It’s been all sunny skies and Springtime the past few days which has left me inspired by rich, high Summer hues and textures. I’m thinking deep Safaris or 1920′s inspired Orient adventures; burnt siennas, hot golds and sturdy, dark canvas used in unexpected ways.
We’ve had such a busy week at the studio – a humongous winter clothing pull for a client (Spring collections are in the stores…right? I love a challenge like this), prep for a weekend photoshoot for the new website (!excited!), Mother’s Day heirlooms (just wait, you will see them soon) and much more. The studio is literally, top to bottom and side to side, filled with boxes, bits and baubles. This all makes me feel like I’m living in the ocean – the tide comes in and everything becomes jumbled and a bit wild….the tide goes out and there’s a bit of calm reflection time. Are you with me on this? Are you also wondering when the tide will go out a bit ? I’m counting my blessings and at the same time feeling increasingly drawn to calm, quiet, solitary, visual inspiration. The still-lifes-of-life if you will. A few beauties below that have caught my eye this week, below. BTW, how does a hectic pace affect your creativity? Curious to know, my dears!
A monochromatic (ish) palette mixed with flowers that will never fade. Love this very much, thank you.
Being surrounded by beautiful, lady – like packaging is a good thing for a gal, wouldn’t you say?
How many hours could you spend in the serenity of this bathtub?
Do you want to wake up to a Dutch still life every morning? I do.
Hmm. Perfect spot for best girlfriends to have some bubbly and QT ? Me thinks yes.
( I don’t have sources for some of these images…!)
Have you been to March SF? I visited this fabulous shop for hearth and home on my recent trip up North. Located on Sacramento St., this spot tops the list as one of my favorite shops; their sublime collection of home necessities inspires desire for a simple home filled with objects of integrity.
Their simply arranged every day items are a delight; ceramic tea canisters in Mediterranean Blue, cherry wood salt & pepper grinders with accents of hammered iron, delicately etched glassware in smoky greys.
This copper pot made me want to stay inside for 4 days and make bread and stew. It was pouring rain the day we visited, which added to the coziness of it all.
The decor of crisp white surfaces and slick black details is the perfect setting for the natural details that run through the store: a simple wooden table, woven baskets and antique linens.
March Pantry carries a collection of delicacies to savor – truffle salts, pressed olive oils and fine vinegars. If you’re in the SF area, stop by for some inspiration. The shop is like a clean canvas, filled with only the most intuitive, useful and inspiring of strokes.
I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time the other day at French General. Have you been? Finding this craft-haven is on par with a treasure hunt; the tiny workshop is off the beaten path in Silverlake with only a few opening hours graced to the public. This little spot, my dears, is worth the trek and worth blocking out a few hours mid-day for. The founder, Kaari Meng, is revered as much for her fabulous craft books and kits (they will have you whipping out francophile inspired projects in no time), as she is for her old world inspired classes and workshops. If you’ve been dying to dye your cottons that eponymous shade of French blue or are looking for inspiration to transform your vintage button collection into something beyond a pile of jars…you’re covered at this little gem of a shop. Inspiration awaits!
Loving the antique check pattern on this children’s dress.
Baubles and bits are displayed throughout the shop, coordinated by color. Looks like a craft – candy store, no?
I’m one of those girls that cannot get enough of grosgrain…needless to say I was stuck on those rolls below.
Cabinets and shelves are filled with perfectly antiquated, worn linens of every weight and hand. Bedcover, pillows, and curtain inspiration indeed…
These pieces have been dyed French woad blue. There’s nothing quite like the look of hand dyed trims.
I love the shape of this blue basket…not to mention the flowers and ribbons spilling out from it. Let me know if you visit Karrie and get inspired…!
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been a long time fan of artist Ann Wood. This talented lady makes childhood fantasy lore come to life with cardboard cuts, antique frocks, fabric bits and an abundant imagination. She works out of her Brooklyn studio to creating magical boats like this one here, fantastical castles like the one below, and now…teacups.
Have you seen her paper – mache teacup patterns? She offers a pattern tutorial on her site. I think I’ll gather the ladies for craft night and get started on making a collection of these right away….!
Things have been a bit crazy around here; I’ve been deep in the midst of a website redo, gifting projects galore, planning for an upcoming home move and a studio move as well! Topping my list of inspired excitement right now is the studio move – what’s more fun than a change of location, and a HQ all to oneself? Add to that the project of making the space look and feel just right (while sticking to a DIY budget …) and you can see how excitement can quickly shift to feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Are you with me on that?
