Style & Real Estate - Giuliana & Bill

Yesterday when we were heading home from Denver I picked up some magazines for reading on the flight home. While I usually opt for a glossy like Vogue or a gossip like US but this time I went for Traditional Home where I saw the gorgeous Chicago home of Bill & Giuliana Rancic. I have long loved taking a peak into celebrity homes {I mean who didn't love Cribs or Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous} but this one was extra appealing to see how a city home can be made to really function for a family while not giving up a urban lifestyle. Something that is so interesting to us as we continue to search for our forever home in Boston. I lam totally smitten with their home and the pops of blue for a little color like they had in their LA Home. 

I would line those lattice walls with some flowers or ivy for more of an outdoorsy look but a urban yard like this is pretty amazing and very hard to come by. 

How amazing is this closet that overlooks the master bath. While this would make me silly nervous with a toddler I love the look of the modern glass railing allowing lots of natural light to shine through multiple rooms. 

I would live in this bathroom. It's perfection. The custom tile, the designated his and her vanities and oversized tub is everything. This bathroom meets all my symmetry obsessions. 

all images via Traditional Home 

Some items in their home you can get for yourself!

Let's Get Local - Interior Design

You guys, I know I said I was signing off for our vacation but I am SO flipping excited to share today's post with you all it just couldn't wait till when we are back. I started the "let's get local" series to feature women in business that are at the top of their game. It has been such an incredible journey for me to not only make many of the women I write about friends but to also see old friends from where I grew up also killing it in their designated field. So without further ado I would like to introduce my friend Maureen from Winter McDermott Design. Maureen's family and mine grew up around the corner from one another in a small seaside town of West Islip on Long Island. Thanks to the powers of social media we have been able to stay in touch here and there and almost twenty years later we discovered we weren't too far from one another yet again.  She has found herself in the historic whaling town of Sag Harbor which is not to far from where my folks retired on Shelter Island. So when I saw her home featured in a prestigious magazine I reached out to her right away to ask if I could feature her on the blog. I am over the moon she said yes and thrilled to share with you her stunning home as well as a fun q&a on this lovely ladies rise to success and local advice on all the fabulous things that surround her on the South Fork of Long Island. Get comfy, because today is a good one! 

all above images via HC&G

Tell us a little about Maureen, the gal behind the design i.e. what do you like to do in your free time, personal style, guilty pleasures, travel etc.

Any free time I have is spent with my husband and children.  I'm in the thick of it with my daughter Winter only being 1-1/2  and my 4 year old PJ heading off to kindergarten in the fall.  Working and having a family is a constant balance but it's all so worth it.  If I do get a second by myself I always love some pampering to regroup so I can be a more relaxed and a calmer mother and wife.  Bookstores and coffee shops are always my go to and I try to get in a workout most days before the kids get up. I work with a personal trainer Erik Fredrickson from PranaFit who comes to my house in the mornings and I also take an amazing Tribe team class at Sag Harbor gym the other mornings.  Working out clears my head and makes me feel more confident and strong. 

My personal style is not unlike my interior design aesthetic.  I own mostly black white and gray clothing.  If I wear any pattern it's usually stripes or something simple.  I like to be comfortable at all times and hate anything too fussy.  My hair is always up in a bun and it's not uncommon to find me in sweatpants or yoga pants.  

What made you want to start your own business and do you have any advice for someone else about to venture down the same path? 

I left my career as a designer at Vicente Wolf Associates when I was pregnant with my son PJ.  I didn't feel comfortable going back to work full time and leaving him in Brooklyn where we lived at the time.  We also started thinking about moving out east for a an easier quality of life.  So I started researching the demand for design out east and realized there definitely is one!  I started working part time for some local firms out here and then decided to just take the plunge and start my own company.  There's an opportunity out east for some new modern interior design that is a departure from the traditional Hamptons look. Architects like Bates Masi + Architects and Nilay Oza are setting the trend for some amazing modern architecture.  The interiors should follow. Design is such a part of who I am - I get very restless and grumpy when I'm not creating something. I'm constantly thinking of new ideas and researching ways to do things different.  

above image via Vicente Wolf Associates

My advice is to go to design school and learn how to create and read architectural drawings.  Interior design isn't just about decoration.  You're creating the entire interior - kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, millwork, door types and styles, etc. It isn't just about picking a pretty sofa.  Also learn about construction and to how to work with architects, landscape designers, and builders.  The projects run more smoothly if everyone is on the same page and understands one another.  Project management skills are a must - there are so many variables to manage and keep track of.  Most of my time is spent in from of a computer on AutoCAD and project managing.  

