Deep Winter Decorating

It’s always around this time of year, when the holidays are over, the weather is crummy, and comfort food becomes my daily diet, that I feel kind of blah with my house.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the seasons. They help frame memories and I enjoy the hope and anticipation of the next season. But I seem to do much better with summer vignettes in my house, and always struggle with how to use my decorating accessories for winter use. 

So I’ve been flipping through design books and magazine to inspire myself –and you!

Inspiration one; Sweaters!  This chic and cozy pillow cover is handmade (and authentically English!).  The Etsy store has lots more options and colors.  I have a pair (just ask the owner for a set and she is happy to oblige) of ecru cream pillows and love snuggling up to them on the couch for my daily Aran sweater fix.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACrookedSixpence

Inspiration two: Cashmere!  It inspired a Seinfeld show and has been a luxury item for centuries.  I love looking at the Atlantic Blanket company website.  It’s as relaxing as having a glass of wine.
http://www.atlanticblankets.com/throws/plain-cashmere-throws/plain-cashmere-throw-190x140cm-cream

Inspiration three: Sleigh Rides!  Jingle bells –the essential safety precaution of yesteryear’s transportation looks great on a decorative plate, or piled up in a glass apothecary jar.  Either new and shiny, or old and weathered, safety like this is always in style.

Inspiration four and five:  Walks in winter woods!  If you stroll in an area that has deer year-round you may spot a shed antler or two laying about.  Take it home, clean it up with a few drop of bleach in a sink of water, and it looks great on a mantle or table next to some candles and books.   The bare branches of the trees are also another great source of inspiration.  Their sculptural quality is equally captivating in a vase or basket inside.  Best of all you can arrange your ‘tree’ to suit any size space.  Use long branchy-branches near a winter on the floor if you want some height in your ‘sculpture’.  Or put snap twigs in a julep cup for a super simple ‘bouquet’.

Inspiration six: My wardrobe!  Layers are essential for my winter dressing.  Likewise I’ve applied the dressing concept to my sofa and chairs by layering my throw blankets and pillows (in some places three deep).  This way I can enjoy them all at once!

Happy 2011!  Love, Lauren

Colorful scarves - Handmade from Etsy!

With the east and midwest locked in snow right now, I am sure you guys are craving anything warm yet stylish.  For those of us in the California sunshine, we may not always need it for warmth, but love a colorful scarf as an accessory.  Here are a few great options on Etsy that have caught my eye recently...especially since I am teaching myself to knit and crochet (thanks to youtube), and realize how much time goes into these items!

For those looking for style but not necessarily warmth, look how much fun you can have with these loop scarves from Nitca.  Here is an image of 7 looped together:

Have you been craving something bright to combat the cloudy skies?  Look at the great colors in this design from karmelidesigns:

I also love the color mixture and design of the pieces available on MisMisoDesigns.  Yeah for Wisconsin artists!

What is your favorite?
-Katie

Kate Spade Spring 2011 line

Kate Spade does not disappoint with the colorful clothing, shoes and accessories in her Spring 2011 line.  

Iris top

Tutti Frutti necklace

Clume wedge

Date night solid ring

-Lana

Laurel Leaf Farm

I have been stalking Laurel Leaf Farm for over a year now.  They have the coolest vintage finds and farmhouse antiques both of which are oh so trendy.  The best part is their pricing, it's so affordable!  The thing here, you have to act fast.  I am under the suspicion that interior designers stalk them so things move quickly.  You can check them out here.  Some things I love......

Those vintage croquet balls in the galvanized steel basket!  Ball jars used for a wedding to hold flowers as aisle decor.... so many possibilities!

- Tina

Weekend Project: Closet Office

As I might have mentioned before, we have a very small house, so finding space to do work at home usually involves taking over the kitchen island, dining table, or the couch.  None of these are very organized options, as they end up making the entire house look messy. 

I love the idea of transforming a closet into an office, since you can shut everything away (out of sight, out of mind, right?).  Here are a few cute ideas from some great DIY blogs.  Weekend project, anyone?

Shelterpop is a fun blog, with some great ideas for your home.  Now you see the office...

And now you don't!

Sunset is a great magazine for any of us living in the West that needs garden, home, travel, or recipie ideas.  Here is their spin on an office closet:

What if  you live in an older home, with that random, tiny closet that barely fits anything?  Well, jazz it up and get some use out of it!  Thanks for the great idea, Real Simple Magazine.

Does your closet have double doors?  Well, use those doors for storage and expand your workspace, as is shown on Country Living.

Do any of you have a great office space?  Please share!
-Katie

Winter Boots

As many of you may recall, I LOVE boots.  I also love shoes, but right now I am obsessed with boots.  You perhaps have looked at my post, The Classic Riding Boot, and also drooled over the beautiful leather.  Well, I am not on another hunt - stylish but warm winter boots!

I think this is a great pair from Shoes.com.  I just love the brown color!

You can also get a great pair from DSW, if you prefer the black with fur look.

Or, maybe you only shop at Target.  Well, never fear – they also have a cute option!

Keep those tootsies warm!
-Katie

Wedding Inspiration

Us girls always dream about our "big day".  Below is some inspiration for your big day - an untraditional white wedding.

