TO BATHE OR NOT TO BATHE? THAT IS THE QUESTION...CONTEMPLATING BATH WEEK!

Photo by Coco of Cococozy

Light blue ceramic subway tile with a button detail. (above)

I will bathe...don't worry! Real question is about baths and this website.

Can't decide whether I should do a BATH WEEK (potentially the first ever BATH WEEK on COCOCOZY). For those of you who are just now tuning in...about a month ago, I found enough resolve to do a week of posts dedicated to the kitchen. Similarly, BATH WEEK would consist of 7 days in a row of posting cool bath related photos.

Was inspired the other day about all things bath and bathroom when I went tile shopping at Waterworks on Melrose in WeHo (West Hollywood). Took a ton of great photos that I think readers would enjoy. Also think a person or two might find a bit of inspiration for their own bathrooms.

Here is the issue...focus...or should I say a lack of focus. Can I do another strech of 7 days straight of posting on one topic...right through a holiday weekend too? Is this what readers really want?

I asked when I finished KITCHEN WEEK what people wanted to see next as a theme week. A few people commented...they all said bathrooms. Is this still the case?

Okay...in order to get motivated, I need 20-30 of you to vote yes for BATH WEEK. If enough of you weigh in...I will begin this so called BATH WEEK on Wednesday!

Please click on comments below to vote!

ON CLOUD NINE ABOUT AN AFFORDABLE DESIGN FIND!

Photos by Coco of Cococozy

ZGallerie - Blue Cloud Vase - $19.95 (Sky blue glass vase.) (above)

Realized that everything I have been posting lately costs a million dollars (there I go with the exaggerating again). Good design does NOT have to be pricey at all.

Check out these adorable vases from ZGallerie. Love them. I love the bubble shape and the soft blue color! Great accent for any room. Oh did I mention these go for under $20 a piece?



Photos by Coco of Cococozy

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: CIRCLING A CUTE LITTLE BARREL CHAIR!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

McGuire Furniture - Barrel Lounge Chair - on sale $4281; regular price $4892 (White rattan and wood armchair with circle ring detail. By Laura Kirar. Comes in a variety of finishes. Down and feather cushions. Pricing for Baker Los Angeles Showroom)(above)
It was 250 degrees today and fires were still burning out of control in the Los Angeles area (my friend NS got after me this week for speaking in hyperbole; after I told her AM was 23 months pregnant, NS noted disdainfully that I had a knack as of late for exagerration...hence the 250 degree comment above...anyhooo....back to L.A. today...).

Instead of heading to the beach with my friends and/or staying indoors and keeping cool or better yet spending a bit of my spare time on a hot Saturday being charitable in some way...I defied logic (as usual) by deciding to brave the outdoors and to drive around L.A. running not-so-important non-essential errands (i.e. nails, orchid shopping, oh yes stop to look at outdoor accessories just in case I have party, Staples for printer paper, drop off dry cleaning etc.).

Aside: After stopping to get tea at about noon, I went to this cool nursery where I get all my orchids (have been going there for about 8 or 9 years). It is like a jungle in the middle of Los Angeles (called Tropics on Santa Monica Blvd. near La Brea). Got some beautiful white Phalaenopsis orchids and got to see the owner's art work. Orchids at a nursery are expected... art is not! Very interesting indeed.

Then after several more stops, while driving up La Cienega, I saw the Baker store had a red sale sign in the window (realized I had actually never been into that showroom). It is there that I ran into this cute armchair. I like it. I thought it was an outdoor chair at first...because of the rattan...but then felt the comfy cushions and realized this little chair was for inside.

Here is the 360 degree view of this ring covered chair on a 100 degree day in L.A.!







All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

STATELY ITALIAN LIGHT FIXTURE!

moss - Doge Suspension Lamp 1 - $5,920 (Mouth-blown colored glass pendant light with gold plated metal. Straw yellow. Designed by Venini Studio in Italy. 47.25" high)(above)

Love this colored Italian Murano glass ceiling light made by Venini. With a bit of Mediterranean flair...this piece oozes Italian style at its best. At almost four feet, this light fixture is regal and stately (named after a doge - which historically is the title of an Italian magistrate). The translucent pale yellow glass also gives this chandelier of sorts an air of delicate refinement. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

INSPIRED OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING!

Photo courtesy of Lucas Studio, Inc. Photo credit: Samuel Frost


So...I am thinking about throwing a dinner party at my house a week from Sunday. The operative word in the preceding sentence is "thinking". This is merely a thought...an idea...an inclination at this point...

Need to try to transform my thoughts into actions. Hmmm....(easier said than done...)

This outdoor tabletop setting has provided some inspiration for me - elegant dining alfresco. Love the colors (green, white and purple) and the feel the green glasses, the purple rimmed wine and beer glasses, the woven place mats and the white plates and dinnerware...all work so wonderfully together. Is this enough to motivate me to throw a party?

