P Kaufmann Feather Stripe

Loving this fabric:

P. Kaufmann Feather Stripe Mecca Gold


Bold and organic at the same time.

Daybed

I'm loving the look of this daybed and the curtains.

I have been struggling to find the right curtain fabric, so maybe something more simple would fit the bill.  I have the perfect corner in the living room for a set-up like this.  Do you think it looks too bedroom-y?

Ikea Through the Ages

Is there a better design duo out there than Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe?  I love their sense of style, her ability to mix high and low effortlessly, and his wicked sense of humor.

How crazy-awesome is this seating?

Sarah and Tommy recently took a trip to Denmark and Sweden.  While in Sweden they visited the first Ikea as well as the Ikea Museum.  That's right, an Ikea Museum!  He posted these awesome room set-ups that represent Ikea products through the ages.  "Like" him in Facebook - you won't regret it.

The '60s

Ikea - Mad Men style.  Can you believe how awesome those chairs are?  I want two right now.

The '70s



The '80s

This one isn't that different from what you would find in Ikea today - Lack tables and a Klippan sofa.

Has anyone else added the Ikea Museum to their bucket list?

All photos by Tommy Smythe.

Big Art Ideas

I'm in search for inspiration for a big piece of art for above my sofa.  We're talking really large. 


From Ebay

Originally, I was feeling some suzani love.  Yes, suzanis are everywhere - but they should be.  Because they're gorgeous and have been around for centuries.  So I think they'll survive this latest craze.  Plus I like the idea of juxtaposing my retro couch with something handmade and ethnic.  But then I bought the ikat fabric for the ottoman and I'm still considering the zebra curtains - so I don't want it to feel like World Market threw up all over the place.  But, I'm still considering it for the dining room, maybe....

I also toyed with the idea of DIY abstract art.  Nicole at Sketch42 did a post about a cool artist who does spin art - like when you were a little kid.  (But now I can't find it anywhere, so you'll just have to take my word for it.)  We actually have one of those spin art machines, so I thought that would be a kinda cool family-oriented art project.  I also really love her painting printed on lucite - maybe worth attempting as a DIY project?

From Sketch42

And I thought about a Chinese screen - if I could find this exact one I would be in heaven.  But they don't pop up that often in my price range.

From Luisa Design - her house is uber cool and thrifty!

My latest ideas have centered on pop art - especially something a little quirky or whimsical.  Like giant circus art.  I have a picture of an acrobat or trapeze artist in my head, but since I'm no artist, I'm going to have to search around until I find something close enough.



I like these guys, except for the dumbfound expression on their faces.  But I really love the Art Deco feel - and the print is free from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery, so they might show up somewhere else in my house.




From Zazzle

 This is the closest thing I've found to the image in my head.  The colors are perfect.  Unfortunately, even it's "huge" size isn't big enough, so I'm thinking of using it as a guide to make my own version (and taking the chance to tone down the lady's harsh facial shadowing). 

The boyfriend is not sold on this idea at all, by the way.  So, there's a good chance it'll change by next week.

Serena and Lily Ronan Duvet

Saw this picture on The Shabby Nest and fell in love with the striped duvet.

I especially love the touch of green in the piping.

It might just be perfect for my son's room.  If only it wasn't $150 each duvet cover.  Which is expensive enough for one, but I need two.

Damn you, Serena and Lily - why do you always make such cute stuff that I can't afford?

However, it looks pretty simple to duplicate.  You know, when I learn how to turn on my sewing machine.  And then thread it.

I'm not completely sold yet.  I'm worried it would read too nautical.  Whereas I want it to read more modern.

Meanwhile, we had a semi-productive weekend.  We had another garage sale and managed to make about $130, despite our big ticket item being a $15 TV.  I did a little thrift store shopping in hopes of finding another project piece, but despite finding two campaign dressers I came away empty handed.  One of the dressers was laminate and the other was missing hardware.  Boo.

Zebra Curtains?

I hardly recognize myself.  I was once the girl who would never even think of anything animal print for her house or her wardrobe.  And now I'm looking at this and thinking, "That could work..."


From The Designer's Attic


Despite what Carson Kressley says, I don't usually think of zebra as a neutral.  But in this case, I think it works wonderfully as a neutral print since everything is pretty monochromatic.

Premier Prints makes a zebra print in a lot of colorways for cheap.  I'd have to see a sample to see if they would read as elegant as the inspiration picture, but I think they're a good alternative to the real thing (Clarence House Od Zebra, $35/yard). These are the two I would want samples of:

Tunisia Kelp/Denton



Tunisia Kelp/Linen



Bummer

Blogger is giving me issues - or maybe its my google account?  I can't leave comments anywhere, even my own blog.  Odd.  It also might be my own computer, because I think I have a virus that makes it seem like I have a Mac when I really have a PC.  As far as viruses go, it's not that terrible.  And since my virus protection software obviously sucks, I guess it'll stay.