COLOR WATCH: A DASH OF ORANGE IN THE BEDROOM!

All photos in this post courtesy of Massucco Warner Miller



Got to thinking about the color orange as the New Year approaches...reason being is that my mother always makes us each eat an orange for good luck I think in each New Year. Need to ask her why again...she's on a plane traveling back from Paris tonight...so I'll quiz her tomorrow and find out what the scoop is with the New Years oranges. Meanwhile, I think it is somewhat amusing that for all of these years I've dutifully eaten the orange or tangerine or orange colored citrus at New Years and have no idea why. I always zone out after the New Years best wishes and just follow suit with the orange tradition. My sister DS loves this tradition as well. I guess I could ask her what this orange business is all about...?! Hmmmmm.....will be buying oranges tomorrow just in case...will force the group I'm going out with tomorrow to all consume an orange right after the clock strikes midnight. I'll see if any of them follow along as I have for years without questioning. I will try to report back on meaning of tradition and whether or not I can turn non-family member New Years revelers into clueless followers just like me. (This is how I amuse myself....yes...this is...)

Anyhooooooooooo...yooohoooo...back to decor.

San Francisco based interior designers Julie Massucco, Melissa Warner and Carrie Miller of design firm Massucco Warner Miller created these delightful bedrooms. All perfectly suitable places of slumber and rest and all with just the appropriate dash of color in the orange family (tangerine, coral etc.). Orange is judiciously used in headboards, drapes (or curtains), bed skirts and in trim and upholstery. No orange overload here...just the right amount of this vibrant color to add some zing to these rooms.

Fantastic!










All photos in this post courtesy of Massucco Warner Miller

I'M ALL DECKED OUT IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS - MY OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM BEFORE THE MAKEOVER!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy
A view of my tiny deck in the Hollywood Hills. (above)

I know it is winter and this isn't the time to be contemplating outdoor living...but these pictures are left over and I could use something to post about tonight! So as the year rounds out, am trying to get rid of photos I have taken that I forgot to post OR decided not to post for very specific reasons.

In this case, I decided not to post these photos of my deck way back when I took them in the spring.

I took the pictures because I was thinking of giving my deck a decor makeover...and these are the before photos. I was going to share them with you way back when...but then I sent them to one of my best friends NS and she said my deck looked bland and questioned how I could ever consider posting pictures with leaves all over the deck and the yard looking so rough and "rustic". I responded that these were "before photos" (helloooooo....) and that this would motivate me to get the makeover and "after photos" done within a week or two of posting. She remained silent on the other end of the line. Very silent. Because she is rarely silent, her silence won. :-)

Well low and behold - the spring passed, the summer came and went, and so did the fall and the deck decor makeover never happened.

So here is my small small deck...not spruced up...no punches of color...no new furniture accents to break up all of the teak...no removal of some of the furniture for a little more breathing space...this is just my deck. If I had posted these photos back in the spring, I definitely would have completed my deck makeover then. Now, thanks to NS's silence, I am way too lazy and it is way too cold outside to even care about what my deck looks like...so hence, it is what it is! (Meanwhile...for those of you in the Midwest, please don't loathe me for saying it is cold when it is in the 50s and 60s here...it is cold to me. All things are relative...right?!@#$?).

It feels like I live in a bit of a tree house as I am up about 25 steps from the road. I have nice city views and lots of serenity (except for the gang of squirrels, the posse of raccoons, the packs of coyotes and the occasional mountain lion and deer, the frequent power outages, the evacuations because cars keep falling off the road above my street, the quintessential Hollywood Hills party that has music echoing through the hills until the wee hours, or the neighbor who goes running through the hillside behind my house in the darkness of night screaming at 2am "God help me" but not saying what he needs help with and later finding out he thought he lost his dog but the dog was actually inside the house, things are very serene up here in the hills).

I designed the deck, the railing and the fence a few years back...I like the bones and am planning to mix up the look a bit...with more accents of color (with some blues, greens and maybe a splash of orange). In the spring it will all happen...the transformation will happen in the spring...(I must keep repeating this in hopes that if I say it, it will happen)!

