Where I Want to Be Right Now...

I first saw this cozy upstate NY room on Black Eiffel a few months ago, but I haven't be able to get it out of my head today. Honestly, what could be cozier than a built-in Dutch bed nook topped with a soft quilt and fluffy white pillows? I can practically smell the firewood in the wood-burning stove. Swooning.

Thank You!

(via I Need a Cupcake)

The guests are gone, the dishwasher is humming, I'm sipping my fourth cup of tea to ward off the turkey/wine coma, and I'm finally getting a chance to think about the past year and all of the things I'm thankful have been part of it.

Of course I'm thankful for family and health, for being with someone who supports me and makes me better, for long-time friends who remind me of how amazing it was to be 18, for a place of my own, a job that actually makes me think and coworkers whose cube-side conversations have made me laugh till I cried.

This year has been a little different though, because for the first time I took on a project of my own (this blog), and have been able to share my thoughts with an amazing and talented group of people who (much to my surprise) actually want to read what I have to say and often share and add to the conversation themselves.

So 2009 marks the first year I've been thankful for YOU, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Your insightful comments, sweet e-mails and invitations to meet in person have meant the world to me. In particular, I'm thankful for all of the people that have constantly supported me throughout the year -- to Maris at In Good Taste who helped advise me when I was just thinking about blogging, to Abbie at Semigloss Chic who wrote a super-sweet post about my blog when I wasn't sure if it would ever take off, to Beth at Chinoiserie Chic and Style Redux who invited me to my first DC design bloggers meetup, to Tommy from Specs Appeal and Averill at Odi et Amo for always leaving smart and funny comments. There are so many more of you and I'm so grateful for your kindness and words of encouragement.

In 2009, I also became eternally grateful to all of the creatives out there -- whether you make something, bake something, paint something, cook something, grow something or design something -- you are the biggest inspiration to me. The self-reliant spirit in shaping something with your creativity, wit and two hands is something that has really captured my imagination this year and changed the way I think about what I consume and where it comes from.

Bottom line -- Thank you, thank you and thank YOU. Keep doing what you do best and I'm wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

30 Days of Christmas

Hello Lovelies,

Today is Nov. 25. Do you know what that means? (No, not the day before Thanksgiving!) It means we are T-minus 30 from my absolute, most favorite holiday of them all and I fully intend to get into the spirit here on the Department. So what can you expect?

Several times a week I will post photos of inspired holiday decor, lots of wintry "last looks," holiday sweet treats (from someone who can actually bake, promise), Etsy spotlights and I'll be updating the holiday gift guide below with all of my favorite picks for gifts and stocking stuffers.

In the meantime enjoy your Thanksgiving feasts and happy shopping!

Department of the Interior Holiday Gift Guide by dcjennl

Last Look: Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Stars. Goodnight Air.
Goodnight Noises Everywhere.

I hope you never forget how beautiful this is. Night, Y'all :)

Love: Bensimon Elastique Tennis Flats

Via The Singular

I'm suffering from seasonal schizophrenia, I know, I know, but say hello to my new summer kicks! After I decided the lovely ladies in the picture above were going to be my warm weather weekend style inspiration, I had to get my hands on their awesome shoes.

Bensimon tennis flats and trainers are sort of the Converse sneakers of France, and just over a year ago they became available stateside (no more excuses for wearing your favorite pair of Nike's overseas, folks) Super comfy and super chic -- Je les aime! (Now, I think I just need to work on my french..)

Available at ShopBop, Moxsie and Habitat.

Writing on the Wall: Banner Love

Judging by the still-reasonable numbers on my scale, I may be jumping on the holiday decorating bandwagon a bit early, but I hope you'll indulge me! This year I'm thinking fragrant live wreaths over every door, vintage mercury glass ornaments displayed en masse, honeycomb candles in hurricanes and blooming paperwhites. To shake up this fairly traditional look, I'd love to hang paper banners like these over my windows. So youthful, fun and celebratory. Here are a few I have my eye on.

