DINING ROOM IN SHADES OF BLUE & GREY!

I like this soothing eating area. Blues and greys. It works. This room is that nice blend of classic and contemporary - leaning on towards the more traditional. I like these silvery tones of grey and blue. Soothing. Imagine this space at night with candles and wonderful lighting. Very elegant I think. The architecture with the crown molding and arched doorway feel very classic. While not my favorite...the chandelier is a necessary burst of something surprising and different.

Overall, I like this room. I would be happy to have a nice long dinner here!

What color have you painted your dining room and why? What inspiration might you take from this space? Do you like this classic dining space?

Well, am off and running. Need to get up earlier in the mornings (means going to sleep earlier too)...am always in a mad dash. So much to do this week, dinners almost every night, meetings all day, and on and on...but I'm sure you are busy too! Okay...need a cute outfit for today...have a dinner and may have to stop by some event tonight if I can even figure out where it is! Sparkles are needed today...hmmmm...let me think...sparkles...in the form of a necklace, headband or shiny top? Hmmm....that would make me happy. Well I'm off! Hope you have a good day!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Remember my friend with the Oscar emergency on Friday. She ended up finding a lovely pink Oscar de la Renta gown from my style consultant to wear to the Academy Awards. She sent over a picture and she looked fantastic. Meanwhile, I did NOT go to the Oscars! Been to the Emmys but never the Oscars. Need to work on that...at least going just once...just once walking the Oscar red carpet. Frankly after walking the red carpet, I would go out to dinner, miss the awards and meet up with others for parties after. I get so antsy during awards shows. To be honest, I watched the pre-show last night but didn't watch the Oscars at all...I find these awards shows a little boring...but that is just me. Did you watch? Is a P.S. a P.S. if it is longer than the non P.S. part of what you are writing? Need to get nails done. Have to ship out some throws and send out some swatches. Have to not eat today (whole other story). Okay tah tah...have gone into random musings now.

P.P.S. Thank you Shannyn for spelling error catch. Thank you! And thank you to best of friend AM who then combed through post and found another spelling error.

Photo: Traditional Home

WEEKEND PHOTO: BEST DRAMA!

I vote for this photo to win "Best Drama" on this Academy Awards Sunday. It is a surprising pick (as are most of the Oscar choices usually)...it is simple, intriguing, tells a good story...yet keeps you wondering.

First, I want to thank Theresa Rowe, a Dallas based interior designer, for helping me along this Sunday. I wrongly identified this photo as a foyer. Well Theresa tells me it is actually a spot in top interior designer Windsor Smith's master bath! Theresa says she is a friend of Windsor's and has seen it first hand when visiting! Oops my editorial misidentification...but with this information from Theresa...this makes me love it even more.

A classic vignette...with pops of Hermes orange...a gilt table with marble top...a dramatic photo of woman in a ball gown descending a stair case with just the right bit of flamboyance...a complete picture...and I'm sure a wonderful story behind.

Best Drama. There you have it.

Clearly I live in Los Angeles...all I'm speaking in awards season speak. I'll snap out of it tomorrow. Busy week this week for me...lots of fun dinners and people visiting from out to town. Maybe some intrigue too!

Happy Sunday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Thank you Theresa! So appreciate the helping hand! :-)

Photo: Victoria Pearson

OSCAR EMERGENCY!

Jason Wu, Fall 2011 (above)
Best of friend Anne and I got the best email ever yesterday. The email was from Anne's sister-in-law MM. The title of the email was "OSCAR EMERGENCY".

I saw the title of said email while I was driving to work (I was at a stop light on Mulholland where it crosses Coldwater Canyon so I was not driving and reading emails...fyi...)..."OSCAR EMERGENCY". Oscar emergency? What is an Oscar emergency? Huh. I chuckled and smiled and thought how fabulous that someone is actually having an Oscar emergency. Then I read the email...

As it turns out Anne's other very posh sister-in-law SM was headed to Los Angeles today (Friday) because she and her husband, a posh business executive, had just been invited VIP style to the Oscars (or they just decided to go...or something)...anyhooooo...MM (the first sister-in-law...who owns a fabulous children's furnishings store named tottini in Seattle) was emailing me and Anne for names of stylists who might pull gowns for SM.

Complicated but this is all to say...Anne's posh sister-in-law indeed was having an OSCAR EMERGENCY...no dress, a big star studded event to go to on Sunday and no time....an emergency indeed!

