Friday Finds

An early start to the season has me throwing open the windows and eager to start sprucing up for spring.  I am in love with this Friday's find - a crisp white and bold blue ceramic lamp by Mary McDonald, for Robert Abbey. 
A definite must have!

Enjoy the weekend.

Santorini Squares Lamp, here

Just Sayin'...

Tonight is the 84th annual Academy Awards and I am wondering why Thomas Horn wasn't nominated for Best Actor.  Horn was cast as character, Oskar Schell, in the feature film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close after winning Jeopardy Kids.  Unfortunately, Extremely Loud is one of those movies you either love or hate - I happened to love it (it does have it's slow moments), however Horn's performance was rivoting and kept me locked to the screen.  Seems to me taking raw natural talent, finessing it and featuring it for the first time in a major movie deserves an Oscar look.  I don't think any of us would argue that George Clooney and Brad Pitt are good, but really - are they any different from one movie to the next?  I think that someone who hasn't acted, who doesn't have a career in acting already, and who can move and mesmerize us with a chilling and stellar performance should be the clear winner - or at the very least a nominee.  After all, isn't it called the Best Actor award??  If a young lad with no acting experience can make us believe - then that's what I call acting.

I am just sayin'.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard visits the Washington Design Center



Yesterday I had the great privilege of being educated and, more importantly, entertained by Martyn Lawrence Bullard.  Part of a panel discussion with Susan North, Senior VP, Design & Creative Director for Schumacher, Martyn was dapper and captivating; engaging the audience with his passion for textiles and worldy travels - where he finds much of his inspiration.  Be sure to check out the new collection, a collaboration between Martyn and Schumacher.  Bright colors and bold patterns combine history with today's designs for a fresh and modern perspective. 

Simply fabulous, Darling.
 



Martyn personalizing my book - "A Delicious Kiss to You"
Simply fabulous, Darling.

Friday Kicks Off Super Bowl XLVI Weekend

Unfortunately my husband's team didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year (not even close) and since I don't really have a favorite team I didn't experience the same sense of loss.  Admittedly, I tend to route for any team with an animal on their helmet - the cuter furry four legged variety prefered. 

However, we are still looking forward to the game - more so from the postion of frolicking with friends.  One doesn't hear the term frolicking used often, but as defined, meaning "to play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically" - it works for me and is sure to be our game day experience.

I really only watch for the commercials and I cannot wait to see the full Papa John's and Peyton Manning commercial - I have been seeing teasers all week - it looks outrageous.

Whatever game day weekend has in store for you - be sure to enjoy!

Friday Finds a Windy Day

It was a gorgeous January day in DC; blue skies, sunshine and 65, but windy after a thunderstorm this morning.
The windy day gave inspiration to some fun Etsy finds.

Enjoy your weekend

Fun print, here

Windswept Ridge, here

Of course this would appeal to Rabbit Runn Designs - print, here

Scarf on a Windy Day, here

Windswept Tree, here

Carry Me Home, here

Monday Must Have

Monday needed a bit of sunshine - since the weather was wet and dreary - and what better way to brighten a gray day than these vibrant sunny yellow enameled pieces from Billy Cotton - they surely made me smile.

Enamel Flatware, here

Of course, I fell for the enameled candleholder too - this yellow one paired with silver is smashing and be sure to check out the indigo - so sophisticated.  I need a table full.


Enamel Candleholder, here



Friday Finds a Fox

Friday ended quietly, so I spent my afternoon (wisely) "popping in and out" of a few of my favorite online shops doing a little accessory hunting - it's nice to be cozy and warm from home, but feel like I am out shopping...

I fell in love with this little sleeping fox pillow and soon he will be sleeping on my bed.

Makes me want to curl up and take a nap myself, perhaps tomorrow -

Enjoy your weekend.

The Rise and Fall Sleeping Fox Pillow, here

A Tuesday Must Not...

I cannot believe Monday came and went - this year is already passing so quickly - pretty soon it will be Christmas again (dare I say)...

So, since I blew through Monday and didn't give you a new Must Have, I decided for Tuesday, I would present you with a Must Not - and this one is a doozy...

With the business name Rabbit Runn Designs, you can imagine all the wonderful rabbits I have been given and have collected over the years - and I love a lamp, goodness knows, but this is one hot mess in my book. 

