Announcment with a Side of Inspiration

First off, I want to give all you Kansas Citians a quick heads up.  The time has come to finally announce the opening of my "shop" at Mission Antique Mall this Friday the 1st of June.  

  Now, I know that MAM is a very large place, which can be a detriment as far as some people are concerned.  But, for me, there really was no other option out there that provided the high-end clientele, the wonderful locale, and the overall experience MAM provides.  So, let me make it easy for you to find me.  I am on the second floor by the elevator.  That's pretty easy, right?   

I truly hope you come and take a look!  We might even run into each other! 
I'll post pics in the next couple of days to help entice you to visit.

Alright now that we have that exciting announcement out of the way,
on to some interesting and inspiring design.

 via

Simple.  Classic.  So pretty.

Both of the spaces above were designed by Sara Gilbane. Both different, both fantastic in their own ways.

via

The vintage feel and the styling here particularly stand out as being special.

via 

I love the feel of this space.  Light and airy, with a bit of global thrown in for good measure.

This office is super sexy.  The rug, chandelier, wall color and chairs sing to me.

Geez, I adore this place.  The architecture is just wrong it's so fabulous.  Wow!

Both of the pics above are from online mag I recently discovered name Est.  

They have some great stuff, so you might want to go take a look!

Hope everyone is have a fantastic week!  See you tomorrow!

Modern Southwest

Buffalo Skull,  Fur Pillow,  Pillow,  Petrified Log,  Historic Photo,  Rug,  Bowl,  Table,  Tray,  Lamp,  

Chair,  Antler Table,  Scenic Picture,  Horn Coasters

As I'm sure you're aware.  The Southwestern design style is not typically my thing.  Or even close to the zip code of my thing.  However, one needs to expand, and try to grow.  Annnnnd, I have a possible client who favors this style so, I have been researching it, and thinking about how I would do it.  How I would modernize it, and keep it away from the typical "theme-y" version of itself that is so often brought to mind when the word "Southwestern" is mentioned in the same sentence as design.

One of the main answers for me is keeping it authentic.  Natural materials, actual artifacts and textiles.  Using these things will lend the design truth.  I think the roots of Southwestern lie in it's history.   I envision the melding of the historical and the modern.  So what do you think?  I can't believe how much I actually really like this version of Southwestern.  How 'bout you?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Reader Participation Required

So here's the deal.  I need your help.

But first, the dilemma.  I found these amazing brass candlesticks... 

...and let's just say they were a pretty good deal.  Mainly because the bases were tarnished.  Like eating through the metal tarnished.  But, still they are a really good size, and the shape was super cool.  So, I bit.  Thinking, "well, I haaave some Brasso.  I'll give that a try, and if it doesn't work, there's always paint.  Right?"

  I am busy getting the shop ready (VERY soon everybody!) and my Aunt was kind enough to come over and help me by cleaning all my brass objects.  She's fabulous, I know!  And she did her darndest on these, which actually really shows, as they are much improved.  They were that bad.  BUT, they still look like this...

  Now kids, you know I love a good patina.  It gives character, and life to pieces.  However, this might be too much.  Specifically, because the rest of the candlesticks are in great shape.  If they had the age all over them, I might not have as much of  problem with them, OR I might not have purchased them at all. 

Herein lies the dilemma.

What to do.  What to do.

Do I...

1. Leave them as is.

2. Try and "age" them.  Making the patina an all over look, instead of just the bases.

3.  Do I just stinking paint the suckers like this....

 via

4.  Or (and this is the least likely, as it could go "crafty" really fast.) do I just paint the bases the black and leave the rest brass.  

Now remember, these are going into the shop...for someone to buy (ideally.)  If you were in the market for fabulous, generously sized and shapely candlesticks.  What would you most likely be drawn to, out of my options?

OR do you have any other briiillllllliant ideas? 

 Bring it.

Oh yeah, and happy almost weekend to ya!

Elvia Perrin

Today, I'd like to introduce you to modern artist Elvia Perrin.  It's been a while since I've featured any art on here, and honestly that's because I hadn't found any that struck my fancy.   'Til now.  It was insanely hard to whittle down the pieces of her's I was going to feature today (obviously,) and I didn't even have to dig into her past work to get the job done...this is alllll available today.  

She plays with a lot of textures and shapes.  Honestly, I think the simplicity of the scribble pieces make them my favorite.  There is a plethora of options where these came from.  I recommend you go and have a look, as I didn't even scratch the surface of her offerings. 

