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Dear Emily Chalmers

The one thing I’m hearing the most lately is the need to make more personal connections with others both on and offline. I’ve been teaching creative crafting, decorating and blogging classes (in person) for over a year now and started teaching (online) in March 2009 as my way to connect with others more intimately. It’s had a very positive impact on my life. Personal connections are key for me. I thought that it would be nice to write more letters to those whom I admire in an effort to connect even more. What is nicer than being told how wonderful you are via a handwritten note?

Dear Emily

But then I thought of the enormous amounts of time it would take to actually DO this because everything in theory sounds great but the reality of the idea would potentially consume me. There are so many wonderful and creative people that I’ve met through this fascinating world of design and blogging – I’m sure you can say the same and I try to tell them through email how special they are but then…. I thought… How could I do something even more special than firing off a quick email? Perhaps it would be better to celebrate these friendships in a more public way? That’s when the idea to start my new column, Dear Friend, came to mind.

Each week, most likely on Thursdays, I’ll write a love note publicly to someone who matters to me and who inspires me in some way. My hope is to share a really great person with all of you and that maybe you’ll be inspired to write your own Dear Friend love letters on your blog too. We need to be more thoughtful, kind and appreciative. So much on the internet is for free, so many people’s hard work is shared at no expense, why not celebrate them in a personal way from time to time?

I thought I’d kick off this column today by writing to one of the most talented flea market junkies that I know, London-based author, shop owner and stylist Emily Chalmers.

Dear Emily

Emily busy at work in her London studio

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15 December 2011

Dear Emily,

I’m not sure I’ve ever told you this, but your work has made a difference in my life and in how I look at interiors. You really stand out as one of my top 10 favorite creative women. I’ve always loved the finer details but through you, I’ve come to appreciate the little things even more that can be easily overlooked in the hustle bustle of the everyday. Your most cherished collection of books in my library, which have served as my primary connection to your marvelous brain, have given me loads of joy and inspiration. Through you, I’ve learned how to delight in more than just the beautiful “perfect” things that as an American, I am naturally drawn towards — my culture is all about perfect packaging and perfectly made crafts and perfect looking interiors (being part of the Martha Stewart generation).

Through your book, Flea Market Style, so many (me included) felt set free from all of the poshness that exists in interior design and instead, were exposed to a world where perfectly symmetrical and stuffy rooms are unknown and instead, rebellious rooms with plenty of quirk and character are the norm. All who know your work are well aware that you were there celebrating this trend of imperfect interiors long before it became cool to publicly confess to liking it. In fact in 2005, your book introduced so many to the chic side of Flea Market Style and after that, there was no looking back. To me, you are the pioneer of everything from flea market style to granny chic and boho chic.

Dear Emily

I’m writing this letter to you Emily, so publicly, because your eye and talent have given much to so many and I hope that you recognize this. So often as a pioneer of a movement, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been left behind by what you yourself started. You may or may not feel this way, I don’t know, but I feel this way sometimes as a blogger as I enter my 7th year of doing this “professionally” and sometimes wonder if anyone remembers that I was writing in this space long before it was cool or the press gave a damn about me or what I had to say. I remember writing 10 articles a day on this blog during a time when few people even read design blogs. I didn’t know where it would lead me but I had a desire to connect and share and get noticed so that I could one day write for magazines. I know other “old school” bloggers like me who are reading this right now wagging their heads thinking of those early days when blogging didn’t have any drop of coolness associated with it. Today it seems everyone wants a piece of the blogging pie and for good reason, it’s a great pie! It takes a true love affair though with what one is doing to stick through it through the “thin” because god knows it’s easy to love it while it’s “thick”, isn’t it? But I digress…

