it's been a while

wow.. it has been some time since I've written anything on here. a lot has happened since i last checked in! what's ironic, is the last post on here was a few days after my wonderful friend of 22 years told me about zach, and just 6 days before our first date.. fast forward a year and zach and i are engaged, i have a new job, and we have a new home!  it's really crazy how life works.  

as i mentioned, i  have i left my menswear bros for the wonder-filled world of event design.  i have met some of the most incredible women (with a sprinkling of some truly amazing men). this next chapter in my career has pushed me, creatively, in ways i thought i would never experience.  this world is truly magical..  and it puts a whole new pressure on planning a wedding!  i am completely up for the challenge.

now.. onto the new space!  though we stayed in the same building, sadly the cozy studio did not provide enough space for the stuff of two people.  zach moved into my studio last july, and in september we moved upstairs to a one bedroom, better known on IG as the #antonioucohenhaus!  i wanted to share some photos of the new place, and as of yesterday i think we are finally as finished as we will ever be!  we still don't have a bed... but you know.. we'll get there.

happy sunday!

lodge vibez

This nook was the dreamiest...

interior inspirations: upscale industrial

I don't typically talk about my "day job" on here but I recently had the amazing opportunity of designing my company's new office on Wall Street.  From concept to completion it took about 6 months.  It was a very aggressive timeline to say the least.  It aged me by say.... 10 years... but it was and is my proudest moment.  There were a lot of moving parts and it was definitely a team effort.  

We started with a raw space as seen in the photos below.  It's so cool to see where we started and where we ended up.  The over all concept was clean, upscale, with just a hint of industrial.  The goal was to encompass the aesthetic all three House of GANT collections with a nod to downtown NYC... and maybe I threw a little LA vibe in there as well.  

So as you can see I got to start with a blank canvas!  I have to say everything came together better than I imagined.  

The floors are a sprayed concrete which were a great contrast to the white brick walls.  Since we are in a commercial building an actual exposed ceiling would have been an eye sore.  It would have looked like popcorn ceiling central.  To achieve an exposed ceiling look, while running like hell away from a dropped ceiling tile situation, we built out a soffit that echoes the existing beams.  We then applied a grey stucco so that the ceiling has more of a concrete look to it.  The exposed pipes were painted a matte black which added to the whole clean industrial details of the space. 

The lighting fixtures are a mix of School House Electric, Urban Archeology, and my personal favorite, Workstead.  The pieces that excite me most in the space I would say are the couches by Stephen Kenn.  I saw them at a GQ party right around the time I was starting to source the furniture for the office.  I felt like they really encompassed the brand from the indigo dyed cushions to the vegetable dyed leather belts.  They are also super comfortable and if I could take a nap on them everyday I would.  The desks are my other favorite pieces which were designed by a company called Sawkille. I had found them one day while I was browsing on Instagram.  Jonah Meyer, who I believe is the owner/founder, is just so talented.  They built our tables in the large showrooms as well.  They are absolutely gorgeous. 

I also really love how the reception area came out.  The danish modern pieces are by OX Denmarq out of.. you guessed it.. Denmark.  The couch was a vintage piece I picked up from Brimfield as well as the carpet.  The carpet was from a company I really fell in love with called Nomadic Trading Company.  They had some really cool finds. 

The kitchen is really what got everyone in the office excited.  The blue tile came from our specific color of GANT Blue, but it also reminded me of the exterior of B Bar.  It looks pretty awesome, especially against the white marble and black cabinets.  The brass hardware in the kitchen is by Lewis Dolin.  These ones I discovered on good old Pinterest! 

I can't forget to mention the beautiful plants that are sprinkled throughout the space.  These plants and pots were provided by The Sill.  I have wanted to work with them for so long now.  I am so excited to have their pieces in our space.

And lastly..... the custom pool table..... that.. pool table.  I lost so much sleep over this pool table.  All I can say is that it exists, it is here, and I can finally move on with my life.  In all seriousness it really looks great.  We use it waaaay more than I thought we would, and no one has shot a ball into a glass window... yet.

Just recently we had the talented Mr. Alastair Casey come in to photograph the space with all of its final touches.  He did such a great job capturing all of the details.  

This was definitely a unique experience and I feel like a proud mamma!  I hope you all enjoyed the photos.  If you have any questions about any of the pieces please leave a comment below!

interior inspirations: paris round 2

The Paris room is going to look SO good.  I stepped away from the sophisticated graphic boutique look and made it more of a fun, floral, pastel-ly cafe concept, which is what the adorable 7 year old came up with.  I love these girls already! 

