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: : the colors of our new home: :
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: red.house
: : hurray!! finally I have some photos to share with you all! we had a little house warming party this weekend and had to get the place in order, so I took the opportunity to snap some quick photos. we're lovin' our apartment!! and we were so happy to share it with our friends this weekend. above are photos of the .dining room. and .living room. the dining room wall is a pretty turquoise, our four yellow eames chairs complement it nicely. the table is what I used as my desk at my old apartment. we're on the hunt for a dinner table that could host at least 8 people for dinner. but this will have to do for now. it's just big enough to fit the silicone table cloth that my sister and brother gave me [by wisdesign]
in the living room the wall is painted in japanese fern, the eames lounge is a reproduction, and sooo comfortable. the fabric on the ottoman was a present from my best friend .louise. who works for a textile company in Sweden.
the kitchen is long and narrow, so we have extended it out into the diningroom and bought one large kitchen island and two small ones to make up for the lack of storage. and now it's the social spot of the house. everyone comes to hang by the kitchen island while drinks are served and food is being cooked. my swedish cookie box I found on swedish ebay .tradera.the tea box is from an adorable little market in Quebec and the orange pyrex bowl we bought at a fleamarket in Virginia.
the bedroom is heavenly in the afternoons when the sun fills the whole room. the front balcony is right off the bedroom. up until this point, the balcony has been the most frequently used 'room' of the house. at night the balcony looks so cozy with lights wrapping around the railing. we also just started a small herb garden out there. funny how incredibly satisfying gardening can be? who would have thought?Cosmo Cafe Opening
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: katiedid
I have been working on the design for a new Sacramento restaurant, Cosmo Cafe, for the last few months, and had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening Night Event last Thursday night. The Cosmo Cafe is part of the larger Cosmopolitan building which is also home to the Cosmopolitan Cabaret and the soon to be opening Social nightclub. I thought you all might like to take a peek:
Of course there were Cosmos
And lots of friends and familiar faces.
Kerry Ellis (don't you just love that name?!?!), lighting designer extraordinaire of Benning Design Associates, worked to get the lighting design just right. And Sean from Lumens Light and Living helped us with supplying the decorative light fixtures.
Stacy Paragary of Paragary Restaurant Group, proprietress and wonderful client, had fun with Bruce Benning, owner of Benning Design Associates.
And here I am in my role as Senior Designer for Benning Design, with my good friend Kate of Girl Meets Glamour blog.
Good friends Leanne and Nicole. In the back round you can see the back lighted photo of K Street in Sacramento that I had enlarged showing the original exterior of the restaurant building in it's previous mid-century incarnation as Woolworth's.
I met Kevin Johnson, former NBA Star and perhaps the future Mayor of Sacramento. November 4th will tell!
The crowd was swelling early into the evening helping to kick off a great first night.
Cool congas (Thanks MER!) were played.
Diners were enjoying the sumptuous menu.
The Sacramento Hotel, shown here, was the original occupier of the corner of 10th and K Streets. I created niches lined with back painted glass to showcase historical buildings on and around K Street.
For the bigger groups, there is a private dining room with a view to the kitchen.
Cocktails and friends made it an evening to remember.
So, if you are looking for a very "Cosmopolitan" way to spend an evening, don't miss dinner at Cosmo Cafe before seeing a show at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret!
Art to the Rescue
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Bluelines
Posted by JodiI was recently preparing my house for a friend’s baby shower when I noticed the non-curtained French doors in the den provided a great view for guests to my not-so-neat bedroom.
It’s the kind of thing you don’t think of until the door bell is about to ring.
My quick fix: I took a few of my son Sammy’s paintings from our massive collection and taped them neatly with white artist’s tape to the back of the doors.
It was meant to be a temporary solution, but my husband and I love it. (We know we are biased.) I might even laminate the art so I can hang the masterpieces neatly with some tiny eyelets on cup hooks.
Since there is a lot of Sammy art where that came from, we often have “art shows” at our house. (His teacher told me that he “uses up more paper than anyone in the class.”) I was proud, even though I’m not sure it was meant as a compliment.
Our shows are installed in hallways, on doors, and strung on clotheslines under the mantle. One “piece” that is on permanent display over our mantle is a series of his first people drawings collaged and hung in one of Ikea’s “NYTTJA” frames.
