TALE OF A TWO TONED KITCHEN

A color blocked kitchen in gray and white! (above)

Oooohhh...I like this modern farm style open floor plan kitchen, den, dining room from Dan Scotti Design.  Two toned walls and cabinets make a huge design statement.  I love the high ceilings, charcoal gray wood paneling and the clerestory windows.  So much light but effectively incorporates a rich dark color.

So many styles mixed in one space but they work...the farmhouse style feeling kitchen with its gray (maybe soapstone counters), the rustic country knotty pine wide plank wood floors, the Palm Beach like rattan furniture in the den and then the mid century dining table and Hans Wegner chairs in the dining room.  Doesn't feel like all  of those styles should work together but they do.

Nice, bright, airy, convivial space.  Perfect for cooking big meals and inviting lots of people over.

The kitchen island features gray soapstone counters and white cabinet doors framed in a light gray....love the see-through glass door refrigerator too! (above)

The farm house kitchen sink in white and with a lovely picture window (above)

The kitchen with its knotty pine hardwood floors also opens up to the dining room with a mid-century modern table and Hans Wegner chairs. (above)

Mosaic tile backsplash covers the wall behind the stove and sink. (above)

So what do you think of this two toned kitchen?  Like or dislike?  What might you add to it or take away.

I would leave it as is...although I might change out the round pendant lights...not sure but I might.

Happy Wednesday.

xo
Coco

P.S.  Soooo many of you have asked about the turquoise painting in my living room featured on Monday's post.  I went to the artist and will reveal who it is by tomorrow and more of his latest work!  Please stand by.

Photos: Dan Scotti Design

THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOME IN AMERICA - SEE THIS HOUSE

Aerial view of the highest priced home in the country (above)

A $190 million dollar home! Yes it is true.  Built in 1898, this 13,500 square foot mansion sits on 50 acres of land and boasts about one mile of shore front.  It is called Copper Beech Farm.  Located Greenwich, CT, a town known for its unbelievable mansions, the real estate listing says this home "has no peers".

Listed by Christies International Real Estate, this estate has 12 bedrooms, 7 full baths, 2 partial baths, a 12 foot ceilings in the main rooms, paneled library, pool and pool house, greenhouse, a beach, a carriage house, grass tennis court, a separate staff kitchen and spectacular water views.

The home was originally purchased by the Lauder Greenway family in 1904.  Harriet Lauder Greenway whose father helped Andrew Carnegie found U.S. Steel apparently sold it to timber tycoon John Rudey about 30 years ago.  Rudey now, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal a few months back, is selling the Victorian French Renaissance mansion because his children are all grown.

Stone towers flank the front door of this Greenwich, CT mansion. (above)

Dining room with carved ceilings and wood paneled walls. (above)

The wood paneled library with fireplace is fitting for multi million dollar home. (above)

A garden gate on the grounds of the 50 acre property (above)

The pool and spa in the backyard overlook the Long Island Sound. (above)

Wow.  Wish I could see more views of the upstairs bedrooms in the home.  Need to assess whether I would spend my $190 million dollars here.  Now...let's say there was a nice person who decided to give me this grand manse, I would take it in a minute...dress it up a bit and settle in right by the pool or walking the gardens.  Would be a great place for parties too.  Anyone offering this home to me?  Hello?  Anyone???

Would you take it or leave it? Do tell!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

$12.9 MILLION STATELY HAMPTONS SUMMER HOME - SEE THIS HOUSE

The other day I was on the phone with best of friend AM.  We were catching up on the weekend - just doing our regular phone call check in.  She lives in NYC and is a high powered finance girl.  Well, half way through the conversation she said, "What did you say?".  I repeated what I had just said.  AM said, "I still can't hear you."  I repeated what I said again.  Then AM said calmly and distractedly on the phone, "Either you need to speak up, or I need to find friends who talk louder."  Hee hee!  A NYC girl type of comment indeed!

