Have a lovely weekend!

She told herself that the artists wouldn't mind.  Wouldn't mind the rough cement.  Wouldn't mind the unfinished walls.  Wouldn't mind the untiled fireplace. 

She told herself that her home was its own genre: Destroyed Chic. That it was undone but not unlovely.  That it was a pretty girl without makeup -- the kind you might notice once the girls with perfect hair and glossy nails and practiced smiles had passed you by. 

And then the blogging girl filled a drinking glass with water and put a rose in. 

 

 
PS Coming to Marrakech? Kind courriers from the US and the UK needed:

Hi everyone
Am taking a short break for the rest of the week. Waterboy has district championship going on this week and of course have been riveted to election returns. Will be back next week. Talk soon, k

I want to thank you all for the many comments left. I wasn't feeling well for a time and had a health scare, which turned my attention to things in the "real world". Another Shade of Grey requires a considerable amount of my time and as much as I enjoy it I felt the need to step away for awhile. I don't really know what my plans are for this blog from this point forward, which is why I have hesitated to say anything at all, but I did want to let you know everything is well and I apologize for leaving you hanging. To make amends I share this fabulous hand printed gift wrap via rifferaff. Hope you enjoy! :)

The cover of the latest Western Interiors was graced by the work of Will Wick. The issue is dedicated to smaller homes, but Mr. Wick is able to make this San Francisco residence appear luxurious in size. He also combined heirloom furniture pieces with new finds making everything feel modern and fresh:

For example there was a pair of traditional drum tables flanking the sofa in the Living Room that he topped with organic tree trunk lamps. Very unexpected, but it gives the space a humorous edge. Instead of the expected Oriental area rug, he uses a goatskin rug to change things up a bit.

In the Family Room, he uses soothing light colors with just one punch of color in the art to expand the smallish space into something that seems much larger. Gorgeous!

For many more photos from the Wick Design Group's portfolio, be sure to check out this post from Desire to Inspire.

I believe I have a new crush!

via moocowhandknits.

The George3 console table is designed by Gareth Neal, and is a piece of furniture that is quite unique, and can very easily catch your eye. In the same style we presented last year another interesting table by Gareth Neal. The only problem I can see is there will be dust to collect in those small spaces, and it could be difficult to take it away.

Post from: Interior Design, Home & House Design, Furniture

Namba Parks is a really amazing piece of architecture, a place where you’ll spend half your time shopping and the other half admiring the design. It stands where Osaka’s baseball stadium used to be until 2003, and consists of a 30-floor skyscraper, Parks Tower, and 120-tenant shopping mall which includes many restaurants and a cinema. The eight floors of terraced gardens, boutique stores, big brands and trendy dining have been an instant hit in shopping-mad Osaka. In addition to providing a highly visible green component in a city where nature is sparse, the sloping park connects to the street, welcoming passers-by to enjoy its groves of trees, clusters of rocks, cliffs, lawn, streams, waterfalls, ponds and outdoor terraces.

Beneath the park, a canyon carves an experiential path through specialty retail, entertainment and dining venues. Namba Parks creates a new natural experience for Osaka that celebrates the interaction of people, culture and recreation. The project was so successful that Namba Parks construction is already underway for an extension - almost doubling the facility and due for completion in the middle of 2007. Finally this project is so amazing, that personally I would include it as the 8th wonder of the world. - Namba Parks on Wikipedia & Namba Parks website + Images at higher resolution - 1, 2

Post from: Interior Design, Home & House Design, Furniture

today i am celebrating my dear friend sofie ~ she's a very beautiful, incredibly wise, deeply loving, vivaciously generous woman who has so much positive light & energy glowing thru her that you can't help but feel warmed whenever you're near her. she's one of my best friends, and i couldn't be more grateful for all that she is! happy birthday, dear one, you are so very loved!

Getting sick really puts me over the edge. It is generally miserable, and I pout alot. But when I am over the hump of feeling fatal and on the upswing again, there is nothing I like better than English Breakfast Tea and toast. There is a pretty fabulous tea shop in Sacramento called Hina's, and it very different than you might expect:

They carry over 300 kinds of tea and some amazing tea ware and accessories. But it's the design of the space that I find so intriguing.

Contemporary and relaxed,

....with a sprinkling of tea leaves on the ceiling. Check out their website here for information for you tea aficionados who can't get enough.

Another great article about tea, it's history, tea related furniture and tea ware, be sure to check out the article on 1st Dibs: Tea Tables and Tea Drinking Equipage by Louise Devinish. Very interesting:

HERE is some more tea trivia to set you all straight.

Dust that old spice box, bring out that antique jewellery box your mother gave you, better still if it has some compartments in them.

Display it on your center table or that coffee table in your drawing room where you welcome your guests for Diwali.

Fill each compartment with dry-fruits, sugar candies, chocolates, take your pick:-) Drop a tiny tea light candle in one of the slots and see the festive glow it it brings into your home and on the faces of your guests:-)

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

A few people we think you will like.

