A little while ago, I shared a collection of lighting that I’ve been saving on way-too-many open website tabs. Today, I’m doing the same thing with furniture. Have a look at these beauties.
I could easily take one of each, but I’m especially keen on the roly poly arm chair.
I saw this image on Chris & Julia’s Instagram story, and I instantly loved the look of the sofa. Black and white and bold. I love it! I think it could be a cool element in a living room, office, library, games room, and more.
In my own house, I could see this type of loungey sofa in what we’ve named our sitting room. Or potentially the secondary TV lounge. But where does one find such a cool piece? I’m keeping this photo as inspiration, and now I’ll put it out there in the world and perhaps a similar sofa will find its way into our home (magically, somehow).
Here are some results from my “black white striped sofa” Google search.
I think I love the look of a boldly striped sofa, and I’m now considering such a pattern on my vintage settee that needs reupholstering. This might fulfill my desire for a cool striped piece while I wait for something more lounge-worthy like the one from April Tomlin to come along.
Having a bigger house means having more rooms to furnish. It’s completely fun, but it’s also overwhelming and a slow process. We also have a lot of furniture to begin with, so some of our furniture needs mean upgrading to pieces that suit our style and new home. It’s a tough problem to have, I know. We are lucky to have such problems! In other rooms, however, we are starting from nearly a blank slate. We have designated one room as our study/games room, and we are in need of a good set of table and chairs. As such, I’ve been on the lookout for an interesting round table at just the right size. I’d prefer a pedestal table, I think, with chairs that tuck completely in. I think this option would be best for the room and how we want it to function.
Here are some tables that have been inspiring me and the design for our study.
Part of me wants something quite sculptural without chairs, but I know that wouldn’t be practical. Darn!
As I recently mentioned, now that I live in house that was built in 1908, I feel like I want to incorporate some old, charming, refined, beautiful pieces into our interior design. Yes, there will still be a lot of white and modern pieces (like lighting, I hope!), but I just feel like this home should not be filled to the brim with modern and shiny.
I’m not really spending time on one room at a time, but rather I’m going to use the approach of when I spot things we love, that we think will work in a room, and where the timing of the purchase is right, we’ll make the purchase. Slowly, we’ll build each room to our liking.
This approach is slow, yes, and it feels like I’m juggling things in the air a lot, but I also feel like it’s a bit hard to concentrate only on one room at a time. In addition, we don’t actually need anything (combing two houses means you end up with a lot of stuff!), but it’s moreso that we’re trying to add pieces to our existing collections that will enhance function and style in our new old home.
On top of all of this, I’m also practical and we do have a budget to balance. We do have to spend money on less fun things as we get settled – this week’s purchase was a water softener. Not so fun, but very much needed in Waterloo.
So, anyhow, I bought a beautiful antique desk a few weeks ago, which is setting the tone for my office. I think I would like to add a wood hutch/wardrobe to serve as a bookcase, and a new rug and light that keeps the room modern. I’m not yet sure about art. I know a lot of people loved the gallery wall in my first home, but I think a similar installation would overwhelm my new office, so it’s unlikely I’ll be recreating it. Besides this, some of the art has already moved to other areas of our home. The colourful rug is currently in my office, but it, too, feels like it’s overwhelming the space and doesn’t quite match the desk, so I’ll be moving it out soon.
With that, here are two options that I quite like at the moment.
For a long while, I have been interested in mixing classic, traditional pieces of furniture with modern items into my home.
What do I mean by traditional? I’m referring to pieces made from beautiful wood, from the 18th and 19th centuries, with unique, ornate details. Think marquetry, inlay, trim, marble, and gold. (Not white!) I’m referring to pieces you see in antique stores in Paris, New Orleans, and Montreal. I’m referring to the opposite of what you’ll see at West Elm and Pottery Barn.
These types of antique pieces didn’t really seem to suit my first home – an 80s townhouse – and finding just the right pieces at just the right price was never an easy task. I don’t live in France, after all!
Now that I live in a century home, I feel that the time is right for some antiques. I don’t want a house full of precious antiques, but a few select pieces mixed in with existing pieces would suit me just fine.
