This is Very Pinteresting…the Fiddle Leaf Fig

Decor

If you’ve had your eyes open around Pinterest lately, you have come across the popular Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. The tree has been in rooms featured in Lonny, Elle Decor, and Rue Magazine, and in homes of the likes of Jonathan Adler and Emily Henderson. It’s officially hit au courant status and is the first subject of the newest Apartment 34 Feature, This is Very Pinteresting!

The fycus lyrata, or Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree {named after its large, leathery leaves resembling the shape of a fiddle} is native to West Africa where it can grow up to 40 feet tall. Loved for its height and the sculptural element it brings to a room, it makes for a perfect indoor plant, especially if you have an empty corner to fill! Let’s take a closer look into the tree that’s stealing everyone’s little design hearts.

Some things you should know before buying the tree:

– There are two varieties of the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. The column variety is the tree looking plant, with a bare trunk and leaves starting at about half way up the trunk. The bush variety is smaller {perfect on side tables and night stands} and the leaves start at the base of the trunk.

– You can find a plant measuring about 15” at your local gardening store for around $15. I recently bought a five foot Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree at a flower mart closed to designers, but open to the public during certain hours, for only $35! Anything over 5 feet, expect to pay at least $100.

Some things you should know to keep your tree green and healthy:

– The number one mistake people make is overwatering a plant. Water your Fiddle Fig Tree about every 10 days. A good tip is to measure how many cups of water it takes until the water seeps through the bottom of the pot. That way, you know exactly how much water is enough to soak the bottom of the roots because another mistake people make is not watering the plant enough. {My tree, in a 9 inch pot, drinks 7 cups of water every 10 days}

– The plant needs an abundant amount of sun. So, keep it in the sunniest spot of your room. {It will eventually lean towards the sun, so remember to turn the plant every couple of months}

– Since it’s an indoor plant, dust will collect on the leaves, attracting bugs and creating a barrier between the leaves and the sun. “Wash” the leaves with water and a soft towel every two months to ensure the best sun absorption.

What do you guys think? I’ve certainly fallen for the obsession, and I have to say, the Fiddle Fig Tree brings a life and a height to my kitchen that I love.

Will you be testing your green thumb and introducing this beauty into your home?

This is Very Pinteresting was brought to you by the new addition to Team Apartment 34, our intern Bianca of A Fabulous Challenge! I so hope you give her the warmest of welcomes!

images via here, here, elle decor, here, kirra jamison on sfgirlbybay, kim fisher designs on sfgirbybay

In Bed with HD Buttercup

Bedrooms

I have a weird obsession with bedding. If I could change out our bed monthly, I probably would. I’m the first to admit my throws collection is getting a little out of control {do you have that problem too??}

So when HD Buttercup, my favorite San Francisco furniture mecca, told me they were opening a shop dedicated to bedding, in my favorite shopping neighborhood Hayes Valley no less, I was ecstatic!

Recently, the aptly named In Bed asked if I’d like to make a dream bed as their storefront window display, so obviously I jumped at the chance! Especially when I found out I’d be “in bed” with on of my besties, Courtney Lake of CourtneyOutLoud fame. We are quite the dynamic duo and immediately began scheming on a concept. The obvious solution for the dueling windows was dueling his and hers beds! The only question was who would design for “his” vs. “hers!”. I ended up tackling the her bed.

I hope you like the result!

Obviously, I have a penchant for neutral color palettes and an obsession with white beds. They just feel so fresh, clean and luxurious {albeit impractical as a dog owner!} Playing with the lush pieces from the likes of John Robshaw, Coyuchi and lush french and belgian cottons, I was like a kid in a bedding candy store! Layering a white quilt on charcoal sheets, I added depth and more texture with a grey duvet cotton layered with even more cotton and cashmere throws. Subtle printed sheets made for a sweet, inviting place to rest your head.

However, since this is a dream bed I had to up the glam factor a bit, and what better way to do that than with touches of shimmer and shine.

I’m not sure the husband would enjoy sequined pillows, but the dipped dyed ombre cashmere throw so needs to be mine!

