My new apartment (the one I haven’t found yet) will not be complete without this sofa/love-seat thing. I heart it. Urban Outfitters. Who knew??
I Need This. May 22, 2009
The Hunt Saga Continues May 19, 2009
Well, my love for ridiculous paint colors has stood in the way of the perfect Brooklyn apartment. MNH and I met the landlady and she really just wanted to keep the walls white. I really did not. And that was the deal breaker. So, you can all uncross your fingers, because we didn’t get it. I am still on the hunt for an apartment.
Speaking of the hunt, I am also still looking for a full time job. I have an interview today – a 2nd one in fact - so re-cross your fingers and wish me luck! I am supposed to plan on being there for 1.5 hours – I have no idea how to be uber-impressive for that long but, damn it, I’m going to try!
Fingers Crossed May 15, 2009
I may have found an apartment! I saw soo many recently – in one day I saw about 6 or 7 apartments so I have now seen at least 10 apartments, and this one by far blows all the others away. It is missing some of the lovely amenities that come with our current building – like in unit washer/dryer, a dishwasher, and of course the BBQ/putting green area. And oh yes, the shockingly amazing views. BUT….
it’s where we were hoping to move on a lovely block, it has 2 more rooms than this apartment does, and the ceilings are really really high! Oh and there’s cute molding and french doors, plus great built-ins for storage. It will be fun to be an accidental housewife in a new neighborhood and apartment. The decorating and exploring will definitely keep me occupied for a while. I’m also thinking I might some other unemployed or creatively employed people in the ‘hood, because every time I am there in the middle of the day there are plenty of people sitting in cafes, walking around and in the park. And it’s almost $500 less a month, so we’d be able to save enough for something really fab!
I’m really excited, and will know more soon. Send positive vibes this-a-way please!
A New Abode May 12, 2009
MNH and I are moving. I am sad to leave LIC and our cute little apartment with its beautiful view, but I’m excited too, for a new space and to unpack more wedding presents (I LOVE new things). And of course, I am looking forward to decorating because I never really did that with our current apartment. However, apartment shopping is a little depressing. Right now we are only looking in Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill. But unless things get better soon, I am going to start looking in LIC.
Here are some of the issues I have been faced with so far:
4th floor of a 4 floor walk up – great to be on the top floor, bad to walk up all those steps (though my tush would look fab after a while!)
Absolutely no light – I saw an apartment the other day that had a front exterior hallway with a roof over it (I know that sounds weird, but it’s true). The window that was right there was the living room window, and it got no light because of the roof. Then the back of the apartment had windows, but they opened up to a really gross back alley and there was no sun making it’s way through. The space was big, but it was like being in a cave.
Above a restaurant - No.
Refrigerator in the living room – Ummm, why isn’t it in the kitchen?
These are just some of the fun little quirks of city living. I’ll keep you posted on where we land and what ridiculousness I come across in my search!
A Must for the Weekend – Brooklyn Design May 8, 2009
** For those who are still mourning the loss of domino magazine, this might perk you up a bit **
If you are like me, you still feel the loss of domino. However, I think I might be able to fill that void with a visit to BKLYN DESIGNS™. This exhibition is open all weekend, but I may need to hit it up today. What could be better on a beautiful, sunny day like today than walking around DUMBO and checking out the latest in design? Nothing, unless I can do it with a lemon italian ice in-hand. I don’t know why, I’m just really craving one right now.
BKLYN DESIGNS™ is the place to find the latest in contemporary furniture and accessories made or designed in
Brooklyn. The 7th annual exhibition is taking place at St. Ann’s Warehouse at 38 Water Street in DUMBO, and features work handpicked by a jury of editors from leading design and shelter magazines.
BKLYN DESIGNS™ also has satellite events thorughout DUMBO including a curated “green” exhibition at Thermador, Bosch, Gaggenay Showroom, so be sure to grab a brochure to guide you through it all.
Tickets are $15 at the door, and the exhibit runs through this Sunday! Visit here for more info.
For you total design nuts who need even more, a few extra bucks can also get you access to the Dwell Brooklyn Home-Tour. The$50 ticket provides you with information for a Saturday afternoon self-guided tour of 5 distinct homes, seeking to “inspire design professionals and enthusiasts alike.” You also receive entrance to the main 
exhibit, and the Friday Night Launch Party, presented by Dwell Magazine.
See you there!
Obsessive Behavior April 20, 2009
Because I know I am moving in a few short months, I have become completely obsessed by the idea of decorating my new apartment. Two colors I can not seem to get away from, even though part of me wants off-white and other soft colors, billowy, sheer fabrics and extremely lush surroundings, a la this post:
Bright Yellow and Peacock Blue. Remember this post with the paint chips I had chosen? Well, does peacock blue and yellow really surprise you??
