styled living simply achieved by Jacqueline deMontravel
Zebras and leopards may get all the fashion ink but the Dalmatian will always have our attention. Arguably the most stylish canine, the black and white spotted print is both chic and whimsical—it’s no wonder Disney banked on 101 of them. As a simple accessory that elevates an all-black ensemble to adding a personalized note to the decor, you can’t go wrong with a Dalmatian print.
Dalmatian spots removable wallpaper, available on Etsy.
If I were to ask for a show of hands on who is ready for some warm weather during winter’s longest month, I’m pretty confident that my vision would be blotted with palms. The rigmarole of added time needed to dress in layers, being slapped in the face from a cold front or sitting in a car that can’t seem to warm up challenges. The tropics have their funny palms, beach finds and foam capped waves that play into our simple approach to living, being sated with nature’s gifts. Island design adapts to an accommodating climate with a look we can support, which is more than rattan cocktail shakers and ceiling fans (though those work too). It came about from colonialists relinquishing their home country’s formality, along with their corsets, brocades and mounds of hair styled into something that appears to have taken hours to master. They came to the islands with their manor house belongings and adapted to a tropical climate, pairing down their beautiful pieces because bright skies and endless coast influence more than parlor room twee.
A pairing of quality pieces, light fabrics and tropical details evoke British Colonial style for modern living.
In this Laguna Beach living space elements from Colonial Style are used yet updated. Note the rattan ottoman, illustrated pillows and trellis design of the customized cushions, there’s few elements but all were deliberately chosen. That rattan piece was bought from Bali and took over six months to deliver due to reasons of cargo space and import documentation that was as detailed as acquiring livestock. In those six months we lived on throw pillows, which were inexpensively sourced from Ikea. We made it work because the choice to have a unique piece that endures make flopping around on oversized cushions exciting and worthwhile. It’s simple to do, just get your paper umbrella spiked drink and start researching the process, launching with these 4 easy steps.
Cushion fabric: Robert Allen Design
Throw pillows: Ikea
I came across a picture of our kitchen from its final stages of a redesign. It’s changed since then, and not in a good way. The crisp sparkle has become tarnished with cleaning products, potted plants, a neglected tray of vitamins and bowls of snacks. While this may not be as devastating as botched cosmetic surgery, it does share the same premise. When we stay close to the most natural, like foods, materials, healthy goals–anything really–they are at their most genuine. Once you begin tinkering with an original aesthetic a fervor takes over. Suddenly you need more–space, things, color. This is a symptom of our constant desire to improve. It’s also counter-productive. Just look at any celebrity with a Beverly Hills’ surgeon on speed dial, to the point where their face is so stretched back they need a translator when speaking. In order to minimize the incessant tweaking, take inventory of what is really needed in your kitchen to keep it from looking too chaotic.
Kitchen during a redesign that’s both simple and updated, the trick is how to maintain the look.
The rise of picky eaters has changed the dynamic of feeding guests. Whether it be fad-based diets or allergic concerns, a host is so challenged, serve a food processed in a facility with a tree nut and you may cause sci-fi reactions. We are partial to simple yet delicious fare, which is why a charcuterie board is an ideal choice in today’s slippery climate of entertaining. It’s also fun to assemble, with no cooking involved, and easy to do.
A tantalizing charcuterie board meets the cravings of picky eaters.
There’s a lot of chatter about goals this time of year that come with a flurry of hashtags. Here’s one that takes minimal effort with a big payoff: Simplify. And we’re not just talking about pairing down the living room in muted colors. The decade has provided on-demand inspiration through the growth of social media. It also comes with challenges. More things, updated homes, renovate this and that. Here’s to less scrolling and more living. This year consider your spaces, favorite items, and why they’re all that’s needed to make a home happy.
Pair down with simple luxuries for 2020.
Gift wrapping has promoted a rise of a paper industry that can create a Greta Thunberg moment. The excessive paper is certainly pretty and fun, but it’s at the expense of resources, creating another task in a hectic season. After wrapping multiple presents it’s only natural to surrender to the gift bag option, which is great as a parting gift at an event but on Christmas Day the thrill is compromised. Try these easy options that are environmentally-aware and beautifully presented.