A huge thank you to In Bed for inviting me to come play. If you live in San Francisco I do hope you make a point to stop by. Our beds will be made in the front window for the next month! Oh and you can check out Courtney’s Man-antasy {aka man-fantasy} bed right here!

original photography by apartment 34 {eek!}

The Loft Life 2.0: Revealed!

Decor

It’s finally here: the Loft Life 2.0 is making its official debut! You may have spied this sneak preview of my home office, but just before the holidays San Francisco Magazine dropped by to get the full tour and I’m so excited to get to share it with you today!

Now, if you’ve been following the Loft Life, you know the husband and I first settled into an uber-urban loft in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco. And while we adored the modern living and luxe accommodations {I do miss that kitchen!!}, the 40,000 screaming San Francisco Giants fans that spilled into our “front yard” six nights a week took its toll. And I love baseball!

So, when yet another loft crossed our path that was located in the more residential {and much quieter!} area newly minted Mission Creek, we jumped at the chance to relocate. For the third time in under 12 months. I do not recommend that.

However, now six-months settled into our new neighborhood we couldn’t be happier. The new loft is not too small, it’s not too big. It’s just right. Having an Apartment 34 office has been a lifesaver. As the San Francisco Magazine headline reads, that room is my ultimate chick cave. And as Chris is quick to point out, the rest of the house is intentionally gender neutral!

Of course, decorating is a constant work in progress and things have already changed some since these photos were taken, but that only means more updates are to come! Now that the cat is out of the bag, I can’t wait to bring you regular Loft Life updates ranging from my current dilemma: I’m desperately searching for a new living room rug {I’m torn between serious shag and a more vintage feel}, to more detailed recaps of our most major DIYs.

But for now, let me give you a little tour around the place. I’ve included as many sources as I can, but don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions! I do hope you like.

We’ll start with the living room…welcome!

Thankfully, we were able to repurpose nearly everything from loft number one, simultaneously purging and adding a few key pieces along the way. The biggest perks of the new space: our luxurious window seat that you might have seen here {& that Chloe has already claimed} and our fireplace {more on a major DIY to come!}.

sources: the leather couch and wool chair are both room&board; stool by cb2; the travertine coffee table is my infamous Alameda Flea score; the floor lamp is from lampsplus; pillows are by designer fluff and west elm, faux fur throw by west elm.

If you spin 90 degrees from the window seat, you face the stairs that head to the lofted bedroom.

With 20 feet of wall space to play with, I placed my prized oversized mirror at the base of our stairs, perfect for quick outfit checks before running out the door. We then installed floating shelves to hold favorite photos, stair-stepping up the wall as you ascend. The woven basket hides our dog food {quite cleverly if I do say so myself!}.

The “chandelier” is our first major foray into DIY. While I desperately wanted this fixture, budgets did not quite allow it, so the husband brainstormed that we attempt a recreation. Thankfully, half a dozen $80 pendants later and we had a lovely little replica on our hands!

sources: individual pendant lights from lampsplus: tall cherry credenza and reclaimed wood mirror are from my San Francisco go-to for pretty much every decor need I have, HD Buttercup; vintage chair scored at la boutique; lamp by crate&barrel; personal photographs mixed with prints from minted.com

sources: tall shelf from HD Buttercup; butlers tray from west elm; framed Feist post by Vahalla Studios; oversized print in the entry from minted.com; bowl by heath ceramics; painted antler via etsy; design books from anthropologie ; bowl of sea shells from our mexico wedding courtesy of my mom; dining table and navy chairs from room&board; white oak “pantry” from HD Buttercup; pendant light from OneFortyThree

Thankfully, our storage bed just fit into the new bedroom space. Now it almost looks like a built in! I simply refreshed the bedding to update the look.

sources: bed by west elm, bedding by San Francisco-based crane & canopy, side lamps by jonathan adler via lampsplus, mutto wall pegs from dwr, bedside accessories from anthropologie, striped throw by dwellstudio, pumps by emerson fry, & of course, chloe. I hope you spied Baileys debut in print too!

