Coffee Table Glam

Often in a small space people think they're limited to creativity, to luxe pieces and to just plain glamour. Well be not afraid apartment dwellers, you are SO NOT!! However, it might need a tweak in thinking where to place that glamour but for if the space doesn't suffice, the price usually matches its extravagance. The first place I look to glamorize is my coffee table. It's likely the easiest to build on and arguably the least expensive to decorate. The three key things to buy are: oversized books (check amazon and even thrift stores for great deals!), candles (all shapes and sizes…but make sure the scents coordinate!), and chachkies (you know, decorative objects like sea urchins, ceramic catch-alls, crystal dish, etc). With these, you need to remember: layer, layer, layer!

Coffee table via Domaine featuring all the layering essentials

Layer, layer, layers!

First thing to remember is what you put on this coffee table (whether it's a custom piece of a thrift store find -- like mine!), decorating the thing is a whole other animal. And doesn't require a ton of spending money.

First, books...

$135 for a Tom Ford book?! Ok… totally understand the price tag shock on a BOOK that costs that much. However, who says to pay sticker price? What do you do when you can't afford it? Ever hear of the phrase "Fake, 'til you make it?" Well… Fake it! Sites like Amazon.com, One Kings Lane, and even Home Goods offer amazing prices on those coveted, stunning books. And once you have those key pieces, filler coffee table books can easily be found elsewhere. Even thrift stores! So many of my coffee table books (the ones stacked ON), came from thrift stores for under $10!

The almighty Tom Ford book. Got mine on Amazon!

Second, candles…

Ok, $26 on a candle can sometimes be daunting. But when a smell is that good, it's worth it. I can't get enough of the voluspa candles. Their scents are everything! My go to spots have always been Anthropologie. Amazing scent in an even more amazing canister? Sign me up! Just coordinate scents, canister colors, and different size candles to give it the most dimension. Another spot for candles (and everything else for that matter)? Home Goods! Mercury glass and crystal candle holders often give the best glow when lit. (And those double as vases when the candles done!! ) And always make sure they're lit when company comes over!

My favorite smell.

Third, chachkies…

Likely my favorite part about dressing a coffee table is the chachkies. Because this can literally be anything and everything. Obsessed with a petrified rock you found from a street vendor? Awesome. Put it on the table! Over the rock? Back on the bookshelf. I change up my coffee table chachkies consistently to keep it fresh and new. Some of my favorite places to find cool pieces are ZGallerie.com and thrift stores. I go straight to the glassware section and voila! I cherish my crystal ashtray that sits right in the middle of the table. (No one's allowed to use it, don't worry.)

ZGallerie Sea Urchin

More to come!

Post-Holiday Update

After a long holiday, and an even longer break, I'm finally back. Let's see, we've moved, got a dog, travelled, and happened to survive the unpredicted Antarctica-esque snowfall in New York City this year since the last time I posted. That said, wow. 

First, the move. Staying on my beloved Upper East Side in Manhattan, we've upgraded apartments to almost 100 more square feet! Pause for reaction. I mean, this kind of glory doesn't come around New York City residents very often. In fact, it's practically unheard-of. Lucky for me, design has gone into full force on our 1-bedroom residence I plan on staying in for a few years. However, in true New York City fashion, it's a rental. So major changes will have to wait until we own. But fear not readers, that's what I love about this blog. This is how we get creative! For example, my lease clearly states, in not so many words, that wallpaper is forbidden. To my saddened heart, this is not news as a renter. But what did I do instead? I painted stripes that, if I may say so myself, have a striking resemblance to the real thing. Shotty bathroom with no double sinks or jacuzzi tub? Ugh! (Just kidding) Painting the walls and ceiling the same serene grey/blue camouflage those not so lovely blue trim tiling, and create an oasis. Fast forward to a grey ceramic garden stool and lucite shelving, this drabby ain't lookin' to bad. Pics to come!

That's paint my renter friends!

Next, the pup. Whiskey! Well, as most of you already know… motherhood is quite the challenge. Not that he's not perfect, but toys all over and sweaters galore have this baby overstuffing my apartment. In comes the solution. A fully closed entrance table with a shelf inside for his toys, his clothes, his leash, etc. And where else but Home Goods to find such a piece. Believe it or not, I found this in the "Bath" section of the store where toilet brush holders and shower curtain rings are sold. Pop on a tall vase to off-set the less than ideal height (I'm 5'9"), leaning picture, a candle, and a small dish to throw the keys… my once not so efficient/faux entry way now has purpose. And fits in well with the rest of my mod eclectic styled apartment. 

This find from Home Goods satisfied all my storage needs!

Tall vase offsets the table height

Don't you just love this saying?

