Movie Monday

Posted on February 1, 2016 by adaymay

TheIntern_01

I’m a sucker for Nancy Meyers films. Baby Boom, Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated, The Holiday. And now I can add The Intern to the list. At first, I heard so-so reviews and thus didn’t rush to the theater. But last weekend, while K was at the gym, I was searching On Demand and decided to give it a try. And I’ve gotta say, I loved it. The story line was sweet, the cast delightful and the set design, swoon worthy. Just take a look at these spaces.

THE INTERN

The office space in Brooklyn where Robert De Niro becomes an intern. I’d work here in a New York minute!

THE INTERN

Ann Hathaway’s kitchen… l die. Looks like I need to become the founder of a fashion company ASAP!

THE INTERN

The dining room and seating area in Hathaway’s Brooklyn brownstone. That mirror needs to find its ways to Melrose Place (my home).

Looking for a light and feel good film? Give The Intern a try!

Design Crush

Posted on October 22, 2015 by adaymay

Remember these guys? For years, my Saturday ritual included a night with Vern, Hildi, Ty,and Doug on Trading Spaces. Hard to believe the show launched 15 years ago {on October 13 to be precise}. Granted, we didn’t get Paige Davis till the second season, but this show was certainly my present day Scandal. Did you feel the same way? At the time, my favorite designer was Laurie. The adorable red-head with the southern accent. But I’ve got to tell you, now my favorite is Genevieve Gorder.

I’ve had a few days sick in bed these past few weeks, which always means Netflix. Last week, I watched HGTV’s 6-part series on Genevieve’s renovation of her New York City condo. Just take a look at the finish product:

The ladder, those chairs, that marble….

The black walls with the Moroccan tables and large storage piece from an antique store in Maine. I want it all!

And my favorite room by far, her guest bathroom.

Looking for a little design inspiration, log into your Netflix account and watch Genevieve’s Renovation. I should also note her Capel rug collection is phenomenal and the price point is quite good. Now, if I could just find a condo to renovate!

Found

Posted on October 16, 2015 by adaymay

This was a very good week for my design book collection. Wednesday Emily Henderson’s Styled book arrived on my door step, K surprised me with The Monocle Guide to a Cosy Homes and last night I met Eddie Ross at his Modern Mix book signing at one of my favorite stores in Boston! Looking for inspiration or a little color to add to your bookshelves? I suggest checking out these found items.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Design Crush

Posted on October 7, 2015 by adaymay

Have you all heard of Amber Lewis? If not, I suggest you open up your Instagram account and begin following her immediately!

I stumbled upon Amber’s blog a few years back and became and instant fan. Fast forward just a few years and it seems like everywhere you turn, Amber is receiving well-deserved kudos for her interiors. Known for her laid-back, California cool aesthetic, Amber launched an online shoppe about a year ago {her pillow selection is insane}. As you can imagine, the e-store was an overwhelming success {most of the items sold out within hours} and thus when the opportunity came along for a brick and mortar, Amber jumped at the opportunity. Located in Old Town, Calabasas {yes, the land of the Kardashians}, Amber’s store is on the top of my list of reasons to get myself back out to Cali.

Here is just one vignette of a dreamy couch.

And look at that wall of pillows.

Amber… thank you for the endless inspiration!

*Image credit: All photos from Amber Interiors

Found

Posted on April 16, 2014 by adaymay

Let’s just be clear. The last thing I could possibly need in my life is another throw pillow. But this morning our ever so handsome sales rep from one of my favorite fabric lines stopped by the shop to introduce some of their offerings. To say I fell hard would certainly be an understatement. The Black Edition is a collaboration with contemporary British artist Jessica Zoob. What a talent!

The collection includes 6 paintings, from Jessica’s Passion series, that reflect the seasons of a relationship. Spring brings a sense of anticipation; Summer is full of energy and color; Autumn can bring tempestuous storms; and Winter feels crisp and still. ‘If you’re lucky’ says Jessica, ‘Spring will always come around again’. The finished fabrics were achieved by using state of the art digital printing, which brought the paintings to life on pure linen. Works of art.

