Setting the Scene

Zgallerie is one of those places that keeps on the trends and keeps Home Market Editors happy.  They always have a great piece with an equally great price. Right now they have a a few black and white things that would make an instantly chic outdoor space.   A few minutes online ordering and it comes delivered to you.  

Start with this cabana .....

Add an outdoor/indoor rug for the inside of the tent...

Add some matching paper lanterns....

and black and white dishes...

Add a few festive pillows and call it a day. 

Thanks, Z Gallerie!

Live large, 

Frances 

Happy Memorial Day

In the middle of picnics, beach trips, shopping adventures, and grilling parties, let's remember the men and women who fight for us this holiday.  While running through the Charlotte airport last Saturday, I got caught up in a mass of folks giving a standing ovation for soldiers who were coming home for holiday.   They looked so young...and the random event was so meaningful.   In honor of Memorial Day, next time you spot a service woman or man, give them a thank you shoutout. And for the many who aren't here to hear it....

Live large,
Frances

Take Note!

Paper lovers rejoice!  

The Stationery Show is taking place in NYC this week and it's filled to the brim with lovelies.... One paper salon that is a real treat is Mr. Boddington.   While others have imitated their designs, they really started a new look for wedding stationery and now, baby.  

Check out the envelope liners... Who wants to send a boring white envelope out when you can send one of these?

Here's one of their custom baby announcements...

Here's an example from their  ready-to-print line.  The animal liner sealed it for me. 

And for the guys, check this out....

So pick up a pen and write a note.... and do it with style. 

Live large, 

Frances 

Just for a laugh...

New York City has been full of the cool kids in design with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair taking place this weekend.  Modern design is showcased at hot spots like galleries and popup stores around the city with hipsters mingling and cocktails swinging.  While there are some seriously minded folks, it feels more like a trip on the L train late Saturday night.  (Read:  uberhip kids heading out to party).   It sorta reminded me of the website, unhappyhipsters.com-a laugh out loud read where bloggers post magazine images then create a fake dialogue to go along with the image.  Here's a recent (hilarious) posting:

Enjoy the Monday laughs!

Live large, 

Frances 

Hipster housekeeping

This past weekend at the Festival of New Ideas, I met a charming young lady, Kate Payne, who is trying her hand as the 2.0 Martha Stewart.  

She's written a guide for all things related to the home after relocating to Brooklyn and being short on cash (sound familiar anyone?).  The guide hits on just about every thing related to the home-decorating, cleaning, entertaining, daily cooking and more.  Written in the same voice as your best friend when asked how to make her favorite brownie recipe, she also tosses out budget tips  like not buying commercial household cleaners but mix your own using white vinegar and water for the most effective, cheaper cleaner. Yes, I've heard a few times before but she really makes the case well.  Considering we're not out of the Great Recession yet (ok, Wall Street may be but the rest of us are still waiting curbside for a bit of action) her tips are a reminded of how living simply and with style can co-exist. 

The  Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking

and you can buy it at any of these places...

Her blog has a lot of cool info on it too. Check our her links to love and how to set up a food swap. Both are enough to make me want to cancel all my social outings this week and stay home to pickle things  It's also part of the homegrown.org site which is choked full of resources too. 

A+ Kate!

Live large, 

Frances 

  

5 reason to love Burke Decor

Friday is here and the gardening itch is coming on full force.  It's time to give homes a bit of spring curb appeal.  A quick way to do that?  A window or topiary for quick season impact. Burke Decor has a nice selection of planters and boxes to choose from.  Here are my 5 favs:

#1  Pick-For a clean and modern look....

#2 Pick- For an even More modern look....

#3 Pick-A great all around planter...

#4 Pick-For a classic, more traditional look....

#5 Pick-For a hit of European glam...

Happy planting.... 

Live large, 

Frances 

French Dreams

It's almost Memorial Day and no plans are in the works. Dreaming of southern France but not sure how to get there.  The dream is fueled by reading Kathryn Ireland's latest book, Summers in France, on her house there. 

(Seriously, who wouldn't want to summer here? Isn't this the perfect shade of blue??)

 Be forewarned: Only read if you want to be Really Jealous. This lady's house is pretty perfect. The Interior Designer to the stars manages to make comfortable interiors with a real appreciation for home. No rooms are roped off and no worries about spillage.  Here's a picture of some of her textiles to give you a hint of her style. Love the colors and patterns.  

Kathryn is now sharing her talents on Bravo's latest show so check her out. 

If you need a guest over Memorial Day weekend, Kathryn, I'm ready to go....

Live large, 

Frances

Laundry Night

It's laundry night and I am dreaming of a proper laundry room while running from my apartment to the basement to a room full of bad washing machines and one folding table.  I dream of organic cleaners and proper surfaces to fold things. Here's one that has got me weak kneed....

It's not about the energy star appliances for me (though, they are great) but the actual set up.  Things on my must have list...

1.  Retractable clothes line, $9.99 

That allows me to hang up things when I need to while not hogging good space when I don't.   

2.  Folding ironing board,  $24.99

It's just impossible to iron without a board and man, have I tried.  This little number is the little black dress of the laundry room, a true stand by. 

3.  Laundry baskets, $24.99

From sorting colors and white ... to sorting things that need to be ironed ... baskets are indispensable to any laundry room. 

4.  Adjustable Garmet Rack,  $24.99

For those longer items that need some hanging room.

Live large and with clean clothes, 

Frances

Small Hotel Rooms

What's the smallest hotel room you've ever stayed in?  This past week, I stayed at the uber cool, Drake Hotel, in Toronto. The room was a mere 150 square feet. 

 My apartment felt like a mansion afterwards but it was a good reminder how good design isn't prohibitive to big rooms.  Hotels can give smart ideas on design for limited footage.  

It got me thinking about small rooms at hotels. Here's my round up:

Citizen M hotel has rooms that are 14 square meters packed full of coolness.  But you have to hit Amsterdam or Glasgow to check in. 

The Netherlands boasts the world's smallest hotel, Grand Hotel de Kromme Raake.  This former grocery store turned one room hotel sports a tiny spot for travelers to spend the night. 

In June 2011, the Yotel is opening in NYC after running a successful hotel near Heathrow in London.   All the rooms are under 200 square feet so your luggage just may be bigger than the room. 

In Germany, you can park it at the Das Park Pipe Hotel where the rooms run as small as a tent.  Dog not included. 

Live large, 

Frances