FROM THE RIGHT BANK

Bare Beauties (Light Bulbs, That Is)

Ally — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:00:37 +0000

I think I have looked at a thousand light fixtures of every possible style in the past month and I began noticing (and loving) bare light bulbs more and more.

I think they really work well in large clusters:

Daniella wrote about this recently and included this beautiful photo:

and we had both seen this gorgeousness that nkp posted from the New York Times:

So I did a little research and came across these from Muuto:

and this classic from Rejuvenation:

with a single Edison bulb – what could be simpler or lovelier?

(Photos: 1.Morten Holtum 2.via Desire to Inspire 3.National Post)

Every Room Needs a Touch of Red

Candidates for Kitchen Pendants

Ally — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:20 +0000

I want to replace the two pendant lights over the kitchen island as part of my lighting overhaul and I think I’ve narrowed down the choices to two styles.

First is something classic but industrial like these:

The second option (and on the complete other side of the spectrum of course), something frilly and fancy like these:

and these from the kitchen I’ve posted before:

I like these two styles because I need to go with a style that I can carry on into all the areas that the kitchen opens onto: the the eat-in area, the family room and the wet bar. (All these spaces need lighting too!)

In either case, they will be white because I think that’s what would look best with the colors of the cabinets, counters, and furniture, etc. We’re far from a decision but at least we’re getting closer, right?

(Photos: 1-2.via Head over Heels 3.Design Sponge 4-5.Domino 6.House & Garden)

Lighting Overload

Traveling Thursday: Onboard Essentials

Ally — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:00:19 +0000

I got a couple of requests for a post on my favorite travel gear and I’m more than happy to oblige because I’m a total geek when it comes to anything travel-related and could talk about this stuff for days. In fact, I have so many favorite things that I’m going to have to break it up into several posts.

First up are all the things I like to have for flights. I usually carry everything in either my trusty Hervé Chapelier shopping bag or Filson tin cloth tote.

And for the record, nothing in this post is a paid endorsement – although it should be!

I don’t sleep well on planes and if I want any chance at all, an inflatable flight pillow and eyeshades are critical. I like these from Eagle Creek because they’re super soft and comfortable. The pillow inflates in just a few breaths and the removable cover and shades are also washable.

Yes, it’s dangerously close to a Snuggie but airplanes are cold, pashminas are too small and the Cabin Cuddler is really cleverly designed. It has a pocket for your feet and flaps for your lap and arms so it keeps your entire body toasty. Unless I’m flying first class where they have the good blankets, it’s the Cabin Cuddler for me. (I just don’t call it that out loud.)

I also like to dab Badger Sleep Balm onto pulse points. It ain’t no Ambien but it does soothe and calm.

Flight Spray fights off all the nasty germs that circulate in airplanes to help prevent colds and flus. You spray it up your nose. Gross, I know, but it works! I haven’t gotten sick in over a decade on any of my travels. Just be discreet when you use it.

Again. Airplanes = germs (I’m a germaphobe in case you hadn’t noticed) so I use CleanWell hand sanitizer after touching anything. I like this brand because it’s all-natural and alcohol-free.

I’m a big fan of the MD Skincare line anyway but the 4-in-1 Facial Towelettes are sheer genius! Cleanser, toner and moisturizer in one wipe that are individually wrapped, they’re just perfect for travel. I use them on overnight flights. They’ve changed my life.

I have dry skin, lips and even eyes and the cabin air makes everything so much worse. So I always have some type of hand lotion with me. Right now, I’m mad for REN products.

For eyes, the single-use vials of preservative-free eyedrops from Systane are really convenient.

As for lips, I’ve tried all (yes, ALL) the lip treatments out there and for me, nothing compares to good ol’ Blistex.

iphone. Enough said.

Add a large bottle of water, a book and some magazines and there you have it, my onboard travel kit. What’s in your kit? For the next installment, I’ll share my packing essentials.

Happy Traveling Thursday and bon voyage!

Traveling Thursday: Taj Tashi

Worn Leather Chairs

Ally — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:41 +0000

Given my chair addiction, it’s hard to believe that there could be a lack of seating around here but we could actually use an armchair in the family/keeping room. We just have our gray couch in there right now and that’s fine when it’s just the two of us but when my mom and another friend were here last week, we realized we needed another chair or two in that room. In the last house we had our orange Pop chair with the couch but that’s now in my office. So I’ve been trying to decide what kind of chair I want and I think I’d like a worn leather clubby chair like these:

or these two off to the left here:

I know you’ve all seen Abigail Ahern’s house before but it’s the perfect example of what I’m talking about:

The gray couch here is very similar to mine (see yesterday’s post for a photo). The beauty of this is that I’ve always loved distressed leather chairs and now I have a good excuse to get one! I love when that happens! So the search begins.

