We’ve started an occasional feature over on the Collected Instagram page, and it’s a good one: cocktail Fridays. There comes a point in the week when it’s time to unwind, and our team has relished putting these compilations together, then enjoying the fruits of their labor. Give them a try at your house!
Apple Cider Margarita
1 ½ ounces tequila reposado or blanco
2 ounces apple cider
¾ ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
Ice, for serving
Star anise and cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)
It’s so bittersweet to see this project cross the finish line. We dived into the renovation on this late 19th century Victorian at the height of quarantine and other Covid-related restrictions. As did so many others, we had to re-learn our work habits, adjust our processes, pivot to new ways of doing things. Zoom meetings to review custom stain samples to be sure the island coordinates with the 100+ year old trim is never ideal, but the ways we adapted as a result have actually our made our design process and our team stronger. There is something incredibly rewarding about having come out on the other side of this project, and with an end result that just makes us so happy. Isn’t this color happy? (It’s Benjamin Moore Van Cortland, and we were giddy that our clients were fully on board with using a strong color to anchor their new kitchen.)
As with many renovation projects, our goal here was to make enhancements to this home that would improve its functionality for modern day living without losing its historic character. The young family who purchased the home felt strongly about preserving historic details and making any renovations feel like they fit the character the home.
An addition that pre-dated our clients’ purchase of the home housed a functional, but outdated kitchen with some questionable construction. We went down to the bones, shoring up construction where needed and making some layout changes. In the new kitchen, we maximized space with cabinetry reaching to the ceilings, and a square island with plenty of room for this family who loves entertaining to prepare meals and serve and mingle with guests. Zellige clay tile, marble counters, and fixtures in a mix of metals – one of our secrets to a balanced space — all work together in harmony. Scroll for a pretty striking before/after!
We knew we wanted a “wow” moment in that cocktail room that peeks out from the edge of the kitchen, and the clients agreed. Wallpaper was an easy choice here. But instead of the tiny florals and chintz that dominate old Victorians, we went bigger, and a little bolder with the A-Street Anemone paper. It still lends that feeling of something classic and historic, but with an updated touch. Removing the existing built-ins gave the wallpaper room to shine, and opened up the space a bit.
New cabinetry in the cocktail room, painted in Benjamin Moore Soot, was constructed with a built in rail for the ladder. For storage and visual purposes, we wanted these cabinets to go all the way to the ceiling, but practicality dictated the need for an easy way to access what is stored there. Making this ladder part of the architectural details of the home ultimately saves the client time, space and headaches. You’ll notice we’ve extended those rails to the kitchen cabinetry as well, so the ladder can be moved around as needed. There is also a discreet place to hang it on the wall if that space is needed while entertaining.
Integrated wine storage and a beverage center are built into the bottom of the cocktail room cabinetry, and mirrored glass bounces light around the room, illuminating the beautiful wallpaper and other features.
Also, let’s just take a moment to appreciate this timeless century-old trim work. While researching historic details of the home, we came across a catalog page showing the different block types that were available to cap off trim pieces. The blocks in the LaGrange Home appears to be style R-1124. Would you agree?
Elsewhere in the home, we updated the guest bath and kids bathroom to capitalize on historic features, as well as maximize functionality.
We applied molding in the guest bath to enhance the classic feel of the home. Combined with elegant brass fixtures and a dark/light treatment on the walls (Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal), the effect is timeless.
The kids bath features one of our favorite hidden details: a step stool built into the cabinetry that can also still function as a drawer, but, much like the ladder in the cocktail room, gives the kids efficient, easy access to the sinks until they are tall enough to reach on their own.
We know many of you are pretty excited to be sending off summer this weekend and diving headlong into fall. This particular change in seasons tends to be a popular one: temperate weather combined with changing leaves, pumpkins, apple cider…what’s not to like? And for that matter…jeans, sweaters. Boots! Some very good things are on the horizon.
A change in seasons outside often prompts change inside also. As we do in the spring, fall is a good time to freshen things up in your home. For many of us, we’ve spent the last several months enjoying the outdoors, running around to activities and avoiding our kitchens. Now is a good time to give your interior some love…if you’re here in the Midwest like us, you’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next months.
Here are some tips from us on bringing all those cozy fall vibes indoors:
1. Swap out lightweight wovens for heavier fabrics
Seasonal changes don’t need to be drastic. Start with pillows and throws. Pack away anything linen or light cotton, and substitute with flannel, velvet or wool. This is the time for those chunky blankets. You can even start digging into the faux fur ones, if you’re ready for that.
Have a small rug in a lighter tone? Roll it up for spring and replace with one featuring more rusts, brown. You can even shelve some of your lighter tone books, and pull out display books for your cocktail tables and entryway that mirror fall colors. Use leather accessories plentifully to add richness and depth.
We’ll do a deeper dive on candles and the power of scent in the coming weeks…it’s a long season. But for now, start off by swapping out lighter, fresher floral scents with those a little muskier, woodsier. Store rattan or white candle holders and exchange for wood and brass.