But yes, it’s easy to forget how key you, Emily Chalmers, were to what is happening today in Interiors. You paved the way for so many closet flea market junkies to come out with confidence and share their own love for granny chic, homespun, flea market and the fabulous mix of old and new. I see so much of your work in the work and even retail spaces of others. What an amazing thing for you to witness all of this – you can see what has become of your willingness and courage to share your vision and how it’s taken off. Your courage to go out there and tell the world what Emily Chalmers thinks and loves really rocks. I’m so inspired by the many intricate pieces that make up the whole of who you are Emily, from your sweet emails to how you made a special effort to meet me at my book launch in London and perhaps you’ve never known just how greatly you’ve influenced me. Your courage, your vision, your talent and your amazing ability to curate and live the life you were made to live is beautiful, authentic, inspiring and refreshing. Your reputation is unblemished – everyone who has met you tells me you are gracious, generous and a kind and caring soul. This means a lot because it’s not common in interiors to find down-to-earth people who happen to be trendsetter. You use good old-fashioned warmth, talent, hard work and honesty to advance yourself and I admire that. You are the real deal.

Dear Emily

And so I will close this letter to you dear Emily to say that I’m enormously grateful that you are who you are and I hope to see many more books and beauty streaming from your creative mind to your many fans as the years roll forward. Those grateful enough to love what they do are sometimes given the privilege to write them down in a book with the goal to share that passion and knowledge with hopes of making even a tiny difference. Emily, you have made an enormous difference to me and so many others and if you didn’t know this already, well now you do.

xo Holly

(photography: inga powilleit)

 

Posted in Dear Friend on December 15, 2011

Paintings + Portraits Love You

Vintage and reproduction landscape and portrait paintings can be found in so many spaces around the globe from grand castles to tiny city apartments. Thankfully they’ve been popping up more and more (especially portraits) and are being used in fresh ways (on pillows, bags, ceramics) though I still love them installed on a wall in interesting arrangements. Most recently, vintage portrait paintings have made their way to gift wrap… And seriously, this is awesome.

Portraits

Wow, right?!? So on trend, too. Above we have the clever and stylish design duo behind Something’s Hiding In Here to thank for this. I love their clever how-to on the Martha Stewart Craft blog – brilliant idea, “You can directly color copy an old portrait or bring a digital file to a copy center to be printed for you.” Oh yes, please!

Portraits

These photos show the home of stylist Emily Henderson who shared her California digs with super cool lady Victoria nearly a year ago and I noticed that nearly every room had a portrait or two. Hot!

Bags by Leslie Oschmann

Ever since Leslie Oschmann gave me one of her vintage painting bags when I visited her in Amsterdam in 2010, I’ve had vintage paintings on my brain!  We have tons of them at flea markets in Germany selling for nearly nothing. I’ve seen so many of these same paintings adorning walls in numerous homes featured in chic magazines and as props in catalogs throughout the years and I’ve noticed portraits quite often in the homes of stylists, bloggers and my online friends. Above you can see a photo of Leslie’s bags made from vintage landscape paintings that I took. You can lay your sweet little eyeballs on more work that she’s done on her inspiring super fab blog.

Portraits

Leslie also designed a series of portrait pillows for Anthropologie recently as well as numerous other things from quirky altered chairs to travel bags and you can view all of Leslie’s work here. The photo of her pillows on that pretty disheveled bed above was shot by Pia Jane Bijkerk.

Portraits

See that vase above? Oh yes, of course you do. It’s a beauty. I love the Adam Harvey ceramic collection, I picked up a vase and a bowl at Anthropologie when I was teaching a mood board workshop in their London store this past September. The moment I spotted Adam’s work with the pretty ladies on them I grabbed a vase and a tiny bowl and made a very spontaneous purchase! But I don’t regret it, I love looking at both of my Adam Harvey pieces each day. They sit on my IKEA cabinet – I think they cost more than the cabinet but that’s how I roll… High and low, old and new, I love a good contrast as I’m sure you do as well if you think of how you decorate. Anyhoodle, you can view more of his crazy intricate work on his website. Speaking of modern interpretations of portraits, I also really like this screen printed scarf on the wall as art from Dutch mag VTWonen and this more modern portrait on a kitchen door, also from VTWonen but the poster is from France I believe. It’s not vintage but I still love a good portrait and digital modern work suits me just fine.