Here are some examples of the styles I’m eyeing.
What do you think of this style of furniture? Is it for you?
The new collection at CB2 includes pieces with some interesting shapes. I think many pieces can fit into a variety of living spaces.
These sofas aren’t your typical 3-seaters. These designs are unusual works of art. They’re functional, too!
I have loved the simplicity of bentwood chairs for quite a long while. My parents have them in their kitchen, and they look so good. Every time I see them in cafés, I appreciate the shape. And I love them in each of these spaces, too.
What do you think? Too simple for you or just right?
I am seeing caning everywhere these days. Online. In stores. High end. Low end. Even HomeSense had several caned chairs and tables in stock when I was there over the weekend.
Roche Bobois may be one of the first furniture brands that comes to mind when we think about French furniture. Its furniture is easy, slouchy, and effortless, even if the price tags tell a different story.
Ligne Roset began as in 1860 and it remains a family-owned company. It collaborates with designers to bring interesting, creative, and memorable pieces to the marketplace.
Pierre Frey was founded in 1935, and since then, it has been manufacturing luxurious textiles.
The next brand may be a stretch for the “homeware” category, but because it has home scents in its collection, I feel it’s appropriate to include it here. I’m speaking of Fragonard – the French parfumerie.
La Cornue produces the ultimate in luxurious kitchen appliances. The pieces are absolutely impressive.
Over the years, I have received regular emails and blog post comments from people who are wondering where I got the end tables that are in my living room. If you, too, are curious about them, then I’m sorry to tell you that they were hand-me-downs from my parents. I took them over many years ago, and they had owned them for many years before that. They’re made out of wood, so I painted them white. They must have a couple of quotes of white paint at this point because every so often, they need a refresh!
If you’re keen on acquiring similar pieces, then this post is for you. I’ve scoured online shops to find end tables in a similar style.
How many times have I featured lucite here on this blog? Many, many, I know! But, the thing is, lucite has been around in home and fashion for years, and there’s no sign of an upcoming exit. Lucite pieces are flexible because they match any decor. A side table or console just easily blend into any style, and because the pieces are light, they give the eye a break from other furnishings, colours, wallpapers, etc. Lucite also reflects light nicely, so in a rather dark room, lucite pieces are used to bring in some brightness.
bar cart, $399USD, West Elm
Antonio chair, $439USD, CB2
lucite bed, $5000+USD, Anthropologie
lucite squirrel, $441USD, 1st Dibs
acrylic towel bar, $34.95USD, CB2
floor lamp, $299USD, CB2
In fashion, lucite pieces are light and flexible. Again, they work with a variety of outfits and styles, and you can add as much or as little as you like into your wardrobe. A stacked set of lucite bangles or lucite drop earrings are striking against a solid or colourful backdrop of clothing.
lucite drop earrings, $38 USD, Bauble Bar
Lucite bag, $88USD, Anthropologie
Lena drop earrings, $15USD, Bauble Bar
lucite hoop earrings, $206USD, Macy’s
 
Alexis Bittar lucite bangle, $98USD, The Real Real
It’s always interesting to see what catches my eye when I’m scrolling through Pinterest. Recently, cool credenzas were popping up everywhere. And just like that, I’m bringing them to White Cabana. Have a look.
Greg Natale, via Style Curator
I thought I had seen the end of tree stumps as seating a couple of years ago, but I think I was wrong. They are still around!
I absolutely love these splatter painted stumps that I saw a couple of weeks ago at Wills & Prior in Stratford.
photo by Jordana
And then I saw these bleached ones on Kaylee Giffen-Logan’s feed from her vacation in Vermont.
I love them both!
We’ve seen quite a bit of Eames designs on the pages of White Cabana over the years. Charles and Ray Eames have designed some of the most iconic pieces, and these pieces continue to be used in traditional and contemporary spaces around the world.
The molded rocking chair is made of 100 percent recyclable polypropylene, and it is supported by a wire frame and wooden rockers.
