OKL Challenge- Day Three: One Fishing Chair, Three Ways

I'm feeling pretty stingy today. I pinned only 19 items from today's bounty on One Kings Lane. A few items drew my eye, but didn't make the final cut on the basis of cost. That was particularly true of the Tastemaker Tag Sale by Lisa Minucci, from which I ended up pinning jack squat. I liked the looks of this oversized mortar & pestle-- but am I paying $699 for a mortar & pestle? No, Sir. In fact, I paid $14.99 for my mortar & pestle and the three of us are perfectly happy together.

Given today's scanty harvest, I'm going to keep it light. My favorite new item was this $99 fishing chair. I'd like to own this chair for extra seating in my living room, or as a permanent fixture in a small reading nook.

In homage to Day Three, here are three ways to style it:

Scandi Style

I like the idea of taking a page out of my Scandinavian forefathers (foremothers, technically) and keeping it simple. Black, white, sheepskin. It's a classic triad for a reason. (Also, even though I know I said I'd steer clear of value proclamations, please note that item 5 below is a very nice coffee table for $219.)

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/22, unless otherwise noted)

1. Fishing Chair - $99

2. Rens Sheepskin, Ikea - $29.99

3. Carlo Stanga, Brooklyn - $189-$229

4. Carlo Stanga, Corbu Black - $189-$229
5. Holden Fir Coffee Table - $219
6. Set of 2 Jax - $19

Venice Beach Style

Normally, this look would be a little too "California Boho" for this born-and-bred New Yorker. But I'm not hating it? I'll chalk it up to the grey, soggy Friday we're experiencing here in the Northeast. (On that note, please watch the video for Milli Vanilli's Blame it On the Rain. There are no words. The 80s were real, people.)

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/22, unless otherwise noted)

1. Fishing Chair - $99

2. Simone 20x20 Pillow, Moss - $16

3. 7" Resin Coral Figurine, Gray - $45

4. Whitney Coffee Table - $559 (Similar here for $299)

5. Dhurrie, Flower Pots - $475

East Hampton Style

One $99 rickety fishing chair all glammed up. I can just picture Gwyneth Paltrow, lounging by the pool sipping on her blueberry and almond smoothie. (Mmm, I'm craving a malt milkshake just thinking about it.)

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/22, unless otherwise noted)

1. Fishing Chair - $99

2. Casablanca 20x20 Pillow, Navy - $65 (Earlier sale, ends 10/21)

3. Blue & White Serving Tray - $25

4. Shagreen Leather Coffee Table - $699

5. 6" Metal Orb - $29

OKL Challenge - Day Two: Bed & Bath

Day Two done! Took me exactly an hour to cruise each new shop and pin my favorites. I was finished by noon on the dot. I hope to hone my speed pinning skills over the coming month until I'm down to 30 minutes. (I set my alarm for 8am this morning, intending to sneak out of bed and get my pinning done before my boyfriend Ryan and our puggle Hektor awakened. Whoops! Turns out One Kings Lane shops open at 8am Pacific Time. So, realistically, this will be an afternoon project.)

Today was decidedly tougher than yesterday--  the shop names were proceeded with silly words like, "polished", "preppy" and "refined." It made for slim pickings as I am neither polished, preppy, nor refined. Thank god for The Relaxed Bed. (I may not be relaxed, but I think my bed is what with it's fairly light docket of responsibilities.)

Today's sales raised an interesting question about whether I should adjust my standards according to what's available. If nothing in a particular shop grabs my attention, should I pin the item I like most on a comparative basis? I think no. Although it's hard for me to be vigilant about sliding standards. With something as subjective as taste and style, those standards often operate on a sub-conscious level. I'll try my very best to stick to the litmus test, "would I want this in my home?" As an example, I completely skipped over the selection of boyfriend pillows available.

That said, a lot of my choices today were context sensitive. The object might read as traditional, but I saw a glimmer of hope that in the right setting, it would come off as cool and un-stuffy. The clearest cut example that comes to mind is the collection of Pioppo objects. They could be all fancy man, masculine boudoir (think purple velvet smoking jacket)-- in other words, not for me. OR, they can be mod and awesome, a la Jonathan Adler's Bond Desk.

