Farmhouse Chic: 7 Inspiring Examples {Decor Inspiration}

décor inspiration

Farmhouse Chic: 7 Inspiring Examples {Decor Inspiration}

October 30, 2013

I'm in the desert at the moment
daydreaming about

living in a farmhouse and imagining

how this style can be interpreted

in various lovely ways.

No. 1

I love how the Swedes

embrace white and grey.

No. 2

How the French love

their limestone and the understated.

No. 3

How the rustic and the pretty

mingle in Texas.

No. 4

How natural wood warms

up white in the Netherlands.

No. 5

How pale pastels and natural

light shine in California.

No. 6

How whimsy and peely paint

charm in Australia.

No. 7

And how color and romance

bloom in Maryland.

Have a favorite flavor of farmhouse chic above?

p.s.
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Like us on facebook.
Srsly. It's a no-brainer.

books

Books {Ten Thousand Stories}

October 28, 2013

What happens when
illustrator Robbi Behr
and writer Matthew Swanson,

(husband & wife behind Idiots' Books)
collaborate on a playful flippity flappity
never ending story?

illustrations - Robbi Behr

Cheeky fun.
Their interactive book of odd tales makes

for a whimsical fun gift so check out:

Ten Thousand Stories: An Ever-Changing Tale of Tragic Happenings

(Chronicle, 2013).

One of the 10,000 stories my flippin flips told:

THE PUZZLING HABITS OF ECCENTRIC KARAOKE

"Irwin collected the local pets with a large net and a long van, never offering a suitable explanation. His surprising behavior made the people uneasy, but no one spoke a word of complaint, ensnared as they were in the throes of an irresistible charisma. This uneasy situation persisted throughout the long winter. The animals were kept on a sloop in the bay. Sounds of their joy could be heard in the hilltop village. The next day, apologies were issued, the first one to Sam, who had been offended in a most unpleasant manner."

another offbeat gem of a duo: me and jo

Imaginative geniuses at work...

Hey Santa's helpers:
Bet you know someone who will appreciate
Ten Thousand Stories: An Ever-Changing Tale of Tragic Happenings
that lets YOUUUUUUU be the flippin author (sorrrrrrryyyyy).

Click for a list of beautiful design books to inspire.

artist

Artist Inspiration: Emily Winfield Martin

October 24, 2013

Kitten Bandit

This is as spooky as you're gonna get

this halloween at Hello Lovely.

No time for bats or masqueraded
door-to-door beggars of sugar.

Displeased with the halloween grinching?

It aint on accounta the Jesus lovin.

The creepster holiday just isn't a fav
(yep, this coming from one with an affinity for
skulls, wolf paws, and bobcat teeth).

Portrait with Pet Bat

I lied about the bats!
Don't you love the whimsy and imagination

of artist Emily Winfield Martin?

Emily's new book is

Dream Animals
(Random House, 2013).

Does this trick-or-treater have her
Steve Martin and Kate Moss far-away look
down to an art or what?

In the Spring, She Married a Bear / Large Print 11x14

In the spring she married a large bear

I feel unwelcome to this wedding, do you?

Shirley Poppy

Emily's flower girls are all that.

Pansy

So go ahead and get your ghosty thrills on,
you halloweenie apple bobbers.

Crocheted newborn hat: Cottage in the Pines

Mrs. Peepers in the cat beanie

and I will be hiding indoors in the light.

p.s. check out the owl:

books

Books: Howard Slatkin {Ffth Avenue Style}

October 21, 2013

Interior designer Howard Slatkin favors

browns, caramels, and food color associations,

and his Fifth Avenue apartment is a tasty reflection.

Who knew a blogger of snowy white Nordic rooms

would find her tiny self wishing to crawl into the

lush candlelit pages of his new dreamy book?

I think it's because Slatkin is a rule breaker

with a joy for living and dreaming.

Man, I love those types.