Let's say for the fun of it (all hypothetical)...I actually make a definitive decision to have a party. And then let's say for even more fun, I actually pull off the decor part of it all and set a gorgeous table. The bigger question then becomes "what do I serve for dinner"???? Is food necesary if things look really good???? LOL!

Seriously though...Help!

SET ON A PERFECT LITTLE SETTEE!

Foley & Cox Home - Settee - $4800 (Danish sette c. 1920. Art deco style with fluted front legs legs. Beech wood trim frame. Upholstered in raw linen.Only 48" wide) (above)
LOVE this tiny Art Deco settee. The perfect seating for a small space I think. Would go well in the living room or sitting area of a small New York City or Paris apartment. So close to being a genuine official antique at around 90 years old.

Cute. Don't you think?

CHEAP TO CHIC: ORANGE LAMP LUST!

Jonathan Adler - Capri Bottle Lamp - $275 (Colored glass. Nickel base and accents. White shade. 33.75"h)(above)
Loving these orange table lamps...and it seems there's one in every price range. Here's today's CHEAP TO CHIC!

Modern Dose - Angelina Lamp - $430 (Orange porcelain lamp with brass accents. White shade. 31" h)(above)


Maison Luxe - Angelica Lamp - $535 (Orange glazed porcelain lamp from Bungalow 5) (above)


Mecox Gardens - Christopher Spitzmiller Three Ball Lamp - $1690 (Medium orange ceramic gourd style table lamp. Gold gilt water base. Brass hardware. 24"h)(above)

CLASSIC COCOCOZY PERSPECTIVE ON A TRADITIONAL LIVING ROOM!

Photo courtesy of Amanda Nisbet Design, Inc.


A silver toned stone and metal coffee table compliments a pale blue sofa and slipper chair in a very classic living room. Two white urn lamps sit atop dark mahogany side tables flanking the seating area. (above)

I am not a traditionalist or classicist when it comes to decor. For some reason though, this very traditional living room appeals to the more mature side in me (that side surfaces so very rarely). Tonight I am mature and I like this traditional room. So there!

What do you think?

A SUMMER SUNDAY STROLL IN NEW YORK!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

The glam rooftop pool at the Soho House in New York City on a Sunday morning at 9:00a! (above)

"No photos allowed!...", a woman exclaimed as she dashed towards me with an arm outstretched in a full Heisman trophy-like block. Turns out this woman was the "pool scene" hostess at the posh private club and boutique hotel known as the Soho House. Too late, I had already snapped a photo (the one above).

That's the way my day started off a few Sundays ago in New York. One photo. No context. That's the way my day continued a few Sundays ago in New York.

In a very inconsistent manner throughout that sweltering weekend day, without quite knowing where I was (because I allow myself to be dragged around New York by the people I am spending time with...without asking where I am)... I snapped a photo here...I snapped a photo there...I was glared at here...I was smiled at there...snap, snap, glare, glare, smile, smile, snap, snap (will stop, I'm sure you get the picture)...as I strolled through the city on a blazing hot day.

Some of these photos are random...some might inspire you to think of design and decor ideas (colors, shapes, textures etc.)...some might even make you smile...here is what I bumped into during my Sunday city stroll...


Red enamel and metal pitcher and bowl sit on black asphalt at a flea market somewhere in NYC. (above)


An array of jewelry at a flea market includes a gold locket, a vintage cameo portrait shell and many sparkling necklaces. (above)


Three street signs are for sale at a corner Sunday flea market in New York City. (above)


Exterior of the New York City West Elm store on 18th Street in Chelsea. (above)


Shiny blue lacquer Nesting Hexagon Tables inside West Elm. (above)


Linen and cotton Medallion Window Panels in brown and off-white in the window covering and curtain section of West Elm in Chelsea. (above)


Eco-friendly woven Pendant Light made of palm leaves hangs in the store. (above)


Beautiful iron railing line the stairs of two West Village brownstones. (above and below)






A very handsome and intricately designed octagonal red wall hanging sits outside a store somewhere in the Village. (above)


Dancers brave the heat in full costume to pay homage to their culture at a bustling street fair. (above)


A dashing and designing NYC dog named Maddox poses - this brown, black and white Papillon is owned by A.Ro. and is a very pampered pooch! Love the storage boxes and the antique fireplace screen behind him. (above)

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: STYLISH STORAGE!

William Sonoma Home - Williams Cube - on sale $1299.99; regular $1950 (Raffia upholstered cube, nickel plated nailhead trim and fittings. Use for storage or side table)(above)
I think this is a cute cube. Even on sale, price is a little high but as I burst out of the seams of my small house...anything that can do two things at once is welcome! Love the use of raffia - nice natural texture!

