Family Room Issue 1, January 2020

familyroom

WELCOME HOME The newest addition to the Mishpacha family

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accessorize

T

here are friends, and then there is your close friend. She invites you into her orbit, discussing current events, personal growth, and truisms. As the connection grows, the familiarity becomes a dependable staple in an otherwise unpredictable week.

Her presence becomes rooted in your routine like couch time on Friday night, and she invites you into her home — through the front door, down the hallway, into the kitchen, onto the sectional in the family room where life is strewn about all over the carpet: toys, puzzles, worksheets, family.

Welcome to Mishpacha’s Family Room, a decor and lifestyle section appearing once a month in these pages. Here, we capitalize on the familiarity we’ve built with Family First and Family Table to trade ideas and inspire, redefining what it means to cultivate, beautify, simplify, organize, elevate our spaces — while using our creativity as a means of connection.

Like anyone who knocks on the door, we begin our journey in the entryway — the vestibule, the foyer, the “Please-don’t-leave-your-schoolbag-on-the-bench” hallway. We want to use this forum to discuss accessible yet innovative ways to declutter, to work with a home’s natural space to enhance brightness and livability, and to welcome you into our Family Room.

Allow me to introduce myself. You may know me as a contributor to Family Table, or as the copy writer of the same section. Maybe I’m an unfamiliar guest in your home, but my goal is to change that. I am a former interior decorator who has diversified her love of English literature and healthy living to become a food writer for this publication and others.

To me, the marriage of decor and Mishpacha is an obvious union: while you may view us as a team with limitless ingenuity, recognize us as devotees of tradition, keepers of nostalgia. And in this space, you can expect a wide array of both: cutting-edge concepts, but with the equilibrium that comes with the knowledge that some trends were made to be discarded, alongside the classics that are foundational. Maybe we’ll pen a column that features a “before” and “after”; but it will be with the keen understanding that sometimes, the before is more than good enough.

In each issue, I’ll be sharing pieces that have caught my eye and styles that I want to highlight. For our debut issue, I want to share some vestibule accessories that are filling me with that creative rush, without adding to the clutter of life in motion.

Come on in — and be a dear, in Toronto we take our shoes off.

Make yourself at home,

Rivki

Chinoiserie vases filled with mini citrus trees or greens that work well dried, like eucalyptus.

BLUE AND WHITE FLORAL VASE,

$90,

onekingslane.com

Vintage boxes or briefcases contribute to a curated look and are great for storing receipts and keys.

WOOD BOOK BOX SET

$40, jossandmain.com

An ottoman in a rich color and luxe fabric is both playful and useful — stick under a console when space in an issue.

POUF IN VELVET WITH FRINGE

$80, moltazdesignshop.se

Neoclassical mirrors balance clean-lined decor; paying homage to different eras yields a thoughtful result.

OVAL WALL MIRROR

$243, chairish.com

RIVKI RABINOWITZ

Editor, Family Room

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Visit our showroom 26 Steuben Street (BQE & Flushing) Brooklyn NY 11205

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1/5/2020 11:18:26 AM

styles change. torah is forever. m a z a l t o V T O a l l t h e

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WRITTEN BY RIVKI RABINOWITZ

Okay… So you know nothing about interior design, or you know everything and this is a review. Either way, what’s a dialogue that doesn’t begin with description of the dialect at hand?

Here is a design dictionary that breaks down a few of the common interior design styles (replete with some narrative, of course).

Design Dictionary T

he term MO D E R N D E S I G N is often used to loosely describe “anything that doesn’t have my Hungarian grandmother’s design influence.” It’s a broad term, true, but modern distinctly refers to a home with clean lines and intentional simplicity. A subsidiary of modern design is minimalist. What comes to mind for many of us is a starkness or a coldness. When executed properly, however, this is hardly the case. Its signature style is more focused on fuss-free elegance than on museum-style sterility. Modern decor has a refinement, and the furniture is often at the crossroads between functionality and sophistication.

Printfree fabric, accessories that are purposeful as well as decorative. Materials often include metal, glass, and steel. The key is being able to fill a space with the bare essentials yet still provide impact and drama.

Execution:

B U I LT BY D EN A L I .CO M

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design dictionary

REDFIN.COM

T

R A DITIO N A L is almost my personal favorite — maybe because it’s the misunderstood underdog in our community, maybe because most interior design styles are rooted in this one, or maybe because it’s a lot more versatile than you’d think.

The key to decorating this category successfully is suffusing it with pieces that have a sense of humor: playful colors or textures on a classic Louis XIV chair are timeless yet so very cool; a 2019 sconce hanging alongside a baroque mirror feels very intentional; and a vintage rug placed under a midcentury chair in a light pink boiled wool gives me goose bumps. There are often elaborate details on the furniture frames, and fabrics may be patterned and made of silk or brocade. The depth and layering involved in successful traditional design requires fortitude and foresight, but hey, I didn’t say I was subjective at all.