Since the bed will have a canopy, the overhang can become an awning with thick stripes.   We can also transform her closet doors into cafe shop doors!  I am picturing her windows to have flower boxes where we will have a little bistro table and chairs set up.  Since there are so many places in this city to purchase props I really would like to get her some fake macaroons and cakes and cake stands to put on her dresser!  This is going to be so fun!

interior inspirations: beach house round 2

There were some changes made to the gypsy nook.  It has taken on more of a surfer girl aesthetic.  I really would love to have an ombre wall like the one pictured (where it's darker in the corners and then fades out) and have the quote "you can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" large scale in white.  The details will be muted and washed out colors with images from She Hit Pause Studios.  I also picture a vintage surf board in the corner of the room, beach wood on the wall behind the bed, and some type of floor seating area.  I want this little sweet pea to feel inspired, calm, and like a little ocean goddess in her new space!

interior inspirations: paris

Now THIS... is the second theme for the children's rooms that I am styling. Paris. This was the first concept board that I came up with. My first step was to get far away from the cheesy Eiffel Tower furniture and accessories that you would find in Homegoods and create a more updated and modern design concept.   I wanted it to be graphic and bright and super girly! Oversized floral with details of gold against thick black and white stripes.  I think for an initial jumping off point it was great and it got the creative juices flowing.  After analyzing it a bit it was a little too "girl in her 20's".  When I go back in I will be sure to sprinkle some innocence and cuteness into the mix!  

This is SUCH  fun project.  I can't wait to meet the little girls!  Their mother tells me that the oldest loves to draw and has been looking through my illustrations.  That seriously melts my heart. 

interior inspirations: beach living

I am very excited to be working on a very inspiring + fun side project. I will be styling two adorable little girls' bedrooms. Each with different themes, beach house + Paris.  Pictured above is the very first concept board for the beach house theme.  I want the room to really encompass a calming and whimsical feel.  There will be lots of twinkle lights with cozy little nooks.  Perfect for a little beach babe!

I'll be sure to share the 2nd theme very soon!

xx

interior inspirations: kids rooms

Interior styling for kids and baby has come a long way.  I am loving these spaces that I've seen on Instagram. There may be a new project coming up!  Excited to see where it goes.

Photos by: @littlepeainteriors . @sophie_vine . @shinasiconcept . @maecocointeriors . @kristinplanskymurals . @bexyylou . @sweetcreationsboutique . @bebe_sac . @alwaysme_baby . @littletotem . @littlegatherer . @roxyoxy_creations . @genwoocraft . @tralalagifts . @littlewillemsens . @houseofhawkes . @the_wild_unknown . @chairishco 

interior inspirations: stick pose

Today we had a snow day in New York so I got to wake up and start my day with the lovely Adriene.  I really do love waking up early and doing my yoga before going to work, but lately I can't seem to get in bed early enough to not wake up late and be in a complete rush in the morning! Today was definitely a healthy balance of work and yoga.   Everyday should be like that.

Day 12 and lucky day 13 were all about realigning the spine and building endurance.  We sat in stick pose for a second so of course my brain went right to my new stick decor!  Sounds weird.. but it looks great!  I've got branches on the brain!  I love when my yoga practice can relate back to my art and design work.  Keeps me inspired.   

the crafternoon

I must say, the crafternoon was a success! We had such a great time, everyone made a little something, and no one burned the place down (though we had a few close calls).  And I got to keep a few creations like my new ombre phases of the moon friendship bracelet by Liz Wong, and a woven snuggly tapestry (still in the works) by Miss Kat Dawe.  My painter's pallet cheese plate was definitely the star of the show.  I must point out that I did arrange the cheese and treats by color.  So please take note! 

Everyone did such a great job.  The projects were as follows:

• Kat: woven tapestry
• Miranda: experimented with watercolors
• Lauren: friendship bracelets 
• Liz: friendship bracelets and a manicure
• Emily: pom pom banner
• Me: handmade valentine's day cards and had a little too much champagne

This was the first formal crafternoon and it certainly won't be the last! 

Also: It's day 3 in 30 days of yoga!  I'll post the video in a separate post.

interior inspirations: the perfect corner

For a few years I've dreamt of having a space where I can sit and drink my tea and sketch by a window... possibly in a beautiful chair.  I also pictured this happening as snow is falling outside the window and I'm wearing a cozy sweater.  Yes.. I know I'm crazy.  But!  I finally have my little nook.  And I love it so much. My space is still being pieced together but it's definitely getting there.