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!