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. 

Take A Walk With Us: A Return To Grandeur

Our Boston Hotel

So, here I am, a week later and I'm still sharing pictures of my overnight in Boston (post 1, post 2, post 3).  We packed a lot into a little more than a day.

Our hotel, the Marriott Courtyard on Tremont Street was in the midst of some renovations, that I think will be well worth while.

This historic 1925 hotel has lived 9 lives and then some since it was built, and Marriott was smart to recognize that restoring this beautiful building to its former grandeur would speak volumes. I mean, who can argue with the architectural detail of the era? Amazing.

The lobby was blocked off for the most part as they are working on the very beautiful ceiling fretwork.

Giving it a fresh coat of white is making all the difference. In areas where you could see the previous beige color, it was obvious that the brighter white was the way to go.

The floor of the hotel that holds common spaces and where breakfast is served, was nearly complete.  When you step out of the elevator you are greeted by the most charming showgirl, a picture that takes up a good part of the wall. I just love her.

The new rug is both subtle with a gray plaid design, and bold with a bright purple swirl design in the center, which draws your attention to a foyer table where funky sculptures mimic the swirls in the rug and highlight the purples in the showgirl picture.

Beautiful chandeliers, the bright new rug, and lamps and furniture that added a pop of color accented the most gorgeous arched hallway.

 

The charcoal color walls added to the drama.

The best thing about the hotel renovation was the mix of old and new.   This bank of phone booths was kept intact, so that people talking on their cell phones could step in for privacy.  A pretty good idea if you ask me. Why do people think just because they can talk on their cell phones in public places, that they should?

In side they had pictures of the hotel during its former lives and newspaper clippings of entertainers who had performed there in days past, including Tony Bennett (who I adore).

More glory of days gone by, this amazing letterbox, from when mailing a letter was an event.

I can't wait to see the hotel when it's done because the renovation looks great so far.  I'm so glad that things like the telephone booths, the arches, the mail-chute and the ceiling fretwork have survived.  You don't always see that level of detail today and I think it's something to be remembered and appreciated.


Had a great weekend with a little youtube singing and dancing with the neighborhoodlum guys on Friday night, the girls had other plans so I was flying solo with the men.  Saturday we were over to neighbors' for dinner.  Tourtierre, Canadian meat pie, was on the menu and I highly suggest you try making it (the pictures in the previous post are awful, but the toutierre recipe is divine).  We followed that up with a game of Pictionary which we hadn't played in about 20 years. The guys won. Bummer. We all won on the laughter front though. I laughed so hard at one point I had mascara running down my face.  Painful. We will be playing again, for sure.  Yesterday we stayed close to home. No Sunday drives as G is fighting a bit of a cold. So I worked at my desk, got new initial designs and branding boards complete for one of my clients who emailed me last night and made my day with this:

"I got them. You are so wonderful! Love the second one!" (which happened to be my favorite too).  It's the second logo design project I'm working on with this client from Raleigh, North Carolina, who has one business and is the midst of launching another.  Helping people brand their businesses for success can be an awful lot of fun!  

More of the  same is what is on my plate today. What's happening in your world? Did you do anything out of the ordinary this weekend or did you just keep it low-key?

Ciao for now,

Pin Worthy

 

In The Home

If you're like me, you pin a wide variety of things on pinterest from art, to colors, patterns, nature, photography....the list goes on.

I am always pinning a lot of home decor and designs I think I might be able to pull off.

Here's some I'm really digging.

 

Let me just put it out there. I like color. I really, really like it.

I've tried to go neutral...my kitchen is painted in neutrals, but when I do, it's not long before I add a splash of color. Other places in our home are painted in bolder colors, like the lounge which is a bright olive-y green. I love neutrals, but I always end up needing some pow-factor.

I think that's why I'm drawn to all of these.

{top left: happy seating area via shopsocietysocial }

I love the juxtaposition of the worn wood wall (something I have planned for at least part of what we call our 'ensuite bath to be'...the tub is in but it's not even close to being hooked up) combined with the bright pops of colors, and the classic sofa and tables. It's an unexpected combination but it works.

{top right: ‘green living room’ via designlovefest}

Call me a stalker, but I love just about anything Emily Henderson touches (part of it is because everything she touches is designed and styled beautifully, but thoughtfully as well and always livable). She pulled this living room together for her friend, and I love the plants and the way they show off the light even more, the colors (swooning over the chair and the stool), the texture, the vintage furniture...the list goes on.

{bottom left: made-over dresser via 101woonideeen}

Wha....wha.....wha....why didn't I think of that? Love that dresser. 'Nuf said. Oh wait, and the chair. How I'd love to have those chairs around our dining table. At least a couple. OK, moving on.