How would you describe your design aesthetic when it comes to executing an overall look for a client?

Vicente is still a huge mentor and inspiration to me.  His influence has been the backbone to everything I do.  Although his style is my foundation, my work ends up looking unique. I try to keep my style simple, clean, and minimal with some surprise elements like an oversized light fixture or one single color that pops.  My interiors are always pretty muted and I love working with black, whites and grays.  It just never feels natural to do it any other way.  I always use modern classics like an Eames or a Saarinen and pair it with something different or unexpected.  Too much of one style becomes boring. It's about layering .  Anything exotic element like a tribal piece always adds some excitement.  

Where is your favorite place to get inspired for designing a homes interior? 

Architectural design books, driving around the Hamptons, magazines, and Pinterest.  I follow some amazing designers. 

Vicente Wolf Project managed by Maureen in NYC

Since you call Sag Harbor your home, what are some of your favorite places to shop, dine or visit in the area?

Shop: 

Sylvesters for gifts and their iced coffee

In Home for body washes and candles 

Gloria Jewel for clothing.  Megan, the owner curates a great collection of really beautiful simple clothing.  

Fishers Home Furnishings- I go here for great accessories and custom tables. It's a business run by the Fisher family who we have the pleasure to call our friends.  

Stella & Ruby for kids clothes which is owned & operated by a dear friend.  

Eat: 

Anywhere we can take the kids - Bay Burger for Liza and Joe's amazing food and ice cream, Estias, and Superica. 

Provisions for a quick lunch bite. They have the best turkey tacos and our good family friend Chris is the manager.  

Sen or Tutto IL Giorno for date nights.  We also travel up to the North Fork for what feels like a real getaway to North Fork Table and Inn or Jedediah Hawkins.  

As far as favorite things to do with the kids we like to hang out by out pool in the morning or walk into town for a Sag Harbor Baking Company run.  In the afternoon we go to Long Beach with the sun overhead and then head for a quick stop at Serene Green to grab fresh groceries for dinner.

Thank you Maureen for letting me feature you, your beautiful work & your beautiful family!

Move On Over - Part Two

Remember when I shared that we were moving into this apartment at the end of the summer. Well after lots of thought and consideration our plans changed and we desired some more space then that apartment could give us. So yet again we found ourselves looking in the brutal Boston real estate market for a new place to live. Then one night at dinner I quickly browsed some online listings and I  spotted the below beauty. I quickly called my broker who got us in the next day and the second we walked in, I completely lost my poker face and gushed over every corner of the home. We both instantly knew it would be a wonderful place to live and after about two minutes of seeing we moved quickly to secure the space to be ours. Once the lease was signed last week my sweet guy put the icing on the cake by photoshopping in a piece of art he purchased for us and a sweet pup that we hope to add to our family in the fall.  Since this home is a lot more traditional then the original apartment we picked, we are steering away from the mid-century modern aesthetic and sticking with classic pieces in soft colors of gray and ivory. We are keeping that dining set, but losing the counter stools and replacing the stools with these. Since the main living area doesn't need a lot of work, I will be focusing on the empty guest room down the hall. I am beyond excited to host family and friends!

I love the idea of a day bed in a small room. It will act as a couch during the day and easily turn into a comfy bed for guests visiting at night. Since the color palette we are choosing is muted I look forward to adding some color through the artwork thanks to my lovely friends assistance and keeping the decor simple and clean. I may even order this day bed with a trundle for sleepovers with my four beautiful nieces can visit! 

bedding // velvet day bed // pillows // carafe // flowers // end table // art over bed tbd via colourbloc // sheepskin throw {to be used on the floor for warm tootsies}

ps - if you are interested in a great one bedroom apartment in beacon hill  please feel free to email me: - heidi@dooleynotedstyle.com -

