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! 

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 :)

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.

Chunky weave chair

Loving the organic feel of this chair, and especially the low profile... perfect for a space where you might otherwise opt for backless/bench seating to maintain flow from room to room. It doesn't hurt that it also feels wonderfully fresh and summery. From West Elm.

Is that you, Urban?

If you've ever been to an Urban Outfitters store, you may have noticed their colorful home section, with all kinds of...well, interesting items. Suffice it to say, many of these products are aimed at a decidely younger market - they even call the category on their website "apartment". So imagine my surprise (and total delight!) when I browsed through their online furniture section and found the most wonderful pieces for quite affordable prices. It all started from my half-hearted flip through their latest catalog while I simultaneously watched a DVR'd Chuck the other night (don't make fun...I like it, ok?). A chair caught my eye. And then a metal shelving unit. Next thing I knew, I was purusing their entire furniture category and just look at all these fabulous pieces! Definitely a great resource for some mod seating options as well as industrial-style accent pieces. UO, I am impressed!

Cool, metal shelving unit - so versatile.

I really, really love this chair. I think it's the cool shape + orange + stripes that got me.

Decorative letters have become quite commonplace, but this one is truly unique (and only $10!).

Great simple lines on this nubby upholstured bench ... with storage! Love.

Love love love.

I'm not sure about the whole pouf thing, but as far as poufs go, I do like the raw, uber-textural nature of this one.

You can view these items and more here. Have fun!

Weathered wood

Weathered wood is one of the great components of Modern Cottage design - ideally weathered to a soft silvery grey or even a greyish brown, it adds warmth and texture as well as a rustic flavor which really honors the cottage aesthetic and casual/comfortable style that goes along with it. Weathered wood furniture and accents pieces can often be found inexpensively at antique shops. Sometimes it is an unusual piece and half the fun is cooking up a creative way to repurpose it for modern living! The key to incorporating this material into a Modern Cottage space is to go for pieces that are clean-lined and very simple in their shape and construction. Above, a versatile bench-slash-coffee table and and an old bulb crate we used as wall art. Below, a pair of rickety old folding chairs (major score by the husband more than ten years ago); a bin to catch desktop items; our fabulous driftwood sphere.

 

P.S. the wooden bin was a score from the holiday clearance section of World Market a few years ago - though we had to look past the terrible sparkly pinecones and plastic greenery that were stapled to the front. Once we determined they would be easy to remove with the help of some pliers, we took it home (and promptly back to it's pure and simple state :)

A Modern Cottage moment...

I love how a camera lens can capture a distinct, specific view in the midst of all the things around us constantly beckoning for our attention; and one which gives you a completely different perspective than you might otherwise realize without it.

We're really loving our wrap-around porch - turns out it's the perfect spot for our trusty chaise loungers. The tulips in an old paint can make it even more inviting. To me, this image is a "zone" of reflection and relaxation.

Here's hoping we'll have a few opportunities before the rush and excitement of the holiday season to put ourselves in this picture and simply gaze up at the trees, breathe in the fresh fall air, or doze off for a time and dream of wonderful things.

Sunny, happy art

Modern Cottage style is all about taking advantage of natural light and finding ways to bounce it around interior spaces to promote a fresh, airy feeling. Maybe that’s why we’re so drawn to these cool prints by artist Leah Giberson. I love how she plays with light and shadows – it seems like she captured these scenes at the very best part of the day. Plus they have such a fun, mod vibe. These are two of our favorites, from the colors to the composition (have I mentioned we have a minor obsession with chairs?). You can almost feel the warmth of the sun on your skin just by looking at them, like they’re beckoning you to climb in, take a load off, and just bask away.

Adding vintage flavor to your Modern Cottage

The Modern Cottage shows a joyous appreciation for all things vintage cottage – they’re simply reinterpreted in a modern way. Of course, vintage finds and antiques must be used sparingly, lest you diminish the ‘modern’ aspect of your cottage. However, when thoughtfully mixed with newer pieces, the combination will express just the right balance of Modern + Cottage. Above, an incredible pair of French metal chairs; An old bulb crate weathered to a silvery grey, transformed into wall art - a display ledge of sorts - accented by a jubilant starfish; A fabulous antique industrial-style lamp, re-wired to glow beautifully. It’s all about finding pieces that add beauty and a sense of history –a respect for original design - to your Modern Cottage. And when you find an amazing piece that’s both beautiful and functional? Pure Modern Cottage bliss :)