avant garde design

deadgood. british design

2012-02-02T10:06:00.009-05:00

deadgood is a cool company i found recently which features a super eclectic variety of british designed product. lots of color, texture, unusual shapes and materials. i just love companies like deadgood, they have fun with product, they test the boundaries, in both a beautiful & unique way. here are some of my favorites, including in this first image, this line of parquet herringbone pieces, really conceptual, really inventive.

deadgood is dead on...for cool, doing things differently furniture and lighting. and why not? with all of the design choices out there, designers/artists need product such as deadgood's. there is something for everyone in the product world. there is something fun going on in the world of deadgood. really fun!

happy almost friday friends! how has your week been going? mine has been consumed with course work, goofing off a little because it was my son's birthday, and now catching up on course work. it's ok, i'll get it all done! off to catch up on it now. enjoy your day!!

cheery mid~day prints

2012-02-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

this mid~day wednesday inspiration comes in the form of howkapow, a fab site find, chock full of things that will make you smile. they're cheery and downright fun products. from this swallow pouf to these cushions below, howkapow offers up pretty patterns and as they say, "smile-enducing style."

how is your wednesday going friends? we are on our way up to boston for one of my classes later, but before that we are scooping my son and his girlfriend up at college and whisking them off for an early dinner. today is his birthday, and though he'll be home this weekend for a party, we thought we'd still give him a small celebration tonight.

i hope your day is and finished on the inspiring and creative/relaxed side. enjoy!

sancal. balanced products. strong identity.

2012-02-01T08:10:00.013-05:00

this wednesday, i wanted to feature and share with you a fab new find, sancal. sancal is super eclectic. sancal's belief/motto is based upon strong identities yet keeping in mind that the "diversity of humanity is the measure of everything" which allows for personal creativity without limitations.

sancal is also (to me anyway) rich in color, texture, and line. sharp lines and softer lines. their product is dynamic, edgy yet welcoming and inviting. perfectly suited for both residential or commercial spaces. seriously suited. sancal transforms the everyday into the exceptional day. i love that!

happy mid~week wednesday friends! today is my son's 19th (wow) birthday. i'm over the moon excited to spend time with him later and this weekend as i lure him home from college with promises of home cooked meals and presents. ;) enjoy your day today!!

the power of color

2012-01-31T14:34:00.001-05:00

this mid~day tuesday, i'm absolutely craving big bursts of color. color against color, color against voids of color, such as here, with this very white and grey backdrop. pretty pops of color. that's what is making me smile this tuesday afternoon.

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how is your mid~day friends? i've been out for a run, reading, catching up on course work. but, i need to get out, for a coffee break, for a birthday shopping for my son break. i'm off! enjoy the rest of your day....

fambuena. a romance of space, shape & light

2012-01-31T08:08:00.010-05:00

this tuesday, i wanted to share with you a really fabulous lighting source, fambuena. the first thing that struck me while perusing their product line was the way in which their lights appear dressed, for a party. from the look of an old fashioned hoop skirt, to a 1920's flapper dress to fancy hair up~do's, fambuena's shades evoke a flashy, flirty, party atmosphere to me. just so really fun!

it's exciting to see (or sense) things like that in objects such as lighting or furniture. one single fambuena light, or a cluster, whatever you feel is needed for your space, whether it's residential or commercial, these lights add flair, they add drama, they add alot of fun to the space. i love that!

i woke to milky skies today, snow seems on the horizon although i think it's supposed to miss my part of the world today. i'll take advantage by indulging in another mild air run today. i hope your tuesday is starting off with a little flair ;) enjoy...

faceted & fascinating

2012-01-30T13:25:00.002-05:00

this mid~day monday inspiration comes via spectacular & faceted lighting. i'm lately loving line, and the shapes which line or lines create. and with lighting those shapes cast light in a unique way, they capture it uniquely and they then exude the light uniquely. these 2 lamps are the perfect example of that...

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i've been behind the computer for a while today, working on course work. i'm heading outside for a run and then back here to read. later i'm hoping to head out for some birthday shopping for my son. is it possible that he will be 19? how did that happen? ;) how is your mid~day shaping up? i'd love to hear ;) enjoy...

muse. deconstructed spaces

2012-01-30T08:07:00.013-05:00

happy monday friends! this weekend i stumbled upon this site, muse magazin. have you been to visit it yet? it's really chock full of new inspiration. but what i really noticed and what i really loved was the way the site features rather deconstructed spaces. by that i mean that the spaces appear that things, furniture, artwork, just stuff in general has been removed from the spaces, leaving behind, clean environments, lots of gigantic artwork. it's as if they space has been left, well, just perfect.

sometimes we feel the overwhelming need to just go ahead and fill spaces, every inch, every bit of wall or table space. sometimes i think spaces are perfectly just left alone, to their own devices, to just featuring a fabulous piece you've brought in, a couch, unique chairs, or as in many of these, amazing artworks. sometimes you have to just stop and leave the spaces alone. deconstruct them.

how was your weekend? mine was relaxing and inspiring. i'm ready for the week ahead, for course work, for tons of reading and for getting productive things done and done well! i hope your monday is starting off with a positive glow. enjoy!

swoon and swoon

2012-01-29T08:10:00.003-05:00

this sunday morning, these spaces, the hidden bits of pink & those branch lights. it all is making my heart skip a beat as i sip my coffee...definitely swoon & swoon spaces.

i wanted to also give a blog shout~out as well to transito inicial. check out this blog for real pretty inspiration. seriously pretty. oh...and i love how her profile picture changes, super inventive. happy sunday friends! we are off to a basketball game and pizza party, hopefully i'll get in a run as the temperature is still so perfect for running. in between all of that, i have beaucoup amounts of reading for class. beaucoup! how are you this sunday? i'd love to hear! enjoy...

saturday views. indoor outdoor

2012-01-28T12:56:00.004-05:00

hey, hey for saturdays! in my part of the world the sun is shining and i'm having a sort of super lounging around day. if i could transport myself at the moment, it would be indoors and outdoors, here....

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what is your view like today? are you lounging like me or out and about? i'd love to hear! ok, back to reading on the couch ;) enjoy!

molly m. designs

2012-01-27T14:12:00.000-05:00

today's mid~day inspiration comes in the form of a laser cutter. san francisco based molly mcgrath was using a laser cutter to build architectural models. just look at how she's using a laser cutter for jewelry & other pretty things...

this necklace and those coasters are about as sweet as you can get with a laser cutter. don't you think? molly admits being inspired by botanical and geometric forms, perspective & optical illusion. and after perusing her "where to buy" link, i see that molly is selling product right here on cape cod. lucky me. check out her list too and see if you are lucky to have her product near you too ;) enjoy!

iacoli & mcallister. one part exploration

2012-01-27T07:45:00.011-05:00

seattle based iacoli & mcallister describes their design process as "one part exploration, one part learning curve, one part affection, one part sheer strife and one part caffeine." so great...

i absolutely love the daring quirkiness of iacoli & mcallister's product. iacoli & mcallister lists their inspiration as: "having a table saw 20 ft. from our desk, the sun, the way things smell, & thunderstorms." they list more fabulous inspiration besides those, just a fun read, you can definitely tell that they love what they are doing. and i love that!

happy friday friends! you've done it, you've (we've) made it to another weekend, and yeah for that ;) what are you up to this weekend? anything fun or amazing? hmmm, i have coursework to keep up with, but around that, i'm planning to enjoy a glass of red wine and stare out at the ocean from one of my favorite sitting areas inside a cape cod inn. seriously amazing views. especially if it's stormy like today, even better. enjoy!

creased. pigment prints

2012-01-26T14:18:00.001-05:00

this mid~day, my mood is perfectly set to these creased archival pigment prints offered up by artist john houck. there is something so perfectly mysterious about them. as if the folds open. to reveal things.

how imaginative is it to create new takes on simple intentions? it is equally amazing to me and always has been, just what texture can do. to anything really. from lighting to furniture to wall treatments, to artwork. texture transforms any direction. the minute texture is applied, similar to color, a new direction is set. i love that!

happy mid~day inspiration. what are you up to? i'm behind the computer working on course work. then i'm hitting the couch soon to read for my two classes. yeah, it's that kind of day! tomorrow i'll run, today i read. ;) enjoy the rest of your day!

matemo tables. emotion meets freshness

2012-01-26T08:06:00.008-05:00

i'm drawn this almost friday to the sleek freshness of matemo's designs, and their tables in particular. sexy, sharp, soft, matemo "was born out of the joint creative efforts of product designer yves richartzhagen and fashion designer melissa vitanza. you can definitely see the collaborative effort, of innovative product design meets edgy, sensual fashion. the combination makes for intriguing sensitivities.

my imagination darts this morning from low lit night club corners to a sunny miami penthouse apartment while considering the possibilities for any or all of matemo's tables. topped with glasses of wine or bowls of fruit, they are equally stunning. plus the music playing on their website is almost hypnotic. or am i just sleep deprived from my classes last night? not sure, but either way, i was inclined dance around in my kitchen this morning because of it.

happy almost friday friends! what is on your agenda for today? i'm still attempting to wake up, planning my day, catching up with course work (yes, already!) and running a few errands. i hope your day is starting out as inspring as these tables...enjoy!

bands of pink

2012-01-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

lately i'm drawn to neons and in particular hot pinks. but also soft pinks. my sister bought me a hot pink winter coat as a christmas gift & every now & then when i need a color boost. i reach for that coat. today i'm reaching for hot and soft pink.

