This year for Christmas presents I am knitting a few scarves for special gift giving. My Grandmother taught me to knit when I was 5 and I have continued to knit on and off over the years. I love going into yarn shops and feasting my eyes on all the colors and textures available. On my last trip to the yarn shop I was captivated by this most exquisite shade of teal blue. It is a blend of wool mohair and silk, and knits up as soft and light as a spider's web. I love working with bamboo needles. This scarf is super easy. Cast on as many stitches as you need to make the scarf the width you want and then just knit every row until it is long enough. For this season extra long and very narrow scarves seem to be all the trend.
Happy Knitting If you have any knitting projects on the go please leave a comment [here]. PS I am going on a plane trip...does any one know if knitting needles are allowed through security??
Hello! I'm working away, trying to get everything done in a short week; just like most of you are. Although, not totally certain; I think we may be traveling to Dallas for the weekend. I really hope we do because I LOVE Dallas shopping:) In order to find the best sites, I like to check out Style Swoon for great hints. Check it out. Its a great blog! Anyway, I saw an article about a shop called North Star Antiques. This place is going at the top of my list to see.
My brother sent me this AWESOME video, today. If you are a true-blue movie lover, like I am; I know you will appreciate this collection of famous movie quotes. I think it pretty much covers all of my favorites. I titled this post after my favorite quote and all time favorite movie "White Heat". (Made it Ma, top of the world!) I also want to dedicate all Top Gun and Caddyshack quotes to my husband:)
Commercial spaces are such a great place to get design inspiration. They are often very bold and adventurous. One of my favorite things in commercial spaces is the attention given to ceilings. No boring white planes of emptiness! This beautiful Spanish restaurant does an amazing job of making the most of the large expanse above.Its interesting how subtle the rest of the decor is. The intricate angles of the ceiling are such a focal point, the space doesn't need much else. Love it!
I realize most of us can't tear down our ceilings and build an entire new shape, but there can still be a lot done. How about at least painting them a more interesting color than white? Also, add details like antique looking medallions coupled with modern light fixtures. That's a personal favorite!
One more thing! I'm crazy about the hand drawn pictures on the restroom doors. Doors as art? Who knew?
As the holidays approach I usually write about my dislike of boring decorating ideas. I never understand why so many of us can't let go of "Grandma's decorating" ideas when it comes to Christmas! As it turns out, the folks at Found feel the same way and they (unlike me) decided to do something about it. Tuesday evening they are opening their doors and sharing lots of fresh and stylish decorating ideas.
Great tip: Use fresh greenery! It has a wonderful aroma and looks amazing in any home.
When it comes down to it, what bothers me about most holiday decorating is its garishness. You know, most of us would never consider living with tacky, shiny objects on a regular basis; but we don't give it a second thought at Christmas time. Why? Subtlety, can be so much more beautiful. Also, subtle doesn't have to mean boring. It can be very unique and charming.
Don't you love this color!!
Okay, I admit I can be a bit of a Scrooge. Fortunately, even Found's lumps of coal come in a charming package. Ha, Ha! Here's some more info. Maybe I'll see some of you there:)
Have you watched The Stagerson HGTV? I really love this show! Unfortunately, since I like it, it must mean that its not a very popular show. I'm not sure why any time I like an HGTV show, it always seems to bomb. Perhaps I need to move to Canada. My favorite shows are Canadian and they do well there. Oh well! I'm addicted to this show, because I think their designs are great and its just fun to watch. Home staging is different than interior design, because of its unique approach. In order to stage a home must be attractive w/out being too personal. I think it can be a challenge for homeowners to separate themselves from their own homes, so I agree w/ bringing in professionals to help. Also, with the current market being what it is, making your home as attractive as possible has to be a good thing!
The stagers are part of a Canadian company called Dekora. It looks like an amazing place that stores a massive amount of furniture, art and accessories available for staging. Personally, I have never run across a place quite like this, but would kill to do so!
Yikes!!! If I were walking through this house, I would be tempted to runaway as fast as I could.
Ahhh! When can I move in? P.S. I would love to get opinions of any designers reading this article about your feelings on staging. Worthy cause, or passing fad?
Books are such a wonderful way of personalizing your space. Who doesn't love to be surrounded with all this wonderful inspiration. I think rooms with bookshelves are some of my most memorable spaces. Everyone feels comfortable in these rooms and they are rooms where you want to linger. I have a girlfriend who has a monumental bookshelf in her dining room. I always love to sit at the table across from the bookshelf so I can peruse the shelves between the dinner conversation.
"Five years from now, you’re the same person except for the people you’ve met and the books you’ve read." — John Wooden
I have categorized the following pictures of bookshelves into 7 sections:
1. Bookshelves in Living Rooms
Bookshelves in Living Rooms - Dominio
Bookshelves in Living Rooms - Poliform
Bookshelves in Living Rooms - Homes and Gardens
Bookshelves in Living Rooms - Domino Magazine Bookshelves in Living Rooms -BHG
2. Bookshelves with Library Ladders
Bookshelves with Library Ladders - Interior Design Alberto Pinto
Bookshelves with Library Ladders - Interior Design Tom Scheerer
Bookshelves with Library Ladders - Diane von Furstenberg source unknown
These bookshelves line the stairs up the third floor of the Fallingwater house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Bookshelves in Stairs - picture via Flickr
What is your favourite room to display books in? Please let me know by leaving a comment.
