Creative Influences

In the Pink

2012-01-25T00:08:00.001-05:00

Dear readers, I had a great day today. Hope you did too. I am grateful we are having a mild winter, so it was warm out. My sister-in-law and I went to lunch and shopped. It was great fun. Even though our tastes are different - like me, she's addicted to decorating. I am still fantasizing about decorating a new apartment. I am feeling joyful - or ahem - in the pink. Here's some inspiration. Hope you enjoy.

I love this 70s glam room! As you know, I'm not a big fan of wallpaper. However, I'd love to treat an entire wall as if it were a painting. Love the pink with the gold chrome lamp. Image via Emily Henderson.

I love the look of a fuchsia accent wall. Looks so fresh with all the white. Image via Selina Lake.

Sorry, I don't remember where I got this image. Not even sure what it is, but I think it would make a great rug. Love the two shades of pink with the orange, lime green and the black and white. As you know, I'm a huge fan of color blocking.

I need this desk! Isn't that ombre paint treatment the best? I adore it! Image via Vintage Revivals.

I saw this fab chair at TJ Maxx. Only $129! I'm still on a non-spending diet, but it did tempt me greatly.

There are a few elements in this room that I'd like to edit, but I do love the hot pink pops with the large amounts of gray. Image via skona hem.

I've shown this shown this sofa before (see previous post here). It's just too fab. I think I'd grow tired of the orange polka dots, but it confirms my need for a pink sofa. Image skona hem.

House Tour - Mazi's Converted Loft

2012-01-02T17:50:00.011-05:00

Happy New Year dear readers! Welcome to my first post of 2012! We are starting off the year with a bang, I have a real treat for you! A very exciting house tour - more proof that good things are happening in Cleveland. I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of the most fascinating and intellectual curators I've ever met. His name is Mazi, and he has exceptional taste in vintage vinyl, mid-century modern furniture, local and ethnic art. He's extremely knowledgeable and generously shared his knowledge and his home with me. If you are a lover of mid-century modern, you will love this home, as I do. His home boasts many iconic pieces. As you know, MCM's clean lines lend itself very well to layering other styles. Mazi has recently fallen in love with industrial chic and has skillfully added this flavor to his mix. Added to this are artworks by local artists and a dash of ethnic vibe. What comes across is a beautifully rich home, full of intellect and tempered masculinity. I hope you enjoy this fabulous tour as much as I did.

Mazi and his wife live in Ohio City in a loft which has been converted from a pharmacy. It is a sensitive conversion, maintaining much of the old character and charm. The loft has large windows, and a beautiful open layout.

Our tour started in the garage, where Mazi conducts much of his business. I could barely contain my excitement when I saw this George Nelson swag leg chair, designed in 1958. Man I want this chair! If you love chairs - and I know you do - read on, this tour has plenty of chair porn. Mazi is a purist, and he knows his stuff. There are no knockoffs in Mazi's home, all of his pieces are original.

Here are a few views of his front window with built-in. This lovely area houses part of Mazi's extensive record collection, a fab welded lamp by brutalist sculptor Harry Balmer, woven side chair by Jens Risom for Knoll, Saarinen side table and bullet planter. The blue beach ball painting is by Cleveland artist Paul Shuster.

Here is a stunning piece of history. One of the first molded plastic rockers designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1948.

This was one of the first mass produced chairs. Its clean modern lines and sleek non-upholstered finish reflect the post-war optimism which was evident in design of the time. The chair has its original shock mounts, and was produced before stamping furniture began, so it is hand signed.

Cute blonde wood side table is repurposed as a TV stand. Painting is marked Barrett. Please contact me if you have further information regarding this artist. Every where you look, there are interesting things to see.

Infinitely fascinating collection includes the following: The album "Beat Bop." Beat Bop is a collaboration of rappers Rammelizee and K-Rob, and is the only album produced by independent label Tartown. The cover is designed by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Jean Dubuffet "Musical Experiences." An original photograph of the revolutionary Che Guevara. Mazi also has an extensive collection of Blue Note albums, which are some of the most collectible records in the world.

Textured modern painting by Dianna Sitar. Quirky face painting by Dexter Davis.

Here are a few views of the living room and the open kitchen. I love the open floor plan. I am impressed by how sensitively the landlord choose finishes when the kitchen was renovated.

The raw wood floors look fab with the iconic pieces. Deco sofa is by K.E.M. Weber, bench is by George Nelson. Wonderful minimal, organic painting over sofa is by Cleveland artist Robert Hanson.

Dining area boasts my favorite table of all time - the Saarinen dining table. Completing the look are Bertoia side chairs and molded plastic chairs by Eames. I love the use of dressers in rooms other than the bedroom. Besides looking stylish, they are completely functional and provide storage. Even better if it's a beauty like this Heywood Wakefield dresser. A George Nelson bubble lamp hangs over the kitchen. The Heywood Wakefield dresser and the Nelson bubble lamp are a couple more of my favorite designs of all time.

A couple of rare tall Bertoias sit beside the kitchen counter.

Near the kitchen, is a collection of West German and Italian Raymor pottery and a Franz Kline print.

Any information on the above rolling cart and the graphic black and white painting wold be appreciated. Completing this lovely vignette is an African soap stone sculpture by Y. Close (circa 1963).

An important part of the ethnic layer in this home are gorgeous photographs of the Maasai people by visionary and compassionate thinker/world traveler and photographer extraordinaire Halim Ina. This piece resides in a place of prominence in the kitchen.

Bedroom features fab purple door, Heywood Wakefield dresser, vintage African drawing entitled "River Girl," Eames molded plywood lounge chair and an oil painting circa 1947. This gorgeous Latina painting looks as if it is signed by A.E. Brutsche. If you have any information on this artist, please contact me.

Talk about chair porn. The obvious star of the bedroom is this sexy Cherner bent wood chair. I almost had a heart attack when I saw it. I've only seen it in pictures, never live before. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out a way to get this baby in my purse.

The tour now takes us to the basement, and the sexiest man cave you've ever seen. This is where the industrial chic vibe is most prominent. At the foot of the stairs you are greeted by this icon of slick masculinity, the Emeco navy chair, and a brick vase.

The entry to the space features a poster from the Picasso exhibit at the Frankfurter Kunstverein. This very special poster set the tone for the lovely space designed by Mazi.

The Bertoia seating area continues the line motif. The area is set off by this stunning lamp by local artisan, Kevin Busta.

Mazi pays attention to details, using the coolest light bulb I've ever seen. The bulb reminds me of a vintage door knob. I was surprised to learn it was from Home Depot. I love when the mundane is elevated to the level of art.

Each piece adheres to a strict geometry. This fab round chair is also designed by Busta. Makes a great partner with the stunning painting by Johanne Lemay. I love the raw, Earthy floors and walls. The patina of the sculpture by Benny Collins fits beautifully here.

Another lamp by Busta, mushroom-inspired sculpture by Collins and some of Mazi's Russel Wright dinnerware collection.

Cute kitty in the Bertoia.

This industrial beauty has just the right amount of character. Another fab piece by Kevin Busta makes sense of the exposed duct work. In the corner is another Halim Ina photograph.

Another Lemay painting is propped in the desk area.

Another Busta lamp, and Collins sculpture sit on the Heywood Wakefield desk. Adding a layer of ethnicity to this vignette are Senegalese masks from one of Mazi's trips to Africa.

Propped art includes this Rauschenberg print and a page from an article about Jean-Michele Basquiet in Interview Magazine, 1985.

Manly, yes. But I could live here.

We concluded the tour where we started, at the garage. Mazi told me about a Basquiat-inspired painting he had done while in college and I begged him to show it to me. It is awesome, I'd love to put it in a large all white loft. He also showed me this incredible screen print entitled "Woman in the Mirror," by local artist Mark Howard.

Thank you, Mazi for sharing your fabulous home and collections with us! Dear readers, stay tuned in 2012 where exciting things will be happening all year! And as always, thanks for reading. xxoo

All photos by Peggy

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T13:27:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays to all my dear readers! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and new year. I didn't decorate for the holidays this year, so I thought I'd share my niece's Christmas tree.

Isn't that cute! I love the idea of decorating the tree with mini purses. As always, thanks for reading, I can't tell you how much it means to me. Stay tuned for my first post of 2012, it's an exciting one! xxoo

Good Things are Happening in Cleveland

2011-12-23T20:39:00.005-05:00

Vinyl is enjoying a resurgence. Many new bands are producing their albums on vinyl records, and a lot of the classics are being remastered. Of course, vinyl never lost its popularity among pro-analog audiophiles. So whether you are new to vinyl, or a die hard vinyl fan, you will be excited about the opening of this new store in Cleveland.

The store is being run by three of the coolest guys I know: James, Kendall and Tony. Tony is a long-time friend and is responsible for the vinyl section. He's the most knowledgeable guy in Cleveland in the genres of 60s music, San Francisco music, sunshine pop and psychedelic. There's lots of other cool things in the store too, including vintage clothing, jewelry, cameras and furniture to name a few. Stop by to say hello, buy something unique for your pad or just hang out! Hope to see you there!

I want these mod tiki-inspired cups.

That's my Beatles poster above the counter. It's not for sale, but it's worth seeing it's so awesome.

Here's my gratuitous plug - that's my mid-century inspired painting in the background of the window. It is for sale. Also notice that mannequin - isn't it the coolest? I want it!

What I want for Christmas

2011-12-23T19:52:00.000-05:00

Pink by Karl Schawelka and Barbara Nemitz. Image via The Selby. Can't believe I didn't write this.

Pops of Yellow Around my Place

2011-12-23T19:42:00.001-05:00

As you know, I've been obsessing about turquoise lately. However, when I was cleaning rearranging today, my thoughts were turning toward warming up the place for winter. I decided to add a few pops of yellow. Sunshiny yellow makes me happy and does make the place look warmer, especially when combined with large amounts of pink. Here's a sneak peak. I never decorate for Christmas, I'm not sure why. I like Christmas, but I don't want to live with the clutter of Christmas ornaments. I'd probably change my mind if I weren't single or had kids.

I'd like to have more yellow pillows.

The tall window vase is a gift from a new, dear friend. I love it! So, of course, I rearranged my pottery.

I tried to make the arrangement look carefree and unintentional, so did it quickly.

I've been wanting to make my hallway into an art gallery, so hung this grouping of my paintings on one of the walls. I'm not sure if I like it yet. I don't usually like groupings. Oh well, it's fun to experiment. I'm planning a full tour of my place after the holidays. In the meantime, stay tuned for a very exciting house tour!

Cleaning House

2011-12-23T18:28:00.001-05:00

Today was a great day. You know the kind. I got motivated to clean the house and I was on a roll. As I was cleaning and rearranging pottery, I was singing, dancing and feeling very joyful. I have Common to thank for that. I was really feeling A Dream.

Common, thanks for the positive vibes and for helping me get the house clean!

Mid-Century Modern with Pops of Turquoise

2011-12-22T18:11:00.003-05:00

Below I wrote about my love of turquoise and my love of mid-century modern design. Here is a home that is just too good to pass up. Beautiful mid-century design, beautiful wood pieces and great use of turquoise pops.

For the rest of this beautiful home see Kristen and Mike's Mid-Century Oasis via Apartment Therapy.

My Favorite Outfit for 2011

2011-12-22T00:27:00.002-05:00

As you know from a previous post, I love color blocking. Both in fashion and decor. This is my favorite outfit of the year. Orange, pink, black and white. Oh and don't forget those fab blue shoes. It works because the colors are all saturated jewel tones. In addition, you can pull off using lots of colors when you have no pattern and balance it with black and/or white. This outfit could inspire a beautiful room. This gorgeous outfit worn by the fabulous Chiara Ferragni.

These are my favorite shoes for 2011. Can you believe they are Payless! Just shows great style doesn't have to cost a lot of money. I adore them. I would wear them with skinny jeans, a jean jacket, a white t-shirt and a ton of pearl necklaces.

Mini Mood Board

2011-12-20T01:05:00.002-05:00

Still dreaming of a new apartment. Current plan for decorating same is a gray accent wall and a vintage turquoise sofa. This sofa is impossibly out of my budget but it is perfect, isn't it? Is it possible to be in love with a sofa. Yes, it's perfectly possible. Here's the proof:

V and M

This sofa is casual, yet sophisticated and clean lined. My favorite style of decor is Mid-Century Modern. I love the simple lines. MCM furniture makes a great base for any beautiful room. Because of its clean lines, any style can easily be layered on it. Japanese, Moroccan and ethnic pieces go great in a room decorated in Mid-Century Modern.

