I had an extra half hour after work last Friday before heading off to my Book Group, so I stopped in one of my favorite shops in Sacramento, Fringe. Owned and operated by the very stylish Laurie Newman-Wells, this shop is full of unique, beautiful and one of a kind finds. AND, I live very close, so I can drive by almost everyday and peek in the window. Sigh. Lucky me!

As soon as I walked in the door I spotted this wonderful grouping put together by Laurie: an Elk bronze (very politically current!), original painting and wooden hand model on top of an stainless steel apothecary chest. From the get go, you can see that Laurie has such a great eye.

The front window display has a French Leather club chair holding a gilt chandelier sitting in front of a fantastic quadruple head industrial lamp. Notice a couple of pieces from a full set of vintage crocodile luggage! And I have got to find out what the metal basket piece used to be. Perhaps perfect for a table base!

This twig table would be so wonderful as a desk, sofa back table or console. And the tortoise shell is actually a lamp. Fringe also has a great selection of gift items: candles, books...

I think I could take home everything in this window display: The end table made from a metal box, glazed elephant garden stool, the trumeau mirror with old glass, and I love that basket!

This chair was fantastic. It is metal with a brass finish and a black leather cushion. Sigh. I can imagine at a dressing table, or a very chic office chair. The desk is vintage stainless steel .

Another collection of unique finds: Vintage locker drawers, wire basket and globe, painting. Love the vintage gold basket purse.

This marble topped table was beautiful, but what really caught my eye here were the unframed portraits: his and hers. Perfect for anyone collecting portraiture.

These two are quite a pair. I haven't seen a camel like this before and it would be a perfect accent on a large entry table.

Loved this bar cart. Can you see the bottle caddy near the handle? Clever!

Nice collection or transfer ware.

Laurie has a lot of things that can be used inside and out. I love this table which could be the centerpiece in a kitchen with it's butcher block top.

More gift ideas to pamper yourself!

There is a quite a collection of vintage jewelry, and I really like the table under the case! Again it has that sort of industrial chic with the wood top.

Seeing this pair of entry lions with the Bergere chair and large garden urn made me think of something Michael Taylor might have done. Fabulous!

Laurie also has a back patio full of outdoor treasures like this faux bois planter.

So if you are ever in Sacramento, this is a MUST SEE!

The Fringe Website is still under construction, but will be up and running SOON, so keep checking back: http://www.fringe21.com/. In the meantime, if you see something you can't live without, you can contact Fringe at: 916-706-0216 or laurie@fringe21.com

Some of you may have heard of X21 owned by John Conaty, which began in Sacramento near the corner of X and 21st Streets (hence the name). It is well known for it's retro industrial chic style. Fringe is now in it's place and the owners of both shops are quite good buddies. X21 has since moved to San Francisco morphing into Sultana on 1st dibs. If you are ever in Fringe, don't hesitate to ask Laurie about items you may be interested in from X21. She has the inside scoop!

When I saw Aroha Silhouettes a few weeks back, I fell in love immediately. Not only are the pieces made from reclaimed vinyl records, but they make such a bold, modern statement. I even made Aroha my holiday jewelry pick over at the DM Design Directory.

http://arohasilhouettes.com

Marrakech's two most charming hosts (one French, one German) ushered them to....
 

the coziest nook...

 
They couldn't wait to see what culinary delights the Japanese chef might prepare.....

Why, like this fresh fish salad..........

And this delicious leek soup.........

Followed by Marrakech's finest sushi....

And the tenderest tenderloin .......

Topped off with a little scrumptious cheese cake....

Or a desert so pretty that one might only reluctantly share....

And after dinner, a seat in the garden....

for a spot of tea from a ridiculously good looking teapot..........

Oh, the paper lanterns dancing above......

Sigh....

Bon Appetit.

*************************

Tatchibana

38 Bab Ksiba,  Kasbah, Marrakech

Tel : 024 38 71 71

A la carte or three fabulous menus:  $25, $35 or $45. 

