Branching Out

The wall sticker below and to the on the right are from a great company called Dvider- yes, I spelled that correctly. It's a fun sight. When you roll your mouse over the color pallet the image you have chosen changes color.

PHOTO BELOW:

Urban Outfitters- who knew they had such great home decor. The last time I checked it was hippie-chic college dorm paraphernalia.

My friend Craig might say, "What's wrong with that?" and I would respond, "Nothing, now get a haircut." I didn't think I was allowed to shop there after I turned thirty- he actually told me as much....but if I'm 29 in my heart who cares...right?

Back to design-

I have been looking everywhere for wall murals, gigantic stickers and now stencils- all for the new office! The apartment seen in this shot looks a bit drab but in picturing it on my walls...I can't help but get a little giddy.....

Office update:

There was an ugly old oak cabinet in the office. It must have been installed by the former tenant-purely for storage. The aesthetic relevancy was less than zero. Anywhoooo. ..I painted it with a coat of Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish. I must say, it does look good. The effect is like an aged silver mirror. Pics to come when it is complete.

Pondering Periwinkle, Maybe Mango

Last night, while having dinner with friends, my dear friend Michelle showed me a sample of a color she was considering for her office.

OK -I'll admit, I had stolen away to gaze dreamily at her design bulletin board when I noticed some very vibrant paint chip cards sitting on the bench below. I picked them up and immediately began dissecting the shades and planning (in my head) which room should be dressed in each particular shade...I'm obsessed.

Well wouldn't you know....Today I picked up my latest Metropolitan Home- which has been one of my favorite design magazine since I can remember. Low and behold-I spotted this. In the bottom photo, which though I would not classify as modern, is decidedly in the the color family that Michelle has chosen for her office. There is also a mango wall highlighted in the first shot that her husband would enjoy.

It gives me a little thrill to see the colors people pick, the shades they are drawn to...I have a tendency to pick earth tones and vibrant greens, charcoals and pure whites. I love having jolts to enliven my sense of chromatics..it's refreshing.

Inspiration is often not just about what speaks to you, but about listening when others let you in on what speaks to them.

The Road to Morocco
The meditation room was painted
periwinkle (Pratt & Lambert's Autumn
Crocus) and furnished with a Balinese-inspired custom bed
upholstered in Travers & Company's reflective Odessa.
Photographer: Grey
Crawford

A Little Zen

I saw this post in a wonderful blog called sooziebee design. She also has a great etsy shop of the same name. I bought some great embroidery cards- sorry-only one of a kind. You should check out some of her other things.

I think this particular shot shows how creative, and artistic small yard spaces can be...I may not meditate but I could sure space out here awhile...

Leapin' Lupine We've Got a Hiker!

We attempted a Dallas Trail Hike today-the road is very near Ralph Lauren's Double R Ranch. The views are truly breathtaking. Unfortunately, storm clouds moved in and lighting began to cackle so we jogged back down to the safety of our vehicle. All the while Sophia was assuring her American Doll Nikki that it was OK to be scared but not OK to scream. "All it does is just hurt her ears,"-(meaning me.)

Ahhh... it's sinking in!

Earlier, on the way up the trail, she collected wildflowers and stuck them all over her Dad. she's getting to be a really good hiker- appreciating the sticks, flowers and the meadows, the trees and the bones we find...

In terms of design, I never fail to be impressed by the colors, the light, and the textures found in the natural world. I started a little photo project...but am waiting until my good camera is fixed to really get going.

Meanwhile it was just nice to out in a quiet place with my family.

Post Script:

Wooooooo just googled AG doll. Wish I'd had the foresight to buy an extra doll last Christmas. Those puppies are going for a pretty penny now.

The title says it all

Michelle Kodis wrote this amazingly brilliant design book. It sits proudly on the ottoman in my living room. I picked it up again the other day and was reminded of how refreshing it is to live simply, pairing down the clutter and enjoying the outside views. When the indoor space is streamlined and minimal, when the architectural fuss and noise are dialed down, the distractions become fewer and fewer.

For example, she highlights a project in the book by designer Rich Cieciuch that speaks to that point exactly.

The house is wrapped in glass and sliding doors. The light in the cabin creates the perfect atmosphere for work and play while tempting the dweller to go outside (the box.)

Natural Post- a wee bit obnoxious.

