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Fabrics and Linens: Jasper Conran Sackville Street
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: RemodelistaFrom Sarah:
Jasper Conran’s 2007 Sackville Street line is an irreverent take on bespoke tailoring fabrics normally associated with London’s Savile Row. Classic flannels and pinstripes come in sensible subdued hues, while the chartreuse and saffron of his Albemarle silk and viscose birdseye spot motif are positively dapper. Suitable for both upholstery and curtains, the full line is available from Designer’s Guild.
Below: Stratton.
Below: St. James.
Below: Portman
Below: Albemarle.
Below: Cleveland.
Lucas Allen
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: desire to inspirePhotographer Lucas Allen was featured here about a year ago, and his portfolio is so smashing I thought I'd have another go. Here are photos I didn't share last time.
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The Martha Years
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
A few years ago I went through a serious Martha phase. I arrived at bridal showers with fresh blooms on my packages and covered friends' birthday gift boxes with woven grosgrain ribbon. (The matchbox obsession you've already heard about.) One project, however, really stands out in my mind as a truly good thing: custom-designed bookplates and labels.
Bookplates are usually elegant little paper labels that, according to Martha Stewart, add a personal touch to a treasured book and indicate a volume's rightful owner. Like party invitations or personal stationery, bookplates can be quite costly or very inexpensive -- there's a wide range of options available. Some bookplates are engraved while others are made at home with a rubber stamp or a computer printer.You probably remember that when Mary McDonald hosted a book-themed baby shower, she had custom bookplates made along with the invitations. These were mailed to guests who were asked to bring a book for the new baby and to write a brief personal note on the bookplate.
Above, Charlotte Moss chose to use her beloved pagoda in this design for a personal bookplate. Most any business that produces customized note paper or invitations will make bookplates. Some will have a catalog of motifs from which to choose or you may inquire about bringing in your own non-copyrighted image.Obviously these days many crafty, resourceful people make their own bookplates by hand (templates are available at Martha's site).
Rubber stamps are great because they allow you to vary your ink and paper colors (white ink on chocolate-brown paper or the reverse depending on mood). One year, for a friend who bakes, I had a stamp made that read "from Julia's kitchen" below an image of a dish. Using my computer, I did the graphic design, printed it out and took it to a business supply shop, Artlite.In my Christmas gift to Julia I included her personal stamp, ink pads and a stack of blank paper gift tags and recipe cards. The same principle works for bookplates. It's a fun thing to do for the friend who has everything.
BTW: For collectors, bookplates are a miniature art form. To learn more, visit the Bookplate Society. And Cashmere Librarian suggests The Art of the Bookplate.
Credits: images one, two, seven and eight are from Good Things;
the Mary McDonald shower pictures are via House Beautiful; and Charlotte Moss' bookplate is from her latest book, A Flair for Living, available through her site.Prefab For The Kids
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Design Mind
These are fun modern structures for the kids to play with that wont break the bank the way some modern play structures will. They even have furniture to finish off the home.
A Lot is Cooking in California
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: The Peak of Chic
There is certainly a lot going on design-wise in California right now. So much so that it's becoming difficult to stay on top of things out there. First off in Los Angeles, those gurus of fabulous furniture David Serrano and Robert Willson of Downtown have started a new venture- Outside Downtown. The shop's aesthetic is warmer and a bit more casual- perfect for beach or country houses. Think lighter finishes and stain resistant fabrics. This is definitely my idea of relaxed glamour (All images at top are shots from Outside Downtown.)
And further up north in San Francisco is designer Kendall Wilkinson. I always make sure to stop by her shop on my twice yearly trips to San Fran. Wilkinson is set to launch her Home collection which will include a bright blue leather tufted chair (which I believe is similar to those she featured in her show house room a few years ago) and a glass and lucite table- very glam. Wilkinson also has a wallpaper and fabric line in the works. I'd say she is definitely a designer to watch.
So... have you booked your trip to California yet?
A vignette of Wilkinson's shop
The soon to be famous blue leather tufted chair, inspired by one designed by Albert Hadley
Another shop vignette
Part of Wilkinson's new Home collection- a glass top table with a lucite base.
so not related to happy living but fun anyway
01/01/1970, 01:00 | Original Site: the happy living BlogJ. Crew
07/14/2008, 16:33 | Original Site: Belle Vivir
Design from the Heart
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Design Milk
Joey’s Corner is a non-profit design firm founded by Michael Osborne. This dedicated group truly pours its heart and soul into the work. Thank you!
