I have been a fan of Lotta Jansdotter’s work for years now, and it feels as fresh as ever to me today. Are you familiar with her? If you haven’t seen her stationary, bags, or cushions, perhaps you have seen her lovely books? Each one is a little treasure, and if you enjoy hand crafting, I know you would love any one of these.
I just visited her website, and discovered that Lotta is currently teaching a small number of workshops in her studio in Brooklyn – if you live in the area, I am jealous because I would love to attend one of her classes! I am so inspired by the Scandinavian-influenced designs she is known for; there is something so relaxed and charming about the botanicals, seed pods, and other motifs from nature, don’t you think?
Just a quick browse through her shop led me to all of these little treasures, some of which are hiding in the sale section! You can visit Lotta Jansdotter’s website to see more of her designs, purchase books, and to sign up for classes.
{images: Lotta Jansdotter}
With the weather beginning to change soon, I am pining for lazy mornings on the front porch, sunny afternoons in the backyard with a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade, and leisurely hours relaxing with friends in a beautiful garden. My thoughts are turning to the rich possibilities that our little yard holds, and even though right now it is barren and trampled from a long winter, my imagination is bursting with ideas to transform our corner of the world into a place I really want to be.
Coming from California, the outdoors have always been very important to me – as long as the weather agrees, I am happy to spend almost as much time out as in, reading, working, cooking and entertaining, or just hanging out. Which is why, when I spied the book pictured above, Garden Rooms by Rose Dale, in the bargain bin I was instantly drawn to it. This is an older book, and may even be out of print, but it is well worth tracking down! Even if you live in a small city apartment with only a fire escape to perch on or a postage-stamp sized shared courtyard, there are so many lovely ways you can enhance your space and make it a place that you enjoy spending time; and this book is filled with ideas that any of us could use! Let’s look at a few more inspiring images, shall we?
This is from Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern, in the last section in the book, where Amy explores some of her friends and neighbors gardens, often layering in swatches of her fabrics.
Here is another page from Garden Rooms, this time featuring a Moroccan-inspired courtyard complete with big leather poufs and a day bed – and notice how lush this little space looks, even though all of the plants are in pots and not a single one is in the ground!
Although we have had a few small gardens over the years, we have never planted our own vegetable garden – which is something I am aiming to change this year! Here, I was flipping through an issue of Jamie Magazine, imagining how wonderful it would feel to pull up crisp radishes and sweet little carrots from my own garden for a spring lunch.
More from Jamie, a summer day under the shade of a tree, ah…
The planning and dreaming stage is such fun, don’t you think? Letting your mind wander, imagining color combinations that excite you, comfortable little nooks to sit, and all of the many pleasures you hope to get out of your garden.
So tell me, do you have a garden? Is it a place you enjoy spending time? No matter the size of your outdoor space, I would love to hear what your wishes and dreams are for your corner of the world!
{All images Laura Gaskill; except last, from White Flower Farm}
Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes a yearning to freshen up our homes and do a bit of celebrating – can you feel it? And oh my, as I have learned since moving to the east coast from California, never does this feeling arrive with more vigor than after a long, cold, and bleak winter! So let’s begin dreaming a bit about the backyard parties and fun get-togethers with friends and family to come. Ready?
Clockwise from top left: Debi Treloar, Martha Stewart, Selena Lake, Mark Lund
The first little set I put together focuses on pretty pinks and lilacs with plenty of white to ground the arrangement and a few hits of lemon or marigold for contrast. I adore the cushy white pillows and giant Moroccan lantern in the outdoor dining area top left, and the colorful tiles used as a runner on the table top right. I haven’t been very good about this in the past, but I think it is wise to choose a color palette you love for your tabletop and then always keep one eye out for new (or vintage!) bits to add to your collection.
Clockwise from top left: Sunday Suppers, decor8, Sunday Suppers again, Grace Bonney’s wedding via Martha Stewart
And the second set of inspiration images draws together rough natural materials like linen and burlap, simple flower arrangements in deep plums and lavender, and perhaps just a hint of luxury with real silver or pretty vintage china on the table. Something about blending the homespun with the elegant gets me every time! I think a look like this would be quite breathtaking at a spring brunch, and not too fussy to create, either!
What are your thoughts on setting the table? Do any of the images in this post inspire you to try something new?
