Be Inspired No. 30 - If I Could Get Away

If only I could get away.....

the only thing that would be hard.....

would be where to go first!

Image Sources:  CN Traveler, Beach Holidays, After The Sunset Movie, Kenya Safari

Translation - Fashion to Home No. 9 - Project Runway All-Stars

I thought it would be fun to take one of my favorite creations from Project Runway All-Stars for this Translation - Fashion to Home.  I love the twist of the traditional plaid fabric in this design. Loving the twist in these room designs with that same twist on the mix of traditional and contemporary flair.

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home, Decor Pad

RSVP Collection No. 32 - Corned Beef and Cabbage Pizza

Corned Beef and Cabbage Pizza

For Dough:

2 t. sugar

1 package active dry yeast

3 T. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl

3 c. all purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 t. fine salt

For Toppings:

5 T. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for pan

3 c. sliced green cabbage

Kosher salt

1 t. pickling spices, tied securely in cheesecloth

1 large potato, peeled and thinly sliced

freshly ground pepper

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 c. shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese

6 ounces sliced corned beef

Make the dough: Whisk 1 cup warm water (105 degrees) with the sugar in a bowl; scatter the yeast over the top and set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil.

Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients to make a rough, shaggy dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (Add more flour to prevent sticking, if necessary.) Form the dough into a ball; place in a large oiled bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until the dough has doubled in size, about 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the toppings: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage, season with salt and cook until just soft, about 5 minutes. Add the pickling spices and just enough water to cover. Simmer over low heat, covered, until the cabbage is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the cabbage and set aside (discard spices).

Place a pizza stone in the oven, if you have one, and preheat to 500 degrees. Toss the potato with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a single layer on a baking sheet until golden, about 15 minutes.

Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll one into a 14-inch round (keep the remaining dough covered). Place the round on a floured pizza peel (if baking on a stone) or a large oiled pizza pan; drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Scatter half of each of the cheeses, corned beef, cabbage and potatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper. Carefully slip the pizza onto the hot stone, if using, or place the pan in the oven. Cook until golden and crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.

Source: Food Network

Speaking of Walls No. 6 - Wall Murals

With thoughtful consideration of their application, wall murals make a statement well.

How luxurious.

Love, love, love this headboard treatment!

What a great "spa-like" feel.

Image Sources: Komar, Artistic Homeowner

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 22 - The Girl Scout Uniform

In honor of the 100th birthday of the founding of the Girl Scout organization I thought it would be fun to see what a symbol of this meaningful foundation could inspire. So I took a look at the uniform and forced myself to rethink outside the realm of...yes you know...cookies!

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home, The Lennox, Etsy, Coastal Living, Miles Redd, Tobi Fairley, House of Turquoise

Paper Obsessed No. 8 - Vintage Luggage Labels

I love knowing the history and story behind things. But a few months ago I came across a vintage luggage label that I just liked, it was cool. I thought it would make a fun gift tag. After researching the story behind the luggage tag I like it even more. 

The history of vintage luggage is closely related to the history of travel, and also the history of hotels.
Luggage labels are from what is considered the golden age of travel, roughly the 1900s – 1950s. Labels existed prior to that, but they didn’t have the same look or use. They are actually stickers used to advertise the hotels. Hotel bellhops and other airline luggage handlers would apply these stickers to passenger trunks and suitcases. Today, they are highly collectible, especially those designed by certain artists.

Many examples of vintage luggage bear witness to their travels, rather like a passport bears stamps and visas of exotic locations. With vintage luggage, a story can be gleaned, detective like, from the applied and attached history of its adventure labels.


The exotic and colourful applied labels for travel, destination and hotel can be a fascinating feature of a vintage case, individual cases bearing testament to the exotic travels, from Marrakesh to Moscow, Berlin to Bermuda. These paper labels were used as a means of identifying the luggage's destination and also a quiet means of advertising the hotel or holiday destination. Collectible in their own right, the labels are an example of the ephemera of the great age of travel, and the romanticism of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

I've read that the placement of these labels told the porters just how good well you tipped. 

Loving this history for artwork. How cool to collect these from places you've been or dream to be. As Dr. Seuss says "Oh The Places We Will Go."


Image and Content Sources: Antique News, Ballard Designs, Innovations in Newspapers, Ebay, Web Expedition

Be Inspired No. 29 - Venice Carnevale

Several years ago I was part of the design of a Venetian-inspired bedroom, which was inspired by the Venetian Carnival fabric from Scalamandre.

I also used the blue background version of this pattern as a wallpaper for a powder room that turned out to look like a discovered jewel box.


The Carnival of Venice is an annual festival, held in Venice, Italy. The Carnival starts 58 days before Easter and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) the day before Ash Wednesday.


Have you ever wondered about the history of the amazing Venetian masks? While mask designs were originally influenced by theater masks, especially the Commedia dell'arte, they did actually have a real-world use. Amazingly, their prevalence in Venice stems from a long-held tradition of people wearing masks to disguise their social status and to experience life anonymously.


I think this tradition and history can inspire design for a room from many aspects. Here's my translation of Venetian masks transformed into room decor.

Venetian Mask Inspiration No. 1

Room Translation No. 1

An inspiration can be as simple and clean as you like. I selected this room because of its architectural elements at the fireplace which compliment Venice, the color palette of oranges, as well as the patterned rug.

This translation is a bit more literal. The fantastic silk draperies with the matching walls, the mirror, and lighting that creates that glow.

Venetian Mask Inspiration No. 2

Room Translation No. 2

Loving this translation. Notice the black painted door and window frames and light fixtures, the floor pattern, and the shape of the benches.

Loving the play on ornate and clean palette.

Venetian Mask Inspiration No. 3

Room Translation No. 3

This room makes you feel that the view is of the Venice streets.

Loving the play on carnival with the bed canopy

Image and Content Source: Wikipedia, Tour Italy Now, Elle Decor, Miles Redd, Notting Hill, Thomas Pheasant, House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy