Rope Furniture

The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has the spirit of summer.

With the dog days of summer nearing an end, I am still hanging on to the spirit of the season.  The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has this same spirit!

Studio Rik Ten Velden
Studio Rik Ten Velden
Luke Lamp Co
Luke Lamp Co
christian astuguevielle 1
Christian Astuguevielle

These examples of rope furniture are so beautifully made and well crafted.  Each piece is a work of art.  I love how rope, a simple fiber, is translated into something sculptural for the home.

Teak Warehouse
Teak Warehouse
Lighting from Room
Lighting from Room
Marta Coffee Table from Room
Marta Coffee Table from Room
Jamie Young, Jute Urn
Jamie Young, Jute Urn

I also like how this type of furniture is open to interpretation.  It can be whimsical and quirky, a indication you don’t take things too seriously.  You can use one or two pieces of rope furniture to soften a space, or go full force and use them throughout a room.  It would be fun to combine rope elements with something more formal, playing with that juxtaposition.  So many possibilities!

Made Goods
Made Goods
Gordon Console, One Kings Lane
Gordon Console, One Kings Lane
Palecek
Palecek

 

 

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Crow’s Nest, Montauk

I recently read an article in Domino magazine about Sean MacPherson, a hotelier with properties in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Montauk.

I recently read an article in Domino magazine about Sean MacPherson, a hotelier with properties in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Montauk.  When one of the ladies in my office announced she’d be visiting Montauk, it reminded me of the article and of MacPherson’s restaurant there — The Crow’s Nest — and I suggested she make it one of her stops.  It reminds me of the Montauk of years past, before the area became more upscale.

Crow's Nest 10

My dad always spent a lot of time in Montauk over the years.  The Crows Nest is one of those places that just exudes a casual summer vibe.  It’s a little gem of a place that makes you feel like it’s ok to walk in with bare feet and sand between your toes.  The decor is approachable, not overly decorated or precious.  Everywhere you look are lots of authentic things that give the restaurant a bohemian chic feel, all of if perfectly showcased by the surroundings and the incredible view.  I’m often drawn to this kind of raw simplicity.

Crow's Nest 7Crow's NestCrow's Nest 5Crow's Nest 1

Dining at The Crow’s Nest is quite a treat.  The menu features fresh, local fare prepared with beautiful simplicity, letting the ingredients shine.  Seafood is the star of the menu, but you can also enjoy grass fed beef, lamb, and plenty of vegetarian options.  They have the greatest margaritas!

Crow's Nest 2Crow's Nest 9

To see the full menu or learn more about the Crow’s Nest, visit their website.

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Planters

One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters.

Sometimes the spring/summer season sneaks up on you, but you can’t neglect the task of beautifying your patio or deck.  One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters.  With such a range of sizes and styles available, you can really say something with planters.

axel medium sutherland furniture

pennoyer newman industrial planter

 

cubist fiber planter from terrain

When choosing planters, you can find something that provides contrast or select pieces that blend with the architecture, outdoors or indoors.  There is such a variety of textures, colors, and shapes of planters –big pots filled with gorgeous plants make a major statement in a great room or sun room.  Or, you can group smaller planters together on a wall, the stairs, or a console.

great lakes rectangular planter

artisan series planter

riverside sheet metal zinc planter

You can further customize planters with what you fill them with.  The contents of your planters have just as much potential for variety, from flowers and herbs to trees and tall grasses.  When choosing plants, take into consideration their height, texture, and color.  Some plants repel pests while others make pleasant sounds when the wind moves through them.

inverlussa palm box with rivets mckinnon harrisaldo cibic and cristiana urban riviera plant stands

williams sonoma reclaimed redwood planters

How do you decorate with planters?

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Coastal Cottage in House Beautiful

While reading this month’s House Beautiful, I fell in love with this sweet little cottage in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

While reading this month’s House Beautiful, I fell in love with this sweet little cottage in Provincetown, Massachusetts.  Designed by Frank Roop, this home is perched directly over the water and features quite a picturesque view.

House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 1
The cottage overlooking Captain Jack’s Wharf.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 5
Designer Frank Roop

The cottage is super small and quaint — size doesn’t matter!  The nautical theme and details throughout the cottage are so pretty and clever.  Although space is limited, with plenty of light and a bright palette, the design doesn’t feel cramped at all.   Roop’s selections of furnishings are proportionate and multi functional to the space and I absolutely love the color palette  -a sea of blue.  The upholstered wall in the bedroom is genius!

House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 2
The living room.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 4
Nautical details on the stair railing.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 3
Porthole windows set directly into the kitchen back splash.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 6
The home office.

To see more photos of the home, visit the House Beautiful website.  You can also read an interview with Frank Roop about this project here.

Photos by James Merrell

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Method Monday

This is a design scheme we came up with for a coastal home with views of Long Island Sound.

This is a design scheme developed for a coastal home with views of Long Island Sound.  The architecture embraces the view so that the all you see from the spectacular rear of the home is the sea.  In contemplating the design, we wanted no obstruction to the breathtaking setting.  One of the challenges of a home with a wide open floor plan is choosing furniture so that nothing competes .  There needs to be a cohesive feel throughout the space.  To achieve this, we chose a monochromatic, neutral palette.  There are transitional elements and a user friendly approach for this family — they have children and also like to entertain.  We kept a textural sense by combining the oak floors and douglas fir ceilings with cozy, warm fabrics.  The patterns are not overly bold, resulting in a welcoming, comfortable home that makes the most of the beautiful seascape.

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Swimming Pools

When it comes to swimming pools, I prefer designs that are an integration of the home’s architecture.

When it comes to swimming pools, I prefer designs that are an integration of the home’s architecture.  For me, the pool has to be parallel with the home’s interior — I gravitate toward designs that are very structured.  Infinity pools are hot right now if you have the environment for one.  The landscape around the pool can complement the style of the pool or have a more organic feel.  Here are some examples of gorgeous swimming pools.

swimming pool 3 swimming pool design 2 swimming pool design 4 swimming pool design 5 swimming pool design 6 swimming pool design 7 swimming pool design 8 swimming pool design

What does your ideal swimming pool look like?

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My Personal Collection on The Local Vault

This collection is an eclectic mix of beautiful living room items, all available for purchase through The Local Vault.

It’s been a year since my family and I sold our charming 1940’s center hall colonial, a home and life full of so many rich memories.  It’s time for a new start and we are about to begin our journey.  While collaborating with The Local Vault recently, I considered what to do with the trove of items from our house. They are great pieces and served a wonderful role in my family’s life, but like anyone I want to shed some of the old and start new.  What to do with them? Well, sell them of course! One thing many people do not know about me is that I am not sentimental about certain things, especially once I have enjoyed them.  I can easily let go and move on after they served a purpose and I have grown from their use.  Plus, change is good for the soul.  You can peruse my collection and hopefully something you’d love to have in your own home will catch your eye.  Everything has a wonderful spirit and I am thrilled for someone else to take pleasure in these pieces.
The complete curated living room.
The complete curated living room.
Pair of vintage petite arm chairs.
Pair of vintage petite arm chairs.
Callisto Home Lavender Linen Pillow
Callisto Home Lavender Linen Pillow
Egret Oil Painting
Egret Oil Painting
Zebra Print Stenciled Cowhide Rug
Zebra Print Stenciled Cowhide Rug
George Smith style love seat.
George Smith style love seat.
Urban Electric Floor Lamp
Urban Electric Floor Lamp
Toile Linen Credenza from Studio A
Toile Linen Credenza from Studio A

You can see the full collection and shop online here.

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