PS: you can see the Apartment 34 Studio Tour right here and the rest of the San Francisco Magazine story here!

images by kelly ishikawa for san francisco magazine, floral design by natalie bowen, interior design consultation by courtney lake, styling by apartment 34

Crazy About Concrete

Decor

The concrete trend isn’t the newest kid on the block, but I’m loving this fresh iteration.

In direct contrast to this style, Danish architects Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Ronn used concrete floors throughout a renovated pre-war home. It’s the perfect mix of classic and modern don’t you think?

Perhaps it’s because my own office has concrete floors, but I’ve become a huge fan of their versatility of late. Though grey, they add great texture to a room. And, for bonus points, they let you have fun with a bevy of rugs, throws and {faux!} furs to keep your tootsies warm on cold nights.

I’d love to see this floor trend catch on more. Duly noted for the future dream home!

photography by jonas bjerre-poulsen for bo bedre

Tasty Tuesday: Simply Delish, Romantic Recipes

Food

With Valentine’s Day just 48 hours away, there’s still time to put together a menu for a lovely home-cooked meal {and avoid those horribly marked up restaurant prices!}.

As you may have caught last week, I brought together a group of dear friends to enjoy a cooking lesson with Kitchit, that turned into an equally lovely meal, no coupling required! This week, we’re sharing Chef Jed’s mouth watering recipes! Even if you shun the lovers holiday {like we do} you’re going to want to take notes.

Here is our seemingly fancy and yet entirely simple menu:

Starter: Hand stretched mozzarella with nigella, artichokes, black olives and watercress

Main: Chicken al mattone with wild mushrooms, kale , farro and gremolata

Cocktail: Champagne with pomegranate seeds

DIRECTIONS

Mozzarella with nigella, artichokes, olives and watercress

To prepare the artichokes, simply chop off the tops and then peel the stems until you get close to the white center {the good part}. Cook the artichokes with enough water to cover plus 1 cup white wine, 1 splash white wine vinegar, 1 meyer lemon sliced, 1 stalk of green garlic, pinch of whole black peppercorns, pinch of whole fennel seed, 2 bay leaves, couple of sprigs of thyme and salt. Simply simmer until the artichokes are tender {and delicious!}.

Making fresh mozzarella was also easier than you might think. You simply want to start with really great ingredients, mainly a good fresh curd. Boil a pot of water and douse a handful of curd in a separate bowl. Baring in mind the risk to your fingers {this is hot people}, begin balling the cheese onto itself, pushing it up through the middle and drawing down over the top to make a neat ball. Midway through pulling, we sprinkled ours with nigella seeds, a spice common in Indian and Egyptian cooking. They added a nice texture and subtle flavor to the otherwise mild mozzarella. Once you’ve created a smooth service on your mozzarella, simply drop in a bowl of cool water to set. A week later and I’m still enjoying it!

To serve we simply sliced the mozzarella and topped with the artichokes, good black olives, watercress and a drizzle of our best olive oil!

Chicken al mattone with wild mushrooms, kale , farro and gremolata
whole chicken leg boned out, seasoned heavily with salt
1 cup Umbrian farro
1 bunch lacinato kale
1 pound wild mushroom(hedgehog and black trumpet)

Gremolata: 1/2 bunch of flat leaf parsley picked, zest of 1 lemon, 2 stalks of green garlic, chopped fine

Making Chicken al Mattone was surprising simple. I’d never de-boned, let alone really handled a lot of raw chicken, but taking the bone out of a chicken leg required little leg work {ha ha}. Deboning the leg was a great way to create a really flavorful and affordable dish! A few simple cuts and you were ready to place the newly minted “fillet” in a hot cast iron skillet, readied with olive oil. You want to weigh the leg, skin side down, with another pan, this renders out all the fat, making it much more health conscious! A quick cook, 10 minutes or less and the chicken is ready!

The chicken was paired with farro, sautéed wild mushrooms & kale and topped with gremolata. Farro can be cooked just like pasta – a pot of very salted {like the sea says Chef Jed!} water until tender. The mushrooms & kale were simple sautéed in a pan with little more than olive oil and more salt! The gremolata is another fancy term for finally chopped herbs, but my goodness does it make a world of difference when it comes to flavor.

