When modern architecture met vintage thrift interiors....

Not love at first sound, you say?

Well, have a look at this home tour from Living Etc. This couple from Johannesburg lives in a fabulously industrial feeling home (read: concrete, garage-doors, lots of glass), but they don't have the sparse sleek Ligne Roset showroom kind of interiors. Their home is actually homey, with almost kitschy furnishings inside their modern shell.

 The article points out that the citrus yellow paint on kitchen cabinets is the perfect contradition to all the interior concrete. Owner Greg said, "We both felt a hi-tech kitchen would have been to predictable and a little too serious." I like that guy!

Sleek and sophisticated bathroom of subway tile and frameless glass shower has moisture loving plants to add a little life and interest.

 Their furniture is casual and comfy, but doesn't look out of place.

 Art still goes on the wall. And this thrifted bench, that they repainted fits too.

And inside their home office, they built a book shelf out of salvaged benches. Hooray for re-purposing!

Who says sleek-modern and vintage-thrifty can't go together?!

xoxo,

Peonies... too late in Texas

 Peonies are my very favorite flowers! They have been for years and years! (Well, I used to favor paper white narcissus, until my mom bought me some for my 16th birthday and their phototropism completely weirded me out. It's like they're alive! eew!) Anyway, now I love peonies and ranunculas. They just feel like spring!

Anyway, these lovely spring flowers only grow in the late winter here in Texas, unfortunately.

 Besides peonies and ranunculas, I just tend to gravitate towards ruffle-y flowers, especially if they happen to be purple or fuschia!

Don't they just feel like spring!? LOVE how great that fuschia looks with the chartreuse seat upholstery. Mmm, jewel tones.... ahhhh, spring!

(sources: 1. & 2. SouthernFlourish, 3. Shabby Chic, 4. House and Home)

xoxo,

Art Find (not etsy)

When they come out with ALL states, I would love to collect these amazing posters. Wouldn't it be fun to collect ones to commemorate each state you've visted? via.

The NYC Public Library digital galleries is another place to score some great art. Browse through their selection of book prints and click buy. Such a great idea! via.

I've been meaning to watch these first two movies... but I'm going to be honest with you- I am scared. I am nervous about how this will change the way I see food... and grocery stores and restaurants and food suppliers. I need to see it. Have any of you seen it? via.

xoxo,

In the navy...

As if, the Emecco Navy chair could get any better....

Now, it's made with 111 recycled 20oz Coco Cola bottles...

debuting May 16, 2010. Sold at Design Within Reach.

Now, you have an environmentally responsible reason to spend $400.

xoxo,

Hot like the Sol

 Hello, good looking.

Mmm... raised beds, hot fence...

SOL, otherwise known as Solutions Oriented Living, is a net-zero energy neighborhood development in Austin, TX. Chris Krager, the genius behind KRDB, designed these incredible sustainable housing plans. Plus, how hot looking are these photos!? 

So hot, I feel like I'm staring into the sol. :)

xoxo,

Bathrooms: I've been collecting pictures of Bathrooms and I'm not sure why....

 Great idea! Fluorescent Strip light! I like the dark grey walls too.

 Cool color combination: mustard yellow walls with orangey red subway tile!

Crazy ornate bathroom! I love the foiled wall paper and bright oriental rug.

Have you ever seen a clawfoot shower?! I hadn't until I saw this one.

via.

This one is my favorite. Black (or is it navy) penny rounds! The faucet doesn't hurt either, does it?

;)

Do you have a favorite?

xoxo,

DIY Round Up!

Have I mentioned my love of hex tile before? Why, yes I think I have. 

Here's a cool DIY tutorial to disguise ugly vinyl/linoleum bathroom floors and give them a faux hex tile look.

 I know I know, everyone is bananas over chevron, and so am I. Even though this tutorial is circulating blogland, it's so good, I need to make sure you've seen it. I LOVE that this chevron application is in muted colors... I think that creates an elegant understated feel to this otherwise bold graphic pattern. And yes, one accent wall is plenty.

Apparently those designer duvet cover companies are making a killing, because making one yourself is so easy! I am super eager to try out these simple instructions for making your own duvet cover. You can even purchase two flat sheets of designer bedding to make a cheaper version! This is my dream duvet, but I would use this fabric.

xoxo,