interiors: lake cottage day dreaming

So, the title is a little disingenuous. My dream cottage would be located on the ocean. Somehow "lake cottage" is a bit more evocative of a certain style, though. It's a little cozier than an oceanfront home: a little more collected, a little less nautical.

All of this daydreaming was inspired by a combination of Seattle's nearly ubiquitous drizzle that has now settled over the city AND Thom Filicia's New York lake house. I love Thom Filicia's palettes and collected feel, but sometimes the spaces feel a bit over accessorized (though he says he loves a spare look).  Here are my favorite rooms he created for his cozy lake house:

I love that these walls and chairs bring big design points to an otherwise sparse room. The upholstered walls create warmth, but Thom said he added them to muffle the raucous sounds of his loud dinner parties. But overall, I just love that jewel-toned blue. 

This fire pit feels totally at home for summer evenings or fall afternoons... Big Pemberton blankets for everyone and a steaming cup of hot cider... yes, please.

Now for some elements I would bring to the house. First, a cozy, tranquil bedroom. It is feminine for sure, but not overly so. I always love a big, fluffy duvet - it looks so welcoming (summer or fall), and keeping the look rather monochromatic reminds me of a posh hotel suite. That unfinished wall finishes the look for me, bringing the outdoors in, in a really polished way. 

Next, a bright, utilitarian kitchen. Cooking on vacation isn't the number one priority, and this kitchen houses the necessities. I love the pop of apple green inside the upper cabinets. It's something you might not do at home for fear you wouldn't like it for the long haul, but the whimsy works here. 

florals: potted blooms

Happy Monday! I'm a sucker for cut flowers, and have a gorgeous collection of red roses gracing the coffee table. But sometimes a pot of pretty blooms is a more affordable, longer lasting alternative.

These begonias are 1. my favorite color and 2. a bright spot next to a collection of my favorite shots of my husband and I. (Don't worry, this is the only collection of "US" "us" "US" photos.)

Ok, ok... Red roses... 

All images by Kelsey Frause

cocktail hour: a perfect gin martini

Ok, ok. So it's Friday. Friday of Halloween week. It's been a long week of drinking, cleverly concocting costumes, sweets, and more drinking. Now that Friday is here, the last thing I want to ask of anyone is to *gasp* mix a cocktail. 

The Handmade Cocktail Company to the rescue with their pre-mixed (don't judge, yet!) martinis. They describe it as "Premium Copper Pot-Still Gin, with just a splash of the very best dry vermouth, this Bottled Gin Martini has been expertly blended in ultra-small batches by those handsome devils at the Handmade Cocktail Company." Interest piqued? 

Image via Handmade Cocktail Company

Just add your choice of twist or olive. My personal favorite is a (ok, three) bleu cheese olive because I have such an insatiable salty tooth. 

Image via deli direct

And what better place to enjoy this sophisticated classic than Big & Carrie's dashing dining space?

Image via Set Decorators Association

Cheers!

interiors: colorful kitchens

Miami was a veritable explosion of colors. The beautifully preserved deco hotels (more on that later) were one thing, but I was in absolute heaven in Miami's Design District.

The designers' showrooms were one thing, but the bath and tile shops. Oh, the bath and tile shops. I spent perhaps an hour and a half sighing over tiles. (I might have spent longer but for my husband and our lunch reservation.)

When planning my future kitchen (aside from a healthy kitchen fund, which is in the works), I look toward color. I want something that is "us" - something that isn't generic. Definitely not "Tuscan farmhouse" or "blank slate modern"... Tiles are likely where I'll add color, but there is something I can't help but love when it comes to colorful cabinets. It elevates an otherwise predictable design, and makes it fully and totally your own.

Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber uses robin's egg blue to update his traditional kitchen. Image via HouseBeautiful.com.

The reason behind this tile obsession isn't just magazines and blogs full of kitchen porn. The Kitchen Cousins have to take some credit. Please indulge me in some of my favorite before and afters courtesy of these charming cousins... 

Before: This is a single girl's awkwardly set-up, totally dated kitchen. 

After: sleek, shiny yellow Italian cabinets compliment more period appropriate details. Also, I really love that island (and the fact that it's a little less flashy, allowing those canary cabinets to really be the star).

Before: Presented without comment. 

After: Tiles, cabinets, lighting, glossy lowers, island... Sigh.

I pined over these actual tiles. I love how the Moorish influence is matched with modern lines. 

Hopefully these photos inspire everyone to go beyond the bland.

Unless noted, all images courtesy HGTV.

florals: a surprise bunch

We have been in Miami to celebrate our first anniversary. On the actual day, my lovely husband brought home these gorgeous pink gerbera daisies. Flowers are always an especially lovely surprise because I'm always purchasing them myself - it just doesn't leave much room for a need for more flowers!

photo by Max Frause

A few days later, I couldn't help myself. I purchased a bunch of anastasia blooms in bright green, and rearranged the flowers in a very full, very colorful bouquet.

anastasia bloom via fiftyflowers.com