Nyc Nest Maven

Living in NYC is an art form. First you have to find the perfect space and then you must fill it. This blog will be a log of all the tips and tricks learned since my arrival in the city during the summer of 2005. I hope you will join me in my treasure hunting.
oxox
Pantone’s “Color of the Year” Tangerine Tango (17-1463), lends itself not only to inspiring fashion but to interiors as well. Even if you are not brave enough to commit to the rich spicy color itself, a gentler shade of tangerine is also beautiful and can be combined with gold, nude and pink to take things up a notch. In a small space it’s preferable to use smaller accent pieces, especially if the color is more visually aggressive. A throw pillow or a colorful box on a coffee table can energize a room just as well as a painted accent wall or staircase which can be used to visually anchor larger spaces. If you want to try out the color in your room before investing in more permanent elements a pair of shoes or a dress in your desired color can be hung on a door or placed on a dresser. This will allow you to get a feel for it in the space, so have it in place for about a week to get the full impact. If you wish to accent your space with edible delights for seasonal flare, a bowl of Tangerines will do just that. Image Links (clockwise from top left): Striped shirt/Orange flats:http://pinterest.com/pin/60657926200676248/ Vintage Yellow Bathing suit: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786644886485/ Orange Stairs:http://pinterest.com/pin/17944098484786394/ Marigold Dress:http://pinterest.com/evashop620/wish-list/ Michelle Williams 2012 Oscar Dress:http://news.instyle.com/category/michelle-williams/ Eyes Closed:http://pinterest.com/pin/123567583495495968/ Girl on Bike: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786645252246/ Candle:http://www.candledelirium.com/Baroness-von-Neumann-Candles/Baroness-von-Neumann-55-Candle/ Platform Sandals: http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418076&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446476912&R=787935930915&P_name=Rachel+Zoe&N=306418076+4294929602+4294929608+4294929599+4294929601&bmUID=jn0v0KOPink & Orange living room: http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/104990235032552743_iFdW1QWG_f.jpg Orange trailer: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786645006772/ 

Pantone’s “Color of the Year” Tangerine Tango (17-1463), lends itself not only to inspiring fashion but to interiors as well.

Even if you are not brave enough to commit to the rich spicy color itself, a gentler shade of tangerine is also beautiful and can be combined with gold, nude and pink to take things up a notch.

In a small space it’s preferable to use smaller accent pieces, especially if the color is more visually aggressive. A throw pillow or a colorful box on a coffee table can energize a room just as well as a painted accent wall or staircase which can be used to visually anchor larger spaces. If you want to try out the color in your room before investing in more permanent elements a pair of shoes or a dress in your desired color can be hung on a door or placed on a dresser. This will allow you to get a feel for it in the space, so have it in place for about a week to get the full impact. If you wish to accent your space with edible delights for seasonal flare, a bowl of Tangerines will do just that.

Image Links (clockwise from top left): Striped shirt/Orange flats:http://pinterest.com/pin/60657926200676248/ Vintage Yellow Bathing suit: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786644886485/ Orange Stairs:http://pinterest.com/pin/17944098484786394/ Marigold Dress:http://pinterest.com/evashop620/wish-list/ Michelle Williams 2012 Oscar Dress:http://news.instyle.com/category/michelle-williams/ Eyes Closed:http://pinterest.com/pin/123567583495495968/ Girl on Bike: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786645252246/ Candle:http://www.candledelirium.com/Baroness-von-Neumann-Candles/Baroness-von-Neumann-55-Candle/ Platform Sandals: http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418076&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446476912&R=787935930915&P_name=Rachel+Zoe&N=306418076+4294929602+4294929608+4294929599+4294929601&bmUID=jn0v0KO
Pink & Orange living room: http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/104990235032552743_iFdW1QWG_f.jpg Orange trailer: http://pinterest.com/pin/236579786645006772/ 

Braided Brass Hex Nut Bracelets. Thanks to my new infatuation with Pinterest I have come across a number of fantastic ideas and DIY projects. This was such a wonderful and unexpected DIY gift find that I just had to try it myself! The bracelets were a smash with everyone who got one as a gift too. These amazing pieces of wrist-candy are selling for upwards of $185 so spending the time to do it is truly worth your while! Follow the step by step instructions here. Please note my following tips as they will save you time: 1. The best size of brass hex nut is 8-32 (use 24 instead of the recommended 18 with this size) or 10-32, which are slightly bigger, here 18 is all you need. As far as where to buy these brass nuts, it was much more difficult to find than expected …. but ultimately Home Depot stocks them and the staff was very amused by my project.  2. For my projects I used kitchen twine which frayed too easily so I would recommend something that can be easily threaded through the nuts - check your local craft store and experiment for best results. Happy Crafting!

