I just read such a lovely interview with former Domino magazine Editor-in-Chief Deborah Needleman over on Natalie Walton’s blog Daily Imprint.

If you didn’t catch that, you must check it out. I have to quote Deborah for just a moment because I love how she defines what she thinks makes a truly stylish person. I think it shakes up the typical impression one has when they think of successful New York stylist, writer, designer… I once only imagined ruthless and pretentious types (ha ha Hollywood films and television series didn’t help!) but Domino did a great job of bringing in those who possessed genuine passion for the magazine and decorating vs. those who simply had talent for design and a massive attitude problem. Domino had heart and soul.

Natalie asked Deborah who inspires her and she replied so perfectly, “People with great style who live easily and happily with it. Many seemingly stylish people are pretty awful — fussy and uptight. But I am interested in style that is expansive, that makes lives more beautiful and the people in your life happier. This goes back I guess to the team we put together at domino: I am really inspired by many of the people there like Rita Konig, Dara Caponigro, Sara Costello, Stella Bugbee. I am also really inspired by women who are focused, smart and accomplish a lot while never becoming one of those scary businesswomen, if that makes any sense.”

I also love her thoughts on how she created a strong team and how she views that as her proudest career achievement. “It was a collection of the most talented, wonderful, kind and hilarious people ever. We never made a space for someone who might have been gifted but was difficult or tricky.” Truly great words!

The above photo was shown first in the NYTimes in 2007, you simply must view her home tour there if you didn’t see that already.

(images: deborah needleman, her home in NYC)

There is one thing I think that we can sometimes misplace during the course of a lifetime. Of course we can get it back again, but it’s good to try not to lose it in the first place. It’s our sense of curiosity. Not really for things we’re naturally interested in, but for those in which we are not.

Children tend to explore a lot more than adults, when we age we start to fall into comfort zones and ruts and forget that once in them we can always crawl out and allow ourselves to become curious explorers once again. That is why I frequently reference things that are not always associated closely to decorating, but that I think can help us all to stay out of comfort zones and ruts because I believe they can be comfortable little traps, we become like birds in cages and forget how flying really felt.

So when you are out and about, look for things that you would not normally find yourself trying to find. In a bookstore, go to a section that you never visit. In a store, hit a food aisle with things that you normally do not buy, and buy them — I like to experiment in the international foods section and in the organic areas because if I had my way I think I would eat the same food every single day.

And this brings me to the point of this blog post: Real Simple Weddings. Huh? You say? Well I believe that a creative person can find inspiration from random places, not always in your favorite design showroom or boutique. In my case, I find lots of inspiration in Bridal magazines, not so much the white flowing gowns but all of the little embellishments and flowers and just the sheer delightful details of it all — and I often think of ways to interpret what I see into the home. For instance, in the 2010 issue of Weddings by Real Simple there are many gorgeous images to enjoy that show several combination’s of colors and patterns that perhaps you’d not thought to combine before. You can interpret them into your wardrobe, home, even your makeup palette. I sat here this morning flipping through it after breakfast and felt inspired to share some of my favorite pages with you.

And yes, I am a columnist on RealSimple.com (for two years already!) but they are not paying me to say any of this and trust me, I get zero brownie points for this post. This is merely a sincere observation that I had concerning how so much can inspire us that we often fail to notice. If you happen to pick up this issue, it’s a special edition so it costs around $14, turn to pages 72-75. These are my absolute favorite parts — two pages show color palettes that I think can be amazingly helpful in many ways — you can cut them out, clip into small sizes, and laminate — keeping them in your wallet or purse for quick reference when you are shopping. Having a palette on you can be extra helpful when you are looking for gift wrap + accessories, clothing, even flowers and of course, home accessories.

Sometimes I stand in the middle of a flower shop feeling overwhelmed by the color choices that having a quick cheat sheet, a palette reference, would certainly help me. Then I could focus and quickly select colors that I may not naturally put together, or even pair certain ribbons or vases with my flowers that I may not have thought of before. Then the palette suggestions in the magazine are followed by two pages of flowers, illustrations of some of our favorite blooms with text that lists the flower name, season, color, along with important facts like the Anemone, “The blooms’ back centers add a striking graphic quality to bouquets”. I found that a simple yet helpful thought. So in the home, they would do the same in a vase on the coffee table.

