WEEKEND PHOTO: LAVENDER ANTIQUE GLASS!

Photo in this post by Coco of Cococozy


I just like this picture of some colored glass on a store counter. This light purple colored antique glass arrangement drew me in...so I snapped a photo. Took it about a few months ago while doing a little weekend shopping down by the beach. Something romantic about this vintage glass. Compotes, cake plates, urns, dishes and bowls...all made from gorgeous lavender glass...just a dusting of color...not too overwhelming...just right! Perfect accents for the table, a credenza or buffet, inside a glass cabinet or just anywhere in the home.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

xo
Coco

SEE THIS HOUSE: HAVING FUN WITH BRIGHT COLORS IN A MONTAUK BEACH HOUSE - PART 2 (PINK & GREEN)!

Photos courtesy of Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design. Photos by Elizabeth Felicella.

Kelly green walls, white trim and black accessories and accents make for a stylish and modern guestroom at a beach house in Montauk, New York. The ceiling makes an impact too as it is covered in green and white brocade wallpaper!(above)

Ooops. Rewind. Back to a previous post.

Here are two more colorful spaces at the Montauk beach house featured earlier this week - a Ghislaine Vinas designed home. A green bedroom for guests and a hot pink powder room - interior designer Ghislaine takes risks with color that pay off!

This particular pink and this particular green are the preppiest of preppy colors. A classic Kelly green and a bright bubble gum pink. Two classics get an injection of whimsical modern in this large Long Island weekend home.


No fear of color in this small bathroom...hot pink walls and a purple chandelier add a daring element of style and design to this washroom! Notice the mirror frame covered in shells and the white coral wall sconce too! Don't think I've ever seen bright pink wainscoting!(above)
Thank you again Ghislaine!

Hope you readers all have a great Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Remember to become a Cococozy Facebook Fan. Still working on something fun next month just for fans. Tell friends too!

P.P.S. These Montauk posts have been an interesting departure for me because I am such a color-phobe (my colors are white, green, brown, other neutrals and a splash of turquoise here and there)...now, I might have to consider adding some bright colors here and there into my own home! Hmmm...

Photos courtesy of Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design. Photos by Elizabeth Felicella.

SHAPING UP WITH TWO VINTAGE BLUE LAMPS!

Steven Sclaroff - Pair of Turquoise Craquelure Glazed Porcelain Table Lamps - $1950 for the pair (1960s. American. 31" high. Bold pair of jar-shaped porcelain lamps, mounted on black-lacquered wood bases.)(above)

I like these blue porcelain jar lamps. I like angular silhouette. Most ceramic and porcelain jar lamps have a curvy shape to them. I like the straight lines on these. Love that they are vintage and love that they are a lovely almost turquoise blue too! Oooh these might go well in my living room. Hmmmm.....

What do you think of these lamps?

Hope you have a nice Thursday! I can't believe February is almost over!!!

xoxo
Coco

P.S. Become a Cococozy Facebook Fan. Am planning something fun next month just for fans. Tell friends too!

TICKLED PINK: A PERFECTLY ROSY BABY SHOWER MAKES A BABY!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

Hostess CB (left in coral long dress) hosts a chic baby shower for mom-to-be MM (right, in fuchsia dress and white hat).(above)

About an hour after her beautiful baby shower at CB's house ended, MM went into labor and then delivered a gorgeous baby girl!

This all happened this past Sunday! Need more details but I'll tell you what I know.

Yes. It was another very very perfect party at the Venice Beach cottage of veterinarian CB, my good friend. Sunday afternoon. A lovely February day (rain was in the forecast but it never happened...that's Los Angeles, California for you!).

I was invited to the party CB was hosting for her dear friend MM who was just about two weeks away from her due date - MM was having her first child with her husband (ML), a little baby girl. CB and her lovely mother (who flew in all the way from Houston to help prepare for the event) designed a gorgeous afternoon outdoor baby shower for MM...a very special shower!

Pleasant pops of pink were the order of the day at this posh shower for MM...CB designed every detail with great care. Stylish, elegant, relaxed, and fun...that's what the party setting exuded. CB's hostess skills are impeccable.

Back to the pink...dashes were everywhere....with roses and orchids in a variety of shades of pink in the floral arrangements, pink party favors in the form of iced ducklings cookies, pink and white party lanterns hanging from the trees, those "in the know" all wearing outfits in different shades of pink (clearly I was not in the know...I didn't get the "pink memo", so I showed up (late) dressed like a somber school girl in a dark green and black plaid Brooks Brothers cardigan sweater, black pleated skirt, black tights, crisp white ruffle shirt, classic black Gucci heels and a faux tortoise headband...I definitely looked OUT OF PLACE in this almost spring like setting in Charlotte's gorgeous yard...yoooohoooo...)

