grey days

in stark contrast to the musings of the previous post, today is one of those days.  who doesn't love grey though? add a little pop of fresh, bright green and you're back on the sunny side.

images: one; two; three; four

not your grandma's afghan

my mom is a knitter, which is great because she's always looking for a project and I've got plenty of ideas.  here are a few to feast your eyes upon.

no longer a kaleidoscope of dizzying geometric patterns, knits can be modern, simple and another great way to add texture to your space.

images: martha stewart; westelm; cococozy; pinterest

warm and cozy

today is one of those days when i'd love to kick my feet up on a big old ottoman and read a book...or snooze.  nothing captures that sentiment better than desire to inspire's pets on furniture series.

images: one, two; three; four

Holiday treats: for you and your home

image; sweater; chair; table; gem; candle; boots

eye on: steven volpe design

it was steven volpe's own loft that caught my eye in elle decor a couple months back.  many designers are highly skilled in selecting "couture" furnishings for their clients and pairing with it perfectly crafted and proportioned treasures from the past - pretty much the only place left that one can find such craft and proportion.  it's volpe's impeccable eye for composition that is most memorable for me.       

while these shots are made for the glossy pages and probably never look quite like this again, i can't help but appreciate the perfection of his interior spaces.  in some instances the work of vermeer comes to mind - the dark hues accentuated by a pop of ochre.  really beautiful.

an elegant detail with ordinary piping

there are a variety of diy projects that involve some simple piping, i've written about a couple good ones before here.  this one i think is so elegant and unexpected, it makes the idea of a canopy a little less floofy and adds a bit of drama to those tall ceilings.

traditional home

just add blue

via

friday fun finds: horchow

here are a few great finds at even greater prices from horchow.  these are wonderful little pieces to add a pop of color or pattern to your space.  i really love the geometric pattern of that fireplace grill and the kilim ottoman is my absolute favorite - featured in the current architectural digest.  i think these things are going fast so giddyup! oh and btw, free shipping ends today!

1 monaco ottoman; 2 embroidered ottoman; 3 kilim otoman; 4 fire screen

July room to inspire

clean, simple, and elegant by ken fulk in san francisco.  it's a room that i can imagine hosting an evening gathering as well as relaxing on the sofa with a book.  however, wanting a ralph lauren ottoman and actually purchasing one are two different things for many of us.  below are some similar finds that will be a bit easier on the wallet until that winning ticket shows up.

house beautiful: ken fulk

sofa: bassett furniture; ottoman: z gallerie; antoine armchair: pottery barn; chandelier: lamps plus; table lamp: pottery barn; side table: room&board; cow hide: west elm
accessories
hurricanes: pottery barn; mercury glass candles: west elm; striped pillow: ben pentreath ltd.; belgian linen pillow covers: restoration hardware; artwork: etsy

sparkle: for you and your home

images: french vogue; kiva platters; candle holders; floral dress; sandals;
pendants; crystal canisters; mercury glass candle

a summer snack

it is so bloody hot out today that the thought of cooking something makes me sweat.  i surprised myself with this little concoction, made with the remaining items in my fridge.  crunchy, fresh, delicious and cool.

  

ingredients:

fresh cherry tomatoes halved

green pepper cut into large pieces

handfull of rough chopped chives

feta cheese, cubed

1 piece toasted italian bread, rubbed with fresh garlic

good olive oil & balsamic

what to do with those bare walls: maps

displaying collections of any sort is such a wonderful way to fill your home with character and create an interesting space.  i was at a friends house a while back, it was a real bare-bones bachelor pad filled only with the necessities for living.  on the walls he had displayed his collection of vintage maps of all sizes and it was amazing!  i had no idea that he was a collector.  anyway, this memory has inspired me to gather interesting examples of displaying maps.  enjoy.

images: elle decoration; elle decor; apartment therapy

resource: national geographic

hidden gem: deer hill

located in the hills just on the outskirts of a tiny upstate new york lake town called cazenovia is this enchanting bed and breakfast, deer hill.  while you will not find deep tissue massages, bikrim booty morning boot camps, or outrageously expensive seven-course meals, i guarantee that you will find the keys to a happy life: peace, quiet, and tranquility.  if the crickets, butterflies and resident (and very loveable) doberman are not enough company, hop on your bike and ride into town to sit by one of upstate's most beautiful little lakes.

winter months are equally as beautiful...

home for the summertime

there's nothing quite like the smell of the country in the summer and the magical evenings that are ushered in by the twinkling of a million fireflies.  this is my summer.

images: bed, girl

backyard camping

how much fun would it be to have a tipi in the backyard?  a little spot to take a mid-summer day siesta, or maybe have a marshmallow roast on a balmy evening.  these two little tents belonging to sheryl crow were featured over on AD. 

the way they lived

i've been a bit m-i-a lately.  i admit, the rain has definitely got me feeling blue but i'm thinking that this little documentary by josef astor might be a great way to pass some time this weekend.  it reviews the battle between carnegie hall and its tenants in the studios above.  i've always been fascinated by the way people live, especially in a place like nyc.  there are so many little hidden stories and amazing spaces scattered around this city.  it is a shame that the apartments could not remain as the creative haven perched above the great hall, but what an amazing place to have been able to live in!

the aura of luxurious linens

i'm loving the bedding from aura.  contrasts of deep, rich pigment with light linens...layers of texture.  looks like heaven which is just how a bed should look.

a different perspective

jonny johansson's furniture for acne (read here)

stockholm furniture fair

the swedes get it right...pretty much every time.  here are a few items from the 2011 stockholm furniture fair that were covered in wallpaper mag.  i usually go pretty traditional as far as sofas, but those acne numbers have me rethinking my tendencies.  anyone going to the icff in nyc this weekend??

dashing diys

i'm going to begin collecting diy ideas in the hopes of one day employing them in my own home.  i really like projects that make use of industrial and reclaimed elements.  here are a few that caught my eye:

via hindsvik

via manhattan nest

via marumodern