If you happen to grab a copy of this issue, let me know if it inspired you or not and whether or not you found the color palette and flower tips to be helpful.

(images: holly becker for decor8)

Good morning! I’m certain that this will soon be on every single design blog out there, but I’m going to post it anyway because c’mon – look at this furniture – how can I resist? These beauties (stool, table, wallpaper and lampshade) are from Irish design studio Superfolk who just launched their new range of products at the Stockholm Furniture Fair currently in progress. I’m betting they’ll be a huge hit.

“Superfolk is an independent design studio established by Gearoid Muldowney in 2008. The studio’s heart is in the craft of production, be that hand made or industrial. Superfolk’s products are a tribute to Ireland’s heritage of object making, playfully referencing a way of life rooted in the land, its animals and its weather whilst also striving to emulate the sensitivity and sustainability of the vernacular approach. The studio is focused on working with locally sourced Irish materials and strives for innovation in its approach to natural resources such as wool, wood and leather.”

When I see this furniture I imagine a modern Irish pub with these tables and stools, something very streamlined, social, friendly, but not as traditional as the classic Irish pub — a bit of a nod to it with a more modern take. Wouldn’t that be grand? Or perhaps placing the stools in an entry way or using the table as a desk in your office — these pieces work in so many different environments! What do you think?

(images: superfolk)

I’ve talked about Danish home brand Bloomingville by TrendKompagniet before, but it’s been awhile and with Spring and gardening on my mind a lot lately I’ve been looking for some inspiring products that bring a breath of fresh air into the home. Bloomingville is a brand that you can find in Germany, and it is gaining in popularity like many other Danish and Swedish labels that are starting to find many loyal customers here.

This is the time of the year that I enjoy because Winter melts into clear, warm days and slowly you begin to find clothes and home accessories that fill you with the promise of flirty sundresses and brightly-colored wellies. Over the weekend I bought the cutest pale gray shoes and visited Noa Noa where you can find some of the loveliest Spring fashion ever. My white narcissus also bloomed on my windowsill after waiting several weeks though the transformation from bulb to bloom is always a pleasure to watch… I think it is because of being a gentle reminder of the patience we need to have in order to grow and blossom – beauty does not come overnight!

Don’t you enjoy the product shots from Bloomingville above? I do, though they are a bit too country for my taste I see many that I can mix and match into a more modern home with clean lines and that is what I live about Bloomingville, there is something for everyone. Did you notice the dresser in the top left photo? It looks like it was painted with light grey chalkboard paint. I love the idea of pale gray chalkboard paint, many tend to go with black chalkboard paint on the walls which is lovely but upon seeing this I think gray appeals to me a bit more right now I think. What about you?

I need to run off to teach a class for a few hours, so I’ll be back a little later…

(images: bloomingville)

Well here we are again, meeting up virtually for some inspiration and decorating ideas. But before we get started, how was your weekend? Did you accomplish all you had hoped? I had a nice weekend but ended up not finishing all of my work because I started watching French films and once I start I cannot stop! I love French movies and have several favorite actors from Paris — one being Romain Duris, do you know him? He was in both “Paris” and “Molière”, both are films that I highly recommend for the atmosphere and acting, but also the ability they have to lift you from your seat, transporting you into another place and time.

Paris was a film that I think all who complain about life should watch because the story is very touching and surely will make you cry but also may help you to value your life a little more. We need films like that now and then, don’t we? It’s so easy to whine and fall into the habit of complaining, feeling as though enough is never enough. All it takes is Romain Duris in this film to realize that so many of us have it really, really well.

Romain is such a gem to watch, what a talent… and I loved his apartment, especially the scenes from his balcony shown above where he cultivates a few plants and flowers. You know what? I’m one of the few who has been glad that the weather is so gray because I’ve finally had the time to watch some of my DVDs and through them I have been gaining inspiration and encouragement – a few movies I suggest from my most recently viewed list, French and other, include: Paris, Molière, The Reader, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Coco Before Chanel (love), Miss Potter, Priceless and The Science of Sleep (so creative!).

I’ll be back soon with some Monday inspirations for you, so I’ll see you soon. xo

Oh and a BIG P.S. – It has been confirmed that I’ll be in the April 2010 issue of Myself magazine, a woman’s magazine in Germany published by Conde Nast. It will be on newsstands March 17th and the article is about “pro” bloggers in Germany, I’ll be profiled along with Nicole from Delicious Days and I believe one other though I’m unsure of whom so I’ll have to wait until March 17th.