You may or may not know Bluelines has some pretty creative and helpful friends in the blogosphere.

The Bride's Guide has charming and original ideas for brides-to-be.

While Dinner Tonight can save you from buying that frozen pizza with fresh and simple (we swear) dinner ideas every day. Yes, every day.

Finally, Did you think that Martha Stewart making Cherry Mojitos with the Google guys would happen on an average Wednesday? You can read about that and many more adventures on The Martha Blog.

It seems that when you are a celebrity you know everything, or at least media shows that you know everything and you can do anything easily. For example recently actor Brad Pitt has signed on as the designer of a luxury eco-friendly hotel with Zabeel Properties, that will be built Dubai. The project, which aims to be an “environmentally sustainable” 800-room luxury property, will include Pitt as a designer working with GRAFT. “Whilst acting is my career, architecture is my passion” said Brad in a statement. Now I know that an architect has to study hard for about 6 or 7 years in college, to be able to create something, and  I really hope Brad isn’t the lead architect on this thing. It’ll probably collapse whilst they’re working on it. Finally I think that the company that started this project got Brad Pitt involved in this project for a big boost of publicity and not really for his designer services. What do you think ? Via Telegraph and People.

Post from: Interior Design, Home & House Design, Furniture

Hable Construction has teamed up with Bella-Dura to create a line of vibrant, fashionable, and eco-savvy fabrics suitable for in-doors and out-. Bella-Dura is a by-product of post-industrial waste comprised of synthetic fibers with amazing performance qualities that require no additional chemical treatments. Starring qualities of the fabrics include anti-microbial properties, stain-resistance, and provides 1,500+ hours of lightfastness. Bella-Dura fabrics are also recyclable.


This line is available to the TRADE ONLY and several NEW styles are in the mix. Such pretty, pretty patterns!

From Julie:

Houseguests, anyone? We love this idea, spotted on Apartment Therapy: Artisan Shepherd’s Huts. Paulus Smith has been a specialist joiner for over 25 years, working on listed and historic buildings. He now spends his time creating meticulously crafted shepherd’s huts from his medieval barn workshop in Sussex; wheels are cast from molten iron using original patterns, floors are solid oak, and all fittings such as door handles and window fastenings are high-quality reproductions. Can be used as garden retreat, spare room, studio, or office. Prices start at about £11,000; go to Artisan Shepherd’s Huts for more information.

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update on upcoming move. So much to do and so little time. Our move in date is June 2, and I have been pretty overwhelmed with the years of accumulation that have to be boxed and sorted and of course we will be having the expected garage sale. I have also been doing some furniture shopping and lots of browsing looking for inspiration like the gorgeous lanterns I found on Gumps today. Will try to check in with some of my finds as we count down to the big move. It's going to be sporadic here at Kstyle until we settle in so thank you in advance for your patience. k

If your computer uses USB connections and you're anything like me, you're tired of unplugging and plugging in your peripheries. There just aren't enough USB slots on my Macs. Well here's a solution to that problem with a funky globe design. Even better... it's on sale!

My brother just sent me the funniest email and I thought I’d share:

Hey!

I took this by my house yesterday, D.O.T. at their finest:

From Sarah:

This spring, I became obsessed with finding an outdoor table that met various criteria: namely, a budget of $1,000 and a look that was neither spanking new nor faux aged. Ultimately, I tracked down this folding wooden German beer garden table with benches at Sonoma Country Antiques, all for the compelling price of $700. I was so enamored of the table that I shortly returned and bought another set, thus promptly blowing budget (but gaining extra dinner seats in the garden).

Below: A bit of sleuthing turned up a US source from an outfit called Bier Boot Haus: the Biergarten Folding Wood Table, with walnut finished top and green painted metal legs, imported from Europe. Although it’s not as characterful as a vintage set, it seats 10 comfortably (it’s 88 inches long) and folds for easy storage. $499.99 at Bier Boot Haus.

Vanessa wrote in to share that she heard India Hicks will host the next season of Bravo's Top Design and Todd Oldham will continue in his role as mentor (minus the host part). Of course our dear Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler and Margaret Russell will still serve as judges. Kelly must stay, we need her advice and her clothes to check out each week. It will be fun to see what India is like (does she have a fabulous British accent, I wonder?) and what she will wear too. I have no clue either way since I've only seen her in photos throughout the years.


Here's a little bit about India that you may not have known that I find quite interesting, "Host India Hicks is the daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks. Born in London, England, she was named in honor of her grandfather, Lord Mountbatten of Burma the last Viceroy to India. Her godfather, HRH Prince Charles, chose Hicks to be a bridesmaid in his wedding to the late Lady Diana Spencer in 1990." - Bravo TV.

What do you think of adding India to the mix to replace Todd as host?

(image from bravo tv)

I found these cool images of modern chair designs at Shutterstock. Great for grapich designers and web folks.