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how is your mid~day treating you? i'm about to drive to boston for class later today. my day has included and will include cleaning out the car, making a sandwich to take for dinner later, grabbing another book i need for class, once in boston, and a mocha to keep me going, going, going!...i hope your day is productive, inspiring and positive! enjoy ;)

lamps by pott

2012-01-25T07:48:00.009-05:00

we are in for a unique textural design boost today, with pott's pottery lamps. pott is a very young company in spain started by miguel angel & garcia belmonte. together they have created 2 lines of lamps, one for indoor and one for out...."sponge" and "sponge up!"

i think what i really love most is the fact that these 2 series of lamps are really so very unique in how they're lit during the day versus lit during the evening. most lamps are, but the textural quality of pott's lamps seriously come alive, in a very natural, organic way, illuminating thousands of tiny circles, which "achieves a very particular look along its uneven surface." i love that!

i also love the world of design and designers. simply because each and every day, new product, new artists emerge, providing the world with not only amazing designer eye~candy, but with unique options & materials, allowing us to transform or manipulate our spaces, residential or commercial.

happy mid~week wednesday everyone! i'm off to class later this afternoon. i'm taking 2 graduate courses at the moment and my first one begins today. i'm excited for more challenging readings and assignments and also to get back to listening to some of my favorite programs on npr on the drive up and back. love! enjoy...

mid~day draw. oh! these colors

2012-01-24T13:26:00.000-05:00

hey, the sun is coming out in my part of the world! yeah for that. and it has inspired me to feature these perky, softly bright colors as a mid~day boost. for energy. and just because they are oh~so~pretty!!

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what are you up to? how is your day going friends? i'm back from a run and feeling more awake and inspired (add in the sun coming out and i'm smiling now!). i'm hoping to get a few things wrapped up today before i'm inundated with course work again, staring this week actually. so! i'm off to get busy...enjoy!

do you fancy it?

2012-01-24T08:17:00.013-05:00

not that you need another site to join, but have any of you joined the fancy? i sort of stumbled upon it today and had fun perusing the pages. it's sort of like pinterest, but another great resource for locating product, blogs, etsy sites, you name it! free to join too. here are just a few favorites from my searches today...

like i said, these are just a few favorites, from new product, random spaces to love and color palette ideas. the fancy is another site for needed inspiration, ideas, do~it~yourself ideas etc. a good go~to source, in my opinion anyway ;)

have a great tuesday everyone! how is your week going? i'm trying to remain calm with 2 days of grey skies, melting snow and fog. ah, yeah. so if the sun comes out today it will lift my spirits and energy levels a bit! enjoy....

captured green. & angles.

2012-01-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

this mid~day, surrounded by mounds of white snow, i'm drawn to these warm and cozy table top terrariums. haven't you noticed so many amazing versions of these mini ecosystems lately? me too. i love the angles and lines, soft or hard of these particular containers. easy/peasy too. that my friends, is perfection!

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the top mini~ecosystem is a great do~it~yourself project for kids too. very cool!

how is this mid~day monday treating you? i've been out for a run, dodging snowbanks and cars but the temperature is mild...so great running weather. i'm ordering books for classes which start this week and picking one up at the bookstore later. i hope your day is productive & inspiring. enjoy!

iannone. philadelphia design

2012-01-23T08:02:00.001-05:00

happy monday morning friends! there's some serious creativity going on in philadelphia. michael iannone is creating and offering his wooden creations in very green style & in very graphic/artistic style. have a look...

this is michael's website, here. michael's work/pieces also sell at anthropologie. find some here.

building and creating his tables & sideboards from sustainable woods such as bamboo and sorghum borard, and finished with waterbased topcoats, iannone's pieces capture the feel of the outdoors, but indoors. taking in natural elements such as dandelions, trees and birds, iannone also incorporates natural color palettes in all of his pieces. it feels as if the piece is perfectly suited outdoors or in. as if it's in its element anywhere it's placed. i love that!

hey friends, how was your weekend? mine was relaxing! all of that snow made for a weekend of breathing deep, staying in and taking in my surroundings. though i did manage to get out to lunch with the girls. breathtaking winter views of a harbor area where we ate. (jazz playing in the background) bonus! i hope you had a terrific weekend and are on your way to an amazing week...enjoy!

lovely lines. hello sunday.

2012-01-22T07:50:00.001-05:00

as breakfast is prepared for me, coffee is brewing and the sounds of jazz fill the air (i'm a jazz junkie!), the lines of both this lamp and this artwork leave me relaxed and inspired this sunday morning.

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happy sunday morning friends. i sit completely surrounded by pure white fluffy snow (we received about one foot yesterday/last night) in my part of the world. after sitting on the couch for hours, goofing off and watching television, something i almost never do , we suited up and took a walk late yesterday in the snow. the plows were out, it was quiet, we walked for asparagus and red wine to our local market. back home we inhaled home~made mac & cheese, the asparagus, the red wine and cheese bread for dinner.

even though i'm completely craving (beyond words) warmer places at the moment. for a few moments last night i savored the snow, and how it forces you inside. or outside. how it makes you stop, look around you. to look at each other. i think even our dinner tasted better for it. i hope your sunday is starting out special, inspiring and relaxed. enjoy!

3 versions of red.

2012-01-21T14:13:00.002-05:00

to deviate a bit from all of the white going on outside my windows at the moment (it's snowing so beautifully!) i thought i'd share with you this mid~day... blasts of color. blasts of intense reds...

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i can't help but imagine one of these pieces, or to commission a piece by the artis,t in a very large format, perhaps hung on a wall all by itself, even in a formal dining room, to offset it, to dare it toward the edgy side. i love that. i really love that!

how is your weekend friends? we are hunkered in, enjoying the snow, reading and watching some golf on television. living vicariously through golfers playing in warm places. i hope you are cozy and enjoying your day!

expormim. indoor & outdoor life

2012-01-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

hey! happy saturday/weekend friends. if you don't live in a warm part of the world/country, are you dreaming of warmer days right about now? no? well then, i'll do it for you today! i can't help it. it's snowing here this morning. and at the same time i stumbled upon expormim, a sexy, modern outdoor furniture company. the outdoor furniture won my imagination over this morning. now...we're do i want pretend to be? ;)

i am drawn to expormim's style and design first, but almost at the same time, i'm eager to unwind & relax in their woven textured pieces and soothing color palettes. expormim describes their approach to design as "a benchmark of emerging trends." i love that! expormim's pieces welcome the sunlight. it streams right through each and every piece. just beautiful.

how is your saturday starting out? what do you have planned for today? i'd love to hear! we just inhaled chocolate croissants from one of our favorite bakeries. the bakery is actually french and so yes, the croissants are beyond delish. a real weekend treat. i hope your saturday morning is starting out just as sweet. enjoy!

mid~day color pairing. soft meets bold.

2012-01-20T14:25:00.000-05:00

today is one of those days, where the super light snow that fell last night is paired with really bright sunny skies. i'm just back from a run and was inspired to pair soft greys and whites with bright brights.

