DESIGN | Moutain House Project - Living Room

If you follow me over on Instagram, you have probably seen my updates about a project I'm working on for friends out in Colorado. They are building a ski house (lucky ducks) and have asked me to help design the project, which is a dream come true! I'm designing the whole place, so I will have many rooms to share, but today I wanted to show you my plan for the Living Room.

My friends didn't want a traditional ski house vibe. They just wanted the house to be a cozy comfortable place for the family to escape to on the weekends. With that in mind, I have kept the giant carved bears and elk horns to a minimum. The Living Room design really started with a pair of chairs we scored on Chairish. I had originally wanted the room's accent color to be a bright chartreuse green, echoing the color of aspen leaves, so when we spotted this pair of chairs for sale in the Denver area we jumped on them!

The wife was also was dead set on navy couches, so that informed the basic palette of green and blue, a combo I love!

Here is the plan for the space.  Since they want to be able to seat a large number of people while still maintaining this as a slightly formal space, I opted to do two sofas facing each other rather than a sectional. Another seating area with the chartreuse chairs will be at the end of the couches.  

Here is my design board for the space.

The deep navy velvet sofas will be a nice balance to the bright green of the chairs, and I'll weave in cooler shades of green in the throws and pillows. I also wanted to bring in an accent of burgundy through vintage lighting and eventually an oriental rug to lay over the large jute area rug. My friends have two kids, and there will be many more visiting (like mine), so we had in mind durable materials and child friendly touches. We opted for upholstered ottomans to keep bumps and bruises at bay, and they will be topped with trays to collect spills. Like I said before, the "mountain vibes" are kept to a minimum, with just a few touches in the tartan and wood stump cocktail tables.

*Note in the sofas. The one pictured here is from Anthropologie, which up until recently hasn't had a showroom for their house and home collection. When you are going to invest some money into a sofa you really want to sit on it, right!? Well, I just checked the mail yesterday and what did I see but an announcement that they are opening a House and Home showroom right here in NYC at 195 Broadway! So if you are hoping to see some of their goods in person you don't have to wait long. 

So there is your first peek here at the Mountain House project!  Stay tuned for more designs coming your way.

xo, Kate

DESIGN | ART INSPIRED ROOMS - Rustique Figuline Kitchen

One of the greatest things about living in a city like New York is access to some of the finest museums in the world. I try to go as frequently as possible, often I just duck in with Mads in tow for a few minutes here and there (thank god for memberships). I have a design-nerd game I like to play with myself, where I try to visualize a room based around a work of art. It is a little exercise in fantasy decorating, taking the colors and mood of a piece and creating a livable space around that.

Until now I've never planned it out further than my head, but I thought it could be fun to post them on the blog.

My first 'Art Inspired Room' is a kitchen based off this remarkable 16th century French pottery platter from the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

Rustique Figuline (Rustic Pottery) Lead-glazed earthenware, Follower of Bernard Palissy (1510-1590), France (Paris), late 16th Century

Something about this piece got me thinking about a kitchen design. Snakes might be a little off-putting to some, but every room can use a bit of quirk, I think, even a kitchen. The color scheme is moody and subdued with glossy blue-green cabinets, rich wood and stone, lush greens and an accent of mustard yellow. I'm completely in love with this "Seba Snake" fabric designed by Adam Charlap Hyman. Check out his website and you can see it used in his NYC apartment. To die for!

tile / butcher block / countertops / stool / leather / chandelier / paint / fabric / prints

xo, Kate   

DESIGN | Lighting Lust List, Chandelier Edition

Good lighting can make or break a room, that's a given. Nowadays there are so many options out there that it can be hard to find that perfect piece. (I'm trying to find a dining room chandelier for the #mountainhouseproject and it is driving me bonkers.)

There are, however, those standout pieces that you keep coming back to. Usually they are either too expensive or you just never have the right space for them. So here is my "Lust List - Chandelier Edition".