Eames Rocker Armchair, $545+
Classic campaign style furniture goes well in modern, traditional, eclectic, and monochromatic spaces. In short, a campaign dresser (or writing desk) is a great investment piece because it can float around various spots in a home.
Kristie’s campaign dresser in the front hall (full house tour)
So what’s the brief history of campaign style? Well, Sarah Beaumont wrote,
“During the height of the British Empire, officers on lengthy military campaigns in India and South Africa needed lightweight, durable furniture that could easily be transported. But they also didn’t want to sacrifice the creature comforts they were accustomed to. So British furniture manufacturers like Chippendale started designing pieces specifically for the military that gave them all the rugged functionality they needed, and all the luxury they craved.”
Of the recognizable details of the furniture, she further explained, “Leather straps and canvas seats made objects lightweight and easy to fold up. Recessed brass handles were added to drawers and brass angle pieces were used on furniture corners to protect them from being damaged while in transit.”
It’s hard to resist those brass and leather details even today!
 campaign dresser, $1895 USD, Williams-Sonoma
campaign dresser, Dering Hall
campaign writing desk, $249 USD, All Modern
vintage campaign chest, $445 USD (on sale), Charish
campaign dresser, $949.51 CAD, Crate & Barrel
Source: Laurel & Wolf
I came across the D Pages and the D Shop on one of my tours around the Internet, and I was drawn right on in. D Pages features beautiful interiors and architecture in all of my favourite shades of white. D Shop is an extension of that design inspiration and carries a collection of the most beautiful pieces of furniture, lighting, and home accessories. There is so much that caught my attention which is why I’m sharing so much of it here today.
Mategot Natasaki chair, $639 USD
Sereno marble coffee table, $3600 USD
Beetle stool, $559 USD
Pacha lounge chair, $2369 USD
Shepherd’s chair, $3500 USD
Amare salt and pepper set, $195 USD
Dearborn large bowl, $80 USD
Signal globe, $1645 USD
Jean Prouvé was a French industrial designer and architect. While he may not be as well known as designers like Eames and Herman Miller, Prouvé certainly made his mark in the design world. One of his most recognizable works might be The Standard chair. I first came across the chair when I stayed in this Paris apartment. It was love at first sight! Not only do I like the design, but the chair is incredibly comfortable. It’s little wonder why it’s a sought-after piece by designers and collectors of beautiful design.
photos via Vitra
Jean Prouvé chairs in the Rue Bonaparte apartment (where I stayed in 2014)
Galerie Miquel Alzueta, via Pastolux
Airhouse Design Office, via Contemporist
Paris apartment, via Architectural Digest
The Monobloc Chair – aka the stackable plastic patio chair that you may currently own – has been described (by Wikipedia and Treehugger at least) as the world’s most common plastic chair. My house came with a few of these stacked gems, and I kept them for a long while because they were convenient and stackable. I thought they would never wear out, but they did.
The Monobloc – a chair made of one piece of plastic – was introduced by Canadian designer D.C. Simpson in 1946.
Even in homes that have a very white aesthetic (like mine), natural elements are a welcome addition. A piece of furniture or a small decorative bowl in wood, rattan, raffia, or wicker adds instant warmth to a space that is white-dominant. The spaces here prove just that.
via Style Curator
Andrea Martin-Loff via The Design Chaser
As you can see, the addition of natural textures works in modern and traditional spaces.
I recently acquired a new hutch and added new hardware to it. After seeing Jennifer’s bookcase, I opted for the same type of lock – the catch. This type of fastener – also called a latch – has two parts that lock into one another.
White Cabana Instagram (catch from Lee Valley Hardware)
The catch hardware reminds me of pieces of furniture that I’ve seen in France, and since I’m a bit of a francophile, I have been drawn to this piece.
A friend and I recently had a discussion about the womb chair. This chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948. Even though the chair is now 70 years old (seventy!), it’s still very much in demand. The curves are easy to like, and it’s a great chair for lounging in multiple positions.
