'Tis The Season For Snuggling...

Photo via Real Simple, throws from Sacco Carpet

...with a warm faux fur throw! Warm up your living room chairs with a couple of well-placed fuzzy throws. It's the elusive fashionable and functional feat. Always a winner!

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.

Hear Me Roar!

I've never been a big fan of animal prints, but when they're done in lively color, well, I can change my mind...

Studded aqua zebra at Jimmy Choo...

A sequined giraffe at Roberto Cavalli...

Pastel leopard spots at Lanvin...


A fire-engine red zebra at Elise Overland...

And a rainbow leopard at Bluemarine!

Felt Up

Felt. Don't confuse these accessories (sophisticated felt) with the stuff you used to make little figures out of in 3rd grade (crafty felt). I love how the clutch below, by Graf & Lantz, is embossed with a zebra pattern to upgrade it to Night-Out status. It's lined in contrasting taffeta and it's only $89! Not too shabby!



I adore this quirky handmade felt bowl made from the wool of Ohio Valley Sheep. Yet another perfect addition for my eclectic collection of catchalls. At Anthropologie, $68 for medium. Small and Wee (how adorable!) Felt Bowls also available.

Puppy Love

Two weeks ago, my husband and I adopted an adorable 3 year-old Black Lab mix named Kola. She was rescued from Galveston a few years back and raised by a coworker of John's until now. They needed a new home for her and we gladly took her in!

Naturally, we've gotten her lots of toys and treats, we take her for lots of walks, and play fetch until it's time for bed. However, Kola has one thing that, I think, most dogs do not: a custom-made Amy Butler print dog bed.

Since she's relatively small (especially for a Lab!), I just bought a 30 x 30 down pillow and whipped up a pillow cover with one of the super-cute Amy Butler fabrics we sell here. Of course, I picked a darker color because she sheds like mad. The verdict? Success! She loves relaxing on it during the day and sleeping on it at night. Nothing but the best for our very hairy baby!

For more information on the Amy Butler fabrics we carry in the store, feel free to give us a call!

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!

Cleanup on Aisle Five!

Accessories are my favorite, no matter what kind. You can have fun with accessories- go bright, go funky, go with an insanely dizzying pattern, it's all good!

Keeping the above proclamation in mind, I love collecting dishtowels. As soon as I got my own place, I began snatching them up. Striped ones, holiday ones, vintage-inspired ones... The list goes on. They add a much needed dose of color to an otherwise generic and bland apartment kitchen. Here are some of the ones that have caught my eye lately...

I love the depth of the plum color and I'm always a sucker for batik! Bubble chain linen tea towels from 5 o'clock Crows via Etsy, $26 (P.S. There are more colors available!)

Nothing says whimsy like a Marimekko print! Kippis Tea Towels (set of two), $22.50 via Finn Style.

I always pick up two or three towels when I go to Crate & Barrel. At 4 bucks a pop, why not? Salsa Stripe Dishtowels, $3.95 each.

This reminds me of the trip my hubby and I took to Acapulco. Growth Spurt Dishtowel, $16 at Anthropologie.

These are classic kitchen decor. May vintage labels never go out of style! Italian Kitchen Towels, $5.95 each at Sur La Table.

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 Touch of Goth

I figure anytime a new Twilight trailer comes out, people will embrace their inner vampire and goth it up a bit. I'm liking the loads of black lace in fashion and design right now. It's just enough to make Edward Cullen do a double-take...

...Especially if you were sporting Stella McCartney like Liv Tyler at the Time 100 or Kate Bosworth at the Met Ball!

Now, that's what one would call "Sex on Legs". Lace Stilettos by Coppelia Pique.

Goth for beginners: Free People "Lacey Insert Blouse", $98 at 80's Purple.

Throw a midnight party with this as the centerpiece. Come Rain, Come Shine Chandelier in Black by Tord Boontje.

Chanel always nails the look... even for Spring.

Add a dash of goth to your packages with Lace Tape in black, $10 at Matter.

One!

I stored these images a while ago, but for whatever reason, I am only now coming back to them. These are photographs of the home of Lee Radziwill in the April '09 issue of Elle Decor.

I wrote a similar blog about using one pattern in a room, but that was one room in a house and these are multiple single-patterned rooms within one house! On the one hand, it's a little traditional for my taste (But for someone born in 1933, that's to be expected.), but on the other hand, it works. The patterns are busy, but not gaudy. They grab your eye and lead it around the room. I think they're stunning. Who's with me?

She Could Wear A Burlap Sack...

Fancy chair, rustic fabric: Isabelle Club Chair, $899 at High Fashion Home.

Summer is the season for linen. Something about that natural, un-dyed linen makes me swoon! Especially when it's used for something that is typically dressy (i.e. the strapless dress and heels below). And don't even get me started on how I feel about adding sparkle!

"Metallic Linen Strapless Dress" in Flax, $100 at J. Crew

"Spectator Belinda Heels" in Stone, $168 at J. Crew

Hand-Crafted Cool

Marni

I'm in love...

With the arrival of Spring, we see the departure of the crisp, tailored looks of winter, and usher in a flowy, casual aesthetic. I'm loving the bohemian chic necklaces that embody that fancy-free look. They're all just a bit imperfect. They're easy to wear with boyfriend jeans and a white tee. They're so Marni Spring 2005. They're lovely.

"Electric Kool-aid Necklace" by Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, $422 via Charm & Chain.

"Handmade Felt Ball Necklace" by modernfiberlab, $58 via Etsy.

"Concertina Ribbon Necklace" in Teal by Flos ad Florem, about $490 via Kabiri

"Ruffian Bib" by Candace Ang, $178

The Galleria Madness Continues...

Not wanting our area to get stale, we switched out the furniture for a fresher, lighter, Spring look for April! What do you think?

For arguments sake, let's call this the front. The Melina Bed in natural, earth tones flanked by two side tables.

A very rustic Louis Bookcase conjures images of Springtime antiquing trips!

I love the blue velvet used to cover these chairs. It adds a good dose of color to the neutral Louis Dining Table.

We wouldn't dare get rid of the Teak Root Coffee Table! It pairs perfectly with everything, including the Chester Sofa.

The very cool Dome Chair actually blocks out some of the noise when you sit in it! It would be an excellent book-reading chair!

Continuing the "Natural" theme with Tree Stump Sculptures atop the 9-Drawer Sideboard.

The fabric on these chairs is so soft. People couldn't help but touch them!

I think this area is my favorite. Adding a little greenery is always a good choice, whether it's real (in the mini-greenhouse) or fake (on the chair). The Bowling Desk is a great little writing desk, too!

Passers-by in the Galleria seemed to like the pieces we chose for the area. Hopefully, we'll impress them even more with next months vignette! We'll keep you posted!

This Just In!

I'm feeling like a kid in a candy store! A snippet of the amazing new fabrics we have...

These would look wonderful on my sofa... Reversible Horizon 9 Pillow, $46.50.

Last week, we received some delightfully spring-y fabrics by Amy Butler in our store. Whimsical prints! Unapologetically bold colors! Perfect for recovery from a dreary, gray winter! And the fun doesn't stop there...

Please send to me one of these Round Serving Bowls, posthaste!

You may wrap it in this medley of gift wraps. What a cheerful way to receive a gift!

If you do, I'll send you a thank you note on the Lucky Flowers Mix & Match Stationery.