It was hard to decide on just one. While turning each page and falling more in love, I stopped when I saw this one and thought this captures me completely. Two pillows are on their way to me. Happy early birthday, May!

Collaborate

Posted on March 13, 2014 by adaymay

I’m back! I certainly did miss you all but had a wonderful time on my California vacation. I promise to provide a full report next week with all my must-do’s in the Golden State.

While lounging on the beaches of Malibu (don’t mean to rub it in), I was able to catch up on some much-needed reading (and sleep). And I must say, I was excited to read about several exciting collaborations that have just launched. Let’s begin with one of my favorites… Rifle Paper and Garance Dore. If you don’t read Garance’s blog, you should. She lives a life I dream of… in Paris no less. A lover of the finer things, she has an incredible eye for all things street fashion. She, like me, is also a lover of all things paper and always dreamt of launching a paper line but knew she needed to find the right partner. Enter my all-time favorite paper designer Anna Bond and Rifle Paper. The two hit it off instantly and created a breathtaking line that launched in Paris last week and will be stateside soon enough. Can’t wait to add a few of these pieces to my ever-growing stationary collection.

Not only am I a lover of paper but beautiful shoes make me weak in the knees. Sarah Jessica Parker, a/k/a Carrie Bradshaw, partnered with Manolo Blahnik to create a beautiful shoe line fondly named SJP. Available at Nordstroms, her first collection is breathtaking. In honor of her mom, several pairs of shoes in the collection feature grosgrain ribbon the heel. What a special touch. I have my eyes on these and these.

And last but certainly not least, Gwyneth Paltrow has teamed up with Peter Dunham to offer an exclusive line of pillows on her site. And as I have said before, I have a thing for throw pillows. Aren’t they just beautiful?

My takeaway from all of these is that collaboration really does make everything better. An important lesson on this snowy Thursday. Stay warm!

Home

Posted on February 25, 2014 by adaymay

Have you all heard of Jane Lilly Warren? She is the co-founder and creative director of Matchbook Magazine, a monthly favorite, and has one of the best eyes out there. While “stalking” her on Instagram this weekend, I came across this photo of a home she visited in York, Maine and instantly fell in-love. Isn’t it delightful? It got me thinking a lot about my future home.

Let’s take a tour, shall we?

Here is my entry way (courtesy of Amanda Peet’s home feature in Vogue).

On the left, will be a door to a small powder room. I love using a bold wallpaper in a small space and this chocolate one with the green mirror is perfection. I might do different sconces but overall, this is one of the best powder rooms I’ve seen.

As you continue through the entry way, you will enter the family/tv room (again courtesy of Amanda Peet’s home feature in Vogue).

And then into the formal living room.

I believe one of the most important rooms in any home is the kitchen. This one from Lonny’s March/April 2011 issue is near perfection. I would only add a small english pine table in the corner with the banquet to serve as a little breakfast nook and perhaps have two overhead lighting fixtures instead of one.

And since I’m one who loves to entertain, I like the feel of this not-so-formal dining room. The fire place just makes it for me.

Now, let’s head on up to the second floor. I love little spaces that you can get lost in for hours. This second floor window seat might just be my favorite part of the house.

I love the feeling of a home with lots of love and thus I will need a few guests room to have all my nearest and dearest down whenever possible. Guest room #1.

Tom Scheerer is one of my favorite interior designers. Look at this guest bedroom in one of his project’s in the Bahamas featured in Elle Decor. Wouldn’t change a single thing.

The master bedroom is the second most important room in the house. I was drawn to this room as it’s a bit more masculine and I know I will have to compromise with my future mate on all my boho picks. Hopefully he will think this room is just as much his as mine.

And lastly, a place of relaxation. The master bath. I could easily end everyday here.

