Sharpie Madness!

Check out this fancy wallpaper pattern drawn using a Sharpie! Britt from A Penny Saved jumped on the Sharpie wallpaper bandwagon and the results are magnificent. Look at the precision in the close up:

I simply adore it. This new trend is making me feel left out. Do I need to start planning a post-holiday art project?

For more inspiration, feast your eyes on this bonkers wallpaper made entirely of stickers! Amazing!

Images: A Penny Saved via High-Heeled Foot in the Door

love love love

I love everything about this room. I love the light fixture. I love the wall color. I love the old-school champagne glasses and the abstract artwork. I love the chrome-edged table and the plaid tea canisters. I even love the dinosaurs, which usually terrify me.

Image: Domino Magazine via Happy Mundane

Pinterest

So lately I've been really obsessed with Pinterest. It's such an addictive site because it is basically just loads and loads of pretty things to look at without the distraction of a bunch of words to go along with it. Also it's an actual community so it's also a way to check out what other people are posting which is a whole other addiction. Unfortunately for the three of you who read this blog, it means I've been lazy and have posted things I like over there instead of actually having to form thoughts and feature them here. However in the spirit of the holidays and giving and blah blah blah, here is my gift to you: pretty things I like! With no words! (Except this pitiful intro.)

If you want to see them again, just head over to Pinterest where you can begin to nurse your own obsession.

Photo Courtesy of: the decorista

 NY Mag

 Coralie Bickford-Smith

: Thrillist

 Rue

Sniffles.

I don't take sick days often because I have major guilt complexes and feel like the world might stop spinning if I neglect to go to work but I've been under the weather for the past week and so a proper sick day was in order. Sick days are fun because, as long as you're not on death's door, it feels like a treat. You can stay in bed all day and not feel guilty and you can ignore the pile of laundry because-hello, you're too sick to do laundry.  My most recent sick day gave me a lot of time to think. Actually, that's not true, it gave me a lot of time to lay in bed watching Damages and dozing off to have terrifying nightmares about Glen Close. However when I wasn't doing that, I tried to make the most of my time off by planning ways to use the time wisely and not just laze about until suddenly the day is over and I've forgotten to enjoy it.  It was probably the best day of my life. For serious, you guys.

First of all, I drank tea and read design blogs all morning. Then I made chicken soup and watched everything on my DVR. Then I worked on one of my scripts. Then I drank more tea and read Vogue. After I worked up the energy to take a shower, I settled back into bed and spent the rest of the evening watching TV and catching up on correspondence. Overall, a very productive yet relaxing day. Perhaps I should make this a regular occurrence.

Image: Fifi Lapin

Doodley doo.

Hey, remember THIS GUY? Well it looks like someone took his idea to a whole new (slightly more sophisticated) level. The Joyce Hotel in Paris found an easy alternative to actually furnishing rooms by illustrating the walls with everything from decorative molding to wall sconces. I love how these drawings save the rooms from looking too sparse and yet still seem intentional-not a last resort. For anyone with a new apartment or a large space to furnish on a small budget, this is a creative way to deal with budget constraints! It's more interesting than a painted wall but can be covered up if you grow out of it after some time.

I sense a new trend wafting through the blogosphere because drawn-on furniture is showing up everywhere, causing me to seriously consider investing in some new Sharpies.  Need proof? Check out Percy's Before and After bathroom, featured on Design*Sponge yesterday:

And let's not underestimate the power of the Anthropologie catalog!

Or the influence of the cinema! Specifically, (500) Days of Summer:

If you are really talented and have some time on your hands, why not aim high? (See more of Charlotte Mann's ridiculously beautiful work here.)

Images: Apartment Therapy, Design*Sponge, Poppytalk, CasaSugar, and Charlotte Mann

Pretty.

I am obsessed with these curtains. Also, the puppy.

Image: Design is Mine

More Kitchen Envy

Words cannot express how obsessed I've become with this gorgeous kitchen, which belongs to Anna of Door Sixteen. It is becoming a sickness. I've had the photos up on my computer all morning and in between projects, I keep glancing at them in wonder and amazement as if it could be mine if I just stare at it hard enough.

What I love about this kitchen is how functional it is. You can tell much thought was put into the use of storage vs. open shelving, the accessibility of select utensils and the placement of smaller appliances. Since it lacks the usual line-up of cabinets, both under- and over-head, Anna and her husband had to think carefully about the amount of kitchenware they use and that may be the key to their success in this room. My own kitchen is bogged down with ugly dishes and hand-me-down servingware that I don't really like. (Sorry Mom, but it's true.) Virtually every cabinet, shelf and cubbyhole is packed with pieces that I rarely use. I have 2 sets of plastic measuring cups and three sets of measuring spoons. Who needs that? The lack of storage space and the open shelving forces them not only to pare down their kitchenware but also to pay attention to what each piece actually looks like.

I adore the simple color scheme and how tidy everything looks all lined up on the shelves. Even though much of their dishware doesn't actually match, each piece works well within the over-arching color scheme and as a result, the whole room is more cohesive. I'm also really digging the splashes of pattern in the artwork and dishtowels. This reminds me- I need better dishtowels!

