Details from the Designer - Vol. 6

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December snuck up on me despite the fact that I had extra warning because Thanksgiving was so early. And, here we are. Ready or not! So, let’s pull out the tinsel and get the festivities started!

Styling Breakdown

 
 

For this month’s vignette, I have the foyer from our Boardman Project. This is a classic entry space in many, many homes. All you need is a small round table, beautiful/interesting/colorful art and some decor to bring it all together.

Source List:


Keeping Myself Busy

I started to watch Lessons in Chemistry the series on Apple TV after being obsessed with the book. I’m so-so about it. I think when you really love a book the show/movie is inevitably a let down because it can’t compete with your imagination.

My current book is Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and I’m really enjoying it. Not as much of a page turner for me as Lessons in Chemistry, but also such a different story and writing style. As tired as I am when I hit the pillow most nights, I force myself to read at least a few pages (it’s a thick book) and I’m about halfway through. I have a new reading light that has a slightly weird, mostly lovely yellow light option (easy on the eyes before bed) and it’s living up to the hype from the Amazon reviewers (over 5,000 five stars)

 
 

Last and most important - I’m trying to find a good meditation app. My previous app was free and it’s no longer available. If you have a recommendation, leave a comment or DM me!!!

Fashion Find

Sarah, one of our Design Leads, recently told me that she only paints her daughters’ nails with Expressie nail polish because it’s truly quick dry and relatively long lasting. And then I found it for a great price ($3.99) in three beautiful colors. So, stocking stuffers it is!

Local Fun

Way back in Volume 3 of Details from a Designer, I mentioned a kids clothing store (Lovestruck) in neighboring town, Reading. Across the street is another great store: Whitelam. It’s a bookstore with all the things you love about bookstores and shopping: small business, female owned, plenty of doodads and trinkets that are book-tangent, book signings, story time…AND, a book subscription. Which is officially one of the few gifts I have purchased for my kids so far. The reading and literature specialists at the store pick a book (or 2 books) a month based on your child’s age, interests and reading level. Then you stop by the bookstore once a month and grab the beautifully wrapped bundle.

Until next year!!!

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 5

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Happy November, Everyone! Did you have a great Halloween last night? Wednesday Adams, Ninja Turtles and Mario Brothers costumes won the popularity contest, but a fully inflated “rubber chicken” won our family favorite.

Lots of to share this month.


Styling Breakdown

 
 

This big, beautiful, glass front, arched bookcase is a favorite styling moment from our Millen Project. We used a tight color palette of black, white, gray and green (from our plants) and the color AND texture of natural wood or woven materials. We sprinkled some of each color and texture on every shelf. And, important note, we used ONLY faux plants thanks to those beautiful glass doors limiting air flow.

SOURCE LIST

Keeping Myself Busy

I have been keeping myself busy by going to Iceland!!! I recently got home from an absolutely, positively, epic, adults-only vacation. In fact, it was the first time I got on an plane with my husband and no kids in 11.5 years. Yeah. Pretty high stakes. And it lived up to every expectation and then some.

I was very, very lucky to have had the entire trip planned by a friend who was also on the trip. We were one of four couples who adventured together through ice caves and waterfalls (there were many) and volcanic ash deserts and glaciers. But, my absolute favorite spot was a thermal pool. Hvammsvik. It was perfect. And I highly recommend it. I did not make it to the Blue Lagoon, but I understand that it is quite touristy and a completely different experience (think teenagers on spring break).

Meanwhile, Lessons in Chemistry is officially out on Netflix and after reading it earlier this year, I’m very excited to see if the series lives up to the book.

Fashion Find

I got a fake leather jacket (also known as a pleather jacket). And I love it. I feel a just a little big rock n roll in it, but still 1000% a mom. I wanted something for the fall that wasn’t athletic forward and wasn’t puffer forward, but still casual. I think this meets those goals with an excellent price point.

 
 

Local Fun

The Rise & Shine Holiday Market is happening November 18 at the Winchester Town Hall, just in time to get all your holiday shopping done! I love unique gifts. Something you can’t find at Target or Amazon (although I get those too). This is the perfect place for those special items for the more hard-to-buy-for family members. From jewelry to hot sauce to kids craft sets to tote bags. So many fun things to peruse. Tickets should be purchased in advance and include foot and beverage. AND, the first 50 people to attend get a gift bag!

Have a wonderful November! And please check out our Instagram stories regularly…we have 3 major installs happening this month. All before Thanksgiving!

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 4

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Hello and Happy October! You may, like me, be slightly relieved that September is over. I love September for the excitement and weather. But, it can be overwhelming with all the transitions.

By now, routines are settling in. Sweater weather is just about here and I’m finally ready. And it’s not too early (kinda is) for me to be prematurely planning for Thanksgiving.

Styling Breakdown

This month’s Styling Breakdown comes to you from the Bonus Room in our Grey Project. We are so very happy with these custom built-ins. The function is amazing. And the opportunity for a little decor moment always makes us giddy. We have a source list below and always feel free to email (hello@grayoakstudio) or DM with a request for something we missed!

 
 

Below is a close up of the art on the shelf (we used London because it’s meaningful to the homeowners). This artist has so many letterpress and cut out pieces of different locations around the world. The one in the middle (below) is Nantucket!

SOURCE LIST

Keeping Myself Busy

I crochet! My grandmother taught me when I was about 7 and I’ve been doing it ever since. Hats and blankets are my favorite, but I went through a big infinite scarf phase and I made crowns for my daughters when they were toddlers.

This time of year reinvigorates a nightly ritual with the old hook and yarn. It’s not fun to crochet in the summer with the heat and the thick growing blanket and the piles of yarn. But, when the weather gets crisp and holiday gift planning starts…because you have to plan this far in advance when the gift takes a couple months to make…I dig into a new project.

I wanted to share a book that I found in case you’re interested in picking up a cozy hobby or, if you’re a pro, interesting in trying some new patterns.

 
 

I also wanted to share my current favorite yarn for a thick, quick blanket. Use this plush yarn with a nice, big hook and you’ll have a blanket in no time (aka 2 months).

 
 

Fashion Find

If you’ve been a steadfast watcher of our Instagram stories, you already know about these fashion finds. If not, here’s the scoop. But, also, Instagram stories are where the action lives!

I got myself a lovely birthday gift this year - new sneakers from Freda Salvador. They were a big time splurge, even with a 20% discount. That said, I’m obsessed. They slip on and off truly easily. They hold their shape perfectly, despite the slip on/off factor. They’re ridiculously comfortable. And they go with anything and everything I wear (in my humble opinion).

 
 

I also got a new everyday athletic sneaker. So, not the sneaker I wear for a run, but my choice for errands and Install Day. They are reasonably priced, especially for Nikes. They come in some really cute colors (I went neutral…of course) and they’re very, very comfortable. Wider than your average Nike, which my feet appreciate.

 
 

Local Fun

I can’t take credit because a lovely new client shared it with me: Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. I’m heading there later this month for some perusing and snacks. It is in a recently renovated space (you can check out the Instagram to see some progress pics) and it’s stunning. So much design inspiration. So much charm. Such a great place for a Sunday afternoon adventure into Boston. I’ll be sure to share pics on Instagram Story (like I said - where the action lives) later this month.

 
Gray Oak Studio - Beacon Hill Books and Cafe
 


Until November!

Cheers, Leah


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