Style & Real Estate - Laguna Beach

The super brutal winter here in Boston has left me feeling sour towards our little city. We often joke our dream life would include living on Nantucket in the summer, Boston in the autumn/spring and somewhere warm for the winter. Our brief getaway to St. Barth's has me majorly craving long summer days, the feeling of the sun on my skin, the ability to leave the house without layers and trading in my snow boots for flip flops. I feel it's safe to say that after the holidays and the first snow fall winter loses it's luster. So while that dreamy habitation of a new city for each season may not be realistic we have seriously considered renting a home somewhere new and warm for a year before we have any real commitments to home ownership, pet's or a family of our own. I have searched every warm weather climate I could think from the east coast to the desert southwest and finally California where I stumbled upon this amazing little black and white cottage that has me quickly reaching for the suntan lotion and packing my bags with summer clothes. I seriously can't believe how adorable this rental is and being steps from the beach is really just a luxury I would donate an organ for. It's so hard to find rentals that have stylish furnishings and finishes. This bungalow has it all and much much more. Take a look at all the gorgeous photos and shop some home items at the bottom to get this modern beach look for yourself. 

images via Zillow

Style & Real Estate - Renters Paradise

My husband and I have had a lot of experience renting homes. We rent the same home every year on Nantucket, we rent our apartment in Boston & currently am living in a rental in New York City. Until we find our forever home we love the lessons we learn with each property we rent from. What appliances we love & hate, what design features works for us & what doesn't and so on. So when we were planning our next adventure, I was intrigued to check out Air BNB. I read lots of reviews, talked with friends who loved their experience abroad & stateside as well as conducted my own research for a stellar property that could intrigue me enough to give up the hotel luxuries and conveniences that are oh so dreamy while traveling. So when I saw the The Adobe Creative Suite based in Los Angeles, I was quickly intrigued by it's affordable nightly rate, stylish interiors and excellent location. Wouldn't this be such a fun place for a getaway on the West Coast where you can live like a local for a few days? 

Style & Real Estate - Celebrity Homes

Happy New Year friends! I hope you had a great holiday and had lots of fun ringing in 2015. We stayed in our NYC apartment, made ourself a nice dinner with treats from Chelsea Market and watched all the Times Square happenings. We were slightly tempted to run over to the madness and experience the famous countdown then we saw the crowd scan and decided that was a horrible idea. Is there anything scarier then being in a mob of people? I think not. 

So back to normal programming, lots going on over here. Still working on a blog redesign that I hope to have launched very soon as well as wrapping up our last few weeks in the amazing Big Apple. Our brief three months in this magical city has flown and we plan on making the most of our time here with family and friends visiting, seeing as many sites as we can and enjoying this dream apartment we have been so fortunate to be renting. Speaking of my beloved city, have you seen the amazing home of John Legend & Chrissy Teigen in Architectural Digest? Its not really a surprise that this adorable couple has a stunning home since can see sneak peaks of it through their instagram accounts but now it's complete reveal is available for our envious eyes. I am totally obsessed with how different it is from what you normally see from celebrity homes. It has moody colored walls and finishes, interesting art, a great mix of vintage and modern and is all around fabulous. Take a look below at some of my favorite room photos for yourself or see the entire article here. 

Style & Real Estate - Beacon Hill Edition

My very first post on this blog was a "style & real estate" feature on a home my husband and I were totally smitten with in our beloved little neighborhood, Beacon Hill. For those who may not be familiar with Boston and it's numerous neighborhoods, our little corner of the city is filled with lots of federal style historic homes, gaslit lined brick streets and a charming main street USA where you feel like your in a small town versus a major city. The locals go all out for the holidays and walking through the streets during a snowstorm feels like you are walking in a snow globe of a make believe town. Basically what I am saying is that I love where I live and I couldn't imagine a better place to call home. So while we patiently wait to find our forever home in a impossibly difficult real estate market, I love to admire homes in our neighborhood that others have made renovated and made into urban paradises that any city dweller can be envious of. The home below of designer Nina Farmer is exactly that. I am truly in awe of everything she did with her brownstone, check it out for yourself.

I love how this living room functions as a formal sitting area & a casual family room - utilizing one room for two purposes is genius for city living where square footage is a precious commodity

Disguising a television behind artwork is pure genius - stealing for my future home.

This kitchen kills me with its perfection. How amazing is it's curved shape and floor to ceiling windows. 

Anyone recall the movie The Family Stone where the mom had her desk/office situation in the kitchen, I loved it there and I love it here...afterall, the kitchen is the heart of the home.

There are no words for the incredibleness that is the dining area below. Oh the fabulous dinner parties those walls have seen. 

Note to self - make an all black & white gallery wall stat! So chic.

Who knew a chandelier & a four poster bed could work together?

Is there anything better for a marriage then a double vanity in a bathroom? I think not. Also I will now want a giant arrangnment of fresh florals in my bathroom at all times.

images via House Beautiful