Van Rozeboom Interiors

What I’m Listening To

Shelly — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:43:42 +0000

Last minute plans are the best! This Friday’s “What I’m Listening To” is dedicated to the band we are going to see tonight. I just happened to catch the ad on the radio yesterday driving to a clients’ house and I immediately called my husband and told him we should go. It’s definitely NOT glamorous..but cheap and fun..YES! So who are we seeing?

We are going to see Devo at Hollywood Park tonight!

Ponies and dancing. Fun!

And what’s even better is we are dragging our almost 5 year old with us AND we are totally giving our kid music cred! I mean, seriously? How cool will she sound telling people her first concert was Devo? Ok, maybe none of her friends will even know who the hell they are when she is old enough to talk music with them. But if she’s anything like my husband and me, she will be a total music geek and probably hang out with other kids that are too.

So here’s to Devo! Oh, and don’t judge….it’s not like we’re taking our kiddo to a bar. Ok, I know it’s the horse track, but if you’ve ever been you’d know it’s pretty family friendly. She’s going to love it!

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

Shelly — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:29:04 +0000

Oh my!

She is ADORABLE!

I just got the new Lands End Home catalog and spotted this cutie. Yes, please!

Bamboo fenders.

And there’s even a bike picnic basket that can be attached to the front.

Just in time for Summer….or my birthday in July. Umm husband, are you reading this? heehee.

Hang Ten

Shelly — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:01:51 +0000

Growing up in Southern California, I have long been a fan of the beach. From a very young age my fav show was Gidget and I thought she was just about the coolest chick I’d ever seen. In fact while most girls my age were listening to bad preteen pop music, ie. Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, New Edition (ok I listened to some of that too)…I was listening to 60s surf music (The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, The Ventures). So when I met my husband, who is a total surfer boy, it was a match made in heaven!

When we started decorating our home we definitely both wanted a coastal feel to it. The colors are the obvious representation of our love of the sea….varying blues, soft greens, greys, and tans. But we also have seashell and bird prints, natural woven furniture and rugs, and lots of seashells all over the house. But we are missing the one thing we both love the most…a surfboard.

We used it in our own wedding as a guest book in fact…..

But now we’d like one for over our large entertainment unit in our family room.

See how boring it is up there??

So I started searching around for how other designers used surfboards in their interiors. And of course I fell in love with the idea even more.

{a surprise on your way upstairs….designer kerry joyce}

{a bold pop of color….source unknown}

{always appropriate on a patio….kristen ewart}

{natural texture in a man’s office…nate berkus}

{always one to make an interior a little more cheerful….annie selke}

{fabulous accent in a breakfast area…coastal living}

{a fun, unique idea in a beach kitchen…deborah whitlaw llewellyn}

{probably my very favorite…brook giannetti}

…and my photoshopped version of our family room! What do you think? Too much? Or should I do something different?

Decisions, decisions….

A few of my favorite things….in design this month!

Shelly — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:31:47 +0000

all products seen above are to the trade but for more information and pricing please contact me!

1.ann sacks carrera basket weave 2. linara washable linen by romo fabrics 3. japanese paper cloth wallpaper in cocoa by phillip jeffries 4. framed bennett fish by natural curiosities

I have been working on some really fun projects with clients who are open minded and willing to try new things. So this months’ version of “my favorite things” features some items I am using in current projects. The Ann Sacks cross hatch basket weave is a new product that just came out. And just in time to go into a classic, but a bit out of the box Master Bathroom remodel in Boston. Antiqued brass fixtures, black cabinetry…oh yeah, this is going to be AWESOME!

I just got the email about Romo’s new line of washable BRIGHT linens. I immediately sent a picture over to my fun young clients and they gave me two thumbs up. Fresh, funky and just perfect for a mostly neutral beach house!

A busy mother of two recently came to me to jazz up their homes’ entry way. She needed not only storage and organization, but style and a room that welcomes you into their home. She wanted a classic grasscloth, but after a bit of searching we stumbled onto this think chunky basketweave! It will be the highlight in this traditional home with a touch of country. And just the look to take the entry from boring to fabulous!

And finally, Mr. Fish (as I have so nicknamed him). He is just the oomph we needed for a casual family room with pops of color. He’s fun, but traditional at the same time.

Looking forward to sharing these finds once they are placed in their respective homes!

