Silver Leaf

I have been searching for fun and unique display cabinets to house my jewelry at upcoming shows this holiday season. I came upon this idea on Martha Stewart's web site to silver leaf the back of a cabinet. She makes it look pretty easy to do, and says that the silver leaf paper is pretty easy to find. I was inspired to come up with a few other pieces that one might consider silver leafing ~ somewhat simple ones to start with! I stayed away from entire walls and ceilings - I think I will try my hand at a tiny cabinet to begin with. Now I just need to find the paper!

1 ::  www.marthastewart.com

2 :: www.horchow.com

3 :: www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

4 :: www.furniturequotesdirect.com

5 :: www.rhfashions.com

Feeding the Birds

I am in love with these prints by Hadley Hutton, such soft and delicate washes of color mixed with fine lines and detail. With this grouping I created a little story of a girl feeding the birds, and just like my childhood ~ the little brother tags along! I am thinking that one of her pieces would be a great match for my vintage inspired botanical shower curtain ~ I just can't decide which one! Visit her web site to check out more of her original art and prints.

Hadley’s work is a blend of traditional painting and modern design. She draws inspiration from Asian patterns and motifs, Victorian die cuts, and geometric designs. Her work explores nature’s beauty, people’s influence on their surroundings, and the environment's influence on people.

"The paintings typically are created with a monoprint printed on an etching press using ink and/or watercolor pencils. A monoprint is a print made from a plate that can only be printed once.(unlike other printing processes where you can create multiples with a plate). And finally the print is mounted on wood and painted with wax and oil pastels or varnished with an acrylic medium."

From Golden Sunrises to Autumn Nights...

Inspired by Maria's "All secrets are Witnessed" photograph, touches of golden sunrise; luxurious silk, knits and lace; and autumn nights help compliment this gorgeous piece of art.

1 :: Cultivar ~ Crisp Autumn Night, 3 Bobby Set

2 :: TickledPinkKnits ~ Buttercup Luxurious Knit Scarf

3 :: Mariahgale ~ All Secrets Are Witnessed

4 :: TheHomeCentric ~ Golden Sunrise - 16 Inches SquarePillow Cover in Burnout Velvet On A Silk Slub

5 :: Adornyou ~ Lace and Elegance - amethyst quartz and raw brass earrings

6 :: DesignduJour ~ Gold Silk Purse - The Mikado

Botanical Jewelry

The honeycomb ring was the first piece from Elizabeth Scott’s collection that caught my attention. Photographed beautifully to bring out the simple and clean lines of the piece. Though it is hard sterling silver I imagine it to be a soft comfortable wear. and I just love the simple, clean natural textures and style presented in the rest of her pieces. I also love that she is a fellow "New Yorker."

“Living in a rural area makes it very easy to pick up a leaf or flower and think, “I have to make something out of this.” It’s always an object I have a personal connection to and one that I hope others will find meaning in. I make design choices that won’t get in the way of everyday wear because I think that the way something looks and how it feels are both equally important. I like the clean look of a single material, sterling silver, and I like to create simple pieces that focus on one design element.”

“Plants & water are my favorite subjects. To represent water, I use various methods of producing texture in metal. Patterns are hammered, enameled, matte finished, heat textured. My botanical pieces are created from the plant itself, either from a mold or an impression of the leaf, or a casting of the whole organic object. I make one original piece, then multiple castings are made by a professional caster in 100% recycled silver or gold.”

For updates on new work, you can visit her blog.

Luxury Aromatherapy

I am so inspired by the gorgeous packaging that Sweet Petula has designed for all her different products ~ soaps, bath salts, aromatherapy mists.... Each scent has a different style to it yet as a group the soft colors and friendly fonts blend well to make a stunning presentation, both from the shelves of the retail store front in Seattle to her online shop. Check out Sweet Petula's blog for sale previews, new products and what inspires her!

