Needing, Wanting, Loving: Safari Chairs

Happy Monday!  Did you all have a good weekend?  I hope so.  It was a gorgeous few days in New York and I'm happy I got to spend a good amount of time outside.  Speaking of outside... I'd rather be in Africa on a safari than working inside today.  The rugged outdoor landscape, the earthy colors, the exotic animals- it sounds like a perfect getaway.  The safari chair, originally released by Danish designer Kaale Klint in 1933, represents the beauty of that African outback landscape and has become a mid-century furniture staple. It also represents the epitome of the Danish furniture movement- clean lines, exceptional craftsmanship, and fine materials:

{Ashe + Leandro}

{My Domaine}

Scandanavian designer Arne Norell took Kaare Klint's safari chair and relaxed it a bit, creating the "Sirocco" safari leather chair in 1965. It has leather-slung arms, a more angular back, and a frame constructed of rosewood:

{Interior Junkie}

{Rebecca Taylor's Office}

{Ashe + Leandro}

{Mid-Century Mobler}

As you can see, the safari chair and the Sorocco safari chair are still often used in home design today. Here are a few replications currently available for purchase:

{Kontiki Leather Safari Chair- $3,093}

{Chairish Safari Chair- $2,950}

{CB2 Safari Chair- $649}

{Safari Chair via Etsy- $1,100}

{Pair of Sirocco Safari Chairs $2,750}

{Richard Wrightman Chatwin Lounge Chair $Price Upon Request}

The safari chair-  Danish/Scandinavian design at it's most beautiful, if you ask me!

Friday's Worthy Links

TGIF!  Today's links are a good mix of 1 part humor + 1 part fashion + 1 part politics.  Add a dose of cute animals and career advice, and stir well.  Enjoy!

-How charming does Katie Armour's new Copenhagen living room look?  

-Justice being served.

-15 Career Tips From Smart Women.

-I have my eye on this black lace clutch, wouldn't it be the perfect accessory for the fall/winter season?

-A Look at Simone Rocha's Home in London. 

-Angelina Jolie's divorce is not the end of the world.    

-Hilary Clinton on Zach Galifanakis's "Between Two Ferns" made me truly laugh out loud.  It's a must-watch. 

-Thinking of scooping up this, this, and this for next summer.  The prices are too good!

-Adorable animals to get you through Friday.

-A big thank you to Vive for interviewing me for their Innovator Series.  Vive is an app that let's you book blowouts on the go (and at the drop of a hat) at one of Vive's vetted network of salons. It's so easy- schedule and pay through the app! Use my code "Samantha" for a discount of your first few!

Happy Friday!!  Have a great day and a lovely weekend.

XOXO,

Sam

{image via Vogue}

NYC Travel Guide: Upper East Side

 I am excited to launch what I hope will be the first of many Manhattan guides covering different pockets of the city.    As I have now lived and worked in the Upper East for a little over a year, I feel it's the only place I can confidently guide you through at this point, so that's where we'll start.  There's a reason Truman Capote, CZ Guest, Holly Golightly, and the Rockafellers all chose to call the Upper East Side home-  it's beautiful, relatively quiet, and home to the Museum Mile as well as Central Park.  I for one love living in the UES, even if all the cool people love to reside downtown. While it once was known to be rather snobby, I find it delightfully welcoming, neighborhood-y, and inclusive.  Read on for a list of my must-see places:

{via instagram}

My 5 Favorite Leather Sofas

Leather sofas across the board often get a bad wrap, but I don't think they should!  A well-made leather sofa can bring instant character and charm to a space, and is definitely worth the investment.  A good metaphor for the kind of leather sofa you want to invest in is a confident, sexy man.    He isn't trying too hard, he isn't flashy-  he's clearly comfortable in his own skin and attracts others innately:

A BAD leather sofa is like Pauly from the Jersey Shore.  Desperate for attention, too shiny and glitzy, trying to be something it's not, and before you know it, that couch is falling apart and you've got buyer's remorse:

So how do you avoid buying a "Pauly" leather sofa? 

1.) Buy a leather sofa that doesn't have a ton of shine.  Obviously investing in a vintage sofa will help with this as it will have patinaed over time. But if you can't afford to buy vintage, there's still hope!  Room & Board, West Elm, CB2, and Anthropologie all have sofas that come in leather options that feel a bit softer.  Most of these stores will provide you with swatches to view the leather options before purchasing.