West Elm

I prefer low scale, round coffee tables. I like to move them around and use them for different purposes, which is why I love ottomans so much. I've never really used wood in my decor, although this piece made in India has caught my attention. I love it's low scale, Moroccan influence. I think it would look great with this sofa.

And the accent wall I am planning in the perfect dove gray.

Design Public

Here's the perfect entertainment center for my new flat screen. I love its simple shape, and I love the combination of wood and white. The wood of this piece and the coffee table relate to each other. The white on this piece would, of course, relate to the painted wood floors. Hmm, this room needs some funky end tables, over sized Danish lamps and pillows. And oh yeah, vases. None of it is to be, as it's out of my budget, but it's okay. A girl can dream right? These pieces are now all in my virtual collection. You know what I always say about virtual collections. They cost nothing, they take up no space, they don't need dusting, and the best part - they don't have to be moved!

Good thing I didn't take part in the I'm a Giant Challenge (see post below). I'd be tempted to replicate these pieces, but the last thing I need is another obsession or project.

Turquoise Obsession

2011-12-18T21:59:00.002-05:00

Dear readers, you know how I am about color. I think about color all the time. Sometimes thoughts of a specific color occupy my mind and it won't let go. As you know, I've been thinking about gray a lot lately. Today the obsession suddenly shifted to turquoise. Turquoise is probably my second favorite color (pink being the first, of course). As you also know, I've been fantasizing about a new apartment and how I'd decorate it. I know I want a gray accent wall, and now I'm thinking I want to add turquoise. Here's how it started.

I was watching Secrets from a Stylist Holiday. I adore Emily Henderson. Her style differs greatly from mine, her rooms are too over the top for me, I'd like to edit about half of the items when she's done. And I'm still not sold on wallpaper, which she uses a lot. But, she's adorable and quirky and delightful to watch and I do learn things from her, and she often inspires me. I like when my perspective is challenged. Sorry, I digress. The point I'm trying to get to is this vase. For some reason, whenever I watch TV or movies, I constantly hone in on the vases in the room. This particular one caught my attention and I can't get it out of my mind. Beautiful shape and beautiful color. If anyone knows where I can order this vase, please let me know. Anyway, this vase is what started by current obsession with turquoise.

Here is another vase I'd like to have for my collection, this vintage blue pitcher. I love how the blue pops against the red of the coke machine. Sorry, I don't remember where I got this image. Please contact me if you know the source.

More vases! I haven't bought any new vases in a while, so I think I have them on my mind. I love these updated versions of depression glass. I'm not usually a fan of hobnails, but I love these. Probably because they are still simply shaped. Available at DwellStudio.

I'm not usually a fan of groupings, but this one works because the art is all black and white. The art and the cabinet pop off the turquoise walls beautifully. Love the pop provided by the red chair. And, of course, I really dig those white floors. Image Karl Anderson.

Turquoise looks great with wood and with mid-century modern decor. Love this dining set. The red pillows on the seats look great with the turquoise. Clint & Lisa's Bold Crayola-Inspired Abode via Apartment Therapy.

More proof that red looks great with turquoise. I love this lacquered table! Also love the pops of turquoise. The room is simple, clean and romantic. Such a stunner, hard to believe it was done on a small budget. Sorry about the poor image, but I think you get the idea. This room was designed by Kahi Lee for Design on Dime. I need the Design on a Dime team to come to my home!

Drool. Simple, clean mid-century modern comfort. Love the turquoise chairs and love the pops of the orange pillows.

OMG that lamp! I need that lamp! I am currently on the hunt for a large, geometric, Danish-inspired white vintage lamp. I am scouring the vintage stores. It's not easy since I have no budget, but I know one will appear. Images Chris Barrett Design.

Look at this beautiful sofa! It must have been custom made for the space. I love round ottoman, and I believe that's a Moroccan wedding blanket used as a rug. I've been seeing them used as rugs quite a bit lately, and I love them. Adds great texture to the simple, yet elegant and comfy space. Samer's 1930 Streamline Moderne Apartment via Apartment Therapy.

This picture proves that turquoise looks great with gray. I adore this chair and ottoman with the gray walls and the white floors. And isn't that Warhol print fab! Can you believe this cute picture is actually from a doll house! It's from Jessie of My Mod Style's entry in the I'm a Giant Challenge. Sometimes doll house furniture is so inspirational!

Dark Walls

2011-12-07T18:39:00.006-05:00

Dear readers, I'm not one for trends. I'm usually late to trends, and often fall in love with trends when they are over. But I don't worry about that. I just trust my instincts when it comes to color. The black accent wall is a trend that's been around for a while, but doesn't seem to be losing popularity any time soon. I'm dreaming of a new apartment, something small and simple and I am decorating it in my mind. I'm definitely doing a dark accent wall. Either gray and black. With pops of hot pink, and maybe turquoise and yellow. I love the allure of a dark room. The room should be cozy, but a little edgy, feminine and and mysterious. Here's some inspiration. Hope you enjoy!

As you know it was Abigail Ahern who first got me thinking about dark walls. I love her living room. I adore that hot pink coffee table, and those gray floors. Abigail's approach to design is very different from my own and challenges my perception, and I love that. (See previous posts about Abigail Ahern, here.)

I know I've featured the bedroom of the perfect Jenna Lyons before, but it's so - well - perfect.

Here's another view of Ms. Lyon's bedroom in a different light. I love to watch how color changes during the day. Love the pop of the white fireplace and crisp, simple bedding. The room is romantic, simple and restful looking. Images Habitually Chic.

I've featured this lovely bedroom before as well, but it is a perfect example of a room with a black accent wall. The room is simple, calm, restful and very sophisticated. Image The Boo and the Boy.

I'm sure you are all avid readers of Desire to Inspire. If so, you've been watching with avid interest, Jo's transformation of her new (old) house. I've watched Jo collecting for a couple of years prior to to buying her home. It's absolutely astonishing how it's coming together. She skillfully pulls together such disparate pieces as the deco screen, vintage chairs, ethnic prints and luscious dark walls to achieve an incredibly chic room.

Love the pop of the white fireplace and the hot pink pillow against this accent wall. Image Door Sixteen.

I'm not a big fan of herringbone floors, but I do love the purple sofas in this dark room. Image via Richard Powers.

This room is a little ornate for me, I don't care for the paneling. But I do love the soft pink chair and foot stool. This room proves that pale pink and gray look great together. Gubi via sfgirlbybay.

This chartreuse door really pops against the black wall. Image House to Home.

This room is a tad disjointed, and I'm not a fan of chevron, however, it is still largely successful due to its bold use of color and pattern. I think I am bothered by the sofa, and would prefer to see a pink, lavender or maybe gray sofa. I am also bothered by the wood dresser, and maybe the white desk doesn't go there? I'd like to see a little tweaking here, but just a little. I love the direction the designer is taking. I adore the color of the walls, the turquoise lamp, the yellow chair and the silver poufs. I think this is a case of a homeowner creatively using what they have with a small budget. It does prove that dark walls with pops of color make a room look very rich. Image via Apartment Therapy.

Beautiful black accent wall and sofa. Love the pops of pink from the pillow and rug. Image House to Home.

A simple dining room takes on stunning sophistication with a black accent wall. I love how minimal this room is, the wall is the art. Image Apartment Therapy.

Dark blue makes a beautiful accent wall in this lovely, minimal dining room. Image Apartment Therapy. I think the following three rooms are my favorite of this batch. One of these may be my inspiration for my new apartment.

This room is stunning (except that the TV is mounted too high, but who cares?). I love the pops of hot pink, yellow, violet and red. In the past, I've always used pops of color against white. For a more smouldering look, why not substitute gray for white?

Another stunning room. I'm not usually a lover of pattern, but I am digging this sofa. Love the pops of color provided by the pillows.

And oh man, will you look at this beauty. Beautiful pink sofa, Moroccan-influenced end table, low scale coffee table, ethnic screen. Drool. Above three images via House to Home. What about you dear readers? Would you ever do a black or gray accent wall in your place? If you have done a dark wall in your place, send me a picture and maybe I will feature you on this blog. I'd love to hear from you!

More thoughts on pink

2011-11-29T18:54:00.001-05:00

Hello dear readers! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Today was a very stressful day, so I am cheering myself up with thoughts of pink.

House to Home

This room is a little too granny chic for me, I'd do something really edgy to tone down the sweetness. Like replace the lamp with a funky chrome lamp, and definitely get rid of that patterned chair. But, I do love the brown of the sofa with the pink walls. I also adore the over sized flower art and the pillows.

This is an interesting room that Vern Yip designed for his show Deserving Design. It pleases me because he took into account the desire of a young girl to have pink in the room. Hot pink makes a great accent color. And dig that silver pillow.

House to Home

This gorgeous room is more in line with my aesthetic. I love all the pink with the large amount of white. Love the love seat, painting, cabinet and lamp.

I think the color scheme in my new apartment is going to be pink and gray. I'm definitely going to do a gray or black accent wall. These beautiful pillows would fit in well. Images Chiasso and Designers Guild.

Color Obsession: Pink and Orange

2011-11-13T22:44:00.004-05:00

Dear readers, I may be moving yet again. The Buddha was correct when he said the only constant is change. Sometimes I wish I could get a point where I can feel settled and say, "I'm here!"

Ah well, with thoughts of a new apartment come thoughts of my two favorite things. You guessed it! Decorating and color obsession! I haven't even chosen my new apartment, and already I'm decorating it in my head. I've been thinking of a color scheme I've used many times. Pink and orange. (If interested, you can see my previous dining room done in this color scheme, here). I love pink and orange with yellow, with red, with violet and generous amounts of white. Funny thing, as soon as I think about a color scheme, I start seeing it everywhere!

Did you see the September issue of Marie Claire? How perfect is that pink and orange dress? Sarah Jessica Parker is perfection in this marvelous frock. It proves pink and orange look great together. As you know, I'm a fan of color blocking.

Image by Peggy

Spent a Saturday recently at football championship games, and look what I saw! These are the coolest football uniforms ever! Just proves that inspiration is everywhere. Wonder where I can get some of those fab hot pink socks. Here are some pink and orange rooms from my inspiration folder. Hope you enjoy!

House to Home

Andrea Avram Rusu

Beautiful bedding and check that lamp. Fab!

Home to Life

This room is a little over the top for me. I'm still not really sold on wallpaper, even though it is quite trendy right now. But I do love that sofa.

Home to Life

I'm not a big fan of pattern either, as you know I prefer big blocks of color. However, this rug does work for me. Maybe I prefer pattern on the floor rather than on the walls. Or maybe it's because the pattern is still simple and there is a large amount of white helping the pattern not get too sweet.

Above two images Linnea Heide Art

I love large paintings on white walls. There's an old decorating rule that your art shouldn't match your decor. I'm not one for following the rules. Sure, it doesn't have to match, but I tend to choose art based on colors or texture. Oftentimes, the painting is the jumping off point, I often design a room around a painting. I love these works by Linnea Heide, I could see them in the apartment I am decorating in my head.

Flor tiles via spruce decor

I am in love with Flor's ingenious carpet tiles. I've been itching to use them in a room. These pink and orange ones really pop in the black and white room.

I definitely want to experiment with accent walls in my next place. I adore this coral wall. Also really love that modular bookcase.

David Giles Photography

I am lusting after this totally fab pink coffee table! Anyone know who designed it so I can give them credit? Also really digging the color blocking treatment.

Things that Matter

2011-11-10T16:18:00.002-05:00

Dear readers, how are you? It's so nice to see you, you look marvelous. I've missed you, even when I'm away I think of you often. Thank you so much to those readers who sent emails asking how I was. I apologize for being a very bad blogger. I took an unscheduled hiatus due to illness. After spending a week with my family, I am feeling recharged. Nothing like love to make you feel better.

During my month of laying low, I spent a lot of time in meditation and deep introspection. I'd like to send a shout out to the brave people taking part in the various Occupy movements. It's of great concern to me that the country is in so much trouble, and yet I don't know how to help. I began to question my little blog - does it seem frivolous to blog about pretty things when people are in so much trouble? How much politics and personal business should be posted on a blog? I prefer blogs where I feel as if I get to know the blogger. I maintain, that art is political and politics is art. Art is extremely important as it elevates the consciousness of a people. We are all connected. Those of us who are struggling right now are not engaged in class war. We would simply like to remind the wealthy that poverty should be eradicated. Simply because it's the right thing to do. The poverty of even one individual encroaches on the comfort of us all. There is enough to go around, let's spread it around a little more fairly. That's all. It's that simple.

I've been accused of being naive at times. But things don't need to be overly complex. I have been out of work for almost two years, and there have been many gifts and lessons during this time period. Many things that used to matter to me do not matter any more. I am not attached to things, and I no longer worry what people think of me. I also move at a slower pace. I'm not sure what all the hurrying is about.

The greatest thing in my life is that I notice simple pleasures and experience them deeply. I had the pleasure of staying with my family last week. This experience has brought me even closer to my family and I am grateful. These are people who love me without condition. I'd like to share an experience I had the other night.

Self portrait by my nephew

My nephew wasn't feeling well Monday night. We sat in the love chair together, he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep.

Oliver, world's cutest kitten

This baby was snuggled under my chin asleep, purring loudly. The love in my heart swelled up, caught in my throat and brought a tear to my eye. As I held my two babies, I thought, "This is one of the best moments of my life." Recognizing this as such, I emptied my mind to everything except that moment. I was completely present and so grateful. I savored that moment. I know it sounds trite, but there is nothing more important than love.

How often do we actually pause and say to ourselves, this is a really good moment? We should do that more often. Why don't we take a pledge to love each other more fully and to be more present? To slow down and to contemplate the things that matter and stop chasing the things that don't. I have found that the more I embrace simplicity, the happier I am. It might work for you too. I'd love to hear your thoughts, dear readers.

Stay tuned for more color obsession and more discussions of simplicity. Thanks for reading, it means the world to me. xxoo

Everything Pink for Peggy

2011-10-01T10:21:00.009-04:00

Hello readers! This is Jessie from My Mod Style. When Peggy asked me to guest post on her blog I was pretty excited. The first thing that popped in my head was the color PINK. When I think of Peggy, I think of pink. Even though she changes up the look of her apartment often, she will always have pink somewhere in the room. I decided to search the web for images I thought Peggy would love....

LINKS
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I love this industrial style space with all the artwork scattered about and pink walls...
Source: Honeysuckle Life

I love the simplicty of this room. The artwork is beautiful on the white walls.
Source: Dcdelectably Classy

More pink eyecandy...

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Antonio Ballatore's kitchen with its awesome hot pink wall...
Source: Apartment Therapy

I hope you enjoyed all the pink loveliness and I hope you have a great weekend! Jessie

Simplicity

2011-09-30T18:10:00.000-04:00

Brunch at Saks

Hello dear readers, sorry for the lack of posts. I don't need to explain. You know how it is. Life gets busy and unpredictable at times. I have been thinking of you, and do have some exciting posts lined up and have asked blogger friend and designer extraordinaire, Jessie to do some guest posts for me, so there is fun stuff coming! In the meantime, I thought I'd share this gorgeous room with you. I haven't used mint green in decor since the 80s, but I adore it in this room. Such a healing color and I love how the room is minimal and soft. I could live in this room. I'm craving simplicity.

Purple and Lilac

2011-09-16T17:47:00.005-04:00

Dear readers, as you know I obsess about color all the time. Today I'm thinking about purple. I especially love pale lilac.

Did you see Maybelline's poster for Fashion Week? Isn't it gorgeous? Love the purple eyeshadow and pink lips on the otherwise black and white photo. I could see a room done in this color scheme. Gray walls, purple sofa, pink pillows...yum.

This purple comforter looks great with the pink bedding.

Love the bedding, the pillows and lamp.

Above three images Julia Hoersch

Pretty lilac walls. Love the pop from the yellow lamp.

Doe Deere

The always fabulous Doe Deere. I love her dress and her socks. If a color pleases you when you wear it, it will make a great color scheme for a room.

Elle Decor

Mint green is one of my favorite colors lately. Love the chartreuse coffee table, the lilac walls and the blue lamps. Not a color scheme I'd have thought of - until now. Looks totally fab.

Eva Dallo

Beautiful room. Love these mint green chairs paired with the painting.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Images of Peace

2011-09-11T08:56:00.004-04:00

Alyssa Lee Wilmot, Akron, Ohio

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11/01. To commemorate the event, the Cleveland Orchestra is having a concert in Public Square. The themes of the event are remembrance, dedication and hope. The Orchestra invited the community to submit original artwork and photos for its Image of Peace slide show which will be displayed on the JumboTron. I am honored that two of photos will be part of this slide show.

If you'd like to my photos, click on the Shows tab above.

Guest Blogging at Lovely Black and White

2011-09-08T21:07:00.001-04:00

Below I described my love of black and white photography. So I'm really excited to announce that I will be guest blogging at Lovely Black & White on Fridays. LBW is the brainchild of blogger friend, and designer extraordinaire, Jessie. Jessie is also the writer of My Mod Style. I will be posting cutting edge fashion and decor photos. Jessie does wonderful posts on Friday called a Room and a Dress, as part of Fashion Fridays. Check them out, they are totally fun! Hope you have a great Friday! xxoo

Black and White Photography

2011-09-08T20:48:00.001-04:00

I love black and white photography. Black and white photography has remained popular even with the growing popularity of digital photography. There is something special and arty about it. Black and white makes everything a little bit mysterious. The mundane becomes art in black and white. A little edge and grit are part of a black and white photo. And let's not forget about romance. Black and white makes even the mundane look romantic. Whether it's avant garde, fashion photography, nature or interiors, black and white brings a whole new dimension to the work. Here are a few wonderful black and white photos from around the web, with a few of my own photos mixed in. Any of these would look great enlarged and hung in an all white loft. Hope you enjoy!

Anthony Ballatore

Jet Mous

Lenny Kravitz by @candyTman

Image by Peggy

Image by Peggy

To see more of my black and white photography, click here.

My Living Room for Today

2011-09-08T01:49:00.009-04:00

I did a little rearranging yesterday. Rearranging is my favorite thing! I would love to have a job doing window display. As soon as I completed a display, I'd already be thinking of the next. Just like my apartment.

My living room presents a lot of challenges. It's a strange L-shape and it has to serve many functions. It's my work area and chill area. The biggest challenge is that I don't have any money in my budget to decorate. I solve that problem by moving around things I already have. My home is humble, but I love it. I like it simple and uncluttered, and I'm learning to live with imperfection. No matter where you live, it's your home, so it should make you happy.

In the last version of my living room (described below), I was unhappy with the balance. The little table to the left of the sofa just isn't working. I fixed the balance problem by moving the large lamp to the small table, and putting a larger vase on the mid-century table. I kinda love it. I opted for a pink slip cover. I really wish I could paint the walls gray and the floors white.

I put my Urban Outfitters rug in front of the sofa. It doesn't really work here. It's too small and the color isn't really right. I thought it was hot pink when I ordered it, but it turned out to be cranberry. I thought about foregoing a rug here, but it looks strange to me without a rug. It does have a lovely texture and is comfy on the feet.

I love ottomans. They make perfect coffee tables and perfect occassional seating. You can move them around easily.

Hmm, I like that silver pillow, but...

I think I like the yellow one better. Every room needs a pop of yellow. I get away with using a lot of color because I keep pattern to a minimum.

The moon lamp and the big blue vase are from CB2. I'm loving the large scale pottery.

Here's why I moved my big white rug. My office area. Every time I move the bench out so I can work, I mess up the rug. It was kind of driving me crazy that I had to straighten the rug every time I was done working. It's really heavy! You know how it is being an extreme freelancer, you work like a zillion hours a day, so I was straightening the rug constantly. That got old.

So I moved the rug to my new meditation/yoga area of the living room. Now my strange alcove has a real function! I also enjoy looking at it while I'm chilling on the sofa. I know the lighting's bad. We were having a storm. I really gotta give props to interior photographers, it's not as easy as it looks.

Processing - Weekend Art Projects, Part II

2011-09-07T02:35:00.004-04:00

When I was writing about the Tokidoki Barbie that's coming out next month (see post below), I discovered a whole new world of Barbie furniture. There's a lot of collectors making amazing homes, with beautiful rooms for Barbie. In fact, at times on flickr I thought I was looking at a real room. And I've definitely seen some homes for Barbie that make be drool. I began to think about decorating a home for a Barbie. My Barbie would have a large, all white loft. She'd need a vase collection and a fab way to display it. Maybe even open shelving to help divide the space, but keep it airy.

Barbie's Wall of Vases, 2011, 16" x 20" cut paper and markers. I cut out little vases all based on vases in my collection and arranged them on a simple bookcase. The best part is that they are taped, not glued, and can be moved around at Barbie's whim.

If you're interested in Barbie furniture, here's a fun group on flickr (link), and here's a cute Etsy shop (link).

Processing - Weekend Art Projects, Part I

2011-09-07T02:08:00.006-04:00

I love minimal paintings. They are much harder to execute than they look. Simple is not always easy. Simplicity demands perfection. One line out of place and it's ruined. I often see a simple shape and a color in my head, and I'm not happy until I can get it on canvas. But this day I was working with paper. With paper, it's a little different. There is a communication with a canvas, where I become merely its conduit. Paper also tells me what it wants to be, but in a different and more subtle way. It must be caressed more gently, and is less forgiving of the mistakes.

Balance, 2011, 16" x 20", marker on paper. Not perfect. But I am digging it. I could design a minimal room around this baby. This baby needed a partner. And here she is.

Balance II, 2011, 16" x 20", acrylic on paper. I wanted to do an organic stripe. I taped off the areas for the stripes, but honestly, I was not as caught up in perfection as usual. I wasn't terribly concerned that the stripes be perfectly straight. A real departure. I messed up the side of the work when I tore the tape off. Or did I? At first I was disappointed. But after sitting with the work for a while, I kinda like that bit of rawness. I just took it as a meant to be. Like I said, I'm just the conduit.

I was highly influenced by the tye dye rug from CB2. I am madly, deeply in love with this rug. But, it's not to be my darling. Cest la vie. I wanted to communicate something this organic in my art.

I'm not sure whether I accomplished that, but I am digging these. That doesn't happen too often. Here are the two works in my hallway. I might put them in my Etsy shop.

Processing - Weekend Vignettes and Preparing to Make Art

2011-09-07T01:43:00.006-04:00

Dear readers, I can't believe it's Wednesday already! Where does the time go? I had a busy three day weekend creating art. I'd love to share my processing and how it's going to impact my decor for Fall. I hope you will take this journey with me. Creativity is fun! There is nothing I enjoy more than creating art and decorating my humble apartment. And as you know, I do it with no money, and stuff I already have in my closet. Let's have some fun, shall we?

I elected to create without music this time, not sure why. Wanted the quiet, but that was almost impossible because the Blue Angels were in town for Labor Day, and flying right over my head. It literally sounds like the sky is opening up when they fly by. I thought they'd drive me crazy, but when I went into my art zone I was able to tune them out. I had a minimal painting in my mind. A shape, and a color that haunts. Still staying away from toxins at the moment, so I knew I'd have to get inventive with markers, cut paper and maybe crayons. As you know, when I am processing I start by moving things around things in my apartment and experimenting with different vignettes. I need the perfect balance. To set the stage, so to speak.

I've been wanting to experiment with more organic touches, and I found this vase at the Dollar Store. Yep. I paid $1.00 for it. I've been wanting something wood, and am really digging the idea of wooden bowls right now. Actually, I'm not even sure it's real wood, it might be resin. It's still kinda cool and a pretty shaped vase. I'm not sure I like it in my space, though. Maybe it's for Haley's loft. Or maybe I should spray paint it white? I really wanted these beautiful vases from Chiasso, but I didn't want to spend the money.

Aren't they gorgeous? Maybe I can spray paint my new vase in a pearly glaze and it would look similar to these. Oh wait. Spray paint is a toxin. Darn.

You know, I've never really been interested in jewelry or diamonds, although I do love costume jewelry. I don't need fine jewels, but I love Tiffany boxes. The color is so beautiful. I love the way that color pops off the pink vases. These boxes are part of an installation piece I am working on. Installation art is madly fascinating. The preparation of an installation can utterly absorb me and become the dominating force in my life. It's like being in a trance, and it's pure heaven. I need a Betsey Johnson hot pink box for this installation but - you guessed it - I don't want to spend the money. Betsey is totally fab, though. I've written about her on this blog several times (see previous posts here).

My sister-in-law and I recently did a Target run. It was odd, now that I'm not in corporate America, I don't do Target runs with the same regularity. And I don't really miss it. Now that the Target close to my home is one of those mega-huge stores, the inventory is not what it was. The smaller store (now closed) had better and edgier buyers. This large store has become rather, um, homogenized. Hate to say it. Not really faulting them, we need design for the masses, but I think they need to step up their game a little (although I am digging these pillows they have, lamp from Habitat). Sorry, I digress. Anyway, the chair was on sale for $7.00. It was great sitting on my deck tonight. I love the cooler weather we've been having. Fall is my favorite time of year.

