Summer Style Cravings: Home Edition

A Stunning Beach House via The Style Files

There's something so relaxing about a beach house and coastal decor.  I think it's also the fact that most beach houses are second homes, so the decor is usually minimal and sans clutter.

Brazil Beach House via The Style Files

I love the idea of creating a relaxed getaway second home vibe in your first (and only, for me) home.

A Beautiful Home in the Tropics via The Style Files

The changing seasons are a perfect excuse to update your decor and spruce up your pad.  You may have caught my fashion edition of summer style cravings, and now I bring to you the home edition.

1. Leif Patterned Pinwheel Serving Tray - For all those summer soirees, impress your guests by serving dark and stormy's on this cute tray.

2. CB2 Bodhi Planter - Plants are a great way to bring in nature, and they purify the air as well.  Plant some in this summery gold fish planter for a beachy feel.

3. Max Wanger Tulum Print - And this is why I want to go to Mexico.  A beach print is great year round and brings in a fresh splash of soothing blues.

4. Target Threshold Pouf - Poufs are a great house accessory that don't require a whole room redo.  This jute pouf has multiple functions - ottoman, stool, or even a table by adding a tray on top.

5. Leif Painted Diamond Pillow Cover - Pillows are also a great way to spruce up your decor - I change mine up every few months depending on my mood.  I love this watercolor ikat with bright happy colors.

6. Nate Berkus for Target Stamped Vase - Just like plants, flowers are also a great way to brighten things up without breaking the bank.  Take advantage of peony season with this clean neutral vase.

7. West Elm Terracotta Pots - More planters.  Because you can't have too many plants.

8. Zara Baskets - White washed with a wood accent, these are great to store your magazines, blankets, etc.

9. Moorea Seal Alpamayo Rug - I absolutely love these frasadas, they're durable and can double as throw blankets.

10. Chairish Vintage Rattan Chair - Nothing says summer like rattan.  If you already read my rattan post, then you know that I could kill for a rattan chair in my apartment.  Nay, rattan everything!  Rattan is always fabulous and I simply can't get enough of it.

11. Denim Diamond Rug - I love this easy denim rug with a coastal vibe.

12. CB2 String Lights - Summer = string lights.  Don't be afraid to use them inside too - artfully draped over a mirror or hung along a window.

13. Zara Hammered Metal Stool - A great small-scale update - this hammered metal stool has a great shape and the reflective surface will reflect light, helping to make any space brighter and larger.

Summer Style Cravings: Fashion Edition

Summer is here.  And with each new season comes new clothes and such to lust after.

Welcome to my summer wish list.

1. J.Crew Factory Soliel Collector Tee $34.50 - Graphic tees are great for summer, this one has fun colors for an extra umph.
2. K. Jacques for J.Crew Saratoga Sandals $295 - Neon is making a come back, but in a subtle way. These leather sandals are a classic and have just a hint of neon.
3. Dolce Vita Quillan Romper $209 - I have a love/hate relationship with rompers, and right now I'm in the love phase.  This printed romper is quick, easy, and cute.
4. Parker Bayou Dress $308 - I love a good maxi dress, and this silk printed one would be great for a summer wedding or dressed down for an alfresco brunch.
5. Swell Bottle - I love these bottles.  They keep your beverages cold for 24 hours, and hot for 12.  They come in a variety of sizes and are pretty much the best invention in drink-ware EVER.  Who wants to drink hot water after a day in the sun?  Not me.  The 25 oz. size holds a whole bottle of wine, too.  Hint, hint.
6. J.Crew Shattered Swirl Underwire Tank $115 - These days I'm all about practicing safe sun, and you should be too.  Class up your sun tanning with this fun one piece, and top it off with a giant sun hat.
7. Lo and Sons Catalina Weekender $120 - Another life essential.  These bags hold an absorbent amount of things and are great for all those weekend getaways.  I love the bottom zipper compartment - it's perfect for shoes or even a towel to keep your sand where it belongs.
8. Kate Spade Book Clutch $328 - Possibly the most expensive clutch ever, but also the cutest.  I can't get over these 'book' clutches, and these colors are perfect for me.  And summer.
9. Lucca Couture Crochet Shift Dress $80 - You can't survive summer without a crochet dress.
10. Madewell Track Short $49.50 - I have to say, I'm all about comfort in my fashion choices, and I'm so happy athletic shorts are 'in'.  I love this version in a chic chambray.
11. Otte NY Print Classic Pant $299 - I'm DYING for these pants.  Literally.  I want them like crazy.  I can't imagine anything more that you could ask for in a printed pant.

Trending: Banana Leaf

The Martinique wallpaper has been making waves since its debut at The Beverly Hills Hotel in 1942.  The iconic banana leaf print has made its way into modern times with all sorts of decor and fashion pieces.  I'd love to do this wallpaper in a bathroom, or reupholster my seat cushions in it.  Or just glamorously swathe myself in this fabric and lounge around my apartment.  Check out all the fresh new ways we're seeing banana leaf prints:

1. Barrel Chairs | 2. ASOS Dress | 3. Etsy Pillows | 4. Furbish Studio Tray | 5. Furbish Studio Headboard | 6. Wicker Chair | 7. Etsy Pouf | 8. Turban | 9. Target Bikini |  

What do you think?  Can you get behind the trend?  I have to say I'm totally on board.