They come in lots of colors and sizes. The one above is the large (19 ¾” x 27 ½”) orange one and it’s only $7.99! (One downside with the frame is the plexiglass starts to bow and sag after a while. I plan to replace it with glass.)
Collaging a bunch of your child’s artwork is a great way to capture a series and create a larger piece of art.
Now that my younger son, Lionel, is starting to draw himself, we may have to move to a place with more walls!
A Perfect Fit
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: * Terramia *
A beautiful round table and awkward, out-of-place rectangular placemats?This is sooo ingenious and sooo what I need... placemats that are a perfect fit for a round table! No more overlapping standard mats, or having corners hang over the edge. These clever Wedge Placements fit a circular outdoor table perfectly and are completely weatherproof... from Solutions
Flooring
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: desire to inspireIf you'd like to be brought up to date, check out my kitchen remodel blog for an archive of previous posts. I posted recently about some final sketches Greentea created for me and some decisions I've made. Now for the flooring.
One of the steps to this renovation that I was super excited about was getting new flooring. When I first moved into this house I knew I would eventually knock the wall down separating the living room from the kitchen, and continue the same flooring throughout. Since I love the look of painted hardwood, I decided to paint the existing hardwood in the living room (I detested the oak colour) and get hardwood installed in the kitchen and paint it the same colour. I was so excited to see the tiles go that I had lived with since last December (beyond gross). I'll stick a before photo here as a reminder:
As I mentionned in a previous post, the contractor spent alot of time levelling the floor, because it dipped from one end to the other by several inches.
Initially the contractor was going to purchase unfinished hardwood to lay in the kitchen. But when he went to pick it up, he said there were alot of knots showing and was worried it would show through the paint. So he went with finished flooring. And he purchased boxes of various colours that were leftovers from previous customer orders, so it only ended up costing $1.99/sq.ft. When they started laying it, we all got a kick out of the different colours and thought it looked pretty cool.
As you can see in the last photo, because the floor involved some layers to get it level, the kitchen is now a little step up from the living room. The contractor put a nice curved finishing piece on the edge.
To see the result of my flooring project, click HERE.
Uncommon Rugs
11/10/2008, 22:09 | Original Site: Design Mind
It's so easy to go simple or basic when picking a rug for a room, but a rug can be such a fabulous design decision if one is willing to make a bold choice. Here are just a few uncommon rugs that can make a huge difference in your space. See Spacify for many more options.London & Violet Lines & Shapes
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Karin's Style Blogtime 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.
Let the Good Times Roll
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: The Peak of Chic
When I planned this post over the weekend, I intended for the topic to be solely about home bars from the 1920s through the 40s. And then I realized that this post would be published today- the day after the election. So I suppose I could say that these images might serve as some inspiration for those of you who are celebrating today.
All kidding aside, have you ever thought about putting a bar like one of these in your home? It would certainly be a far cry from the drinks tray or table that most of us have. Back during Prohibition, some of the design magazines gave tips for designing home bars. Since you couldn't imbibe in public, you had to drink your bathtub gin at home (far safer than hanging out at a gin joint). And it couldn't just be any old bar. It had to be rather swell. The kind of place that would elevate your hooch into something far more refined.
While most of us don't have the luxury of space to create a home bar, it's fun to imagine what it would be like to have a room devoted entirely to recreational fun- or vice, depending on how you look at it!
Elsie de Wolfe designed this bar for her Beverly Hills home After All. That black and white tented ceiling is pretty fabulous, but I would think that it might cause a little dizziness after one too many Singapore Slings.
This bar was designed by the old design firm Thedlow. Rather gutsy to render the doors as giant playing cards.
This was a serious little bar for the hardcore home barkeep. But how great is that floor?
Image at top: This bar decorated by Frances Elkins is seriously cool. And those bar stools have to be the all-time best bar stools ever designed. Period.
More Gumdale House
11/07/2008, 10:04 | Original Site: absolutely beautiful things
This is the family/casual dining area {above & below}. We used white painted Chippendale dining chairs which we upholstered in a navy & white ticking.
This is a little area at the base of the staircase which we had panelled.
These are the drapes in the Main Bedroom. We purchased the Antique French timber chandelier from a dealer in Melbourne.
A pretty little section of the kitchen {above & below}.
