Get It Together!!

I think that thinking about getting organized is one of the most popular "to-do" tasks at the beginning of the year. You can order all kinds of organization items online but a lot of my favorites are items I've thrifted or found in vintage shops and have repurposed for organization. Often this is a much more interesting and economical way to get storage and organization pieces. Sometimes you have to be patient, thrift, and slowly find all the pieces you need but I think it is worth it. 

One of my favorite pieces in my house is this vintage bamboo china cabinet that I have used for over 10 years as the linen closet in my closet-less primary bathroom. Sometimes you have to use your imagination. 

The bamboo china cabinet is filled with vintage wicker suitcases that I thrifted over time. The suitcases store all kinds of bathroom necessities that are not necessarily attractive. They can be found in every size imaginable and are inexpensive. They also stack beautifully so you can get a lot of storage space using them. They add warmth and texture, plus a touch of the unexpected, to the bathroom.

I'm not kidding when I say I hide everything you need in a bathroom in vintage wicker and bamboo suitcases.

The primary bath isn't the only place I use stacked, vintage wicker baskets and trunks. Almost every shelf unit in my home has at least one wicker or bamboo storage piece. 

The bamboo trunk in my entry way holds our candle stash.

And the small bamboo boxes, on the coffee table below, hold all of our remotes, chargers and other little items that seem to accumulate in the room where we watch TV.

More bamboo lidded baskets storing all kinds of little things all around the house. 

I went on my first thrift store visit of the year today and there were two  bamboo/wicker suitcases there! It's easier than you think to find creative storage. 

Happy Organizing!

I Love Hotel Portofino

Oh my goodness, are you watching the series Hotel Portofino? It may be the most beautiful series I've ever watched. The setting of the hotel in Portofino, Italy is breathtaking and the interiors and clothes are stunning. 

(all images from the series are via PBS.org)

I'm streaming it on PBS but I believe it is available on Brit Box as well. It is just the first season and only 6 episodes. I am hoping there will be more. Everything is just so beautiful and idyllic visually. The plot has some twists and turns and it is set in the Roaring 20's so historically we know they are recuperating from the first World War and there is a background of rising fascism. It is so worth the watch (and I keep pausing to look at furnishings and the gardens and so much wicker and rattan!)

The color story of this series is so rich and enticing. The lobby, hallways and some of the main areas are painted in tone-on-tone of a soft blue. There is a study or library that is the richest blue - the color of blueberries. 

The exteriors of the buildings are a rainbow of muted tones. The light is incredible and there are potted palms, lemon trees and greenery everywhere. There is just the right amount of darker wood tone and natural wicker and rattan mixed in. 

For me, it is the beautiful outdoor spaces that I relate to the most. Al fresco dining, porches to relax on, picnics near the water...

We are all going to want to recreate the relaxed elegance of the Hotel Portofino for our own outdoor spaces this Summer.

I decided to see if I could pull together a Hotel Portofino "starter"  board.

As always, start with local vintage shops, thrift shops and online auctions. You might just find all of the wicker and rattan pieces you need right there. I'm going to link some items and sources below in case you can't find some things locally or if you don't want to take the time to look - Summer is flying by!

If you want a set of wicker right away, I think the new pieces from @varnish.collection are just beautiful. Look at the style and design - a perfect Hotel Portofino look. 

There are so many vintage dealers on eBay, IG and Etsy, too.

Next, you are going to need umbrellas. They are dotted everywhere on the grounds and beaches.

 

This fringed umbrella is so charming but a less expensive one in white or cream would work perfectly with the HP aesthetic we are going for. There are several for less than $50.00.

In addition to rattan and wicker chaises right down on the beach, folding canvas sling chairs were spotted about. 

This pair works perfectly - wooden frames and white or natural fabric slings. And this pair is under $90.00 for both! Find a little wicker or bamboo table to place between them for a bowl of fruit and drinks glasses. 

Gorgeous Turkish towels are draped over the chairs and carried by everyone heading to the warm waters of the Italian Riviera for a swim. We have some for the beach and they are really wonderful. Turkish towels come in so many fabulous colors but most of the towels in the show were muted beige or soft creams so I've linked these. 

Potted lemon trees and potted palms are everywhere! If you have a green thumb then head to your local greenhouse but, if not, here are some fabulous faux options. 

Such a great looking faux lemon tree. I have a real lemon tree and a faux version and I love them both! This one is 6 feet tall. 

There are a ton of amazing fake palms on Amazon. This pair is about $100 for both. Hotel Portofino had potted palms everywhere. You can't go wrong adding as many palms as you like!

And, of course, all of the lemon trees and palms are potted in fabulous urns of all different

 materials. You can find urns in every price range. 

Urns in a classic profile would work perfectly. These resin (lightweight) urns are a perfect fit and are about $40.00 each. I have found a lot of urn planters while out thrifting so be sure to check locally so you can have several planters to complete your look. 

