Butch it up

Jenny (recall my friend from this post) has presented us with another decorating conundrum to solve.  She sent me a pic of the duvet she wants to purchase for the new home she shares with her fiance (!), Charlie.  It is from Anthro and most definitely fits into Jenny's boho chic aesthetic. 

Here she is:

Anthropologie Alhambra Quilt in Apple

It perfectly suits Jenny (she selected it) so what is the conundrum?

Jenny faces the challenge of preventing her new master bedroom from becoming too girly.  After all, she is no longer living in her swingin' bachelorette digs.  Jenny wants to take Charlie's preppy and obviously more masculine style into account when selecting their new --joint-- bedding. 

This is a challenge I face often considering that my style is also a bit feminine or at least bright and patterny...something that is certainly not the hallmark of masculinity.  The duvet selected by Jenny is colorful and flowery so it could never be construed as "masculine," but there is definitely a way to tone it down and incorporate some more traditionally masculine elements into the overall bedding scheme. 

Here are some of my tips and suggestions for butching up Jenny's master...or at least preventing it from turning into Jenny's princess palace.  Striking a perfect balance between masculine and feminine is a challenge, but I hope these ideas help Jenny get a bit closer to her goal. 

I would first downplay the crazy fun floral pattern by selecting a simple white coverlet or quilt to cover the entirety of the bed.  I would place the duvet (folded) at the foot of the bed (about 1/3 of the bed covered with it).  This is a formula that I use for all of my beds because it controls the pattern and prevents it from becoming too overwhelming.  I also love a comfy white coverlet as it gives a bed the appealing crisp white bedding look that is just so welcoming and clean.

I love the old stand-me-by PB pick stitch quilt in white although there are literally countless white quilt/coverlet options in a myriad of price ranges.

Now, what should we do for our bedskirt?  Again, the one featured from Anthro doesn't reduce the crazy pattern going on.  May I suggest...

Burlap bedskirt. 

  

Jute bedskirt.

Another old stand me by, the burlap or jute bedskirt.  I particularly like this idea for Jenny's bedding because it grounds everything with a natural and textural element, something she loves.  I have one on my own bed from Bellanoche, and it is even more textured, dark and burlapy.  I wish I could remember the name of the designer.  It always garners compliments, especially because it, too, is paired up against our orange patterned duvet.  Such a stunning contrast, in my humble opinion!

As for the Euro shams, I would suggest either the Anthro Euro shams to match the duvet or simple white euro shams because they will be partially "hidden" behind these babies...

Matouk Shams with deep olive border and mono

   or...

  

Matouk shams with deep olive border and mono

Matouk bedding is worth every cent...and the amount of colors and the monogramming styles are countless.  Such a statement.  Such a showstopper.  I think the deep green or leaf green and white hotel style sham with a crisp monogram adds a preppy and simple element that serves to restrain the party going on at the foot of the bed....without being boring, of course! 

There are also more cost-effective options, including Pottery Barn's grand embroidered collection.   Although not appliqued, the monograms provide the same grounded effect.  I would also be sure to do a more masculine style mono...no curly cues! 

Then, let's place a long rectangular bolster across the mono pillows.  The below fabric options provide some contrasting, yet controlled pattern.  Perhaps white buttons for a tufted look or even just a white fabric piping or edge?

    

Simple and preppy.

    or

   Geometric (I was unable to download a chocolate and white version of this gorj Quadrille fabric)

As for the sheets?  I love white, crisp and simple for the boys (and girls). 

A little lagniappe....a luxe cashmere throw from Williams Sonoma home.

Definitely a splurge, but on sale right now.  A very special touch for a luxe touch for their sanctuary.  I would opt for the apple or camel or chocolate.

   

Oh, and a bit more lagniappe.  This could get a fug or fab comment, but I love a mongolian lamb pillow.  Something warm and sexy! 

         A bit masculine, with the boho edge for Jenny.

There are obviously a million things that could also be done to butch up this room...including headboard selection, paint, lighting, rug, window treatments, bench or chairs at foot of bed, etc.  The bedding alone does not a his and her bedroom make.  

That being said, a well balanced combo of masculine/feminine styles for the bedding is a sweet start to a perfect partnership.Has anyone else had this coupling problem?  I will share snaps of our master bedroom when it is "done..."  That may be in a couple of years. 

Cheers,

JSH

P.S.  Love these sheets from Dwell's line for Tar-jay.  I think, as a separate option, these sheets would be another fabu option for a his/her bedroom.  My head is sort of exploding with the multitudes of really great ways to use these. 

