Eclectic Bedroom

Love this bedroom with its quirky collections blending multiple styles.  Clever use of white and whimsy as well as the light from the window transform what could be a very dark cave-like space. From MarieClaireMaison.

Antony Gormley

Intent on exploring the role of humanity in nature, British sculptor Antony Gormley has created 100 life-size sculptures and installed them in the Austrian Alps.   This work reminds me of one of my favorite places in the New York area:  Storm King.   Here massive steel sculptures sit in the middle of big green meadows.

Picture from BBC.

Kitchens

For the most part, kitchens seem to be decorated with resale in mind.  Which from a financial point of view makes complete sense but it does mean that there is a lot less experimentation and personality involved.   My reaction to the sameness has been to be increasingly drawn to older kitchens or kitchens that have been designed in conjunction with the living or dining spaces they share.  Am loving the quirkiness and creativity in these kitchens.

Pictures from marieclairemaison.

While on the subject of kitchens -- this is a very clever cabinet makeover.  Lift the top cabinets to the ceiling and add a shelf below.  More pictures here: mysweetsavannah.

Seen and Liked

Trawling around yesterday, I found these pictures with lovely mixtures of style, color and pattern creating spaces that are welcoming and comfortable.

Pictures from MailonSunday, MarieClairemaison

Happy Weekend

May time slow down and very leisurely and lazily tick by as Summer passes!

Friday's Fabulous Woman: Miss Piggy

It's been a crazy week so I decided to end the week on a light note by celebrating the iconic muppet, Miss Piggy.  According to tartcity: "Glamorous, stroppy and single-minded in pursuit of her frog, the perfect frock, and worldwide fame, Miss Piggy has been showing tarts how its done for nearly thirty years. . .  . Miss Piggy lives life according to her own rules: 'Eat what you want, exercise your prerogative, and find a good plastic surgeon who gives frequent-flyer miles.' "

There is something to be said for living life on your own terms and making people laugh while you are doing it! If you need some entertainment, in my hours and hours of research for this post:), I came across this great compilation of Miss Piggy quotes.  Example:  "Many people think money is something to be set aside for a rainy day. But honestly, how much money do you really need for a dozen or so hours of inclement weather?"

Japanese Subway Posters

Aren't these Japanese posters great?  They warn subway users to stand behind the white line, to not smoke at certain times, to show their passes, to avoid catching their bags in the doors... etc. From pinktentacle via automatism.

Huge Fabric Sale

I need to free up some space in my studio for Fall additions so we are having a Huge Fabric Sale.   Limited quantities of the fabric yardage here will be 60% off for six days only (Aug 25 to Aug 31).  That is $20 per yard instead of $50.   Happy shopping:)

New York

Found some great stuff at the New York Gift Show even if I had to walk for 8 hours straight to do it -- and I only saw half the show!  Managed to squeeze in a couple of hours wandering around NoLita with a stop for lemonade at Cafe Habana.   Great window display at Le Labo.

London Blue Sky

One perfect day in London. Blue sky. A trip to the East End to purchase African wax fabric followed by the total contrast of wandering through the wonderful shops that are Few and Far, Mint, Conrans, Anthropology, Designers Guild and William Yeoward in Chelsea.  Pims and a burger for lunch in the Henry J Beans' garden on Kings Road.  A day of contrasts and an exciting and inspirational dip into some incredible merchandising and design.

Giveaway

There is a Henry Road giveaway and interview over at lanalou style. Thanks Lana!

A Day in Paris

I managed to squeeze in a wonderful day in Paris on my travels.  We started out from the superbly renovated St Pancreas station in London which is part magnificent architecture and part poetry.  Poet  John Betjeman who is credited with stopping the destruction of the station in the 1960's looks up at the magnificent blue ceiling surrounded by his words.

Three hours later, my sister and I were happily wandering the streets of a very rainy Paris.  Our day in pictures: umbrellas in Place du Louvre; some posters I loved in a window; a graffiti homage to Serge Gainsbourg who lived on Rue de Verneuil (I was lucky enough to live on the other end of this road for a couple of years).  An essential cup of French espresso; Neptune overlooking Pont Neuf; beautiful symmetry and contrast between the fabulous Pompidou Center and a storefront in the Marais; Kir Royal in Place des Vosges. . . all in the pouring rain!  Superbe!

The New Forest

Ponies and cattle graze freely in the New Forest in the south of England and happily amble through the local towns in this beautiful part of the world. It is not unusual to see wild ponies standing in the middle of the main street even though there are hectares of stunning heath and woodlands for them to explore.  I have to admit to being a tad distrustful of any 'wild' animal (even those used to humans) so admit to holding my breath and moving out of the way when a mother and foal strolled towards me and passed by within a foot.

Childhood Fantasy Worlds

I always find it interesting how childhood experiences still inform my thoughts and dreams.   My trip to England last week brought back memories of a couple of beloved childhood books.

I have never been able to see a door in a wall and not think of The Secret Garden and the hidden worlds on the other side of those walls.  I took these pictures in the tiny town of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.  How I would have loved to peek through the keyholes to the gardens beyond!

A few days later I found myself taking pictures of trees in the New Forest and thinking of Pookie, the inspiring rabbit with wings that is so beautifully illustrated by Ivy Wallace.  I am sure Pookie wandered valiantly through this forest.   I love the lines of the trunks accented by the texture and color of moss.  Completely unintentionally the pictures below match:)

Marshland

I spent much of the past ten days visiting family and exploring old haunts so this week's posts will be a tale of things I saw on my travels.  I took the top picture from a ferry leaving Lymington in the south of England. I love the colors in this marshland.  They are reminiscent of the colors we have on the walls and shelves in the store which act as a beautiful neutral palette for everything we bring into the shop.

Happy Weekend

Flowers and great finds equal a perfect weekend.  Image by Noe DeWitt.

Friday's Fabulous Woman: Amelia Earhart

In the past week, I have flown from Los Angeles to London, skipped to Paris for a day, flown to New York and then flown back to Los Angeles.  Completely wonderful and crazy! Some great posts to come next week on things seen and done.

All that time in the air, made a celebration of the exploits of the fearless Amelia Earhart the perfect choice for today's Fabulous Woman.  She lived a brief, impressive life defined by her first flight at the age of 23: "By the time I had got two or three hundred feet off the ground," she said, "I knew I had to fly."  I love the colors in these photos found here.

Tim Mantoani and the Behind Photographs Project

Photographs within photographs on 20x24 Polaroid.  I love the storytelling in these pictures. Wonderful.  Photographer Tim Mantoani's Behind Photographs Project document is a tribute to the the folks behind the lens.

 

Marimekko Glassware

What's not to like about glasses with the name Socks Rolled Down?   Marimekko's Fall Collection.

Noe Dewitt

Beautiful images and inspiration full of contrast and life by Noe Dewitt.  I am guessing these were taken in India.