Cocktail

Go easy on yourself. Buy a good champagne. Chill, open. Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Call yourself a genius.

And voila! There you have a seriously impressive Valentine’s Day dinner. Whether you celebrating with your besties or you beloved this week, I think anyone can benefit from a stellar meal!

Thanks again to Chef Jed for imparting his know-how and serious passion for food. It was contagious!

If you’d like to learn to cook from an expert, be sure to check out Kitchit. They’re in multiple major metropolitan areas and I fear, highly addictive.

You can check out the outtakes from our cooking lesson on Facebook here.

original photography by colin price for apartment 34

Backstage Beauty Tips from Kate Spade NY

Beauty

Most days, make-up is a mystery to me. I’ve managed to master the most basic of basics, a bit of mascara, a good tinted moisturizer and the power of a red lipstick!

But I was loving the classically glamorous inspiration of the Kate Spade NY show. Created by Jouer Cosmetics, it’s simple, and a simply lovely look.

Neil Scibelli, Jouer National Makeup Stylist created what he described as,

“inspired by Kate Spade’s hometown, New York City, during the ‘70s when Andy Warhol’s Factory and Studio 54 epitomized “party glamour. The classic cat eye and red lip compliment the collection’s vivid color palette of NYC Citron, Empire Beige, Asphalt, Maraschino, Shocking Pink and Disco Purple.”

Luckily, we got the scoop on how Neil put the look together!

To begin, he used Jouer Matte Moisture Tint to create a clean and matte base for the skin, using Jouer Age-Repairing Concealer where needed. Brows were kept clean and groomed. I loved the little jewel on each of those killer pink nails.

For the eyes he used Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Crème as an all over base, applying Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Amaretto in the crease. He thickly lined the eyes with Jouer Liquid Shimmer Liner in Panther, extending and winging out. He finished with Jouer Everyday Classic Wear Mascara.

For blush, he applied Jouer Tint in Honeysuckle on the apples of cheeks, blending outwards for a subtle pop of color. To finish the look he used a beautiful true red lip, Jouer’s Hydrating Lipstick in Simone, topped with Jouer’s Essential Lip Enhancer for extra shine.

Now I know a lot of skill went into the application, but this sounds like something simple enough that even I could try at home. I’ve long known the magic of the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. It’s pretty much the best thing ever. Now I’ve just got to get brave with my eyeliner skills!

Here’s how to get the look:
·       Jouer Matte Moisture Tint
·       Jouer Age-Repairing Concealer
·       Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Crème
·       Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Amaretto
·       Jouer Liquid Shimmer Liner in Panther (NEW for fall 2013)
·       Jouer Honeysuckle Tint (NEW for spring 2013)
·       Jouer Hydrating Lipstick in Simone
·       Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer

Thanks again to Jouer Cosmetics and Kate Spade NY for inviting Apartment 34 backstage!!

Here’s to a beautiful, color-filled week,

original photography by kelsey combe for apartment 34

Hot Off the Runway: Kate Spade NY

Fashion

While I might not be watching the New York Fashion Week action in person this go ’round, it doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes everywhere! Over the next week or so I’ll be bringing you some up close and personal coverage of the hottest looks coming off the runways. One collection that immediately caught my attention was Kate Spade NY!

After attending the Spring 2013 presentation last September, I couldn’t wait to see what Deborah Lloyd and her design team would bring us, not only for fall but in celebration of the brand’s 20th Anniversary! They didn’t disappoint. In classic Kate technicolor fashion, color, texture and a good dose of cheekiness was everywhere.

Polka dots are fast becoming a new neutral. You can really layer them with just about anything these days, as the looks above prove! I’m also loving this tougher take on glitter and gold. And a beanie with a veil?

I’m kinda loving it.

But I’m really a sucker for the collection’s 70’s inspired ensembles. They’re feeling very Lauren Hutton, just with the color-meter turned up to high! Hello gold wedge pumps. You will be mine rather soon.

Kudos to Kate Spade NY for another eye-popping presentation. I just wish I could snag a few pieces this winter!

