Gotta Love No. 16 - Anthropologie Windows Spring 2012

I love the tradition of retail establishments to introduce their Spring collections during our winter season. The colors are so uplifting and promising of warmer weather coming.

Image Sources: Anthropologie

Paper Obsessed No. 6 - Library Shelf Enrichment III

As mentioned earlier this week, we are in are winter season. Perfect time to add to the library shelves. Because if there must be cold and snow - let it be the kind of snow that prevents travel, keeps you inside in your comfy clothes, indulging in reading and catching up on favorite television series.

Rooms I Love No. 3

I'm calling these rooms eye candy. And since we are in our winter season, I'm including some outdoor rooms to inspire warmer weather soon.

Image Sources: Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Tartanscot, Paris Through My Lens, Peak Construction and Design

At The Window No. 4 - More Then a Shade

There's a certain time of day when the darkness outside creates an chilled feeling inside. That's why I love shades for the window. Window shades create a cocoon atmosphere with ease.

But, you know me..does it just have to be a shade? Why not more?

What a difference a fabric choice can make for a shade!

When just a bit of print is all you need in a room.

How special will you feel every time you pull that tassel to shade this room?

Fun stuff.

Image Sources: The Shade Store, Elle Decor

Gift Giving No. 3 - More Wrapping Ideas

I consider the December holidays a cheater's wrapping card. After all, the wrapping is practically done for you. Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and tags are sold in a combo package so you don't even have to give a thought to the gift wrapping design.  We'll talk about thinking outside the combo packages next season.

For now let's consider some creativity for wrapping those gifts for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, weddings,  graduations, and all those other upcoming celebrations we will be giving gifts for.

Here are some great gift wrapping ideas. 

Love this chair pin used as a package embellishment!

See what you can do with a simple box, some ribbon, a brooch, and a historical etching?

Loving these shaped initials for a bridal shower gift. During a past project, a client purchased a chandelier but didn't like the wired crystals on it, so we took them off. I couldn't bring myself to discard them. Guess what I'm going to do with them now?

Here is a fantastic idea to enhance your monetary gift envelope for the bride and groom.

Loving these feathers!

Image Sources: A Gift Wrapped Life, Euro Antique Market

Gotta Love No. 15 - Door Knockers

Who needs a door chime when a door knocker is what lets the person asking entrance into our homes that they are about to visit some amazing people? Here are some seriously cool door knockers.

Door knockers have a long history -- they have probably existed as long as houses have had doors -- but it wasn't until the Middle Ages that door knockers became a fanciful house accessory.

1. • The Renaissance awakened an interest in art and design, and door knockers grew more ornate. Once constructed of pounded iron, knockers were cast in delicate shapes and figures in iron and brass for the doors of the wealthier members of society.

     

     
     

     Obviously, the purpose of a door knocker is to allow a guest the opportunity to announce his presence. During the superstitious Middle Ages, door knockers took on gruesome faces, such as gargoyles, dogs, and lions, to ward off evil spirits from entering the home.

     

     
     

     

     
     

     

     
     

     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     Image Sources: Euro Antique Market, Paris Through My Lens, Chic Provence, Shutter Stock, EHow

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 20 - Painted Fabrics

Several introductions at the International Home Furnishings Market in North Carolina have me rethinking the look of "painted fabrics".  These pieces are an indication that creativity is still flowing in the furnishings industry. After a few years of hum drum introductions it is refreshing to see that vitality is back.

For many many years if you wanted a fabric that told a story toiles were your answer. I'm loving the new approach to story-telling in fabrics for upholstery. Whether a familiar painting translated onto fabric in normal scale or the traditional botanical painting dissected and enlarged to show detail these treatments on upholstery are amazing.

These fabrics make statement pillows too!

Image Sources: Vanguard Furniture, Design Legacy, Elle Decor

Be Inspired No. 25 - Alphabet City

We are all familiar with the saying, "take time to smell the roses." I'm inspired to photograph my adventures in a whole new light. Alphabet photography is nothing new, but I am so taken by the graceful script of architectural elements that resemble letters.


These photographed "letters" paired to spell a word - give even the most ordinary word such impact. And I think it must be printed in black and white or sepia.  

The quote by Victor Hugo, "If you know how to see, you can recognize the physiognomy of a king in a door knocker" motivated college professor and photographer Marc to pursue photographing the city of Paris like a book.  Love!

So be inspired to look at architecture in a different way when looking through that camera lens. The architecture that brings awe to your eyes will offer yet another layer of character of itself.

Image Sources:  Marc Olivier Photography, Letter Alphabet Wordpress, Letter Legacy

Quote of the Week No. 8 - Graditude

Author: Unknown

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 19 - James Plumb

I recently came across a wonderful pair of designers whose mission is "to expose hidden beauty in the everyday, creating interiors with traces of history, but with new stories to tell".  Love them!!!

Cluster chandelier created from vintage shades.

Suitcase drawer chest.

A repurposed vintage church pew makes a fantastic shop counter.

When one ceiling medallion isn't enough.

Image Sources: JamesPlumb

Gotta Love No. 14 - Le Papillon

I have such an admiration for couture fashion. The creativity to design such a piece and then the meticulous construction takes my breath away.  But nothing takes my breath away like a fluttering butterfly.

Beautiful mounted butterfly artwork gallery.

How cool is this butterfly sculpture made from recycled beer cans!

Image Sources: Pottery Barn, Elle Decor, Luly Yang, Paul Villinski