summer sundae party

I was wandering around Martha Stewart.com and came across this fun image for a sundae party, which inspired me to plan a little virtual party of my own.


for directions on how to make these cool containers click here

You're Invited

Sol mini-bowls and saucers, Vivaterra

Bamboo charger, Crate & Barrel
Riviera serving platter, Target
Ice Cream Scoop, Crate & Barrel
Organic cotton napkins, Grasshopper 510
Bamboo cutlery tray, Crate & Barrel
Piper candle holders, Crate & Barrel
Ice cream maker, Cusinart

Dwell On Design

This year's Dwell show in Los Angeles proved to be a success. There was a nice mix of building materials, modern architecture, furniture and accessories (much of it sustainable, of course). Here are a few highlights.

A great way to start off the show, the Vegetal chair from Vitra is lightweight, stackable, suited for both indoor and outdoor use, not to mention that it just looks really cool. Oh....did I mention that you could win one? Click here to enter.

A lovely, but not too sweet, nursery from Amenity Home

Cement tiles from Granada Tile are just gorgeous in person. Using a centuries-old technique of pouring pigmented cement into intricate molds, they create a look unrivaled by ceramic tile. But I don't want to say too much...I have a whole blog post I want to do on these guys. Stay tuned!

These awesome planters from the Woolly Pocket Garden Company really made a statement.

This chair from Atik has beautiful lines and I love how it's upholstered with different fabric on the front and back. The whole booth was filled with unique, well-priced items. I will definitely be looking them up for client projects.

inspired to entertain

Lately I have been seriously jonesing to entertain, so in my constant quest for ideas on recipes, decor and fancy little details, I have stumpled upon an awesome blog called eatmakeread. This blog has some serious food porn (pardon the term - amazing images of food that make you, um, hungry). Check it out.

my {little} dream office

Oh my, how things do change. Once upon a time I may have wished for a large open space to scatter all my design paraphernalia about, but not so anymore. Now I crave efficiency and organization, mixed in with some personal touches (i.e., things to inspire me everyday).

That's why I love this small office space shown in the new Pottery Barn catalog. The 'office' is actually a closet, so not only does it not take up any additional space but it also creates a lovely little enclave to help you focus...at least that's what I'm hoping it would do. I love all the details; the lighting, the blue wall, that ceramic bird and the re-purposed jars to house office supplies (which, by the way, is what I use in my current office. I guess I'm off to a good start, eh?)

vintage fabric

I was just given a little over 4 yards of this cool vintage fabric (I think it's circa 1950s). I'm looking for ideas on what to do with it. It's not a lot of fabric, but enough to make something fun.

Help!

The Mincing Mockingbird

I have a new obsession. Birds.

The piercing eyes and vibrant palettes are what really capture me in these amazing prints from The Mincing Mockingbird.







The birds each have a very distinct personality, which is playfully described in the title of the piece (for example, the one above is called It is Folly to Assume My Awesome Lies Dormant).

These will be in my home. Soon.

unique lighting

I'm on the hunt for some interesting light fixtures. Check these out...


Desk Lamp with hand blown shade, Cleveland Art



Medusa Pendant, CX Design



Edison Chandelier, Pottery Barn



Royal Master Sealight, Restoration Hardware




Contemporary Pendant, Hammerton Lighting

add to the library

One focus of my new inspired life series is to bring more books into my library. This includes reading for pleasure (novels and magazines), reading for education (books on sustainability, health and fitness, philosophy and self-development) and adding a host of design and decor books with great photography that I can use for inspiration in my designs.

Here is a look at what I'm reading.

to find ideas for what to put on your reading list visit goodreads.com

my inspired life

I like to think that everything in our lives is somehow inter-connected, and if you cultivate awareness you begin to see patterns emerge.



For example, I'm very passionate about design, sustainable living and health. On the surface, these may seem like different interests. But when you look a little deeper, there is an obvious connection; Design is about creativity, innovation and finding the best solution to a problem. Sustainability is about designing like nature, giving back as much as you take away, and using fewer chemicals for a better result. Health is also about limiting chemicals and allowing the body to do what it was designed for. These interests are, in fact, very closely aligned with one another.

