Nautical Nonsense

These last few weeks I haven't had a chance to sit down with my coffee and focus on my blog.  Okay I take that back, I have had many chances... but nothing seems to inspire me enough to write.  I guess you could say I've hit my very first "blogging-block." Whatever that is...

However, recently I've been attending an "Essentials to Interior Design Class" that the Rhode Island School of Design offers.  It's the perfect class for me while I am taking a break from "real school" this semester. The teacher is wonderful and I've been learning a lot about the interior design process. Also, did I mention the class is right on the beach?

Here is a panel I created for inspiring a nautical themed home.

From the brief time I have spent living in New England, I have started to grasp the nautical trend. The Cape Cod inspired style is classic and timeless. But sometimes it tends to be overdone...  I didn't want the space to feel like you're stepping into a lobster shack. For a home, I think it's important to keep the theme subtle. Just small accents that are reminiscent of the sea, with sandy tones and splashes of blues and greens. Not every inch of the space needs to be taken over by fishing knots and model sail boats.  I like to think of the sea as a tranquil place (whether that's true or not...). And I believe every home should be a calm sanctuary, like the sea. 

My Future Kitchen - Designed by Jeff Lewis

As I was doing my daily procrastination routine (perusing House Beautiful, Dwell, etc),  I found my future kitchen.

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Designed by one of my favorite interior designers and television personalities, Jeff Lewis - as seen on Bravo TV's Flipping Out (seriously watch the show; he's hilarious). It's my dream to work for him one day... 

This kitchen was named House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year for 2010. And rightly so! For one exciting week in July, this gorgeous kitchen was open to the public at Rockefeller Center for product and cooking demonstrations. "I feel so comfortable in this kitchen," Lewis says. "I want to move in. They'll have to find another place for the Christmas tree." 

Personally, I think I'd be able to live with the Christmas tree...

This kitchen features all of the latest in appliances and technology. Push a button and the 24-inch Jenn-Air microwave (under the island counter) opens like a drawer, for easy access. The Jenn-Air TriFecta dishwasher has a top-rack-only option, to save energy. Plus, top of the line refrigerator and double wall oven, with full-color LCD touch screens. Although Jeff Lewis admits he isn't much of a cook (actually he doesn't cook at all...), this kitchen is a chef's dream.

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What first caught my eye was the very contemporary and sleek California modern look. The hard contrast between the dark Peppercorn finished cabinetry and pure white Caesar Stone countertops is toned down by the natural Elm wood floor. Lewis is able to make this a more inviting and warm space with out being too overtly modern or cold, but still keep it clean and clutter-free. 

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The open floor plan creates more than enough space to move freely and the encompassing glass walls let natural light shine through. 

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Just press a button and water washes food scraps down this elegant Crevasse prep sink. It even lights up!

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The custom made wine rack doubles as a room divider. Even though you're in the living room, you still feel apart of the action happening in the kitchen. 

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So chic!

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This light fixture is my new obsession. Made in Germany by Licht im Raum.

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The dining table is made of reclaimed wood by Jeff Soderbergh. 

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Everything has a place with these multitiered drawers and adjustable cooking storage.

 "I don't like chaos, I don't like clutter, I don't over accessorize. I really like things clean, neat, and minimal, and one of the reasons why I do keep accessories to a minimum is because I don't want things to gather dust."

Amen to that! 

P.S. If you would like to see more on Jeff Lewis and this awesome kitchen, watch this YouTube video: 

The Elephant Room - Providence

The fastest way to wake me up in the morning is to announce that we're eating out for breakfast. These are by far the best mornings, when you're able to relax your way into the day with good food and good company. The Elephant Room is the perfect place to start your morning off right. With tea and crêpes of course!

The decor is very relaxing and minimalist. The main focal points of the space are the gorgeous hanging chandeliers. Which gives the place a more contemporary vibe while drinking something as timeless as tea. 

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First off, the selection of tea is amazing, almost overwhelming! They have every type of tea you could ever dream of.  From English Breakfast to Ginger Ginseng and from Egyptian Chamomile to Royal Chrysanthemum Blossoms, they've got it all.  Not to mention how beautiful it is.

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Tali's Masala Chai

Delectable candied ginger to accompany your tea.

"The Perfect Tea Timer" lets you decide how long to let it steep whether you prefer it light, medium or strong. (Personally, I think the stronger the better). Talk about high-tech tea!

Prosciutto Crêpe

"New England herbed goat cheese & roasted peppers, topped with lemon dressed arugula"

I am a sucker for any thing with prosciutto and goat cheese so I instantly decided on this selection. And my instincts didn't fail me. Everything about this dish blends beautifully. The cheese, the arugula, the dressing, the peppers, the prosciutto. So good! So fresh!

The Elephant Room not only is a great place to have breakfast, but is also a comfortable and relaxing place to bring your laptop and be productive. There is a separate lounge area over looking the bistro area just for curling up with a book/laptop and some tea. Who knows, I could be writing my next blog post on those comfy couches! 

The Elephant Room 

2170 Broad St., Cranston, RI 02905

(401) 261-2170

Tue - Thurs: 8 am - 8 pm

Fri - Sat: 8 am - 10 pm 

Sun: 8 am - 3 pm

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