Cafe au lait?

How about this collection of Cafe Au Lait Bows? How fantastic!! I know someone - Hi P - who also likes vintage bowls like these, though the collection is not this extensive.... yet!
This image makes me so happy!! The wonderfully colored bowls, in order by color, the yellow shade, fun carpet and bright yellow Tolix stool, tons of good light in the kitchen, what more could you ask for?  .... oh, perhaps someone to make the Cafe au lait??  ;)

Probably many of you have seen this image before, BUT I felt a need to share it again (not that I have re-posted an image here on NL, God forbid!!)....

Have a cup of cafe au lait today, I'm drinking mine "as we speak".

Natasha

Image via MSL

Brownie points!

How to do Brown in your home without it looking heavy and old....
Here are a few suggestions for different rooms in your home, let me know which one is your favorite!

Entryway; Some hallway table.... plenty of room for the keys and the mail! Check out the beautifully carved legs, they give life to the table, and moves your eye from the floor to the top of the ornate mirror. You do not even notice that there is a lot "going on"....

Bedroom; Tufting the headboard adds visual interest to the bed. A plain brown headboard would have been borring!! The openwork in the nightstand and the delicate print on the awning, keeps the feeling light. This is layering at it's best, from the wood floor, to the rug, the bed linens...

This bedroom reads cozy to me, and not at all heavy!!

Is this one of the fanciest dog beds you have ever seen?

I say "go for it" if you have the space!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

Bathroom; What initially got me to look at this image was the floor tiles! So interesting!! (I am not familiar with the rest of the property, where this image came from, so I don't know if they are original to the house.... They could be, I guess!) The vanity is quite a heavy piece of furniture, and the thickness of the mirror frame suggests that this is a large room. I think the vanity balances out the pattern in the tile, and neither element takes over the room.
 

Kitchen: Earthy tones in an otherwise white kitchen, looks great to me! Love the texture of the chairs, and also the pendant lamp.... The darker brown color grounds this light and airy kitchen very well!!

Food: And while we are in the kitchen, why not stick to the theme? How absolutely delicious does this espresso and ice cream dessert look? Heck, I would have it for breakfast....

So tell me, is Brown a Go, or a No-Go?

Have a yummy day,

Natasha

Image #1 & #3 via Flourish Design+Style, Image #2 ?, Image #4 via Flickr, Image #5 here, Image #6 Karen Modechai for MSL

It's the weekend...

... and I just received a teaser email from Lonny magazine!

Oh, how I wish the issue was out already, so I could really dive in this weekend.... I guess I will just have to sit tight ;)

Just a few smart a.. comments on the cover;

Outdoor entertaining;

Well, here in Florida it was 96 degrees F yesterday, so that idea goes straight out the window (will have to save for the cooler months)!

Sell that house;

Are you kidding me? I just lived thru a kitchen renovation, and a Library wall installation, I am not going anywhere..... But there is always dreaming! (I am dreaming of a clean office and bedroom, now that things are, for the most part, in order downstairs...)

Summer at last;

OH YES!!! Not only is it super hot and humid, but I can't wait to go to the beach, have not been there for 117 years, which is really sad, considering people come from all over the world to enjoy what I live only 10 minutes from..... shame on me.

Image;

How fresh and pretty, so Summer and Crisp! Really looking forward to reading this issue in my newly, cleaned up office..... a girl can dream, can't she?

Have a fun weekend!

Natasha

Image via Lonny

Kitchen Confindetial

I totally adore this kitchen!

The subway tiles in their soothing colors are fantastic and obviously set the tone for the rest of the design, selections of finishes etc. I can only guess that they are handmade, hence the different shades in the glaze.

This weekend I am actually working with two clients, selecting counter top materials for their kitchens. One will be Absolute Black Granite - and nothing like this - we are just selecting sink, faucets and hardware.

The other client.... I'm not sure yet, perhaps a marble, time will tell.
Sometimes it's hard to commit to a counter :)

Both kitchens are much smaller than this, no room for an island in either, but that's all right.

What kind of counter surface do you have in your kitchen?? Do you have an island? Does the island have the same material on top as your other counters?  I have a very small kitchen, no room for an island. My counters are black granite, very shiny and totally cool!! LOVE them!
... even if their are kitty paw prints on them constantly :)

Natasha

Images via tumblr.
(Sorry, I failed to write down the designers name! If you know, please let me know and I will give credit where credit is due!)

It's the Weekend...

Found this great bohemian looking kitchen via Porchlight Interiors... I really like the mix of the all white space and the black shiny counters. All the pops of color are pulled from the tablecloth, and I think it looks fantastic! The chairs are so great in this space, both warms it up and gives visual interest, same with the small runner...