(photo: cinemovies)

It’s about that time to sign off for the weekend and wish you farewell until Monday. What plans do you have? Anything fun? Remember, you have to fit in some play into the mix. I am going to work but on things that are really important to me like the materials for the class I’m teaching, a downloadable PDF for my students, and I’m going to work on a secret project that I have collaborated with three other local designers on to hopefully make a dream come true here later this year.

The Happy Home & Dora iz Londona.

I also have a little surprise that I’m working on for those of you who love Paris, I should have that ready next week too. :) Of course, I will do some fun things in addition to all of my work including a flea market visit in the morning and tomorrow night is date night with my husband. Hubba Hubba. Hey ladies what can I say? You have to keep the magic alive. :)

Trisha Brink Design & Miss Melba.

Don’t you think these images above set the mood for a relaxing weekend? I WANT that blue tub. Oh yes, I do… I had a tub like that only once in my lifetime and I wish I had appreciated it back then the way I would now. It’s so pretty, don’t you think? And deep. There is nothing like a deep tub that leaves nothing above water if you know what I mean! And bubbles. Must have bubbles. And candles and music and relaxing oil. But there is something you may not do in the tub that I do. I listen to Justin Timberlake. There’s nothing like a little Justin by candlelight in the tub. And Sia. Must have Sia in the tub, too. Do you like her? She just announced her tour dates so if you do, make sure you go see her live if she’s coming to a stage near you. I hear she’s a magical performer. Death by chocolate is one of those songs you just sink into. Kind of like that tub.

Okay so I’ve shared my plans, what are yours? I hope you have a lovely weekend and I’ll meet you back here on Monday! Schönes Wochenende!

xo, Holly

(photos: linked to their sources above.)

Flor Panichelli in London is the artist behind the whimsical works found in the Sweet Bestiary shop. It’s hard to not gush about Flor’s work, it’s truly incredible and so well done – from the color palette she works with to the way she brings all her little characters to life with her very detailed eye – it’s fantastic.

Someday, and I mean someday so please don’t start commenting to ask when I’m having a baby or if I’m pregnant (he he I get that every single time I mention anything about children’s rooms), but I would love to put work like this in a child’s room. But perhaps before then, I can even see something on a shelf or wall in a work studio and certainly in a pretty little shop.

(images: flor panichelli)

Here is an encouraging feel good story for you… This past Monday I showed the photographs of Maria Kallin from Stockholm, do you recall? If not, here is the post. On Monday, she only had her photos on Flickr and today on Friday, she has a beautiful Etsy shop! Can you believe it? Now this is what I call inspiring — she didn’t wait, she got on it and now she sells her photos in a shop. I love this. Maria you’re so inspiring.

I was so thrilled when she wrote to me to tell me the news, here is what she said and I’m posting it because I think you all need to know that YOUR comments here and also over on Flickr REALLY encouraged Maria and how you helped her to make a difference in her life – to have the confidence to sell her work. Do you ever think for a moment that your comments do not matter to the artists and designers that are featured on blogs? They matter very much and this is a great example of how what you say on the blogs that you visit can truly make or break a person.

“I just want to thank you so much for writing about my photos at your blog, I got a lot of very nice responses and the views at Flickr have never been higher than that day. :) So you really made my day and I was especially happy since I have been reading your blog for a while and like it alot, it’s a very inspiring blog. I just want to tell you I made a shop at Etsy now, I saw some that where asking about that and thought to myself, “alright I’ll throw in some photos for sale then” :)

Maria THANK YOU for “throwing” some in – they’re great! Congratulations.

(images: maria kallin)

We always hear about beautiful homes in San Francisco, Paris, London… but how about giving the lesser known spots on this planet a little love, like Olomouc in the Czech Republic! If you have no clue where Olomouc even is, then visit this link for an overview. I recently talked to 26-year-old graphic designer and photographer Jan Skácelík via email about his great apartment which I found because he posted shots of it in my Interior Styling group on Flickr where he is a member. And since his home hasn’t appeared on this blog yet, I figured it would be fun to share something fresh with you today.

