mudroom

One Room Challenge || The Mudroom- all the things that will not arrive on time!

[mirror |  prints | box]

It's Thursday again so I get to fill you in on the progress I have made in my mudroom for the One Room Challenge Linking Participants.  The One Room Challenge was started by Linda from Calling it Home some years ago where she lines up twenty very talented professional bloggers and designers to redo a room in just six weeks.  They share their progress every Wednesday (see my past projects here and here).  And the Linking Participants (anyone can join!) report their progress on Thursdays.  

If you are just tuning in for the first time you can see week 1, week 2, week 3,  week 4. I'm actually a bit on panic mode this week because we only have one week left for the reveal and I'm not sure I will be able to finish!  Let's blame it on the millions of things I'm juggling at the same time, plus the amount of rain we have had which has delayed my spray painting and ....You see that super cool mirror, the box and those animal prints above?  Those will arrive AFTER the ORC reveal next week!! Uhm....not what I had planned. And thus I'm feeling a bit like this-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

fashion and style

On My Mind || Gold Scissors and more

[ gold tassel sandals | gold and white bowl | gold scissors | marbleized vases | sunglasses | earrings | fringed bag | green clutch with tassel ]

I have a pair of gold scissors like these and let me tell you they make cutting way more interesting.  Wrapping presents suddenly becomes the best pass time. Plus they make my desk look pretty killer.  Literally!  These are so heavy I could easily hurt someone. How can something so simple make life so much brighter right?  And I think they make a fun gift for that person that has everything. As you might have guessed my desk has a whole lot of gold.  I was so excited to find gold pencils at Target! That is pretty neat. The gold tassel sandals are chic and elegant. But that fringed bag!!!  Oh my!! It just screams summer is here and I'm so cool- all at the same time. Am I right?

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Albertina M. Cisneros

gift guide

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

[ floral painted cookies | gilded heart painting | fancy lipstick chocolates | colorful clutch | butler's tray | monogrammed guest towel | pink cord necklace | coffee table book | amethyst necklace | surprise gift box ]

Mother's Day is very close and I'm not sure what to plan since last Mother's Day was so amazing. It will take a lot of creativity to top that one.  In the meantime, I made this cute little list of ideas for gifts for mom.  It's always fun to get them something unexpected....I think these ideas are just that-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Art

I Heart You

Sometimes finding the right words to express how much we love and appreciate someone special in our lives can be difficult. I love a great letter or card to share my feelings but sometimes words fail me and so this is why I loved these framed gilded heart paintings by my friend Steph ( you may remember her work from this post here)  from Le Petit Atelier de Nana. These small gilded heart framed paintings are precious and encompass so many beautiful emotions all in one. They are like a visual poem expressing all wonderful feelings of love and admiration. They are bright and colorful and beautifully framed. They are meant for that special person with a heart of gold indeed.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Fornasetti plates

One Room Challenge || Mudroom- a few finds

So happy it's Thursday again as I get to fill you in on the progress I have made in my mudroom for the One Room Challenge Linking Participants.  The One Room Challenge was started by Linda from Calling it Home some years ago where she lines up twenty very talented professional bloggers and designers to redo a room in just six weeks.  They share their progress every Wednesday (see my past projects here and here).  And the Linking Participants (anyone can join!) report their progress on Thursdays.  If you are just tuning in for the first time you can see week 1, week 2, week 3.  I don't have much progress to share with you in this week 4.  I have a big fundraiser I'm organizing tomorrow and that has eaten up my time in the last few weeks.  But I will share with you a couple of things.... It was a good mail day yesterday!!  I got this beauty all the way from France!  She is a warrior alright. I'm in love-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

Francoix Catroux

Interiors || Lauren Santo Domingo's Paris Apartment

This is an oldie but a goody!  I came across these photos again recently and I love this apartment even more this second time around.  It is everything a Parisian apartment should be- elegant, dramatic, romantic and a mix of antique and modern.  It is swoon worthy for sure!  Just the art alone is fabulous....and that terrace!

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Albertina M. Cisneros

bags

The Power Clutch || Tonya Hawkes

You need to know about these cool, edgy clutches by Tonya Hawkes. They seem like they belong to a powerful woman, right?  Uhm YOU!!  I'm completely fascinated by these and believe they would work well as heirlooms for your grandchildren (the excuses I give myself when contemplating buying something expensive).  

I have a brass clutch that used to be my grandmother's and let me tell you the stories that clutch could tell if it could talk!  If you add all those fabulous parties my grandmother used to attend and add mine to the mix, we would have a pretty large number of good times shared and celebrated. It's kind of cool that I was able to derive such pleasure from something as a simple as a clutch. It connected us somehow, throughout time.  A beautiful and chic clutch is a powerful thing.  Don't you need one for your granddaughter?  See more of her designs here.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

de Gournay

Interiors || A Peek at Claude Cecil Gurnay's London home

I really enjoyed taking a peek at Claude Cecil Gurney, founder of de Gournay, a design house best known for its luxurious hand-crafted wallpapers founded over 30 eyars ago and thought you would to.  I just adore their beautiful handpainted, bespoke wallpapers that are pure luxury and have the power to transform a wall into a feast for the senses.  Mr. Gurney found a need in the market for high quality and bespoke wallpapers and founded the company upon the skills of Chinese artisans and painters. He was one of the first British entrepreneurs to work in China. de Gournay is the original french version of his Mr. Gurney's name.  I thought the article had mispelled his name! Silly me.

I read the article because I was curious to see what wallpapers he had chosen from the many spectacular options to decorate his home.  First, we begin in the Master bedroom with L'Eden wallpaper covering the bathroom and closet doors (Tres chic!!).

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Albertina M. Cisneros

dining room

If I had a dining room like this....

If I had a dining room like this I would throw dinner parties left and right.  I would use these plates, these glasses, and this ice bucket.  A girl can dream, right?  But seriously, these more affordable options would do the trick for me as well- these plates, these glasses (they are just so good....the drama!), and this copper flatware.  It's so fun to see that there are amazing choices pretty much for anything at any given price point.  Do you love gathering people around your dinner table?

4 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

livenUPdesign

One Room Challenge || Mudroom - My Snake Skin Table

So happy it's Thursday again as I get to fill you in on the progress I have made in my mudroom for the One Room Challenge Linking Participants.  The One Room Challenge was started by Linda from Calling it Home some years ago where she lines up twenty very talented professional bloggers and designers to redo a room in just six weeks.  They share their progress every Wednesday (see my past projects here and here).  And the Linking Participants (anyone can join!) report their progress on Thursdays.  If you are just tuning in for the first time you can see week 1 and week 2.  In this week 3 I have something phenomenal to share with you!!  My NEW and AMAZING upholstered snakeskin waterfall table!!!  Dying yet???!!!  I can't even contain my excitement. Let me tell you all about it-

23 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

carlos mota

On My Mind || A Purple Clutch

[ Book- A Touch of Style | purple clutch | bird earrings | baskets | pom pom necklace]

I need to introduce you to MTA Bags the maker of that fun and chic purple clutch. They also make a  kelly green and a sunrise version.  I love the oversized cubes at the top.  What a standout right?!  I saw an amazing fringed bag on their instagram feed that is ready for pre-order and I'm kind of curious about it.  I am also dying for Carlos Mota's latest book about some of the homes he has photographed during his career.  It is supposed to be really beautiful.

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Albertina M. Cisneros

ceramics

Store Scoop || Suite One Studio

It's so good to have friends with a fabulous eye that easily spot a gem.  Because of my artist friend Stephanie I was introduced to Suite One Studio and their dreamy and casual ceramic plates.  The pastel watercolor hues, gold rims and organic shapes are inviting and whimsical.  You all know I love a beautiful table setting and ever since discovering Suite One Studio, now all I can think about is creating a romantic tablescape with them.  But really, even a small ring dish by my bedside table would prove to be just as exciting as a whole dining set.  

The talented ceramist behind Suite One Studio is Lindsay Emery. Her pieces are produced in short runs in her cozy studio in North Carolina.  Since she makes small batches, her limited editions are highly coveted and it seems her online shop is restocked every Tuesday evening. Can you envision the Spring and Summer parties in your patio with these?  You have to see more-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

designer spotlight

Designer Spotlight || Stella Jean

I am currently crazy in love with anything and everything by Stella Jean.  Her mixing of colors and patterns in such bold and happy combinations have an island-like allure, while at the same time, keeping very sophisticated silhouettes.  Through her designs, Stella Jean aims to combine her tribal prints and patterns from her Haitian heritage with her paternal Italian heritage of ultra classic and feminine tailoring.  In Jean's words-"I want to communicate through clothes a concept of opposite worlds and traditions fusing together in a sophisticated way and standing side by side with equal importance, not covering the other up".  And she achieves this beautifully.  Each piece is exciting, fun, sophisticated, and seem to elevate wardrobe to a celebration of life.  Take a look at more-

4 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

children

Store Spotlight || ChildrenChic

One thing that I love is a beautifully dressed child.  I cherish the European style children's clothes that are simple and elegant.  Growing up, my mom dressed me in the most beautiful dresses and blouses, all of which she saved for her granddaughter.  And lucky for her (and me!) I did have a girl. So, from even before she was born she had a full closet sized 0 months to 10 years old!!  Little Miss A is only 7, so we are still discovering pretty pieces. She wears them with such pride too knowing they belonged to me. 