Style at Home
I enjoyed reading Jacquelyn Clark’s predictions for 2018 design trends a couple of weeks ago. I agree with her point about curved couches. I think we’re going to be seeing more of them in the months ahead. At the Interior Design Show a couple of weeks ago, one of the hot spaces was Avenue Road, which included this gorgeous curved sofa.
curved couch (It’s ready for some new upholstery, but I love it in white!), Autumn Hachey
a curved couch for curve home theatre, The Fox Group
  Vladimir Kagan sofa, Parisian room designed by Pierre Yovanovitch via Scandinavian Collections
Maison Van Gend, NY Times
Here are a few sofas with curves that I’ve sourced from around the Internet…you know, in case you’re in the market for one.
curved armless sofa, Baker Furniture
Velago sectional, Wayfair
curved sofa, 1st Dibs
curved sofa, 1st Dibs (sold)
I was going to title this post “What the tuft?” Say it out loud. Am I the only one who hears the similarity between this phrase and another popular one with a curse word in it? Just sayin’ that it might be a nice alternative if you’re not the swearing type.
Okay. Enough about that. On to the purpose of this post. Today, we’re learning about tufts.
A tuft can refer to several things, but in the design world, a tuft is the ornamentation that is used in the depressions of drawn-together fabric on, for example, a cushion (learn the other meanings at Dictionary.com). Let’s look at some gorgeous tufted pieces so you get the idea.
tufted sofas and ottoman in Erica Cook’s family room
a tufted daybed in Jasper’s nursery designed by Christine Dovey, featured in Style at Home
tufted corner sofa, via Greige
a tufted bench, design by ML Interior Design, via The Zhush
tufted headboard, the Decor Diet
Here are some tufts in the marketplace:
tufted slipper chair, via 1stDibs
tufted dog bed, Crate & Barrel
tufted ottoman, Frontgate
tufted bench, Layla Grace
Do you have any tufts in your home? On what pieces?
Cabinets reminiscent of old medicine cabinets have been in the marketplace for quite some time. We often see them in bathrooms filled with towels and toiletries, but I also think they look right at home in an office.
Here are two versions (high/low).
Fabrikor glass door cabinet, $199 CAD, Ikea
pharmacy cabinet, $1646 USD (member), Restoration Hardware
I first saw the Birdie in a hotel in Switzerland (at the Hotel Alpine Lodge) over a decade ago. I thought it was so whimsical.
Birdie – Ingo Maurer, €1740
The Birdie was designed by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer in 2002. While a few versions do exist, the one above is made up of 12 low-voltage bulbs and goose feather wings.
All these years later, I still really like this chandelier, and I think it fits in well in the spaces below.
 Bo Bedre
Today’s trivia was inspired by this photo:
designed by Alyssa Rosenheck via 25:40 Love and Co
Side note: I could move into just about every space Alyssa Rosenheck has designed. So much beauty in her spaces!
Okay. So what’s today’s trivia all about? It’s all about the Windsor chair! With a Windsor chair, the seat is made of solid wood, and the back and leg spindles are separate. The legs are slotted into holes at the bottom of the seat.
As with other classic items, many variations have been – and continue to be – produced.
To learn more about the Windsor chair, check out this Apartment Therapy article.
As many of you may already know, I love my sofa. It was my first real furniture investment post-PhD life, and almost five years later, I still absolutely love it.
my living room as photographed by Donna Griffith, via Style at Home
This sofa is an English roll arm style, which is characterized by a tight back and rolled arms. This tailored style has low arms and, generally, a deep seat, which makes it a very comfortable piece. The English roll arm sofa looks perfectly at home in casual spaces as well as more formal spaces.
via Modern Country Style
via My Domaine
Alexander James Interior Design
sofa, $1982 CAD, Overstock
sofa, $1609+ USD, Roger & Chris
loveseat, Lee Industries
chair, $799 USD, One King’s Lane
Did you follow the One Room Challenge this season? I barely had a chance to follow any of the designer or guest participants’ makeovers, but from what I did see, people really worked hard to transform rooms from drab to fab in just a few weeks.
I did follow The Makerista’s 7-week room transformation of a girl’s bedroom, and it was just one beautiful piece of art/furniture/detail after another. I love the spray-painted beds she used as well as the sweet chest of drawers.
