OPEN LIVING WITH DISTINCT COLOR VIEWS - ACCENT WALLS

Nice modern living room - with an organized open floor plan. From one angle it is stark white with white epoxy painted concrete floors, white walls and white cabinetry in the kitchen. A few black and color accents in the furnishings. Flip around in the room and all of sudden - COLOR!

Bright sunny accent walls are carefully planned out to create a modern sleek colorful home.

Open kitchen island in white with yellow accent pops in the backsplash and on the living room wall.

Black mid century modern Barcelona chairs, a dark gray sofa, a light gray shag rug all contrast nicely against the white concrete floors and yellow accent wall. (above)

A floating wall in the foyer is also painted bright yellow. (above)

Benjamin Moore's Sunbeam yellow is a near match...along with the some charcoal gray and light gray tones to match (above)

Could you live with a few bright yellow accent walls?  If not, what color accent walls might you chose or do you already have in your house?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Speaking of yellow. Date night with TE had a little lemon yellow infused into it. Had a nice lemonade cocktail at the Hungry Cat in Santa Monica on Saturday night...right before going to a very lovely dinner with TE at the very chic and cozy Giorgio Baldi restaurant on West Channel Road. Nice evening really. Here is a scene from the Hungry Cat bar.

Lemons at the bar at the Hungry Cat in Santa Monica....great lemonade cocktail! (above)

P.P.S.  Highlight of weekend was a fantastic dinner with my cute mother and my fantastic aunts LA, MA, JG and my guy TE at the Soho House on Friday night.  It took a bit to get all of the aunts coordinated to meet up, but we did it! LA and MA are visiting from out of town (Boston and France respectively) so it was their send off dinner before they head back. Had a lovely night filled with laughter, good food and good company.  All of my mom's sisters approved of TE!  That is good news!

P.P.P.S.  Hope you have a great week ahead!

Photos: Hus & Hem

DARLING SWEDISH COTTAGE BY THE SEA - SEE THIS HOUSE INTERNATIONAL

Perfect atrium dining room with a glass ceiling and windows all around (above)

The real estate listing calls this home a New England style shabby chic cottage even though it is actually located in Sweden!. I would describe this cute Swedish house in the seaside town of Vallda Sando as plain old darling.

This quaint cottage is listed for about $760,000 USD and is just over 2000 square feet.  A true little gem built back in 1921 and renovated in 2010.  It is listed by Stadshem.

Even though I live in a tiny little cottage in the Hollywood Hills, I wouldn't necessarily say I am a classic cottage type of girl.  However, I could most likely work with this very classic cottage.  I love all of the windows and the bright white painted hardwood floors and walls. Visually manageable and easy to understand.  Not to complicated from an interior design perspective but just pretty enough.  The

1921 built cottage exterior (above)

The painted white hardwood floors throughout the house and the living room make a dramatic design statement. (above)

A nice romantic indoor porch perfect for a nice sit and read. (above)

The kitchen (above and below)

Pitch ceilings and white hardwood floors make this small master bedroom feel bright and airy. (above)

What do you think?  Would you take it or leave it?  Too quaint or just right?

I would take it and visit there for a few weeks every year.  Would be silly to pass up a cute house if someone was giving it to me!  Right?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Going to NYC this weekend...for a few days...going to spend the weekend in the Hamptons with best of friend AM and her kids (her hubby JE is out of town)...we're road tripping to the Hamptons...don't know what we'll get ourselves into considering both of us have a bit of Lucy from I Love Lucy in us!

REAL WELL DESIGNED HOMES!

Mix and matched red and green chairs, white wood floors and a black painted feature wall make this eclectic dining room a lively eating space. (above)

Was browsing through Dos Family, a decor and design website created by Swedish designer Isabelle McAllister and photographer Jenny Branch when I popped into their House Tours segment.  Lots of interesting real homes in Sweden.  I use the word "real" because I do recognize that a lot of the homes that I feature here on COCOCOZY are "fantasy" high end homes with endless decorating budgets...well at least they are my fantasy.  I do however think it is equally as fun to sneak a peek into homes that are real and accessible and well designed.

Anyhooo...found quite a few fab vignettes on their site.  Here are just a few rooms that got me inspired!