I really don't think Scottish jewelry designer Abigail A. Percy makes anything I don't love.

Everything is irregular, just as nature intended it to be -nothing matches ...mmmm....goodness.

Perhaps my husband will read this and remember our wedding in Stirling, Scotland. Perhaps sentiment and romance will overcome him. Yes, his wallet will fly open, his fingers will dance across the keyboard and across the vast ocean, Abigail will hammer away: forging yet another exquisite example of nature inspired modern design.

No Thorn In My Side

What a wonderfully weird little shop.

Wind be damned!

Several years ago we traveled hundreds of miles to the nearest big blue Swedish store, spent a zillion hours shopping for a home office, two brand new homes, and a friend who collects organizational paraphernalia. I was there long enough to eat not just breakfast but lunch and a snack at the cafeteria.

My poor husband tried loading the trailer we had brought for the occasion while gale force winds almost blew his flat bed cart into the next state.

The rest of us stood at a big window and shook our heads in sympathy. Comic, yet sweet...poor guy. It was like a silent movie- palm trees were whipping in the wind, magazine holders were flying off the cart, his brow furrowed...aah memories.

It was at this particular discount design mecca that I bought a similar napkin holder . Simple enough concept. I thought it would be perfect for casual dining al fresco. Back home, my girlfriends were not only green with envy, they were vocally indignant that I didn't pick one up for them. Who knew it would be such a hot commodity?

Too bad...since they are all married, I guess I can't save this beautiful number from Lunares for wedding gifts.

Digging all the way to China

cb2 of course.

My daughter wanted to know all the animals that were red. I came up with a lousy 3 and promptly consulted the web. As it turns out, the Red Panda is a very spunky little creature whose characteristics, oddly enough, resemble my daughter's. Unfortunately, this photo fails to show the long red tail in the back.

Not a lot of Red Panda design idea unless, you think bamboo. My floors are bamboo, I have bamboo cutting boards, I especially enjoy my bamboo towels- no joke- they are extremely soft and anti-microbial-how about that!

These little guys are endangered but several organizations try to help conservation projects.

Buongiorno Farmers!

The summer has officially begun!

Seeds are sprouting and flowers are blooming. Father's Day is the highly anticipated opening day of the Ridgway Farmer's Market!

This morning I bought some basil that smells like Roman heaven- an Italian aria actually vibrated in my ear the moment I inhaled their sweet aroma.-

John Wayne ambles over to Scandanavia...

Classic before and after shots from several years ago at a spec home we did in Cobble Creek. I found the corbels on the fireplace at a great little place called Old Home Highlights. They have since moved from Ridgway to Montrose, Colorado. I think they are at least 100 yrs old. One of our project managers was horrified when i told heim we weren't going to redo them. I wanted them as weathered and distressedd as I found them- minus a cob web or two.

The lamps, desks, rug, large pottery and some of the prints were from Tiffany Etc.

I was trying to cater to a specific demographic- didn't want to scare anyone by being too modern. The couch and chaise are Ikea. This was truly my first attempt at blending modern and western styles. It was a great learning experience.

Dr. Freud, I have hide envy

Michael W. Dreeben designed this great chaise- an example of the great modern west for sure.

I found him while perusing the latest copy of Interior Design .

I wonder what kind of things would I reveal while reclined in this marvel?

Stacked!

This may look a little flat on screen but up close it is dazzling. Arizona Tile makes these great 11-3/4x 11-3/4 tumbled quartzite in tiles. There is a web backing to keep them stacked, tidy and easy to install.

Luckily for me, a local company called Carpet Trends reps these little gems.

I'm currently using them for a kitchen back splash in a mountain style home.

The fireplace, which is visible from the kitchen, also has a stacked stone look with the same color pallet. The material, of course, is larger and more suited to a fireplace, it's actually the stone I'm using on the exterior of the house.

In the entry way I'm using traditional 12x12 quartzite stone tiles. The color for the kitchen back splash and the entry floor is called Golden Gate. It's really a show-stopper but subtly so and in a classic, yet modernized way. It reminds me of mid-century modern with a little more pizazz.

I'll be sure to post results.