Portraits

Here’s something else that is quite fresh and modern from Dutch design firm ixxi. I really like what they are doing with the old masters but you can also upload your own image or images to their site and create your own great work of art.

Portraits

This is a well composed display of portraits in this photo from Homelife. I’m a fan of this look.

Portraits

You can also try some landscape vintage paintings in case portraits creep you out. Seriously, some people don’t like eyes on the wall staring back at them! The above pic is from Better Homes & Gardens and looks sooooo cozy. I want to clear that table and lay out a massive handmade pizza with some red wine and play a little Frank, Dean and Sammy, baby!

Portraits

I really love this dining room, looks like something I’d see in Berlin for some reason. Maybe it’s the fact that nothing works but everything works. Berliners are good at that. :) This is from my new favorite Tumblr blog, Convoy. If you know the origin of this photo, please let me know. The downside with lots of Tumblr accounts is the near impossibility of ever finding the owners of the photographs. :( Drives me a bit bonkers.

Portraits

How about a little George Washington action from Lonny mag. It’s subtle but obvious at the same time. And yes this room was designed by design giant Jonathan Adler!

Portraits

If paintings aren’t your thing, maybe you can try sketched portraits or vintage photographs? I shared this photo before on decor8 but it’s one I keep going back to. You must have rooms that you keep going back to a million times. This one really resonates with me and funny thing is, there isn’t a drop of sweet or cute or girly in it. Telling, I think. Perhaps my taste is evolving as I am? One thing that it is though is quirky and I’ve always been quirky and abstract and quite spontaneous when it comes to decorating…

Portraits

Have you thought to add a portrait painting to a kid’s room? What do you think of this idea? Also from Lonny.

Portraits

This is quite a fancy writing desk set up, don’t you think? The portrait of the pretty blonde who seems to be gazing outside (certainly not concentrating on her work!) is nicely placed, it tells a bit of a story or it could just be my own imagination….

Are you a fan of vintage landscape paintings, portrait paintings or modern interpretations of them? Where do you display yours if you have them? Where would you like to display them if you currently do not? Do you think they work in a child’s room? Or?

(images linked to their sources above.)

 

Posted in Decorating Tips, walls on December 14, 2011

Thuss+Farrell: Inspired Weddings and Other Beautiful Bits

I’ve been a fan of stylist Rebecca Thuss for eons and was thrilled when she posted on her company Facebook page about her recent project – a book!  She worked on it with her husband and it looks super inspirational! Rebecca (Thuss) and Patrick (Farrell) make up Thuss+Farrell, the dynamic duo who product gorgeous things together for mostly print from advertising to magazine work. They most recently styled and photographed Matthew Robbins’ upcoming book called Inspired Weddings and I can’t wait to get my hands on this hot little number. For now, here’s a peek into a few of the spreads.

Thuss+Farrell

I love their still life work, it’s so magical! Whenever I look at their many projects, I feel a tidal wave of creativity wash over me and I want to run out and decorate and make stuff! Here are some photos from their client work that are favorites of mine. See if any of these take your breath away too.

Thuss+Farrell

Thuss+Farrell

Thuss+Farrell

Thuss+Farrell

It is so energizing to be around creative people, even if only on the internet for a brief moment to view an uplifting portfolio like that of Thuss+Farrell. What a dream team they are and I cannot wait to buy that book and I’m already married but who cares…Swoooooon!

(images: patrick farrell, styling: rebecca thuss)

Posted in Books + Magazines on December 14, 2011

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

The moment I heard from Nancy Straughan and saw her textiles this week, I knew she would end up on decor8. Nancy is a textile designer in Northern England who works mostly on fabrics for fashion and the home. Textiles, printmaking, bookbinding, illustration and photography are just a few of her favorite things. Her love for all things handmade can be traced all the way back to childhood and she credits her artistic upbringing for instilling in her a love for design and making.

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

Nancy Straughan Textile Designs

“Nancy focuses her love of combining classic sophistication with uncompromising attention to detail with each print collection. Inspired by the motifs seen in Scandinavian and 1950s textiles she creates simple and refreshing contemporary products for you and your home. Made in England, and in keeping with her sustainable ethos, each print is carefully designed and printed using the finest and eco- friendly fabrics and papers,” and you can view all of her work here on her gorgeous website and also on her blog.

