Good with Style

All This Happened, More or Less

Source: anneevamargriet.blogspot.com via Sara Kate on Pinterest

 

 

Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from the things she found in gift shops. (Slaughterhouse-Five)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Vonnegut.

Pin It

Used Shipping Paletts + Creative Business Ideas

 

Lately, I've noticed a lot of things being made out of shipping paletts...which makes sense. Paletts are made to carry very heavy things, but are usually discarded after whatever they've carried has been delivered. This bed is such a simple, fabulous idea I think I may need to try it. Now, I just need to have something really big and heavy delivered to me ;) Actually, a quick Google search yielded the "Container Exchanger" site. Brilliant. Now for the used paletts...apparently this is a BIG business! Who says American Industry isn't creating ingenuous business ideas every day? Not me.

Northwest Palett

Paletts by IFCO

Millwood Inc

Paletts Unlimited

 *Above image from Pia Jane Bizkirk via Apartment Therapy

The Bitter And The Sweet

Source: vanessajackman.blogspot.com via Dar on Pinterest

And just like that, my mind turns to what comes next. But it's too soon. "Stay in the moment", I say, "Enjoy the season, find the fun in every new Summer Day until the Days become Fall." Okay. I can do that. Let's all do that, okay?
XO Emily

decorating with flowers: hanging wall vase

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via vintage on Pinterest

Just because you don't have a garden doesn't mean you can't bring flowers into your day. This on the wall vase is a great reason to treat yourself to some blooms, just because. XO Emily

danish design redefined with bornholm kitchen

bornholm kitchen

Due to the beautiful weather this weekend, as well as two children's birthday parties to attend, and a little house-hunting drama, I did not make it to the 2011 Architectural Digest Home Show. Of course I'm a little sad I didn't get to see some of the amazing new products from Designers that include Susan Serra, and her amazingly beautiful Danish-influenced new kitchen designs--Bornholm Kitchen. You can read more about her pieces today on Design Milk. But here's a little taste, so to speak.

Susan's pieces are freestanding, which is perfect for someone like me who loves an open floorplan and seamless integration of rooms. Go to her site, Bornholm Kitchen, for information about ordering.

Here are a few more great recaps of the Architectural Digest Home Design Show:

ABCD Design

Pretty Little Green Things

Home Improvement Ninja

New York Portraits

Decor Musings

Quintessence Blog

Leslie Fine Interiors

 

 

design bloggers are the new curators at nydc

What's New What's Next Event kicks off today at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue (at 33rd). The "New Curators" will be live-blogging, tweeting, and doing what we all do best--sharing the newest design, products, and people in the world of Interiors.

I know a few of these talented bloggers, but I am looking forward to connecting with all of them in person. The great thing about blogging is that you can really "get to know" people from all over the world, which opens you up to so many more ideas and inspirations. As someone who has lived in New York for going on 20 years, I know how easy it is to get myopic in your thought process. And as a stay-and-work--at-home mom, it is ever so helpful for me to be able to "log on" and learn from all of these creative, clever, and unique voices. I often find myself living vicariously through some of their jet-setting lives as I hold a baby on my lap in front of the computer! I am very excited for a day of design, and I hope you will join us, live or in person.

Here is how to find the "Fabulous Fourth Floor Bloggers" around the web:

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo/ABCD Designs

@abcddesigns/www.abcddesign.com

Liz Orgera/Shorely Chic

@shorelychic/www.shorelychic.blogspot.com

Nicole Gibbons/ So Haute

@SoHaute/www.sohautestyle.com

Camilla Pavone/High Heeled Foot in the Door

@highheelfoot/www.high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com

Patrick Hamilton/Ask Patrick

www.askpatrick.blogspot.com

Tamara Stephenson/Nest by Tamara

@nestnestnest/www.nestnestnest.blogspot.com

Danielle De Vita/Design-Calendar for Inspired.talk

@kravet/www.kravet.typepad.com

Christina DeSmet/Christina DeSmet

/www.desmitten.wordpress.com

Jean Lin/Otto Design & Architecture

@ottodesign /www.otto-otto.com

Julia Paulino Yenicag/Belle Vivir

/www.bellevivir.blogspot.com

Erin Gates/Elements of Style

@elementstyle/www.elementsofstyle.com

Jodi Murphy & Lea Mcintosh/Nesting Newbies Magazine

@nestingnewbies/www.nestingnewbies.com

Suzanne & Laura McGrath/Good Bones Great Pieces

@goodbones/www.goodbonesgreatpieces.com

(Suzanne is a fellow-Martha Stewart Alumni!)

