Cozy & Warm

Interior by John Jacob Interiors

This is where I want to be on a cold Sunday afternoon.  By the fire, books at hand, a desk at which to pay a bill or two, table and chairs nearby for a hearty soup lunch.  

Don't you think that in addition to the fire, the brown upholstered wall warms the room too? Without it, the lamps, portraits, and tables would appear to float in mid-air, I think.

Happy Weekend!

A New Year

Crane Beach, Ipswich, Massachusetts

New Year's day was absolutely beautiful in Boston.  Sunny and 53 degrees.  A perfect day for a January walk on Crane Beach in Ipswich.  We hiked on back trails and strolled the beach just before sunset when I took this photo (with surprising quality from my iphone 4s).

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2012.

Holiday Cards

Every year, I love to search for the perfect Christmas cards to send to family and friends.  I'm often overwhelmed with all the choices and themes.  This year, I've made my decision early and will purchase cards featuring reproduction watercolors by Andrew Zega & Bernd H. Dams.  In addition to the  holiday card collection (a few examples shown here), there are over 250 watercolor cards from which to choose, featuring architectural monuments, garden follies and ornaments, and Chinoiserie among others.

The website includes watercolor renderings of incredible European buildings and serious architecture, but also includes whimsical subjects too (check out the "Architectural Alphabet").  It's an experience not to be missed and I think you'll be just as delighted with their watercolors as I am.

The artists also have a very informative blog, Noted, and you can find the link on my sidebar under "Inspiration".

Please let me know which are your  favorite cards after you've visited the Architectural Notecards website....

Happy Browsing!

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Bedroom Makeover

I've been working on a feminine master bedroom makeover and came up with the following fabrics and furnishings.  The only trouble is, I can't decide which lamps would be best to try in the room.  Following are four variations of the room and the only difference in each are the bedside lamps.  Everything else is the same.  Unfortunately, none of the items in the photos are to scale.

Please vote for your favorite in the poll on the side bar or leave a comment and we'll see which lamp is the winner.   

Thanks!

I started with the antiqued brass library lamps, but am concerned that the shades will be too wide--nearly as wide as the top of the bedside tables.  The shape of the shades have a pleasing geometry and the lamp bases don't compete with headboard fabric.  The lamps are also adjustable and 27" is the lowest height, which is plenty for a bedside lamp.

 The gilded iron lamps are more modern than the first lamps, but the finish is aged and has an antique quality.  The size (and the price) are right.  I fall hard for anything gilded.

Here we have the traditional crystal column lamps.  They're pretty, but may be more traditional and chunkier than what I'd like to see.

 I initially passed on these conical shaped crystal lamps, but I'm giving them a second look.  The bottom is faceted, like a diamond, and the gentle curve of the base is feminine, but not fancy.

Pretty

Interior Design by Tara Shaw.  Photos by CocoCozy.

First of all, I apologize for the lack of posts in August and September.  These months were the busiest ever at work.  The long days and long to-do lists left me little time for much else and resulted in a neglected blog.  I would have preferred to be decorating, reading my favorite design blogs and design books, but until I can earn a living doing those things, my day job pays the bills (you know how that is). 

Work is less demanding for now, so I had time to savor the October 2011  issue of Veranda magazine featuring the "The House of Windsor".  The bedroom designed by Tara Shaw intrigued me and I was curious if Ms. Shaw had designed any other rooms at the house. A quick Google search and eureka!  I discovered these photos by CocoCozy of the bathroom designed by Ms. Shaw. I was taken by cool marble, antique mirror and cheerful  pink flowers, along with the crisp architectural details.  It's pretty, simple and inviting and now at the top of my list of designer bathrooms. 

 

A New Blog

Photo by briberrie and available to purchase on etsy

I've been experimenting with a new blog, which includes more than interior design and decorating.  I'm not sure it's necessary to start an additional blog, but you know how it is with blogging--I blog, therefore I am.  My goal was to create a separate site to feature more than interiors and decorating and to focus on  briefer, but more frequent posts.  If you have any additional time in your already busy day (and long blog-reading lists), I'd be grateful if you'd have a look at my new site here and let me know your thoughts (here or there).

Thank you!