See what happens when I chase the chaise?

Le Photique LOVE Etsy! I mean come on! These are so cheeky! They had an Eames chair as well but I liked these...they also had some cute vintage cameras for all you shutter bugs!

Washington DC .... help me Nancy!

Huevos anyone? Should I drag everyone to Perry's?

Elliott Teel Photo
We are going to Washington DC for spring break!!! I'm embarrassed to say I have never been there before. We have so much snow right now in Telluride and Ridgway that it's hard to believe there might be cherry blossoms only a short plane ride away. I miss the dahlias, the hydrangeas, the tulips, and the cherry blossoms the most since moving from Seattle...love being so close to skiing/hiking/here though.

A good friend of mine who is from D.C. suggested the following itinerary. It is a fantastic spring board. Too bad we can't get tickets to do the white house egg roll on Easter! We'll be bringing my Mom who is full of fun and curiosity and our sweet 6 year old...Scott and I might go out for one fancy schmancy dinner. We'll need to see the mall lit up at night...

Here's where you come in!
Where are the modern boutiques? The great furniture places? The funky shops? I'd love to hear your "musts"! PLEASE!!!!
M.'s recommendations:
Day 1
The Mall and the Smithsonian Museums (be sure to see the Natural History Museum)Korean War Memorial/Vietnam War Memorial Tidal Basin at the Jefferson Memorial (lined by the cherry blossoms)Eat at Tenh Penh or Michel Richard's Central?

Day 2 Breakfast at Eastern Market (Saturday morning) on Capital Hill Capitol and Library of CongressNational Archives The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Day 3 Spy Museum (http://www.spymuseum.org/)Lunch at Full Key (Chinatown) or Jaleo (right by the Spy Museum)Newseum (http://www.newseum.org/)

Day 4 Sunday drag queen brunch at Perry's in Adam's MorganNational Zoo and Dupont Circle. Don't know whether you want to see the Holocaust Museum (http://www.ushmm.org/)? Amazing, but definitely adult content.Also to fit in: shows at Folger Theater or National Theater.Neko Case (ALT country) is playing on the 9th at the 9:30 club. She's awesome. Not COUNTRY, COUNTRY, twang, twang.

This sounds like a good restaurant. Any one been?

Architectural Artifacts Favorite Finds and Deals!

Look at this intact art deco bar!
Oh Boy did I discover a treasure trove of good deals!
Architectural Artifacts in Chicago! Their online site is fantastic, and as I was looking around I found this:

Have a look at our website for examples of these terrific items, but remember:
only a small fraction of our massive inventory is online, so please contact us
if you don't see what you're looking for -- we're sure to have something special
to meet your needs.

For those paying close attention: As a special
bonus, simply mention this email and receive 20%-off of your purchase (in-store
or via our website) made within the next 10 days (September 19-28) -- What
better way to give the economy a boost and satisfy your own desire at the same
time?!

This piece is the epitome of great modern /antique pairing. It would look great a sofa back table, an entry table, a buffet, even a bathroom vanity for a guest bath. Drill a hole in the top for plumbing, plop a vessel sink on top and shabam! Instant cool.

These pony chairs are so fantastic my hair is on end with enthusiasm.

Industrial, yes, but with the right accessories we could warm it up in a snap!

This gate-makes ya want to slap yer mama- am I right?

Sorry Mom, but look at the detail, fantastico, no?

I think they found this in Argentina.

Love me some folk art!

So handsome!

Bright idea ,no?

Build me a sun room- this is the inspiration piece for the whole room!

What I didn't get

A friend just had a baby so I was looking around the web for a great baby gift. I found some pretty cute stuff at Modern Seed, but these amazing kid's chairs weren't in the budget. I am, however, thinking about them for my little modster. Is that bad?

These photos are great and in spite of what I'm about to say about the play house, I really do like this store.

She's the dreamer, he's the rage against the machinist, and she's just dopey cute!

If you don't have a big refrigerator or dishwasher coming to a kitchen near you, you could just order this box- marketing a box is stupid, smart. You may feel like a total nitwit buying this little $50 playhouse or just incredibly flush. Perhaps you want your little darling to have a white playhouse for her brilliant scribbles and and embellishments rather than a brown shipping box, well your more parent than I! Silly me, I have senselessly and cruelly been helping la nina create her dream homes with a steak knife and markers, when I could have pre-ordered this one with already cut-out windows and doors. Call me old-fashioned I guess.

Really, what's next, pre-assembled gingerbread houses? AHHHH the humanity.

What the description said,

Make it a Playhouse

A house is a house, and this one is white, until you design
and decorate its exterior!With windows, doors and a letterbox you will surely
make it your home in no time. Meant to be painted and decorated.
Easy-to-assemble for hours of play. Easy-to-store: it folds down flat in its
box. 18 months +5% of profits to UNICEF

Easy to store, hmm, comes in it's own box? At least it benefits Unicef!

This rocks!

rocking cubeA sculptural Rocking Chair
12

The Rocking Cube represents more than an ordinary rocking chair. The seat area
originates from the formal gesture of pushing the material through the body of
the object. It is like a sculpture. The wooden veneer at the inner side of the
chair creates warmth and cosiness. Foam, which is soft at the appropriate
places, is used to make it comfortable.

More rocks... Boy do I have a good idea for the newest Mt. Rushmore scene! Look at those mugs!

Light shining through the rock formations, geckos scuttling by, tortured wood sculpted by the wind. Humbling.

I love discovering all the great National gems- in my own backyard- Fruita, Colorado! This was our Labor day destination.

Mad about the Silhoutte!

Did you see Mad Men Sunday night? Betty's equestrain gear is unbelievable. Ralph Lauren look out. Her Hermes scarf almost hypnotized me.
I really look forward to this show and I'm so glad I can share the fun!

The silhouette of the shelves made me squeal with delight.
I'm keeping this shot on file for great mid-century modern inspiration- I may have need to recreate them!

There were actually quite a few peculiar angles shot; Don grabbing his hat from the back, the shot of the guy picking up his check- they are gettin' a little experimental on us! Keeping us alert.

Just when we're about to like Don again- he suprises us with an evil twist...

Stop it!

This 1950's leather folding chair is ridiculous! If I had the chump change for this beauty just laying around I would buy it without hesitation. The store is called Modernity, it whispers to me in the middle of the night, "look at me" it says. "Look at my gorgeous mid-century modern masterpieces...come to me...you know you want me..." It's hard to resist.

How long will it take Ikea to reproduce the vase on the top? I think, it's just a hunch mind you -that they might be able to recreate and make it just a tad bit more affordable.