Execution:

T

R A N S ITI O N A L is the workhorse category in most homes I’m seeing now. A trademark of transitional styling is the harmonious blend of modern and traditional decor, resulting in a homogeneous feel that is at once alluring yet surprising. Color palettes may borrow from modern decor with a warmer ambiance, but furniture and accessories often have a traditional feel.

Think gray and white with touches of navy and oxblood; sumptuous fabrics like velvet; and materials like marble, walnut, and brass. Modern materials like steel and glass may be tempered with plush, cushy furnishings.

Execution:

T

he INDUS TRIAL category, as its name implies, derives loose inspiration from a warehouse or a loft. There’s an intentional unfinished feel to it, contributing to a super-laidback environment. Rustic design has similar architectural bones to industrial, without the modern furnishing.

Exposed brickwork, ductwork, or wood add character to industrial homes.

Furniture is sparse, and results are most effective when high ceilings are part of the picture. Color scheme is mostly neutral with sculptures or art in bold colors and abstract design. Persian rugs are often layered.

Execution:

ALLMODERN.COM

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ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

TARAFINGOLD.COM

ID CE NT U RY MO D E R N borrows from the ‘50s and ‘60s for a clean, Danish feel. Solid fabrics and fuss-free shapes make midcentury a prolific chameleon for a home with traditional bones. There’s a minimalist feel to it, with the added bonus that it often complements any decor.

Think an old, unrenovated hallway and a bench in honey oak — a simple way to update a dated space.

Execution:

HOUSEOFHARPER.COM

WESTELM.COM

M

O D E R N F A R M H O U S E offers elevated rustic elements with luxurious and minimal touches. I love this one. The way I see it, modern farmhouse invites family gatherings.

Metals with patina, color scheme in warm tones, unpretentious natural stone, natural woods, English countryside woodwork and appliances.

Execution:

B

O HE M I A N homes may showcase light fixtures and furnishings spanning many eras, and globally sourced rugs and accessories, feeling like a gallery to the homeowner’s world travels. Often, eclectic and bohemian design are thrust together, but I like to view eclecticism as bohemian’s older, more sophisticated sibling. Successful eclectic design uses bold tonal values, but with enough restraint that the eye has somewhere to rest. It’s not laissez-faire design: there is consistency in the shapes and thoughtfulness in the color scheme.

Cushy floor pillows in saturated hues; the juxtaposition of a glamorous chandelier with well-worn dining tables and chairs; and the undeniable attitude that as long as you love it, it works. Pieces have a one-of-a-kind feel, high-energy art is a staple. I love it for the options it gives to explore creative freedom and to think outside the box.

Execution:

ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

k . s

M

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By knowing the elements that you are consistently attracted to, you can make faster decisions with a more informed understanding of why you like what you like and which elements provide a balance between calming and inspired. Use these tools to garner inspiration from all the styles and categories out there to create a space that is perfect for your family.

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professional perspective

Beyond the

Welcome Mat DESIGNED AND WRITTEN BY CHAVIE ALTER

Your entry, regardless of size, is the first thing guests see when they enter your home. Turning it into a space you love will suffuse your whole home with that same warm and welcoming feeling.

A

s a designer who has clients all over the Tristate area and beyond, I’m used to working with a wide range of home sizes, each with their own unique layout.

Since the vestibule or entryway is the first room you encounter when entering a home, it can sometimes require a whole lot of creativity, especially where size is limited. Here are my top tips to make your vestibule the best it can be.

P H OTO CR ED I T: A R I EL R O S S

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professional perspective A little texture from wallpaper or paneling adds subtle character and a whole lot of warmth.

thing, especially for homeowners who aren’t so decisive! Remember that the “dream home” you see on your screen is usually not practical, realistic, or affordable, and it might not even be your taste. You can still look through social media for inspiration, but always keep in mind that you need to be realistic about your budget and space.

Work with Your Small Space

Tile I find tile is the most important way to make a

space “grow.” If you add a border tile in a small vestibule, you’re defining the size and deliberately calling attention to how limited it is. Try a mosaic or a large profile tile to make your square footage look larger. If you really want a border, use a light-colored border that will define the space but make the size less obvious.

Mirror If you have closets in a small entry, adding

mirrored or glass panels to the exterior of the doors will create the illusion of space. If there are no closets, a decorative mirror does a great job of giving the impression of a window, making the vestibule feel airier than it is.

Lighting For low-ceilinged rooms, flush mount or

P H OTO CR ED I T: MOS H E WU L L I G ER

A light-colored border on the floor tile helps define the space.

