shell and chinoiserie: Seaside style with an Eastern accent

wednesday wishlist: bamboo chairs

7.17.2013

All of this running around, purging and packing in preparation for our move next month, is making me tired! I need to sit down and get re-motivated. I suppose it only makes sense that my train of thought would pull into seating station, so for today's wishlist item I am going to share these beautiful bamboo chairs, some of which I hope will make an appearance in our future home!

Bamboo chairs are often thought of as dining room decor, although I have something else in mind for our dining room (stay tuned!), so I plan to proudly put them in our living room. As you will see, some look quite comfy with their plush cushions, while others may serve best as accent chairs. This is--as personal style should be--a matter of preference and practicality. Now, my wishlist isn't exactly short, and it certainly includes a few other chairs that might make for more practical primary seating in our living room (especially if there are children in our future!), but I need my bamboo! So I intend to use these beauties as accent chairs to frame a buffet table, chest, or simply a side table. That way I can always admire them from the comfort of my couch ;)

Noir Furniture

via Baers

Navy Chippendale with Ikat Upholstry!

by Katie Maennle

via Clayton Gray Home

Bungalow 5

via Clayton Gray Home

Clayton Gray Home

Ballard Designs

ebay!

Which ones would you put on your wishlist?

Enjoy!

Emilie

keeping it cool and classy

7.15.2013

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

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

oh là là, parisian bistro chairs!

7.11.2013

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: