Some cutie finds over at Frau Liebe today… Adorable mugs + things.

(images from frau liebe)

Let’s say you live in Boston. I’m willing to bet that you’ve never taken a duck tour. When I lived in the city, I only boarded a amphibious landing vehicle when coaxed by my manager who was dying to get the team together for a group event.
After about 15 minutes into the tour, everyone was excitedly chattering about the experience, wondering why we hadn’t done this sooner. Duh. It’s local. You can always take advantage of those closest to you. Not that you should, but you can, so you often do.

I’m sure you’ll agree, when we have something in our own city, be it the Taj Mahal or a swank furniture store, we often take it for granted figuring we’ll get there when we get there, it’s not going anywhere. Sorta like that guy who is smitten with us. He’s been crushing on us since grade school and 25 years later, he still gets tongue-tied in our presence. If we’re single, we refer to this fellow as ‘back up’. If we’re married, it’s confirmation that our butt still looks good and gravity hasn’t pulled everything to the floor yet.

Taking advantage of what we call, the old trusty things in life, is the case between me and my relationship with the local Paper Source. I am fortunate to have about four of them here, and with presence only in six states, I guess I should consider myself lucky. There isn’t even one in Manhattan or Brooklyn, so for once, Bostonian stationery addicts can chant ‘nah nah nah nah nah’ to NY lovers of paper. We have a killer store that they can only dream of. The last time I did a happy dance in front of my NY pals was when the Red Sox pummeled the Yankees at the world series. October 20, ’04 will forever be penned in history as the day Sox citizens were liberated from eight decades of torment at the hands of the Yankees.

Shameful as it sounds, I’ve visited Paper Source a total of about 3 times in my life. That’s about the same number of times I’ve attended a Red Sox game over at Fenway. This in itself is insane given my addiction to paper goods and their amazing selection of products, helpful staff, workshops, and a retail space that appears to be organized by either Martha Stewart or staffers at Real Simple magazine. In other words, what is my problem?

Determined to get down there this weekend, I’ve decided to not only sign up for a workshop (Alternative Printmaking), but to start ‘advance’ shopping online so that once I hit the store, I know straight away where I need to go. By the way, when you browse their site, don’t miss the paper flowers. You won’t be able to resist.

psst: If you are in Chicago this weekend, check out their 70% off warehouse sale on April 29th from 9am-2pm over at 328 South Jefferson Street. If you attend, please report back to us!

(images from paper source)

As a species, we tend to change our minds a lot about everything. Thanks to the internet, the speed in which we’re doing that is quite alarming. Often the sheer amount of choices we have are overwhelming.

When it comes to design, wouldn’t you agree that like fashion, we tend to have our own signature style? Within that, we are faced with many choices. Maybe you are a retro girl that digs bold geometic prints. One minute, you’re adoring chevrons in goldenrod yellow. The next, you’re drawn towards green lattice prints.

Even though I’m a vintage modern girl, I’m currently into fully loaded, fully saturated, fuschia, turquoise and lime. I’m also inexplicably drawn to the Turkish culture, music, design and yearning to visit Istanbul. Again, no clue where this is coming from.

Tell us about your current phase – what are you drawn towards? (comment below)

(images are from scad and can be purchased online here)

Wow! Joy is on a roll today with such beautiful posts and a great interview with Jim and Corbett of Variegated, a bedding and home accessories design studio. It’s a must-read, so get to clickin’ and check it out right here.

Nice job, Joy!

(image from Oh Joy!)

I was so excited when I spotted these Orla Kiely prints and storefront photos on Print + Pattern today, a blog maintained by a designer in the UK who goes under the name Bowie Style. I know this person reads decor8, so I’m hoping they’ll reply in the comments section below and tell us a little about themselves… I’m dying to know what she does for a living since she mentions design and trend forecasting on her blog. Looks like Bowie Style lives in London though, and if anyone has been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that I can’t stop talking about fabulous destinations, especially London (drool).

Isn’t it sooo super exciting when you’re out reading other blogs and you find someone that seems to be into a lot of the things that you obsess over? Blogging is the bomb, I tell ya.

Psst: Check out more Orla Kiely here, or on eBay.

psst: Orla has the best umbrellas I’ve seen in a long time!

