VIGNETTE REVAMPING WITH THE BEAD CHEST

With the holidays a recent memory and the new year upon us, I always feel that our interior spaces need a deliberate dose of refreshing. Not an overhaul, just a well-measured injection of new energy to revitalize the vibe in our homes to better align with the freshness of the new season. Organic elements, in particular, provide such a dynamic accent in home décor as they ground an environment and connect the senses to our more elemental core. And oftentimes, the smallest of details are what deliver the most aesthetic impact in a vignette, which ultimately sets the tone in a designated space. With these notions in mind, I was more than delighted to partner with The Bead Chest once again as I set out to add some novelty and interest to certain pockets of my home!

For those of you unfamiliar with The Bead Chest, they are purveyors of the most vastly impressive selection of beads I have ever come across, ranging from glass beads, to seed beads, to pottery beads, to my personal favorite, chunky and exotic bone beads which are as beautiful worn as they are displayed on a coffee table. I especially love this company’s laudable social mission of carefully sourcing their product through ethical trading in support of developing communities. What’s not to love?

Since I have an undying penchant for all things graphic and global in feel, I chose a combination of bone beads and a delicate strand of blue seed beads in the most enchanting turquoise hue. And here are some images of how I’ve styled them around our house!

The beauty of these is just how effortlessly they can be added to a space, and yet create such a stunning – and interesting – visual effect! Drape them casually in a bowl, pile them on a shelf for added texture and intrigue…the options are truly endless!

In partnership with The Bead Chest, they will be offering my readers 15% off all orders! (Just use the discount code AST15 at checkout on their site www.thebeadchest.com!) They are absolutely perfect to wear as is, to incorporate as a decorative home accent, or for use in any kind of creative project you can imagine. Their selections are already incredibly affordable, so this is a deal you definitely want to check out and take advantage of!

• I have partnered with The Bead Chest and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

*Images and text by Astrid Insieme

YOU’RE INVITED – DINING ROOM REVEAL WITH RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN

When we were deciding how to configure the new spaces in our addition, we knew we didn’t want to expand our kitchen in any way, despite it being miniscule. Some people find a big kitchen indispensable, but what we really lacked in our a-frame was more ample room for living, in general, and entertaining. I absolutely adore cooking and gathering around a table sharing food and wine with loved ones, so it was a priority to squeeze a dining space into the floor plan however we could! The downstairs level of our addition is essentially a large, open space, with a half-bathroom, guest/laundry room and media room off of the “grand room”. I’ve already shown you the living room portion of the open space, and today I’ll be sharing the dining area, which is contiguous to the kitchen. Admittedly, it is a bit of an unusual space because it is where the addition meets the original structure, so there was a rather awkward, angled wall to contend with. Let me show you what I  mean:

The wooden paneling you see in the background is actually the roof of the a-frame, stripped of its shingles. Also, we had a new HVAC system installed to service both the old and new structure, and as a result, unsightly duct work was also something else we had to contend with in that already odd space.  Because the dining room is actually a bit on the small side, we decided to construct huge built-ins (using builder grade bi-fold doors) to plumb out the wall, which would ultimately be super functional for housing all of our dishware and related dining accoutrements. So this is how the process went:

First, we framed out the built-ins. The opening between the a-frame and the dining room is on the left; we were only able to demolish the wall after the photo shoot for this post, but for purposes of understanding the layout of the space, that is actually the passageway into the kitchen.

So much geometry involved in framing these out! But it allows for so much shelving and storage space for the embarrassing amount of glasses, transferware and tabletop accessories I’ve collected/horded over the years…haha! Oh, and the duct work was enclosed in a cabinet, out of sight but accessible if the need arises.

Bi-fold doors in place. Now, time to customize with our own design! Lots of trim work at play here, especially because we didn’t want to incorporate hardware for opening the doors.

 

And then, lots of patching, sanding, priming and painting ensued.

An ornate ceiling medallion was installed as well. I wanted the space to feel both eclectic and elegant with a few special touches via the lighting choices, and ultimately let the furniture make its impact and serve its function. Personally, I prefer dining rooms which breathe a bit given that there is always so much animation and energy contributed by the people who gather in it!