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what are you up to this friday mid~day? i'm contemplating a bookstore run, mocha sipping, perusing the pages of uber artistic design magazines and books and storing ideas in my imagination, for rainy day inspiration. i hope you have a fabulous weekend planned! enjoy...

happy friday! & i like these.

2012-01-20T08:40:00.012-05:00

yeah for friday! we've made it to the end of another great week. i wanted to share today some "i like these things". from new blog shout~outs to fashion (as in i want that whole outfit including her hair) to quirky and lovely. have a look...

this fab new blog find

this look

these wall panels

these plates & vessels

this hand~made graph paper

this bloom

and those blooms

don't you just love it? finding new things you like. oh, i do! what are your weekend plans? i'd love love love to hear!

i am having lunch sunday with some old friends (as long as it doesn't snow too much, it's in our forecast), getting in a run (again, if the snow stays away), making a dinner. yup, you heard me. and i am not a huge preparer of food (that's an understatement) but! when i set my mind to it, i manage to wow those around me. i've also been watching cooking shows later in the day and i'm feeling inspired (i mean brave) ;) enjoy...

mid~day explosions. of color. of texture.

2012-01-19T14:10:00.001-05:00

ooh it's become grey today with snowy looking skies. just back from a run in the cold air and i fee rejuvenated and inspired. this mid~day, i'm drawn to these explosions of texture & color.

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the color palettes that each artist is utilizing here remind me of my sky today. quiet, yet powerful and intriguing.

i hope this mid~day, almost thursday is treating you well. i feel a bookstore run in my future, probably tomorrow. along with a mocha ;) enjoy...

bits of spaces & places.

2012-01-19T07:44:00.011-05:00

happy almost friday friends! when you are flipping through your favorite magazines or websites or design books, do you do this? do you pick out pieces of spaces? and after a while do you feel like you have all the ammunition to create one space? just for yourself or your client, by piecing all of those favorite elements together? even if it's in your imagination? i do that alot!

here are some recent favorite spaces, or bits of those spaces, from lighting, to color palettes to furniture choices to artwork that sent me creating...

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i could literally sit at the bookstore for hours doing just that. keeping bits and pieces of spaces and places, storing them in the back of my imagination for a later date. we are all influenced, daily, by outside inspiration. we just can't help it. and not that it's a bad thing. but take those influences and piece them together for something truly unique & original to you. i love that idea!

do you already have plans for this upcoming weekend? if so i'd love to hear! for now, enjoy this almost friday friends ;)

circular shapes. mid~day desire.

2012-01-18T13:43:00.004-05:00

from ballerina buns to sweet & sassy vessels. i'm drawn this mid~day to very circular shapes, organic, easy, continually inspiring shapes.

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how is this wednesday treating you? i've narrowed down a few course selection choices for my upcoming graduate semester. i'll tell ya what i'm choosing once i firm it up. i'm on the hunt for new shoes for my son before he hits the road back to college. i hope your day is productive, relaxing (even if you're at work!) and inspiring. enjoy ;)
p.s. check out this video for an easy/peasy tutorial on the ballerina bun.

slamp. a serious crush.

2012-01-18T08:16:00.012-05:00

flowing, mysterious, adaptable, witty, cheeky, experimental...this is just a small portion of what is on slamp's values list. i've been a (big) fan for a while now of slamp's products. having burst onto the design market in 1994, slamp dove head first into an innovative design line and intense marketing of their lighting. getting the word out, bigtime. have a look at some of my favorites...

i've said it before. i love pushing boundaries with design. new takes on older intentions. drawing on classic shapes yet expanding on those ideas, tempting the product, the designer and eventually the client into new territory. it's all very exciting!

hello wednesday! how are you today friends? it's sunny in my part of the world today, so that's the first bonus of the day. i'm preparing my son for heading back to college after a really great christmas break. i'm deciding today on last minute course selections of my own for this semester and in between, trying to finish a great book i'm reading. it's on my blog sidebar right now if you are interested in history of the american south at all. enjoy!

carlo van de roer. orbs.

2012-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

if you're in the market or on the hunt for a large scale or small scale photography piece for either your residential or commercial space, carlo van de roer's work, especially his orbs project is intriguing and breathtaking. a perfectly dreamy mid~day boost of inspiration.

in some of van de roer's other swim series, humans appear as specs really, almost as invaders, yet one with the beautiful, tranquil sea.

how are you this mid~day? i'm back from a run and feeling energized on this grey day (in my part of the world.) a mocha is in my not too distant future ;) enjoy!

kirath ghundoo. mix & match it.

2012-01-17T08:58:00.010-05:00

this tuesday morning i wanted to share the hand~made wall paper line of kirath ghundoo. she designs her paper rolls for intense mixing and matching. if you are looking for an eclectic wall space, to really go out there on a limb and create a wall treatment in a more than different way, then kirath's endless display of mixed patterns are for you.

i love the playfulness of kirath's work. the line. the solid shapes. the originality of unoriginal shapes, placed together in a way which revives simple shapes. kirath literally forces you to observe squares, circles and triangles in a new way, all over again.

how was your long weekend friends? i ate too much. had fun watching my family ice skate (i sat off ice and took photos), we all went to see tin tin, a very creative movie and best of all spent time together. have a great start to your tuesday! enjoy...

imaginary artistry. mid~day inspiration.

2012-01-16T14:30:00.001-05:00

from a white preoccupation lately, to blasts of color. these artists are creating some heart pounding product. have a look...

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if you're in need of a mid~day boost of artistry, color, texture and visual originality, have a look at these three artists. i love featuring artists. art work is so essential to interior design, in my opinion anyway. it's sometimes the first or last element necessary to completing a space, residential or commercial. i love that! enjoy...

vondom. simple. sensational.

2012-01-16T07:45:00.000-05:00

happy monday morning friends! another fresh start to a brand new week. i wanted to share some new favorites today from vondom. i've posted about vondom before, but these beauties are new, they've grabbed my indoor/outdoor imagination big~time! from planters to seating to tables, vondom is one of those wow companies. companies doing things just a little bit differently...

i especially really love the product by vondom in white. i seem to have a white fascination lately. maybe it's the winter months getting to my color palette dreams, but white, to me lately, is just so absolutely perfect.

how is your long weekend evolving friends? we are heading out to ice skate today, eat some lunch out and then to see the movie tin tin. have you seen it? i'm looking forward to it! enjoy...

super shiny sunday.

2012-01-15T15:00:00.002-05:00

i hope you're all having a sun~shiny, or shiny in other ways, sunday. it's glorious in my part of the world, though sooooo cold. i'm just back from a run and it took a while to thaw my legs out! but very invigorating.

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we are off to my step daughter's basketball game, she's 11 and just learning but i love going to cheer her on. i'm going to grab a mocha, hit the bleachers and take some photographs of her playing. i hope your sunday is super relaxing. i'm loving all things shiny today, it is evocative of my mood. ;) how fabulous are those swaths and strokes of gold on that wonderful chair? so fabulous that's what! enjoy...

gridlock & gradiences.

2012-01-15T09:24:00.006-05:00

hello sunday! hello friends! i'm drawn this morning to the lines and cascading subtle shapes of these two pieces. the gridlock lighting is from artist philippe malouin. the transcience mirrors are from artist david derksen.

malouin describes his work (and these are lights by the way! though he creates tables and shelving as well) in the style of brutalism, the most sensual and tactile form of architecture. ok, love that.

derksen describes his mirror oxidation process as revealing the material transition of silver. the color tones achieved can range from golden brown to purple and blue. ok, love that too!

have a great start to your sunday morning friends...i'm sipping coffee, about to dive into the new york times and getting ready for a relaxing sunday. it's sunny too, so bonus! enjoy...

boulders. big & small.

2012-01-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

i'm loving these simply sculpted shapes, from neutrals to neons. art comes in so many forms. i love that!

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happy saturday afternoon friends. we had one of the most delicious dinners last night, i swear i'm still digesting. so today we are like big bears, hibernating in the cold sunny weather. it's a great day. i hope yours is too ;) enjoy...

busy & simplified. all good.

2012-01-14T08:45:00.001-05:00

i love these two versions of busy good & simplified good. i'm somewhere in the middle today, right smack in the middle.