What I’m Listening To: With a sad heart today

Shelly — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:25:10 +0000

The first time I saw them on MTV I thought, “They are such dorks! This song is cool, but they will never make it. White rappers are no good”. Pretty funny coming from a dorky 10 year old with a huge retainer! See pic below…

{circa late 86′ early 87′ with my nephew Ken}

Little known fact about me, I grew up in an apartment most of my life. And my childhood consisted of hanging out by our apartment basketball courts with my guy friends (there were hardly any girls in our apts.) and listening to rap and hip/hop music. Some of the best years of my life to be honest. And that’s when I started listening to the Beastie Boys.

This morning when I sat down with my cup of coffee and started checking out Facebook, my jaw hit the floor when I read the news. MCA dead at 47. What!? I had heard he had cancer, but I guess I thought…no assumed he had beat it. 47 is NOT old! But then again, I lost one of my best childhood friends from my days growing up in the apartments. He was 15 and cancer took him quickly.

I have some fond memories of particular B’Boys songs. And this particular song reminds me of my crazy younger years. Here’s the scene….19 years old and one of my best girlfriends (she’s going to kill me for sharing this) and I head to TJ with our boyfriends to go dancing. Yes, Tijuana!

-I would never in a million freaking years allow my daughter to go there now. Well and she’s only 4, so I guess that’s not an issue yet. ha!

We’re doing what everyone does in TJ. Drinking bad blended cocktails and dancing our booties off! This song comes on and the four of us start rapping to the whole song like we’re part of the band. But the funniest part is when my girlfriend does the…“she’s got a gold tooth, you know she’s hardcore” part. Good times. Hope this song takes you back to some great times too.

Rest in peace MCA! You will be truly missed.

Having serious WordPress issues today. Song is HERE!

The Ugly Duckling Files: What I’ve Been Working On

Shelly — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:33:58 +0000

Things may seem quiet on the blog, but I can tell you life is full steam ahead over here at Casa Van Rozeboom! I’ve been slowly knocking projects out around the interior of our home and am really happy with the way things are pulling together.

I had mentioned previously on the blog that I wasn’t happy with our family room sectional and the way it fit in our new home. It was just the wrong shape and to be honest…I was SICK to death of that sofa. I bought it long before I started my own company and knew where to go for good upholstery. It was time for a change. So I picked out a neutral, grayish tan linen/poly blend fabric for the new sofa that would include a chaise instead of a sectional “arm”. My hubs likes to kick up his feet when he’s watching tv, so I knew that just having the ottoman wouldn’t cut it.

Here’s the new sofa! I kept with the square arms to reduce the footprint of the sofa a bit. This room is not only the family room, but my office and the dining room as well. It’s a lot for one room, but it’s just the way we have to live in our new place. I transferred the pillows from the living room sofa which is also getting an overhaul at the moment! More on that in a bit. And the blue damask chairs I previously had in here, went into the formal living room and were switched with the white slipcover chairs from there. I may get rid of them, but not sure yet.

Also, do you see WAY over there in the corner? My desk. With….tah dah!..a new desk chair FINALLY!!

I wanted something simple that wouldn’t look like an office chair per se. While in my local Restoration Hardware store a few weeks ago I eyed this baby and knew it was the one. It’s the Belford Wingback Dining Chair in Belgian Linen.

I’m not finished with this room quite yet, but I’m almost there. I need to add COLOR! It’s far too beige and neutral in here for our taste. Here are the fabrics I’m considering adding to this room.

Going clockwise starting with the stripe fabric… the stripe will be going on my slipcovered dining room chairs, the green and white Celerie Kemble fabric will be recovering the two chair pads on my Kubu woven head chairs in the dining area, the dark navy dot on white might be recovering a small footstool that was given to us by my MIL, the dreamy bird print will be an accent pillow and finally the pretty John Robshaw for Duralee blue medallion print will be recovering the two white chairs brought in from the living room.

BTW…if you are interested in any of these fabrics please contact me!

The other room I’ve been focusing on is our guest room. I went ahead and bought the Gingham Bedding at Land of Nod and finally picked out a fabric to recover the long pillow on the bed. I recently added my beloved bird prints which work in nicely with the blue/green theme in this room. As you can see, I still have part of the surf theme that was previously in the room over the bed. That will be changed out. I’m just not sure what I want to do there. I’d like to put my collection of blue and white plates there or maybe my milk glass collection of plates. But the husband is giving me grief about doing this. “Who puts plates over a bed”, he says. Umm…Coastal Living for one.

{coastal living}

I’m adding navy grosgrain ribbon trim to the lamp shades that go on the dresser lamps. So stay tuned for final, final pics of this room.