So after Anne and I lamented on the phone about how much we wanted to have an OSCAR EMERGENCY...we wanted to be flown into to town to find a fabulous dress and then sashay down the red carpet...and look gorgeous and drink champagne and smile and laugh and hobknob...and...strut and look great and smile and laugh and be photographed and blah blah blah....I finally jumped into action and connected SM with my fabulous style consultant who dresses stars like Reese Witherspoon etc.

SM is flying in this morning and meeting with my lady from 10-12. Hopefully the OSCAR EMERGENCY will be resolved!

This got me thinking though...what would I want to wear if I was all of a sudden asked today to attend the Academy Awards?

I'd wear any of these gowns. A little sparkly, sleek, sophisticated, feminine...and dare I say slightly sexy...


Elie Saab, Spring 2011(above)


Badgley Mischka, Fall 2011 (above)
Would you want to have an OSCAR EMERGENCY...if so, what look would you go for on the red carpet?

Well I am not going to the Oscars...but feel well accomplished that I might have been able to help someone out who was having an OSCAR EMERGENCY!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Style.com

RANDOM STUFF I'M LIKING RIGHT NOW 2.24.11!

Tonic Home - Mood Ring Mirror - $1649 (Flower shaped mirror with black mother of pearl frame)(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.


Ballard Designs - Rutland Counter Stool - $119 (Iron counter stool) (above)


Viva Terra - Meadow Flower Rug - $795 (5'x8' crochet rug) (above)


cb2 - Hancock Chartreuse Bookcase - $199 (Metal powdercoated book shelf in bright yellow-green)(above)
Am loving the counter stool from Ballard Design (met wonderful Rick Torres their buyer at the gift fair and he showed me the new catalog with so many fabulous new items...I'm really liking what Ballard Designs has to offer lately!).

Anything tickle your fancy?

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Thank you so much to Becky from Houzz for featuring COCOCOZY in an Houzz Tour - Ideabook interview. Thank you Becky. So exciting!

TILE FILE: GOOD KITCHEN DESIGN - READING BETWEEN THE DARK GROUT LINES!

Another kitchen to analyze and dissect. I like this country house kitchen for some reason too...again...not my typical white kitchen with clean lines...this one in fact has many lines...dark grout used on the subway tiled walls and backsplashes.

I like. Something sort of rustic about it all.

I would use this technique in the kitchen of my second country house...see yesterday's post re: my first non-existent country house.


What do you think about dark grout lines and this kitchen? Do tell!

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

Photos: S.R. Gambrel

COLOR WATCH: FIRING UP A RED KITCHEN!

You know I am an advocate of all things white in home decor. I especially love a fresh white kitchen...clean, classic and timeless.

Wait...stop...but now just ran into this red kitchen and for some odd reason it really works for me.

Love the delicate blue and white ceramic mosaic tile backsplash about the stove (almost Moroccan in feel), the rich red shaker cabinets and the modern stainless steel appliances. Something old world, modern and exotic about this hunting lodge kitchen.

I would try this in my country house...the country house I do not own as of yet...the country house I would love to have...oh that is a whole other story!

Would you ever do a red kitchen? What do you think of this one?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Sara Bengur Interiors

SEE THIS HOUSE: SHERYL CROW'S ROCKING HOLLYWOOD ESTATE!

Rock artist Sheryl Crow opens up her Hollywood home in the March 2011 issue of Architectural Digest (magazine looks awesome btw thanks to its new editor-in-chief Margaret Russell (she used to run Elle Decor)).

The main house, a 1926 Spanish Colonial, is one of three historical homes sitting on the huge estate grounds owned by Crow in the Hollywood Hills (meanwhile I would like to note that I too live in the Hollywood Hills in diametrically opposite living conditions...my property does not include three historical homes...just one tiny tiny tiny almost embarrassingly small cottage on a plot of land that it so hilly that you could only fit one tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny almost embarrassingly small cottage on said land...a far cry from Sheryl's digs indeed!).

The house has a nice fresh feel and eclectic edge to it. Love the architecture of an authentic Spanish style house - the high ceilings, white washed smooth stucco walls, tiling details and more.

The decor works here too - clean lines but still filled with curiosities and surprises that makes it so unique. The vibe is definitely casual and comfortable with some high end styling befitting of an artist who has had huge successes in the music industry. One thing I will say too living here in Los Angeles and seeing so much style gone awry in entertainment industry homes...this home is definitely on point, well decorated and well done (not that Sheryl (notice I'm on a first name basis with her now) would even care about my opinion...but there you have it Sheryl...in my humble and not so humble opinion, you have a nice house!).