Images: Anna Dorfman of  Door Sixteen

found: something awesome at babyGap

Is it weird that I kind of want this Polar Bear Blanket for myself?

Image: Gap

ZOMG

YOU GUYS THIS TREE  IS MADE OUT OF COOKIES!

Image: Crate & Barrel

OverwhELMed. (I just cracked myself up)

West Elm has been killing it lately! I spent a mere five minutes on the site this morning and found about 30 items I could easily buy for myself or others, depending on how much I like them.

Here are a few of my faves:

Wood Boxes with Lacquered Lids

Faux-Fur Throw. Gorg.

 

Mercury-Glass Vases

Studded Wool Pillow Cover

Origami Banks! Proceeds go to St. Judes! Hooray!

Nature Entertaining Gift Set

Last but not least...

Sequined Bunny! Proceeds also go to St. Judes!

Image: West Elm

mia mia mia mia mia

Look! It's my name!

There was a time when I hated my name because it was considered exotic in Minnesota and no one ever knew how to pronounce it. Everyone thought I was named after Mia Farrow and all I knew at the time was that she looked like a boy in Rosemary's Baby. In the early 90's, surrounded by Jennifers and Tiffanys and Melissas, I tried to convince my mom to let me change my name to Kelly Kapowski and yet she refused. How rude! I was convinced she was denying me a life that involved wearing a cheerleader uniform and spending long hours leaning against my locker talking to my hunky blonde boyfriend named Rick who would play football and take me to The Olive Garden for fancy dinners on a Friday night.

These days I like my name and it's not just because it's become more common. (10th Most Popular Female Name of 2009!) I like my name because it suits who I am now and backwards, it spells AIM which is maybe not-so-coincidentally my favorite toothpaste. Also because now I can actually find it printed on things that are not shoes.

Image: Mooza Designs

I need an intern just to think of titles for me

I was reading The Kitchn  this afternoon when I spotted this wonderland of loveliness in one of their galleries. I love how much character and personality this kitchen has-somehow a dresser and lamp next to a freaking stove looks chic and elegant.  I'm also mad about the fancy terrariums and the pottery vignette on the open shelving. I would genuinely look forward to cooking if my kitchen looked like this.

You can see a tour of this whole duplex apartment in Dallas over on Apartment Therapy and I highly recommend it because each room is brimming with interesting accessories and layers of pattern and texture. I am especially fond of the exquisite hallway/foyer, which is probably to be expected.

Image: Apartment Therapy

If Only I Didn't Want EVERYTHING

Damn you, holiday gift guides! I look forward to the annual round ups of fun gifts for every price point and giftee imaginable all year long and yet somehow they wind up populating my own wish lists instead of my gift lists. Epic. Fail.

Example: This superb mobile from graphic designer Clara von Zweigbergk.

I could name 3 people I know who would adore this mobile and if I bought it now I would be planning in advance which is, obviously, something I never do. However, I can't help thinking how perfect it would look hanging in my living room, possibly replacing the metal hanging lamp (currently without a fixture) that everyone insists is an upside down layer cake.  Plus, all these colors are currently in the living room AND I've been looking for ways to add in some modern accessories since the room looks a little too...old. Also I just really, really like it.

The jury's still out on whether I will actually purchase it or who will receive it but in the meantime, you should buy it! Especially if it's for me!

Image: A+R Store

Design Soulmates

 I have been freaking out over Matt Berman's Manhattan apartment, which was featured recently on Elle Decor. Isn't it just so yum?? I cannot stop staring at the photographs because the apartment gets better with every photo in their slideshow.  From the artwork below the bookshelves to the cubed coffee table, green dining room chairs, and oversize mood board, this space has excellent attention to detail and a well thought out floor plan. I love how the masculine heft of the larger pieces are balanced by lighter benches, patterned accessories and soft rugs. Basically, I would do anything to live here. Berman's aesthetic sense is so amazing, I would like to cut out his prefrontal cortex and just insert it right into my brain. Then I would decorate my apartment to look like his. And then I would give him back his prefrontal cortex because it really isn't nice to go around cutting out chunks of people's brains. Also, ew.

Moving on:

Look at the watercolor of Mae West! Check out the hanging lamp above the table! Why don't I have big branch arrangements on my table!?!?!

This is my ideal workspace: simple and not fussy with interesting things to look at when I am lacking inspiration/procrastinating/bored out of my mind.

Images: Elle Decor

yet another wallpaper alternative

I had the most annoyingly long commute this morning and was in a thoroughly bad mood when I arrived at work but my mood was somewhat lifted when I saw Jennifer Hill's gorgeous stencil job featured on Design Sponge today. Inspired by a mural on the wall of their Honeymoon suite in Morocco, Jennifer transformed a small wall in their bedroom with paint, an allover patterned stencil from Royal Designs, and what looks to me like a lot of patience. The result is nothing short of breathtaking and frankly, I am so jealous that I am tempted to copy her idea in my bathroom this very weekend.

I won't- but only because I am too lazy.

This ain't Jennifer's first time at the rodeo either. (The rodeo being Design Sponge.) Jennifer's swoon-worthy Jamaica Plain home and workspace, along with her charming cards and calendar, were featured on the site back in June of 2008.

