Turks Review and Backyard Inspiration

My husband and I got back home from beautiful Turks and Caicos late last night.  We had a wonderful trip and had a lot of sun and relaxation.  I also used this trip to make a little announcement...

That's right.  Baby number 2 is on the way!  We'll be adding another little human to our brood in early October/late September, and we're so excited!

Knowing that our lives are about to get more hectic (and more wonderful), it was great having this time to simply enjoy each other without any interruptions or early wakeup calls.

The Gansevoort Turks + Caicos was the perfect spot to do just that.  The beach was something you can only dream of and the pool was a little slice of heaven.

It's easy to see why we didn't want to leave, isn't it?  

The pool area was a favorite of mine.  The mix of white, aqua and wood was done so well and the palm tree and flower backdrops just made it perfect.  But if you can't get to paradise yourself, you can create your own backyard oasis with these items.

pillow // chaise with cushion // curtain panels // orchids // umbrella // fire pit // wooden deck tiles // acrylic glasses // bar cart

Until next time...

Backyard Update II

As I mentioned a few posts back, we are re-doing our backyard. We have a good size yard but it was very shady and the mosquitoes would eat us a live within a minute of being out there so, we hardly went out.  We also had a water drainage issue from the yard being so un-leveled, no grass, and the fence was falling apart. Here is what is looked like before.

The yard really opened up by cutting down a tree, moving a couple trees back near the fence , and removing the small side fence that the previous owners installed. A newly installed patio also made a big difference.

And here is what it looks like today.

A good pressure washing to the fence did wonders.

My golf loving hubby and my brother installed a small putting green where the playground used to be. If you are interested in creating one, these are the instructions we followed.

Though we are not quite done, it has been so nice to finally enjoy our backyard. My daughter and her friends have played soccer in the grass a few times. Our nephews have had fun on the putting green. The baby and I have been able to sit out on the back and get some morning sun. We have even had dinner on the patio and surprisingly the mosquitoes haven't been bad. I am not sure if its just because it is early in the season or if having less shade in the backyard has helped cut down on the mosquitoes. We shall see.

The next steps are putting up a hammock I bought a few years back, installing plants, and building a fireplace.  I will continue to update you as we progress. If interested, below are links to the cushions and dining set I bought, along with a few other items I plan to purchase to finish off the look.

hammock // cushions // table & benches // white stool // umbrella // aqua pillows // floral pillow // tray

Until next time, lovelies.

Design SOS: Selecting the Right Upholstery for Your New Furniture

We were emailed the following question recently regarding furniture selection. I thought it would be good to address on the blog because furniture is a big purchase! It’s important to know these kinds of things before shelling out big money:

...We have started shopping for a new sofa. The one we have now we bought second-hand just to get us by after we moved—then I blinked and 5 years went by! It’s terribly uncomfortable and an embarrassment when we have guests over.  No one sits on it! I am so excited to finally make this purchase, but I’m so overwhelmed! The salesmen seem to throw dozens of different terms at me and I don’t really know what they mean. Especially when it comes to fabric! How do I know what is going to be the best for us?? We have teenagers, two dogs, and a cat (the animals are not allowed on the sofa, but they are sneaky).  My husband wants leather, but I'm not sure. What kinds of fabrics should I be looking at? How will I even know what I’m sitting on when I try one out??...

Lauren, Virginia Beach

Before I go into specifics—let me just say that I highly advise above anything else that you shop in place that has knowledgeable staff that aren’t just pushing for a hefty commission. They should not only be able to help you with an appropriate selection, but they should know everything I am about to get into. And they certainly ought to know how to tell what a certain upholstered piece is made of! If they can’t do any of those things, it’s probably best you shop elswhere.

But in the event you have limited choices (due to budget or lack of local retailers) I’ll break it down into the three major categories to make it easy:

1.     Cotton/Linen – These are your natural, down to earth basics. They can be casual or elegant, depending on how upholstered.  Most slipcovers will be linen or a cotton/linen blend. They may also occasionally be blended with synthetics (like polyester or rayon) for a little more durability. Light colored linens are very popular right now, especially in slipcovered options. They are beautiful and conveniently washable—but keep in mind if you go too light, some stains may not come out all the way.