A couple things I'm loving about the decor and design...love the antique bicycle over the fireplace mantel in the living room, love the kitchen with the subway tile covered walls and Wolf range, love the hammock with the city view...I love a well placed hammock!

What do you think of musician Sheryl Crow's California estate ? Would you take it or leave it? Would you change anything about the decor? Do weigh in please.

Today, I have the day off from my work work...but tons of COCOCOZY work to do - orders to fill, meetings to be had, swatches to have made, banks to go to (are banks even open today)...you know busy busy busy stuff...interesting to me...probably very boring to you...so I'll stop rambling on about my day of errands!

Hope you have the day off and have a nice President's Day.

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Last night, I put some new pictures of the COCOCOZY collection up on COCOCOZY Facebook. These were from that all night photo shoot that ended Christmas Eve morning! I found these pics in my files last night and realized I had never published them. Make sure you are following me on Facebook too...would love to hear from you there and here!

WEEKEND PHOTO: SIMPLY ELEGANT DINING ROOM!

I like this dining room for some reason. Seems so orderly. I love the high ceilings, the classic chairs, the grain on the long wood table, the simple black urn with its pointed top, the muted tones, the dark floors and I love the printed drapery adding the splash of texture and visual interest (maybe because I have so many printed curtains in my COCOCOZY home furnishings collection and I like to see a window framed in elegant patterns). So simple...no frills...no clutter...but yet nothing missing for me...oh maybe some wonderful people, great food, candlelight and some flowers would be the only additions I would make!

What do you think of this room? When is the last time you entertained in your dining room? How would you describe you formal eating space?

Happy Sunday!

xo
Coco


Photo: Caldwell Flake

BEFORE & AFTER: MICRO MAKEOVERS - WHAT A LITTLE WHITE PAINT CAN DO!

A wonderful dining or side chair painted bright white and upholstered with Kelly Wearstler's brown Emerald Cut fabric on the seat cushion...after the micro makeover (above)
These fab "micro makeover" photos come from Jill Sorensen of Marmalade Interiors in McClean, VA. Jill clearly has a knack and eye for finding an old piece of furniture with good bones and revamping to looking new, chic and oh so in style.

Here are three micro makeovers that Jill dreamed up and that made the world of difference by transforming three pieces of furniture from drab to absolutely fabulous!


Before micro makeover, the chair was light colored wood and quite bland (above)

After, the side chair is versatile and could fit in so many spaces from bedroom to dining! (above)

Before, a Craig's List find of a Danish nightstand for a bedroom was quite in need of a bit of smart refurbishing (above)


After, a few coats of shiny white paint brightens up this bedside table and makes it a versatile piece that could be used in almost any style space (above)


Before, Jill's son picked out this old toile headboard with gold edges to be made over into something that would work for a boy's room (above)


After, a coat of white paint and dark blue velvet upholstery fabric on this headboard did the trick! (above)



Thank you Jill Sorensen for these amazing micro makeovers! Stunning work!
Readers please send in your micro makeovers. I would love to see and maybe I would feature!

Is there something in your house you are thinking of painting...would a white micro makeover work? Do tell. Also, what do you think of these makeovers!

Ahhhhhhh running late...need to find an outfit that will go be appropriate for work and dinner after work...you know those days when you look in your closet and there is not a thing to wear. Well it is one of those days for me!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

DECORATING A PERFECTLY POSH WEDDING - HOW CHIC EVENT PLANNER YIFAT OREN MIGHT HELP!

The gorgeous tablescape at a Santa Barbara area wedding designed by event planner Yifat Oren (above)

Uhm...I want to get married. I do. Really I do. I do. Yooohoooo. Is it weird though that as of right now because there is not even an inkling of who might be Mr. COCOCOZY, I would like to get married to have a gorgeous party like this! I know it is weird. I want to get married to have a wonderful reception? Well I figure until I meet a cool guy and I feel so compelled to get married for the right reason - love - I'm looking at marriage as a wonderful excuse to have a great party and all of your family and friends around you and to wear a pretty dress (I forgot one other variable...the hypothetical cool guy would have to ask me to marry him in order for there to be a marriage...I am traditional in this area). Maybe, once I meet the guy, marriage to me will be about a loving relationship...and a great party of course.

These images come from renowned wedding planner and good friend the ever so chic Yifat Oren.

Yifat is widely considered one of the top wedding and event producers in the nation having planned the nuptials of stars such as Mariska Hargitay, Kevin Costner and Jason Bateman.

