Hello my lovelies! I’ve had my eye on some fresh, summery finds for the home, so I thought I would round them up today. When I think of summer decorating, what inspires me is simplicity, organic forms, and an easy, beachy-bohemian aesthetic. Read on for my top picks.
The Ibiza pouf from one of my favorite shops, Le Souk, is calling my name, and the new Linen Textured dishes from West Elm are stunning — the perfect better-than-basic set to use daily.
You would never guess this luxe-looking linen throw (bottom right) and woven basket (top left) are from Ikea, would you? Oh but they are — how great is that!? Serena & Lily have really mastered the whole luxe-boho look, and some of my current favorites from their collection are shown above: a metallic suede and hemp rug, the Elsa coffee table, bark Jaipur pillow, round belly baskets, and windowpane throw. Oh, and see that carved wooden table in the lower left? It’s from World Market, and the price is much less than similar versions elsewhere — it would also look great stained a darker hue or painted white.
Kerry Cassill has some of the most gorgeous towels I have seen, applique, chambray, and striped, I adore them all. There are also beautiful handmade quilts and notebooks, perfect summer sandals, and fresh, airy tunics and sarongs.
What do you think? Any favorites from the bunch?
Happy Friday, my dears! This week’s featured room comes from Norwegian blogger Signe Pling, and I just know you are going to love it — if anyone knows how to make the most of summer decorating, it’s our friends in the North!
I love the mix of faded, vintagey pastel floral prints, blonde wood, and white walls. The gray sheepskins on the sofa add a cozy touch, while the hand-painted pitcher of flowers, chevron cupboard, and shelf of rotating art prints contribute a personal element. You must visit Signe Pling for inspiration this weekend…there is much more to see! In fact, I am already planning a second post on this lovely lady, so stay tuned for that as well.
Happy weekend, and happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! We will be celebrating by making our first trip to the beach of the year! :-)
(images: Signe Pling)
Oh, Bertie. You were the alpha hen, the leader of the flock, the lookout, protector, and caregiver. You sounded the alarm when hawks flew overhead and made sure the other hens took cover; tirelessly chased birds and squirrels out of the coop; and most touching of all, you stayed by Ginger’s side when she was ill. That was Bertie, below; she’s the one standing up so proudly on the ledge.
It must sound silly to miss a chicken, but we are not exactly running an egg farm here. These are pet birds, through and through, with the added perk of providing us with delicious, fresh eggs, of course — and now there is only one hen left in our backyard flock. And oh, is she lonely! Chickens are flock animals, and they don’t do well alone. Since Bertie died, Coco has been pacing the fence line and calling out for her missing sisters. At least it looks like Coco is resistant to the disease that took the others, but it remains to be seen where we can go from here…we will see.
Thanks for bearing with me as I deal with our little urban homesteading dramas…I promise I’ll be back later with a lovely interior that we can all drool over.
xoxo Laura
Hello my dears! I have summer getaways on my mind, especially of the outdoor variety, so I thought it would be nice to do a fresh twist on my old glamping kit post. The summer is such an easy time to go camping — with fair weather you don’t have to worry about packing tons of heavy clothes and gear. At the beginning of the season, I like to sort through our old gear and get everything aired out, then see what we need to add or replace. These finds are at the top of my wish list.
1. Plates | 2. Basket | 3. Marshmallow roaster | 4. Mug | 5. Nightie | 6. Sleeping bag | 7. Food cover | 8. Turkish towel | 9. Cocktail shaker | 10. Cutting board | 11. Tent
Enamelware plates are unbreakable, and so much more charming than the typical plastic picnic-ware. You know how I feel about French market baskets, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I would bring one camping! I would use it to tote snacks, books, and games. I like to have my morning coffee in a real mug, and that yellow one from Toast looks perfectly chunky and handmade. A nice cutting board can double as a serving platter; that Turkish towel can be used as a tablecloth, beach towel, or even for drying dishes; and that airy paisley gown could be a nightie or beach coverup — I’m a huge fan of double (or triple) duty items while camping! The mason jar cocktail shaker and marshmallow roasting stick are pure fun.
Finally, tents and sleeping bags mustn’t always be completely utilitarian — for evidence, see the fab floral-lined sleeping bag and the limited edition Tord Boontje-designed tent above. Take that, boring drab green! Happy glamping, friends! xo Laura
Hello folks! Today’s room of the week is actually a studio makeover from the team at Printerette Press. It’s fresh, fun, and budget-friendly, and I just know you are going to love it.
Aren’t those aqua folding chairs hung on the wall genius? It’s smart storage and a graphic statement rolled into one! The floors look like painted concrete, the work tables along one wall are basic sawhorses, and the lighting is simple industrial-style pendants. The only splurgey items in the space are the Eames chairs (love!) and of course their printing presses. Spaces like this are so inspiring to me, because it makes it clear that style trumps price every time.
p.s. – Thank you for the kind words yesterday about Ginger and Bertie. I appreciate all the good thoughts. xo Laura
(images: Studio of Printerette Press shot by Satori Photography; found via Design Sponge)
