Good morning and happy Monday to you! It’s a new week and with that we have the possibility of new beginnings. My week will be crazy, as I will be on the radio (FFN) and in the April issue of Myself magazine that will hit newsstands on Wednesday (3/17) and I’m excited (and a bit anxious!) about both! I also have several meetings concerning two projects I’m working on that I can’t wait to share with you — I think I’ll be able to announce one later this week and the other possibly next week. The news is quite big so I’m eager to share it.

By the way, these are the forsythia branches from last week (remember this post?). I decided to place them in a vintage ceramic vase and hang ceramic acorns from them. Here it’s common to have these branches in the home this time of the year with eggs hanging from them. I decided to do my own thing and change it up a bit.

Also, in case you’ve been wondering, we’ve not found a place to live yet but I’m hoping to have good news in the months ahead because living full-time in a vacation apartment in two rooms is a challenge with both my husband and I working from home. Thankfully we get along well – but space is really an issue! I also feel ready now to start replacing all of my furniture that I sold to move over from the states. I had some nice mid century pieces and a beautiful sofa and well — lots of things that I miss! And while IKEA is great, my current apartment was only meant to be for our vacations here so I filled it with rather inexpensive finds at first but now that I’m here full-time I want some vintage pieces again, and a really comfy deep sofa…. and wallpaper and drapes! I’m ready to plan and decorate a space as I feel as though we’re still in limbo. I have 50% of my belongings still in the cellar which is also a problem — I don’t want my art and books and everything else to get musty so we’re eager to move. The excitement of finding a nice flat though is thrilling — you know, the thrill of the hunt!

Right. So that’s how things are for me. What about you? How is everything going?

(image: holly becker)

This weekend I plan to chill… relax, restore, refresh because I have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks and so I plan to enjoy this down time as much as possible. What about you — what do you have going on and what will you do this weekend?

In addition to errands and the usual stuff, I will devote an evening to magazine and book reading along with journaling as this is a great thing to do for those of us who are online a lot. It helps to put thoughts into writing and pictures on paper. Do you journal? I highly suggest it. I’ve been keeping one since I was a little girl and though I’m not nearly as regular since I started writing a blog, I still see the need to maintain something on paper because I believe that it is equally important to document things by hand. Picking up a pencil, rolling it between your fingers, the smell of fresh paper as you crack open a new journal, the way your watercolors bleed into water creating such a lovely pattern and then a soft solid color… it’s an experience that computers and internet technology, no matter how advanced they become, cannot offer and why should they when physical pleasures are so intense and warming to the heart?

Shown above are some of the magazines that I plan to read. Marie Claire Idees (French) – crafting and interiors, Luna (German) – for parents and children with beautiful images and travel ideas (similar to MILK), Living At Home (German) – Features decorating and styling ideas, entertaining, recipes with breathtakingly beautiful fresh images. This magazine gets stronger and stronger with every issue. You can view it online here. Living At Home Spezial (German) is produced by the magazine but is 3x thicker and seasonal so you have recipes, styling and decorating tips, the “best of” all rolled into one edition. And finally a Living & More Premium issue called Country Träume Wohnen which is more country style but has many lovely homes and images inside. All except for the French magazine help me to learn German better so there is a bonus to all of this eye candy since I’m also able to improve my language skills.

The tippy top image was taken this morning, I had a very nice mail day with some cards and letters to read from friends and a very nice surprise – my new subscription to VTWonen (Dutch) just arrived and included a very nice styling insert! More to read! Yay!

What are your plans for Saturday and Sunday?

(image: holly becker for decor8)

Hello friends! I think that today I’ll go light on the blogging because I’m ready for the weekend and feel more like relaxing vs. writing! But first, I thought I’d kick off my Real Talk column, which also was called Talk It Out, and well regardless of the column name it will be called Real Talk going forward and the column will appear once weekly on any given day — it really depends on the community and what issues you email me that you’d like to talk about here. I have always supported the online community but this afternoon I was shown that support in return in a business matter — and it made me think how it feels to be on the receiving end — when I felt helpless and someone came in to help. It was wonderful and that is one of many reasons why I’ve decided to get the Real Talk column up and running again on a weekly basis.

The purpose of this column is for all of us to share our personal opinions on the chosen topic to offer advice, ideas, constructive feedback and anything else that we can do collectively to show support and friendship. Truth is, we all need each other — we are part of a circle. So to celebrate this spirit of independence but also interdependence, Real Talk is back!

Today my guest is Erika Firm who is the president and designer of Delphine fine stationery and design. Erika wants to talk about unethical requests that would lead to possible violation of copyright (copying hurts real people out there), requests that many of us experience regularly as small business owners — especially designers. Here is what Erika has to say on the topic, I hope you’ll chime in because together our voices can possibly get others thinking… and the intended goal here is to educate and offer support and even a possible solution or several.

Erika — take it away!

