Happy Monday to you! Today I would like to share a fun little assignment that was part of the e-course I am taking. I really enjoyed it, and after hearing about it maybe you will be inspired to take a little break and do one of your own! For each of the photos below, remember you can always click on the image to see it full-size. Okay, here we go!
I created a little inspiration board on the inside of a file folder, the purpose being to bring focus to what I want my blog to be. The look and feel, yes, but even more so I focused on the sort of content and general direction I want to go in. As you can see from the large “draw it yourself” in the center of the folder, one of my major goals for this blog as I move forward is to introduce more original content – be it drawings, original photography, documenting my home decorating projects, travels, design classes, etc.
In this close-up view of the upper right corner, I chose a few images to represent creative spaces and studios, which I would like to feature more of here on Lolalina…and to serve as inspiration for my own workspace! And la tour eiffel is there to reflect my passion for travel :)
I chose this image of a steaming cup of tea and the words “heartfelt & handmade” to remind myself that the little things are often most important, and that what I want most for this blog is that it continues to come from an authentic place in my heart.
And there is my little owl business card! I stuck one onto my collage because although I adore my cards (from here, by the way, and very reasonably priced!) I have yet to give away very many of them! Circling back to my intention to collaborate this year, I would like to get out there and meet fellow bloggers in person, attend events that sound interesting, and generally put myself in more situations where I will have an opportunity to give away those cute little cards – having a big stack of them sitting in my desk drawer isn’t doing me any good! And the image below my card (from a Kate Spade ad) sums up the open, spontaneous attitude that I would love to cultivate!
If you would like to create your own mini-inspiration board too, I would love to see it! Feel free to link to an image on your blog, flickr, etc. if you have something you would like to share!
{images: Laura Gaskill}
It’s that time again! Time to shut down the computer and unplug for the weekend. This weekend I will be working on a few little creative projects that I will hopefully have finished & ready to show you next week – an inspiration board assignment for my e-course, and a floor plan for my own living/dining room. Also, Benny & I have a list of vintage shops to check out in our area, and we spotted a very promising Swedish style dining table and bench on Craigslist, so I have my fingers crossed that it is as nice in person as in the photos!! But before I go, I have a collection of 7 things that have caught my eye and inspired me this week, so you still have some fun clicking around to do!
1. I actually just purchased this Orla Kiely address book, but close in the running was a gorgeous desktop version in a walnut file box and filled with recycled papers, from Lovely Design as spied on the Duet Letterpress blog.
2. This collection of pink Paris photos from little brown pen would be right at home on a February inspiration board.
3. If you are looking for some creative DIY valentine ideas, why don’t you check out this guest post on Design*Sponge for inspiration – I especially love the sewn card in the top picture!
4. These rooms shot by Danish photographer Anitta Behrendt feel very creative and inspiring, don’t you agree? I love the little handmade details and eclectic bohemian color set against a clean white backdrop.
5. It may not be time to plant a garden in the backyard yet, but I could certainly use these little ceramic plant markers in pots of herbs in my kitchen window! By pigeon toe ceramics.
6. I love everything about this outfit from Kate Spade – the dark cuffed jeans, bright bag and peep-toe flats, hot pink piping on the little jacket, fun bracelets, and even the sunglasses on her head!
7. And finally, how about a crisp red apple for your desk? This one comes pre-sliced and ready to jot down notes and phone numbers. From Lemontree.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!!
{images: linked to individual sources above}
Do you ever come across a shop where you want to literally just grab everything in it and run? He he :) Well certainly not without paying, but you get the idea, right? Well, that’s how I felt when I came across Three sheets 2 the wind’s web shop – I was instantly drawn to the pared-down aesthetic, botanically inspired prints and fresh colors, and I think you will be, too!
I was interested to read that Jenny Sauer, creative director of Three sheets 2 the wind, lists vintage prints, handmade textiles, and the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfections and impermanence, as inspirations behind the company. The studio produces prints, textile art (pictured above), duvet sets, cushions and adorable tote bags, all in a range of juicy colors that I think would be perfect for waking up a tired winter home!
Don’t the duvets and pillows look inviting? They are a bit pricey, but when you keep in mind the fact that each and every piece is lovingly handmade with hand-dyed fabrics, water-based inks, and high quality linens and cottons with organic options, I see the prices to be very fair.
And I am just smitten with the prints! Each print is available unframed or ready to hang in a simple birch frame as pictured above. So nice! I would love to mix a few of these prints into the art wall I am plotting and planning for my living room! Go to Three sheets 2 the wind to see more, or check out this list of brick-and-mortar stores & websites that also carry a range of Three sheets 2 the wind products – and hm, I just noticed that one of the shops listed is the lovely Kreatelier, right in my own neighborhood! Maybe I’ll just have to go down there this afternoon – I’ll let you know if I find anything good! ;)
{images: Three sheets 2 the wind}
It can be fun to try out trends in the home, especially in small, easily changeable doses. But sometimes I just ache for tradition. For things that will last and even become treasured family heirlooms – do you know what I mean? As giddy as I can get over the latest, most colorful, exciting new products out there, I do not see myself saving many of these things long-term. And as many of us strive to become more environmentally-conscious, I think it is also important to consider the life-span of the things we are bringing into our homes – meaning both how long the item will last before it falls apart, and how long it will take before we tire of it!