Carol Vanderkloot/2 Modern

@2modern/www.blog.2modern.com

table setting with milk and honey home

My husband and I love the look of a wooden farm table, just like this one (below) in Julie's house on Milk and Honey Home.

 

It would be perfect in the dining room of our new house (more on that later) since that's where we will eat all of our meals--it's a working kitchen, no room for a table. I honestly don't mind having one place for meals--so often the Dining Room is a seldom-used room and basically just wasted space. I've begun my research into where to find the right table, of course I would prefer a second-hand in-keeping with my sustainable philosophy. I might have to be patient until the right one comes along.

I also love the bathroom in Julie's house--very "shabby chic". I'll admit I am a sucker for Rachel Ashwell. Even her stuff at Target is adorable. It is an unpretentious refinery, the likes of which you might find in an old English manor, like the one in the movie version of Atonement.

 

I think what I respond to in Milk and Honey's design aesthetic is the organic nature of her home--none of it is contrived, it feels authentic and filled with things she loves rather than following some sort of trend or design edict. Such is with the manor in Atonement, where Keira Knightly's character lives and floats around like a ghost.

Don't you think this Anna French wallpaper (above) could very well have been in the home of Briony Tallis and her sister, Cecilia (portrayed by Keira Knightly)? Nothing in the home is new, everything has an element of value, not like the throwaway items we all populate our homes with today. Wallpaper went up and there it stayed until it became water-stained, peeling away from the wall as if to escape certain death. 

Granted, it does takes extra effort to go beyond the easy as 1-2-3 furniture options you can find in catalogs and at the mall. I'm trying to avoid the "fast-food" approach to furnishing my home--McDonald's fries taste the same wherever you go, right? The same goes for certain furniture makers. When I'm more thoughtful (mindful) about what I bring into the my home, I tend to spend less, purchase less, and feel less guilt and anxiety. Keeping this in mind, I know my farm table is out there, and I'm going to make the effort to find it "off-the-beaten-path." Do you have any secret resources you think the world should discover?

(Take a look at this option I discovered online.)

 Image 1: Image by Patrick Van Robaey's via Alis 'le Cilga Cay Partisi

Image 2 & 3: Milk and Honey Home via La La Lovely Things

Image 4: Movie still, Atonement

Image 5:  Anna French

Image 6: Handmade farm table by Zephyr Tents for Martha Stewart Weddings.

An Open Heart

 

 

"One can only really travel if one lets oneself go and takes what every place brings without trying to turn it into a healthy private pattern of one's own and I suppose that is the difference between travel and tourism."   Freya Stark

Photo credit: opusbloo

Inspired by: Cata's Craft

Handmade Career and Making Money on Etsy

 

 Maybe you already saw this article in the New York Times when it was published, but I just came across it by way of Hammocks and High Tea. It's a very relevant topic for not just me, but for many people I know who are trying to forge their own career in this time of change. Even though I've published three books, and had a pretty good career before that, I am constantly thinking about how I can earn a living, be a stay at home mom, and be happy all at the same time.

 

Jersey Shore Does Like Big Hair

So I am a Jersey Girl, not born, but mostly bred there. Sometimes I even like big hair like this:

 I am going to try to get my hair to do this today. 

via No Seriously That is All

House Beautiful and Jace Interiors aka CreateGirl

I discovered this House Beautiful confection on Designer Juliann Covino's blog, CreateGirl. Juliann is also the owner of Jace Interiors. This is totally my style. Isn't it lovely? I especially love the painted concrete floors (at least I think that's what they are).

Vintage Style Lingerie

Hello: Are you there?

Now do I have your attention?

Loving this handmade lingerie from Hopeless on Etsy (that sounds like a song, doesn't it?) So perfect for Valentine's Day. Found via Try Handmade (incidentally, come find me over there--I'm a new contributor for the Shop Local section.)

Stephanie Nielson aka Nie Nie Dialogues

 

I present to you Stephanie Aurora Clark Nielson, author of the blog Nie Nie Dialogues. To put it quite simply, this woman is beyond amazing.

