Looking at 40

I turn 40 this year.  It's getting easier to say that, btw.  For some time, I've been dreaming about the ultimate getaway trip to celebrate this milestone.  You know, how you picture yourself somewhere fabulous, doing fabulous things you otherwise never get to to do?  I don't know, like sleeping in late, or lounging near a beautiful pool without wondering if your kids are drowning.  Casually browsing mesmerizing shopfronts, or lingering over dinner with your Significant.  You get the idea.

I've alway dreamed of Morocco as an incredible destination.   Can you imagine?  The sights, the aromas (spice heaven!), the shopping (I might as well book an export crate for the rugs, baskets, etc). Over the past, oh, five years or so, Morocco has blossomed as a legit and luxurious destination for Americans, but, over the past, oh, year or so, there's also been a lot of scary shiznit happening that might make you think twice about your personal security in that locale. 

So, let's just say I've had a rethinking.  Somewhere a little closer, a little less likely to see you captured and beheaded for your beliefs, but by all accounts (and we've done some Intel), incredible.

Panama.  I'm lookin' at you.  Specifically, the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo.  It's uh-maze.  A design junkie's end all. 

Check it.

The Lobby bar, and a guest suite.  I'm all about a contrasting black trim; we've done some in our own house, and I love the crisp-ness it adds to a room.  I love it even more the way it's paired with the amazing wood floors.

They have me at hello with that perfect Trad/Colonial facade tricked out with contemporary iron-framed glass on the main floor, and yeah, you might convince me to soak in that tub. #bathdesignporn

Just stop already with the badass tile situations, 'K.  If our newly-finished study had a Central American sister, this space would be it.

Your choice of cocktail-serving spaces. (There's a pool, too.  Case you were wonderin'}

Yeeeah.  I think it might work.  For what we'll save in time and airfare, we could stay an extra day to take in more cool stuff.
Forty's not looking' so bad, ya'll.
ag

*images by Rue and American Trade Hotel - An Ace Hotel

Tulip Table Chair Upgrade

Normally, the last six weeks of a pregnancy sees a woman in full-on nesting mode, so it's hard to twist those instincts in me into thoughts of packing up and moving.   But, that's just where things stand.  It's probably also why my virtual nesting of the new house in Virginia is going overboard - I just need the release!
There are a few I can research in earnest - upgrades I know we'll make to our existing furniture.  Cue the seating situation for our tulip table.

 When we bought the table, there weren't any chairs I was cuh-razy about, so we just went with simple, easy to use with the crumb-crunchers, and in all likelihood, temporary.

This is our only eating area in the apartment, so the casual vibe has worked well.  In our new house, though, this table will be in our dining room, so I'd like to lose the chrome-legged chairs in lieu of something a little nicer and more comfortable. ...For the times when we actually DO host a dinner party where people might want to linger around the table.

There's so many ways to play the tulip table - it's such a genius design that almost any style of chair can work, and I've rarely spied a combo I thought was just "off." 
That doesn't make my job of selecting new chairs any easier.  Should I go fancy-Louis/upholstered,  simple-but-comfy MCM, lucite (Ben says Hell NO!), playful wishbone,  or colorful cafe? The buttery leather PK9 is the chair of my dreams - and at over five grand a pop, my dreams is exactly where it'll stay. Oh, hurts so GOOD!

1// 2// 3// 4// 5// 6// 7// 8

Have your Hide

Following-up on yesterday's post which featured this room, and its out-of-this-world awesome, Moorish-patterned hide rug...

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

A little bird (thanks, Anita!) clued me into the work of Kyle Bunting. Based out of Austin, Texas (which, by default makes him rockin' to me), this designer takes hides, laser-cuts them to perfection, and voila - turns out show-stopping takes on the traditional hide rug. Can you say quatrefoil, greek key, and chevron in hide? Yeah, I know.
By the time I went through all the patterns, there was a puddle of drool on my keyboard. I think the genius is quite obvious.
I'm partial to the nuances of color and texture in the neutral styles....

...but imagine I could be easily persuaded to work a bolder pattern into my own home.

Do we even want to know the price points? Probs not...but I've got an inquiry placed anyway. ;)

*Updated* Friendship Bracelets - All Grown Up

I don't remember my friendship bracelets from the 80s being as rad as these glammed-up versions from Frieda & Nellie. I love that the ethnic vibe of the traditional woven bracelet gets a kick in the pants with the rhinestones. Given my choice, I'd layer them up with a menswear-style watch, a classic oxford and strong denim. Shazaaam!

They're sold via Charm & Chain - a website that carries unique, but relatively affordable jewelry.



*Update: A very cool reader (thanks, Anon) led me to this Etsy store - looka looka!

...and for A LOT less dolla dollas! (Most are sold, so convo the vendor to say, "I love these, please make more!")

Anyone like to start exchanging again?

Wishful Valentine's Destination

Something's wrong with this picture...

Ponta dos Ganhos Resort - Santa Catarina, Brazil

Oh, yes....I'm not in it...

Daydreamin'

There are many days where I fall prey to daydreaming about how I'll design our home once we get back to The States. I look at our sad, abused microfiber sofa and pine for the day I'll be able to purchase a nice, quality sofa in the fabric of my dreams.

My need to temper those thoughts was not aided when I spied the newest additions to Serena & Lily's furniture line.
The Miramar is an ode to the traditional, English roll-arm sofa.

I've recently thought this is the shape I'd go for if in the market, but then S&L did a little tricky-trick and offered my other fave: anything with nailhead trim by way of the Spruce Street Sofa.

I don't know about those legs, though...

Wait! A happy medium? Why, yes! The same Spruce Street in the slipcovered option. Perfect.
Now, if S&L would begin offering a larger selection of fabric options (say, like some veeeeelvet) we'd be in business!

Hellooooo, Santa!

I know you're already making your list, and checking it twice, so go ahead and put these salt and pepper wells on mine. I'll even be your little elf, and give you the source - you know, 'cuz I'm a good girl like that!

Chic Camera? Oui, Oui!

Ben and I don't exchange Christmas, birthday, anniversary, gifts in the traditional sense. He claims it's too much pressure to pick out the "perfect" gift (cough-copOUT-cough), and I never know what to give him, as he's the least materialistic person I know (that's a good thing, I realize).
However, in the event he ever wants to surprise me with something I am guaranteed to love, I do keep a Wishlist on Amazon. (hint, hint Honey ;)
I recently spied this too-cool-for-school camera - a Lomography Diana named the "Parisian" for its adorably-chic, and oh-so-French navy and white striped body.

"Lomo" is a style of photography dating back to the early '60s. Images in the Lomo style typically have high color saturation, yet a dreamy, vignetted appearance.
Most photo editing software offer ways to "Lomo-ize" digital images - like I did here using Picnik...

...but how great would it be to pick up an actual film camera again, and have a go at creating your own images in the iconic style? Perfect gift for your photofile family or friend (or of course, me!)

The "It" Room: Momcave

Word on the street is, Mancave: Out, Momcave: In.
As I see it, a Momcave is a space devoted to the imagination, relaxation, and fancies of the woman of the house. That woman need not literally be a parent, as almost all women are mothers to someone or something - even if it's a houseplant!

In my mind's eye, my Momcave would be part sitting/reading area, creative workspace, with a little corner exercise studio - a place where I could capture the fertile ideas that always come up during the monotony of the treadmill, and bring them to fruition - a living mood board, if you will.

It would be inspired...

..but organized

warm...

source

...but whimsical

How about you? Give me your dream Momcave!

S&L is slayin' me with these...

Serena and Lily's new cross between an ottoman and a stool, the chakki. Loving the classic Indian details, and the choice of fabrics. Consider them on my wish list.

Oh, and a set of the Senegalese baskets, too!

Drool, much?

This morning, Daniela at Aesthetic Oiseau posted some of the Chinoiserie offerings from the new Spring 2010 Schumacher line, and I just couldn't resist continuing with the latest version of a trellis pattern: Summer Palace Fret - a slightly more delicate relative of Imperial Trellis. Picking one of the colorways would be akin to choosing a favorite child!

smoke

mineral

wisteria

sand

Totally. Obsessed.

