In My Mailbox

Whoever does the styling for Anthropologie is a sartorial genius! Every issue of the catalog is such a great source of inspiration for me, and this month's was no exception. Some very lovely things caught my eye...

Bespeckled tights for chilly days on page 27...

A vibrantly colored rug on page 24...

Plates to bring out your inner Picasso on page 21...

Perfectly ladylike boots with a bow on page 6...

Thank you, Anthropologie. I had an inspiring morning!

Low Rider

I always like an easy-to-duplicate look, and this one is no exception...

The low shelf makes the ceilings seem sky-high-er. I'd love to place some large framed pieces along that ledge. Photo via Coco + Kelley.

I like how the ledge is a continuation of one of the bookshelves. I'll be keeping this photo handy for the future. Photo via Apartment Therapy.

Since I'm always in favor of the DIY option, I might pick up a few shelves from IKEA and get to work! The Lack wall shelf comes in sizes from to 12" to 75", so it can fit into a wide range of spaces.

It's Serendipity!

I love it when I stumble upon something amazing completely unexpectedly. I've always loved the work of Hella Jongerius. Every time I find something new from her, I get so ridiculously excited. Well, this is one of those times.

Layers by Hella Jongerius for Maharam

While looking for a fabric, I found that she collaborated with Maharam to create the MOST AWESOME FABRIC EVER! Yes, all of those capital letters were essential.

Layers in Ash/Quartz/Grass

Then I saw it made up in an ottoman, and I MUST HAVE IT!

Layers in Earth/Chocolate/Coral

Then, I popped over to Moss to, again, look for the fabric that brought me on this search, and what did I see?

A Nike shoe MADE FROM LAYERS!!! This day is too good to be true.

Art Education: Group Therapy

If you, like me, aren't fortunate enough to be able to walk into an art gallery and purchase a large $10,000 painting for your home, then consider the inspirations below your Fairy Artmother. I have lots of little things framed all over my house- drawings by friends, wedding photos, and several attempts at needlework- but I am stumped as to how to arrange them. Now I have ideas for every room...

Going up the stairs...


Over the sofa...

In the Hallway...

Over my desk...

Around the fireplace...

In the dining room...

Over a table...

In the bedroom...

In the bathroom!

*all photos via Domino

Art Education: Working with Patterns

Part of what I love about wallpaper is that it can negate the need for art. It can be visually dynamic enough to run the whole show. That said, some well=placed clusters of art on a busy, patterned wall can look fantastic.

It's important to start with a strong base. In the photo above, the black-framed pieces provide a base on which the other pieces can build.

The pattern of the wallpaper is also important. All of these are relatively small prints. Small frames would get lost in a larger print.

I think the most important factor is unity. There has to be some unifying characteristic in the art. This is perfect, because the frames are all the same and the color red unites the entire room.

I also like how the placement of the art seems intentional, but also somewhat random. They aren't placed in a perfect square or rectangle. Some stick out at the bottom and some are placed farther apart that others. In this photo, it even seems to incorporate the sconce and the intercom.

The first photo is via Vogue, and the rest are via Domino.

For the Love of Art

After four days of grueling work, the Art Gallery on the fourth flooe is finally organized! The walls are filled with beautiful pieces. All of the art is arranged by size. But here's the best part... it's ALL 50% off! Get it while the gettin's good!

Museums Are Cool

Blossom Sleeve Bolero and Balloon Dress by Isabel Toledo.

If you live in New York, or if you will be there before September 26th, be sure to see the Isabel Toledo exhibit at the Museum at FIT. Her designs are, for lack of a better term, insanely amazing. If you see it, let me know! I'll be so jealous!

Get to the Point

I have an odd hobby. It's not odd in general- just for a 26-year-old. I love to cross-stitch. My mom did it. My sister did (does?) it. I do it. It's relaxing. The only skills needed are the abilities to count and undo knots. When I finish a piece, I get a frame-worthy piece of art that I didn't even have to design myself!

I just finished this sampler...

...after about a year of hard stitching. Now I'm on to my next project.

I can't help but feel I'm not the only one into stitching with all of the needlepoint-inspired details out there. I found all of these gems at Anthropologie...

Not only is the silhouette for the Bistrica Top perfect for summer, the cross-stitched roses are too romantic! $88

This Nearly Needlepoint Satchel would cost a fortune if the entire design was hand-stitched, but it's printed so it's more in my price range at $90.

