Have A Sweet Weekend!

4th of July "fireworks cookies", from Martha Stewart (of course).

Even though these cookies look intimidating, the decorating process actually sounds quite easy.  I might try it.

find the recipe HERE!

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Faux Bois Walls

"papier bois" wallcovering by Nobilis

I was first introduced to Nobilis faux bois wallpaper when I worked as a designer at Burnham Design.  We used it in the family room of this gorgeous Manhattan Beach home:

project by Burnham Design

featured in House Beautiful, December 2007

Then, I recently spotted it in a project designed by Nina Freudenberger, featured in TradHome Magazine (the shelter magazine love child of Traditional Home and Lonny Magazine)...

It's such a versatile wallpaper and looks great in SO MANY applications.

a bathroom?

bedroom?

dining room?

and, of course a living room.

I love how the Nobilis wallpaper feels like a modern interpretation of panelled walls.  It's cozy, and a little rustic.  But all together clean and modern.  The greyscale colorway is my favorite (seen at the top of this post).  The greys are so subtle, like a gorgeous chalky piece of grey driftwood.

Since this French wallpaper is a little pricy, here's how we can achieve faux bois walls on the cheap:

If you have a lot of patience (and a steady hand) you should try Martha Stewart's faux bois painting technique.  Here's Tom demonstrating how to "faux bois" at the Martha Stewart blogging party last year...

Looks easy enough!

Martha Stewart faux bois dresser

Here's what Martha says you'll need:

• a base coat paint (in this case BM White Dove)
• a glaze tint (in this case BM Sienna Laurel)
• Martha Stewart's Faux Bois kit (including the faux bois imprinted rocker), available at The Home Depot
• 9 inch (with a 1/4 inch nap) roller

If you're serious about this project (which in all honesty, does look like a doable technique)...  you should ABSOLUTELY watch the "How To" Video, on the Martha Stewart site.  They make it look eeeeeeasy.  Also, it's really informative and very inspiring.

I'm already thinking about what I can "faux bois" in the future...  a serving tray maybe?  Or, even a desk top?

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Have A Martini Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, everyone!  I hope you have a bright weekend ahead of you!   I leave you with this fabulous picture of Martha Stewart making martinis at her Maine estate last weekend (taken from Martha Stewart: Up Close & Personal).  Even Martha has a good cocktail once in a while...

Martinis are a good thing.

Happy Weekend!

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Pillows With Turkish Corners

I've really never been a big fan of box pillows.  Or, round pillows.  Or ball-shaped pillows (by the way, what is that about?).  Me?  I like to stick with a basic square pillow, typically with a knife edge or self welt.  Down insert, invisible zipper.  It's just what I like.

But, then I saw this image on My Notting Hill.

And, I like those pillows!

Then, I remembered that Martha Stewart's Kevin Sharkey had filled his apartment TO THE BRIM with these pinch-pleated box pillows... in the living room, in the office, in the bedroom.  All in velvet, I might add.

These pinch-pleated box pillows are made with "Turkish corners."  That is the correct terminology.  What do you think of them?  Would you upgrade from a traditional knife edge for a Turkish corner?

They look pretty great in a super modern space (like Kevin's apartment)... 

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Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Martha Stewart has posted some creative last minute Halloween costumes!  My favorite are these precious little Hula Girls (with skirts made from mop heads!)...

This Bee-Hive costume (her braids are made with yarn!) is also adorable...

and a Beekeeper for Mom or Dad...

I like these Spider Shades...  these look easy to make.

This Medusa is pretty scary!  (but looks do-able)...

What do you think?  Do you guys dress up for Halloween?  For the last few years, I've worn the same costume when kids come to the door: I'm Hermione from Harry Potter.  I even have a witch's hat with the Hogwarts insignia.  Yes, I am a proud fan. (And for the record, I look more like this Hermione than this version of Hermione.)

But to be honest, Halloween has completely crept up on me this year (no pun intended).  I've been swamped with work and I feel like I just realized that Halloween is THIS Sunday... we need to carve pumpkins and toast pumpkin seeds!  And, I haven't bought ANY candy yet. 

It's our first Halloween in this old house, and I wonder if we'll get trick-or-treaters.

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Bloody Candles!

Holy Martha Stewart.  I actually pulled off this Halloween craft. 

