Dining Room Loot

Show and tell time. Some new loot that I recently acquired for the dining room. On a whim, I bought this cockatoo mirror that I saw on One Kings Lane (one cockatoo is hiding behind the jar). It's pretty awesome and works beautifully with our green stripes.

And I also recently found the large porcelain jar at Home Goods. It's everything I love about traditional blue/white porcelain...but in green! So it obvi had to come home with me. Both made their debut this weekend as we hosted friends for dinner...and I must say everything tasted a bit better with these new additions to the room.
 

Friday Crush

Thanks to Camila, I discovered this fabric this week and I can't stop thinking about it. Yes, we've all seen lovely trellis prints before, but I don't often see one in my of-the-moment shade of lilac. I'm seriously debating redoing my dining room curtains in this. It would be crazy, because what I have is great...but one thing I am is crazy.

We have house projects galore this weekend and are hosting a little dinner party. Hope you all have a lovely weekend! See you Monday!
 

Kitsch

Many would file this lamp base away in their kitsch folder. For me, I think that within the right context and interior, this lamp base could serve as a fantastic focal point/accent piece.

Note the Greek key trim and the fantastic hue of red she is sporting. She would be perfect to harmonize red accents in a space. Not to mention the dose of happy she would bestow.

So what I'm saying is, I love her. Kitsch or no.

(If you like her too, she's on Etsy)
 

Neutrality

I live a life awash in color. I design with color...my wardrobe is pretty colorful...and my home is, for the most part, a color explosion. And yet, I love to look at beautiful, neutral interiors. I'm not sure I could ever commit to such a monochromatic, soothing palette but it's eye candy to me nonetheless.

Case in point, this home designed by (the amazing) Phoebe Howard. Sophisticated, classic, neutral and stunning:

All images via phoebehoward.net

Your senses can relax in these spaces. Love.

Do you opt for neutrality in your own home?
 

Thom Filicia Rugs via QVC

Thom Filicia launched a line for QVC last week and I can't stop obsessing over the RUGS. The variety of patterns/options for a small collection is fantastic and I want them all.

My favorites:

Griffith Park

Niagra

Seneca

Tioga

 Durston

I think Niagra and Seneca are my top picks. Do you see one that you like? 

Fretwork Bedding

Another fun catalog find for you. Have you seen this fretwork bedding available from The Company Store?

Of course the orange are my favorite, but the blue pattern would be killer in a blue and white Chinoiserie bedroom. They offer the pattern in sheet sets, but also in a reversible duvet, though I would just pick one place to use it and mix it in with other bedding.

Purchase some for yourself here...Happy Monday!

Friday Crush

Image via AphroChic on Flickr

A dollop of awesome for your Friday. My thoughts are definitely turning to spring, especially with the 70 degree day we are going to have in DC. This image is pure sunshine.

Rock your weekend. See you Monday!

Anikat Fabric

Anikat: An animal print with an ikat quality. See below.

Do you love this print like me? Not quite animal. Not quite ikat. But a whole lot of awesome. This particular shade of chartreuse is very popular in my house...I find that it works great with virtually any color I put next to it. Would p.m.p. if I saw a chair upholstered with this. Buy it here...

 

Contemplating Lighting

Our house is dark. Adorable. But dark. I feel the need to stick a lamp into every possible nook and cranny. Which is good, because I never turn down an opportunity to bring another lamp into my life.

I currently have three open positions that I am looking to fill: a floor lamp for our bedroom, a flush mount for our upstairs hallway and I'd like to install a swing-arm wall lamp in our living room.

Here are the candidates:

I totally fell in love with this floor lamp from Overstock.com. Usually, I would run screaming from a wood base, but this one seems so chic. And our bedroom is all warm wood and neutral tones, so it seems perfect.

I've blogged about my flush mount search before, and I found yet another similar version to what I'm looking for:

It's also on Overstock.com. I can't decide if I would like it in person.

And here is the swing-arm lamp I'm considering:

This would go in a pretty small cranny next to our sofa, so I don't want to get anything terribly expensive. I found it at Lamps Plus for $70. I'm thinking I could perhaps dye the shade black? That might elevate it a bit. I know it's a little 80s, but I kind of dig that.

