November 04, 2020

Cozy Cocktails

November 04, 2020/ Meryl

Hello Friends during this time finding comfort in our homes and holding our own celebrations… be it a Friday night or even every night has become central to many. We want to celebrate getting through the week… say Cheers on Zoom with family - or our fellow Book Club members… we want to extol Yay we’re making it through. This week I’m sharing some very inviting home bars! Bottoms Up!

Alison Sheffield and Stephen Sheffield’s Butler Pantry

This butlers pantry is in the Cohasset MA home of Alison and Stephen Sheffield. They started a phenomenon on IG with their Friday evening Sheffield Cocktail Hour. They have amassed a loyal following - partly due to the banter between them… Alison filming while Stephen bar-tends is marvelous also their choices of libations are delicious and it’s a brilliant way to feel connected!

I have always had a fascination with drinks table - a place to stop and grab something. I don’t often have one but, I do love this spot in the diningroom

Interior Designer Jen Dulac found this gem on Facebook Marketplace - she took an old dental cabinet and transformed it into a stunning piece for her clients.

“libation - beverage especially : a drink containing alcohol ”

— Merriam-Webster

I remember the spot in my childhood home - the counter in the kitchen between the upper cabinets that held glassware and the bottom cabinet that held liquor and Daddy pulling the bottles out for parties and setting up the bar - complete with an ice bucket - oh friends - the memory of making ice for days in the old fashion ice trays to build up a reserve!

In the Chalet my glass is raised Cin Cin, Sláinte, and Skål to all of you!

I am also raising my glass in honor of my wonderful hubby who celebrates a milestone birthday this week and who makes sure I never ever run out of Prosecco - Thank you so very much - I love you HBD! xoxo

Til next time stay safe!

Images: Accounts Listed and Linked.

August 19, 2020

The Colors We Live With

August 19, 2020/ Meryl

Hey friends - since I recently finished painting the kitchen it started me thinking about the chosen paint colors in the Chalet and then of course I thought - I bet all of you would appreciate learning the paints some friends and interior designers chose for their own homes - so here they are enjoy!

Ann Lacouture - lives with her family of six in a custom built home in Florence, OR. When asked to share her homes paint colors I received a resounding “You bet!” She only has 4 colors in her entire vibrant and well curated home. Most of the downstairs - the living room, dining, kitchen, halls and entry is The Plaza - a very light bluish grey - by Devoe. Ann used another Devoe color in their office/craft room Chelsea’s Fog at 1/2 strength. Both her sons and daughters rooms are painted with Benjamin Moore Simply White and the upstairs guest room is painted Benjamin Moore Hale Navy.

Carli - shares an 1878 mansard roofed gem with her family of six. Over the last two years the structure has been completely rehabbed and filled with her distinctive modern aesthetic. Sherwin Williams is her brand of choice; in the livingroom using Snowbound with First Star on the fireplace and trim. The diningroom and kitchen share the same palette. Obsidian Glass covers the board and batten in the diningroom along with the peninsula in the kitchen with Basalt Powder on all the walls. The back entry hall walls are Repose Gray with Black Magic on the door.

Dana Dore - over the last four years Dana has injected a ton of farmhouse charm and character into the newer home she shares with her family of four. Her go-to brand is Benjamin Moore. In her livingroom she used Cloud Cover. Moon Shadow is on the upper part of the walls in the diningroom with Simply White on the board and batten. She’s also used Simply White in the hall and the upper walls in the principal bedroom and Old Prairie on the board and batten. There is a delicate tonality to her home.

Erica Swagler - has lived in the historic Lyman Trumbull House home built in the 1830’s since 2007 with her family of four and their latest addition kitty Phoebe. Erica has been published in The National Trust for Historic Places and you can see is a serious collector of vintage goodness. Sherwin Williams Geyser Steam is in her livingroom and Red Bay in their family room. Erica chose Olde Century Colors paints using Cupboard Blue in the office and Olde Mustard in the kitchen of this renowned structure with beautiful results.

Jen Dulac - lives with her family of five in a center hall colonial. She is always exploring the idea of what makes a house a home! The livingroom is painted with Benjamin Moore Navajo White and Benjamin Moore Mascarpone trim. The diningroom is recently painted with Farrow and Ball De Nimes with the trim in Benjamin Moore Mascarpone. Fun fact: the French city of Nimes is where denim was invented! As in De Nimes = denim! The kitchen and family room are Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter 1/2 strength with the kitchen cabinets and trim throughout both spaces in Sherwin Williams White Tail. The principal bedroom is alive with warmth from Benjamin Moore Warm Blush.

