Lovely Artist of the Week

These 8x10 prints by artist, Inslee Haynes, make me happy.  I love her use of vibrant colors, and I sort of want to be the women in these illustrations.  Wouldn't these be adorable in a girly closet!  Inslee also creates fun note cards and calendars and is even available for individual comissioned projects.  I would love for her to do something fabulous for my little girl's room.  If you like what you see and want to learn more about Inslee, check out her fun blog.

Trip to Jayson Home

This past weekend I was in Chicago visiting a friend.  She asked me if there was anything in particular that I wanted to do while I was in town.  I said that the only thing I really cared about doing was visiting one of my favorite online stores, Jayson Home.  This was my first time in the physical store in Lincoln Park, and I was impressed by the wonderfully creative displays and large selection of furniture and accessories on the floor.  Many of the products I had seen online, but it was nice to actually touch see many of them in person.  Do any of you have pieces from here?  I would love to hear about them or see pictures if you would like to share.

Affordable Lighting

I was in West Elm yesterday and was really impressed with their lighting selections, all at such affordable prices.  Check out a few of my favorites below...

Cluster Glass Pendant $199

Large Wire Pendant $329

Stray Dog Chandelier $299

Glass Link Chandelier $299

Round Rugs in Square Spaces

A round rug is a really fun option for a square space.  I am on the lookout for a 72"or greater round rug for a square entryway in a contemporary home, but it is very difficult to find quality round rugs in larger sizes without going the custom route.  While making my selection I need to keep in mind that the entry will be a heavily trafficked area, so the goods must be durable.  Also,  whatever option I choose must coordinate with a black and white geometric runner on the stairs that can be seen in the same eye.  I may end up ordering something custom in a solid color, but these options below could be considered as well. So far,  I am a big fan of the unique laser cut rug from Ligne Roset below for this particular project.  I hope to show you pictures when the project is finished. Stay tuned...

Panton Rug from Design Within Reach

Vincent Olm Les 100 Pas Rug from Ligne Roset

Jonathan Adler Flower Rug

Whorled Trapunto Rug from Anthropologie

It's A Girl!

We found out yesterday that the precious angel I am carrying is a girl!  My maternal instincts were totally off, because for some reason I was completely convinced and happy that we were having a boy.  We are thrilled though, and would have been either way, but it will be really nice to stop calling her "it" and start testing out real names.  My husband thinks he is going to call her a different name every day until we decide on a real one.  That could be fun, funny or could just get really annoying.  Ha!  Right now I am finding it pretty amusing.


It is now time to get to work...baby names, registry and nursery planning, oh my!  I am sure I will be posting many of my nursery ideas in the near future, but for now here is my front runner for a crib.  Ask me in one day and this may have changed 5 times.  This is the Regency Crib by The New Traditionalists, based out of NYC.   It can be custom painted any color you like.  I am thinking just all white lacquer, or maybe I will go bold and replace the navy paint on the sides with fuchsia.  Thoughts please!

The Regency Crib

Wacky Monday

Here is a little something out there for you this Monday.  Check out these fun bubble chairs.  I envision them in a child's bedroom or maybe even a funky reading nook.

Eero Aarnio

Swinging Bubble Chair with Stand

Hanging Bubble Chair

Kitchen Inspiration

I am in the process of renovating a kitchen for a client, so I have backplashes, counter tops, cabinets and hardware on the brain.  In my quest for inspiration, I am continuously drawn to these clean, white on white kitchen themes.  For some reason my eye is drawn to the white cabinet against the white backsplash and counter tops.  What are your thoughts?  Too stark and not warm enough, or beautiful and elegant?

Kitchen by Jason Chai and Stephen Sills

Picture from Architectural Digest

Kitchen by Jim Howard

Kitchen by Nathan Egan

Shagreen Everywhere!

Shagreen was formally a type of untanned leather made from a horse's back that was typically died green. However, shagreen as we know it today is a type of leather made from the pebbly hide of a shark or sting ray.  This form of shagreen was popularized by Jean-Claude Galluchat in the court of Louis XV of France and spread throughout Europe in the mid-18th century.  Today it is seen on everything from small luxury goods, tables, lamps, sofas, chairs and even wallpaper.  It adds beautiful texture and luxury to any piece of furniture.  It comes at a high cost, but now they make quality faux options as well. 

Gray Shagreen Square Chinese Style Side Table

Barbara Barry for Baker Screen

Jayson Home Faux Shagreen Box

Poston Hexagonal Faux Shagreen Lamp

Natural White Shagreen Chair

Chilewich Custom Rugs

I am sure many of you have seen or even own woven vinyl place mats or a doormat made by Chilewich, but did you know they make custom sized rugs for your home as well?  They aren’t easy to find and are pretty expensive for vinyl, but they will last forever and are super easy to clean with a damp cloth or mop.  This commercial grade flooring is elegant enough for the home and would be suitable for a contemporary style, somewhat casual room, like a home office, breakfast or dining room.  If you have kids and/or dogs, this is an excellent solution.  I have a heavily trafficked breakfast room that leads out onto a garden patio.  It gets pretty dirty on a daily basis, and I can’t even imagine what this winter will be like.  I plan to put a 8'x10' Chilewich Kono Rug in Asphalt under our dining table and a 3'x5' by our kitchen sink.  I have been able to find these at the design center, who only sells to people in the trade, but if you are interested in purchasing one yourself, SisalCarpet.com sells custom sizes.

Chilewich Frost Rug

Chilewich Basketweave Rug

Chilewich Kono Rug

Chilewich Bamboo Rug