I wanted to show off these fabulous black glass candlesticks in a creepy way, so I tried Martha's "bloody candles" craft.  Well, lo and behold, it worked!  And, it couldn't have been ANY EASIER (and, no,  I didn't burn myself).

Everyone should try this...  it was really fun.  And, I even impressed my husband.

Watch Martha Stewart demonstrate "Creepy Candles" HERE.

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Party At Kevin Sharkey's!

Since I just posted the pictures from Kevin Sharkey's fabulous apartment renovation, why not review the party pictures from his Housewarming Party! 

There are PLENTY of excellent entertaining ideas here!  Let's steal a few for your next party...

Kevin filled the long entry hall with simple helium-filled balloons-- the only party decor he brought into the space! I love how something so simple can bring such a big impact. Kevin said, "It felt like confetti was continuously floating above us."

Guests were served caviar and toast, and "dirty deviled eggs" (made with chopped olives).  The silver serving ware makes for a classic presentation.  This look never gets old with me.

Kevin's bathtub was filled with ice and served as a giant Champagne chiller!  What a great idea for small apartment dwellers!

(a helpful tip from Kevin: first fill the tub with bubble wrap, and use less ice!)

The adjacent shower was used to display Kevin's massive collection of Hermes boxes!

A sophisticated martini bar was set up on Kevin's dining room bar cart...  and, the lower shelf holds ping pong supplies!

Kevin turned his dining room table into a ping-pong table!  Guests were given bright orange paddles and encouraged to play...

They kept score on the dining room mirror...

with Chanel lipstick, no less!

Lipstick was used on other mirrors throughout the house too!  I LOVE this idea, you guys!!!  Of course, I might use a cheaper drug store brand, but you get the idea. 

Dessert included an OREO Cookie "Cake", served with glasses of milk!

(Kevin will teach you how to easily stack this thing HERE)


What a great party!  To read more about it, visit the link HERE.

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"Flattering light, good music, and of course Champagne and caviar make for a great party." 

-- Kevin Sharkey

(I agree.)

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Kevin Sharkey At Home

Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to a "Bloggers Night Out" party, hosted by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.  The event was a total blast (read my recap here), and the one person I was dying to meet there (besides Martha herself) was Home Design Director, Kevin Sharkey.  I think that Kevin is so incredibly talented, and completely adorable to boot.  In person, he couldn't have been more gracious and down to earth... and, he's a superb dresser!  You'll understand why when you see his closet!

Kevin recently renovated his New York City apartment from top to bottom.  And of course, with the Martha Stewart Team, he chronicled the whole thing! Get ready for a ton of FABULOUS pictures here, people...  because, there are many.  I didn't want to leave anything out!

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The first thing Kevin did was bleach his dark wenge floors to a lighter wood... Now, the space reflects more light, and the lighter wood easily hides dirt!

His living room, with a soothing neutral palette....

and, a stunning view of the Hudson River!

Off of the living room, you can see my FAVORITE room in Kevin's apartment: the fabulous dining room...

He brought in loads of drama with these two chandeliers, reflecting so much light into this ultra modern space! The chrome chairs and the large chinoiserie panels are also to-die-for. I think that this space is complete perfection. I would love to have dinner here... it's prettier than most restaurants. And, that view!

The floating credenza holds all of Kevin's serving ware. I love the monogrammed linens and all that silver!

Kevin placed a floor to ceiling mirror at the end of the room to further reflect the space and make the dining room feel larger. What a smart trick?! The door to the right leads onto the small terrace, overlooking the Hudson River.

Kevin openly admits that Martha Stewart played a major role in organizing the kitchen. How could he go wrong with that?

The library in Kevin's apartment is also a wonderful space. It's clean and tailored, yet cushy and comfortable. Again, the room is filled with light, but this time, he has chosen to bring a bit more color into the space...

Kevin's bedroom also functions as an office. The space is flooded with light, and I love the selective use of texture (the lampskin rug!)...

The closet is drool worthy... especially by New York City standards. Look at all this space!

The bathroom was done in bright whites with polished nickel fixtures. The look is modern and fresh, but completely classic at the same time...

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Isn't his new place grand?  Kevin has posted many fabulous pictures of his apartment on the Martha Stewart website, in addition to informative videos showing us the ins-and-outs of the renovation process.  So, to learn more about this wonderful design project, go HERE.

Or, pick up the newset issue of Martha Stewart Living, where Kevin is on the cover!

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