Project Update: Fun Midtown Couple

This has been one of my favorite if not my favorite project to work on.  I absolutely adore my client and have had so much fun collaborating with her on her new apartment.  We are just about finished but it absolutely made my morning to see this photo update from my client!

There has been so much coffee table drama - we had waited months for the one we initially selected being lost in warehouse and distribution center limbo.   This one finally came and was styled, however, we are thinking we will return this one from Williams-Sonoma Home and try to find something round with shelves to display my clients beautiful design books.

I love that we went bold on the walls - navy is my current paint obesssion - and the natural light counteracts the darkness of the walls during the day and makes it cozy to watch TV at night.  We tried to balance the feminine and brass touches (like the side table from Schoolhouse Electric) with the wood texture of the media console and the leather of the sofa (from Pottery Barn).  The sofa is flanked by two white Restoration Hardware bookshelves and two pharmacy sconces which I am obsessed with from Williams-Sonoma Home.

I have so enjoyed every aspect of this project and while I can't wait to see the finished project, I will miss working on this space!  I've grown attached and feel so lucky to have been a part of it!

Planning on getting happy hour with some girls tonight!  More to share soon!

Take Care,
T

Tori's Book Club

Living without a TV and finally being out of school has afforded me the luxury to start reading again.  I have been reading about a book a week before bed and in my baths which is fabulous.  I have applied for a library card, but I have been ordering my books online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  I've been able to get some incredibly budget friendly deals - like Diane von Furstenberg's The Woman I Wanted To Be - new and hardcover for $2.71!  I almost feel bad revealing it because it should not be so deeply discounted. 

I am only a third of the way through this book, but I am deeming it a must-read for every woman.  She has such a deep, rich past and it feels like you're getting an intimate lesson in life from the glamorous and daring grandmother you wish you had.  For me, being 23, living alone in NYC and discovering so much of myself it is fascinating and inspiring for me to see how Diane looks at different situations and the remarkable success and accomplishments she has had in her life.  I still don't know where I see myself in 5 years, but I find it encouraging to see where life can take you in the course of a decade (or several decades) and life is just really beautiful.

Had to share - I will let you know what's next on my list!  Have several bargain books in transit.  Other updates - I did a little damage because I had been so good and I found it only fair.  A fall refresh was needed and now I am on my best behavior again - possibly for another 30 day detox.  I also have a bright new addition to my apartment that I can't wait to share!  I've been working hard on some of my quick projects and am trying to hopefully add some more freelance clients.  Fingers crossed!

Best, 

Tori

Found: Moroccan Pouf

I have officially taken my first street find!  I have seen cane Breur chairs that are busted up and have case pieces that are completely unmanageable - but this I could pop into a cab and for $6.80 I have a little pouf like I had been wanting for my "dressing room".

Yesterday as I was leaving my clients and right as it began to rain, I spotted this gem on the sidewalk!  After waiting several minutes and seeing an entire bedroom set on top of the dumpster, I deemed it fair game to take it home with me. 

Once I got home I sprayed it down and scrubbed it with 409 (twice!) and unzipped the liner to make sure there were no horrific stains.  I am still a little skeptical about taking an upholstery piece off of the street, but it seems to be sanitized!  There is a little staining from denim and a scratch on the back side, but I really can't complain because it didn't cost me the $375 that Jonathan Adler wants it to cost me. 

I ended up placing it between my two closets, opposite of my dresser so I have a sweet little spot to put my shoes on or to leave my handbag.  And I have a pop of pink.  So fun!

Update: I DID stick to my no shopping cleanse when it came to clothing and I think that deserves a new dress or something right?! 

More to come soon!

Best, 

Tori 

Labor Day Weekend

The holiday has come and gone and I am hoping you all enjoyed the time off and had some fun in the sun.  My weekend was fun but definitely not what I expected!

On Friday, we got out of work early and my friend and I went to Equinox for a workout that just kicked my butt.

Saturday I ran, did some errands and work and then went to Mad River with a friend from home and college and her roommate to cheer on the Badgers as they lost.  Was hoping to spot to cute preppy boys but no luck there, hoping they were all out in the Hamptons on holiday and that they will show up for the next game day!

Sunday, I will be honest, I did not get out of bed until 2 due to my activities the night before.  I had planned on going to the beach, but due to a steamer incident on Friday, I wasn't in a position to expose my skin to the sun.  I rented The First Time on iTunes and then proceeded to buy it and re-watch it because it was the most brilliant, charming and adorable movie I have seen in a long, long time.  Watch it and thank me later!!

Today, my friend Caitlin (who just moved to NYC - yay!) and I went to the new Whitney which has been something I have been meaning to do all summer.  I loved it, all of it.  I was impressed by all the modern art - my favorite was the de Kooning's and a lot of the pop art.  I also really appreciated the vacuums in plexiglass.  Afterwards we ended up having some bubbly and fritto misto at Santina!  Fab way to toast the end of my first full summer in the city.

Now I am going through emails and anticipating the Ladies of London premiere!  Savoring the rest of my night.  Have a hectic week ahead - more soon!

Take Care,
T

Minnesota

Soooo last week was the best week of my whole entire summer because I finally made it home!!  I had begged and pleaded and obnoxiously made it happen that I was able to go to MN during the summer!  It was the first time I was able to take an entire week (and a day!) off of work since I started in March and it was dreamy. 

I loved getting to see my whole family, my dog Wilson, all of my friends, getting to my cabin, getting ice cream, going to the Guthrie, getting my hair done, being on lake Minnetonka!  It was so fabulous.  And so hard to leave!  

I don't want to bore you with every little thing I did on this trip - I seriously packed a lot in - but I would love to share my 2 interior design highlights!  One was my trip to Betty Danger's Country Club - it is a "new" for me restaurant in Minneapolis that has a very bold and whimsical country club theme.  They have lockers, plaid wallpaper, lots of pink, mini golf and most exciting of all - a pink ferris wheel!  So cute and fun, perfect summer spot.  I also got to go to Cov finally in Wayzata which might as well have been in Nantucket.  The lighting (brass sconces, glass globes!), metallic mounted fish and white woodwork everywhere were so so beautiful.  And the food was outrageous.  I am talking lobster guacamole outrageous.  

This Thursday also marks week 3 of my clothing/shopping cleanse!! I sorta cheated - I will explain!  But I have not purchased any clothing - I have RETURNED clothing.  So there! 

Busy, busy week ahead.  Trying to get skinny, so I am going with a friend to Equinox tomorrow as their guest (not ready to give up the $$ to join!) and then I'm sure I'll be swamped with client emails by the time I get home.  Have one final meeting with a client before they move this Saturday - woo! 

More to share shortly!

Take Care, 

T