Check out Jennifer's blogpost, which includes relatively easy instructions, here.

Ps. I also want her dresser. And her rug. And her honeymoon suite.

Image: JHill Design via Design*Sponge

Want.

Sorry the picture quality is bad. I don't understand why this is happening.

Want Want Want Want Want

Image: Marks & Spencer via Bright Bazaar

apartment envy

Sometimes I sit around my apartment and I think, ' Apartment, you bore me'.

True story.

The fact is, I like bright colors and modern lines and enough artwork to cover a whole damn wall and that is sadly not happening in my apartment at the moment. To be fair, much of this is due to my budget and the fact that much of my furniture was inherited from either my parents, friends or craigstlist. One day I will get it together and start replacing things and buy appropriate frames for the piles of prints I have lying around everywhere and then my apartment will be a wonderland. Sort of like the apartment of one David Kaiser, an art curator whose magnificent apartment is currently featured over at NY Mag.

See? Isn't it just fabulous?

I am over the moon about this West Village apartment. Under Miles Redd's direction the floors were hand-painted, tables were ebonized, dressers repainted in Yves Klein blue and sconces were designed complete with matching oversize urns.  How is this not the most beautiful place you've ever seen?

Further evidence:

Yves Klein Blue! Yves Klein Blue! I die.

Images: NY Mag

Nook Fetish

Just another addition to my photo collection of breakfast nooks with upholstered benches...

Image: Apartment Therapy

this is getting out of hand.

Hey! Remember when I was procrastinating by designing the production office for a company I haven't yet started? Yep. Still at it.

I won't bore everyone with my plans for desks and storage space and the amazing kitchen we will have that will rival Flower Films (pastries included) but I would just like to point out that this living room, featured in Canadian House & Home, would be an amazing reception area. Also, I like the idea of wallpapered partitions in a brick loft space.

That is all I will say for now. Back to real work.

Image: Canadian House & Home

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

I know people have been talking and writing about this lightbulb for months but I can't seem to get it out of my head and so I'm going to throw in my two cents as well:

I love this! It is fabulous! It shall be mine!

Glad I got that out of my system.


Images: Eric Therner via Design Shimmer

Welcome to my Birthday Month

I keep my spare change in a hideous blue plastic container from Ikea and every time I see it sitting on my desk I silently curse myself for not owning something more attractive. Afterall, I'm pretty sure that plastic container is meant to store leftover pasta and not my life savings. Wouldn't I be more motivated to toss in an extra dollar or two if the container were as nice to look at as this pretty drop bank from Vitrine? I'd like to buy the yellow or teal version and store it on my mantle. Yes, it is mantle-worthy. Buy it folks!

Image: Vitrine via Shelterrific

Wallpaper, Inc.

C'est Magnifique Wallpaper by Anthropologie

I just returned from a short trip to Los Angeles where I visited my friend Amy and spent a lot of time fantasizing about how I would decorate her amazing new house. She is doing a wonderful job on her own but you know how I am...

One of the small victories of my trip was convincing her to wallpaper a wall in her kitchen which then led me to go a little overboard researching sample designs while she was at work one morning.

Blazing Poppies Wallpaper by Anthropologie

I decided to stray from my usual go-to wallpaper sources like Walnut, Ferm Living and Cole & Son, and I am so glad because it led me to Anthropologie's excellent collection. Just like the rest of the store's inventory, their wallpaper is delicate and girlish with a hint of charm. Traditional floral and filigree mix here with Shakespearan scribbles and a pattern of miniature tea cups that mimics penny tiles. My two favorites are the French-themed C'est Magnifique and floral Blazing Poppies designs. Although they aren't necessarily appropriate for a kitchen, I just adore the fun pattern of the former and the bright, saturated colors of the latter. I would love to take a bath surrounded by the Eiffel Tower or wake up to those cheerful poppies in the morning.

I also found some good ideas for Amy's kitchen, which is currently under renovation. She has a Black & White theme and a style that is simple and slightly retro but I know she has a tendency toward floral and nature-inspired patterns. Here are some of my favorites:

McGegan Rose by Timorous Beasties

A Stone's Throw Away by Oh Joy! 

Serious Bokay by Nama Rococo

Images: Anthropologie, Timorous Beasties, Hygge & West and Nama Rococo

want

Two things I like: London and snow globes!
This print by Clare Owen is perfection!

Image: Papermash via Design Sponge

Awwwwww

Someone knows exactly what I like! Let's get married.

Image: Living etc

Tea Time

It's a chilly, windy Friday in New York City today and I'm feeling a little under the weather. It's one of those days when I would have gladly chopped off my right arm in exchange for a day spent in bed with a hot mug of tea and It Happened One Night. Often when I am drinking tea at home I like to use my favorite tea cup and saucer which was a gift and just feels fancier and more decadent than my pink 'I heart Lipgloss' mug. Grace over at Design*Sponge featured this reusable mug earlier today and it feels like a happy medium. Plus, it's more fashionable than the chrome version I travel with in the morning. 

Image: Mocha via Design*Sponge