As we begin another heat wave here in Boston, I am feeling like I just want to crawl into a cool, dark cave and spend the week lying face down, embracing the dirt. I know--not a pretty image, but boy have I found a few beautiful ones for you today! These bold blue rooms keep it cool and classy ;)

I think dark blue walls look their best when glossy and complimented with bright colors such as pink, orange, lavender, chartreuse, and lighter blues. Add accents of dark wood, gold, and animal print for a fun, but sophisticated room:

Anne Coyle Interiors and Nate Berkus 

in Elle Decor

Miles Redd

Miles Redd

via Wall Street Journal

Miles Redd
via House Beautiful

Todd Alexander Romano
in Elle Decor

Todd Alexander Romano

House Beautiful

Traditional Home

Gramophone Interiors

Ashley Whittaker Design
in House Beautiful


Phoebe Howard


House Beautiful

Lonny Magazine

Pure Style Home

Pottery Barn

Enjoy!

Emilie

As I mentioned in my last post, I was in Québec City last week, but I might as well have been in France! Québec City is absolutely intoxicating--if you haven't been, by all means GO! Accordion musette dances through the city's historic brick streets, street performers liven up parks and plazas, statues and fountains dazzle at every turn, and window boxes filled with flowers hang from every window. And, of course, French is spoken everywhere...c'est très romantique!

Per usual, one of the highlights of our trip was eating, and in Québec City in the summer, eating often occurs outdoors! I can only imagine that locals can't stand to spend another day indoors after the long Canadian winters...it is bad enough in Boston! Plus the streets are beautiful, so who wouldn't want to sit in them? 

Here I am enjoying a clearly much-needed glass of sangria at Le Lapin Sauté after the long drive from Boston to Québec City:

In keeping with the city's French feel, outdoor dining decor often features Parisian bistro tables and chairs. And although you cannot tell from this photo (and by the looks of it, neither could I at the time), I am sitting in one of those beautiful bistro chairs! I absolutely love these chairs and certainly believe they shouldn't be confined to the pretty, tiled interiors of bistros, but should be considered for use in kitchens, and even in dining rooms! Not only do they bring texture and color into a room, but they really add a surprising element of sophisticated style worthy of any chic Parisian... ;) 

Voilà:

Ashley Whittaker Design

Katie Rosenfeld Design

Estee Stanley

Schranghamer Design Group

Estee Stanley 

Traditional Home, Spring 2011

Elle Decor, September 2007

House Beautiful

Victoria Hagan

Coastal Living

Better Homes and Gardens, September 2011

House Beautiful

 COCOCOZY

Bistro chairs are available in a range of colors, although I am drawn to the blue and white ones. Here are a few that I found!:

Decor N More

$245 from Serena and Lily

$225 from Serena and Lily

$295 from Serena and Lily

$295 from Serena and Lily

$295 from Williams-Sonoma Home

$395 from Williams-Sonoma Home

$103 from Decor N More

$159 from Pottery Barn

$289 from Pottery Barn

$299 from American Country

So no matter what room you are sitting in--or what you are sipping on--consider bringing home a bit of bistro!

Enjoy!

Emilie

Hello! I hope you all had a very happy Fourth of July!

I have been a bit out of blogging touch since last week, as my husband and I just came home from a long weekend celebrating a wonderful first year of marriage (I promise we don't typically travel this much!). We began our anniversary celebration in Quebec City, the site of our "mini-moon" immediately following our wedding, and of course we ended in Kennebunkport, Maine, where we were married one year ago...

Kennebunkport is a quintessential New England coastal summer community about an hour and a half north of Boston. Despite its small size, the bustling town has lots to offer in the form of beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, fine dining, shopping, and art galleries. Kennebunkport is the perfect place for a relaxing summer vacation, but bored is the last thing you will be!

