CHRISTMAS DECOR

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We are thoroughly in the Christmas spirit in the Rinfret & Minicucci house holds.  Houses fully decorated, garland hung, wreaths, multiple trees.  There is not a space wasted that doesn't get decorated for our favorite season.  I have been pinning for a few months to get ideas, as I'm sure you all have been as well.  Here is some of our favorite wreath inspiration...

drawing by Inslee Hayes (love her work) 

images via pinterest

CURRENTLY LOVING

I really can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner.  If you're the ultimate procrastinator, like me, you still need some last minute gift ideas.  Here are a few of our favorite things this holiday season...

1. monogrammed pocket square (for him or her)

2. pink prada i-pad case

3. the perfect stubbs

4. coffee table book

5. snugly pjs

6. a lion cuff

7. little dude's patagonia

8. malachite i-phone cover

9. needle point belt (for him)

10. tortoise servers (for the host)

11.  monogram cocktail ring

A BLESSED YEAR

What an amazing year it's been...  I could not let this week pass without expressing my gratitude for an exponentially special year.

1.) I feel so lucky to have found and married my best friend, 
the love of my life for the last 8 years.

2) My sister gave birth to the second love of my life, her son, Jack Paul Rinfret.  I cannot imagine life without this little munchkin and we are all blessed to have him brighten our days with his mischievous grin.  I'm so thankful for my amazing family and great friends.

3) The Rinfret Group was finally started with my my mom, dee... after years of hoping and wishing... 
Here's to many beautiful homes & happy clients!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

CURRENTLY LOVING- WIDE TAPES

I've decided that I'm completely obsessed with a extra wide trims.  We did a gorgeous Schumacher one in our show house room below and I've been seeing it on Pinterest a lot lately as well.

Here are my favorites:

1. Schumacher 

 (we used this in blue for the sh)

2. Clarence House

3. Samuel & Sons

4 & 5. Lewis &  Sheron

MAKE YOUR HOME FAB

Here are some pictures of a clients apartment in NYC that were recently published in 25a Magazine.  D wrote the article, which focuses on how art can really make a room.  The Rinfret Group got a little shout out at the end... 

Take a look at this clients amazing collection.

Have a great night!

OPENING GALA

This past Friday was the opening Gala for our show house benefiting the American Heart Association.  It was a terrific turnout, with over 300 people in attendance including one of my idols, Alexa Hampton. The entire house looked amazing and I feel honored to be a part of something with such talent involved.  Here are some pictures from the event & from our last month of setting up.  I hope you like our room...  if you are in the area check it out!

1. the rinfret group!

myself and my mother, denise

 

2. our room: a mix of traditional preppy with a modern twist

3. my sister & I at the opening gala

4. my husband & i at the gala.

Off to Mario Buatta & Ellie Cullman's book signing at first dibs!  

Have a great night! 

OUR FIRST SHOWHOUSE

  

My mother & I are working on a room for a show in Glen Cove, NY starting in October.  We were lucky enough to score a wonderful, light filled sun room (above with my adorable mother).  Our aesthetic is a mix of tailored & traditional (my mother) as well as modern & preppy (myself).  Here is a glimpse at our game plan. The overall colors will be different, but the feeling is definitely reflected in this rendering. 

The process is a lot harder than I imagined. I give designers a lot of credit now that I know what actually goes into creating a room for a show.  Getting vendors on board to lend pieces & fabrics, and also scheming in a very limited amount of time plus a whole lot of money is involved.  In the end though, it is worth it to be able to showcase what your true style is because often times you don't really get to do this in a clients home. 

I can't wait to share more, but until then I hope you like what we've come up with so far.

DEALING WITH SMALL SPACES

I'm trying to help a neighbor arrange a home office in a one bedroom apartment.  It gets tricky when there is one, long room and it needs to be broken up into smaller, specific areas.  There are plenty of ways to make this work.  There are bookcases that can be used to separate, a rug that can break up a room and create different vignettes, or even just ways of arranging furniture which can be useful.  Here is some inspiration from my favorite source, pinterest.

I absolutely adore this setup.  Firstly, bookcases in an apartment are my absolute favorite.  I think they really add character to the cookie-cutter feel of most NYC or any cities generic apartments.  They are perfect for creating a desk and I adore the way this was done.  Second, I'm obsessed with the chair!

This is my favorite set up for this specific apartment because they need two desks set up.  I love how they use a hide on top of the sisal to break up this section and kind of seperate it from the rest of the room.  Also, the more streamline feel of the parsons desk would definitley work for this client.

