embroidery + books

How breathtakingly gorgeous are these embroidered book covers by Jillian Tamaki? She made them for Penguin Books, and rumor has it that they'll be available this fall. So beautiful. I'm sure Jane Austen would have wholeheartedly approved. I love Emma's little freckles! But I think my favourite might be the Secret Garden. The whole thing makes me want to go swoop up dozens of books right now!

fascinating!

Ta-da! Aren't these marvelous? They are called fascinators and they are a British thing. When you have the occasion to wear a hat, which seems quite often across the pond, and aren't quite feeling an entire hat, you can wear a fascinator as a brilliant alternative! They can be made up on a number of things, (feather, tulle, ribbon, etc..) but I just LOVE this one and I have the perfect occasion to wear it! -The Royal Wedding, of course!

stunning!

That's right the latest episode of my new favourite show that I've never seen. Secrets from a Stylist with Emily Henderson. The best show so far as vicariously watched through images on Emily's blog, is a mix of mid-century modern and playful colour texture and a hint of girliness. Exactly the same styles I am working with. I am so inspired. So what an amazing coincidence that I love this episode and to top it off, it happens to be the house of one of my favourite blogs- Oh Joy! For your viewing pleasure-

You can find Emily's behind the scene recaps and all the references to purchase your favourite finds! And Joy's own re-cap of her episode! Her and her husband Bob are absolutely adorable!

funny!

Just found a cute little video about books, colours and thought I would share it with you. I remember a few friends giving me a hard time when I tried to organize our books by colour. Even the Prof. claimed I wouldn't be able to find anything. But I did, I remember most books by their cover anyway. Who says we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover? Regardless, I changed them back and the librarians and archivists were pleased. Ha!

Wow! I even figured out all by myself how to attach a video with the embed code! Yay!

yummy!

This little number combines two of my favourite things! Baking cupcakes and typography! In January, I mentioned that I have a few goals for the year. Well, one of them is to make a delicious batch of cupcakes once a month. Last month I made Classic Cherry Chip cupcakes. Complete with heart sprinkles. This month, I plan on tackling Hi Hats! I can't wait, I have never attempted a "dipped" cupcake before, so I hope it isn't a total disaster. But if you'd like to bake alongside with me. Here is the recipe and a picture! Always helpful!!! In the meantime, we can be inspired by the adorable poster available here from Etsy. Of course!

pretty!

A friend is getting married.

She likes pink.

And green.

This is what I found. Enjoy!

design board: office & guest room

I put together a quick design board for our guest room and my design space. I have a few plans to paint the bedframe black. Get a new mod rug, and match it with a few fun retro pieces like the old rotary phone and the vintage metal map waste bin. We'll leave the current colour on the walls, a very light blue, and cover the walls in fabulous art and fluffy light green bedding.

**Post Update: I've just ordered the Breakfast Club Poster and the Bubble painting. They were to great to pass up!**

For the music buffs out there

Can you guess all of the ensembles without looking at the list on the bottom of the print? Don't cheat. I only got four correct. And the Beatles weren't one of them, if you can believe that. I don't know about this Kanye guy, but his outfit looked like Pee Wee to me! Just sayin'. I think Jim Morrison's ensemble is the coolest. Kurt Cobain is a very close second!

Print by Moxy (my new design crush.)

**Post Update: Here are the answers in case the print is too small to read. (Left to right) Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Kiss, Chet Baker, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Prince, Kayne West, Marvin Gaye, The Ramones, Andre 3000, Farrell Williams, Brandon Flowers, Pete Doherty, The Beatles, Miles Davis.**

plantertastic

Inspiration Board

A few weeks back I was asked to help out with colours and a plan for my in-laws kitchen. They have pre-existing deep green cutains they'd like to keep and lovely wooden cabinetry. They are inspired by tuscan or earth tone colours. Although they might only be interested in painting the walls and adding a few meaningful and well-placed coordinating kitchen items, I figured I would go through my inspiration files and see what I could come up with. So, take a look, you may not like the particular plan, but pull out little details, colours, materials, lamps, hardware, etc. that you like and tell me about it! Enjoy! Anyone else have any ideas? Do share!

This one I found to be the key piece to my ideas. White it is mostly white, what caught my eye was the brown-ish grey backspash, which would be a beautiful compliment to your dark green curtains. The copper pots brings in nice warm tones and the texture from the wood stools could all be translated nicely into your kitchen! That tile colour might even work as a nice wall colour, with bright white trim rather than white cabinetry. Just need to use the palette as inspiration, and put the colours in more usable space in your own space!

This one is so playful, a perfect example of how to coordinate so many textures.

A generally neutral palette with a splash of bright red-orange! A feast for the eyes!

Pay close attention to the lamp, chair fabric and rug! A brilliant combo.

A quiet version of the earth tone palette, I love how the wood is working here.

Look how that sofa pops, and with so much pattern to compete with it still looks deep and relaxing.

One of my favourites for your inspiration, look how well the two wall colours work so well together. An easy transition for say, a kitchen area to your living room?

Fabulous texture and mixing of styles as seen in the ornate table matched with the pared down chairs. I love a little competition between mis-matched styles. And those rust side chairs are to die for!

This is the colour - but for your living room, would work amazingly well with your fireplace.

Muted tones, more masculine furniture, but I love it just the same, see the hint of pattern in the pillows, the browns, olive, and rust! Oh my!

These last two have it all, particularly this above one, the rug, wood, modern and classic, and even a touch of purple to throw off the whole palette!

Again here, I love the eclectic impression here. All brilliant inspiration!