We are lucky that since my husband is from Spain we get to go every summer and delight in their beautiful children's shops and we always end up with some special pieces.  But now, we no longer have to wait 'till our next trip because of ChildrenChic.  They offer a collection of cleverly styled, exceptional-quality  ensembles  for babies and children, hand-selected from independent European designers.  You will fall in love with everything.  And I love that if you have several kids you can coordinate all of them.  And their shoes!!  They have the prettiest, most comfortable shoes for kids (and they are nor necessarily sneakers!). Here are some of my favorite ChildrenChic items-

3 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

home and interiors

One Room Challenge || Mudroom- Inspiration

I'm so excited because I'm participating in the One Room Challenge Linking Participants!!  The One Room Challenge was started by Linda from Calling it Home some years ago where she lines up twenty very talented professional bloggers and designers to redo a room in just six weeks.  They share their progress every Wednesday (see my past projects here and here).  And the Linking Participants (anyone can join!) report their progress on Thursdays.  And I'm proud to be a linking participant this time around.  And today I will be sharing with you some photos which are inspiring me for my mudroom. (To see Week 1 go here).

To recap, my mudroom is actually tiny.  It's more an entrance hall than anything else and it has 4 doors (one to the family room/kitchen area, one to a bathroom, one to the garage, and one to the laundry room) so I don't have much wall space to work with.  Here is what I need: a table to house a tray for keys and a large box to keep receipts and other unsightly things, a bench to remove or put on shoes, a storage bin for shoes, and hooks for coats and bags.  It's dark in there so I will need to lighten up the space a bit.  I'm thinking a mirror or two would do the trick.

So, if I could merge all these images into one idea I would!  I will tell you what I like about each one. From the photo above I love the waterfall table and the sconces. from the photo below-

17 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

3-D wall

On My Mind || Michelle Armas Art, 3-D walls and sales

[ 3-D wall white stud panels | interior image | Michelle Armas pop-up shop | skinny banana muffin recipe | white top on sale with code: SPRING25 | brass pineapple rings ]

I was really excited to find these white diamond panels to dress up some boring walls.  They are supposed to be easy to install (with pre-applied adhesives on the back).  I think the look is very cool and quite transformative. I loved how Kirsten styled her studio with them.  Has anyone used them before?  I'm intrigued.  Also, hurry!!  Furbish Studio has a Michelle Armas pop-up shop. From the pieces that are still available this and this are my favorites. But what about those yummy low-calorie skinny banana muffins?

3 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

bathrooms

Finding Inspiration in some of Tobi Fairley's Bathrooms

When we were house hunting in Dallas, some years ago, I got acquainted with the concept of Jack and Jill bathrooms.  They are a really easy and practical solution for siblings sharing a bathroom where they each have their own sink, off of their bedrooms, but they share the toilet and tub in the middle.  When I saw these two vanity designs by Tobi Fairley I could not help but think what a wonderful idea this would be for a Jack and Jill bathroom.  Use the same bathroom design and vanity and just alter the colors. Very chic.

In this same Manhattan penthouse she designed two other fabulous bathrooms I was equally as inspired by-

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Albertina M. Cisneros

life

All About Easter

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and Passover weekend.  Ours was exactly perfect despite the cold and rainy weather. But I have to say we are exhausted from all the running around.  We saw the musical the King and I which was so much fun, we decorated eggs, had sleepovers, playdates, egg hunts etc. etc, etc.  It was a busy but unforgettable weekend. I really love gifting Miss A. a German paper egg every year with some treats inside.  I do this rather than a basket. They are not easy to find but know that World Market usually carries them.  If you want to stock up for next year they are on sale now.

I am not very good at following up with you after holidays.  I take all the photos but am slow to download them and by the time I get around to it the photos seem no longer relevant. I'm hoping to get better at this and so here are some photos of our Easter-

10 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

home and interiors

One Room Challenge || Linking Participant - Mudroom

I'm so excited because I'm participating in the One Room Challenge Linking Participants!!  The One Room Challenge was started by Linda from Calling it Home some years ago where she lines up twenty very talented professional bloggers and designers to redo a room in just six weeks.  They share their progress every Wednesday.  And the Linking Participants (anyone can join!) report their progress on Thursdays.  And so because today is Thursday we begin!

22 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros

Easter

Wishful Easter Basket

[ Frida Khalo glasses | pineapple jar | flamingo acrylic tray | t-shirt | leopard bench | black and white box | pink matches | Mar Y Sol tote ]

This is what my current wishful Easter basket looks like. In all honesty, all I need is a dark chocolate bunny and I'm good to go.  Oh and maybe that chocolate bunny needs to be accompanied by champagne. Now, that is the perfect combination. Oh and can you believe where are in April already?

4 comments

Albertina M. Cisneros