Some 33 years ago, identical twin boys were born… and it is to my greatest design pleasure that they have chosen to both pursue the same career as designer and even to share the same roof. Despite their mirror image footsteps (no pun intended), both men have very distinct styles – as you’ll notice by their bedroom decors.

I have to admit that I am getting over the whole black and white chevron scheme, but besides that I am enthraled by the home… and its black kitchen! Added brownie points: the blue and white Chinese ceramics composition in the bedroom.

source: NY Times 

I rarely take the time to sit down to read a book and yet, I’ve always had this romantic idea of the reading nook: a corner purely dedicated to reading and comfortable beyond belief.

There’s something comforting in knowing that when you get home after a long day, you have the perfect little spot to take your heels off and kick your feet up.

Reading nooks are also great for kids. Not only do they encourage reading, but they also provide a sense of security. I remember I could hide in mine for hours as a kid and make all the problems of the world disappear.

Whether it’s a space carved in a bay window or built into a wall, reading nooks need to convey the idea of ultimate comfort. And they need to be restraint in size. Were not talking about a grand library here, we’re talking small walk-in closet size.

Here are my top 5 essentials for the perfect reading nook:

1. First and foremost, you need a comfortable chair, daybed or sofa. A smaller sofa will give a sense of security so leave the 7-seater sectional for the home theatre. A chair with a higher back will keep your posture in check while still allowing you to rest your head. An ottoman is great with a chair to truly kick your feet up.

2. Plush cushions and throws are an essential to really feeling comfortable. A chair is never complete without pillows. A cute lumbar pillow is excellent for back support. A throw will finish off the soft furnishings and keep you warm in the winter months.

3. Here I’m going to sound sound like your mother, but good lighting is essential for reading to not strain the eye. For reading, the ideal is a task lamp that can be repositioned according to where you will sit. I prefer floor lamps that can easily be dragged around or swing arm wall sconces.

4. A reading nook isn’t complete without a bookcase. In order for the whole concept of the reading nook to work, a beautifully arranged bookcase is a must. Side note, bookcases always look their best with proper lighting and art.

5. Last but not least, think about where you’ll put your cup of tea or glass of water, your reading glasses and your bookmark? You need a small side table or stool large enough to host at least the essentials.

Do you have a reading nook in your house?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Sources: 1. Magdalena Aguilar’s Apartment via Nuevo Estilo 2. Angie Hranowsky via Lonny 3. Orrick & Company 4. Carrier & Company for Town & Country 5. Albert Hadley via Lonny 6. Alessandra Branca 7. Laurann Claridge via Lonny 8. Ruthie Sommers via Lonny 9. Hilary Swank’s Apartment via Elle Decor

Alright, I have to confess something… I am a nervous wreck!! After a year of working on an idea (or in that case many ideas) the day has come to put it on camera.

Yup! Yours truly is about to spin the wheel of chance and try out her wit and design ideas on a TV show! A modest endeavour for now as we are making what they call a “pilot”, but if the said pilot pleases the Montréal TV station… well then we might be in for the ride of a lifetime!

Why am I confessing this alongside the beautiful pictures of Mrs Lloyd’s Boerum Hill Home you might ask? Well because it is homes like this one that inspired the whole concept.

I have often told you how we live in a day and age where we can no longer afford to consume senselessly, buying new furniture by the truck full and replacing it at whim when its poor quality renders the pieces crippled and wobbly.

I feel I have a moral duty to my kids to show them that good design can also mean “eco-friendly” and “vintage finds”. I mean let’s face it, pieces of furniture were not stapled and glued together, way back when. They were made with a craftsman’s skills using techniques such as tongue and groove & dovetailing. Such words we have to spellcheck as they are so seldom used nowadays.

So for now it is all about managing my rising anxiety levels and if there is anything I can possibly ask of you my loyal readers it si to have a thought or two (or three) for me this week. I promise I will tell you all about it when I am actually allowed to spill the beans!

xoxo

v.

photographs by Trevor Tondro for the New York Times 

Those of you who follow my blog will already know that I’m moving into my sweet little new apartment next week. And because I work from home, my home office is the absolute number one priority (well, after my bed)!

This got me thinking recently not only about what I want my next office to look like, but also about what are the important features of a home office.

I came to the conclusion that the same guidelines apply in a home office, no matter how big or how small, whether its shared or not shared, whether its used eight hours a day or one hour a month.

Of course we would all love a spacious office reminiscent of the great big library rooms of yesteryear used primarily for celebratory drinks and quiet reading time (à la Downton Abbey or Mad Men).

But the reality of home offices these days is that they’re often cramped or even shared with other rooms (whether it be the kitchen or the bedroom) and the risk of paper or gadget overflow has become scary!

So rather than letting it become another furniture and gadget graveyard, let’s look at a few ways to efficiently organize your home office for style, comfort and practicality.

1. Edit, edit, edit! I think it’s safe to say that unless you are a hundred years old, your home office probably includes some kind of electronic equipment: a computer, maybe a printer, scanner, tablet, speakers, and the list goes on and on, sometimes to scary lengths!

My rule is: get rid of anything you haven’t used in over six months. Additionally, hide the items that are used occasionally and, as much as possible, hide the spaghetti of chords hanging behind your desk!

2. Watch the view: No one likes to stare at a blank wall. I personally love my desk to face the entrance of the room, the window, or better, both. If none of these options are possible in your layout, decorate the wall behind your computer with frames, shelves or an inspiring pin board.

3. Desire to inspire: Speaking of pin boards, every office should have one. Whether you work in a creative industry or not, a pin board is always a great idea to find inspiration, organise your thoughts or leave important reminders. I personally love this DIY linen pin board with nail head trim.

4. I’ve got your back: Your office chair doesn’t need to look like it’s straight out of a Star Trek episode, but ergonomics are important for productivity and posture. So it’s a good idea to invest in a stylish computer chair that will keep your spine happy hours on end. If the space allows, a guest chair across your desk and a lounge chair for kicking your feet up are also great additions to a home office.

5. Trays and things: You should see my desk at the end of a 10 hour day. It looks like a war zone. Post-its, paperwork of all sorts, empty glasses, open books, electronics plugged in… I’ll spare you the photo. Because of this, it’s extremely important to determine what usually ends up on your desk after a day’s work, and  make sure each item has its place. It makes cleaning up at the end of the day that much easier.

For example, do you always end up with a stack of paperwork? Then a “to-file” tray may be a good idea – but do file your stuff the next day! If you always have a glass or water or cup of tea while working, think about a set of coasters. Pens and office supplies can go in pretty trays. And if you find a nice silver toast rack (often found in antique shops and flea markets), it makes for great mail sorter (a great tip from Arianna Belle)!

Can you see yourself applying these guidelines in your home office? Do you have other valuable guidelines to share?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

1. Laura Ponte’s Home via Nuevo Estilo | 2. Amanda Nisbet’s Apartment via Lonny | 3. Jan Showers Interior Design | 4. Jenna Alcala Photo via Matchbook Mag | 5. Ellie Somerville’s Apartment via Lonny  | 6. Nuevo Estilo | 7. Lulu Powers via Lonny | 8. Lizzie Baily via Lonny | 9. Jo Berryman of Matrushka Design | 10. Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle via Elle Decor | 11. Laurann Claridge by Patrick Cline via Lonny | 12.  Celerie Kemble | 13. Victoria Thompson by Patrick Cline via Lonny