{images: linked to individual sources above}
Good morning! Today I would like to show you a little glimpse of the changes that have been going on in my home over the past month – I still feel like there is a long way to go, but we have made some progress! Oh, and in case you don’t remember what it looked like before, you can see it here. Okay, are you ready? Please, come in! Right this way…
Ah…here is our new dining area. I love having this big table to spread out on, and the pair of mirrors (on clearance from Crate and Barrel) really open up the space, don’t you think? I got the idea to hang a pair of large, square mirrors above the dining table from our favorite cafe down the street – and besides, two mirrors this size were much easier to find and hang than one super-giant mirror! And moving along, here is the living area…
The sofa and coffee table are the same, the rug is from West Elm, and the armchair (which is so comfy and cushy!) is from Crate and Barrel, where we were lucky enough to have a gift card. The dining table, chairs, and the credenza all came together in a major Craigslist score that I must thank my sweetie for spotting! It took lots of patience (i.e., daily scouring of several local Craigslist sites for a month) and a truck rental so we could haul back the furniture ourselves, but it was so worth it. We could never have afforded to purchase anything like these pieces new! The next steps in this room will be to hang art (including an art wall above the credenza), and make and/or buy new cushions for the couch, armchair, and possibly for the dining chairs as well, all of which should add some color to the space. Oh, and one last thing…
I thought you might want to see how the belly is progressing! Well, there it is! :) Oh dear, and in the background of this shot you can see our ugly front door that I want to paint, and the coat rack which I am going to move to another room and replace here with a simple peg rail hung on the entry wall. Now that really is it! Any thoughts on accent colors?
{images: Laura Gaskill}
Good morning to you! By the time you read this, I will probably be in the air on my way to Maui with my sweetie :) And since I have travel on the brain, I thought it would be fitting to share some tempting new items from Amy Butler – all kinds of bags and luggage and even paper-organizing binders and folders to keep you pulled together on your next trip.
I am just so pleased that the talented Ms. Butler has expanded her offerings from fabrics alone to encompass bedding, towels, snazzy office supplies, and now even suitcases – because I don’t know about you, but her color palettes and nature-inspired patterns never fail to lift my spirits.
And these cushy wheeled suitcases may even sway me from my long-standing obsession with Orla Kiely’s travel bags – I mean, doesn’t that bag above look positively yummy? Let me tell you, I wish I had that beauty by my side right now instead of my ancient L.L.Bean duffel!
The lush and cool prints remind me of tropical getaways and carefree summer days…and the neat-freak inside of me really wants to collect all of the tidy little makeup bags, pouches (and a laptop case of course) so I can happily organize and reorganize my belongings as much as I like!
And then there are the notebooks, folders, binders, and files, oh my! Too much goodness, I tell you! You can find out all of the details on Amy Butler’s website. I have so much respect for this creative lady – tell me, do you share my love of all things Amy?
{images: Amy Butler}
Good afternoon! I just got back from getting my hair cut for the first time in a whole year (ick, right? I just had such a bad experience at the last place I went I think I was traumatized!) and it was absolutely lovely. I feel like a new woman! lol. Ahem, moving on, I thought I would share some of the ideas I have been gathering as inspiration for the nursery I am planning. I promise you, I will not be swamping this blog with baby stuff, but I really thought you might enjoy this – and I would love to get your input as well! And I might as well spill the beans…we are having a boy! That said, I am so not into having a nursery that screams BOY!!! in all-caps, if you know what I mean. What I do want is a soothing, calming space filled with small handmade touches…
Sources (clockwise from top left): Fabric wall stickers by Mae; Leran pendant lamp from Ikea; Handmade cloud mobile by Madeleine Sargent; Expedit bookcase and baskets from Ikea here and here; White Moroccan leather pouf from Serena & Lily; Organic rabbit rattle from Dress Me Up; Plover Organic crib quilt from Fawn & Forest; Robin crib from Giggle; Baby announcements from Avie Designs; Love Pattern print from MadeByGirl.
I don’t want to over-stuff the space or give in to pressure to collect tons and tons of toys. And from my experience as a preschool teacher, I know how easily this can happen! I want to leave room for imagining and creativity, and surround my baby with beautiful handmade objects that I can feel good about. I don’t know how many of the items in my inspiration board will make it into the room, but they are all definitely on my dream-wish list!
So, what do you think so far? I would love to hear your input, or if you would like to share a story or a link to something you love, that would be wonderful too!
{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}