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

Anne Harwell's Holiday Interior Cards

Usually around mid November I start to think about my Christmas theme for the year. When I say theme, for me, it's usually mostly about what wrapping paper and gift cards I am going to use and which ribbons I will use to re-thread all of my mismatched Christmas ornaments which I have been collecting since my husband and I got married.

This time each year I love pulling out my collection of Christmas decorations as they always bring back so many happy memories especially the little ornament one of my girlfriends gave me when Harry was born. I also have ornaments I have found overseas in special places like Venice, Paris, Hawaii, San Francisco etc. etc. I'm always on the lookout for special Christmas decorations!!

Bird Ornaments available from Black & Spiro

Bunny Ornament available from Black & Spiro

To keep my collection growing I like to buy 2-3 new decorations a year. We are selling these two gorgeous decorations {above} at Black & Spiro this year and I have decided to add some of these to my collection at home. One day I will pass on my collection to Harry and hopefully he will get as much joy out of it as I do and maybe he too will carry on the tradition with his children by adding a few new ornaments each year.

Our 2006 Christmas Tree

This Christmas I am challenging myself to try to be a little less extravagant and a little more creative. Therefore another way to meet this challenge is to do some baking. I thought I might look for some vintage tins and then use them to package up some home made biscuits to give to my family & friends.

What are your plans this Christmas??

While I’m lovin’ the name of this “HUG bowl,” I’m not actually sold on the design. According to their website, “DESU DESIGN strives to make innovative products that blur the boundary between art and design.” This bottomless “bowl” simply holds items in place by surrounding them, rather than cupping them. Do you like the way the DESU designers are thinking outside the box …err, bowl? I think for $118, I’d want my bowl to have a bottom. –Erica P.

Alright ready. I know, I know. I always seem to be on semi-permanent hiatus from my blog. Well I got ton of things on my mind, namely getting my website updated. I believe, as of today, the index page is still announcing the NSS in May 2008. Nice. I should point out that on page 90 of Craft Inc, I wrote that you should "Update your site frequently with news or new products." And clearly, I am leading by example. I also tell people to always have their business cards on them, yet I am always writing my contact information on the backsides of other people's business cards when I meet them. I'm awesome like that.

Ironically, next week you'll find me on as a guest blogger on design*sponge. Obviously, have the time and energy to blog, just not on my own blog.

As for the above cookbook, "The Abundant Table: Recipes from the Bishop's Ranch Kitchen", which I illustrated, is finally out. So far I've made the pancakes (hey, I'm starting off easy) and they are delicious! I can't wait to try out the rest of their healthy recipes. And I have to say that Laura Crookston Deleot, the graphic designer, did a wonderful job! Such a pleasure working with her. Here are a couple of images from the book:

(the inside cover)

(introductory section)

Posted by Bluelines

Happy Independence Day. Have a festive, fun holiday wherever you are...

Eat, drink, and sing as loud as you want.

For those of you in Atlanta, I'd like to invite you to a talk I'm giving tomorrow night on one of my favorite subjects- design books. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 at the Barnes & Noble at the Peach shopping center (2900 Peachtree Road). We'll start gathering around 7pm, and the talk will begin at 7:30. The proceeds from sales will benefit the Cathedral Preschool. Come support a worthy cause!

Based on an elaborate concept and a carefully planned study this unique artistic creation is a perfect combination of functionality, and the art of painting, sculpturing and design.

New, revolutionary design of unique pieces of furniture does not only pervade the space, filling it up with a soul of its own, but also creates a charismatic essence of the object of art itself. This piece is the fruit of work of two promising young artists; Klemen Benedik, painter and designer, and Toma? Erzeti?, sculptor and designer.

Elaborately planed furniture design and a tender, refined painting are the artistic soul and an added value of this unique piece of furniture, which moves one's heart by its very existence, suggesting and narrating its story.