Archive for January, 2010

paris – the basics and the showstoppers

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

You know when you come across something and you can’t stop staring at it? This happened to me when I came across Todd Richardson’s photos. There’s a calmness to them that I can’t quite explain yet enough is happening so that I want to look through them again and again. Each time, I see something new. I love the colors, how they are washed out yet there’s still a lingering pop here and there.

The more I looked, the more I kept thinking how wonderful it would feel to live or work in a space that begins to evoke the feeling I get from looking at the photos. I asked Todd if he would be willing to let me use the photos as inspiration pieces so I could come up with a concept that draws from the vibe they capture, old world charm meets modern day glam, Paris in a nutshell. Neither one of us were completely sure what the end result would become. Scroll down to see more of Todd’s Paris photos and my interpretation.

I began with a restrained palette of beige and stone, pulled from the city’s architecture. Then added natural materials like cotton, leather and wood. These became the basics. 1. Paris isn’t complete without a bike. Preferably one with a basket. 2. Mormor Dinnerware Set. Reminds me of the blue and white table clothes seen in bistros. 3. 1960’s Leather Chairs. A modern take on the traditional Louis XV Bergere Chair. 4. Jielde Signal Lamp. In mustard will add the bright pop of color you need. 5. Steel Tolix Chair. A Parisian classic since 1934. A cliche for this post, maybe, but I could never tire of this chair. Works great indoors or out. 6. Ordinal Dresser. Looks like it came straight from the Paris Flea. 7. Cabana Midnight Rug. The stripes create a graphic pattern and will add interest to a neutral space.  8. Numbered Edition Napkins. Dress up your dinner table and your dinner with cloth napkins.

9. Murano Glass Chandelier. A Parisian inspired home isn’t complete without a glamorous chandelier. 10. Take those wood floors a step further with a chevron pattern and reclaimed wood.  11. Antoinette Fainting Sofa. Louis XVI would be proud. 12. Zap Rug. Designed by Fionna Curran, this rug will add a literal splash of color to any room and echos French Impressionism. 13. Industrial light. Lighting that’s as glamorous as it is functional. This could be on the set of an old film as easily as it could be on the floor in your office. 14. Reclaimed Lumber Pedestal Dining Table. Big, bold and beautiful. This reclaimed table will take you through years of dinner parties, loads of laundry and piles of office work, all in style.

chalkboard paint

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Chalk board paint might just be on my list of ‘things I’ll never do to my home’. Don’t get me wrong, I do love how it looks and the concept of drawing all over the walls is exciting. I just hate the idea of having chalk all over my hands. Maybe this comes from my days of elementary school and having to write I will not… over and over and over again.

If you don’t have this weird affliction with chalk, check out Hudson Paint. I just got a sample pack of all their wonderful colors in the mail and it almost changed my mind about the not liking chalk bit. Not yet though. What do you think?

Photos: 1 and 2, & 3.

mjölk – pure scandinavian

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Mjölk, meaning milk, a great new storefront just opened in December. It’s based in Toronto but has Scandinavian roots. My dream shop come true, if you were wondering. Minus the distance of course, but it looks like you can now shop their online store. From what I can tell you may have to call to make a purchase. Just click on Designers in the upper right corner and you can explore till your heart’s content.

I’ve always wanted to take a trip to Toronto and Montreal. It looks like there are a number of great Scandinavian inspired shops in the area. Sigh. Some of my favorite musicians are from there as well. It makes me think there must be some sort of fabulous creative energy going on. Have you been there or are you from there? Please tell me how lovely it is.

If these photos aren’t enough, you can find more here. Nice work to John and Juli for putting together such a great concept.

i’ve got it bad

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

First it was the slippers. I fell hard for those slippers the first time I saw them a few years ago. Just recently I remembered them after going though some old clippings of things I filed away. Then I saw the blanket. That blanket would make about any room cozy AND modern at the same time. Maybe it will conjure dreams of the Swiss Alps? After the blanket I saw the baby slippers. I want to buy a pair for every child I know. How could you not love anything this tiny, cute and colorful? And it was pretty much down hill from there. I love just about everything Pia Wallen makes. Including the felt basket. Have a look at her website. I think you may feel the same.

a new favorite

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

I have a new blog crush. It’s even*cleveland. Don’t you love it when a blog reads your mind? Well even cleveland has been reading mine. Everything posted is pure perfection. Right down to Pentagram’s What Type Are You post.