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i'm somewhere between wanting to get a million and one things done and plunking on the couch and picking up a really good book where i left off. what do you do on days like these? do you shift your energy one way or the other? i'd love to hear!

oh and i love how in the second images, those pendant lights look like oozy floating orbs of mercury. just so fabulous! enjoy...

lines of black & white.

2012-01-13T14:58:00.008-05:00

i'm drawn this mid~day to the crisp yet softness of pairing black and white together. or white & white for that matter. it's getting colder out by the minute in my part of the world. the weather is drifting me toward this color palette today.

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just found out i'm being taken to dinner tonight by my love. can't wait. i was formally admitted into my graduate program today and i'm dancing around the kitchen! how is your friday winding down? i'd love to hear! enjoy...

have a delightful weekend!

2012-01-13T07:57:00.012-05:00

i hope that your weekend is delightful, creative, inspiring and relaxing. a great lead into this fabulous lighting, also appropriately named delightfull. from suspension to wall lighting to floor lamps, delightfull's lighting has pow, wow, impact. in your face modernity with hints of sexy and shimmer. have a look...

i told you! all of that shine, all of that metal, the light cannot help but shine.

what's on your slate for this upcoming weekend? we are expecting super cold weather in new england so i may get a run in today, before the super cold hits. then, a bookstore run is in order (along with warm cups of coffee) and who knows what else! i'll pop in this weekend though and say hi! for now, happy weekend and enjoy...

pretty peeks of neon.

2012-01-12T14:39:00.001-05:00

ooh, with the dreary weather today, i'm in need of and drawn to these sweet spots of neon.

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color can be an amazing boost. whether in fashion, interior design or architecture. color stirs us, moves us and sets a certain tone. today, with very dark skies and driving rain against my windows, bright, bright, bright is what i long for. if i only had a roaring fire going, i'd be in heaven...in my next house, a fireplace is a must!

how is your day going friends? i'd love to here! enjoy...

dix heures dix. all in white.

2012-01-12T07:50:00.012-05:00

dix heures dix, a french company of lighting design, strives for "exceptional aesthetics and efficient lighting effects." dix heures dix produces shades in color as well, but for me, the white was all i needed. the white to me best captured what dix heures dix is going for, it best captures the true evocative nature of these lights.

(all photos courtesy of dix heures dix)

i'm drawn to not only the form of dix heures dix's pieces, i'm drawn to just how the light escapes, how it is held in. the pieces are subtle, rather secretive and more than intriguing. i love that!

happy almost friday friends! what's on your plate for today? it's pouring down rain in my part of the world. this calls for a second cup of coffee ;) enjoy!

soft whites. mid~day quiet.

2012-01-11T13:30:00.003-05:00

i'm finding myself this mid~day, wanting to sit on the couch, in the sun and watch goofy movies with my son. my mood is soft, fluffy whites, warm sun streaming through the window. i could dive back under my comforter and waste the day away today!

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our break from classes ends soon and i've enjoyed this time to hang out and talk (and watch goofy movies ;)

how is your wednesday turning out? do you have interesting projects started or ending? i'd love to hear! for now...enjoy!

cassina. tons of drama.

2012-01-11T07:44:00.014-05:00

cassina, a fab new find, offers up product to wow. dramatic and with a definite flair. after reviewing much of cassina's product, i felt it conveyed a really fun mixed feeling of being sandwiched between a swanky nightclub, a circus and an upscale opera. if that doesn't wet your appetite, then maybe a peek at the goods will...

playful and jaw dropping all at the same time. this mid~week wednesday, i'm in utter love with these pieces by cassina!

how is your wednesday starting off friends? hmmm, i apparently ate too much last night (we went out for pizza) and i slept more than funny because of "my eyes are bigger than my stomach problem" ;) but, on a happier note, i received my latest 2 graduate course grades from harvard today, both A's. yeah for me! enjoy...

angles & lines.

2012-01-10T16:40:00.001-05:00

i'm inspired this mid~day by drama. the dramatic effect of these angles & lines. whether soft or stark and swift, they are moving, swirling, captivating and of course, inspiring.

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how is your day going friends? my son and i walked down the street to a small thrift shop and perused the racks for hidden treasure. what are you doing today? i'd love to hear...enjoy!

Dorm Room Art. Taking Advantage of Eccentric Bunk Bed Design.

2012-01-09T17:40:00.001-05:00

When you’re a student living on campus at your college, you can approach dorm room living in one of two ways.
Either you can look at dorm life as limiting and square, or you can see it as a unique framework from which to alter
using your creative talents. Limitations are often great foundations from which art can be developed, as creativity
is often best cultivated when there’s a problem that must somehow be solved. Whether a dorm room is limited by
small spatial dimensions, unusual furniture inclusion, or something else entirely, you can use those limitations to
your advantage when designing a functioning yet creatively inspired room.

In most dorm rooms, the space is dominated by a set of bunk beds, and these beds are often, though not always,
accompanied by large work desks. Many schools disallow removal of these primary pieces of furniture, thereby
forcing students living on campus to work with what they’ve got. Though having bunk beds man initially feel like
you’re back in second grade sharing a room with your sibling, the situation is certainly not all bad. Bunks can
actually enable a wide range of creative decisions, and they’re far more versatile than most people would assume.

If you’d prefer to keep your bunks set up as they are, there are some easy style alterations you can make to
personalize the space. Use aesthetically pleasing color pairs when selecting sheet sets for the top and bottom
bunk, for example, and use pillows and other accessories of different colors to brighten up the room. For those
with less artistic capability, it can be easy to simply pick one color set for both beds, but not only does that limit
you and your dorm mate to a single color choice, it’s also visually uninteresting. You’ll have to take into account
the room’s carpet and wall colors, which often can’t be altered, when making your color selections, but oftentimes
curtains, throw pillows, and other pieces are up to you to provide.

If you’d like to play with the conventional furniture setup while also utilizing spatial alterations to your design
advantage, feel free to do so, but proceed with caution. Many colleges provide students with bunks that can
actually be separated into individual lofted beds. Both beds technically become top bunks, while work desks
are stored underneath the beds to maximize space in a totally different way. You can use these separated
beds to create complimentary or even contrasting designs, depending on your personal preference, and can
oftentimes attach things between the beds to decorate in a more eccentric fashion. For example, you can string
up multicolored lights between the posts on the two lofted beds during the holiday season, or use different sheet
sets on each bed to celebrate the different holiday traditions of each dorm mate.

In the end, the creative decisions are up to you. Just don’t ever feel limited by a limited space, when what initially
appear to be limitations often become the groundwork for your most creative designs yet.

*This article is a guest post by Brett of BunkBeds.net

bands of bold color.

2012-01-09T15:49:00.002-05:00

swirling color. bands of solid soft tones. bright & sun~shiny bursts. today i'm experiencing color from pale, then toward bold, then brighter still. it's how my day evolved. i love that!

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how is your monday going friends? i've watched 2 goofy movies with my son, taken a run and now getting ready for having his girlfriend over for dinner. a relaxing monday while we are both on break from classes. i love this color inspiration today, it's another reason i'm relaxed! enjoy...

hay. innovative greatness.

2012-01-09T08:06:00.015-05:00

happy monday morning friends! another fresh start to a new week. i wanted to share a fab new find today in hay.
with any of hay's products, you can follow the dots. i mean the lines. hay offers up an array of unique and interesting pieces. from conceptual to new takes on 1950's era pieces.

hay describes their process and realization of design as "committed to nurturing and promoting the originality of young talent as well as exploring the twisted minds of established designers." are you intrigued?

i don't know about you but i find hay's pieces unique yet familiar. the addition of color, or the lack of it with much of hay's pieces is perfectly executed. deliberate and conceived. i love that!

how was your weekend? mine was delicious (i ate a lot of delicious food, so now i will run a little extra this week ;) and relaxing. so it was great! i hope you are feeling refreshed and inspired with the new week upon us. i'm doing a little research today for an upcoming project, deciding on my next graduate courses and hanging out with my son. have a great day! enjoy...

a very pretty sunday space.

2012-01-08T08:52:00.005-05:00

this sunday, this space has drawn me in, made me breathe just a little bit deeper. to sit and sip juice, outside, with that view? and those punches of vibrant pink & red? sunday heaven...