That said, I've been going through some transitions in my life and career and I am working on allowing these various aspects to organically connect and work toward the greater good: my happiness. This blog is first and foremost about design, but since it is, after all, a blog (which gives me free reign to do it my way) I want to introduce a series called Inspired Life. In this series I will focus on the things that are important and inspiring to me. The goal is to be very honest with myself and work toward a more fulfilling life, learning quite a bit in the process.

Hopefully this will be inspiring and fulfilling for you too. Feel free to comment along the way. I would love to hear if/how you are incorporating small changes into your life to make great things happen.

making the old new

Refind Originals is an Indiana based company that takes old leather products (jackets, sofas, etc.) and deconstructs them to make
one-of-a-kind handbags. Often taking its cues from the previous product, these bags each have a unique style at a price that you could never find with first-time leather.

The online shop isn't up and running just yet, but you can order directly or check out the Etsy site.

Here are some of my favorites.

Newsstand Inspiration

Ever since the demise of Domino I have felt a void in the world of home magazines. What's left out there may offer glossy interior shots (like Elle Decor) or helpful home hints (such as Real Simple), but nothing seemed to have quite enough of both. I refuse to accept defeat on this, so I set out to find a new collection of newsstand inspiration. And, happily, I have found exactly what I was looking for.

The recently launched Fresh Home magazine is like Domino for the DIY'er. The styling and photography is great and the decorating ideas and projects are relevant to the reader (not to mention actually doable). The website is still under construction but it looks like this one is going to be pretty good.



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Living Etc. is a UK publication that is somewhat similar to Domino as well. There are lots of lovely interiors to admire, great accessory finds and easy decorating ideas. The website features a comprehensive buyer's guide for (literally) everything you could ever want. I discovered this mag a few years ago and then forgot about it, so I am happy to reconnect.



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Sunset is the ultimate West Coast lifestyle mag. It gives you the sense of endless summer and has the perfect blend of home, garden and tips for taking advantage of all that the west has to offer. The blog is also a great resource. (Little side note: working for Sunset is a career fantasy of mine)



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Not your Grandmother's magazine. Well maybe it still IS your Grandmother's magazine, but Better Homes and Gardens has taken a turn in a new direction. The 50's housewife publication now teaches a lot more than cooking and cleaning for your husband (and how to not make a mess when coloring your hair in the sink). It's a great quick-read, with short features and nice photos. Plus, the website is awesome. You can search through thousands of photos in the gallery and use the tools to choose paint colors or learn how to go green.

Friday Fab Finds

Today I'm in the mood for white ceramic.


A delightful dish from laurawallstaylor



these porcelain frames can turn pretty much anything into art.
visit the framed objects


a new way to save your pennies.
from smakparlour




create a little garden with Pigeon Toe Ceramics



Mixed nuts.
Needs no further explanation. Kgrandey.


Happy Friday!

Martha Stewart Cupcake Contest

I know this is a design blog but technically these fall under well-designed food. Plus, they are just too cute and I'm a total sucker for anything cake.

Martha Stewart is doing a cupcake contest to promote her newest book, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. To enter, upload a photo a your best-dressed cupcakes and you may just win a copy of her new book. Here are a few of my favorites so far.

another solution to the {building} design problem

The building industry accounts for 52% percent of the CO2 emissions, a ridiculous amount when you put it into perspective - we harp on gas-guzzling cars which come in around 9%.

Take a moment to watch this fascinating clip from the TED conference a few months ago. EcoRock is a new form of gypsum board (the material used to build walls) that uses less energy and performs better than the standard. I'm very curious to see how long it takes to be accepted by builders and the impact it has on the industry!

horseshoes in the house

I love these fabric horseshoes from Hable Construction. Use them as paperweights, wall decor, or for a quick game of indoor horseshoes on a rainy day (I added in that last suggestion)



Each new season brings a new series of fabrics, so buy them while you can. Here is the current selection.