Remember my last incarnation of my living room? This is number 16. When I look at this picture I am bothered by the lack of balance on either side of the sofa. That little table really doesn't work, but it will have to do. I want an over sized lamp and some intentional distortion of scale, but I still feel like the little table needs something larger. Since the lamp is tall, maybe I'll move it to the small table. It casts a beautiful, romantic glow at night, so it's probably good to have it in the corner anyway. How to make this area look more balanced with a little table that's not really working? Stay tuned for my next reveal.

I went to the closet to pull out some of my vases. Here is the new vignette on the table, but who knows how it will look tomorrow. Now, that I have some balance, it's time to make art.

Some more romantic neutrals, and a whole lot of inspiration

2011-09-06T00:36:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure why, but I have a ton of new photos in my inspiration file. Maybe it's because I might be moving again. Maybe it's because we will soon have a change of seasons. Maybe it's because Fall is my favorite time of year, and that triggers the nesting instinct. Here's a bunch of inspiration and a lot of ideas I'd like to try, hope you enjoy!

Above two images Solange van Dorssen via Desire to Inspire

I'm all about edgy femininity. I love a combination of the glam and the raw. I've always wanted to experiment with a corrugated steel wall. Love it here combined with the white slip covers, the gray pillows, the lamps and art. The perfect pop is provided by the hot pink pillows. Every room needs a pop of hot pink.

I adore industrial looking, purely functional bookshelves! A bookshelf should not compete with the items it displays. These look great in this room, they take up very little visual weight. I adore the juxtaposition of the slip covers with the bookshelves. Keeps the fabric from looking too frilly and gives just the right amount of edge.

Above two images via La maison d'Anna G.

This kitchen is in the same home, and is close to being my fantasy. I adore the subway tiles and the open shelving. The simplicity of the dishes is the perfect foil to the edgy art.

Shoot Factory

This room is a tad overdone for me. There's too much on the walls, and I don't care for the pattern of the drapes. But. Look. At. That Sofa! I love it! You already know I love me some silver. This sofa has me up at night fantasizing about it. It reminds me of car seats, and I can almost hear Feel Like Making Love by Bad Company. Seriously, this thing is bringing back memories of my first kiss.

Atelier Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern is a genius. She always challenges my perspective, and I like that. I like minimalism. She's a lover of maximalism. I like light rooms, she likes dark rooms. In fact, it's her influence that started me loving black accent walls. And, as you know, she's the one who got me obsessing about an over scale lamp shade. Here she again challenges my perspective. I'm not usually a fan of the Chesterfield sofa, but I must admit it looks great in this room. Love it paired with the Moroccan-inspired tapestry, lamp and rug. Dig that rug! Lately I've been seeing a lot of rugs that appear to be made from Moroccan wedding blankets. Divine. Lastly, dig that tall, skinny chair. I think it's a great foil to the sort of short, stubby looking sofa. (BTW - Abigail's home was featured on The Selby (link)! You go, girl!)

One thing leads to another. Now I'm obsessing about this chair that I saw at my favorite vintage store. It came in a set of six, but I just want one. I love intentional distortions of scale, and I think it would look great with my low scale sofa. Image by Peggy.

Karl Anderson

Here's an idea I'd like to use if I move into a studio or open loft. I'd love to use a screen/headboard like this to separate the space. Maybe I wallpaper cardboard panels.

Sandra's Luxurious Modern in Brentwood via Apartment Therapy

Love this little seating area. Steely blues, gray and silver, yum. Love the Moroccan inspired tables.

Arcadian Home Decor

This room is a little overdone for me. As you know I'm normally not a wallpaper fan, and the mixing of the wall paper patterns is too much for me. Especially with the tufted chair. But. There is something alluring about the room nonetheless. There's a bit of edge provided by that groovy steel lamp and table to the right. And look at that chandelier. So romantic.

Centsational Girl

Again, this is a little overdone for me. I don't care for groupings of photos. The photos are pretty, but I would've preferred to see one over sized piece. Go big with art! It makes such an impact. But. Look at that color scheme. Absolutely gorgeous.

Krakvik & D'Orazio

I just can't get over gray and white interiors. So peaceful and calming. What do you think, dear readers? Do you see any ideas you'd like to use in your home? Have any of these rooms challenged your perspective?

Mostly White, All Romantic Rooms

2011-09-03T16:11:00.011-04:00

I've always loved the look of all white rooms, and you already know that I obsess about an all white loft. With all white floors. White rooms are often criticized as being too sterile. I still swoon when I see a minimal all white room. But if that's not for you, don't be afraid. If you love the look of all white room, but still want it to be cozy and romantic, how about a mostly white room? Here are some tips to turn on the romance in your white room. Add silver. Or add steely, silvery blue. Add organic touches like concrete and wood, and lots of texture. Add gray or a pop of pale lavender and a Moroccan accessory. Here's some inspiration.

El Palauet Living via Yatzer

Love the pale wood table.

I love the gray sofa and am madly in love with the simple shape of that coffee table.

Above four images via Natasja Molenaar

Love the white pouf and the Moroccan tray!

Arcadian Home Decor

Beautiful day bed. Silvery pillows. Pure romance.

Be Interior Decorator

Love the tufted headboard and how the tufting carries to the bed frame. Love the rug. Wonder if I could make a rug like that out of cut felt. I get a lot of ideas, but I'm not a very good DIYer.

Love the pale lilac of the bed head and foot board.

Above two images via Decodir

Love large artworks looks fabulous in an all white place!

Jayne Wunder via The Style Files

Brunch at Saks

Such a beautiful, serene room. Love the wood table, love the white poufs. Love the rug, looks like it might be a Moroccan wedding blanket. What do you think, dear readers? Are you a convert? Could you do a mostly white room?

OTT Girly Decor

2011-09-01T03:47:00.008-04:00

Dear readers, I've been loving all white rooms, and have been seeing a lot of romantic neutrals that are intriguing me. I had an all white post prepared, but you know how it is. Stress sometimes takes us in a different direction. It's been a very stressful week, so let's have some more clean, girly fun shall we? We'll save the all white rooms for tomorrow. Here's some over the top decor from my inspiration file. Many are ideas I'd like to use in a studio apartment, and of course, feature pink.

Shoot Factory

Here's a great idea if you live in a studio apartment. Make the bed a feature. Love the curtains and pillows. So romantic.

The Novogratz

I am loving anything over sized these days. Love the over sized pink chairs, love the Debbie Harry (one of my idols) art.

Alex Fulton's Flirtatious Use of Crazy Color via Apartment Therapy

Just when I thought I didn't like red! Love the color of this wall, love the painting.

Bolig Magasinet

Is it possible to be in love with a refrigerator? Yes it is! I've already professed my love for the Smeg fridge (see previous post here). It's especially fab in pink! And dig that hot pink floor. Yum.

Fabulous Mess

I love this 70s molded fiberglass set. So gorgeous, can be used inside or outside. I could see these in a modern loft.

Wall Art Design

I love big wall decals! This seating area is so cute with the round sofa, pink pillows and white floors.

Karim Rashid

You already know I love me some Karim, he's one of my favorite designers. I need to do an updated post on him. He's amazingly prolific and he loves pink. I really dig that pink sofa. I love how his furniture doesn't reflect any specific time period.

Have you noticed that the best lamps are sold in the UK? I need this spindle lamp from Habitat. Here's some cute pillows I saw at Target the other day. Love the sculptural details. Love the cool gray combined with the hot pink, but I didn't buy them. I have enough pillows - if that's possible.

The Coolest Barbie Ever

2011-08-31T13:41:00.003-04:00

Barbie Collector

OMG have you seen the new tokidoki Barbie? She's due out October 1. You already know I love me some tokidoki (see previous posts here). I think this is the coolest Barbie I've ever seen. She's sporting pink hair, tokidoki tatts, leggings and taking Bastardino for a walk. Supplies of this babe won't last.

I collected Barbies when I was a girl, but I gave my collection away when I was a teenager. I'm beginning to question that decision. No matter. Today's Barbies are way cooler than mine were. Have you seen the Hard Rock's Barbies? I photographed the top two Barbies in Chicago and the bottom one in Seattle. Sorry for the poor quality of the pics, I had to do it on the down low. The sales personnel got mad at me and chased me out of the store. Man I love photojournalism.

@manu

Today's Barbie has the coolest furniture! Sometimes I see a photo of a Barbie room and think it's a real room. Just look at that hot pink lamp, turquoise sofa and soft orange silk pillows. I want those for my own home. I never had furniture like that, I just had the Barbie camper. Although I must admit, it was the coolest. I'd love to have a life size version of it to travel the country.

How I do mid life crisis

2011-08-31T13:09:00.005-04:00

The few Americans I know who have not been touched by the recession are busy buying sports cars and convertibles. I'm not impressed. Here's how I do a mid-life crisis. Thinking about a pink wig. I've written of my love for pink hair on this blog several times (see previous posts here and here).

Amazon

I fell in love with pink hair the first time I saw Dale Bozzio. I wore the Annie Hall uniform, but my hair was pink with white streaks. Pink hair is an addiction I never got over. I still love it.

I know I'm the only person in the world who is not a Lady Gaga fan. But I gotta give props where they are due. This is the prettiest I've ever seen her look. The girl rocks a pink wig.

Ya'll know that Nicki Minage is the shit right now. That girl really rocks a pink wig. See previous post here. This outfit was on a fashion faux paus list, but I kinda dig it. Love the graphic leggings with the clear mini, the pink jacket, and I always love piles of bangles.

I want your hair

Look at this coy little cutie! Innocent and sultry at the same time.

I should've bought this Hello Kitty bag I saw at Target. I worried that I would look ridiculous carrying it. By the time I went back, it was gone. Surprise. I wish I was one of those daring people who wore whatever they wanted and didn't think for one minute about whether people were judging them. If self-acceptance is a topic you're interested in, here's a couple of cool blogs to check out:

Fat Shopaholic

Advanced Style

I bet this fab lady would carry a Hello Kitty bag, wear a pink wig and wouldn't worry what anyone thinks. Advanced Style is an awesome blog written by Ari Seth Cohen. If you love style, fashion, moxie, freedom and confidence, you'll love it. Maybe I should just take the plunge and buy this pink wig. What do you think dear readers, would you sport a pink wig? Wanna see more? Check out my flickr gallery, here.

Yellow Eyeshadow or the Face as Canvas

2011-08-29T20:20:00.010-04:00

Today was one of those typical Mondays. You know the kind, you have a fun weekend, and then bam! You gotta come back to reality kicking and screaming. So I thought we should postpone the reality for a little while. Let's have some good girly fun, shall we? What's more fun than makeup? Not much. When you live life as art, make up is another art form. Faces are canvases. Here's a great example. I adore yellow eyeshadow. It's a great color for summer. Forget the fake tan and get some yellow eyeshadow. It's the color of sunshine and it makes the face glow. Yellow looks great with orange and with gray. It looks great with purple and hot pink. A little goes a long way, or a lot makes a dramatic statement.

I first discovered yellow eyeshadow when watching the gorgeous Annie Lennox in the Eurythmics' Love is a Stranger video. This look fascinated me. Yellow, orange and gray. Would be perfect on a canvas.

Squidoo

Here's a look very similar to Annie's with yellow, orange and fab eyeliner. Love it with the two-toned hair. Yellow eyeshadow can be wild, exotic, flamboyant. But it can also be done in a demure way as the following couple pictures show.

Fashionistimus

This Betty Grable inspired look is updated and fresh. A little coy and a little wicked at the same time. Love the yellow shadow paired with fuchsia lips!

Doe Deere

Just a smattering of yellow in the middle of the lids, gives her a sunshiney look. The always fabulous Doe Deere. I just can't get enough of her.

Makeup Bag

Yellow shadow can be soft, especially when paired with pale lips.

Beauty High

This lovely creature sports an almost natural look with just a hint of yellow across the lids and pale lips. Add to that a beautiful pale yellow blouse and tossled hair, and you have a wholesome, healthy and gorgeous summer look.

Orange County Girl

For a more dramatic look, yellow eyeshadow looks great with heavy liner and gray shadow in the corners.

The Makeup Artist

DList Magazine, June 2011

For a daring look, this model wears the shadow under her eyes. And dig that fab statement necklace. Here are some totally dramatic looks, not for the faint of heart. Any one of these lovely images would make a great painting, or great color scheme for a room.

Add purple to it. Love the purple lashes and lips. Image used by permission of Facebook user. No link available at this time. Please do not copy this picture without permission.

Fashion Bomb Daily

Or add hot pink, one of my favorites.

Devon Willson Photography

And yellow lips! Too fab.

J David Photography

Yellow eyeshadow really brings out the beautiful color of this model's eyes. Love the matching shadow, lipstick and scarf.

Van de Fashion

Fashion Bomb Daily

Fashion.by.MK

What do you think? Would you ever try yellow shadow? If you decide to try it, send me a picture and maybe I'll feature you here. I'd love to produce a runway show with all the models wearing some variation of yellow eyeshadow, lipstick, nail polish, shoes..... There's nothing to fear about yellow. Try it on your face or in your home. It's fun and sure to cheer you up!

Pop Gloss

Oh dear, I think I need these Christian Dior booties to go with my new yellow eye shadow.

Buy the Neighborhood

2011-08-29T19:20:00.004-04:00

As I spoke with the artists at The Glass Bubble Project (see post below), I was reminded how fascinating urban photography is.

Over the years, I have watched the City of Cleveland flourish as an industrial city and then become a ghost town. I now see a city with an identity crises, and enjoy cataloging it on my photoblog. Ever watch the evolution of a neighborhood? It's art which elevates a neighborhood in decay. The Novogratzes say it best in their book Downtown Chic. They say, "Buy the neighborhood, not the house." They tell you to look where the artists are buying. Where the artists move, that is where the trendy neighborhood will be, and proof of the power of art to elevate a city.

It's a bittersweet cycle, though. Let's take the area of W. 25th in Cleveland as an example. Bad area, you can't walk there at night. There's a couple of good restaurants because it's right outside of downtown. But you are risking having your car broken into. The historic West Side Market is there, and it's one of the great places in Cleveland to visit. The disparity of wealth in our country is very apparent in this neighborhood. Rich people as well as homeless people walk the street. Historically, it was a low cost neighborhood. The projects are there, and lots of artists. The artists have made it the cool area it is. There are new horribly over-priced yuppie condos. It is convenient to downtown, but only two blocks from the projects.

So here's how it goes. You have poor people in an area. The artists move in. They're poor too, but non-conformists. They make the area cool. So the yuppies move in. It's good because they bring an infusion of cash. It's bad because they squeeze out the people who need low cost housing (the artists and the poor). The cash infusion is only temporary. The urban professionals are young and when it's time to start a family, they buy an SUV and move to the suburbs. In the meantime, since the artists have moved the neighborhood loses what gave it its character to begin with, so new professionals are not attracted to the area. It's a waxing and waning cycle that lacks sustainability.

I'm generalizing, of course. These generalizations are based on my observations of currently-trendy and no-longer trendy neighborhoods in Cleveland. I may be naive, but I think a lot of poverty in our neighborhoods is caused by a lack of planning and no consideration for sustainability. I've been reading a lot about intentional communities lately and wonder if this may be the answer to neighborhood cycles. I wish I had studied architecture when I was young. I plan to do more writing on alternative, prefab, green and simple housing. What's your take, dear readers? Have you seen this type of cycle in an urban neighborhood? Do you prefer city or country living? I think I'd like a combination of the two. I crave trees and water, but I'd also like to live in a neighborhood where I could walk to the farmer's market and the coffee shop, in safety.

Image by Peggy

Glass Bubble Project

2011-08-28T19:25:00.001-04:00

Since attending The Art of Artisans at Wall Eye Gallery, I'm on a mission to discover local artisans. I've driven by The Glass Bubble Project many times - and have heard great things about the owner - but never gone in. Well, I finally went in the other day and I'm glad I did.

The guys were awesome, they gave me a warm welcome and we had a great time chatting. Artists are my peeps. We talked about everything from the desire for a simpler life, the evolution of neighborhoods to the soul-killing life of corporate America. You can say anything to an artist and they won't think you are weird.

When it comes to decorating your place, you already know that lighting is the most important feature. If you have great lighting, you don't need knick-knacks. I'm embracing hand made works more and more. The Glass Bubble Project is a great place to buy a unique light. They have a ton of upcycled/recycled/found art. And they have glass blowing classes! You can even make your own lamp. How cool is that?

I'm a sucker for found art sculpture. Of course, I had to bore the guys by telling them all about my recent trip to Seattle. They were so patient with me.

I think I need these.

As I've mentioned before, I need Antonio Ballatore to HGTV my home. We should definitely buy some cool lighting here. Maybe have some custom pink pieces made. Antonio would totally get my desire for a hot pink neon sculpture.

Look at their fab door! I'd love to have a prefab house with a garage door like this. It would be cool to have the entire side of the house opened to the outdoors. This proves that inspiration is everywhere! I may be taking glass blowing class in October. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by, buy a lamp and send me a pic of it in your place and I'll feature you here.

Images by Peggy

A tour of my apartment... how and why I do what I do

2011-08-27T14:11:00.015-04:00

My apartment. It's humble, quirky, noisy and dusty. But I love it. It's taken a while for this place to seem like home. I've been here almost a year, and I may be moving soon. Like many Americans, I've gone through several downsizes over the past several years due to the economy. It hasn't been all bad, I was more prepared than most when the economy took a turn. Downsizing can be really freeing, and I don't like too much stuff - even though it always seems like I have too much! I've never been very successful at the corporate game, and never had much money. However, as an artist my personal space is important to me and I've been blessed with creativity. No matter where I live - and no matter how temporary my place might be - it's still my home, and it's where I experiment with color. I consider my home my gallery, and my objects are part of an installation piece. I enjoy moving things around and changing the look. I can easily change the look with things already in my closet.

I am in love with minimalism, and was very minimalistic in my youth. In those days, I could move everything I owned in my little car. This is pre-digital age, so no pictures exist of this time period. I am also a lover of white, and for years I decorated in a minimal, white on white scheme. It was the book White Hot by Tricia Guild that first influenced me to start using color. Pink has been my favorite color my whole life. Any scheme I use will always include pink and generous amounts of white. I've found color addicting, and now I love it. I've experimented with colors I never thought I would use in my home: yellow, gray and orange are but a few examples. I'm still not really enamored with red. Among my current favorites are turquoise, aqua, periwinkle, and silver. I've been very attracted to blue lately and dream of a place done in a monochromatic cool blue and silver.

I was doing Shabby Chic long before Rachel Ashwell named the style. I did it out of necessity, I had no money. I pulled furniture from the curb and painted it, and amazed my friends. I was cool and didn't even know it. Almost everything I own has come from vintage stores, thrift stores, garage sales and The Salvation Army. I've received emails criticizing me because my place looks too perfect, which makes me laugh. It's true that I like things simple, and I don't like clutter. But the place gets very, very dusty, which is another reason I don't like too many things. You have to dust things! And in this neighborhood you have to dust everyday! Maybe I'll work up the courage to photograph the place when it's messy. All of my furniture is second hand and not in great shape, I'm making the best of what I have, proving that style can be achieved with very little money.

I prefer clean and modern, and dream of living in an all white, open loft. For now I am living in a quirky attic apartment. There are many aesthetic decisions the landlord made that are bad. I'd love to be HGTV'd by Antonio Ballatore. I'd love to rip out walls, gut the kitchen and bathroom and paint the whole place - including the floors - white. I'd love to build a custom shelf for my pottery. I'd love to build an armoire which houses my home office. But for now, my place is okay. I've been working on letting go of perfectionism and appreciating what I have. I like things simple and casual. I love beautiful things, but don't want to feel too attached. Nothing is precious. My nephews are free to touch anything they want. It's my place, and when I come in from the noisy, chaotic world, I feel embraced.

This is how my living room currently looks. I bought my Danish sofa at a vintage store for about $200 a couple of years ago. It is a comfy place to take a nap. I can't afford to have it reupholstered, I don't sew and I'm not going to learn. I have enough on my plate. The sofa's current fabric is itchy, so I cover it in sheets. According to many design pundits, slip covers are a big no-no. But I don't care, I enjoy breaking the rules. Sheets are a great way to go, they are machine washable, you can change the color on a whim, and you don't have to worry about spills. I know I'm guilty of having too many pillows. But again, I don't care - I love them! I also love sparkly things. My sparkly silver pillow is one of my favorites.

The tulip chair and the ottoman were found on the curb, and have been painted. I found the mid-century table end table at a flea market for $12.00! It's a bit out-of-scale, but I like it that way. I love how all of my furniture has legs and appears to float. The paintings are my own, and were influenced by Piet Mondrian. Every time I look at this picture, I think how much I would love for the walls and floors to be white. I adore white floors.

I love deconstructing objects and made the turquoise vase out of a cheap lamp. I love the look of pillows piled on the floor, this is also Tricia Guild's influence. These pillows provide a pop of hot pink. I must have hot pink to be happy.

I wrapped fabric around this lamp shade. It casts a beautiful, ethereal glow at night. I know it's out of scale, I am having an over sized lamp shade custom built.

My place is truly a work/live space. Here is my work area. I don't have a TV or CD player. I watch a lot of Netflix and listen to Pandora. I never really felt a need to buy DVDs or CDs. I like my work area to be sparse and devoid of too much stimulation since my place has so much color. I'm not inspired by clutter. To me this area does not look empty, but rather full of potential. I usually hang a blank canvas in the area and enjoy contemplating my next experiment in paint. The canvas will eventually tell me what it wants, and this one wants to be Rauschenberg inspired. For my critic who thinks my place is too perfect - just look at those cords! Cords, a necessary evil. I'm too lazy to try to hide them, so I just ignore them and consider it an act of rebellion.

The living room is L-shaped with a strange alcove in the front of the building. I have my paintings piled up there, which I don't really like, but it makes for easy viewing for my guests. I adore the pink filing cabinet! I could easily live in an all pink place.

Here's the alcove. I've tried many things in here. I had the bed here, the dining room table here, even the sofa. But none of them work for me. I can see this area when I am chilling on the sofa, and I adore having a wide open space. Sometimes I do yoga or meditate here, I can see the beautiful sunsets of Lake Erie from here. I wanted a pendant lamp for the space, but opted for the $5.00 rice paper lantern from World Market. I would like to do a cluster of these, but it was such a pain to hang. I'm not a very good DIYer.

Here's the reason I'm no longer a minimalist. Somewhere along the line I got infected with the vase sickness. It started with ceramic vases. Collections can be difficult to manage, and one usually starts another. Now I am in love with glass vases too. And I like mixing the two in display. I probably change vases around a couple of times a week. It's fun! I wish I had a vase shop. This display is reflecting my current love of blue.

I love pink and blue together. That's one of my new paintings, I'm hooked on color blocking at the moment.

Here's the view from my sofa at night. I like to have pretty views wherever I am in the apartment. Love the open space, hate the mirror tiles.

Here's a secret. You don't have to display everything you own. I have a stash of vases in my closet. Collections are meant to be dynamic. After you arrange your room, edit about 25%. Keep a stash in your closet and rotate it. Pulling a piece out of the closet and rediscovering it is as satisfying as retail therapy. And speaking of retail therapy, before you buy anything new, get rid of two things. When I want a new vase, I sell or donate two vases (sometimes more). This way you will keep your place simple and clutter under control.

Here's my hallway. I've been thinking of turning this into an art gallery, but I don't really like groupings of painting. I prefer a few large works. I have my prize possession displayed here. My Dee Adams painting.

My bedroom is so tiny, it's almost impossible to get pictures, even from the hall. All I have in there is my bed, a night stand and a painting. The nightstand is a recent yard sale acquisition and only cost $7.00. I'd like to silver leaf it, but that's beyond my skill set.

I love the black curtains. The room is very cozy, and I like it monastic.

I'm blessed to have two large walk-in closets. I love organization. I like things in their place, and I hate it when things get lost. Fortunately, this doesn't happen often because everything has a place. I don't have a dresser, so I bought this plastic bin on wheels. I can roll it out of the closet, it's great when I am getting ready to to out. It houses my costume jewelery collection, some purses and hats. I'd like to have another one for my shoes.

Here's a picture of my strange kitchen. The cupboards and counter are all new. What terrible choices. Honestly, I don't know what landlords are thinking sometimes. I'm grateful that there's a ton of storage, but I think that's the ugliest counter I've ever seen. The ceramic tiles are okay, but I'd much rather have large subway tiles, and I wish there were an open shelf above the sink so I could display my teapots. For the purpose of this photo (and my email critic), I left some stuff on the counter. Usually I put the coffee pot, and the dish washing soap, etc. in the cupboard below the sink. I like the look of an empty counter.

I have a cute turquoise bread box, but I use it to store tea. And for some reason, I seem to be attracted to trays lately. I like things that are functional as well as beautiful.