Beautifully packaged and sealed with wax seals...what a treasure.

Just my humble opinion, but

his book is best enjoyed while sipping

mulled cider near an autumnal crackling fire.

Oh! And with sea salted caramels.

The romantic pages will enliven your senses,

expand your vision of luxury,

and elicit multiple contented smiles.

Fifth Avenue Style:

A Designer's Own Apartment

by Howard Slatkin

with photography by

Tria Giovan

(Vendome Press, 2013).

What a privilege to tour

Mr. Slatkin's thoughtfully created

dream apartment and be guided

by design secrets within.

Candlelight creates a 'dusk-like ambience in the gallery.'

I don't think I'm spoiling anything...

but you may need to brace yourself for

the knowledge that the apartment features...

wait for it...

*whisper*

a candle room.

True.

More romance: lilac on a whimsical chair, cuff links in jasper bowls.

Mr. Slatkin was passionate about sharing

intimate living areas of his home: dressing room,

pantries...and thus we are treated to lessons in

mixing personal treasures, valuable art,

precious objects, and the stuff of everyday living.

Cannisters with tins of organic candies? Mouthwatering!

I cannot wait to taste Torie & Howard's

pomegranate and nectarine

organic and all natural hard candies

packaged in those sweet tins!

The book was created not simply to offer

and showcase imaginative solutions

for awkward spaces but TO ENTERTAIN

and accomplishes such purpose brilliantly.

Speaking of entertaining, find

Howard's tips for entertaining on Bergdorf Goodman's blog.

Speaking of Bergdorf Goodman, check out

the designer's yummy holiday display window in NYC!

Although I could not attend his book signing here,

I will view it in person on a visit in December.

You will love engaging with Fifth Avenue Style

because the author and photographer

have captured sumptuous intimacy.

Peace to you right where you are.

p.s. You know so-and-so will be asking you for a gift idea.

p.s.s. Could you stand to add a little sumptuous intimacy to your place?

book covers

My Art {Collages on Vintage Book Covers}

October 16, 2013

collage for Monika of Splendid Willow

A few years ago, I began creating

these mixed media collages on old

discarded book covers.

collage for Alison of The Polo House

I have kept a few for myself, but most have

found very fine homes across the globe.

for Swoonworthy's gallery wall
(this one has been in a few magazines, yo!)

I use acrylics, felted wool, safety pins, vintage

book pages, vintage illustrations, linen,

silk, and egg shells.

Birds, skeletal ladies with high hair, crowns,

crosses, and poetry are repetitive themes.

for an upcoming art show

I am so fond of using these book covers which

would otherwise be thrown away!

And now that I have my copy of

Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted,
Carved, Transformed

Edited by Laura Heyenga

(Chronicle, 2013),

I am once again inspired to continue

this compelling art form.

Oh little paper slippers!

Prepare to be so inspired and dazzled

by the artists within this positively

magnificent book you will not

be able to put it down!

Any fans of art made from books out there?

Peace to you right where you are.

around chicago

Personal Reflections: Love Always Wins {Waldorf Astoria Chicago}

October 14, 2013

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago, my groom and I were in Paris

at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome

celebrating 25 years of marriage,
both of us in terrific health.

A year later in Chicago at the Waldorf!

Much heartbreak, many surgeries, and multiple

illnesses later, we recently returned

to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago

with joy and gratitude in our hearts

for our annual anniversary weekend.

They will make you feel extra special at the Waldorf

sending up champagne and chocolate-dipped amenities!

I wanted to fully immerse myself in the wedding spirit
and paraded in this lacy gown belonging to to my
second mama...it is a gorgeous 1966 dress

(the year my husband and I were born).

I would swim in my own 80's era 50 lb. dress.
I wish someone, anyone, had asked me at some point
during the dress shopping:
Now, you CAN MOVE in this suit of armor, can't you?
Because weddings tend to involve movement and dancing.