You could also use this DIY to create fabulous faux marble urns from simple plastic planters!

Add all of these touches or just a few to your outdoor space and it will feel like you've escaped to an exotic hotel in Portofino - just be sure you serve "Italian Lemonade" - watch the show and you'll know what I mean!!

And be sure to let me know if you add a little Hotel Portofino look to your outdoor space!

Coastal Grandmother or Coastal Grandmillenial?

"Coastal Grandmother" rages on as the trend of Summer 2022. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we are all currently obsessed with the latest AD feature on Nancy Meyer's home that was recently redecorated by Mark D. Sikes.

I'm not a trend follower but as I posted here and here, I've been a coastal grandmother for decades. Here's the thing about the trend (and I'd like to add "chic" to the moniker CG to up it's game a touch!) - making a shift to coastal grandmother does not require a huge investment in decor items or a complete redo of a room. It's all about an appreciation for enjoying life's little pleasures.

A lot of the home decor style aspect of coastal grandmother takes it's cue from Nancy Meyers films or Ina Garten's cooking and lifestyle posts.  Now, we all know these are homes and spaces created with larger budgets than many of us have, but because the look is simpler than Grandmillenial and other styles it's easier to recreate the look. Or just add a few touches of CG to your home for a little bit of Summery flair. Perhaps we might coin the term "Coastal Grandmillenial Chic" for those of us who are a little more colorful or collected in our decor preference?

What can you do with things you have on hand or items that are inexpensive and easy to find? Here are some quick and easy tips!!

Do you have... baskets? Yes, then pile them up to use in the kitchen. Fill them with lemons or limes to use in refreshing summer drinks or to make your daily water a little more exciting! If you don't have baskets they are easily collected from a thrift sore for as little as 25 cents! Grab a few. Look for rattan or wicker place mats while you are there too. Natural fiber accessories are key to this look. But you don't have to go crazy - just add as little or as much as you like. 

Fresh flowers are such a beautiful coastal grandmother touch. You don't need expensive flowers or fancy vases. You can pick flowers from your yard (or the roadside) and place them in something as simple as a clear vase or drinking glass even. 

Vases are always in abundance at the thrift store for a dollar if you don't have anything at home already. Dot them around the house - kitchen counter, sofa table, bedside table.

You can splurge on grocery store flowers or a small fern (place in a little basket) to add a touch of life to a room. Potted herbs are a great choice too because they are pretty, aromatic and useful. 

What's a coastal grandmother without a few seashells?? Just grab those shells you've collected on previous beach trips and pile them in a bowl on the coffee table or the middle of the dining table. They don't have to be museum specimens! Just show off their natural beauty. Don't have any sea shells that you collected personally? I found bags of seashells at the dollar store and Goodwill. You don't need sign that say "Beach" or kitschy coastal items. A few shells, a piece of driftwood or other natural finds are just the right touch. 

Lamps and candles are a nice CG touch as well - adding atmosphere to the porch, kitchen or living areas in ways that overhead lighting can't do.

 I'm really enjoying a citronella + vetiver candle from Bath and Body Works because it smells good and keeps mosquitos away. I'm using it on my screened porch just in case one sneaks in. I also love candles from Candlefish in Charleston SC. I prefer to use only white candles in my home and Candlefish creates white candles in hundreds of scents - you can even create your own signature scent. I've never done it because I love so many of the ones they have in their library of scents!

So, are you strictly a Coastal Grandmother by definition using minimal color like Nancy Meyers or do you think you're a little more "Coastal Grandmillenial Chic" (using my new terminology!) like I am? All of the items below are things that I use in my summery decor and some are items I use year round - natural materials, a mixture of textures and metals, a touch of coastal decor and shells, plants and/or flowers and definitely blue and white. 

Chinoiserie Carpet Balls

Carpet Balls are pretty much just what they sound like - they were originally used for playing a bowling type game inside on carpet. The game originated in Scotland (according to most sources) in the 19th century.

 The game is played much like Bocci, Boules or British Lawn Bowling - just inside on carpet. The porcelain balls were originally painted with plaid, stripe or small flower designs in greens and reds. 

I'm not sure when the chinoiserie designs began appearing on them but all colors and designs of carpet balls have become very popular collectors items.

 They can range in price from a few dollars at a thrift store to hundreds for very old celadon glazed ones. 

I have found all of mine in thrift stores for just a few dollars each. 

I don't see them often but I grab them when I do. 

Be sure to check local vintage shops, eBay and Etsy as well.

 Check online auction/estate sale spots like Auction Ninja. 

I've seen them at estate sales in person and online.

If  you haven't had any luck thrifting some or finding any vintage ones 

new chinoiserie carpet balls are readily available as a decor accent. 

I'll link some below. 

A reasonably priced set of 6 on Amazon.

These are slightly larger 4" carpet balls and come in a set of 3 from Amazon.