Love the all white decor aesthetic in shown in this home's entryway. (above)

Minimalist decor with a classic silhouette sofa on brass casters and a stack of magazines used as a side table in this Swedish living room. (above)

Floral wallpaper and a collection of plates and accessories on the wall create a visually interesting living room space...and uh love the herringbone wood floors. (above)

I like the use of the backsplash in this kitchen...shelving, a magnetic knife rack and dangling cooking utensils free up the counter space for the cook. (above)

See anything here that inspires you?

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Floors in my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills have been refinished...as you might recall, just weeks ago, I had new floors installed and finished.  Once done, I was not happy so the guys re-sanded and refinished my new floors.  I went to the house the other day to view and now I am happy.  Was going for a matte finish medium to light brown color with some gray. We used 7" wide white oak with a beveled edge so the yellows in the wood also come through.  I wanted to achieve more of a rustic cottage look...and I think these floors now work.  I am happy now.  5 days of painting and then I move back in!  Woohooo!  Floors are shown below.

My newly refinished wood floors at my tiny little house in the Hollywood Hills...these are 7" white oak boars with a beveled edge using a custom mixed stain of 3 parts white, 1 part ebony and matte water based varnish. (above)

P.P.S.  Will show you some paint options later in the week.

P.P.P.S.  Am so thrilled and excited...in just over a week or so I'll be in High Point, NC debuting my full rug and full bedding collections at market there!  Will preview all this week and next!

P.P.P.P.S. TE and I are going to San Francisco this weekend to see his brother ME and his sister-in-law SE! Can't wait!  Am so excited to see them again.  They are so sweet.  Will be fun hanging out with TE as well!  Of course...have not a thing to wear. Oh...TE's brother said "bring walking shoes"...had a panic attack...can imagine myself huffing and puffing my way up and down the hills of San Francisco and the rest of the group's shock at my lack of endurance! Oh dear.

APARTMENT DECORATING - 1000 SQUARE FEET IN SWEDEN!

A white bedroom with a mix of old and new. (above)

This cute one bedroom apartment is located in Linnéstaden, Sweden. It was recently on the market but was snapped up understandably. Bright, cheerful and light is how I would describe the interior design. White walls, white floors, lots of natural sun light. The decor fits the setting. Not too important, very easy, both modern and classic at the same time. I like!

Love the printed fabric wall hanging that acts as a headboard of sorts over the bed. (above)

Smart use of space with cute storage boxes on top of a white armoire wardrobe. (above)

Lots of pillows on a gray sofa and framed posters make for easy living room decor - and don't forget an Eames chair classic! (above)

White wood floors throughout the apartment and in the dining room help add to the cheerful feel. (above)

A stainless steel backsplash in the small modern kitchen.(above)

What do you think of this little flat?  Do you think it needs a little more decorating or is it just right?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Was sitting at the office the other day at my real job - minding my own business - and these lovelies arrived. From the very nice TE. He is very thoughtful and sweet. Once they came, every girl I work with ran into my office...they were all cooing, oooohing and aaahhing. We then staged a mini photo shoot with the flowers where all of the girls were texting and putting them on Instagram. Got so caught up in "flowerpalooza", I forgot to text TE a thank you right away! Flowers...they do the trick every time.

Lovely flowers and my silver pig at my office. (above)

P.P.S.  Allegedly, I am doing a 5K tomorrow.  Okay...strike the allegedly.  I am doing a 5K tomorrow?  Okay strike the question mark.  I am doing a 5K tomorrow!

P.P.P.S.  Have a great weekend!

Photos: Stadshem

A SNOWY SWEDISH HOLIDAY!

TE's amazing photos of the Swedish coastline. (above)

It is Christmas Eve morning. A rainy cold Christmas Eve here in Los Angeles. A little weather finally! We are so accustomed to sun all of the time that a little rain feels like we are in a huge snow storm here!

I definitely equate snow with Christmas. I don't think I've ever had a white Christmas as I was born and raised here in Southern California.

TE sent me these gorgeous winter photos just a bit ago. TE is in Gothenberg, Sweden visiting his famiy for the week. A Christmas holiday in the EU!

I guess TE's been out on a walk there today in an area called Saro Vasterskoog...along the dramatic coastline. Snow, the ocean, ice and trees...something so peaceful and striking about these scenes.

I wonder what it would be like to spend a Christmas in a stunning snowy setting?

This is my favorite...love the dark trees and the footprints in the snow and the glassy water...something so mysterious and moody about this one. (above)

Thank you TE for sharing these beautiful photos.  Can't wait to see more of them when you get back!

