Banks, Boots & Brass

Three things I can't seem to get enough of lately: 1.  Banks:  LA musician Julia Rose Banks' hypnotic and sensual sound is practically all I listen to at home and in the car.  If you haven't heard her music yet, here's one of my favorites.

2.  Boots:  The boot season is upon us and I'm trying desperately to refrain from buying these babies.  (Who am I kidding?!?)

3.  Brass:  The warm tone and classic appeal of anything brassy has officially become an obsession.  Can't wait to reveal our newest arrival from Australia:  a brass plated dinning table.

What are YOU obsessing over lately?

The Way We Live: Classic Elements And Bohemian Accents

This happens to be the 16th home photographed and featured in my blog's [hands-down] favorite category:  The Way We Live.  Each of the spaces I have shared with you has been completely different from the rest but equally beautiful and representative of its owners' style and life experience.  I'm honored to have had the opportunity to turn my lens on this East Bay home.  Its mix of textiles, patterns and color reflect a casual elegance with an inviting coziness, making it a family friendly showcase.  Pieces that have been in the family for generations blend seamlessly with newer acquisitions, thus honoring the past and present in home decor.  In this post the owner (and friend) shares her living room, which much like the rest of her home, combines classic elements with sophisticated boho accents and feel good colors.  Take a look:

Thank you, BJP, for sharing your chic and cozy home with my Cocoon Home Blog readers.

DIY Dreamcatcher Birthday Party

The weekend before last, we celebrated Zoe's 7th birthday with a dream catching party.  Each of her friends strung beads and hung feathers to create her very own dream catcher.  With a bit a prep work you too can host a party like Zoe's.  Depending on the age of your guests, more or less preparation may be required.  I went ahead and prepared the rings by wrapping them in tape and weaving them with string.  Separately, I also took leather strips and cords, and with Zoe's and Natalia's help, strung one bead at the end of them (to secure the ones the guests would later choose).  Take a look below for the list of supplies and instructions on how to make it these creative party favors come to life:

Supplies:

5"metal rings, brown floral tape, waxed thread, leather strip remnants, glass, ceramic and wood beads, assorted feathers and cording in assorted colors.

Instructions:  Prep the frame and strings.

1. Wrap each metal ring with floral tape.

2.  Weave the rings.  I followed this You Tube video.

3.  Prepare 5-7  leather strips and cording per guest and secured a bead on each end.  This way your guests can add beads and attach feathers without anything falling off.

Party Setting:

1.  Place one prepped ring at each seating.

2.  Drape an assortment of 5-7 beaded leather strips and/or cording next to the rings.

3.  Put a handful of asorted beads at each place setting.

4.  Place a mixture of feathers in cups or small vases along the length of your table.

5.  Have the children add beads and feathers to the beaded strings.  The feathers can be pushed inside the bead holes or secured with floral tape.

6.  Once the strands has been adorned, have your guests knot them onto the rings.

7.  Voila!!  And don't forget to explain how dreamcatchers came to be...

Design And Food: 3 Inspiring Books

Within the last few weeks, I've acquired 3 amazing lifestyle books.  Each one has me riveted not only on the images, but also on the texts that describe approaches to design, philosophies and flavors. The first book The Chamber Of Curiosity, I picked up while visiting Heath Ceramics with a friend (btw, they have a great book selection).  The second was a surprise gift from Alex,  Commune Design's first book:  Commune: Designed In California.  The third, Yotam Ottolenghi's latest cookbook Plenty More, I purchased it at his book signing event in SF on Friday night.  All three of these bound beauties will offer inspiration for our home, clients' spaces and for the taste buds of family and friends no matter how many times I peruse through them.    

Do you have a favorite go-to book for inspiration?

Kitchen Update: The Dining Table & Counter Stools

Finding the right dining table and counter stools for our renovated kitchen proved to be a much harder task than expected.  We wanted to preserve our  home’s mid-century design without overpowering it with a table or stool style that conflicted with it.  In Australia's Barbera Design bronze table and Uccio stool, we found the perfect balance between modern design and a sophisticated aesthetic that will work well with authentic mid-century chairs. Now that they have been found and ordered, we are not so patiently awaiting their arrival.  Our latest update was that the cargo ship carrying our items had docked in Los Angeles!  Next stop would be Oakland.   I'm anticipating another 2 to 3 weeks before they're delivered to our home, which will prompt both the table top and chair selections.  Let's hope the last stages of this project go smoothly and quickly, we're all ready and eager to sit down at a table!