Early Morning Commute @ Grand Central

Posted on | February 26, 2010 | 17 Comments

Hands down my favorite building in New York is Grand Central Station. The last few years I worked in New York I lived in Connecticut and had to commute through Grand Central everyday. I know that seems crazy that I lived in another state and commuted back and forth but it’s actually a quick 45 minute express train ride. I honestly miss my train rides. I loved reading, knitting, and just having some quiet time to chill out after work.

Last week, when I was in New York I commuted in with my sister. The morning light was gorgeous trickling down on the station floor. The green ceiling above was probably my first inspiration for my den. It’s gorgeous in so many different types of light. If I close my eyes I can hear the quiet rumble of voices and high heels bouncing off the stone walls.

Grand Central Station
15 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY
grandcentralterminal.com

Category: New York, on the streets

Working On Cable Knit Hat

Posted on | February 25, 2010 | 10 Comments

I started two new knitting classes this week. We are working on the red cable knit hat and fingerless gloves shown in the photo above. I was off to a good start on my cable knit hat when I realized on row ten I dropped a stitch in the second row. Crap. I had to pull it all out and start over. I could have probably done a fix but my ribbing was too loose. I decided to switch to smaller needles and give it another go. I am working in the dark gray yarn to the right.

My fingerless gloves are going to be gorgeous. I picked out a marbled gray, brown and cream undyed baby alpaca from Cascade yarns. I’ll share more photos as I move along with my projects.

On the left is basic garter stitch scarf for my sister. I made a hat to match. Hopefully, I will get the scarf done for her birthday!

Since we are talking knitting. I’ve been eyeing this beautiful baby knit book by Debbie Bliss at my local yarn shop. Gorgeous. I want to make everything in big kids sizes. And one more link. I totally want to make fingerless gloves in a beautiful Jade color like I saw over at Brora.

Related Posts:
My First Knit Hat
Knitting A Pouf

Category: diy, textiles

Echinacea & Diy Planters

Posted on | February 24, 2010 | 2 Comments

from top left: Coconut Lime, Green Envy, Pink Poodle, and Fragrant Angel.

It’s been a cold rainy mix of snow here in New England for the past few days. I saw some daffodil bulbs poking through the ground this morning but I think they are just confused. Go back to sleep flowers, it’s not time.

For some reason I’ve been thinking a lot about Echinacea and how I would like to sneak a few into the sunny spots of my garden. I love the ruffled edges of the Pink Poodle and the unusual color combo of Green Envy. Hmm which two will I pick? I wish I could fit them all but my garden is small.

Did you happen to see that great diy hypertufa pot article in the recent Martha Stewart Living? The instructions are online too. I love the texture. I can’t wait to try making a few this summer.

diy pots martha stewart Echinacea & Diy Planters

Category: flowers, garden

Layered Linen and Leather

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 24 Comments

How do you combine both masculine and feminine styles? For many of us our boyfriends, husbands, or roommates don’t want to live in a world of flowers and pink.

When at my sister’s house last week I snapped a few photos to show how she successfully created a home that combines both her and her husband’s style. Her husband has always had a very vocal design opinion. He began collecting vintage posters and antique rugs obsessively in his early 20’s. They bought their home about 6 six years ago just north of New York City. The house has evolved to become a layered mix of masculine and feminine styles that’s classic and family friendly.

In their living room a handsome leather sofa from Restoration Hardware is deep enough for evening cuddling in front of the fire with the kids. Her husband’s antique rugs layered on the floor warms the space and adds patterning and texture. Vintage French posters and a large abstract painting (by me!) pop off neutral walls. Linen accented curtains, chairs, and a tufted bench infuse softer feminine detailing. Further details such as vintage ceramics, an eagle convex mirror, and brass pharmacy lights gives the room a timeless worn-in feel.

living room linen accents Layered Linen and Leather

4382466196 670c6931c4 Layered Linen and Leather

Category: interiors

Dark Green Walls and White Trim

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 12 Comments

One of my lovely readers sent me this house last week to add to my green room inspiration file. The dark green walls against the crisp white molding is gorgeous. I still don’t know what I am going to paint my room. I think I need to paint some sample colors on the molding and walls and live it for a few weeks. I don’t think I will be satisfied until I’ve tried out both color combos.

Below more images from a lovely home styled by Katrine Martensen-Larsen. I love the checks and stripes in the bedrooms and mudroom. See more gorgeous interior images at kmldesign.dk.

Thanks Bernadette for the tip!

green walls and molding Dark Green Walls and White Trim

checks and stripes Dark Green Walls and White Trim

Category: interiors, paint colors

Subway Tiles @ Soho Grand Hotel

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 13 Comments

I notice the funniest things since I started renovating a house. In our bathroom at the Soho Grand Hotel I was fascinated by the subway tile design. If you look closely the second tile from the top is not a standard rectangle. It’s square, interesting. I couldn’t find a reason why they did this other then to break up the line.

The hotel bathroom was simple but classic. A pretty pedestal sink with a gooseneck faucet and a stone hex floor. The floor tiles were cream, taupey brown/gray, and gray grout. Kinda funky and different. Look closely at the floor photo below. It may look out of focus on the edges but actually the floor really looked like this. It would change color as you looked at it in the distance. The sketch wallpaper keeps the space from feeling too traditional and adds a modern twist.

Below the view from our hotel room. How great is New York?

Soho Grand Hotel
310 West Broadway
New York, New York
sohogrand.com

update: The wallpaper featured in the bathroom is by New Yorker cartoonist Saul Steinberg. The paper can be purchased through Schumacher.

Picture 8 Subway Tiles @ Soho Grand Hotel

4378816857 d594d85025 Subway Tiles @ Soho Grand Hotel

view from soho grand Subway Tiles @ Soho Grand Hotel

Category: New York, bathrooms, tile, wallpaper

Green on Greene

Posted on | February 19, 2010 | 8 Comments

In Soho this morning I spotted more green paint inspiration. Is the world telling me something? I love this green. Now I’m leaning back toward painting the molding in my den green. Ah! What to do? Above and below a building on Greene Street in Soho.