Beautiful – I can see so many of these being applied to surfaces in the home with stunning results!

(images: nancy straughan)

Posted in textiles on December 14, 2011

Cheerful Gift Ideas For All

With everyone looking for gifts, I thought I’d shout out some pretty things from a few of my advertisers in this post that you may enjoy. Please note, this is not a sponsored or paid-for post (I am not interested in doing posts like that, ever) and none of my advertisers requested that I write about them. It’s just a little shout out to them as a way of saying thanks for their support of decor8 for 2011. Their support allows me to blog daily and connect with all of you so I’m grateful. It was quite a challenge to go through all of the shops though and find things that fit together but I think I did a good job :) and hope that you enjoy seeing a few things that I think would be lovely to give (or receive!).

Gift Guide on decor8

For the cozy home, here are some things that are a bit natural and Scandinavian-inspired: 1. Vintage black metal chair from Relique, 2. Greenlandic boy cushion from Story North, 3. Birch tray from Story North, 4. Vitra chair in mauve gray from Story North, 5. Black and white floral cupcake holders from Meri Meri and 6. Accordion book in pewter crosshatch by Rag & Bone.

Gift Guide on decor8

Any of the gorgeous photographs from the Eye Poetry shop. Amazing. I see so many that I want for my home!

Gift Guide on decor8

For those who like a more traveled vibe: A. Sequin pillow from Aura Home, B. Inka napkins from Aura Home, C. Vintage Moroccan rug from Nazmiyal and D. An adorable dress for the little one from Tea Collection.

Gift Guide on decor8

For city girls (or boys!): 1. Thomaspaul birdcages pillow from 2Modern (love the front and the stripey back), 2. Paintings by Michael Naples from Daily Paintworks, 3. Set of 4 Byzantine blue dots plate chargers at Burke Decor and 4. Typewriter placemats from Burke Decor.

Gift Guide on decor8

For those who appreciate the little details: A. Gorgeous jewelry from DeJarnette Nola, B. An inspiring art print by lovely Amy Rice, C. Quack wooden tape dispenser from NoteMaker and D. Kate Spade yellow flat notes from NoteMaker.

Gift Guide on decor8

For the classy lady or gent: a. Sofa from Carolina Rustica b. Pillows from Designer Fluff, c. jewelry by Lisa Hopkins Design, d. Vintage illustrated guide to birds from Ruby Lane for the coffee table and e. an oil painting (vintage) from Ruby Lane.

Gift Guide on decor8
If crafting and sewing is their favorite hobby, these flirty fabrics from Contemporary Cloth would be a lovely gift!
Gift Guide on decor8

For animal lovers: 1. Art print by Laura Mae, 2. 2012 calendar from ecojot, 3. dog sweaters notebook from ecojot, 4. vintage cat notebook from ecojot and 5. Red robin cards from ecojot.

Gift Guide on decor8

For those who love to work with special products designed with love, the rubber stamps and lots of paper goods along with a bear pencil holder are all at the fresh and inspiring INK + WIT shop.

You can also look for some unique and sweet presents from these additional decor8 advertisers:

  • Natural Life – Colorful products inspired by nature.
  • 2Modern – Great products for the home or office, free shipping.
  • Ruby Plaza
  • Fabulous Stationery – Cards and other paper goods that you customize.
  • Ruby Violet – the fun new Lilla Rogers Studio collection.
  • Cupcakes Craft – Adorable paper goodies from Korea, Japan, etc.
  • Storkie – Invitations and announcements.
  • Patina Style – A book about materials choices, methods and treatments for obtaining a vintage patina in the home.
  • And finally, an inspirational blog that you may want to share with your friends called Damask & Dentelle.

I’d like to thank all of my current advertisers for supporting decor8!

(images links to their sources above.)

Posted in shopping on December 14, 2011
Blogging Your Way

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December 8 & 9, 2012
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Photography and Styling, October 2013
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