I have a little reading corner in my kitchen. It's a very pleasant place to drink my morning coffee. This is about a fourth of the books I used to own. I still love books, but they look like clutter to me, which is why I don't have them in the living room. The exercise ball is great fun to sit on and my nephews use it as occasional seating. Ignore the awful tile - you already know I wish it were white.

This is my basil plant, Herbert. Another of my critics is unhappy that I don't usually have house plants. Here's my confession. I kill everything, no matter how good my intentions, and it makes me so sad when a plant dies. I am trying desperately not to kill him. The deck is one of the reasons I fell in love with this apartment. I have not been able to use it this summer. Unfortunately, the crazy prof at CSU was correct when he taught us about global warming 20 years ago.

In a place of strange alcoves and niches, here is yet another in my kitchen. I use this one to store my dishes. I have a thing for white dishes. I took the top doors off, since they were completely non-functional. You could only open them an inch due to the slope of the roof. I painted the inside teal to make the dishes pop.

Hidden in the corner of this alcove is another little alcove that really isn't visible. An alcove within an alcove! I painted the shelves gray and I have some of my collection displayed there. In addition to pottery, I love dishes and teapots. What keeps my collections consistent is that I like things that have a function and are simple in shape. My pink Mikasa tea set is another of my prize possessions, I bought it at a second hand store for $2.00 about 15 years ago. It's one of those things I've thought of selling, but can't seem to do. I mean look it. Simple and pink! Not easy to find.

Here's a couple more criticisms I'd like to address. Not that I really care about criticism, but it's worth a mention. I've been criticized for my lack of family photos. Most of my photos are electronic, and I often have them as screen savers or slideshows on my PC. I also have a large family album, and a few pictures on my fridge. There are people in my life that I dearly love, and I can clearly see their faces in my mind. Another critic said a man would never like to live here. To which I say, so what? I don't design my place so that a man will want to live here. I design it for me. And here's a secret. I was married, and I really didn't like it. I actually like living alone. It doesn't make me weird. I'm a sensitive sort. I like quiet. I like the simple life. I do like men. I just don't want a husband. I love people, and I enjoy visitors, but I also like solitude. I think I must have been a monk in a previous life.

I read a lot of blogs, and one of my favorites is Apartment Therapy. There is a camp of people who like simple and clutter free. And there is camp of people who like clutter and lots of stuff. Whenever an apartment is in the second camp, you can expect comments that say things like, "Finally, a real home where real people live." Well, there are real people who like to live clutter free. I grew up in a messy, hoarder type home and it didn't feel good. I like space, freedom and balance. Exercising restraint is not as easy as it looks. And I'm a real person. My place does get messy, but I don't enjoy it messy. I follow a rule Karim Rashid wrote in one of his books. He said, spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and your place will never be messy.

I have to give major props to interior photographers. It's not as easy as it looks, especially when working with a small place. To see larger images of the above, simply click on the pics. Or if you are in need of an insomnia cure, you can see the evolution of my apartment at flickr, here.

My OCD, Part III

2011-08-25T00:21:00.003-04:00

I've been invited to submit pictures and words about my home to a really cool website. Stay tuned for more details. As you know, I like to change around things in my apartment, so I thought I'd remind you of its previous look.

I may be moving soon. It might be temporary, but for now it's still my home. And home is where I experiment with color. To see versions 1-14 click here.

One sofa, three ways

2011-08-23T17:50:00.004-04:00

Here's a freelance project I've been working on. My client is a bachelor, who graduated from college 10 years ago. Since then, like most Americans, he's been concentrating on his career, and working a ton. He hardly has any time for anything else. He has a nice house, but all he has is the futon he had when he graduated, an ugly/comfy easy chair and, of course, a large screen TV. No style at all. That's what he wants me to help him with. He recently started dating so would like to fix his living room up a little. He wants something simple, modern and masculine, but also something that a lady would feel comfortable in. Two requirements: one wall should house the ugly/comfy chair, and the other the massive TV. He'd like suggestions for the rest of the room. He has lovely dark wood floors. His walls are beige, but we are thinking of painting them a lovely dove gray. He was adamant that he did not want a leather sofa, which is okay by me. We shopped for sofas together, and we agreed on the piazza velvet storm sofa from CB2. We both love the low scale. I tried to talk him into buying two of them, I love the look of two sofas creating a conversation area, and then we could get rid of the easy chair. That's a no go, the recliner is staying. Oh well, I had try.

Seating is settled. Now for accessories. He wants it stylish, but simple. Once the basics, like seating are done, I use the formula 3P + L to decorate a room. That is, add the three Ps: a painting, a pillow and a piece of pottery, then add to that a funky lamp. With 3P + L your accessories are all taken care of. All that's left to be added is a rug and an unexpected coffee table. Doing a room from scratch is as easy as this: something comfy to sit on, 3P + L, coffee table, rug, and you are done! Here are three mood boards I have prepared using this easy formula. I've relied heavily on Etsy for the accessories. Etsy is fastly becoming my favorite go-to resource.

Sources: lamp - lavintagefurnishings; vase - StudioOneStudio; painting - Brian Elston; pillow - Behirah; twiggy side table, city slicker red table and tie die rug from CB2.

Here's a couple of ideas I love: hanging multiples of the same piece of art and the palette coffee table. Sources: lamp - gspots; vintage ashtray - linea72; prints by Robert Comire; beautiful silk pillow by pyxeestyx; white shag rug from Chiasso; example of palette table via Bodie and Fou, I'll need to have a local artisan make one of these. Luckily, I picked up a couple of business cards at Wall Eye's Art of Artisans exhibit described below.

My client's new girlfriend loves silver. He said I could prepare an edgy, feminine mood board featuring silver. I'm sure he'll reject this one, but it was fun and I kinda dig it. Sources: silver leaf side table from Urban Outfitters, this piece provides some great storage for those pesky remotes; yellow vase from DemARTinDesign; art from erasoul; yellow silk pillow from Mi Casa Bella; big dipper arc lamp from CB2; white shag rug from Chiasso; Nate Berkus silver pouf from HSN. It sure was fun - and a stretch - to contempate a masculine room. I'll be sure to keep you posted on this project.

Weekend Art Work

2011-08-22T22:02:00.002-04:00

It was another busy weekend creating art. Such is the life of an extreme freelancer. It's all good. Art makes me happy.

Untitled, 2011, 16" x 20", acrylic on canvas. I was bad, I know I was supposed to leave those acrylics alone. But they are so damn seductive. I did a simple - but not easy - color blocking work. I'm really loving blue.

Detritus Robot, 16" x 20", cut paper. The idea for this work came about as I was cleaning up the yard. Again. The litter in the neighborhood keeps getting worse and worse. Beer bottles, wine bottles, fast food wrappers, cigarette wrappers everwhere! I wished I had a robot to clean up the mess. And here she is. I think she'd make a great vinyl toy.

I wish I were a video artist. I'd make a video of her. I can see her movements, her head kind of moves back and forth like a metronome. She makes a ticking noise when she moves. I started working on a graphic novel about the adventures of this robot happily cleaning up the ghetto. I know, I'm a bit crazy. And it's not like I don't have two million other projects to work on. And, yes, I'm an insomniac. Want more crazy characters? Here's a fun flickr group devoted to this topic (link).

A cute tray

2011-08-22T21:13:00.001-04:00

I love blogging, and I love hearing from my readers. It makes my day when someone asks for my design advice. Recently, a blogger friend asked me if I thought the color scheme of orange, hot pink, turquoise and black could work in a bathroom. To which I replied, "Of course." Here's the truth - any colors you want to work together will. There's no such thing as colors that don't go together. Just look at nature, it's a cornucopia of colors.

I bought this cute tray at Target, and it perfectly illustrates the point. This would look darling in a bathroom. Trays are a great way to corral clutter. I could see it holding a bunch of beautiful perfume bottles. The bottles should be clear so they don't obstruct the pretty pattern. Or I could see it hanging on a wall.

Here it is in my kitchen. Isn't that the ugliest counter you've ever seen? Rentals. I'd rip that sucker out if I owned this place. Back to the cute new tray. I was surprised to see that I now have a collection of trays. How did that happen?

Art of Artisans

2011-08-22T20:27:00.001-04:00

Funny how the cosmos works. Just when I was bemoaning the lack of local artisans, Wall Eye Gallery presents an exhibit called The Art of Artisans. Saturday I went to check it out. The show featured regional artisans and craftsman. According to Wall Eye's website, the event was created to promote excellence in design and craft as well as to fuel the public’s appreciation and interest in art and fine workmanship. The show was amazing. Here's a few photos I took. Right in line with the organic and upcycled art I've been writing about lately.

Credenza by Michael McMillin. I've been obsessing about a credenza. I think I need one of these for my pottery collection. Love those hair pin legs.

Freddy Hill.

Not sure who made this fab light. But I'll find out and I will update when I do.

PJ Doran.

One of my favorites was the Mouse Desk by Jason Radcliffe of Forty Four Steel. Its perfect geometric proportions are reminiscent of one of my favorites - the Parsons Table. The Mouse Desk is functional as well as beautiful. The entire front of the desk pulls out to become a large drawer. Perfect for those of us who abhor clutter. You can hide your notebooks, pens, bills and a whole lot of post it notes in there. I think I need one of these for my office.

Robert Knauer.

This is only a preview. There's lots more at Wall Eye. The show is by appointment until September 4. I highly recommend it. You'll never want to purchase mass produced furniture again. Sadly, this is Wall Eye's second to last show. Their next show - entitled Playing House (September 23 - October 14) - will be their last. I'm really going to miss them.

New Sponsor

2011-08-22T12:27:00.002-04:00

The editors of Creative Influences would like to introduce to our new sponsor, Khalima Lights. Khalima means beautiful, and these hand-crafted lights are just that. Khalima is a husband and wife team who strive to make well crafted, functional art. They specialize in custom lighting design and fabrication, and they offer the unique opportunity to work directly with the coppersmiths from design stage to completion in creating your custom copper lanterns, candle holders, or jewelery. Special requests are no problem.

Khalima also feels compelled to make the world a more peaceful and respectful place for all human beings. With that in mind, Khalima is in the early stages of partnering with a project called "Red Light Rescue." Red Light Rescue saves young girls from prostitution slavery rings in Asia by providing education, rehabilitation, and counseling in addition to every other basic need such as food, shelter, and clothing. Khalima believes that all people deserve a life of dignity, respect, and opportunity. A portion of each sale will go to supporting these girls and this mission.

Khalima's website is here, and their Etsy shop is here.

my canvas

2011-08-21T19:11:00.000-04:00

My living room in black and white. Think I've been reading too may vintage decor books lately.

jonesin' to paint

2011-08-21T18:14:00.004-04:00

Dear readers, I may have to give up my first love - acrylic. I may be allergic to it. Today I am missing it like crazy. I am itching to pick up a paint brush. For now my camera will have to be my paint brush.

Images by Peggy.

cool blue

2011-08-21T18:04:00.004-04:00

Blue. I love it. All shades of it. Baby blue. Turquoise. And especially periwinkle. Blue is fresh and clean, but it's also cool, romantic and mysterious.

These are the colors I want in my home right now. Here's some blue inspiration.

Thomas Hawk.

Dystopos.

James Lestor.

John Du Jardin. I love orange with blue.

Romany WG.

Chair seen at local vintage store. Image by Peggy. Should've bought this one.

Above two images by Peggy from my previous apartment. For more mysterious, romantic blue inspiration, see my flickr gallery entitled blue rooms.

feeling blue

2011-08-21T18:01:00.001-04:00

I'm loving blue right now. I adore collections of blue glass and ceramics.

Dee Adams.

Siri vases by Roost.

Beautiful watercolor by Karen Faulkner.

oops I did it again...

2011-08-21T17:05:00.000-04:00

I said I wouldn't rearrange my pottery again. But I did. After only one day. That's how it is when I am studying colors. Right now I'm interested in blue. With pink, of course.

Here's some pretty pillows on my floor. I'm itching to work on a painting.

Doin' what I do, part three - creating a stylish display using your digital camera

2011-08-19T19:49:00.017-04:00

Collections are a funny thing for a lover of minimalism and simplicity. I love ceramics, as you know. I wish I had a pottery shop. I would dust and arrange the pottery all day long, and I'd be happy as a clam. Ah, and window display - heaven! But in my home, I am still hoping to hit on a display that I love so much I never feel compelled to move it again. I just know that Nirvana can be achieved with the perfect arrangement. Perhaps that is only achieved by not buying anything. I've written about going on a buying diet, but I haven't been successful at sticking to it. I find yard sales so compelling.

