shabby chic work space.

Wow. While perusing over at SF Girl by the Bay, I discovered a post on Rachel Ashwell's (of Shabby Chic) home and amazing work space. I'm not really crafty nor do I sew, but I know I'd get a lot of writing done in a space like this. So inspiring.

Check out other photos of her Santa Monica home here.

eco-friendly edition #21.

A bird mobile. Made from vintage French magazines and recycled record jackets. Would be great for a baby gift or a wedding, don't you think?

living and design: silver trays.

I never thought myself as someone who'd ever decorate with silver trays, but when I saw this picture on Real Simple, I thought the trays looked so pretty on the walls. . .

My grandmother had a beautiful display in her dining room that I routinely admired as a child, but this is a whole new way to showcase timely pieces. What do the rest of you think? Yay or nay?

cheese plate.

When I saw this picture, I just about gasped aloud. I love the look of this cheese board with a whole piece of pomegranate, nuts and pine. I know we're nearing the end of the holidays, but this would be a nice idea for anyone throwing a New Years party. I'm filing this idea away for next year. . .

P.S. Last night at the market, my mom and I saw this beautiful wreath decorated with whole pomegranates. I love this idea and wish I had a picture to show you-- it looked delightful.

P.P.S. Avocado and pomegranate dip. Yum!

living and design: winter plants.

Lately, it's been down to the bones cold here in Chicago, and while trying to stay warm indoors, I've grown even more fond of the plants in our living room. Greenery definitely brings life to a room, doesn't it? Rita Konig wrote a terrific post on her blog about winter greens. I love what she says about adding shape and color to a city apartment:

"One more thing I find so appealing about plants is the color and shape that they add. In these cold and stark winter months, it is good for morale to have so much green around. And since most New York apartments are like hothouses once the heating kicks in, you might as well take advantage of it and bring in the tropics."

So true.

(photos taken by Rita Konig)

apostles of beauty.

a new exhibit, "the apostles of beauty: arts and crafts from britain to chicago" just opened at the art institute of chicago. the collection includes work from frank lloyd wright. i'm putting this on my list for a good weekend activity once we have a cold november weekend here in chicago.

this picture, an armchair designed by gustav stickley, is one of the selected works listed on the aic website.

a place to be.

if i had a room like this, i think i'd write more, read more, and sleep more.

found via even cleveland via ffffound

the new yorker.

the newest issue of the new yorker was delivered to our doorstep yesterday. isn't this so sad, and simultaneously, true? regardless, i applaud chris ware's statement here.

found via rebecca woolf

vintage mugs.

i know i've posted about vintage mugs before, but after watching this week's episode of mad men (oh. my. gosh!!), i felt inspired to check out more retro coffee holders. in a scene in his office, don draper holds a mug very similar to the red one with the funky handle in the photo above (maybe it stands out to me more when he drinks coffee, since he's usually drinking alcohol?).

the photo above is from the blogged about already but ever fabulous etsy shop, trampoline.

p.s. how to live like don draper in nyc nowadays (ignore that adultery business).

neal jones.

i'm really digging neal jones' self-portraits, and the other work on his site, too (including the "rosie" print above).

found via design for mankind.

lobster and swan.

the mix of shabby chic and bohemian touches in lobster and swan's living room are unique and warm. i love how the lack of order brings everything together. i especially love the strand of white lights hanging from the mirror, next to the couch. xo.

where the wild things are.

aren't these forts awesome? booooooom ran a contest to inspire others to build a fort in honor of the upcoming movie release. i'd like to spend the weekend making a fort, please. but, am equally excited to see the movie! yay!

found via we love you so and say yes to hoboken.

funny.

while it's strange to see the word facebook on an old-ish fancy hankie, i think the question and response arrangement is funny.

found via wide open spaces via trust your style.

eco-friendly edition #12.

i love these rad pillows, made and designed by emma, of emma loves retro. all of her pillows are made with recycled vintage fabric, and vintage buttons, to boot. any of these could add great punch to a room, don't you think?

found via this is glamorous

vintage mugs.

thanks to joanna's recommendation, i've been enjoying gleaning through the fun items at ethanoille's etsy shop. i really love all these vintage mugs, and think they'd be fun to start collecting.

farmhouse love.

lately, i've been dreaming of packing up our things, moving to a farmhouse, and living the simple life. the pictures of this farmhouse located in ross on wye are breathtaking. i'll just have to keep dreaming a big dream. . .

photos via bliss via light locations

well hello, beautiful tea pots and cups.

i just discovered these on bliss yesterday. so so gorgeous, aren't they? samantha robinson is the talent behind these beautiful craftings, and i think these would make wonderful wedding or shower gifts for a very close friend.

blue & white rooms.

feeling inspired by these blue & white rooms this morning. if i could simplify a room to these two colors, i feel like the space would have an oceanic lure to it. aren't the blue stairs sort of fun? hope everyone had lovely weekends. xo.

found via door sixteen

book design by color

this past weekend, i had a ton of aunts and uncles visiting the city as part of a last-minute sibling reunion. when my aunt ellen was at my apartment, we were talking about blogs, and she asked me if i had ever seen designmom's post on bookshelf design by color. then yesterday, i was flipping through this month's issue of InStyle Magazine, and in the back, there's a great feature on this very idea. i'm unsure whether or not i'd want to do this with my own books, but do think it would add great punch to a room. what do you think?

hello, beautiful aprons.

this fog linen apron from DWR is classic and perfectly minimalist.

and this painstakingly sweet number from mimi charmante. she has more in her etsy collection.

and the redig square cross apron by lotta jandsdotter at peek keep.
and this classic anthropologie floral frock apron.

if i owned any of these, i think i'd wear them around the house all day-- not just when i was in the kitchen. who knew aprons could be so beautiful?