“There is nothing more gratifying than designing for these dedicated, hard working organizations doing the most important work in the world, with the most incredible people I have ever met.” - Michael Osborne
time life sea
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
oh my, have i not been getting enough of this lately. somehow i've got a very full life with a to-do list that never ends and i forgot to rejuvenate. that's not my usual style. i suppose i'm just trying to be sure everything gets done before, well, you know, that due date arrives. but it sure seems like a lot of other things besides just baby-prep are going on. way more than usual, actually. and i am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. which means it's time to slow down, breathe, and just be.
i'm trying to face it all with a happy heart and a smiling spirit. for the most part that comes naturally to me, as i am optimistic by nature. and ultimately, these are all good things ~ albeit they all require steap learning curves, lots of attention, and all the enthusiasm i can summon. but when i find myself musing about how much calmer & easier things will be after the baby comes {and thinking of that as my excuse to keep on pushing myself through the next task-at-hand}, then i know i've hit a new high of self-imposed delusion. and so i've really got to take a step back and soak up some nothingness. . . . . if even for only a few hours. . . . .with some quality alone time at the ocean.
amen.
{i've had these lovely quote-infused images saved for a while & unfortunately can't find who's work they are. if you know, please tell me & i'll happily give proper credit}
Donostia San Sebastian
07/22/2008, 20:59 | Original Site: Karin's Style Blog Donostia is the Basque word for San Sebastian, a beautiful city on the north coast of Spain, by the Bay if Biscay. We walked and walked - up the mountain, down the mountain, through the old town, over the river, along the river, via the cathedral down to the beach - ...
Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 7.11.2007
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}Dhanteras is celebrated on the first day of the five day Diwali celebrations. 
This day Goddess Lakshmi- who is the Goddess of Wealth is worshipped for wealth & prosperity.
It is extremely auspicious to buy gold & jewellery today as it is believed to bring happiness, wealth and good luck:-)
Here is a simple Dhanteras arrangement with faux gold coins obviously:-)
(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)
This day Goddess Lakshmi- who is the Goddess of Wealth is worshipped for wealth & prosperity.It is extremely auspicious to buy gold & jewellery today as it is believed to bring happiness, wealth and good luck:-)Here is a simple Dhanteras arrangement with faux gold coins obviously:-)(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)
Design Hole Has Moved
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Design HoleI've moved to a new address. It's the same great interior design features and advice, but with a fresh new look. Find me at designholeonline.com. Don't forget to bookmark it! :)
See you there!
See you there!
Visits to the market
08/03/2008, 18:38 | Original Site: Karin's Style Blog We took the night train from Lisbon to Madrid and straight on to Valencia where we spent two hot days and swam in the wonderfully warm Mediterranean sea. Valencia was a beautiful city with the magnificent marbled Plaça de la Verge where we spent an hour enjoying the free entertainment ...
Stres-reduction test...in an airport
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: HueDoes serenity adds security? BWI (Baltimore Washington International Airport) will be rolling out the first of its kind pilot program for stress reduction in specific airport screening areas. I think this is a fabulous idea, as airports (especially post 9-11) are extremely stressful places. Racing to catch a plane, stuck in lines that move at a snails pace, then jostling to strip off all offending articles of clothing and accessories at the screening area, etc. I find myself much more anxious and short-tempered in airports.
This is a description of the special screening area:
But if these images from TSA's promo video are any indication of what is to come, I'm not sure how "soothed" I'll feel!
TSA planners have been tinkering for months in a warehouse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, testing these new aspects "You can actually influence some behavior subliminally through color," said Catherine Lillie, head of the checkpoint-testing team. source
This is a description of the special screening area:Mauve, blue and purple panels of lights glow, low decibel ambient 'spa' music hums, and smiling employees offer quiet greetings and assistance.
TSA planners have been tinkering for months in a warehouse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, testing these new aspects "You can actually influence some behavior subliminally through color," said Catherine Lillie, head of the checkpoint-testing team. source 
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?
Pia's Absolutely Favourite Things
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: absolutely beautiful things
Beautiful, talented and super kind Pia Jane Bijkerk is an inspiring Australian stylist, photographer, writer and blogger {wow she's one busy girl} currently based in Amsterdam with her 'French boy' {French for lover}. Pia and French boy live on a houseboat in one of the beautiful canals in Amsterdam - how exotic!! I was recently lucky enough to meet this talented multi-tasking woman and her French Boy in a city we both love, Paris. I'm sure our blogging friendship will endure for a very long time and I hope she finally fulfills her dream of one day returning home to Australia to live!! Let's see what Pia is absolutely crazy about!!