People always think I am from New York or I live in New York...I think it is because I feature so many homes in Manhattan and in the Hamptons.  I am not from NYC.  I was born and raised in Los Angeles...but somehow it seems born with a bit of an East Coast point of view.  Here's what I've found...I move at NYC type of pace...I talk faster than most people in Los Angeles but probably slower than many people in NYC, I definitely eat faster than most people in the world (was a bit non-dainty when on vacation with TE, my guy who runs marathons, and I managed to down every meal at least twice as fast as he did and had to sit and watch in quasi humiliation as he deliberately ate each bite (he clearly listened to his mother's warnings on chewing food) and then left food behind because he couldn't eat anymore...hmmm...grrr.....

Anyhooo...all of these seeming non-sequiturs do lead to a point...really...they do...

I am trying to justify another East Coast Hamptons SEE THIS HOUSE.  Make sense...I have East Coast friends, I eat and talk faster than lots of people on the East Coast...so therefore it makes sense I would constantly feature houses from NYC and the Hamptons.  Logical...right?  Or faulty logic?  Help!

This time a $12.9 million dollar Water Mill estate with 8 bedrooms, 7 baths, 2 partial baths and 8,600 square feet.  The home is listed by Sothebys and sits on 1.6 acres of land.  No water view for this home but lots of area to roam and lounge.

There is a pool, a wood panel library, 2 staff rooms and more.

Would you take this or leave it?  SEE THIS HOUSE!

Exterior of Gambrel style architecture Water Mill estate (above)

Entry hall sets the traditional decor tone of the home and features a stairs leading to a second floor balcony, and traditional paneled wall. (above)

Living room has coffered ceilings, french doors and a very traditional fireplace mantel. (above)

Dining room with glossy wallpaper covering the walls and more coffered ceilings.(above)

What stately home doesn't have a wood paneled library den (above)

The master bedroom features a mirrored four poster bed - I wonder if this is just staged or if the owners really have a mirrored bed! (above)

The grounds - or more commonly known as the backyard! (above)

What do you think?  Would you take this Hamptons home if someone gave it to you?  Or would you stay where you are now?  Please weigh in on the comments below!

Happy Thursday!

xo

Coco

PANEL PERFECT DIY LIVING ROOM - BEFORE & AFTER

Discovered an interiors blog this weekend called Chris Loves Julia.  When looking at my blog traffic statistics, I noticed that a few people were clicking to my blog from theirs.  So I had to check out it out.

Turns out the blog is about a couple who does DIY projects on their home.  Hats off to anyone who can take on do-it-yourself home improvement projects and see them all the way through!

One of the projects this couple took on was transforming their living room.  The after is this dark paneled living room above.  It seems, the couple (Chris & Julia) got some inspiration from this photo I had posted below awhile back on dark rooms!

The couple wanted to make a dramatic statement in their then lavender living room...they bought the supplies and then did it themselves...see the transformation below.

INSPIRATION - Inspiration photo from this COCOCOZY post on dark rooms (above)

BEFORE - Chris & Juia's living room - neutral with a graphic rug and a lavender or purple feature wall (above)

DURING - The couple took it upon themselves to create their own high design paneled wall...it started with painting the wall  a matte finish charcoal gray then framing out paneling with wood boards. (above)

AFTER - The white sofa now pops against the dramatic dark wood paneled wall! (above)

What do you think about this wall before and after?  Do you like the end result?  I do.  I think it is fantastic!

The project took them two days and cost $117!  Nice work Chris & Julia.

To see more on their project, click here.

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

FORMAL DINING ROOM & KITCHEN DELIGHT!

A formal dining room that feels casual and inviting at the same time.  I like this dining room in a Rustic Canyon home here in Los Angeles.  The room is beautifully constructed with lots of painted paneled walls, coffered ceilings, encasement windows and brass touches.  Something very formal - probably the size - yet something very warm about this space.  I love the steel gray blue walls juxtaposed against the gray ceilings.  Looks good.

The dining room leads to quite a swank kitchen with its island wrapped in a sheet of gold or brass finished metal.  Makes the view from the dining room into the kitchen quite a site!

