Tag Archives: Home Decor

Closet Creep

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16 degree daily average temperature + cozy apartment + scarf collection – storage space = winter closet

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Use a traditional shoe “over the door” hanging organizer to store your cold weather accessories during the frigid months. I hung ours up in the hall closet, to save precious space that had been cluttered with erroneous gloves and mittens.

This area had previously been under-utilized because it is a shallow spot and would not allow the full use of the shoe holder and also close.

The ability to pass through tiny hallway and survive the unfortunate but inevitable fire caused by Jackson’s favorite (and extremely potent) little candle from One King’s Lane > storing 18 pairs of shoes, that would rather live under the couch anyway.

Now it’s a cinch to find matching mittens and umbrellas (housed in the bottom rows of the organizer) when running to work in the morning.

Not to mention the perfect excuse to adopt more wayward, cute scarves and gloves this winter!

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Break the Mold

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Things don’t go together:

1) Mystic tans, rhinestone studded t-shirts, tribal tattoos, Nickelback’s Greatest Hits (album II), vodka and cranberry cocktails, Wranglers with happy face flood lights, nightclubs, middle aged men.

2) Iphone, Rebel T3, keys, lipstick, book of the month, wallet, safety pins, Montblanc, sunglasses, tylenol, bobby pins, set of comfortable flats, compact, Mason Pearson, hair bands, gum, tampons, Maker’s airplane bottle, flea market purchase, tiny clutch.

3) Understated elegance, mild manners, Ivy League, iron-clad marriages, natural beauty, thriving careers, sheer modesty, short hair, financial security, sobriety, living within one’s means, singing talent, shame, The Real Housewives.

Just to name a few…

You can imagine my surprise after stumbling onto this combination of instances that work especially well.

Hot Toddies at the Bar and Decorating Ideas

Check out this awesome and original molding wall treatment, courtesy of Full Circle Bar in Brooklyn.

Collected architectural details are seamlessly attached to the interior walls for an updated take on wood paneling.

What a great way to infuse a newly constructed home with character! Keep your eye out for decorative molding discounts at big box stores or during thrifting trips to score different styles.

While Full Circle has extended the treatment to most of its space, this look also works perfectly as an accent wall. Apply the moldings to areas you’d like to highlight – such as a fireplace or feature wall for a dose of vintage pizazz.

Now that’s a great combination.

Forget the Red Carpet

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“But Mom, It’s an investment piece!”

For some reason, my mother did not agree that dorm room decor necessitated the purchase of an 8 x 10 foot version of Pottery Barn’s Tracy Kilim rug. A mere $698.

Go figure.

I’ve always been fascinated by kilim rugs. More specifically, updated versions of the traditional geometric patterned textile masterpieces. While I can appreciate the quality of a button-ed up dark-red and amber hued oriental or persian rug, I really prefer the bright versions. Switching up the color palette infuses the carpet’s stuffy predilection with a playful essence.

I fell in love with this particular rug because it makes an old medium new again. Not in the way fashion tastemakers keep rotating clothing trends every 10 years (90′s crop tops are back, what!?) It’s Venturi-esque approach actually revitalizes and negates staid cultural norms.

It was with that optimistic mentality that I “discovered” carpet bags. Or rather decided to launch an obsessive quest on Etsy, Ebay, Kaboodle and the Brooklyn Flea to find my own slice of wool-worked heaven. But not just any carpeted handbag, one that would transcend the granny stigma for good.

Hold the Mary Poppins, please.

And I finally found it!

My Bag:

I’ve had to part ways with my dreams of owning the Tracy Kilim rug. Now out of production, and virtually impossible to track down (though I have tried! and actually found one on Craigslist that turned out to be filthy) it probably won’t be gracing the floor of my home. But you never know, maybe I’ll find it someday.

Until then, I’ll just focus on collecting kilims that can hold my blackberry and wallet. (And if you know me, 82,952 other things.)

That’s actually one Mary Poppins quality I’d like to keep.

Covetable Carpet Bags:

Last Vintage Standing

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It all started when I took a day trip to visit my lovely friend Danielle.

She recently bought a house and invited me to drive down one day to catch up and check out the new digs. Danielle and her fiance Matthew’s house in Pinehurst is stunning. I am always excited by the prospect of seeing friends’ homes and their actual decorating sense once they have settled down and aren’t preoccupied with temporary apartment decor. Danielle’s warm and welcoming residence definitely did not disappoint.

After a casual lunch in downtown Pinehurst, we browsed a few of the nearby boutiques and art galleries. Then Danielle suggested we go check out a few antique stores, which were just a short drive away.

“Because I know you like things like that.”

It’s true. I’m an avid purveyor of vintage home furnishings and interesting curiosities. I’d much rather fill my home with a well-curated mix of “happened-upon” objects than Ikea and Pottery Barn drones. I compare it to a gamesman’s love of hunting. It wouldn’t be the same if you simply walked into your local mall and bought a “bed in a bag” furniture set, complete with pre-selected carpet.

A hunter doesn’t just walk into a pet shop. It’s all in the chase.

For every individual that enjoys a great thrift, there is a person who just doesn’t understand why you wouldn’t rather buy that item at Target. Danielle, maintains this opposing view and that’s why I love her. I was excited to introduce her to the experience of treasure hunting for home decor and imagining what a piece of furniture could look like, with just a quick change of paint color!

 So on we drove to the antiques district, a few small towns away.

I knew I had to bring my A game once the zoo of 34203 assorted motion-sensor animals near the door began their chorus of awful and intense welcoming songs. We weren’t even 10 ft into the space before she began whispering “Oh My God Can We Go!” I pretended that I had forgotten about her mild OCD and tried to distract her with a little pink turtle necklace.

 Danielle did not want to look at the dragon statues. Or the 1960′s yellow and gray suede and fringe lamps (But those are your wedding colors!) I just kept winding back through the store, desperately trying to find something of value she’d grow to cherish and appreciate the treasure hunt.

That all came to an abrupt halt when Danielle discovered a huge fixture containing bags of potato chips. (Probably stolen) from Panera. Expiration 2007. For Sale.

Along with a generous buffet of half-eaten boxes of wheat thins, fig newtons and a suspiciously wrapped ‘lil debbie cake. Up to 70% off! Communicable Diseases free!

We high-tailed it out of that store faster than Sarah Palin put her youngest daughter on birth control.

What the hell North Carolina! What happened to your great thrift stores!? Your decent vintage shops!? Or maybe just retail facilities not trying to sell open food products!?

Etsy is awesome and is continually making it easier for the general public to access and appreciate vintage wares. But a sharper focus on the virtual marketplace has caused many retailers to close their doors. Why operate an expensive retail operation when you can list items cheaply online and reach a world-wide audience? I get it. It just makes me sad and frustrated to realize vintage outposts are now endangered species.

My favorite antique and vintage store is Uncommon Objects. Located in Austin, TX this emporium is the ultimate source for true one-of-a-kind home accessories and decor. It’s layout keeps you thinking and employs very interesting interior design schemes to showcase their goods. If you’re ever on Congress Avenue, you must check it out because it’s one of the last great vintage stores standing.

I’d take Danielle, but she’s probably scarred for life.

Allie Goes to Uncommon Objects, Austin, July 2010