2.)  Look for tighter upholstery and timeless shapes.    Whether you lean towards a more traditional sofa shape or clean, contemporary lines, make sure the overall bones of the sofa feel natural and beautiful.  

3.) When in doubt, buy a chesterfield-

It's classic, beautiful, and there are always several options on the market- like this, this, and this. 

A few more examples of leather sofas done right:

I'm also having a moment with what I'm calling "saddle bag" sofas- where the upholstery wraps around the sides in the shape of a saddle bag (see second sofa below).    I love the shape and Danish legs, too.   Here are 5 of my favorite leather sofas right now:

From top:

1.) Standard Sofa by Michael Felix
2.) Anthropologie Premium Leather Rhys Sofa
3.) Anthropologie Premium Leather Mina Sofa
4.) West Elm Origami Leather Sofa
5.) ABC Home Chester Leather Sofa

That last ABC Home sofa makes my mouth water.  The leather is delicious, the upholstery is done well, the shape is cool and inviting.  Which one is your favorite?

And lastly, PLEASE someone buy this.  Charming AF. 

Friday's Worthy Links

A few interesting + noteworthy things for you to peruse this weekend:

-Last Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11.  On such a gloomy occasion, I was touched to read The 9/11 Children:  What can they teach us? 

-A popular summer activity in New York is to head out east to the Hamptons and share a rental house with friends for multiple weekends.   This Southhampton home designed by David Netto was featured last month in Architectural Digest and is DEFINITELY the share house of my dreams.

-7 Small Habits That Will Steal Your Joy.

- I couldn't agree more with Man Repeller's post entitled Carrie Bradshaw Almost Screwed Up Relationships for Me.  Translation:  Aidan > Big.  But was Aidan right for Carrie either?  I have my own doubts.  I'm curious to know, what's your take?  

-How to be tough. 

-Who are you really?  So excited to see these illustrations each week on A Cup of Jo. 

-Someone please buy me this.

-Obsessed with these custom lampshades Furbish Studio just released.  I want this one for my bedside lamp.

-Although going to the store is cringe-worthy, I do love the occasional piece of smartly-made Ikea furniture.   According to this New York Times article, 1 in 10 Europeans are conceived in an Ikea bed!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

{Image Above- fab street style spotted at Milan Fashion Week 2015}

Sam Loves: 15

A few things currently on my inspiration board and wish list...

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

-When it comes to rug buying, I love a little pattern and color. This Guatemalan 5' x 8' 6" Handwoven Geometric Rug is on Chairish right now for $425 (and 10% of the proceeds go to covering the school costs of the artisans)!  

-An entry with a unique tile pattern designed by Holly Mathis. 

-A black Vegan leather handbag that converts to a backpack- functional AND chic  $58. 

-Precision Small Square Flush Mount in Brass, designed by Kelly Wearstler - $525

-Although I'm dying for a pair of bonbons, it's hard to justify the steep price tag.  A more affordable (but equally darling) alternative are these Pinata Tassels Drops- $36

-Amy Berry designed this mirrored bath- and I'm drooling! House Beautiful named her a Next Wave Designer last year, and I love following her work. 

-Hands on the steering wheel- via Glitter Guide.

-A combo of black + gold always wins me over.  Loving this Salgado Saucier Black Footed Center Bowl from the Viyet website-  $330

What's caught your eye lately?

Ellen Hanson's Fifth Avenue Apartment Tour

Designer Ellen Hanson's Upper East Side apartment was featured in Vogue in the fall of 2015,  but I only saw it for the first time last week!   I love how Pinterest, Instagram, and perusing other blogs can lead you down a rabbit hole of endless inspiration.  Ellen works as a designer in New York City and her gorgeous apartment is only steps away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue- talk about a dream location!  She studied art history at Cornell University and began her career working in the textile industry, but eventually she became a sought-after interior designer for her sumptuous, layered rooms:

In the foyer, Ellen displays smaller pieces from her extensive art collection on a picture rail. More colorful pieces are hung throughout the living room, too:

When designing a space, Hanson favors the unpredictable, quirky, and even odd over the pretty.   She also believes in sourcing vintage and sustainable furniture where possible, adding in interesting combinations to give items a new life. 

