FLAWLESS PORCH DESIGN

Have guests coming in a week.  Arghhh....need to spruce up my outdoor living room.  Looking desperately for inspiration all around.

Found this delightful little outdoor patio with its gray floors, natural toned furniture and Moroccan inspired accents.

Can't quite achieve this look because I'm dealing with bulky brown teak furniture...but I do know I want to neutralize my current deck situation.  I spent most of Sunday morning scrubbing my teak furniture down to remove the teak oil.  I want it to go gray.

Here's my deck's old look...it is long gone though because my patio was pretty much a construction zone for the first 5 months of the year.  Need to breathe new life into my outdoor space.  The old look is a little too kitschy for me (getting rid of the turquoise accents, the cane rug got destroyed by construction crews earlier this year, and all of the stripes and prints will go)...need a more sophisticated outdoor space now....a soft neutral color palette to start.

JH is coming by early this morning to talk about repainting the exterior of my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills and refinishing the deck.  I hope he shows up!  I also want him to strip down the now brown stained deck and make it gray.

Have taken all my cushions over to JF to redo those...think I will chose a grayish/taupe color for the seat cushions and as the teak goes gray...things will blend nicely.

I like all of the subtle textures here on this lovely comfy looking porch with its living and dining areas.  Inspiration indeed.

So typical...it is the end of the summer and I am just now getting inspired to redo my outdoor space.  Am one beat behind! Of course.

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Sorry I didn't post yesterday!  Lots going on.  Doing a lot of thinking and figuring.  Hopefully a bright things in the future.

Photos: Concept by Anna

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AN front porch, Moroccan, outdoor living room, porch

HAPPY JULY 4th

Happy 4th of July!

xo
Coco

Photo: Architectural Digest

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AN blue, covered patio, navy, outdoor decorating, paito, porch, red, woven furniture

APARTMENT VERSUS ESTATE - OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS 2

Another outdoor living room face off!  I am all about outside living spaces in the summer.  So this week I bring you two more outdoor living rooms to compare.

Last week the outdoor room choice was City versus Sea.  Most of you chose the sea outdoor deck.

Today, the face off is Apartment versus Estate.

The patio above is outside a New York City apartment.  The decor is sleek with modern white metal furniture, lots of neatly trimmed boxwood and ficus plants and a living wall of greenery.  Well manicured.

The outdoor living room below has softer edges with more traditional decor.  The metal furniture with big fluffy cushion sits under a white pergola.  A large Moroccan style coffee table, lots of cushy decorative pillows and black lanterns finish off the decor.

Which of these two patio living rooms do you prefer?  I feel like if I was having a party I would like the apartment version and if I was having a cup of tea and a good chat with a friend I would enjoy the estate living room.  The question really is though, which would you pick for your home?

Please do tell.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  Lots brewing!  :-)  Will keep let you know what is up next week!


Photos: Nikolas Koenig; Windsor Smith

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AN covered patio, decor, decorate, decorating, design, outdoor living room, outside, patio, pergola, porch, yard

WEEKEND PHOTO: SWEET PORCH SWINGS!

I love a good porch swing. A place to relax...to gently swing back and forth...reading...thinking...dreaming...watching all that goes on outside a house...the perfect spot for the weekend.

I like these two porch swings.  The woven one above made just for one seems to look out onto a cute backyard...and the bench style porch swing below that can squeeze two people on it definitely provided views of a nice tranquil green lawn in the front yard of an island home.  I took the photo below this summer in Nantucket.  It is on the porch at the house where I stayed with best of friend FF and her family. So wonderfully relaxing.  Hmmmm...on the list of must haves I think...a porch swing!

Photo by Coco of COCOCOZY

Would you add a porch swing to your must have house list? Or is there some other outdoor perch you prefer?

Happy Saturday!

xo
Coco


Photo: Light Locations; Coco of COCOCOZY

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AN backyard, bench seating, deck, front porch, outdoor furniture, outdoor living, porch, porch swing, sun porch, WEEKEND PHOTO, yard

THIS OR THAT: POISED PORCHES!

So I've just arrived in Atlanta late last night...am here to show the COCOCOZY home furnishings collection to buyers at the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Please come on by to the Christian Mosso Associates Showroom (my Atlanta home away from home) in the America's Mart Building 1 on the 9th Floor to say hi! I'd love to see you. Come see the collection too!

Well, anyhooo...am happy to be here in Atlanta again. Everyone is usually so nice here.

