FIREPLACE MANTLES - THIS OR THAT

Fireplace mantle 1 - Traditional Antique Collector -  White subtly striped walls, traditional oil painting and antique clock (above)

Was reading an article on Vogue's website the other day. It is about a townhouse in New York owned by documentary filmmaker Maggie Betts.  Maggie invited former first daughter Barbara Bush and friend Elliot Merck to live in two of the apartments as well.  The each created unique living spaces in a city home with unifying architectural features.

The NYC townhouse features 9 original fireplaces...all unique.  Each apartment has at least one noteworthy ornately carved stone fireplace mantle.

So which of these three fireplace looks do you like best?

Fireplace mantle 2 - Eclectic - Green Blue paint from Farrow & Ball on the walls, a large painted mirror, a Swedish crystal chandelier in the reflection. (above)

Fireplace Mantle #3 - World Traveler - Lavender walls, a tall black mirror, framed portraits of artists Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) black and white skull adorn the mantle of former first daughter Barbara Bush. (above)

I am loving Fireplace 2 - Eclectic.  I love the wall color, the grand painted mirror, the small painting leaning against the mirror that is framed by a large modern painting on an opposing wall.  Like!

To see the rest of this townhouse and the three different apartments on Vogue's website, click here!

Which fireplace is your fave?

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Have been helping best of friend AM with her holiday card choices this year.  Every year she sends me photos and layouts for her holiday card.  She finalized the look on Tuesday and ordered.  Then yesterday she and I went at it again on designing another second card look.  When she sent the new card to her husband JE, he wrote us both back and said "Looks great. But I thought this was finalized already?"  Oh JE!  He just doesn't understand that girls like us could deliberate over things like this forever!

P.P.S.  Going to another work dinner with TE tonight.  Must find something that is cute, festive, and business.  Got to run to pick out outfit and to chat on the phone with London best of friend AT (we are cooking up something...a plan...).

P.P.P.S.  COCOCOZY Online Shop 20% off sale ends today - Today is the last day for the 20% off sale on the COCOCOZY Online Shop.  If you have been coveting a COCOCOZY pillow, throw, lucite tray, candle or anything else...now is the time!  Happy Holidays!

BARE NAKED WINDOWS - THE GREAT DRAPERY DEBATE!

No curtains on the very large windows in this Danish apartment. (above)

To cover a window or not to cover a window? That is the question.

I go back and forth on this one. I once told my good guy friend BN that drapes, curtains or shades weren't really necessary if you had great windows in your home. He and his wife SN have great windows in their home. Then, with a little of my help, BN and SN had gorgeous plain off white heavy linen curtains custom made for their living room and the space looked so inviting and finished. Hmmm...so much for my window theory.

Here's what I've decided (for now)...if you have large windows with some interesting features either in size or shape, window coverings aren't necessary unless everyone in the world including the guy who lives next door can see in. Does this make sense?

This window has so much trim and so many "lights" in interesting shapes that it would be a shame to  cover it up with drapery. (above)

Curtains or shades would ruin the drama of this fantastic arched window. (above)

Regular windows in a city apartment definitely could use some sort of window covering (in this case roman shades) to finish the space. (above)

What do you think...drapery or no drapery?  Do weigh in!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  MY CLOSET RE-DESIGN - Spent the evening at a store last night designing the interior of my closet.  Below the version I bought.  Over $1,200 later, I now have a new closet design that will be installed AFTER I move back into my house in a couple weeks (hint: "after" is the operative word here).  Good planning on my part...right?  Over $1,200 for some rods and wire shelves?  By the way, that does not include installation and delivery...oy va voy. Some might say this is cheap in the greater closet redesign scheme of things...but for me, who has never done a closet...it felt like a lot. Bottom line though after 1.5 hours with a nice lady named Marie at the computer, I gained 4 feet more hanging space in my reach bedroom closet with a little design magic. Woohooo!  Standard reach in closets are about 24" deep...we moved a wall and made my closet (post water damage) now 36" deep...allows for some use of the side walls too!  Can an organized closet design change your life?  I feel like 48" more of hanging space will change mine!

Plans for my revamped bedroom closet (above and below)

Oddly enough, I have several evening gowns and long dresses.  Am all ready for any black tie event I suppose! So the area on the right is for those. (above0

P.P.S.  Staycationing in Laguna this weekend with TE.  Should be a fun one night getaway!  Can't wait.  I asked him if I could drive his convertible down to Laguna with him as the passenger...he just laughed...I think he questions my driving skills.  I wonder why?  Hmmm. :-)   Even though just staying for one night, packing will be its usual dilemma (especially since the majority of my clothes are in storage)!  Will figure it out I'm sure.  Clearly a "first world problem"...

P.P.P.S.  GIVEAWAY REMINDER - Remember you have until noon Pacific time to enter the COCOCOZY Light Pillow Giveaway.  I'll pick 4 winners in the end!  Don't miss out!


Photos: Skona Hem; Alvhem Malekeri; Trevor Tondro