I do! by tinamk177 featuring a chain handbag

Haute Hippie Draped crepe wrap dress, $475
Carven goat suede pump green, 2.495 DKK
SANTI PT4256 Clutch, $170
Gold Flower Turquoise Ring, 77 EUR
Monogram Résille large band ring, yellow gold, $2,700
Beaded Chandelier Posts, $22
Maison Martin Margiela Racoon and goat scarf, 625 GBP
Amazon.com: Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick .13 oz (3.7 g): Beauty, $6.49
Guerlain - Aqua Allegoria Tiare Mimosa Eau De Toilette Spray..., $62
Coral Blossom Pillar Candle Holder, $90
Artificial Wedding Flowers | Sarah's Flowers, 32 GBP
White Filigree Lasercut Cupcake Wrapper
Martha Stewart Weddings Feather Wreath Wedding Invitation
Fleurs Arbres -

- Tina

Felt Wreath and other Online Giveaways

There are so many great blogs out there, and quite a few have giveaways from time to time.  I am loving this felt wreath that Twig and Thistle has available.

You have until January 24th to sign up, so hurry!

As for other giveaways, just check out Giveaways on Blogs, and you may be a winner.  They have everything from free products to giftcards.  Start 2011 out right by winning free stuff!

-Katie

New Year, New Bedding!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day all!  I hope many of you have the day off, and are enjoying doing anything but working. 

Recently I cleaned out our linens, and realized I have a very sorry collection of sheets and bedding options considering I am now an adult and not a college kid.  The search is on!

I like the pattern of this set from Macy's, which just happens to be on sale.

Overstock usually has a pretty good selection of bedding.  I found this 500 thread count sheet set for 39% off, and the stripes are a nice little detail since we have solid comforters.

You also can never go wrong with a classic black and white pattern, such as this one from the Bedding Superstore.

Now I just need to convince the hubby we need new bedding!
-Katie

Lonny Magazine

Lonny Magazine is an online publication that is a great source of interior design inspiration.  Click here to explore the magazine.  

-Lana

Pretty Color Combinations

Amy Butler's use of color and pattern is very inspiring.  Here are some gorgeous Stone & Honey necklaces to complement her images.  

-Lana

Zara

I need these items from Zara added to my closet immediately!  

Though viewable online, you can only purchase in stores (at least in the U.S.).  Zara, please open a store on the Peninsula or South Bay!


-Lana

Bookhou

Bookhou has some wonderful home items on their site. 

Steam bent bench (also comes as a table and Bookhou can customize the size for you)

Petite chaise made from recycled furniture parts

Lines pillow

Field storage box

An alphabet for your wall

-Lana

Charmed

I am completely enamored with Fossil’s line of charms.  Many of them are functioning objects like this

Hourglass with falling sand

Suitcase which opens to display a "Best Regards" postcard

Envelope which holds a letter

Bird House which opens to reveal a bird.

Click here for more vintage-inspired charms.

-Lana

2011 Calendars

Even though we are several days into the new year, I thought I would share with you my favorite calendars. 


Adorable little creatures populate Nimbus Factory’s  Happy Ocean mini calendar:

I love the artwork in Leah Duncan’s wall calendar:

Sweet Scandinavian style in Dutch Door Press’s wall calendar:

A clever desktop design to Albertine Press's Argyle Letterpress calendar

Paper+Cup’s Chalkboard Scrapbook wall calendar (What a great idea!):

A beautiful calendar full of watercolors by Creature Comforts that you can re-purpose into postcards.  Download here.

-Lana

Japanese Woodblock Prints

I saw the most amazing exhibit of Japanese woodblock prints at the Legion of Honor yesterday.  As a printmaker, I was amazed by the intricacy, color saturation and creativity in subject matter of these 18th and 19th century prints which greatly influenced the Impressionism movement in Europe.


One of my favorite woodblock prints was on display at the exhibit: the lacey, stylized "Great Wave off Kanagawa" from the series  "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" by Hokusai.  Until yesterday, I never noticed that there are boats being tossed around in the waves nor the presence of Mt. Fuji in the background.  I found this great diorama of the woodblock print from Upon a Fold.

Instead of buying an exhibition catalog to keep as a souvenir, I purchased "Hiroshige: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo."  

It contains beautiful reproductions of his famous woodblock prints, the majority of which were on display at the Legion. The publisher, Taschen, always does an amazing job with color reproductions.  The entire book is printed on high quality paper and bound with Japanese stab binding enclosed in a protective slipcase!  You can flip through the entire book here or purchase here at a very reasonable price.


-Lana

Statement Pieces

I love to accessorize my clothes.  It really doesn't matter if you are wearing jeans, a white T, and sandals you can make your outfit pop!  It's all about statement pieces - big earrings, big necklaces, big bracelets, big rings.  The only warning here is don't go overboard.  If you wear a big necklace do not wear earrings, if you are donning a big bracelet wear the statement ring on the opposite hand.  Gaudy is never in.  Here are a few pieces from Alexis Bittar, my new favorite jewelry maker.  Her Lucite collection is awesome.

- Tina