Good Gifting

 I am in love with these menswear-wool pillows with contrast piping. I would get the Euro size.

 This rhino from Indy Plush has stolen my heart.

New enamelware in grey and white instead of traditional black and white. Couldn't be more perfect.

I'd wrap it all up in this awesome paper I found on Etsy.

Have a festive weekend!

Vipp modular kitchens

I happened across this Danish modular cabinetry on Remodelista the other day and it spoke to me instantly (I particularly love this unit above as a stand alone piece almost anywhere). I realized later I think it's because in a way it reminds me of vintage black and white enamelware, but in kitchen cabinet form :)

See what I mean? (darling enamelware bowls from Etsy) 

Available in white and black, the line includes modular cabinets, shelving, hardware, even kitchen accessories.

Also, how sweet is the design as a bathroom vanity?

Scored!

We expected a bit of a wait for the chance to get our hands on some original Casalino kids chairs (since the recently released reproductions are not sold in the US and to ship them here would cost more than the chairs). However we are super excited to report we just nabbed a set on Ebay at $25 a pop and they are in near-flawless vintage condition compared to others I'd looked at that sadly were totally thrashed. Major score! 

The little guy is way excited to have his own chairs though he occasionally needs a bit of help getting in them - and then gleefully propels himself off to (most of the time) a "stuck" landing. Good thing it's not a huge drop. 

Of course white was the only acceptable color and these are just perfect. I really didn't want to add any more 'legs' to the space - they are currently living in our great room, which already houses our dining table, leggy chairs, and leggy bar stools - and these rounded, organic-feeling 70's era chairs (1973 according to the stamp - older than we are!) are the perfect balance in shape and style, adding a good dose of modern without being over the top. 

Husband is super thrilled too, and he was doubting me when I first became fixated on considered them. I got high praise the minute he saw them set up. We're also glad we ultimately went with the Casalino 0 (toddler size) vs the Casalino I (kids size) size which would have been a couple inches taller. The smaller ones are just cuter and even I can sit in them so I know they'll last him a long time. We've had a bit of an obsession with cool old chairs for well over a decade now so it's always fun to score something great for our 'collection'. Even better however when they are so delightfully functional! 

Vintage apron art

 

A big part of Modern Cottage design is that subtle nod to the past - using vintage items in a modern way to add character, personality and a little sense of history. We love incorporating vintage pieces into our decor in creative ways. We've used old crates as wall art, transformed a weathered wood A-board sign into mirrors for two bathrooms, and most recently framed a delightful vintage lumber yard apron - a bit yellowed with age and slightly out of square - in a clean, white frame. The ties were tucked neatly behind the mat so the apron would remain intact. We especially liked the lettering and details on this apron, which we found at Daily Memorandum on Etsy. We put this piece together as a gift for a client, but really, really wished we had one to keep, too. I guess that's a sign of a great gift!

Original cards

 

These days I make all my own cards - for birthdays, holidays, announcements, thank yous, and gift-giving in general. It became too time-consuming hunting for that "just right" card when I had a clear sense of what I wanted and of course it simply didn't exist.

I found this great vintage hammer artwork, and used just a crop of it slightly askew on a fold-over card made from an 8.5x11 cut in half and then folded. (By the way, I recently discovered the most amazing matte photo paper and it makes fantastic cards, too since it feels nothing like photo paper, yet prints like photo paper. It's by OfficeMax and it's their Matte-Professional).

This card was for a builder client and to me the personal, handmade quality makes it more special than anything store bought. And they are so easy to make!

Modern Cottage for kids

 As mentioned, Santa brought a couple cool items for the little guy. He got some help from Land of Nod and we couldn't be more pleased. First up, this darling retro car which is the kind of big toy you really don't mind sitting out in the middle of the living room.

And this comfy chair in a lovely charcoal grey solid fabric (sans personalization of course). Kudos to LON for understanding not everyone wants polka dots and contrast piping. This one is juuuuust right for our Modern Cottage :)

Dear Santa...

Can't resist sharing a few items on my list this year, starting with these chairs for the little guy. If you're gonna have a little kid's table and chair set in your great room, it deserves to be stylish, does it not? I super love these. They totally stack together, too. Hoping one of these days I'll come upon a vintage pair for a song since they aren't currently sold in the US.