Well, one thing that I don’t think I could ever tire of is linen. Whether made into fine sheets, deliciously textured tablecloths, or covering squashy pillows, there is something so classic and comforting about linen. So today I thought I would share a source that I have been drooling over recently: Libeco Home, I wonder if you have visited them before? If not, you are in for a treat! After poking around a bit, I found that Libeco, based in Belgium, has been working with linen since 1858 – quite a history! And after whiling away a bit more time than I would like to admit bookmarking favorites, I now have quite a lengthy wish list :)
What I love about linen is that it can fit seamlessly into any home, often contributing just the right note – whether it’s real linens on the bed adding a bit of texture and history to a sleek modern apartment, or the graceful abundance of a thick stack of linens in a glass-fronted cupboard in an old farmhouse. And just a little side tip for those of you out there who are food bloggers, or who operate Etsy shops selling ceramics or kitchen wares: linen looks really good in photographs, so you may want to consider investing in an assortment of linen napkins to use as props in your posts or product shots!
Check out Libeco Home for more – and note that they do ship internationally :)
{images: Libeco Home}
Good morning, Monday! I have to smile this morning, because the sun is shining in a big blue sky, and it doesn’t feel quite so much like an icebox outside. Is the weather cooperating where you are? I hope so, and if not I hope you can at least make yourself extra-cozy inside today, whether you are in your office or studio or at home :) Do you recall the book I mentioned on Friday? The one that Pia reviewed? Well, I kept thinking about the lovely styling in the book, and decided to do a bit of poking around to find out more about the stylist, Elodie Rambaud. What I found was an absolutely lovely body of work, with lots of gorgeous food styling and interiors and lifestyle pieces as well. Would you like to see? I think a bit of visual inspiration is just the thing to lift the mood on Monday…
Elodie has worked as a food and prop stylist on a number of gorgeous books, as well as in inspiring publications like Donna Hay and Inside Out. I love how she can make a simple little breakfast or a muffin and milk look almost poetic – and I am crazy about the tiny glass in the photo just above!
Fresh linens, fields of lavender in Provence, the scent of cake cooling on the counter, leisurely lunches and perfect little cafe treats…these are a few of the things that come to mind as I browse through Elodie’s work. You can see more mouthwatering images in Elodie Rambaud’s online portfolio, and be sure to click on books to find out which lovely cookbooks Elodie has had a hand in bringing to life!
{images: Elodie Rambaud}
I have a very battered well-loved copy of Tricia Guild’s book Design and Detail sitting beside me on my desk as I type this. The book has been passed back and forth between my Mom, my sister, and myself over the course of many years, with each of us drawing inspiration from its pages in various ways. In fact, it was sitting curled up in a big armchair with this book when I was a young girl that first opened my eyes to the inspiring world of color and design. Tricia Guild, founder of Designers Guild, is a master of combining colors, patterns, and textures in fresh, surprising, and often bold ways, so I like to check in every so often and take a peek at what she and her team have been up to. Would you like to come along? Oh, good! Let’s go…
Turquoise may have been declared color of the year for 2010 by Pantone, but to me this surprisingly versatile color will always make me feel right at home. I love it here in a saturated shade with equally vibrant chartreuse, white, and a touch of lavender. This little scene makes me want to prop myself up in that sunny bedroom with a stack of decorating books, a yummy scented candle, and a posy of fresh flowers!
Luscious pinks, plums, regal velvets, and bold patterns…doesn’t she make it look easy? In reality, I would have a bit of a hard time living with a patterned fuschia velvet sofa, (!) but I would happily roll out that richly textured white rug in my bedroom!
Many of the smaller items, such as pillows, towels, throws, candles, stationary, and books, are available for purchase directly through the Designers Guild website. And just in case you are looking to purchase a little treat, you might like to know that many items are on sale up to 60% off through this Sunday! And one last thing before I wrap this up…
Just look at these showrooms! I could totally see using these spaces as inspiration for a home office/studio redesign, couldn’t you? I love the clean simplicity of the Paris showroom, and the warm, vibrant colors and textures of the London store. Ah, I could just move right in!
{images: Designers Guild}
I am taking a little pause today since I have a long appointment to go to, and a bit of fun coursework to catch up on in Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-class. But before I do go, I would love to check in with you a bit – how is your week going? How about your intentions (or goals or resolutions) for the new year? Are you still flying high on that new year energy rush or are you feeling your spirits flag a bit after a strong start? Whatever your goals and intentions may be this year, why don’t you take your own little pause today, perhaps during a short break from work or right after you get home, and take a moment to do something just for you, to appreciate yourself.
