THE C+K PORTFOLIO: INSPIRATION BOARDS

It's been quite some time since I last shared any projects I've been working on outside of the blog, so I thought it appropriate that on a week where my schedule is packed with client deadlines and photo shoots you would get a little peek at what I've been working on!

Starting from scratch in this Seattle condo, we wanted to mix a little bit of glamour into a whole lot of midcentury and contemporary modern style. While I'm currently working on interior design for the entire condo, this is the board for the dining room, which may end up being my favorite part of the home...

This moodboard was for a client I worked on over the summer where I wanted to bring in some more character by adding layers of texture and pattern to their neutral furnishings. I loved how these spaces felt light and cozy at the same time, like you wouldn't be afraid to plop right down on the sofa and make yourself at home...

And finally, a really fun space to bring some inspiration to, this board was for a client in Montana who needed a little direction with using some of her current furniture but changing around the layout, and adding additional pieces to complete the room...

I'm never quite sure if these type of posts are at all interesting when you're not the client, but I hope that these boards can maybe serve as some inspiration for those of you looking for tips on renewing your home as we all start nesting for fall! And, of course, if you're at all interested in my interior or event design services, I'm always ready for new clients. Just an email away!


*boards created by cassandra lavalle of coco+kelley. all rights reserved. please do not distribute without permission.

AAAAAND.... WE'RE BACK (FOR THE MOMENT)

I'm still attempting to get back into the swing of things after an incredibly relaxing vacation last week! I have to give a huge thanks to Anne at the city sage for bloggysitting for me while I was gone! Not to mention the awesome little send off post she gave me. Thanks girl!

I promise not to go overboard with photos from the trip, but I thought I'd at least share a few that you might appreciate...

My favorite detail from Erin's wedding - the striped straws that matched my striped heels! I'm not giving away any more photos from the beautiful day though - I'll leave that to her amazing photographer, Jose Villa! (*shoes from H&M - so cute. so cheap)

A very coco+kelley moment. I couldn't resist snapping a pic!

Hammock time! Our friends who stayed after the wedding in Cabo with us had a cute little patio off of their room at an adorable bed+breakfast. I stole the best seat in the house. Plus, this is an obvious excuse to show off my linen zebra shorts.  (Remind you of any infamous domino mag hallway moments? Yeah, I know. how very rooms from runway of me!)

And finally - the house next door to our friend's bed+breakfast. I was drooling over the potential of that rooftop patio. Heck, I'd even keep the paint color! I'm fairly sure it was abandoned (although you never can tell) and was tempted to snoop around more, but decided that probably wasn't a great idea. What I wouldn't give to do a little c+k renovating on this one!

Alas, I'm back to reality and a very full inbox of emails, so I'll be keeping it light this week as I spend a few days catching up before I head to LA for the Legends of La Cienega event!

xo,
cassandra

*update! since so many of you asked - the shorts are forever21. no joke. now go out there and get your own pair! they're fab. 

HAPPY (SUNSETS) WEEKEND

This is a delayed happy weekend note from yours truly, but I wanted to spread my glee at having returned from Mexico to find that my little spread in the May issue of Sunset Magazine has arrived!

The article is all about my favorite shops for outdoor entertaining in Seattle. Unfortunately, I think the piece may be regional, so many of you may not be able to find it in your own issue of Sunset, but I was overwhelmed by the congrats I've received so far, so thank you all for your sweet Facebook notes and emails! Also, a big thanks to photographer Jose Mandojana for such a great shoot.

As for me... I'm still dreaming of sunsets like these...

Mexico was an amazing trip and I'll share some more snaps from my travels soon, as well as a few more Series Submissions coming up next week from our potential contributors! You all left some great feedback last week, and I hope you'll continue to come by for the next (and final, I promise!) round.

xoxo,
cassandra

SAVE THE DATE: COCO+KELLEY AT LEGENDS OF LA CIENEGA!

A few of you may have heard by now via my Twitter, but I'm so excited to announce that I'll be joining a panel of talented bloggers for the Elle Decor + the LCDQ Legends of La Cienega event in Los Angeles on Friday, May 6th where we'll be speaking on the impact of blogging in the design world.

The agenda for this year is packed with amazing talent and interesting topics, and you can download it right here! I'm thrilled to be included amongst such amazing company, and can't wait to head to some of the events myself. I hope to see all you Angelinos (and visitors!) at the event! For more information as well as photos and updates, head over to the Elle Decor Legends 2010 page.