I doubt I need to state the obvious - I can't help but think why is this rabbit wearing a lampshade on it's head?  It reminds me of one of those cones a pet has to wear and their heads get so wobbly and they stumble around bumping into things - it's so awkward and this is not only awkward with the tilted shade, but awkward because you cannot even see the rabbit's face - not to mention the color. 

Peter Cottontail would be mortified.

Sometimes a design scores and sometimes it fails - it just goes to show, not everything needs to be a lamp.

   

Friday Finds

This Friday finds me getting in late, but delighted to see a photo, shared via email, of a new custom breakfast table and chairs delivered just this morning to my clients in South Carolina.  I am always happy to breathe a sign of relief when things travel safely.

A special thank you to Charlotte Reeves, a colleague in SC, who made sure the delivery went smoothly - she's the reason I breathe that sigh of relief - thanks Charlotte!

Enjoy your weekend.
 

A custom Quarter Sawn White Oak table, with Onyx finish, and painted and distressed Windsor chairs, in a sage and gray blend with black rub through and tobacco glazing.  Just what the beach house needed, casual and chic.

Monday Must Haves - Pretty Packages

Today isn't so much about a must have, but rather a must do...
Under normal circumstances, today would be recycle day - but given it's a holiday, I will drop off the stack of paper that's accumulated over the past couple weeks at my local recycle center myself.  It's hard to say good-bye to all that beautiful wrap that sits patiently in the recycle bin.  It reminds me of all those pretty packages that used to be under my tree - so, here's a little creative inspiration to tuck away for next time - it's not only gorgeous, but green.

And let's not forget about all those holiday cards - consider a greeting card recycling program such as St. Jude's Ranch, here.  The children at St. Jude's Ranch earn money by creating new holiday cards from the old.

Enjoy.



Use peppermint candy instead of styrofoam peanuts - it's easy to recyle those!
image via Country Living. 




Even simple can be stunning! 
Kraft paper and scrapbooking "scraps" can be wonderful package decor.
image via Country Living



A bow made out of Christmas bulbs - I love this idea! 
Next time the bulbs blow - think about saving them for this clever look. 
Or even one as a package tie could be fun and unique
image via Good Housekeeping

Again, taking something so simple and turning it into something special - recycling at it's best.
Image via Diana from the Blog: Anyone Can Decorate



Fabric gift wrap - an easy idea for a designer, as we always have fabric samples and scraps left over.
image via Martha Stewart










HAPPY 2012!

Wishing us all a bright new year - Happy 2012!

Friday Finds

Friday finds me feeling a bit tearful.  I don't like to think about taking down the Christmas tree. 
I love the glow of the white lights and all my favorite ornaments mingling amongst them - but I know it's time - although I will likely only put away the ornaments today and leave the lights and the tree until Sunday :-)

I did want to share a tree idea that I found from our friends at re-nest, here.  What an absolutely clever way to display ornaments and not take up a lot of space.  This would be the perfect backdrop for my vintage and rustic ornaments.  I put up three trees each year - one with nothing but animal ornaments (my favorite tree), one with all primitives, handmade and vintage decor and the last tree gets a more formal dress of red, white, blue, gold, silver and my collection of White House ornaments. 

So, even though I have to put away the decorations for this season, I can still be thinking about Christmas.

Now, I am off to look for some scrap lumber...I know we must have some in the shed. 

Oh Honey...  I have an idea I want to run by you...



Enjoy your weekend and Happy New Year!!!!

Monday Must Haves

Happy Monday after Christmas!  I am already looking forward to the new year ahead and new projects. 
Of course I have been admiring some unique pieces on the Anthropologie website and am looking forward to an upcoming project where I can use a couple of these great finds.

I probably need this chair - I have had my eye on it for some time now...

I love this ottoman - the casual patchwork detail which invites the sit on me and prop your feet on me attitude coupled with the clear base that says I am sexy and sleek - it's such a sassy piece!

simply awesome - I love vintage industrial design

In particular, the green chair - I can see that pairing well with the dining table.  It reminds me to pull my old bentwood chairs out of the attic and give them a new coat of paint - perhaps in the green...

Friday Finds

Friday found me snooping, early, through my stocking and finding Origins Ginger Essence perfume, here.  I love, love, love the Origins line - cruetly free and earth friendly.

I just couldn't wait any longer -
Thank you Santa!






"spicy ginger is balanced by the refreshing zeal of bergamot, lemon and lime to create a sensuous synergy between warm and cool, energy and calm, tempest and tranquility"

Let's Dish!




Oh my gosh - I just had the opportunity to "dish" for the first time. 

Friends thought it might be a fun way to spend time together and relax before Christmas, not to mention stock the fridge in time for the holidays with meals you just pull out of the freezer when you need 'em. 

It was a FABULOUS idea and so much fun. 

The store was twirling with men, women, teenagers - all in their bandanas and aprons - yes, I had to wear a bandana...  Even more ridiculous than me wearing one was me trying to put one on - I guess I will never make it as a biker.  I finally resorted to having the manager put it on me because I was laughing so hard (my friends were laughing even harder).  I had no trouble donning my apron - thankfully. 

Anyway, back to "dishing" - it's as easy as 1-2-3.  You arrive, you check in, you go to the meal prep station (you sign up in advance) and you begin preparing - it was awesome.  I got to come home with tasty meals and didn't have to wash a single bowl or grocery shop for ingredients!

Let's Dish is big on handwashing, but so am I, so I loved that - the meal prep stations were well stocked, clean and the instructions were simple to follow - I didn't even need my glasses - a plus! 

I am already looking forward to going back.
 

Monday Must Haves

I find something new each time I venture out of the house or surf the net - today's Monday Must Have is this cool hammered silver-plated magazine caddy, it blends perfectly this time of year, especially since I have my house decorated with mercury glass ornaments and candleholders (and no shortage of shelter mags).
At only $99, this little guy is the perfect accent!

A Wisteria Exclusive, here

Friday Finds

This Friday finds me under the weather - I have been fighting whatever has been going around so that I can enjoy my Christmas.  I have family coming to town and of course, lots of holiday parties to attend.
So, I find myself this afternoon cozying up by my fireplace, complete with my trio of kittens to keep me company, and since I am cozy and warm under one of my favorite throws, it's prompted me to think about a new one for next year - take a peek at ones I am considering.

I love the orange window pane - gotta have this one!
Overstock  here

Okay, so the multi color is great too - which to decide on...  Spring or Fall - or one for each season? 
Again, here's the orange I love.
Overstock here

No orange, but these are so warm and so comfy - I already have the Garnet, the Fog and the Dune - I have one in almost every room - perhaps it's time to get one more - especially since they are on sale!
Restoration Hardware

A Rabbit Runn First - A Custom Desk!

I recently designed and had fabricated my very first, truly custom, furniture piece.  This desk I created for one of my clients' office.  The wood is figured walnut and the legs were finished by yours truly :-)
They are made out out of wood and painted to look like metal - they really fool the eye.
I couldn't be happier with the finished product.  It far exceeded my expectations and I cannot wait to get my creative juices flowing for my next custom piece.
   

Don't those legs look like brushed steel?  I haven't put the drawer pulls on yet, but plan to get to those this week, I was just too excited to show this off! 



A mousehole in the bottom of the leg means only one cord to wrangle with - the power supply is hidden inside and all computer related cords drop through grommets in the top to connect to one source.  Very tidy!





Friday Finds

This Friday finds me reminiscing about my visits to NYC.  I just love going to NY during the Christmas season, well, anytime, but Christmas in particular since it's so twinkly with lights and stunning window displays.  I don't know if I will get there this season, so if not - at least I have my memories and lots of photos!

Me on top of the Empire State Building - I could really see all the twinkly lights from this vantage point

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

The Scent of Christmas

If anyone were to ask my husband what my favorite scents are, he could name them pretty easily because they never change.  Tops on my list are pine trees (the Christmas version).  It could smell like Christmas in my home year round and I would never tire of it.  Close behind is the scent of laundry after it's been hanging in the warm sun.  In keeping with the outdoor theme, I love the crisp smell of winter, especially after it's snowed and everything is still and pure.   Lastly, lilacs.  I enjoy catching a hint of their sweet fragrance on a soft spring wind.

Imagine my delight when I noticed that Trapp Candles introduced a few new holiday scents (I have been giving these candles as hostess gifts for years now and everyone loves them).

Of course, I've had my "White Fir" burning since October, in anticipation of the holidays, and this season they released "Winter Air" - so, now they have two of my all time favorite scents! 

I've always said, any candle can smell good in a box, but what about when it's lit - these deliver.  For me, they are without question the best candles I have ever found - their scent that permeates the whole house in only a few minutes.

So it's going to be tough decision - will it be "White Fir" or "Winter Air"? 

I think I'll light them both!