So together, I'm looking at almost $500 for 3 light fixtures, which isn't going over so well with the CFO. But we need them. Hmmm....how to get my way...

Glass Subway Tile Source

The next big project on our never-ending quest to "finish" our house is to tile our kitchen backsplash. Last weekend, big C and I went to a tile showroom to look at their samples and pick out a color. We (read: me) knew we wanted glass subway tile, so it was a matter of finding the perfect hue.

Something like this:

Image by Keith Scott Morton via Country Living

Our entire house is essentially green, so I wanted a green-toned blue-ish situation for the tiles. That ever-fantastic shade of aqua we all love. And we found it - "Ocean Spray" by Mirage Tile (in the 4x12 size to create a larger-scale pattern):

Unfortunately, we also found out its price and had a wee bit of sticker shock. The tile shop (which is lovely, by the way - it's where we bought our floor tile) was selling it for around $25/sq. ft. Carter raised some eyebrows.

Like any good DIYer, I took to the web when I got home and found my tile online at www.mosaictilestone.com for $16.95/sq. ft! Much better. And to be sure it was the same tile, and not a lesser quality version, I ordered a sample which arrived lickety split, and it's perfect.

If you are in the market for some GST yourself, ordering online is a good option if you're on a budget. I looked at 5-6 sites and mosaictilestone.com was the cheapest for our particular tile (and has free shipping over $200).

I would also recommend ordering a small batch of the tile from the site to make sure it's what you want. I didn't see where to order a sample online, so I emailed them (info@mosaictilestone.com) and they sent me a discount code to purchase 1 sq. ft.

I can't wait to see what this finishing touch does to our kitchen when we (read: Carter) are done!

**I edited this post a bit. Reader Debbie makes a good point...brick & mortar shops definitely have benefits. When price (or something else) is an issue, my opinion is that online shopping can be a great option. Like any decision for your house, do your research and see what works best for you.

Valentine Crush

Design by Angie Hranowsky

A sultry space for you to ponder this Valentine's Day. Angie Hranowsky makes color work. And in the sea of pink and red you'll see today, I hope you don't forget the romantic power of lavender/lilac/plum - a hue that has quickly turned into a favorite for me.

I hope you have some amazing plans with the cheese to your macaroni this evening. 

XOXO

Friday Crush

I fell head over heels for a series of Chinese ceramics painted by Michael Hampton this week. Michael is an artist and interior designer who now lives in New Mexico but was formerly a DC resident. He did the gorgeous guest bedroom at last year's DC Design House. I am always taken with his elegant watercolors, but this ceramic series is insanely good. Click here to view his whole series and they will all be for sale so contact Michael at michael@michaelhamptondesign.com if you are interested.

FCs are a one-picture kind of post, but I wanted to show you another favorite:

Seriously, read Michael's post because you will love all of them. Have a glorious weekend...see you Monday!

p.s. Do you like Michael's blog design? Done by yours truly...

Colored Canvas

Painting by Amanda Collis

I remember having a conversation with my mother-in-law over Thanksgiving re: modern art. Since childhood, I was incredibly disinterested in abstract art (well, art in general, but that's a different story). But the modern pieces in particular held no appeal.

But now, my preference is abstract art. Realistic subject matter gets in the way of seeing emotion played out purely with color. No eyes, no smiles, no boats or homes...just pure color. And being a complete color nut, brightly painted canvases bring me joy. A recent change in my tastes that I am welcoming with open arms.

The above canvas is the perfect example - "O Sing of Summer" available on Etsy via shop Mossmottle. I'm so thankful for Etsy! I love being able to purchase art directly from its creator.

Fern Print from Greenhouse Fabrics

A new fabric popped up in my inbox yesterday that made me take note:

Don't you LOVE it? Such a gorgeous fern-type print. The fabric is A1587 in Citrine by Greenhouse Fabrics. It reminded me of the fantastic Kelly Wearstler fabric Michele of My Notting Hill used for her sofa (which has a fern-type print, though hard to tell from this lovely picture):

Greenhouse Fabrics is a great fabric line if you aren't familiar with it. They create tons and tons of fashionable interior dec fabrics that can be bought at reasonable prices. The velvet in my living room is GF.