This is an area in the Master Bathroom. We sourced the antique mirror for the client and had it painted white. I love how the mirror itself is yellowing with age. I told the client she needs to get some pretty little vases with fresh flowers and some little tea light candles and put them on the little shelves on the mirror!!I spent an hour with the client this afternoon and I finally got to sit down in one of the beautiful armchairs and look at everything we had achieved. It's just such a lovely feeling looking at your work, being proud of it and having a very happy client. That's the most important thing of all....having a happy client!!
Our home in BBC Good Homes Magazine!
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
It's super exciting to see our humble abode featured in BBC Good Homes Magazine, India Edition!Thanks to the Editor~Tara*Kaushal, Deputy Editor~Seema Sreedharan and their team for featuring our home and a special thanks to Shivani Sen who wrote the feature:-)
Do pick up your copy of BBC Good Homes, November Issue;-)
( Image shot this morning, while enjoying my cup of hot chai)
Wire fantasies at manos
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Karin's Style BlogPlanning Ahead, Week II
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
One of my favorite parts of Julia Reed's book, Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties: An Entertaining Life,
is the description of her grandparents pulling up the driveway in December in a gray Cadillac overflowing with chess pies and silver-and-gold-wrapped presents. (Not to mention kitchen counters laden with tins of cayenne pepper-laced cheese straws.) Substitute a Buick for the Cadillac, add several dozen bourbon balls, and the memory is almost an exact match for my own.
Professional food grade, grease proof waxed tissue is available in an array of colors at Fancy Flours online retail shop.I'll probably be addressing my cards and packages with a simple pen, but if you are inclined to use convenient printed mailing labels, iomoi has such pretty choices. To celebrate The First Emperor, I selected a chinoiserie label, above second from the top. The gift tags are from Kate Spade and the ribbon can be found at M & J.
Here are two different approaches to making bourbon balls: a recipe adapted by Louisvillian Jennifer Ahearn. And a version made for the Tennessee premiere party for Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown. I will add that my grandmother used far more bourbon than the caterers did.
Click here for an interactive map of legendary Southern foods with companion story written by John T. Edge or go directly to McEntyre's for the cheese straws.
While we're on the subject of gift wrap, look at the sumptuous mix of colors and patterns used by Jayson Home. As you can read, free shipping is offered through December.
Jayson's blue paper dove ornaments are hard to resist.Let the Giving Begin
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
I hope everyone enjoyed a satisfying, relatively stress-free Thanksgiving! The tastemakers' gift wrapping suggestions will continue in a few days. But in the meantime, since tomorrow is Black Friday, I want to share some very reasonably priced hand-blocked Indian table linens and kitchen accessories from Elizabeth James. ( Coleen Rider introduced me to her work.)
Her oven mitts are $12 each and I'm nabbing a few to give this year.
I think a set of these is a lovely gift as is, although you could always pair them with a cookbook or Elizabeth's kitchen towels.
Her red-and-white paisley linens would bring worldly flair to the Christmas table. And when I think of inspired settings, I think of Nate Turner. You can learn entertaining tips from him in Set with Style
(he's just one of many designers included but his own table made the cover).
Also, don't miss Nate's gloriously eclectic apartment in the December domino.
Whenever I'm looking for more books about Indian textiles, I scan the offerings at the Calico Museum. They have distinctive notecards and cloth reproductions too.
Recently, The Textile Museum in Washington D.C. selected a woven 18th-century Kashmir shawl as its textile of the month (below). It features a style of Indian flower often recorded during the 17th century by the Mughal ruler Jahangir's artist. In his fall catalog, John Robshaw has some similar contemporary versions.
If you want to try your own hand with woodblocks, Elizabeth James sells them. Apart from being useful, one intricate block might look striking propped on a shelf.
All of the linens shown here are from Elizabeth's company, Pacific & Rose. The Christmas card was illustrated for me by Anne Harwell using Peter Dunham's Kashmir Paisley as inspiration. Boxed holiday cards are available on Anne's site.
The small elephant is from High Street Market and the turquoise vase is from Jayson Home.