A kitchen featuring reddish-orange cabinetry is something you don't come across every day, but it is clear Ellen doesn't shy away from bold color.  

The breakfast room again groups more of her small artworks and features beautiful chartreuse leather chairs (that appear like they might be Knoll vintage?).  I love the chartreuse mustardy tones that are carried throughout the home.

Compared to the rest of the home, the dining room feels more soothing in tone, and I love the two Brutalist brass chandeliers hanging above:

Ellen's bed was custom-designed by Steven Gambrel, and coordinates with the black lacquered bedroom and closet door. 

My favorite part of the entire apartment is her master bathroom- how fabulous are the marble walls?!

I love the amount of veining in the marble and the variations throughout the stone.  I also love that she chose to continue the marble around her bathtub and vanities for a seamless, rich look:

To die for!

See more of Ellen's work here.

{images via Vogue Australia and Ellen Hanson Designs}

Furniture Sale!

Happy Tuesday!  Did you all have a good Labor Day weekend?  I hope so.  My family's house in Houston recently sold, so we are selling some great furniture pieces and decor in a flash.  Please note- items are open to Houston or OKC buyers only.   Details below!

All items are sold AS IS and there are no refunds.  If any piece has an issue, I have included below in the description so you know up front.    All pieces will be sold to first person to email me at (sam.e.penner@gmail.com) with the item name and their confirmation to purchase.  From that time, the emailer will have 1 hour to Venmo me payment in full as listed below (Samantha-Penner-1 is my Venmo name).  If payment is not received within 1 hour, item will no longer be held for this person and will then go to second bidder or re-listed below, and so on. 

Items are open for Oklahoma City and Houston pick up only.   Nothing will be shipped.  Houston pick up will be this Thursday, September 8th- time, address, and other details will be discussed with buyer via email.

Oklahoma City items will be available for pick up this weekend/next week at an agreed upon address, time and date that will also be discussed with buyer via email.   Movers are bringing things from the Houston house to OKC Friday, so luckily you will not be charged a shipping fee. :)

Happy Shopping!

Mercury Glass Lamps with Shades- $150/pair SOLD

Mercury Glass lamps are originally from Pottery Barn, and sold with the burlap shades included.  Great condition.

Sunburst Mirror- $200 SOLD

Found at a random Woodlands antique store, very pretty and great condition.

Wood & Iron Console- $300 SOLD

Also found at a random Woodlands antique store.  Great condition. 

X-Benches- $150/pair  SOLD

These benches were DIY'ed (early readers- remember THIS POST?  Ikat fabric is from Pindler & Pindler). 

Chesterfield 8' 2" Wide Linen Sofa with Brass Nailhead Details- $1,500

Currently retails for $1,999.  Great condition, beautiful piece, very comfortable.  

98"W x 40"D x 30.5"H

Standing Lamp with Shade- $150 SOLD

Great condition, originally from Antique Garden in Norman, OK

Painted white side table- $300 

Antique and in great condition, ~36" W x 28"H

Pottery Barn Sisal Rug in 9' x 12' Size- $300 SOLD

Glass Top Side Table with Painted Iron Base- $100

Perfect for a drinks table, very lightweight so can be moved around easily, but constructed well. 

 Mirrored-Front Console- $1,500 SOLD

Currently retails new for $2,399, this piece is perfect for a TV entertainment console (we drilled a small hole for cords to run through on the back) or even just a dresser, as it has a shelf inside the 2 outer compartments. It's in really great condition, the only small issue is the left door has to be pushed to shut completely rather than clicked in to place like the other 3 compartments.  

Sunburst Clock- $50 SOLD

Found at a random Houston antique store.  Works great and is a pretty piece!

HEADBOARD + optional box springs - $1,250

Originally from High Fashion Home, this bed is in perfect condition and currently retails for $2,199.  However, I only have the headboard and accompanying box springs, but not the bed frame for sale, so a offering all this for $1,250.

Marilyn Monroe Framed Print- $100 

Black Watercolor Dots Framed Print- $75

(Originally from Minted Art)

Please email me at sam.e.penner@gmail.com (don't comment on this post) in order to buy something!  Again, items go to first buyer to contact me with item and confirmation to purchase, and then the clock will start for 1 hour to receive payment via Venmo.    If payment is not received, items will be re-listed for other viewers to buy.