Ironically, my travels this year and the record snow fall in New York City have a lot in common. SNOW. I travelled to ski when I probably could've waddled into my elevator and skied down Lex half of these brutal weekends. Despite the weather, nothing beat North Eastern ski conditions this year! And what's better than getting snowed in with the ones you love? 

With the chaos coming to a close, a major project has come my way just outside the city. Stay tuned for inspiration, ideas, and images as this story unfolds. More to come!

Jessica Biel's Holiday Home via Domaine

Now that Thanksgiving is over, (and we've digested all of our food!), I like to kick full gear into holiday mode! One of the most inspiring spaces to date comes from one of my favorite blogs: Domaine Home. Domaine sat down with Jessica Biel in her stunningly holiday-decorated home to infuse her holiday glam with her cozy personal space style. Here we see traditional greenery mixed with chic elements of bold blacks and glimmering metallics. See below for the simple, yet dramatic decor to start our holiday! Which element of her space is most inspiring to you? Comment below!

Elegant Christmas tree with stringed pearls and black floral ribbons!

Defying tradition with matte black wrapping paper

Simple centerpiece

Combining rustic elements and metallics

Garland strung in a non-traditional way above a tapestry

Jessica Biel in her stunning space!

Photo cred: @domaine home

Thanksgiving Tablescape

In lieu of the upcoming holiday, I wanted to compile some of my favorite (and festive!) decorating looks for your table to get you in the spirit! Now as we all know, thanksgiving is extremely stressful for the one cooking this extraordinary meal. But on top of the meal, making your table warm, inviting, and stylish is second to our stress! For Thanksgiving I like sticking to a festive color scheme of: golds,  oranges, plums, and browns. And don't forget your greenery! I choose these colors because Thanksgiving is still remnant of fall right before the Christmas white hits. Feel free to choose all elements of the season like changing leaves, pumpkins, and distressed greenery. See below for some tablescapes perfect for this holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Top your table with moss, whitewashed pumpkins and vegetables, and plants. How stunning!

stunning use of colors in florals and table linens

Simple table floral arrangement in orange and gold color scheme

mini potted plants all in varying sizes and shapes are striking down a long table

adding lanterns and a multitude of candles create a calm mood for dinner

Photo cred: @domainehome

Entrance Inpiration

The first thing you and your guests see when entering (and leaving) a space is, clearly, the entryway. So in some shape or form it should be memorable, and of course functional! Some of us apartment dwellers don't have the luxury of a distinct entrance. However, anyone, no matter how small your space, can carve out somewhere to place down your keys and take off your shoes. In my NYC apartment, I walk straight into a dining area/living space. For my own source of inspiration, I used several things to make my entrance as fabulous and useful as possible. I broke up the space with a runner, paint, and distinct wall hooks and photographs. There is no doubt my space is small, but defining an area makes all the difference. See below for some inspiration of my favorite entryways. And soon you will get a sneak peak of mine! Enjoy!

Console table, mirror and candles.. simple yet perfect!

Brilliantly carved out entry with a catch-all bowl and carefully placed photos

Grand entrance.. take cues from muted colors, stools for changing shoes, and flowers!

Dramatic entrance with stunning contrast

Create an entry in a narrow hall… modern lighting and 

oversized branches make all the difference!

My entryway photos to come...

Blue Mood

Sometimes a saturated room can be simply stunning. Sticking with a common color theme can be dramatic and classic, especially in porcelain blue. Not to say different shades of blue couldn't be as stunning, but be careful… Bright shades of any color could become overwhelming if not done in small doses. The most important thing to consider when decorating an entire room with one color, is that texture becomes your most important asset. With the same color throughout, or a similar color varying slightly in shades, luxurious and contrasting textures on the wall, the furnishings, and the accessories make all the difference. Done right, this can be stunning! See below for some of my favorite blue mood rooms.

Stunning library saturated in blue with hints of neutrals

Lovely living room combines textures and shades of blue

Velvet furnishings and detailed paneling

Soft-hued blues blends with the grey brilliantly

Sky blue dining room is stunning here

Home Greenery

Despite the small size of your space, greenery always adds life to a room. A living, breathing thing in your home (other than yourself!) can bring so much to any space. My favorite tends to be the living room. The living room always contains so much life because it usually has the most action going on a daily basis. Therefore, a large plant can be an additional source of life. The best part, though, is that greener goes with every style of interior decorating. Whether modern, a white-out (see the previous post!), feminine, or traditional, it works! Just make sure the plant has appropriate light and enough water! I promise you'll love the look! See below for some greenery inspiration!

 stunning fig tree in a living room

potted greenery on a console

oversized tree makes a statement with those ceilings!

mini greenhouse completes the mod look

over the top greenery lends a stunning landscape in this dining room!