Parquet Floors: 9 Grand Examples

Collecting images of parquet floors for a project I'm consulting on in Boston.  The beautiful space is quintessential Beacon Hill with tall ceilings, large windows, and very detailed trim.  Over time, it will be restored to its original state, with an updated flow that will reflect my clients' lifestyle.  One of the features I love about this home is the parquet floor.  I'm loving the look of geometric shapes as a platform for modern furnishings and accessories.  Take a look at few of my favorite examples:

Which one appeals to you?

Images: 1./2./3./4./5./6./7./8./9.

Out And About: Observatory

 Artist Nicole Rueda Watts of NYX Studio created a theatrical setting to showcase her handcrafted jewelry in her new shop:  Observatory (located in Cambridge, MA).   I was very excited to come across it while visiting the East coast.  At first, I was drawn to its mid-century furniture and accessories, but upon entering the shop, the feathers, beads and intricate wiring of Nicole’s jewelry collection really got my attention.  She displays them so artfully, that not only her talent as a jewelry designer stands out, but also her skills as an innovative merchandiser.  Take a look at few images I captured while there, I know they will make you want to stop in.

After a month-long trip along the Northeast, we have returned to our home in California [happily so!].  I'm looking forward to sharing another favorite store from our travels with you, one that became the inspiration for an East coast project.

Stay posted for more of our adventures!

Botanical Inspiration: A Maine Garden

Today's botanical inspiration comes from a dear friend's garden in Maine.  Nestled on the coast and engulfed in salty ocean air the garden is overflowing with lavender, spirea and various foliage plants and shrubs.  Before leaving I couldn't resist creating an arrangement for our hosts.  Take a look:

Thank you EVB and DVB for sharing your beautiful summer home and garden with us.

The Way We Work: Vera Abud Interiors

It's with great pleasure that I share with you the atelier of interior stylist Vera Abud.  I've admired her style and approach to design and styling for a long time and am excited that she is now offering her talents to many through Vera Abud Interiors.  While visiting her and her family in CT,  we had the chance to talk about her new venture and to photograph her work space.  I love the way she combined Moroccan textiles, cowhides and brass accents to honor both traditional and modern design.

During our time together she showed me a project she's currently working on.  Needless to say, I brought my camera along so that I can show you what she's up to for future posts.  In the mean time, take a look at a past project here.  I'm sure you'll be hearing more about her.

Life Lately

For the past 2 weeks we've been visiting friends and family on the East Coast, some of whom we haven't seen since our move to California a year ago.  Each day has been a reunion of sorts.  Our children have reconnected with old classmates, cousins, friends and places that have reminded them of their earliest childhood days.  It's been wonderful to witness friendships [young and old] pick right up where they left off, as if time and distance never came between them.

We began our adventure in Cambridge, then headed to the Cape to visit with great friends for a few days.  On the way to my NJ childhood home, we stopped at a great place  in RI for a bite to eat .  We crossed my [once] favorite bridge  [there's a new fav] to spend time with my 94 year old grandmother and the rest of the family.   Our children loved being around their cousins and grandparents.  On the way back to MA, we visited good friends in CT that we hadn't seen in quite a while.  Today, after hanging out in Cambridge for a couple of days with old neighbors and friends, we're off to Maine (our next destination).  Stay tuned for updates and exciting posts on places that I found inspirational during our summer's travels.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer (we sure are)!   A big, hearty thank you to all our hosts and hostesses along the way!