Today I am writing a travel post of sorts, in which I will feature one of the town's many charming hotels where we were lucky enough to stay this past weekend. But first, some photos from our Kennebunkport wedding:

photo courtesy of our wedding guests

photo by Stacey Kane

photo by Stacey Kane

photo courtesy of our wedding guests

photo courtesy of our wedding guests

photo courtesy of our wedding guests

photo courtesy of our wedding guests

photo by Stacey Kane

I cannot believe we have been married for a year--I suppose time flies when you are having fun! The other day I was telling my friend Andrea over at The Glam Pad that the hardest part of this first year of marriage has been the fact that the wedding is over! I was definitely one of those girls who had been planning her wedding since the age of six, so I have been suffering from a severe case of wedding withdrawal. Maybe one of these days I will begin another blog dedicated entirely to weddings? We'll see... ;)

Anyway, I suppose I should change the subject before I get too sappy, so on we go to Kennebunkport! 

Deciding where to stay during our much-anticipated return to Kennebunkport was a difficult decision! With such an exceptional selection of resorts, hotels, B&Bs, inns, etc.--many of which hold sentimental value for us--the choice was overwhelming in the best of ways. Ultimately, we bypassed the resort which we frequented during our courtship, as well as the resort where our rehearsal dinner was held, and even the resort at which we hosted our wedding reception! Instead, we opted for an ocean-view room at The Tides Beach Club, where we had bought many a drink the bar, but never stayed the night before. 

Located just ten minutes north of town on Goose Rocks Beach, The Tides Beach Club is a small seaside hotel whose coastal decor offers big sophistication and style. The intimate property is comprised of 21 impeccably decorated guestrooms, including two suites furnished by Jonathan Adler! And you may remember a post from a few weeks ago in which I included an image of a Tides Beach Club guestroom featuring chairs upholstered in China Seas Java Java. With their refined furnishings and finishes, it is evident that each and every room at this luxury beachfront boutique hotel has been given the ultimate attention to detail:

And here are some photos I snapped our sophisticated coral room with coastal views!:

 

Upon our arrival, the friendly staff greeted us with complimentary glasses of sparkling wine--a much-needed refreshment after the long car ride from Quebec City! Once refreshed we retreated to our room, where we were flattered to find a note congratulating us on our anniversary and an accompanying voucher for celebratory cocktails at the bar! Check out how you can enhance your stay here!

We wasted no time returning downstairs to the hotel's beautiful bar, which spills out onto a large front porch and then a beachfront lawn. Because of the live music out on the porch, the plush rocking chairs (see above) were already occupied by patrons, but Brian and I were more than happy to take a stylish (Lucite!) seat inside at the bar.

Offering an impressive drink menu, The Tides Beach Club's chic and social bar is more than just a pretty face. The classics are complimented by specialty and signature cocktails, which often include infused spirits and muddled fruits. I ordered a mojito, while my husband opted for one of the signature cocktails--both were delicious ;)

Of course, as much as I love a good cocktail, the decor at The Tides Beach Club is worth the visit alone! Check out those Chippendale chairs (!!!) and notice how the the Lucite bar stools shine and show off the tufted leather below the bar. The walls of the bar area are covered in a natural grasscloth and punctuated with mirrors which reflect the glass bottles and the lights--so much shine makes for something of a jewel box out of the bar! The soft lighting creates a golden glow throughout the space, which is a perfect place to top-off a relaxing day at the beach. 

Adjoining the bar is a inviting lounge with a living room feel. Comfy chairs surround large round tables, while books and board games decorate built-in bookcases and provide for after-dinner activities. But Brian and I were happy to take our turn in the rocking chairs and watch a thunderstorm roll out over the water. Perfection doesn't begin to describe it...

I suppose I should also mention that The Tides Beach Club offers plenty of entertainment before happy hour begins! ;) In particular, beach picnics and even Stand Up Paddleboarding lessons!

When our wonderful stay came to an end, the staff sent us off with a goody bag of homemade chocolate-chip cookies and some bottled water, making the sad drive back to Boston a bit more bearable.

A few more personal pics from our stay:

The Tides Beach Club is just one of nine distinct luxury properties that make up the Kennebunkport Resort Collection. Be sure to explore the other eight properties online--and hopefully in person!--and check back here at shell & chinoiserie, as I will surely feature more soon!

Enjoy!

Emilie