Anyhoooooo, MM's beautifully designed baby shower started at 1p and carried on without a hitch. The food and drink were splendid (champagne with pink wild hibiscus flowers was my favorite treat), the conversation was entertaining and most important of all, pregnant mom-to-be MM was beaming with joy.

CB, as hostess, I'm sure was very proud. She was hosting a wonderful shower where everyone was just thrilled to spend the afternoon in such a lovely setting.

The party ended about 4p (I left about 4:15p).

At about 4:30p (I think), CB, MM, and CB's mom said good bye to the last guest and MM headed home.

MM got home to her husband at 5p according to CB.

And pretty much an hour after arriving home, MM went into labor and was whisked off to the hospital CB reports.

All I know is the next day, I got an email from CB that said "MM had her baby yesterday right after the shower!".

I don't know if it was all of the excitement of the day...or if it was being around family and good friends. Could it have been the wonderful food? The beautiful setting? Don't know. All I do know is that after this gorgeous shower, it seems that MM's baby was so tickled pink that she decided that this past Sunday, the day of her mom's baby shower, should also be her birthday!

Here are some photos of the perfect baby shower that my friend CB threw for her friend MM...a baby shower that unbeknownst to anyone there at the time, was also an early birthday party for MM's baby girl.




Hot pink and pale pink roses are arranged in a crystal urn for the main buffet table centerpiece.(above)

Pink tulips and roses in a trio of silver Mint Julep cups! (above)





The guest lavished MM with loads of gifts including a modern bassinet, the cutest baby clothes, and several silver spoons! (above)

Pink duckling cookies wrapped and tied with white satin ribbons were placed in a wicker picnic basket for guests to take home as party favors. Cookies come from Sabrina's Sweetery.(above)




CB's mom found these festive round paper decorative lanterns online at the Land of Nod, a children's focused furniture store.(above)



CB's custom-made pink ruffled outdoor umbrella that she personally designed to replicate those that she had seen on a recent vacation to Bermuda.(above)

Oh did I mention there were pink tulips too!(above)


A garden potting table is transformed into a well appointed bar for this afternoon event.(above)




A glass of champagne dazzles with dark rose colored edible Wild Hibiscus flowers. Found these Wild Hibiscus flowers online...great party idea...they are soaked in syrup so they add a bit a sweetness to a wonderful crisp dry glass of champagne. Love the bubbles. (above)

Custom made "Tickled Pink" inscribed hot pink cocktail napkins. (above)

Congrats to MM (new mom) and ML (new dad) on your new addition! I can't wait to meet her.

CB thank you for another wonderful party!

xo
Coco

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

SMART DESIGN: CLEAR LIGHT SWITCH PLATES - MY PET PEEVE SOLVED!

Forbes & Lomax - The Invisible Lightswitch - (Rocker switch shown above only available in the UK. Other switch versions available in the U.S.)(above)
I do not like going to a beautifully designed home where every detail is thought of...every detail except the opaque off-white plastic light switch and outlet plates peppered all over the walls and near the baseboards - switch plates that eventually and invariably turn a weird looking yellow color.

To me, these ubiquitous yellowish-turning plastic outlet and light plates can be an eyesore if not properly hidden. I'm not being overly picky and understand that some of you have homes with many concealed or semi-concealed plates and changing them all out would be a bit much OR that some of you are way too busy dealing with life in general (i.e. kids, family, friends, job, breathing, eating, managing your road rage as you drive down a canyon every morning behind the slowest drivers on earth (oops this last one really only applies to me I'm sure) and the overall pursuit of happiness) to address such a minor detail. If you do have the inclination, however, to change and have plastic plates out in the open and feel the same way I do and have the time or energy to even deal with making a switch (pun intended)...there are answers to getting rid of my pet peeve!

Three ways to avoid plastic off-white light switch and outlet plates: 1) Buy wood plates at Home Depot and paint them your desired color, 2) Find metal or porcelain plates at your local hardware store or decor shop and change out the plastic; or, 3) Use these clever clear plastic light switch plates pictured here from London, England based Forbes & Lomax (yes, the switches have been adapted for the U.S.) to make light switches virtually vanish.