"I was very inspired by your request for a few of my favourite things and found myself collecting little treasures from my various travels ever since you asked me. As a stylist, I find I have phases of 'object love' and at the moment I am finding so much inspiration in handmade ceramics. As it turns out, all these pieces come from the three cities that hold my heart (and that I call home) - Paris, Amsterdam, and Sydney. And as wonderful luck would have it, today was a gorgeous sunny day here in Amsterdam,casting a lovely soft haze across my vignette and making it the perfect opportunity to capture 'a few of my absolutely favourite things'. I think it looks a bit like Polaroid which I love!
Anna, do you remember when we met in Paris a couple of months ago, I had a little parcel of handmade ceramics that I had just purchased? I found them in the quaintest little boutique in the backstreets of Le Marais, and ever since then I have had a penchant for little ceramic vessels to add to my new collection. So last week when I was in Sydney I had a chance to take a quick trip to Paddington Markets, one of my favourite market places in the world (I have a few favourite market places, but this one is definitely in my top 5!) - I spotted the stall of ceramicist Samantha Robinson. I used to use her pieces as props when I was styling in Sydney, and it was great to stumble upon her work again, I couldn't resist taking a few pieces home with me (they are the little hand printed espresso cups in the front right of the photo). And back in Amsterdam this morning I visited one of my most treasured ceramic stores, Vivian Hann's on the Harlemmerdijk. Everything here is from these special boutiques. Each piece brings a smile to my face, and I love picking them up every now and then and feeling their rough and smooth textures. And yes, every now and then, for special occasions and when we have guests, we use them. But for now, this is where they sit, on a shelf, in 'le petit bateau' in Amsterdam."
Anna, do you remember when we met in Paris a couple of months ago, I had a little parcel of handmade ceramics that I had just purchased? I found them in the quaintest little boutique in the backstreets of Le Marais, and ever since then I have had a penchant for little ceramic vessels to add to my new collection. So last week when I was in Sydney I had a chance to take a quick trip to Paddington Markets, one of my favourite market places in the world (I have a few favourite market places, but this one is definitely in my top 5!) - I spotted the stall of ceramicist Samantha Robinson. I used to use her pieces as props when I was styling in Sydney, and it was great to stumble upon her work again, I couldn't resist taking a few pieces home with me (they are the little hand printed espresso cups in the front right of the photo). And back in Amsterdam this morning I visited one of my most treasured ceramic stores, Vivian Hann's on the Harlemmerdijk. Everything here is from these special boutiques. Each piece brings a smile to my face, and I love picking them up every now and then and feeling their rough and smooth textures. And yes, every now and then, for special occasions and when we have guests, we use them. But for now, this is where they sit, on a shelf, in 'le petit bateau' in Amsterdam."
I must say I love the simplicity of these pieces so much and I do love the story behind them too! Thank you for sharing your collection of things with us Pia!
'Absolutely Favourite Things' will appear here every Thursday so stay tuned.
Where Have We Been?
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Bluelines
Posted by BluelinesWe took an unexpected and unintended hiatus for the past few weeks.
Will be up with a fresh idea from Lena shortly.
Recreating your favorite franchise at home
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: HueRandomly surfing the variety of design discussion forums out there, I found a posting on HGTV's discussion board that "revealed" several of Panera Bread's interior wall colors. I never knew they were top secret, but I can't tell you how many times I have had a client ask for their colors. Instead of using these exact colors, I steer people towards using colors appropriate for their particular spaces that may be evocative of this franchise's visual look.
That warm orangey color is from Benjamin Moore called Golden harvest 2157-02
House Beautiful magazine
The gold color on the right is evidently Ben Moore Semolina#2155-40, just for your reference.
Love the blue and orange combo-isn't it cheerful? And really plays up the warm honey tones in the breads.
These were the only pics I was able to snap at my local Panera Bread, as evidently, picture- taking in the store is not permitted. I was quickly asked to put my camera away. Probably didn't help that I was toting this enormous camera with large lenses... Not the most subtle of approaches- I don't think I'd make a very good spy!