And it’s that chest of drawers with its swag drawer pulls that has inspired this post.
Stanley Furniture drawer chest, $613 USD, Hayneedle
Stanley Furniture chest, $765 USD, Hayneedle
chest of drawers, $4300 USD, Cupboards & Roses
Trumeau mirrors, $5204 CAD, 1st Dibs
Louis XVI bed, $5205 CAD, 1st Dibs
Let’s talk about this chair:
Wassily Chair, Knoll
What we know today as the Wassily Chair was originally named the Model B3 Chair. It was designed in 1925 by Marcel Breuer after he was inspired by the bent handlebar of a bicycle. The chair was later renamed the Wassily Chair after Breuer’s friend, Wassily Kandinsky (yes, the painter).
While the original Model B3 Chair was made from fabric, it was later re-introduced with leather. Knoll Furniture produces the chair today (and many knockoffs are floating around the marketplace, too).
While some look at this chair and can’t imagine that it’s comfortable, I’m here to tell you that it’s an easy one to sink in to!
Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair, $1762CAD, 1st Dibs
Wassily Chair, Design Within Reach
via Design Attractor
via Dezeen
my red Wassily-inspired chair (via Style at Home)
via Dezeen
Reference: The Coolist
Check out this chair. Pretty beautiful, eh?
This is Hans Wegner’s Flag Halyard chair, and it dates back to 1950. 1950! The chair’s design is almost 70 years old, and it’s still going strong. Pretty fantastic, I’d say. Wegner, a renowned Danish furniture designer, designed this chair out of from metal, rope, and sheepskin as you can see. It adds interest and sculpture to any room.
Chanel Bags and Cigarette Drags
home of Danielle Moss (co-founder of the Everygirl) via Jacquelyn Clark
I realized earlier this week that I have been featuring hotels in this hotel to home series weekly since March 2016. That’s over a year’s worth of hotels! Isn’t that wild? There have been so many beautiful hotels that I’ve drooled over, and I certainly cannot pick a favourite! Can you?
I’m debating bringing this series to an end and starting something else (I have a few thoughts), but I’d love to have your input. Do I keep going with “Hotel to Home” series? What else would you like to see here on White Cabana? What would you like me to write about? What would you like to learn? What stories can I share?
While we’re all thinking about our next steps…
Let’s head on over to Nice, France, to look at the Boscolo hotel.
Here’s my version with the bed as really the most dramatic piece in the room:
bed, chair, desk, flowers, mirror, curtains, coffee cup, coffee pot
We’ve had all sorts of weather this fall. I’ve had to turn on the heat, the fireplace, the air conditioner, and I have even had the windows open. We even had a really warm Thanksgiving! It’s been wild! But the cooler weather is coming – and I think will be here to stay. And cool seasonal weather means many of us crave texture.
Thinking of texture, I found a ton of inspirational images to share today.
via Tamara Magel
via Domino
via Urban Outfitters
via 204 Park
via Tamara Magel
via A Pretty Fix
via Shake My Blog
We’re traveling to the Czech Republic to have a closer look at the restaurant at the modern Hotel Josef.
Hotel Josef restaurant via Best Reisen
Let’s head over to Europe today to check out the sleek, industrial Casa Do Conto in Porto, Portugal.
To recreate the space this week, I’ve opted to take a different approach. I’ve gathered items in the low, medium, and high price categories. Have a look at the similarities and differences between the original design (above) and the product options (below).
chair, $699USD (West Elm); chair, $1,299USD (Pottery Barn); chair, $5,995USD (Horne)
mirror, $629CAD (Wayfair); mirror, $1,198USD (Anthropologie); mirror, $34,985CAD (1st Dibs)
chair, $94.50CAD (Chapters Indigo); chair, $208CAD (Rove); chair, $1204 CAD (1st Dibs)
sheet set, $139CAD (Kate Spade); sheet set, $139USD (LLBean); sheet set, $429USD (Frette)
Yesterday, I ran 5K (well, 4K running + 1K walking at the mid-point) at the CIBC Run for the Cure at the Kitchener run site at Conestoga’s Doon Campus. The weather, energy, crowd, route, and volunteers were all top notch! I am so grateful for all the research that has gone into understanding, fighting, and treating cancer. Raising money and running a 5K with an amazing crowd of survivors and supporters is the least that I can do to honour my family and friends who are fighting and surviving cancer and to remember those who have lost their fights (like my Zia Rose).