 

London Times 50 Best Design Blogs of 2009

London Times 50 of the World’s Best Design Blogs:

1. Apartment Therapy – Every aspect of interior design is covered in this American mega-blog, with the useful option of posing your design dilemmas to its readers.
2. Design Sponge – With a book in the works, Design Sponge includes readers’ DIY ‘before and afters’ and inspiring house tours.
3. The Selby – Uber-cool photographs of creative people in their living spaces, taken by photographer Todd Selby.
4. Desire to Inspire – Interiors inspiration galore, co-written on different continents by an Australian and a Canadian.
5. Oh Joy! – Stylish selections which complement the cool aesthetic of the writer’s own successful stationery range.
6. Decor8 – All-round comprehensive design blog written by an American living in Hannover, Germany.
7. Poppytalk – Vancouver-based blog with a marketplace for independent designers.
8. Emma’s Design Blog – Scandinavian style from a Stockholm-based design enthusiast.
9. Creature Comforts – Featuring Flickr favourites and promoting handmade design, this blog’s layout is itself a visual treat.

 

10. sfgirlbybay – Bohemian chic from San Francisco-based Victoria Smith, a former art buyer.
11. Design is Mine – A perfectly picked selection of art and design from independent designers worldwide.
12. Young House Love – Interiors advice, DIY and moodboards from a young couple renovating their own home.
13. Bloesem – Kuala Lumpar-based writer Irene also has an offshoot blog featuring child-specific design.
14. Swiss Miss – Unique ideas and products picked by a Swiss graphic designer living in New York.
15. Print and Pattern – Popular British blog focusing on colourful surface pattern design.
16. Grain Edit – Mid-century inspired graphic design.
17. Frolic! – Relaxed style from a Portland-based floral stylist.  
18. Lobster and Swan – Hastings design muse Jeska shares her photography and vintage-styled vignettes from her home.  
19. This is Glamorous – Consistently classy selections with a high glamour factor.

20. Dos Family – Photographer Jenny Brandt’s aspirational home tours feature stylish Swedish families.
21. Design for Mankind – Featuring edgy graphic and product design, this blog has a brilliant video series highlighting issues facing creative freelancers.
22. Sweet Paul – Craft and styling ideas from New York-based food and prop stylist Paul Lowe.
23. Daydream Lily – Her other life – dreamy images selected by Melbourne-based research scientist Liss Winnel.
24. Pia Jane Bijkerk – Unique content from an Australian prop stylist and author living in Amsterdam.

25. Wee Birdy – Incredibly cohesive: London shopping and birds-inspired design, authored by an Australian magazine writer living in London.
26. Coco & Kelley – Trend watch from a Seattle-based interior and events stylist with a penchant for elegant glamour.
27. A Field Journal – Visual eye candy featuring this talented student’s own photography and craft projects.
28. Bliss – Photographer Mrs French’s ‘I heart Monday’ wishlist is a weekly highlight.

 

29. Fine Little Day – Quirky Scandinavian style from a Swedish designer and photographer.
30. Oh Hello Friend - Beautifully-designed and curated posts from a graphic and jewellery designer.
31. Making it Lovely – Feminine favourites, independent design and home decoration.
32. Mint – Design, art and more from graphic designer Ellie Snow, with an interesting recent series on adapting to a freelance lifestyle.
33. Home Shopping Spy – Technically the blog of Ideal Home magazine run on the writer’s sparky comment.
34. The Design Files – Melbourne homes, shops and design.
35. The City Sage – California-based Anne Sage’s features include seasonally-themed styling and book reviews.
36. Oh So Beautiful Paper – Wedding invitations and inventive stationery ideas.
37. Modish – Portland-based champion of indie designers.
38. Simplesong – Design favourites with a clean and simple quality.
39. Katy Elliott – New England-inspired selections from an ex-Domino writer
40. Chez Larsson – The interiors and craft projects of a Stockholm family home. 

 

41. Please Sir – Vintage purchases to covet and more from a North Carolinian designer.
42. Delight by Design – Glamorous interiors and classy styling ideas.
43. Brooklyn Limestone – The renovation of a traditional Brooklyn limestone townhouse.
44. Oliveaux – A Brisbane-based interior designer shares her passion.
45. Nestled In – Home renovation and thrifty finds from Finland.
46. Automatism – The daily visual inspirations of a Canadian illustrator.
47. Pillar Box Post – London style and observations from an American ex-pat.
48. Design Squish – Design blog with an emphasis on nature, sustainability and eco issues.
49. The Fabric of my Life – Musings and photo collages from a London interior stylist.
50. Lovely Clusters – Pretty design finds chosen by a Hawaiian-based graphic designer.

Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear, I knew it looked familiar*

Not my office but I do wish I had such a serene space in which to work. I would lay my books, fabrics, papers on that lovely floor while I sat in the pleasant glow from the amazing chandelier. Via Cote de Texas

*This line of poetry is from:

Messy Room

by Shel Silverstein

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar