobs Rock Cuff//Stainless Steel Straws (for the bar)//Clare Vivier Croco Messenger Bag//Kraft Paper Notepad//Heidi Merrick Vegan Shorts//Bright Brushstrokes Rug//Acne Oversized Sweater

Oh yeah......and I'll take some nice sunny, springtime weather too!

Balancing Act

Striking a balance between form and function can be a challenge. Especially in a small space. With several functions.

Because our home is fashioned in an open-living manner, their is one large space designated to the kitchen, dining and living rooms. While I love the architectural approach, it does lend to some design challenges. Function definitely won over form in our living room.

What did the Blank Wall Say When You Walked into the Room?

...bear with me (as in "bare" walls...get it???).

I have anxiety over large, empty walls. We have 18ft ceilings in many areas of our home, which leaves VERY LARGE empty walls. When faced with paint options during our renovation, there was no question that the walls would be a brilliant white. The perfect blank canvas for bright, colorful art.

I've come to realize that my expectations for the "perfect art piece" are unrealistic, and that our VERY LARGE empty walls will remain bare, until a fantastic piece of works finds me.

Trending Interiors for 2014

So far, this week's posts about properly jump-starting your year, touched upon organization and cleansing soups. Today is all about the home -- specifically trends that the "interiors" industry is seeing for 2014.

Maybe you're like me, and appreciate a quick fix, such as an added pop of color in a pillow. Or, prefer to be fully committed with a freshly painted wall. Even more, recognize the beauty in the mix of vintage and modern. 2014 has it all. Designers are seeing a shift from small, cozy rooms, to larger, more open and functional spaces. Accent walls with strong patterns. Layers of texture and colors. From walls with rich, dark hues to fixture blends of metallic. Rooms with function and beautiful form.

Organized Home

With every major "transition" in my year -- from Summer to Fall, back to school for kids, and particularly, right before a vacation -- I organize my home. The feeling of cleaning out excess, rearranging clutter to create more efficiency, grounds me. Maybe it's in my own head, but without that momentary "cleanse," I feel slightly inhibited. Like something is holding me back and only when I de-clutter, do I realized what it was.

I am by no means a "organizing expert." Full disclosure though....I detest disorder. A clean house is a happy house!

I Have a Dream...

To play this game....

My Target Wish List

I know this is the season for giving, but have you been to TARGET lately?

TARGET was on my "to do" list last week. Both for vacation necessities and holiday gifts. I had a purpose and only a few minutes to spare. Strategically, I divided my time into two buckets -- "important" and "trivial, but nice to have."  The quicker I could complete what was deemed "important," the more time I could spend on the "trivial, but nice to have."  With only 30 minutes to spare, I efficiently (because I know the format of the store like the back of my hand) checked off all items on my "to do" list and swiftly headed to the home decor aisles (my "trivial, but nice to have").

Breaking the Rules with Winter White

There are rules to follow and those to ignore. It is my humble opinion, that fashion and design should never fall into the former. Why should the personal touches in your home be determined by standard interior conventions? The way I see it, if you want to mix patterns in your outfit, go for it (you'll actually be on trend).  Challenge standard practices. Set your own rules. Design your own guidelines to follow. Your style should define you -- both in your home and with your fashion.

WINTER WHITES! All white interiors, from floor to ceiling. A white Christmas tree, adorned with muted ornaments. An off-white tailored tuxedo, worn to a holiday ball. Breaking the rules? Questionable. Questionable, because there are exceptions to every rule.

Jeweled Fruit

Pomegranate. A ruby-hued fruit with a rich history, dating back to ancient times in Iran (formerly Persia). Packed with pearls bursting with sweet juice, the pomegranate's uses are innumerable. From baking to natural dyes, juices to savory spreads, the pomegranate nestles quite nicely amongst the myriad of my favorite Mediterranean culinary ingredients.

Cabin Fever

Not long after the cold weather sets in and preparations for the holidays begin, I get a bit anxious. But, not for the reasons most experience. Entertaining family and friends rather excites me. Call me crazy, but I get a rush from holiday shopping. Come the last week of November, I am ready to pack my bags for warmer climates OR to set my GPS for mountainous exteriors and a lounging weekend in an ultra-cozy, rural cabin.