Moving Mode: A Familiar Summer

Since leaving Cambridge,  the children and I have been battling the heat of summer in New Jersey by taking evening walks, skipping stones and swimming in the lake I enjoyed as a child.   I'm amazed by our little people.  They're curious about my childhood past and excited for their California future,  all while enjoying the present to the fullest.  Take a look at some shots taken during one of our lake adventures:

Here's to many memorable summers for everyone!

Off The Counter: 4 Culinary Travel Essentials

This is not my typical Off The Counter post.  Considering  I'm minus the counter (shown above is the formica one I grew up with),  I packed a few items in hopes to recreate familiar flavors wherever we are.   Take a look at 4 of my favorite cupboard items:

1.  Peet's coffee and single cup filters for the perfect cup of morning rituals.

2.  Honey to drizzle over yogurt and vanilla ice-cream and to sweeten evening teas.

3.  Rice vinegar to make healthy salad dressings.

and...

4.  Maldon sea salt flakes, because there's simply no better salt.

What are some of your culinary travel essentials?

Rug Reveal: The Two We Selected For Our California House.

Here are the two rugs we bought for our mid-century design house in California. With a lot of wood features and barely any space for wallpaper, I strongly feel that the wood in the new house needs to be toned down.  Hence I want to introduce colorful patterns for the floors and step out of my comfort zone that previously consisted of warmer hues and monochromatic color schemes.  Using vibrantly patterned rugs in cool shades of blue, the house will reflect (hopefully) a nice combination of textures, colors and patterns.  Take a look at the two we chose and some of the pillows we selected for the main living areas.

The moving truck is due to arrive in the East Bay next Monday.   After spending the upcoming weekend with us in New Jersey, on Sunday,  my husband will fly to California to receive our belongings and begin setting up house.  I'm beginning to feel anxious to get there soon...

Happy 4th Of July: The Cutest Wish Ever

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.  

The Way We Live: A Unique Boston Loft

Bold art, colorful textiles and a myriad of eclectic personal touches create a home that is uniquely elegant, modern and chic.  A renovated kitchen by Kochman Reidt and Haigh and a 3D mural by Caroline Dechamby are some of the recent additions to a collection of furnishings and accessories that have traveled with the owner through several continents and many homes.  Today I'll share with you this Boston loft's main living area and next week we'll look at the master bedroom,  appointed with modern comforts and touches of classic glamour much like the rest of this amazing space.

Thank you MP for sharing your beautiful home with our Cocoon Home blog readers.