From my title you may assume this post will be about some dumb new American reality show where beauty competes against brains to win the bachelor or something. But no, I’m simply pulling together inspiration for my next apartment (we’re currently on the hunt) and I thought I’d share some from Skona Hem in Sweden and they happen to include a rack and some books and I am simply making an attempt at being clever with my quirky title.
I love the pendant above, though I wonder if little Greta is missing her ballet tutu and hasn’t thought to look up? And I’m digging the clothes rack in the home below, not because I’d ever consider doing it now (my clothes are not nearly as hip as this homeowner), but because I had one from an old store in my bedroom in Boston for years and my friends would laugh at me for not having a proper closet. They thought it was so tragic that I had a vintage rolling clothes rack in my bedroom. I wish I could have pulled out this exact photograph below to prove to them that I wasn’t only too broke to afford a proper closet, but apparently I was hip and cool to have even used one in the first place. Plus we all know that once the Swedish give something their stamp of approval that things we once saw as strange suddenly become Oh My God desirable.
What do you think of books with pretty covers displayed as art? I see this idea in lots of decorating magazines here where a series of 3 shelves are installed, usually slim ones with lips created specifically for leaning art against the wall, and instead of photos and prints you see cookbooks or artsy books. I loved this idea when I first spotted it a few years ago and the more I see it lately I’m considering the idea for my kitchen. Would you do it? Anything in these images that catches your eye?
(photos: skona hem)
I’m so star-struck by stylist and author Shannon Fricke in Australia. I wait for her posts in my inbox and the very second I see one I immediately click over and fall in love. Take this gorgeous image she posted below for example, this is something that she recently styled for a magazine… how beautiful.
Her blog and all three of her books have had a tremendously positive influence on me since the first time I discovered them. And you know what she did one time? She sent me one of her books with a lovely note that I will always cherish, it is what drew me to her right away — she’s not only talented and successful (you can read her column in Inside Out magazine, one I subscribe to just to read her words) but she’s really down-to-earth and sweet.
It’s been awhile since that lucky day when I received her gift, but I’ve not forgotten the kind gesture and so Shannon, this post is a little shout out to you and the magical work that you do. From your writing to your styling and photography, it has all touched me so greatly and in addition, has provided the total escapism that I sometimes need during cold winters as I watch this lady style gorgeous settings in sunny Australia.
Before I wrap up this post, Shannon found a gorgeous photo from Anthropologie (above) that I know I’ll keep and post to my inspiration board because I love a good butterfly print and these absolutely have my heart. What a lovely room. Shannon sure knows how to pick the best spaces for sharing on her blog.
Shannon, you’re the best!
(image t0p: shannon fricke and bottom: anthropologie)
I’m glad that you enjoyed my flower power post from earlier today. Seeing beautiful floral arrangements never ceases to put a smile on my face. Let’s look at some rooms with a floral theme to keep the beauty flowing, shall we? I’m all about the eye candy today, I find that bright colors and bold patterns are preparing me for Spring and helping to clear away those cloudy skies outside.
Domino magazine
An floral inspiration folder that I created.
Whether you choose just a touch, through a pillow or a painting, or bold blooms spread over an entire wall, florals can be the perfect touch to any home no matter what style – modern, minimalist, romantic, eclectic. Aren’t these spaces so alluring?
(images linked to their sources above)
I need flowers in my life! I’ve been buying some here and there, but not weekly as I usually do and I can definitely see a difference in how my home looks and feels. Maybe some are not as sensitive to whether or not they have flowers around, but I am. My mother was trained in floral design before I was born so you can imagine how our home and yard looked growing up – flowers and plants and a gorgeously landscaped yard that was the envy of the neighborhood. In fact, our neighbors loved our yard so much that they’d ask my mother for tips and often when I couldn’t find her I’d see her planting and digging next door as the neighbor stood there grinning ear-to-ear. It was just her way. She planted, cultivated, picked and styled flowers, shrubs, trees, you name it… The flowers would often end up in pretty containers in our home and she even painted them onto canvas with oil paints simply because flowers inspired her and they just made her happy and still do.
Illustration by Jennifer Murphy, photo from Domino.
Watching a mother so passionate for these things couldn’t help but leave an impression on me. But it wasn’t just her, my grandparents lived on a working farm where she was raised and so this passion was also planted in me at a very young age whenever I would visit them. And no doubt if and when I have children, I’ll be teaching them at least how to arrange flowers as I didn’t inherit a green thumb — though lately I’ve noticed my plants are no longer dried up and withered but healthy so perhaps my black thumb days are over.
My own arrangements are shown above in both my current and last home.
