A Natural Rug Pad

I am always in search of natural products that actually work. Sometimes I find keepers and other times not so much.

One item that has been elusive is the common rug pad. I totally dislike vinyl and artificial rubber, which most rug pads seem to have. Or worse they come in foam and toxic glues. They off gas and the odor isn't pretty or healthy. In comes Rug Pad Corner a wonderful new source for all your rug pad needs. Best part is they only use...

Recycled or Natural Materials – No Chemicals, Glues or Adhesives! Their Rug Pads are Eco and Earth Friendly and Safe for Floors, Rugs and the Air.

And bonus...they donate to American Red Cross, St. Jude and American Cancer Society. Nice..huh? 

Well...do they work you ask??? 

I have two of their rug pads. The Superior and No-Muv and they are perfection!!! They add extra comfort as well. The Superior is in my basement on top of concrete floors and you wouldn't know it. And the No-Muv keeps my layered rug in place like no other...

My one tip for ordering is...

Measure twice and remember if it is a vintage rug, especially a Kilim, then measure the length and width from all four corners. 

Good luck and may the non-slip force be with you!

Thanks Rug Pad Corner for a fabulous product!

~Danielle

Chairish

Have you all heard of Chairish? It's an amazing and reputable resource for vintage home goods with price tags that won't make your jaw drop (well at least most of the time). 

Recently they reached out to fresh quince and asked if I'd like to participate in their Mix n Match Style Challenge. The theme - Mid-Century Modern Mixed. Check out there extensive selection of MCM items here. 

       

Using all Chairish items, I created this bold living room. MCM sofas seem to be the chameleon of sofas. They effortlessly match almost every style and can be dressed up in velvet, dressed for play in leather or in a bold patterned fabric for fun. They are hands down my favorite style of sofa. 

Sources: 

Longwy Boule Coloniale Vase by Maurice P. Chevallier 

This amazing vase was my inspiration for the living room above. 

mid-century turquoise sofa | yellow shell chairs | chinoiserie blue/white stools | modern watercolor painting | mid-century sconces | Asian blue-grey side tables | pink mcm lamps | brass pig | pink over-dyed rug | Pierre Cardin brass/burl wood coffee table | fuschia pink silk pillow | linen blossom pillow  

This design is extremely eclectic in styles, but the semi-monochromatic palette keeps it cohesive in my eyes. French Bergere chairs with a velvet MCM sofa...why not!?! 

Sources: 

oil painting (no longer available)| modern gourd lamp | ornate Baroque coffee table | blue Bergere chairs | art deco blue/white rug | emerald green velvet mcm sofa | blue ikat pillows | white waterfall side table

Mix what you love. Love what you mix.

Thanks Chairish for the challenge! 

~Danielle 

To Layer or Not To Layer

       

I'm all about layering rugs. It's the perfect solution for small or vintage rugs. Can't afford the super pricey 9' x 12' rug, then get it in a 4' x 6' and place happily over an inexpensive sisal.

                                    

Vintage rugs are notoriously small or oddly shaped, so onto a large sisal they go. The bigger the underlying rug...the better! It anchors the space, making it feel grand, yet cozy.

And just for your viewing pleasure, some prime examples...

                                  

               

                                    

            

                                   

Layering overload...I'm in love! Can whoever owns this space invite me to dinner along with all my friends? No kids! Good food! And ginger tea (I'm a total bore...vino makes me ill)! Pretty please!

~ Danielle 

Basement Blues

This was my basement a few months ago. It's a major work-in-progress. Green velvet sofa is now gone...too many issues upon delivery. Rug, vintage chairs and baby still here, although the baby isn't stuck in the basement. She's free to move about and does so with her older brother...all freaking day. 

Anyway, when I'm not running after frick and frack, I'm scheming up a kickass basement for my oldest son. 

He totally deserves it! 

My inspirational photos for basement...

So I'm now in search of the perfect and affordable, inky blue velvet sectional sofa. 

~ Danielle 

Kids Curated

For awhile now, I've had this idea of curating wardrobes for kids. Here's why:

1. There are too many options for moms or dads to choose from.

2. So many families just don't have the time to search for cute outfits.

3. Some hate the process.

4. All kids can look good even on tight budgets.

5. Kids are usually more picky for their parents.

6. I love kids clothes.

For these reasons I'd want to be affordable, creative and personal. I'd need specs...age, height, style preference, etc. and budget of course. 

I have a super adorable niece...Chloe. She always looks sporty and sweet, but I curated a spring to summer wardrobe for her anyway. Here it goes...

How comfy do those overalls look! They'd work well for all seasons really. Polka dots and stripes are always chic. Source: Zara

Cozy and fun. Source: Zara

Zara had gorgeous stuff this season for girls. I want that jumpsuit, although I think I'd look like a sausage roll :(. Source: zara

Ready for play and then a nap. The top can be dressed up or down. Source: Gap

Comfort and style at its best. Source: crewcuts

Every girl needs a pair of patent leather birks...right!?! Source: crewcuts

Colorful essentials. Source: old navy

Basic cotton tees. Source: old navy

Casual perfection in one pair of shoes. Source: zuzuii 

I know Chloe doesn't like to wear dresses, but this is must for every girl. Who doesn't need a rainbow dress!?! Source: mini boden 

And for the beach, this hip swimsuit. Source: roxy 

Shorts and flips: old navy 

Voila...a cozy chic wardrobe for my darling (already stylish) niece Chloe. 

~ Danielle 

Dream Beach House part one

A cool and colorful welcome from the heat.

Pink cabinets...why not!?! Bold chandy's, geometric floors and a nod to Art Deco with fun brass nobs...yes please!

No need to shy from bold and fun color at the beach. Balance it with a subdued wall of course. 

I think my son would be happy in this space.

Now all we need is funding...anyone out there want to support our warm weather endeavor? ;) More next week.

~ Danielle 

Florida Dreaming

With two very active kids, this winter has taken its toll on me. I am so over it!!! Our mini vacay to Florida last week was a welcome and rejuvenating retreat, but now all I'm doing is daydreaming about moving there. In fact, I have my whole home already designed for said move.

This was the cover to our hotel guest book and instantly I knew where I had seen it over 9 years ago. Yes, I can remember crazy ass design elements from homes, museums, hotels, etc., but ask me a simple question and I'm brain dead. In fact, my son Charlie helps me on a day to day basis. He remembered our room number, our flight number, and the airport we were flying to. Can you believe he had to step in for me, when the person checking us in asked me where we were going!?! Uh...I don't know. It's like I'm his mentally disabled daughter. He's always shocked at how forgetful I am...I can't help that my head is in the clouds. Okay, okay...I digress. 

The Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is where the image was taken from. We went there for a wedding 9 or was it 10 years ago. It was amazing and has imprinted its artistic charm into my memory.

HELLO YELLOW!!

A visual wonderland in every nook and cranny (do people still use that expression or am I a dork?).

That door!

Every ceiling had a fresco or bright bold color...LOVE!

In my design world, every bookshelf should be painted. 

And can I have one of these when I grow up? I'd fill it with birds and butterflies...fa, la, la, la. These were just a few images of The Bonnet House I sourced from Pinterest. They are my inspiration for a daydream beach home in Florida. 

And the point of my story...enjoy the clouds! 

~ Danielle 

ps...thanks Steve and Marisa for having us. Your wedding was gorgeous! 

pss...here's a link to my beach house board on Pinterest where you'll find every image source:

https://www.pinterest.com/freshquince/beach-house/