Think Pink!

Everywhere I look I see pale pink peonies!--and I absolutely adore them. Not the dark pink, not any other color, simply the pale pink, almost white, peonies.  At the wedding I attended in Charleston two weeks ago, peonies were the flower in the table arrangements, and they looked so beautiful. 

Peonies say spring and early summer to me, part of the reason I love them is probably the time of year that they are in season! You have heard me talk about flowers that I love in previous posts ... hyacinths, paperwhites ... but peonies are right up there with those two flowers. I love how big and free form they are. 

I love putting peonies together in short arrangements (as seen here). The beautiful blossoms create gorgeous mounds of that pale pale pink that is absolutely to die for! Over the weekend I bought some peonies and arranged them in a Ball jar, and I love how the short arrangement looks! They are great for a bedside table.  

House Beautiful

So go out and get some peonies for your home and let them brighten up your day ... I bought a beautiful bouquet for only $10 at the deli around the corner, and they are great. I am pretty sure that I have said it before, but decorating with flowers is really cheap and easy and they can make such a huge difference in a space. 

Put on a Skirt!

I am so sorry that I have been so lax in my posting. I think I finally have the hang of the internship after this first week ... so look forward to tons of posts to come!

I would say that much of the chaos that has lead to me not posting has been trying to get myself moved in at W's apt. Where as I am not one of those girls with loads of clothes and shoes, W is (well, a boy that is). We have had quite the struggle getting my things to fit into his apartment. And then last night, while I was cursing the depth of the drawers in his antique dresser, it dawned on me ... the man has absolutely no storage. Well, yes, he has a closet, and of course one small dresser and a desk ... but there isn't a single bookshelf in the whole apartment! It's not so much that I am struggling to find a place to put clothes, its that I'm struggling to find a place to put "things." Like a jewelry box, my second pair of sunglasses, the little box filled with my business cards, my camera. You know, all those "things" that need little drawers and little shelves so that they can be put away!?! Well I am struggling for that space ... however, I may have solved the problem.

Now, now, now, I know what you all are thinking... ugh lacquered life!--that girl has had too much time off ... but please, you all know me better than that. This All Purpose Shelf Table from Wisteria is $149, and has a great little nook for putting "stuff." 

 

This beveled glass top, also at Wisteria, is $79. 

Add this chic $99 belgian linen table cloth, and voila! 

A cute table that can be used to store all of those really annoying little things that have nowhere to go!  Now I know what you're thinking ... $149 +$79 + $99 = $327. I have not struck it rich either, do not worry. But I have a thought ... 

Hayden bookshelf from Staples = $39.99

Jefferson Driftwood linen at Calico Corners, $23.99/yard = $48

Arrow Fastener Mini Glue Gun at Home Depot = $4.97 ... which brings the grand total to $93, to have a chic entry way table! Now, granted I did not factor in a beveled glass top, b/c I don't think you need it, and you will have to hem the edges of the fabric, but other than that, you should be able to make an amazing little side table or entry way table for storing all sorts of good stuff!

  

Photos courtesy of Grant K. Gibson "the Blog"  

You could even add some grosgrain trim with your glue gun, like Grant Gibson did in his San Francisco Apartment. In his apartment he uses a table and skirt to hide things underneath ... a little differently than my bookcase scheme, but in a similar vein! The moral of this story is that there is absolutely nothing that a good table skirt cannot hide. Period. 

Up!

I have officially started my required graduate internship and I am really enjoying it. The last two days, I have been doing a little research for the partner, on 70 Pine Street in downtown NYC. Interestingly enough, I had never heard of this building, but its Art Deco architectural features are absolutely fabulous ... you all know how I am a sucker for Art Deco. 

This photo is showing one of the two grand, 4-story entrances, which have limestone reliefs, floral geometric floral patterns, and a full story high model of the building. How cool is that? 

Originally built as the Cities Service Building in 1930, the top of the building is accented with Deco-style railings on all of the setbacks. 

In addition, the building is topped with a solarium, meant to be part of the penthouse apartment of the Cities Services CEO and Founder, Henry Latham Doherty.  

