Layers of Lace

I have a box of antique lace gathered and carefully saved by my grandmother.  When she moved homes I became the recipient of the lovely collection.  Sometimes I will open it and look through the delicate pieces, but I haven't found quite what I want to do with all the beautiful lace.  I would like to incorporate a couple pieces into handmade clothing for E (and perhaps C too, you don't find a lot of lace on baby boys!)  But I'd like to incorporate it into some more lasting projects, and today I'm finding some inspiration...

Lace lanterns plus inky-blue paint = the mood has been set

These lace cards would make pretty invitations or thank-yous

Delicate colors invite you to sit and stay awhile

This vintage doily looks right at home on this mustard pillow

I like this idea of wrapping lace around terracotta pots, probably best for indoor plants!

A great idea for small scraps of lace - this adorable coin purse has been retro-updated

Such a cozy fort - with "stars" cast to the sky through that lovely crocheted lace throw

The lace detailing, the tomato red saturated color, I think I should bring this number home (as a tunic!)

Another great use for lace scraps - this pendent necklace is a beautiful statement

So what do you think I should do with all my lace?  For now, it all goes back in the box, and I will go back to dreaming...

Stay creative,
A

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Kitchen Inspirations...

My E.

In my house growing up our kitchen seemed big - now that I am grown I know that it was a modest size, which is why it seems my poor mom was always shoeing us out (that and our propensity for snacking on whatever she was cooking).  In my imaginary house, I dream of a kitchen that acts as the heart and hearth of the home - a gathering spot, warm and welcoming. 

I am drawn to the light brightness of white kitchens with natural woods mixed in (a departure from my younger self that was enamored with cherry wood cabinetry).  

Love the white cabinets, beautiful open wood shelves, and apron sink! (source)

The pretty sink, the aqua paint, the subway tile and open shelves...can you sense a theme?? (source)

Nearly perfect - though I would prefer a gas range that is not situated on the island.  Love the butcher block tops! (source)

The glass shelves with plants are perfect - I would have a year-round indoor herb garden. (source)

More and more I am becoming a fan of interesting but neutral(ish) backgrounds with bold pops of color.  I'm drawn to whites, greys and shades of teal/aqua for paint colors.  I like accents that can change with the seasons or my tastes.  Vintage pieces are great not only for their uniqueness, but often are well crafted and are more economical AND ecological than buying new.  Also, I *heart* enamelware...but that is for another post!

I love the pops of red and big beautiful sink!  Such a bold color palette. (source)

All the color and vintage glassware, pretty much a dream come true! (source)

I am on the lookout for these...seriously. (source)

I like the mix of classic and modern styling with a touch of vintage - especially the new wave of ovens and refrigerators that combine retro styling with modern functionality!

Love this slender and colorful fridge - the hard part would be picking what color. Aqua? Cream? (source)

These are the touches that can change the whole look of the room. (source)

 You can see more of my kitchen inspirations here.

What do you dream about for your kitchen?  Please share - I'm always looking for more inspiration!!

Stay creative,
A

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Beautifully Industrial

source

Sometimes the most beautiful things are also the most functional.  I think Charles and Ray Eames got it right when they focused on making furniture that went beyond the functional to the beautiful, without being overly ornate.  The beauty wasn't in filigrees or other intricacies, the beauty of their work is within the body of the piece on a whole - so the beauty isn't in a hand-turned chair rail, but rather in the curves and overall shape of the chair.  They brought beauty to the masses.  In our modern-day lives there is always the pull between the ugly-but-practical and beautiful-but-impractical.  I'd like to argue, however, that we can still find beauty in well-made, practical pieces.  Sometimes that means seeking out smaller shops, sometimes it means searching for vintage wares that have stood the test of time, and sometimes it's sitting quietly on a shelf at a big box store - you just have to keep your eyes open!

This nomadic pack is amazing - waxed canvas, a hammock and a detachable lap-top bag - it brings a whole new feeling to "roughing it" and I'd really like for it to find a way to my home!

A nice example of simple, industrial beauty.  Aged wood crates up-cycled with poppy bright casters.  If you are handy you could easily make these at home.  Or you could buy them here.

I love the sparkling white porcelain and chrome, the petite size, and the idea of 

having a water fountain (bubbler!) in my own home.

