Monday Color: Cobalt Blue

As my Christmas spirit is forced into high gear by my six year old, I wanted to turn away from the blur of reds and greens for a moment and focus on one of my favorite colors, and also the hue associated with the even faster approacher Hanukkah holiday: Cobalt Blue. Cobalt is bold and intense but not totally without the soothing properties of the blue family. Like all blues, it is also incredibly versatile but makes especially good partners with light neutrals and its warm color wheel opposites like a pinky salmon and rust orange. Whether you're dusting off your blue decorations and Menorah in preparation for the festival of lights or just a fan of the hue like I am, please read on to see the many facets of striking Cobalt Blue.



































Images above:

1. A stunning high-gloss entryway from Elle Decor.

2. Pops of Cobalt Blue in a sea of white and light neutrals found on cococozy.com.

3. Accents of Cobalt Blue again, but this time against loads of complimentary orange hues (from Decor Pad).

4. I love the way this kitchen is pulled from the blue and white china held in its colorful cabinets (from Attic Mag).

5. A vignette from an all-Cobalt bedroom, found on StudioTen25's blog.

6. This image on That Bohemian Girl proves that Cobalt Blue makes a beautiful backdrop for virtually any hue.

7. An inspirational post on The Design Traveller showing the more dramatic side of Cobalt.

8. Another collage of blues found on Interiorly.

9. A Cobalt Blue sofa is the signature piece in this eclectic living room, found on Tile Tramp.

10. A simple yet festive Hanukkah table setting found on the Cote De Texas blog.

11. Ginger Cobalt Side Table from Crate & Barrel.

12. Set of 20 Shatterproof Christmas Ornaments in Cobalt Blue from Meijer.

13. KitchenAid's Artisan Mixer in Cobalt Blue available on Amazon.

14. Creatures A-Z Print in Cobalt Blue by Bond and Noble, available from Garrendenny Lane.

15. Recycled Glass Cobalt Blue 15 1/2" Star Dish by Traders & Company, available from Amazon.com.

16. Blue leather Howell Wingback Chair from Anthropologie.

17. Blue Wood Mantel Clock from West Elm, also available in 3 other colors.

Etsy Love: Baby Green Shop (again!)

When I first highlighted my own Etsy Baby Green Shop, it was a brand new venture. Now that I've had some sales and posted new vintage items and baby baskets, I'm really starting to feel like part of the Etsy family. And just last week, The Huffington Post took notice and featured one of my new parents gift baskets. Ah, validation!! Their Gifts For A New Mom slideshow features 9 ideal Etsy finds for new parents, with one of my gift baskets as the opener.



An example of one of my baby gift baskets complete with a natural wooded toy, a handmade organic cotton baby bib, and two all-natural baby care products from the ShakleeBaby line (baskets start around $50 and all have customizable one-of-a-kind options).


One of my newer vintage additions: a half dozen 1960's Shafford 'Primitive Collection' Dessert Plates.
**NEW VINTAGE ITEMS WILL BE ADDED SOMETIME THIS WEEKEND!! PLEASE CHECK BACK!


This is a $30 Holiday Gift Basket that I made on request that is appropriate for just about anyone from co-workers to teachers. It includes an Enfuselle Lip Treatment SPF15, a Meadow Blend Soap-Free Cleansing Bar and an Herbal Blend Multi-Purpose Cream, all from Shaklee, in a gift-ready basket.


This Holiday Spa Basket is $60 and includes a luxuriously moisturizing Enfuselle Spa Shea Butter Cream, an all-natural Enfuselle Moisturizing Shower Gel, and a Loofah in a brown fabric bathroom organizer caddy.

**THE ABOVE TWO ITEMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON MY ETSY SHOP, SO PLEASE EMAIL ME AT ajm2727@gmail.com FOR ORDERING AND PRODUCT INFORMATION. CUSTOM GIFT BASKETS AT ANY PRICE POINT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE!!

Reclaimed Wood Part 2

Last week, I put the spotlight on reclaimed wood tables fit for a season of holiday feasts, but in my searches I found so many inspiring applications of re-used timber for every surface of the house that I just had to share some of them.


Reclaimed wood kitchen counters from Natural Home and Garden.


A reclaimed wood clad wall found on House to Home/Living Etc.


The lobby of the Metropolitan Planning Council boasts a beautiful salvaged gate on the wall and reclaimed wood ceilings.


Beautiful reclaimed tongue and groove Ash flooring and vintage furnishings in an eco-friendly Flatiron loft I designed.


Salvaged sliding barn doors found on Apartment Therapy San Francisco.


Another barn door makes a natural backdrop for a modern baby's crib and the perfect mounting surface for lights (found on The Lil House That Could).