 

 

 

Stompers and Splits

Greetings from New Orleans.  Happy Lundi Gras from an overstuffed, exhausted and sick reveler.  It has been a fun (albeit pretty tame, thank god!) weekend of parades, king cake, wine and more wine.  Our guests arrived in a timely manner at the airport and are back to regular life.  I have no voice and no brain cells, but wanted to check in with you gimleters!

My oldest friend, Leigh, joined in the fun starting Thursday night.  A native New Orleanian, she now resides in the City of Angels and has not been to Mardi Gras for five years.  It was about time!  Leigh, of course, contributed to tears of laughter and hilarious antics throughout the weekend, but her greatest contribution to Lombardi Gras/Mardi Gras was informing me of the first all-male dance troupe started by her cousin.  The "610 Stompers" were founded in late 2009 as an answer to the "Pussyfooters" and "Camel Toe Steppers" and other all-female marching groups.  Leigh's dad is the oldest stomper and most of the menfolk in her family make up the group.  It also turns out that some of my girlfriends (including Leigh's sister) serve as "610 Splits," the "bodyguards/regulators." 

Let me just say that there is no question that the 610 Stompers brought down the house hizzle during the Saints Victory parade as well as Muses.  The reaction from the crowd as they watched men of all ages, shapes and sizes do mid air splits in Coach's shorts and mustaches (some real, some fake) was equivalent to its response to Reggie rocking his shades on the front of his float.  I have never laughed so hard during a parade in my life.  They are utterly amazing!

Without further ado, here is a hilarious interview with Leigh's cousin as he explains the concept behind the Stompers as well as their gear and "message." 

The 610 Stompers interview courtesy of http://www.nola.com/.

Now...below is a sampling of some of the Stompers' performances at various "engagements" throughout the city.  If you are at work, I highly recommend turning down the volume and trying to stifle your laughter, but you may not be able to do so. 

At the Saints Victory Parade from http://www.youtube.com/.




This clip features Leigh's dad, Fred.  He is third from the front on the far right.  Who knew that he had such moves?



I hope these clips have gotten you in the Carnival mode....there are tons more on http://www.youtube.com/.  Just search for 610 Stompers.  Congratulations to Leigh's cousin, Brett, and all of those who organized and contributed to the success of such a fine group in such a short amount of time.  You have proven that "ordinary men can have extraordinary moves" to all of New Orleans (and the world!) 

Cheers,

JSH

P.S. Off to assist Lizzie in finishing up her Mardi Gras costume!

Corps de Tutus

I cannot take any credit for the popularity that a gaggle of little girls along the Uptown parade route will soon gain. It is courtesy solely of my friend, Julie.

What will cause grown women and their Mardi Gras rugby shirt-wearing children to stop in the streetcar tracks, stare, and inquire, "Where did you get that?!" or squeal "That is so adorable!" ?? Why, the homemade "no sew" tutus Julie and I have created (err--will create), of course!

On one of her short eight mile runs one weekday morning, Julie was distracted by the precious tutu in the window of the chi chi baby store on Magazine, Angelique Baby. She says she is not crafty, but, without any prompting, she declared that she was going to make one for her little girl, Lucy. In my usual style, I was overbearing eager to join in the crafty fun. After scouring one too many youtube videos, making an insane amount of pilgrimages to scary craft stores with stained carpets, and some minor trial and error, we are in business!

No longer, however, are we making just une tutu for Lucy. Nope. We are creating at least one for Lucy, one for our visitor, Cup Cate, and, um, twelve for Julie to take to "Parent Involvement Day" at Lucy's school. Then, of course, the multitudes of adult tutus in both Mardi Gras colors as well as Saints colors. We have pre-orders, thank you very much.

Now the kitchen looks like a 1950s prom dress exploded and Beau is looking at me with fear. I know he is thinking, "What project is she working on now and how will it devalue my new house?" as I continue to maniacally cut three (or six, based upon the size, of course) inch strips of tulle. All of the toiling is worth it though....if I can avoid wearing a nudie suit on Mardi Gras Day AND spread the costume wealth to at least fifteen little revelers, then we have succeeded.

Without further ado, behold, the delightful confections...

Here is the tiny tu...I wish my waist was 21 inches. I think it would make a festive collar for a canine carnival!

Here is the tiny tu next to the big 'un. I think they look quite professional.

Here is the link to the helpful youtube.com video made by our girl, Julie F (Poor Julie F. doesn't know that she is our girl...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7aSPMEn7S0&feature=PlayList&p=7167794AB02FF9A1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32

as well as the link to the awesome Angelique Baby if you want to avoid all of this fun and buy one for your very own King Cake bebe...

http://www.angeliquebaby.com

Cheers,

JSH

P.S. Email me if you want more detailed/ further instructions.
P.P.S. The tutus can be worn by boys too. This is an equal opportunity blog. Just sayin'.