1. Add something weathered for interest and intrigue
Outdoor spaces can expand your everyday living experience. Creating one, whether it’s large or small offers you extra square footage and the opportunity to enjoy the longer days of spring, summer and at times, fall. We’re in the process of creating an additional one like this in our front yard. Can’t wait to show you what we’ve done. Until then, here are a few tips on how to chisel out one of your very own:
2. Use indoor tile outdoors
3. For special occasions bring out interior furniture
4. Create secret, private settings
5. Layer cushions whenever possible
6. Hang textiles to create privacy
7. Use black accessories to accentuate green surroundings
For more ideas check out Cocoon’s Botanical And Outdoor inspiration board on Pinterest.
Images: 1./2./3./4./5./6./7.
This week’s Off The Counter features yet another recipe from the cookbook Plenty that has become a weekly staple. This one involves black beluga lentils. I prepare a batch on Monday morning and enjoy it throughout the week as a fast [healthy] food. Unfortunately, the kids will not eat it, at least not yet. Take a look how beautiful this legume is and how well it pairs with creme fraiche. My take on the recipe below:
Ingredients:
Black lentils, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, onions, broth (your choice), red wine vinegar, bay leaf, dill, cilantro, parsley, brown sugar, olive oil, creme fraiche, salt and pepper.
Instructions:
Add large cut carrots, celery and onion to stock pot with 1 cup of lentils and a bay leaf. Cover with water or stock. Bring to boil and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes. Remove and discard vegetables and toss lentils with olive oil, vinegar and salt.
Optional: Half cherry tomatoes, carrots and celery. Drizzle with olive oil, sugar and salt. Roast for about 20 minutes.
Add chopped herbs and roasted veggies to your lentils. Top with creme fraiche and enjoy.
Yotam Ottolenghi, author of Plenty also includes fire roasted eggplant (which is delicious) but for a simpler preparation I omit it.
Do have a favorite go-to-recipe that’s become a weekly staple? If so do share.
For the first time since Zoe was born, I’m spending some alone time with my sons while she and Alex are celebrating her Godmother’s graduation in Washington, D.C. This time apart gave the boys and me an opportunity to reflect upon the past together. We spent the evening chatting about them as babies and toddlers. The apparent curiosity about their birth and the months and years following it, sparked emotions I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s seems amazing to realize that our 7-year-old twins were once infants. At times, my mind struggles to remember what life was like when they were tiny. Looking through their photo albums, my memories were rekindled and I was reminded of many wonderful milestones in our lives. I’m grateful for every one of them and for all the friends and family members who were there to share them with us.
Happy Mother’s Day to our mothers, our mothers’ mothers and to all those who have been so loving and nurturing to our children since their birth until this special day.
Our garden is bursting with fragrant roses. As we did with our tree Fern, we have watched them mature from this Winter’s dormancy into an active Spring growth. Take a look at a few rosy images:
rose reflections
Are you seeing and feeling the effects of longer, sunnier days? What are some of your favorite harbingers of Spring?
There’s something elegant and festive about diamond patterns especially when they’re underfoot. Whether they’re bold or tone-on-tone colored, they do make a strong statement. Take a look at a few of my favorite diamond patterned spaces:
If committing to paint is an issue, a diamond patterned rug can offer a very similar effect.
So what do you think, are diamonds your best friend?!?
Images can be found here.
This week’s Out And About features Floret, a new floral shop in Lafayette, CA. The shop is filled with unique stemmed botanicals, plantings and vessels, all of which may be custom arranged for any occasion. Take a peek into Floret:
We’re pleased to announce that Floret is also featuring several Cocoon Home succulent compositions.
Last weekend, a dear Boston friend [who also happens to be designer] spent the weekend with us. Of course, I took the opportunity to discuss our upcoming kitchen renovation and I was immediately challenged on my original concept. My friend’s thoughts were inclined toward honoring the mid-century design of our house by using more textural elements, mainly on the walls, which I originally wanted to cover in this wallpaper. I’m now researching other finishes to give the space a more natural and earthier look. Given my love for wall coverings and bold patterns, I’m not entirely convinced yet, but I do think I should explore other looks for this very important family space:
It is pretty, isn’t it? Take look here at my original inspiration and let me know which style you prefer. Next week I’ll reveal our kitchen as it is now, so you can get a better sense on the scope of this project.
Many thanks to MV for getting my creative juices flowing in an unpredictable direction. The whole family loved hosting you and we look forward to seeing you in July.