Please stand by for deck decor makeover in 2010...until then...maybe the deck as it stands will still inspire some of you when thinking about your outdoor living spaces, decks, patios, porches, yards or gardens.


Palm trees, banana plants, Ficus, Birds of Paradise and well oiled teak furniture are all mainstays on my deck...the goal was to create a tropical Caribbean feel! (above)


A pine cone shaped candle holder and two white traditional hurricane lanterns come from William Sonoma Home. (above and below)




My dear friend and neighbor named Aggie, who was in her 90's, once said after these oversize ceramic pots were delivered, "You have some very important pots there...very important pots indeed." (above and below)





The teak lounge furniture in main outdoor sitting area is appropriately named "Canyon" and comes from Brown Jordan.(above)

A chocolate brown door and green house color make the exterior of the house blend with the hillside's natural landscape. (above)
I have a pretty clear idea of how I am going to make this deck pop and really wow you with the after photos (that is if I can ever get out of procrastination mode...)...you just wait...you might be waiting forever...but you just wait!

That being said, design ideas and thoughts are welcome! I will keep them all until the spring and may implement a few touches here and there...please comment, critique and let me know what you really think!

xo
Coco

P.S. This is also for the reader who asked a few days ago to see more of my home...well here you are...just a snippet of it...

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A HOMEMADE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT - MY "THANK YOU FOR HOLIDAY GOOD WISHES"!

Photo in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A simple homemade floral arrangement I made from red Gerber daisies and green roses. (above)
Busy and wonderful holiday!

Had family over on Christmas Eve (made a full dinner including homemade pies) and ran around on Christmas Day visiting family...a fantastic holiday but I am pooped!

As I sit at home today...trying to motivate...I've been looking at this little last minute flower arrangement I made a few days back. In my holiday prep frenzy, I ran to the store and just grabbed two bunches of flowers and some piney greens not knowing what I would do with them. When I got home, I realized I only had one really good vase...I guess I have broken or thrown away all of the others (oops)...so I had to mash all of the flowers into one arrangement...and here it is!

The flowers served their purpose for the entertaining I had to do...and today...I thought I'd share this with you as a thank you of sorts.

Over the last few days, I've gotten so many many nice emails from readers who say they have enjoyed Cococozy and who had so many nice wishes for me for the New Year.

Thank you darling readers! The same holiday and New Year's good wishes right back at you...!

xo
Coco

Photo in this post by Coco of Cococozy

WINE COUNTRY LIVING - ROOMS WITH VINEYARD VIEWS!

All photos in this post courtesy of Delores Arabian of Vignette Design blog

The lovely rustic country chic living room of Delores Arabian's wine country vacation home. (above)

Came across Delores Arabian's Vignette Design blog right before Christmas and was captivated by these photos of Delores and her husband's Sonoma County, California house. The home is located in Asti which looks like an area covered in the beautiful vineyards that the northern California wine country is so known for.

Adore the rustic and country style decor in Delores' living room and dining room (a hint of Shabby Chic here and there especially wih the large oversized white slipcovered living room sofas and the rich comfy looking leather club chairs near the fireplace). Wouldn't this be a great place to spend the day after Christmas...just relaxing and enjoying the wine country views?

Will post a few more photos from Delores' gorgeous Sonoma retreat very soon...I like the guest house too!


Outside Delores' home, rolling hills covered with beautiful vineyards create a picturesque view. (above)


The dining room is the perfect country chic...complete with a farmhouse style table, vintage grain sack upholstered host chairs, and wheat topiaries for the centerpiece. (above)

Thank you Delores for sharing! Love these photos and your home!

xo
Coco

A HOLIDAY GARDEN PARTY!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

An evening holiday party in the garden of a cottage in Venice Beach, CA. (above)

Thought I should do this post before the holidays finish off and this theme becomes obsolete for another year.

A few weeks back, I went to a fab party at friend Charlotte Broussard's Venice Beach home. The party was absolutely gorgeous...impeccably done. Charlotte thought of every detail to make this party chic, elegant and fun!

The occasion was simply "Holiday Cocktails"...that was enough information entice the 30 or more guests to celebrate the holidays along with Charlotte at her wonderfully cozy home!

