Beautiful Abodes

The Pick on Pillows

As a person who recognizes that simple things can pack the most punch sometimes I find it hard to stray from what I usually tend to do, hence my life has followed a path (interiorly speaking) and has thus lacked, in a way, a bit of adventure. I'm sure there are many that can understand this.

The best way to make any changes, especially when you're hesitant is to introduce this thing (your hesitant to do) slowly into your life, some like to call it baby-steps, I call it... taking it easy. And with this 'hesitation' in mind I bring you pillows that I find to be top-picks when it comes to introducing a bit of adventure into your home, whether that adventure be a slight modern take, a splash of color, a bit of spice or... perhaps, something just a little bit different.

The beauty with the pillows featured in today's post is that the base hue of the pillow (or the primary color) is as neutral as it can get, but added to this neutral color is a splash of color and a splash of texture. And while you may think pillow cannot make too much of a difference... let me just say one more time, "sometimes it's the simple things that can pack the most punch"or as another saying goes, "big things come in little packages".

CB2 Boucle Swoon 20" Pillows

It can accessorize a modern home or a retro home. The Boucle Swoon Pillow by CB2 is knit in soft acrylic and features flecks of color. Available in blue or orange.

West Elm Cotton Velvet Duo Pillow Covers

Perfect for the contemporary home, West Elm's Cotton Velvet Duo Pillow features a textured natural-colored cotton with velvet colorful piping along the borders. Stay in your comfort zone while still adding color by sticking to one color or add a bit more fun by opting to buy a set of different colors. Available in blue, red, green, orange and yellow.

Home Of: Frank Sinatra

Name: Francis albert Sinatra

A.K.A Frank Sinatra

Date of birth: December 12, 1915 - May 14, 1998

Place of birth: Hoboken, New Jersey

Occupation: Musician, Actor

Most famously known for his musical career

*Pictures via Architectural Digest

Read the full AD article,

Ad Revisits: Frank Sinatra

A Parisian Apartment for the American Couple

Pictures by Architectural Digest

Read the full article on AD

An American Couple's Dream Paris Apartment

I Stand Behind: Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser sponge

If cleaning was easy then we really wouldn't mind doing it but let's face it, no matter how lazy we are and how dirty our surroundings are day-to-day we all love to be living in a clean and tidy home. There are a few house chores I find rather easy and don't mind doing, such as loading the dish washer, doing laundry or even taking out the trash. But when it comes to cleaning sinks... let's just say I let it go... and go... and go, until it gets quite gross, I suppose deep down I'm hoping for my handy dandy husband to do it but of course he doesn't, and why should he? He already cleans the toilets (which I will never agree to do for as long as I live).

It seems that pregnancy has gotten me even lazier than I was before, I can't seem to stand the thought of scrubbing, soaping and bleaching the sink until it's all a shiny porcelain white like the first time we installed it. However, with the laziness came a really great idea, the idea to use Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser sponge! I usually use the magic eraser sponge on walls, cabinets, doors and tiles where stains, dry drips of colored things and scuff marks are- and they do work awfully well on these, but I've never tried the magic eraser sponge to clean sinks before. Of course, it worked... like... magic.

To use the sponge, simple wet and squeeze excess water out, then begin using on surfaces that need any removals of scuffs and food stains (or whatnot), you can pretty much use it on any surface (with the exception of probably raw wood). I've used it on doors, tile counter tops, walls, moldings, bassboards and cabinets.

BEFORE

It's quite embarrassing to show the state of my bathroom sink, yes, quite disgusting I know. I let the grime and dust really build-up around the sink fixtures and around the sink drain. I'd like to say I let it get this disgusting for the sake of this post... but honestly, I've just been really lazy.

AFTER

It took a total of about 5 minutes to clean the bathroom sink, I tackeld the fixtures, the drain, the sink basin and around the sink top edges. I'm not sure how the magic eraser sponge works but it worked much faster and easier in swiping away all the caked grossness without much force- this is in comparison to my usual sink cleaning routine which usually consists of some hard scrubbing with the soft side of a regular sponge and soap, and I never tackle the fixtures with the regular sponge as I find it never clears away the water spots but the magic eraser sponge did. So clean. So easy. So fast!

You can find Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser sponge at any supermarket but I find that it's a bit cheaper Home Depot and you can also find the pack of 4 there also (versus the smaller packs of 2 or 3 you find at the market).

Jannis Ellenberger designs

I saw but one of Jannis Ellenberger's designs at A+R, it was a desk designed in the minimal style and it caught my interest... so much that I decided to look up what other innovative and intriguing designs Ellenberger was capable of. What I found were designs of furniture that was uplifting, fun, different, they were all minimal yet friendly and comforting- characteristics I definitely do not usually tie to minimal designed furnishings. Intrigued? Look on.

The Sofabed

The Sofabed, one of my favorite Ellenberger designs. Yes, we all know about and have probably slept on at one point or another a sofa bed, usually they simply pull out and are quite ugly. The Ellenberger sofabed is not only physically appealing to look at but was designed so that every part of the sofa has a dual function- I suppose this is what I love most about this design (it's almost like a two-for-one deal and who doesn't love those). The backrest swivels to the front to reveal not a only wider sofa seat/bed but the backrest also becomes a storage space, and if that wasn't good enough that backrest storage space also becomes a bedside table! Impressed, right, I sure was.

The Pendant Light

Not your usual pendant light- this shouldn't be surprising when talking about one of Ellenberger's designs. The pendant light is designed so that the user may adjust the dimness, brightness or mood of the lighting (however way you want to put it) by simply swiveling the hinged cover of the pendant light. Witty! I love it. Now only if they came in different colors... Jannis are you listening?

The Washstand

Not my most favorite since I generally don't find free-standing washstands appealing, but I had to give kudos to this free-standing Ellenberger washstand for it's physical appeal, the design is minimal yet fun and intriguing, just looking at it makes me want to use it! I find that the use of space is quite smart, there is the built in cup for holding toothbrushes located on the upper back counter, there also is the built in towel rack, not to mention the most intriguing, how the wash basin, upper back counter and towel rack is made from all one piece, all flowing from one to the other boasting beautiful fluidity.

Check out Jannis Ellenberger's site

Item of Note: A+R's Color Carpet Rugs & Bau Pendant Light

Two highly note-worthy items worth the double take from A+R are the Bau Pendant Light and the Color Carpet Rugs. Perfect for the home lacking color... or not, these two smart and modernly fashioned pieces will more than likely add a little pop of something you just so needed.

BAU PENDANT LIGHT

By Normann Copenhagen & Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt's

"with a nod to the Bauhaus movement, Danish designer Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt created this stunning pendant for Normann Copenhagen, combining primary colors and geometry in the manner of De Stijl and Piet Mondrian. The sculptural design is based on interlocking geometric circles, with the pattern broken by disc colors, sizes and off-center linkages. In fact, she softens the rigidness of the geometry with transgressive, imperfect and challenging combinations." -A+R description

Measures 17"h x 23"w for the small / 20"h x 23"w for the large
Made of Basswood
Price $250.00

COLOR CARPET RUG

Hay & Scholten & Baijings'

"Routine patterns and graphics are revitalized in the most joyful of colorations. Tufted rugs that create optical transparency by using color gradients and using 100% New Zealand wool pile on 100% cotton backing. A spectacular collection of six carpet designs, each with its very own character." -A+R description

Measures 67" x 94" (5'7" x 7'10")

Made of 100% New Zealand wool pile on 100% cotton backing