Thanks so much and happy buying!

XOXO,

Sam

My Favorite Buys of Summer 2016

TGIF and Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I know there will be a plethora of Labor Day sales right around the corner, but before that I wanted to pause and share my all-time favorite buys of summer 2016.  As I've gotten a bit older, I've become much more thoughtful about how I spend my money, and in truth I do not buy a lot in the way of clothing or impulse purchases (believe it or not).   I'm no Dave Ramsey and would never claim to be a penny pincher, but at the same time I believe everything you buy should really add to your life and stick around for awhile.   First up- this summer outfit was on repeat for me most weekends:  Tobi Back Story Dress (now only $17),  Clubmaster shades, Prada handbag, and DVF wedges (old, but similar pair here):

{Tobi Back Story Crochet Dress $17, Rayban Sunnies $160,  DVF heels (similar here)}

In full disclosure, Tobi gifted me this dress and a few others but I was under no obligation to post about it or share it with you, it's just that I genuinely love it!  Sometimes when products come in the mail they look nothing like you expect, but this dress is the perfect amount of loose + fitted. I'm wearing a small in the photo above and love the bright color. 

This summer I upgraded to the iPhone 6+ after mocking how big the screen is for months.  Apparently my dad was on to something by purchasing the larger one when it first came out, because I had to follow suit when I was due for an upgrade this past July. I now prefer the bigger screen (that 2009 Lasik surgery is starting to wear off) and a larger phone meant an opportunity to find another cute phone case.   Minnie and Emma cases are my new favorite, and after perusing the website several times I decided on their Rose Stripe phone case with my monogram (ignore the rose):

               

And here's a close up of the case- I just love it!

In May, one of my best girlfriends and I took a trip to Jamaica, and I sported my Tuckernuck tassel earrings for all our outings the entire weekend.  I wear this pair at least once a week, and want to invest in the other colors one of these days.

{Tassel Earrings $98, Mara Hoffman 2 Piece Set (old), similar options here}

I first spotted the MZ Wallace Medium Metro tote at my Equinox gym, and thought it was a cute bag that could easily double as an everyday purse.  However, I had trouble justifying paying $215 for a bag that would likely end up carrying my gym clothes.  After walking by it on display in the gift shop several times, I finally caved and purchased one in black and I'm so glad I did!  Living in New York, you never know what a day can bring.  If I want to wear heels at work, I throw them in my bag and put them on once I've gotten to work to save my feet during my commute.  I also carry my gym clothes and shoes in the Metro tote to change in to after work.  It can easily fit so much but at the same time doesn't feel bulky. The arm strap also is very soft and has a nice padding where it hits your shoulder!  This has become my everyday bag and a few of my friends have begged me to switch it up with a clutch when we go out at night because they are tired of seeing me it.... so I'd consider this purchase a success:

{MZ Wallace Metro tote in black $215}

Although I technically didn't buy them this summer, I have to say Chloe scalloped flats are the most comfortable flats I've owned.  I was a big believer in Tory Burch's Revas for awhile (weren't we all?) but they often rubbed blisters on my feet.  This is one situation where the old adage "you get what you pay for" rings true, as these babies haven't let me down a year later after purchasing.  Here's my daily uniform- black dress + Chloes + MZ Wallace Bag:

{Chloe Scalloped Flats $495, MZ Wallace Metro tote $215}

Have you come across any great buys this summer you're happy you made?  If so I hope you'll share the deets with me!

Labor Day Weekend

Happy (almost) Labor Day weekend!  After work today I am off to OKC to spend a few days relaxing with my family and playing with my niece and nephew!  I finally got around to reading this book after hearing rave reviews, and now I understand why it's been such a hit.  Sophia Amoruso has a such relatable style of writing and I feel genuinely inspired by her work ethic and energy.  I'm also officially hooked on this series.    Between playing Barbies with my niece, reading all the September issues hot off the press, and binge -watching Netflix, I can't wait to unwind with my family.

Do you guys have any plans in the works?    Whatever you do, I hope you have a great, long weekend!

{image via Glitter Guide}

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