Braided Brass Hex Nut Bracelets. Thanks to my new infatuation with Pinterest I have come across a number of fantastic ideas and DIY projects. This was such a wonderful and unexpected DIY gift find that I just had to try it myself! The bracelets were a smash with everyone who got one as a gift too.

These amazing pieces of wrist-candy are selling for upwards of $185 so spending the time to do it is truly worth your while! Follow the step by step instructions here. Please note my following tips as they will save you time:

1. The best size of brass hex nut is 8-32 (use 24 instead of the recommended 18 with this size) or 10-32, which are slightly bigger, here 18 is all you need. As far as where to buy these brass nuts, it was much more difficult to find than expected …. but ultimately Home Depot stocks them and the staff was very amused by my project. 

2. For my projects I used kitchen twine which frayed too easily so I would recommend something that can be easily threaded through the nuts - check your local craft store and experiment for best results.

Happy Crafting!

Follow me on 

Follow me on Follow Me on Pinterest

Indulge you’re olfactory senses for the Holidays! We don’t all have glorious fireplaces to bring warmth and ambiance to our spaces but (I have found) a luxurious scented candle…. or two can warm a space almost as well. Having worked for Diptyque I have learned not only to appreciate luxury scented candles but also how to use them to create spaces that are uniquely yours.  Above all creating a custom fragrance via combining two or even three of your favorite scents will set you apart. It can change seasonally and depending upon the size of your space different scents can be used to distinguish one room from the other. Of course these small delights are actually quite extravagantly priced….and if you don’t have money to burn (literally) choose your scents wisely. This year I am LOVING: Voluspa - Golden Cypress A winter forest of Balsam and Cypress. $16 -$27 burn time 40-80 hours respectively Diptyque - Perdigone  Spiced Plum. $32- $68 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively - Epinette  Spruce Tree scent. $32- $68 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively - Pomander Orange studded with cloves. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively - Feu de Bois Firewood. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively - Baies Bulgarian Rose & Black Current. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively Cire Trudon  -Nazareth the scent of Christmas rolled into one-Clove, Cinnamon and Orange Zest with a base note of Olibanum (Frankincense/Spruce). $85- $450 burn time 80- 180 hours respectively A NOTE on caring for your amazing scented candle so that you get the most out of it: 1. Always trim the wick before lighting.  2. Always burn the candle for at least an hour so that all of the wax on top becomes liquid, this allows for even burning. Wishing you Joyful Burning!

Indulge you’re olfactory senses for the Holidays!

We don’t all have glorious fireplaces to bring warmth and ambiance to our spaces but (I have found) a luxurious scented candle…. or two can warm a space almost as well. Having worked for Diptyque I have learned not only to appreciate luxury scented candles but also how to use them to create spaces that are uniquely yours.  Above all creating a custom fragrance via combining two or even three of your favorite scents will set you apart. It can change seasonally and depending upon the size of your space different scents can be used to distinguish one room from the other. Of course these small delights are actually quite extravagantly priced….and if you don’t have money to burn (literally) choose your scents wisely. This year I am LOVING:

Voluspa

- Golden Cypress A winter forest of Balsam and Cypress. $16 -$27 burn time 40-80 hours respectively

Diptyque

- Perdigone  Spiced Plum. $32- $68 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively

- Epinette  Spruce Tree scent. $32- $68 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively

- Pomander Orange studded with cloves. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively

- Feu de Bois Firewood. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively

- Baies Bulgarian Rose & Black Current. $28- $60 burn time approx. 30-60 hours respectively

Cire Trudon 

-Nazareth the scent of Christmas rolled into one-Clove, Cinnamon and Orange Zest with a base note of Olibanum (Frankincense/Spruce). $85- $450 burn time 80- 180 hours respectively

A NOTE on caring for your amazing scented candle so that you get the most out of it: 1. Always trim the wick before lighting.  2. Always burn the candle for at least an hour so that all of the wax on top becomes liquid, this allows for even burning.

Wishing you Joyful Burning!

Thanksgiving

Clearly a simply set rustic farm table combined with neutral colored linens and glassware can be augmented perfectly with distressed colorful chairs and an array of gourds in a palette of greens, browns and yellows. Wishing all of my NYC Nest Maven Readers a very Happy Thanksgiving- and HAPPY INDULGING.

(Source: pinterest.com)

Portable Indoor/Outdoor Fireplaces

Small apartment living in NYC can get a bit dreary during the winter months. As such we try to find creative ways to warm up our spaces and bring in some extra light. Enter the portable fireplace. Little did I realize the vast array of choices out there as well as the many amazing designs. Here are a few of my favorites that can be used indoors and outdoors in some cases. They are clean burning and use no electricity. Most of these fireplaces utilize Ethanol Bio Fuel made from a fermentation process of fruits and vegetables or Gel fuel and are available online. Along with augmenting the color of the flames these fuels do not give off harmful fumes.