These clear light switch plates are the perfect solution to my pet peeve. A little expensive but could work beautifully over wall paper or in a really conspicuous wall area on which you just want the light switch or power outlet to disappear!


Forbes & Lomax - The Invisible Lightswitch - approximately $60 USD (Toggle switch available in the US/Canada. Approximate price for metal toggle switch and clear acrylic light switch plate)(above)
What do you think???? Would love to know.

xo
Coco

SEE THIS HOUSE: HAVING FUN WITH BRIGHT COLORS IN A MONTAUK BEACH HOUSE!

Photos courtesy of Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design. Photos by Elizabeth Felicella.

A stylish beach house's eat-in kitchen with white cabinetry, a stainless steel square tile backsplash, light blue walls and a long shiny turquoise dining table surrounded by modern white chairs. (above)

I love email introductions! Especially the kind that are straight to the point!

New friend and style lover Kalyn Johnson, the editor of Possess Your Style blog, introduced me to fab interior designer Ghislaine Vinas a few weeks back...all over email.

Kalyn made a quick and efficient introduction with no bells and whistles just with the clear and direct understanding that Ghislaine and I should meet (the intro went something kind of like "Coco meet Ghislaine, Ghislaine meet Coco. You should know each other"...I appreciate this...clear, clean, understanding everyone is busy and cutting straight to the chase! I think Kalyn's business training came into play here! Thank you Kalyn!!!). Turns out Ghislaine is working with Kalyn on designing Kalyn's own New York city home.

Ghislaine owns an eponymous design firm named Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design. A few weeks ago Ghislaine sent me some gorgeous photos of a Montauk beach house she decorated and designed for another NYC family with three young boys.

The house is a classic Hamptons shingle style house...but Ghislaine took the design to a new level with a playful introduction of bold color and an eclectic and stylish decor.

Here is what Ghislaine had to say about this beach retreat...in her own words:

GHISLAINE VINAS: This house was all about letting loose and having fun. We mixed old with new - classic dining chairs and a tufted chesterfield sofa look great next to 50's and 60's inspired pieces. We played a lot with shape and texture. I naturally tend towards rounded shapes and circles are repeated throughout the house. I find the rounded forms very friendly and a happy house needs friendly shapes.


Beach house entryway is painted a soothing light blue and features a bright orange bench and a colorful striped rug in orange, blue and yellow.(above)

Traditional, contemporary and mid century furniture all come together in the main living room. A light blue tufted Chesterfield sofa compliments a modern white coffee table and a classic mid-century modern Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen (1958).(above)

GHISLAINE: Color played a very important role. We used blues for the entry and kitchen and living room paying homage to the beachy surrounding but used hot pink and coral in the dining room and the powder room to keep things fun and exciting and not too predictable. The downstairs follows no rules when it comes to color - each one of the rooms got a fun personality.


The breakfast nook cleverly features two Saarinen tables: one for adults is surrounded by classic upholstered dining chairs painted a bright chartreuse; the other Saarinen is a miniature version with mini white Panton chairs. (above)

Red, white and no blue. No fear of color here in the bright red formal dining room. The coffered ceilings are painted bright white and make for a bold contrast against the electric red walls.(above)

Dark brown wood built-in shelving and cabinetry frames a great graphic wallpaper pattern on the study/office/library wall. A brown and white abstract floral rug and yellow accents and perfect pops of color to this at-home work space. (above)

GHISLAINE: The whole idea was to make this house super fun. Its a happy place. Each of the 5 guest rooms was to have a vibe of its own - like a boutique hotel, so that guests could say... "I stayed in the green room this time" or "I got the purple room".



One of the five guest bedrooms has a woodsy theme with textured wall treatment with a branch motif. A bright orange headboard provides just the right amount of color to the room. (above)
GHISLAINE: In the master bedroom we decided on turquoise and brown just simply because its a great combination - we also loved the kitschy fun element the mermaid lamp added to the room. We found the headboard on ebay and had it painted white and reupholstered in turquoise corduroy. We picked Kelly green white and black as the color scheme for yet another room.


The master bedroom! (above and below)

(above)
GHISLAINE: In the purple room, we fell in love with the fabric that we used for the window treatments and designed the room around them.






