I Can't Resist... This Elkins Loop Chair

Spotted in the July/August issue of Coastal Living...

Well, the space itself is hard to resist, but that 1930's Loop Chair... *sigh*.  This one was procured from Darrell Dean Antiques.  They pop up on 1stdibs occasionally, too, but get your checkbook ready.

Then I spotted these in the same issue...

Variations on a theme, no?  These lovelies are in the Pacific Palisades home of Steve McPherson and Jennifer LaCorte, decorated by the one and only Brooke Giannetti (of Velvet and Linen and fab designs fame, now a published author!).  The armchair is available at Palecek and these awesome barstools at McGuire Furniture. 

Now, THESE are more accessible for the rest of us!

What do you think?  Thumbs up, thumbs down??

All images scanned from Coastal Living magazine.

Don't forget to enter my latest GIVEAWAY HERE!  Winner will be drawn Friday at 5pm, EST.

Ideas Abound in the Coastal Living 2010 Idea House

Exterior of 2010 Idea House

This year the editors and designers of Coastal Living magazine take us to scenic Seabrook, Washington for their 2010 Idea House.  This house is packed with fabulous ideas, so I'll be posting more than once about this treasure trove. 

The first bright new idea that caught my eye is the use of windows and natural light in the bathrooms.  If you think about the dilemmas of large windows in the bathroom-- lack of privacy, use of needed wall space-- most would be tempted to shy away from such a feature.  CL's clever design team, determined to maximize the abundant natural sea-reflecting light, navigated these issues by mounting the bathroom mirrors in front of the windows.  Check out this clever trick in three of the home's bathrooms.

Light diffusing shades for privacy without sacrificing natural light in the master bathroom.

Guest bath with shades that can lowered behind the mirror for additional privacy.

Guesthouse bedroom and peek at the bathroom.  Again, some light diffusing shades for privacy behind the mirror.

Photos by Lisa Romerein via coastalliving.com

Refresh and Impress

Ready to cool off?  Company coming?  Our friends over at Coastal Living have gathered 21 refreshing beverages to offer your guests.  Take a peek at a few of my favorites and then click over to Coastal Living to get these easy recipes.  Your guests will be impressed!

Peach Fuzzies

Sauvignon Blanc Sangria

Ultimate Rum Punch

Picnic Sangria (love the jars!)

Photos by Howard L. Puckett, Fran Graler, and Jennifer Davick

Cool Shades

As the summer heats up, I find myself conjuring up images of cool ocean waters... and the beautiful blues and greens that soothe the soul.  What if we brought those hues indoors?  Blue is the one of the hot new trends in color this season, I'm finding.  Not only can blue make a warm space feel cooler, but it also has a calming effect that is universal.  Since the most inexpensive way to change a room is a gallon of paint, get your paintbrushes and drop cloths ready.  Benjamin Moore's Caribbean Breeze and Dolphin's Cove are two of my favorites-- check them out on BM's Virtual Fandeck.  But you will also be inspired by these beautiful blue rooms, from Coastal Living, Elle Decor (be sure to check into the LookBook at ElleDecor.com), and House Beautiful.

Coastal Living, photo by J Savage Gibson

This cool green brings a little key lime pie to mind!  Coastal Living, photo by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Aerin Lauder's kitchen--paint is not just for walls!  Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton

Georgia beach cottage, designed by Jim Howard in House Beautiful.  Paint color is Benjamin Moore's Shenandoah.