PESKY HEIRLOOMS

One question I get asked a lot as an interior designer and blogger is, "How do I mix my family heirlooms in with my modern/classic decor?" The answer??

Despite the many many rooms I have in my inspiration files exhibiting eclectic styles mixed and matched, it seems to be a challenge that in real life people have a very hard time tackling. Do you find that to be true for you, as well?

My quick answer is, it's all about balance and proportion and not being afraid to let that piece stand out. My follow up answer is - heirloom or not, if you hate it, you'll never be happy with it. Find a happy home for it elsewhere.

PS - I love this bedroom. It feels very grown up... in a really good way. (via lonny)

COCO+KELLEY FOR LONNY: GIFT GUIDE!

I think it's safe to say we all love waking up on a Sunday to find a new issue of Lonny ready to peruse with our morning coffee! But I was especially excited to see their anniversary issue for one very good reason...

I'm in it! A big thanks to Ellie and Michelle for including me in their gift guide section alongside their own picks as well as the ever-so-chic Katie Armour and her lovely selections.

I have to say, going the 'artsy' route was a bit of a challenge for me. I think most of us would agree that my glamour girl sensibilities normally don't scream indie design. In fact, I think if anything my definition of artsy would be much more along the lines of a chic boheme... so I created a second gift guide here with some of the pieces that didn't make the cut for Lonny! After all, there's no such thing as too many presents...

A few of these beauties are officially on my birthday wishlist now, too! But you'll have to wait another two weeks for that...

*resources: 1. abc home altru soy candle, 2. personalized notecards from gadabout, 3. keel's simple diary, 4. candle & chandelier sleeves from kaarskoker, 5. ball locket necklace from the vamoose, 6. bellissima compact mirror at refinery29, 7. decoupage dishes at julie's adorabowls, 8. color pencil & brass holder set at jayson home & garden, 9. beautiful bracelets by janna conner

COCO+KELLEY LOVES ELLIE!

If you were lucky enough to find the time this weekend to dig into the latest issue of Lonny, you might have come across a familiar name...

I was so excited to discover that coco+kelley had been chosen by Editorial Assistant, Ellie Somerville - alongside some other very fabulous bloggers - as one of her Essential Reads! Even more amazing though is the apartment she put together for herself in NYC...

Loved this vignette in her living room that features some of my favorite pieces, including the ever-essential Parsons desk from West Elm in a cheery yellow that plays off the blue walls just perfectly...

The tall ceilings are stunning, and Ellie made the most of them with dramatic curtains and her DIY 'moldings' that are simply painted on! The addition of the rug in this space does volumes to cover a drab floor (always my biggest headache as a renter!).

The space in her home I loved the most, however, was definitely the bedroom. So sumptuous and classic. Her use of luxurious textiles makes me swoon!

Congrats on such a gorgeous home, Ellie, and a huge thank you!!!

*check out the latest fabulous issue of lonny right here!

THE HIGHLIGHT REEL: LONNY ISSUE #4

Yes, I know. Everyone in blogland will be posting their favorite photos this week from the latest issue of Lonny which arrived this weekend on a particularly quiet Saturday evening for me. This meant that (amazingly enough) I had the time to really enjoy it as well as peruse the updated site which now includes archived issues and links to the photography on flickr!

I thought the first few pages were just a teensy bit boring, but once we got into the home tours, the inspiration came flooding in. A few of the highlights for me...

A tour of Michelle's own newly decorated apartment! I love seeing how her look has evolved from her last (much blogged about) space, and yet the aesthetic stays true to to her style. The zig zag drapes were a favorite of mine, and I was happy to see that she kept her sunny headboard (both fabrics from her line, Rubie Green of course!), but it was that gorgeous, structured lamp and the addition of the sophisticated striped chairs that had me swooning!
Apparently either I'm in love with this rich tropical teal, or Lonny is because after looking at the images I pulled, I definitely spied a trend! The parrot pillow is killin' me with its touch of playfulness in what is a fairly formal dining room. I adore using a contrast fabric on the back of settees and chairs! Trimmed bedding reminds me of luxurious hotel linens and I can never get enough. But the topper was absolutely the wingback chair. Please come home to me!

But, out of all these gorgeous spaces, this is the one that took my breath away...
The ultra fabulous living room of designer Laura Day holds just the right touch of glamour with the traditional sofas being offset by perfectly selected accents that are strong, playful, rich, and stunning.

Have you browsed the new issue yet? What was your favorite piece??

Happy (Comfy) Weekend

I just have to say thank you a million times over to my fabulous readers this week. For your support in the launch of the new coco+kelley design site and your daily birthday wishes!
I'll be spending the weekend cozying up the house and putting final touches on the living room and bedroom for a photo shoot (eeeks!), and I thought this quote from Lonny Magazine was a perfect way to end the week - after all, what good is a home if it's not livable?

And, I promised to announce the two lucky readers for the birthday giveaways this week, so here we go!

The winner of the kaarsKoker candlesticks and sleeves is: Paula over at {two ellie} (such a cute blog, by the way!) And, the winner of a personalized invitation design from Dana Cordova is: M&C - fellow Seattleites working on building their first home over at Four Twenty Four! Love that!

AND, don't forget - you can still get 20% off at the kaarsKoker website through the holidays with the code COCOK, so if you didn't win, I suggest popping over and snagging a pair of candlesticks and sleeves for yourself!

Have a fabulous weekend all!

L is For...

Lonny! Oh, and it's also for LOVE. Because there has been a barren little vacancy in all our designer hearts since the folding of Domino, and it has just been FILLED!

I was so excited to flip through the pages of this new online magazine brought to us by the talented co-founders, Michele Adams and Patrick Cline (who photographed the issue),  and thrilled to see some interiors reflecting my own recent obsessions...

Like touches of olive green, my new favorite gender friendly combo of grey+tangerine, and lots of bar styling!

Not to mention some genius ideas and resources, like this gorgeous pillow created by Eddie Ross from the delicate beading of a dress, or the cute tray used by Grace Bonney under her dishes (so much better than those dingy gross white rubber things!), and these leopard coasters that provide just that touch of rowr to any room - they are soooo calling my name.

I'm sure most of you have already read through the issue (or maybe you're saving it for a weekend treat!), but I couldn't not throw out praise for this project that beyond exceeded my expectations. Thank you Lonny!!