Bench Warmer

I have been stalking and drooling over this lovely tufted bench from Restoration Hardware for months, and today, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered it! I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of a beautiful, charcoal, vintage velvet baby.

The bench features stain-resistant upholstery, which is fantastic since it will be serving as extra seating at our dining table when we have guests. I just love the banquette-y feel of plush benches mixed in with slightly more formal seating arrangements.

 

When we're not entertaining, I'm going to roll this rockstar's pretty little casters all over our home. There are tons of great spots to park a bench. By a window, at the foot of a bed, near the entryway, or even floating in the middle of a room. Our custom order should be ready to ship in 5-6 weeks. I am totally counting the days!

{Image credits: Restoration Hardware, Sara Richardson, Windsor Smith, Ryan Korban, McGill Design Group}

Cheers & Ciao!

2010 was a whirlwind of madness. I can hardly believe it's over! This past year, I found myself pulled in endless directions. Ignoring intuition, I jumped into a sea of commitments and obligations, and resurfaced physically and emotionally exhausted. I did not spend nearly enough time doing the things I love with the people I adore.

Recently, I have been challenging myself to sift through the chaos and pinpoint the burdens I need to surrender. As a result, I've discovered several ambitions I absolutely must embrace in order to live a happier, healthier, better life in 2011.

- Explore & indulge in whatever inspires me and spurs my passion for creativity, and refuse to feel guilty about it just because some people don't consider it "productive" or "relevant". I will do what I love, do it often, take chances, and make it worthwhile.

- Write! I write all day long for a job that does not allow me to exercise my imagination. I will purposely allocate the time and outlets necessary for the expression of my personal thoughts, ideas, and sentiments.

- Invest all my best into the people I love, and stretch myself to the fullest in each relationship. Be graceful, generous, supportive, and kind. And remember to forgive.

- Cultivate myself professionally, and intentionally pursue opportunities that excite me and will hopefully lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding career path.

I'm thankful for a fresh start, and beyond excited for the many wonderful things that await us!

Our New "Old" Coffee Table

Chris and I have been on the hunt for a new coffee table for the past several weeks. For the last 5 years, our coffee table has consisted of a round pane of thick smoky glass placed over a block of wood I had painted a glossy black. Not entirely glamorous, but it served us well and was not a complete eyesore as we acquired other pieces of furniture around it over time. The coffee table is something we spend a lot of time around, watching telly, chatting, reading, and eating. It is ultimately the center stage of our home life, where we spend time with each other and with our guests. So when the time for an upgrade had finally arrived, I wanted to make sure we invested in a table that could be cherished for years to come. Something classic that can take the wear and tear of daily use and remain beautiful and relevant as our lifestyle continues to evolve.

While glass tables are versatile and elegant and do not take up a lot of visual space, they also are not very forgiving with dust and smudges. The natural alternative was a wooden table, but for a while I resisted the notion, thinking I would be too anal about nicks, scratches, and staining.

Enter the Brickmaker's Table.

Also known as bricklayer's tables, these gorgeous tables feature tops made from reclaimed wood pallets originally used by brickmakers to dry and transport bricks. They're virtually indestructible, and any scratches and patina will only add to their charm. Although Chris generally grants me total creative freedom when it comes to choosing furniture for our home, I try to steer away from overly feminine aesthetics. Paired with clean lines and wrought iron detailing, this design unites vintage and polished modern style elements for a beautiful rustic-chic combo style that is right up our alley.

{Image credits: Restoration Hardware, Velvet & Linen, Bobo Intruiging Objects, Ashley Goforth Designs}

I've been enamored with bricklayer's tables for quite some time, but most of the ones I'd come across had been insanely expensive. Then I laid eyes on this beauty from Ballard Designs.

The Durham Cocktail Table is more of an "inspired by" piece and is not constructed from an authentic brickmaker's pallet, but it boasts the same solid hardwood top, weathered elements, and sleek lines that I adore, at a generous size and a great price. The lower shelf provides tons of space for storing away the clutter that always seems to accumulate on our table, and it's perfect for displaying books and knickknacks. The glazed top enhances the natural beauty of the woodgrain and provides a neutral canvas that can be styled up or left bare for a casual feel. Needless to say, I am loving our new table, and look forward to the wonderful times and people we will be enjoying around it.