What I'm Digging

All The Gold In California

I know it's spring when everything is light and bright, but I have to tell all of you that I am really diggin' on gold.

Sure, it may have a more autumn tone at times, but it's classic and depending on what you pair it with it really doesn't matter what season it is. Gold tones are just plain gorgeous all year round.

sources: lamp/rockett st. george ; hose and rack/rockett st. george
scissors/djuna ; Lammer Leire van der Tonge painting/1st dibs


Go on! I know you can picture me hauling that gold hose around The Bates Estate to water my flowers and veg, can't you?

Don't be surprised if you see this gold theme in a logo I'm currently working on and by all means, don't let the suspense kill you.

Are you digging the gold as much as me or has something else been catching your eye?


I hope you're having a lovely day today. Mine is filled with pulling branding boards together for a client (which is how I present my initial logo designs), collateral design, ad design and revisions. It's a full one here.

I really enjoyed all your musical comments yesterday and found some new bands to check out. So how about something fun for today.  Roll call perhaps? I'm writing to you from our little cottage (which refer to as The Bates Estate or Sunset Meadows) in Stratham, New Hampshire on the northeast coast of the United States, 6 miles from the ocean. And you? Where are you reading from?

Make your day great.

Ciao for now,

Design Trends & Favorite Finds

Two For One: Paper Home Decor

As I looked at my pinterest boards for paper home decor, something that tickles my fancy, I realized that fellow etsy shops were accounting for many of the designs I'd seen and loved.  Since that was the case, I've combined two regular posts- Design Trends and Favorite Finds to share some of my funky, home decor paper love with you.

To be quite honest with you, I think some of the things people are making with paper are amazing! Whatever your tastes, there seems to be something made of paper for every budget and taste.

Elegant, quirky, colorful, neutral........you'll find it all.

sources:

1. heart via ellen giggenbach

2. pendant lamp via BrittaGould

3. geodesic origami via AIOUEden

4. table lamp via life in cardboard

5. tassels via studio mucci

6. mum wreath via nodak Mama


7. typewriter calendar via sky goodies


Although I'm not completely surprised by the things people are making with paper, since I've tried my own hand at making 3D hanging paper stars, I am pretty stunned at how detailed you can get.  I mean, just take a look at that hanging pendant lamp (swoon........I love it so much I may have even featured it before) and that tiniest of typewriters.  Pretty neat stuff all-around I reckon.



Have you noticed the paper decor trend or any others that make you want to jump on board? Do tell.



The sun is shining for now, though it is still pretty cold. Nothing to complain about from my little home office/studio where the wood stove is doing its thing.


Ciao for now,

PS- Are you following me on instagram? If  you are, then you may have seen that G baked another bread this morning. This time, pear. Who knew? All I can say is that it is delicious! I'll be sharing his recipe sometime this week. If you're not following yet, I'd love it if you did.  I'm pretty new over there. 

Design Trends: Let A Little Sunshine In

Mellow (or not so mellow) Yellow

How's it going today peeps? Ah, speaking of peeps (yeah, you know the ones I'm talking about), after yesterday's post of sunshine in Winter and with today's impending snow storm, I needed just a wee bit more. More sunshiny yellow happiness.

Today, we're not leaving it outside because it's just too damn cold. We're bringing it inside with  interiors infused with some of that sunshiny happiness. 

I can be partial to a pop of yellow, or maybe even a little more than a pop. Our living room was three different shades of yellow before the last re-do and I quite liked it.  Some people love it, some people hate it (you know who you are).  For the haters, I say....are you sure? Perhaps you just haven't found the right yellow or the right way to incorporate it so it suits you better. How can you hate a color that exudes such happiness?

Have a look at these ways to let a little sunshine into your life.

sources:
1. dresser via martha stewart
2. yellow stools at the butcher's daughter via  petite passport
3. etarger via farmhouse 38
4. yellow chandelier via the french bedroom
5. wall art via  Bates Mercantile Co.
6. mirror via horchow


Here's the thing about color that I am faced with every single day as a designer: there are so many shades in each color family.

The possibilities are endless.

So tell me, are you a yellow lover or hater (it's ok, I won't hold it against you.....differences are what make the world go 'round)? Would you incorporate any of these pops of yellow into your interior, and if you would....how?


Today I'm at my desk crossing completed projects off the board (yahoo! I love that), revising a logo  and working on initial design for another client.  Busy as a bee..............

Oh yeah, I'm also keeping the home-fire burning to fend off the cold and keep the hound warm in his spot on the futon.  The snow has just begun to fall here. It is sure to make everything pretty and new again.

What's happening in your world today?

Ciao for now,

Design Trends: A House of Your Own

Small = Big

I've been lovin' on this home decor trend for awhile now. Sweet little houses in every shape and made out of a multitude of materials: wood, concrete, porcelain, paper, plastic, glass. 

Some are functional, some just a sweet home accessory. Either way, you're sure to find one you can call home.

Sources:
1. house set shelves via bloomingville

2. home print via my shop bates mercantile co.

3. house shelf via das rote paket


4. ombre house banks via ferm living

5. votive holders via simone ceramics

6. wooden houses via Jolicoeuretcie




Are you as smitten with this design trend as me? There is something about the small size that makes them instantly charming. 

In other house news, I'm currently working on a logo design for a client that incorporates a little house.

I also think that there is just something about a little house that evokes a sentimental feeling about all that the word 'home' encompasses. As the world seems to still be in a fairly unsettled pattern, it's these touches and decor trends incorporated into our own homes that make us feel a little more safe, secure, a little warm and fuzzy, and just plain good.

I must get busy in the design studio. Enjoy the day!

Ciao for now,