 We had these knobs on all the doors on the second floor of the old, Victorian farmhouse I grew up in.

This amazingly designed wood stove truly captures the idea of beauty within function 

(though I'm not sure how practical it would be unless created on a much larger size.)

Rustic plank dining tables just ooze character and charm, beauty and function.

Someday I hope to have a vintage dress form of my own - oh the places we could go 

(and dresses we could make!)

Want to see some other beautifully industrial collections?  Look here and over here.

Stay creative,
A

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Have a Seat

(source)

Today I rested in our big brown chair - I should note, our living room is made up of our couch and our brown chair, which actually fits two people (people who should know each other and be comfortable cuddling!)  Our couch was one of the first things we got as a couple when we lived in our tiny one-bedroom apartment many moons ago.  Since it was our only seating for years and years, it's been well loved.  I feel like we have turned a corner in our lives, though, because now the couch seems to belong to the dog and the kiddo (the dog sleeps, the kiddo bounces).  Not to worry, we are not getting rid of it anytime soon - we are confident we can reclaim it at some point down the road - but this did give me the opportunity to do some "window shopping" (online, of course!)  Here are a few seats that I'm currently loving (notice none of them are couches - heh!)...

(it's a chair! it's a rocker! it's a couch!)

 (pretty lines, pretty fabric)

(love the bold color)

Here are some lovely Eames chairs - are they seating or are they art?  Someday I hope we have one too...

(hush)

(kinda magical)

(I would like this, please!)

(perfect pop of colors)

Psst...I also shared these photos on Pinterest, in case you're interested!!

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Bathroom Brainstorm

(grey+yellow+white=pretty!)

A few months ago we made some big moves in the house - switching bedrooms, painting, and setting up my studio.  The dust has settled...but today I noticed our bathroom...which has already been painted (by me) three times.  It was cream, then brown (which my dad described as looking like, well, you know), then to a much-too-light yellow and back to a yellowy-cream.  The color is fine, but it needs a bit of sprucing.  We have a large brown towel rack that just doesn't fit and a smaller cabinet from Target that we have had for ten years - pressed wood and plastic, not really our style anymore, but it functions, so it's hard to get rid of.  Then there are our towels which have seen better days, but again, they may not look pretty, but they still work!

My plan of action: dye, paint, use what we've got!   

- Our towels will get a dye job of darkish-gray.  This will be a thin line to walk - too light and they just look dirty, too deep and they will make the room too dark.  I like these:

- The shower curtain, which is currently cream, will also get dyed a shade of gray, perhaps a touch lighter than the towels.

- The cabinet will get a fresh coat of high-gloss white paint and the handles will either be switched out or painted black.

(look at the white pop!)

- The top of the cabinet will get stenciled.  I really like this pattern:

- Accessories will stick with the color scheme as well...gray, yellow, white and perhaps touches of a light spa-blue

(pretty apothecary glass)

Here are some other bathrooms (much bigger than ours) that I'm also drawing inspiration from.

 

(pretty mirrors!)

(such a soft balance)

(love the barn door!)

When all is said and done - I'll be sure to post a before and after!!  What part of your house do you want to spruce up?  Has the spring cleaning bug bitten you yet??

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Blizzard? Blanket!

Here in Chicago we had a bit of snow and, well, I won't be able to get my car out of the alley for awhile yet.  Thank goodness for public transportation!  Our poor dog nearly got lost in the snow drifts this morning and I'm a little achy after hours of shoveling.  The best part about snow days like today are snuggling in with a good book or movie and a warm blanket.  Speaking of, here are a few that look pretty darn nice to me...

Who knew granny-squares could be so chic?!

 Happiness in blanket form, plain and simple.

A modern take on a baby blanket with upcycled felted wool - the burnt sienna and gray color combo may be a new favorite!

These kid-friendly blankets just make me happy - I'd take all three!!!

A classic patchwork, understated beauty, and certainly warm!

The bold pops of red on this vintage quilt remind me of warmer weather to come (soon, I hope!)

This soft gray blanket would be snuggly!

A sophisticated color combination in a warm vintage wool.

With all this snuggling, this is the perfect final addition, something to rest your head on!

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