Could be cute in a den or living room...or even two at the foot of bed.

What do you think?



For those die-hard Cococozy readers...yes, you have seen this cube before...I featured it well over a year ago when it was full price.

A FLOWERING FOUNTAIN FOR FRANCOPHILES!

Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A beautiful French inspired garden features a serene fountain with water lilies. (above)

My mother and sister (DS) just got back from Paris last night. Every summer, my mother goes to Paris for a few months for vacation...and almost every year my sister and/or I meet up with her there. This year, I ended up missing out on the Paris trip (due to Nantucket and New York)...but mom and sister went and had a blast (their visit included a trip to Biarritz to visit aunts and uncle, MP, LB and JP). After weeks in the city of lights (and the South of France), they are back...still speaking French and talking about French things...but they are back here in America (p.s. It takes my sister a bit longer to adjust to being back it seems...she has a way of making all English words sound French for a few weeks every time she gets back...hmmm...LOL!). I am happy to have them home.

In order to help these two family Francophiles transition back into the U.S., I am posting pictures of this lovely French inspired garden that is right here in Los Angeles! Yes mom and DS, this garden is in a home in Los Angeles, and, yes pretty things do exist outside of Paris!

So here it is...a charming outdoor space featuring a fountain filled with water lilies (like Claude Monet's famous paintings), crushed gravel path (like Jardins des Tuileries) and a beautiful place to sit and relax (like at the Luxembourg gardens).



Photo by Coco of Cococozy
Water lilies in a garden in Hancock Park in Los Angeles. (above)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A faux bois bench with a curved back and twig design is placed perfectly at the end of the lily pond. (above)

SHOP WATCH: VINTAGE FURNITURE FINDS IN A VILLAGE BOUTIQUE!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

Photo by Coco of Cococozy
An amazing vintage chrome polished metal Chippendale style armchair ($2400) inside Elizabeth Bauer in Greenwich Village - an unplanned find last weekend in NYC. (above)

The title of this post should actually be "TO MAKE A SHORT STORY LONG...". Hmmm...well just another round about way for me to tell you about a wonderful design find...here goes...

When I arrived to New York last Sunday morning on the hottest day on earth, I had grand plans for the day.

After taking the red eye from Los Angeles to New York seated next to none other than Danny Glover (oh...that is a whole other surreal story as to how the United Airlines stewards and stewardesses were doing back handsprings to try to accommodate the low key and unassuming Lethal Weapon star...as he tried to just relax, they pitter pattered about all night over doing it in trying to make him comfortable...and then remembered from time to time that there were others on the plane like me who were not low key or unassuming and needed attention...grrrr to the stewardesses and thank you Mr. Glover for helping me with my bag! Anyhoooo...back to what I was saying...what was I saying? Oh yes, my plan for the day in NYC after taking the red eye...), I had planned on spending at least three hours napping + two hours chatting with AM + five hours at the New York International Gift Fair with AR (who I call A.Ro.) + two hours changing in and out of the outfits that I had brought + three hours at dinner with AM, her hubby JE, my friend JD, A.Ro and friend AT. None of that happened.

Here's how last Sunday actually went down: 5 minutes of arriving to AM's at 7a and nestling into the guest room + 15 minutes of AM coming into chat as I had woken her up and being absolutely thrilled to be in NYC visiting with my friend and her family + 25 minutes of napping as AM came in and out of guest room telling me to "get up" because we had to rush to the Soho House by 8:30a in order to get a place by the pool (there was a grave seriousness in her voice) + 10 minutes of groggy confusion as I woke up, ran around in circles and tried to get ready so as not to miss the Soho House "train" + 10 minute cab ride to Soho House + 30 minutes of getting situated by the pool that was jam packed at 8:30a with bikini clad women, men with sun glasses, and moms and dads with their kids (notice how moms and dads are categorized separately from women and men) + 10 minutes of trying to suck in my stomach so I might at least appear like I am one of the bikini clad women and not one of the moms + 15 minutes of asking one family if we could share their lounge area with them and then spreading our group out (AM, me, her husband JE and her son JE Jr.) so much that the other family leaves + 6 hours of sitting by the pool watching the Miami like scene taking place on a roof in New York + 1 hour of running into friend JD and his friend EJ and EJ telling us we all have to recognize our limitations (hmmm....) + 10 minutes of packing up our things and exiting the Soho House + 10 minutes of JE and AM explaining to me how I was only going to have to walk a half a block to A.Ro.'s house after I got out of the cab as I fought for door to door service + 1 minute of me conceding to walking half a block + 15 minutes in A.Ro.'s apartment before we went out and about + 2 hours of walking around in the sweltering heat with near sun stroke and heat exhaustion for no apparent reason except for the fact that I was so dazed I couldn't protest when A.Ro. said "You want to walk? Let's walk. It's better than taking a cab." + the moment A.Ro. said "I know this cute store in the village you might like...really cute furniture" and I perked up and focused for the journey there across the Sahara (oh I meant across five city blocks) + 45 minutes of absolute delight inside the Elizabeth Bauer store in Greenwich...

