The finds: vintage cot, porthole, vase, glove form and flower frog, all from Trampoline.

Several weeks ago, had the pleasure of a personal tour of Kim Ludy’s beautiful home (which you can see featured on Design*Sponge), including her basement! Why would I be so excited about a cellar? Kim and I have a very similar aesthetic that springs from an appreciation of quirky old things that complement a contemporary, minimalist decor. The basement is where Kim keeps all the not-yet-listed finds for her Etsy shop! It was a thrill. Every time I pulled something off the shelves, Kim too got to relive the discovery. We were like two pre-teens at a Justin Bieber concert, squealing like girls. It was soooo much fun.

Through an exercise of great restraint, I came away with several things that I couldn’t live without, including this vintage camp cot and rare wooden porthole. I whisked them off to my cottage to await inspiration. This weekend it struck.

The porthole in situ.

Having recently repainted the living room, all surfaces were cleared off and ready for re-imagination. Since the light and architecture of the cottage are so magical, I decide to go with an even more pared down approach to the decor. Serenely beautiful, the porthole was a perfect devise for this look. The white side proved too “matchy-matchy,” so I turned the porthole around to show the reverse wooden face. Now it adds the right amount of warmth to the cool blues and whites of the room. A single caribou antler completes the minimal arrangement.

A larger view. I love how old and natural play with the more industrial (yet still graceful) feel of the mid-century lamp that I got from Hindsvik.

The cot I placed in the sunny corner of my porch which has been begging for a lounging spot. On top I threw a vintage linen sack pillow, which, appropriately, I bought from Kim’s mom!

Right next to the door, the cot can easily be moved outdoors for a read under the apple tree.

Gus in his new home in the living room of my cottage. Viewed from the dining room.

Remember my polar bear from Lackluster Co.? You know, the one I couldn’t live without? (The kids named him “Gus” after the live polar bear in the Central Park Zoo.) Well this weekend my aunt and I found what we believe is the perfect spot for him. What do you think?

The whole living room. I actually moved the pouf below and the antique donkey doorstop on the mantel because I thought they competed with Gus. Plus with the donkey, the room felt too “cutesy animals every,” so I replaced it with the caribou antler (below), that my step-father found in Alaska. This specimen seemed a more dynamic companion for Gus, being both complementary and contradictory at the same time. (Both are serenely white and “animal,” but one is round and “fleshy”; the other barbed and bone.)

My new “homage to Alaska” wall, which I think is kind of ironic in a summer cottage… but refreshingly so. (Yes, I’m now soooo going to re-route that cable wire that I’ve been ignoring for years!)

My husband and I have always disagreed about window shopping. He views it as a form of mini torture to be tempted by so many objects of desire only to have them wind up beyond our price range. I, on the other hand, love it. I could hardly do what I do if I shared my husband’s view. In fact “purging the urge” to buy may be one of the main reasons I do what I do.

Of course there are times when my own zen state of merely absorbing the beauty around me breaks down and I do need to actually possess something. So I thought it would be fun to share those items with you.

The first of which, because I bought it the moment I saw it last night, is this amazing vintage, hand made, polar bear from one of my absolute Etsy favorites: Lackluster Co. (which is having a 20% off sale til May 22!)

Why I had to have it:

1. Personality, personality, personality. He’s got so much character!
2. He’s one of a kind, making my home even more uniquely me.
3. He’s a conversation piece. I love talking about the things in my home, so I love things that get that conversation going.
4. He’s a perfect piece of folk art, but is still very much in keeping with my modern, minimalist tendencies.
5. He’s a polar bear. And I do love animals so.

What am I going to do with him? TBD. Most likely he’ll end up in my cottage, but I’m not really sure where. That’s the fun of it, finding just the right place. Stay tuned.

Another snow day in New England, and after sledding down the mound of snow that was once our flat yard, the children and I are in need of hot chocolate. For the kids that involves really any ole hot chocolate mix and lots and lots of their favorite mini marshmallows from Whole Foods. For me it’s a little more complicated, but well worth the effort. Here is my recipe for the perfect cup of hot chocolate.

First I start with really good cocoa. My unquestionable favorite is Jacques Torres. Now, if you just clicked that link you no doubt suffered a case of moderate-to-severe sticker shock. And I admit, I do splurge here. Because, I mean, how often do you actually drink the stuff? A dozen times a year, tops? So go ahead invest in a tin of something sinful. It will last you the season. (As long as you don’t share it with the kids, that is.) And once you’ve opened that tin and discovered the chunks of real Jacques Torres chocolate, you’ll be sold. Ahem, where was I?

Next a great mug: If you’re really a die-hard cocoa afficionado like me, you’ll need to purchase the White Forest cocoa mug. Now this is not just any other mug; it’s specifically engineered for hot chocolate. Notice the grooves around the perimeter that are right where your figures rest. It’s literally designed to be embraced by your hands, the way a cocoa mug should be. Now, usually I don’t go in for all that gadgety kitchen stuff – who needs a margarita maker? And after a decade in Manhattan (which BTW is New York City. I actually had someone ask me that once!), I certainly appreciate more multi-use items. But for cocoa, I make an exception.

Finally, on days that I really need to treat myself (like say, the third snow day in as many weeks), I add some truly rare and special marshmallows. My favorite: Whimsy and Spice. Yes, they happen to be made by friends of mine, but it think we’ve established here that I’m uncompromising about my cocoa ingredients – and W&S’s are a sybarite’s dream. Mark adds just the right amount of flavor – cardamom, espresso, maple, carmel, chocolate – to give your hot chocolate that extra little je ne sais quoi. Since it’s almost Valentine’s Day I chose vanilla rose, very pretty in pink.

And the final ingredient to the perfect cup of cocoa, after serving the children their own, I did turn on the TV (PBS!) for just a bit, so I could enjoy my perfect cup of hot chocolate in peace. Ahhhh.