“Lately I’ve noticed more and more clients asking me to copy other people’s work (they see an invitation in a magazine and want me to duplicate it one to one, and I won’t). It’s my policy to refuse, and to explain copyright infringement. Friends and colleagues of mine in the wedding industry (not just other stationers) have also told me that they’re experiencing an increase in these sorts of unethical inquiries. I think part of the reason I’m seeing more of these unethical requests is that my business has grown and the studio gets more inquiries overall than ever before, so the number of “icky” inquiries is also growing. But perhaps it also has to do with the proliferation of DIY (which, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely do love and support), and the proliferation of things like “inspiration boards” on blogs (which I also love, and post myself on my own blog). The DIY movement and things like inspiration boards are meant to foster creativity.”

“Because of my personal experiences (and thanks to many similar stories heard from friends and colleagues) I feel like there exists a disconnect between the artist/blogger/designer’s intent (to inspire) and some people’s inference that this inspirational content is free to simply be copied.”

“Perhaps some people feel like their homemade invitation (or cake or dress or bouquet or centerpiece or curtains or pillow…) that looks exactly like the original couldn’t possibly change anything in the world or hurt someone else. While I think that the vast majority of bloggers understand the difference between inspiration and copying, and act professionally and ethically, I’m not sure that many are doing an excellent job of pointing out the difference—and the real effect that copying has on the people behind the businesses that supply creative content and products—to readers. The simple fact is that when somebody decides to “duplicate it yourself” (instead of getting inspired to “do it yourself”) it hurts a real person.“

What do you think we as a creative community can do to address this issue? I feel the frustration rising. I know there are hundreds and hundreds of examples of how copying has affected someone’s business, and there are lots of ways of addressing the issue after it’s already happened. How do we spread the word that there is a huge difference between being inspired by something and copying? Any ideas on how to do this?

- Erika Firm

(Images: Delphine product shot styled by Erica Firm, taken by Heather Vallentyne)

I’ve been wanting to share Bungalow with you for months now because I see them in decorating magazines often over here but I kept forgetting to write about them… but no more! You deserve to know about this beautiful Danish decor company if you don’t already because they specialize in a wide range of products that feature mostly Indian hand-blocked prints – like bedding for adults and children, tea towels, cosmetic bags, clothing for kids, and more only with a twist — a touch of clean, modern Danish style. They have something for everyone!

If you have time, please take a moment to look at their inspirational slideshow that captures the true spirit and magic of India and some of the beautiful people who live there.

Here is their store and web shop locator. (images: bungalow)

Oh, oh, oh! This is hot. Moonbasket in South Africa has some mind blowing crochet designs on their website like crochet pendant lamps, cuff bracelets, stools, and votive candles made out of cotton string and jute twine. Cape Town designer and artist Dani Le Roy launched Moonbasket and works alongside business partner Laura Summs to design and make pendants and other home accessories out of mostly natural materials. Stunning!

So tactile, and very grandma’s house gets a mega modern makeover! And you know what I learned about crochet today that I never once thought about? This.

“Crochet is one of the few crafts that cannot be replicated by machine. The unique quality of each handmade item produced becomes the most essential part of its luxury.”

Is that not the coolest factoid ever? I think yes. I mean, it’s like crochet is untouchable, it’s the ultimate handmade product. I really like the simple, modern styles of Moonbasket. What do you think?

(images: moonbasket)

Do you know how long I’ve been wanting to sit down today and write a blog post? Literally all day and it’s 11 pm and well, better late than ever. So. How are you? How was your day? Mine is nearly over because remember I’m 6 hours ahead of the east coast now, but my day was good overall. I have some exciting plans in the works and I should be able to make a formal announcement soon — but both are things that I think will benefit you in some way so no… I’m not pregnant and no, I’m not moving though I’m still hoping I find an apartment. I’m still looking, I “drive by” the big craigslist equivalent over here at least 4,000 times a day — I’m obsessed! I find myself in the shower looking forward to whether or not any new property will hit that dang website by the time I’m back at my desk. Lame! But it’s still fun!

Okay so let’s look at some inspiring rooms for a moment, shall we? I thought we’d step into the world of Warren Heath. I found out about him because my friend Tine sent me this great bedroom photo and I asked her to tell me where it came from and she said she thought it was someone named Warren Heath. I googled him and found his website and there was the photo. Stunning! Then I noticed in google that my friend Emma wrote about Warren recently too after she found him in a copy of a design mag she was flipping through. Emma pretty much shared his entire portfolio here so I steal her thunder, but I will share a few of my personal favorites from his portfolio that really speak to me.

Warren Heath is represented by South African agency Frank Features and his work has appeared in top design magazines such as Elle Decoration. Definitely a photographer whom I’d love to observe in action, I imagine on his shoots he really takes a lot of patience as it’s obvious from the natural lighting that he really waits for the right moment to capture it in order to convey the mood he’s setting… And these locations, wow — I look at them and wonder why I’m not living in Australia, Cape Town or L.A. as this entire coastal aesthetic really speaks to me and I like all of the clean, modern lines. And by the way, how cute is that Blythe portrait? (images: warren heath)

Let’s take a vacation together, shall we? I say we all jump on our virtual plane and jet down to Melbourne, Australia to visit the shop of designer Lynda Gardener, whom I’ve talked about on decor8 before. Gardener is a creative genius and not shy in her decorating approach by any means — she is a bold, confident lady who displays remarkable talent and vision.

