Options for Kathleen

Here are two reasonable options Kathleen. Target has some lamps that are cute looking. The first one below is priced at $200, but the one under it is priced at $70 totally reasonable.

When I am looking for a new piece of furniture for our home I always start by finding a beautiful high quality piece and then if I can't afford it I use it as a starting point to find something less expensive that has the same qualities.

Let me know how your search goes!

Don't Buy of the Week

Don't buy any lamps like this. No it's nt because they blow up or anything like that- it's because torch lamps are ugly and bad design. If you're past the age of 24 you have enough money to purchase a decent lamp. Make it your New Year's resolution to throw these babies out!!!

Copper Hewitt

The Copper Hewitt museum of Design in NYC is currently exhibiting Wall Stories: Children's Wallpaper and Books until April 5th.

It should be a fantastic show! I recommend a check-out if you're in the area- and let me know if you see it so I can write a "review" (aka me criticizing)

Graduate School

As a few of you already know I have been accepted into the Corcoran's History of the Decorative Arts Masters Program for Fall 2009 and I couldn't be more excited. This is an oppurtunity I thought would never come and sometimes when you think you know exactly where your life is going something happens that makes it more awesome.

History of Decorative Arts is a branch of Art History. It is the focus on things that are beautiful and functional. I will be studying the history of costumes, metals, museum design...etc...

It was this blog that helped me realize that decorative arts was the direction I wanted to head in. Wish me luck!

Shell Surprise!

My husband, Brian, was super awesome today and brought me home a shell collection his work had. Look at the finds in here!

My best friend Catie, has an amazing ring from France made out of the swirly shells in the first pick. I'll ask her to send a pic.

Now please if you ever aquire a collection like this don't put them in a basket in your bathroom- I might just throw up. Instead use the two large swirl ones in the back as book ends and keep it at that. Too many shells looks like a beach house or a white trash persons regular home.

Needlepoint Transcends Time

I would never think of needlepoint as avant garde but then again....

Let's start with something historical. This is a samler from July 18 1793 by a 13 year old named Mary Bagshaw. Samlers are a crucial part of a girls education in the 18th century. This sold at Sloans & Kenyon auction house for $1000.

Now to something a little more contemporary and cool.

An awesome pencil case from Jonathan Adler. I want this for grad school!

Below: A change purse which I've featured before. From Jonathan Adler or piecesinc.com. I really really want this.

Way too cool for me... a ipod carrying-case and a cell phone carrier. I don't have an ipod and my cell phone is so old I look like Zack from Saved By the Bell.

Computer Down

My computer is on the fritz and it has all my images so please keep checking back- it may be a few days before I can get a good post.

Thanks.

Bunny Williams Top 5 Lessons

Completely stolen from Domino magazine, NYC based interior designer's top 5 lessons.... all of which I support.

1. Color should be complicated. Break out of the rigidly coordinated schemes that most people rely on. Instead, build on a base of varied neutrals, and add dashes of boldness throughout. Think Impressionism, not paint by numbers. (I think we're all guilty of this, including me.)

2. Matching is for beginners. Distinct eras and materials are better when blended. If I have an antique wooden chest, I'll put a steel lamp on top. That's why I think oft his as a collection, not a line - the styles aren't identical but complementary.

3. Buy with the future in mind. Consider larger items like sofas, as quality backdrops, not the stars of the show. That way you don't get sick of them as your taste changes. (A great place to get beautiful classic sofas is Brian's work, Sloans & Kenyon. You can get a gorgeous sofa frame for a STEAL.)

4. Keep an eye on scale. It's okay if your husband needs his oversized armchair, but balance it with leggy chairs and benches. And when it comes to to hanging art on the walls, the bigger the better. ( I agree!!! There is nothing I want to stress more in this blog then the important of scale. Often furniture sold at C&B and Pottery Barn is huge and built for cheaply built mcmansions.)

5. When in doubt add gold. I always search out shiny things when I'm browsing flea markets. Every room needs a little sparkle. (Agreed.)

A Wingback for Everyone.

I know what you're thinking...a wingback! Grace! Could you get anymore stuffy? Well I could but let me defend the wingback. A wingback is classic and timeless and with the right fabric and the right upholstery` work you can make this piece fit in with your home. Another way to update a wingback... think small. A smaller scale wingback can fit nicely in a bedroom or in a normal dimensioned house. Another I don't like the red leather- the shape and scale is fresh.

Another adorable small-scale wingback. I especially love the dramatic uprightness of the back.

A PB Lamp I Approve Of.

I rarely like furniture from Pottery Barn. Once you study the real art of furniture making it is hard to appreciate pieces of furniture that are pounded out and are built to please a wide variety of people.

However once in awhile Pottery Barn surprises me with their lamps. Here is one lamp that was just released that I give my seal of approval on.

The Verona Lamp. Floor and table sizes.

I like both versions. So throw out your hideous torche lamps and purchase these instead, the price is right.

New Store in Bethesda

Last week on a drive through Bethesda I passed a store called Accessories of Old. I wanted to stop in but I had Clemmy with me and the time just wasn't right. Flash forward to this weekend, Brian and I had lunch at The Burger Joint in Bethesda so we decided to stop in Accessories of Old and it was love at first sight!

(Above: A general pic of the store.)

(Above: A very small selection of the store's VAST selection of vintage velvet ribbons.)

The store was opened in 1917 in South Africa and the granddaughter of the original owner and husband just opened a Bethesda MD location. How lucky are we??!

(Above: Original store in South Africa)

The store is awesome! It specializes in vintage trims and has everything a heart could desire: vintage lace, upholstery trims, racks and racks of vintage buttons still on their original cardboard in a variety of colors, earrings and adorable hair clips!

(Above: Three clips we bought for our little Clementine. Stayed in her hair and held tight.)

(Above: Adorable hair clips.)

Stop by this awesome store and buy, buy, buy!!!!

Store website here.

Kicking Off the Day!

I'm on my way out for a very busy day but before I leave I needed a little art pick-me-up. so I scrounged and I scrounged until I found some gorgeous pieces of jewelry that remind me why I have chosen the arts as a life path over a fast yet unfufilling buck. Enjoy and feel inspired!

Above: A pair of Etruscan revival rings. Dated 1870 and priced at $9500. I could see these on my finger while I give commands. Above: A pair of earrings that really take a different way of seeing to a whole new level. Indian gold and enamel earrings priced at $3250. These are a contemporary piece. My co-art teacher, Judy, hates Indian art so don't show this to her.

And last but not least an 1870 pair of coral and 18k gold earrings. Although I rarely fall for a chandelier earring these I like. Priced at $19,500.

On a sad note- Domino magazine is going under. It's a sad day for us eclectic home design enthusiasts.

Become a Follower

Okay so I know I'm no Christ-like figure but it would make my day if you would sign up on the right of this post and become a follower of my blog.

Do it. Do it now!

Read Post Below

Then this one will make sense....

As promised:

John James Audubon

I love John James Audubon's sensitive renderings of animals. I especially like his pelicans and other birds. These you can appreciate in a museum or purchase a few similar engravings (no prints or posters please) have them framed professionally and hang them in a bunch. The bunching will add drama.... I'll find a pic and post it! (please note not all images below are J.J. Audubon.)

Above: I especially love the dynamism of this one.