Bathing beauties - the vanity

I spent the better part of last week working on two bathroom designs for a project and I am about to dive into two more. If you've ever remodeled and designed a bathroom you know there are a number of details to consider. Today I'm focusing on the vanity and the elements impacted by your choice: including the tile design (do you tile the wall, just a backsplash area or just use the counter top as a backsplash?) the lighting, mirrors, faucet, sink, storage options, color and hardware needed. These choices all need to cohesively work together. Here is a selection of vanities that work and also cover an array of design styles. 

  

Little girl's bathroom 

Love the look - ski bum

Ahhh winter, you're not my favorite season, but when given the choice to hibernate or go skiing, I'll take the latter! I enjoy skiing. I don't love the cold or bundling up the kids in the lodge but the view from the summit is pretty awesome and the reward of a hot toddy, by a fire with friends and family is a blast. The chilly ride on the lift is all worth it. Let's not forget the other fabulous part, an excuse to purchase more sporty wardrobe essentials. I've got a few ski trips planned this winter, here's my typical apres ski look. Happy Friday loves!! 

jacket//fleecelinedmitten//SweatyBettytop//sunglasses//boots//leggings (for under my ski pants)

Valentine's Day Gift Guide - For her and give away!!

Whether you're single, married or somewhere in between (hello!). Valentine's Day can feel a little stressful. Over the years, when I wasn't dating anyone (often by choice)  I always tried to celebrate and appreciate not just the romantic aspects of Valentine's Day but all the love in my life!! I know, I know, gag reflex but it's true! With Valentine's day quickly approaching I've selected my favorite gift ideas for all the special women in your life or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a goodie or two. By mid February, in Boston we could all use a little sweetness! Also, I'll be giving away two i-phone cases this Saturday, simply leave a comment, be sure to include your email address and i-phone model.  I have one i-phone 6S and one 7 case to send off to two lucky winners!

love pendant//gorgeous Gresso Miami i-phone case//floral top//lipgloss and nailpolish gift set//mantraband//pajamas//prettyflats//Zac Posen bag//feminine sweater//heartstuds//

Gresso Miami specializes in run way inspired phone and tech accessories. Their cases not only project your devices but are a reflection and extension of your personal style. Today I'm hosting a give away for two Nocturne in black, snap on i-phone cases.

The Nocturne fall winter collection is crafted with eco-leather and is beautifully patterned with a fashion forward 3-dimensional printing technology. 

** Purchase any Gresso Miami phone case by this Friday and receive 20% off with code: Julie20

Cottage Love #53 - Pastel Perfection

With unexpected color choices, a curated mix of vintage, inherited and modern elements and a nod to mid-century design with a traditional twist, Charlotte Lucas designed a beautiful but approachable home for her family. Charlotte's unpredictable style speaks to me.  She credits her former employer and design maven Barrie Benson with shaping her sensibility and her approach to  shopping: “I’ve learned that if I find something I really love, I should buy it now and worry about how I’m going to use it later,” she says. I'm guilty of this very same habit. In fact, sometimes one fabulous piece can be the impetus for an entire design. Charlotte's work is beautiful. I predict we'll be seeing quite a bit more of her. Enjoy! Read more about Charlotte's

home and find sources here. 

I'm in love with her daughter's bedroom and day bed! (channel tufting is a current favorite) 

Shelter Loves 1.20.17

Friday, oh how I love thee. It's been a busy week. I'm working on some pretty exciting projects with Lindsey. A number of my clients seem to be in the re-do kitchen and bathroom mode and I am LIKING it! A good gut job is the impetus for tapping into creativity. I sketch, search for inspiration everywhere, brainstorm and sketch some more! I've even got my kids into sketching.  Here's what's been on my brain this week! 

1. Warmer weather! I am over my winter wardrobe already. Revolve has a beautiful selection of resort clothing and accessories. I seriously am in love with every pick on their resort page, including this entire look. At this point (post two c-sections) I don't show my midriff much but a simple white sleeveless shirt would work paired with these pants. 
2. Rattan. Classic rattan and bamboo furniture adds an airiness to interiors. I love when it's used indoors and year round! Serena and Lily has been hitting it out of the park lately. 
3.  I'm a bit of a jewelry junkie. This bracelet is adorable! Isn't Valentine's Day soon??
4. The Dorothy Draper color palette for Ben Moore is speaking to me right now. I planing to have a bed that was once my grandmother's sprayed for Emerson's room. I'm leaning towards the Cactus Flower shade or something close to it.
5. Gandhi the great!
6. I think most of you know about my obsession with NOT getting skin cancer again. This is the BEST sunblock I've tried. It is the reason I fell in love with the Beautycounter products and mission. It smells amazing, isn't greasy and is free of harmful chemicals. I apply it under my face cream daily. 
7. I have a room off the back of my house that doesn't look anything like this, but I want it to! The light and architectural details are beautiful.

Love the look...

As of right now I don't have any plans to escape the winter cold but if I did I'd be packing an embroidered or ethnic inspired top. Kaftans, Vyshyvankas, and tunics are all equally gorgeous and I appreciate the attention to detail. Here's a round up of some of my faves. If you're jetting off this winter, enjoy! You may think about packing one of these statement blouses! For a more subtle look, choose stripes or a solid! Aerin and Giovanna get it right every time! I adore their style.(they are both wearing Vita Kin tops btw). Vita Kin dresses are inspired by cultures around the world and are hand made in Ukrainian workshops. There are also shops on Etsy that sell similar versions. Cheers, it's Thursday already!!

1//2//3//4//5//6//

for the love of

If there is something I don't tend to tire of, it is chinoiserie. Just when I think it's feeling predictable and over done, I fall in love again. At this point, my feeling is chinoiserie designs are timeless and far too gorgeous to grow old. Over the years I've pretty much fearlessly embraced color and have learned I would rather take risks than be boring. Bailey's home is featured in this month's House Beautiful and it is far from bland. She beautifully covered her dining walls in a Zuber paper. (see the beautiful panels below) I also have a fondness for most things French. (including my heritage) so my love with chinois panels (that are often hand painted in France) runs deep. The only down side? The price tag! See the rest of Bailey's exuberant home here. 

Ashley Whittaker used a gorgeous Chinoiserie panels in this fresh, cheerful dining room. Images via: House Beautiful 

What's cooking: In the kitchen

Every year ushers in new concepts and design trends for your home. One I've had my eye on for a while is painted green cabinetry. We've all seen grey, white and blue accents in the kitch but this year I predict that we're going to see more green and more of this cheery shade in general in home decor. Below I've included a few of my favorite green colors for kitchen cabinets! If covering all of your cabinets in green feels a bit risky try it as an accent on lower cabinets or an island. I opted to use it on the interior of my glass cabinet.