In her shop, Empire Vintage, her finds are lovingly curated and artfully displayed in a way that inspires creative ideas. Just to walk through is an experience whether you actually purchase something or not. Shopping at Empire Vintage seems to be quite an  experience and to me, that is what a store should do — transport, inspire and if those things are successful then sales are part of the deal because then one wants to bring home a treasure to remind them of that special experience. From early rustic to French country and vintage industrial, this gem has a little something for everyone.

As you look through these images, shot by the talented Jillian Leiboff of Jillian Leiboff Photography, try to be in the moment and imagine walking through this shop — what would you touch? How do you imagine this shop smelling? Like patchouli or lavender or perhaps vanilla and honey? Or perhaps you can smell orange blossoms? Imagine the music that you hear… is it French pop? A favorite soundtrack? Classical? I think that it’s good to pause as you are reading your favorite blogs to take in the images that you see, study them, and even put yourself into those images in order to fully experience them.

It’s nice to slip out of your “zone” for a moment to enjoy some time for yourself to meditate, reflect and relax and that is exactly what a beautiful retail experience can do — take you away to faraway places without the jet lag! Ah, escapism.

What do you see that you like? :) I love the vintage English eiderdowns, the bunting, linen pillows, antique books, white bone china and the colorful bracelets – I would like the blue and yellow ones, please!

Shop address: 63 Cardigan Place Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia.

(photos: Jillian Leiboff of Jillian Leiboff Photography)

First I shared her horse head bookends, but wait! There is more of Nicole Hill Gerulat to love and since I’m on a roll today I thought I’d share her photography portfolio too over at Real Simple.

Nicole — you are one seriously talented lady! What an inspiration. I could flip through your portfolio all day… Wait. I sorta did.

(images: nicole hill gerulat)

Ha ha, I have to laugh at my clearly unimaginative title. But I couldn’t think of a better name when I saw the horses that Nicole Hill Gerulat just pimped and shared on her blog. She picked them up at Homegoods in this sort of coppery color and viola! from copper to eye-popper! Now that made me laugh again because I sounded soooo HGTV, right? Maybe I should just let the pictures speak for themselves…

I bet you will think twice the next time you spot some shabby bookends at the thrift store. If they have a great silhouette just paint those bad boys and rock ‘em!

And a big P.S. — Are you not absolutely green over her massive Penguin classic book collection? I am!

(images: nicole hill gerulat)

I am still thinking about that pretty vintage puppy party that I featured yesterday… oh that was just so adorable. And now that I’m thinking about dogs, I thought I’d share quickly those bookends that I ordered from Barnes and Noble last year (post here) because I realized this morning that I never showed you how they look in-situ. It took about a month for them to reach me (int’l shipping is always slow), but now that I have them I can’t imagine owning any other bookends.

These white dachshund darlings were designed by Jonathan Adler for Barnes & Noble and you can buy them online (they ship to Europe, too). I ordered them in October and they arrived around the holidays but I was so busy that I forgot to tell you how cute they are! I’m not in love with the lumpy bumpy wallpaper in the flat we are renting right now but it’s not bad either…. you have to appreciate and work with what you’ve been given sometimes, right? And so I have learned to live with the lumps. :)

And these are just snapshots from my day today, but above I’ve shown some loot from my weekly farmers’ market visit this morning. Not styled to perfection, just informal snaps — but this is my life and my typical days are casual and relaxed just like the flowers shown on my coffee table. In addition to tulips I found some yellow flowering branches (though it will be a surprise to see what will blossom as I have no clue what the flower lady called them in German), a little wooden doll for a euro and a pretty bread basket with ceramic blue and white handles for a few euros that I will now use for my mail.

Here are the flowers now that I’ve arranged them. Again, no frills — they are wrapped with green floral tape to keep them together as tulips can sag and I’ve placed them in a white ceramic canister from IKEA. But the over all look is warm and welcoming just how I like it — I believe that real beauty doesn’t need to be put on, are you with me on that? Style should be effortless because that’s when you know it’s authentic, and uniquely you.

How is your day? Did spring visit your part of the world today as it has for me?

(images: holly becker for decor8)

I need to be brief, I’m on the fly and it’s getting late… but I could not miss Etsy Take Five Tuesday this week because there are some real gems to share. No detailed descriptions this time around boys and girls… just pure sticky sweet eye candy glowing from the screen. Here you go — my five picks for the week. I do hope that you enjoy them. The first find is a riot.. I want the lemon print AND the pink heart ‘cos Home is where the heART is!

Dear Colleen has bright and cheery stationery for spring. Gotta love the wisdom in this print, “When life hands you lemons make a gin and tonic.” A woman after my own heart.

Bella Drummer art, gift tags, and other pretty things…

One Canoe Two has loads of letterpress goodness but this amazing DIY town blew me away when I read about it on Handmade Charlotte today.

Wicked Mint in Brooklyn has some wicked awesome pillows.

Gingiber prints are quirky and colorful and well, they just make me smile.

Spot any insta-faves? (images: linked to their source above)