Moose & Malbec

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco in downtown D.C. is visually stunning, inside and out. I will be focusing solely on the interior here though, specifically the bathroom! You may find this odd if you have ever visited the hotel because there is A LOT to take in. From the green glass chandeliers in the lobby to the more industrial modern decor of the hotel’s restaurant Dirty Habit (the back bar is amazing by the way), there is no shortage of things to look at.

Let me give you some backstory before moving into my amazing sink epiphany! The last time I went to the hotel was to visit the bar inside the recently redesigned restaurant Dirty Habit, which used to be Poste (a downtown staple). I was struck by the decor and how amazing the service was. The drinks were delivered speedily and the faux (hopefully) alligator covered chairs made me feel particularly sleek and sophisticated. I ordered at least two glasses of rosé there on top of the two I had prior to our arrival at this spot so by the time we were leaving I was feeling extra fancy free! Oh well, I blame SaturYAY.

Before we left I needed to pop into the ladies room so I made my way up the stairs and after all business was tended to I went to wash my hands. There in front of me was one of the most beautiful sinks I have EVER seen! I almost didn’t want to wash my hands in it, it was too gorgeous! I’ve seen beautiful fixtures that made me stop in admiration but the sinks in the women’s restroom in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco take the cake.

Why do I love this sink so much? It is sleek and modern but also features organic shapes that bring warmth into the space. The sink of wonders also speaks to the importance of being detail oriented in a design approach. A ton of thought and physical labor went into shaping the main lobby of the hotel into a unique masterpiece and it is clear that the same care went into the bathrooms! High style and design don’t just stop with the rooms that have the most traffic. Themes must be carried throughout a space (even if your theme is a lack of one, like painting each room a different color).

A sweet angel woman walked into the bathroom while I was taking this photo and looked at me like a lunatic but said nothing. Don’t let this strange behavior be all for naught and go visit the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Dirty Habit, and the bathroom ASAP!

My favorite color is, and has always been, blue! I love all of the different shades that can carry me from the sky to the sea and across continents. I’m not super into astrology but perhaps my love for this color is connected to my being a water sign but who knows. For me, a rich blue breathes life into even the most uninspired setting so I thought for my first true home design post I would pull in one of my favorite variations of the color, teal! While I know that teal is an impactful blend of blue and green, I’ve pulled in solidly blue accents to compliment the focal point.

This layout is my take on a comfy-cozy family room designed around a gorgeous teal sofa! While this sofa is a bit bohemian in this color and velvet fabric, the shape lends itself to many styles of complimentary decor that I played around with here. To ground the room I selected grey accents including a rug with a pattern that still has a touch of whimsy to it, a sturdy coffee table that isn’t too dense next to the large sofa, and a small side table with more of a silver finish that allows light to pass through. I wanted the items in the immediate area around the sofa to help lighten up the bold and cozy piece!

For lighting I chose a table lamp with a teal base and simple shade to continue the theme and pull in subtle gold accents. I LOVE to mix metallics but for me there must be one primary metallic (in this case, silver) and one accent metallic. In contrast to the table lamp, I chose a floor lamp with silver finishes and a “crystal bead” shade to add some dimension to the space and throw light throughout the room.

As far as additional seating goes, I chose a striking true blue velvet chair with gold studs to both balance the room and pull in another rich blue shade. The idea is to create an inviting sea of blue without being overwhelmed by the color. For wall decor, I wanted to bring in some organic but polished pieces. I am absolutely obsessed with all animal themed decor (think bird prints, ceramic horns, NOT real animals just to be clear) so the silver buck head drew me in. The floral painting brings in a pop of pink, orange, and green to add interest to the teal themed room. The agate coasters are a great way to continue the theme in a small way and are honestly, just beautiful and fun to look at!

1. Harrington Large Sofa – Lumino Teal – Barker and Stonehouse 2. Newbury Grey Area Rug – Mistana 3. Crystal Bead Floor Lamp – Pier One Imports 4. Pink Peonies by Emma Bell – Christenberry Collection 5. Aliyah Coffee Table – Joss & Main  6. Asher Verse Nailhead Trim Chair – Ink Blue- Pier One Imports 7. Teal Ombre Glass Table Lamp – Barker and Stonehouse 8. End Table – !nspire – Wayfair 9. Mini Stag Wall Sculpture – Torre & Tagus – Gilt 10. Gold Rimmed Agate Coaster – Mapleton Drive – Wayfair 

To this mix I would also add some fun throw pillows in shades of grey or lighter blue (or even a deep green!) and a big ol’ mirror on the wall! This family room is meant to be warm and inviting, but also chic. To me chic NEVER means cold or sterile feeling and I love a thoughtful use of color. If you like this, there are more ideas brewing where this came from so stay tuned!