In response to Kohana's blog

My Dear Kohana,

Big guy D just fell asleep in his lunch, time for a lazy summer day nap. I have on my to-do list " Call K back" So while Im distracted from the exciting life I lead pushing the boundaries in laundry technique I find your blog and there is a post written to ME! I miss you so much! How is it that our girlfriends are off getting PhD's, traveling in Holland and adventuring in China while we throw up and try to stay cool in the hot summer sun? We all have our different paths, I guess... but wouldn't it sound better if I were doing laundry in Istanbul right now? Or the Greek Isles. My brother in-law just got back from his honeymoon in Cinga Terra, Italy. The laundry HAS to be better there, Im SURE of it!

Anyhow,onto the task at hand. You are a woman of impeccable taste and style. Your home is like a wardrobe. Each space its own outfit. Therefore, your family room sounds stunning! Sleek, elegant, yet functional and comfortable. You and I love new things and creating a palette that allows for a splash of something different from time to time is great. As we do up here near NYC. Wear lots of black and let the bling shine (I dont have any bling but you know what I mean, accessories) With your honey wood tones, variations of warm-greys (vs. blue/cool greys) will make a great monochromatic palette. That will set off any artwork/photos, kid's toys, "cushions" (as you european types say) and accessories that you want to show off. ( The kid's toy thing is inevitable ) Use textiles to create any additional pattern and color. That could be a simple 54"sq throw out of a fanstatic sari or fabric that you find. Maybe a small round side table with a fabric skirt. A throw rug also can bring in some additional pattern and color. I just got a cool catalog in the mail called Flor. Its modular carpet squares that you mix and match to create an area rug. Florcatalog.com. I believe the mother company is Interface which was a company that I LOVED when working at Anderson. The tiles are 20"x 20" aprox. and most are blocks of color with variations in texture. Home Decorators Collection also has rugs. www.homedecorators.com ( They really have some scary stuff, but there is a diverse selection when it comes to rugs)

Anyhow, my only thought is that with grey walls, a variation of grey window panels, and black and white photos, my instinct is to get some stunning color on the wall somehow. i.e. something at eyelevel. Floorlamp? a tall plant? Color photos, Viv's artwork? Your artwork? Reframe b/w photos in different colors? Im just brainstorming here. Whether through photographs or even an accent color wall. At my brothers place in NYC, the couple that lives downstairs from him, painted their walls two subtle shades of grey. Think about that possibility to. Though the room is small, it might be interesting to have opposite walls ( the short walls & the long walls ) painted differently. Do you have a mirror over the couch? ( the wall adjacent to the kitchen) That would also capture natural sunlight from the front of the house and create a window effect. It would visually push the wall back, making the room feel slightly larger than it is.

My strongest suggestion, as always, is to trust your instinct. If it doesnt make you smile, don't do it.

The baby boom has started to explode here. #2 of Nine expected was born last week. Im busy planning showers and trying to figure out how I can get anyone a gift without breaking the bank!
Hubby is assuming that I am already pregnant though we haven't yet tried. Maybe he thinks its a virus you can catch or some sort of osmosis type thing. Its understandable with all the women around here. Seriously, you can't turn around at a party without bumping into someones belly! LOL!

Let me know about Eden and especially about your Sprout! I can't wait to hear the news!

I miss you! Have a cup of tea for me!

Peace!
caro.d