Sea Ranch: Lovely and Amazing

In January I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Sea Ranch -- and Oh MG it was joyous. Sea Ranch consists of hundreds vacation homes built upon a 10-mile stretch of preserved land on California's Sonoma coast. It's absolutely gorgeous up there and the perfect place to relax and spend quality time with friends. One of the things that is particularly special about Sea Ranch is the awesome architecture and how everything is built to compliment the ocean and grass. Below my snapshots are some very cool photos from an architecture firm that has built a few SR houses.

Following photos by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects. Though certain to be out of my price range, I wouldn't mind checking out one of these next time I visit.

First five photos by Oh MG, remaining by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects.

A Gift for the Cat

photo by Oh MG

After going to the movies at IFC the other day, Sarah B. and I went on chilly stroll through SoHo and stopped in Treasure & Bond for the first time. I don't know much about their "retail + philanthropy" model and things were quite pricey, but it was fun to browse.  AND they just started serving Stumptown Coffee in store (delicious). All that to say, my favorite item in the store was the calfskin cat lounger pictured above. Oh MG, what a fun and functional item and could both keep your house from looking like you're a crazy cat person and probably be really comfortable for a furry friend. Alas, it was $486. PS. Also check this out!

I Heart Books

Via SFGirlByBay

I love books, I love bookshelves, and one day hope to have an awesome home library. The above image I spotted on SFGirlByBay yesterday has all the perfect elements of a great room - floor to ceiling built-ins, a great light fixture, modern chairs, and a well-loved wooden table to spread out a Sunday newspaper. For a more non-traditional use of books, check out GalleyCat's Book Christmas Tree Farm. Lastly, this, this, and this are on my winter break reading list and my friend Jen was kind enough to get me some copies! Ah how I love grad school and having a winter break!

via GalleyCat

Warm Christmas

via Bliss via Real Living

If I ever find myself celebrating Christmas somewhere in the summer I would want a fun tree just like this! It got cold here NYC this weekend which actually made it feel like the holidays. Also, we attended the annual Byrne Family Christmas party on Saturday which is the best way to kick off the season. Baked ziti, brisket, desserts galore, and a sing-a-longs to The Band - so fun! Holiday tip: if you don't have time to get a Christmas tree, grab one of these and it will feel like you have one.


Photo by Tony Amos and styled by Sarah Ellison

Guess How Much It Is

Like just about everyone else I know, I'm generally obsessed with all things Anthropologie. The clothes and shoes! The accessories! The flatware and the bedspreads! But I had to laugh when I spotted some of the most recent additions to their home decor collection. Seems even Anthro can go a bit astray. What I found most fun was guessing the prices of the above items. Go ahead, guess, and then check: Dalmatian, Rabbit Bust, Rustic Romp Taper Holder, Grasshopper Globe. While the rest of the store is on my Christmas list, I assure you these items are not. Don't worry though, I still dream that I one day I might be able to live in one of their retail locations :)

Christmastime is Here

Though I was supposed to spend lots of quality time at the library on Saturday, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It was too gorgeous out and JM and I had an opportunity to bring home a 5.5-foot frasier fir. And once we started I couldn't stop - also bought a wreath for the front door and put some extra boughs and holly branches from our front yard in jars around the house. I'm far from being crafty, but am proud of the effort. And wow, it's going to 60 degrees tomorrow. This is what I imagine Christmast must be like in LA - not bad! Please excuse bad phone photos.

Photos by Oh MG.

PS. I just cannot get enough of this song right now!

Unique Taxidermy

I have totally embraced the taxidermy fad - in fact we have a stuffed dear named Conan hanging above our television. However, I was a little startled by the prominent display of this lion in a NYC loft. What a pose! I'll admit it's pretty badass, but what if it scared a house guest, or you bumped into it in the middle of the night?

Via SFGirlByBay via Yatzer

PS. Did you hear that the stuffed animals at the American Museum of Natural History are getting a makeover? The photo below makes me laugh. I am glad they are getting spiffed up a bit though, many of them were looking at bit tired.

photo by J.C. Rice - via NY Post

Indoor Tents & Teepees

Lately there have been some awesome features on cozy set ups and indoor accessories for the winter months. Even though it has been 60+ degrees in NYC lately, I have been loving blog posts on throw blankets, like this one featuring something from the Pendleton collection. Yesterday Honestly WTF did an awesome feature on the Hudson Bay Company blanket and it got me thinking about how fun indoor tents and teepees are.

via Honestly WTF

Wouldn't it be fun to have played in this teepee as a kid? Heck, if I had room I'd install one just like it in my house today. I think Arby would like it too! Though this cat cabin might be more appropriate for his size.

via Creamy Life

And of course, I have always adored Richie Tenenbaum's tent - it even has a record player!

