A GREEN OUTDOOR PARTY SCENE WHERE BIRDS ARE WELCOME!

Love this outdoor table setting. The perfect shady outdoor spot for a lovely luncheon. Green, lush, cool, rustic and fanciful. Love all of the bird details including the hanging bird cages that almost act as a chandelier. The metal birds and the bird bath beyond (below) add fun and whimsy to the patio paving stones. My kind of garden lunch. Wonder how I can get an invite?



Photos by Anna Kern

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: BUBBLING OVER WITH VINTAGE FINDS AT A CHIC CHAMPAGNE SALE!

The Red House Interiors - Wheat Sheaf Side Tables -on sale $475; regular $595 (Glass top side tables with bronze metal base made to look like a bundles of wheat. 2 available) (above)

Got an email the other day from Marlan at MWPR that immediately piqued my interest. All it said was "CHAMPAGNE SALE" (well maybe it said a little more but those were the only words that stuck out to me).

Champagne + sale + home furnishings = PERFECTION! What? Could it be real???

Here's the scoop...

Apparently two stores, The Red House Interiors (a furniture store owned by designer Michelle Workman) and The House of Love and Luck (hmmm...may have to spend significant time in this vintage jewelry store for the name alone in hopes the name will rub off) are throwing a sale to clear out old merchandise and bring in the new. They've decided that the best way to entice shoppers is to mark ALL items down by 20-50%.

After saying I would post a picture or two, I realized I didn't know exactly what a "Champagne Sale" was. I thought I knew...but then like any typical woman I started to over think things and second guess myself. So, the logical solution for all answers unsolved is that I turned to the internet. In this instance, the internet failed me in my quest for answers. All I found were a bunch of websites that had champagne on sale...spent about 1o minutes on this search. Finally, my brains kicked in and I went into efficiency mode; I just emailed Marlan and asked her, "What's a Champagne Sale?" She wrote back simply, "It means champagne will be served." Yooohoooooo....did I say the word perfect already???

Marlan also sent me several photos of items that were on sale...including dining chairs, an acrylic table, vintage armchairs, mirrors, home accessories, sofas, tables and more! Might be worth it to stop by...fabulous!


Vintage Headboard (King) - on sale $855; regular $1,425 (White vintage headboard upholstered in green and white toile fabric) (above)

If you are in Los Angeles later this week or you live in town, here are the details regarding the sale:

Champagne Sale - July 30th - August 1st
The Red House Interiors and House of Love and Luck
Sale Hours from 11am - 8pm
372 & 370 1/2 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310.855.8200

P.S. I love the fact that by adding the word "Champagne" to a normal sale this group has elevated the discounted shopping into an entertaining "happening". Hmmm...should I put the word champagne in front of other words to try to make them fun...i.e. Champagne Laundry, Champagne Stuck in Traffic, Champagne Make Your Bed, Champagne Pick up Clothes from the Cleaners, Champagne Go to the Dentist? Does that work too...? Thoughts?

SCREEN TEST - A HUGE WHITE GLOSSY MIRROR COMBINES FORM AND FUNCTION!

Pieces - Large White Mirrored Screen - $4500 (Very rare and unique geometric grid pattern. Large scale - 96"h x 38"w. Newly painted white semi gloss. Formerly an attached screen. 2 available) (above)

Great mirror. Love the geometric rectangle and square pattern. Lean against a wall in a living room as an accent piece...function and form...design and utility...all in one!

VACATION BLUES!

A white wire outdoor chair sits on a deck overlooking the ocean...the perfect spot for taking some time off! (above)

Was reading Belle Maison blog and clicked on link for photo credits. Ended up on the site of photographer Sang An and then happened upon these lovely photos...with views of the ocean...shades of blue and crisp whites...reminding me of my upcoming vacation! Am going to Nantucket in a few weeks. Can't wait. Really...I can't!