(Photos: 1.Skona Hem 2.via Coco+Kelley 3.via Style Files)

Abigail Ahern

Orange Crush: Orange and Gray

Ally — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:00:48 +0000

Orange Crush is back! If you’re new to my blog, Orange Crush is a monthly collaboration with my pal Christina at Down and Out Chic where we share with you our love of the color orange. We took a little break while I was busy with my move (thanks for your patience, Christina!) but we’re back and look forward to a very orange year.

So you know I’ve been on a gray kick for quite a while now. Well, it happens to look amazing with orange as you can see in these rooms:

I’m sure this comes as no surprise to those of you familiar with the living room in my last house:

Christina is featuring orange wedding ideas at her blog today and it’s only appropriate since she’s recently engaged! Be sure to pay her a visit and congratulate her!

(Photos: 1.Boston Phoenix 2.Toast 3.Sofie Andersson 4-5.via Desire to Inspire 6.From the Right Bank)

Orange Crush: Orange & Purple

It’s the Little Things

Ally — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:58:01 +0000

Hi, everyone, how was your weekend? Mine was busy, busy, busy. Last week, I strained my back so I had to rest it and got very little done around the house. I was determined to make up for it this weekend, having forgotten that Ikea + Home Depot in the same weekend = one grumpy husband. He got it over it though because that allowed us to get a bunch of little things done which makes us both happy.

The first thing is we installed temporary shades on all the windows upstairs so we’re not living like exhibitionists anymore(!) We’re planning on getting custom shades at some point (we did this in our last house and it was so worth it) but in the meantime, we needed something other than newsprint and scotch tape!

(Before and After)

We went to Home Depot to get some basic roller shades but found these temporary shades from Redi Shade. I am so clueless I had no idea there were such things on the market! They’re brilliant because you don’t need screws or brackets. They’re peel and stick! And they’re only $4! (I swear I am not being paid for this. I was just so happy to find them that I had to publicize it in case anyone else was in the same boat – and as clueless – as I was.) Now I won’t lose my mind while I wait for the custom shades!

Second, I got the huz to remove the light in the eat-in kitchen. It’s a fine light (it’s heavy as hell and I’ve seen some similar ones around here priced pretty high) but it was just overwhelming in the space and it completely clashed with our table and chairs.

As you know, I’ve been looking for lights but I’m having the hardest time making any decisions. I don’t want to just buy something just to make do but I couldn’t take looking at this light anymore. So, out it went and it opened up the room so much more. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me – even if there’s a hole in the ceiling. I’d rather look at that!

We also lined all the drawers and shelves in the kitchen, moved a couple of wall sconces, replaced all the burned out bulbs . . . like I said, lots of little things. And I finally found my memory card reader so I can start uploading all the photos I’ve been taking around here. So life after moving is slowly getting better, one little thing at a time!

Happy February, everyone! Can you believe it’s already February?!

(Photos: From the Right Bank)

Just When You Thought I Couldn’t Have Any More To Say About Gray Paint

Today’s Crush: Handpainted Chinoiserie Cocktail Table

Ally — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:00:12 +0000

The convenience of shopping at midnight in my pajamas is really giving my credit card a workout. I should really stop but I keep finding amazing bargains like this hand painted Chinoiserie style table:

It’s only $249.05 and I want it very, very badly.

I recently read somewhere that one of the decorators on HGTV (Taniya Nayak, I think) furnished her entire house with things she bought online. At first I thought, “no way” but then I realized that as much as I shop online these days, I could totally do that! How much of your shopping is done on the internet?

Disconnected

Downtown Chic

Ally — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:00:25 +0000

I was thrilled to be asked to give you my thoughts on Downtown Chic by Robert and Courtney Novogratz of Sixx Design.

The reason I was so happy to is that I’m a huge fan of their relaxed approach to design and also a big believer in mixing it up, a philosophy they fully embrace.

Here are few of the spaces that epitomize their style for me. All of them contain a mix of vintage with contemporary furniture,

shiny lacquer with dark and rustic woods,

industrial elements with a little glitz,

and on top of all that, lots of personal touches like contemporary art, collectibles and souvenirs.

Now, I’m sure most of you already know that Robert and Courtney Novogratz are the uber cool couple behind Sixx Design who renovate houses, turning them into super stylish homes, all while raising 7 impossibly cute kids.

What you may not know (I didn’t before I read the book) is that in addition to their homes in New York, they have a vacation house in Brazil.

It’s long been one of my dreams to own a vacation house somewhere faraway that is completely different from my full-time house and environment. I think this is a pretty common wish for people who love houses like we all do.

This house is featured in the book and it is decorated in the same effortless style as their New York homes but adapted to the tropical surroundings. I think they have created the perfect antidote to urban life.

Downtown Chic is available at Amazon. You may have also heard that the family is getting their own show on Bravo. 9 by Design is scheduled to premiere in April. I will definitely be tuning in!

(Photos: all from Sixx Design except 4&5 from New York Times)

The Cabin Search Continues