Boca Baby

Need a smile to brighten your day? Go here.  Hope you enjoy!!

In other bright news: I had my first "Tony Braxton"{non-real contractions that cause drama reactions} moment today {with little guy} and Sylvie also got a new cousin on her Papa's side of the fam today.  Welcome to the World, Sophie Ellen Lampe!  Congrats, Callie and Tom!!

Speaking of kids, the Boca Mocha cafe will have a sweet little loft upstairs devoted fully to:
kids, moms, dads, creative playspace, a cozy cafe, a quiet hideaway, an art oasis, and a neighborhood meeting spot.

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Here are some inspiration pics.

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Hope you all have a wonderful Friday.  I hope to share some renderings tomorrow.

xo
sharon

Boca Mocha

The owners papered and taped up the windows today at 320 Park Central West.  They painted a cute little temporary logo on the window too.  The two couples' excitement is so evident and really cute. The girls are here, while the boys are on a coffee buying trip in South America. Getting ready for the latest coffee shop/cafe to open.  Boca Mocha.  

I've been drawing up inspiration boards, and renderings with my assistant, Danielle. It's so fun.  But it's also work.  We're crunching numbers, re-drawing bids, making changes and trying to stay under budget. All in an effort to say "Buh-Bye" to a 1980's Pizza Hut-looking-space.

What do you think of the before picture?  It's a lovely old building, huh? {The old Randy Bacon Studio}.   I'm hard-pressed on this project because there are an awful lot of pressed wood chairs, laminate top tables, cheap cherry wood carpentry, sage green walls, rust-colored accents, and hunter green duct-work.  

Lighting a match to the wood, would be my first instinct, but I think we can achieve a really rich look for less with a little paint.

the one up top is "right white"

"gravel" is the bottom right

For starters, Restoration Hardware's "right white" for the walls, and "gravel" paint for the wood.  It took some time to convince the landlord that I know what I'm doing.

This is a big generalization, but do a lot of men have a hard time painting wood? What is up with that?  Even if it's cheap.  I love wood, don't get me wrong, but it's all wrong, here.

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Here's what I want to go for:  A rich-warm-grey wood cabinetry with white walls.  I want to weave in concrete, woven rattans, reclaimed wood table-tops, industrial metals, lacquered chairs, and soft feathery cushions.

More to come on this later this week.  I hope you're having a great week and that your past weekend was wonderful!!

xo
sharon

Happy Friday

What a week. Hearts still heavy for Joplin.  My thoughts will be with those who have lost their lives and their families.  

I am happy though, when I think on the resilience, cooperation, and care that people are showing. That's why I titled the post Happy Friday.  I hope you will find a piece of Happy in that too.

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I'll leave you with a sneak peak into a project presentation that I've been working on late this evening for a new coffee bar/restaurant that will be opening in July, called Boca Mocha.  

{Salon Chair From Bernhardt}

{Flame Stitch from Tonic Living}

{Via Design Sponge}

Happy Friday and Memorial Weekend to you.  

xo

sharon  

Guest Post w/Kendra

Hi all!   Kendra and I put together a "Summer Lovin" party shoot.  Janae Hardy, an amazing photog, neighbor, friend, blogger, and mom photographed the set-up for us. We had so much fun! Thanks Janae!  Be sure to pop over to Elsie's blog this afternoon to see that Summer Lovin guest post we did for Elsie, who is still away "honey-ing and moon-dancing" with her new hubby.  Congrats, Elsie and Jeremy!


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For those who took a hop over from Elsie's blog, HELLO, And welcome to MO stuff.


I just opened Picwick House, here in Springfield, MO, a little over three months ago.  It was a long time dream. It's so great to  finally have a space to think clearly and to meet with new clients outside my home, where I formerly worked under the name, sharon taylor designs.  Anyway, Pickwick House serves as a mini-showroom where I sell "finds" that I simply fall in love with and can't resist...mostly refurbished vintage pieces/antiques, one of a kind items, and art.  I also use it as a design house for working on my commercial and residential design projects, events, and weddings.  I host monthly workshops, and also love to host private parties for people at the store.