Fully painted and ready for illumination!

And then the real fun began! As I had mentioned, I wanted to create a chic and airy dining room that wasn’t cluttered with the unnecessary. I chose a bold, Moroccan tribal rug from my collection to provide a bit of visual interest and comfort underfoot, and found the PERFECT assemblage of chairs, table and sideboard from my friends at Raymour & Flanigan to pull our little dining room together. There are SO many things I seriously love about this company, one of them being the sheer magnitude of variety they offer in terms of furniture styles. It’s truly such an asset to their brand! I’m the kind of person who generally appreciates a mix and match approach when it comes to decorating, and this is especially the case in a dining room setting. Meaning, I tend to steer clear of “sets” of any kind. I find that it always feels more unique, personalized and surprising to design a room with a looser and more imaginative approach…because I’m a believer that beauty is always found in the unexpected!

Like I said, I chose pieces which were essentially from four different sets. I wanted a robust, wooden table with unfussy lines and the option of a leaf (for when I’m entertaining bigger groups) and the Sutton Place Dining Table was exactly what I had in mind. It’s seriously perfect, with such a gorgeous patina!

I really wanted to mix up the seating not only in terms of their design, but also material. The masculine solidity of the Prato Dining Armchair, with its striking curvature and incredible craftsmanship, juxtaposed against the wiry, mid-century lines of the brass Penelope Chair provide the perfect contrast I was seeking for this grouping.

I fell in love with the Echo Park Buffet because of its incredibly handsome carvings and felt that its Brutalist style meshed beautifully with the rest of the chosen pieces. It’s a rather substantial sideboard/buffet offering lots of interior storage and was from an entirely different set, of course, but all of the elements interact so well with each other.

I had painted a canvas specifically to hang over it, which I then flanked with some vintage table lamps from my stash.

And there you have it…the makings of our little dining room which I cannot wait to put to good use and make endless memories in!

 

• I have partnered with Raymour & Flanigan and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

*Images and text by Astrid Insieme

 

 

 

 

 

A TOUCH OF ST. FRANK

The tiny living room in our A-frame is just that – tiny. So tiny, that it borders on the comical and believe me, hyperbole is not being employed here! That being said, I’ve tried to make it as cozy as possible given its diminutive dimensions and imbued it with an undercurrent of worldly personality as is always the case in my interiors, and this spatially limited room has actually become rather livable and inviting (or so I’ve been told!). But I’ve always felt like something was missing from the space. The one wall in the room is steeply angled and has been adorned with a mirror and artwork in its previous iterations, but I knew that what was ultimately needed to make the room feel entirely pulled together and polished would be something large-scale, ornamental, textural and subtly elegant without being overwhelming. So when I was approached by St. Frank to partner in revamping this spot in our home, I was seriously beyond thrilled! It was such a wonderful and timely opportunity to collaborate with a company that I had long esteemed for both their incredible collection of global home wares and their laudable mission of supporting artisans around the world in their very signature approach of socially-conscious commerce.

I chose a gloriously substantial ivory juju hat from the Cameroon, which are traditionally crafted and worn by the Bamileke tribe during their ritual ceremonies. And I couldn’t be more ecstatic with how perfect it feels in the room!

St. Frank is a lifestyle company which was created to satisfy a niche in the market for global goods which are ethically sourced and which elevate traditional, artisanal wares into luxe collectibles – simultaneously providing sustainable work partnerships with craftspeople around the world while celebrating the true uniqueness, cultural relevance and authentic artistry of these exotic items. The brand’s namesake pays homage to San Francisco, the city where it was founded and where their flagship store is located, as well as to St. Francis of Assisi, who was the son of an established textile merchant and who dedicated his life to the poor and underprivileged. In this same spirit, the company has dedicated itself to preserving age-old craftsmanship through a fair-trade approach of working with artisans and cooperatives worldwide. With an absolutely incredible collection of gorgeous pieces ranging from their signature framed textiles to soft furnishings and decorative items, there is something from every corner of the globe and for every spot in the home!

Check out St. Frank online, at their shop in San Francisco, CA, or at their upcoming new location in East Hampton, NY for more haute-boheme beauty!