Before the guest arrived (and a little after), I managed to snap a few photos here and there! Hope you enjoy.


Adirondack chairs with pillows upholstered in a fab pink, orange and yellow Trina Turk fabric called "Pisces"...and a few faux bamboo folding chairs surround the outdoor firepit...the perfect place to warm up while being social. (above)


A custom made pink ruffled outdoor umbrella makes a pretty picture over the bar area. (above and below)




A silver ball tree ornament adds a dash of holiday fun to the gorgeous floral arrangement made of simple pink and orange roses. (above)

The food was beautifully arranged on several tables throughout the party. In this area, the party's hostess had a little help as it was catered by posh local area caterer Joan's on Third - a caterer my sister and I have used a million times for parties of the last 1o years...we love Joan's...and I always recommend it as the solution to making a party perfect. (above and below)




The party in full swing! (above and below)


P.S. That is Charlotte, the hostess, with her back to the camera wearing the festive silver jacket! (above)

Happy Christmas Eve...!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: A GREY VELVET SOFA!

Jayson Home & Garden - Ellory Sofa - on sale $2199; regular $3695 (Grey velvet upholstered sofa with tight back. 5 black walnut stained turned wood legs with antique brass casters.)(above)

So, am prepping to have family over on Christmas Eve. Up late, doing a little decorating and lots of procrastinating. Tomorrow have a hugely busy day to prep for my holiday family gathering but for some reason my schedule includes a dentist appointment with my doctor who cracks bad jokes throughout the time I sit in the chair (not clear ever whether he is concentrating on my teeth or concentrating on the punchline to his next joke)...and a possible ice skating party (I say possible because I have not committed to this...hmmm...yes...this is the comedy of my life...I actually think this could be fun if I can squeeze it in).

Anyhooooooooo...to continue the procrastinating part of my schedule...instead of fussing about to holiday prep, I decided to internet window shop tonight. During my web based shopping "excursion", I found this great grey sofa on Jayson Home & Garden's site. I love it. Classic and elegant. But simple enough that it could easily work in a very modern home or apartment. The price is great too!

RANDOM STUFF I AM LIKING RIGHT NOW 12.22.09!

John Robshaw - Garden Dhurrie - on sale $465 ; regular $620 (Floral printed cotton dhurrie rug. Block printed on heavy woven cotton. Brown, red and turquoise abstract flowers)(above)

No rhyme, no reason, no theme, no scheme, no purpose...just some random furniture and accessories I'm liking right now. A little this or that for the mansion, ranch, home, house, apartment, loft, condo, cottage or shack and anything in between.


Mantiques Modern - Saarinen Style Patchwork Metal Table - $3200 (Round steel table with rivets. Original burnished patina. Combination mid century modern and industrial styles. Could use for dining or entry hall) (above)


Vastu - Farolillo Pendant Light - $1336 (Natural wood veneer pendant lights. Come in a variety of colors)(above)



Assemblage - Edward Wormley Mahogany Open Backed Dining Chairs - $9750 for eight (A set of eight 1950s dining chairs with original turquoise blue vinyl upholstery, nailhead trim along the back and bleached mahogany wood.)(above)


Baker Furniture - Ivory Leather Column Lamp (Brass and leather lamp from the Thomas Pheasant collection)(above)


Urban Outfitters - Mayfair Glass Jar - $24 (Vintage like opaque turquoise blue glass jar or canister.)(above)

Which of these random things is your favorite? Click on comments and weigh in. Would love to hear from you!

COLOR WATCH: WINTER WHITE ROOMS!