Photo credit: Sang An Photography

KITCHEN WEEK: A STAINLESS STEEL PENNY BACKSPLASH FOR A THOUGHT!

Photo courtesy of Mod Walls

Okay...today is the last day of Kitchen Week. Phew! I made it! I actually stuck to one train of thought for a week! (Weird barking and pounding outside my house right now...it's still light out here...so not worried...just the same old curious stuff that happens here in the Hollywood Hills...oh yes...back to kitchens...)

Thought I would end Kitchen Week with this photo from tile company Mod Walls' website. This kitchen features Mod Walls' penny round stainless steel mosaic tiles for the backsplash, a stainless steel farmhouse sink and a really cool wine glass chandelier! Nice attainable kitchen I think! Food for thought!!!

See you next week...for a normal week of sporadic posts about random things!

P.S. Thinking of doing another theme week...what should I do? Please weigh in. What do you want to see more of...dining rooms, living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms etc. Let me know!

KITCHEN WEEK: A BURST OF LEMON YELLOW ADDS ZEST TO A DARK GREY KITCHEN!

Photo by Polly Wreford
A modern kitchen with glossy white lower cabinets, dark wide plank wood floors, dark charcoal grey walls and furniture is infused with bright yellow accents. (above)
This cute kitchen reminded me of some tile I recently saw at the Dwell on Design LA show. Somehow the splashes of bright yellow make this otherwise dark kitchen feel quite sunny! Good idea!


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
Bright yellow "Daisy" colored glass subway tiles (3"x6")as shown at Dwell on Design by Mod Walls. (above)

KITCHEN WEEK: EATING IN A MODERN KTICHEN - WHY A RED LEATHER BANQUET WORKS!

A red leather corner banquet provides stylish space saving seating in a high style kitchen.(above)

A red leather corner booth in a kitchen? This bright kitchen bench seating works...right? Very modern but also has 50's diner feel to it too. Hmmm...I like this!


Kitchen features blue glass backsplash made of large wall tiles or single sheets of glass, white stone/quartz countertops, white recessed panel cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. A great modern take on a retro look. (above)

Photo source: Katie Ridder

KITCHEN WEEK: LET THERE BE LIGHT - ILLUMINATING GLASS PENDANTS!

Photos in post © Eric Roth. Courtesy of Eric Roth Photography
Frosted glass ceiling pendants accent a modern kitchen. (above)

Lighting can make all of the difference in a kitchen. Love the idea of unique glass pendant lights over a kitchen island. Lighting is the way to add ambiance and if you like, a splash of color to a kitchen. Here are a few lights I really like!


Surrounding - Watt Pendant - $388 (Translucent globe shaped glass pendant light from Resolute Lighting. Comes in gold and crystal clear.)(above)




Pieces - Green Glass Vintage Pendant Light - $885 (Unique vintage green glass pendants with original cap. 2 available.)(above)




Jonathan Adler - Capri Bottle Pendant Light - $195 (Colored glass ceiling pendant lights with nickel accents. Comes in white, green, orange, blue and grey) (above)



yLighting - Icicle Pendant Light - on sale $184; regular $230 (hand blown crystalline glass pendants. Comes in blue, amber, opal and clear)(above)

KITCHEN WEEK: THE LONG & THE SHORT OF A GOURMET KITCHEN REMODEL!

All photos in this post courtesy of Newman & Wolen Design, LLC


After, an extensive remodel, everything ripped out and walls taken down to the studs...this eating and cooking space was miraculously transformed into a high style kitchen. High end appliances, unique wide plank natural stained wood floors and all the chic design touches that make a good kitchen just perfect.

Love the endlessly long main kitchen wall with features a gourmet stove, a marble countertop, a large undermount sink right underneath a window and loads of white and glass front cabinetry. That's the long side of things...





On the short side, a compact island with marble countertop and even more storage.



Could this be the longest kitchen in the world? Or is this just a photography trick?

