Quirky & modern designs

I put together a compilation of fun, modern and quirky design ideas that are simply irresistible. 

Planter table by designer Emily Wettstein. Uses reclaimed wood and steel. Planter is removable and you are able to put your greenery of choice.

Beautiful and cute Skog lamps created by Caroline Olsson in collaboration with Magnor Glassverk. Don't know why they make me think of Super Mario Bros. 

I am truly in love with these leaf ties. Designed by Tsunho Wang, director of Lufdesign. Also, the profits made from this product benefit an ecology campaign.

Truss planter by Pull + Push found on Molla Space.

Inspiring interiors

It's been a little while since I've posted about inspiring interiors that I stumble upon. Here are a few office/living spaces that caught my eye. I love how rustic or industrial-like accessories always seem to find their place in our homes. They add character to any space. 

1. Bradbarry 2. Room269 3. Fine ting og sjokolade 4. net.sfd.se

Deborah Sanders Learning Lecture February 4

Cathedral Antiques Show presents Learning Lecture # 3: Deborah Sanders, February 4, 11am

Deborah Sanders joined VERANDA magazine with its second issue in 1987. She served as Managing Editor for most of its 23-year history, editing and writing home profiles and articles related to the decorative arts. During this time, she also conducted decorative arts tours to France. Over the last ten years, she canvased trade shows around the world, concentrating on the development of product stories for the magazine. Since leaving VERANDA in June 2010, she has established a consulting business, making presentations on design at market events around the country. She also plans to launch an online publication dedicated to product reviews, called Style InSite.com. She will be talking about trends in decorating.

For more information on the Cathedral Antiques Show click here.

Jeffrey Bilhuber Learning Lecture February 3, 1pm

Cathedral Antiques Shoe Learning Lecture February 3, 1pm: Jeffrey Bilhuber

In this lecture, Jeffrey Bilhuber will discuss how high style can (and should) encompass effortless comfort–interiors where families big or small can take pleasure in easy spaces that are brilliant amalgams of new and old.

"Jeffrey Bilhuber's interiors have the all-American elegance of a latter day Billy Baldwin." - Hamish Bowles

image via house beautiful

Thanks to the Cathedral Antiques Show for putting together this informative and inspiring lectures series.

Wishlist thursday

A wish list dedicated entirely to Etsy finds. Simply love them.

1. Leather Bracelet11 2. RossLab 3. Tall Poppy Gardens 4. Vintage Dictionary Art 5. Brickell Collection 6. Tokyo Craft Studio 7. Amourx

Richard Keith Langham Learning Lecture February 2

Cathedral Antiques Show Learning Lectures - February 2: 1pm, Speaker: Richard Keith Langham

You won't want to miss the lecture by Keith Langham on February 2 at 1pm at St Philip's. He will be speaking about Decoration: Fact and Fantasy.

above, a Georgetown townhouse

In an interview in 2009, Keith said:

“I have been doing this now for almost 30 years, and I’ve done projects all around the country. I just really talk about the decorating process, where you take a vision from your client and acting as an editor in order to bring the room into reality or fruition,” he said.

“I do sort of classic timeless rooms that are kind of based on English sensibilities, but they are not English rooms,” said Langham “I always like to add a little kick to it or a little element of whimsy.”

via elle decor

above image and 4 below, a Mississippi house, via Architectural Digest

from Architectural Digest:

Alabama-born, Manhattan-based Richard Keith Langham’s claim to fame is Anglo-Southern extravagance, or the English country-house look amped up with antebellum eccentricities. The sometimes-dishy theatricality Langham achieves through his use of intense paint colors, swooning curtains, bullion fringe, and an heirloom-style assemblage of curious antiques has a solid classical foundation, however; his training began more than 20 years ago in the office of the late Anglophile decorator Keith Irvine. Langham’s traditionalist ethos has served him well with clients who prize old-fashioned quality over instant gratification (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was one). And speaking of quality, the designer’s upholstery is so meticulously crafted it could be the work of an haute couturier.

Below, a New Orleans house

Bedrooms by Keith Langham

All of the images above, interior design by Keith Langham. His work is fabulous!!! See you at St. Philip's.

Featured photographer + Frodo update

I really felt the need to feature some of my favorite photo finds on flickr recently. I keep stumbling upon such amazing material. This one photographer caught my eye: r_risus. Check out her photostream, a lot of rich photographic goodness. I like the different atmospheres and the muted colors are just perfect.

I find myself having a lot of time to spare these days, little Frodo is very happy. I get to spend much of my days with him. I think he knows my free time will be out the window in two months, since every time spring starts, I find myself working at least 12 hours a day. Work + business = little time for anything else. Don't worry,  he will have others to keep him company during the day.

