HOW TO DESIGN ODD SHAPED SPACES

A small bay window nook is transformed into a home office for two with a built in desk and white Panton chairs. (above)

Unless you live in a castle or mansion (my dream), the concept of maximizing space usually comes into play when decorating a home (my reality).  The question is...what should one do with small odd size spaces?  Lots of people just leave these spaces empty or put a chair and small table in them and call it a day.

I say...why not make the most of those odd shaped spaces in your home?

Here are some tips:

1. Embrace the odd shape - Don't fight against it...if you have an unconventionally shaped space, do not fight against the odd lines or strange foot print...embrace it.  Be open to changing your ideas of how a space should look or be used.

2. Use built ins - An odd shaped space usually means that most regular furniture will not fit.  Use cabinetry that can attach to walls...furniture that becomes part of the architecture.

3.  Define the space with a little drama - Use wallpaper, tile, a bold rug or some sort of accent to define the odd shaped space.  Why not show off your ingenious use of space? If you can figure out how to cleverly use a difficult space, you should celebrate it and set it apart.

Small white kitchen squeezed under a staircase. (above)

A strangely angled wall is turned into a cute laundry room with zig zag tile backsplash (above)

Which of these spaces is your favorite?  I like the laundry room and the kitchen...clever use of space!

Happy Friday!

xo

Coco

P.S.  COME SEE ME IN HIGH POINT! - Am off to show off my COCOCOZY rug collection again! Am leaving tomorrow morning for a whirlwind trip to High Point, North Carolina for market.  I'll be doing a meet and greet at the Capel Rugs showroom...talking with designers, buyers and press about the COCOCOZY collection of rugs.  If you are going to High Point Market, please stop by the Capel Rugs Showroom at Market Square on  Sunday, October 20th between 10a-2p to say hi.  I would love to meet you in person!

P.P.S.  Been a long week...slept on a bench two nights...can explain later! :-)  Welcome to my world!



Photos: Buckingham Interior Design; Johanna Ekmark

STRIPES & CHEVRON TOGETHER? - FEARLESS DECOR PART 2

Last week I showed you a bright pink living room and said that was fearless.  This week I bring you a home in Morocco with a wild blue chevron pattern floor and bold stripe walls!  Wow!

Could you do it?

Would you go fearless or play it safe?

FEARLESS - Cement handmade tiles...

Zigzag cement tiles (above)

SAFE - Or try a rug to get the same look!

Wool flat weave ikat chevron rug (above)

So regarding the rooms above...I would probably do the floor but not the stripe walls.  I love the idea of a beautiful graphic pattern tile on the floor.

See the rest of the decor on decor on Elle Decor's site.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Packing day at COCOCOZY!  We're shipping off a lot of COCOCOZY product to many of our customers including one of our newest retailers...Candelabra in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  VP of Operations CM sent me this picture from our headquarters in Beverly Hills!  Yay CM and NG!  Nice work.

Packing day at our COCOCOZY offices!

P.P.S.  Ask Me a Design Question & Pillow Giveaway - I am so excited and thrilled to be this week's Ask the Expert over on Interior Collective blog.  Head over to Interior Collective to ask me a decor related question about color!  Also, if you ask a question, you are then eligible to possibly win a COCOCOZY Pillow!  Next week my answers to selected questions will be answered! Woohooo!  Can't wait to hear what you have to ask!

Photos: Elle Decor

CHEVRON - COCOCOZY FINDS

Chevron chic is not going away!  This zigzag pattern is a dominant force in fashion and home decor.  It is this summer...like it was last spring, last winter, last fall, the summer before and so on and so on.  You get the picture.

Just a few of my favorite zigzag finds!

1. Chevron clutch purse / 2. Wood navy/white table lamp / 3. Maxi sun dress / 4. Sea foam/sea green linen pillow / 5. Gray/white octagonal side table

My top pick? The black & white Narciso Rodriguez clutch purse...a new twist on chevron in the form of an adorable bag!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Check out COCOCOZY Pinterest for some other chevron design finds!

RANDOM STUFF I'M LIKING RIGHT NOW 5-22-13

Silver Wire Bowls - $170 for set of two (above)

No rhyme, no reason, no theme, no scheme, no purpose...just some random furniture, fashion accessories and more that I'm liking right now. A little this or that for the mansion, ranch, home, house, apartment, loft, condo, cottage or shack and anything in between...and a little something for making you look good too!

Windham Silver Leaf Iron Lamp - $688

Natalie Tall Bookcase-$605 (above)

Zig Zag Cuff Bracelet - $288 (above)

Any of these random things I'm liking work for you?

Happy Wednesday!

Xo

Coco

THIS OR THAT: MOSAIC KITCHEN BACKSPLASH!

Which of these two kitchen looks do you like better.

The white kitchen with the blue mosaic chevron pattern backsplash?  Or the kitchen with the dark wood cabinets and the Moorish looking mosaic tile backsplash?

Which do you prefer.

THIS?

OR THAT?

I like both kitchens definitely! But if I had to pick a look for my house...it is tough but I would pick the 2nd kitchen if you can believe! Normally I always lean towards the light and bright so picking #2 is truly a departure!

What do you think?  If you had to scoop up one of these kitchens and put it in your own home...which would you take? Please vote in the comments below!

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Had a lovely dinner at Dominick's last night JLF.

Photos: Jute; House of Fifty

WHAT'S NEW IS OLD - A MALIBU BEACH RETREAT!

Encasement doors are flung open to show off this Malibu home's ocean view! (above)

A Malibu house...with ocean views...right on the famous Broad Beach.  A new home built to look old!  Owned and built by antiques afficianado Richard Shapiro, the home is a juxtaposition between old and new... from the purposefully chipped sandstone floors, to the buffed plastered walls, to the floor to ceiling encasement windows, to the modern swooping steel balustrade, this villa on the ocean is meant to look as if it was plucked out of ancient ruins with some very modern touches!

The open living plan!

The dining room. (above and below)

A sleek modern black kitchen with slabs of basalt used for the backsplash and the island. (above)

A modern steel balustrade. (above)

A courtyard with turquoise Moroccan tiles in a chevron pattern. (above)

What do you think of this Malibu home? Does the combo of old looking and modern work for you? I happen to adore the courtyard and all of the steel windows and doors!

What do you like?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Sis DS is traveling right now (lucky her).  She texted in this photo from Morocco this morning. DS and my mother are touring Medina today and were in Casablanca yesterday.  So cool!  This photo below is a screen...one that allows women to see out but keeps them hidden from men! So interesting!

A photo from my sister during her visit to Morocco! (above)

P.P.S.  Have today off from my real job...so will be spending the day catching up on all things COCOCOZY!  Looking forward to a little time to get everything in order before I start traveling for the summer.

P.P.P.S.  Oh, did I mention, I'll be in Atlanta next week for the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Mart.  Will be showing the COCOCOZY textiles collection at the Christian Mosso Associates Showroom again in Building 1 of the Merchandise Mart on the 9th Floor. Please stop by if you are going to be in Atlanta next week!

P.P.P.S.  Also, if you'll be in New York in the middle of August you can catch up with me at the New York International Gift Fair...come by there and say hi and see the collection.  This will be my 4th time doing the New York show.  I get so nervous and excited about going.  I totally stress out trying to remember all of he details.  Oy va voy...got to hop on it!  Keeping fingers crossed that I'll have a big COCOCOZY related announcement in New York in August...trying to get things in order.

P.P.P.P.S.  Hope you are enjoying July so far! :-)


Photos: C Magazine