KITCHEN WEEK: COOKING UP KITCHEN DESIGN WITH RETRO ACCENTS!

Photo courtesy of Joe Schmelzer
A vintage stove and a checker board black and white tile floor...great kitchen design statements! Who could ask for more? The stove and the floor make this kitchen...really. Don't you think?

KITCHEN WEEK: AN IDAHO READER INSPIRED TO REMODEL BY A DESIGNER PLAID FLOOR!

Arlene and Dan Fox's kitchen in their Idaho home. They found inspiration for the plaid tile floor in their newly renovated kitchen from a post Arlene saw on Cococozy!(above)
Above, is the adorable kitchen that Arlene from Idaho designed herself for her family home and had her husband Dan build by hand...right down to the stunning plaid floor.

Below, is the high style kitchen in the stately Los Angeles Hancock Park home of designer Tom Newman and his partner Ricky Strauss that inspired her.


Inspiration kitchen designed by Tom Newman of Los Angeles architectural firm Newman & Wolen Design for his own home. It features an eco-friendly black, white and grey terrazzo tile plaid floor...the very clever design statement in this high style gourmet kitchen! (above)

Two very different homes in two very different cities. Design inspiration, can successfully translate, it seems, from a chic Los Angeles high style home directly to a small town comfortable family house.

Here is the story behind Arlene and Dan's brilliant kitchen remodel and what inspired them...


Before remodel, Arlene and Dan's kitchen was outdated and cluttered.(above)
A little over a month ago, I got this very sweet note from a Arlene, a reader from Idaho...

"Hi, Coco. I have been viewing your site all along as I piece together my new kitchen in our 1906 house that I have longed for 30 years. I duplicated this floor (below) to a tee and it looks fabulous in my kitchen, also. I also am doing a shabby-chic chandelier from your ideas.

The reason why I am writing is that I thought this was some professional designer magazine. I only just now read where you are not a pro but just like helping out others. I want to thank you for all the help you have given this stranger in Idaho!

I'll send you a picture when we are completed. My poor husband is doing most of the work when I say "Honey, look how cool this is. Can you do it?" And he does.

Thanks again for your fabulous eye for decor!
Arlene"

Sweet note...right?

Just last week, Arlene wowed me when she sent in these awesome photos of her kitchen remodel. Arlene, like me, is not an interior designer...she just had an eye for something she liked (in this case the plaid floor) and a nice husband who spent his weekend and nights making her vision come true.


During the remodel, Arlene laid out the kitchen floor she saw on this blog and Dan, her husband, installed it! (above)


Besides the plaid floor, Arlene chose white lower cabinets with recessed panels and glass upper cabinets. She also chose a black sparkling quartz for the countertops...Silestone, Stellar Night. (above)

Upper cabinets are flush to the ceiling. Top row of cabinets have reeded glass fronts and accent cabinet lighting inside!(above)


Classic ceiling mount lighting is from Schoolhouse Electric...these wonderful fixtures help illuminate the fantastic pressed tin ceiling in the kitchen that Arlene and Dan tore out of an old building...the ceiling is also in their living room and cost them about $200 because of the fact that it was reclaimed (eco-friendly designing!).(above)


The crystal chandelier was found from a store on eBay that uses crystals from old lighting to make up new designs. (above)


Arlene made the stained glass accent piece that sits in the over-the-sink kitchen window. It adds a wonderful pop of color to the space.


Arlene and Dan have lived in their Idaho home for 31 years...and this is the first time they have had room for a kitchen table! The breakfast nook includes a great table with a black inset that matches the kitchen color scheme and a wonderful bench window seat. (above)


The sparkle of the kitchen continues in the backsplash...with a fabulous Diamond Tech-Metal Series Mosaic, Octagon Dots pattern. (above)


With all of the fabulous design bells and whistles in this kitchen, Arlene still says her favorite part is the floor. She thanks Tom for showing off his own kitchen remodel and for the incredible design inspiration!