All designed by William Hefner Architects.  Nicely done.

What do you think of this dining room and kitchen?  I love it just in case can't tell!

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Sorry I didn't blog yesterday.  Was running around like a chicken with no head!

P.P.S.  Had a nice weekend actually.  Went to a Lakers game.  The Lakers won.  Then ended up at dinner at Church and State.  On Saturday, saw best of guy friend BN and SN at their family home right on the water in Santa Monica.  TE and I had a nice Saturday lunch with them and their cute kiddies out by the pool.  Going to try to help SN with some bedding for the beach house too.  On Sunday, we went to the Soho House to watch the Oscars.  Met up with my other best of guy friend JD and his fiancé Alison Blumenfeld (she always looks so chic)...we missed most of the show because we were jibber jabbering so much...but we did take time to ooh and ahhh at the dresses of course.

P.P.P.S.  Gave up gluten for Lent...among many other things including sugar.  TE and I managed to find a diner in Marina del Rey that serves gluten free pancakes with sugar free syrup!  They are soooooooooooo gooooood.  Felt like I was cheating because isn't the point to give up something?

P.P.P.P.S.  Wood arrived for the floors in my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills!  I ended up getting 7" wide white oak with beveled edges.  The wood will sit at my house for a few weeks to acclimate and then we install.  Still figuring out the color and the finish - I want to go for a natural looking greyish brown...all on the lighter side...trying to get a little bit of rustic old world feel for the finish.  Send me pictures of any ideas you may have!!

My 7" white oak wood floor planks sitting at my tiny little cottage in the Hollywood Hills. (above)

Photos: William Hefner Architects

CABIN FEVER - WOOD SLAT WALLS!

After spending a fantastic 6 days in the mountains in Colorado, I'm totally in mountain mode - obsessed with the cabin style. I'd like to point out, we didn't stay in anything close to a cabin though...unless a gorgeous "ski in, ski out" private residence chalet or a full service ski resort count as a cabin?

While in the Beaver Creek area, best of friend FF and her husband CCF took TE and I to a party one night in the posh area of Bachelor Gulch. The party was at a house that was for sale for $5.4 million dollars. It was a very large home that was made to look like a kitschy log cabin...it was not my style at all...lots of knotty logs on the walls and ceiling, carved bear statues throughout, lots of furry things on the beds...quite a distinctive look I think. While the overall design was not my cup of tea, it seemed lots of the party goers were intrigued by the look. As my mother would say, "Every bread has its cheese".

We were lucky enough to spend 2 days with best of friend FF at her gorgeous modern mountain home...I didn't take pictures but the home was magnificent...the complete antithesis of the party home we had gone to. FF and her husband CCF built a stunning home that compliments the stunning snowy environment while also being clean, modern and sleek in design. So chic.

Anyhooo...all of this chatter to say...after being in the mountains for days...I started to think about modern rustic design.

While perusing all things design on the web, I've noticed a growing trend and theme... paneled walls that are made from slats of wood. I like if done properly.

What do you think?

Photos: Eric Roth; Beth Webb; Meyer Davis; Amelia Handegan

Your turn to weigh in? Like or dislike these wood walls? Do tell? I like the first image where the wood is used on the ceiling as well to create strong vertical lines - visual eye candy!

Let me know what you think!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Got some photos back from our catalogue shoot that we did at my sis DS's house just 3 days before Christmas. Love this shot below of our COCOCOZY Lucite Tray. Will be sharing lots of other photos of the new 2013 COCOCOZY collection with you as well over the next few days!

COCOCOZY Lucite Tray in black and white - $99! (above)

P.P.S.  For those of you going to market, we'll be showing the new collection in Atlanta next week at the Atlanta Gift Show.  Our collection is at the Christian Mosso Associates Showroom in Building 1 of America's Mart.  Stop by and check out all of the new COCOCOZY goodies!

RUSTIC MODERN DINING ROOM!

