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,

Color Palette: Pale Shelter

Blushing Blue

Two points: for those of you who got the Tears for Fears reference. 

It had been a long time since I put an etsy treasury together. A treasury is a curated collection of sorts, of items from etsy and my fellow shop owners.  It's a way to spread some etsy love and highlight some of the wonderful things you can find on etsy.

Perhaps because Winter seems to be the longest season and is still in the air, or maybe because I know deep in my heart that spring will be here eventually, I was drawn to items in my selection of favorites that had that last hazey, pale color of winter mixed with the colors of spring to come.

Blush and blue.

visit shops featured via the treasury, here

These colors are so soft and pretty.  I have them pinned all over my pinterest boards as well, including my color board.  I can't get enough fo them right now.

sources: 

top row

Dorothy Perkins and  style me pretty (photo by Christian oth studio)

bottom row

anthropologie and brides of texas

sources:

top row

maison décor (my blogging pal Amy paints the most gorgeous mora clocks!)

and first snow fall

bottom row

shop bando and country living (photo by bjorn wallander)

Seriously, check out that tub. Heavenly.

So what do you think? Yay or nay on the palest of pales?

Have a great day and thanks for being here.

Ciao for now,

 

Take That, To Do List!

Monday, The Day To Get Things Done

I am going to take care of my to-do list today. Crossin' things off left and right.  That's the order of the day.

So, I shall be brief so I can get down to business.

A little look at fall neutrals, etsy style. A treasury to pay it forward to some of these fine folks who have featured my things in a treasury.

You can see the treasury, complete with links to these wonderful shops, by clicking here.

Yoga update:

So, I told you all last week that I needed to get back on my mat, that I'd let other things get in the way of taking time to take care of myself.  I can't tell you what a difference this has made already. I surpassed my goal of 4 days of yoga practice last week, and ended with 5. Three of the days, I did two practices- one in the morning, and one at the end of the day. I feel better- body & mind, am sleeping better and just feel better all around.  This week, I would like to get 5 practices in again, and really focus on each thing that goes into a certain pose.

This has been my inspiration for the week.

Thanks to valerie lavigne yoga for the nudge. Though honestly, I didn't really need it. I wanted to get on my mat. I wanted to take the time. I wanted to practice yoga. This in itself is a positive change.  More on the yoga progress next week.

Have you been making any positive changes to take better care of yourself? I'd love to hear how it's going.

Have a great Monday. It's a great day to have.

Ciao for now,

Color Palette: Take A Cue From Nature

Green Is The Word

After I was finished at my desk yesterday, I popped over to my neighbor Joan and Tom's for a paint consultation.

Joanie had some pictures of greens she liked, but wanted a second opinion on colors and combinations for doing an accent wall.

They're considering doing the lighter end of the green spectrum, but that still leaves lots of choices. We talked last night about using another color, purple shades, as accents in the room on pillows and such.

I explored that spectrum on etsy this morning and created a treasury featuring some favorites that fall into those shades.

 

the girl in apt. 1J

I also took Lucan for a walk this morning and gather bits and pieces that spoke to those colors.

Lichen, grass, fern, wild olive, milkweed pod, wild aster.........a lot caught my eye.

The great thing is you can play off those light shades of green with a lot of different colors. You can make them more neutral if you pair with grays or browns. The possibilities are endless.


It's a beautiful day here, though it did get quit cool and windy last night. It's not what I'd call warm, but the sun is shining against a clear blue sky. It works for me.

Finalized one logo design yesterday and started on another that is going very well already. Looking forward to designing more today.

What's on your plate?

Ciao for now,

Inspired Design: Mercantile Muse Blog Redesign

Beauty of Nature

You may have noticed (or maybe not if you're reading via email, etc.), but I'm in the midst of a redesign of Mercantile Muse. It's sssllllloooooowwwwwww going. I could get lost in it for hours, if I had them to get lost in. So I squeeze it in here and there and it's a long way from being done, but I thought I'd show you where I've been getting my design inspiration.

In case you haven't guess yet, by the picture above, it's the fig.

I think the range of colors contained in one little precious fig are rather remarkable. Amazing in fact. Nature....it sure does know what it's doing.

image sources: top left/via the kitchn and nancy mitchell, top right/via food blogga

bottom left/via bento bird, bottom right/via flavors of rome

See what I mean? Aren't figs something else?

Here are some of some of the components I'm incorporating.

So, if you wondering what the heck was going on..............just a little nature inspired redesign.

What do you think? Yay or nay? It's ok, you won't hurt my feelings.

Please pardon the appearance while I'm moving the furniture around.

Today is one fantastic Friday. We got great news that we've been praying for and I couldn't be happier.  Well, maybe just a little because we got double great news today. I hope your day is going just as well.

Freeform Friday

I had to share this. It's got to be one of the coolest dance routines ever.  Click here if you're reading by email.

Ciao for now,