Heidi's Space on Glitter Guide

I  was absolutely smitten by this home featured on the Glitter Guide.  It is so fresh and interesting, what's not to love?  Heidi Merrick is the lucky owner and has done the barreled ceilings, and light-filled rooms justice.

For the fantastic Q and A regarding this special space...jump on over to GG.  

Inspiring to be sure.

Inspired Tuesday

 Side table,  Gold bowl,  Metal Diamond,  Lamp,  Cameo,  Stacked Tray,   Book,  Pillow,  Mug,  Pyrite

Nothing groundbreaking today.  Just some lovely bits from the classic black and gold color scheme to help you have an inspired Tuesday.  Hope you enjoy. 

 OH, and speaking of black and gold.  Anyone else see this bowl to lamp DIY?  Kinda smart!

Introductions

So, let me introduce you to a little find that made me a very happy girl. 

This is the freaking amazing base of our new dining room table.

I came across it and just could NOT walk away from it.   All I could think was....

It was like a antiqued, kinda of nasty beige color.  I saw nothing but gold in it's future. 
Just call me Liberace. 

Now, I know I said I was going to get a rustic type table.   Aaaaand, that is still the case.  Right now it has a glass tabletop.  Which is fine and all, but wasn't the end product I was looking for.
   I'm going to have it custom made to look a little like the top on this table...

 via

I love that it will be a totally unique piece of furniture for our home. 
Can't wait to get it in the room when it's finished.  

 Ohhhhh, here's another acquisition made recently.  A new member was added to our family....

Of the green persuasion.  It's a 15 year old rubber tree and I think she's really cool, but she needs to be replanted into a new pot.

The plan is to get one of these.

A self-watering planter.  I don't have the greenest of thumbs.  In fact, I've killed every plant I've ever had. Hopefully this will help me end my long history of plant carnage.  

Anyone have one of these?  Are they as fabulous as they seem?

 

Weekend

 via

Ahhhh, watercolor again.  I'm so predictable sometimes, aren't I?  I just can't help it.  The way the colors bleed into one another is just magical for me.  

Here's to a lovely late Spring weekend! 

Enjoy all!

Nolita Gem

 This is it kids.   I want it.  I need it.  I have to have it.   Just because it's around 2.5 milllllllllliiiiooooonnnn dollars means nothing to me.  Oh, and it's not for sale.  Also nothing.  Annnnd, it's in NYC.  Still....means absolutely nada, zippo, zilch.  

Where there's a will there's a way.  Or, so I've been told.  Since I have the will part covered ... here's the brilliant, audience participatory plan I've concocted to make this baby miiiiine.  I'll suit up (anyone have a Minnie Mouse Halloween mask I can borrow?), leisurely stroll into a bank (doesn't matter which one.  I mean really, they allll have money, right?)  rob it, and someone (here's your part) needs to have the getaway car ready to go ala old-time mobster style.  Annnnnnd, that's where I need the brave and stupid, errrrr, I mean brave and generous volunteers to come forward.  Who's with me?  Anyone feeling like a little Babyface Nelson action?  Anyone?  Anyone?  

No!?!  Really, I'm shocked.  I thought someone would have bitten.  

Especially, with a no-fail plan like that!

Well, okay then.  Hear that Po-Po?  The plan's off.  No need to grab the cuffs.  

I was only joking anyway (kinda.)

So, now that we have my drama laden, potential federal penitentiary story out of the way.  I bet you want to actually know the details on this lovely hunka-burning apartment love.

What we have here, is the 211 Elizabeth building, located in Nolita (North of Little Italy,) decorated by the fabulous Roman and Williams.  Kinda killer right?  Let's have a look at the rest of the place before I start begging.

 Goooood grief, have a look at all those windows and that silky black trim.  I'm literally breaking out in song as I type.

 Below is another apartment in the same building.  The living room dressed a bit differently (simpler) but it's still lovely.

This is probably one of the sexiest kitchens I have ever seen.  A little more rustic (with all the butcher-block) than my typical choice, but still.  Yum!

 This little eat-in is kinda cozy!  I'm sure I can speak for many when I say, the herringbone floors just make me weep they are so amazing.

Glorious bathrooms all Carrara'd out!  Ohhhh, that tub.  Just perfection.

Thus ends the tour.  Did it have you at "hello"?   All I can think to myself is, "Damn, the things I could do with that place in my sweaty little Italian palms."  

Oh, and the plan?  Just give it think and get back to me.  K?