And finally the living room is going to be totally transformed into an English-y retreat. The English roll arm is being transformed with blue velvet, antique brass nail heads, and castered feet. The blue velvet goes perfectly with the blue damask chairs. A sea of blue…my favorite. Now I’m trying to decide on tables. Ugh..I can’t make up my mind! Here is the “look” I”m currently going with. But it seems a bit too somber. So I’m still playing around with the elements in the room.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a jam to start the weekend off with!

A happy happy Easter!

Shelly — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:27:55 +0000

We’re taking a quick trip out of town to go to Legoland, but I wanted to share our casual Easter soiree with you. Very casual, nothing fancy… just my family (the inlaws stayed in Central California this time)…a yummy ham, and a FABULOUS lemon cake that I’ll share the recipe for. Yummo!

Mason jars filled with pink tulips and gerbera daisies, gingham napkins, silver bunny napkin holders, Easter candy in silver dishes, and my collection of Easter bunnies were the theme for our table this year.

Our kiddo ate SOOO much freaking candy that I thought her head was going to spin off! By 3pm though…she had crashed into a pool of blankets on the sofa….and so did the hubby and I to be honest!

But the highlight of the day….well in my book that is…was this delicious lemon cake from Martha Stewart that was just perfect for Springtime!

It wasn’t too hard to make and everyone just devoured it! Here is the recipe should you want to make it for your next event! Oh, and to make it EXTRA yummy you must add the lemon curd between the two cake layers as described under the “Variations” section.

Lemon Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes, plus cooling
Yield Serves 12

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pans
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 lemon, thinly sliced and seeded

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8-by-2-inch cake pans, tapping out excess flour. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, beat in eggs and yolks, one at a time. Beat in 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined.
Divide batter between pans; smooth tops. Bake until cakes pull away from sides of pans, 32 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges of pans and invert cakes onto a wire rack.
While cakes are baking, bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Add lemon slices and simmer 25 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer lemon slices to a waxed-paper-lined plate. Stir remaining 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice into syrup.
Using a toothpick, poke holes in warm cakes on rack. Brush with lemon syrup. Let cool completely. Prepare frosting, substituting 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for vanilla extract. Frost cooled cakes and top with candied lemon slices.

Cook’s Note

When making frosting, substitute 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for the vanilla extract.

Variations

To make the recipe Martha prepared with John Barricelli on “The Martha Stewart Show,” follow these instructions immediately before frosting the cake: Place one cake, bottom side up, on a cake stand. Tuck strips of parchment paper underneath. Using an offset-spatula or table knife, spread top with lemon curd. Top with remaining cake; continue frosting top and sides as directed.

Whipped Frosting

Ingredients

3 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup water
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

In a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, combine egg whites, sugar, salt, and water. Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved (or mixture registers 150 degrees on an instant-read thermometer), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high until glossy, stiff peaks form (do not overbeat), about 3 minutes; reduce speed to low, add vanilla extract, and beat just until combined. Use immediately.

What I’m Listening To.

Shelly — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:50:36 +0000

Today is going to be a busy one as we head into the Easter weekend. I TOTALLY forgot to have Easter bunny pics taken of our 5 year old…so I need to rush her over to the mall at some point. I also need to shop for food Sunday…I’m hosting…pick up a few more things for Ellie’s Easter basket and possibly clean up the outdoor furniture since it’s planning on being a hot one this weekend!

I tend to discover the best music while walking our dog during the day. I have to admit that I’ve been caught on multiple occasions singing along while plugged into my headphones. It’s my stress releaser! I don’t care if people laugh at me!

Well before I share my Friday music pick with you, I’d like to share a little project I’ve been working on since we moved into our new home. As you may know or have heard, interior designers often have the WORST time deciding on a look for their own home. I think it’s because we just see SO MUCH of what is out there in the design world. It’s overwhelming and frankly I really wish I had at least three homes to decorate in three completely different styles. I guess I just need to have more clients!

But I have finally come to a solid conclusion on the direction I would like to go in our family room..slash…dining room…lash my office. Yes, all three are unfortunately stuck in one giant room. So everything has to work well together and double as something else, ie. the dining table becomes a conference table when meeting with clients. The wingback chair I just ordered for my desk chair can double as seating when we have guests. You get the picture. I still need to find some additional fabrics for seat cushions for my kubu chairs (they already have stains from the 4 year old!) and fabric to recover an old chair I am bringing in from the other room, but for the most part…IT IS DONE! The new sofa should arrive in a few weeks and desk chair should be here shortly as well. I’m excited!!! Oh, and local friends…yes you will finally get an invitation to come see the new house. I know, we’ve only been here a year now, but better late than never right?! Here is the room:

Thoughts, comments??? I love it and it’s got that laid back, layered look with a slight feel of an English conservatory I was going for. There will be lots of plants….two palm trees in baskets, as well as potted ferns and ivy scattered in the built in bookshelf in the room.