In other news, Happy Throw Pillow Day! What? You didn't know it was National Thow Pillow Day? Don't worry. That's because--shocker-- it's not a real holiday. But judging from the volume of throw pillows available on One Kings Lane, I'm thinking maybe it's a Canadian holiday and U.S. retailers are just piling on.

For today's mood boards, I drew on OKL's Bed & Bath theme to create a series of beds & baths for fictional clients. Enjoy!

'Flower Power' Teenager

When a style-savvy, color-crazy teenager (with indulgent parents) goes through a hippie phase and wants to redecorate her pad.

Bedroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)
1. Noveau Flowers 3 - $1992. Noveau Flowers 5 - $199
3. Laguna Border Headboard, Teal - $339
4. Aztec 14x24" Pillow, Multi - $79
5. Hunt 5-Drawer Chest - $1,299
6. Vintage Field Guides, Set of 3 - $75
7. 3'3" x 7'1" Ebele Rug, Multi - $549
8. Rectangle Seat - $449

Bathroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)
1. Fouta Tricolor, Fuchsia - $29
2. Fouta Tricolor, Orange - $29
3. Noveau Flowers 4 - $199
4. Almond Tray w/ Alpaca Handles - $169
5. Yo-yo Stool - $449

World-Traveler-Turned-Hedge-Funder

When an adventure and souvenir-seeking bachelor hangs up his backpack, settles in the big city and starts a successful hedge fund. (You can take the boy out of the Southeast Asian youth hostel, but you can't take a passion for batik out the of boy...)

Bedroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)

1. 6'5" x 9'9" Missour Rug, Black/Gray/Blue - $1,499

2. Jakarta Euro Sham, Denim - $109

3. Rick Rack Sheet Set, Navy/Blue - $219 - $249

4. Drum Ceramic Table Lamp, Bone Glaze - $199

5. Leather & Brass Catch-All - $35

6. Johnson End Table - $279

7. Colton Bed, Queen - $1,799

Bathroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)

1. 3-piece Rick Rack Towel Set, Navy/Blue - $79

2. Natural Pioppo Towel Tray - $69

3. Mow Stool - $289

4. Ethnic Stripe Fouta, Gray - $29

Calm and Comfort-Seeking Retirees

When a retired couple in their mid-sixties relocate to the beach to pursue their lifelong dream (writing a memoir of their great love story, of course) in a tranquil environment with a simple palette.

Bedroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)

1. Christine Sheet Set, White - $89 - $119

2. Indus 12x22 Pillow, Gray - $49

3. Casablanca 20x20 Pillow, Gray - $65

4. Ritter Sideboard - $999

5. Sanur Chair - $419

Bathroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)
1. 3-piece Savile Towel Set, Pewter - $39
2. Wool Blend Storage Basket, Gray - $49-$59
3. Natura Chair, White Wash - $259
4. Small Stripe Fouta Towel, Gray - $29

Tribeca Trust-Fund Newlyweds

A classic girl-meets-boy story. Except in this case, girl is a size 0 accessories editor at a prestigious fashion magazine and boy is a DJ with family money and a collection of tight leather jackets to put Georgio Armani to shame. Here's what happens when they move into their 1,800 sq ft "starter loft" in Tribeca.

Bedroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/21, unless otherwise noted)

1. Rick Rack Sheet Set, Honeysuckle - $219-$249

2. Eileen Gray Side Table, $129

3. B. Pieroni, Set of 4 Figurative Prints - $699 (Earlier sale. Ends 10/20)

4. Harper Dresser, Walnut - $599

5. Jakarta Euro Sham, Cinnabar - $109

6. Rhys Rug, Beige/Black - $439 - $1,449

Bathroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane, Available thru 10/21)

1. Fouta Gradation Towel, Charcoal - $29

2. Red Goatskin Vanity Tray, $129

3. Set of 3 Octaganol Boxes, Gray - $199

4. La Quinta Bench - $549

Young Brooklyn Emigree

When a 27-year-old graphic designer moves to Brooklyn to escape the tyranny of roommates and finds a (studio) apartment she can finally call her own. 

Bedroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/21, unless otherwise noted)

1. Roberta Pinna, Michelle - $189 (Earlier sale. Ends 10/20)

2. Lindsay Cowles, Untitled 718 - $169-$229 (Earlier sale. Ends 10/20)

3. Alphabet 101 Framed Print - $49 (Earlier sale. Ends 10/20)

4. Cornflower 12x26 Pillow, Blue - $79

5. Sophia Euro Sham, Black/Steel - $59

6. Lucy Stool - $249

7. Taylor Slipcover Headboard, Navy - $329-$429

Bathroom

Sources (all items source via today's sales One Kings Lane and available thru 10/21, unless otherwise noted)

1. 6-piece Bristol Towel Set, Anthracite - $59

2. Jen Garrido, Uncoordinated - $189-$289 (Earlier sale. Ends 10/20)

3. Horse Shoe Stool - $199

4. Per Lütken Holmegaard Bud Vase - $129

OKL Challenge - Day One: Autumn Mod

I'm in a bit of a daze after Day 1 of my One Kings Lane Challenge, but plenty inspired! Check out my picks on my pinterest board. Thankfully, tomorrow should be a lighter lift. Since this was Day 1, I reviewed all sales. Beginning tomorrow, I'll review only new sales.

Maybe it's the fall bite in the air, but I gravitated towards lots of fall colors in addition to my usual color standbys. If I had an unlimited budget and a cozy yet modern cabin in upstate New York, I'd have no trouble furnishing it from today's One Kings Lane sales.

Naturally, my cabin would look something like this (imagine less snow, more leaves):

Ten Broeck Cottage in Hudson, NY 

Living Room

My living room, stocked exclusively via today's sales on One Kings Lane, would be decorated in the style I'm dubbing "Autumn Mod":

Sources

1. Dog Measurement Framed Print - $49

2. Slices 14x20" Outdoor Pillow - $35

3. Pair of Resin Jax Bookends - $29

4. Solaris Table Lamp in Chrome - $79

5. Dovetail Sideboard - $2,699

6. Mohair Throw in Camel - $115

7. Issey Knitted Pouf - $99

8. Coquille Chair - $1,999

9. Pebble Barstool (shown as side table) - $349

10. Strato Bowl in Silver - $25

Dining Room

And here's my Autumn Mod Dining Room, also sourced from today's sales on One Kings Lane:

Sources

1. Bingo Numbers Framed Print - $49

2. Set of 3 Assorted Bail/Trigger Jars - $15

3. 3-piece Bowl Set - $16

4. Warehouse 1-Light Pendant in Red - $39

5. Traveler Dining Table - $4,499 (yikes!)

6. Palm Beach Hurricane, Medium - $65

7. Red Kilim, 10'3" x 4'4" - $299

8. Black Grace Side Chairs, Pair - $399

Entry

And bringing up the rear, my Autumn Mod entry hall/mudroom-- because after traipsing around with Hektor in those damp autumn leaves, we'll need somewhere to drop our keys and wipe our feet and paws (respectively).

Sources

1. Twombly Sconce - $799

2. Leather Dog - $249 (I love this! There's nothing quite like your real live dog rushing to greet you at the door, but putting this guy would be pretty darn cute in an entry.)

3. Wolfie and the Sneak, Fall - $159 (I like the idea of having all 4 seasons and switching them out throughout the year.)

4. Eggshell Bowl, Small Green-Gray - $22

5. Set of 5 Rectangular Wicker Baskets - $79 (As I noted in my pin, these baskets are attractive and practical, but the handles bug me. I'd paint them out.)

6. Tribal Kilim, 7'5" x 4'6" - $449

7. Consoles, Pair - $875

My 'One Kings Lane' 30-day Personal Challenge

I was drinking my coffee in bed this morning whilst perusing One Kings Lane (as I'm wont to do) when an idea hit me over the head. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a filtered-just-for-me version of One Kings Lane on any given day? I love that spot sale websites have gained in popularity. Their growth and diversification, however, has led a visual overload and a hefty dose of things that are SO not me.

Cut out the velvet, the chintz and the fancy gilded dinnerware and give me industrial furniture, mid-century modern antiques, funky global accents and young-person-friendly affordable art? If pinterest has taught me anything, it's that my design sensibilities aren't exactly unique...much as I often wish they were.

