Holiday Decorating, Part 1: Stockings

Nothing says Christmas like stockings bulging with goodies, hung over a roaring fire. But if you don't have a fireplace (or even a mantel), stockings can still be part of your holiday decorating scheme. They bring the holiday spirit whether hung from doorknobs, on wall hooks, or even on an empty coat rack!

At Jill's own house, she hangs her stockings on her stair bannisters, and varies the style of the stockings from year to year. This holiday she found these charming, colorful and unique stockings at the Alameda Flea Market.

She also bought a set of minis for the pets in the family!

Last year we added gold chain to the greenery with the stockings on the bannister:

If you're still searching for the right stockings, here's a few cool ones we found:

White and fluffy from West Elm.

Colorful stripes from LIVbyLouise on etsy.

Graphic and modern by StudioTree on etsy.

Colorful -- and customized -- from Urban Creative, also from etsy.

Where do you hang your stockings? And what's your favorite thing to find inside your stocking? Let us know in the comments below!

Color at the Flea Market!

Bay Area decorators, collectors (and shoppers) hit the jackpot last weekend -- the Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale was on Saturday, and Sunday was the monthly Alameda Flea Market. We scored some great stuff at both events . . . and most of it was, of course, colorful.

We are always on the lookout for unusual lighting fixtures, and the Alameda Flea did not disappoint. Jill picked up two cheerful vintage orange table lamps -- $100 for the pair.

She also scored this groovy wooden multi-layered spherical lamp for just $175 -- a great investment for such a unique item.

We loved (but resisted) these bright glass and ceramic plates and trays.

Of course, the color wasn't limited to just home decor items. Jill picked up two vintage purses in the season's hottest fashion color -- bright yellow -- for less than $20 each.

At the White Elephant sale, we found two vibrant paintings that we've already hung in our space. 

Flea markets and rummage sales are excellent places to find unique art, and much of it is very affordable. It doesn't matter if you have no idea who the artist is; in fact, it's fun to imagine who might have created each piece, and when. Feel free to mix up high art and vintage "anonymous" finds on your walls -- as long as you love it, it doesn't matter.

What treasures and deals have you discovered at the flea market lately? Let us know in the comments below!

Loving a Little Lavender!

As much as we love bold, bright colors, we appreciate the power of more soothing hues too. Right now we're noticing lavender -- everywhere we look.

Photo from think Color by Tricia Guild, still one of our favorite books.

The cover home in the February 2012 issue of Elle Decoration UK features the iconic Egg chair and a simple pillow in lavender.

And the relatively new HGTV magazine showcased a beautiful lavender sofa in a recent story.

Even Ikea is showing the lavender love via their Isala laptop table:

In our own home, our cozy lavender cashmere scarf has been keeping us warm. Here it's shown with a vintage Takahashi laquer tray we just picked up at the Alameda Flea Market. Love the contrast of the orange with the lilac!

And the vintage stools we sit on every day in our office (also from Alameda Flea) have subtle lavender cushions.

Don't be afraid to combine this soothing shade with brighter elements, as we've done above. It's the mix that makes it fun.

One Love: The Revamped Lamp

What's a lamp without a shade? An opportunity, of course. We found this fantastic lamp base at the Alameda Antique Fair, and despite the missing shade we knew it was a keeper. A trip to the local lamp store yielded a simple, white linen shade, and suddenly we're seeing things in a whole new light!

*Credits: Kyoko Jackson - Photography

Controlled Chaos

Oh hello, I didn't see you sitting there...

"Summer of Love" Ottoman - Mignonne

 yeah...right...

This amazing ottoman is hardly something you don't notice! And being the color-lovers that we are, we fell for it instantly. The wild print and daring accents are not for the meek or mild, but in the right setting, this piece is totally fab:

seal lamp, yellow side table - Urban Outfitters :: yellow pillows, graphic pillow - CB2 :: "A" - Alameda Antique Fair

The wild mix of prints, colors, and styles in this 18-year-old's room could easily spin out of control, but with thoughtful coordination it confidently evokes eclectic, energetic, and trés cool.

The key is to balance bold prints (the ottoman), with subtle prints (the bedspread--I know, I never thought I'd live to see the day I called leopard a "subtle" print!), and carry the main colors throughout in solids (walls and pillows). Throw in some black and white so your eye has a place to rest (photo on the wall and graphic pillow on the bed), add your favorite whimsical flea-market and garage sale finds to mix it up, and voila! Controlled Chaos! Now go get crazy...

*Credits: Allie McCoy - Contributing Stylist, Kyoko Jackson - Photography

Outdoor Decor: An Unexpected Room

Porches conjure up so many images: grand Southern porches with rocking chairs and porch swings and pitchers of lemonade, urban stoops piled with potted plants offering a hint of escape from the concrete jungle. To me, porches are like the window seat in a restaurant, or the cafe tables on the sidewalk. I love being able to relax and enjoy the comforts of home, while being a part (peripherally, at least) of the outside world. It's a different feeling from sitting inside, and sometimes, it's the perfect change of scenery. Here's some ideas for making an unexpected (and truly inviting) room from your porch.

CREATE A COMFY CORNER
A few plants go a long way in creating lush-feeling surroundings for the far end of the front porch. And do you recognize that spruce tree in the corner from our Holiday post? The porch is a great place to place your living tree until next holiday season! Throw some fun pillows on the chairs or swing, put out a cozy blanket, and you're all set.

Sketch Book pillow - West Elm :: Spruce tree - Flowerland :: Succulents and small white pots - Flora Grubb

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PLANTS
For some easy modern art objects, we love these new hanging bubbles from West Elm. Air plants have been showing up all over the place, and they are the perfect occupants for these glass houses. When paired with some beautiful moss-covered branches they feel fresh and calming.

Bubbles - West Elm :: Air plants and mossy branches - Flowerland

HANG-OUT
Placed next to the front door, these chairs are so comfortable you might just sit and stay a while after taking off your rain boots or muddy shoes. A sunny splash of mustard yellow makes them even more enticing and inviting. I can just imagine sitting here with a friend enjoying a hot cup of coffee, fresh scones from The Cheeseboard, and the Sunday edition of the New York Times...

Mustard pillows - Anthropologie :: Solid pillows - West Elm :: Owl - Flowerland

FREE YOUR ART
For a bit of unexpected delight, try hanging or placing some artwork outside. This sweet, colorful canvas was a flea market find, and while it might not fit-in on a wall of Picasso's, it's perfectly at home (and wonderfully refreshing) leaning casually against the window surrounded by plants.

Painting - Alameda Antique Fair :: White pots - Ikea :: plants - Flowerland

So whether you've go a full-sized, southern-style wrap-around, or just a bit of stoop under the awning, there's no reason your porch should be ignored. A chair, a cushion, and a plant can set you up to enjoy a whole new "room" of your house, and maybe get to know the neighborhood!

* Credits: Kyoko Jackson - photography