(images from print + pattern)

By: Anh-Minh Le, decor8 Contributor, learn more about Anh-Minh here.

For the second installment of my series on Bay Area shops, I decided to head to Oakland. Whether your home is a mid-century stunner or leans toward a shabby chic-esque warmth, the Rockridge neighborhood offers plenty of great boutiques for your browsing/buying pleasure.

Starting right around the Rockridge BART station, I made my way along College Avenue towards Broadway. My first stop was actually at Grace Baking, to pick up a cup of tea and a few cookies for my stroll.

Across the street from Grace Baking is the very pretty Maison d?Etre (5640 College Avenue), which is a must for those cultivating a Parisian/flea market look. There are also more modern goods, such as Chilewich rugs and John Pomp glass vases. Towards the front of the store, there?s a good selection of children?s gifts. (I love that Maison d?Etre carries bilingual fairy tales.)

Scout (5550 College Avenue) is focused on the home, garden and travel. Owner Paul Scott Silvera brings back souvenirs from his trips and stocks them in the store. New home accessories, furniture and gift items are arriving all the time. (He also offers design staging services to the locals)

A few blocks down the street from Scout is Rockridge Home (5418 College Avenue) which is larger than you might think when you see the storefront. This place just keeps going and going? All the way back to a small outdoor space, where you?ll find cute birdhouses and other garden accessories. This place stocks things for every room of your house ? from the floor (e.g., Angela Adams rugs) to the walls (lots of artwork for sale).

If you like what you see at Maison d?Etre, be sure to stop in at Bella Vita (5407 College Avenue). In addition to French accents and antiques for your home, the store features lovely paper goods, clothing and accessories.

Swallowtail (5332 College Avenue), with its ever-changing inventory, offers a good mix of antique and contemporary accessories and furniture. Owner Sheri Sheridan has exquisite taste, and it shows in her careful selection of pieces ? some classic (marble-topped tables), some quirky (zebra rugs).

The family-run Form Vintage Modern (5330 College Avenue) specializes in new and vintage Danish and American designs. All of the big names are carried here ? including Alessi, Eames, George Nelson and Vitra.

Strange name, cute shop: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (5322 College Avenue). As the name implies, you?ll find a range of ceramics ? including some collectible pottery.

If you?re the crafty type, there?s one more place worth checking out. Poppy Fabric (which is actually on Broadway) offers fantastic service and selection. When I lived in Rockridge, I came here all the time for cool upholstery fabrics. Every time I visit the area, I get a little nostalgic and daydream about moving back someday?

P.S. The California College of the Arts (CCA) is also on Broadway and they often have campus events. And you can even take courses through the Extended Education program!

Related Posts: Shopping San Francisco: Part 1 – The Mission

Great Oakland tour, a-m! Thanks! – holly

(images from rockridge home, bella vita, form and crown guides)

Kahi Lee is an Interior Design Goddess to watch. An expert in design + fashion, this girl has a bio that’s tough to beat. Her decorating weapon of choice is wallpaper.
Her style icons are Jackie O. (mine too!) and Gwen Stefani. She loves chocolate covered pretzels, raw oysters, gardenias, and designer shoes. Favorite book? Are you there God? It’s me Margaret! I recently spotted her on My Celebrity Home (Style Network) and FreeStyle (HGTV) and I’m hooked, she’s just great. Spunky, smart, talented, innovative, knowledgeable, fashionable, beautiful… I know I’m gushing here, but could she be more of a package deal?

Are you also a fan?

(images from kahi lee)

Hmmm… Just what is this thing?

I love Robert’s blog, coochicoos, and try to get over there at least daily to see what he’s posted. Sure, it’s mostly kids stuff, and I have no offspring to share all these goodies with, but I still enjoy seeing all that is new in children’s design that relates to products and furnishings for the home. One product that caught my attention on his blog recently is the Flo bathtub faucet from Boon, shown above. A built in bubble dispenser, water diverter creating a gental waterfall and a protective cover so you don’t scratch your skin, this sounds like a great addition to homes with kiddies everywhere. I mean, a bubble dispense? Sheesh, sounds like something I need, forget the kiddies. {grin}

(image from coochicoos via boon)