Pros: breathable, comfortable, washable, upholstery easily, age well

Cons: may stain and wrinkle easily; may pill, shrink, or lose brightness if laundered too frequently; can get pricey, especially linens

Good to know: ask if covers are pre-washed/pre-shrunk; can be treated with stain-repellant; if it’s a bright color always test a spot on the back or in a discreet place (like the underside of a cushion) before spot cleaning

2.     Synthetics and Microfibers – Microfibers are exactly what they sound like: tons of tiny little microscopic fibers woven together. Synthetics and microfibers envelop tons of different titles and fabrics such as chenille, microsuede, polyester, rayon, nylon, etc. Unless it’s silk or wool (not likely), if it doesn’t say cotton or linen on the label, then it’s most likely a polyester/synthetic. They are very popular today because of their durability and inexpensive production (i.e. good value for durability). I had a microsuede sofa once and managed to get red wine out of the powder blue upholstery on more than one occasion.

Pros: inexpensive, durable, easily cleanable, usually washable if covers can be removed

Cons: heavier, don’t breathe well, sometimes have noticeable “handing” (this is the term for when you swipe your hand across a fabric and can see visible marks—you’d likely see pawprints if your animal pranced across it); don’t age gracefully— can stretch and pull in areas that get a lot of use

Good to know: Retailers are constantly renaming synthetics to have more appealing names (like the “microsuede” movement), especially with the popularity growth for more natural fibers. It’s important to ask to see the fabric card for the upholstery so you know exactly what’s in it.

Also, because microfibers are easily manufactured and inexpensive, they often (but not always) come standard on easily manufactured and inexpensive frames. Make sure you investigate the construction integrity and warranty of the piece as well. You wouldn’t want to trade cleanability for cushions that sag after 2 years.

3.     Leather – pretty self-explanatory….or is it?? Because leather is probably the most durable of all upholstery choices, many companies are trying to offer this feature at a more affordable price point, sometimes defeating the purpose of choosing leather. There are now “recycled,” "blended," "bonded," and “renewed” leathers that aren’t really leather at all (by now I'm sure there's more than that). They are typically polyester backings with a very thin layer of ground up leather scraps that have been remolded and dyed back into a thin piece of upholstery. Any honest and salesperson will tell you this. While they perform well, the colorfastness is weak, the surface is easily scratched, and it doesn’t breath like real leather. You want to look for the words “top grain” or “genuine” leather. Real leathers are worth the price.

Pros: breathable (when top grain—that is, the top most layer of cow skin—a true leather will not make you sweaty), extremely durable, can be repaired and refinished by a leather professional giving you years and years of use, ages and patinas beautifully

Cons: the most expensive option

Good to know: for optimal color-fastness and longevity, make sure the leather is not surface-dyed—ask for a sample of the leather and turn it over. If the color on the back matches the front, it will be easiest for a leather specialist to work with in repairing it, should you tear, burn, or scratch it.

One of the biggest fears with leather and pets is that cat or dog nails will “puncture” the leather. This is simply untrue, and only brought about because there are so many cheap and imitation leathers out there leading consumers to believe that leather is not as durable as it seems. If you have a leather purse, or shoe, or belt, imagine trying to “puncture” that thing. It would take a nail and lot of hammering before you did any damage!

And here’s a tip: unsure of what you’re looking at in a retail location? Look for seams. A real leather hide will not be able to stretch the entire span of a chair or sofa without seams. Sometimes the back and sides of a piece may be synthetic while the arms, seat, and back are genuine leather. This is totally fine, but my only warning is that you keep the back concealed against a wall or out of direct sunlight. Because the synthetic will fade over time and your sofa will be two-toned after a few years.

***

I hope this helps break down options for any of you making a big furniture purchase anytime in the near future. The worst feeling is dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on something and having it last only a few years.  Just remember, you get what you pay for. Furniture should really be an investment, in my own opinion. Consider what gets the most use in your home and buy accordingly.

And if you can’t afford a great piece brand new, shop wisely second-hand! Under every chair or sofa should be a tag with the manufacturer and model number. Use the internet to your advantage! Google that sucker! And there’s always floor models! My own sofa was a returned custom order for a client who returned it when it arrived damaged. The manufacturer repaired it and because custom items are hard to sell, it was sold as a floor model and marked down to near cost. I got a $1300 sofa for $500.  A steal.

And if you’re still unsure, there’s always the chance we are able to help! Drop us a line and maybe we can guide you through a smart choice!

Happy Shopping! 

Lets Take a Trip

Five years ago my husband and I got married on the sandy shores of Inlet Beach, FL.  Even with 40+mph winds and impending rain, it was the most beautiful day.  

The reception was held at Anna's Veranda, a Victorian home just steps away from the beach.

Five years.  So much has changed since then.  Life is funny that way, I suppose.  To celebrate our anniversary, we're taking a trip and heading back to the Caribbean (we honeymooned in St. Thomas).  It's our first time out of the country since our honeymoon and our first vacation together in 2.5 years.  

This time we're headed to Turks and Caicos and will be staying at the Gansevoort Turks + Caicos on beautiful Grace Bay.  It looks so magical!  Sunday can't get here soon enough!