"At Sweet Petula, our company mantra is "simple luxuries for bath & body" - and for us that means creating products that are simple and effective, but also inspired and indulgent. Little luxuries no one should do without. Each product is uniquely formulated based on nature's pharmacy combining vegetable oils, herbal ingredients, pure Aromatherapy essential oils and botanical extracts. Turning your everyday bathing and skincare rituals into a spa-like experience that nurture the body, mind & spirit."

Vintage, Recycle and Up-cycle!

Inspired by the "recycled" pallet post from last night, and my trip to the flea market last Sunday I decided to post a few vintage, recycled and up-cycled items from favorite sellers of mine. Even if you can't make it to the flea market, or if tag sale season is over there are plenty of fun finds looking to be loved again that can be found online! If I get a chance I will try to post some photos of some of my flea market finds from this past summer.

1 :: EveryEskimo ~ Wood you like a soda - Coca Cola crate no.2

Beautifully aged and sunny yellow. this sturdy crate is wood with reinforced metal edges. it's divided into three large sections, perfect for keeping things organized

2 ::  TheVintageholicFrog ~ Vintage canister set.

3 :: PostRoadVintage ~ Ladderback Chair with Burlap Potato Sack Cushion

An old chair was "white-washed" off-white paint and the caning was replaced with a sturdy padded wood seat. The burlap potato sack cushion reads, "California Potatoes" - all in our beloved RED, WHITE and BLUE!! Adds instant charm and vintage, country delight to any corner of your home!!

4 :: Yesstreen ~ Old crackled glass hanging lamp

5 :: RedcombVintage ~ Set of four Vintage VERA Bold Floral Napkins 

6 :: HighStreetMarket ~ Large vintage wooden carved round bowl

This bowl is so beautiful and would make a striking statement on a countertop filled with fresh fruit, or left empty.

Pallet plate display

I took new look at an old book that I pulled from my bookshelf, Restoration Home by Mark & Sally Baily. It has some great ideas for up-cycling old items that show of love and wear into new and interesting uses for the home. This is a project that I have always wanted to do if I had the wall space in my kitchen. Old pallets are easy to come by, a quick clean up and a layer or two of stain may be all it will need. It could be hung as a display in the kitchen or entry way to feature mis-matched plates lost from the rest of their set or unique pieces found at the local flea market.

Hand-made handbags!

I love the simple and clean designs Pesky Cat has mixed with seasonal colors and textures to create this fun collection of hand-made handbags. I had a hard time choosing a favorite, but I think I agree with the cat on this one and would like to add the cream colored linen bag, leather buttons and single strap to my *christmas* list!

Pesky Cat is a New York City-based artist and designer who create handbags and accessories that are inspired by nature, color and texture. Her creations are all original designs from patterns she drafts herself and are sewn with care to be durable and beautiful.

Well, hello!

I think it was my trip to Anthropologie a couple of months ago that did it. They had owls on everything! I spotted a really cute one made in to a cookie jar (I think) ~ very friendly looking ~ it seemed to say "well, hello!" to me right there from the shelf. Sadly, I passed on that purchase, and since then I have been spotting them everywhere! Tempted by dish towels, pillow covers, door mats ~ they just make me smile! 

1 :: Anthropologie ~ Cookie Jar

2 :: Courtneyoquist ~ Owl Print - Daytime

3 :: Anthropologie ~ Dish Towel

4 :: LuckyBluebirdArt ~ Retro Damask Owl

5 :: Carambatack ~ Under my wing - Print

6 :: Oladesign ~ Owl Print

Monogramming... even a cookie!

Not just for stationery.... Check out this unique collection of monograms ~ beautiful to look at, some yummy enough to eat!

1 :: Laladesignstudio ~ Sterling Silver Wire Initial

2 :: Nhubs ~ Personalized Initial Bookmark

3 :: Odeshop ~ 5X7 Linen Monogram Print

4 :: SweetAmbs ~ Monogrammed Cookies in Lavender

5 :: JackandIzzy ~ Personalized Note Set

6 :: RitzyMisfit ~ Limey Colored Monogrammed Initial Wax Seal Pendant