Reclaimed wood abound in the guest rooms of the Portland Ace Hotel.


A custom reclaimed wood grow light by Custom Made.


A table lamp made of reclaimed printing wood blocks, found on The Designer Insider.


A rustic reclaimed wood kitchen island found on Fresh Home Ideas only gains more character with nicks, scratches and stains.



This perfectly balanced bedroom features a reclaimed wood barn door painted a bold yellow and salvaged wood tagged with the word love as a headboard.

Monday Color: Pine Green

I know, I know, it's getting a little ridiculous that I keep infusing my eco-principles into my Monday Color posts, but we all must draw our inspiration from somewhere, right? And I have mentioned a few times that I seem to be running out of colors to feature.

The hot topic around my house right now is whether or not to get a real Christmas tree. I'm opposed of course. Not against buying a tree that was farmed and cut for that purpose, but because of what happens to it after we enjoy it for a few weeks. Drive around most neighborhoods in early January on garbage day and you'll see piles of discarded trees bound for the landfill. That's not cool. But my six year old son wants a tree, so I'm obligated to at least consider the options. Real tree with roots and all that can be planted after the holidays? An artificial tree many feet taller than the puny one we had all the years we lived in the city that can be used again and again? A cut tree that we take to the chipper or other appropriate recycler in the new year? Or something 100% tree-free and totally creative? Of course I'm leaning toward the latter, but not having much luck swaying my little boy.

So, I'm just going to go ahead and embrace the mighty pine tree today, at least for this post (and because I may soon be welcoming one into my home). The green that I most associate with conifers of the Northeast where I'm from is a cold dark green with a tint of blue-gray in it, like the Douglas Fir, one of the most common species grown as Christmas trees. Pine Green has been an official Crayola Crayon color since 1949 - I did not know this! While other shades of green seem to be more popular in interiors, Pine Green is still a comforting, easy-to-live with hue. Read on to see more.....

































Images above:

1. This bedroom found on Interior Design Styles features deep Pine Green painted woodwork with a lighter green and white palette throughout, complimented cheerfully with pops of salmon.

2. A deep Pine Green on lower cabinets lightens in the medium-toned backsplash and pales to a mint green on upper cabinets in this retro-country kitchen.

3. A dark Pine Green wall with turquoise swirls is balanced by bleached wood and lots of white.

4. A cozy dressing room found on housetohome.co.uk.

5. A deep green has an old-world feel on these floor-to-ceiling library shelves (from Katy Elliot).

6. Stunningly rich green tiles in a master bathroom look opulent but yet earthy (found on Attic Mag).

7. Pine Green is a classic home exterior trim color too.

8. Fine Little Day's Gran Wallpaper is available in 6 different color ways.

9. To add a little country kitsch, how about this Pine Tree End Table from Cottage Surroundings?

10. The Mason Jar Snow Globes from Anthropologie have an extra-nostalgic appeal.

11. A clever D.I.Y. holiday door mat from the geniuses at A Beautiful Mess.

12. A reproduction-style mailbox spray painted in Pine Green, as found on Country Living.

13. Glittered Christmas Tree Candle from Z Gallerie.

14. A modern pine print on the Marimekko Manty Green Gift Wrap from Crate & Barrel.

15. Colonial Mills Braided Poly Rectangular Rug in Dark Green; it's synthetic but that means it can be used indoors or out and the braided construction gives it textural interest.

16. Holiday Tree Coasters from Paizley Polkadot's Etsy Shop.

Reclaimed Wood Dining Tables

With the holiday season well underway, it's family feast time!! If your dining table isn't standing up to your guest load, maybe it's time to consider a new one made from materials that aren't so new. Here's my round-up of reclaimed wood dining tables:


This Old Elm Trestle Table from Furniture Classics Ltd is made of reclaimed building-grade elm and left in its found, weathered, unfinished state for a one-of-a-kind table with history.


The Parsons Reclaimed Wood Top Dining Table from Crate & Barrel has a compact footprint and a modern, hot-rolled steel base that contrasts the reclaimed wood top beautifully.


C.G. Spark's Reclaimed Teak Wood Dining Table and Benches Set is the right size and durability for a lifetime of holiday feasts.


The feminine shape of this Reclaimed Wood Round Pedestal Table from Edie's Lab on Etsy is balanced by the rough-hewn planks of reclaimed southern pine.


The Vintage Farm Tool Rectangular Dining Tables from Restoration Hardware combine the character of vintage garden tools and the rustic look of reclaimed pine.


The Country Manor Table from Sundance is made from reclaimed wood, much of which still retains patches of colored paint from its original life as barn siding.