My New Cubes, AKA Coffee Table

My beloved coffee table had to go once Henry became mobile.  While it takes a nap safely in storage, I had to figure out something to take its place for a while.  I decided to do two separate cubes for mobility  and potential multiple uses after their stint as coffee table during toddler time.

 I had my upholstery workroom custom make them and I must say, I love them.   The soft corners make me feel better and I take Henry incessantly beating his toy drumstick along the top as a confirmation he likes them as well.

Spring Bag

It seems that every year, about this time, I start itching to get a new bag for Spring.  I got a new bag last November that I still like, but I love seeing the new Spring styles.  If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you probably know I have a thing for Michael Kors.  His Santorini natural tote is a current fave.

  

Kate Spade’s straw bag with “petuna” ribbon is also pretty cute!

This yellow and white stripe leather one is fun too, but I think I need a bag with shoulder straps.

 

And I’ve also love Tory Burch totes.

Trina Turk’s canvas tote with pink and green and shiny patent bottom also caught my eye.

Ahh, so fun to see all the new Spring stuff!  It’s a good thing I’ve been staying out of the stores lately!

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P.S.  Today is the last day to enter the $200 e-spree giveaway to Joss & Main.

New Coffee Table

Since the addition of the new curtains to our living room, our big ole chunky ottoman just feels too big, bulky and dark for the look I’m after.  I initially chose this particular ottoman for baby safety reasons, but now I’m not so sure that there isn’t a better option available. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye recently.

Williams Sonoma Bryce Coffee Table ($550)

I’m thinking of going round this time since our couch is so square.  I’m kind of in love with this one. I love the thick, dark wood paired with the shiny silver legs in an x-shape.  If you know of a similar, less expensive version, I’d love to know about it!

I can’t find the link for this one, but perhaps I could find a similar one and have it upholstered and add the nailhead trim? 

Or maybe a pair of x-benches?  Restoration Hardware $325 (on sale- ha!) – for one!

I’m especially fond of this version from Wisteria ($259)

But the Ballard Designs seats ($269- x- bench; Courbe Ottoman- $239) are great because you can choose from a variety of colors!

This West Elm storage bench ($325) is pretty cool.   But which color??  Probably the grey.

The Crate & Barrel Collette Bench ($599)– always a classic.

I also like what A Thoughtful Place found for her living room.  K Mart ($129- but Courtney scored it for $99!)  Lucky dog! :)

And here is a more modern version of what we have now.  Hines Square Ottoman by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.  And by the way Mitch and Bob, could you please list your prices on your website??

 

I’m undecided.  I’m going to put a design board together to see what I think looks best and continue looking around some more.  I’m considering changing the side tables, possibly the lamps, and adding a new accent chair or chairs and table to complete the living room.  Should I just pull the trigger on #1??

Have a Great Weekend!

Three's A Crowd

LOVE this room with not one but 3 ottomans....The rest of the house is great too, definitely a breath of fresh air. The fretwork in the other rooms is amazing, be sure to check it out. I was going to only post the ottoman picture but I had to include these as well.
For more images of this house by Thomas Hamel go to House Beautiful

Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag

The tote bag I’ve been carrying for months is so cute, but too impractical for my current lifestyle- that being a mommy lifestyle.  Since I don’t use a diaper bag anymore, my everyday bag has to double as purse + diaper bag.  The previous tote I was using was too heavy and didn’t have any dividing compartments inside, so the contents kept getting all scrambled and I’d lose my keys, phone, etc.  Not good when you’re juggling holding a baby and all . . .

They had different color combinations that I debated for way too long over, and I almost ended up with the brown bag and red strap, but the gold won out.  They also had brown with an orange strap that was cute, and then black bag and strap.

But aside from being super cute, the functionality is what I was after.  Let’s take a closer look!

These days, my purse definitely has to serve more functions than just looking nice.  This one seems to be working well so far. 

*And can you believe Thanksgiving is NEXT THURSDAY??  To kick of your weekend, head to A Thoughtful Place for a chance to win a $30 gift card to Target!