Great kitchen Arlene and Dan! Thank you SOOOOOOO much for sending in the photos and for your lovely note. You were inspired by Tom's design...now your design will inspire others!! Thank you!

Just a note to readers for further inspiration...Arlene and Dan did this remodel themselves...neither are contractors or designers...they just found something they loved and did what they had to do to make it their own! Maybe you can do the same

KITCHEN WEEK: ONE CURVED WALL, ONE CURVED OPEN KITCHEN!

Photo courtesy of Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design

A modern kitchen is built on one wall of a Laurel Canyon home's main living area...creating the ultimate open kitchen (above).

What do you do when you have one room in which to live, dine and cook? How do you design one space where you have to accommodate chairs, tables, sofas and the all too important decor accessories but you've also got to address the practical things in life like cooking and eating? Oh yeah, one other twist, what do you do when you have one long wall at the end of the room that has a distinctive curve to it...what do you do?

Well I guess you do what these designers did in this Hollywood Hills/Laurel Canyon home...you go with the flow...literally.

Check out this amazing kitchen from Woodson & Rummerfield! The modern kitchen lines the curved wall at the end of this open living room/dining room combo area. The kitchen features baby blue walls, gloss white frameless cabinets, a mosaic tile retro 60s inspired looking backsplash and some great pendant lighting. One wall...one kitchen...one inspired design!

KITCHEN WEEK: WOOD WORKS IN THREE CONTEMPORARY KITCHENS!

Photo courtesy of William Hefner Architecture

Kitchen Week continues...Day 3.

I am a color and materials purist when it comes to kitchens. I like kitchens with light cabinetry (white is definitely preferred), marble or quartz countertops (white or black) and a simple backsplash (white subway tiles, stainless steel tiles or sheets, glass brick tiles ...you get the picture).

In order to push myself out of my comfort zone (and to give readers a little bit of variety...so it's not all about me...right?), I decided to see if there were other kitchens in other forms I could like.

For this post, I've gone completely opposite of my taste by finding and featuring three kitchens with wood grain or stained wood cabinets...and here you have it...a few woodsy kitchens that work for me!

I like the high gloss kitchen above...makes a striking statement...probably lacquered exotic wood cabinets in a rich red brown color and a backsplash made of stainless steel sheets. The shiny factor is a big draw for me. I don't know if I could live with this kitchen full time (it is definitely a statement room)...but I wouldn't mind enjoying it for a day or two.


Photo courtesy of Frank Roop Design.
This modern small kitchen above is a cheat for me because some of the cabinets are white. Okay...I know...not playing fair...but please forgive. I love the frameless natural stain wood lower cabinets. I think they blend will with the glossy white upper cabinets and the dark grey counters.


Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Dinkel Design Associates, Inc.

Finally, this last kitchen is totally NOT my style...but I think it is very well done for a woodsy kitchen. It is the type of kitchen I would expect to find in Craftsman style home or in a cabin. This kitchen features cabinets with a warm neutral finish and square recessed panel doors. Cabinets have paneled sides which match the trim, molding and door jambs in the room.

Now that I've gone out of my comfort zone...please beware...I will go right back into comfort mode for most of the rest of kitchen week! A creature of habit perhaps??

What are you thinking? Does wood work for you? Please weigh in!

KITCHEN WEEK: JONATHN ADLER STYLES A FASHIONABLE COUNTRY KITCHEN!

Photos courtesy Jonathan Adler

Was browsing through the Jonathan Adler website tonight when I came across photos of this kitchen on the interior design section of his site. I often browse this site for design ideas. This time I came across a fabulously happy whimsical kitchen with traditional bones.

Turns out the kitchen belongs to maternity-wear fashion designer Liz Lange...and Adler was responsible for remodeling and turning the room into a posh cooking and eating space for her. On his site, he calls this Liz's "Country Residence"...but there is nothing country about the kitchen he styled.