Credit for shawl:
Cotton, silk; twill weave, supplementary-weft patterning
244 cm x 47.50 cm
The Textile Museum OC6.130
Acquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1947
A Fantasy Movie Set
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: The Peak of Chic
On a whim, I decided to play set decorator and throw together a fantasy 1930s bedroom. I think Carole Lombard would look quite smart in this bedroom. I don't envision Joan Crawford in it though. I hear she was quite the rounder, and my pristine bedroom set might end up in shambles!
How about these velvet roman shades from Pottery Barn? White and grey were de rigeur back in the 1930s (and still are in my book!), and the velvet provides just the right amount of sheen. Shine, shimmer, and gleam are very important when one is designing a decadent boudoir!
And of course you've got to have some satin and silk, such as these quilted silk throws from Schweitzer Linen. I'd use either the cream or white.
I would have to find some place for Jonathan Adler's Montmartre table, because you have to have some type of Neoclassical element in the room. Or maybe you need a few...
...in which case I would use the Athena stencil and paint this Greek motif on every door in the room.
This acrylic pedestal from Richman Design would look fabulous in a corner with some type of urn on top. Perhaps a ceramic one with lilies in it? Or, what about an alabaster urn lamp?
I might use this old Western Electric rotary phone, but I would prefer it in white. If you're going to schedule social engagements or liaisons, you really should do it in style.
The leading lady would have to wear the appropriate attire for such a room. No flannel pjs!! But we wouldn't want our leading lady to dress (or undress) like Gypsy Rose Lee either, so this robe is glamorous but tasteful too.
Keep in mind that the next time you're on television or in a movie, your eyes will really stand out if you use false eyelashes. And as long as we're going with the glamour theme, what about these feather lashes from shu uemura.
Image at top: A still from the 1935 movie "Top Hat"; set design by Van Nest Polglase
Modern Economy - Portland
07/09/2008, 08:04 | Original Site: designer's libraryWe've been super busy preparing for the Modern Economy multi-designer sample sale coming up in less than two weeks in Portland, Oregon. If you live there or happening to be visiting, please come to the sale. (Prices will be marked down up to 75% off retail!) Here are the details:
Modern Economy Sample Sale
10:30am to 3pm
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel
403 SW 10th and Stark
Portland, OR
Also, here's an update on some of the new designers and stores that will be participating this sale.
Danish-designed patterns and designs for your wall from Ferm Living.
Clothpony's hip, adorable girl's clothing.
Olio United, a local Portland shop, will be bringing a variety of clothes and home accessories.
Gorgeous cards and notebooks from Nantaka Joy.
Tina Frey's home accesories and jewelry made of resin.
Well-designed, eco goods from Josh Jakus.
Nature-inspired notebooks from Jill Bliss.
Unique pottery for plants from Portland store, Life + Limb.
Emma Gardner's luxurious wool throws.
Plant and sea life-inspired wall art from Jefdesigns.
Two for joy, immense joy...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}Today I am sharing with you not one but two great spaces which have got imprinted on my mind ever since I saw them a couple of days ago.
The first on, is designer Jivi Sethi's ultra-stylish residence in Assagao in Goa.
Jivi Sethi's home which is featured in Vogue Magazine, this month is an eclectic blend of antique objets d'art with contemporary furniture. 
He has styled his home with loads of glass, mirrors & chandeliers. I love the way he had brought in the old goan charm by using antique chandeliers, old wine bottles & loads of floral arrangements:-)
Look at the fusion of antique goan wooden cupboard with contemporary glass & lacquer coffee table designed by him:-)
Flowers everywhere...*sigh* Love the way he floats the 'Parijat' flowers with the orange stalk upwards adding colour & texture to the arrangement
Another thing striking is the use of vibrant colours, his home is filled with art from his friends blending in with his own pieces of heirloom from his family home in Amritsar & Delhi.
There is something fun, colourful, vibrant & eclectic in this space which reflects the personality of this very creative & stylish designer. 
Join me in gliding along the backwaters in a 'Kettuvallam' or the traditional Houseboat. Earlier these boats with coir and bamboo roofs were used as cargo boats but nowadays they are used as 2-3 room houseboats cruising along the Malabar coast. 
A passage along the side of the boat. The boat is lit by oil lamps in the night. You can see a traditional brass lock on the door.
A small deck at the tail of the boat from where one can watch the magical sunsets in the backwaters.