That warm orangey color is from Benjamin Moore called Golden harvest 2157-02It's great to find inspiration in spaces you love, but don't get hung up on what color was used exactly. I want to tear my hair out when I read shelter magazines stating this or that designer's favorite paint colors, giving you the exact paint brand and code, as though you can replicate their design simply by using their color choices. Colors will vary dramatically based on the context of how they are used.
House Beautiful magazine
The gold color on the right is evidently Ben Moore Semolina#2155-40, just for your reference.
Love the blue and orange combo-isn't it cheerful? And really plays up the warm honey tones in the breads.
These were the only pics I was able to snap at my local Panera Bread, as evidently, picture- taking in the store is not permitted. I was quickly asked to put my camera away. Probably didn't help that I was toting this enormous camera with large lenses... Not the most subtle of approaches- I don't think I'd make a very good spy!Helen Amy Murray
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Design Milk
Helen Amy Murray’s surface reliefs on everything from chairs to headboards to walls are just unbelievably gorgeous. The detail is just as amazing as the overall effect.
Back to basics- Starbucks waxes nostalgic
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: HueThere are three camps of coffee drinkers. Those who openly admit to loving Starbucks; those who love it, but are ashamed to admit it; and those who love to hate Starbucks. Don't you agree? That being said, whatever camp you come from, have you been into a Starbucks recently? Notice anything different about their logo?
After a hiatus of 9 years, Howard Schultz is back to rescue Starbucks from its sad decline. "Starbucks unleashed an unprecedented wave of brand nostalgia by deploying the original Starbucks logo on the masses"-Brand New
According to the Wall Street Journal, this new itteration isn’t permanent–the retro logo is being used temporarily. But as they so astutely say, "in the annals of brand identity, switching away from a high-recognition logo–even for a promotion–is an unusual move."
There's a tidal wave of talk going on in the blogosphere.
For your reference, here's where the logo has been, and where it has gone again:
What do you think of this new transition from what the public is familiar with, to something less, dare I say, remarkable?
After a hiatus of 9 years, Howard Schultz is back to rescue Starbucks from its sad decline. "Starbucks unleashed an unprecedented wave of brand nostalgia by deploying the original Starbucks logo on the masses"-Brand New
According to the Wall Street Journal, this new itteration isn’t permanent–the retro logo is being used temporarily. But as they so astutely say, "in the annals of brand identity, switching away from a high-recognition logo–even for a promotion–is an unusual move."
There's a tidal wave of talk going on in the blogosphere.
For your reference, here's where the logo has been, and where it has gone again:
via Brand Autopsy
From affirming green, to dull brown, I fear the change was not a good move, other than to stir up buzz. (get it? "stir" up "buzz"? Ah, I crack myself up...) The Starbucks logo had established quite an identity for itself. Even from far away, the green circle on a coffee cup was pretty darn identifiable. Brown is a difficult color to use for branding because it lacks pizazz. UPS chose to use the color because it hid the dust on their trucks. Can you think of any other well-recognized brand that uses brown successfully?What do you think of this new transition from what the public is familiar with, to something less, dare I say, remarkable?
Marrakech writing: and on becoming a travel writer (or sort of, anyway)
09/05/2008, 21:31 | Original Site: My MarrakeshShe had been writing, you see. Travel writing. She had been scribbling: oh, this and that, yes, this and that. She had just finished working on the Marrakech chapter and the Adventures chapter of the new Fodor's Guide to Morocco. But there was more. You see she did a bi-monthly city guide to Marrakech for a Spanish magazine. And she wrote Moroccan feature stories and some not-so-feature-stories-but-nice-anyway stories. And the editors put up with her quirky writing style. And then they sent her the magazines with her articles, all fresh and new, and smelling like clean in big manila envelopes in the mail.
Her kids thought it was pretty cool:-)
A six-page cover story on henna......
A four-page story on Yves Saint Laurent's Majorelle Garden in Marrakech
A last page story on the Marrakech spice market, le souk des epices
Tracey M Kessler
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: desire to inspire
"Drama-filled interiors with mood laughter and personality ... modern lines, harmonious textures and earthy groundingness." After all the scandi-modern, white floor bo-ho we've been showcasing lately, the earthiness of Tracey M. Kessler's work is a perfect counterpoint. The deep rich colours and the organic vibe of her work are sophisticated and stylish. With winter fast approaching for many of you these rooms are made for snuggling in.
