Last Word: July 27

I feel so awful that my posting has slowed down a bit (and will likely to continue to). Between a very sick home computer, a pretty hectic month at work and on upcoming much-needed, but poorly timed vacation, I'm having trouble posting as much as I'd like. I still plan to post several times a week, but thanks for sticking with me during such a busy time!

Through the looking glass

I just love these color-saturated photographs from "Abbytrysagain" on Etsy. All of Abby's photos are shot on vintage film, and as convenient as digital cameras are, these images really make me miss the grainy, wholesome goodness of film cameras and polaroids. I was reminded of Abby's photos after watching the trailer for Tim Burton's remake of Alice in Wonderland, which is sure to be insanely trippy (the trailer has now been taken down. Boo Disney).

I think these photos share the dream-like, candy-colored bohemia that I always imagined the Mad Hatter's tea party would look like. By the way, check out Abby's fantastic blog here.

Last Word: July 20

(via icanread)

Doesn't this sum up the beauty of blogging? I've had such an amazing time meeting and corresponding with readers and other bloggers, and I'm so grateful to everyone who stops by. Overall, I really feel like I've learned so much from all of you. Thanks for making my first six months blogging such a rewarding experience!

Blogging to you from...

After my post about Jenna Lyons' workspace, I thought I'd share a few pics of the desktops in my life. At work, I need to be visually stimulated (thus the wall of pictures behind my desk). I also love to keep it modern with a lot of black and white, and a few pops of color from accessories (and cute post-it notes from my co-workers).


At home, I (try to) keep my desk a a bit less cluttered, with just a few objects I love on the desk (plus fresh flowers!)

I picked up the painting behind my desk from a Parisian street artist. Other objects include an adorable antique tea cup from Eddie Ross's Etsy shop, a couple of sentimental photos, Korres lotion, an early century religious figurine from French General, the Vientianne lamp from Anthropologie and a decorative box from Jonathan Adler where I keep cords and chargers. Of course, I keep a few art and design books and some recent magazines for easy reference while blogging. So tell me, what do you like to be surrounded by while you work? Like me, does your aesthetic change from work to home?

Dreamy Bedroom from Anthropolologie

I hate myself for loving Anthropologie so much. Individually all of their products are gorgeous, and the attention to detail is top notch for a nationwide retail operation. Unfortunately, with each purchase, I find my apartment bending more and more to their shabby-chic aesthetic-- which just seems a little off for my circa 1970's apartment in the middle of Washington, DC. Lately, I've made a concerted effort to cut back and turn the "sweetness" level down a bit.

However, if I had a townhouse or a country fixer-upper I would be all over this bedroom look just released on the Web site. I love the ribbon detailing on the duvet, the forest like canopy bed (although I'm sure I've seen a more original, artisan-made version somewhere before) and the "cute but tough" accent lamp.

Coal Flower Lamp, $88

Georgetown Birdcage

I have been looking for a small chest to keep in my bedroom for the longest time, but it has been close to impossible to find something nice for under $500. (Can you guess my budget is decidedly more beer than champagne?) Luckily, I just heard about Georgetown Birdcage, a budget-friendly second-hand furnishings shop that opened in Book Hill a little over two weeks ago. (Word on the street is the owner is currently being filmed for a TLC reality show.) I bought the rattan chest below for an amazing $195 -- and it looks like there are plenty of other deals to be had. Below is the chest I bought (there's one more available) and a few other items highlighted on their Web site:

Asian-Style Rattan Chest, $195


Cedar-lined white chest, $795

Red-satin slipper chair, $145

Two-seater sofa, $295

Red Marble-top Pedestal table, $225

Artist Spotlight: Aaron Morse

(Cloud World)

A bedroom in this month's HB features a magnificent blown-up photograph of sea and sky by Marine Hugonnier hung over the headboard. There is just something about the expansiveness of blue in that photo that is so peaceful and soothing. While looking around for similar artwork, I stumbled across young American artist Aaron Morse who currently has selected work on display at MoMA.

I fell in love with Cloud World (pictured above) and ordered a few notecards from the MoMA store (notebooks are also available.) A few more of Morse's works below:

(Atlantic #6)

(The Evening of the Deluge)

(The Sea #2)

(The Spring)

Last Word: July 13

(via I Can Read)

A Glimpse Inside the Office of J.Crew's Jenna Lyons

Since most of us spend close to half of our waking hours at work, I'm a firm believer in making your workspace as inspiring as possible, whether you're a lawyer, an accountant or, oh say, creative director for a huge fashion retailer.