One of the home's bathrooms has wainscoting on the walls, a silver grey wallpaper with a circle pattern, a porcelain washstand and a bright orange wastebasket just for fun! (above)

A wave of orange is splashed onto the walls and floors of this nursery. The room comes complete with sporting gear, a surfboard, for a future surfer perhaps! (above)



1
The exterior of this beautiful Montauk beach house. Traditional wood shingles and a gravel driveway make this a Long Island classic. (above)

Thank you Ghislaine for sharing this wonderful design! Nice meeting you via email. Also, thank you Kalyn for the introduction!

Readers...maybe some ideas for you! What do you think?

xo
Coco


Photos courtesy of Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design. Photos by Elizabeth Felicella.

WEEKEND PHOTO: A PLEASANT ALCOVE!

Photo courtesy of Frank Roop


I like this little alcove. A great nook. Tall bay windows with plantation shutters, a cute wood frame settee and armchairs all upholstered in shades of light blue fabric, white walls, dark wood floors...all comes together to make this cute little neatly appointed sitting area very pleasant.

I like a lot. I love the windows.

What do you think...I wonder?

Hope you are having a fab weekend!

xo

Coco

DESIGN IDEA: NAILHEAD TRIM ON CLOSET DOORS AND VANITY DRAWERS!

All photos in this post courtesy of Nickey Kehoe


This fab dressing room and closet is the work of talented Los Angeles interior designers Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe. Love the white built in closet cabinetry and vanity table. The coolest thing about this room though is in the detail. Nailhead trim is used to make an outline of the panels on the drawers and the closet doors. This accent on the door fronts takes this room up a level on the design side of things. Clean and simple with a touch of feminine detailing and style. LOVE IT!!!!

Think the same look could be achieved by just taking a normal paneled closet door (or interior door for that matter) and painting along the outside of raised panels.

Some other things I love about the room...love the diamond geometric shapes of the leaded glass window panes, love the way the white shag trellis rug mirrors the diamond pattern in the windows, love the retro looking chaise lounge chair, and love the stylish and diminutive writing desk perfect for penning the perfect thank you note after a great party (arrrghhhhhh...just realized I have a ton of thank you notes to write for all of the New Orleans festivities I attended...!)...overall a fantastic space!!


Close up detail of built-in vanity drawers that are outlined with nailhead trim. (above)


Have put in an email to Todd and Amy to find out if the doors are upholstered and padded. Can't tell from these photos. Will get back to you if I find out any more detail. Thank you Todd and Amy for more great design!

What do you think of this design idea?

xo
Coco

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: CRISS CROSS WHITE HURRICANE LANTERNS!

William Sonoma Home - Large Crisscross Hurricane - on sale $69.99; regular $118 (Large white hurricane lantern. 10.5" sq, 16"H. Made of solid acacia wood. Glazed by hand. Stainless steel cup holds a 3" pillar candle (not included))(above)
I own two of these large lanterns from William Sonoma Home. I love them. They sit on my patio (see below).

Should I have buyer's remorse in that I could have saved over $100 on my two lanterns if I had just waited (I bought them in May or June of last year I think. I know it was while I was in a "changing out accessories" frenzy when I had guests coming over for a little soiree at my house)? Or, conversely, should I be happy that I've gotten months and months of enjoyment out of these tall hurricane lamps that are perfect for my Hollywood Hills patio? For once, I may be able to answer my own question...I will focus on the positive and choose the latter.

I paid full price. I hope someone gets these on sale. Make sure to buy the large...the big size gives the lantern a bit of importance!



William Sonoma white Crisscross lantern on my deck. (above and below)



xo
Coco

ROOM TO LOVE: A LIVING ROOM WITH GOOD BONES AND GREAT STYLE!

All photos in this post courtesy of Meridith Baer & Associates



Great living room decorated by Los Angeles home staging aficionado Meridith Baer. Wonderful blend of traditional and modern. Love the architecture of the room too. The bright white elegant coffered ceiling, the sleek fireplace mantel complete with decorative molding and paneling and the fab tall windows that wrap around the room....good and stylish "bones". Love the decor too...white upholstered sofa and armchairs, the modern art, the turned wood and glass coffee table and all of the accents and details too.

Perfect.







Thanks Meridith for another lovely room!

Readers...what do you think??
xo

Coco

MY MARDI GRAS - POSH PARTIES AND COLORFUL PARADES NEW ORLEANS STYLE!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

The sparkle of coveted Mardi Gras beads. (above)

Today is Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras. I am back home in Los Angeles after an unbelievable visit to New Orleans. My best of friend FF invited me to spend the weekend there with her and her family.

I had an AMAZING time. Back to back celebrations, parties, friends, food, drink and parades. Needless to say, I am wiped out now...a good wiped out...but wiped out.