• I have partnered with St. Frank and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

*Text and images of juju hat in living room by Astrid Insieme. All other photos provided by St. Frank.

 

 

ALL DECKED OUT WITH RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN

After the excessively brutal winter we experienced here in New Hampshire, there was no prospect more exciting than preparing for outdoor living as the days began to lengthen and the temperatures slowly but surely rose. Well, the planning actually began in the form of desperate fantasizing about lounging in the sun and nighttime cocktails on the deck as we were pummeled with blizzard after blizzard…haha! We live in a wooded area by a lake and because nature plays such an integral role in our day-to-day backdrop, we’ve made it a point during the renovation of our property to maximize the potential for enjoying our surroundings during those very short months when the weather actually permits it. And here in New England, that essentially translates to deck living.  After the framework to our addition was completed last spring, we built decks in the front and back of our modified A-frame and constructed an attached pergola on the back deck. Although we have a sizeable yard in the back (which is now seeded, thankfully, and no longer a lunar-like wasteland of of weeds, rocky soil and construction debris), our intention was to create one long, expansive space where all of the entertaining/lounging areas would be concentrated. We managed to have all of the structures built and stained/painted before last winter, but we didn’t have the opportunity to actually “deck” it out and properly enjoy it. Until now. I’ve styled it up in partnership with the amazing people at Raymour & Flanigan and it is ready for the season!

So for the sake of visualizing the evolution of this project, I’ll share some before shots:

This was taken last summer as the back deck was being built. Yes, we’ve been living in a perpetual construction site. Check out that luscious lawn!

At this point, the attached pergola had just been built and we were about to embark on the always fun stage of endless painting and staining. Irony intended.

Fast forward to over a month ago, when the outdoor furniture from Raymour & Flanigan was delivered! I chose the Tilley Outdoor Sofa and the Tilley Outdoor Chair (I got a pair) to create an outdoor living room beneath the pergola. I was so incredibly excited to see these gorgeous pieces in place, with their incredibly clean, modern lines and deep seating, that I couldn’t help but temporarily set it up, even though there was still quite a bit of prep work needing to be addressed before the install.

As soon as the weather was warm enough to actually start working outside, we started with retouching all of the white paint on the pergola and restaining the entire back deck because unfortunately, even treated wood takes quite a beating from the harsh elements here in New England.

We also installed waterproof, bamboo blinds on the three (exposed) sides of the pergola so that we’d have the option of sun filtering on those super bright days. And for ambient lighting in the evenings, we hung string lights and a cluster of solar pendant lights which were an easy DIY hack we fashioned using five rattan-style baskets (they’re actually resin-coated, because as you can imagine, everything stays out and needs to be weatherproof around here!).

Now the decorating fun begins. Notice the mammoth pillow pile in the back…those are the Sunbrella cushions for the sofa and chair set.  I have never seen or sat on cushier things in my life! I am strangely obsessed with them.

And so with the outdoor rug down and the seating intact, I brought in greenery and items from my personal hoard (decorative pillows, textiles and tables, etc.) to pull this outdoor space together. Ultimately, I wanted it to be comfortable and inviting; after all, this is where we are going to do some serious lounging, whether chilling out as a family or entertaining. It is where we will have lazy coffees in the morning and unwind after a grilled meal in the evening with drinks. And of course, I wanted it to feel like a bit of an escape. A sensorial retreat from reality…like a vacation, but conveniently, at home. Everything is weatherproof and can be left out in the rain, except for my kilim pillows which I just toss into one of our sheds when the weather promises to be inclement. And voila…

Can’t get over the stunning, modern design and roominess of these pieces! I also fell in love with their black Coil Solar Outdoor Lantern and got a few for scattering around on the floor and on tabletops.

And there you have it! It took a while, but this deck is finally transformed and more than ready for what is guaranteed to be much use until the cold weather kicks in again! Cheers to spring and summer on the horizon!

• I have partnered with Raymour & Flanigan and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

*Images and text by Astrid Insieme

#BOHOFOLKDECOR WITH LOLA Y TULA

When it comes to defining my personal style – or at least the aesthetic that most resonates with me – it always incorporates elements of the exotic. Worldly environments that are global and artful in their appeal are especially meaningful and inspiring to me because they feel most authentic, for the simple reason that there is an uncontrived, cultural richness and boldness imparted by those special pieces which speak of other lands and their traditions.

So in collaboration with Gardenia, the amazing woman behind the California-based brand, Lola y Tula, we have decided to embrace and celebrate what we both collectively identify with and love in the vast realm of design. #BOHOFOLKDECOR encompasses two essential notions – a penchant for bohemian style and an appreciation for that which is considered “folk”. It is that always original vibe which is an organic and unpretentious fusion of the free-spirited and unconventional with the artisanal.

Here I’ve styled some incredibly unique pieces from Gardenia’s beautifully curated collection of Mexican soft furnishings, including her otomi pillows and Tlaxcala geometric blanket, in the spirit of #BOHOFOLKDECOR … won’t you join us and show us your interpretations too?

Stunning otomi pillows with their whimsical depictions of animalia and delightfully colored thread work.

Playful and saturated hues make these soft goods an absolute chromatic sensation!

This Tlaxcala geometric throw is a stunner with its bold and graphic pattern … perfect for draping on a bed or sofa, curling up with on a chilly evening outdoors, and versatile enough to be used as a beach or picnic blanket.

#BOHOFOLKDECOR vibes…

Don’t forget to check out Lola y Tula to view her full gallery of artisanal offerings which honor the heritage of Mexican artistry and craftsmanship! And don’t forget to showcase your #BOHOFOLKDECOR on Instagram … we’d love to see!

*Images and text by Astrid Insieme

AN ECLECTIC HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

So, it’s that time of year…and how quickly it descended upon us! I’m very excited to be participating, alongside so many talented creatives, in the Winter Eclectic Home Tour hosted by the amazing Jess of Domicile 37 (thanks for organizing this blog hop and the invite, Jess!). If you’ve made your way over from Monica Wants It, welcome!

For those who are new here, I thought it would be apropos to preface by disclosing a few things about our lifestyle before jumping into the visuals. We are a family of three who live in the woods of New Hampshire, in a tiny A-frame cottage which is currently in the throes of a renovation; we’ve recently added on an addition which is still a work in progress, but for the moment, our actual living area is simply comprised of the A-frame which totals just under 800 square feet. With steeply angled walls. So as you can imagine, it is a very small home with some very particular and unusual spatial limitations! However, this conveniently aligns with my penchant for a “less is more” approach to decorating for the holidays, despite my otherwise maximalist leanings when it comes to interiors. As far as “decking our halls”, I prefer incorporating a few subtle and intentional flourishes which remind us of the celebratory season, and rely mostly on cultivating a cozy, layered, and wintry mood throughout. The vibe (hopefully!) translates to an unfussy melange of eclectic/bohemian/Scandinavian/rustic styles with a touch of Christmas cheer.

OK, that’s enough of my virtual babbling…come on in!

So here is the entry to our little A-frame which I always spruce up with greenery this time of year, opting to keep things rather elemental and natural. Except, of course, for the star perched atop the peak of our roof…haha!

This is the view from our front door as you enter a narrow foyer which leads into our open-plan downstairs.  The foyer essentially serves as a mudroom where we stash our shoes, hats, umbrellas, etc. and although the space is primarily utilitarian in purpose, there’s always room for some seasonal dressing in the form of garlands and wreaths, right?

A square, boxwood wreath and some pine boughs gathered from trees on our property provide just enough deliberate doses of green while not overwhelming the tight space.

This is a bit of an odd photo, but it shows the layout of the open-plan downstairs, and the placement of the kitchen (in the background) in relation to the living area. The stairs lead upstairs to two tiny bedrooms and an even tinier loft.

I like surprising and unconventional mixes in my decor, as I tend to find beauty in the unexpected. Global, traditional and rustic aesthetics juxtapose effortlessly, I feel, and still manage to feel discreetly festive. I truly believe that if you do anything with conviction and wild abandon, it will always work!

We can’t hang our stockings by the chimney with care…so they hang by our sliding glass doors, dangling (carefully?) from a curtain rod. And please behold our baby tree beneath…haha! Yep, that’s about as much tree as we can fit in our living room at the moment!

