Friday Obsession- Lucite Trunks

This week I have been obsessing over these fabulous lucite trunks. They're perfect for displaying something bright and colorful, or can be a cool addition on top of a graphic rug. In small spaces they're functional without taking up a lot of visual space. These trunks are especially sleek and modern... love it!

I  believe that a lucite trunk and your Grandmother's wing chair can live happily together...

(photos courtesy of Mecox Gardens, House Beautiful, Jordan Cappella, Lonny Magazine)

The Versatile Succulent...

I have a new found appreciation for succulents. Despite the tiny size, they make a big impact when colors and textures are layered. I love using them throughout my apartment from the kitchen to the bathroom.

Grouped together, they look great in a silver bowl...

I like to use a single plant to make an impact in silver bud vase or compote...

They make perfect place cards for parties and weddings...

I've also seen them showing up in really fun and unexpected ways in bouquets...

(Photos courtesy of Apartment Therapy, Octavia & Brown, Martha Stewart Weddings)

Summer Brights...

If you've been reading my posts for even for a second, you'll already know that I am drawn to color. Summer is one of my favorite seasons because it's always jam packed with color! Brighter is always better in my book. When I saw this awesome turquoise Huffy bike on the shoot this weekend, I couldn't wait to order it! A blue and white bowl for a stylish pup and a bright raspberry chevron pillow are definitely hard to resist. Here are a few more of my favorites for the home...

(Photos courtesy of (left to right): Jonathan Adler, MoMa, Simply Hue on Etsy, Huffy, MoMA, Kate Spade, Jonathan Adler, Rubie Green)

Octavia & Brown All Around Town...

It was a busy weekend at Octavia & Brown! Several of my vintage items were featured on the front page of Etsy and on Etsy's blog, the Storque. Check out the check blog post Mellow Sea here.

Also, this weekend was the first Octavia & Brown photo shoot in Brooklyn! Styled by my wonderfully talented friend Henriette and shot by amazing interiors photographer, Tom Judge, my vintage items looked awesome! Tom has a great eye for shooting interiors, you can check out some of his other work here.

I can't wait to share some of the photos, in the meantime, here are some of the items we used on the shoot. All are available at Octavia & Brown.

 

More stories from the shoot to follow soon... 

Friday Obsession- Vanity Trays

I love the old-school glamour of vanity trays.  The variety of sizes and style make them a perfect addition to a bureau or nightstand.

Large trays are great for creating a stylish bar and organizing liquor bottles, etc.

Small trays look great overflowing with earrings, chunky rings and necklaces. I love seeing everything out on display.  I use a tiny silver plate tray to stash business cards on my desk.

They can also be used together. One of my favorite vintage trays has a beautiful brass edge, I use it with a small porcelain saucer to capture earrings and bracelets.

(Photos courtesy of Lonny Magazine, Eddie Ross, Domino, Octavia & Brown)

Greening My Apartment...

I have been on a quest recently to find a large indoor plant for my apartment. Living in NYC, surrounded by cement, I crave a little greenery for my space.

After reading up a bit, I think the Fiddle Leaf Fig with it's large round leaves and tropical feel would be perfect. It doesn't require a ton of water and takes mostly indirect sunlight. Placing it in a nice ceramic planter instantly makes it feel more polished.

(photos courtesy of Shelter, Domino Magazine and House Beautiful)

More Finds...

I am up to my eyeballs in vintage goodies from the last two trips I have taken to Brimfield's and Alameda Antiques by the Bay. Not to mention the items I have found at local thrift shops!

Here's a sneak peek of some upcoming listings...

Thinking of Wallpaper...

When I was a kid, I remember going to the local paint store with my Mom and taking home the huge wallpaper books. At age nine, I was given the chance to pick out my own wallpaper for my room. While I wanted cartoon elephants, we comprised on light pink and white striped bow wallpaper. Little did I know that this would stay up in my room through high school!

Seeing the ostrich wallpaper in the apartment of editor, Michelle Adams in the April/ May issue of Lonny, has me considering wallpaper again. A tried and true paint girl, I am warming up to the idea of wallpaper for my apartment. As long as I can do it without losing my security deposit, I'm there. Here are a few that I love and the original inspiration from Lonny...

Ostrich wallpaper from Beware The Moon

This would be perfect for an entryway Graham & Brown

Love the dramatic black wallpaper in Rita Konig's entryway

 Grass cloth could be fun for one long wall Designyourownwall.com

Here are some other great wallpaper sources:

Cole & Son

Farrow & Ball

Rapture & Wright

(Photos courtesy of Lonnymag, Graham & Brown, Domino Magazine)

Not Your Average Father's Day

Finding gifts for Father's Day can be difficult. After all, how many ties can one person own? Here are a few unusual gift ideas for all the dads in your life...

For the Handy Man, an instant carpenter set from Sweet Love Vintage

For the Inspired Chef, fresh sweet waters or kumamotos from Hog Island Oyster Co can shipped directly to his door...

 

For the Metropolitan Guy, custom city map cuff links from Tomato-Made

For the Science Geek, a card by Shop Gibberish

For the Hipster, retro liquor decanters by Bella Smiles

For the Gourmet, not your average meat of the month club, homemade salumi from Boccalone in San Francisco

For the Grill Master, custom BBQ Rub set by Purpose Design

Fire up the BBQ...

Happy Monday, everyone. I am getting a slow start this morning in part due to a very fun weekend of World Cup watching (Go USA!) and an overdose of delicious ribs and pulled pork sandwiches at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party yesterday.

It's not often that Madison Square Park and surrounding streets get closed down for a 2-day block party. Besides the yummy food, for non-meat eaters there were fantastic microbrews from Heartland Brewery and live bands from Austin, TX. Rain did not deter those in search of some good Southern BBQ. One word: Awesome.

What did you do this weekend?

Friday Obsession- Vintage Tea Cups

For quite a while, every trip to the thrift store, or late night on eBay in usually partly in search of brightly colored tea cups.  I love them because they're so versatile and you don't have to have a complete set. One or two in each pattern is fine, as they look great mixed and matched on a table. I think they'd be perfect for serving ice cream on a warm summer night.

They look lovely with small bouquet on a nightstand or bureau...

Perfect for stashing jewelry in a drawer, I also put them out to hold rings and earrings on a nightstand...

I've also seen them given away as party favors at a wedding. The possibilities are endless...

(images courtesy of Domino Magazine, Martha Stewart, first image unknown)

Monograms... oh yes!

I love monograms. They're timeless and instantly give simple bedding and glassware a classic, preppy feel. I'm even more excited that I have been seeing them show up in new and interesting ways. I love these customizable plates from La Plates. How cool would these be hanging on a wall...

(Photo courtesy of House Beautiful)

Although not new, these letter pillows from Jonathan Adler would be awesome on a sofa or bed...

 (photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler)

These Italian sheets from Restoration Hardware are definitely on the wishlist for my 30th B'day... 

(photo courtesy of Restoration Hardware)