Walk This Way

 Walker Zanger. Fabulous tiles. Enough said. 

Have a peek at these images from the catalog.

 I usually don't love tile, but these installations are so stunning. Don't you think?

xoxo, 

 

Seeing Redd

Guess who I saw today?

"Miles Redd began his career as a set designer and his sometimes startling and always glamorous, playful mix of lacquered walls, leather-covered doors, painted floors and mix of high and low art has nailed him as a superstar. From Atlanta, he began work after graduation with NY antiquarian John Rosselli, then was hired by Bunny Williams. His mantra: “The best collaboration is a meeting of the mind and a shared sense of humor.” He is also Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta Home and is launching the Oscar de la Renta Home fabric collection through Lee Jofa."

 source.

He was so fabulous. His sunny Southern charm was so endearing. He gave a presentation on fashion and it's influence in interiors. I got to sit on the front row in a group of probably 70 at the Lee Jofa showroom to hear his presentation. I could gush over him all day- he was so darling.

My favorite story he told was how this image of Linda Evangelista from 1992 captured his heart. He loved how she effortlessly flew through the city.

So when the time came for a portrait (I think it was when he was featured in Australian Vogue...), he chose to have this photo taken:

Isn't he just so cute? That mirrored background is his bathroom in his apartment. He had it done in floor to ceiling antique mirrors- so fabulous! He said it's the biggest room in his NY apartment.

Apparently, his recent project in Houston was featured in Veranda magazine this month. Here are the images I found online:

 This image is so similar to the one of his own mirrored bathroom.

When asked what his favorite color is, he said powder blue and declared that every room should have a touch of powder blue, even a small blue box of some sort.

Jokingly, he said he loved lacquered walls so much because he can see his own reflection in them. But really, he professed his love of shiny surface as a means of adding that elusive light quality that he adores so much in old fashion photography.

 When asked if there was a color he didn't like, he said no. He said he likes all colors and all color combinations- one must just make sure the proportions of color are right.

 He is also a fan of little pieces of luxury, like small objets and statues.

 He also likes brown wood, as it can ground a room with lots of color in it.

In summary- I LOVE Miles Redd. He is so charming as a person, talented as a designer, and chic as a connoisseur of art and style. I can't wait til he comes out with his own book!

xoxo,

 

Everything We Make

via FlickerDesign.

I think art and design have everything to do with a person's narrative- how they view life. 

People create because they love to make things and they love a certain craft (metal work, knitting, painting, etc) but ultimately they create because they have something to say. 

The way I was raised, the stories I heard as I grew up, the life experiences I've had that are personal only to me all influence how I think. It's not necessarily that I want to share my brilliant (or mundane) life experience with the whole world- it's more than those experiences/thought patterns/philosophies are so ingrained in me as a whole person that I cannot separate myself or my art from that. 

We have some dear friends who love to say that the way you live is your art. The way you make your bed, or buy groceries, or fix your hair says something about you and what you believe to be true about the human narrative. What you think and believe to be true of the world, of God, of humanity, of yourself- this all influences everything you do and your life becomes the art.

When I create, whether is a fun craft or a design for a client, the thing I produce has a flavor of my narrative in it. I cannot help it!

Looking through the narrative or story lens at every day things as well as brilliant art exhibits gives an entirely new perspective. I'd like to try to be more intentional about putting on this "narrative lens" when I look around me at the beautiful things in life.

Interesting, no?


xoxo,

 

Camping is for Lovers

Remember that time I basically camped (or Scamped) for a whole year? 

Yeah. Well, these pictures actually make me want to do it again. Roughing it, especially in tiny quarters, is so romantic .....

(of course you know, by romantic I mean, a great way to work through any relational difficulties b/c space is limited and you literally can't get away from each other).

pix from DesignSponge

Seriously. Camping is for Lovers.

My husband and I can prove that it makes a relationship stronger and we love eachother more for that experience.

Go camping.  :)



xoxo,


 

Quite a Yarn

images from Paper City

Uh oh, the crafty bug has bitten again. We got a cold front last night too. Of course you know, this means, I have all my yarn out. Last year, I learned how to crochet... which resulted in a slew of hats, finger-less gloves, and scarves. This year, I'm learning to knit! It's a little slower, but a tighter, more "commercial-looking" stitch, in my opinion. I like it!

