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 | 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?