For the longest time, I’ve had in my head that I want a square work table that I could work around on all sides and stand at. My workspace could really use a desk exactly like this. Sadly my workspace isn’t big enough for a desk like this. Someday, someday. Maybe yours is?
Also, thanks everyone for the sweet comments and emails yesterday. I really, really appreciate them.
Photo: Redefine Home
Along with being one of my favorite blogs, Seesaw is one of my favorite etsy shops. They have a well edited collection of vintage clothing, glassware, home decor & accessories. And these polka dots might just get me out of my stripes obsession or maybe it’s a rut. Did I tell you when we went to Portland for 3 nights I packed 4 striped things? No? Well I did, and these dots could just be the perfect intervention. They have more than just polka dots too if that’s not your thing. Check it all out here.
Saturday afternoon Jevan, Sam, Meghan and I stopped by the Field House in Seattle to see what they had in store. Motivated by our afternoon jaunt, I thought I would share a small collection of items inspired by the space. Some pieces you can purchase from the store, others are influenced by the styling. But you’ll have to make a trip to Seattle to check out the Field House goods in person. It doesn’t look like they have an e-commerce site up and running, part of the charm by the way.
It’s part old west without being kitschy, Navajo without being over the top and inspired by a time when things were less disposable, think pre-plastic. If you are in Seattle, take half an hour and check it out.
“In a culture dominated by computers, The Field House is a refreshing invitation to slow down and connect with traditions that are lost and forgotten,” says owner Nicole Miller.
1. Pendleton Glacier National Park Blanket This is my favorite Pendleton. It’s traditional and modern at the same time. Always a classic. 2. Diptyique – Philosykos Eau de Toilette. I smelled every single scent and fell in love with Philosykos. A woodsy blend of figs and white cedar. Perfect for him or her. 3. Glass Cloche To showcase your favorite trinkets and treasures. 4. Vintage Industrial Cabinet A great little cabinet to keep everything in it’s place. The organizationally obsessed can label each drawer. 5. Bee Raw Honey – 4 honey flight for cheese. The entire store smelled of hints of honey and made me want to sample every flavor. 6. Box and Flea Bandanna whether to keep your neck warm or to wipe the sweat from your brow, a good bandanna is always handy.
The Field House
5465 Leary Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
info@blackbirdballard.com
open every day 10 to 7
Photos: 1. and 2. Blackbird. 3. the K.I.D Collective
I guess it’s time I divulge a little of what I’ve been up to as of late. I told you months ago, I would share what I’ve been working on. Now seems to be just as good of time as any. Some of it will be personal, my house is a work in progress friends, some of it will be client base. All of it will be candid. My attempt is not to hide the flaws and show you perfectly styled photos but to give you an idea what the process was like, minus the step by step instructions. I don’t follow them, so you probably don’t want me writing them. Maybe you do, let me know.
I bought this ottoman for $25 and lived with it, pleather and all for 3 years. I really don’t know why I torture myself for that long. The entire project took me under two hours to complete. The fabric is a wool houndstooth and ran me all of $5. An ottoman is just about the simplest thing you can reupholster. The perfect place for me to start. All you need is a sewing machine (or needle and thread), thread, staple gun and staples, screw driver, scissors and fabric. Be sure to get extra if you have a pattern so you can match ends.
When buying furniture you want to reupholster, first and foremost, make sure it has good bones. No wobbly legs, missing parts, broken pieces, you get the idea. Because if you aren’t handy, it takes money to fix these issues and often it costs more to repair than it does to purchase. There’s a reason that table on Craigs list is only $15. Be weary my friends.
If you are going to pay to reupholster, as an example, the ottoman above would cost me about $100-$150. A medium size chair that is modern in style, without any tufting or many details, and excluding fabric could run anywhere from $400-$1000, depending where you live. With that said, it makes sense to really love the piece. The great thing about reuphostery is you have an original piece.
Photos: the K.I.D Collective
A few years ago Jevan and I decided to go paperless in the kitchen. We noticed how many napkins and paper towels we were going through on a monthly basis and were a little embarrassed. And, shocked at how much trash two people could generate from paper alone. At some point in our lives, it became second nature to grab a paper towel to wipe one little spill on the floor or a handful of napkins for dinner. After thinking about all that waste I didn’t want it to be second nature.
So we gave up paper. Just like that. Although I can’t say it was completely easy. I felt a little guilty wiping a spill on the floor with a clean towel then tossing it in the laundry. But over time, we’ve worked out a method that makes sense for us; we still have a stock of paper napkins for when we have more than 12 over for dinner, and we don’t wash napkins and towels after each use unless they are obviously dirty. We also accumulated enough hand towels and napkins, for cleaning, hand drying, and for meals.
Each time I head home, my mom always tries to give me something from the house. This last trip was no different. She let me dig through her stash of vintage linens. I came up with a handful of things I crammed in my carry-on. My favorite is above, the vintage blue and white table cloth. It’s well worn. Scattered with tiny holes and patched in places. You can tell many meals were had on this table cloth. I remember it from when my brother and I were tiny. Other finds were a matching set of 8 napkins and a table cloth with a yellow and green border, almost a full set of 70′s Vera Neumann napkins, and a purple, blue and yellow table cloth. All very springy.
If you are searching for your own, you can find a number of vintage Vera Neumann on etsy. She also does more than just napkins, she’s known for her bold patterns and color schemes. You can find her fabric on dresses and scarves at Anthropologie. Here’s another great set of vintage napkins or just check around at local antique shops. If you are feeling crafty you can pick up a few yards of fabric and hem all sides. Voila, new napkins or hand towels.
I also love these Printed vintage napkins with Georgia O’Keefe’s Irish soda bread recipe.
Photos: 1,2,3 and 4. the K.I.D Collective, 5. Pilosale
Before I was able to drive I wanted a junk car. Not new or even used, but junk. A car deemed unsuitable by insurance companies and owners alike. There was something about the spot where cars would go and die that bothered me. So many of them, just sitting there, used for parts and never to be driven again. I’m not sure why or when this obsession came about but now that I’m older, and I like to think wiser, and need a more reliable mode of transportation my obsession has changed. These old Vegas signs are a great replacement.
The Neon Museum in Vegas is the spot where old signage lives a new life. I could spend hours in here wandering around, taking photos. I can even imagine Anthropologie doing a photo shoot here. The Neon Museum is open to the public for tours and photographs. A must see the next time you are in Sin City.
Via What YaYa Likes, photos by Pam Sattler
All this talk of cabins and playing out in the snow has me excited for the weekend. I just might enjoy some time on the mountain at Beaver Creek or Keystone and maybe a frosty cold one or two. There’s even a little snow in the forecast. Good thing because we seriously need it. Who’s in? What are your fun weekend plans?
This weekend:
If you are in PDX check out the newly opened Woodlands Supply Store. Stocking some of the finest coffee, periodicals, fragrances, leather goods, hankies, soaps, knives and jerky available. They will also be featuring a small collection of vintage goods.
We are dog sitting Max, a chihuahua, for some friends over the weekend. This Chihuahuas post made me smile.
After our shred day we’ll be playing Pitch with friends and then hitting up a Super Bowl Party on Sunday. Hot links anyone?
Don’t forget about the Giveaway I have running for Valentine’s Day. The winner will be selected Monday, February 8! Have a great weekend.
Photo: 1.