Are you on board with replacing some of your fresh florals with faux botanicals, per our post last month? This is the time to invest in leaves and branches that can take you all the way to spring. Swap out glass vases for terracotta or black.
We know everyone loves the real deal. We do, too! Freshly cut peonies…a magnolia branch pruned at just the right time to bloom indoors…the leaves of a fall maple. But here’s the thing about these beauties…they’re fleeting. With florals and branches in particular, you can gaze upon their glory for a few days, a week at most, and then…poof. They’re gone. And you’re sweeping pollen and branch dust from your credenza, scouring your yard for the next thing to take its place.
Potted plants are always an option, of course, just ask our friends at Good Roots. But what if you really, really want a fiddle leaf fig to give your family room a little panache, but that room has little natural light and your thumb is as black as night? Let’s face it. Some of us are just not skilled at keeping fussy plants, like fiddle leafs and their ficus cousins, alive.
We are here to tell you that for these reasons and more, it is OK to go faux. Really. Here’s why:
1. Well-made faux botanicals are works of art.
We’ve all stumbled upon the faux florals in the checkout line of the big box stores. They can certainly be useful, but rarely evoke the same kinds of emotions as the real deal. It’s ok if you feel a little jaded based on that experience. But those are not the only faux botanicals to be had. The faux botanicals we’ve curated at Collected have been painstakingly constructed. Every detail has been considered…the way the veining of the flower looks before it’s been cut in the wild, the natural bend of the stem, the exact shade of the pistils in the interior of the petals. They are hand-assembled to assure a finished piece that is both accurate to reality, and also slightly different from its neighbors. To see these in real life, whether it’s ranunculus, a cherry blossom branch, or, yes, a fiddle leaf fig, is to initially wonder…wait, is that real?
2. Couldn’t we all stand to eliminate one stress point in our lives?
Life is busier than ever. And unless you truly have a passion for foraging and the eye of a seasoned florist, filling your home with freshly cut anything can be challenge. Sometimes the cost of a well-made faux floral can feel like a barrier. But, if you give some thought to how much one spends on a talented florist’s seasonal bouquet, or the time involved in identifying and trimming just the right leaves and branches from your property (and then repeating that process 2x/week!), the one-time purchase of a beautiful faux floral — much like the investment you would make in framed art — actually makes a lot of sense.
Go on. Give it a try. It’s the right time of year to start thinking about how to bring the outdoors in, anyway. And we’re here to help if you need it!
Ah…dinner parties. Just the thought of it fills us with joy. Friends and family, gathered together…laughter, warmth, good conversation. With summer nearly behind us, the season of dining together indoors is on the horizon. At Park & Oak Collected, we’ve curated a selection of dinnerware that helps highlight the pleasure of sharing meals together. You’ll likely spend a significant amount of time planning and prepping the meal…let us help a little with the dinnerware you’ll set that food upon.
We’ve chosen dinnerware and accessories made under exacting standards, that is beautiful but also durable and functional. Bon appetit!
Often homeowners or interior design and home DIY enthusiasts initially become familiar with different wood species as they relate to furnishings: dining tables and chairs, occasional seating, casegoods, coffee tables. Walnut, mahogany and cherry are often familiar sources for these types of furniture. Or perhaps, one is introduced to poplar, pine or maple as building materials for a small home project. However, it’s when full-scale renovations or new build homes come into the picture that the fun of exploring all the different wood species available really begins.
Today on the blog we’re exploring some of the wood species we often turn to when helping clients build new homes, or renovate existing ones.
Ash
Ash is not the most common choice when thinking about kitchen cabinetry, but we used here in the #POhinsdalenewbuild island to switch things up a bit. Ash has an interesting grain, and is beautiful with the correct stain. Because of its very even grain, many sources will only show it in more contemporary environments, but we like the warmth it adds here while still feeling elevated.
Cherry can be polarizing. Its trademark strong red undertones are not for everyone. However, as you can see here in the #POlelandlakefront bathroom, cherry can take a dark stain beautifully, and be totally transformed as a result. Practically speaking, cherry is incredibly durable and resistant to moisture, so is also a logical choice in a bath.
Like pine, a standout feature of cypress is its knots, though because they are not quite as pronounced as knotty pine, cypress can feel a bit more elevated. The trademark knots, plus a soft grain and warm undertone make cypress a popular choice for a ceiling, especially in a more rustic environment, like a lake home. However, because cypress is slow-growing, it can be pricey and difficult to source outside its growing regions.
We like hickory as a lighter base alternative to walnut or oak, while still having the same durability and resistance to wear. In the #POglenviewreno pictured below, our cabinet partner was able to achieve uniform grain on the cut of the hickory island, making it completely unique.
Red oak is very commonly used for flooring. Like white oak, red oak takes stain well, and can stand up to significant wear and tear. But because it is less expensive than white oak, red oak is a popular choice when sheer quantity – as with flooring – is a factor.
White oak is one of the gold standards in flooring and cabinetry species. It has virtually no undertone, so does not lend additional color when staining. It behaves predictably, has great water-resistance and is incredibly durable.
White oak is also unique in that it can be harvested from the tree in three distinct ways, with the end result being a completely different look depending on the technique used.
