Manolo for the HomeNovember, 2008 | Manolo for the Home - Part 2



Archive for November, 2008


Furniture For the Home Office…By Which I Mean My Home Office

Friday, November 21st, 2008
By Christa Terry

Yesterday’s post about pretty, dainty, and feminine home offices made me feel a little covetous. Whereas I ought to be thinking about baby furniture, I’m window shopping for stuff for my office. Hey, I spend a lot of time in here — more so now that I’m working on a project that takes up a LOT of my time. I’d say I’m staring at these four walls all day, but I’m really just staring at one as my desk is up against a wall. Though much of my office is behind my back, I cannot deny that there’s room for improvement. So let’s go shopping, yes?

Provence Console Desk

Here we have a Provence console desk that really is totally not practical for someone who actually keeps stuff handy on his or her desks. At least it has a drawer!

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Home Offices, Lady Style

Thursday, November 20th, 2008
By Christa Terry

I’m sorry to say that neither of these home offices is mine. No, my home office is more of a chaotic space than a soothing floral refuge of femininity.

home_office

Instead of a simple writing table backed by pretty green and white wallpaper, I have writing desk with a drawer stuffed with tax info and invoices and lip balm. It’s flanked by a big old-fashioned filing cabinet and the whole works is framed by fire engine red paint.

home_office

Asked to describe this home office in one word, I’d choose “pretty.” Asked to describe my own home office, I might call it “overwhelming.”

On one hand, it’s partly my fault — I have a lot of papers and magazines and sewing supplies and hatboxes piled everywhere. That said, does anyone have a home office that looks like the spaces shown in magazines? If so, I have to know: Where, exactly, do you hide all of the materials you need for work?

(photos via)


Gifts For the Home: The Under $40 Edition

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
By Christa Terry

I’m proud to say that I actually have quite a bit of my holiday shopping done, though this is by no means usual. This year, I copped out and went with gifts for the home. I guess it’s fun trying to buy gifts for my elders who already have everything they need, but I just plain don’t have the time this year to dedicate my time and energy to shopping.

What do all the parents and grandparents in my life have? Homes, that’s what. And I’ve never heard anyone complain that they simply have too much cute in the kitchen.

Picasso napkin ringsholiday appetizer platesretro clock
cake standretro spice rackblue coffee press

What you see:


Quiet Interest

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
By Christa Terry

muted_palette

I’m really digging the decor palettes from Dwell Studio — in these cases, the colors are muted, but they manage to jump out at you nonetheless. Maybe it’s because all of the really eye-catching hues are accents backed by white and gray? I could see a room done in these colors looking really dated in 15 years or so, but that could be because I grew up thinking that greenish-yellow you see on the pillows and that blanket was the ultimate in old fashioned home decor.

What do you think?


(Not So) Fleeting Elegance

Monday, November 17th, 2008
By Christa Terry

At my wedding reception, the caterer brought along something they called “upscale disposable silverware.” Prior to the reception, we were all pretty interested to see what that would turn out to be. As it turns out, upscale disposable silverware is silver plastic cutlery designed to look more like an actual silverware set than the white plastic forks, spoons, and knives one can buy in the garbage bag aisle of the local Winn-Dixie. Okay, then.

Designers Donata Paruccini and Fabio Bortolani took the concept a step further with their deluxe plastic cutlery sets (manufactured by Pandora Design).

plastic_silverware

The set is decorated with a floral motif typical of 19th century Italian silverware and is dishwasher safe. Why would you re-use plastic cutlery for reasons other than ecological friendliness? Maybe because a sixteen piece set costs a whopping $120. The plastic glasses also come from Pandora Design, and a set of six costs $140.

Yikes?


A Nest of Their Own

Sunday, November 16th, 2008
By Christa Terry

bassinet

When it comes to rooming with baby, the though of buying a bassinet never really crossed my mind. The though of buying a piece of baby furniture that I can only use for three or four months gives my inner frugal diva morning sickness. That said, I do think that this nest bassinet from Spunky Sprout is pretty cute… and so very Danish! It reminds me of the furniture my European grandparents collected when I was growing up, which may explain some of the affinity I feel toward a rather uncomfortable looking baby bed made of bent plywood and chrome.

At $799, I wouldn’t call this bed a steal — the baby can only sleep in a bassinet for so long, after all — but it does convert into a play table and toy bin, so at least it’s not completely useless.

Also must add: GHOST CHILD LOVES NEST!


Around the World in Eighty Gifts

Saturday, November 15th, 2008
By Christa Terry

cultural_decor

Okay, maybe just five gifts. And we’re not exactly going around the world, as the areas of the globe represented in the above furniture and accent decor from Ten Thousand Villages are limited to the Caribbean, Central America, India, Vietnam, and Kenya. So I lied a little in the name of beautiful accessories for the home. Sue me… then buy me a hand-carved kisii soapstone hippo from Kenya and I’ll forgive you for being so easily upset.


Outlandish and Invisible

Friday, November 14th, 2008
By Christa Terry

I want Drake Design Associates to work their home decor design magic on my little house. Sure, I can’t actually afford to hire an interior designer of that caliber, but that won’t stop me from looking through their design portfolio and pretending I live in the houses the company has created.

purple_room

This Fifth Ave. loft in New York City pairs velvets and shantungs with antique mirrors and high gloss lacquers for an eclectic look that makes me break whichever commandment that says coveting is a sin.

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