Our Breakfast Room

When designing our home, I dreamed of a little breakfast room with a window where we could enjoy our weekend mornings, lingering over the table with a cup of coffee and the paper or a magazine.  The room would also double as a place for casual dinners and easy get-togethers with friends. 

The logical location for our breakfast room was just off the kitchen, adjacent to the living room.  We ended up with two windows, plus the glass door, so lots of natural light. 

  

After moving in, the breakfast room sat empty while I struggled to find the perfect table for the space.  Because our kitchen counters are marble and we have to be careful with them, and our formal dining room table, is, well more formal, I wanted a kitchen table that was a little rustic and did not feel precious.  With a baby, and lots of family and friends hanging out (especially now with football season) I didn’t want to have to worry about the table getting damaged or have our guests feeling like they had to be uptight about setting a drink down.

Initially, I thought a round table would work best in this small, rectangular space and considered these options:

Pottery Barn- Montego Pedestal Dining Table.  Image via Pottery Barn.

Restoration Hardware- Camden Round Extension Table.  Image via Restoration Hardware.

Crate & Barrel- Orion Table.  Image via Crate & Barrel

The Pottery Barn table, while pretty, was dismissed as too formal; the Restoration Hardware is the same as what we have in the formal dining room (but rectangular); and my husband thought the Crate & Barrel was too modern.  We ultimately decided on the Benchwright table and benches from Pottery Barn. 

Benches and distressed wood conveyed the casual feeling I was going for and I love the look of the metal support brackets and oversized bolts.    

The rectangular table actually ended up fitting the room perfectly.  I added the same rug (Crate & Barrel- Island Honey Chevron) that we have in the living room in an effort to unify the spaces.

So far, we’re loving this little area and table.  I agonize forever before buying furniture and am so happy when I’m ultimately pleased with the purchase! 

The Shutters are Coming, The Shutters are Coming!

Ordering blinds and shutters for our home was one of the last things we did before moving in.  I had only a short time to decide what we were going to do with our windows in terms of blinds/shutters and probably made some mistakes.  I love the look of bamboo shades and wonder (secretly, so the hubby doesn’t freak out) if we should’ve gotten those instead.  They just warm up a space so well.  Anyhow . . .

We opted for blinds on all the windows downstairs, leaving the two rear glass doors uncovered.  Upstairs, we also have blinds in all the bedrooms, except for our master bedroom and bath, where we decided on shutters.   If I recall, we had to go with shutters here because the way the window handles are, they would have interfered with the blinds.   Those details are a little foggy now.  But, apparently, shutters take 8 weeks to manufacture.   So, for the last 2 1/2 months, our bedroom windows have looked like this:

 

. . .  and the bathroom window

The shutters are scheduled to be installed Thursday morning.  I’m so excited but I actually don’t even remember anymore what they are supposed to look like.   I’ll be sure to share the results with you! 

Are you a blinds, shutter, or bamboo shades kind of gal?  We are on blinds overload downstairs but it's kinda too late to change it now since we just got them.  I’m hoping that adding drapes will help. 

Coffee Talk {Link Party}

Emily at Emily A. Clark recently found a fabulous coffee table for her home, which inspired her to host a link party where readers show off their own coffee tables.  I love getting a glimpse into everyone’s living rooms.  And here is a peek into ours:

 

 

As you can see, our coffee table is actually a leather ottoman from Overstock.  I love it because it’s large (39 x 39 inches), fits our space perfectly, was inexpensive, and will hopefully be safer for our little guy, who recently started doing this:

Heaven help me! 

Stop by tomorrow to see my mudroom makeover:)

Banquette

Something about banquette seating just says relaxed and comfortable to me.  I love it paired with unique chairs and patterned cushions.  I originally wanted this in our home, but didn’t end up going that route because we didn’t want to interfere with the flow from the open living room to the breakfast room.  Maybe we’ll change our minds in the future.  For now, I can just enjoy these images.

 

*via Diane Bergeron

 

 

*Designer Annsley McAleer's Boston home. Photo by Justin Bernhaut, Domino, April 2007.

 

*Photo by Eric Piasecki

Images below from BHG.com

Do you like banquette seating or do you prefer a table and chairs?