When I was in 4th grade my family moved across town to a bigger house, and I was getting my own room for the first time. My parents let me choose one of 2 rooms (because one was clearly boy-ready, so my brother automatically got it). Of the two I could choose from the smaller one with only window and less closet space (I had not developed my appreciation for closet space at this poiint in my young life) could be totally re-decorated, while the other,bigger room with two windows and a lot of closet space was already carpeted in a purpley color with light pink walls (am I imagining that?) and was not available for re-decorating. Clearly, I chose the first, smaller room, and got to pick out a paint color and a carpet. Guess what I chose?
Aqua carpet & yellow walls – though the yellow was paler than the one I am digging these days. Later on, as an angsty teen, my parents let me paint a lot of the room black, and then eventually I took my first and only foray into pastels and painted it lavendar which it remains to this day. But back to 4th grade and color choices.
What is it about this somewhat ridiculous color combo of blue (any version of aqua, teal, or peacock blue suits me just fine) and yellow (the brighter the better!) that draws me in every time? Even now in the apartment I currently live in I have very large, very bright yellow media console, a teal ottoman, and a teal dresser in the bedroom. And now that I am thinking about a new apartment and have started looking around, I have found new things to drool over.
Like this teal chair from Eurotrend, which you can get in any number from 0 – 9. I think I’d get a 3.
Now, I also have lime green dining chairs at the moment, and am also quite drawn to pinks and oranges. I firmly believe that I can make them work alongside peacock blue and yellow. I don’t know exactly how, but I’m just sure I could. This living room is where I want to live, and then I want to vacation somewhere where all the furniture and linens and everything are all whites and soft colors, to give my eyes a rest…
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall April 16, 2009
I love mirrors, and not in the way that my sister loves mirrors. It’s not that I love to look in them and stare back at myself, or love sitting across from one in a restaurant. I mean, it’s not that I mind that either, but that’s not why I love mirrors.
I just think they’re pretty decorations, and can make a room look bigger, plus they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and frames. Actually, it’s usually the frames that I like. And usually I like big, garish, scrolley frames that look like they should be used as a set prop for an opera.
However, these mirrors at lifestylebazaar.com have none of that. They are just simple and cute, and would look adorable in a kids’ room. I figure that one day I’ll have a kid, and then I can buy all the ridiculous and cute things I want and just say “It’s for the 
baby’s room!” but really, it’s for me…..
When I Move April 15, 2009
Last night I had dinner at a friends apartment. We are sort of new-ish friends, so I had never been to her place before, but it once I got inside it was sort of how I pictured it – it had a kind of cool, bohemian-chic vibe. I loved how she decorated her place, but I also am totally jealous of her apartment. She lives in downtown Manhattan, in this Secret Garden-type complex. Once you walk through the gate and down the stairs and through a portal, you enter a strange little land that no one would suspect was in NYC. Surrounding a green garden and currently out of use large fountain is a 6 story complex, old and charming, and she gets to live there! She has a 1 bedroom with a huge kitchen and sizable living room that fits a table six people could comfortably eat at. Mine uncomfortably seats 4, but fits in the corner nicely. Our evening was fun, the dinner was delicious, and seeing a new place inspired me to think about the new apartment I will be moving to this summer. Not that we have one yet, mind you.
But when I move, I suspect I will personally be keeping Brocade Home in business. Which means I will have a lot of very brightly colored pieces of furniture to sell, so if you’re in the market for a bright yellow media console, ring me. I’m done with BIG color, and have moved on to these amazing pieces that will create a romantic, calm and charming apartment…(my husband is not going to be happy.)
In case it’s unclear, that is flocked FOIL wallpaper you see there, silver shelves and a big, white chandelier. A laser cut runner and the rectangle, white table would line the entrance hallway, with the heavy candle sticks sitting on top. This kind of apartment would require constantly lit candles, soft music, and either really sophisticated cocktails in crystal glasses, or imported tea served in this set, which I have already mentioned once, but my love for it is that strong:
Oh grey day, give me something to smile about… February 10, 2009
On a cold, grey, dull day such as this, I like to look at cute home items that someday I might just own myself. Until that day, I am content to browse and find potential oddball presents for people. I would love to buy any of the following items for one of my more straight-laced friends, who would never think to buy them for him or herself….
These make me laugh. And on a day like this, that is just what I need. Can you imagine serving dinner on these at a dinner party? I would love that. They would certainly spark conversations between guests! I can not remember where I found these, so if anyone knows where to get them, please share!!
These octopus cups are just plain weird, so yeah, I love them too. According to the designers, Cake, they are supposed to be a sort of modern take on the mint julep glass, or the perfect centerpiece for flowers. You can find them at Supermarket, quickly becoming my favorite place for quirky objects.
Another great conversation piece if you find yourself at a dull dinner! I love these disposable place-mats! With the pop-up art cut right out of the mat itself, these are a clever take on a pretty mundane household item. Designed by Publique Living, they can be purchased here. There are a few different scenes that you can get, and hopefully soon they will be available in colors other than white and off-white.
Oh, sad day… January 28, 2009
Read the sad, sad news about my favorite publication over at A Cup Of Jo
What to obsess over now?
