Wow, what a week! An historic election just started things off.

But now the economy is throwing me for a loop and there are some big things for me to think about at the moment. So I am sorry about the lack of posts the last couple of days. I hope to be back with some exciting things next week!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, NO MATTER WHAT'S SHAKIN'!

P.S. Many of you appreciated this photo as much as I did. You can catch more from robin jones1 Flickr photo stream here.

(RSS users, click here to see my latest eBay picks.)

Not that we want booksellers to suffer any more than predicted this holiday season, but this site, novelaction.com, provides a great way to make sure you always have something new to read. The site is devoted to exchanging used books. Here’s how it works: You go to the site and browse through the pages and pages of available titles. Once you find a few that you want, check the boxes, and then commit to send in that same number of books. After your already-read, no-longer-needed books have been received, the new reads you want will be shipped out to you. It’s almost like a Netflix for used books. All you pay for is shipping — $4.80 for up to 12 books. Click here to see more!

Essex Chest

Running through a copy of the San Francisco Design Center Fall 3D Issue, I spied a charming furniture company. Now maybe some of you have heard of Somerset Bay, but I was unfamiliar.

Bald Head Console

I was immediately reminded of Summer beach houses.

Catalina Four Poster

And Cozy Fall Bed and Breakfast getaways

Carmel Chair

Intimate Winter Dinner parties

Camden Display Case

And Spring organizing

Kennebunkport Cocktail Table

But no matter the season, it is clear that classic design with a twist of color, and a bit of wit translates into charming keepsakes.

Sonoma Armoire

To find out more and see the full website, click here.

Enjoy your weekend!

I wanted to tell you something.  I wanted to tell you that we are out of money.  I wanted to tell you that we are limping along, that we are crawling at a snail’s pace, that we’re inching like inch worms.  I wanted to tell you that when the stock market crashed, we crashed, too.  I wanted to tell you that I am not sure when Peacock Pavilions is opening.  But it won’t be March 2009.  It will be sometime, sometime after that.  I wanted to tell you that I don’t know when it will be.  I wanted to tell you that I am disappointed, that I am very disappointed.  But I also wanted to tell you that none of it matters; that it’s just money - it’s not more than that.  I wanted to tell you that I feel lucky for what I have.  I wanted to tell you that I know that there are so many who have nothing, who have had everything taken from them.  Including their dignity.  I wanted to tell you that I think that this was meant to be.  And I am even thankful for it. Because nothing good -- yes, nothing really good -- should ever come too easily.  I wanted to tell you that I am okay.  I wanted to tell you that I am really okay most of the time.  Except for when I am not.  But those times are not so many. 

I wanted to tell you so much.  But (shyly) I didn’t know how.  But now, now you know….what I wanted to tell you.  

PS Many thanks to the gypsygirl for inspiring this post.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, many design bloggers have decided to post Pink today. So, in support of a very worthy cause and in the spirit of camaraderie, I decided to mine my trove of vintage magazines for pink images. We've all heard that pink is a universally flattering color, and if it works on your face then why not on your walls, beds, and furniture too? And pink is not just for women either. Men seem to love it too.









Image at top courtesy of Conde Nast Store

Posted by Bluelines

We dropped in (not physically, of course) to ask her if her creative process translated to bricks and mortar.

5 Questions for Jessie Randall, Designer, Loeffler Randall

1. So, is picking out plumbing hardware as challenging as churning out a collection?
Picking out plumbing hardware is the worst. We spent our Christmas vacation buried in plumbing fixture catalogues (Davis & Warshow, McMaster). My husband picked out all kinds of fancy fixtures, but my most favorite are the industrial toilet and urinal we put in the boys’ bathroom. They are so simple and functional. They look better than any of the other stuff, in my opinion. The renovation was a massive project. We have a lot on our plate with the house, the twins and the company. So juggling it all was the hardest part, but it was fun.

2. What one thing do you have to have in your home (even amidst contractors)?
As much natural light as possible.

3. What are you most excited about when the house is complete?
The boys’ room is my most favorite part of the house. I put in a lighted diorama in their room that was modeled off of the one in my friend Bronagh's children’s store in Williamsburg, Sweet William. I also love the color of the walls in the boys’ room, Pensive Sky, a pale grey blue-green that is so calming and relaxing.

4. Taking away anything from the renovation that will infuse your upcoming collections?
I don’t tend to use lots of pattern and print in my collections, but in my house I put up several patterned wallpapers (Osborne & Little, Second Hand Rose, Walnut Wallpaper). I love them and they give so much character to the house. It’s gotten me hooked on prints, so I may incorporate more in my collections.

5. What do you think will be the most often used room of your house?
Who knows? We’ll have to see once we move in. I am guessing it will be one particular area because with two flights of stairs and twins, I am probably going to want to stay put.