In addition to yesterday’s 5K run, this month, #WhiteCabanaWearsPink right here on the blog! Every Monday, pink will take over White Cabana to raise awareness – and funds – for breast cancer awareness. Sounds fun, right? It is! Let’s get going!
I’m starting the 2017 #WhiteCabanaWearsPink series with a selection of absolutely beautiful interior spaces.
If you’re looking to inject some pink into your own home, maybe some of these items* will catch your eye!
pouf, rug, lamp, vase, pink stone pedestal, coffee table, sofa, blanket, ottoman, towel
*Affiliate links have been used. Get click happy!
See more of #WhiteCabanaWearsPink.
The colour palette at Hotel Mono is limited – black, white, grey. Classics, if you ask me! This minimalist hotel in Singapore opened just a few months ago in March 2017.
I’m definitely heading toward a reinterpretation of one of the rooms, but before I do, look at the hotel from the outside.
Did your jaw drop? Yup. It happened to me, too.
There are several room options available at Hotel Mono, but today I’m focusing on the most unusual: the single room. Everything in one room. Why create real walls when you don’t have to?
The room is affordable, too, at just about $100 CAD per night (depending on day of week month, and promotion, of course).
If you can’t make it all the way to Singapore, but you are looking to do a mini reno in your own home, here are some options that might get your plan going.
black jug and sugar bowl, tiles, black bed frame, mirror, sheet set, rainshower system, cabinet
Today’s pair oozes glam with sleek gold lines and curves.
 Nate Berkus – caged stool, $105.47 CAD, Target
bride’s veil stool, Phase Design, $1540 USD at Twentieth
Today we are traveling all the way to Oman to take a mini-peak inside the Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort. There are so many beautiful spaces to inspire us all, but today, I’m taking us to one of the outdoor patios. Could you imagine having your coffee here?
It’s easy enough to bring the exoticism of Oman into your own home even if you don’t have a pool to lounge by. Just pick up a cool coffee pot and some metallic glasses and pour yourself a delicious coffee or tea.
lounge chair, side table, coffee pot, glass
When I first learned about Buffalo’s newly opened Hotel Henry, I was intrigued. And I was curious. And I was dubious, too. A must-see hotel? Sure. In Buffalo? Not so sure. You see, the Buffalo I have known up until this summer is all outlet mall and Target. Honestly. I have not seen much more than that on any of my trips to Buffalo. Well, let me tell you, Buffalo surprised me. Really! So much so that I’d definitely make a return trip! Isn’t that what you’d like the result of every vacation to be? I was pleasantly surprised!
You’ve seen a couple of photos of my trip on Instagram (#WhiteCabanaGoestoBuffalo), but here’s a proper tour of the hotel.
Hotel Henry, a national historic site, was built in the 1872 as a psychiatric hospital (aka known as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane). I didn’t know much of this history before I arrived which I think is a good thing. I was too googly-eyed over the design and architecture to get too engrossed in all the historical – and spooky!? – stories. As we pulled up to the property, I was floored. Amazed at the large scale and the absolutely beautiful architecture. I was definitely excited as I stepped inside.
The hotel has been part of a 3-year, $102 million renovation project. The hotel is located on a 42-acre site and occupies three of the eleven buildings of the former asylum. The project was led by Deborah Berke Partners and Flynn Battaglia Architects. Just to give you an idea of the scale and work involved, the restoration of 600 windows cost $7 million.
 
Check in was smooth and quick. My room was spacious with ridiculously high ceilings that definitely caught my attention! Beds were comfortable, and the bath products were lovely. Towels were fluffy, and the coffee/tea station was a nice addition. There was plenty of space to spread out, rest, and work (the desk in front of the window was well-planned).