(via)
i hope that your sunday means you are waking up slowly, sleeping in, making coffee, listening to the birds, looking out at the sky.

we are. and after that. we are heading to my step~daughter's basketball game. i just may pick up one more coffee (or a mocha) to sip on in the bleachers ;) enjoy!!

plush purple. mid~day mood.

2012-01-07T12:45:00.004-05:00

this mid~day mood comes in purple. i'm not really sure why, except that everything i found pretty today, was purple ;)

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i'm off for a run. then later we are eating a home~made spaghetti dinner (red sauce, pasta, garlic bread, oh my!) and then off to a movie. we are not sure which one yet, it's between the descendants and sherlock holmes. have you seen either one? i'd love to hear how you liked them.

enjoy your day & evening!

marco suarez. like a dream.

2012-01-07T08:40:00.006-05:00

i'm drawn this saturday morning to the photography and artwork of marco suarez. his work is ethereal, dreamy, and in a way, intoxicating to view.

happy weekend friends! i'm about to indulge in a large (for me) breakfast. freshly ground ethiopian coffee (with cinnamon on top, yes!), an almond croissant, eggs and home~made home fries (the best in the world!). i hope your morning is beginning with sunshine, cozy company and inspiration, like marco suarez. pure love! enjoy...

bursts of pure color.

2012-01-06T12:50:00.002-05:00

this mid~day inspiration comes benefit of 2 artists i'm currently drawn to. the first, lulu sanchez, a brooklyn based artist & textile designer's works are "so pretty it hurts," and appropriately described on art hound's blog.

the second artist responsible for the vibrant & glowing yellow above is garima dhawan. garima hopes to bring "breath, color and rythmn into everyone's lives." i love that!

happy friday (again) friends! how is your day progesssing? boy oh boy, the color in this artwork gave me a much needed boost, just back from a great run! hope your day is A OK...enjoy..

ochre.

2012-01-06T08:09:00.012-05:00

happy friday friends! i wanted to share with you today a company i found, strangely enough via an australian home magazine called inside out (one of my fav's). but what's even better is that this company, ochre, is located in none other than new york city. yeah for that, bigtime! ochre offers exquisite home furnishings, not overdone, just simply exquisite.

i have to begin by telling you that ochre is not only amazing, but that you should see the owner's personal living space in new york which inside out featured. the interior color palette was swathed in rich, subdued tones. absolutely hands down, one of the most beautiful spaces i've come across in some time. i could have moved right in...(some of these images are from their personal living space).

from the small or amazingly oversized mercury glass mirrors, to their assortment of unique chandeliers (my absolute favorite product at ochre!), to their selection of upholstery choices, ochre would be my one stop in new york, my first stop for home furnishings, nevermind how the mind wanders for ochre products in commercial spaces, that's another post!

what are your plans this weekend friends? i'd love to hear! we are having the bathroom in our cottage re-tiled so we'll be cleaning up that mess first. then i'm looking forward to time with my son whose home from college still and getting out for a run or two as the temps in new england are supposed to be mild, yeah for that! wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, enjoy!

designing office spaces, designing with wood.

2012-01-05T08:13:00.016-05:00

i wanted to talk today about office spaces, and in particular, designing with wood in your office spaces. and whether your office space is lucky enough to be in your home or in a commercial space, wood warms those spaces. wood allows for painting, an array of tones, materials and somehow seems more adaptable than metal or other mediums.

so ,how do you go from a plain file cabinet, to adapting that cabinet to a space, jazzing it up? do you tuck it under a desk? or leave it out and top it with a fabulous sculpture or photograph? there are so many ways to re~invent your computer desks and other office accessories.

i really love the option of taking an unfinished or plain piece of home office furniture and painting it, paint can be the simple element in transforming any piece in your residential or commercial office spaces.

another option with office furniture, in re~designing it, or giving it an instant facelift is taking a piece and changing out the hardware, the drawer pulls etc. voila, you've made it your own! a wow piece!

remember that when shopping for office furniture, don't just consider the piece you are purchasing. consider how it is placed, where, and what will be surrounding it. the addition of an amazing light, a chandelier, or what about a bold wallpapered wall? a dramatic source entered into an otherwise plain space can make you really want to spend time there.

what about you friends? do you work from home or in a more traditional, commercial space? i'd love to hear!

i've told you in the past that currently my desk is my kitchen table! i have a little cottage, so for now the kitchen table is perfect. but i do dream of designing and office space, around fabulous furniture. and if you know me well, it will have a killer light! enjoy...

(finished space ideas via)

mid~day inspired by...

2012-01-04T12:10:00.006-05:00

these stackable and amazing plates by sebastian bergne.

and these knit stools, by claire anne obrien.

both pure inspiration this mid~day. how is your wednesday going? i'm just back from lunch with my sister and my son. i am chilling out the rest of today and putting my feet up, nothing else. i hope your day is spectacular, just like this inspiration! enjoy...

designing in tile.

2012-01-04T08:22:00.017-05:00

i love the thought of designing with different mediums, from wood to metals to tile. tile to me, offers a unique textural experience when placed in any space, residential or commercial, indoors or outdoors. there is something so natural yet so artistic about designing with tile.

(via pinterest)

travertine tiles offer an array of fine tiles, for indoor or outdoor ideas. travertine floor tiles are expressive, artisitc and durable. imagine dark and moody black marbled tiles, in a kitchen or bathroom? or effect tiles, that offer a wood or stone effect? or how about all white subway tiles to create an ethereal, clean, crisp atmosphere? the possibilities are really endless! whether considering indoor or outdoor spaces, tile offers and creates an expressive, dramatic presence.

either creating amazing patterns or simply left to its own natural pattern, the versatility and complex nature of tile is fabulous for use in designing. travertine tile flooring offers an array of interesting choices.

think texture, think of utilizing the many different mediums out there when designing your spaces, tile can be an exceptional choice! enjoy...

mid~day design love. pippin drysdale.

2012-01-03T13:06:00.001-05:00

this mid~day, i'm drawn to the shape, color & line of pippin drysdale's ceramics. really drawn if i must say...!

my mind wanders all over the darn place imagining what i'd use these beauties for. just so simply beautiful!

how is your day going? i'm dusty. i'm cleaning out my son's room, toying with painting it now that everything is out in the hallway and i've mopped the floors. if i do anything dramatic soon with it, i'll take some photos. for now enjoy the rest of your day!

lzf. very special lights for very special people.

2012-01-03T07:53:00.011-05:00

the special people are you! exclusively made out of veneer, lzf constructs lights with life, with energy & spice. i just love what these lamps do to any environment, residential or commercial, they soften it, they liven it, they can be explosive in element or capture the moment, radiating warmth. have a look...

there is something special about these lights...they are so easy on the eyes, on any space, they offer movement, a sense of surprise and excitement. the way in which they're shaped, the flow and the bended nature is organic and natural. add in the natural material, the element of softened wood and you have one spectacular piece.

we are back at it this week, designing working, inspiring and being inspired, all of us, me and you. how is your week starting out? i feel some new found energy, some positivity that has me excited and happy. i hope you are too ;) enjoy!!

the brick house. easy monday inspiration.

2012-01-02T09:20:00.009-05:00

welcome to the first monday of the new year friends! another fresh start to not only a new year but a new week, my favorite day of the week. i find i feel most inspired and energetic on mondays. i suppose it's because you just don't know what exciting events, ideas or projects are in store for you, it's all so very exciting!

today, as i sip coffee and ease into this week after a fabulous holiday season, i'm easily inspired and enjoying the design selections the brick house's tumblr site holds. if you are in need of a design boost, sip your coffee while perusing their archive too. a sweet way to start your day, enjoy!!

lazy days & sundays.

2012-01-01T13:22:00.003-05:00

welcome 2012, glad to have you here!

(via)
yes! we've made it through and to another year...i'm more than excited for the changes this new year is sure to offer...

what was your new year's even like? we layed low, sipped a little wine and welcomed in the new year with a quiet evening. i woke to fire works at midnight (yes, i fell asleep before the big ball dropped!) we just took a long morning walk, after a beautifully large breakfast. the sun is out and it's a put your feet up kind of day today...enjoy!

yeah for the new year!!

2011-12-31T09:06:00.003-05:00

friends, the new year is upon us, it is now!