What about you? When you look back on your childhood do you recall any experience or even a parent or sibling, aunt or uncle, even grandparents who had a deep appreciation for nature, namely plants and flowers, that they passed on to you? How did this influence your adult life? Or perhaps you did not have this influence early on but rather, picked it up as an interest later in life? And if so, what made you think more about bringing plants and flowers into your home? And how are you doing with raising them? How often do you buy flowers and style them? How does the experience make you feel? I ask all of these questions because I believe that demanding schedules and life in general gets in the way of slowing down to consider how and why we do certain things, why we have specific rituals around the home and how they make us feel and contribute to our overall sense of well-being. And by the way, the common expression, “Stop and smell the roses” is so true! As you are styling your arrangements at home, take time and really get into the moment as it can be quite an enjoyable experience of the senses.
More generic arrangements but beautiful flowers from 1-800 Flowers. Note: Once they are delivered you can add in some of your own store bought blooms to design a custom bouquet.
This week I plan to buy some flowers that I’ve never bought before, lately I’ve been bringing home mostly tulips and roses and orchids. I will go to the farmers’ market tomorrow and try something new. The thrill of the hunt, even for something as simple as a bunch of flowers, can turn a rather mundane task into something pleasurable. There is nothing wrong with making some of the simple things in life matter in some way. It’s comforting somehow, like days aren’t running into weeks and months without me slowing down to feel all of these precious moments.
Just a simple plant…Stella Nicolaisen
Heather in my living room from last Autumn.
Sunday Suppers, Karen Mordechai.
Well, who thought that simply thinking about flowers this morning would lead to an essay? Aren’t flowers uplifting and altogether lovely? I can’t stop but appreciate them whenever I pass by an intriguing flower shop window. I peeked into a shop yesterday around the corner from my home and saw some sweet mini cypress trees that I may buy for my windowsills, or perhaps a small potted olive tree for my kitchen window. I can’t wait until Spring so I can hunt for some flowering branches to put in my living room, they make such a difference in the mood there and it only takes one or two in a tall vase. All of these beautiful photos show, whether large or small, flowers have a profound impact on our mood as well as our interiors. Don’t you think it’s time you took a walk over to your local flower shop?
(images linked to their sources above, please click on them to find the work of some pretty amazing creatives out there!)
Hello everyone! It’s time for Etsy Take Five Tuesday… are you ready? First let me say that I’ve been a busy beaver over the past few days with my e-class that kicked off yesterday and today a mountain of paperwork to do in addition to an open house to go to as we’re still on the prowl for a new place to live. It’s been one thing after another, I feel like a little hamster in a wheel! Oh wait, I’m a busy beaver… well you catch my drift. :) I’m so glad to finally sit down before I start recording my podcast for tomorrow’s class to talk to you and let you know that I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing? Good? Bad? Just okay? Blah? I’ve been feeling a lot of chaos and nervous energy around me lately, especially online, people seem to be a bit unfocused and even uninspired and I want to tell you straight up that it’s the beginning of a new year, this is common and shall pass. Now let’s look at some beauty, shall we? These etsy stores have been on my radar over the past week or so, some you may know already, others not but all are equally beautiful and lovely to look upon. I hope that you enjoy my picks!
F2 Images has some of the best prints for the home, I love this photo featuring so many designs featuring insects… Aren’t they the best? Talk about an amazing product shot, this makes me want to own them all!
Next up is Claudia Pearson in Brooklyn who is an illustrator with an impressive portfolio – her work has been published in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Elle, Communication Arts and more, including books. In her shop she carries colorful prints and cards, the pink row houses are a personal fave because they are so very American to me even though they originate in England, and I love them because they remind me of some of my favorite neighborhoods in America. And funny thing is, I appreciate them even more now that I’m on new soil abroad because I no longer have exposure to them in Germany and things are always easier to see when you step back vs. when you look at them under a microscope.
Now let’s look at Nut and Bee in New Zealand. Oh my, the cuteness just kills me here! I love the bubble tea print, the tea looks so happy and that is nice because who wants to drink sad tea? It makes me miss going into Boston’s Chinatown for my monthly bubble tea boost. We have it here as well, but only in the summer months so I’m starting to crave it even though I have to wait until May. Nut and Bee has stickers, notepads, cards and prints along with other paper goods like sticky notes. Very sweet!
Cynthia Vardhan is a successful potter in Ohio with a degree in fine arts and a beautiful body of work that will have you swooning. Such talent! Her work is available in fine boutiques across America in addition to shows that she participates in and of course, her etsy shop.
Stuart Kolakovic is one to watch. He lives in Staffordshire, England and has some of the best work, the most unique, that I’ve seen in a while. Looks like he is closing up his etsy shop soon to reopen on his own website, so definitely check him out on etsy while you can. Great stuff.
See anything you like? I know, I know… it’s all good. :)
(images linked to their sources above)
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