amazing views in corona del mar

This amazing Corona del Mar home is built with huge open areas where this family loves to cook, eat dinner and watch tv together. Not only that, but the architect, Eric Olson, captured the amazing view of the Pacific, and connected the living spaces to the incredible outdoor scenery. 

In the dining area, vintage-inspired tulip chairs create a fun look with the rustic wood table and bench. An oil painting by Deborah M. Allen from 503 Found hangs above stained white-oak cabinets.

A concrete fireplace anchors the den, where the Jonathan Adler sofa, side chair and armchair elevate the style in this gathering area. The rug and coffee table are from 503 Found. 

The living, dining and kitchen areas open up to the backyard terrace and the ocean beyond through amazing glass sliders. Organic touches help ground the contemporary style of this home.

The bright entry features fun chandeliers by Schoolhouse Electric that are hung from reclaimed-oak beams.

The views are AMAZING!!

Photography: Karyn Millet

Home Builder: Ross Savage, KRSDevelopment, Inc.

Landscape Architecture: Chris Fenmore,Garden Studio Design

Architecture and Interior Design: Eric Olsen

For more on this home, 

check out this month's Luxe Source. 

ciao! fabiana

beachy keen, anthropologie style

Designer Colleen Bashaw transformed this vintage Tudor beach house on the Jersey Shore with stunning and quirky décor for one of the founders of Anthropologie. Fun colors mixed with natural elements are the key to this coastal style.  

 

Brass accents dominate the kitchen, but it’s nicely balanced by the gorgeous color of the island, Benjamin Moore’s Turquoise Haze.

More turquoise in the breakfast room. And what about those chairs?  Purchased at Serena & Lily they add just the right amount of color and texture. 

The sisal rug installed on the wall of the front entry complements the pattern of the cement tile floor beautifully. Pendant light by Arteriors.

Designer Colleen Bashaw started working on this home for her clients right after Hurricane Sandy had destroyed most of the interiors with flooding. This wiped the slate clean and enabled her to design this Bay Head, New Jersey home with no preexisting elements to distract her. 

The magical Peonies wallpaper is by Brett Designs, and the mirror is one of the few items in the home from Anthropologie.

Colleen wanted to give the master bedroom the effect of a cocoon, and I think she succeeds!

In the daughter’s bedroom, the approach was texture on texture on texture for an anthro-type vibe.  

This lace-front armoire is a one-of-a-kind find from Anthropologie, with patterns inside and out, and all-around!  

Palm Leaves wallpaper by Cole & Sons compliments the swirled tile pattern on the floor of this guest bathroom. 

ciao! fabiana

P.S.  Make sure to check out our blog shop this week.

sharon's apple walnut brownies

My family and I made these delicious and chocolaty Apple Walnut Brownies over the weekend. My good friend Sharon brings these over every year on Halloween night when we all get together, and she graciously shared her recipe with us. 

They're pretty easy to make and a perfect treat for this time of the year! 

Apple Walnut Brownies

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 cup oil (I like coconut)

3 large green apples, chopped

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325°.  Butter and flour a 9” x 13” pan, set aside. In a bowl, beat eggs and oil together, just to mix slightly. In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. Add egg mixture to the dry mix. 

Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the apples. The mixture will be very stiff, but make sure all the ingredients are incorporated evenly. Add chocolate chips and walnuts. Stir until well mixed. 

Spread in pan and bake 1 hour. Cut into rectangles or squares. Makes approximately 2 dozen.

ciao! fabiana

tree is swing ready for fall

My new tree swing is ready for fall! I purchased this swing at Pier One this summer when it was on sale, and we finally have it hung on our front tree. It took a little nautical rope to secure it and with some fancy knot work by the guys, thanks to a little boating experience and a little boy scout training, it’s all set to go! 

It’s the perfect place to sit and read now that the weather has cooled off. I brought out a little sheepskin (from ikea) for the seat and a warm throw to cozy up with. My favorite “cheetah” pillow is from the living room, and I am on the hunt for a beautiful outdoor pillow to complete the look. 

ciao! fabiana

september pumpkin inspiration

ciao! fabiana

via good housekeeping

fall is in the air

There’s a crispness in the air, I am craving the scent of cinnamon and apples and I am drawn towards the warm autumn colors in fashion and décor.

Fall is in the air, leaves are crunching under our feet and there’s nothing better than to curl up and snuggle with a cozy blanket and a warm cup of coffee on evenings like this. What’s your favorite autumn pleasure?      

ciao! fabiana 






photo credit: Decor Dots, Dear Lillie Blog,
Eclectically Vintage, Clean & Scentsible, The Diethood

fall tea towels just in

 

Spruce up your kitchen with a new set of fun fall inspired tea towels. I don’t know about you, but autumn always put me in a good mood, that’s why I’m so excited about this fun variety of tea towels! Visit our blog shop for more gift ideas.

ciao! fabiana

hilton head curb appeal

Sea Pines Plantation is a lovely community on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It’s a great getaway from the west coast, and I really enjoy some of the gorgeous architectural style in our neighborhood. 

Most of my favorite homes are traditional in style with shutters on the windows, crisp brickwork and wrought iron details. The shady home above is across the street from where we stay.

This home is a few doors down. I love the transitional space between the garage and home. The back side of this home faces the lagoon, where you will definitely see the local alligators swim by daily. 

All the homes have subtle natural color palettes that blend into the lush forest surroundings. Of course, I love the look of the grayed shingles with the dark shutters!

Located near the Sea Pines Country Club, this home is  on one of my favorite roads. The live oak trees draped in spanish moss create a tunnel effect. 

Here's a view through the courtyard of a neighboring beachfront home. This one is designed in the traditional and historical lowcountry style that has first floors raised off the ground to keep out floodwaters and allow cool ocean breezes under the house. 

A stately beachfront house with a gorgeous front door and lots of palmettos, oaks and vines to keep it shady, this home towers above the street and is one of my all-time faves!

This is the walk to the beach from this home. The back side of this house is on one of the most amazing beaches on the island.

One of my favorite places for breakfast is the Harbour Town Bakery and Café. Not only is the food yummy, but the charming atmosphere of the brick fireplaces, hardwood floors and other vintage details inside the quaint cottage is so cozy! 

The structure, originally built around 1880 as a home for the lighthouse keeper, has great historical appeal, and my favorite spot to eat is on their front porch which has great views of the Harbour Town playground and old oak trees. 

ciao! fabiana

happy labor day

ciao! fabiana

a little red, white and blue

Bold American flag pillows make quite a statement on this sofa, especially when paired with complimentary striped pillows. Would you recreate this look in your own home? 

ciao! fabiana

end of summer

Just a little outdoor living inspiration for the holiday weekend from pinterest. Paper lanterns are always so festive, especially hung at varying heights. Mix and match your tableware for a fun look! 

ciao! fabiana

labor day table inspo

Patriotic flag place mats and fresh flowers are bold statements against the simple tableware, inspiration from Roger’s Gardens. Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead. 

ciao! fabiana