Photo courtesy of Gemma Comas Photography
White Dining Room - A beautiful frosty all white dining room features a rustic driftwood sculpture, clear glass chandelier, a round pedestal dining table, and mixture of reproduction french chairs upholstered in brown leather and white. (above)



Photo courtesy of Ngoc Minh Noh
White Home Office - Icy white modern built-in cabinetry makes for a snug space saving home office.(above)


Photo courtesy of photographer Julian Wass
White Kitchen - White Viking appliances (a freestanding range and a double door refrigerator) and a white subway tile backsplash keep this kitchen looking cool. A white milk glass and chrome pendant light hangs over the kitchen island with butcher block counters and illuminates the light and bright space. (above)


Photo courtesy of Phoebe Howard
White Bedroom - White bed with canopy in an Atlanta showhouse.(above)


Photo © Eric Roth
White Living Room - A stunning photograph from Roberto Dutesco's Horses of Sable Island series overlooks a snowy white living room with sunny yellow accent pillows carefully placed on comfy white upholstered sofas. (above)

DELIGHTFUL DECOR FOR CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS - PART 5 - THE WEDDING CAKE HOUSE!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

The Wedding Cake House in New Orleans, Louisiana photographed in February 2009. (above)

The title of this post is a bit deceiving...only because, as you see, there are no pictures of holiday decor.

But I wanted to show you the exterior of my friends FF and CCF's house in New Orleans ...the home where I have the honor and pleasure of staying when I visit NOLA. This is the grand home in which the four previous posts' photos on holiday decor were taken.

This mansion is called the Wedding Cake House...it sits in uptown New Orleans right on St. Charles Avenue.

The exterior of this three story home is painted bright white and is adorned with columns. scalloping garlands, urns, spindles and almost any kind of decorative trim you can imagine. The beautiful architectural detail makes this home resemble a well frosted scrumptious wedding cake...hence the name. The home was built back in 1896...a Victorian Colonial Revival.

These photos were taken last February when I visited the family for Mardi Gras...which in and of itself is a holiday. Each time I travel to New Orleans and stay with my friends I have the best time. It's now becoming a tradition for me...two trips a year to New Orleans...two wonderful opportunities to see FF and her family...and two annual visits to stay at the Wedding Cake House (one of these days they'll send me to a hotel I'm sure...if I keep increasing the annual visitation rate...but for now, I believe I am a welcomed guest at the Wedding Cake House. Although this time, I think I worried FF a bit when I had a whole box of clothes shipped to the house ahead of me...looked like I as staying for a month when in fact these were the clothes I felt I needed for just four days. LOL!)

Well Happy Holidays and this is my last post about New Orleans for now! Stay tuned for future posts during my next visit there!







P.S. Many thanks to FF and CCF and godson CGF for having me as a guest at their home once again last weekend! I had a blast!

P.P.S. One last thought for readers...although the house is huge (I think it is 15,000 square feet or more), the dear people who live inside this historic home make it feel warm, welcoming and very cozy!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

DELIGHTFUL DECOR FOR CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS - PART 4!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

The Christmas tree in the Garden Room at my friend's historic New Orleans mansion. (above)
This is the story of two very different Christmas trees at one grand home in New Orleans.

As mentioned in previous posts, this past weekend I was in New Orleans staying at the St. Charles Avenue manse of dear friend FF and her husband CCF. I flew south to wish their son (who happens to be my godson) a Merry Christmas and to attend their fabulous holiday parties. In one night, they throw two parties...one for the kids (about 50 of the m in total) from 4-6p and then that same night, at 8p, the house is transformed from a child's Christmas dream into an elegant adult holiday party.

So anyhooo...during the holidays, three Christmas trees grace this regal home - a huge formal gold and white decorated Christmas tree in the Front Hall, another huge colorful Christmas tree in the Garden Room of the home, and a final tree (not shown) that stands on the second floor balcony on the exterior of the home in a way wishing all who pass by Season's Greetings.

Love all of the trees at this New Orleans home...appeals to the different sides of me! Would love to be able to even squeeze half of a tree into my little Hollywood Hills cottage! :-)


Ornaments on the Garden Room tree are colorful and playful...they include candy cane decorations and a myriad of colorful handmade and store bought unique ornaments. (above)


Christmas elves sit below the tree in the Garden Room and ready themselves for the children's party. All the regular furniture is moved out to accommodate the one of the party spaces for dozens of children. (above)

The formal Front Hall Christmas tree sparkles with a variety of gorgeous gold and white ornaments, lights and gold tassels. (above and below)




I hope these holiday decorating posts from New Orleans have given you a bit of inspiration for your home!

xo
C

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy