January 2010

Happy Friday!! I have some news about the baby, but I can’t tell you yet because I haven’t gotten ahold of all of my family and friends! So you will have to wait. He he. Suffice to say, we can now cross half the name possibilities off our list ;) I am really looking forward to each weekend now, because we have so much planned for our little house over the upcoming months. On Saturday we will be picking up the armchair we purchased last weekend, as well as doing a bit more craiglist- and vintage-hunting. What will you be up to? And please read on, because I have tons of good little tidbits to share with you today!

1. Just this morning I came across a lovely post over on ever-inspiring Pia’s blog, highlighting a new book called Muesli et granola maison by Rachel Khoo, that promises to be full of nurturing recipes and gorgeous photography and styling as well. Unfortunately, it appears to be available only in France at the moment, but you can read more about it in Pia’s post and drool all you want! Don’t the little breakfast/tea-time scenes above look so sweet and inviting with special handmade touches and big, wholesome cookies?

2. I fell for these handmade labels by Varpunen (top image) in the shape of clouds, cupcakes, and raindrops, after seeing them used in Finnish blogger Jutta’s creative home (above) – doesn’t the cloud look darling in her pantry? And p.s., if you haven’t visited Jutta yet, do go check out her blog kootut murut as it is filled with quirky style that you won’t want to miss.

3. I am always inspired to soak in Leslie’s latest creative projects on A Creative Mint, aren’t you? Today I am loving this little pairing of an exotic tea tin with a jar full of lavender pencils.

4. Isn’t this delicate star mobile enchanting? It is handmade with book pages and satin ribbon by The Butter Flying, and I think it would be so charming in a baby’s room. Or perhaps if you are feeling crafty you could create your own DIY version using pages from a favorite old book that is perhaps falling apart? Just a thought :)

5. And if you are in a crafty mood, have you seen the Oldbook tapes from Pretty Tape? These Japanese washi-style tapes are made using text from old books, and I love the faded colors  – I can imagine using these in scrapbooks, to tape up pictures and notes on an inspiration board, to seal envelopes and packages – the creative possibilities have my mind whirring!

6. As I mentioned the other day, I am taking Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-course for a second time, and I wanted to pass along one little reference that Holly and Leslie pointed us to in class today: The Art of Display, which is a very helpful post written by the super-talented Benita of Chez Larsson. When she is not blogging, Benita creates creative window displays and does visual merchandising for a chain of stores in Sweden, so she really knows her stuff when it comes to styling, whether it is for a photo shoot or just to rearrange your mantle!

7. And finally, I love these images from the portfolio of stylist Stella Nicolaisen, featured on Desire to Inspire. I am saving the image on the upper right as inspiration for my kitchen – the soft grays, black and white, and varied textures are exactly the look and feel I am going for. And how romantic would it be to style up a little corner of a garden shed like the photos in the bottom row? I love seeing things like the wooden crates repurposed as shelving,  because it gets my creative juices flowing and helps me look at the objects around me in a new way.

So that is all for now, my friends! I really do hope that you have a lovely weekend, and I will meet you back here bright and shiny on Monday morning with mugs of hot coffee or tea in hand, okay?

{images: linked to individual sources above}

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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}

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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}

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AB Chao

January 25, 2010

in Design & Decor

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}

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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}

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