So, how'd we do? Have you been sufficiently inspired? Did I miss anything? Hopefully I didn't get to off track! I just love the inspiration files. Enjoy!

Do you have any ideas for an inspiration board? I would love the challenge of putting one together for you!

font finds: swashbuckling competition

That's right. More fonts! I have been day-dreaming about script fonts for weeks now. These swash-bucklers all have high contrast weights in common. Not to mention the beautiful swash and curl that makes each one unique. These three would be fabulous to add to any collection.

Zaner Pro which can be found here.

Memoriam which may be found here.

It was originally designed specifically for the Time Magazine annual last issue dedicated to those folks that passed away that had an impact on our lives. But it is such a happy curly font. I cannot resist but love it!

And the elusive bonus font! I will award a prize (really, I would!) if someone could tell me where I could purchase this font. It is used by Mr. Boddington's Studio, they refer to it as "Henry", it is possible that it is a in-house handletter-based font. If you can find a viable option I would love to buy it!

What do you think?

Inspiration in unusual places

You all know how much I love J.Crew. But as I mentioned in this post, I have been thinking about colour and finding inspiration in unusual places. Taken from the "Can this outfit be turned into a room?" column in the beloved Domino Magazine. So using the same basic principals of this old column I came up with a few J.Crew palette rooms.

Domino shares a few tips…

Step 1: Take a style inventory and identify your typeThe answers to your home decorating questions lie before you — in your closet, bureau, jewelry box, makeup bag and shoe racks. Take a good look at everything you love to wear and search for the patterns, colors and textures that define you.

Classic Tailored (think Jackie O)Always crisp and glamorous, Jackie O had a way of making a trench, jeans and oversized sunglasses into the height of sophistication. The trick was in the perfect tailoring, the sharp details and the consistent palette. If you like the polished simplicity of a little black dress, the rich feel of a perfectly fitted cashmere turtleneck sweater and the understated sexiness of crocodile pumps, consider yourself a Classic Tailored type.

Boho Fabulous (think Kate Hudson)
Own more than one caftan? Have a collection of ethnic beads that seems to just keep growing? Like Kate Hudson, you’re in the free-spirited Boho Fabulous camp, where bright, tribal colors, vintage jewelry and patterned, baby-doll tops worn over jeans rule.

Modern Organic (think Julianne Moore)
Sumptuous natural materials and sleek shapes define the subtle allure of a Modern Organic woman like Julianne Moore. Most comfortable in a neutral color range of grays, creams and beiges, you’ll mix this up with spots of color occasionally, but dressing is more about architectural simplicity and the feel of linen and mohair on your skin.

Effortless Prep (think Babe Paley)
Your monogrammed canvas tote, tortoise shell sunglasses and perfectly worn-in khakis mean everything to you. Sound familiar? Then you’re an Effortless Prep in the vein of Babe Paley, ready to throw in a little floral pattern on a scarf or a skirt, but above all concerned with comfort and ease.

Step 2: Bringing it all back home: Translating your wardrobe into your surroundings

If you’re a Jackie O

Formal furniture, like Chippendale chairs and silk velvet sofas, will supply the classic polish that you crave. Your extensive book collection — which should include a few about Billy Baldwin, the classic tailored decorator extraordinaire — will be housed in bookshelves throughout the house. A gorgeous, crocodile covered Parsons table mirrors your favorite pumps, while your gold and silver bracelets turn up as a dirty brass coffee table and a collection of sterling silver boxes. You prefer a palette of mostly neutrals, with a well-placed Chinese red lacquer tray, or even a red room, just like the elegant lipstick that you favor.

If you’re a Kate Hudson

If you’re always layering fabrics in your outfits, there’s no reason you can’t also do that in your home — layer flat-weave kilim rugs and you’ll get an instant Moroccan buzz going. What better way to express your fondness for chandelier earrings than with a jewel-like chandelier? Think about the billowy dresses you love becoming a luxurious daybed covered in batik fabric. And look out for a solid color that always seems to pop up in your accessories — if you’re a fan of torquoise, for example, get a turquoise bolster for that same daybed. Otherwise, rich jewel tones like burgundy and emerald green will bring to mind the deep colors in which you like to swathe yourself.

If you’re a Julianne Moore

You’re all about texture, so try a favorite fabric like linen as loose slipcovers on deep sofas. A bold, modern shape, like a Saarinen tulip table, will appeal to your architectural side, while wide wooden floorboards under foot will satisfy your affinity for nature. Like your ever-present wooden bangles, wood can pop up a lot in your home, from a heavy wooden cutting board to an African stool used as a side table. Reflective aviator shades can add another mod element in the form of aluminum chairs and polished chrome cabinet pulls. Colorwise, the focus is on quiet, not bright, hues (think dusty rose and pearl gray) that support your refined aesthetic.

If you’re a Babe Paley
A Casual Prep loves stripes, and there’s no reason you can’t cover sofas, chairs, even the cushions on your kitchen stools in them. Lily Pulitzer florals are another no-brainer in your closet that could transfer easily into, say, a floral-wallpapered bathroom. Reinterpret your favorite fisherman’s cable knit sweater as a chunky knit throw, your straw summer purse as a rattan nightstand and your rope soled espadrilles as a sisal rug. You are by no means afraid of color, and taking your cues from your well-worn grosgrain ribbon belts, you can make a palette out of navy blue, turquoise and yellow. White painted floors, like a pair of white jeans, refresh the eye. Anything beachy is right up your alley, including silver-dipped shells and coral.