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WINKS
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: desire to inspire
.... I'm obsessed with growing moss. Help! My home is being taken over.
WINKS - weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we've found and things we think you'll want to see. If you'd like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we'll link you. So what's in this week?
- Cliff Spencer is a furniture maker. His website says so. He specialises in highest quality modern and traditional cabinetry, custom furniture, green materials, finishing & refinishing. But Cliff isn't a furniture maker. He's an artist. Wood comes alive under his hands. As the website says, "When the morning sun hits the swirling grain of the wood in one of our pieces in just the right way, you’ll see a different angle, a shape, a curve you hadn’t noticed before. It’s old world craftsmanship in modern times, using only the finest joinery, built to last for generations." Live simply with beautiful artisan pieces.
- Kim and I have been waiting for some time to introduce you to Manvi Drona-Hidalgo and her blog Mochatini. Emails back and forth and now she feels she's ready ;) "With Mochatini, I hope to share with you things that inspire me, that I am passionate about, some upcoming artists, timeless classics with modern twists, my attempts at design and other musings." Manvi is a busy woman. She also blogs for 2Modern’s Design Talk and Vogue India. Click on over and say hi! Oh and check out all the eye candy.
photograph: Annick Geenen
Yes, a crystal encrusted mural you can apply to a wall a column, a head board. Anywhere. The Saturday Décor designs and produces a unique line of home décor products — including window and wall décor, jewellery, lighting, and pendants. Duco Phangsoa emailed to introduce this concept. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. OTT definitely but just right for your own personal palace!
Press Thanks...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: MadeByGirlThis weekend while checking the mail I received the newest issue of Polished Magazine & my work was on the cover! Wow, I knew I was going to be in the magazine, but had no idea I'd get the cover! Those of you in Las Vegas should be familiar with this design & decor mag, if not check out the Review Journals website. The print on the cover is of our Brooklyn Poster. Thank you Beth!
*Also our popular 'ABC Love prints' were featured in the August 2008 issue of Marie Claire UK, with actress Anne Hathaway on the cover this time! Ha! Thanks Karine!
(Credit bodie & fou)
From That to This
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: * Terramia *
The weekend is near, the season is here... time to go treasure hunting!I love how this vintage hotel lobby key box finds new life as a mailbox system.
From Pottery Barn
magical mind mastery
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
i'm sure most of you have seen a magic show at some point in your lives. but how many of you have been knocked completely senseless by an expert in mentalism?{for those who are curious: "mentalism is an ancient performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, use mental acuity, cold reading, warm reading, hot reading, principles of stage magic, hypnosis, psychokineses, extra-sensory perception, precognition, clairvoyance or mind control. from wikipedia}
this past friday night i had a magical experience that i just can't help but share with you all. the ever entertaining & beautiful tangobaby took the brilliantly delightful & gorgeous ms.paris-parfait {& her lovely daughter jordanna} and me to see her friend's show: christian cagigal's pandora experiment.
i wasn't quite sure what to expect, but i was excited because tangobaby has excellent taste and anything she raves about is sure to be fantastic. and let me tell you, christian's show was beyond incredible. he created a mood of mystery and old-home comfort in a small black-box style theater in which he proceeded to blow us away with his mental gymnastics.
his "tricks" aren't just sleight of hand curiosities ~ they are mental adventures with twists and turns that leave you mystified as to how he did it. i don't want to give away too many details because anyone within reasonable distance of the exit theater needs to go see this show asap, but i'm dying to share with you that i got chosen to be a part of the show. somehow either i was able to read his mind or he was able to read mine, but through a series of interesting guessing-games i was shocked silly by what was uncovered. {literally i giggled in spite of myself several times because i couldn't believe what he was doing nor what i was doing under his direction}.
in one scenario i had to close my eyes & select from a group of people holding keys which one held the only key that would unlock the chain around my wrist hanging from the ceiling {no, it's not that kind of show} ~ with eyes closed, i visualized where my key must be, which hand glowed white & drew me to it the most..... and i blindly selected a pregnant woman. to my amazement. and of course the key she held set me free. then, to everyone's continued surprise we discovered that we both have the same due date. pure fascinating coincidence. now that, i know, wasn't part of the show christian had planned but it certainly added to the overall sense of awe everyone was feeling at his mastery of our minds.
please go see his show ~ you will not be disappointed. his blog with more info is here, and a trailer for the show is below{all photos by femme fotographie and were graciously taken from her flickr album}