Gotta Love No. 21 - Louis Vuitton Paris 2012

I have no words. Just oohs, aahs, sighs, gasps, omg's....

The fashions were to die for. But I couldn't stop looking at the bags!

 Image Sources: Madison Muse, YouTube

Garden Design No. 7 - Birdhouses

There is nothing like those birdhouses your children built as a project and paint with their own little hands that hang proudly in our trees. Those birds don't know just how special they are when we allow them to take residence in these "memory" houses.

And we have all rolled pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed a few times when we needed a Winter project for those little hands. These were great lessons of showing just how wonderful nature is and how we are responsible for taking care of this gift as much as we can.

But life moves forward, the memories stay alive and bring smiles to our faces, and we look to feed those birds with a more artistic approach.

You can't beat the color of a Robin's egg, but how cool is this take on it!

Love these!

For the architectural lover!

Seriously creative - a take on the Chrysler Building.

And if you want to bring back the joys of building your own birdhouses - check out this book!

Image Sources: MoMa, Neiman Marcus, Twin Pines Studio, Etsy, Amazon, Lowes, Sing Snap, Apartment Therapy

Paper Obsessed No. 9 -Vintage Botanical Prints

There is artwork and then there are works of art. Botanical prints are works of art. 

Some of the most beautiful botanical prints date to the 1890s.  There is an art to framing and matting these prints, as well as how they are hung.

Image Sources: Etsy, Velvet and Linen, Houzz, House Beautiful, Veranda, Domino, Bella Casa, Traditional Home

Well Dressed Home No. 12 - Set of 4

There is something comfortable about four lounge chairs sitting around an ottoman or cocktail table. It provides for great intimate conversation in a relaxed, stay awhile feeling. What a contrast to the stuffy traditional living room seating. But this can be tricky to achieve. I am partial to coordinating mismatched pairs of seating, rather then four matching chairs. But in the right setting, the matched set can be impressive. And the ottoman or cocktail can make or break the look.

I do like this look with matching chairs when the cover is kept neutral. It provides a great contrast with the sisal carpet, fireplace surround, and window treatments.

This arrangement can be accomplished for any design style. It can take the buttoned-to-the-collar stuffiness out of room while leaving in the sophistication.

Image Sources: Veranda, Coastal Living, Elle Decor

Finds No. 7 - Headlight Glass

I have to say I didn't see this one coming. I grew up with a Dad who had his own automotive repair shop and bought and sold restored vehicles, so auto parts are nothing new to me. But I have to admit I am a bit jealous of the person who thought to turn the glass from the 1940s auto headlight glass into art. 

The headlight glass on iron stands were recently featured at an antique show in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

How cool are these? I've read that in the 40's the car buyer could actually choose the glass design for their car headlights. What a great find for accessorizing home decor. I want one....or two.

Image Sources: AACA, Pigtown Design

Gotta Love No. 20 - Architectural Models

When I look at a vintage architectural model I get goose bumps. Seriously. There is so much inspiration from these models. The intricacy and delicate construction created from a drawing to a model is amazing to say the least.

I love this reproduction of a model as artwork!

Image Resources: Concrete Commentary, All The Mountains, Bobo Intriguing Objects

Be Inspired No. 31 - My Take on March Madness

I am not a basketball fan, but I can be inspired my the textures and colors from the basketball itself. It's true inspiration can come from anything!

Loving this cocktail table. Fantastic texture and color. 

Now that's what I call madness! This fireplace wall is beautiful.

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Wow, what a take on tobacco leaves.

Loving this bold texture backsplash tiles in a fantastic color.

Image Sources: Dezign With AZ, Nancy Griscom, Decor Pad, Petracer Tile

Gotta Love No. 19 - The Market Basket

To market, to market....

In a market basket the things we buy are more special. The flowers from the corner market seem more beautiful, the fruit from the farmers' market seems fresher, the new straw hat for the beach seems to be so much more chic, and the cheeses and wine seem more delectable.

Image Sources: Viva Terra, Elle Decor, Smarthware Coop