John Rosselli Natalya Chandelier

This is one of my all time favorites.  At $4,000+ it is an investment, but wow, what a statement!  One day...

E.F. Chapman Gramercy Chandelier

Such a classic beauty! I love the pineapple foliage and the mercury glass orb. Would be equally great in a Park Avenue penthouse or a country dining room for some added glamour.

Visual Comfort Studio Bistro

I think this light would look stunning in a kitchen over a large island. Restoration Hardware also makes a version that looks very similar and if you are a member it is about $500 less.

Arteriors Tilda Chandelier

I have always loved the laid-back elegance of this light. Somehow beachy and regal all in one. You can now get them through Anthropologie, so watch out for those House & Home sales! 

Here it is in Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook's entry hall.

Currey & Co. Saxon Chandelier

The simplicity of this piece really makes it.  No unnecessary flourishes, just beautiful, graceful lines. This is a huge piece clocking in at 60" so it is perfectly suited for large living room spaces or a grand entry hall.

Gray Davis NY state lake house

The simple Noguchi orb lantern. The bigger the better on these I think. They are like giant glowing moons.  You have to have the right space and, of course, high ceilings are a must. But if your space leans modern or rustic this is one to consider.

I'm potentially going to use one (probably a knock-off, let's be honest) in the girls shared room. Mixed with the forest wallpaper I think it would be an amazing effect.

Restoration Hardware Nero Chandelier

I've loved this light since I came across it on the pages of Elle Decor. 

(I'm not even going to say whose pad this is, the pain is still too real, but the designer is Kelly Behun)  

And here are similar lights in a gorgeous home designed by the always inspiring Tilton Fenwick.

Lo and behold they have them at Restoration Hardware! The Nero is on its way out and the 29" version is only $820. I'm desperately trying to avoid buying it. 

The last on my list is vintage so it requires luck and some $ to acquire. The Uchiwa Fan Lights by Ingo Maurer provide beautiful texture and a warm glow. One of my design favorites, Tom Scheerer, uses them and they work so well with his trademark mix.

Tom Scheerer's Office with Ingo Maurer Fan Lights

Ingo Maurer Uchiwa Fan Light

Scour 1stdibs if you want one of these...and get ready to pay!

What are some of your favorites?  

DESIGN | Twin Bed Rooms

Twin Bedrooms

If you follow me over on Instagram (@orangedoorhome and @katekiraly) you saw our big news...baby girl #2 is on the way!  I'm at the 21 weeks mark so we have about 5 months until a new little member squeezes her way into our hearts and our apartment.

While I should be worrying about the other planning that goes into having a new baby, I have instead decided to focus on the girls new shared bedroom space.  After all, I already went through this once, I'm sure it is easier the second time around! Diapers, on-demand feeding, never sleeping.  Yup, I remember.

Two girls in a shared room has me dreaming about a sweet little pair of matching twin beds.  The look in undeniably cute and perfectly suited for a kids space. 

via Ideal Home UK

Sarah Richardson via Country Living

Robin Henry Studio

Mark Cunningham via Architectural Digest

Stephanie Sabbe Design

Many of my friends have recently been asking for help designing twin rooms for their kids so I've been searching high and low for perfect twin bed options for these spaces.  There are so many great styles at varied price points.

Ballard/Target

Land of Nod/Target/Ikea

Target Wharton Spindle Bed ($529)

Just found this adorable number while looking through Target again.  A cute take on the Jenny Lind style and I just love the pale pink!

Serena & Lily

Right now all beds are 20% off these prices!

RH Harlan/RH Rylan/Ballard Isabella

The Ballard bed also has a trundle option with is great for sleepovers!

*Note for all RH these are member prices

RH Cole/RH Allegra/Anthropologie
I'm completely in love with the house style bed for a kids room (pair it with a woodsy wallpaper...so cute).  I originally saw a version like this on Etsy years ago, but the maker only shipped in Europe. 