(Be Merry Holiday Banners, Perch Papier)

Brrr Burlap Banner, FunkyShique

Mini Banners, Perch Papier

(Frenchie and Flea)

(Wooden Peace Banner, ReneeAnne)

Not holiday themed, but so cute for a nursery or young child's room. (I Love You So Linen Banner, Giggle Room)

Again, not holiday-focused, but super adorable. (Perch Papier)

Last Look: Weight of the World

Via Belezza Nelle Immagini

Anti-Depressive Decor from Amanda Nisbet

A dreary day like today practically calls for the fun, exuberant and feminine work of designer Amanda Nisbet. Honestly, no matter what the forecast is outside, Nisbet's work must make you feel like its permanently May. While it might be too much for me in large doses, her use of Palm Beach brights, metallics and patterns just makes me happy. Hope it cheers you all up today, too!

Blog Crush: The Singular

I hate digital cameras, and seriously, they hate me right back. I have never taken a good picture in one, lost one, broke two and hate the fact that if Facebook crashed I would have nothing to remember my early twenties by except for commemorative shot glasses. Polaroids, on the other hand, are one my absolute favorite things (I'm asking for one for Christmas). I love the softness of the light, white border, and retro vibe.

Everybody looks cooler in a polaroid, and that is a fact. So when I discovered this great Paris-based fashion photography blog completely dedicated to Polaroids, I was smitten. At The Singular, blogger Antonio Barros snaps pictures of models, scenes from the backstage of fashion shows, celebs and lovely Parisian street style on his humble polaroid camera. THIS is glamorous. This is what I want to be when I grow up.

Why I Love Miles Redd

I know everyone is going to post about the brilliant Miles Redd spread in December's Elle Decor, but I just couldn't resist sharing this bathroom papered in fab Scalamandre wallpaper. This is why I love Miles Redd. The man can do no wrong. Want to see more? -- check out the full spread here.

Retail Love: HenryRoad.com

Via Martha Stewart Living

The Klassy with a capital K holiday decorations at my local CVS are a sure sign that "the most wonderful time of year" is right around the corner -- and we all know what that means -- tackling the never-ending list of gifts you need to buy for family, friends and the mailman. One of my favorite sources for your fun-loving aunt or your best friend from college are the super-fun textiles and stationery available at HenryRoad.com

You can also buy bolts of fabric, table cloths, simple french candles and totebags. I adore the Koi pond and Rio Samba fabrics.

Love their stationery, notecards and journals as stocking stuffers, like this notecard which could even work as art matted and framed.

And if you're shopping for a gift for a very special someone (or yourself) check out their awesome selection of salvaged and reupholstered furniture.

The Best: Holiday Cards

Everyone knows that handwritten notes are well on their way to the Island of Misfit Correspondence Technology (say hi to rotary phones for me when you get there), but that's all the more reason to love giving and receiving holiday cards. Taking the time to write out a card and mail it shows someone how much you care, and better yet, the right card will be kept as a keepsake for years to come -- imagine a future where grandpa and grandma's love letters have to be fished out of an e-mail junk folder-- kind of loses the cache, right?

While I'd love to say that "it's the thought that counts" a cheap drugstore card is just that much easier to toss in the trash. That's certainly not the case with the lovely cards below. Sentiment + style = a holiday card your friends and family will actually want to put out on display. Enjoy.

Sources, left to right: 1.Turtle Papers 2. Sweet Harvey 3. YeeHaw 4. Anthem Press 5. Concrete Lace 6. Monkey Puzzle 7. Armato Design 8. Armato Design 9. Letterpress Delicacies 10. Hearts & Anchors 11. Steel Petal Press 12. Caitlin Keegan 13. Bailey Doesn't Bark 14. Perch Papier 15. Stacey Winters 16. Stacey Winters 17. through 19. Saturn Press at Cronin & Company

Bundle Up! (Part 2) Handmade Quilts

The freezing rain in DC this week has got me blanket obsessed (I'm actually writing this on the couch wrapped in a blanket right now), so of course quilts are on my mind. I love that they are a truly American craft, the sweet sentiment of a handmade quilt, and of course, the patterns and lovely graphic punch they bring to a room.

Don't they look so hospitable stacked in a cabinet like this? My favorite types of quilts are either "feels like home" Amish quilts or completely stunning Hawaiian quilts like the ones pictured below:
For Hawaiian quilts, I love these offerings at Emmalani Hawaiian Quilts.
For a more traditional, wintery look, AmishQuilter.com has a solid selection of handmade quilts from Lancaster, Pa.
Finally, I just adore John Robshaw's selection of quilts which feel modern and bohemian at the same time:

Which ever type is your favorite, I hope you stay warm tonight!