January 23, 2012 by Simone
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
Tags: Doan Bilgis, kilm rug, loom, vintage rugs
Categories: home+decor, treasures •
January 18, 2012 by Simone
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?
here
Tags: annex, home decor, vintage maps
Categories: art+artists, fashion+style, gift ideas, home+decor, inspiration •
January 12, 2012 by Simone
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?
here
Tags: decor, etsy, Lisa Rupp, lisaruppdesign
Categories: home+decor, thank you,etsy. •
January 9, 2012 by Simone
I’ve been lusting over the colors in this Frida inspired shoot. I’ve been thinking about new color combinations that I want to incorporate into my life – whether it be through my home, my wardrobe or some new inspired ideas for wrapping and packaging. Acidic, tart colors mixed with washy, dusty hues: this is a zone that I love to explore. What are some of your favorite color combos? Chartreuse and grey? Coral and brown? Periwinkle and hunter green? Do tell, and see below for some Monday color inspiration:
here
Tags: color inspiration, editorial, fashion+style, Frida Kahlo, mexico
Categories: fashion+style, home+decor, my life •
January 4, 2012 by Simone
Apartment Therapy kindly posted about my home yesterday. It’s always a revealing experience – having someone come in to your world and in turn discovering what inspires them about your environment. Marcia Prentice, the photographer, gave me the perfect reason to enjoy a leisurely weekend morning at home midst of my Holiday crunch time a few weeks ago.
I’ve been a bit obsessed with this corner of my kitchen lately. The marigold and blue colors bring a smile to my face and put a little pep in my step each morning. The smell of strong coffee and the sight of high energy, bright colors…this gets my day started in the best way.
The wood piece below was given to me by my Grandparents, who used to travel quite frequently back in the 1940′s and 50′s. They visited Africa and brought this hand carved tray back to their home in Texas. Growing up, I always loved seeing it in their house – it was a mysterious and curious piece that seemed to tell a story. They passed it down to my Mom, and she to me. I treasure it and love to bring it out for entertaining.
These are some of the soaps, journals and chai tea I made for our Holiday Bazaar at the studio. My kitchen was smelling divine that day. I’m a bit obsessed with those papers – I love the mix of the patterns all together. The gifting girl in me came out with these soaps – all I wanted to do was wrap them and give them to people to enjoy!
Thanks to Apartment Therapy for the post, and click here to see more shots!
Tags: Apartment Therapy, home tour
Categories: elsewhere in the news, home+decor, my life •
December 19, 2011 by Simone
I recently teamed up with Society for Rational Dress to create some scrumptious candles. It was a satisfying project to say the least; I blended scents, created soy wax colors and designed our label. We had a lovely holiday bash that we co-hosted with the lovely Brenna Egan of Refinery 29 as well. Click for pics!
I think the Cedar Vanilla scent is my favorite. It’s a bit woodsy, but still a touch sweet. Hmm, or maybe the Sandalwood Rose will be my go to – earthy and soft all in one. We also have a Cucumber White Tea, which has a clean, spa scent.
They come in these beautiful silk baggies that Corinne from SFRD created. The wax color is a soft cashmere grey. These have cozy luxe stocking stuffer written all over them, wouldn’t you say?
here
Tags: collabortaions, simone leblanc, Society for Rational Dress, soy candles
Categories: home+decor, our projects •
December 12, 2011 by Simone
Hi sweet readers, I hope you enjoyed a great weekend. I had quite a full one – my house was photographed on Sat (more on that soon!), the bazaar was quite a lovely success (pics on their way!). I took a few pics of my own around my house to share with you. I had a rare, downtime moment (it is December after all…) and there’s nothing like a bit of peace and quiet to appreciate the little things you have placed about your home. My favorite part of decorating is creating moments here & there – small, intimate spots that tells stories about a life. well lived. What about you? Do you have little inspired vignettes in your place?
These poufs were given to by Joanna, after her trip to Morocco. I found the rug in Palm Springs at an estate sale. I love the faded colors.
A few of my favorite things,below. The shoe I’ve posted about before (my sweetheart found it for me). It’s sitting on a jewelry tin that my Great Aunt brought back from France. The little silhouette picture in the back tells a love story…quite romantic wouldn’t you say?
The two photos below are favorites of mine. I adore old photographs. I found the photo of the woman on the left at the Clignacourt, the Paris Flea Market. The woman on the right was brought to me by a friend from Argentina. I would love a conversation with the both of them! Some sage (which I use often), and my favorite Mad et Len candles.
The books below are my Mom’s story books from when she was a child. The illustrations are fantastic. The book ends are antique shoe lasts.
I would love to see pics from your home too..send some my way!
Tags: diy, home, home+decor, interiors
Categories: home+decor, inspiration, just because, my life •
October 12, 2011 by Simone
For those of you out there who love a cozy throw, today is your lucky day. Spend some perusing through Jen Jones’ welsh quilts, which has an amazing stock of over a thousand quilts and blankets made between 1820 and 1939.
During the 17th & 18th centuries, the bedcovers that existed were nearly all utilitarian and made of a heavy worsted material. By the mid 19th century, quilting had become a full blown cottage industry. Think about it – in the days of using fire for warmth, what better to warm you than a heavy handed home-made quilt? Most quilts were made by paid professionals such as miners’ widows or the village seamstresses. Often times boarders would come to a farm and stay put for a couple of weeks while completing a quilt. The fabric and filling were always supplied by the farmer’s wife, but the quilting pattern was chosen by the quilter. Check out some of these blankets I pulled from her site!
These are early 20th Century fringed tapestry blankets…
These lovelies below are crafted from 19th century narrow loom stripe textiles….
These really do look like they came from the 19th C, don’t they? Cold days are up ahead…
here
Tags: jen jones, throw, welsh quilts
Categories: home+decor •
October 4, 2011 by Simone
Take a look at these sweet ceramics from prop-stylist & designer Dietland Wolf. Each pieces is colored porcelain that has been polished, not glazed. Hand-hewn, minimal and unpretentious….
I love the matchbox packaging of these ceramic charms. They would make charming little gift toppers…
How beautiful are these earthenware colors?
Charming pattern and color play, don’t you think? Bright, feminine colors with the raw hand touches…
here
Tags: ceramics, dietlind wolf, porcelain stoneware
Categories: home+decor •
September 28, 2011 by Simone
I am hands-down loving these ceramic plates by Janice Tchalenko. These quick,loose painted florals feel right for this cozy Fall weather. How great would they look piled together on a table with some worn, overdyed linen in dark indigo, purples, and grays? So lovely, no?
here
Tags: ceramics, Janice Tchalenko
Categories: art+artists, home+decor •
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