You can wrap with tissue paper, decorate with bows without tape, and save the paper and ribbon for future presents. Deliver in a market basket to seal the reusable theme.
After a season of shopping, wrapping, parties and gift exchanges, the thought of hosting a Christmas dinner has that edge-of-the-slope feeling of excitement and fright. And didn’t we just spend hours helicoptering a turkey along with all of its faithful sides? If you were to do a poll, and trust me we have, ask partygoers to choose their favorite part of the holiday meal and it’s typically the small bites. You know, the kind of appetizers served on a platter, gently peddled by a cute server wearing a bow tie and apron. By offering appetizers as a meal, cross out preparation anxiety and the fear your guests won’t like the menu with enough nibble-sized options to equate to a full meal. It’s simple, delicious and even the clean up is a breeze since you don’t have to set up a formal sit-down dinner.
A variety of platters, which includes sliders and dessert trays, meet the demands of versatile eaters.
Forget the mantle, take imaginative Christmas styling outdoors. A truck’s flatbed, or the hatch of your car, is more than a place to haul the recyclables–it’s a prime location for a holiday nook. The setting is ideal for post-worthy Christmas pictures, another location to stretch the festivities, or a retreat from holiday pandemonium. From warm blankets, pillows and a classic Christmas wreath, we have simple suggestions that will achieve the ultimate holiday setting.
Need to get away for the holidays without leaving your home? Create a classic Christmas truck.
Christmas decorating involves the same tasks as a move, with its countless boxes that have to be unpacked, evaluated and composed into knockout arrangements. The main difference is that once a move is complete, you’re done. Christmas cleanup has an approaching end date, add all the celebrating, shopping, wrapping and family time, a person can be seriously tuckered out. Once the New Year hits, it’s time to repack the holiday–and don’t forget the safeguarding of Christmas ornaments that have the fragility of spun sugar. Are you feeling the internal tremors build? To minimize an episode, consider simplifying Christmas this year. (We may not even get a tree, but stay tuned to see how that plays out with the family). The idea was spurred by the first holiday addition to the home, a simple advent calendar from Trader Joe’s, which has become more than my go-to for frozen taquitos and cinnamon rolls. Their novelty items have always delivered in nostalgic design, but this year’s advent calendar is leagues above the garish Santa scenes that epitomize the holiday staple that spurs children to wake early so they can prod open the day’s corrugated door for a bite-sized chocolate. The engaging North Pole scene, probably drawn by the same artist who illustrates Nantucket shopping destinations, is given added detailing with a “Christmas Tree” candle. (The scent of pine is so authentic, it became the inspiration for the aforementioned idea to omit a tree). Thus, back to our design philosophy in “styled living simply achieved,” create holiday vignettes, such as an advent calendar display, to keep the home from being invaded by unnecessary Christmas decor. The result may promote a restful holiday season.
A minimalist holiday trend with an advent calendar and Christmas candle. The result could be the answer to a peaceful season.
Advent calendar: Trader Joe’s
Christmas Tree Minimalist candle: Brooklyn Candle Studio
Art: ducks goose
Decorating for the season does not have to be about turkey prints or holiday motifs, which is the equivalent to Eiffel Towers sealing French style. This past weekend I experienced a first, a visit to the Christmas Tree Shop. I mistakenly had the notion that anything with Christmas in its name would be enchanting, imagining a Santa’s workshop with singing elves crafting items in the mist of gingerbread and holiday music. In reality, it’s the fancy cousin of the Dollar Tree. There were grommet curtains that appeared to be salvaged from a roadside motel, stuffed flamingos wearing Santa hats and, this one was new to me, Mommy to Be nutcrackers. Shoppers had their carts filled with the stuff. Carts! All purchases that will inevitably make its way to the curb with a free sign taped to it. This brings me back to my lament over the consumerism epidemic released by such establishments. The best way to put an end to faux poinsettia garlands is not buy them. Take stock of your own inventory and select beloved pieces that can create a beautiful yet subtle vignette that signals the holidays.
A simple arrangement, complimented with a design book in the same scheme, achieves a tasteful holiday display.