Apparently I’m emotional, understated, progressive and disciplined. And the type that fits my personality… Archer Hairline.  You can take the test yourself here. The password: character.

Addendum: After posting, I realized the K.I.D header Celeste designed for me is not a far cry from the Archer Hairline. Maybe this was her inspiration? Here’s another blurb about the font that’s my new found favorite.

Archer, the colorful slab serif. Sweet but not saccharine, earnest but not grave, Archer is designed to hit just the right notes of forthrightness, credibility, and charm. Designed by: Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones

aught delights

Monday, January 18th, 2010

The past decade has been an incredible ten years. Off the top of my head, I graduated from college, moved across the country, began a new life in Colorado, married my best friend and am now in the midst of starting my own business. While all of these are milestones in my life, music also plays a huge part in reminding me of those times. Juice Newton and the Boss remind me of my mom. Both tapes were on repeat one long, hot, Tennessee summer. I think I was 7 and I remember riding in the little blue chevet with the windows down and singing Queen of Hearts like it was yesterday. Young MC Stone Cold Rhymin’ was my first official CD purchase and I played it over and over until I knew all the words to Busta Move. Neil Young Harvest Moon makes me think of 10th grade, sneaking out to smoke cigarettes and a love for volkswagen vans. I’m sure Jevan would tell you listening to Fleetwood Mac would remind him of growing up in Portland with his mom and dad. Do you have these memories that come rushing back after listening to a song?

To mark the end of each year, Jevan and I  make a playlist of our favorite songs. It’s our thing I guess you could say. I realize a lot of people do this but we’ve made this our tradition since we first began dating. We look forward to this time and talk about as much trash as one could possibly talk about a playlist. Ridiculous, I know, but remember it is our thing.

This year we decided on a decade list. Something that would span our lives from 2000 to 2009. We began in the same fashion as our annual list. Each of us had around 100 songs to narrow down to a well rounded list of 32. Not an easy feat because some great music was released between the millennium and 2010. And, while you may wonder why we picked one song over another, this list is once again, purely personal. I chose song #13 because I sang part of it to Jevan as a voice message when we first started falling for each other. I’m a horrible singer and no one, especially a guy I’m interested in, should have a recording of me singing. Thankfully he was good and kept it to himself. Each time I hear the song, it takes me back to those days. Some songs haven’t yet had time to develop the memories while others are much more personal I won’t discuss for all the Internet to read. This list represents an incredible 10 years for each of us. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy putting it together.

Side-note: I’m trying something a little different with the audio version of this list. If you aren’t able to download it or have trouble. Comment below and I’ll try to work it out.

Disc 1 can be listened to here:

1.   Air France – No Excuses
2.  Arcade Fire – Rebellion (lies)
3.  Badly Drawn Boy – Once Around the Block
4.  Band of Horses – The Funeral
5.  Beirut – Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)
6.  Bon Iver – Skinny Love
7.  Bowerbirds – In Our Talons
8.  Cat Power – Good Woman
9.  Cotton Jones – Blood Red Sentimental Blues
10.  Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism
11.  DeVotchka – How it Ends
12.  Drive-By Truckers – Decoration Day
13.  Gillian Welsh – Wayside Back In Time
14.  Grizzly Bear – Knife
15.  Grandaddy – Hewlett’s Daughter
16.  The Knife – Heartbeats

Disc 2 can be listened to here:

17.  Lykke Li – I’m Good, I’m Gone
18.  M.I.A. – Paper Planes
19.  Modest Mouse - Gravity Rides Everything
20.  The National – Secret Meeting
21.  Okkervil River – Okkervil River Song
22.  Phoenix – Lisztomania
23.  The Postal Service – The District Sleeps Alone
24.  Radiohead – Reckoner
25.  Ryan Adams – My Winding Wheel
26.  The Shins – New Slang
27.  The Strokes – Is This It
28.  TV on the Radio – Wolf Like Me
29.  The Walkmen – Donde Esta La Playa
30.  Wilco – I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
31.  Wolf Parade – Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
32.  Yeasayer – 2080

haiti

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Here is a quick and comprehensive list on just a few of the ways you can help out in Haiti. If you are reading this, there’s a good chance you have $5 or $10 to spare. You can even donate via text, it only takes a few seconds. Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a donation of ten dollars will be added to your next phone bill and forwarded to the Red Cross. How easy is that? And if you haven’t heard, things aren’t getting better any time soon.

Illustration: Daniel Stolle for the NYT. This article will also give you insight into the struggles of a Haitian.

Thanks even cleveland for first sharing the photo and link.

bronica ec – 6×6

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Perfect photo of a wintry sky by Osanpo, shot with a Bronica EC. This photo reminds me of the sky around here lately. It’s been so sunny and blue the past week, I can’t help but think (read hope) a big storm is on it’s way. Have a wonderful weekend what ever it is you decide to do.

simon says

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Simon Schubert has created some pretty rad paper foldings of homes and interior spaces. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Spotted on Today and Tomorrow

new year, new you?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

fred butler 2010 glasses

Reinventing myself at this point is pretty much out of the question. Plus, I’m not so bad off that I need a complete overhaul. Just a few tweaks and some goals should do the trick. Last January I posted about the Anti Resolution. Which pretty much got me no where with goals. So I’m doing it. I’m giving you my resolutions, in hopes that you will hold me somewhat accountable. I would do the same for you. At least I can come back to this post and remember that I claimed at one point to want to be a better version of me. No harm in that. Right?

Don’t skim. I have this horrible habit of skimming over things. Like directions, books, emails, spreadsheets, recipes, blog posts that need to be proofed before posted. I need to take more time. Not to rush and READ THE WORDS. Not just the big ones but ALL of them.

Learn something new. Whether it’s a backside 180 (I’m working on it people), a second language, or grow my own veggies from seeds, I need a good challenge and these would probably have me excited, frustrated and definitely challenged. All part of learning something new.

green dress and red tights

Wear less black. I love black. Not only does it make me look slimmer but it also gives me that moody, brooding, designer type edge. It’s perfect for client meetings because I want clients to focus on my ideas not what I’m wearing. This year, I want to break out of my mold and add pieces that have more pattern, color and texture in my wardrobe and that also feel as sophisticated and understated as their black counter part.

Don’t take things so seriously. See issues above. Thank goodness I have Jevan to help me with this one. He was class clown in high school. Just one of the many reason I married him. Maybe with a little more color in my life, I’ll loosen up a bit!

Call my grandmother’s more often. They will both be 90 this year and have learned and lived through so much. Living 1200 miles away from the majority of my family makes it more difficult to see each other on a regular basis. I want to develop a better relationship with them before I don’t have the option.

delancey - seattle

Reinstate date night and supper club. Jevan and I get so busy with work, hanging out with friends, or just regular life, we forget to take time to enjoy dinner just the two of us. Especially at a proper table, coffee table doesn’t count here, without a TV, the day’s mail, twitter, facebook, or my newest distraction, Words with Friends involved.  And, we’ve been talking about supper club for months. You know who you are. Let’s do this.

Make more stuff. And start crossing the things already on the list off said list. This means the lamp, the gloves, the motorcycle jacket I began 2 years ago, the cassoulet, the chocolate chesnut mousse cake I have taped to my inspiration board. Yes, I consider chocolate inspiring.

Officially set up my business. License, tax stuff, resale id, everything.

More focus on this blog. I’m the first to admit, I’m all over the board when it comes to posts I write. I want to focus on more creativity and inspiration, the things that keep you coming back here. Is there anything you would like to see more of in 2010 on this blog?

Photos: 1. Fred Butler, 2. Deviant Art, 3. Orangette