Jan says that he is inspired by design blogs like Apartment Therapy and decor8 and is a big fan of mid century modern design and illustrations from that era and his books from the 50s and 60s give him a lot of inspiration too. I think you can really see this in his amazing apartment. Don’t you love it? Someone recently posted on decor8 in the comments section that they have the impression that in Europe homes all have high ceilings and white walls and I just smiled because that is mostly what European blogs, at least in the northern parts, show the most but of course not everyone lives in old buildings here with white walls.

I personally love white walls and apartments that are flooded with light, particularly now because here in northern Germany the days are not so long and it can be mostly gray during the winter so the more light I can trap in the house the better! Plus where I live you can find lots of old buildings with apartments for rent and the standard look in most of them is white walls and high ceilings along with other things like large windows which are typical here. Especially in the buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most northerners use either bright colors on the walls or white because it helps to brighten the rooms during the cold long winter. You can find some homes with really bright yellow and orange walls here too because these hues warm up a space and give the feeling of light and sunshine. But, because I personally like to have flexibility with my decorating and tend to pull in different colors each season, I usually change the prints on my walls and the cushions on my sofa to bring in new colors and so I keep my walls white though I have wallpaper that I am dying to hang in yellow so that should be installed within the next year or so when I find a new flat. I digress…

But yes, back to the clearly talented Jan who obviously is inspired by the mid century color palette so I can see why he has chosen such bold choices and think that they are quite lovely – a yellow sofa, bright red accents — it’s all just great and he does what some who have mid century modern furniture have a hard time doing — his finds look very modern, fresh and current because he mixes them with energetic colors and newly purchased finds. Some have similar pieces but mix in colors that make them look almost older and not so fresh but with all that white, bright red, yellow and blue he really injects spirit and makes his pieces come alive so that they fit this century. Great style, Jan!

(images: Jan Skácelík)

I love the Dutch brand Nooosugar! Have you heard of them? They wrote to me just yesterday to introduce themselves and the second I clicked over to their website it was insta-love because I find comfort in simplicity and balance these days and enjoy clean, modern design with a dash of bohemian ethnic style more and more. It’s very peaceful I think, it feels special — even a little luxurious and resort-like don’t you think? Nooosugar has all of that in one impressive shop. I was surprised to learn that they are decor8 readers, which came as a pleasant surprise because it’s really such a small world online, you know?

Anja Bas Backer told me about her company that she runs alongside partner Susanne Houx — they have had an online shop for only a year but they are growing and doing quite well. I learned that 90% of what you see on their site is their own designs and handmade by artisans in Morocco and all unique as there’s only a few of each product available in stock. These ladies are so talented with such a great eye for style. The cushions are handwoven striped cloth and one-of-a-kind for example. I love the striped curtains, I imagine them as a canopy over a bed or perhaps on the patio slung casually over a bamboo rod above a table for a laid-back lunch. So pretty!

If you are interested in ordering from them and you do not speak Dutch you can write to Anja via email in English and she’ll answer you – she is very nice and helpful (info AT nooosugar.nl).

(images: nooosugar, taken by photographer Brigitte Kroone)

This is one seriously talented photographer that you’ll want to bookmark for sure. Canadian talent Coco Amardeil lives in Paris and displays such character and maturity in her work – I love how she tells stories that range from serious to ironic, graphic, even humorous and always with the best light and color. These photos really put me in the mood for Spring and boots on chairs, photographing china in the streets and hopping in the dryer for a little spin! Ha! So creative and imaginative… you are sure to love the details in each of these photos below.

I discovered Coco just this morning through a publicist in Paris who wrote to me about the new work from French textile designer Anne Hubert and I noticed that Coco Amardeil took the photos of her Spring collection. It’s always fun to play connect-the-dots online, you find the most amazing talent that way! P.S. If you are looking for some fun music to cheer up your day, visit Coco’s blog and click on the music player on the lower left corner of her home page. Enjoy!

(images: coco amardeil)

Speaking of awesome web shops, have you heard of Eden & Eden? They have a storefront in San Francisco that was shot by Jen Siska (shown below) but in addition to their gorgeous retail space they have an equally inspiring online space that is simple to navigate with exceptional products…

I see so many things that I want to buy like the wooden button coasters and the braided ring in gold which is by Tatty Divine in London whom I’m a fan of. And HELLO don’t you love the black & white wallpaper behind their cash register? :)

Speaking of photographer Jen Siska, she recently photographed the kitchen of San Francisco artist and shop co-owner Lisa Congdon for Dwell magazine — you can view those photos here.

(images: jen siska)