minor details

at 1st look this table looks hand stenciled and pretty but maybe not so special.  but if you look closely, it is bone inlay --- in a whole new fashion.  it is so gorgeous.  i'd love to use it somewhere unexpected - maybe as a bedside table...  or get 2 and use them in the living room - side by side as a coffee table.  love the colors, and how easy it would be to use this table in just about any decor. 

Adana Inlay Side Table

so pretty, i can't take it!

is it or isn't it?

i love things like this....  artful, fun and a play on an object we all know.  this little ditty by Chiasso would be a welcome addition to any kitchen in danger of taking itself too seriously.  its a great rendition....  and, it makes me smile.

unsealed glass bowl

burn one down

well, by now it is obvious i am a sucker for stripes.  can't help myself.  love them.  and i happen to like candles - all kinds (that are soy or beeswax and not scented too heavily - so maybe not all candles), but lately i really love the look of taper candles. 

ana candles - the colors are amazing!  this pic doesn't even do them justice.  pop onto www.fivestripes.com -  get a few extra and keep them around for hostess gifts - a package of all different stripes tied up with a pretty ribbon would be heaven.

i love the yellow/white and the turquoise/white and the hydrangea/white - all so purdy.  seriously, you cannot go wrong with the colors.  (i love the spring collection best, but the other lines are equally as nice). 

a little late for 2011 but totally early for Christmas 2012

i just saw these.  i'm a little mad at myself for letting these gorgeous ornaments escape me this freshly past christmas.  but i'm super excited to hang them on the tree in 12 short months.  in fact, i think i want nothing but these on the tree, only these little showstoppers.

all other ornaments will be redirected other places. 

Amethyst and Citrine Ornaments

love the Amethyst but adore the quartz...

Quartz Crystal Ornaments

they would look just as pretty hanging from a sconce or chandelier or off a vanity or wherever you can imagine really.

she naps, i shop

major score.........  not only is the "duckling" (my darling 2.5 year old little girl) napping but i had a little time to check out some sheet sets for her and found out the set i had been eyeing are on sale - down to $24.99 - total steal!

Big Bloom Sheet Set

they are just what I think Duckling's room should be full of - bright crisp colors, and fun prints.  Plus they are Oeko-Tex certified (tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances - no toxins or irritants), so that makes me smile.

she already has this rug:

Tangerine Dream Cotton Woven Rug

and its starting to come together nicely.  next up, windows and a dresser.

all the trimmings. seriously.

i don't usually post clothes, accessories, shoes or any of my other favorite topics (accessories, handbags, baubles).  however, i will make an exception this frosty monday morning, but only because there are tassels.  the kind that are usually associated with window/pillow decor. so in a way, it fits the bill of being "eye candy for the home"  ---- would look lovely hanging in my foyer (and provide hours of entertainment for my little one.  okay hours of entertainment for me, minutes for her).

this bag is giving me the warm and fuzzies despite the 29 degrees it is outside

Blithe and Buoyant Tote

possible to DIY?  or in  my case, have someone DIY for me?  love the cheetah print inside.  love the how colorful the tassels are.  love love love. 

a subliminal call to the beach (via a really beautiful design)

i didn't realize this beautiful mirror had a nautical/ sea inspired background - i didn't get that far.  i just loved how it seems to have so much life and movement.  and i love that it is white - i think that is what keeps it somewhat tranquil and serene despite the fact it appears as if it just might dance off the wall.

Made Goods Ava Mirror

the texture is just amazing!  and it seems so light - even though it is 36"!!!  i am totally enchanted with the details and overall design.  and it doesn't have to go that beachy direction.  it could be just at home above a vanity in a city apartment. 
but if you can imagine what it would do for walls swathed in grasscloth with a hint of metallic....  ohhhh, i LOVE!

add ons that don't require computer skills (thankfully)

stumbled across this pretty little stool and a few clicks later saw this trim. i happen to love both and i happen to think perhaps these two simple yet beautiful items would look great together.

this counter stool

Arteriors Rochefort Iron, Wood and Linen Stool

with this trim around the side

brushed metal taupe tape by Calvin Klein
available to the trade

made for each other and easy to place in a modern industrial kitchen or at an island in a traditional kitchen - and anywhere in between. 

now we just need the kitchen!

