Comfort

It's been several weeks since my last blog. So much has happened. I just didn't have the energy to write and simply felt uninspired. As the weather has become colder and life is at times a challenge, one wants comfort and warmth around them. We all know of comfort foods that make us feel better. What about feeling that same comfort as you walk into your home. That homemade throw that your mother knitted for you, worthless objects that are priceless to you, the picture that once hung in your grandparents home that now hangs in your own and shelves of books that you can't bear to give away. Our homes should bring us happiness and be filled with not only objects we find beautiful but that also mean something to us. A Hermes blanket may be deliciously chic and exquisitely made, but that hand knitted throw will keep you warmer.

SWEDE ENVY

You Swedes... with your functional, beautiful, mega stylish interiors. Who do you think you are? You're probably in your perfectly whimsical, mix and match, Josef Frank filled homes right now. Losers. I kid, I kid. But really it's not fair how much good design is all around you.

Paper Art

I love paper in all it's forms, but I especially have a soft spot for paper art. It's just so delicate and amazing. I can't even begin to imagine how some of these designs were made. What an amazing craft to be able to work so intricately. Tord Boontje's Midsummer lamp and Until Dawn curtain are both great, accessible options for the paper art look in your home. If you can get your hands on a one of a kind piece- even better!

Smile

I always find it a little weird to walk into someone's home for the first time and see a gigantic wedding photo of them in their living room. It's almost like a shrine to themselves. Not to say that you shouldn't display life's important moments, but maybe you don't have to do it in such a formal way.

I love to see funny, candid shots. It's so much fun and makes the moments seem more REAL. You can mix family photos along with other images and objects for a more eclectic display. I really like the look of loose photos or polaroids on the wall. Just as if they were framed, they can be hung in a grid pattern or in more of a free form collage style. I found the image of the powder room with all the loose photos and loved it. Who says your family photos can't be in the bathroom or wherever you please. I like the informality... not so shrine-like. Unless your into that.

In the NAVY

I'm in my navy blue period right now. It started with navy nail polish and now I'm painting one of my rooms in the color. I love it, and I love wearing it. Navy's just so classic. It looks really great with pops of saturated color, like yellow and red and completely modern with white and natural. It's such a basic color, but I love it when it's used in unexpected ways.

Wallpaper love

I've been in a love affair with wallpaper for quite some time. The more colorful and mental the better. It's amazing what it can do for a room. Even if you just pick one wall to place it on. If you have commitment issues you may want to choose your design wisely. But don't think too hard about it. It's just wallpaper... it's not a tattoo. I have recently discovered a wallpaper source called Studio Nommo. Studio Nommo has some phenomenal designs that are created by up and coming graphic designers, photographers and illustrators. Another great source is Graham & Brown. There are some amazing designs out there just waiting to be pasted all over your walls.

Feeling Fall

I can never be quite happy that fall is coming. I'm too preoccupied with the fact that summer is almost gone. Then I remember.... the boots, the scarves, the warm colors and fabrics and I immediately snap out of it. Knits, brass, leather... so exciting. I just want to curl up on that leather butterfly chair, listen to Joni Mitchell and embroider. I want to wear capes and cowl neck scarves and pick apples. This particular cowl neck scarf is from Yokoo. Everything on her etsy page is beautiful and exactly right for fall. Now all I need is the cool weather.

Be still my beating heart

Every once in a while IKEA out does themselves, and they totally did with this new collection of textiles. The collection is called ANNAMOA. My favorite print is the mountains, I love the rams bucking horns. A couple of the designs are heavily influenced by Josef Frank. If you're not familiar with his designs you must look him up. You may not be able to afford Josef Frank fabric at $200 a meter, but you can definitely afford these. Thank god for democratic design!

Natural LUX

I think I was a geologist in another life because I'm completely blown away by these minerals. Who knew that sulfur could be so amazingly beautiful? The shapes and composition of these pieces are beyond...

I took these pictures at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. I have tons more, but these are my favorites. I couldn't stop myself I felt so inspired by all the colors and shapes. The quartz is so geometric and wild with it's crystals in every size and direction. The gold is so soft and curvilinear, almost like a wing. How amazing would it be to hang something like that on your wall??? The Pyrite looks like something Kelly Wearstler would have on her coffee table with it's smooth perfectly formed cubes growing out of the rough rockiness.

All of these minerals/elements really make me think how magical our world really is. It would be so great to bring a piece of that natural luxury into your home. Think of it as art- don't try to match it to your decor. Your pyromorphite doesn't have to coordinate with your throw pillows.

Marigold Budoir

I lost all interest in my home for about a year- shocking I know. I was happy to enjoy it just as it was (or just lazy enough to leave everything alone). But now I'm ready to shake things up a bit. I was never one hundred percent happy with the last time I changed my bedroom- the pallet was peacock inspired (Green, Teal and brown). This time around I want MARIGOLD! And more than anything I want it be different. I need fresh right now... not same old. Marigold is just that. It's fresh, warm and lovely. It will feel like summer in my bedroom all winter long. Of course, I can't leave chocolate out of the mix. Those of you who have seen my house know that chocolate is my go-to color. Just so things don't get too organic or matchy I like a smidge of magenta. And the cherry on top or "the little bit of ugly" is the antlers. Of course no deer will be harmed for the sake of design... they will be naturally shed horns (just think of them as found objects of the forest or gifts from Bambi). Also, how cool is the horse figure? Someone is sure to be selling a crazy horse figurine on ebay... I'll find one. I'm sure my bedroom will evolve a bit more as I start implementing it. I'll show you the "after" pictures once I'm finished.

Mellow Yellow and Mean Reds

I'm really inspired by this color combination right now. It's so striking and totally cheeky. It's not for the color shy. The image of the girl with the yellow shift and red tights is what started me on this rampage. It's from Kate Spade's new clothing collection. I love the red, yellow and caramel brown. So chic. Oh, and I think I found my new sofa.