{kitchen cart to bar cart makeover via confetti style}

The bar cart is the epitome of do-able design.  Shelly over at Confetti Style took an old, kind-of-ugly kitchen cart and transformed it into a gold goddess ready for a cocktail party. I love the matte/glossy stripes. Now I just need to know when the party is.

Are you like me, a lover of color? Someone who tries to go neutral but in the end caves to a need for color? I love me some Scandinavian neutral interiors, but I just can't quite seem to pull it off. What about you?

 

Hope you're having a great day. The sun is shining here. Thankfully I got out for a quick walk this morning with the dog to enjoy the fresh air, because I'm not sure tomorrow is looking so good.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

Inspired Design: Do-Able

[via decor8]

Yes, You Can

I love seeing how someone puts their own twist on interior design. It sparks my creativity and makes me think, how can I do something different?

I've run across a few things this week that made me think just that. You never know where an idea, like any of these, will lead you.  

1. beautiful chalkboard wall art using overhead projector and by pattern

[via burlap and denim]

2. keeping summer alive with beach inspired decor [via real simple] 

3. architectural arches as console table [via cote de texas]

4. iron gate used as console table [via columbus arthitectural salvage]

5. doors as dramatic accents and lighting [via cote de texas]

6. branches chandelier [via decor8]

My affinity towards this kind of 'do-able' design comes from it's accessibility. It illustrates in the best way, that great design is possible no matter what your budget. That in design, imagination is more important than money.

Do you have any idea how long I've been talking about doing a driftwood chandlelier for above our dining table? I feel like I've thrown down the gauntlet on that one with this post. Put it on the to do list.

One thing is for sure, I will most definitely be using Burlap & Denim's chalkboard wall art tutorial when I revamp what's drawn all over our chalkboard wall currently.

Hey, did you notice it's Wednesday? Yeehaw cowpokes. We're already halfway to the weekend.  Of course, that doesn't mean you want to skip right by tomorrow's Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party just to get to Friday. That would be downright silly.

See you on the flip side, in my party attire of course,

Pin This: Doable Design

via country living

Must Pins

Hi gang.  If you haven't jumped on the pinterest bandwagon yet, might I suggest that you do. It's a seriously fun way to find all sorts of things across the web, and organize them as you see fit on your very own 'internet bulletin boards' so to speak. It's hard not to love it. I mean really love it. If you're already on Pinterest, than you know I speak the truth. 

It's also one more way for us to connect with each other and get the most out of this social media thing. Social media is all about connecting after all. Even on this world wide web, it all comes down to people connecting with each other. Funny how that works.

Back to Pinterest.  I have boards with titles like 'craft it' for things I might want to try making, 'food glorious food' for things I want to cook, 'say what?' for quotes that are worth remembering, and today's topic, 'do-able design', among others.  Narrow it down even further. I'm going to share with you some upcycled do-able design I've found via Pinterest.  I am so inspired by the projects people come up with that turns one thing, into something even more fabulous.

It makes me hit my forehed with my hand and proclaim, 'Why didn't I think of that?'

Just check this stuff out. Go ahead, guess what that gorgeous chandelier is made out of? Go on. I'll wait (seconds pass while she taps her foot). Give up? Sunglasses. Just like the lamp next to it. Can you stand it? Talk about fabulous. It catches the light just beautifully.

1. door shelving with light via bulb to blossom ; 2. pallet shelving via domesticdoozie 

(Here's two for ya! check out the price tags)

3. pallet chair 10,000 kr or $1,500 via gen by design 

& 4. scrub brush pencil holder $65!!!! (really? I want to find everyone who has bought that because I have a bridge to sell them) via anthropologie

5. shutter organizer ($2.....more my style) via life as a thrifter

6. pallet sign (love that quote) via blooming homestead

7. mini paint chip organizing pockets & tumbler cloches via country living

8. drink station (though I would think you could use this for storing things in a fun way too, and even go bigger on the cabinet) via country living

9. lighting with glasses via the optical visionite  

So many awesome ideas...how will I ever find the time to try them all?

Are you on Pinterest? If you are I'd love it if you shared one of your recent pins, and also if you connected with me there. There is a little button with a 'P' in my sidebar (under my profile) that will bring you to my Pinterest page. And, if you like this post or any others on the Muse, you can pin them easily via the little Pinterest button directly under each post.

Have you repurposed anything lately? Was it a hard project or an easy one? I have a stack of shoe boxes behind me that are just itching to reinvented.  Hmmm, what to do....what to do......

Safe Pallets

Since a few of these projects are made from pallets, I want you to know that not all pallets are safe to use as they have been treated with various chemicals. This article I found via Domestic Doozie, gives you some good guidelines to go by. 