I think it would be lovely if Hotel Henry added robes to the room and a mini fridge, too. These items aren’t essential, but they’re nice pluses for a luxurious stay.
 
Beyond the room, the hotel is absolutely stunning. The foyer and lounges are well-appointed with beautifully designed furniture and accessories. Interesting and unique art is everywhere in the public spaces and guest rooms. The lighting is dramatic and eye-catching.
During my stay, I had the chance to enjoy the bar one evening and breakfast by 100 Acres – the hotel restaurant that is becoming one of Buffalo’s hot spots! I enjoyed both, and loved parking myself in different areas around the hotel to enjoy my drink and meal. Each area offers lovely seating options and great views of the architecture and art.
The next time I go to Hotel Henry, I’m definitely going to sign up for a tour of the abandoned/non-renovated part of the Richardson Olmsted property. If I had known about these public tours before I arrived, I would have signed up, but it completely escaped my research and planning path. In addition to the tour, I’d like to explore other architectural, artistic, and neighbourhood gems.
Prices per night vary depending on day and month, but they average about $150 USD per night. Check the availability calendar for the most accurate price.
Thanks to Hotel Henry for sponsoring this post. All photos and opinions are my own.
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We’re traveling all the way to Tanzania today because the Serengeti House – and its surroundings – is definitely worth a visit! Here’s just one of the many beautiful rooms in this luxurious hotel.
If you like the combination of warm whites and muted sand, then here’s a starting off point for the look:
curtains, rug, table, tray table, pillow, chandelier, sofa, armchair, cane chair, coffee table
The Santa Clara 1728 in Lisbon, Portugal is a small hotel with plenty of style. The tiled bathrooms, wood plank flooring, and linens look to be of the highest quality. I grabbed a photo of a dining space for today’s hotel to home inspiration. It’s definitely an easy-to-recreate space.
via Santa Clara 1728
Here’s the look I created inspired by the Santa Clara:
tablecloth, chair, dish set, glasses, lavender centrepiece, cutlery set, napkins
I’m making note of the Casa Cook hotels now in case I ever make it to Greece in the future. Casa Cook – part of the Thomas Cook travel company – currently has two hotels in Greece. Casa Cook Kos is opening in July, and Casa Cook Rhodes has been open for about a year.
Both hotels look to be uber stylish, luxurious, and welcoming. I’m only showing you one of the outdoor spaces at Rhodes today, but I’m sure you’ll drool over the design of all the other spaces, too, if you have a browse through the gallery.
via Casa Cook Rhodes
If you have an outdoor space that you’d like to spruce up this summer, maybe give these items a try to recreate the ease of this gorgeous Greek hotel.
hammock, beach cover-up, pendant, butterfly chair, pillow, pillow, pillow, pillow
Aren’t these outdoor spaces just so inviting? How much would you love to swing your day away in one of these hanging chairs?
source unknown
via Home Beautiful
Magnolia House, Byron Bay, Australia via Air BnB
With the arrival of summer weather, don’t you just want to spend every spare moment outdoors? I do! I keep pinning photos of outdoors spaces on my Pinterest boards, and large patios (overlooking water, ideally) can be so darn dreamy.
via House & Home
via Margarita Wyld
via House & Home
If you’re looking to recreate a look like any of the above, here are a few furniture options to get you going.
wicker chair + ottoman set, $599 USD, West Elm
rocker, $329 USD, L.L.Bean
lounger, $399 USD, L.L.Bean
hammock, $199 USD, L.L.Bean
Mastholmen conversation set, $349 CAD, Ikea
Lollygagger chaise, Hauser
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Today I’m bringing you stripes for your patio and wardrobe.
glider, $649 USD, L.L. Bean
striped shirt, $34 USD, ASOS
I’m looking to replace one of the dressers in my bedroom. If you’ve seen my house in the June issue of Style at Home (#WhiteCabanaxStyleatHome), then you know that I’ve got a bit of a French theme going on in there. I’d like a simple white/cream dresser that has more of an open bottom than anything solid. This will allow the air to travel through the vent underneath it.
dresser, $1199 USD, Pottery Barn Kids (spotted at Sarah Gunn’s home)
dresser, $1479 CAD, Wayfair
dresser, $2586 CAD, Ballard Designs
dresser, $893 USD, French Bedroom Company
dresser, starting at $999 USD, PB Teen
Have a great weekend, everyone! It’s a long weekend here, and you can be sure I’ll be taken advantage of some extra downtime.