These lovelies are pictures of posh wedding she planned up in Montecito, CA a few springs ago. Wow. I would like this party. Hmmmm....how can I wrangle Yifat to plan a wedding for me on an unknown date and to an unknown guy...? Need to figure out this puzzle and I'll get back to you.

From a design perspective though, I love the way Yifat "decorates" a wedding. J'adore her lush tablescape filled with flowers and vessels of different heights and sizes - all creating wonderful visual interest while not overtaking the dining table. Her centerpieces are exquisite collages that ooze elegance and charm.



My babble aside about my very hypothetical marriage...now to serious stuff...

Calling all brides...real brides...(not fictional "brides" like me).... (oh and grooms too)...

Yifat has partnered with Crate & Barrel on a $100,000 wedding giveaway! One lucky winner will get the chance to have Yifat plan a gorgeous dream wedding for them.

The contest is called Crate & Barrel's Ultimate Wedding Contest...and it is going on now.

So fab...an Yifat planned wedding...it is my dream...good luck to any of those of you who do enter...or tell your friends who are getting married to enter so that you can possibly attend a fantastic event.

Oooohhh just thought of someone I think should enter...yooohoooo AZ and TG...enter...enter...enter...


Yifat designed a sophisticated lounge area at the Montecito spring wedding reception...allowing guests to mingle in an outdoor living room setting complete with upholstered Louis armchairs and settees! (above)


The cake! (above)


Celebrity wedding planner, Yifat Oren (and my friend...of course must insert me into everything...LOL) (above)
Thank you to Yifat (and to her wonderful husband Jonny Cutler) for these amazing pictures. While I don't have an immediate need for a wedding, I can dream can't I? I can dream.

How did you "decorate" your wedding...or how will you "decorate" your wedding? Any cool ideas on table settings or flowers you might want to share. Please do.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

RANDOM STUFF I'M LIKING RIGHT NOW 2.16.11!

Jonathan Adler - Large Acrylic Tray - $98 (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.


cb2 - Parlour Sofa - $999 (Grey sofa)(above)


Mantiques Modern - Giant French Pendant Lamp - $1400 for one; $2200 for two (22" diameter. 1970s chrome pendant lights. 2 availble. Circa 1970)(above)


Jonathan Adler - Rider Bench - $695 (Stool with embroidered leather seat. Nickel legs)(above)


cb2 - Fuel Red Credenza - $499


Bloomingdales - Diane von Furstenburg Sandstone Glasses - $80 for set of 4 glasses (above)
Anything here that you fancy?

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

BEST DRESSED CLOSET!

I like this dressing room. Elegant, organized, simple, tasteful. Would just die to have a space like this to get ready in the mornings. A space where all wardrobe options are easily viewed. Love the mirrored black high gloss closet doors and all of the storage...and the light...let there be light...a closet with a window! I also like the bench seating in this dressing room...perfect place to toss the latest LBD or to lounge while contemplating your latest fashion look. Oh wouldn't my clothes be happy here!

What is your ideal closet? Do you have it in place or are you still trying to pull it together?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Laura Resen

SOMETHING VERY OLD, SOMETHING QUITE NEW - WHERE FASHION AND ARCHITECTURE MEET!

Loving this three toned ancient rustic fireplace. Something so very romantic about it. Fitting...romance on Valentine's Day. The color is not red...but it works on the romance front for me.

Love the tumbled look of this fireplace...yet the refined nature of it all with the regal portrait gracing the mantel and the marble bust inside the fireplace hearth.


Love blue...I think I love blue more than any other color. My favorite color combination is green, white and brown as three colors together...but I think blue (as of late) is my favorite color. Why not shock a space or your look a bit with some very vivid blue? Would go into my closet and find some blue to wear to work today if everything in my winter wardrobe weren't jet black...hmmmm....?

As an aside, I've gotta say...spent some time browsing through what has come off the runway for fashion week...I did not find much I like (lots of patchwork huge slouchy guinea sack looking dresses (frankly quite unattractive and of no help to girls who are still trying to look cute and find a Valentine :-))...

I did, however, find these darling metallic blue pieces in Peter Som's fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection. Love the sparkling blue, the silhouettes of the long gowns. Very cute. Fun. Playful I think.

So many shades and tones of blue in one fireplace and in a few finds from last week's New York Fashion Week.


What other color reminds you of romance? What do you think of these blues?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. See the COCOCOZY Twitter Feed to see the Panda bear print dress I'm loving from Peter Som's show as well! I know...Panda bears? Haven't lost it just yet...take a look and let me know what you think on Twitter!