Want to join me for a hot cup of tea and a good talk here??

Natasha

Image British House & Garden via Porchlight Interiors

Kitchen Countdown

I have been looking at cabinets, knobs, counters, colors, appliances, lighting etc, etc, etc for what seem like an eternity. And now our new kitchen is only a week away from being started! YEAH!

The inspiration for our kitchen is the image above. Our kitchen is small, there will be no room for a farmhouse sink.... I am not 100% on the knobs yet either; while I like these old (?) knobs used in this kitchen, I am not sure about the oxidized brass knobs with the chrome faucet. I do not think I am brave enough to install brass fixtures, while my eye is getting used to the warmth of brass, so far I have only been able to find a new brass fixture, and I am afraid of it looking too "shine-y gold" meets disco meets.... you get the picture!



We are also the proud owners of a bay window, while very small, it lets in a lot of light, and the cats love sitting in the window, watching the world (of lizards) go by.... I have decided to install a window seat, for them and for me ;) + the extra storage is needed!



...I have 1/10 of the space of this window seat, but it's nice to dream!

I keep telling myself to stay calm, as I know it will be bad before it will be beautiful!
Right? Right??

Natasha

Image #1 from my files, Image #2 Marley&Lockyer, Image #3 Coastal Living

I spy...

... a beautiful dusty green!
How soothing is this pretty bedroom, not to mention the beautiful view just outside the open door!

I really like the pretty dusty green of the headboard against the soft gray walls! Notice the pattern in the quilt has the same sage color. Makes you wonder what came first, the bed spread or the painted headboard?? Hmmm....

Well, I think the answer is the fabric came first, and then the paint was mixed (now that you see the color in the kitchen as well), am I right?? Then again, they could just have been lucky with the fabric....
Isn't this a wonderful country kitchen? Love the color of the bench, not a fan of Spanish tile, never was, but they work in this house, grounding the space. Considering this is probably a vacation home, they are super easy to clean, so why not....

Did you notice the tiny little touch of pink in the chandelier?

Natasha

Images via Nuevo Estilo

Front Page News

Danish designer and business women, Tine K. made the March 2010 cover with her light filled home.

This is the private residence of Tine K, she and her husband (also her business partner in Tine K Home) lives here along with their children.

While I am a big fan of white painted floors, I must say these shiny dark brown - almost black -

floors are FANTASTIC!!!

A few years back, when visiting Denmark, I picked up one of these silver trays, only in a smaller version, since it had to fit in my suitcase. I have been longing for the large one, and a friend of mine found one for my birthday last year, YEAH! (tx amd)

Texture is what makes this image work for me; the silver tray, the wood shakers, the ceramic containers holding the Asian utensils. Look how beautiful the hole pattern is....

On that same trip back I also picked up six of these soft lavender and white bowls, fortunately they all arrived in one piece!!

What a pretty way to keep everyday items displayed; functional yet beautiful.

Upstairs the floors have been painted white, and a mirror displayed to catch the light.

Great natural light in the bedroom, I could easily sit there writing this blog....

The birdcage has been featured in product shots for the Tine K Home collection, and I guess she couldn't give it up..... never has a feather duster looked so cool!

If you would like to read more, use this link, or perhaps pick up this months Elle Decoration.

Natasha

Image #1 here,

Image #2 -9 are from my files, some are from the TKH website.

Who inspires you?

…What inspires you? I have asked that question so many times, I get a different answer each time! Some people are inspired by travel, some by books, and others by simply taking a walk. Recently I have come across quite a few people answering that question with; Cooking!

Perhaps a sign of the times (we cook more at home), perhaps the holiday season (cooking for friends and family), perhaps……

Just to clarify…. I am not the cook at home! I leave that to the professionals, but recently I too have been inspired by food. – No, I did not yet see the Julie & Julia movie, but I hear it is good.

A few Sundays ago, I came across Ina Garten on TV. She was going “back to basics” and I watched her cook chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, sun dried tomato and fresh basil….. I attempted this without a recipe, after all, how hard could “basic” be? Surprise! It turned out wonderful and I am inspired to try something different!

Today I picked up “Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics” by Ina Garten and I am so looking forward to leaning more from her! Mustard-roasted fish anyone?



(I know this book has been blogged about 117 times, but I was just so happy and inspired!!!)



By the way...
Don't you just love her kitchen? I am in the beginning stages of redesigning our small kitchen, but that will be part of another blog entry, perhaps even a few entries!

Have fun cooking!
Natasha