Autumn is a beautiful time of year for reflection. Maybe you feel the same way. While strolling over a wooden bridge today, kicking leaves and watching the breeze create ripples across a glassy pond, I paused for a moment to, well, pause. I felt a bit like Winnie the Pooh, a scarf neatly tied around my neck there in the forest, holding a stick in my hand meant for casting into the waters below. Seeing such pretty leaves relaxing there, I decided to sit down, legs dangling over the edge, watching. Reflecting. Taking a moment to pause.

You may notice it, but do you really watch the beauty around you? Stop for a moment and appreciate what you have by observing what is around you. There’s so much in motion, things we do not see until we ourselves pause… The raw, the untouched, things that human hands did not create, nor never need to touch in order for them to survive. A forest does fine on its own. Could we? The beauty of all the design that is around us. We talk about design so much, why not take your camera outdoors, amazing design is all around you. So many textures, colors, patterns… Even a fuzzy little snail is so well designed, so appealing to the eye, and yet it’s roaming the forest – long after this photo was snapped – living life and going about its business.

Growing, living, dying, breathing, changing. Reflecting on nature. The seasons. The golden month of October. These quiet moments give way to even deeper thoughts. Our life. As it is now and where it is heading. The reality of it all. The miracle of being alive. The way it feels to be loved, appreciated, touched. Learning. Exploring. Life is even more special when we allow ourselves to look deeper beyond the surface, to pause and reflect on the deeper things.

Appreciating beauty both seen (fallen leaves) and unseen (a crisp breeze carrying the scent of pine and burning wood in the air) is on my mind today. Natural design. Ridges and swirls and the bark on a tree. Me, a simple bear in the forest, collecting acorns, kicking chestnuts along a path, snapping photos, being alone. Where are you? Perhaps you should find a park today and go for a stroll. Pull out your camera and see what you can find. Snap what inspires you. It could result in your next collection. Your next work of art. An idea for your living room decor. Tell me, what’s on your mind today?

(photos by holly becker for decor8)

Okay peeps, listen up. This weekend is quite important if you’re over on the west coast and can get yourself to the FIRST EVER Design Public Warehouse Sale! I’m so jealous, I could pop! I would love to attend this… But given that I’m in Germany, it’s just not possible. Yeah I know, blah blah blah, poooor me. :)

Here’s the skinny on this totally phat sale…

Bay Area Warehouse Sale
October 14 + 15, 2006
From 40-75% off like-new items! Free coffee & donuts! (yum)

We’ll be opening our doors for a first-ever Warehouse Sale. For two days only you can view our entire stock of like-new returns and floor samples at savings of up to 75% off retail. Don’t miss this chance to save on furniture, rugs, bedding, lighting, kids & baby gear, pet supplies, and more.

What: The Design Public Warehouse Sale
When: 9 AM to 5 PM, October 14th (Saturday) and 15th (Sunday).
Where: Fort Mason Building D-100 (off main parking lot), San Francisco.
Parking: Parking is FREE for the first hour at Fort Mason.
Why: We are swimming in a massive stock of like-new returns. We need an excuse to serve coffee and donuts.
How: We’ll be accepting credit cards and cash only — no checks please! Come early for best selection!

Click here to see all the brands that you can scoop up.

Thanks Matt for the tip! You guys are going to have a rockin’ weekend, I just know it. Lots of success to you, and for all of you bargain shoppers – knock yourselves out! Sounds like a grand old time…

I’m signing off for the weekend, I’ll meet everyone back here on Monday to announce the winners of our Workspace Contest and to post lots of fresh finds from Germany and beyond! If you’re online this weekend, don’t forget to vote for your favorite entries. Just scroll down the blog and you’ll spot all 12 where you can insert your comments. Have fun, enjoy your weekend, and auf wiedersehen!

(images from design public)

A big shout out to Leah Hennen for including me in the latest HGTV Decorating Newsletter.

A decor8 reader, Leah spotted my post on Mixing Modern with Baroque and contacted me for a chat, resulting in her HGTV feature, Playing With Plastic.

Leah wrote a great piece, Clearly Cool, on chic design ideas for incorporating lucite and other clear plastic pieces into your home, including 4 steps to decorating with plastic in your own space. Enjoy!

(image from hgtv)

You may know Karen from her blog, K-Style. Now, catch a glimpse of her whimsical studio space (a garage!) in Oregon.

Here is my entry for workspace contest. Some fun details about my space. Besides blogging about design I am also a lampworker and design jewelry with the beads I create on a powerful torch. My studio is a corner in our unfinished garage. A few years ago I decided that I needed to do something to jazz up the space and make it a little less garage-like.

The name of the card I’ve chosen is Sunflower Too. I had a really great time with this contest. It was difficult choosing the one card for the space. Ultimately I chose Sunflower Too because both flowers and color are such a dominant theme in myspace. I posted about it on my blog with the two most likely card choices and we had a great design debate.

My inspiration was the flower napkin ring that you see in one of the photos which I had slipped over the lamp which lights my torch area. From there, I headed to Target, TJMaxx and my favorite dollar store to pull together my space with a “flower power” theme. The piece covering my chair is a table runner. All of the fabrics covering my Costco tables are tablecloths, and the daisy in the center is a placemat. Then I scattered playful, hot-colored kitchen throw rugs all around the space. The space really pops in our drab, sterile garage and now I love to go out there and torch. I had a great time with this contest. Too much fun!

Click on images for larger views.

COMMENTS?

(images by karen for decor8)