Well, I’m not bringing you the sparkling diamonds today, but I am bringing you the geometric diamond pattern in two forms.
DWR diamond quilt, $403.75USD (queen size)
sofa, $1488 USD
So, I’m on a Relais & Chateaux kick at the moment. The hotels are just beautiful and unique. They ooze luxury. Plus, somehow they keep finding me via Twitter, so I figure it’s a sign. I will keep my Relais & Chateaux research going!
Today, I’m bringing you to the Palazzo Manfredi in Rome, Italy. As in – you can see the Colosseum from your hotel window! Che bello! The hotel offers pretty spectacular views and the rooms are certainly inviting.
Look at all the white loveliness in this hotel room! And can you see the Colosseum outside the window? Amazing.
If you’re loving this look, here’s how you can bring it home:
bed, bathrobe, coverlet, art, sheet set, curtains, round mirror, magnifying mirror, desk, Dedalo Pianca side table, lamp
What do you think? What’s your favourite piece?
One of the things on my North Carolina “must-see” list during my recent visit was “tour Kristie’s house.” Seriously. Have you ever asked an almost-stranger for a house tour? Because I have. Okay, so Kristie isn’t a complete stranger. She’s one of my sister’s good friends, and I have actually met her a couple of times.
So, on this visit, Kristie graciously opened her home to me for an after-school visit. And lucky for all of us, she allowed me to snap a bunch of photos to share right here on White Cabana (no styling involved, btw!). You may have seen a few photos floating around Instagram (the kitchen, the porch, the art), and I know that if you did, you were itching to see more. Well, today’s your lucky day.
Let’s get to it.
The foyer is bright, welcoming, and so beautifully curated. Kristie’s collectibles are from all over – furniture stores, HomeGoods, antique markets, the ReStore, consignment shops, and Craigslist.
The kitchen’s waterfall marble island and chandeliers are show stoppers. In fact, the lighting throughout the home is so well-chosen.
(custom cupboard doors will be painted soon!)
Are you drooling? Yes, I know you are! I had the same reaction, so there’s no need to be embarrassed!
Kristie made much of the art in her home including the colourful pieces framed in gold on the dining room gallery wall. Stunning!
(side note: I took a page out of Kristie’s design book, and picked up this swan for my bedroom. It’s nowhere near as refined as the one in this dining room, but I love it. #copycat)
The powder room is almost done. Kristie is just waiting on a mirror. I think it looks great as is, actually! 
In the living room you’ll see my most favourite piece of art – made by Kristie! It’s a 3D piece made of paper! In.cred.ible. The 10+ foot ceilings are a nice touch, too. 
 
Hallways were given attention, too.
ink art made by Kristie and her daughter (and a pineapple for good measure)
Kristie paid careful attention to the design of her kids’ rooms, too. I could move into either of them. I really wanted to grab the federal mirror off the wall and stuff it into my carry-on, but I thought her little boy might notice. Darn.
  
We’re just about at the end of this tour, unfortunately, but I’m leaving you with one of my favourite spaces – the screened-in porch. The porch is a common feature in homes in North Carolina. It’s a pleasant room for lounging and entertaining during the fall, spring, and summer months. I’d easily sip on a mint julep while lounging on this sweet soft blue sofa.
Kristie – or Dr. Kristie, I should say, since she has a PhD in textiles (who knew that was an option!?) – and her family recently moved into this home and undertook a great renovation where the kitchen space was re-jigged and expanded, walls were painted, hardwood was installed, and art was hung everywhere.
There are still things on the must-complete list as all renos seem to have, but for now, this place is set, and the whole family is enjoying their new home.
Thanks, Kristie and family, for letting us peek into your gorgeous home!
 
