Blog

Want more style in your life? Need to know how to incorporate that inherited Great Aunt Harriet’s easy chair into your modern family room?  Don’t be shy. Read tips HERE on my guest post at Armadillo Consignment.

Interiors by Rebekah Zaveloff

A wonderful post by Dominique Browning of Slow Love Life about the transitions of moving out then back into the home, sharing space and fighting ants!

Swedish Fish beloved from my childhood. Visiting the candy store with my Grandma Millie who declared herself the Queen of Sweden, and I believed her. Swedish Fish rock because they are bright, fun, and graphic in a simple shape that is iconic! Not to mention a tasty, fat-free treat. I’ll never turn one down. Send freely.

Amazing! A Swedish Fish Martini from one of my all time favorite old haunts Rays Boathouse in Seattle.

And a glorious finish with Abba, just because it made me laugh out loud when I saw this picture.

Photos: Weheartit, Dailyboom, Blahblahblahscience, SweetCityCandy, Unionelectrictattoo, Chocolatechow

Just last week, an interior designer I know told me “I remember hearing about typewriters but I don’t think I’ve actually seen one.”  Welcome back beautiful. Read more about these ‘retro’ word makers in the New York Times here.

Photo Marcus Yam for The New York Times

We are slowly coming out of our winter hibernation. Thinking about garden planting, renewal and the pending sun. It is time to start updating and freshening our home interiors. Let’s get started with the following easy tips.

1. Lighten Up—Replace velvet curtains with sheers, or take down window coverings completely and let the light in.

2. De-Clutter—Now’s the time to take down the Christmas tree. Just kidding! Consider simplifying and  rearranging art and accessories.

3. Light On Your Feet—Change wool  rugs to sea grass or sisal textured rugs for a more casual look and breezy feel.

4. Freshy fresh—Fresh flowers and fruit brighten your home. Look for flowers at your local farmers market, neighbor’s yard (ask first!) and look for coupons for free or discounted flowers or fruit at your local grocers.

5. Pillow Fight? – Change out winter throw pillows for pillows with spring motifs and bright colors, such as sun yellow, sky blue, hot pink and chartreuse.

6. Earth Day Birthday—Add an indoor compost container. Scraps of vegetables, egg shells, etc. can be recycled in your compost bin for added nutrients and savings and will contribute to a beautiful outdoor environment.

Enjoy the light and bounty of Spring!

Photo: thedecodetective.blogspot.com

Do you know anyone, stylist, designer or otherwise, who has a house that looks like a showroom? I was intrigued by this discussion “Your House Is Not A Store” at the effervescent Hooked on Houses.  Where do I stand? I am a wee  jealous my house doesn’t nearly resemble anything like a magazine spread, but I wouldn’t mind if it tilted more in that direction. All compelling space showcased with glowy light. The angels would sing.

My mother is the only person I know who has covered almost every inch of her walls with memorabilia and artfully displays her vast Mickey (yes, THAT Mickey) collection and damn, it looks good. I’m opposite. One or two pictures or mirror per wall, thank you very much. This is more soothing to me.  Though I am learning to add more accessories in my old age. But most of us, accessory wise, are in – between.

Part of why we love these merchandised stores is that these vignettes are really attractive. It may not be practical design in our own homes but the displays and window dressings and catalog spreads are meant to inspire us (to buy). The inspiration I see  is to use a little little less restraint. Look beyond the obvious and don’t be afraid to mix things up.

What is your accessory style? What do you think about ‘merchandising’ the home? Be part of the discussion here…

Photo: Country Living via Hooked On Houses.

I’m dedicating this post to Sean at Wear2Go who keeps harping, I mean gently reminding me, to post these damn photos. Enjoy!

Photos by MODA

Add sizzle and spice to your living space. Do you have any red rooms? For the longest time I’ve been wanting to change the bright (think stop sign) red in my dining room to something more neutral. But on these dark days the red adds a nice toasty glow. So I will probably put that on hold until spring unfurls.

If you are thinking of going red, here are some photos, reposted from last year, to inspire.

Photo Credits: decorpad, cocozy, idealhomemagazine.co.uk

My mother always said that I’ve lived a champagne life on a beer budget.  I’m no fashionista, but I love and appreciate beautiful, well crafted stuff from furniture to packaging to personal items. Between hand me downs, inherited items and things I’ve personally acquired, I’m fortunate to own things that I adore.

I also live for trying new stuff, but after years of experimenting, it can get expensive. It seems better to go back to items that work for me, even if they cost a little more up front, so I don’t waste money and throw stuff away unnecessarily.  So, I splurge on a few things and get store or drugstore versions of the others.

One of my favorite parts of the NYTimes T Magazine is when different notable people list their favorite or “Can’t Live Without items”. Part voyeur, part product pimping, it is fascinating to me. In the spirit of the New York Times Profile in Style, here are some of my favorite things old and new and products tried and true.

1. Tretchikoff Blue Lady Print (from Grandparents), 2. Spray Bumble & Bumble, John Frieda Weather Proofing® Style Sealant Crème, 3. Mure et Musc L’artisan Perfumers (Winter), Sur Le Nil Hermes (Spring/Summer), 4. Movado Watch (40^th birthday gift), 5. Recent Fave Books: Little Bee, Monster of Florence (props to the Lushie’s Book Club), both gripping and fascinating, 6. Toms of Maine Toothpaste, Bobbi Brown Gel Liner, Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss, 7. Warren Platner Chair, 8. Jewelry handmade by Jessica  Alexander, 9. Pink Cashmere scarf from Sonja’s Clothing, 10. Merrell Tetra Strap Boot, 11. Moleskine Notebook, Ultra Dry Martini, Shaken Not Stirred (made with love).

[media-credit id=1 align="alignleft" width="614"][/media-credit]