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Me {30 weeks along}{source Janae Hardy}

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A Picture of The Shop {snapshot by iphone}

My Home Designs {source nathaliebeardenphotography.com/}

 Summer Cocktail-ing by the Pool {source Twin Town Studios}

Summer Dining {source Twin Town Studios}

Last Summer Wedding {Kendra and I designed with LA event designer, JL Designs} {source gabriel ryan}

A Dining Room I Designed for a Client {photo by Sesha of  Convey Studios}

Thanks for stoppin in!  Hope you're having a lovely, sunshine day!

xo

sharon

Emerald-City Wish List

The perfect shade of green to me is Emerald. Would LOVE to have shades in my living room just like these... 

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{image via coco and kelley via stockholm street style}

       Somehow this girl makes this crazy-patterned jewel toned outfit above work.  LOVE the tailored emerald jacket and the fabric on those pants is stunning.

{dainty ring by Carla Caruso}

Willy+Daro Malachite and Bronze Lamp and agate plate via 1st dibs

I don't know how much this lamp above costs, but I imagine it's well worth the thousands of dollars I predict it to cost.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day! I know I will.  It's my birthday.

xo
sharon

Heartbreaking

I don't normally touch on local news and events, but hearts are heavy here... for the town of Joplin {A neighboring town not far from Springfiel}.  Not one life is untouched there after one of the deadliest tornadoes in this past century's history devastated the city with a fierceness six miles long.

Scenes and stories are too much to bear.  Devastating.  My heart and prayers go out to them as well as all of those helping with the relief efforts.

                                               /AP Photo/Mike Gullet and Springfield News Leader

How you can help Joplin relief efforts:

Convoy of Hope

• You can donate to Convoy of Hope at its website: convoyofhope.org, or donate $10 by texting Convoy to 50555. Additional texting charges may apply

The Food Bank/Ozarks Food Harvest

• Donations are needed and can be delivered to The Food Bank/Ozarks Food Harvest at 2810 N. Cedarbrook Ave. in Springfield.
Monetary donations are also requested at this time and can be made securely online at ozarksfoodharvest.org. Or, you can mail donations to Ozarks Food Harvest, Attn: Joplin Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 5746, Springfield, Mo., 65801-5746.
The Food Bank is requesting that community members donate easy-open, ready-to-eat nonperishable food items, or canned goods and can openers. Snacks such as crackers and granola bars are needed. 

There is a demand for all types of personal hygiene items, including diapers, and paper products such as paper plates, eating utensils, paper towels and toilet paper.

Cleaning supplies are also accepted. Water bottles are not a priority from donors at this time.

Donations for Joplin relief can be delivered to Ozarks Food Harvest between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. through this week and beyond.

Red Cross

• Red Cross is not accepting material donations but is taking monetary donations. 

You can donate by log onto Red Cross Greater Ozarks Regional Chapter at redcross-ozarks.org.

You may also come to Red Cross’ Springfield office, 1545 N. West Bypass.

Or you can donate by calling the toll-free number 866-206-0256. You can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross.

Salvation Army

• The Salvation Army is accepting non-perishable food donations at its Springfield location, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway.

Those wishing to send monetary donations to help with this disaster should designate those donations with the word “Joplin.”

Habitat for Humanity

• Habitat for Humanity is collecting items such as water, blankets, toiletry items, food, batteries, medical supplies, etc. Please bring items to the ReStore located at 2410 S. Scenic Avenue. Habitat will deliver the items to a central location/drop-off point in Joplin.

Thoughts and Prayers to all Affected.

xo

sharon

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Sweet Red Velvet

The wedding season has ushered in.  Last Sunday, a special girl got married. Elsie Flannigan of Red Velvet Art.  Kendra and I had the best time collaborating with her.  Boy, was it ever a fun and different and sweet experience of a wedding??!!  Unlike any we've done before.  We can't say enough good things about Elsie.  She's queen of inventions and talented in many areas:  fashion, style, DIY, and entrepreneurship.  She's humble, kind, sweet, relaxed and open.  This picture above is just a snapshot from her good friend.  You can read and feel Elsie's excitement here in this...blog post.   The professional photographer was Anna of Arrow and Apple. of Seattle, WA.  She was super sweet to work with, too.  More to come on this very soon, we hope.

Next week, we'll share what we {kendra, myself, and interns} have been busy, busy working on.  Excited to share some sweet posts and also let you in on the interior design plans I'm preparing for a much anticipated coffee bar/cafe that will be opening in July.  

What plans do you have for the weekend?


xo
sharon