However, before I buy something new, I get rid of something old. Whenever something new comes in, it's time to restyle. Recently, I bought a couple of swan soap dishes, one from Etsy and one from a yard sale. I dig 'em, but don't know why. Oh dear, this could start a whole new collection - or is it a collection already? Is two a collection? I think two is actually a pair, and three is a collection.

Styling bookcases is really hard for me. Today I decided to arrange some of my favorite ceramics on my pink bookcase. So I sipped a latte, popped on the Al Green (he's the coolest), and grabbed my digital camera. Using the camera can really help with perspective. I use it to determine if something is too much, or not enough, and whether the collection appears balanced. Plus, I can be a bit ditsy. The camera helps me remember. By the time I figured out what I wanted, I couldn't remember what I had done. No worries.

This was an unusual exercise for me. I can be a ruthless editor. But when I looked at the sixth picture, I actually thought it needed more. That's a first. I've been fighting the label, but I might have to admit that I am a collector. I'm going to try an experiment - I'm going to see how long I can live without moving this display or buying any new vases.

Stay tuned for a tour of my apartment, and an exciting freelance project that I am working on.

Doin' what I do, part two

2011-08-19T11:45:00.007-04:00

My apartment is my lab. It's where I experiment with color and texture. When I experiment with decor, I feel like I am setting up an installation piece. Lately I've been conducting experiments in how far I can reduce objects. One of my best friends said I am the opposite of a hoarder, in that I am constantly trying to simplify. I liked that. It is tricky, however, because I do love beautiful things. But I also love open space.

I can't stop thinking about the freshness of the aqua and silver in the rooms I featured below. I have a few things in my closet, so experimenting is as easy as looking at what I have and trying to do something new with it. As you know, lamps are an obsession for me. Like pottery. With the last incarnation of my apartment, I find I am not happy with my moon lamp. I love the purity of the shape, but I don't love its scale. I want something with an intentionally over-scaled shade like the one in this beautiful room designed by Marie Burgos. I am currently consulting with an artisan on Etsy regarding having a custom shade made (more on this later). In the meantime, I wonder if I could make a shade. As you know, I'm not a very good DIYer. I get lots of ideas, but execution is a problem. It's okay, though, because my lack of skill is teaching me a good lesson in letting go of perfectionism.

So I went to my closet and pulled some stuff out. I love fabrics, and particularly love the gossamer quality of these curtains. The blue curtain is a lovely ombre and has a particularly nice sheen to it. Maybe I could wrap it around a lamp shade.

Voila. I just tied the curtain in place. No sewing, ironing or glue. The shade is too small, but for this experiment it's okay. It lets me know that I want my over sized shade to be done in a beautiful silvery blue fabric.

The fabric casts the most beautiful blue reflection on the base of the lamp at night. I tried to photograph it, but couldn't capture it. Man, I wish I could paint my apartment white. I'd paint everything if I could. The walls, doors, floors and trim in white. I would need about 64 gallons of paint and a whole lot more energy.

Doin' what I do

2011-08-18T15:20:00.005-04:00

I love hot pink, it's always been this way. It's been my favorite my whole life. A new obsession for me is my love of organic objects. I find these vases from adonde perfect (sorry, I don't know how to do Spanish characters). They would fit in well with my Fall decor. Only thing is, I am not spending money, so they will remain in my virtual collection. They're probably not available in the U.S. any way. But they sure are gorgeous. Hot pink is not just for girls, and combining it in this way with wood and a simple shape makes it appropriate even for a guy's home.

Maybe I could make something like this. The local craft store has some funky wood cylinders. Maybe I could wrap some duct tape around them. I'm intrigued by all the cool colors of duct tape that I've been seeing. I've been wanting to make some art with the colorful tape. I have a lot of great ideas, but execution is a problem. I'm not a very good DIYer.

Remember my genie vase from CB2?

I broke it. By accident. But I still find it kind of interesting. Perfect imperfection. I took it to a glass shop, but they said they were not able to cut it. Cleveland is woefully lacking in artisans. Now I'm wishing I hadn't dismantled my ugly and broken vase installation.

The Urban Outfitters catalog came in the mail today. I adore the photography, and will you look at what the model is wearing! A necklace made of colorful duct tape. It's a sign from the cosmos.

So I bought a couple of roles at Target. It was hard restricting myself to just two. This could easily become another obsession. I'm thinking I should've also bought a roll of turquoise, oh dear, obsessing already. I love ordinary objects used as art.

And voila. Here it is - my new genie/duct tape vase! I think it's kinda groovy. Simple solutions are really the best. That's my kind of DIY.

Ikebana, Part II

2011-08-18T15:14:00.001-04:00

While searching the web today for Ikebana vases, I came across these beauties designed by Edward Robinson. They have me drooling, so I just had to share. Look at those perfect shapes. Look at those perfect colors. Beautiful. Love them displayed on the rustic wood table. I think I need these. Image via Petite Friture. What I am about to say is not for the purists - but Target, please produce a knock off.

Simple Flower Arrangement

2011-08-18T13:43:00.002-04:00

I live, breathe, eat and sleep art and design. Yes, it's an obsession, but you already know that. You have to be a little obsessed to be a blogger. But it's way more than obsession. Art is life. Art is necessity, not luxury. Art makes me happy. Without art I don't feel alive. Indeed, throughout my strange illness, it is art that has saved me. That's not hyperbole. I love language and words, but they are often inadequate to describe the experience of living as an artist. Throughout my tenure in corporate America, people always thought I was odd and I learned to conceal my personality (try doing this for 8-12 hours a day - it's exhausting). I've been blessed, through blogging and in real life, to meet a lot of artists lately. My peeps. It's so great to be understood and to be able to express myself. I believe artists yearn for this. What does this have to do with flower arranging? Nothing. Except that I thought I'd show you the awesome book that is currently on my night stand.

Before I sleep at night, my last thoughts are of art. When I awaken, my first thoughts are of art. I recently went to used book sale at a local university and bought this marvelous old book on Japanese flower arrangement.

As a reader of my blog, you are already familiar with my love of minimalism and simplicity. So it is not a surprise that I am extremely interested in Ikebana. When it comes to arranging flowers, I don't like to see them crowded in the vase. They need room to breathe and to be free without the competition that comes from too much stimuli. To me, all parts of the flower are beautiful. I particularly like, long, spindly, leggy, rebellious looking branches. No bonsai for me. Bonsai is a crime. It's like foot binding. Here's a couple of pictures from this marvelous book. I'll share more as I learn more.

Japanese Flower Arrangement for American Homes, by Mary Bedham Kittel. (Bonanza 1962).

Here are a couple of beautiful arrangements inspired by Ikebana.

This is a stunningly beautiful arrangement. Love the one, long stem in the bowl. This image itself is so beautiful, I could see it blown up and framed as art. Vessel available at LeiliDesign.

Vintage Ikebana vase available at DemARTinDesign.

Love the organic shape of this vintage Stanford Sebring vase. I wish there were only one or two long stems in the image. But that's merely my preference. Formerly available at allthingswhite.

Love this vase made of rocks! I'd love to make an Ikebana vase out of a slick Lake Erie Rock. However, that's beyond my skill level. I imagine the drilling process is not easy and requires a skilled artisan. Again, I wish the vase in the image held a long branch. Formerly available at SteppingStones.

These beautiful sea glass vases are from CB2. They would make great Ikebana vases. Want more? See more beautiful Ikebana vases in my previous post, here.

Vase Display and the Rule of Three

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Collecting vases is a wonderfully tactile experience, they are meant to be touched. Sometimes I think I should own a vase shop. I adore arranging them, and I can contemplate their shapes endlessly. I prefer simple shapes and solid colors. When I am arranging vases, I have found that an odd number of pieces looks more interesting to me. I also tend to prefer asymmetry to symmetry. I discovered the rule of three when I first started collecting, and it works for me. Here's a little guide to arranging your vases on a shelf or table. I seem to be collecting more glass than ceramics these days. Don't feel scared to mix the two. The only thing to remember is to find shapes or colors that seem to go together. What goes together is simply what you love, trust your intuition. Remember to have fun with it!

Using the rule of three, your vases are arranged in a triangle with either the tallest in the middle, or the shortest in the middle. Lately, I am preferring the shortest in the middle. I know this is a huge decorating faux pas - but I use silk flowers from the craft store. They are much more beautiful than they used to be. It makes me too sad when flowers die. I prefer a single, simple stem.

Here's is a variation on the shortest in the middle scheme, when you are going for asymmetry. I like placing the short vase in front of the tall vase.

Another variation. I saw these beautiful vases at Target the other day. Whenever I see vases in a shop, I just can't help but arrange them. I'm sure the workers think I am crazy. In this scheme the tallest vase - which is also the odd color - is in the front. Now we are ready to move on to the rule of five, but that's a post for another day. I love seeing how people display their vases. Send me a picture, and I may feature you here. xxoo

Creative Display

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So you've got a great collection of vases. That's only half the battle. Now you need a way to display them beautifully and simply. Display is an art form. The best solutions for display are pieces that can multi-task.

I love credenzas, and think they look great with pottery lined up on them. This is a cool idea, put two dressers side by side and they look like a credenza. This is a great solution for storage, and can be used in any room in the house. Dressers are not just for bedrooms. You can store your remotes, chargers, candles, placemats, napkins, paper, pens, etc. Also, notice how this vignette is styled asymmetrically. I think asymmetrical display is much for interesting than symmetrical display. Image via sfgirlbybay.

Beautiful simple shelving. Love the table as well. Mark Tuckey via The Travel Files. Incidentally, The Travel Files is a wonderful new blog written by Danielle, the writer of one of my favorite blogs, The Style Files. I will be adding it to my link list.

I'm not usually one for groupings of pictures, I think they can appear cluttered. I tend to prefer one large piece of art. However, this grouping is compelling. It works because the pictures are uniform in size and of a common theme. I love the negative space of the flower. Makes me want to paint on swatches of vintage wallpaper.

Another uniform display. Love the blocks displaying tea pots.

I've always wanted to do a room with lighted recesses in the wall. Above three images David Mitchell via Desire to Inspire.

I also love the idea of an open area in the wall. The glass shelves make it so airy. It would be wonderful to watch the changes in the light throughout the day in this room. Love the simple shapes of the vessels. Rene's White-Washed, Art-Filled Renovation via Apartment Therapy. I love Rene's style. She's a fab artist too, I need to do a post about her.

This is a really fab bookcase. Looks like it was designed specifically for the pottery. Karl Anderson via Desire to Inspire.

Here's an easy DIY project for all those peach crates you have piled in the garage. Ikea PS Bintje by Francis Cayouette via Icon Eye. To see more bookcases similar to this one, see my previous post, here. I'm thinking of making one of these.

These stacking cubes are pretty cute, love the color. I could see them used to store toys in a child's room. Or they might be fun mounted on the wall. Image via Zainido Decor.

I love the floating boxes in this place. And, of course, the white floors! Image via Sidsel Z.

Here it is! My fantasy studio! Love the floating boxes. Image via vtwonen.

White Accessories

2011-08-17T18:35:00.006-04:00

I'm a lover of simplicity. In my youth I was an avid minimalist and everything was white. Everything I owned could fit in my car. I miss the freedom of those days. Stuff can weigh you down. Yet, a few well placed objects adds character to a room and makes it personal. I'm a collector of beautiful glass vases and ceramic. Collections can be a bit of an obsession, and it's important not to let your collection become work. Collecting should be fun, and your collection should be something you love. I always try to keep my collection pared down to my favorites, and I sell a few pieces when contemplating a new piece. Clutter just won't do. What to do if you love beautiful objects, yet crave simplicity? It's all about balance. One way to maintain simplicity is to collect objects with simple shapes, and to keep them all white. Here are a few lovely white objects, for example.

Sake sets come in lovely shapes and are extremely collectible. I have a rule in my collections. Everything must be functional as well as beautiful. I think that's why I love pottery and tea pots so much. Image via deedee9:14.

I adore this sake set by Masahiro Mori via deedee9:14.

Beautiful ceramic serving tray by Ggallery. I adore the shape of this.

Oval sushi dish by baileybowls. You can see the pattern emerging. When you keep your accessories all white, the variation in shapes is fascinating.

Beautiful sugar and creamer set designed by Hans Theo Baumann. Available at forEYESandHANDS.

Hand thrown tea pot by clamlab.

I adore costume jewelry, and I love seeing it mixed in with a display of treasured objects. These beautiful pieces would look great on a floating shelf next to white vases. Available at Linea72.

White helps unify disparate objects as this beautiful vignette shows. Image Bodie and Fau via The Style Files. Love the cluster lights by Kathleen Hills. And there you have it, a collection of white objects. Virtual collections are the best. They cost nothing, take up no room and you don't have to dust them. My next post will feature some stylish display options.