감사합니다

loving the new look and have to thank Natasha & Kyle for the upgrades!

luxury is a bespoke chandelier

a few website obsessions ago (current is Pinterest) i made a board on polyvore and used a really beautiful chandelier.  today after some random clicking, i came across it.  i love it just as much now as i did then.

Bespoke Chanel Silk Scarf Chandelier

by Suzan Fe

what I didn't know then, but do now are the details of this pretty pretty chandelier or its whooping price tag of $9,200 (true it is listed but i never really paid attention to that part of the site, the real draw was designing the sets).

       "Gracefully draped with genuine pearls and gold-plated vintage beads and chain, this gold-plated three-armed chandelier glows with a modern, regal opulence. Its distinctive shade, made from an authentic vintage Chanel silk scarf, is truly one-of-a-kind. Hanging chain attaches to a gold-plated ceiling plate."   Vivre description - be sure to check them out - beautifully curated site!

and here is my design on polyvore using this chandelier:

i want..... them all!

is it normal to be this excited about a rug? 

my all time favorite rug (classic styling, affordable and easy to keep clean) is now in a couple new colors.  and i am LOVING them!  and then.... there's more.... there is a new pattern also in this fantastic category of  indoor/outdoor rugs by Dash and Albert and it is so, SO lovely. 

i know wool is the most comfortable and gets high marks for how easy it is to clean, but these polypropylene rugs are soft under foot and even after dog throw up (eww) and a red wine spill (oops), it is impossible to tell they have suffered so much abuse.

and here they are in all their indestructible glory:

and now the new pattern(s):

yes, i am a stripe freak.  yes i love rugs that can take a red wine spill and not show it at all (the rug pad did not survive), and yes, i love the colors.  all of them.  now the hard part: to decide which one will grace your space. 

*i have the diamond khaki and white in our living room with a dhurrie over it, and love it now as much as i did when we purchased it 6 years ago.  classic.

Get yours where I get mine:  Sustain INC.  ask for Lauren!

cleaning up is fun to do

organization - a goal for 2012 (and quite a few years leading up to 2012) and i'm taking a wild guess, but i bet it will be part of many future resolutions. 

we have done a pretty good job of not allowing toys to overwhelm our child house, especially in the living room (this is much easier, of course, if you have a playroom).  however a basket of toys is allowed in the living room (i'm not mommy dearest, but then again, i don't have one of those signs up that says "please excuse the mess the children are making memories"). 

either of these would be great:

Mountain Peaks Bath Basket

chic and in a great pattern that doesn't call out for too much attention.  i love it. 
right now we have:

Green Prayer Mat Basket

and these baskets hold a lot.  they are tough too - woven from plastic prayer mats (and now sold by tons of people, including Serena and Lily).  the amount of abuse they can take without letting it show is why  i'll get a few more and put all in the playroom. 

For our little girl's room, i'm considering ordering these from Pottery Barn Baby.  they are so cute!  i'm not usually one for cutesy stuff, but these may just inspire her to keep it neat up there (and she's almost 3 so they are age appropriate).  i prob won't label them (paints???  in a basket?  who's idea was that?)

toys CONTAINED. 
house neat. 
child can easily help clean up. 
mommy happy. 

*glass of wine and a magazine at the end of the night are in order.

hang ups allowed

my entry is a mess. 

coats and scarves - everywhere.  all the time (unless we are having company, in which case they are promptly thrown into a closet).

not sure i love the look of a traditional coat rack.  they take up floor space (much needed for baskets of shoes) and they feel stern and formal.

i did find a fun alternative:

Symbol Coat rach by Desu Design

i love that it is so minimal and so effective.  takes up very little space. also comes in chrome (the handles).