With the Newport Coffee Table from OOMPH. The price tag, not so much. Seriously, OOMPH, $4200? Let's get real. In the meantime, if you wanna live in my la la land for a bit - check out the myriad of colors, and try, just try to pick a fave - I double-dog dare ya!

Prettiest Kitchen

image via Antique Shops & Designers magazine

This kitchen, owned by Houstonite and Fabulous Flea designer, Mary Daly, is one of the prettiest I've seen in a long while. I love her casual, open shelving filled with the mix of high-end, silver pieces, and everyday (Target-available) elements like the glass cookie jars. I've got jars exactly like that, but I don't have one fab, vintage-looking juicer. Been eyeing them for years, and think it might have to be on my holiday wishlist. ;)
After seeing this pic, I tried to re-create her little coffee station. Doesn't it look so lovely? Needless to say, I think mine's missing that certain je ne sais quoi...

Maybe it's the ugly granite/dirt tile combo (hey, I didn't pick it out, it's part of the rent-free package). Mary's limestone subways and white woodwork lend themselves better to showcasing silver. So, I have something to aspire to!

Gimme, Gimme, GIMME!

Give photographer, Terri Smith some love for this precious pic

A Brooklyn Limestone is hosting the most awesome giveaway I've seen yet - A Lulu ("baby" Ghost) chair. The giveaway is hosted by All Modern, if you wanna go see some other way cool stuff. Now, get over to A Brooklyn Limestone to put your name in the hat - but don't plan on winning - I've got that part covered! ;)

Survey Says - Baths!

Let me first apologize for the sorta-weak posts this week....Ben has been out-of-town 7+ days now, so some of my creative juices have fallen victim to Dora the Explorer theme songs, and botched finger paint projects. The good news is, I've got several days of research under my belt putting together an inspiring (I hope!) Design Dilemma for tomorrow.



OK, now that I've got that out of the way... Had bathrooms on the brain lately (no, don't have any digestive issues, thank you very much) - I just think bathrooms are fun design forums PLUS I've got a serious DD in the works for a master bath overhaul - so the wheels are a' spinnin!



Awhile back, I posted with a poll to see what you'd vote for in a dream kitchen. I thought it might be fun to do the same for Baths. Remember, if you don't vote, you can't complain! ;) {ahem}



Rather than focusing on elements of a bathroom, let's go more with design styles...Oh, and pretend we're NOT in an economic recession - for this exercise, you are budget-free - Have Fun!



So, here's the list (with a couple of freebie bath eye-candy thrown in!)



The Cottage Bath - I usually categorize these as smaller, cozier - and often found in older homes. They might have beadboard or subway tile, and if you're lucky, they may even have an original, cast-iron tub and hexagon coin tile! These baths need not worry about being small in scale because with the right materials and fixtures, they can be huge on style!

Hey! Isn't that my bancroft faucet? I almost missed it because of the beautiful carrara marble vanity! via Sunset mag

Cottage Living via OurSuburbanCottage

In a word: Lush

What about the polar opposite? Large, separate (jetted) bath and (multiple-head) shower, his-n-hers vanities - The Works. This is a bath you could live in!

Coastal Living mag

Zen Simplicity - Do you want your bath to be a frills-free getaway? Maybe with a refined vanity, complete with vessel basin (so long as the fixtures are still beautiful - check out those bridge faucets!) What about a soaking tub with a Japanese garden as your personal meditation spot? Install some speakers to pipe in your itunes Yoga playlist and call it a day!

House Beautiful via DesiretoInspire

Sunset mag

Wanna Get Away? - International Influences - Have you ever traveled somewhere and just had to bring something from the destination into your home? I don't know if I'll ever get to Morocco (as I wish), but I would certainly take this Moor-inspired bath as second place!

House Beautiful

So??? What's your pick? Choose wisely! ;)

Here's a few more of my personal favesHouse Beautiful via IfTheLampShadeFits

House Beautiful via PatriciaGray

Burnham Design

Elizabeth Dinkel Design

**I always do my very best to credit the source of photos - both the original publication, and possibly the site or blog who posted it online. Some are older images I've had tucked away, and didn't note the source when I saved them. I apologize for any credit not given.