Maybe everyone is feeling the same yarny bug? Aren't these images from Paper City cool? Artist Elaine Bradford makes "crafty little coverings for taxidermy, which Bradford crochets by hand, then stitches on section by section, sometimes altering her woodland creatures to have illogically long necks or gangly, dangly feet — our girl weaves and knits and crafts and spins a deliciously twisted tale about marvelous mohair, nubby knits and woven wonders."

So odd and whimsical!

This high fashion rendering of yarn crafts has me wanting to make my own. Exhibit A: Deconstructed Cowl with a very Urban Outfitters vibe. (And yes, of course mine will be green. You know how obsessed I am).

pattern image from Ravelry

pattern image from Ravelry; click here for pattern

Also, out of necessity, I am making a French press cozy. Does your French press get cold too? Maybe I'll post pictures if this turns out well. ;)

image and pattern from Design*Sponge

And now is when things get out of control....

Y'all, if I had my dream dog Westie, don't you know I would make it a sweater! Of course, I would. The concept of a dog apparel craft book is too hilarious for me. I found this at JoAnne's fabric while shopping with my mom a few months ago- too funny.

In case this weird post has inspired you, I suggest watching a video to learn, maybe like these. I will be watching this one on the stockinette stitch.

xoxo,

 

I love weekends

Fall weekends are the best. Here are some of my recent highlights:

Pumpkin Pasta

Had a pumpkin pasta making party with one of our favorite couples, see recipe here. (Note, they did not turn out as pretty as this picture, but were definitely delicious). The night was full of fun, food, wine, and a hilarious game of Rock Band.

image source.

Coffee and Cartoons

Late chilly Saturday mornings spent in bed with coffee and cartoons and my man. We cuddle and giggle over how hilarious cartoons really are now that we're adults. I so want my future kids to see these.

source.

Neighborhood Walks

We like to walk and talk and often find ourselves wandering into different cool spots in town. This weekend, we strayed into an art gallery. Hello, 80's art!

Football Sunday's at the in-law's

If you know me, you know I absolutely detest football. I hate everything about it. However, my husband loves to watch it with his dad- man bonding, I guess. So we will go over there- the men watch it and the girls do way more fun things... like bake nutmeg cookies! This recipe is amazing! It's basically a pound of butter with a little sugar and flour and nutmeg and then lots of icing. Yum. I cannot control myself.

 Drool at Architecture

We spotted this gem on a walk the other day. So good looking.

Nights at Discovery Green

We gather with friends to picnic- we enjoy wine and company. This time, they showed Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

Cheap Argentinian wine

our new fave: malbec-cab

Cuddling other peoples' dogs

This is Eamsie. She's a Boston Terrier. She belongs to some of our friends. We love her. Even Taylor does. And that's a lot coming from my non pet-loving man.

Hope your weekends have been lovely too.



xoxo,

 

Easing Back In...

It seems my health has been taking a front seat lately. I went on a 60 day raw vegan cleanse to boost my immune system. I've loved it but am deciding to cut it short- I need protein and my body responds most positively to animal protein, ie chicken + eggs. With 2 weeks left to go til completion, I decided to integrate eggs and chicken back into my diet. I just need the energy! 

so looking forward to poached eggs, via.

What I learned through this whole immunity-boosting cleanse is how very very important vitamin supplements and fresh fruits and veggies are to my health! I know that sounds like such an obvious statement, but really that is something I am taking with me.

one of my Green Monster Smoothies + vitamins

Anyway, so easing back into eggs revives my delighted excitement for brunch... (I swear this post has some design relevance!)

Eggs Benedict is my ultimate brunch fave! Pic from Canopy on Montrose.

... And the perfect dining rooms to eat such brunch. 

Behold, a dining room round up:

Barrie Benson in Domino

from Lonny

from Domino

I would LOVE to eat a delicious brunch in any of these dining rooms. And don't even get me started about enjoying a cup of coffee here... 

xoxo,