Artist Mackenzie Thorpe

{The Innocent}

I am currently in the initial design concept stage of another {new} project. When coming up with a design from scratch, it helps to have a jumping off point, of sorts.  Since the client loves Mackenzie Thorpe and has already purchased a number of pieces, I am going to draw my inspiration from the happy-go-lucky spirit that is captured in her work.  The spaces I am decorating for her cater to a lot of children so these images are perfect for the atmosphere there.

 {Riding in Love}

 {Over Love}

{In the Sound of the Siren}

While I was eating at Biscottis, a local restaurant, the other night, I looked up and saw "In the Sound of the Siren" and realized it was also by Mackenzie! I really like it a lot because I have already come up with a number of scenarios to describe what is happening with all those bikes. Where do you think they're headed?

You can also see Mackenzie Thorpe's work on exhibit at R. Roberts Gallery in Avondale.

Holy Calypso, It's Target!

Who's busting a move to her nearest Target on May 1st?  This girl.  I have long adored Calypso's home decor items from afar...because they are far too expensive. Now I can get something similar for much less! Way to go again, Target!

$60.....

$2,920.00

Eating Outdoors.

This picture has had my mind swirling. Darby at Fly Through Our Window took it at a recent party she went to. I love the vintage lace, the mix-matched chairs, the fact that all of this is set up outdoors without a tent (such courage!), and the idea of a meal outdoors, whether it be fancy-dancy or casual fun. It's the perfect weather outside for either, so get out there and make it happen this weekend!

xo

Design School.

I adore the blog 6th Street Design School by Kristen Karsen. She was recently featured on Apartment Therapy with an article about how to pull together a kid-friendly yet design conscious family room. Check it and her blog out. She recently updated her mother's guest room with a budget of $500 and I loved the way she put a sunburst mirror over a fabric-covered memo board.

In other news: does this hounds tooth fabric "speak" to you? I was in class last night and found it in a Lee Jofa sample book. I fell in love. It is much prettier in person. I vigorously cut it out (we're allowed to do that) and took it home. I can't use it for the project I am working on in that class but I can't wait for the right time to use it either in real life or for school.

Antique Store Rejects.

Have you ever gone to an antique store? They are not filled to the brim with actual antiques most of the time. And by actual, I mean typical. Most of the time there are some pretty unique things to see. And the most unique items will either sit there in their little booths for ages while people let them collect dust or they will eventually be scooped up by the person who has waited his/her whole life to find such an oddity. Here are some items that I left behind this weekend: 

Stone circle of little people surrounding a candle and painted log lamp with hand sewn picture shade.....

 "Ragtime" art made out of a mattress spring and shabby-chic fabric scraps....

 Matching set of blue and white creepy grandma & grandpa plates....

And last, but not least, a lamp so corny - it's growing ears.

A Perfectly Project: 1661 Riverside (vol. 4)

One more detail about our fabric finds...this toile fabric remnant was on sale for close to nothing. It made perfect sense that it should go on this side chair with arm rests (which was doning some A-typical traditional look fabric from the mid-90s). This was the only chair that didn't make sense compared to the rest of the dining chairs we found so far, so it has been relocated to the living area.

You like? We do. We think it is snazzy.

A Perfectly Project:1661 Riverside (vol. 3)

My client and I had a grand old time working on fabric choices and furniture purchasing this weekend. Here are some shots I took before we left for our shopping excursion. I wanted to have her artwork, rug, and existing furniture in mind so that we could make confident decisions while we were out.

She has some really colorful, expressive art for her living and dining areas, so I knew we could have some fun recovering the chairs she found at local antique shops. The one on the left was only $20! The one on the right will be professionally recovered...so I will show you the before and after for that later.

These are the fabric choices for the kitchen/dining areas. I love them! I am about to begin work on curtains for her back french doors...can't wait to see them up!

Some of our amazing finds. We both came out under budget for the things we had in mind. I needed a solution for my jam-packed kitchen and we spotted that cute little cabinet! I'm not finished styling it yet, but it works for now.

Vintage Minus the Rust.

{Lowe's}

 Shiny. Green. Glider. 

Please excuse me while I feverishly hunt for a coupon to Lowe's. 

Small Space Meets Big Suzani.

{Evan's LA Loft}

The SMALL/COOL 2011 contest is underway and some of the entries are amazingly perfect (to me). My vote goes to this guy, his huge a$$ Suzani, and his super cute dog that graces most of the pictures of his place.

J'adore.

 {Vintage bird via DS}

Design Sponge's latest "Living In" post this week was inspired by the book/movie: The Secret Garden.  One of my absolute childhood favorites.  Perhaps my love of flowers, vines, and garden stools began as I turned the pages of the tale of Mary Lennox....

{Overstock}

To Decorate or to Undecorate? That is the Question.

{The Selby}

Sup, ya'll? I should say, "Hola!" because I just returned from Central America. It was beautiful there, but I really mean it when I say I am happy to be home...discussing homes. 

Getting back to the grind with work and school; I caught up on some Apartment Therapy this morning and saw that they were mentioned in this NY Times article.  The article discusses the post-recession trend to "undecorate." I can attest that this is definitely the present movement. You might be experiencing this in your home if say, your dining room chairs are mis-matched, an Ikea rug sits under an antique hand-me-down from your parents, or you (gasp) have purchased mix & match bedding items at a discount.  I have said before that I feel comfortable in eclectic spaces and "undecorated" spaces are just that. To me, they typically end up showing the true personality of the inhabitants far more than design that follows all the rules to a "T".  I embrace this new trend with open arms, a creative spirit, and my own teeny-tiny budget.