Wall Hooks

Especially now that it's nearly winter time (and this week so far has been SO chilly) I am really, really wanting to get a built in bench with hooks and cubbies crafted for our mudroom.... would be so much easier to walk in and hang coats, hats (and stow shoes) all in one tidy place so they are all ready for the next outing. Searching all over the house for everything works too, just makes getting on our way at a decent pace a bit of a challenge when a two year old is involved (hat? mittens? coat? shoes? socks?). Anyway, as I dream of this little project (among many, many others we have yet to complete) inevitably my mind drifts to the hardware involved. Naturally, I am talking about the hooks. I searched all the usual suspects and came up uninspired. I even searched many other less common purveyors and nothing felt quite right. I still plan to visit the local feed and garden store for something fabulously raw and industrial (like when I found this great little L bracket to use as a hose hook), but if that doesn't pan out, I do think I would be quite delighted with these hooks I recently happened upon from Room and Board. The raw steel would be perfect. 

A faster, simpler solution -- or at least a fix for the time being -- could be something like this from Restoration Hardware. Looks nicely functional as well, and those little shoes and mittens could go up top :)

Space saver

I love simple solutions like this for tight spaces. Genius! It may not be as cute as this, but it does provides both storage and a dispenser. A very simple, modern design. From Urban Outfitters.

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 :)

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!

Pretty storage

I get really excited about all things organization. Especially when they're beautiful. Like these new items from Pottery Barn. Sure you can get a shoe rack at IKEA for les than fifteen dollars, but just look at this gorgeous one! In our case, it makes no sense to splurge, since it'd be concealed in our hallway closet. But still. It would make me so much happier knowing it's lovely and pretty behind that door. Is this wierd? I think I have a thing about quality. I like the idea of investing in something that's timeless and well-made, taking care of it, and having it around for the long term. Highly functional things like this make the concept even more appealing. The open shelf and wall-mount bins are lovely, too. Great for a mudroom, which we happen to have... :)

Now, about the wooden storage case on casters... When I first saw this, my jaw dropped open. More than a month ago I was trying to envision the perfect small-scale book case for a little corner of the nursery  and decided something in a weathered wood would be perfect - both to add a little texture and softness and to tie in with the wooden-framed mirror we have above the armoire. I scoured the internet and Etsy thinking surely someone would have a little reclaimed wood shop with a simple two-shelf bookcase made of old fence boards or wooden crates - but nothing quite matched what I was picturing (or really came close for that matter). So, I tabled my search. Then low and behold a few days ago I come across this guy. Exactly what I had cooked up in my head, minus the casters and the mesh back, but I like those just the same.

I want to scoop all of them up!

Hook hook hooray!

It may seem silly to get excited over something as seemingly insignificant as an ornament hook, but over the years I've taken notice of many different styles, none being quite to my liking. Then I discovered these. Joy! They are sturdy, simple, and have a bit of history (they apparently hail from the 40s). No busy scrolls or beads, just pure function - and in my mind, beauty.  Love when the smallest details match our style. These are just right for the Modern Cottage Christmas tree!

A little glimpse

Excited to post about our Modern Cottage nursery design very soon, just waiting on one more piece of the room to be completed ... the custom chair slipcover! My very sweet and talented seamstress auntie took on the task, and it should be completed soon. For now though, here is a peek at a section of the room.  Since it's not a huge space, we converted the original in-swing French doors to these super cool and loads more functional barn-style doors. We also went white with the millwork and ceilings here (the trim and ceilings in the rest of the home will eventually follow - all part of the master plan). Oh, and that tiny door at the lower left is simply for attic access :)

Welcome to the garden, little blue hose

Yes, that is the Water Right hose I lost my mind over featured a while back... I couldn't resist the specially-created Martha Stewart color. I ordered it quickly but we have been holding out for the right hose hook to hang it from since most of the ones sold for this specific purpose are generally a bit, well.. tacky. I think this one from Gempler's is great, but we needed to mount to a post which wasn't wide enough. And this one tracked down by Remodelista is nice but a bit spendy for what it is, and it didn't get me crazy excited. So, the other day we were at a local feed and garden store to get more Hendrikus lawn care products and some organic weed spray, and low and behold I found myself in an aisle filled with all kinds of steel brackets, braces, bolts and other crazy-looking things. I immediately grabbed for one of these:

Super thick and heavy, great finish, and looked like it would just about work for the Martha hose which is quite dainty actually (very narrow and lightweight which I love). At under $20 we decided to go for it. I still have no idea what is supposed to be used for ... I didn't ask. But as you can see it went up quickly and now our sweet blue hose has a permanent home in the garden with the peonies. It may seem strange, but to me it's a little piece of beauty for the garden (and so much better then the giant construction style hoses the husband was using..!). It's so pretty in fact, that if it gets left out, haphazardly strewn across the walkway, I don't even mind :)

Knob love

Is it ok to squeal with glee upon the discovery of a glass cabinet knob that is not globe-shaped or crystal-y, but simple and mushroom-shaped? Because I did.

Martha + Home Depot

Like her or not, the woman's a genius. I personally admire her for the incredible brand she's developed and have adored her style and product line for years. Her latest endeavor is a comprehensive kitchen line at Home Depot - cabinets, hardware, counters. Quite brilliant, really. We even love this bin pull, and we are very particular about our bin pulls. Now, at the beginning of a project, we assemble our own distinct vision- I'll cook things up in my mind's eye- and then search tirelessly for the pieces to bring our vision to life -- whether they exist or not. Martha's line, however, I think will be especially great for those who aren't so visual or design oriented, but know what they like and want a cohesive look.  By the way, did you ever see the homes and interiors she designs with KB Home? Really beautiful and thoughtful.

(Photos from Home Depot)

Bin pull fixation

Bin pulls have had a special place in my heart since I was a little girl. In our old, old house growing up we had these cool built-in wooden bins (literally) that pulled open below the counter top in the large pantry, complete with honest-to-goodness bin pulls. As I recall, we stored the good stuff in there: Fruit Loops, Trix, Rice Krispies. So while we're always on the hunt for a really perfect bin pull, we have our tried and true styles at the ready. From the top, Restoration Hardware's Gilmore pull, quite thick and heavy and available in several finishes. Next, a classic shape in a more delicate, thin metal - available off and on at Pottery Barn (this is probably what they looked like in the old house, once you got through all the layers of white paint!). And more recently I found myself drawn to the the third one, RH's Duluth pull. It's a nice twist on the classic bin pull - a bit more squared and modern, and a lot more interesting. As we start our next project, I can guarantee the Duluth will get some serious consideration.

Great finds - Loving these products

Recently came across these online while planning the interior re-design of a charming 1950s Cape Cod cottage. Won't be using them in this particular project, but can't wait for a project where we can... the vintage appeal of a bin pull in sophisticated (and unexpected) clear glass - perfect for a Modern Cottage. And the pendant light - I'm in love. We've used galvanized plumbing parts before in our design; such a great way to get a little modern-industrial appeal in a rustic, cottage-friendly metal.