WINTER HOME LIVING ROOMS - THIS OR THAT

Aerin Lauder's amazing modern ski house! (above)

Snow storms, cold weather, the Winter Olympics on t.v., and did I mention the daytime temperature in Los Angeles hovering in the 60's...clear signs that we are definitely in the middle of winter!  I stepped out of my office in L.A. yesterday and shivered from the cold 65 degree air hitting me in the face! (I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so any temperature below 70 feels icy to me...)

I do not ski...or I refuse to ski...or I would probably injure myself if I tried to ski again.  Last time I went skiing was years ago with best of friend FF in Aspen...it was a comedy indeed...we had an Austrian ski instructor who kept saying to me "Get up...get up out of the snow Coco" and "If you do not go back up on the lift again, you will feel bad about yourself tomorrow."  I spent most of my ski time in a heap of poles and skis on the side of the mountain with 5 year olds swooshing by me with the greatest of ease.

Anyhooooo...just because I don't ski, doesn't mean mean I don't enjoy the mountains during the winter or ski in ski out living.   I spent some time last year at FF and CCF's Bachelor's Gulch home just outside of Vail...ski in ski out...with a jacuzzi...lots of fireplaces and more.  Quite lovely.

Wonder what kind of ski house living room I would rather spend my time in sitting and waiting by the fire watching skiers glide by...a quaint rustic cabin setting or a stunning modern chic mountain home?  So I bring you today a THIS OR THAT...featuring a lifestyle maven Aerin Lauder's modern ski house  living room in Aspen and another cozy classic ski lodge living room...you decide?

THIS

Aerin Lauder's modern winter home in Aspen stunning mountain views from large floor to ceiling windows.(above)

OR THAT

A cute fully wood paneled mountain house living room with stone slab fireplace and window seat. (above and below)

I think I would be most comfy in Aerin's modern ski house living room...simple, uncluttered and spectacular views and love the exposed beam ceiling.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Vogue; Axel Vervoordt

MOUNTAIN RUSTIC BEDROOMS - CABIN FEVER THIS OR THAT

1. Chic - Cabin bedroom elegantly decorated with hide rug headboard (above)

Came across a panoply of mountain rustic bedrooms when I was browsing through the portfolio of photographer Audrey Hall.  Got me in the mood for winter coziness.  I am not really a mountain cabin type of girl AT all...but I do love a wonderfully rustic well decorated mountain house.  Love the idea of snuggling up for a weekend stay at a cozy lodge.  Lots of rustic places fall into a cliche...kind of like a lot of country decor...but then there are the stand outs filled with charm, natural materials, design that hearkens back to a time before modern amenities and

Anyhooo...take a look at this selection of mountain bedrooms and let me know which is your favorite.

2.  Fit for a king - Log cabin bedroom with iron chandelier, blue velvet sofa and a grand canopy bed(above)

3. Preppy - Tree branch bed frame and a bright orange dresser give this room a crisp preppy look. (above)

4. Luxurious - A stone fireplace with a roaring fire, a fur throw and a window seat replete with pillows. (above)

5. Ultra Modern - A manicured mountain cabin bedroom brings in the rustic with with the canopy bed's fur blanket and flokati rug. (above)

If I had to choose one, I would take the #1, the Chic bedroom. I love the hide rug on the wall behind the bed and the single wood log beam adding a touch of rustic.

Which is your favorite? Do you like mountain style?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

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!