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i myself have had very good things happen to me in the past year. i graduated from harvard (and am lucky enough to be almost half way through my master's degree), my son started college, loves it and is doing well,and everyone is super healthy. bonus! i've also met so many new friends and clients throughout the blog world and i'm beyond thankful for that as well! but still, i'm ready for a clean slate to a fresh new year. i have a good feeling about this one friends, i think it's going to be beyond amazing!

what are your plans for tonight? to celebrate? we still haven't decided yet! torn between staying in and lying low or celebrating with friends. wherever you go, whatever you do, happy new year and enjoy!!! i'm throwing you all a big hug and a cheeky kiss, for a healthy, happy new year!

table top terrarium.

2011-12-30T13:25:00.002-05:00

how cool is this table top terrarium? so cool that's what!

found over at captain cat's etsy site, here. i'm off for a run. i've been sitting at the computer doing a bunch of work too long today, and need to get out near the bigger trees ;)

hope your mid~day is treating you well! enjoy...

21st twenty first. objets d'arts.

2011-12-30T08:46:00.013-05:00

if heading to new york didn't represent enough reasons already, 21st twenty first is another draw to add to your list, if you have room on your next new york trip list that is!

after 15 years in paris, french furniture designer renaud vuaillat moved to new york, to the chelsea artist district. a designer himself, vuaillat also represents the most intriguing and important up and coming artists today. 21st twenty first offers a large variety of pieces if you are in the market for one, unique and individual piece for your residential or commercial space, or more than one piece to begin a great collection. here are some of my favorites...

i really like the lines and exposed, draped cords of this floor lamp, made from oak, copper and fabric by rich brilliant willing. great name. see more here.

this outstanding storage piece is designed by damien hamon. how interesting are the offset drawers and external edges of the entire piece, nevermind how it transforms as the drawers are pulled out. see more of hamon's work, here.

i really like the flowing, connectivity of these pebble tables designed by nada debs, here. these would be interesting in both residential or commercial spaces.

i love adding metal elements into spaces, for the texture. this lively red powder coated aluminum table by gerard bringuier does the trick, here.

amazing lighting construction and star comet mirror by hubert le gall, here.

that's it! i really need to get to new york soon, 21st twenty first just put me over the edge for a must get to new york trip soon ;)

happy friday friends! another fun weekend is in store with the new year approaching. do you have exciting plans or are you laying low, sipping some champagne at home with your feet up? i'd love to hear! we are currently mulling our options, depending on what my son's plans are, we may head to a friends for a low key party. either way, i'm glad to usher in a fresh new year, are you? enjoy!

jazzy gold.

2011-12-29T13:27:00.005-05:00

all of the jazzy gold in this space is drawing me in, making me feel special, making me feel like wearing the ring below and twirling around in a sparkly outfit. that's what it does ;)

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just back from a run and i'm energized to do some reading and writing, simply for pleasure while i'm on break from graduate classes. happiness is, enjoy!

for the love of couture.

2011-12-29T08:01:00.008-05:00

yesterday my son and i headed to one of our favorite places, the bookstore. whilst sipping coffee and perusing the pages of fine interior design magazines and books, i kept noticing that apparently yesterday anyway, i was drawn to fine things, very couture things. here are some of my current favorites!

artist emily johnson creates these amazingly ethereal lights out of bone china. the glowing simplicity of these tubes stops me and gets my heart beating...all at the same time. her site shows some amazing installations as well, here.

softly elegant yet with a modern twist, the hints of color throw the white off perfectly in these bodo for nikko plates offered by bodo sperlein.

i was drawn recently to genevieve bennett's bespoke leather wall treatments. luxurious beyond words...in the right space, residential or commercial, this is a conversation piece!

how fun and glam is this surprise surprise light, in the shape of a bow? yes it's a light! find it at rockett st. george.

i love what this shine stool by kaori aoi via innocent blue brings to any space.

i think what really stops me and gets me excited is noticing product and inspiration that comes from a different angle. inspiration that side swipes me and that is not predictable. these designers/artists and companies can do that, offer you to take a step back and think wow, i really can design in a different way. that i should design in a different way. why? because you can.

how about you friends? have you been drawn to anything out of the ordinary as of late? if so, i'd love to hear! how is your morning starting off? i'm off to a more energetic start than yesterday, it's freezing out, but the sun is out too, so that's a great start, enjoy!

drapery & dots.

2011-12-28T13:36:00.002-05:00

i wanted to share this mid~day, drapery & dots that are drawing me in. first this drapery table, by artist nathan yong and found via design milk and sold at sphaus.

and these dreamy, watery dots, by textile artist luli sanchez. she has an amazing array of designs, to get your design juices flowing ;) how is your day going? we are headed to the bookstore for a coffee treat and some, ahem, research. yeah that's it! enjoy!!

hus & hem inspiration.

2011-12-28T08:25:00.006-05:00

on this mid~week wednesday, i'm finding sweet design inspiration from hus & hem's fab site. have you visited this site before? i'm really loving it...

i feel like i'm just now getting back into the non~christmas routine! i don't like when feelings of the holiday start to wear off, they're just too relaxing and fun ;) how is your wednesday starting off? i'm excited the sun is out! enjoy this day and if you are in the market for fresh interior ideas and inspiration, check out hus & hem if you haven't already, enjoy...

graffiti love.

2011-12-27T15:03:00.004-05:00

this mid~day, i'm loving this space. all of it. including the graffiti couch ;)

(via)
how is your tuesday going? just went for a run and watched a movie with my son, so feeling good ;) enjoy!

ru edition.

2011-12-27T08:01:00.010-05:00

i discovered ru edition's pieces whilst perusing the pages of a fabulous french interior design magazine over the weekend. ru edition takes long forgotten and abandoned windows, reclaims them for their very own, and transforms them, breathing new life into them, molding them into edgy yet sophisticated furniture. have a look...

i really love how in some ways their pieces seems finished and unfinished all at the same time. as if part of your imagination is supposed to take over and fill in the gaps. doing what windows do i suppose, tempting you to daydream & imagine. ru edition's pieces offer sculpture to your spaces, texture, interest and that quiet wow factor. just really great...

happy tuesday friends! what are you up to? are you back to work? my son is sleeping in. i'm still enjoying the christmas feel to the house. what about you? i'd love to hear...enjoy!

in a neutral zone.

2011-12-26T16:52:00.004-05:00

while still enjoying all of the holiday color, i'm especially drawn to the quietness of this gold and neutral color palette today.

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just back from the bookstore with my son, just poured a glass of red wine and vegetarian meatball subs are being prepared. so good! enjoy your evening friends, whatever colors you are surrounded with tonight ;)

cool rug. & monday morning.

2011-12-26T08:53:00.005-05:00

maybe you are eating cake in bed today? sounds fun! i thought this was a cool rug for a day after a holiday crammed full of delicious food and presents.

(via)
we are up and cooking yummy leftovers for breakfast. swedish nisu bread & eggs and twice baked potatoes from christmas dinner (which were incredibly fattening but oh so good!).

how was your christmas friends? i hope it was everything you imagined and more! enjoy your monday, i hope you have it off and are sleeping in ;)

merry, merry christmas!

2011-12-24T07:56:00.005-05:00

have yourself a merry little christmas!

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i hope that your next few days are filled with everything sparkly, delicious food and family. we are hosting a small dinner for family with an eclectic menu, something for everyone. it will be so much fun! plus, i'm excited for something i bought my son. i'll share pictures after the holiday, i don't want to ruin the surprise. enjoy these days!! & merry christmas to all my friends in the blogosphere ;)

my family's swedish bread recipe.

2011-12-23T13:12:00.009-05:00

after baking all morning, the loaves of swedish nisu bread are coming out just beautifully. here's how the finished product should look...also the recipe is below!

recipe for nisu bread:

2 cups scalded milk
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
7 crushed cardamon seeds
3 beaten eggs
2 yeast pkgs.
7 1/2 cups of flour

ok, scald the milk in a saucepan on the stove. remove from heat and pour into large mixing bowl. add sugar, salt & butter. mix well & cool. add cardamon, eggs, yeast and flour. mix well. turn onto floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.

put into large buttered bowl and cover. keep bowl in a warm place like on top of a stove if you are cooking. let ruse until about double the size. turn out onto floured surface again and knead the dough for a few more minutes. cut dough into 4 balls.

divide each ball into 3 equal sections. with your hand make 3 long strands out of those sections and braid together. set braids on buttered cookie sheet. let rise about 20-25 minutes. bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 25 minutes. remove and brush top with egg whites and sprinkle generously with sugar.