So here's my challenge. (Deep breath) It's almost definitely insane, but here goes:

Every morning (Mon-Fri only) for the next 30 days, I'm going to pin my One Kings Lane picks to my pinterest board, "My 'One Kings Lane' Picks"

I want to keep the guidelines fairly fast and loose to start out-- at least until I can figure out what sticks. But here's what I have in mind:

1. Why One Kings Lane? Yeah, I know-- there's Joss & Main, Fab, and others. But for whatever reason, my preference is for OKL. I'd love to do a sweep of the big three, but I do have a day job.
2. Selection Criteria: I'm going from the gut. If it grabs my attention, I'll pin it. Maybe I'll regret it seconds later, but hey, life is full of regrets. You can safely expect the following:
• Vintage mid-century modern (or MCM-inspired)
• Wood and lots of it. Anything with a live edge or exposed dovetail joinery drives me crazy (in a good way...)
• Blues, greys and aqua
• An industrial edge: reclaimed wood, steel, concrete
• Ikat-mania. And other stuff that's you or I would probably call Ikat, causing our design snob friends to shudder in horror and say through gritted teeth, "Um, that's Batik..."
• Affordable artwork, especially of the colorful variety
• I'll probably skim over household items like cookware, books, soaps, etc. But I may include them if the design is particularly compelling.
3. Precise Timing: Unpredictable. I'll try to aim for morning. But I do, alas, have that aforementioned day job that needs doing.
4. Price: I will always include the price in my pin. (OKL doesn't do this automatically.) Unless I forget. In which case you have my permission to yell at me via Pinterest comments. An important note: if there is a price range for item, I will include the range in the comments. Pinterest adds the higher of the two prices to the banner, it seems.
5. Value: I'm a big proponent of value. One thing that bugs me a little bit about these spot sale sites is the big-ticket items. Who is dropping $10,000 on a sofa they a) are buying on impluse; b) have not seen, touched, tested in person; b) can't return? I'm pretty sure the answer is high-end decorators who know they can pawn it off on one client or another. Or else let it languish in their storage facility until they find the perfect spot for it. Perhaps I'm just too cheap, risk-averse and prone to second guessing to play this high-stakes game. That's why I will err on the side of relatively-budget friendly items in my selection. That's not to say I won't include a pricey piece if I love it. But I've got to REALLY love it if it's going to make the cut. Whereas an $8 item might make the cut if I take a mild liking to it. In general, I think I'll stay away from pronouncements on value. It's a controversial and personal term. Initially, I'd wanted to put my two cents in if I thought, say, $800 was a good deal for a particular piece. But the truth is, if I'm not familiar with the vendor, I'm missing the most important factor in determining value-- quality.
6. Sold Out Items: I won't pin items that are sold out. That said, don't be mad if they sell out after I pin them. I won't be updating during the day to monitor what's still available.
7. Comments: I may comment if I have something to say. In most cases, I'll let the photo do the talking. (Also, that pesky day job calls...)
8. Mood Boards: If I have the time and feel so inclined, I'll try to style a few of my picks in a mood board, posted to the blog. (If you follow me on Pinterest, you can view them on the board "Favorites from the Blog." Stay tuned!

The Look: Losing You, by Solange Knowles

Another post on Solange Knowles? That's right, folks. Four days later and I've still got Solange on the brain. I spent the better part of the weekend practicing her moves. (And the rest of it hoping I'd spot her in Carroll Gardens.) While my attempts to replicate Solange's dance routine in Losing You may have been embarrassing at best and emotionally scarring at worst (in the words of my loving boyfriend, "some things cannot be unseen"), I think I've done a pretty nifty job of recreating my favorite aesthetic elements from the video. For those of you who have not yet committed every scene to memory, here's an encore of my favorite stills from the video:

Music Video for "Losing You." Photo Credit: Terrible Records. Source: The Examiner

Music Video for "Losing You." Photo Credit: Terrible Records. Source: The Examiner

This video is a real treat for the eyeballs. Oh lord, the fashion. That brick pattern suit? I die. The oversized houndstooth coat? Leopard flats? Color block platforms? High-wasted denim hot pants? And that's just Solange's wardrobe. Don't even get me started on Les Sapuers. 