The arches of the boat have been constructed with palm-leaf matting, woven into a bamboo frame and tied together with coir ropes (very eco-friendly, I must add)
Imagine sleeping under this romantic canopy and waking up to the gentle sound of the oars splashing the water.....now that's a thought!On that note, I take your leave for a couple of weeks. I am taking a 'Winter Break' and will be doing some travelling and practicing loads of photography:-)
Meanwhile do check out Neece Clark's Shop Online. She has some amazing paintings up for sale for the holidays.
Will also be keeping my eyes open for fellow blogger An Indian Summer's Bazaar which is opening in January 2008.So do visit her too where she will be bringing to you '...an eclectic mix of select Asian and Indian crafts and products of exquisite design and high quality.'
My wonderful news
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Belle Vivir
Images above Milkos the cow and Boys/girls Romper. Aren't they adorable?
Giveaway Winner is....
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: MadeByGirlSales and Happenings
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
Some Southerners travel to New York during the holiday season. Wherever you live, if you plan to be in the big city, save the dates: Tuesday - Friday, December 2 - 5, for a major Lulu DK sale at 675 Madison Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Look for baby bedding, pillows, tabletop and more at this rare event. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Oh how I wish I could be in L.A. this weekend. A fabulous "yard sale" involving Hollywood at Home, Harbinger and Nathan Turner will take place Friday and Saturday, November 21-22 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m at 636 North Almont Drive. Look for deep discounts on very stylish wares.
Back to New York, November 20 -22, John Robshaw is having a sample sale. It is open to the public, and they tell me there will be a variety of items available including all types of bedding (sheets, duvets, quilts, and shams). Also look for decorative pillows -- perhaps the handpainted elephant pillow I've received so much email about -- as well as a wide selection of tabletop.
Image courtesy domino, November 08
BTW: Those holiday goodies I mentioned a while back are now for sale online. Selections from last holiday season may pop up at the sample sale.
Nicholas Kniel of Nicholas Kniel Fine Ribbons and Embellishments in Atlanta will be on hand at Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas House on Saturday, November 29 from noon - 1 p.m. He will sign his book, Ribbon: The Art of Adornment. For details about related happenings and seminars, visit the AH & L blog.
: : tina & hans : :
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: red.house
: : tina & hans got married on Oct 4th on an small island in the Swedish westcoast archipelago. their friends and families gathered on the cliffs by the ocean as the bride and groom arrived by boat just as the sun peeked through the clouds. beautiful pink, greys and blues throughout the wedding. the most beautiful wedding bouquet I've seen. blackberries and lavender mixed in with the table bouquets that tina put together herself. and of course, a beautiful bride and groom. a wonderful reception, with speeches, singing, dancing and games continued until the last ferry was leaving, by then the sunny weather had turned into storm and I returned home, my dress completely soaked. but that didn't matter. I had one of the best nights of my life. and I wish them all the happiness in the world!feeling lucky on 080808
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
{that mermaid lamp & painted twisted wood side table ~ yes please, without delay! they were found in a ghislaine vinas brilliantly designed bedroom, but not sure where she found them. hmmm. . . . .}
{the baby le cornue ~ not that i have a kitchen to put it in at this moment but if i somehow acquired this by a fortunate turning of events i'd find a way to utilize it until i have the place to have it properly installed. and it would become a family heirloom for ever more!}
{this armoire for my little girl's things ~it would be the perfect place to display & store, and i really could use this right about now. i've been saving this from my martha stewart inspiration projects folder}
{a carry over from yesterday's post ~ i am ready to spend a week's retreat here, asap. or maybe make this my full-time home even? first off, i adore the ocean ~ i grew up there and always long to return when i'm away. secondly, i love swings and almost any style of swing chair. thirdly, porches that have places to relax with friends are always a part of my "necessities for houses" list. lastly, that view ~ 'nough said.}
{ok, so this is way over the top, but this is a lucky day so i'm just putting it out there for fun. . . . . a 1956 drophead coupe convertible in mint condition. oh my i would die just to be able to sit in it much less drive it. and i swoon just imagining what it would be like to own this beauty. i'd sell everything i own, including my soul, to the devils for that one.}Bathroom Furniture
10/30/2008, 11:29 | Original Site: absolutely beautiful things
I am very fond of placing small pieces of Antique furniture in bathrooms. I think it adds an element of coziness. It also adds interest and personality to a room which we usually don't think about furnishing.