Photos: Simon Brown; Style.com

WEEKEND PHOTO: COZY BEDROOM DREAM!

Still longing for some time to sleep in...an opportunity to leisurely roll out of bed...I wish I could lounge around under the covers with no big to do list in front of me...just a morning in bed relaxing.

I know, I know, I know...I am sure all of you moms with kids are saying, "Don't we all wish for that sister?". I also know after meeting so many busy blogging friends in New York last week, I'm sure you are all thinking, "Yes wouldn't a day off be nice...in my dreams?".

Well we can all dream a bit maybe.

I love this little attic or dormer bedroom. Cute, cozy, well appointed. Love the gorgeous arched leaded windows, the A frame ceiling, the checkered rugs on the floors, the simple off white bed linens, the turned wood footstool at the end of the bed and the simple vase of flowers in the window.

Cut to reality...have been up since 7:30a (twirling around in circles getting nothing done), now at the salon (stylist VA agrees that this bedroom is darling), heading to do a mailing, and the list goes on.

In my dreams...hopefully in your dreams too...time to relax!

How are you spending your day today...how did you wake up...was the room anything like this?

Happy Saturday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Mali Azima

BEFORE & AFTER: MICRO MAKEOVER - ANATOMY OF A NYC SOFA REDO!

Juliana Jaoudi's newly made over sofa in her Manhattan abode. (above)

Just saw good friend Juliana Jaoudi last week in New York...she joined a group of us for dinner at the Waverly Inn last Thursday night after the gift fair.

Juliana recently (or a year ago...how time flies) moved to New York City. She moved from her adorable cottage in Venice Beach, CA (I did a post on Juliana's cute beach cottage awhile back).

Juliana made over her life by moving across country from Venice Beach to Manhattan...and just last month decided to makeover her sofa!

She bought the original sofa back in 2005 (see before photo below) and felt that she needed a more sleek modern look for her city digs.


Before, the sofa had three seat cushions and more of a traditional feel. Here it is shown in Juliana's home in Venice Beach before the move. (above)
Here's a little Q&A with Juliana about her sofa's micro makeover:

COCO: Why did you decide to makeover your couch btw?
JULIANA JAOUDI (JJ): I wanted a more modern, clean and fresh look. I bought the couch in 2005 and at the time, wanted something more traditional. And then there's the simple fact the fabric was beyond cleaning and the cushions had really lost their original shape.

COCO: Why the single seat?
JJ: The old couch felt too compartmentalized. The single seat streamlines the look as well. It's just more comfortable too. Later in the process, I remembered I had this beautiful silk fabric I bought in Shanghai a few years ago. That inspired the bolster which also simplified the look while adding beautiful color.

COCO: What is the color of the new fabric...and what type of fabric is it?
JJ: The fabric is linen (P. Kaufman Slubby linen). The color is Ivory. I bought it at Zarin's here in New York. I was worried about linen not holding its shape but this particular cut is thicker and perfect for a couch, chair or major piece of furniture (vs. an accessory).

COCO: What was the old fabric?
JJ: I bought the couch at Grace Home Furnishings in Brentwood. It's the Churchill. The manufacturer is Dino Mark Anthony I don't know the actual mill but the color was "St. Andrews Pearl." It had a nice herringbone pattern and was a chenille type of fabric.


After, Juliana's sofa now has more of a sleek modern feel to it with the single seat cushion, squared off back pillows and the modern clean ivory fabric. Love this! (above)

COCO: Why not just get a new couch?
JJ: I liked the idea of a makeover. I moved from California to New York City and while I'm still me, there's an element of reinvention when creating a new home. I'm sentimental too! I'm attached to the couch (as much as one can be attached to a piece of furniture) since I bought it for my house in Venice Beach. Practically speaking, I knew what I wanted and just didn't want to confuse myself with all the other choices out there. It likely would have cost just as much and this way, I was able to customize it to my liking.



Thank you Juliana for sharing your micro makeover. Love the new look!

Readers...by the way...I'm defining micro makeover as just a small makeover to one item or corner of your house that can make all of the difference. Please send me any photos of your micro makeovers and perhaps I'll feature (cococozy@gmail.com).

Happy Friday all!

xo
Coco

P.S. Check out ElleDecor.com's weekly "Designer Insiders' Weekly Finds: Friday February 11" to see my COCOCOZY pick of the week. Thank you Leah for asking me to participate!