An Artful House (Literally)

Lucia made the light fixture in the dining room plus many of the pieces of art throughout the house. She purchased most of the photography from the brilliant 20x200...


A couple of weeks ago, our friends Lucia and Pete invited us over for a cozy fall dinner, and it's altogether possible that I was a bit of a rude guest.

The thing is, I was completely and wholly distracted by their insanely awesome house... I couldn't stop snapping photos.

The space is magical, filled with all sorts of amazing original art, found objects, vintage furniture and a slew of other interesting things to ogle. It's also completely inviting and warm (the most important part), an absolute reflection of the two highly creative, intelligent and lovely people that created it and their wonderful daughters Felicity and Ava.

It's definitely one of my happy places, so of course, I had to share it with you guys.

The family's office and den...I love Lucia's inspiration board above the sofa.

The master bedroom's gorgeous dark walls... The large framed feather piece was unearthed at an estate sale for $25.

Sweet Ava and Felicity's room is as magical as the rest of the house...

A Few Random Bits... (+ A Winner)

First up this house on the Selby...

Groovy tile, wood walls and succulents, oh my. I am dying just a little bit over this place.

But without fail, that surfer/hippie/California aesthetic makes me all nostalgic and fuzzy inside. It's my "episode of the madeleine" a la Proust. Gets me every time...

Ok, next...Pinterest. I realize I'm a little late to the game here, but I'm completely addicted. It's dangerous friends.

And then there's the latest book by Dallas Clayton (spotted here)...

I love it. So perfect for this time of year especially.

I'm in charge of the Thanksgiving party for Millie's class and am planning to read this to the kiddos while they nosh on popcorn and apple cider.


And last but not least, the winner of the Minted giveaway...

Congrats to Amelia from Republic of Dresses! Drop me a line with your contact info so I can give you the deets.

The Magic of The Interwebs... (And An Insanely Beautiful Room)

images by leslie williams

My obsession with Handcrafted Modern (that book on yesterday's "loving" list) had me googling (a verb?) like mad last night. My search lead me to two pretty fabulous spots that I had to share.

First up, I found Leslie Williams' (the author of Handcrafted Modern) blog and the two gorgeous photos above (the second image is an outtake from the book...man, I can't wait to get my hands on that book) plus loads of other stunning images. I am now officially a Leslie Williams fan.

images from handcrafted modern via design therapy...

Then, I somehow ended up (ahh the power of Google) on interior designer Brad Ford's blog, where there were not only some fantastic shots of the book I'm so crazily obsessed with, but there was also (cue angels singing) the room below, designed by Mr. Ford's firm...

The loveliest room of all time (in my opinion). My dream room. Pure gorgeous.

Yes, that was a lot of lead up for this room...but I like it that much. I do.

Just A Few Random Bits...

This is the sweetest video ever (thank you Lucia!) Audrey and I have watched it countless times... Speaking of Audrey's Paris obsession, I told her I was taking her someplace special this weekend (more on that later) and her immediate response was, "You're taking me to Paris?!"

You gotta give it to her, that girl dreams big.

One day Audrey, one day...I promise.

I can't stop listening to the new Vampire Weekend. Particulaly "Run", which reminds me a bit of all the best New Wave songs... (I swear there's a New Order sample tucked into that tune.)

How awesome is this pillow from SeeSaw vintage? Seriously those ladies have the best taste.

Case in point...the lovely image below (via SeeSaw) from the April Elle Decor. L.O.V.E

Is Anyone Else as Excited as I Am

About The Selby book. Can't wait to get my hands on this bad boy...

Kate Young

I am completely smitten with the photos of stylist Kate Young's house on the Selby... + their son's spaces are especially inspiring, as they confirm you can have kiddos and still have a totally chic house, no?

all images via the Selby

Just A Few Random Bits...

I'm realizing I still owed you a photo of the necklace...


This made me feel better about the boots…

images via the LA Times

I've read this article three times... I'm endlessly intrigued by anyone who is living "smaller" voluntarily. This line from the piece is my fave:

"When you have this small space, every decision is critical," Conder says. "You can only have things that fit within the scale of this space. And these are all things I have wanted for a long time. Everyone needs to question the idea of what we really need."

I can't get this space out of my mind (via desire to inspire)

I'm dying to see The Fantastic Mr. Fox with Audrey...

Loving...

This banner (for obvious reasons) spotted via the sweet life...

As an aside, an update on "the blues"... Thank you for all your ideas and your wisdom. I'm planning to implement many of your suggestions this week and specifically have a dance party with the girlies on the docket for this evening and a movie date with Bryan later this week. But most of all I'm going to do a bit of nothing for a while, as I think maybe what I need most of all is a little break from trying to accomplish too much and the inevitable let down when it all doesn't turn out the way I want it to...

A bit of a ramble, sorry. So just thanks and on to more lovely photos.

This Tom Sheerer room... a bit more ornate than I typically go for, but I'm totally smitten with the mix of modern and earthy and glam. Pretty much a perfect combo in my opinion.

Our soon-to-be table... I haven't blogged about this yet, but we (and by we, I actually mean Bryan) are starting work on our dining room table... Yes, this means Millie's bed is on hold for a smidge, but we'll get there + I'm still agonizing over that darn wallpaper, so there's plenty to do.

This is the wood that Bryan sourced from upstate NY. It's black walnut, it's HUGE and it's incredibly lovely. The plan is to have the new table done by Thanksgiving, as we're hosting this year...

Nina’s totally gorgeous hand painted plates … I’m loving her work.

This necklace from Anthro... Bryan if you need anniversary ideas, this might just be the ticket.

This color palette (room by cy design via d*s), which makes me want to switch out my white duvet cover, and that's HUGE, as I've had a white duvet cover for hmm...well, a decade.

Loving...

Vintage book cover centerpieces via Bird and Banner. Really love everything about Bird and Banner's blog...might be my new fave.

A big, crazy, gorgeous chandelier in an otherwise low-key space (yesterday's post in a nutshell.) photo via lili dialo

Talc's ridiculously cute kid's clothes (via see saw designs) I mean so cute it isn't even fair...

Pretty much everything from Linea Carta -- the napkins, the tea towels, the fabric calendar...all of it. But I'm especially partial to these slouchy bags. Perfection.

Sarah Pinto's planners and notebooks. Especially loving the horseshoe and the skull and crossbones. Cute, cool + she uses recycled paper and soy based ink. Oh and a portion of her sales go to California Pacific Medical Center Pediatric Cardiology... Nice.

And speaking of notebooks, how cool are lovely cousin erin's sketches. I'm totally digging her peacock.

Wren Handmade's paper garlands...I'm a total sucker for all manner of garland, bunting, etc... Audrey's lovely little friends Miette and Amelie gave her a rockin bunting for her birthday. I'll share a photo tomorrow. It's so sweet...