Fantasy Lighting

2011-08-17T18:11:00.002-04:00

In my last post, I featured a lot of lighting options that were industrial, organic and funky. Today, I'd like to feature some lanterns that are romantic. The lanterns are Moroccan, and maybe even a little Turkish, inspired. I love these so much, I think they would look fab in the all white loft that I dream of. I'd go extremely minimal with my decor if I had these lanterns, I wouldn't want anything to compete with them. The lights, and a daybed filled with silver pillows. All white walls, all white floors, and that would be it. Ahh. Romantic simplicity.

Images via Le Souk.

Funky, upcycled, organic and industrial lighting

2011-08-16T18:02:00.004-04:00

When it comes to decorating your room, lighting is probably the most important feature. I know I talk a lot about color, but it's just because I love it so. Lighting is just as important, if not more so. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. I am really loving all the industrial, upcycled and organic lighting I've been seeing lately. Like everything else in your room, be sure to have fun with it. There's only one rule - make sure you love it! Here's some lighting that I'm in love with, any of these would fit well in the romantic, edgy, neutral schemes that have been occupying my thoughts of late. Hope you enjoy!

I've featured architect/designer Victor Vetterlein on this blog before (see previous posts here). He never ceases to amaze. This is his upcycled egg carton lamp. Victor's lamp was part of the Inhabitat and Philips Bright Ideas Lighting Design Competition. It is also being featured in MoMA's collection this Fall. Congratulations, Victor!

This artisan goes by the name CrudeOil. I adore these lamps made of chicken wire so much that I had a hard time featuring only a couple of them. I could see these in a edgy, modern, urban loft. Wonder how they would look with pink bulbs. I kinda like that idea, the pink might be a nice foil to the edginess of the wire. Kind of yin and yang.

I adore these burlap creations by Splurgeavl. These would really work in the romantic, organic, neutral spaces I've been describing lately. I adore the flower shaped chandelier, and I got so excited the cord was wrapped in the same fabric, well... suffice it to say that I am swooning.

Love the geometry of these pieces. Love them hanging in multiples and at staggered lengths as shown. Khalima Lights.

My friends think I'm crazy because I'm always noticing (and photographing) lighting at restaurants. Just kidding, to be honest, my friends are used to me. They often take my design advice, and no longer think I'm crazy. In fact, they have all developed the habit of looking thoroughly at the unexpected. It's contagious. And fun. Have you ever been in Chipotle? I love their chicken burritos, and the industrial vibe of their restaurants, although I wish they'd vary it up a bit. They all look the same. I've always wanted to experiment with putting corrugated steel on a wall, and I love how the sockets are exposed on these lights. Image by Peggy.

Swoon. As you already know, a pop of pink fits in any room. This is a nice subtle way to achieve that pop, yet still be thoroughly modern. I'd love to see this globe hung in multiples. Fizz sphere pendant at ABC Home.

I love this lamp! I think I need to start making hanging lamps. Image Lo Bjurulf via Agent Bauer.

Here's another one I'd like to attempt. Love the strips of fabrics, and the tiniest smattering of embellishment provided by beads. Image via Annaleenas Hem.

The block lamp designed by Harri Koskinen, has always been one of my favorites. It's a little witty for my own personal environment. I'd love to design an edgy teen bedroom around this lamp. Available at MoMA.

The Akari Beehive lamp by Isamu Noguchi (one of my favorite designers) has been my long-time favorite lamp. It would look great in a neutral scheme, or indeed, in any room.

Found objects and an awkward outdoor space

2011-08-15T21:38:00.006-04:00

I found this painted board and industrial spindle in the basement of my home. My landlord said I could have them, he was just going to throw them away. So, I dragged these heavy bitches up three flights of stairs. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. Sometimes as an artist, I have a tendency to be a pack rat. Because I'm in love with simplicity, I try to fight this urge. Things are constantly in flux. Maybe that's how things are supposed to be. Dynamic. Sorry, I digress.

Here they are in my strange alcove with the mirror tiles that I hate. I thought I'd play with a little styling.

Another attempt at styling. I think my vase filled with light bulbs kinda fits here. I worry that I'm regressing to dorm style decor. 'Course I never lived in a dorm styled place since I put myself through college while working full time. So maybe it's okay to digress. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these.

Here they are on my deck. The deck was part of the reason that I fell in love with this place. But I haven't done anything with it. Unfortunately, the crazy ecology prof at CSU was correct when he taught us about global warming 20 years ago. It's been too hot to use the deck, and there is no privacy. I was kinda thrilled that the green board provides a little bit of privacy from the neighbors. They're messy and loud and let their toddlers play with the lawn mower. Beer cans everywhere. Hope they are not reading this, but I'm not lying!

Dear readers, do you have any suggestions for the spindle? I'm thinking I might stencil some butterflies on it, or maybe graffiti. Maybe do a modge podge or cover it in wall paper. A flocked damask might make a great foil to its testosterone. If I'm keeping them outside, though, it needs to be durable, I guess, although weathering can be kinda cool.

Remember these lanterns that I wrote about here? I should've ordered these lanterns when they were still available from Z Gallerie. I think they would look great in this space.

Speaking of stenciled butterflies, how fab is this upcycled sofa from artist Kiran Chahal? (I wrote about her oganic art below.) I think it would look great in the space. Good thing I'm winning the lottery tomorrow.

An icon...

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There weren't many people I could relate to when I was growing up. Gloria Steinem was one of the first. She's been a great hero in my life. As a young woman suffering from low self-esteem her book, Revolution from Within, was a shining light just when I needed it. Gloria, thank you for that and thanks for always being an inspiration. HBO airs the documentary entitled, Gloria in Her Own Words tonight at 9:00 p.m. Don't forget to set your DVRs! I can't wait. Good thing my best friend has cable.

Image via Barbies & Bitches

Just a little more.....

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Yes. It's an obsession. Romantic neutrals. Lots of white, with gray. Industrial with Moroccan inspired accessories. Low scale, simple yet beautiful rooms. I can't get enough.

How gorgeous is this modern room? Cool and sleek, with just the right amount of warmth from the Moroccan-inspired candlesticks and the hanging lanterns. Also love the low scale of the sofa and table. Image Cor via sofablog. Incidentally, I highly recommend sofablog. It's a wonderful German blog. I love its unique perspective, and I always find it inspirational. I'm adding sofablog to my link list. Seems to be a lot of cool art coming out of Germany these days. I'd like to travel to Berlin.

I know this room is highly stylized, but I can't get over the colors. Love the soft dove gray of the sofa, table and rug. Does anyone know who designed this fab sofa? Jaime Hayon maybe? I adore the table too and would love to know its designer. Patricia Urquiola maybe? That brushed aluminum bowl is cool too. The room is feminine, soft, airy, simple with just the right amount of edge. A fine accomplishment. Here's a couple more from the same stylist.

Every room should have a pop of pink.

And a funky lamp. Above three images photographed by Lo Bjurulf. Image via Agent Bauer.

I need that display case for my pottery. I also need that little silver table. Image Ikea Sweden (I think, please correct me if I am wrong).

Square Peg, Your Curator

2011-08-14T14:11:00.004-04:00

Today I am still thinking of the clean, crisp places below featuring the color aqua. I am loving aqua used as a neutral, and am loving the organic touch provided by the capis wall below. My thoughts are turning to organic art. What sort of organic art would I feature in a minimal place featuring aqua? Below are a few of my choices. Hope you enjoy!

I adore the vision of Jennifer Booher. She creates orderly patterns from objects found on the beach. Makes me want to take a walk on the beach right now!

Beautiful paintings by Haynes Worth. Love the soft hand here and, of course, the colors.

I adore the organic shapes of Kiran Chahal's multi-media works! These would fit perfectly in an industrial, organic or mid-century loft. I want them. Okay I've got my art collection completed, now I just need to find a loft.

Romantic Neutrals

2011-08-13T21:44:00.008-04:00

Funny thing about neutrals. They're really growing on me. I've been seeing tons of romantic, organic, industrial, neutral rooms. As you know, I love a neutral scheme with white floors. I'm so addicted to color, I can't imagine that I would ever go totally neutral, but these rooms are intriguing. Here are a few of the keys to a successful neutral room: organic objects; tons of textures; a mix of materials like glass, concrete, steel, wood; large amounts of white. I also adore pops of silver, gray and even lavender in a neutral scheme. Here are some great examples. Hope you enjoy!

Above two images Annaleenas Hem. Love the light fixture.

Peter Margonelli. A neutral room can be very mysterious.

Love the black chairs, the white table and floors. Image source unknown.

I love black, white and gray with pops of lavender. I also love the pop of silver from the disco ball, and the Euro Saarinen coffee table (probably my favorite table of all time). This room is just the right mix of rustic and shiny. Above three images Agent Bauer.

Love the gray walls with the white mantel. Love the collection of gray pottery. Image Amanda McLauchlan.

Neutrals can be cozy. Love the mix of materials here. Amenity Home.

Love the rustic floors, white sofa and industrial light! Image Andrea Ferrari.

Here is a trend that's been around for a while, but doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Nor should it. The black accent wall. It's incredibly chic. I adore this beautiful bedroom. It's slick, romantic, sophisticated. I love the combination of wood with clean lines, pretty bedding and retro lighting. A stunning achievement. Image via the boo and the boy.

Reader's home at Desire to Inspire. Love the pale gray and white.

Love the bed in the alcove. By keeping the walls, bedding and drapery white the look is airy. Also aiding in keeping the room airy is the fact the curtains are hung low, letting in the natural light. I think this would be a wonderful place to rest during a gentle rain storm. Image source unknown.

Love a pop of color from artwork in an otherwise neutral scheme! Image via Retro Villa.

Here's a look you know I love. A pop of pink - provided by the chair - in an otherwise neutral scheme. Proving, once again, that pink is not just a girly color and can be used in a thoroughly modern way.

Swoon. Love these acrylic chairs! A successful neutral scheme incorporates lots of different materials. A neutral room can easily be too dark. Using acrylic or glass is a smart way to keep a room airy. Above two images Roger Davies.

Love the painting. Love the pottery. Simple shapes work well in a neutral scheme.

Love the pottery, the furry pillow and that funky lamp! The skull art, well not so much. Above two images Studio KO.

How cool is this kitchen! Love the black walls and the white counters and cabinetry. Looks so clean and modern. Not usually a fan of the cuckoo clock, but spray painted white, it pops against the black walls. (Hint to a great reader who wants to incorporate rustic and cowboy elements in a modern scheme - make an art installation. Spray paint unusual elements white and float them on a colorful wall for a pop. Remember to go big!) Image via Lovenordic Design Blog.

I love the shape of these Moroccan-inspired hanging lamps! It's a great idea to use a glass table in a neutral space. It takes up little visual weight. And notice how this table doesn't have stuff piled on it, this shows off the beautiful wood floor. Image via VoK Design Group.

Industrial kitchen. Rustic dining set. Fab. Image via vtwonen.

This beautiful, cozy room works because of the variety of textures (I hope the bedspread is faux). Image via Design Crisis. What about you, dear readers? See any ideas you'd like to incorporate in your home this Fall? I don't imagine I will ever quit using color, but there are some ideas here that I'm going to use.

White floors with touches of aqua and silver

2011-08-11T00:33:00.004-04:00

As I've been searching the internet for white floors, I've become intrigued by clean, fresh colors. Any color can be used as a neutral. One of my favorites is aqua. Aqua when used as a neutral is clean and peaceful. I love it paired with silver. Here are a couple of rooms whose ethereal beauty has me swooning.

Oh how I love this room! Let me count the ways. The white floor, of course. The capis wall. The funky dining room table and chairs and the chandelier. The beautifully displayed pottery collection all in various shades of aqua. Simply stunning! Image via Design Crisis.

The simplicity of this room has me swooning. Love the white, silver and the pop of aqua from the lamp. I adore that lamp. There was a similar lamp offered at West Elm a couple of years ago. Should've ordered it! I am obsessed with the tall, vertical shade. Room designed by Marie Burgos.

I featured this room recently (see previous post, here). I just love it. This may be the color scheme for my next place.

More White Floors

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I can't get enough of white floors.

I love the rustic elements combined with the feminine elements in this loft. The white floors bring it all together. Image Domestic Stories with Ivy.

So beautiful and airy. Love the floors, love the dining room table and chairs. And those dishes! Those are gorgeous. If anyone knows the designer of those dishes, please send me an email or leave a comment. Image via Design Evolution.

I could live in this white, minimal home. So peaceful and simple. Love the pops of silver provided by the ottomans. Image Shoot Factory via Desire to Inspire.