Nordstrom's is Doing Some Good

It's Friday so it's time for .... "Doing Good".  Recently, I came across a store in NYC that is owned by retailer, Nordstrom's that is really interesting.  The shop, Treasure & Bond, donates 100%-yep -that's right, 100% to charities for kids in NYC.  It's located in Soho in a cool industrial space full of real finds.  

Lovely, right? 

See for yourself ... 

Way to go, Nordstroms!

Click here to see their list of brands you can buy.  

Click here to see the list of charities. 

Live large, 

Frances 

Small Upgrades

I was inspired by a blog posting over at Apartment Therapy this week on small splurges that can really make a difference.  Well, if there was ever a decorating mantra I have its make every thing count (yes, even that little stuff) because it can really be the easiest way to spruce up ever.  It's the best part of living in limited square footage. You don't hold on to stuff just 'cause.  It's either got to bring you joy or serve a purpose or its at Housing Works faster than you can say "DONATE!" 

Here are a few things worth upgrading that won't cost a pretty penny but can make a difference. 


Doormat
Show some personality Right Out of the Gate. So often this is a $5 mat found at a Home Depot-eque shop without a whole lot of thought.  And in NYC, these suckers get a work out so if it's time to retire yours, splurge on one that will add a little somethin' somethin'.   Ikea has this cutie for a song. 

Door Knob

An instant room upgraded, just freakin' upgrade from the $2 crappy door handle to something with more substance and style.  This is one of those things no one will really notice but like good highlights that just make you look like you have had a good night sleep, it'll just give the overall room a lift.  Love this black porcelain one from Rejuvenation.  

Kitchen (or Bathroom) Soap

No one wants to see some old used up (dirty!) bar of soap in your kitchen or bathroom so toss that sucker and buy a nice pump version with nice packaging that says "Enjoy washing your hands."   Williams-Sonoma has some beautiful ones. 

ps. While you are upgrading the kitchen soap, check out your sponge. If it looking dingy, buy a new one  

Pillows
It's the easiest way to change a sofa, switch out the pillows.  Use the same inserts and get new covers which can easily be stored under your bed when not in use.  Etsy has great ones and so does Furbish which has this lovely for $50. 

Pretty Catch All 
Everyone needs a drop bowl so wallets, keys, remotes, packs of gums, lipsticks, extra keys don't all end up everywhere.  And if you have to have one, make it pretty so it turns all those little things into a chic display.   This one from Etsy is fun  and hold a ton. 

Live large, 

Frances 

Pinterest Round Up

Pinterest ranks second to coffee as addictions go for me.  Do ya'll agree??  It's a happy place to get instant inspiration and go on a creative jaunt without ever leaving my parson's desk.   I am ammmmaaaaazzzeed at the great "eyes" out there and have found some of my favorite pinners aren't big brands like J Crew or Kate Spade but smaller designers, tastemakers out there.  Today I decided to give a few of my favorites a shout out. 

Best All Around Pinner (and one of the first!)..... HOLLY PHILLIPS-super talented and fun Interior Designer in Charlotte, NC.   

And here's one of her pins...

Coco Chanel's Apt via Pinterest (photographer not listed)


Another favorite pinned is MRS. FRENCH based in Portland, Or. Her style is super Portland if you know what I mean... and she pins A LOT. She also pins fun fashion things and travel related pins that are "wow" worthy.   






And here's one of her pins.....

Elle Decor South Africa via Pinterest



Another favorite Pinterester is.....




She is the queen of black and white and has a zillion followers devoted to her as well.


Here's one of her pins....

Black Tile (no photographer listed)


Happy Pinning!
Best,
Frances

Some Inspiration

Check out the studio apartment of Swedish designer, Jimmy Schonning, in Stockholm.  It's 495 square feet and chocked full of ideas.   One King's Lane did a great write up. Read it here. 

Another tiny home on my radar is this West Village apartment.  Isn't the entrance just a gem?

Read about it here. 

 Houzz ran a fascinating article on a 220 square feet space and how it's used.  Read up on that here. 

  Houzz also ran one of my all time favorite homes from Portland designer, Jessica Helgerson. Her home that she share with her husband and two kids is just killer.  Read more here. 

Each of these articles is full of ideas and thoughts on small space living. Get ready to take notes & pin like crazy. 

Live large, 

Frances 

Get the Look!

Lonny ran this lovely NYC studio apartment awhile back and it's stuck with me.  It's well put together and has a definite layout and feels, well, grownup.  It feels full but not too cluttered and clearly, every inch is used.  This works to me because there is a  unified look throughout the room.  I love how there are REAL pieces of furniture, nothing "made for an apartment."  Well done.  

I love seeing towards the other direction as well  The floating books frame up the foyer and the over sized painting above the desk defies the adage to put small things in small places.  

Wanna get the look? 

Paint your home a slightly antique white 

like White Dove at Benjamin Moore. 

Sofa.com

Add a nail head trimmed white sofa in a federal style. 

Restoration Hardware

Add some (faux) fur on sale now at Restoration Hardware. 

1st Dibs

Add a marble topped coffee table from 1stDibs

Float those books on the wall from the The Shelving Store. 

This room is all about gorgeous "heirloom" pieces like this antique chest from V& M. 

Happy Shopping!

Live large, 

Frances 

Doing Good: Aid to Artists

Have you noticed in so many of the coolest retailers this past year like Anthropologie to Serena & Lily had adorable paper mache animals?  And you don't want just one, you want them ALL!  Funny enough, it was an updated look to the whole taxidermy trend that's been around the last few years and this opened the door for folks who wanted the look without an actual dead deer staring at them at night. (I should know. I have one.)

Aid-to-Artisans connects artists with new markets and markets to new artists.  They also trains artists to make all sorts of cool things so the artist learns a new craft while making an income.  Check out their store for the latest and greatest.  Today, I was at the Land of Nod Spring Preview and they have several exclusive looks for their catalog in the next few months. Isn't he cute??

Live large, 

Frances 

New Products & Services for Small Spaces

Every so often, a gal wants to host a proper dinner party with a long table and the works.  My pinterest board has tons of those dreamy dinner party with lots of lit candles and a table that goes on and on and on... right out my 400 square feet into the hallway, down the elevator and out to 15th St. So the dream continued until I blogged about Eddie Ross's clever use of the Goliath table at Resource Furniture in my last blog.  Well, if that same table didn't show up in Life Edited. Isn't it genius?

All you Mariah Careys in the shower, take note.  Kohler's new shower head, Moxie, has built in speakers so you can pipe in your favorite playlist or house music so get ready to bring down the house. 

Another resource that's caught my eye recently is Simplicity Sofas.   They make sofas in a range of styles + fabrics made for smaller abodes. 

Friends are always asking about getting someone to help them tweak their apartments but they don't want to go all out with a big name. Now my go-to recommendation is Home Polish. 

Here's a good before/after they did... 

And another... 

 I HEART their blog too.  

Head over to One King's Lane to shop the sale of California Home + Design's small space, big style showhouse.  There's a few things left but it ends in a day so HURRY....

Live large, 

Frances