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Manage Your Expectations A lot has changed since I started working as a designer. Years ago, I used to get hired by a client, then go to a newsstand and purchase actual paper magazines, give them to the client, and ask them to tear out the images that they loved or were inspired by. We would look them over, consider the size of the client’s home, and find a direction that worked for them.

Today, clients preempt a consultation by scrolling through social media or Pinterest and saving a hundred images that they absolutely love, all with completely different styles and featuring unrealistic budgets. Sometimes too much information is not the best

semi-flush fixtures don’t invade the overhead space of your entryway, helping to maximize the ceiling space.

If you really want a fixture, opt for something transparent like glass or crystal, so you can get an open feeling.

That doesn’t mean there’s no time and place for a regular chandelier. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution with lighting; if you’re unsure what your space needs, your designer should help you with options.

Walls/ceiling Go with lighter walls to make your

space feel larger. Adding a little texture can also do some amazing things. Texture doesn’t have to mean color: for one client with a very small entry, we paneled the walls horizontally and painted them white for a crisp look that didn’t feel cramped. If your vestibule is a nice-sized space, however, you can have a darker wall for a cozy feel.

If your budget allows it, adding a high gloss finish to your ceiling like venetian plaster will also open up your space. Shy away from shortcuts for this trick, like using high-gloss paint finish on normal paint, which can highlight any imperfections in your ceiling and cause more harm than good.

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Paneling the walls and painting them white yields a crisp look that doesn’t feel cramped.

Make use of the space you have by turning distinctive structural shapes into unique space planning opportunities.

PH OTO CR ED I T: A R I EL ROS S

Work with Your Large Space Bigger is not always better! Before you get carried away scrolling through Pinterest-perfect mansions, consider this: large entryways also have their challenges. It can be difficult to make a large entryway feel homey and not cavernous. Tile layout can help; in this case, it can be helpful to define the space with a border or pattern. A large checkerboard pattern with no border can also make a big space feel cozy while still allowing it to be large.

Another great option is to add paneling to the walls to give them a warmer feel or to add contrast. In one client’s house where the large open entry and center hall was lacking definition, we kept the walls light, but the doors and windows trimmed in black, in order to help contain the space.

Work around Mistakes Many of us aren’t working with new construction, and often an existing house might have idiosyncrasies that

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P H OTO CR ED I T: MOS H E WU L L I G ER

you need to work with. I had a client who had ductwork running down the wall in her entryway, causing two jut-outs and an oddly sized nook in between. Instead of opening the walls, we found a bench that fit right in that little spot, added two sconces, and turned a mistake into what looked like a custom feature of the home.

Work with a Designer You Like More than anything else, find the right designer for you.

It really needs to be a good shidduch. If you feel confident working together and enjoy the process, your designing will be a much smoother experience.

Chavie Alter

is a

residential interior designer from Brooklyn with 12 years of experience. She works primarily in the Tristate area but has clients all over the US. She is known for her attention to detail, her positive attitude, and her meticulous aesthetic.

12/31/19 12:29 AM

BY ESTHER OTTENSOSER

organize

Entryway Enter at no risk

W

hen people hear that I’m a professional organizer, they assume that in my home, every item is always in its place. Truthfully, having an organized home is not the same as having a home that is never messy. Take my entryway: On a calm day, I can put everything in its designated spot, but on the hectic days, the clutter starts to get to me and I need to look the other way. As soon as it's quiet and I have the energy, I choose a pile to tackle.

The reason I’m so passionate about setting up a proper system is because the organizational structure that I’ve already put into place is what enables me to get through that mess mindlessly and efficiently.

Organizing an entryway isn’t as daunting of a project as organizing a kitchen or a playroom, and it’s used daily, unlike an attic. Creating a proper system for this room is a great way to kick off the organizational journey, and it sets the tone for the rest of your home.

TEXT AND ST YLING BY ALIZA SCHELLER @SIMPLY.SORTED.HOMES PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEBA DINOVITZ @LEBADPHOTOGRAPHY

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Start with a Vision

Close your eyes and envision your ideal entryway. Picture yourself getting ready to leave the house and easily finding everything you need. Then imagine returning home after a long day and having a proper place to deposit everything. If you can see the “after” picture in your mind, you can open your eyes, snap an actual “before” picture, and get started.

Necessities Only

Think of the entry as a place to hold your daily items. If your closet is small, keep only one jacket, pair of shoes, or bag per family member. The rest can be stored elsewhere until the season changes. If you have a lot of room, you can include more, but keep the off-season gear less accessible. When the seasons change, the contents of the room should change too.

Blank Slate

When I organize any area, from a junk drawer to a playroom, I always recommend removing everything from the area. Once you’ve removed everything, sweep out the area, wipe down the surfaces, and take a moment to enjoy the clean slate. If you want to hold onto that feeling, you’ll have to be very selective about what you allow back in.