If you like what you see, be sure to check back a little later this morning – we’ll be taking you backstage to see how the lovely Kate Spade ladies achieved that perfect winged eyeliner!

original photography by kelsey combe for apartment 34

Outtakes: Apartment 34 Studio Tour

Decor

Last week, I was thrilled that the lastest issue of Rue Magazine revealed one of my favorite parts of the Loft Life 2.0, the first ever Apartment 34 offices! Above are some outtakes from my shoot with Emily Anderson that didn’t quite make the cut. I couldn’t be happier with how the space turned out.

I had the simultaneous joy and challenge of starting with a completely blank slate – a 10 x 12 room with concrete floors and blank walls {after I painted them with Benjamin Moore 01 White, my must have color}. While I knew the general furniture pieces and placement I was going for, the style evolved very organically. All it took was one walk-through of my favorite furniture resource in San Francisco, H.D. Buttercup. The bright white color palette and metallic accents jumped out at me immediately. My favorite piece in the space has to be my desk. Made of remnant pieces of petrified wood, I love having a spot to settle in and get down to business!

Of course, I also had to pick up accessories to give the eye something interesting to land on. The room is dotted with lacquer and acrylic trays, my favorite way to organize bits and bobs. I’m tad obsessed with my artichoke container on my desk, which now holds my collection of washi tape! It came from Cavalier Goods in San Francisco, and if you’ve never stopped by yet, I highly recommend it!

I hope you enjoyed this first little peek into the loft. There’s much more to come very soon!! For now, head over to Rue Magazine to see the entire space!

Photos by Emily Anderson / Design & Styling by Erin Hiemstra / Get the look: zara sweater, jcrew trousers, phillip lim booties

Valentine’s Day Alternative: At Home Feast With Friends

Recipes

I have a secret that I just can’t keep in anymore. We’re just not that into Valentine’s Day around Apartment 34. At least not in its red and pink, heart focused form. What I am into is an excuse to share the love in the form of a great dinner party!

Hosting friends for fabulous food is pretty much one of my most favorite things and I’d love to treat some of my nearest and dearest to a fresh take on the traditionally overly-saccharin holiday.

We’re all craving the return of spring, right? There’s nothing that gets you in the mood for a new season more than a super vibrant chartreuse, paired with clean, energetic whites. Modern candelabras and pops of metallic, from the gold flatware to the geometric dinner napkins keep things feeling casual, while the tulips and the boxes of rose macaroons give a little nod to the sweet day we’re gathering for. I’m also loving champagne in martini glasses these days. The pomegranate seeds are the one pop of red on the table.

Even with a more modern tablescape, I couldn’t resist having some classically romantic food, especially when I learned about Kitchit, the network of private chefs that can come into your home and teach you gourmet techniques in less than two hours. It’s true. I learned to shuck an oyster, make fresh, hand-stretched mozzarella and an amazing, impress your in-laws chicken dish all while sipping on champagne with friends. Now that is what I like to call a good time!

Our chef, Jed Cote came with an impressive pedigree {hello Chez Pannise}, but he quickly broke down intimidating dishes and had Courtney, Melissa, Caitlin and I learning knife skills, molding fresh mozzarella, and deboning chicken. As you can see, we were getting down and dirty and having a grand ole’ time!

Our menu featured simple, whole ingredients that actually didn’t require that much manipulation. We really only had to focus on proper seasoning! Our feast included Tomales Bay oysters with mignonette, hand stretched mozzarella and nigella with artichokes, black olives and water cress, chicken al mattone with wild mushrooms, kale , farro and gremolata and for dessert, a meyer lemon tart that left me lusting for more {and more and more}.

Even if this wasn’t the traditional Valentine’s Day dinner it definitely brought out the love!

PS: recipes and how-to tips for your next dinner party are coming to the blog soon. Can’t wait?? Hire a Kitchit chef to make your next event much more interactive and delicious. I know what I’m asking for Valentine’s Day now!

photography by colin price for apartment 34 / creative direction and styling by erin hiemstra

shop the table: gold flatware / table runners / classic martini glasses / placecard votives / dinner napkins

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