Dear readers...are you spending your holiday in the snow?  Where will you be?  I'm running late.  Going to flower mart then have to rustle up Christmas Eve dinner for 8 people.

Happy Monday!  Happy Christmas Eve!

xo
Coco

Photos: TE

SMART DESIGN: PLAID KITCHEN!

Here's a cute idea. A small kitchen with plaid walls! Hmmmm...would have never thought of it but it works here. A cute small eat in kitchen in a Swedish apartment with a white subway tile backsplash, modern stainless hood, white cabinets and plaid wallpaper on all of the other walls. The plaid works here. Not too overwhelming. Just right. Adds a bit of whimsy and visual interest to what could end up being just a regular small space.

Amazing too that they were able to fit a little round table with some clear Louis Ghost chairs into the design mix.  I like.

Smart design I think. I've added a few wallpaper patterns below that could also look good in this type of space.

Graham & Brown - Plaid Tartan Wallpaper - $57 per roll (shades of gray)

Thibaut - Khimani Plaid Wallpaper (black, gray and off white) (above)

Do you like this idea of plaid on the walls in a kitchen?  Is a SMART DESIGN or not so smart all?  Is this something you would consider for your home?  Why or why not?  Please weigh in below.  I LOVE reading your comments.

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Just got an update today about a project we've been trying to move along with a major brand.  Will keep fingers crossed that it works out and that I can tell you about it soon.

P.P.S.  Also, just heard from another big company who might want to use COCOCOZY throws for their corporate Christmas gifts.  Fingers crossed that it works out!  Will of course blab the details should it come to fruition.

P.P.P.S.  Still no resolution on my floor issue (you know the wood floors that are damaged due to a pipe exploding)...can't seem to get the floor guy to come out and give me an estimate.  Arrrggghhhhhh....!

P.P.P.P.S. Thanks to all of you for your pictures of your pumpkins and for the great ideas you emailed me.  My neighbor has tricked out her house for Halloween already...I'm going to have to try to keep up by carving my one and only pumpkin!

P.P.P.P.P.S. Had a nice dinner last night with JLF.  So good to catch up after so long.


Photos: Alvhem

THIS OR THAT: THE BENCHMARK ON ENTRYWAY SEATING!

Which of these three foyers do you like best?  They all have something in common...traditional Louis XVI or Gustav style benches, white walls, art.

Wish I had a foyer large enough for seating of some sort. I think even a chair would do!

So do you like any of these or would you prefer your foyer bench free? That's the question in today's THIS OR THAT!

So which do you prefer...1, 2 or 3? Or do you not like any? Be honest...do tell! I'm leaning towards 2 but like the brightness of 1.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Sorry didn't post yesterday! Running around like a chicken with no head ...work is super busy...plus making all of these changes at my house before best of friend AM and her hubby JE and their kids come visit in 2 weeks. The not exciting thing is that none of the changes are fun design and decorating changes...they are more functional...like tearing down the fence on the side of my house and building a new one, constructing a new front gate, fixing the side deck, covering the side patio, sanding the main deck, drywalling the skylight in my bedroom and fixing a portion of the wood floors in my house and new outdoor lighting...oh did I mention, I'm sending out one of my sofas to be reupholstered? Things I notice everyday that are driving me CRAZY and would totally bug me if guests were here and saw these things...I'm sure they won't even notice the difference...but I will. So my house is a construction zone right now. Yay and oh dear at the same time!

P.P.S. In the middle of all of this, COCOCOZY is moving into a new office space, so all of that has to be arranged (yes, I took the Beverly Hills office in the shabby building but with lots of light...it is so central and near my day job so I can pop by after or before work...so I chose location. I did inquire about office space in downtown Los Angeles and it was about 1/3 of the price only problem is that I would never ever be able to get to the office because downtown is so far from my house and from where I am during the day that it would have made no sense. We move in on Sunday. Wood floors have gone in, fluorescent lights removed and paint has been refreshed. CM is helping with all of the moving thank goodness.

P.P.P.S. Prepping for my friend AZ's wedding in Puerto Vallarta too...did I mention that? Don't know what I will wear? Resort, casual, beach appropriate attire is in need. Can't wait.

P.P.P.P.S. How do you typically prep when guests are coming to stay at your house? Do you do construction or do you just add a flower here and there? Do tell any stories about getting ready for house guests!


Photos: Stadshem; Bella Casa Design; Joe Schmelzer,Treasure Bite Studios