+++i let the loaves cool and i wrap them in tinfoil. you can either freeze all of them right away or give them out as gifts (fresh or frozen). a nice touch is to tie a pretty ribbon around the loaf wrapped in the tinfoil. what's great about the breads is that you give them to your guests/family etc. ready wrapped to just heat up.

i will tell you that this bread heated up is really the best for flavor. have a slice either with your breakfast or dinner. it's delish, enjoy!!

happy days before christmas!

2011-12-23T07:39:00.006-05:00

i'm sharing a couple of favorite creations from artists that have my attention lately. have a look...

the soft nature and playful patterns from up in the air somewhere's ceramic line has me wishing for a whole cabinet of their product. see more of up in the air somewhere's goodies, here.

i'm currently drawn to the artwork of greg lamarche. his use of line and every day shapes and color to convey spaces intrigues me. this, his bar code city is one of my favorites. see more of greg's work here.

ooh, i'm getting excited for christmas, i'm getting excited to bake my bread today. i'll be sure to share pictures and the recipe later for anyone who is interested. i'm attacking the bread this morning. it's raining here, the skies are grey, but my christmas tree is bright. so, a perfect bread baking day!

happy friday friends! happy days before christmas ;) i know that everyone is baking, rushing around etc. but try to enjoy this time of year, grab a glass of wine later, plunk on the couch, put your feet up! enjoy...

today i like...

2011-12-22T08:12:00.009-05:00

i'm off today to drive, hopefully with a warm mocha in hand, to pick up my son at college for his christmas break. i'll be hanging out with him all day, catching up (doing his laundry ;) and relaxing. today i wanted to share not only some fabulous things/spaces i'm enjoying, but some great resource tumblr and shop sites, have a look...

head over heals for this gold dipped shuttlecock necklace with silk knitting. offered up at need supply and found via twig & sparrow. perfectly dreamy.

how fun is this tumblr site? it's archive is nothing but women reading! really great images...

i'd really love to spend time in this room today. to drool over the lighting, observe the fresh bursts of color all around and to kick back in these dining chairs. via a great house tour on apartment therapy.

man oh man, think of what you could do carrying around this incredible knot bag/basket offered up from alder & co. great for going to the outdoor markets, stocking up on books & magazines at your favorite bookstores. or simple display it with anything & everything in your home. love.
this mirrored cabinet showcasing fabulous wines & other beverages for the holiday! found via twig & sparrow & bo bedre.

these tights offered up by patternity. their motto?: "patterns to take everywhere. mundane to magnificent." i love that and i love these tights!

tomorrow is my bread baking day complete with photos and the recipe if anyone is interested. this morning, as we all rush around on these last minute days before christmas, remember to be good to yourself, grab a coffee drink that you wouldn't normally indulge in ;) slow it down a little. enjoy!!

a whole lot of wonderful.

2011-12-21T14:31:00.005-05:00

there's a whole lot of wonderful going on in these spaces. from color palette choices to lighting (i keep seeing this serge mouille lighting everywhere and i L O V E it!) to the eclectic mix of furniture. found via shelterness.

so... i haven't started my bread yet, waiting on cardamon seeds that my love is picking up for me today. my next attempt at christmas bread is friday. so, plan on pictures and the recipe then! tomorrow i bring my son home from college, so that day is not a breadmaking day but a "hey i missed the heck out of you, let's hang out" kind of day ;) enjoy!

designing in sections.

2011-12-21T07:57:00.007-05:00

sometimes when researching design elements, things come to you in bunches. this week i seem to be coming across fabulous storage ideas and solutions. kettnaker offers fine lines, quiet color palettes. kettnaker searches for solutions to adaptation. with their mathematical planning, stacking, storing and displaying holds no boundaries or any limits. have a look...

i also am happy when i find product that is completely adaptable to residential or commercial spaces. this product does, and the possibilities really are endless. one crazy idea came to me this morning. i seem to always be designing sexy, amazing bars, lobbies and lounge areas in my head. (what does that say about me?) anyway, imagine one large wall, with kettnaker product mounted in a very sculptural way, possibly lit or back lit a particular color. perhaps the backdrop to a fabulous bar area in a high end hotel or restaurant. every now and then a section is revealed to hold amazing glassware or intriguing photographs. hmmm, there i go again, thinking out loud! i seem to take product out of its originally intended element and bring it to a new life somewhere else. i think its fun ;)

ooh, i'm baking my bread recipe today. it's a swedish bread called nisu. a family recipe. i'll take pics and share the recipe later! enjoy...

mid~day art wall love. singular or plural.

2011-12-20T14:23:00.005-05:00

it's funny, every now and then i'll be somewhere, either in a residential or commercial space and in those spaces, people/designers either nail an art wall, or they don't. these nail it right smack dab on the head.

1 & 2
crazy day update: shopping finished (ah, only for today), bread ingredients in the house, but not sure about getting it started today, if not tomorrow. wrapping to do next. how is your crazy leading up to christmas day going? i'd love to hear! enjoy.

treku.

2011-12-20T08:01:00.007-05:00

treku started out small, in spain, concentrating on exceptional woodworking and craftsmanship. treku took the high reputation they had built, and did what companies like treku do with great reputations, they grew...

now under a third generation's control, treku distributes their wonderful product throughout europe and the u.s. what i was drawn to with treku's pieces is the almost magic box appearance to them. remember at magic shows when a magician would roll out one of those curious boxes, to make things disappear or re-appear (including people!)? my mind went straight to magic. to fun, with these pieces from treku. refined and playful all at once. i love that!

have a great tuesday everyone! i'm going to attempt some magic today by accomplishing more things than a human being can do in one day ;) seriously though, this is my to-do list: take a run, christmas shop (and who knows how long that can take?), mail a present, get last 2 ingredients i need to bake bread & maybe start baking it? (i'll share the recipe soon, it's a family one!), then attend a school christmas concert tonight. so, yeah, you get the picture! i hope your day is starting off positive and creative...enjoy...

pretty & pretty.

2011-12-19T14:19:00.005-05:00

one, a great last minute christmas idea. the other, just complete design eye~candy.

i've been cutting out hand~made sparkly paper christmas tree tags today, took a run, watched a bunch of the fattest squirrels i think i've ever seen in my backyard getting ready for winter. what are you up to today? i'd love to hear!

p.s. the winner of the little black dress give~away is asiye ivedi from l'atelier blog! congratulations!! i've e-mailed you...

prandina. lighting, simply.

2011-12-19T07:54:00.014-05:00

hey, hey, happy monday! another fresh start to a new week, and a fun one, it's almost christmas right? i was struck this weekend with how the simplicity of prandina's lighting takes center stage in any space, residential or commercial. prandina's pieces are striking, glowing, quietly stunning.

after all, under prandina's profile, they write of their company that "prandina's philosophy has fulfilled criteria of simplicity and formal precision." formal precision? i love that! based out of italy, prandina does have contacts, distributors and shops in the u.s. so if any of prandina's lighting moves, you, then obtaining one is easier than you think. ;)

how was your weekend friends? i wrapped presents, watched football, shopped a little, (ate alot ;)) and baked some killer cheese puffs to accompany a birthday dinner i made, if you want the recipe go here, they are easy and delish!! have a creative and positive start to your monday! enjoy....

p.s. i'll be picking the winner of the little black dress give~away (the post is a few posts below this one) at noon today. so you last minute signer~upers still have time!

details.

2011-12-18T09:15:00.004-05:00

i'm drawn this weekend to the details section of ye rin mok's photography site. they're dreamy. of ordinary things. things that just are. they sit there. hang there. though, after closer examination, they really are fabulous. they offer something. all on their very ordinary own.

what are you drawn to this weekend? i'd love to hear! enjoy...

p.s. don't forget! you only have one more day to enter the little black dress give~away below...;)

mix it up.

2011-12-17T07:33:00.006-05:00

combining patterns is fun. i love the thought of placing this swedese ottomon below, somewhere in a space surrounded by todd chilton's paintings. it would make for interesting goings on.

i'm loving that it's the weekend, hoping you are too ;) hey, don't forget, i have a snazzy give~away in the post below!! you guys, this is the perfect black dress, sign yourselves up! enjoy...

can you say give~away? well, shabby apple can!

