A few of my favorite things: Design Evolution

Hello all, this is Michelle from the blog Design Evolution stopping by decor8 for a visit while Holly is making her big move. When Holly first asked me to participate in her August guest series, “A few of my favorite things” I was super excited to be a part of it. I must admit putting this post together turned out to be an interesting exercise as I realized my home is full of many “things” but not too many of them favorites. Taking a little journey through my space with a camera in hand I was able to find those few things that bring me peace or make me smile and a room where I feel truly relaxed and at home.

My house didn’t really start to feel like a home until I brought in some artwork. While I can’t quite afford original art pieces I have begun collecting prints from my some of my favorite artists. It is such an inexpensive way to fill your home with beautiful images. Online marketplaces like etsy, artfire, etc. have introduced me to so many independent artists and I’m so thankful for them. Before I discovered them I could only dream of owning works from independent artists and now I have many.

My grandfather was a meticulous photographer who kept amazing notes about the exposure, f.stop, film type, etc. for every photo he took. He was also great at organizing his photographs into albums and cataloging many family events. I’m so grateful to have these photo albums that track my family’s life in Cuba from even before my father was born. I know I will never be as disciplined as he was but he certainly inspires me to better organize photos of family and friends now because I know future family members will appreciate them.

This little corner of my kitchen is my happy place on early mornings. You can not expect me to complete a coherent sentence until I have had my first cup of coffee. The routine has become cheerier with the addition of two Orla Kiely canister that hold my coffee and sugar and print from one of my favorite etsy shops Yumi Yumi.

Some part of my home is often torn apart or in the middle of a crazy home improvement project that is no doubt over my head. During the chaos my bedroom is always the place where I can escape the mess and relax. There are no jarring colors and while there are certainly things I would like to change about the room I hold back while the rest of the house is torn apart. I close the door, curl under the covers, turn out the light and everything is right with the world.

And my most favorite thing in my entire home, except for my boyfriend of course, is my puppy Milo. He is number one on my list of things that I would grab if there was a fire and I had to run out the door. A puppy can certainly drive you nuts at times (especially those times when they chow down on your favorite pair of shoes) but you quickly forget those times when you walk in the door after a particularly rough day and that adorable little face couldn’t be more excited to see you and only you. It’s also very rewarding to know that I’ve made this poor abandoned puppy’s life better then he could have every imagine it would be. Holly I know you’ve mentioned that you might like to get a dog once you’re settled in Germany and I definitely recommend it. I wonder if he will only understand German commands :)

So there you have it, a few of my favorite things. Leave it to Holly to sneak some healthy introspection into what appears to be a fun and light assignment. Must be what makes Holly such a great teacher. Taking this photo journey around my home has made me realize that I need to work a bit harder to fill my home with only things that I really love and not just things that I think I need.

Good luck on journey and best wishes to you and Thorsten. We will all miss you while you’re settling and can’t wait to follow along on your new adventures. Finally, Holly asked that I end a favorite piece of advice. At this stage of my life these words from the Persian poet Rumi, “Let What You Love Be What You Do” resonate quite strongly. Life is too short to be dragging your feet. Embrace every moment running, jumping, playing and most importantly doing what makes you truly happy. -Michelle

(images: design evolution)

Tags: favorite things

29 Responses to “Design Evolution: Favorite Things”

1 Casey commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 8:59 am

What a wonderful post, Michelle. Your words and photos made my morning. I also collect art from Independent artists through Etsy and I love how each piece makes me feel happier and unique. Your puppy is adorable!
2 EB Finds commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am

I am trying to decide what color frames to use for a collection of family photos (dark or light). The simple white frames look great together!
EB Finds´s last blog ..Summer Garden Treat
3 Tricia McKellar commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 9:29 am

Loved the peek at your home! Your grandfather’s photos are a real treasure! :)
Tricia McKellar´s last blog ..Set of Four 5×5 TTV Photographs. Through the Viewfinder Fine Art Photographs by Tricia McKellar.
4 Ashlyn commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 9:40 am

I love your prints from the first photo! Especially the little bird. So cute.
Who are some of your favorite independent artists?
Ashlyn´s last blog ..A Home to Covet
5 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 9:52 am

Oh, I love this one so much….you sound like an absolute sweetheart Michelle and I love your little corners of happiness! Your artwork is beautiful(curious about what the little orange print says and where it came from, and also the tiny little owl..so cute!) Love those orla kiely canisters so much and yumi yumi is such a great shop! Your bedroom is so lovely and serene….I love the color and that branch is perfect. And last, but not least I love your little sweet doggie(of course) and the lovely sentiment you said at the end. I agree, wholeheartedly and thank you for sharing your home with us!
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Tea & Talk: Julie Whitmore
6 The Other Tiffany commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:00 am

Love this look into the corners of your home Michelle. Both your blog and Holly’s are great inspiration to me everyday!
The Other Tiffany´s last blog ..LBSS Coffee Tables – The Choice
7 Travelingmama commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:36 am