Now for my Friday jam! Enjoy and a very HAPPY EASTER to you and your family!!!

A few of my favorite things.

Shelly — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:26:37 +0000

Oh man… am I READY for warm weather! As much as I love winter evenings cuddling up on the sofa under our Pendleton blankets, with our kitty laying between my husband and I and our lab Zipper hanging out by our feet…. I am all about throwing off the outdoor furniture covers, sprucing up the outside planters with bright Spring flowers and enjoying the outside! This weekend is suppose to be glorious here in So Cal. And we are going to be spending our Easter lounging outside on the patio eating bbq lamb and roasted veggies with orzo. I can’t wait!

In other news, I’ve been BUSY!!! I know I’ve said it before, but boy…seriously friends…I’m trying to balance and it is not easy at all. Working moms, please tell me how you do it. I’m a perfectionist to say the least. I don’t feel right if the house is not clean, the laundry is not done, a home cooked meal (preferably an Ina Garten recipe) is on the table AND my work life is buzzing along happily. I know…I need to let go a little huh? I’d love your input here. But with all this busy-ness I will have LOTS to show you soon! Stay tuned.

With Spring all around me I have had a few things on my radar…..

{kate spade carousel bangle}

{kate spade gramercy grand}

{kate spade seaport in coral}

HELLO KATE SPADE WATCHES!!!!! Where have these been all my life? I’m not even sure which one I really, really want because to be honest, I want them ALL! **Ummm, honey….if you’re reading this…yes this would be a perfect Mother’s Day gift. Yep…perfect.

John Robshaw fabric for Duralee. Debuting in April! When I attended the Design Bloggers Conference back in February, we were given a sneak peak at the line and I was intrigued. Then at Westweek a few weeks ago, Duralee hosted an event at their Pacific Design Center showroom where they showcased the entire line AND John Robshaw himself! What a pleasure it was to meet him and chat about his inspiration for the line. I am dying to introduce the fabrics in some of my designs and possibly in my own home. So colorful and fun!

Lamb’s Ear.

The most lovely greyish green color. Makes a flower bed feel instantly “cottage”. Bees absolutely LOVE the stuff when it flowers (I’m a huge bee supporter!). And it’s fairly easy to grow. A must in my garden.

{pure style home}

{little green notebook

I have just been lusting after large scale botanical prints and leaves behind glass. They are a double punch of design….graphic AND they bring nature indoors. I’m lobbying heavily for a few of these to grace my client’s entryway that I’m currently working on. So pretty!

{essie neon collection}

NEON!

I loved it when I was eight years old…and I’m loving it now. I recently bought some adorable neon t-shirts and jackets for my Ellie and I must say she looks too cute in those fun colors! And I recently painted my fingers a fun neon pink. It’s happy, totally trendy and I’m all about it. OH…..and I just got in NEON LINEN from one of my fabric lines. Seriously…neon linen. Sounds like it may be too much, but oh it would look divine in the right room. Hello, Mrs. Four Flights of Fancy…do you hear me!?

So what’s on your radar this month? Do tell.

What I’m listening to…

Shelly — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:21:49 +0000

Happy Friday friends!

I’ve been working on a condo kitchen remodel design this week with a lovely woman who’s inspired by the Mediterranean and Italy. In fact she still has family in Italy and regularly goes to visit them. So we’ve been having a lot of fun trying to do Italian, without doing it the way many Southern Californians unfortunately do….dark, heavy, gaudy and to be honest….NOT very Italian at all!

So what we’ve come up with is an Old World look that combines my clients’ love of deep, rich green, and European elements. Side note…this condo may eventually become a rental in the future, so durability is key to the design! Here’s a peek at her design….

In other news, this band has been on my radar for a while now. These boys are from Ireland and are 100% dance approved! I call it my happy music and this is regularly on my “walk with the dog” playlist. Let me know what you think!

PS….We’re off to the Central Valley (ie. Fresno) to attend a close friends’ baby shower and visit my husbands’ childhood pals. When we went a few weeks ago I came down with the WORST flu that had my laid up in bed there the whole time. Side bonus….I lost 8 POUNDS with that flu!!! Not joking! Of course I’ve already gained most of it back. Oh well!

Have a great weekend!!!