NEWS FLASH

There is less than one week to enter the September giveaway for more than $180 in handmade and vintage prizes. Don't miss your chance to win. That would be a bummer.

Ouch

You know that thrift score I told you about? You know...this one.  Yup, the behemoth of a blanket chest that currently sits in the middle of my kitchen for lack of a better place? Remind me not to turn all the lights out before I head to the bed. It might be big, but it is invisible in the dark. My toe can attest to that fact.

Ciao for now,

Inspired Design: Me

Blame It On Paige

Today, over on Little Nostalgia, Paige shared a style quiz by HomeGoods. I'm usually not much for these quizes, but I took the bait. All you had to do was pick 5 pictures that tickled your fancy from the selection they gave you and viola, your design style is thus proclaimed.

Apparently, I'm Urban Funk with a touch of Bohemian, boho for short. Personally, I'd say it's more like the other way around, with a little classic, industrial, beachy, cottageyness thrown in for good measure. What? You've never heard of cottageyness? Mark it on your calendar, you heard it here first.

I'm a study in opposites. A plethora of differing tastes.  This is apparent all through my life, not just in my design styles....it's the friends I have, the things I cook, the books I read, the clothes I wear, the music I listen to. I could go on, but you get the idea. Of course, it's no surprise to me. My tastes are all over the place and I'm ok with that. Just try to pigeonhole me and you'll have hell to pay.

The funny thing about the quiz, is after they tell you your design style, they suggest blogs to you that are blogging about your style. Lo and behold, for my bohemian side, they suggested San Fransico Girl By Bay. Check. Already reading that. My urban funk side? Making it Lovely. Check. Have it bookmarked. Hhhhmmm, perhaps HomeGood's quiz is based on more than just a group of random pictures after all.

Here's some inspired design to paint you a better picture of my 'personal style'. That is not to say this is what my house looks like, but rather, dreamy vingettes I'd love to somehow take bits and pieces of and incorpate into our little corner of the world.

1. Miss Maple Chandelier - folded wood paper via elisa strozyk. 

 What I love: possibly the coolest chandelier I've seen yet.

Folded wood? Seriously. originally found via sfgirlbybay

2. & 6. rooms made for living via San Francisco Girl By Bay
copyright agent bauer, styled by camilla krishnaswarny

What I love: the comfortableness, the mix of classic- like the bentwood chairs, with the modern- like the paper lantern pendant lamps

3. classic chandelier via ranchatsanpatricio
What I love: the classically romantic style

4. Kerman Rug via large rugs and carpets

What I love: the colors in Kerman rugs. There seems to often be a beautiful, rich robbin's egg blue and it sings to me. That said, there isn't a rug from my sponsor that I wouldn't want in my home, if it were a bit bigger.

5. bedroom with a touch of urban funk & boho via making it lovely

What I love: That crazy chandelier. It's unexpected in the bedroom and that makes me smile.

6. see # 2

7. sweet sitting area via house and home

What I love: This little sitting area exudes romance.

Quite unapolgetically I might add and it works. 

The unfinished nature of the chair and the wall,

give the romance the perfect edge. 

6. simply gorgeous velvet couch via pinterest, google image photographer unknown

What I love: The tufted, gray velvet. Simply classic.

9. office space via we heart it
via tea for joy, photographer unknown
What I love: It's a little messy, just like me. It's a little all over the place, just like me. It's got inspiration right there in front of you.

Although I try to keep things organized to some extent,

I still tend to favor and organized mess.

10. bedroom, pillows and shelf via sania pell

What I love: Cari-Jane from Hybrid Handmade introduced me to Sania. I love just about everything she does.  There's an ease about all of her styling.

11. classic and modern living room, via house and home
What I love: a mix of styles. I dig the neutral colors, but I find it hard to incorporate that fully into my own life, though I do enjoy seeing it in other's homes.

12. killer armoire via olssonjensen

What I love: that they've taken something we all know- lockers- up a notch with the mirrors. I want this piece for my very own.

13. loft living via decoist
What I love: the red leather chaise. The library ladder even more.

The concrete. It's a loft that still looks like a comfortable place the hang, and I think the red chaise warms the space up.

I guess that's me, or my design style anyway, in a nutshell. What about you? Did you take the quiz? What styles do you gravitate towards?

Oh no, I think it may have been time for another shop and blog link up party. Guess you can blame that on Paige too. Perhaps tomorrow.....

I hope your Thursday is going swimmingly in your corner of the world. It's a glorious day here, complete with sunshine and blue skies. Hopefully it stays that way so I can get a field walk in for the 3rd day in a row. It would make me and the hound happy.

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.