See you in LA!

COCO+KELLEY: CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS!

Some of you may remember that back in November of last year, I put a call out for interns here at coco+kelley. I was focused on building the blog and my new design business, and it seemed like a perfect solution! Then... a most fabulous opportunity came my way over the holidays and 2010 found me working as a home merchandiser at Anthropologie! It is a dream position for me, and I couldn't be happier.

As you can imagine, life has been busy busy. I spend my days juggling my 'day job' with coco+kelley blog posts and clients, working to stay inspired and original with my content while bringing the same energy to my merchandising. All of this, of course, means I had to completely revisit the idea of interns and what role they would play here. Well, I've finally figured out the next step, and I'm so excited to get started!
SO...here's the scoop! I'm going to begin this process all over, and start by seeking contributors to the blog itself. I'm looking forward to building on current content, bringing back past series, and starting new topics! As far as what I'm looking for... as long as your ideas fall within the 'lifestyle' category, you're good to go! Here's what I'm looking for:
Start by thinking of a topic you'd like to blog about on a consistent basis. Do you love to entertain? Maybe your contribution is a Creative Cocktails or Small Bites weekly post. Live for tracking down ways to mimic gorgeous rooms on a budget? Perhaps your niche is a Cheap Chic article! Art, entertaining, travel, fashion, weddings, decor... it's all open to proposals.

For the next two weeks I will be accepting 'applications' in the form of blog posts. They should follow my formatting style and be delivered in proper html coded form (either within an email or attached in a document). Photos need to be sized at 500 pixels wide and should be high quality. Please let your own voice shine through! However, I ask that you stick to the tone and aesthetic here at coco+kelley. All submissions will be due by April 15th.

After I sort through the posts, I will select my favorites. From April 26th - 30th, those posts will go up on coco+kelley for the true test - capturing the attention and affection of the readers! From these posts, the new contributors will be selected! Right now I am hoping to pick 2-4 people to blog on a schedule that is tbd (no more than once a week).

If you have questions, please feel free to email me at: cocokelley (at) gmail (dot) com. Because I am hoping to fill these positions with writers and designers who can format their own posts, I will not be offering assistance in this area. And, for those of you still interested, yes there will also be internship positions coming soon! Looking forward to see what beautiful pieces arrive in my inbox.

xoxo,
cassandra

*images via lonny magazine and {this is glamorous}

FROM THE C+K PORTFOLIO: WEDDING DETAILS

Those of you who have been hanging around coco+kelley for a while now may remember these wedding board inspirations I created for a client last year, and the sample centerpieces. Well, I've finally got a few detail shots from the reception last October and it's about time I shared them with you!
My favorite part about the design was that everything was very simple, budget friendly, and crafted with love - from the cute aqua pon pons, to chalkboard signage and the layered centerpieces...
But, my very favorite details were on the mantle where we used pieces from the couple's small ceremony in Maui to celebrate their marriage at the Seattle reception - including the adorable cake-toppers and framed invitations. Loads of candlelight and paperie completed the space, and the room was completely transformed! Hopefully I'll have more to share with you soon!

*photography by stephanie haller

A LITTLE HOLIDAY HELP?

I know. It's so hard being glamorous this time of year.
Dashing in between stores on your lunch break, or braving mall crowds on the weekend, in search of that perfect gift. Scheming up holiday decor ideas, but never having enough time to actually put it them together. Entertaining and party hopping. Wrapping and unwrapping... there's not enough time in the month to do it all!

So, might we make a suggestion? Hire us. After all, that's where the 'stylish services' part of coco+kelley comes in. We're here to do it all and make you look good doing it.

Like this holiday decor board we put together for a couple's first Christmas last year (complete with a full consult), showing them how to add to the loads of registry items that they had just received for their wedding to create a simple palette to build on year after year.
For those of you across the country we offer services like this and more, including creative decor and entertaining ideas, as well as personal shopping. For those of you here in Seattle, we can pretty much do it all!

So, if you're ready to let us handle the stress so that you can get back to glamorous, just give us a ring or a ping and we'll get right on it. Or, maybe you should pass this post along to the co-worker going crazy in the cubicle next to you? Tis the season, after all...

PS... the gift guide will make its debut next week! Until then... check out last year's for some fun goodies.