And that leads me to this SHOP WATCH...a cute store owned by New York interior designer Elizabeth Bauer...filled with vintage finds, refurbished antiques and a very well edited selection of accessories. Might I say, this little shop was a very cool bright spot during my Sunday in New York...just lovely....take a look...




Photo by Coco of Cococozy
The Elizabeth Bauer store houses an alluring mix of vintage items, furniture and accessories. (above)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
Just inside the shop's front door sits a vintage Goyard trunk that is on sale and is filled with an array of designer pillows. (above)


Photos by Coco of Cococozy
Two cute wooden scalloped side tables - $2800 for the pair. (above and below)




Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A glossy white lacquer side table with lucite and gold top has double doors for concealed storage - chic form and great function. (above)



Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A quatrefoil (clover) design surrounds brass key and lock on the lacquer side table. (above)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
Three hand blown green glass bottles/jars come in different sizes and have round orb shaped stoppers (Set of 3 for $750). (above)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A rectangular white lacquer coffee table with a glass top features fretwork geometric carved detailing on sides and legs. (above and below)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A multicolored cable knit cashmere throw pillow! (above)


Photo by Coco of Cococozy
Red Chinoisserie inspired pagoda shaped wall sconces shine a bright light! (above)



Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A black awning, a charming brick exterior and a colorful window display entice passersby. (above)
My favorite piece, by the way, is the chrome chair at the top. I am officially obsessed with it.

Here's the information on how you can find Elizabeth Bauer's store if you are ever in NYC:

Elizabeth Bauer
43 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10014
Tel: 212.255.8625

Thank you A.Ro. for introducing me to this tiny slice of style in the middle of the city! Great find.

LOOPY OVER A CUTE METAL END TABLE!

Plush Home - Mayfair Cast Metal End Table - $1880 (Cast metal accent side table with black granite top, three legs, and three looping half moon interlocking stretcher at the base. Legs are metal with a bamboo design. Metal finish comes in nickel or antique brass.)(above)

Love this little table! Don't you? Love the looping metal supports at the bottom. Trying to keep this post short so will write the rest of this installment using acronyms.

VC (very cute)! MHTTABTASP (May have to think about buying this at some point). HYAAHAGD (Hope you all are having a good day)! B (Bye)!!!!

AM DECO: BABY'S STYLE MAKES A CHIC GUEST APPEARANCE IN AN ADULT LIVING ROOM!

Photo by Coco of Cococozy
A child's stuffed elephant pillow sits on a very classic adult chair in AM's living room. (above)
Just got off the plane from NYC. It is early morning here in L.A. Yikes. And I have to work tomorrow morning. My first day back after a long and wonderful two week vacation.

Reason I just got home is that my flight was delayed on the tarmac at JFK due to thunder and lightning storms. When the airplane's captain joked on the announce system, "Is anyone enjoying this tour of JFK?", after we had already been ricocheting from one runway to another, I knew it was going to be a long night. Two things: 1) The captain's joke was met with silence from all of the passengers (note to captain: come up with funnier jokes or perhaps just maybe the old adage about silence being golden would apply to a situation like this); 2) It always concerns me when the captain gets on the p.a. and says something like "We'll be backing out of the gate shortly but we just have maintenance and engineering looking into a little thing that wasn't quite working"...hmmmm.... Anyhooooooo made it home safely. So all is good.

Enough ranting...back to design and decor.

When I walked into AM's SOHO apartment a few days ago...this is what I saw...her son's Dwell Studio elephant toy/pillow was perfectly placed in a Louis XV style bergere which sat on top of a great Madeline Weinrib wool rug. Too cute. I immediately grabbed my camera. My first decor photo of the NY leg of my vacation. To me, this scene was the perfect combination of sophistication and whimsy. Now, just to note (second note in this post), this pillow placement was incidental and not part of AM's master decor plan...usually the little elephant is in JE Jr.'s baby room.

So I'm not suggesting that people around the world rush into their child's room and start putting Mr. Potato Heads on sofas or Tickle Me Elmos on settees ...but, in this case, a child's stuffed animal surprisingly works in a very adult space!

A BRILLIANT BAMBOO BENCH!

Photo by Coco of Cococozy

A red bamboo bench in the courtyard at Pom Pom Interiors in Los Angeles ($395). (above)

Stopped off at PomPom Interiors the other day as I was running around doing errands. While there, ran into this lovely red outdoor bamboo bench. Love this...the color...the texture...the look...it all works for me!

Could be that bit of color I was looking to add to my outdoor space...hmmmm...maybe...