Swedish designer Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius

http://www.architectlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/The-portable-indoor-fireplace_05.jpg

Swedish designer Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius created the prototype above complete with egg shaped ceramic surround and brass interior pannels to reflect the light. Though this is not yet available it is my favorite design to date and I wanted to be sure to share it!

To get the full spectrum of designs out there search via Google Chrome. Some other stylish designs that are currently available on the market at affordable prices are:

Available at: FirePits.com for $109.99 is a stunning brushed metal bowl. Also available from Overstock.com:

O.co offers the above portable piece for $215.54 and a wall mounted version for $190 below among others.

HAPPY GIFTING!

I love transitional seasons. Spring is so full of joy and hopefulness and fall is a glorious display of vibrant colors and brisk days. The autumn is when we need to get our decorating hats dusted off and ready for the holiday season. With that in mind I thought I might post my inspiration board for early fall/Halloween decorating. If you’re decorating a small space on a small budget for the fall season it’s great to be able to transition the Halloween decorations into Thanksgiving!

I love transitional seasons. Spring is so full of joy and hopefulness and fall is a glorious display of vibrant colors and brisk days. The autumn is when we need to get our decorating hats dusted off and ready for the holiday season. With that in mind I thought I might post my inspiration board for early fall/Halloween decorating. If you’re decorating a small space on a small budget for the fall season it’s great to be able to transition the Halloween decorations into Thanksgiving!

This bathroom decor idea makes me smile. What a simple and perfect way to bring the beach home with you.

This bathroom decor idea makes me smile. What a simple and perfect way to bring the beach home with you.

I Heart Neon

Neon is the trend of the moment so why not indulge? Instead of the requisite neon Birkin a la Kim Kardaskian spice up your decor with the lively shades.

Brights tend to take up a lot of visual space so they are the most successful when set against a neutral palette. 

High, Low and Eccentric - The New York Times > Dining & Wine > Slide Show > Slid contemporary living room

White, gray and black are fantastic colors that really augment neons, they also lend a more mature element to the playful brights and create a good balance in a room.

                  

Of course the cheerful colors will be the focal point of your space so choose them wisely. I suggest painting a chair or table found at a flea market to get your feet wet. Also, you want to be sure that the color fits well in your space so a test piece is a great “first draft”.

If you are feeling really adventurous after the test run, your interior doors could always get in on the action. Happy Painting!

            

Turn your wall into the canvas. No need to spend time painting and then having to repaint once you move. Removable wall murals and decals (such as this mysterious lady featured) are a marvelous way to add another dimension and/or vision to your space. Suddenly you can have an apartment looking out over the city of Paris, a canal in Amsterdam or you can get more playful with retro illustrations, a field of flowers or a bamboo forest. Defining the difference between wall decals and wall murals is the first step when determining what will work best for you and your vision: Wall Decals are classified as a specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass, etc. Wall decals are usually made out of vinyl but there are fabric decals available. Try Etsy.com or google.com to source them.  Wall decals are installed by transferring the cut-out image onto a wall off of transfer paper (see installation details by clicking the link below). Wall Murals are characterized as a large sheet of adhesive paper bearing an image, like wallpaper, that sticks directly to the whole wall (in some cases they are delivered in large tile size squares that fit together instead of one large sheet) see the link below for installation tips.  Installing these giant works of art may require the help of a friend but the end result will be amazing and they peel off without leaving a sticky mess once you want to remove them.  No matter what you choose you are sure to be transported out of the humdrum everyday routine and into a fantastic room with a view. Learn about installing wall murals by clicking here. How to install wall decals by clicking here.

Turn your wall into the canvas. No need to spend time painting and then having to repaint once you move. Removable wall murals and decals (such as this mysterious lady featured) are a marvelous way to add another dimension and/or vision to your space. Suddenly you can have an apartment looking out over the city of Paris, a canal in Amsterdam or you can get more playful with retro illustrations, a field of flowers or a bamboo forest.

Defining the difference between wall decals and wall murals is the first step when determining what will work best for you and your vision:

Wall Decals are classified as a specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass, etc. Wall decals are usually made out of vinyl but there are fabric decals available. Try Etsy.com or google.com to source them.  Wall decals are installed by transferring the cut-out image onto a wall off of transfer paper (see installation details by clicking the link below).

Wall Murals are characterized as a large sheet of adhesive paper bearing an image, like wallpaper, that sticks directly to the whole wall (in some cases they are delivered in large tile size squares that fit together instead of one large sheet) see the link below for installation tips. 

Installing these giant works of art may require the help of a friend but the end result will be amazing and they peel off without leaving a sticky mess once you want to remove them. 

No matter what you choose you are sure to be transported out of the humdrum everyday routine and into a fantastic room with a view.

Learn about installing wall murals by clicking here. How to install wall decals by clicking here.