So, with great fortune, or perhaps luck, my dear and talented friend Andrea Rapke has offered to collaborate with me on my studio move. Andrea is founder of The Organized Move, a full service interior design, organization and concierge service here in LA. She is the tops and handles all things needed for the busies in this town who are simply to in-demand take on the details of a move themselves. Andrea carries the unique blend of bare bones honesty mixed with true kindness – a characteristic that makes her instantly trusted in environments where privacy is paramount. She knows everyone, can get anything done (quickly), and all around just knows how to make things happen. And by things, I mean anything. Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled when she offered to lend me a hand. So, we are heading this up DIY style….starting with the basics: design inspiration!
Hmm, how about blues in every hue imaginable mixed with crisp & masculine details of black?
Or perhaps some rustic and sleek elegance, with a touch of the Chinoiserie?
Or perhaps we go for bright, joyful colors mixed with traditional fabrics and a collection of coral, books and flowers? What do you think, friends? Would love to hear!
I’ve spent a good portion of this week scouring the world for all things globe. This type of treasure hunt is one of my favorites; it kicks up the mysteries of lands that no longer exist and bygone eras. The necessity of these stately treasures has slipped into oblivion. At one point we stood above these hand-painted orbs that displayed boundaries and territories from our great world. We had the world in our hands, let’s say. Now, we click in to the internet and see what awaits us inside of this very screen you’re reading – not quite as romantic. But I digress.
The purpose of this whole search is to find a piece that resonates with a particular client. We’re looking for a gestural gift that says thank you, from one gentleman to another. We’ve landed and stuck on this idea of a globe; but not just any globe – one that was created on the home continent of the recipient (it’s in Europe) and was made in the year he was born (that’s a secret). Much to my chagrin, he wasn’t born in the 16th Century, as that is the era of my favorite globes. Hand painted celestial orbs depicting the constellations of the day, you say? Yes, please! Mint condition globes standing proud in their stately armatures, worthy of a gentleman’s library? Mais Oui!
I wanted to share with you some of the more simplified pieces I’ve been coming across. They are all special for different reasons, each of these antiquated pieces are unique on their own. Honestly, I’ve developed a crush on all things globe!
The Paul McCobb pieces from the 1960′s are a favorite of mine..so chic. I love the minimal brass frame it stands on…
Another Paul McCobb from the 60′s. A tabletop beauty I’d say.
Now this piece is a gem. I’m stretching here a bit as this is a Planetarium, not a globe. Made in the 1830′s in France (of course), the gold gilt sun rests in the center with manually rotating planets surrounding it.
Oh an this is another fun piece. Fun in the sense that it’s just, oh, an hand carved and painted clock in the form of a globe, circa 1790 from Italy. These are the objects that fill my days with glory. What do you think? Are you having a globe – crush?
inquire here
I’ve been a bit obsessed with rugs lately and recently stumbled upon the Australian company, Loom. Have you seen their work? Owner Doan Bilgis grew up in Turkey and comes from a bit of a nomadic background. He recalls his family and relatives always making rugs, as a result he found himself fascinated by the colors and patterns. His admiration later turned into an appreciation of the history and stories behind each rug. Get this – Loom over-dyes vintage kilims, how wonderful is that?
Below is a vintage Kilim rug to lust over…..
The piece below is crafted from a variety of old yarns; which means it is literally made from yarn unraveled from antique kilims. Talk about labors of love…
The two lovelies below are new wool pile rigs crafted in Loom’s studio. I love the abstract, painterly look of them. 
Take a peek at all of the rugs they have to offer; you are sure to fall in love…… 
here
What do you think of these clever pieces below? Annex a clothing and housewares company based in New Zealand makes these marvelous travel inspired treasures from maps. The perfect homage to your favorite city, no?
And of course the gift guru in me could not let this charming wrapping job go unnoticed….
Sweet touches for the well traveled home, no?
Good morning, sweet readers! I always love the month of January – it tends to be a bit slower in the gift world, so I can take stock, be present (no pun intended) and look forward towards the year ahead. With the cozy nostalgia of the holidays behind us and Spring heading our way, it’s easy to feel like it’s the time of beginnings. These sweet pieces from artist Lisa Rupp are in sync with my mood – refreshed, energetic…and quite optimistic,actually. How’s your January going, by the way?
This bright Forget-Me-Not screenprint should be in a kitchen near us…
And how about this Poppy towel below…a sweet addition those important morning coffee & tea rituals, no?
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