So there you have it. My future home. Can’t wait to have you all over!

Score

Posted on February 19, 2014 by adaymay

Sorry if you thought this might be a post about the Olympics. It isn’t and I will sadly confess that I haven’t watch any (too busy with Breaking Bad and House of Cards). But it is about a great new site that you will find several scores on… Hunters Alley. The brainchild of the women behind One Kings Lane, Hunters Alley is a new kind of marketplace created for design lovers that connects shoppers and sellers. From vintage barware and one-of-a-kind jewelry to Moroccan rugs and killer accents, this site has it all. Just look at what I found:

– Old books, which I love to use to decorate any space. Just look at this one… clearly I need it for many reasons, least of which is the name.

– A beautiful piece to add to my growing art collection.

– Just like you can never have too many bags or shoes, I also believe you can never have too many sets of candlesticks. This lucite and brass pair is fab.

– I have an affinity for all things old kitchen, like these mashers.

– While I have had some luck finding beautiful pieces of sea glass on this little island of mine, I have yet to find an actual sea glass bottle. Perhaps I should purchase these for a little luck for future findings.

– I have always had a thing for small bowls and I have a bunch on my dresser to catch my jewels, hairbands, earrings, etc. Think I might need to add this etched brass piece to the puzzle.

Passion

Posted on February 12, 2014 by adaymay

How does that quote go… “Do what you love and do it often.” One of the many reasons I decided to return to my island roots nearly two years ago was I felt like something was missing. Don’t get me wrong. I had a great life in the city. A good job, wonderful friends, a sweet studio (that I miss nearly every day) but something just felt amiss. With a little distance and lots of quiet island time, I have come to realize what was missing. Passion.

My time home has allowed me to find the courage to seek out and explore my passion(s). I no longer sit in an office but rather divide my time between a catering kitchen in the summer months and a beautiful shop, where I wear many hats including social media girl, shop girl, buyer, web girl, and design assistant girl. I never thought much about my love for all things design. Colors, textures, furniture placement… it always came natural to me. But I have come to realize it doesn’t come that easy to everyone.

And so I thought I would share my guiding principle when it comes to design. Let your space be a reflection of you and what’s important to you. Buy pieces that you love. Invest in them. My studio in Boston was nearly empty for the first six months as I was waiting to find just that right piece.

If you ever need help, know I’m here. And if you need a little interior inspiration, do check out my Pinterest board. Another one of my passions, I must confess.

Oh and the photo above… that’s me doing a little styling for a website photo shoot. Not bad for a day’s work.

My Crush

Posted on January 31, 2014 by adaymay

Allow me to introduce you to John. Isn’t he just adorable?! I love a man in tortoise glasses. And even better, he loves to travel the world like me.

In all seriousness, though, John is the mastermind behind John Robshaw, one of my all-time favorite textile companies. I started collecting these pieces of art nearly 6 years ago. I remember saving for months and months to purchase these classic blue and white ones. Even after all these years, I am still obsessed(this so rarely happens). They have been on my bed, my couch, my accent chairs. What can I say, they have a permanent place in my heart and home.

This past week, John launched his 2014 Spring Line and I thought it would be fun to share my picks.

– I love to keep throws around the house. Great for an impromptu picnic, lounging at the beach or to cozy up with and watch a movie. This hand loomed and hand-knotted South Indian cotton throw in guava will soon be mine.

– My 35th birthday is in May and I’m thinking I will host a lavish dinner party with my dear friends. This table cloth has sparked my creative juices flowing for not just the color scheme but menu too.

– Since clearly I need more pillows in my Robshaw collection, I am thinking of adding this one, this one, and perhaps even this one (that also happens to be the same print as my first).

Any pieces that have caught your eye? Do let me know.

A Day with May

Category Archives: Interior Design

Movie Monday

Design Crush

Found

Design Crush

Found

Collaborate

Home

Score

Passion

My Crush