Next I'll post the design boards I've recently been working on!  xoxo, Kate

SHOP | CB2 2017 Catalogue

I opened the new CB2 catalogue on a whim last week and was blown away by the new product assortment.  I haven't made it down to the store yet to test out these new pieces, but I wanted to share some of my favorites.

Scissor Console

I find this Brutalist inspired piece to be so interesting. Industrial and glam all at the same time. I could see it used in a city apartment or a country farmhouse.  

If you are all about the burlwood trend (as I certainly am) you need to check out this piece...

 Metro Nightstand

It isn't brand new (I saw it a few weeks ago) but it is really gorgeous.  As a vintage lover I generally dislike most new casegoods, but for this piece I would make an exception.

Also falling in that category is this burl beauty, the Aqua Virgo Burl Dining Table.  

$699!  I desperately want to see this one in person.  Or maybe I shouldn't just in case it is really as stunning as it looks on paper.

Burlwood Storage Boxes

And to keep you organized, a few burlwood boxes priced $20-$25!

Lenyx Sofa

This looks comfy and I love the styling for a laid back lounge space. 

Lubi Daybed/Sleeper

This is great for apartment dwellers since it folds open to become an oversized queen sleeper.

 

Bordeaux Chair

I love the lines of this piece and the sculpted metal frame. It comes with a gray tweed cushion which just isn't doing it for me. I would recover that in something more interesting like a sheepskin. That would look stunning!

Curator Chair in Cowhide

These would be great anywhere. They would really make a statement around a dining table. 

And though I wouldn't use them together, the Curator Cowhide Stool is another gorgeous piece and a lot of style for the money.

 

 Braided Hemp Poof

This is a great coffee table alternative especially if you have kids and are worried about sharp edges.  Toss a tray on top and this 30" round poof gives you plenty of space.  And at $159 you can't beat the price.

Seville Bed

This bed is interesting. I would love this see it paired with some strong Chinoiserie pieces. The beautifully finished back makes it a great candidate for large bedrooms or studio apartments where it can float free.

Communion Rug

A nice take on the ubiquitous Beni Ourain style.

Whew!  There you have it.  My picks from the new CB2 collection.  Get shopping!

DESIGN | Kips Bay Showhouse, Part 2

4th Floor

Descending down we arrive at floor four, where designers Timothy Whealon, Groves & Co, Les Ensembliers and Drake / Anderson reined.

The landing and hallway of the of the 4th floor were lovely, but sadly the designer was not noted in the brochure!  I think it was Kati Curtis who did the landing on the 3rd floor (you'll see that next) since the style felt very similar.  Beautiful touches throughout including these sweet pillows on a serious Gothic style chair...

 

A scattering of orientals which complemented the rich plum walls...

And this beautiful little nook with the most gorgeous floral fabric on the roman shade.

I wish I could give you more details, but I'll keep looking around for sources.

Timothy Whealon's room was fresh and lovely with its lush canopy bed and gorgeous soft color palette.

The bed was a showstopper swathed in a geometric Claremont fabric.  Details abound in the space. The walls were covered in a custom plaster bas-relief treatment, that isn't as noticeable in photos, but really added drama to the space. The white walls were set off with trim painted a dusty lavender.  Chinoiserie touches could be seen around the room as well, in the nightstands, lamp shades and bamboo detailed sconces by Soane. 

  

Beautiful mix of colors and textures

Moss filled urns silhouetted against the window sheers

One of my favorite details was the brass scones with patterned shades above the fireplace. And speaking of the fireplace, it was transformed into a mid century modern style stunner edged in polished brass!

If I'm being honest, the other rooms didn't do much for me except for this moment in Les Ensembliers' "Le Jardin Secret" room... 

 

That gold Plattner chair on the super faded Oushak was to-die-for!

Floors two and three are up next, stay tuned!

xoxo,
Kate