4 decorating ideas i picked up while snooping in the novogratz’s house
As I mentioned earlier this week, we recently got an invitation from LEGO that made our design-fanatic hearts flutter. Sarah C. and I got the chance to visit the Novogratz in their West Village townhouse, during a special event celebrating children and their innate sense of design. While there, we were encouraged to walk around the five-story dwelling. Each floor unveiled museum-worthy artwork, innovative decorating ideas and fun and lived-in spaces for kids of all ages — literally! In case you don’t know, the Novogratz have seven kids. One of them is named Five. And they are all insanely cute and charming hosts.
Idea No. 1 — Turn the unexpected into art.
I’m not entirely sure what this wall hanging is above these two kids’s beds, but I love it. It’s like a skin from a Maurice Sendak safari, and it is the stuff dreams are made of.
Idea No. 2. — Use a candelabra as a jewelry organizer.
This was spotted on Cortney and Bob’s floor. It so clever it kills me. What a great way to keep your necklaces and scarves in sight while still having a bit fun with their display.
Idea No. 3 — Don’t be afraid to personalize design classics.
How genius is this? Decoupaged Panton chairs! I love that idea that nothing is too precious for a little personalization. Who cares if their a classic? Make it yours and feel free to improve upon their design.
Idea No. 4 — A bulletin board is not enough. Make it a wall.
Who cares if we don’t have 20 ft tall walls in our home like Novogratz? I am still gonna steal this idea for Isadora’s room. They have turned an entire wall into one big idea capturing space. The center panel is a fabric covered bulletin board. Its bracketed by two chalkboard panels. I’m not entirely sure how to pull this off — do you make a wall sized board and then just mount it? Or do you cover the wall itself in something? I’m thinking about this one and adding to our future projects list. If you have any ideas on how’d you’d tackle, please let me know!
Hope you enjoyed my little snoop — and forgive my iPhone snapshots! Thanks to LEGO and Novogratz for being so open and generous with their time.
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legos helps little ones perfect the art of furniture arrangement
Anyone who has ever watched a little girl play with a dollhouse knows that happiness comes in small sizes. The more mini the miniature object is, the more she will fawn over it. Well, LEGO has confirmed this casual observation with a study on how kids play. You may recall that the toy company got a bit of flack when it introduced its girl-focused LEGO Friends line back before the holidays, with some saying that building toy didn’t need to be gender-slanted. But the truth of the matter is the girls love them. [They] want “realistic building and role-play, with plenty of details and a chance to remodel, redecorate and redesign in a character-based world,” says Michael McNally from LEGO. In fact, the company says, in only four months, the number of girls engaging in LEGO play has nearly tripled.
Sarah C and I were lucky enough to be invited to an amazing event last week: LEGO teamed up with the Novogratzs (America’s biggest, chicest design family), to unveil the results of a poll that found that kids begin taking interest in changing their rooms just after the age of five, saying their number one wish is to have more space to hang out and play. The setting for the event was the perfect place to talk about fun kids’ spaces: the Novogratz‘s amazing West Village home.
As the family’s matriarch, Cortney explains: “We’ve seen how room design can unleash a child’s creativity in our own family.” The above LEGO house can be reconstructed to look like a townhouse — not TOO unlike the Novogratz’s own fab dwelling.
And while the LEGO mom and dad aren’t nearly as stylish as Cortney and Bob, we find them totally cool, none-the-less. Wouldn’t you invite these guys over a drink?
Coming soon: We take you on a snoopy tour of the Novgratz’s house and their amazing kids’ spaces!
the door series: a pop of southwest pink
After last week’s decidedly handsome door, I decided to go a little girly today. This door, spotted on the Inside the Loop tumblr via Fabulous K, has completely filled my dreams. Sure, the exterior walls are stone gray, but vibrant fuchsia door topped with a chartreuse panel and a warm clay frame immediately tell us something creative is happening within. The cactus next door makes me think it might be in Santa Fe, or perhaps somewhere further afield like Mexico City or Old San Juan. I would love to see this color combo on a little suburban house like mine. I’m thinking gray siding, warm clay trim, with fuchsia shutters and door. Would I get kicked out of the neighborhood for being too wacky? I don’t care, I’m adding this one to file.
sneak peek: method’s fall collection featuring orla kiely
It’s not often that I am able to sneak out during business hours for product launches or previews, but when I got invited to come and chat with Sally Clarke, Method‘s creative director, I couldn’t resist. If you come over my house, you’ll find one of their signature, Karim Rashid-designed tear drop hand soap dispensers in the bathrooms. I also am pretty addicted to their Steel for Real Stainless Steel Polish and their Leather Love Wipes. Everything they make just smells so damn good, it inspires cleanliness.
But there was an added bonus for going to this event: They were unveiling a collaboration with one of my favorite graphic artists, Orla Kiely. You may recall our past obsessions involving Orla’s Target Line (we did a giveaway and helped you track down what you couldn’t find locally). The limited edition cleaning collection will be available at Target (where else?) starting in September. In addition to adorable patterns that will add an instant chic to your countertops, they also come in new custom scents — vanilla chai, primrose, pear ginger and my favorite, bay leaf. (Note: The above photo features prototype bottles, not the real thing. That will be even prettier.)
Listening to Sally tell us about Method‘s principals, which marry fun and useful design with healthy products and eco-smarts, has made me even more of a fan of this company.
Stay tuned as we get closer to launch dates on the Orla Kiely products and more new releases. I’ll be sure to let you know when they hit stores!
the door series: handsome in hudson
I am obsessed with front doors. It is the place where a home’s personality is most projected outwards. My favorites are ones that are painted a bright color so they POP and let you know that something fun and quirky is within. This dandy door is in Hudson, New York, where we are lucky enough to hang out a weekend or two a month. Isn’t it perfection? The bright teal complements the gunmetal gray building color just right. The well tailored checked curtains are masculine and slightly retro. It’s also geniusly unsymmetrical: with a large potted plant to one side and a classic doormat on the left.
Have you seen a front door you love? Please let me know! We’ll do a series and show them off here.