Beautiful Old Bastard

Modern Printed Matter is a fantastic little design biz I found on Etsy.
How am I supposed to choose? They even have a really great pregnancy journal with a clean, modern design on the front.
I ordered a delicious little black and white print for the new office. It seems I am obsessed with all things black, white and pewter lately.
I've designed and redesigned my office (in my head ) a hundred times. We're putting bamboo floors next week. Stay tuned for before and after shots.

No Vegetarians Here.

Call it a knack, call it raw talent, call it what you will. I happen to have the ability to separate sweet baby lambs gamboling in the spring meadow and the fabuloso dinner I had tonight. Succulent grilled lamb-chops drizzled with olive oil, mint, lemon and garlic.

I was so hungry when I got home from the grocery store(30 min away mind you.) No, not because of traffic. We live about 25 miles from "city" supermarket. I had a house full of hungry people... so I did what I do best....make food in a hurry. We also grilled fresh corn on the cob, asparagus and garlic bread (crusty bread with chunky garlic slices EMBEDDED- EMBEDDED I say!) and roasted new potatoes with rosemary, finishing them with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Divine. Simple. Cruel to be kind.

Do I need to mention that all a lover need do is read a really good menu to me before bed and I'm as good as gone? Ya.

Brand Conscience

We visited a friend's week old colt recently. My daughter had spilled a little apple juice on her dress right before we got to the ranch. The horse found it right away. Fast friends those two.

"Skid Boots" is the little guy's working title. His coat is unbelievably supple and his mane so fuzzy it will make an animal lover out of the most jaded...(me.) I oohed and awed.

Minor educational note- apparently there is a "new" kind of branding technique. Freeze branding is a technique in which a super cold branding iron, properly applied to the animals hide, kills the color pigment producing cells. The result is that white or colorless hair instead of colored hair, grow at the brand site. Freeze branding is effective on both cattle and horses along with dogs. One advantage of freeze branding is that it produces a readable brand at any time of the year. Another distinct advantage freeze branding has the distinct advantage of being painless or nearly painless to the animal during the branding process.

Bring Them Back!

Yes, I collect these cute little throw-backs. Some call them snack sets, some call them hostess sets. I call them delightful. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, brands, etc. but what makes them perfect is their cost. I can usually score a box of 4 for $4-$5 at most any thrift store, yard sale, or consignment shop.

It's true, you can find modern cup and dessert plate combos but the brilliant price of these makes them irresistible. I recently amassed 78 of them for Arts Beat. My mother sent out a call 6 years ago for all her lady friends to bring her 40 or so to supply my petite baby shower.

Besides baby showers and events what possible other purpose might they have you ask? Well book club for instance, playgroup, board meetings, dessert buffets (I just gained 5 pounds writing that) neighborhood progressive dinners. Anytime you need to have a beverage and a plate of food and only have one hand to hold it. So clever.

Sex and The City...secrets

Mid-way through the completely over-the-top, label oozing movie Carrie is offered breakfast in bed. My very savvy design friend Pam leans over and whispers "Eva Zeisel." I nod at the pretty pot nestled on the screen's serving tray. Then it happens...the teapot is switched! 3 times- for the love of Pete. As the scene cuts away to a reverse shot, the pot is different. I think this is so funny I laugh out- loud. Unfortunately, the scene is not a comic one. It is often referred to as a "tender moment." I should get out more.

I have been collecting her gorgeous wares for many years. Part of me was a little disappointed Crate and Barrel launched one of her lines. Too mass market I whined...she's special. It's hard to keep a good thing secret.

M. L.

M. L . stands for many letters. We wanted them to get out and explore nature...they spent 75% of their time inventing games like this on the hammock. I may do a series spelling out their names...then again, there I go making plans for them...

Saturday Night Fever

I was in awe of this gracefully organic form the moment I saw it.
I have to admit though, in photos it looks a little like it froze in the midst of disco inferno.
Or perhaps I was witnessing a holdup... in a bad western ...
"The Smooth and the Raw."
Lesson learned..a fresh perspective on anything visual is a good thing!

My Morning Bling

They call this the 2 carat cup. Brilliant price as well, $16. I think this might be my new office mug. Unfortunately, the platinum style is sold out. I can wait though...the office won't be done for several weeks.
We went camping this weekend and while a friend and I perused design mags we spotted this particularly "campy" number.
In my fervor to organize my new space, I took several notes about color and form in the beautiful surroundings along the Dolores river near Gateway, Colorado. Stay tuned for photos.