Roundup: Coffee Tables Under $400

Coffee tables have become somewhat of a given in living room design.  I mean, lets be honest - I know 90% of you aren't chowing down at your dining room table, but instead hunched over your coffee table having dinner and binge watching the latest TV craze (Scandal, anyone?).  Admit it.  You know it's true.  That being said, there's no reason why you can't get creative with it - doubling up and decorating in pairs, or using giant poufs with a tray on top instead of traditional tables.  I myself have a lovely vintage Indonesian coffee table with hand carvings in the wood.  I thought I'd round up some great, affordable coffee tables for you, all under $400.

1. Room & Board Slim Cocktail Table $379: Double the surface area to keep all your books and magazines in check.  This table also comes in a range of colors for a nice pop.
2. West Elm Origami Coffee Table $399: Sculptural and small scale, you could pair two of these together for an impact.
3. CB2 Peekaboo Clear Coffee Table $279: Great for small spaces, this table disappears from view.
4. Fab Roo Round Coffee Table $199: Rich wood tones in a round shape.
5. Organic Modernism Manila Marble Table $365: I'm not sure where else you could find marble for this price.
6. Magical Thinking Diamond Coffee Table $229: Another one that takes up minimal visual space - great for small spaces with a quirky fun base.
7. World Market Lawrence Coffee Table $399: I love the combination of open and closed storage - hide all your unsightly necessities like remotes in the drawers.
8. Ikea PS 2012 $49.99: It doesn't get any more affordable for this, a great way to bring in the industrial feel while keeping it light in a nice shiny white.

9. Blu Dot Scamp Large Table $349: Great materials (copper and smoked glass) give this a modern feel.

What kind of coffee table do you have at home?

Utilitarian Kitchen Essentials

I cook pretty much every night of the week, sometimes elaborate meals like homemade pasta, and other nights a simple kale salad.  For that I deserve many things, including chic utilitarian kitchen tools to make me happy when I'm jamming out to Bruce Springsteen, sipping wine, and being an overall #girlboss in the kitchen.

1. Target Threshold Cookbook Stand - this thing has changed my life and conveniently holds not only cookbooks but my ipad also.  The best part about it is the price, which is basically free.

 2. Bento Box - I feel like this is pretty enough to make me excited to make a lunch to bring to work, which is saying something because we all know what a battle that is.

3. Marble AND wood boards - yes please.  I mean, if I'm not preparing appetizers to serve on these for my future (cool) book club dinner parties I wouldn't expect you to come.

4. Glass Bottle Carafe - Just modern and fun.

5. Japanese Copper/Tin Grater - Everyone knows copper is a luxurious essential in the kitchen.

6. Kate Spade Saturday glassware - This squiggily windowpane pattern just makes me happy.

7.  Mint Enamel/Wood Canister - Keep all your spices, teas, coffee beans, etc. stylishly stored.

8. French Press - Only updated and way more chic.

9. Enamel Plates - The ultimate in utilitarian kitchen essentials.

Fab Finds

Fab has a bunch of fun, fresh, and modern home decor that I'd love to get my greedy design paws on.  Here's a round up of my current favorites (click image for source).
This danish cart is simple, versatile, and clean.

Use these punchy storage bags for plants, magazines, desk accessories, etc.

Modern minimalist lighting.

Use this minty green wire chair indoors or out.

I love the color saturation in this kilim pouf.

Waffled colorful bath mat.  With FRINGE!

I can't get enough of this rug.

Simple, modern, and chic storage.

Understated striped pillow.

I'm dying for a woven african basket in every room of my house.

Killer modern shelving for your nick nacks and paddy wacks.

Rad air-plant holders make a fun wall display.

String lights aren't just for college anymore.

In the Kitchen: Retro Modern Smeg

Sometime in the not too distant future, when I am rich (but not famous), I will have a smeg refrigerator in my dream kitchen.  There's just something about those retro lines and glossy finish that's unassuming while demanding the attention good design is due.  

I picture myself hosting understated soirees, preparing delectable appetizers for guests enjoying wine and my cheerful disposition in my eat-in kitchen, fetching fresh ingredients from my glorious smeg.
They can be punchy and fun in a modern playful kitchen.

Or contribute to an eclectic, collected vibe.

Playing with vintage and modern.

My college dorm room would have been way cooler with this mini fridge.

And they're still keeping up with modern times, having the freezer down low and fridge up high.

*This post was not sponsored by smeg, but if you are smeg and you are reading this, you can send a check my way.

Shibori Story

Shibori is a Japanese method of dyeing cloth and creating pattern by stitching, twisting, compressing, etc., essentially creating a void before dyeing which makes a pattern.  It comes from the verb shiboru which means to wring, squeeze or press, and today is often referred to as tie dye.  The technique dates back to 8th century Japan, where indigo was the main dye used.  Shibori is not your wacky summer camp tie dye though, the patterns bring a sense of elegance to the cloth and make a beautiful finished product.  I'm seeing shibori on all sorts of items - from pillows to dresses in a range of hues that transcend the traditional indigo dye.  Below are a few of my favorites - click image for source.

What do you think of the trend?  If you're feeling adventurous, here's a DIY as well.

Trending: Fiber Art Wall Hangings

I love a good amount of diversity in artwork in any space.  To me, it's important to have a variety of different mediums: illustrations, photography, paintings, sculptural pieces, etc.  Lately fiber art has been one of those trends I'm seeing more and more of, and I have to say I'm ready to get behind it.  Check out some of my favorites I've come across on Etsy below (click image for source).