I am obsessed with this entire office.  It's the perfect juxtoposition between both masculine & feminine, modern & traditional.  Also, I love the wall color... using a dark, slate like this on just one wall would break the room up and create an office area.

I'll keep you posted with an inspiration board later this week. 

If you guys have any tips please feel free to share.  Have a great week!

A GIRLY NURSERY

My mom & I are working on a house in Connecticut that's almost finished.  We really just have to finalize some things with the nursery.  Both parents would love the room to be ultra fem, but also relaxed. The walls are a beautiful very clean looking, almost ice pink.  Above is what I've come up with so far.

 I'm not sold on the pink roman, I would prefer white with a pink trim which I can't find so we'll have to get it made.  Above the crib I want to do a canopy either lined with a stripe or made entirely from one . 

I cannot wait to have a little girl so I can do the same thing in her room.  It's such a simple addition that makes a cute statement.   It can also be used long term by just sticking her "grown up" bed underneath right where the crib used to be.  Do you love or hate the idea?

MARRIED- NOW TO MATCH

I grew up with parents that always had matching luggage, it never even occurred to them not too (my mom is an interior designer and my dad is an amaze dresser- so it's a given).  While registering I brought the subject up to my fiancé.  Do we match?  Yes, it was obvious to me.  He kept saying it was silly and unnecessary, but I ended up winning that fight. 

Now, what about a weekender?  Do we keep it matching since now we decided to match with the luggage? Or do I go with something fun like this amaze Stubbs, leopard, woven bag and he get a preppy, green CV?  Do we both get the adorbs monogrammed J McLaughlin that doesn't match the luggage?  Or do we both get the classic T Anthony black, matching both each other and our luggage?  I can't decide.  Is this a ridiculous problem to have?  Probably, but I'd like to hear your opinions anyway.

1. Clare Vivier

2. J McLaughlin

3. T Anthony

4. Stubbs & Wooton

WEDDING MONOGRAM OVERLOAD

So, as you can see I went a little monogram crazy at the wedding... the photographer actually missed a few of items if you can believe it.  I knew from the beginning of the planning that our new initials would be a big part of our reception.  I just love the cute, preppiness of it.  

From top to bottom, the robes were one of the gifts for my bridesmaids.  I love the idea of everyone having a personalized item to get ready in- it makes for adorable pictures.  Then, there were our church programs which we decided to tie with stripped ribbon- I loved the way they came out.  I thought I went a little overboard with the monogrammed pillows, but after looking at the pictures, I actually think I needed a few more of them.  Obviously, I had to mono the menu's which I thought were too small, but I'm sure no one noticed.  This is something I realized after the fact... don't stress too much about the little details because no one notices then anyway haha.  Lastly, were the stickers for the paper bags which were filled with donuts for our guests to grab with coffee on their way out.  Missing from photo's were cocktail & guest napkins, coffee cozies aaaand I think that's it.  Yes, nuts.

If you need any sources let me know...

A NEUTRAL BEDROOM

I have a client on Long Island who is looking for a very calming, neutral bedroom.  Their style is more on the traditional side, but they like a modern touch here and there.  Here is our starting point:

I love the idea of a chaise, next to a window to read.

This picture is just for palette & I love the lucite bench at the foot of the bed,  but I know it will be too modern for them. Love this.  So serene.

This is what we've come up with so far.  I'm loving the pallet and the whole vibe.

Have a great night!

LUSTING AFTER FOR SUMMER

Summer is upon us and I hate everything in my closet.  Alex & I are trying to save for a house so I clearly can't go out and buy a new wardrobe.  I figured new jacks, some neon, the bag I've always wanted and a tunic spruce things up a bit.  Also, I just ordered the iomoi makeup bag and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.  My business cards are this brand as well and I'm completely obsessed.  It's the perfect mix of preppy and modern.

From Top left

1. iomoi makeup bag

2. crew neon ballet flats

3. tory tunic

4. white goyard shopper

5. cream/ white jacks 

A NEW PROJECT

It was a year of many things.  Our wedding was last month which obviously took up a lot of my time.  I  will definitely be doing some posts on the details as well as a slew of amazing vendor recommendations.  Also, I've spent the last few months building my interior design firm, The Rinfret Group. We have a few new, fun projects that I intend on sharing with you guys.  I would love your input & feedback on my ideas and inspiration.  Here is a little glimpse of a project I'm working on in NYC.  This is for a teenage girls room.  It's just a start, we still need a few pieces, but I thought I'd share it anyway.  Off to enjoy date night with my hubs!