Jen's Master Bedroom megan booth artchitectural photo.JPG

Katherine Thewlis - lives with her family of three and their dog in a 1970’s rambler. The home had never been updated until Katherine started two years ago. She’s worked her magic introducing tons of pattern and color! She chose Benjamin Moore Oregano for the livingroom walls with Huntington Beige on fireplace, the diningoom has stunning Kendall Charcoal walls. The kitchen sports Chantilly Lace on the upper cabinets, Onyx on the lowers and she finished the incredibly detailed peninsula in Behr Retro Pink. The principal bedroom is Ralph Lauren Iron Blue.

Me - the Chalet reflects my favorite hues Blue, Beige, Pink and White. The livingroom, diningroom and lower stairwell walls are Benjamin Moore Putnam Ivory with 1/2 strength on the ceiling. We’ve used Behr in the rest of the Chalet. The porch walls are Behr Ultra Interior Matte White 1752 with a Serene Sky ceiling. The kitchen walls are English Channel with Pink Prism on the ceiling. Pink Prism is in both the upstairs hall and the stair hall to the basement. We used the same Behr Ultra Interior Matte White 1752 in our sons room, family bath and on all the trim throughout the house. Our bedroom walls and ceiling are Vienna Lace.

When I thought of this article and these women it was because each has such a unique style. I thank them all for saying YES!

I know you’re just as inspired as I am! Please click the links for these brilliant women and give them a follow. Til next time friends wear a mask!

All Images Belong to Accounts Above.

August 12, 2020

KP Duty

August 12, 2020/ Meryl

Hi Friends after many months the kitchen refresh is finally complete!

Back in February I popped into Home Depot and came home with a sample of English Channel. I am not someone who needs a plethora of swatches. I knew I wanted a dark blue but, not navy and this color fills the bill perfectly.

On Friday July 24th we celebrated 17 years of ownership here at the Chalet. In that time all but two spaces have been redone at least once. (We like what we like and we like it for a long time! hahaha!) So the kitchen was one of the spaces that had not seen any updates since the original remodeling project in January 2005.

This is our kitchen in its full Ben Moore Pumpkin Spice glory…. I loved the color so much for so long - until I didn’t. I started talking about painting the kitchen a dark blue last fall. I saw some raised eyebrows and I get it - I really do - the space is about 9’ x 9’ and I’m being generous - the measurement from the frig to the diningroom is 6’ 6 inches.

If you follow along on IG than you never see this space. It’s small, hard to photograph and the light levels vary between barely any to being very bright thanks to it bouncing off our neighbors house.

In April I painted the trim - the problem was I didn’t have the wall and ceiling paint. This is my very sweet husband - he went to the store (during the the height of the pandemic here in New Jersey) and bought me paint. I started painting the ceiling Behr Paint Pink Prism in May but, as it is with life especially during Covid the project stalled. On July 22nd he took pity on me and gave the ceiling the second coat it needed and then my friends I was off to the races!

I painted for 6 hours on Friday July 24th (that magical 17th Houseaversary) and for another 8 hours the next day. I know you’re thinking what?1? 14 hours to paint such a small space but, I started brushing and stuck with it. I like brushes they offer me a control I don’t feel with a roller. I also used artists brushes to get in to some of the nooks and crannies.

By Saturday night there was Art! Thanks so much Christina for lending your eye!

“KP duty is “kitchen police” or “kitchen patrol”...”

— Wikipedia

This image proves the ceiling really is Pink!

This fabric was the jumping off point for the rest of the elements in the space. Originally I thought about going in a chinoiserie direction but, when I closed my eyes and asked myself what did I want to live with? What did I see in my minds eye? Something I Ask Clients To Do… I saw fun with a modern twist and this fabric is the perfect blend of color and pattern to tell that story.

I first saw this fabric on my friend and Interior Designer Cameron Jones IG feed, she was sweet enough to grab a yard and mail it from Raleigh, North Carolina. It had been sitting in a bin in my basement for a few years - I am so glad I hadn’t used it for pillows or a client! So the last thing I tackled were the cafe curtains.

I hope this has inspired you and let you see even professionals can struggle to get projects finished - for one reason or another.

This pretty space is getting a break while we’re at the beach - breathing in salt air, eating donuts, playing mini-golf - all while self distancing and wearing masks. Please know I’m here for assistance - email me - no project or query is too small!

Take care and Please wear your mask!