It was nice to hear from Jennifer Causey today, as I’ve followed her work since the beginning when she was just a wee budding New York based photographer and now she’s working for clients like Chronicle Books, Real Simple, Anthropologie and Time Out NY to list only a few. She just opened a pop up shop for the season to feature the work of some of her favorite photographers who do not sell their work elsewhere, Molly Wizenberg (New York), Brian Ferry (London, I recently wrote about him here), Shari Altman (Vermont), and Laina Briedis (New York), along with her own Simply Breakfast 2010 calendar.
Looking back in my blog archives, I found this post back from the summer of 2006 where I praised her work. It was fun to go back and read that… And it made me realize that so many of us built our careers before an audience of people online and how supportive and wonderful this community really is. I mean, think of your favorite bloggers — especially the big ones. Did you know about them before they started their blog? Most likely not. And most likely, they were not even in their current profession back before their blog launched. It’s so interesting to follow one another around online and to witness this growth. This, to me, is why blogs will always be different from a magazine. In a magazine, you see ONLY the best work. The pruned, the stuffed, the polished… And a lovely flipside too but…
Online it’s a different world. You see the not-so-polished become polished over the course of months, years even. You witness the birth of new names, watch their success grow, and then attend their book signings. Go back to some of your favorite blogs and find their very first post. Read a few posts from their first 6 months blogging. You will get a different version of the person you know today — maybe less secure, more vulnerable, a bit afraid even… I think this is a great reminder that we all start somewhere, usually at ground level, and build and build until we reach higher grounds. And then we build some more. On a macro level, it’s why we love Oprah and others in the spotlight who grew due to their supportive fan base. And on a micro level, it is why we love some of our favorite bloggers who are moving on to explore other avenues or who, like Jennifer, are opening up pop shops to support her friends — photographers that she believes in. Jennifer is such a rock star.
It’s exciting and motivating to consider all of this, don’t you think? And I think it is inspiring to new bloggers and those just entering creative fields for the first time to focus on this fact: Everyone had a first moment in this community so if you feel scared or unsure please don’t. If you’ve ever looked at someone else and their success and thought, “Why Bother?” then I encourage you — yes, bother! Muster up the courage and do your thing. Go for it. We all deserve a place and for those who jump in a go for it, you’ll find it. Don’t worry. :)
(images: simply photo)
Interior designer Maha recently talked about creative director and shop owner Niki Jones on her blog (here) and I fell instantly in love with this online store in Scotland. I love the ethnic prints and patterns and the strong contrasts, especially all of the white and black. Does white and black ever go out of style? It doesn’t seem to be the case, it’s such a classy, seductive palette. It’s good and evil brought together to form a passionate dance, one trying to lead, but neither succeeding because the balance is the beauty of their dance. That is why I think that the collection of Niki Jones is so stunning. And it’s not all about white and black, there are other colors brought in to add spice like purple and red. Those strong jewel tones that are so popular this time of the year.
So, who is Niki Jones you ask? Niki trained at the Scottish College of Textiles and the Royal College of Art in London before working at Habitat as textile designer and style coordinator. She then got into ceramics and worked as a design director at Wedgwood. Moving out of London, she went to Scotland where she started her own brand of household goods because she couldn’t find well designed and well crafted pieces that were special, online or even in London as she says that she, “became aware that there was a real lack of choice (in London) if you were looking for something a bit different and special.”
In her line, you can find Uzbek textiles, knitted and felted goods from countries like Iceland, furniture with bone inlay, mirrors, rugs, French antiques, optical patterns, embroidery and hand knotting – details she insists on and that give the home personality and style. I love that black silhouette chair, is that not stunning?
Okay and the kitty… I wish I could order that sweet little creature! :) Meowwww!
(images: niki jones)
I was reading through some tweets today (I’m on twitter, click here if you’d like to be my twitter friend) and came across one from Michelle who writes Design Evolution. Her tweet had to do with some sofa she loved over at CB2 which landed me on their site clicking around… One click, two click, three click, four! I landed on these affordable finds that I love and think you just may adore too!
1. swoop desk $299, 2. pressed vinyl dot runners $24, 3. pebble mat $45 (they show 3 together here to form a runner), and 4. oliver appetizer plates $3.That little man eating the massive olive makes me laugh…
5. beale lounge chair $249, 6. houses gallery tote $15 and 7. scan lounge chair $499 (I want to reupholster it in something fun!). I really love these two chairs as I’ve been hunting for a low lounge chair for my new living room and think either the Beale or the Scan would work perfectly… Hmmm…
(images: cb2)
I came across Plümo a few weeks ago but was unsure as to whether I should blog them or not since it appears they don’t ship outside of the UK… but now I’m thinking why not? We don’t have to purchase every single thing we see, right? I mean window shopping is absolutely allowed for those of us not living within their shipping zone so let’s drool and browse. No harm in looking plus I find their selection inspiring as everything seems to be inspired by the exotic vacations of a lady with exquisite taste, don’t you think?
I’ll be in London in August — just for a day, we have a reallyyyy long layover so we’re making the best of it and taking the train from Heathrow to Paddington Station and now I’m wishing Plümo had a storefront as their prices are pretty affordable even after the dollar exchange… most of what’s in London I fear I cannot stomach paying for after I run the conversion through my brain. But I must go to Liberty. And Caravan. And. And. And. Always And. :)
I really adore the style of all of these pretty things, don’t you? That flower garland would be lovely at a party, don’t you think?
(images: plümo)
I’m so inspired by natural beauty found on simple paths, flower beds, or while strolling on the beach. A pebble, a fallen leaf, a pinecone… everything so beautifully designed and special that you can’t help but appreciate these free gifts all around us. Often when I need to collect my thoughts or just draw inspiration, I go into the woods on a short hike near my house or I venture to the coast and just walk the beach where the world seems to go on forever as you look over choppy waters as far as your eyes can take you. When I was little I thought that if I looked hard enough, maybe I’d see France!
I’ve been thinking about nature a lot this week because it’s been raining for so many days now, and cold, that there seems to be no end and I can’t get outside as much and I’m starting to feel it in my bones. Like I need to get out and just be with nature! My town does not have sidewalks and I live on a very busy road so I can’t just go do a few laps around town with an umbrella in hand so I’m thinking of just grabbing my raincoat in a moment and head into the apple orchards or the forest to breathe in that fragrant scent of apple, wet wood and brush combined with pine.
Because nature has such a healing power over those who let it work it’s magic and who make time to really enjoy it, I reason that this explains my attraction to bringing the outside in through patterns that mimic nature. I’m a lover of florals and leaf prints, so the moment I saw Simron towels over at the Le Souk Shop I felt an instant attraction to them.
I love their simplicity and beauty, rooms that feel very connected to the outdoors give me a sense of calm but also my mind becomes more centered when I’m around simple beauty and small luxuries. It’s confirmation of the truth that less is more, don’t you think?
What do you like about bringing natural fibers, textures and patterns indoor – what connections to do make, feel, remember from the past that causes you deep appreciation for the natural world?
UPDATE: Daneille from Le Souk just informed me that she’d love to give decor8 readers a discount on the Simrin products that she carries in her shop. She’s giving you a 20% discount, just place your order via email: info AT soukshop.com and she will reply with the total after discount and shipping costs.
(images: simrin and le souk shop)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