I love your favorite things, Michelle! My husband and I were just laughing about how our first artwork were his bachelor Van Gogh posters that his mom put up. Ugh!! We HAD to get rid of those! I love finding prints on Etsy. There is something so personal about knowing the artist and having a connection to him or her.
Travelingmama´s last blog ..encore {performance}
8 Molly commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am

Any chance you could tell us where the print in the first photo (birds with orange flowers) came from?
Love the photos btw. :)
9 Molly commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:49 am

Nevermind, I found it on Etsy! :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29604392&ref=sr_gallery_10&&ga_search_query=white+birds+orange&ga_search_type=category&category=art&ga_page=&order=&includes=tags&includes=title
10 Frugal Bon Vivant commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am

Love the Orla Kiely tins and in the coffee corner!
Frugal Bon Vivant´s last blog ..Free Beef Ramen @ Pei Wei Asian Diner
11 joselyn commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 11:08 am

Love the Ora Kiely canisters and your serene bedroom. Simplicity is always the best way to go. Thanks for letting us peak into your home.
joselyn´s last blog ..Everyone is Creative – Proof Positive
12 Mrs. M commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am

love the old photos, LOVE the puppy and looooove the YumiYumi prints! I’ve been meaning to get one for the longest time but can never decide which one!
Mrs. M´s last blog ..my fair lady
13 Anita Dawoodi commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Hi Michelle,
Congrats on your guest post! Beautiful pictures and encouraging words. Sometimes it can get quite lonely sitting behind the PC and it is hard to see the bigger picture. As Holly says one step at the time …
I love your cute little white vases!
Anita, Austria
ps: I will come over for coffee tomorrow morning – your special corner looks quite inviting! ;)
Anita Dawoodi´s last blog ..Neues von Car-Möbel
14 jen commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

love your post. may i ask, what color is your bedroom? i’m looking for something similar for my bedroom.
15 nichole commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

The puppy … gasp. So adorable.

Loved seeing your favorite glimpses of your corner of the world.
nichole´s last blog ..Morning!
16 leslie commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Thank you for sharing your favorite things! Your art collection is so cheery and fun! Wow -what a present from your grandfather… such an amazing collection of your family history.
leslie´s last blog ..Pinks, Melons and Peach
17 Kaitlin commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

lovely post and adorable puppy! I know my dog is def my fav thing.
Kaitlin´s last blog ..black tights
18 The Bella Girls commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

Your style is alot like mine so, naturally, I LOVED EVERYTHING! Thanks for sharing.

~Camberley
19 Petergaye S. Kisielewicz/Yahgie commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:00 pm

I love the wall art and you are right it is a inexpensive way to fill your home with beautiful images.
Petergaye S. Kisielewicz/Yahgie´s last blog ..These are a few of my favorite things
20 jessica commented:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

hi michelle. i really enjoyed your post. i love yumi yumi and i love your bedroom! so tranquil.
21 tiffaney jewel commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 1:20 am

My cat understands german commands… though I dont know why, as we live in California.

Im so in love with the Orla Kiely line, but my kitchen is already over run with things from the Merry Mushroom collection and I doubt my fiance would appreciate anymore 70s-esque stuff.
22 ana commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 3:09 am

Lovely bedroom:)
ana´s last blog ..Skalldyrsuppe
23 Aiyana Laughed commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 4:45 am

Lovely home, specially the bedroom! Do you remember where you got the linens and pillows from?
Aiyana Laughed´s last blog ..Something for the house I don’t have yet
24 michelle commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Thanks everyone you are all so sweet.

Melissa you’re such a doll. I hear from Marichelle that we’re practically neighbors. We should have coffee some day :) The orange print says “You are so amazingly fabulous! Just so you know.” I actually have a set of four from this shop: http://tinyurl.com/lcper8

Molly, that’s it. I have several prints from the Yumi Yumi shop.

Aiyana laughed – the bedding is from west elm, i don’t think they have it in stock anymore but a quick ebay search found some sets http://tinyurl.com/nqn3lb

Jen – my bedroom is Lazy Gray from Sherwin Williams, good name for a bedroom color right? The branches are a few shades darker on the same color strip.
michelle´s last blog ..Home Tour: Lara Bobo from Enid
25 Cookie Cutter commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Lovely collection of art prints. They look really good in the white frames!
Cookie Cutter´s last blog ..Pretty in Pink
26 Wendren commented:
August 27th, 2009 at 11:50 pm

What you say about a home not feeling like a home untill you have hung your chosen art on the walls could not be more true. I am half way through ‘hanging’ and already the ‘house’ is changing and feels more like a ‘my’ home. Art is a great thing and small prints, as you say, are very affordable. I’m going to go right now and put up the pictures on the wall I havent gotten round to yet… :)
Wendren´s last blog ..A little bit of yellow sunshine (Merry-go-round)
27 Jennifer commented:
August 29th, 2009 at 12:57 am

Your bedroom looks like such a peaceful place and your puppy is adorable!!

Thank you for sharing with us!

xoxo
Jennifer´s last blog ..The OC Fashion Haul
28 mjane commented:
August 31st, 2009 at 10:23 am

where is your bedding from? what designer? it’s gorgeous.
29 Penny Patten commented:
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:34 am

What a lovely collection of prints and old photo’s.

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