Some more living room details, keeping it minimal but still evocative of the holiday spirit:

And a close-up of our baby tree. All 15 inches of her! I love her though…she seriously cracks me up.

Shall we head outside to our back deck? Here is where we can appreciate the woods on the edge of our property, so this space is all about experiencing the rusticity of cabin life. Bundled up, we can still enjoy a quick morning coffee or glass(es) of wine in the late afternoon here. But not for too much longer, as the temperatures are dropping quickly!

So, the reality is that I had finished taking all the photos that I intended to include in this holiday home tour last week. But then Mother Nature intervened a few days ago, rather opportunely, and this happened…and so I thought it would be a perfect, final shot for this wintry blog hop!

And that’s how we do the holidays around here! Thanks so much for stopping by, and don’t forget to pay a visit next to Mila of Jest Cafe to see how she works her seasonal magic, as well as all of the other talented creatives (listed below) who participated in this week’s Winter Eclectic Home Tour. Happy Holidays, everyone!

(Please Note: Links to Home Tours are not live until day of tour!)

Monday

Bright Green Door // Michelle Matangi Home // Sharon Williams // CAD Interiors // Domicile 37

Tuesday

Casa Watkins Living //  Maggie Overby Studios // House Homemade // French & French Interiors // Style Mutt Home

Wednesday

Up to Date Interiors // The Striped House // Designing Vibes // Iris Nacole // Fearfully & Wonderfully Made // Blue i Style

Thursday

PMQ for Two // Maker of Home // Go Haus Go // Whimsical Blue Living // FOXY OXIE

Friday

This is Our Bliss // Monica Wants It // Insieme House // Jest Cafe // The Gathered Home

ECO DEER – IN THE SPIRIT OF SPONTANEITY

It’s been such a busy season around here, with absurd numbers of ongoing outdoor projects being tackled as we try and get as much crossed off of our endless punch list before the advent of the colder days. Lots of things being built, and subsequently, lots and lots of mess…and more often than not, these new installations are pending true completion as they require more work before they can actually be deemed finished. Case in point: decks, pergolas and the like, which in our case, were constructed using pressure-treated wood and need considerable time before being painted or stained. Admittedly, I refuse to subscribe to the idea that we should wait to use our spaces and belongings only and until they are fully “done” or the timing is perfect, because I feel like those are absolutely illusory notions anyway. And so, prompted by a mix of impatience and a dedication to living in the moment as much as possible, I made it a point to set up and style our new outdoor areas to enjoy in the meanwhile, even if said set up is temporary.

So when the lovely people of Eco Deer contacted me about sharing their product,  I was elated. Not just because it is such a clever concept, but because there is something about the spontaneity of its application that deeply appeals to me. And I knew just the place where I wanted it to live. For now, anyhow. No clue what I am talking about? For those unfamiliar with the incredibly cool Eco Deer, here it is:

Could there be a more perfect and creative format for displaying nature of your choosing? Shaped like a deer’s head, and when filled with foliage, flowers or branches – whatever you’re inclined to use – it mimics a trophy mount. Minimalist design genius, as far as I am concerned!

They are handmade in Ukraine and come in several styles, including solid eco wood (both raw and painted) as well as metal. Simply hang, insert the two glass tubes in place, and fill with the foliage of your choosing. If you opt to fill it with blooms or leaves, add water to ensure their longevity, naturally. If you want to use thick branches instead, you could even forego the use of the tubes. And there you have it…an incredibly striking and sculptural, decorative statement in the form of a botanical wall display!

My favorite aspect of the Eco Deer is how it can be used to create so many different looks, depending on what design direction you’re into at the moment. Leafy palm fronds in the summer, wispy wildflowers in the spring, and dried branches in the late fall and winter…I just love how it can be used so variably, so seasonally, so spontaneously! I intend on moving it indoors during the snowy months but until then, I adore seeing it mounted under our pergola on our back deck. Although this area is still very unfinished at the moment, it was all about having fun with the space in the meanwhile…spontaneously. And the Eco Deer came at just the right time, and seriously delivered. Serendipitously…and spontaneously!

