cozy saturday

Picture the pretty morning sunlight streaming in through the windows while enjoying a cup of coffee with toast, so dreamy! Whether you're relaxing or entertaining, a cozy spot or two in your home will create a warm welcoming space, year-round.

A pedestal table in the kitchen with a bench or banquette is the perfect place to start. Add a variety of pillows and a chair or two. This provides a comfortable place to dine, work or relax.

A nook like this won’t take up much space. If you’re able, transform your kitchen into a welcoming space for yourself, family and friends. Get inspired!

Maybe all you need is a daybed near a tranquil window to cozy up to. The possibilities are endless!

ciao! fabiana

photo credit: 

Orange Coast Magazine

Birmingham Home & Garden

Pinterest

Merriam-Webster

a home tour favorite !

Happy Friday, darlings! It’s a very “dah-ling” sort of a day. It’s a bit gloomy out, so I thought I’d pop in with a little decorating cheer… 

Some of you locals may recognize this home from the 2016 Newport Harbor Home Tour, and it’s just around the corner from my house. This stunning home sits on a fabulously large lot too, with an amazing backyard. (I'm also sharing some of our exclusive home tour photos that highlights the amazing entertainment area out back.) Homeowner and designer Shannon Wilkins is the creative force behind Prairie Home Styling, an interior design/staging company. She’s got a fun, fresh, youthful style that I love! Well, here’s her home from the latest issue of HGTV Magazine.  
      

This article highlights her “secret ingredient”, black paint. You see it on all the doors and window trim and also on the kitchen cabinets. Her shade of choice? It’s “Off-Black” by Farrow & Ball. It’s the perfect choice here in this extra-large kitchen, especially with the contrast of white on the walls and countertops.

The kitchen on home tour day.

Shannon has a fun, funky bohemian style, but it’s streamlined and modern. It doesn’t feel cluttered and overdone. She keeps her spaces open and airy and uses great textural pieces to accent each room.
   

The master bedroom is styled slightly differently on home tour day. I really like the bench in front of the bed instead of the sofa. The carpets are layered for the photo shoot and look perfect! 

Her son’s room is super cute and stylish, too!

Shannon used white hexagonal tiles on the wall, as a departure from the typical subway tile we’re used to seeing. It's fun how it creates an organic honeycomb pattern!

As I said, the outdoor spaces are spectacular and weren’t really featured in the magazine, so I added a few of our own photos from the home tour archive, thanks to our talented photog, Susan Rinek.

The yellow and white vintage-inspired umbrellas are everything!

A few fresh accessories inspired by Shannon's design...

Check out the latest HGTV Magazine for the whole scoop.

ciao! fabiana

For more on Shannon's home,
check out this brand new book:

valentines dinner for two

 

What could be more romantic than a cozy little table for two by the fire on Valentine’s night? Flowers, candlelight and a roaring fire are sure to spark a few extra emotions from our hearts! Oh, and the glow of the fire offers the perfect lighting too! 

My starting point for setting this table was copper and burlap. I love how the two textures, one earthy and one polished, play off each other. 

I found a set of mini copper lanterns that were the perfect size for this table. The copper dipped water glasses and copper chargers work perfectly for this tablescape. 

To add to the glow, I used gold flatware which plays up the pretty glittery gold heart garland, and is a natural companion to copper. The burlap runner was easy to make. Here's how I did it.    

White and lavender pink flowers add a little color to the table, and varying heights of simple pillar candles brighten up the mantel.   

This viny little fern is growing wild in my garden, so I used it to soften the table and connect all the elements of the centerpiece.

I love the glow of the copper.

I’m not sure what will be on the menu yet. What are your favorite romantic dishes?

I was going for a romantic but relaxed look. I love using high-low pieces, like our grandmother’s Wedgwood china with the new chargers and fun heart salad plates, and the heirloom wine glasses with the new modern water glasses. 

The napkins offer a vivid pop of color!

 And it all came together like this: 

 Dinner Plates: Patrician by Wedgwood
Salad Plates: Home Goods
Copper Chargers: Home Goods
Burlap Fabric: Oriental Trading
Mini Copper Lanterns: Oriental Trading 
Napkins: World Market

Gold Flatware: ebay

Wine Glasses: vintage
Water Glasses: World Market
Gold Glitter Hearts Garland: Oriental Trading 
Flowers: Trader Joe’s

Love Mantel Sign: Ciao Blog Shop
Pink Votives: CB2
White Pillar Candles: IKEA

ciao! fabiana

Thank you to Oriental Trading for sending me these products to review. 

The opinions expressed in this post are truly my own.

Oriental Trading always offers great prices. 

Unique Gifts & Accessories for Everyone on Your List at Cost Plus World Market.

cute conversation bags

Coffee, roses and a special little something for me! I started my day by filling my new little conversation bag by Brenda Kristine with all my essentials. It's the perfect size and fits everything I need! These adorable special occasion bags are made locally by a fellow mom in the neighborhood, Brenda Zeigler. 

She uses the cutest fabrics and embellishments on her handmade bags, and I couldn't just choose one! I picked the xo pattern for me, and got a few extras to fill with goodies and gift for Valentine's Day. 

This little velvet “lipgloss” bag with the sexy black lace interior is my fave! It’s a bit smaller the conversation bags and is perfect for taking along in your handbag for a fun night out, or just when you want to feel special! 

And I couldn’t resist this black patterned bag with the lovely little red hearts adorning it. These will make the perfect valentine gifts for a few of my special friends and favorite teachers!

xoxo  fabiana