Love this kitchen. Love the marble countertops, the to-the-ceiling marble backsplash, the open shelving with turquoise dishes lining the shelves and adding a pop of color to the otherwise white kitchen. Love the drum pendant light above the island with a shade made of bold green printed fabric that matches the fabric on the counter stools.

I looked around the web and found out more about this space including the fact the kitchen was featured in May's House Beautiful...so there was lots of information available.

Biggest surprise of all in this design- apparently, if you can believe it, the cabinets are all Ikea!

KITCHEN WEEK: COOL DISHES, GLASSES, COOKWARE & GADGETS!

Kitchen Week continues on Cococozy.

Here's to keeping cool while in the kitchen this summer. Thought that some cool blue glassware, dishes, cookware and kitchen gadgets just by their color alone might keep the kitchen decor and design refreshing in feel!

My favorites are the tumblers right below and the vintage 1950's looking kitchen timer.

Devil is in the detail in cooking...and in filling your cabinets with stylish finds.


Crate & Barrel - Como Tumblers - $5.95 each (colorful tumblers made of sustainable glass. Dishwasher safe) (above)


Zwello - Origo Dinnerware by iittala - $17.60-48 (white porcelain dinnerware with bold complimentary blue, green and brown stripes. Plate, salad plate, dessert plate, serving bowl, tumbler and cup)(above)


Zwello - Ote Tumblers - $16-20 each (colorful tumblers come in a variety of colors including blue, clear, moss green, turquoise, sand (light brown)) (above)




Anthropologie - Retro Double Timer - $24 (vintage inspired stainless steel cooking timer with two timers. Double sided timing of food) (above)



cb2 - Twilight Dinnerware - $3.95-5.95 (Deep indigo blue dishes with reactive glaze meets matte black exteriors at the rim. Stoneware plates round off square, bowl scoops deep. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe) (above)

Ikea - Senior Casserole with lid - $39.99 (Cast iron casserole pot. Matte enameled interior. Shiny enameled exterior makes the pan easy to clean)(above)


William Sonoma - La Creuset TeaKettle in Azure Blue - $70 (Porcelain-enameled steel kettle whistles when hot water is ready for brewing tea. Comes in a variety of colors)(above)

KITCHEN WEEK BEGINS!

Photo courtesy of William Hefner Architecture


IT'S KITCHEN WEEK!

Okay. I know those of you who read regularly are like "What in the heck is KITCHEN WEEK?". Well here is the answer.

This is the first ever KITCHEN WEEK! I have been inspired by a reader, Arlene who lives in Idaho, who sent in some fabulous photos of a kitchen remodel she just finished...you'll see those photos later this week.

So, each day of this so called KITCHEN WEEK (a name and a concept I just made up this minute while watching a cheesy reality show on television), I will feature a photo of a fabulous well designed kitchen that I hope motivates readers to fix up their own kitchens. Will also feature other items (furniture, accessories, dishware and lighting) that are in my opinion stylishly kitchen-worthy. Wish me luck in sticking to anything for a week. Here goes!

This first kitchen brilliantly features white cabinets with recessed panel doors and drawers, reeded glass upper cabinets, slate subway tile backsplash, undermount sinks and dark quartz (or stone) countertops. I like this space. It is open, functional and impeccably designed. Nice start for this KITCHEN WEEK!

Please loop the kitchen posted earlier today into KITCHEN WEEK...thanks!

ROOM TO LOVE: COOL KITCHEN!

Photos in post © Eric Roth. Courtesy of Eric Roth Photography.

White kitchen with stainless steel backsplash, island with white marble countertop, modern orange stools and brushed metal pendant lights with orange interior. (above)

Love this kitchen. Clean, modern, bright and cheery. Love the stainless steel counters and stainless steel backsplash on the main cooking wall - provides a great backdrop for the open shelving. The top hinge square upper cabinets add a great modern design element to the room. The orange accents throughout are just right - a splash of color to spice up this picture perfect eat-in kitchen.