Fine Homebuilding also has a great in-depth look at the differences between plain, quarter-sawn and rift-sawn oak. Real-life examples from some of our projects below.
Pine sometimes gets a bad rap, seen as species chosen only for cabins in the woods or lake homes. But as you can see below in Renee’s home, pine can shine in elevated environments as well! It’s trademark knots lend so much character, and especially in a newer home can help add a lived-in feel.
Poplar is common for anything that will be painted – like built-ins and kitchen cabinetry – because unlike many hardwoods, it does not expand or contract, which will cause paint to crack at the seams. It is also less costly choice if tackling a large area like a ceiling.
Walnut is so versatile. It’s durable enough to stand up to wear and tear in a kitchen, and resists fading. It takes stain well. Walnut typically has a strong grain variation, which can make it a standout feature, though sometimes this is a drawback as well. In our #POrenovationonoak project, we took the unusual step of bleaching the walnut island before applying the stain; this kept the trademark grain, but gave us a much lighter base to work with. The end result is truly custom piece.
Breakfast nooks are becoming a major hub in today’s homes, and with kids going back to school, these spots are sure to be getting a workout soon — from the first bowl of cereal to the last math homework calculation.
A well designed breakfast nook tends to become a family favorite. We love that they can do double duty as a utilitarian eating space, but also an all-purpose area for family to gather. And when thinking about design for these spaces, we always take into account these various ways they will be used. We’ve also found almost every good breakfast nook has three things in common: a great chandelier, a space appropriate table and plenty of seating. Picking paint color, upholstery fabrics (so many great performance fabrics these days!), wall art and all other details are thought through after the main pieces are solidified to strike the perfect balance of comfort and polish.
Check out some of our favorite P&O breakfast spaces:
The Midwest is home to many traditional architectural styles – Tudor, Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Cape Cod. The list goes on. We love designing in these homes, with their long architectural histories and great bones. But lately, we’ve had the opportunity to work with clients outside our geographical area, which opens up a whole new world of home styles to play in, ones that allow us to break the mold a bit.
This Spanish-style home in Carmel, California, is such a special example of this, and we are so excited to share photos and details of the finished spaces with you!
The project was a pretty comprehensive overhaul of the existing kitchen and butler’s pantry (featured previously here). These spaces had all the hallmarks of traditional Spanish-style homes: beautiful wood-beamed vaulted ceilings, terracotta tile flors, solid, heavy doors. We never want to whitewash out the details that make these homes unique, and this was no exception. Honoring these defining features, while also updating the home for modern living, were our primary goals.
We love a good before & after, so let’s start there.
Regular Park & Oak followers know that we are not afraid of dark cabinetry in a kitchen. You can see from the before and after that even though the original wood stained cabinetry is lighter in tone than the new cabinets – painted with Farrow & Ball Downpipe – the room feels more open and airy than it did before. One significant element in helping brighten up the room was painting the ceiling sections between each beam, and carrying that color down into the range hood, as well. We used Benjamin Moore White Dove here, and by keeping the range hood the same color as the ceiling, we were able to open up what might otherwise feel like an enclosed space.
Wanting to be intentional about honoring the Spanish-style architecture, we added a Tabarka tile backsplash to the range. Tabarka is renowned for their collections of terracotta tile that are formed, painted and glazed by hand. It was the perfect added Spanish-influenced element for this kitchen, and is a great foil for the La Cornue range top.
There are so many details to love in this kitchen, but one that may not immediately stand out, and lends so much character, are the custom reeded fronts of the Rift-Sawn White Oak island. We had an excellent Builder/General Contractor partner on this project – Masterworks Builders – and they knocked it out of the park bringing this vision to life. Take a closer look! Aren’t these gorgeous?
When you take in the full view of the kitchen, you may notice that the integrated refrigerator is not flush with the cabinetry. This is intentional, designed with architectural details that help it mimic an armoir, bringing character and warmth to the room, and making what can sometimes be a bit of an eyesore – big, metal refrigeration – into a beautiful centerpiece. Armac Martin hardware seals the deal on an elegant space.
We are entering the shoulder season, when you start looking around the interior of your home thinking, oh, hello old friend…let’s dust off some of these summer cobwebs. But the thing is, many of us are hanging on to summer still. Especially here in the Midwest, the onset of fall means thoughts of winter, and who is ready for that when we just sent the kids back to school??
An easy way to ease into the seasonal transitions? Switching out display books. We have some favorites that we’ve included in the round-up below, in addition to a few simple styling objects that we often turn to working with books. And after that, a little inspiration for places (not just for coffee tables!) to display these beauties.
Let the heavy-lifting of a full fall refresh wait for September.
The hardest choices to make as a designer are in your own home. Everything is crystal clear in someone else’s space, but we encounter the same problems our clients do when tackling our own projects: emotional attachments, decision fatigue, overwhelming choices. The pool and patio at Renee’s new home were no exception. But, after much ado, they are finally complete: landscaping, furnishings, accessories…all decisions have been made and she is so excited to share it here with you. (Her kids are pretty thrilled, too.)
Ready for a swim (virtually)?
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