Also this stonewashed linen shower curtain. Beautiful, simple, modern. Huge bonus: comes in Extra Long! The Fog color is perfect.

Modern 3-tier stand. I love the idea of mixing this playful piece with more classic and rustic serving pieces. Alas it's out of stock till next year. That makes it tough on Santa.

House numbers. Oh, yes, the search is still going...I have a very specific vision and really don't want to settle. These ones are great (and a steal!) but this company doesn't ship to the US. Hmmm it seems my list is not easy!

Oh, Brook Farm General Store. It's always something with you...like these stripey baskets. How do you know??

Can't wait to show you what Santa's going to bring the little guy this year (I mean, I have an idea that is....we'll see if he delivers :)

Holiday project #3: Leaping Reindeer

Ok, so this one was relatively easy... simply hunt down three happy little Rosbro reindeer in good condition, purchase, receive, and display. Aren't they the sweetest? I really love the mod shape.

First look - Holiday



Ok, I'll admit it... I've been scoping out this year's holiday assortments online to see what's new and exciting. I have some ideas up my sleeve for our own unique spin on holiday decorating this year, but I do love this lighted tree from Restoration Hardware. I'd put it in one of the many old galvanized buckets we've collected over the years, like this one from Etsy. I know, it's not even Halloween yet. It's just that I really adore Christmas and everything that goes along with it... and it's fun to start gathering inspiration early! I'll have more great finds to share in the weeks to come.

Modern loft-style office

We recently styled a truly exceptional modern home and one of my favorite spaces is this unassuming little office nook at the landing of the upper level. The desk is from Crate and Barrel and it came with traditional-style oval knobs. A quick hardware swap and it feels much more stylish and mod. The art is comprised of a simple white metal frame with a photo of a contemplative bull taken a few summers back at my uncle's property in Salmon, Idaho (a stop on our road trip).

We mixed a bit of country modern into this home with additional framed photos from our trip and other decorative elements which we used in unconventional ways (like these vintage French fruit crate lids as an art installation). It added a lot of warmth and character and nicely contrasted the modern details and finishes in the home; the juxtiposition is both interesting and playful.

Of course we were sold instantly when we saw these lids with the black printed numbers (finds from treaure hunting :) Sometimes unexpected pairings give the best results!

Treasure hunting

We finally made it out to our favorite antiques gallery with baby...and it only took nine months! Nonetheless, we made it- that's what counts, right? We had some specific items in mind for an upcoming project, but it's always fun to browse, too. Here are some of the things that caught our eye (brace yourselves for a lot of galvi! :)

First up (above) is this vintage nesting box displayed as functional wall storage. Love for a  mudroom or entry. Totally unique piece.

Also this great old olive bucket. Love the shape of the holes and as well as the handles which provide a little contrast.

Rustic pendant lights. Lots of possibilities...

This made us smile: A lamp made from an old water tank. The price tag made us smile, too: $878!!

Set of four cool white retro chairs. Love these as dining chairs or even just one as a casual desk chair. Great for outside, too.

I was instantly drawn to this tote of vintage bulbs. The display felt beautiful and scupltural to me. And interesting!

Giant 3x5 galvi panel. We'd use it like a piece of art. Though it weighs about 60 pounds!

Rad old windmill tail. Really wanted to grab this but just don't have a place for it.  Probably gone by now, but at least I have this picture...

After lots of perusing, our little guy fell asleep on Dad, while the gallery staff oohed and ahhed over the darling sleeping baby (he is pretty darling, sleeping or awake :) Afterwards we stopped by the waterfront near the Space Needle to soak up some sun and enjoy the fountain. It was a fun day - and definitely a milestone for us as parents since it wasn't so many months ago in our newborn fog that we were entirely convinced we'd never make it back to this place again.

Clock love

We've been on the lookout for a great wall clock for a little while now, but without much luck. The more modern styles for some reason tend to feel a little tacky to me, and a couple of the more classic ones we already own are feeling not quite modern enough. What I really want is something vintage-looking with a modern feel. Well, I discovered this today. I am still trying to figure out how it's 7" in depth! And at 22" wide, it's definitely a statement piece. I'd love it if it were a bit smaller (that goes for the price, too :)  But it otherwise fits the bill perfectly, right down to the printing on the face.