What a great dining room!  I like all of the varying textures, the natural neutral color palette, the liberal use of all things wood and all the while maintaining an air of sleek modern.  I call this style rustic modern.  All of those elements that technically would be used in rustic style decor but that have been fashioned in a clean line modern way.  Understand what I mean?

Wood paneled walls and wood slatted ceilings work in this space (painted wood slats on walls always look good in my view) to create a cozy feel to the space.  The clean lines and subtle curves Danish furniture add a vintage mid century modern vibe to this eating area as well.  Light colored wood floors blend in with the walls.  I love the lighting too...large glass and wire grid pendant lights too.

I like.  Take a look.

I absolutely love the French doors with the trellis pattern detail. (above)

What do you think of this dining room?  Would you call it rustic modern or something else?  What do you like?  What don't you like?  Please advise in the comments below!

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Had a mini Presidential debate watching "thing" at my house last night.  Served some nice cold white wine (it is so hot here in Los Angeles), put out a nice fruit and cheese plate, and ordered in pizza and salad from one of my favorite restaurants...Cheebo. Had a great time watching the debate and then laughing about the news commentary on CNN after!

P.P.S. Later this week, I'm going to a very small private cocktail event here in Los Angeles where I get to meet a big huge name in the fashion industry - from here on out "The Icon".  I was invited so I could be introduced to "The Icon".  The cocktail party is oh so small.  "The Icon" is a huge commercial success in fashion and I've read about how he got started as inspiration when I was starting my home furnishings collection.  "The Icon's" team wants to introduce me to him because of the COCOCOZY textiles collection.  I'm not supposed to talk about any of the specifics I don't think...so I'll keep very quiet now as to who "he" is.  Don't know what to wear though.  Yikes! There will be a handful of famous people there too.  Oy va voy. I have a cute leather top (but might be too hot)...I also have an adorable navy and black sparkling mini skirt  (but it looks better with opaque black tights and it is too hot for that)...I think the weather is going to thwart my stylish wardrobe plans.  Please have the weather drop to 60 degrees overnight so that I can wear my cute fall outfits!  Please.

P.P.P.S.  Happy Wednesday again!

Photo: Stine Langvad

SEE THIS HOUSE: A $23 MILLION PARK AVENUE STUNNER!

The wood paneled library with arched windows and fireplace in a multi million dollar NYC listing. (above)

What do you get for $23 million dollars on the Upper East Side of New York City? Let's see...a home for sale with 6,700 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 .5 baths, a few staff rooms, hardwood floors, high ceilings and a total blank canvas to make into a home of your own.

This NYC co-op is listed by Sotheby's International Realty and I think they made the right choice not to stage it with a bunch of furniture.  I like the idea of dreaming and envisioning how this home could look with just the right furniture and an endless decorating budget...one can dream...right?

So today I bring you a multi million dollar listing in New York in SEE THIS HOUSE:

The foyer with a grand stair case! (above)

Love the parquet wood floors and the chandeliers in this fab living room. (above)

A well appointed kitchen with Carara marble counters, stainless steel appliances, wood floors and recessed panel white cabinets. (above and below)

The dining room or could make a nice family room with the fireplace. (above)

A very large master bedroom with fantastic sunlight, paneled walls and decorative molding. (above)

More marble, a drop in tub and a clear glass enclosed shower in the chic master bath. (above)

The floor plan for a $23 million dollar city apartment! (above)

Where do I find $23 million immediately?  So I always ask...would you take this apartment or leave it?  If you had the millions, would you be more inclined to buy it if it were staged with furniture or do you like it as a blank canvas?  What do you think?  Like or dislike?  I must know!

I would take this apartment in a heart beat!  It is elegant, simple, classic, not a lot of frills.  Perfect I think.  No questions (except where would I get $23 million)...I would just sign on the dotted line.  Here's to dreaming...

Happy Friday!

xo

Coco

P.S. Pretty morning here in the hills...cloudy, a little over cast...I have two meetings before 9a (a call and a meeting) and then off to work...must run!

P.P.S. Don't miss the post announcing the COCOCOZY Giveaway winners below.