For those from New Orleans...the concept of party is a way of life it seems.

FF and her dear husband CCF and all of their family there have been in celebration mode for weeks...from the New Orleans Saints NFC Championship win, to going to Miami to watch the beloved Saints win the Superbowl, to just days later hosting dozens of people in New Orleans for a four day party extravaganza in honor of CCF and Mardi Gras 2010, they truly know the meaning of the word "party". Turns out this was indeed a big Mardi Gras for CCF and FF...the secret is revealed below.

So to see how New Orleans does "party" see my "schedule" as designed by FF and CCF...a whirlwind of truly amazing fun.

DAY #1



10am - Arrive from Los Angeles on a red eye flight and get settled in the gorgeous guest house at the Wedding Cake House, FF's and CCF's stunning home in New Orleans. (above)



5:30pm - After a long nap, change into an empire waist royal blue chiffon ball gown and white leather long kid gloves (required of ladies attending) in preparation for the Hermes krewe's Grand Ball. (above and below)




8pm - The presentation ceremony for the 70th King of Hermes and his court at the Hermes Grand Ball. The King is CCF...best friend FF's husband!!!!! (above and below)







9:30pm - The formal white tie and tails dinner dance in honor of the King of Hermes. Got a chance to catch up with many of FF and CCF's good friends and also reconnected with my dear dear friend JH and her husband DH who came in from South Carolina. (above)

DAY #2


Noon - FF hosts a luncheon in honor of the King of Hermes (CCF) at famed historic New Orleans restaurant Antoine's. (above)



2pm - Somehow we seem to lead the parade of Hermes members through the streets of the French Quarter and end up outside the Absinthe House for an impromptu street celebration. (above and below)





6pm - The Hermes krewe rides...and the King's float leads the parade. We watched the parade of about 30 floats high above the crowds in the King's box. (above)

10pm - After party at the Windsor Court for all of the King's Hermes krewe riders. I had a wonderful bowl of gumbo at this little gathering!

DAY #3


9:30am - Brunch in honor of the King of Hermes CCF and his wife FF at their good friends and neighbors JH and FH's grand St. Charles Avenue home. (above and below)





11am - The Krewe of Iris rides. FF kindly invited me to ride on the float for the second year in a row. FF and CF (CCF's daughter) shared the experience of riding in this all women's krewe with several of their out of town friends including TC, HG and RM. All of us out-of-towners called this "an experience of a lifetime." The three hour ride of throwing beads to thousands was such a blast! (above and below)









3:30pm - King of Hermes (CCF) and his court all end up at the Windsor Court's Polo Lounge for another impromptu gathering after we finish our ride on the Iris Krewe.

6:00pm - Watched the mega-Krewe of Endymion ride. CCF's son TF got to ride on RBL's float in honor of the New Orleans Saints. FF and I ran after the float (in an I Love Lucy moment) to try to say hi to RBL and TF - needless to say, some very obstinate police officers made it difficult for us to complete our "mission". Hee hee.

DAY #4

Noon - Day gathering on the Thoth Krewe's parade route at the home of FF's friends. Spent a good two hours dancing, screaming and waving arms wildly for beads, stuffed animals and toys with FF, her son/my godson CGF, friends FM and CM and their cute kiddies LM and HM.


3pm - In Uptown, ran into a gorgeous Japanese Magnolia tree with pink blossoms on a lovely walk home from the parade with FF and cute little CGF (admission: this portion of the post has been updated after reader Jan corrected that the tree was a Magnolia and co-godmom and friend JH wrote to further say that tree was a Japanese Magnolia. I had previously identified it as a Dogwood. TMI (too much info) I know...but that's the way I roll. :-)). (above)


3:30pm - Back to the Wedding Cake House to pack for my 7:30 pm flight back to Los Angeles. (above)


So I guess after an amazing four days all I can say is many many many thanks to CCF and FF for inviting me along on an incredible weekend. I LOVED IT. There's just something so very special about New Orleans and my friends there.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone...hope you enjoy these photos!

xo
Coco

P.S. Now, after a true Mardi Gras weekend of indulgence and parties, I just have to figure out what I'm giving up for Lent. Oh boy.

P.P.S. I realize this post has an inordinate number of names that have been abbreviated. Potentially confusing...but not confusing for those of us who were there! Makes it more of a mystery for readers...right? Or just a confusing mish mosh of capital letters. C'est la vie! :-) Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy