Porch Envy

It's the last week in July and the weather begs for a long night spent rocking on the front porch.  Or side porch.  Or back porch.  Quite frankly, any porch.  Here are two sleeping porches that caught my eye recently.  Both are a happy marriage of form and function.

Poteet Architects created a fun take on the front porch in an L shape.  I love how the space has different places to enjoy it.

From the side so you can see how it attaches to the house. Love the organic design. 

NY Stylist Scott Newkirk made a stylish sleeping porch in upstate NY. Love the global touch with the pillows. 

Live Large (and Outside!)

Frances

For the love of....stripes

I see'em everywhere and just can't get enough. Chance Co makes this terrific take of the classic French sailor shirt. 

 They also sell paintings of striped shirts just in case you'd rather look at them than wear them.

Try stripes on your walls. Ferm-living.com

Try sipping from 'em.  Jackandlulu.com

Try writing on 'em.   Riflepaperco.com

Hook Mania

I can't get enough of hooks in my life.  From holding towels to dog leashes to handbags to big bangles, the hook is one of those all purpose things that every home should have.  The good news is that there's a wealth of good ones out there.  Here's a few worth considering.

One of my very favorite online shops, Gretel Home,  has a fantastic collection.  Why get 1 when you can get a set of 6? Designed by Very Good & Proper, a design firm from UK, these offer a hit of color and would look great on a bright white wall. 

More hilarious hooks from Gretel Home that would be fun in a kitchen.   Who can resist laughing at these?

Anthropologie has terrific hardware and this animal hook is not exception.  Owls have had their moment. Let's give the giraffe her due. 

The Hook Lady is one to have bookmarked. She supplies a lot of stores like Ralph Lauren their hooks. I met her years ago at the flea market in NYC and have enjoyed watching her business grow.   Love her horse and elephant hooks.  

But to those of you who aren't into the animal thing, it's hard to beat her classic, simple version. 

Happy hanging!

Live Large, 

Frances 

Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays should be added to the constitution. They are stolen time to enjoy the best season.  Here's a few ideas on how to spend yours. 

Hit a pool, preferably outside. 

Pick a good book and good chair then hit the porch. 

Make lemonade for the masses. 

Hit an outdoor shower. 

Stay in a treehouse hotel. 

Live large, 

Frances

Picnic Crazy

I love a picnic whether on the carpet, in the backyard, in the local park, on the beach or dock.  Here's a few things that keep me picnic party ready. 

Ikea has the best napkins for 1.49 pack.  I always stock up when I make it there. 

Toss bright colored flatware in a bucket and bring out for last minute park runs.  The Dollar Store usually has a nice selection. 

Wasara is a japanese line of picnic productions that are biodegrable and can be reused for a few uses if they don't get "wet".  Branch Home sells a kit for 8. 

Another option for green friendly folks is this party kit from Branch Home. 

While visiting Nantucket a few years ago, I fell in love with a cute shop and the owners had put together this book.  It's been dog earred like crazy and while it's not my kitchen bible, a few times each summer it gives me inspiration.  Recipes for lobster rolls and clam bakes get me there without actually going.  Amazon sells. 

Live large, 

Frances

Candle Round up

For when you are missing a front yard... Fresh Cut Grass Scented Candle from ABC Home. 

For when you're stuck in the office while friends are calling from the cabin upstate...Aunt Sadie's Cabin Scented Candle. 

For when you are anticipating your next city escape... A little Ole Scented Candle from Jonathan Adler

For when you're on a summer diet....Homemade Cookie Scented Candle from Bath & Body Works

Live large, 

Frances

Favorite Apps

Summer interns always entertain me. They do those tasks that I dread and get excitement over things like taking the subway and meetings.  This summer I have the pleasure of working with a sassy gal who hails from New Orleans.  Here's a few apps that Miss Summer Intern has put me onto that I love:

Palettes:  Take a picture of a sunset or any favorite image and it'll break down the colors used.  

Benjamin Moore's Color Capture: Tells you what any color is.  

Units: For those of us not so math inclined. 

And Run Pee

No joke.  There is an app called "Runpee" that tells you when to make a run for the loo during a movie. It tells you the time (62:8 minutes) and the line that is said to cue you to start out the door. 

I would also add What the font as a new favorite of mine.  Font obsessed, it tells me what it is or a close version.  

Better yet? They are all free. 

Live large, 

Frances 

Extra footage

Fresh off the train from a visit to a friend's new house in lovely Connecticut.   We walked the house while she shared her hopes and dreams for the house and we brainstormed.  Decorating a home is one thing but designing a new life for a family is another.  One of my favorite parts of her home was the large backyard filled with bunnies, happy birds and old trees. Their backyard has a perfect spot for an outdoor structure that could be a playhouse for the kids, a garden room for her or a home office.   That reminded me of a current obsession- Modern Cabana.   This is a great resource to add a little square footage to your home's green space. 

The basic model:

Isn't this one great? I love the clean design and practical application.  They can be maxed out with bells and whistles or kept simple. 

And they have models for kids and dogs as well.

Live large!

Frances

Small Spaces Resource

Check out House Beautiful's latest issue all on small spaces.  And check out the cover... they're using my tag-"Living large in small spaces."  It's a great issue with tons of ideas and resources.  Check it out, especially my fave, Nick Olsen, who decked out a 275 square foot apartment that I am gaga over.   Well done, Nick!

Live large, 

Frances 

Posting Apology

June flew by and July isn't fairing any better so I am pulling the plug on this fast paced treadmill to get back to the things I love:  blogging, summer sunsets and park picnics.

Live large,

Frances