Blog Archives

The Best Collection

7/18/2014

This beautiful home definitely makes me want to not only step up my souvenir game, but also sand down our hardwood floors and paint them white (do you think the landlord would mind?). My souvenirs typically consist of items that don't make the cut each time I have moved. What a waste!! Stylist and Photographer Kara Rosenlund has collected and curated a beautiful collection from her travels around the globe that effortlessly falls together in her Australian abode.

" One of the first things we did was to sand and paint the floor boards white, the dynamic of the entire house just in terms of the amount of light we had – it became very uplifting.” - Kara Rosenlund for Design Sponge

“The mantle is just an old piece of wood; I wanted something basic and traditional to display just a few favourite objects. The portrait was just recently found for a cool five bucks!”- Kara Rosenlund for Design Sponge

“This hatrack is really practical as I madly dash in and out of the house daily. A handy spot to pile up summer hats and bags… and also I love it when my eye catches this old photograph of my mother when she was a girl, taken in her fathers veggie patch not far from where we live today.” - Kara Rosenlund for Design Sponge

All photos and quotes: Design Sponge
Read the full post here

Boston Local: Beacon Hill Oasis

7/13/2014

One of my favorite pastimes is to scour the internet looking for pictures of amazingly decorated places and spaces from around the world. It's kind of a funny hobby to have especially when some of the most beautiful spaces I've seen belong to some of my nearest and dearest here in Boston and across the country. Their apartments and homes are more than gawk-worthy and I am so excited to be able to feature a few of them here on Champagne and Peanuts!

The first is a Beacon Hill oasis that belongs to my dear friend from college, Edith, her soon-to-be hubby, Warner, and their adorable Westie, Piper. Edith and Warner have brought traditional and modern together in a sun-drenched space full of personality and unique touches. Not only is Edith the sweetest and most loyal friend a girl could ask for, she is also impossibly stylish. She's the girl who introduced me to my first pair of designer jeans and who opened my eyes to a world beyond The Gap (I still love The Gap don't get me wrong). It's been so fun to watch as her style has grown and Edith and Warner certainly have a knack for making even a rented space feel like their own.

"A lot of the furniture we purchased years ago. The rest has been added along the way as we have moved and had adventures in different places. We have moved 9 times in the last 7 years between the 2 of us so really have it down at this point. We have only kept the things we really love. We also seem to have collected some wonderful pieces of art along the way. My dad is an artist and Warner's mom is an interior designer here in Boston so they have certainly helped us curate a lovely collection" - Edith

It's no surprise that this Beacon Hill abode is charming, sweet, and a little silly... Just like Edith and Warner are.

Couch - Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams // Coffee table - Noguchi // Side Chair - Vintage Knoll //
Dining Table - Design Within Reach // Rug - Hand Woven in Tibet // Lucite side table: CB2 //
Lucite Dining Chairs: Victoria Ghost Chairs

"The personalized coasters were a gift from Warner's sister and the elephant was a gift from my Mom when I graduated from Tufts." - Edith

The green square cut emerald ring was handmade by one Edith's best friends. The oval amethyst ring is vintage Tiffany & Co. circa 1984 and was a gift from her parents on her 21st birthday. Similarly the large lady of the night pendent is vintage Tiffany & Co. from around the same time period.

"The painting above the fireplace is by Mikel Wintermantel and is the view from my grandparents house in Cohassett, a place very close to the heart." - Warner

"I've been longing after the work of Ariele Alasko for years. She makes such beautiful things but everything is always sold out. Warner has been trying for a long time to get me a wooden spoon and he surprised me with one earlier this year. I absolutely love it." - Edith

The chairs are vintage Knoll purchased in NYC and covered in chic faux lambskins from Ikea. A great way to add iconic pieces and current trends in an affordable way.

"A lot of the artwork in the apartment is my Dad's. The piece above the TV "Lady on Stairs" is one of my most prized possessions. My farther is a brilliant artist and took the photograph." - Edith
(Follow Jeff Elliott on Instagram: FJEFFOELLIOTT or jeffriselliott.com)

Book Case - Sapien Book Case // Indian - Vintage // Bags - Chanel, Joie

Bed - ABC Carpet and Home // Bedding - Pratesi // Bedside Lamps - West Elm // Rug - Souvenir from Morocco //
Perfect West Highland White Terrier- Priceless

"Anyone that knows me well knows I love nothing more than sleeping in on a rainy day, having breakfast, and reading a book in bed. I could probably live in that bed and be happy. We have tons of fluffy pillows, the softest sheets in the world, and the most perfect puppy to keep us warm on cold Boston nights." - Edith

"The jewelry tree & jewelry box are both from Anthropology, the stones were collected from various places close to my heart (our lake house in Michigan, travels in Africa, Esalen in Big Sur etc). Warner carved the mini piper with his bare hands as a Christmas gift. The photograph on the wall was taken by Jack and is of my grandmother and the other is a photo of my mom and dad is from one of their first dates." - Edith

"A good man always carries a hanky."- Warner

Warner's extensive handkerchief collection next to a handmade gift from Edith. "I've just seen a face" by the Beatles is the couple's favorite song and the Westie imagery found around the apartment is of course inspired by their sweet dog, Piper.

"Our favorite thing to do is to walk Piper along the brick streets at night with the gas lamps blazing and beautiful windowboxes full of hydrangea. It's perfectly romantic and makes you feel transplanted to another century." -Edith

Thank you Edith and Warner for sharing your beautiful home!

XOX

All photos are mine... photography skills = a work in progress ;)