But the Cape Town set also provided rich inspiration. One of my favorite scenes from the video is when Solange is lying on a pile of mattresses moving her legs in the air in tempo. (Note: don't try this at home. It is neither as sexy nor cool as when Solange does it.) Katrin Greiling's Bidoun Sofa Series (#6 below), inspired by Bedouin furniture, consists of stacked mattresses threaded with a cord. 

Music Video for "Losing You." Photo Credit: Terrible Records. Source: The Examiner

My second favorite scene is when  Solange is grooving to the music in front of the shipping container-cum-designer-suit-purveyor. The tailor is shutting the door, which bumps Solange. Does she stop dancing? NO, she does not. She stumbles a little, but doesn't miss a beat. Just keeps doing her thing like the goddess that she is.

Music Video for "Losing You." Photo Credit: Terrible Records. Source: The Examiner

Did you notice the caricature illustrations on the outside of the barber shop? I would hang them on my wall if I could. They struck me as a world apart from the run-of-the-mill caricature art you see in the environs of Times Square. A good caricature walks a thin line, and these definitely err more on the side of art than kitsch. I scoped out Etsy hoping to see some similar Caricature talent-- check out A. Weaver's Caricatures on Etsy (#3 below).

The price tag on this shipping container model home ($650!) makes it a real reach item considering it's of limited functionality (#4 below), but I wanted to include an image of the shipping containers from the videos and this one, from Module-R, fit the bill. It was a sobering reminder to see images of how poor communities around the world re-task and adorn objects like shipping containers for shelter-- out of necessity and cost, rather than in pursuit of "green living" (although there's a whole army of people out there who would argue that re-purposed Shipping Containers are far from green). The Cape Town shipping containers in the set of Losing You were a far-cry from the kitted-out, uber modern shipping container shelters I'm used to seeing in the pages of Dwell. Sobering indeed.

The Look

Sources
1. Brick Wall Background Pillow, Zazzle.com - $59.95
2. Veronica Houndstooth-Print Twill Dress, Net-a-Porter - $465
3. Custom Order Caricature Art, A Weaver Caricatures @Etsy - $14.99
4. Model Container Homes, Module-R - $675
5. Clair by Elizabeth & James, JoanMarie - $177
6. Bidoun Sofa Series by Katrin Greiling

The Look: Solange Knowles' Brooklyn Home

As promised in my earlier post on style icon, Solange Knowles, here's another installation of The Look. Let's explore how to imitate elements of Solange's pitch perfect Carroll Gardens home! The key to Solange's style?

• Mix-and-matched textiles in bold patterns, with a healthy dose of traditional tribal patterns (both African and Turkish-inspired.)
• Color! Jewel-toned brights and ethereal pastels.
• Industrial iron and wood furniture with hints of mid-century modernism.
• Unique personal touches, like flea market art and delicate ceramics.

The Inspiration: Living

Knowles' Carroll Gardens Apt. Photo Credit: Paul Costello. Source: Elle Magazine

The Look: Living

Sources

1. Modern Original Abstract Painting No. 70, Adriane Duckworth @Etsy - $125

2. Boy in the Orange Bowtie Canvas Print, Kiki and Polly @Etsy - $35

3. Metallic Faux Knit Pattern Pillow, West Elm - $29

4. Adelaide Sofa, Gus Modern (via Bobby Berk Home) - $1,999

5. Redwood Burl Coffee Table, Driftwood Decor @Etsy -$1,400

6. ZigZag Rug (Espresso, Ivory, Flax), West Elm - $279 (5x8)

7. Josef Albers, Portfolio 2, Folder 21, A, One Kings Lane - no longer available (See similar geometric-inspired art here and here.)

After the jump, see how I recreate Solange's Bedroom and Dining Room.

Style Icon: Solange Knowles

I'm calling it. Ladies and gentlemen, we are on the cusp of a Solange Knowles moment. Maybe it's just my neighborhood pride talking, but this lady has the talent, style and dance moves to rival big sis Beyonce.

Check out her Carroll Gardens apartment and new music video, Losing You. In both outlets, she hits that sweet spot where enviable, inspirational taste meets relatability. The design aesthetic and architectural details in her Carroll Gardens apartment are exquisite (envy/inspiration? check.) But get this-- it's a rental (hey! I can relate to that.)

Music Video for "Losing You." Photo Credit: Terrible Records. Source: The Examiner

After the jump: A photo mash-up from her apartment and video.