We've been told of a few restaurants we need to check out.  

Coco Bistro

Mango Reef

Beach House

And the renowned Da Conch Shack.

I'll be back with a full report and lots of inspiration I'm sure!  Until next time...

Outdoor Dinner Party

With the progress we have made in our backyard (will share pics next week) and the gorgeous weather we have had lately, it has me inspired to throw an outdoor dinner party.

Accompanied by great wine and good conversation, this is how my dinner party would look like.

table and seating // sea glass bottles // plates //  glasses // runner // napkins // string lights

Enjoy the weather, my friends!

Images via Pinterest

Mama and Baby Essentials from 3A

Not only are all of us at 3A designers, but we are also moms to small children and growing families. If we aren't discussing design projects, we are usually discussing kids. And nap times! We love being able to share what works for us with each other. 

And for that reason we also decided to share it with you! 

We put our brains together and came up with a list of things that generally make mom life easier. You may know about some of them, and some of them you may not! So here they are:

1. Fisher Price 4-in-1 Tub.  This tub grows with your baby in every stage from newborn to toddlerhood. And it has a hook so that it can hang to dry and stay out of the way when other people need to use the bathtub.

2. Samsung Video Monitor  Video monitors are wonderful, but eventually babies learn to scoot and crawl and climb and walk out of view. This one not only has a great camera, but also lets you pan around the room and zoom in when you want to check on baby without disturbing them.

3. Bravado Nursing Bra  Best money ever spent on a bra—supportive and comfortable (and I may or may not still wear it sometimes even though my daughter has weaned!)

4. Mama Necklace from the Jones Market  If you thought you’d never wear jewelry as long as you had small children, this is the perfect solution. Non-toxic chewable beads on a tug-able jersey cotton infinity strand. Babies can pull and chew away while you look like you actually put thought into getting dressed ;)

5. Graco Sound Machine   Sound machines saved us in the early days. And some of the ones for babies are on timers and they shut off abruptly after only a short time. This one not only runs as long as you want it, but connects to an ipod, and has a soft glow. (And if you need it on the go, check out the White Noise App for smartphones.)

6. My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow  One of the best feeding pillows around. More supportive for both mama and baby, doesn’t slip off, and holds all your gear that is constantly strewn about the house that you always need and can’t get to when you sit down to feed baby. (I will say I’ve heard this is not ideal for c-section mamas, though.)

7. Aiden + Anais Muslin Swaddling Blankets  Aside from being the best material for swadding, these muslin swaddle blankets do countless other things. They’re spit up catchers, play areas on the go when you need to put baby down, changing pads in emergencies, nursing covers, carseat covers, light blankets…the list goes on!

8. Happy Baby Wrap  Let's face it--sometimes you just have to wear a baby to get things done. This need increases when you have other small children! The hands-free benefit alone is enough to have one. Plus studies show keeping baby close to mama is beneficial in psychological and emotional development--it can also help your nursing relationship. With the right help you can even learn to nurse baby in one. Hands-free nursing?! Sign me up!

9. Fisher Price Baby Swing  Swings are a part of every smart mom’s arsenal. Sometimes you have to, you know, do things besides feed and carry a baby and this is the perfect squishy, cozy place to put them. The built-in sound machine and mobile is the cherry on top.

10. Tommee Tippee Bibs  These wipable bibs are perfect for both at-home and on-the-go. They wipe right off, eliminating the need to wash yet another food-splattered piece of baby gear. 

11. Natursutten Pacifiers  100% natural rubber, plastic free, and made from a single mold. I can’t tell you how many traditional pacifiers I had to throw away because they got wet and started growing  things inside the mouth piece. Yuck.

12. Sleep Sack   If you have a houdini baby that can make it out of any swaddle, or one that just hates swaddling in general, sleep sacks are perfect to keep baby cozy and safe. I've even seen people use these on toddlers--they come in all sizes!

13. Total Baby App  This is the perfect all-in-one phone app to keep track of almost everything your baby does, as well as mapping out their natural rhythms and schedules. It also includes a place to keep track of growth and shot records. For pumping mamas, it even has a timer for pump times! What more could you need?

14. Co-Sleeper Bassinet   If you've decided to keep baby in your room for the early days, this is your best friend for night feedings. You can keep baby in a safe sleeping environment right next to your bed and scoot their sleepy full little bellies back into bed without having to move them too much!

So there you have it! If you're a mama and don't see one of your essentials on the list, let us know! We are always looking for things to make life easier as moms. Currently I'm looking for even more since I have two months left before this next baby arrives! 

Until next time, mamas!