the parlour park and oak – Page 2 – Park and Oak Interior Design

0 In Research

Boxwoods

Oh, how we love a boxwood. Is there any more classic element to traditional landscape design? For gardening enthusiasts and fans of elegant landscapes, boxwoods are must-have. Evergreen, with dense foliage and a neat, compact appearance, boxwoods have been an integral part of formal gardens and landscapes for centuries, thought to have originated in north Africa in 4000 BC.

Like many plants originally designed for the outdoors, boxwoods can do double-duty as houseplants also. Of course, as with any live plant, boxwoods require maintenance: watering, pruning, sunlight. So, for many, boxwoods stay outdoors or may deck the halls only as the occasional holiday wreath. But, a nifty alternative has emerged for those wanting an option with less maintenance – preserved boxwoods.

Preserved boxwoods are boxwood plants that have undergone a careful preservation process, allowing them to retain their natural beauty and vibrant green color indefinitely. Through a specialized treatment, the living foliage is dipped in an eco-friendly solution and then dried to maintain the shape and texture of the leaves. This process results in real boxwood plants that require no maintenance, making them perfect for indoor use.

At Collected, we have partnered with topiary artisans to offer a large selection of these preserved boxwoods. They are the perfect touch in any space that would benefit from a little greenery, and are especially handy in the nooks and crannies that don’t get enough light for live plants.

Eyeing the topiaries in the cover photo? Those are faux, but we carry them as well!

May 17, 2023 By Park and Oak

0 In Inspiration

Waiting for Summer

Our friends in California and the southern East Coast are already deep into summer weather and the decorating that goes along with it, but here in the Midwest we are still wildly spinning — sometimes daily — between 40° and raining and 85° and sweltering.

While we patiently wait for the weather to catch up with our summer mindset, we’ve stocked Collected with all the rattan, linen and white we can find. Here are a few of our favorites.

Pretty new pillows are in! We cannot get enough of these block-printed pillows…

Let’s face it, we’re going to need this for awhile still. Plus, summer comes with storms, too.

Summer always makes us dream of the coasts. Whale-watching anyone?

Trays are the ultimate all-purpose decorating tool.

These charming little bowls are food safe, but can also be used throughout the house wherever you need to catch little what-nots.

Much more of summer to enjoy on Collected or in-store. Come see us!

May 10, 2023 By Park and Oak

0 In Color Story

Color Story: Soft Blues

Have you noticed more soft blues in your feeds lately? We have. Whether in a kitchen or a cocktail room or a bedroom, soft blue has been making its case as a go-to neutral, and this is one trend we wholeheartedly endorse.

We have turned to soft blues like those pictured above in many homes throughout the life of Park & Oak, and if you’ve been following for awhile, you probably recognize some of our frequently shared projects.

Here’s one from the early years, featuring Boothbay Gray, which our designers love for its balance of warm and cool undertones, and perfect saturation level.

This is another earlier project, also in Boothbay Gray.

More recently, we used Boothbay in this impossibly charming kitchen.

And in this sophisticated dining room.

But it can also be perfect in a kids’ bedroom.

Or a bath.

And even a laundry room.

Looking for something with just a little more warmth? Try Duxbury Gray.

Metropolitan is an even softer option, and contrast trim makes such an impact.

Van Courtland Blue is probably the purest blue in the soft blue lineup, and it really makes this kitchen shine.

And finally, Santorini Blue was just perfect in the boys’ bedroom.

April 28, 2023 By Park and Oak

0 In Updates

Welcome to The Parlour at Park & Oak

We’ve been a little busy these last few years at Park & Oak. Growth is inspiring and fun and exciting, but boy it requires a lot of hard work, late nights, and sometimes impossible to meet demands on time and energy. Today, it’s all worth it. Today, we open the doors to our expanded Collected showroom and retail space. Within the new space is The Parlour at Park & Oak, a cozy cocktail lounge where people can gather and feel welcomed, whether it’s a quick stop for a cocktail and conversation with an old friend, or a special event like a birthday celebration or graduation.

One of the great joys of our lives has been working with families to create timeless and classic homes that are a true reflection of themselves. And it occurred to us along the way that we wanted the opportunity to host friends, family and clients in a place that felt like one of our own homes, a curated experience that would bring our portfolio to life. To that end, almost a year ago, we opened phase one of Park & Oak Collected, a brick and mortar and e-commerce manifestation of our goal in designing homes: to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, where the details tell a story. The new expansion of the Collected showroom — over twice the size of the original — is broken up into different areas of the home, each specifically tailored to exhibit the design concepts we feel most passionate about. It includes furniture lines available to order and customize, a full textile library to help with selections for carpets, window treatments, tile and more, and a display kitchen so you can see and feel the quality of our cabinetry and finishes. There are stylists available by appointment, and of course, a wider selection of what you’ve already come to love about Collected: vintage art and rugs, home decor, barware, small furnishings and curated gifts for every occasion.

The Parlour at Park & Oak is the final piece of the Park & Oak puzzle. A place where we can welcome the community to enjoy cocktails, bites and conversation in a space that feels like being at home. Historically, the parlour is the room in a home dedicated to entertainment and festive gatherings, and to stay true to our interior design roots, the name was a natural choice for our new space.

This is a wild ride. Thanks so much for being on it with us. We can’t wait to see you at Collected and The Parlour!

Chris & Renee

Enjoy these photos from our preview party with our Glen Ellyn neighbors, family and friends.

April 19, 2023 By Park and Oak

0 In Q+A

Designer Q&A

We were so excited to be able to film this round of Designer Q&A in our new space, which opens tomorrow!! Learn more about it in the clip below, and to view the full Q&A, check out our YouTube channel!

April 18, 2023 By Park and Oak

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