Maybe on your way home you could pick up a small bouquet of flowers or a potted plant to bring a bit of life into your winter home? Clear a little space, light a candle, fix a favorite bevvie, and breathe deeply while focusing on the small place of beauty around you. Fresh flowers in the winter can make such a big difference in our mood! I have been purchasing a small bouquet at the grocery store each week, like the tulips above, and they make me smile each time I see them. Or take this time to sit down with your calendar and schedule a few positive, enriching, or creative events in the upcoming month that you have been meaning to try. For instance, I am in a big rush for Spring to arrive and I am looking for landscaping/gardening ideas, so I have just marked down the dates for a Spring Flower & Garden Show on my calendar! What can you do today?
{image: Laura Gaskill}
Good Monday morning to you! My weekend was so busy and productive that it just zipped right by, and I can hardly believe it’s over already! My plans for this house are beginning to take shape, and I am excited to see things unfold. Over the weekend Benny and I picked up a few more important pieces for the living/dining area: a big, 60’s style white armchair, and two square mirrors to hang side by side behind the dining table. We also had the dresser delivered, and it fits perfectly in our bedroom – yay! How was your weekend? Whether you are amped up for the week or off to a bit of a slow start, I am sure you will love feasting your eyes on the gorgeous home of AB Chao…
She has been featured on Apartment Therapy at least three times (here, here and here), and for good reason! You can see all of her photos on flickr, and get to know her on her blog, hashai. I am totally in awe of this woman’s style and renovating-decorating-make-over-ing abilities. In awe, I tell you! I tend to waffle a lot, changing my mind hundreds of times over each tiny decision, ensuring that any project takes precisely ten times as long as it needs to – so seeing these very finished looking rooms is a huge inspiration and motivator for me.
This bedroom is what first drew me in – it looks like something straight out of Domino or Elle Decor, don’t you agree? I don’t see myself painting my own bedroom a dark color, but this makes me see just how sexy and sophisticated it can be.
And oh my, have you seen her daughter’s room? It is so bright and sunny, with really fun pops of bright red and yellow – I would think that a room like this would be enough to encourage any teenager to keep their room picked up!
Here is a detail of Madeleine’s room – if my desk area looked like this, I would be a very happy camper! Love the floating shelves, inspiration board, matched pair of task lamps, glossy tray, and little jar of flowers. And the letter “M” above the desk is a sweet touch!
You must go to AB Chao’s flickr and blog to see and read more – I know that I, for one, will be adding many of her photos to my style files!
{images: AB Chao}
Happy Friday, sweet friends! I don’t know about you, but it seems like this week just flew right by me – what happened? I have no idea! But I am sure glad it is Friday, as I have a full weekend planned with lots of shopping, vintage-hunting, and dragging furniture around – Benny, I hope your back is prepared for heavy lifting! My mind has been very much on my home this week, and I apologize for the light posts this week because of it – but I have been a busy little bee sketching floor plans, making lists, organizing and decluttering, and I promise you will begin seeing the results of all of this work soon, so soon! Anyway, for today’s sweet obsessions, I have rounded up some of my favorite little love notes and treats for your sweetie or a friend. I hope you enjoy them, and do have a lovely weekend!
For your sweetie:
1. I can’t think of a more romantic love note than this: Hello Handmade will create a custom calligraphy love letter with whatever message you like, along with a hand-drawn, watercolor illustration and all sealed up with washi tape and sealing wax! This is entirely handmade and takes time, so if you have your heart set on sending one of these, order it soon!
2. I love the crisp graphics and unique messages on cards from Miss Vu, especially the In Love card and XOXO – in fact, I think that XOXO card would look pretty spectacular in a frame above the bed!
3. I am a total sucker for buntings, though I have yet to purchase one. Lately I have my eye on this one from Gathering Spriggs – wouldn’t it be sweet hanging in a child’s bedroom? Or anywhere, really – how about the kitchen?
4. This archer card strikes the perfect balance between sweet and modern. From Modern Printed Matter by Anna Cote, a Rhode Islander with a gorgeous little shop.
5. Aw…how can you resist this sweet little tunnel of love card? Would go perfectly with old movies and real popcorn. From Anthropologie.
For your best girlfriends:
6. I just had to smile when I saw this card from Sycamore Street Press – it’s so cheeky, yet so sweet at the same time!
7. A classic, reinterpreted: handwoven silk friendship charm bracelets by L.A. Native.
Bonus: And for when you are so not in the spirit of Valentine’s Day (be warned: graphic language!) this awesomely harsh card from MadeByGirl should do the trick!
Happy Weekend, friends!!!
{images: linked to individual sources above}