2011-12-16T07:48:00.005-05:00

ok, this is really a great way to end a busy week at avant garde design, with the perfect black sexy dress & just in time for the holidays!!

today's give~away is from shabby apple offering up a plethora of women's dresses...i especially L O V E the "tinsel town" collection, they're so very going~to~the~oscars~dresses!

this "beverly hills" dress is valued at $98.00 on shabby apple. yeah, that's right! but you get to win it for F R E E ! if you'd like to get up close and personal with this dress, view it here. if you want to really get up close and personal with it, then enter this sweet give~away and take her home!

so, it's simple. leave a comment on avant garde design saying where in the world you would wear this little black number, not because it will make you win it but because i just want to know! ;) (oh, and leave me some way to contact you should you be the lucky winner!)

then, head to shabby apple's site, here, this weekend, peruse their offerings and hit the "like" them on facebook button, here.

that's it! and if that's not enough, if while visiting the shabby apple site this weekend, you find that you just cannot wait to win this dress or you'd like to select something else, shabby apple is offering a 10% off special for avant garde design followers only! enter "avantgarde10off" at checkout and voila, you guessed it, 10% off. this special is guaranteed for 30 days from the date of this post. so, that's just bonus right?

so go, run, now, this is a fab dress, i wish it was for me! lucky you guys...enjoy!!

p.s. the winner will be chosen monday morning! so get in on this while you can!!

magic mushroom stools.

2011-12-15T14:30:00.005-05:00

how fun are these sweeeeet magic mushroom stools? designed by david fox for boss design with opportunities to incorporate informal pieces and color to your residential or commercial spaces. i want one in every color, to hop around on. ;)

if you too are drawn to magic, or mushroom stools in fancy colors for that matter (like i am!) go here.

i've been refining and re-working a paper for class, all. day. long. i'm heading outside for a run, to clear my head and to get my blood flowing again ;) enjoy!!

design heure. get ready for spectacular.

2011-12-15T08:09:00.008-05:00

design heure had me at the shape of their shades, but they didn't stop there. i am very drawn to how their lighting, from singular to grand chandelier, blends with residential and commercial environments and truly does not stand out as strictly one or the other. then, let's bring in the cords which are seen and which are everywhere. now you have interest, you have a bit of sex appeal and you move toward industrial meets classic and feminine...for a perfect design marriage. i love that!

i love how they loom, how they almost float, like kites tied to independent strings. these design heure lights are playful and all grown~up, all at once. like i said, i love that!

ok, so it was a late night last night. i had to (well i didn't have to, but i did) celebrate the end of one more class and partook in a glass (or two) of red wine afterwards. but today it's back to business. i have one last paper for this semester to refine and then a short break. and then christmas! how is your thursday starting out? i hope you are feeling energetic and creative!

ooooh, and tomorrow there is a fabulous give~away on avant garde design. you won't want to miss it! enjoy...

pastel palette love.

2011-12-14T13:19:00.004-05:00

ooh, i'm suddenly in a sleepy, soft mood. the weather outside is full of milky skies, leaving me a bit sleepy and wanting to lounge around and do nothing. these things and spaces are accompanying my mood very nicely thank you...

1 2 3
the top and bottom photo are from cool new~to~me etsy sites. more last minute christmas ideas! i'll keep em' coming too...enjoy!

pretty in black and white.

2011-12-14T07:52:00.008-05:00

what is it lately about everything looking so beautiful in stark black and white? i'm loving the clean combination. here are a few recent fav's...

1 2 3 4 5 6
it seems you cannot go wrong bringing in either a black or white piece or that wonderful, always interesting mixture of both to your residential or commercial spaces (or into your wardrobe for that matter!) black & white is somehow always edgy, always timeless, sexy and intriguing. what about you? do you own anything so very black and white? i'm in the mood to pick up (or paint) a piece myself and soon! ;)

ok, i'm talking to myself here, but i have finishing touches on one last paper for this semester of graduate work. i can do this thing! i'm off to get busy, enjoy your day everyone!!

have a heart ring. last minute christmas idea.

2011-12-13T12:43:00.005-05:00

are you still christmas shopping? or have you not really started (like me. seriously.) if so, these sweet & small heart rings might do the trick? you must love someone right? ;)

offered up by innopark over at design boom, here & they only have a few sizes left! i want the christmas red one, pronto! enjoy...

ex.t. designed by young protagonists.

2011-12-13T08:00:00.009-05:00

so much of what ex.t offers is really playful, another words, you can mix and match pieces, stack them, line them up, creating every time, a sort of artistic still~life in your spaces. and if you tire of a particular arrangement, move it, re~design it! simplicity like that is hard to come by and it's really fabulous. have a look...

your eye is drawn to the turn of these pendant lamps, the simple design and soft, warm shape. hang them in clusters or individually, each for a unique impact.

loving these "leaf hooks," really perfect in a residential or commercial space. plus they're fun ;) and fun is good!
again, look how ex.t's product becomes sculptural, pliable and easy to move around, to adjust. and accessorizing their simple pieces makes it all the more fun. whether you choose to add pops of bright color or textural elements to ex.t's pieces, they are easy that way.

i'm loving these little nook pieces and then the spaces that are created because of them. ex.t shows them individually placed or stacked and then transformed, tip one, one way, then another, to store books, magazines, candle holders, you name it. really versatile!
another element which i love about ex.t is the constantly changing shapes, widths and sizes of their product, from tall and skinny to wide and chunky. when you line them up or stack them up, their product evolves, it flows and constantly appears fresh.

these drip pendant lights are one of my favorite ex.t products. any kind of organic shape seems natural, sexy and oh~so~easy~on~the~eyes. don't you think?
i really enjoy promoting product or companies that intrigue me, they manage to always keep themselves interesting and significant in the big design world that we all live in. ex.t does that. so yeah for ex.t and yeah for us that we can enjoy their offerings!

ok, i seriously need to focus today. i have a bunch of work for classes due in an even shorter bunch of time! an extra cup of coffee might do the trick this morning. the sun is out (bonus for creative energy!) and i can smell that wonderful christmas tree fragrance in my house. (bonus for just plain good smells around me!) i hope your tuesday is starting out with a big fat bang of creativity and inspiration! enjoy...

tastes orangey.

2011-12-12T16:42:00.003-05:00

i've posted before about the tastes orangey etsy site. clare elsaesser's style is right up my alley. have a look and see if it's right up your alley too!

"a cabana in the shade,
drinking cool lemonade
on a winter holiday
tropical vacation come my way!"

i love this little diddy that reads below this particular painting. if you are in the market for some additional christmas gift ideas, check out tastes orangey. they are prints of original paintings but then hand sewn back onto textured watercolor paper for that "very substantial feel." love. enjoy!

happy monday & segis.

2011-12-12T08:30:00.009-05:00

after a visit to segis's site and company (based out of italy but also with a production unit out of tennessee, so they are accessible here!), i did notice that much of their product, while highly commercial based, definitely lends itself to residential as well. here are a few of my favorite segis pieces...

i am drawn to they way the segis pieces are cut, angled, shaped and formed. as if any one of their pieces is really part of one larger puzzle, that somehow, all of it comes together in some larger way. it's all very cool, with modern twists on many classical designs. inventive and interesting. so, if you are in the market right now to build up your commercial spaces, segis has so many options from an amazing array of stools to larger, modular seating options.

and for residential spaces, much of segis's product, even one piece here and there would make for a fun and creative feel to any space, whether it be the kitchen or living room or bathroom.

how is your monday starting out friends? i'm eating dry cheerios straight out of the box, the sun is at my back and i'm preparing to complete one last paper due for class this week. i may get out for a mid~day run for energy, it's a perfect running day, the weather is crisp and cool and sunny. enjoy!!

sunday feelings.

2011-12-11T07:34:00.004-05:00

pancakes are being prepared (chocolate chip), ethiopian coffee (our favorite) is brewing and i'm staring at a christmas tree while having my portrait painted by my 11 year old step~daughter. happiness is. ;)

(via, i forget!)
i hope this morning you are enjoying coffee, christmas tree smells (can you tell i'm excited to have a christmas tree!) and delicious sunday breakfast. what's in store for you today? i'd love to hear! enjoy...