Elements of Style Blog » obsessing

City vs. Suburbs

Erin Gates — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:14:35 +0000

VS.

Currently I find myself faced with the decision of city life versus my own four walls and roof somewhere outside the city. I have maintained forever that I am more sidewalks than picket fences, until I fell in love with a home a few weeks ago in a suburb a mere 8 miles from downtown Boston where I currently reside. An old cottage built in 1850 I walked in and immediately imagined my life there (and what wallpaper would grace the entry and rug would run stylishly up the old stairs). The realtor told us we needed to decide almost immediately if we wanted to make an offer as she already had two withing the first six days on the market (real estate woes have not hit metro Boston from what I can tell). In one afternoon I had to decide if I was ready for suburban life…without children yet. I’ve made that decision before and bought a house for life I had not yet decided I wanted and it turned out to be an expensive mistake. A published one that got me lots of business, but a mistake still.

So having an afternoon to make this massive decision left me in serious turmoil in which I flopped and moped about my office whining to my assistant and asking her to make the decision for me. No pressure. We made an offer, a tentative one, and because we didn’t go in guns a-blazin’, we lost the house to someone else. And in true Erin form, I have been miserably kicking myself ever since. We’ve looked at other homes, in both the city and suburbs, and I keep comparing them to the dream cottage I missed out on. But one thing is clear, the suburbs are no longer off the table. I have been shocked by how charming and interested I am in the possibility of living not right in the heart of things, where I can go two blocks and have a million restaurants and a wine shop where they know my name (probably an issue I should look into.) But rather having place where I can let my pups run in a yard, and have multiple rooms to decorate, and most importantly STAY PUT for many years instead of constantly thinking about what’s next, and where. But I’m also scared of the quiet, the rooms that suggest I need to procreate multiple times STAT and the road rage that will flare up probably daily.

It’s a huge decision, and I’m terrible with those. I guess when the time comes to plunk down the ol’ 20% down, I’ll know in my heart whatever decision I make will be the right one.

Magic Carpet Ride

Erin Gates — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:21:49 +0000

I have this shag rug in my bedroom and I have to say it has become the bane of my existence. While it says it’s woven to reduce shedding, that thing is equivalent to owning 4 golden retrievers during shedding season. Clumps of shag fuzz are under EVERYTHING and on EVERYTHING. I’ll think I’ve cleaned them all up and then more will sneak out from behind drapes or under the bed all “ha ha Erin, you can’t get rid of us!!!” I am finally ready to concede and chuck it (or perhaps put it in the guest room?) My vacuum might kick the bucket if I make it suck up any more of that rug (how is there any rug LEFT? It seems to be growing hair!) As I ponder a replacement I am recognizing my new obsession with antique Persian and Turkish rugs. An unfortunate addiction, since a really nice on will set you back the amount equivalent to the price tag on BMW, but not an impossible one. Thanks to eBAY and other such sources, finding some old rugs (ideally worn is places to give a really nice patina) for a reasonable amount isn’t impossible.

This new love of mine is so out of left field- had you asked me two years ago about Persian rugs the words “dated” and “stuffy” would have come out of my mouth. But styled in a modern space or with some more modern furniture these rugs are SO hip….

LOVE Jenna’s black walled bedroom with the crisp white duvet with a shot of color paired with the antique rug (am copying this look, which is lame, but true). I also ADORE these rugs in kitchens- unexpected and lovely.

Vintage rugs + lucite = YEEEESSSSSS. But not all statements have to be bold, the room at right is super subtle but still modern (in a traditional way).

They even work in kid’s rooms! Who knew? (Amanda Peet’s decorator, that’s who…)

After disliking red for a long time, I am red-obsessed. And orange, but that you knew.

BAM. Kitchen porn. Just needs some pendants. Modern ones.

Paired with a white Chesterfield? Be still my heart.

My current home ( and hopefully permanent -for 5+ years at least- home looks more like this space) and I love the juxtaposition of the industrial and the traditional antique!

Here are some I just found on eBay- click the images for links to the item for sale!

Aaaaaand just for fun some I can’t afford. Yet.

(Click image for link)

Images via Pinterest, DecorPad, Elle Decor, Domino

A Painterly Perch

Erin Gates — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:20:14 +0000

First of all, the current issue of Veranda magazine is phenomenal- way to go Dara Caponigro for being the genius you are! Secondly, the work of painter Robert Rea as shown in his own Georgetown home stopped me dead in my tracks. I am in love! His home is spectacular too- the architecture is the stuff of designer’s dreams. The decor itself is a bit too traditional for me, I would have decked this place out in a combination of classic antiques and modern statement pieces- but really, who can take their eyes off the art (and the extraordinary light that illuminates it?)

Here are some of Rea’s paintings available through Susan Calloway Fine Art. I just adore his style, his application of the paint and brushstrokes and the color combination he uses. I’d love one someday!

Images via Splendid Sass and Susan Calloway Fine Art