This is the kind of thing I could see making for myself, but Anthropologie does a pretty good job, too! Alstromeria Ottoman, $298.

A Beautiful Monday

Nothing like a dose of inspiration to get your week going. I spied these Lizzie Thomas pop-ups in a magazine and was instantly smitten! Imagine the skill and patience that went into creating these miniatures worlds of wood and paper. I think I'm in love...

Hidden Winter, £315

Hidden Forest, £315

Hidden Etching, £350

Hidden Autumn, £315

Art Appreciation

Pardon me for using the blog for my own selfish use, but this picture was too adorable to pass up.

Cynthia's show, Hey You, was a great success- beautiful art, beautiful people, and the wine was flowing. A few nights later, she held another showing for friends and family. I decided to take my seven-year-old nephew Daniel. He is an avid drawer (and an amazing one at that! I'm not biased or anything...) and I suspected he might get a kick out of seeing a professional artist's work. He didn't just get a kick out of it. He was enthralled. We looked at every piece at least twice. I snapped this picture of him while he stared intently at this piece, entitled Hey...You?, for a good five minutes. I love to see a little kid with an interest in art!

Objets d'(bog)Art

Oh snapdragon, 7 x 15", pen on paper.

I'm sure you don't need reminding that Cynthia Bogart is making her debut this Saturday at Laszlo's Warehouse. You already know she'll be showing her breathtakingly beautiful works on paper. You've gathered your entourage, figured out what you'll wear, mapped out directions. You're ready, you're set. So telling you that it starts at seven and that you can find more information here or here really isn't necessary. And it goes without saying that I don't need to remind you that it will be great. You already know that. See you there!

Words fail me completely sometimes, 17 x 20", ink, watercolor, and pen on paper.

Our Rising Star!

Are you busy the night of May 23rd? Well, cancel your plans because I've got something better. Our incredibly talented store displayer (and my very good friend), Cynthia Bogart is making her solo debut, entitled Hey You, at Laszlo's Warehouse, featuring her newest works on paper. If the above flyer hasn't sold you on how amazing her paintings will be, then perhaps it's best that you see them in person. It's going to be an amazing opening!



Saturday, May 23rd from 7-10.

109 Welch St.

Houston, TX

For more information email: hey.you.show@gmail.com

Art For Everyone!

Finding unique art for an affordable price is daunting. That's an understatement. It's damn near impossible. Then there's 20x200. Their slogan, "Art for Everyone", sums up their mission: Provide people with great art for low prices via the internet. Go, have a looksee. You, and your bare-walled apartment, will be glad you did.

Shake it like a Polaroid picture!

Thanks to my bestie, Anna, I have found the coolest image maker EVER! Better than PicNik, Photoshop, or iPhoto! It's called Poladroid. The other night amidst chips, guacamole, Mr. Goodbars, and the surround sound playing Mamma Mia, I waited for my picture to develop.

The cool thing about this program (other than the fact that it's totally free to download) is you can drag and drop your digital pictures into the Polaroid camera icon and wait for your picture to appear as an imitation of a Polaroid picture. Some come with fake fingerprints, others with scratch marks...each with it's own quirky characteristic similar to the old Polaroid. It's a shame they don't make these handy little cameras anymore because I'd totally abandon digital cameras!

Take a look at a few of our experiments....

Anna and me in Austin.

Flowers from Domino Magazine

Sarah and John--the lovely newlyweds!

Budget Cuts

I discovered a very cool artist the other day via NotCot. Her name is Justine Smith as she creates amazing scultures and works on paper using international currency. Well, that's one way to spend your cash. Nothing I say could possibly do justice to her work, so it's best if you just check out her website and decide for yourself. I bet you'll think it's fab!

Discover the "Green" in you!!

Attention Houston!

We have a NEW park in town and it's the coolest because it's green! I know, you're sitting there saying, "Aren't most parks...green??" Well, yes and no. The special thing about this park is the fact that it's LEED certified. Again, "What's that?" Well, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a new organization that regulates and sets standards for sustainable construction.

Discovery Green has an acre sized lake, a children's park, interactive water features, public art works and spacious lawns. It's located downtown near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park, and the Toyota Center. How 'bout this? If you're bored one weekend, (especially since it's "winter") you can go ice skating for $10! Or, check out the park's calendar and see what's going on at the amphitheater! Take your dog, of any size, for a run! You could even grab a couple cocktails or a trendy meal at The Grove, or The Lake House--two of Houston's up-and-coming restaurants.