Screenshot from The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001, Touchstone Pictures

Screenshot from The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001, Touchstone Pictures

Stendig 2012

I spent a good part of the weekend admiring these Stendig calendars at the shop.  A little history: designed in 1966 by Massimo Vignelli, the Stendig calendar is the only calendar in MOMA's permanent collection. It's a minimalist modern design classic. Am considering picking one up for my house, but wall space is currently quite limited. Get one here!

And how apt that I should come upon this post on Brick House last night. Lovely!

Via Brick House Tumblr via The Selby

How Much is Too Much ...

... to spend on a candle?  They are certainly novelty items, but a really nice one can make your living space so lovely.  I had the pleasure of unpacking these fabulous-smelling things when they arrived the other day, and oh my, I've had candles on the brain ever since. It's also a fine line however since everything from Yankee Candle Co. generally makes me want to throw up.

When I was in Paris this summer the Diptyque boutique in Le Marais really made me covet a Feuille de Lavande candle, but I drew the line and said $60 was waaaay too much.

I am absolutely picking up one of these for the holiday season, they are to die for.  In fact, the one I got last year was so delicious smelling I burned it all year long.

Until I can fill up my whole house with Diptyques, I'll stick with the much more affordable Mrs. Meyers.  Ohhh, and I see they have some holiday scents!

Local Real Estate Crush

Surely every blogger, design magazine reader, and lover of all things pretty fell in love with Jenna Lyons' house as soon as it was featured in Domino in 2008. Ever since the Domino spread I've loved seeing various shots and stylings of the Park Slope home.  Additionally, since moving to the neighborhood I've peeked in various windows to see if I could figure out what house it is. Now, thanks to some not-so-good press I've learned that the house is literally right around the corner from me. Also turns out I could now own the place for $3.75 million.

Via Black Eiffel via Domino (RIP)

via Habitually Chic via Levenson McDavid Architects

via Habitually Chic via Livingetc

Chevron + Chevron

Like everyone else, I'm loving chevron these days. Oh and something I've had my eye on for a while is on sale. Alas, home decor purchases are on hold due to a little expense called grad school.  

via Decor8 via Apartus

via Honey Kennedy via Swedishness

Love the Look

Saw this photo over on sfgirlbybay a while ago.  Fantastic bedroom all around - especially love the pop of color on the wallpapered wall!

Via sfgirlbybay via Alvhem

Writing Hut

Just came across this feature on writers' huts.  What a lovely idea - one that is a million times more charming than any old home office.  Check out Roald Dahl's little cottage below.

Via Re-nest.

Walls Made of Books

While I love books, bookshelves, and inventive decor, I hadn't thought of this possibility: walls made of books.  David Bouley's new Japanese restaurant Brushstroke uses 12,000 recycled paperbacks to line the walls.  My only concern is that books are for reading not decorating, but I guess there are enough bad books out there that this is okay.  Looks pretty cool!  Galleycat via Gothamist.

Katie Sokoler for Gothamist

Katie Sokoler for Gothamist

Hello Built-In Storage

Why yes, I would like you for my closet.

PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL GRAYDON

The rest of the house ain't bad either.  Via Full House via Sabrina Linn.

Coffee Table

Looking for a new coffee table (even though I am on a spending freeze) until the end of the year.  The Ikea one is just not cutting it anymore.  Saw this lovely thing on City Sage via Form.

PS. I also like this room because it has lots of light!

Montreal Home

Check out this awesome home in the Plateau that appears in this month's Dwell.  Love how it is modern but homey and has great outdoor space.  I would like to live there, wake up in the mornings, and walk here for brunch.  (Photos by Alexi Hobbs for Dwell.)

Lovely Room

I heart globes, Eames rockers, and a lovely reading nook with good lighting.  From an article in The New York Times about an apartment in Vienna.

Photo by Josef Polleross for The New York Times

Another Home Library

I am so partial to all things book related, and I really dig an awesome home library.  Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to have this amazing library in Paris.  And leave it to The Selby to capture it perfectly!

Via The Selby