On the plane ride over, I sat next to a woman who is going to be on a new reality show for AMC (some show about a small town private investigating/security firm).  I was tired and wanted to sleep but this woman just kept chatting and chatting and chatting (more than I chat and chat and chat).  I think her name is Christa.  She said she is the secretary at her company but is a private investigator in training.  This Christa was saying the funniest most amusing things throughout the entire flight...she was so excited about her show being on t.v. starting this Sunday and how AMC was treating her and the group like real stars... and she was bubbling about having gone to Los Angeles for the first time in her life...and showing another guy clips of her show...she tracked the flight the whole way over saying things like "we have a good tailwind, I think we're gettin there an hour early"...and Christa spent some time trying to get the stewardess to communicate a message to her mother ( "She's the one in the middle back there with the teased up blonde hair that's real high...she teases her hair you know...you can't miss her").  By the end of the 4.5 hour flight, she had charmed me and the other man in my row and we were all smiles. Christa was very funny and amusing...she had tons of Southern charm.

Now, speaking of Southern charm...there are many things that remind me of the South and southern charm and one of those things is a lovely lovely porch. And that brings us to today's post.

Two porches...lovely indeed...both with a bit of black wicker furniture.  The one above includes some antique rattan chairs too.  The color scheme on both seem to be a bit of black and white...with black shutters and doors.  One has a white wood floor...the other tile.  Nice outdoor living in both cases I think...but which one is best?

The question in today's THIS OR THAT is...which of these two porches do you prefer?  Take a look.

I'm not going to be much help here...I like each porch for different reasons. I like the first porch just because it is so elegant and tastefully done...I like the second porch because it is cozy and accessible looking and I like the built in bench.

Please do tell...which of these two porches do you prefer?

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. I'll make sure to take some photos here in Atlanta. I've got my camera all juiced up (hopefully) and will find some furniture and home accessories goodies to take pictures of.

P.P.S. Daily reminder...please remember to follow me on COCOCOZY Pinterest too! See the cute little item I found on The Zhush, a fabulous blog and shop run by a very sweet blogging colleague named Sue. She is awesome and her online shop is pretty cool too...lots of fabulous goodies.

P.P.P.S. Am staying at the Ritz Carlton here in Atlanta...finally I think I've found the right hotel for me here...this is my 4th visit to Atlanta and I've made bad hotel selections each time.  This morning woke up to a nice room...and friendly service...I am a happy camper.

P.P.P.P.S. Think I will wear some sparkling Prada mules (I know mules are not at all on trend but the sparkle part is so I continue to wear them...I don't know anyone who wears mules anymore...it is a very early 2000s shoe style...fashion police do not arrest me please) to the showroom today. They are dangerous though. The other day I was running around Beverly Hills picking up some last minute items from COCOCOZY HQ and the sparkles on my Pradas grazed my leg leaving me with a nice little cut! Well...it's the price we pay to look good. My motto is ... I may be bruised and battered by fashion but at least I'll be sparkling. Carry on.

P.P.P.P.P.S. Have a wonderful day! :-)

Photos: Architectural Digest; Jean Randazzo

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AN chairs, front porch, outdoor living, outdoor living room, patio, porch, THIS OR THAT, wicker

3 LOVELY OUTDOOR SPACES - AN ELLE DECOR EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW!

Canopy style shades cover a lovely outdoor terrace that overlooks a hillside! Love the Moroccan style side tables and the wood outdoor furniture - gives it a majestic feel of sorts! (above)

The May issue of Elle Decor is out and the folks at that very venerable magazine have been sweet enough to offer COCOCOZY an EXCLUSIVE preview from the issue that hits stands today. Feel very important getting an exclusive from Elle Decor (feeling of importance is fleeting as I'm sure something will happen as soon as I post this that will make me feel less important...).

Outdoor living! Who doesn't love a great outdoor space?  These and more are featured in the magazine to give examples and ideas on what to do with an outdoor patio or terrace.  All feature different looks, wood furniture with an international flair, woven outdoor lounging with a hint of romance, and sleek clean line modern.  Which of these outdoor living rooms do you prefer?

Romance in the garden...an arbor made up of Doric columns and lots of vines with a nice outdoor living room setting underneath! (above)

Sleek and modern deck with a pop of yellow - why not match your plants or flowers to your outdoor furniture?  Love the yellow hedge that compliments the sparse furniture on this modern wood outdoor space. (above)

Which of these outdoor spaces do you prefer?  I'm leaning towards the sleek and modern at the bottom.  Do tell!

Thanks for the exclusive preview Elle Decor!  Send more my way for future issues please!

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Check out my COCOCOZY favorite neighborhood places list today on The List Collective.  Elaine Brooks who is the founder and editor of The List Collective asked me to come up with my local favorites in Los Angeles (she's asked others like that interior designing Novogratz couple who have all of those kids and fashion designer Chris Benz to do the same). Was so much fun giving a shout out to those places and people I love stopping in to see and hopefully some cool finds for you. 

