What Inspires You Wednesday: Morocco

Patterns & Color

Much like last Wednesday, I am inspired by some things that I am working on for a client.
My inspiration is coming from a place of bohemian-old-world, meets Morocco, mixed with a modern flair.  Oh yeah, we're talking a boatload of happy design here people.

There is no shortage of inspiration to be had when it comes to this kind of design. I simply love it all.

Look at all these different patterns that work together just beautifully.

 

source: Justina Blakney

Swoon worthy colors combinations (including the outfit).

 

source: blasfemmes

Patterns, textures, shapes, combined with natural elements and brightly hued pigments that all work together.

 

source: the design files/mynd interiors 

photos by: armelle habib

I very much appreciate the clean lines and mostly neutral colors of Scandinavian design, but every time I try to pull it off in my own home, I just can't quite do it. I apparently have a need for color and pattern because it usually ends up looking more bohemian than I intended. I think that's why this project is really speaking to me and inspiring me.

What's inspiring you today?

Big news here in the North. I had my first cuppa tea of the season on the back stoop this morning. Ah................that feels better. Thank you Spring.  There may be a distinct crispness in the air today, but mornings on my back stoop means there is a never want for sun on your face. Unless of course it's cloudy. A lovely spot for a cuppa and a ritual of sorts.

Make your Wednesday fantastic!

Ciao for now,

It's Revealed! The Spring Mantle

A Burst of Color & Flowers, Just Like The Season



After my white winter mantle, I needed a little bit of color for Spring. Well, maybe a lot.  My mantle turned out to be all about color and flowers.

The forsythia bloomed this week, so that was the start of my inspiration. Boy, I just love the pop of yellow the forsythia brings. Then, when I was out and about doing errands, I found a lovely pink hiacynth. I'm not sure if it comes across in the pictures or not, but it was a pink I'd never seen before. Really sweet.

Of course, it smells heavenly too.  I put it in this pretty blue bowl I have, and because the pot was still too tall, I wrapped the top in a pink dresser scarf.

Probably could have neatened it up for the photos. Sorry about that.

I kept the opium jar that I had on the Winter mantle. However, for Winter, I had it turned backwards so you couldn't see the pretty flowers. It's a perfect fit for the Spring mantle.

My Mom gave it to me years ago, probably becaue we both love Opium perfume.  I got the Van Gough print from my best friend Tina because she knows I love art. Pretty, pretty Iris.

To add some blue to the other side of the mantle, I used my old mason jar full of stones I got from my parent's house. 

Then I found the chevron pottery box I made in high school. Apparently I've had a thing for chevrons since then. I was way ahead of the curve on that one.

The painting was a score on one of our trips to Ireland. We were actually visiting Tina in Blarney. She fell in love with an Irishman too, but moved there.  We were having dinner in a little restaurant in town and the painting was on the wall. I took it home with me. Love the colors.  If you're wondering, it's depicts a town in West Cork and yes, in areas of Ireland some of the houses would be that bright. Cobh and Kinsale are good exampls of towns with lots of color.

Check out the sweet violets vase my Mom gave me recently. So delicate with it's gold trim.

You can finally see the whole painting in this one, and the entire mantle for that matter. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid the glare from the sun.

As the season continues, I'll change the forsythia out for Apple Blossoms and then Solomon Seal which is always so regal looking. 

It's one thing I love about Spring. There is always something new popping out to fill all of my vases.

Have you brought Spring into your home yet?

Have a great day.

Favorite Finds: Look On The Bright Side

via Vintage by Shevahh

Antidote for a Gray, Misty Day

Kind of bleak here today. Gray, misty, a little rain mixed in. Last night we had some wicked thunder and lightning move through. A little odd after having a snow storm on Saturday that dropped about 12 inches on us, to have a Spring thunderstorm 2 days later.

So to combat the ugly weather blues, here's a selection of etsy favorites that are sure to brighten things up.

A fantastically happy pink ponytail holder from my etsy pal and fellow Dublin afficiando Miki Martinez in Madrid. Now, Miki has tons of awesome vintage finds, but she has now added these great scrunchies to her shop.

via mikimartinez

I will now be embarrased to wear my ugly ponytail holders. I'm not kidding, they're downright ugly compared to Miki's.

I don't know about you, but I spent a lot of time as a kid playing Barrel Full of Monkeys.  This necklace from Hearsay Designs is a hoot and half!

via hearsaydesigns

How could you not feel bright and cheery wearing a barrelful of yellow monkeys?

I love all of Josh Freidman's photos. It might be because oneo f his favorite subjects is NYC. Then again, it could be that he's just a darn good photographer. The color and the subject in this one get equal billing for brightening my day.

via JoshFriedmanPhoto

Well, I can't say I'd ever thought of putting the Virgin Mary in a cigar box, but I absolutley love this upcycled box from shrinefairy. I think it's a beautiful shrine.

via shrinefairy

I'll have to be happy dreaming about being able to pull this number, by Wonderhand, off. The colors, the herringbone-stitch-fish-scale design, the hand knitting- I love it all. Hhhhmmm......I think I could rock this look as a vest.

via wonderhand

Oh, this bracelet by ACuteCute would make me happy every time I wore it.

via ACuteCute

At $4, I might just have seriously consider that one! As my mother Marge would say, "How could I leave it here for that?". Right Mom?

What? The sun shines in your house? It certainly does with this lamp from FiligreeCreations!

via FiligreeCreations

Flip the switch and POW, right in the kisser. Sunshine yellow happiness.

More colorful photography from my etsy & facebook friend Leona of LeesWhimsys.

via LeesWhimsys

Just loving the texture and the colors Leona explored in this shot of a hydrangea. Stunning.

And one more pop of electric blue from VintageByShevva.

via VintageShevahh

That 80s blazer rocks!

I'm feeling brighter and cheerier already. How about you?

Hope your Wednesday is going well. I can't believe it is the middle of the week already.  I've been working on ad design and logo/branding design today....what's on your plate?

Ciao for now,