From Julie:

For the uninitiated, Piet Hein Eek is a Dutch designer celebrated for his use of scrap materials in creating compellingly naive, yet somehow refined and sophisticated, furniture. The prolific designer has added children’s pieces such as bunkbeds, high chairs, and wardrobes to his repertoire:

When a residence or business is blocked by clutter, emotional residue, incompletion, or actual furniture placement, a less than excellent quality of life is experienced.

• Keep a small overnight bag packed for you and your family and place it in your car’s trunk. If an unplanned getaway or you get an overnight invitation for your kids (or an emergency arises), you will have all essentials already in the car and ready to go.

• Let the light into your home. Put up sheer curtains or pleated shades that can be opened from the top or bottom so you can maximize the sunlight and immediately feel re-energized.

• Hang beautiful chimes from your deck, trees or house gutters for a melodious sound to relax and calm you. Always have a book on hand that you’ve always wanted to read and didn’t have time. The sound of the chimes will de-stress you and you will be learning from or enjoying a good book at the same time.

• Have your home and deck power washed. Then you can seal your deck for many hours of fun without damaging it.

Photo by David Duncan Livingston

For those of you that have not yet caught on to the greatness that is Ken Fulk, I'd like to introduce you. My crush started back awhile when I noticed Mr. Fulk's work and couldn't help but post about it here (Almost a year ago to the DAY!). Well, he has been very busy since then. You may have seen his work in the latest House Beautiful and he also has a project that has recently graced the cover of California Homes magazine.

California Homes Magazine, April 2008, Photo by David Duncan Livingston

With his blend of custom furniture and antiques, Ken never fails to add originality and sophistication without a bit of stuffiness to his projects. For this project, after all of the initial planning and legwork, Ken was able to install everything: paint, finishes, furniture, art....the works, in a three week time frame while the clients were away on vacation in Africa. Wouldn't that be an amazing thing to come home to?! "Yes, darling, the elephants were fabulous, but I am glad to be home....oh, my! Look at this! So much better than those zebras !"

Photo by David Duncan Livingston

The combination of elements here at first glance seems somewhat formal until you realize the coffee table top is made from reclaimed wood planks, and that the firewood is stored in a rustic antique wheel barrow. I think they make the space so livable. You wouldn't be afraid to really relax here. The unique placement of the photography, artistic in itself, creates a great composition with all of the other elements. Wing back chair from Coup d'Etat Antiques. And that paint color! Wonderful.

Photos by David Duncan Livingston

1950's Capiz Shell light fixture in the stairwell is from Past Perfect in San Francisco. Zebra print carpet by Stark on the stair. Ken created this Dining table from and antique trestle base from House of Mann. Antique hooded chair is from Sarlo Wick. Dining chairs are by Milo Baughman and covered in Great Plains linen.

California Homes Magazine, April 2008, Photo by David Duncan Livingston

I appreciate the mix of high and low in the Family Room: Pottery Barn Sofa with a slipcover of linen velvet mixed with the Belgian coffee table also form Sarlo Wick. This stylish room says "comfort" and would be attainable for most of us. I like that.

Mr. Fulk has also been profiled in the latest House Beautiful magazine for his own getaway retreat in the Napa Valley:

House Beautiful, July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

The entry gives a hint at the color scheme that runs throughout the compound.

House Beautiful July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

He revamped a 1940's ranch house and out buildings into a grownup's dream of "camp". He used bluestone inside and out to unite the space and make it user friendly for his dogs, and anyone else who pays a visit. BTW, those are his dogs in the painting in the photo above. Ken has used the dining table as a "library" space and has piled it with books. I love a multiple use space.

House Beautiful July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

Can you see the pipe ladder next to the fireplace? It leads to a sleeping loft. Fun! Dog andirons from LL Bean and another dog portrait. Dog heaven.

Photo by Victoria Pearson

This bedroom is in a tented cabin for guests who visit the property. It really is like camp...only so much better!

Photo by Victoria Pearson

I love the bed here modeled after an old Woody Station wagon. The stacking of the vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases on two wood blocks is just another example of Ken Fulk's ability to think in ways that make him wonderfully unique. Of course, this is the main reason he is one of my design crushes.

Photo by Victoria Pearson

Afternoon picnic in the barn. If this is camp, sign me up!

Photo by Victoria Pearson

I had to add this picture because the red chairs are from Chelsea Antiques in Petaluma where my Mom used to be a dealer. She has very kind memories of Mr. Ken Fulk, who, she said, came in quite often. Just one more reason to throw a little love Ken's way.

Chic cushion
Woven of natural abaca, the Aqua Bead Circle pillow from Palecek showcases an embroidered bead design ($138).

GOBLET-SHAPED VASE
with Brushed Silver Trumpet-Style Base and Turquoise, Beige and Chocolate Finish, 5.5"D x 11.25"H, For Decorative Purposes Only, Glass, Brass, BB, Cs pk/4, ©2008, CBK Exclusive SUG. RETAIL $60.00.

WAVE-SHAPED TRAYS
with Light Blue and Light Green Reactive Glaze Finish, Set of 2, Lg: 20.75"L x 4.75"W x 4"H, Sm: 12"L x 3"W x 3"H, Ceramic, BB, Cs pk/4 sets, ©2008, CBK Exclusive SUG. RETAIL $34.50/ea. tray.

san francisco-based designer lisa neimeth just released a beautiful new collection of homemade “diner” plates. available in a wide range of rich, earthy colors (i love the deep orange hue), lisa’s diner plates are available at stores across the country, or via email at lisa’s site. want a little more lisa in your life? click here to check out lisa’s home and converted chicken coop studio.

She had been worried

   but those moments were over.

 She had been sad

                   but those feelings had passed.

Thank you for your sweet words……It made everything so much better:-)

PS the Bahrainis were extra lovely.   Perhaps the universe was paying her back….?

Image by Maryam

Posted by Scott

If you are like me and have terrible sneezing fits in the middle of the night, why not treat yourself to one of these guys i found on Etsy?

Optic Blossom

Wallflower

Blue Wallflower

At least you'll be sneezing bedside in style.

I like the lighthearted playfulness of these three, but there are a ton to choose from. Check them out!

Posted by Bluelines

With a heavy blog heart, we are saying goodbye today.

Bluelines is shutting down, but will remain here as an archive.

We want every reader to know that we have been thrilled to share with you all of the things we've loved,
things we've obsessed over,
and things that have inspired us in every way.

We hope you will stay in touch with us through our own blogs and sites.

Much love and best wishes to all.

Alright. Since Lisa's told me that she's "tired of looking at the computer wires" on the previous post (and really, so am I)--I've finally put together a new post. Things have been super busy lately and because of all the work I've been producing over the past month and half, it's given me some carpal tunnel issues. Great. So I've had to limit my computer work, like blog posting.

But anyway, I got this book called Pattern Magic Vol. 2 a few months ago. While I don't plan on making any of these pieces (I don't know how to sew and the wearability of some of the pieces are totally questionable--like the bottom image), I was intrigued by the sculptural and architectural forms of the clothes. Really beautiful pieces.

Coming from a profession where the psychological effects of color is basic knowledge, I have to chuckle at her seeming incredulity over the idea.

What do you think of the concept?