Cathedral Antiques Show Learning Lectures Feb 2, 3 & 4

Don't miss the Cathedral Antiques Show February 2-4 at the Cathedral of St. Philip. There will be 3 wonderful lectures during the show and we will be highlighting the 3 speakers on our blog over the next 3 days.

February 2, 1pm - Richard Keith Langham

Richard Keith Langham has designed residences around the country and abroad. His client list is as diverse as the rooms he puts together, from the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Mrs. William F. Buckley to Hillary Swank. With a love for clear color and real comfort, his stylish rooms are grounded in English sensibilities. In addition to interior decorating, Langham has also designed party decor, including the Black-and-White Ball for the Bruce Museum in Greenwich to the Boys Club of New York at the Plaza Hotel. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, Veranda, W, House Beautiful, Hamptons Magazine, Palm Beach Cottages and Gardens, and Southern Accents.

February 3, 1pm - Jeffrey Bilhuber

Jeffrey Bihuber has a uniquely American perspective that breathes new life into traditionalism with a confirmed understanding of modern sensibilities. He mixes periods and design ideas with a confidence and instinctive style whose rules are self-evident—practicality and sheer beauty.His most current literary accomplishment, The Way Home: Reflections of American Beauty, has drawn praise from the industry’s most authoritative sources such as the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and House Beautiful. In this lecture, Bilhuber will discuss how high style can (and should) encompass effortless comfort–interiors where families big or small can take pleasure in easy spaces that are brilliant amalgams of new and old.

February 4, 11am - Deborah Sanders

Deborah Sanders joined VERANDA magazine with its second issue in 1987. She served as Managing Editor for most of its 23-year history, editing and writing home profiles and articles related to the decorative arts. During this time, she also conducted decorative arts tours to France. Over the last ten years, she canvased trade shows around the world, concentrating on the development of product stories for the magazine. Since leaving VERANDA in June 2010, she has established a consulting business, making presentations on design at market events around the country. She also plans to launch an online publication dedicated to product reviews, called Style InSite.com. Areas of Expertise: Interiors, Furniture, Gardens, Product

Potato blini with salmon tartare / Food adventures

My dear friend and I managed to make delicious potato blinis with salmon tartare the other day. We found this amazing recipe on Couture au Chocolat, an inspirational blog about both food and fashion. So it literally took us three hours to make and five minutes to eat. What was long to make was the potato base. But it was truly worth it. 

Our plan was to have this for lunch, however, by the time we were done it was more like supper. We didn't give up on desert. We had some crème fraiche left so we made these delicious crêpes with chocolate and blueberry toppings.  So much for dieting...

Green love

These days I find myself indulging in what I love most: gardens and greenery. It's my winter escape. But also because I will be embarking in a brand new job starting april as both an horticulturist and landscape designer and I am simply thrilled about it.  However you can always count on me to find something to be pessimistic about in any joyful situation. So I tell myself: why am I stuck in a place where winter engulfs us almost six months a year! Which means for people like us who  are working in the landscape field, work is not all year long. It's around seven to eight months a year max. The rest of the year we are on seasonal unemployment collecting maybe 70% of our pay check only. It really has made me thinking about moving somewhere warmer where work is year long and where your regular bungalow doesn't cost a million dollars. My boyfriend and I have family and friends both in Georgia and Texas and the houses are incredibly affordable, it's crazy what you can get for your money. However, I'm not to sure how the job market is over there, I'll have to make my researches.

So in the mean time I spend my days going through inspirational garden photographs (some being my own like the capture below) and creating plans for futur projects. I know I said I was suppose to make a post about a few drafts I've made for a terrace project, don't worry it'll come!

1. Barjaweb 2.  Desde my Ventana 3. Martha Stewart 4. Myself

String Gardens

Fedor Van der Valk, is the artist behind the famous string gardens that have garnished the posts of many blogs. They are beautiful and exude a sort of whimsical feel. The sceneries from these pictures seem to come straight out of a Lewis Caroll book. I admire his work very much, it easily combines the playfulness of art and the beauty of nature.  These creations could also make an interesting DIY project.

Working on a brown study

Somes ideas for a study or library with brown walls....

above, Miles Redd

above, the iconic room by Sister Parish

above, Mario Buatta

above, Amy Fine Collins' office, via Elle Decor

above,room by Dorothy Draper, the Greenbrier

above, interior design Gwen Driscoll, via Elle Decor

above, Billy Baldwin's brown living room

Beautiful attic bedroom

We worked on this wonderful attic guest room last spring and summer. It still needs a couple of finishing touches but we couldn't wait to show you this pretty room!