The views from the solarium are unparalleled--looking both up the East River and across the bottom of Lower Manhattan. 

When it was built, it was the third tallest building in the world, behind only the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Today, as a result of 9/11, it is the tallest building in Lower Manhattan, at 950 feet.  When the building was originally built, it had double-decker elevators to service its 67 floors. 

What strikes me most about 70 Pine Street, is not its ornate architectural elements (although they're spectacular), its that I had never heard of this building until yesterday. This building is a reminder that there are amazing pieces of architecture all around us, and all we have to do is occasionally take a minute out of our busy days to look up ... you might be surprised what you see. 

The People Ride in a Hole in the Ground ...

Back from Charleston, and done in Philadelphia ... for the summer. So excited to be back in NYC, my favorite city of all, for four months of heaven. Well, I will be doing a required internship for my masters degree, but at least I'm in THE city. 

Recently, my friends at Chic Coles blogged about the opening of an additional branch of HB Home here in NYC. I have loved the Westport store for many moons, and I even persuaded W to buy a couch there. 

Being back in NYC for a full four months, I am really excited that the new location is on the corner of 74th and Lex,  just a few blocks from W's apartment, and across the street from Vivolo ... one of my favorite UES takeout spots.

I have recently learned that their 74th and Lexington location is not the only new location that they are opening. Word on the street is that the now "chain" store will be opening an additional location on Main Street in East Hampton. Just in time for summer. This will put the store's locations up to 4--two in CT and two in NY.  

Although most of the items are not in my current price range, it is a great place to check out for design inspiration. They have great upholstered furniture, as well as throw pillows and decorative accessories. If you live on the Upper East Side, or are planning a long and arduous "journey" out to "the Hamptons" this summer, I would suggest you check out HB Home--its a real treat, and worth the journey uptown, or out east. 

Oh Sugar, Oh Honey Honey

So as I said, over the weekend I went to a wonderful wedding here in Charleston. Although I hate to say it, one of my favorite parts of the wedding was the desserts! The yummy cakes and cupcakes were all courtesy of Sugar Bakeshop here in Charleston, which has developed quite a following. 

C & K had coconut cakes, chocolate cake, lemon cake, and a whole assortment of delicious cupcakes. The dessert buffet was perfect. 

Located on Cannon Street, Sugar Bakeshop is one of the cutest little bakeries I have ever seen. It has an adorable vintage bakery quality that just draws you in. Next time you're in Charleston, make sure to get up to the bake shop and try one of their delicious cookies, pies, cakes, or cupcakes. You're in for a treat. 

Porch Life

Hey all. I'm back! Finished with finals and my first year of graduate school. What a relief! Thanks for bearing with my while I have been studying away for the past two weeks. The minute I finished my finals on Friday, I got on an airplane to come down to Charleston--the absolute best place to decompress. Two of W and I's dearest friends were married over the weekend, and the wedding was beautiful--Congrats C & K! 

As I have been in Charleston over the weekend, I have been thinking a lot about sun rooms. The weather here in Charleston has been so gorgeous over the weekend, however, sometimes when the wind is blowing from the north, the sun doesn't feel as warm. I keep thinking how great it would be to curl up with a book in a room thats wall to wall windows. I love the windows in this kitchen, can't you just see curling up on that couch in the sun? 

How about a meal on a sun porch like this? I just love the banquette seating with all the pillows. What's great about this, is that you can get that outdoor feeling on sunny and rainy days. 

I have shown this picture before--I just love this sun porch on Martha's Vineyard. The blue and white colors, the bamboo and rattan furniture, its beautiful. A great place to spend time on those windy Vineyard days. 

I love the rustic feeling of this sun porch in Napa Valley. 

This sun room in Greenwich has a really "finished" feeling, and feels less like and extension of the outdoors--more of a morning room. However, I can just feel the warmth of the sun on that banquette seating. 

Another picture that you all have seen before. I think this is one of my favorite porches. I love the painted floors, french doors, and screens. The furniture is also just perfect for the space. 

Finally, talk about cozy! How about a sleeping porch? 

Photos courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com