Once you visit you might think, "This park doesn't look any different than any other park I've been to..." Au contraire, my friend! The park uses recycled water is used to fill Kinder Lake, and what's even cooler is the oak trees seen throughout the park were rescued and transplanted to shade the trail!

The park encourages the community to be involved by offering a recycling every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as hosting the Downtown Green Market that is held Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where local growers sell fresh fruits and veggies just for you!

Last but not least, The Grove has a green roof where they grow herbs and spices and the energy produced from the solar paneled roof on The Lake House could run two average American households! Yep. Awesome.
So, I don't know about you but I'm definitely going to be making a trip to Discovery Green. I better see you there!

Get Outta Town

Cozy and modern and I love the light fixture at the top!

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, waiting for the appropriate time to blog it, and I'm finally getting to it. I think you might be in the mood for something non-Christmas related, and this is it, so I hope you appreciate it, because I'll be back on the Christmas bandwagon shortly. My apologies, but I LOVE Christmas.

The Fornasetti Apartment in Milan is a beautiful representation of this artist's work and it is available for rent. Interior design lovers and art buffs alike will consider this place a treat. The pictures are nice, but I'd rather see it in person. Maybe someday...

Gorgeous, saturated green in the bedroom.



The kitchen area is a Spring haven of butterflies. Talk about a theme!

A closeup of the kitchen table. Every butterfly is beautifully done.

Another view of the bedroom. Love the multicolored glass containers in the window. I may have to mimic that somewhere!

According to Gladstonehotel.com, the best time to stay is at the end of the summer, when you can take advantage of ripe figs, pears, and kiwis in the garden. For more information, email info@fornasetti.com.

Valley of the Dolls

Designs by Sonia Rykiel, Gucci, Giles, and Dolce & Gabbana.

For the 10th birthday of Russian Vogue, 31 magnificent designers lent their talent to create custom Matryoshkas- traditional Russian nesting dolls. On November 20th, the dolls will be auctioned off for charity. It's high fashion for a good cause... Happy birthday, Russian Vogue!

Designs by Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, and Antonio Marras.

Designs by Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Blumarine, and Dries van Noten.

Posters are Cool Again! Part Three

And now, to complete the trilogy, part three:

For the younger sister:

Poster for The Museum of Childhood.

For the Domino Magazine reader:

Modern Romance poster featured on the cover of Domino's Sept. 2006 issue, by Village.

For the pensive pirate in your life:

Pirate Posters by 826 Valencia.

For the girl who looooooves pink:

I Make Things poster by Samantha Hahn.

For those times when all you need is:

Love Candy poster by Made by Girl.

For the anglophile:

Keep Calm poster from Keep Calm Gallery.

Well, that's all folks. I hope you found some of these picks to be inspiring, because if not, I need to work a bit harder at doing my job! If you've found any cool posters you'd like to share, leave me a comment. I'm always up for a part four!

Posters are Cool Again! Part Two

I hope you enjoyed part one of my foray into posters. It's time for part two- posters for the kiddos and the music lovers, and a little DIY action...

For the hip eco-kid room...

Orange Animal ABC poster by Branch.

For the totally customized kid room...

ABC Kids poster by Made By Girl. It can be totally customized- color scheme and all!

For the music LOVER...

Mates of State silkscreen by The Small Stakes.

For the MUSIC lover...

The National Tour Poster by Spike Press.

For the Do-It-Yourselfer...

Try out the Rasterbator to create your own, giant poster. Mount on canvas or frame the pages, and hang. Cheap and chic.

Posters are Cool Again! Part One

Remember the posters you used to have in high school? I used to tack mine up with ticky-tack so I could frequently rearrange them. I had all the cool pop stars plastered on my walls. Then came college, and I couldn't find a single dorm room without the requisite Dave Matthews Band poster on the wall. Posters have a bad rap, but there are lots of artists and graphic designers and general cool people out there trying to change that. You just have to know where to look. I'm going to tell you.

When you need a little motivation...

Alternative Motivational Posters from Right Brain Terrain.

When you need a LOT of motivation...

Limited edition screen prints by Orange Beautiful.

For the design addict...

Chair Exam poster by Blue Art Studio.

For the cinema addict...

Polish "African Queen" poster by Polish Poster Gallery.

For a simply cool graphic...

Poster by Ugmonk.