A "sketch" of me on the home page of The List Collective! (above)

P.P.S. The funniest part about The List Collective article is that Elaine equates me (Coco of COCOCOZY) to twitter phenom DKNY PR Girl. Had never heard of DKNY PR Girl...but my own p.r. guru Stephanie Tsai tells me that DKNY PR Girl was a mystery girl like me for years and all she did was tweet about fashion and the like...she developed a huge following and then and then she was unveiled not too long ago and it was a big deal. I'm not trying to be mystery though...just a girl who loves decor just trying to get by...day by day.  Wish I could surround myself with intrigue and mystery.  Instead, I sit here with my hair in a lopsided ponytail, in my Juicy Couture sweats (very not chic but comfy) and a striped top (yes, these serve as my p.j.s) before work, typing furiously because I don't want to be late and I still have to get in the shower, pick out an outfit that is good for the office and for an evening t.v. shoot on the streets of Los Angeles ....  Nothing cool and mysterious about that.  Oh did I mention the gym socks?

P.P.P.S. Wait...I love the IDEA of being a mystery...in REALITY that is far from the truth. I do so much over sharing here on the blog and in life in general, it would really be a stretch to call me a mystery...hmmm... Didn't I try being coy and mysterious for month earlier this year and I ended up sharing more than ever? Need a course on how to be quiet, coy and mysterious. :-)

P.P.P.P.S.  Anyhooooo....back to decor...this post got me thinking...I need to redo my outdoor living space at my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  I just redid it 2 summers ago and now I think I am over it.  Take a look at these pictures of the deck  and let me know what you think...it is now more worn and tired as I refuse to cover my furniture in the "winter" here...I think I want to change it all and try for an entirely different look...more sleek and modern...ooohhhhh....exciting....oh...not exciting...will just add another thing to my to do list...oooohhhh but would be exciting to redecorate.  Must consider. 

P.P.P.P.P.S. Yesterday, was wearing a cute Max Mara red dress I stole from my sis DS. A man at work stopped my office and said "You normally wear dark colors. This is a nice change. You look good in solids". I normally wear solid colors (I'm not a print girl at all when it comes to wardrobe) and I've never had someone tell me "you look good in solids". I said "thank you" and then spent 15 minutes trying to figure out what it means to look good in solids. Hmmm....listen...beggars can't be choosers...I'll take (or grab) a compliment anyway I can!

P.P.P.P.P.P.S.  Happy Tuesday!


Photo credits: Image 1 - Grey Crawford / ELLE DECOR; Image 2 - Roger Davies / ELLE DECOR; Image 3 - Sean Laurenz / ELLE DECOR

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AN covered patio, deck, Elle Decor, garden, indoor outdoor, outdoor furniture, patio, porch

WEEKEND PHOTO!

Woohooo! A long weekend is almost here! So excited. Labor Day weekend! 

Would love to be in the Hamptons in this home on this enclosed porch. Perfect place for a wonderful family luncheon. I like the fact that it is simple...long table, simple dining chairs and some hydrangea on the table...the view of the green yard does the rest of the decorating in on this sun porch. I also like the large number 3 sculpture in the yard too! (The only thing I might change is the scale of the light fixture...the lantern is just a tad small.)

What are your plans for this long weekend? How might you "decorate" your family/friend gatherings?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Ali Schwarz

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AN dining table, enclosed porch, garden, garden view, grass, long weekend, porch, sun porch, sun room, WEEKEND PHOTO, yard

WEEKEND PHOTO: A SUNNY SUN PORCH IN BLACK & WHITE WITH A LITTLE RED!

Photo courtesy Kelley Interior Design


It has been raining quite a bit in L.A. lately. Today it is gorgeous though! Just in case more rain is in the forecast, thought I would post a picture of a bright and cheery sun porch in hopes of channeling all things sun.

I like this room by Washington D.C. area interior designer Kelley Proxmire. I am not usually into anything that is just black and white...but for some reason this space works.

Love the striped black and white floor, the white drapes trimmed in black, the beadboard ceiling, the bright white walls, and the fun selection of accent pillows with different black and white geometric and graphic patterns. Oh, did I mention the pops of red here and there!

Happy Sunday!!

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AN black and white, COLOR WATCH, Nbaynadamas, porch, red

WEEKEND PHOTO: TIME TO RELAX!

Photo courtesy of Eric Roth


Hope you take the time to relax this weekend. I love this photo...three rocking chairs on a sun porch...overlooking a gorgeous sunny yard. I love the idea of a porch...and I love a great rocking chair. (Do I sound like I am 90? Can't help it though I do like rocking chairs and porches!)

The sun is finally out today...literally and figuratively speaking. We've had days and days of rain here in California...when I woke up this morning, all of the clouds were gone and the sky was bright. After a crazy couple of weeks in weather and some personal challenges, it is definitely time to take a break, time to enjoy the beautiful day, time to relax!

Ahhhh....

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AN chairs, Nbaynadamas, porch