happy living Design

the selby in london

Some of these images make me mourn the loss of my books that have departed.  They are great nonetheless.

via The Selby

 

 

 

 

 

momo natural

I got lost in this website just with the photos.  Imagine if I could actually read Japanese!  They have all the simplistic beauty that we expect from Japan.







credit: all photos from momo natural
shop :: blog

colors : jcrew

When I envision what our house will look like once we are done rejuvenating it, say in 5 years...ok, maybe 10...I always think about it relative to its simple Cape Cod form on the outside and how I can invoke a casual, beachy and classic feel to the inside.  I have long looked to the muted colors of Mud's gorgeous ceramics for color inspiration.  But lately (and really since the second half of last year) the Jcrew catalog has been an unexpected source of ideas and it's really buzzing around the blogosphere lately.  This is my favorite image of the current catalog.  Pastels are not what they once were and pastels paired with black...ohh.  Love.  Ohh.  The possibilities.

Henry Road *new journals*

What a great capturing tool for all your fabulous decorating ideas!  Check them out here.

Jeu de Paume :: Stockholm's Apartments & Paris Kitchens 2

Since I am going to have to look at 1980's wallpaper in our kitchen for awhile, I was so happy to have my two new Jeu de Paume books arrive in my new-to-me mailbox in West Chester a couple of days after we moved in for some fun eye candy.

The two small photos in the middle are from Stockholm's Apartments.  The two small photos on the bottom are from Paris Kitchens 2.  Click to enlarge.

kitchen counters

My dad is thinking about getting new counters to replace the white formica, which I have to say looks pretty good for its age.  These are my current favorites...

Soapstone
 

CaesarStone

and Bamboo

Click on each image to go the respective manufacturer.

It's Friday :: time to sit on the porch and watch the world go by

Probably not this weekend for us and we also don't have a porch.  But I've been collecting images of porches, both open and screened-in, and thought I would share them.  There is a screened-in porch on our new-to-us house and I'm collecting ideas for what to do with it.  I'm thinking of white-washing the inside of the walls and painting the ceiling a typical robin's egg blue.  But all of these are lovely, I think.





images from the Design Assistant via Cottage Living, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Sunset and Southern Accents magazines.

an old friend and a new blog :: WREN handmade

Check out this new blog, WREN handmade.  Laura is an accomplished crafter and artist who makes the most amazing handmade dolls, bracelets, cards and more.  She says, "I've started this blog to let you know about various projects I am working on, shows and sales."  She be at the upcoming Renegade Craft Fair on June 16 and 17 at McCarren Pool in Williamsburg, Bklyn.

My favorite are the sweet handmade elephants.

Her other sites are WREN handmade where you can order and purchase her pieces.  Also visit Laura Normandin where you can see her art and illustration work.
A long, long time ago, Laura and I were roommates at Cooper.  I have always admired her and her work.

a more complete blogroll

In an effort to not make my blog side bars a mile long, here are a few more blogs I enjoy reading.  Check them out . . . but beware of being sucked into the lovely and inspiring blog vortex!

d e s i g n

Domino Mag Daily Dose
Design Boston
design*sponge
poppytalk

d e s i g n e r s  &  a r t i s t s

Surroundings interior designer
Bloom, Grow, Love beautiful photography
claudine hellmuth collage artist
freshly{blended} book + print designer
HELLOmynameisheather fabric designer
Lisa Congdon Art+Craft artist
port2port letterpress
Taylor Made designs graphic designer and mom of 2

f o o d

delicious days mouthwatering recipes and delightful nibbles

g r e e n  &  g a r d e n

housemartin home + floral design (Portland, OR)
Land+Living lifestyle + design
You Grow Girl

h o m e

Bluelines (Blueprint Magazine)
dreamhouse
The Yvestown Blog

p h i l a d e l p h i a

design phan freelance writer & philly design enthusiast
Free People Clothing
little flower designs beautiful pottery
Oh Joy! fun design stuff, graphic designer, stationery line due out soon

m o r e  t o  c o m e . . .
or for the complete (very long) list click here.

lighting favorites: Schoolhouse Electric and Rejuvenation

The theme for today is lighting since I feel like I have seen the Northeast sun today for the first time in ages and feel like I am coming out of a dark cave that the past couple of days have felt like.  I thought I would pass on two of my favorite lighting suppliers.

Schoolhouse Electric

Rejuvenation

Both companies make similar looking fixtures, but with subtle differences.  You pick a fixture and then a shade and there are thousands of combinations to get just the right look.  I like these particular lighting manufacturers because I feel you can get a traditional look, a modern look, or a transitional look from many of their pieces.  Very versatile.