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Divide and Conquer Everything removed can go into four categories:

first pile

> The is for trash. Any gloves that are missing their mate, old forms from your child’s school, expired coupons, or broken umbrellas go straight into a garbage bag.

second pile

> The is for items that should be relocated to other rooms, for example, coats that you’re holding onto for the next child but currently do not fit anyone.

third pile

> The , giveaway, is for items that were once useful but are no longer needed.

fourth pile

> Whatever remains in your should then be categorized by item.

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organize Day-to-Day Structure

Once you’ve narrowed it down, it can be helpful to make a list of the items that go in and out of your house on a daily basis. Then you can go through your list and assign a proper home to each item. Here are some of the top categories:

Keys Most people are pretty good at remembering where their tooth- Accessories If you have the space, bins are a great way to keep small brush is because it’s always in the same place. Things that need to be moved tend to get lost more easily. The simple solution? Create a designated spot by installing hooks or placing a tray exclusively for your keys. The important part is having one distinct home and sticking to it.

Coats Young children usually do best with a designated hook to

hang a coat. The golden rule is one to two hooks per child to accommodate one coat and a knapsack. If you’re hanging coats in a closet, don’t underestimate the difference uniform hangers will make. Hang all the coats in the same direction and sort them by size and season.

things organized. You can have one bin per child, or you can have one bin for hats and one for gloves, or even one for boys’ accessories and one for girls’ accessories. Make sure to label the bins so they don’t become a catch-all. When the seasons change, you can switch the hatsand-gloves storage to bubbles, chalk, and other springtime items.

Miscellaneous If you generally drop your mail when you enter the house, you’ll need to take that into account when planning your entryway. I sift through my mail immediately and dump all the flyers and envelopes. If you enter important dates straight onto your phone’s calendar, you can dispose of more papers immediately. What’s left can be placed in a to-do folder or a to-file folder.

Outgoing Items If you have the space, you can create a zone for

outgoing items that includes returns to people, store returns, and library books. Having them by the door will help you remember to grab them on your way out. I bring these things to my car right away so they can actually make it to their final destination in a timely manner.

Beyond the Four Walls

If you don’t have much space, don’t forget how much potential lies on the back of the closet door or the walls. You can install an Elfa system from the Container Store with hooks and bins, or file holders from Amazon that are easy to install, affordable, and store a good amount. You can even buy an over-the-door hook specially made to hold a stroller. You can create your own mudroom by turning an IKEA bookshelf on its side, placing a cushion on top, and adding some hooks and a floating shelf for bins. Get creative, and prioritize the essentials.

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Don’t forget a

stand or bin for umbrellas and other rain gear.

Maintenance

Make a habit of going through your purse daily and removing what isn’t necessary. Put extra shoes, sweaters, and bags back in the bedrooms where they belong. Return other people’s belongings promptly. Empty out the bottom of the stroller each day.

Decorative Touches

Add something beautiful that makes you smile and that motivates you to keep it clutter-free. You get to decide what you allow into your home, and the entry is a wonderful place to start.

Aliza Scheller

is passionate about creating organizational solutions for

her clients that are both practical and beautiful. Aliza inspires her clients to shift their mindsets and become more mindful about what they bring into their homes so their once cluttered and heavy storage spaces become airy and light living spaces.

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flawlessdesignsNY.com

the interior of design THE PRO CESS

WRITTEN BY BLIMA EHRENTREU

Question:

I’m building a new home and love a modern and dramatic look. My sisters are telling me that so many versions of modern design look similar. How can I implement a modern vestibule but with a fresh take?

Blima responds: Modern decor is not simply

about minimalism and monochrome. In this space, I thought saturating the entryway in dramatic black would feel unique and warm, but not lose any of the impact that is characteristic of modern design.

P H OTO CR ED I T: T H E D E S I G N ER S G R O U P

Using Calacatta marble as a feature wall and floor injects the space with timelessness and drama; pairing it with warm gold accents creates a warmer overall tone to the entrance.

Accentuating thin lines keeps the space refined and bright.

s k r o w s i Why th The striking details and seamless transitions create a fresh perspective, and the wash of black provides an anchor to a room that is often used just to get to the next one.

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Rorie ‘N Fr in int ingre Rorie

Combining practicality and beauty is always a design coup: here, the wall-to-wall mirror enlarges the space and serves a pragmatic purpose.

Blima Ehrentreu

All st

is the founder and principal of The Designers

Group, with offices in Toronto, New York, and Miami. The firm specializes in residential and commercial projects and is committed to providing unique designs and impeccable service. Its diverse portfolio of projects and many happy clients are a testament to the quality of its work.

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