That's why I was so pleased to come across an article on Huffington Post about the office of one of my modern-day style icons, J.Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons. For those of you who loved Lyons' home when it was featured in Domino, this is another glimpse into her ultra-cool aesthetic.

I love the chaos here. I can't help but look at those immaculately spare desks featured in most magazines and think, "So, do you actually do work here?" This is clearly the workspace of someone who is passionate about their what they do. Some other items on her desk:

(Hand-painted note from Isabel and Ruben Toledo)

(Crown of Js -- "I got this 'Crown of Js' last year from the team for my birthday.")

(HT: Huffington Post and the wonderful J.CrewAholics)

Miles Redd and my favorite apartment of 2009...so far

Last night, I had an amazing time meeting some fellow DC design bloggers (more on that later) and one of the topics we discussed is where we source our images from. I admitted that I felt repetitive posting pictures from recent American mags, and was hoping to find some new international sources.

Well, its been less than 24 hours since I promised myself I would break that habit but I just had to post about this apartment decorated by Miles Redd featured in July's House Beautiful. Obsessed just isn't a strong enough word. The herringbone floors, rich jewel tones and witty details add up to a majorly sophisticated apartment.

I am so in love with this little jewel box of a kitchen. It is so vibrant and completely different from the granite countertop, stainless steel, big island suburban kitchens that have become ubiquitous. This is such an inspiration for my depressing, black hole galley kitchen.

Love the nailhead trim on these doors...

Miles Redd is pretty much the Lebron James of color combos. Flawless.

You'd think putting a desk next to a sofa would look crowded and awkward, but this looks really chic and cozy. Goes to show that a great sense of scale and the ability to edit opens up endless furniture arrangement possibilities.

Confession: I secretly wish I drank enough to justify a bar tray. It's very Mad Men, right?

Artist Spotlight: Eugenio Recuenco

I adore the theatrical, glamorous work of Spanish fashion photographer Eugenio Recuenco. How perfect would the above photo look blown up and hung behind a bold, modern sofa? Not only does Recuenco take gorgeous photographs like the ones highlighted in this post, he also appears to have a biting and very genuine sense of humor. Here is a bio he wrote for himself:

"Eugenio Recuenco is a Spanish photographer who is a pain in the ass because he always insists on doing whatever he wants. He works for quite a number of clients both in the advertising and editorial fields all over the World who are also a pain in the ass, because they always want to do whatever they want. Out of these fights between hardheads it has been possible to rescue the images for this Web site, some better, some worse, but made with lots of enthusiasm and with the support of a great team who refer to themselves as "The Eye of Frosker". The latter is an entity that has came to the earth to bother some and also to amuse some others. If you are one of the latter, stop fooling around and get in."

I would love, love, love to split a pitcher of sangria with him (all the better if he brought his camera....annnd a fab wardrobe and a team of makeup artists, lighting technicians and Photoshop!)

Happy 4th of July!!

(photo by Elena Kalis)

"The places in between places
They are like little countries
Themselves, with their own holidays

Taken a little from everywhere.
My Fourth of July is from childhood,
Childhood itself a kind of country, too."
-Alberto Rios

Enjoy the Show

If it weren't for the novelty of placing a bedazzled pine tree in my living room, I'm pretty sure 4th of July would beat out Christmas for my favorite holiday.

Friends and family, barbecues, home-brewed iced tea and a casual spirit add up to a decidedly awesome holiday. But for me, the best part has always been the fireworks. I'm not sure there is anything better than laying out by a lake or beach with your hundred closest neighbors, staring up at the sky and listening to kids "ooh and aah" over every blockbuster that lights up the sky.

I love fireworks for more than just the nostalgia factor -- they are incredibly compelling from a design perspective too. I love how much they resemble flowers bursting into bloom, the innate exuberance, bright colors and juxtaposition of light and dark.

Hopefully you'll get a chance to take part in my favorite Independence Day tradition, but even if you can't here are some wonderful fireworks-inspired style picks for the weekend.

White Sunburst Reece dress, Rachel Pally pre-spring collection

Floral papercut art from PapercutDieCut on Etsy, $60

Fireworks necklace, Anthropologie, $38

Origami Heaven on Etsy. $9, picture an open vintage frame filled to the brim with clusters of these origami flowers bursting out.

J.Crew beaded necklace, $118

Not for sale, but incredibly cool these large works on paper from Rosemarie Fiore are made by exploding and containing live fireworks, resulting in bursts of saturated color that are overlapped and collaged into abstract compositions.

La Bella Vita Jewelry on Etsy, $28

Want: Love bracelet from Jennifer Zeuner

Available at Intermix for $308