Visit the Eco Deer Etsy shop to check out their inventory and buy online…if you are an aficionado of plants and brilliant design, it is an absolute must for your home decor!

• I have partnered with Eco Deer and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

* Images and text by Astrid Insieme

THE MAKING OF A SHE SHED (OR SHEd)

This summer has been replete with seemingly endless outdoor projects in our quest to finalize the exterior of the addition, address some seriously daunting landscaping issues, and ultimately, to create usable spaces around our property for lounging and entertaining. Because let me tell you…it’s been obscenely muddy and chaotic around here for what seems like an eternity! We’ve just finished building front and back decks, and are in the throes of reconstructing the neighborhood’s old pump house (which was kindly given to us) in our backyard, which we will be using for storage of seasonal and recreational items. This new acquisition has left one of our existing sheds entirely freed up for…well, the possibilities were infinite. Admittedly, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of creating a special space – a sort of fantastical retreat – in a tiny structure, and so here was my opportunity. The decision was an easy one, and I am ecstatic to have partnered with my friends at Raymour & Flanigan in the transformation of our 10 x 10 foot utilitarian shed into an outdoor oasis for summertime chilling!

Because the shed clearly has spatial limitations, I wanted to ensure that it efficiently served two functions: providing leisurely spots for seating, and offering surfaces for entertaining (and by that, I mean places to rest drinks and such…haha!). As far as its aesthetic direction, my vision was to create a space that was equal parts global and chic, with a subdued, tropical vibe. This little, outdoor room had to feel like a bit of a sanctuary, an inviting refuge. And here’s how I did it:

Giving the dingy, interior walls and floor a fresh coat of white paint was the first step.

  

(Let us please ignore the newly hydro-seeded grass that has started to come in and that we have managed to kill. Despite obsessive watering.)

Once painted, then the true fun began!

   

I had chosen some beautifully striking and functional pieces from Raymour & Flanigan and planned on mixing them with items from my own stash to decorate and style the space. Once all the wares had been delivered, it was time for installation! I laid down a sisal rug banded with a brown border that I had in storage to create a natural, neutral grounding for the colorful and bold furnishings and decorative accents that I would be layering in the SHEd. The gorgeous ikat settee (Emelio Loveseat) and luxuriously tufted chaise lounge in navy (Lansing Chaise Lounge) add the ideal dose of sophisticated, bohemian flavor and in addition to being supremely comfortable, feel perfectly scaled in this intimate setting. The turquoise coffee table is from India and is one of my most cherished pieces from my hoard…I mean collection. Gilded wall plates and a federal-style, convex mirror (also from my hoard) were added for a touch of gilded glam, and some greenery was brought in to inject a touch of tropicalia. Can you tell I have a penchant for blue? Probably not.

   

Soft furnishings (pillows and suzani textiles from my hoard/collection) were added liberally. I am such a shameless fan of pattern mixing and believe it should be done with conviction…more is definitely more in this case! Saturated colors and ethnic prints always make an incredible visual impact, especially when juxtaposed against the crispness of white walls. Once all the final touches were made and everything was styled accordingly, the SHEd was ready for her debut…and here is how she looked!

I also chose the Irina Outdoor Armchair and the Lodi Outdoor Serving Cart which collectively provide a wonderful, woodsy warmth to the space. Both are crafted from acacia wood and are such solid and functional pieces. No oasis would be complete without a station to replenish one’s drinks, right?

Essentially, I couldn’t neglect the outside of the SHEd, now that she was all done up on the inside. The Karoo Outdoor Bench is truly the most perfect of outdoor benches that I could have placed alongside one of the exterior walls. It is beautifully crafted, super long, super sturdy and has absolutely gorgeous lines. Dressed with heaps of vintage kilim pillows from Turkey, it has become my favorite perch for indulging in extra-long morning coffees.

And there you have it…as the old adage goes, good things (can) come in little packages! A huge thanks to Raymour & Flanigan for helping make this transformation happen. They have such an incredibly vast and varied array of inventory to suit any decor style, and have been such a dream to partner with!

• I have partnered with Raymour & Flanigan and received product in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own.

 

 

* Images and text by Astrid Insieme