Storage Stars

Whether you consider yourself an organized person or not, you're sure to have heard the old adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" at least once before in your life. It's a timeworn value that's very much alive in my house. But as both professional organizer and interior designer, the "place" must always be just as pretty as it practical.

My files live in 3 identical dark woven pandan boxes. My socks and underthings know only labeled canvas bins as their homes. Everything from the sporting equipment by my entryway to the cooking utensils in my kitchen to the Q-tips in my bathroom are all stored in appropriately sized wicker containers. Every functional storage piece I chose reflects my style and love of natural materials, is pretty to look at while serving its valuable purpose. Aside from in my attic where temperature and an imminent leak someday are factors, there are hardly any plastic tubs under my roof. (My one exception: OXO's BPA-free POP Containers for food staples like rice and pasta and for my son's markers and crayons. Plastic, yes, but still pretty cute.)

I'm pleased to see more aesthetically pleasing storage pieces on the market than ever before, for every style and taste, for children and adults alike. Function is just a given for these beauties.


Printed Canvas Storage Bins from Garnet Hill in 3 new patterns range from $28 - $48.


Handmade Senegalese Storage Baskets from Serena & Lily, on sale for $54 - $118 (shown in Aqua/Orange, also available in White/Natural, Pink and Blue).


Cargo Naturals File Box in Bluestone from Home Decorators is made from 100% recycled, post-consumer material and available in 3 other colors $36 (the collection also includes magazine butlers and boxes of various sizes).


Ikat Woven Storage Bins from West Elm range from $39 - $59.



Firenze Handbag Storage $21.99 and Open Bin $14.99, two styles from the somewhat preppy fabric-covered Firenze Storage Collection available at The Container Store.


Ikat Storage Stool $149 from Viva Terra.


Target Home Milk Crate in Paulowinia Wood $24.99 from Target.


Every healthy kitchen could use the organizational efficiency of this Farmers Market Epergne $75 from Sundance.


Patterned Storage Vanity Stool $79.99 from Bed, Bath & Beyond.


I prefer the original flea market version, but if you don't have the time to scour endless stalls, then these Industrial Baskets and Liners - Set of 3 $239 from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child are quite authentic looking.


Chalkboard Office Accessories from cb2 range from $4.50 - $39.95.


Mini Mountain Peaks Bath Basket $48 from Anthropologie is also available in two other shapes/sizes.


For adorable, handmade fabric baskets, head to Sewing Momma's Etsy shop for one-of-a-kind storage like this bin, pictured, $27.99.


A Tad Plaid Storage Baskets from Land of Nod are $49 for a set of 3 and are available in Pink Plaid or Blue Plaid.


3 Sprouts Organic Monkey Storage Bin in Yellow $39.99 from All Modern.


Trend Lab Baby Caterpillar Storage Bins - Set of 3 $47.99 from Kmart.

Monday Color: Aqua

I'm cheating today. I already wrote a post on turquoise several months ago, which is basically the fraternal twin of aqua. But aqua is a little muddier, a little deeper, with an intensity all its own, making it worthy of its own coverage. It's also a color I just used in a nursery project in Manhattan, so it's all over my radar right now.



















Images above:

1. A living room designed by actress Julianne Moore, featuring an aqua sofa, paler blue walls and layers of textural neutrals, from The Lennoxx.

2. Found on Travel for Design, the high gloss finish on these walls is perfectly contrasted to the mellow soft aqua blue (design by Steven Gambrel) .

3. The Upper East Side Manhattan nursery that I just completed for a client's second child, marrying a soothing aqua with bold orange and clean white.

4. A few pops of aqua have a big impact in a home office that I also designed.

5. Blue Lulu rug from Madeline Weinrib.

6. West Elm's new Organic Cotton Ironwork Duvet and Shams

7. Equinox Armchair from Barlow & Tyrie with Aquarmarine Sling.

8. From the colorful Juicy Jute grasscloth collection by Philllip Jeffries, this Tantalizing Teal hue in a natural woven paper is completely unexpected.

9. Labyrinth Dinnerwear from Z Gallerie.

Monday Color: Pale Gray

The skies over Long Beach this morning were a beautiful muted silvery gray, enhanced by the light fog that rolled in and out all day (even when the sun finally broke through for the afternoon). Easily swayed by the visual world around me, I decided to pick pale gray as today's Monday Color. I use both warm and cool versions of this easy neutral in design projects all the time and find it is always a soothing hue to be surrounded by. As spare as my wardrobe is, I must have half a dozen pale gray tanks and V-necks in my closet; I guess this color is sort of the design equivelent of my favorite gray T-shirt staples.



















Images above:

1. A serenely organized office in an all-gray palette from Martha Stewart's Living.

2. Also from Living, I love the silvery elegance of this living room.

3. A crisp gray and white Southampton bedroom designed by Vincente Wolf.
http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/gray-rooms-1110?click=main_sr

4. A pale gray living room with a few pops of earth tones (Elle Decor image via The Enchanted Home ).

5. The Eleanor pattern from The Wallpaper Collective.

6. The classic Stockton Dinnerwear from Crate & Barrel features a wide band of dove gray.

7. The elegant 5' x 8' Tamira Rug in light gray by Surya

8. The Stokke Sleepi Bassinet & Crib Nursery Set in Gray, available through www.allmodern.com, is a contemporary alternative to white or wood toned cribs.

9. The Organic Cotton Ruched Throw in platinum from West Elm.

Go West!!

The days of limited eco-friendly bedding choices are behind us and the future keeps getting brighter! The new organic cotton bedding patterns from West Elm boast colorful, artistic, nature-themed designs that can transform your bedroom.....and the planet! Their two new 200 thread count organic cotton collections are made from certified GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) fibers - as are the older patterns featured below - and are part of West Elm's vision to bring greener home design products to the mainstream (read more here). These bedding options can help us all rest more soundly. Here are a few of the highlights:


NEW!! Organic Reflections Duvet and Shams


NEW!! Organic Lilly Pad Duvet and Shams


Organic Bloom Duvet Cover and Shams


Organic Dandelion Duvet Cover and Shams


Organic Cotton Pintuck Duvet Cover and Shams (the longest running style in their organic cotton collections, offered in 8 different hues).



Organic Butterfly Collage Duvet and Shams (available in Cactus and Ivory; both on sale!)