Monday, October 31, 2011

Metallic hides

I'm loving the metallic zebra and cowhides. They are so subtle yet add the right about of glamour and texture to a room. Great for someone who's a little nervous about the traditional hides OR for someone who wants the next HOT home decor item.



House of LoLo in Portland Oregon uses one to glam up the boutique. The boutique was featured in the new issue of House of Fifty magazine.


I love the color and sophisticated statement they make. I can't wait to use a metallic hide to add a little unexpected glamour to a room.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Unconventional

Lazaro Rosa Violan's Barcelona kitchen made me rethink the American standard of a kitchen: Why can't it look like a great, interesting space as long as it can still function as a kitchen and gathering space?

It's been crammed down our throats that a kitchen has a working triangle, it has to have a laundry list of "super durable" things like solid surface counters (although a lot of people can't even imagine a marble counter as they've been incorrectly told its too high maintenance (they actually get better with age and wear -- it's why they've been putting them in for hundreds of years!)), a tile or stone floor ("heavens no on hardwood") and a huge island with lots of seating.

Our kitchen blueprint has become gigantic- literally everything, including multiple kitchen sinks, multiple dishwashers, multiple eating areas. And it makes great sense until, well, until it doesn't. When you see how others live and you realize it can be unnecessary and all-consuming.

This kitchen has soul and it reflects the lives of the owners. It breaks all the rules and I love it. Herringbone wood floors (I DIE) and a wood counter island. No upper cabinets - just lower shelves with all the necessary tools in reach. An island without bar stools -- what a refreshing sight. A funky support column that adds character instead of being dressed up to look like a theater set. An unfinished open beam ceiling that marries beautifully with large scale crown moulding and a tabletop lamp instead of pendants. But the piece de resistance - the Asian screen that is the backdrop for the entire room. The room is stunning in an unconventional way.

This is a kitchen I want to cook in, celebrate in and just hang out in. It's so beautiful that it makes you want to create beautiful food. Maybe we should re-think the rules of what a kitchen is supposed to be and start creating kitchens that reflect who we are and what we need.

Everyone, meet my soapbox, but I'm a woman inspired.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Coffee Heaven

I've been thinking about espresso machines for over a year. I can't function in the morning without a cup of coffee. I literally can't even shower until that first sip hits my mouth. And with the Fall weather (I mean rain) in Seattle, I knew I needed something stronger to get me through this season.

So I did some online research and talked to everyone I could before walking into Sur La Table one day. I walked home with this new dreamy machine. The Nespresso & DeLonghi Lattissima. It's the BOMB. It's literally changed me life. I put in a pod, push one button and it steams the milk for me and makes the perfect espresso. It's idiot proof - which is what I need in the morning.

I don't know how I ever survived without one. Sorry Starbucks, you won't be seeing me in the drive through twice a day anymore now that my coffee at home is so much better and cheaper.


Try it. Maybe it will change your life too. It's the little things in life that make you the happiest. And I'm one happy lady with my Grande Vanilla Latte in my own kitchen anytime time of day I want.

Happy Monday.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Mixed up art

I love symmetry and order, especially when it comes to art displays and gallery walls. I think it must make me feel like everything in the world is right and under control. But lately I've been loving art walls where everything isn't placed just so. Spaces where they've mixed different sizes, different genres and different colored frames. It's so much more interesting and it feels so friendly and approachable. Like the art is your friend and they just want you to curl up and stay awhile. Maybe it's because it's Fall and I want to hibernate, but these rooms really speak to me.







What do you think? Do you like your art orderly or a little mixed up?

All images from my pinterest

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Going Paperless

I was thinking about the whole idea of invitations the other day. I love getting a real invitation in the mail for an event. It makes the whole thing feel more special -- it helps create excitement around the event and it just seems to make even the smallest thing feel legitimate.

The problem with invitations is that we all seem to be living on our computers and the best way to get a hold of someone these days is through email. Not to mention, I'm hoping I'm not the only one who forgets to get the mail once in a while? All of this has lead to the huge popularity of evite and the like, but the problem is... I really hate their formatting! It's tacky. I totally use them, but every time my heart longs for the paper invite I could have sent if I had a grasp on things.

So, meet Paperless Post. It's not free, but it's inexpensive and the designs are great. It's what I would have sent in the mail in most of cases, but instead it's online and it even "opens" like a real invite.









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