Here are the other fab colorways:

A1602 Bermuda

A1590 Radicchio

A1618 Topaz

The Citrine swatch made its way to my email via Decorators Best, and can be purchased here. I've also found GH fabrics on www.insidefabric.com.

Nursery Wallpaper

No. I am not planning a nursery. But, if I was, I would paper its walls in this:

L'Arque de Paloma Wallpaper in Pastel by Motif

And use this Brunschwig & Fils fabric for curtains and a crib skirt:

Estancia Woven in Foam

That wallpaper is only $12 per double roll and the Brunschwig fabric is only $27/yd (both at discountfabricsusa.com), so they would be for a budget-savvy baby. And couldn't the color scheme go either way - boy or girl? I love chic flexibility.

designBoard: Kimber's Office/Living Room

Today I have the last "installment" of designBoards for Kimber's house. This time around, Kimber was looking for help pulling together her husband Tem's home office, which also doubles as the living room.

Kimber had several pieces she was already working with, including some awesome chairs recovered in our beloved Chiang Mai:

LOVE those chairs. Here is the board:

I think one of my favorite pieces has to be that light fixture. I love the finish and its sculptural take on a classic drum shade. I hear the room's true client, Tem, liked the choices.

So, that wraps up my work on Kimber's house (for now). She is working hard making it all happen and has promised to share pictures.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Friday Crush

Image by Rachel Meiring

High-voltage table setting from High Gloss Magazine, courtesy of David Jimenez (I always LOVE seeing things he does). I perused the premiere issue of High Gloss and the art design of the magazine is awesome - a feast for this graphic designer's eyes. Definitely check it out if you haven't yet (obvi the interiors are fab).

Here it is, the weekend again, and I still have my same list of to-do items for the house. Seems like weekends come and go and I never get anything done, but I have cleared my Saturday to finish some tasks (which also might include reading the pink issue of House Beautiful). Crossing my fingers! Happy weekend...see you Monday!

The Carly Chair

I obsess over a lot of things. It's my nature. But what is at the top of my list is constantly changing and this week, it's chairs. I've said it before, but I'm in the market for a new one for my living room and I'm having some trouble finding something just right.

Usually, stuff I see from catalog retailers doesn't sizzle. It's nice, but it's only once in a while that something catches my eye. Like that duvet from West Elm. And now this chair from Crate & Barrel:

It's called the Carly Chair and I LOVE it. Woah. Home run. Its lines are so classic and feminine, but with the right fabric it could also be contemporary. And some of the fabric choices are lovely:

I'm smitten...though it's a bit out of my budget. But a great inspiration chair to help narrow in on what I'm looking for!

Leontine Linens for Me

I know many of you share my love for Leontine Linens, the high-end line of bedding, bath and table linens whose delicious, incredibly unique monograms make us all very happy.

A refresher:

I know I'm only showing towels, but they are my current focus. I have finally decided to treat myself to a little something Leontine. A pair of hand towels would look fantastic in our downstairs guest bathroom and it's the perfect space in the house to have a  dose of Leontine - where guests can enjoy it too.

Of course choosing a monogram is nearly impossible, but I think I've narrowed it down to two:

Maxwell

An obvious ode to my love of Chinoiserie

or

Rayford

Making a statement with beautiful curves

Which do you like best?

Dream Duvet

I love my bedroom, but the other day I did a double take when I saw this duvet:

For a hot second (or maybe 30 painful minutes) I SERIOUSLY considered redoing my whole bedroom just to make room for this duvet in my life. I'm not really a bedding girl - I prefer white sheets and white duvets and look for blankets, bedskirts and pillows to give the bed pizazz.

But, oh, this duvet. I'm not particularly fond of anything it is styled with in this picture. I would love to pair it with a lavender blanket and some golden lamps. And something  jade green. I can't get over it.

In other news, I might actually get this one for my office/guest bedroom:

Nice work, West Elm. I like your bedding.