REALLY? FIGURINES?

I've never been one to decorate with little figurines except for the occasional wooden hand-carved cheetah or ceramic Egyptian Bast. I guess I've always found them to be dust collectors and bookshelf invaders, but lately I've been a little more excepting of them...and...if they serve a purpose even better!

 As I was wandering Pier 1 Imports the other day I decided I MUST have the "Love Bird" salt and pepper shakers. They were too adorable to pass up. 

Luckily I was convinced not to buy the cow creamer (since I don't drink cream) and the elephant teapot (since I forget to drink tea) but they were both very close to joining my birds at home.

West Elm just informed me this morning that they have some figurines I might enjoy...and yes, maybe I would like some elephant book ends to fill the void of my teapot. 

And since I am a sucker for anything shiny, even a creepy cute little squirrel caught my attention.

This little perched paper mache bird is calling for my credit card number ($10 + shipping) but I think I'll try to make it myself and add it to the collection of everything else I've started but haven't finished yet. 

 I've had a thing for owls lately and I think it's because they seem retro to me. Were owls big in the 60's or 70's? 

Z Gallerie is another store with great little "thinnngs" to fill your shelves with like this clear glass octopus...

...Or a pair of white pheasants, although they don't really do it for me. I'm still stuck on the owl or elephant thing.

And I have to say, even though I like these little guys, I will NEVER let them take over the house! 

I'M FEELING BLUE...

I don't have much to say other then I love these shades of blue...

Framed Madison & Grow Wallpaper

 

I WISH I could paint my apartment!!!

SUNDAY SPORTS

It's Sunday again and as I start to think about what I'm going to accomplish today, I'm taking into consideration that the living room will be occupied for most of the day and well into the evening. Beer, pizza, and football will soon fill this peaceful apartment. 

For 3 years I lived with my 89 year old grandfather and 27 year old cousin. Golf, tennis, baseball, football, and sports center echoed throughout the house. Last year I had a 6 month intermission when I moved in with a friend who didn't own a TV. I had a hand-me-down TV and a simple DVD player and I watched the same old movies while painting my toenails and applying a green mud mask, but that was a biweekly event. It was a nice break from my usual routine of getting home from work and walking straight over to the TV to "zone out" after a long day. 

This past June, in moved the largest flat screen TV I have ever seen! I had missed seasons of some of my favorite shows during my intermission, but I wasn't concerned about it at the time. Now I feel as though I've been sucked back in and I have to make this stop! Luckily, last weekend I was able to get rid of two old love seats that filled my front porch, and I now have a place to escape during game time. I've moved in my art supplies and I'm ready to get back in touch with the artist within. 

We live on the 3rd floor of one of the tallest apartments in the neighborhood

and the view is wonderful. 

The room is surrounded by 3 walls of windows and if there is a nice breeze like today, it's a perfect place to relax. 

 You'll notice a small TV made it into the corner of the room, but I love putting on movies I've seen a hundred times so I can listen to them while I paint. And with that being said, although I don't enjoy watching football, I do enjoy the sound of sports in the background knowing my friends and family are close by. It makes me feel at home.

LOFT VS. BACKYARD

Although my man and I are very happy in our current apartment with our fantastic roommate, we can't help debate; "loft vs. backyard" for our next place. I vote loft without a doubt, and I look at staircases as a form of exercise for Miguel and I (although I think he benefits from it more then I do)...awe...little guy! I've taken up gardening this year for the first time, meaning, I've planted plants in pots around my sunny apartment. That's about as far as I go. I'd prefer to walk to a pretty garden in a park or pay someone to do the landscaping (right Mom?). I'm not lazy and not afraid to get my hands dirty, but for some reason it's just not my thing. So here are some lovely lofts and cozy backyards to think about...

I'll always love exposed brick walls, tall windows and open floor plans common in many loft apartments...

 ...but a ground floor space means backyard access and cozy outdoor gatherings. 

Painted exposed brick creates a crisp pallet for many design possibilities in a loft...

...but so do grey slate tiles in a backyard patio.

 Nope! Lofts are still in the lead.

The open floor plan begs for creative ways to break up the space;

bookcases become room dividers and gatherings are no longer confined to a single room. 

However, outdoor dining can be extremely beautiful and intimate.

Have I mentioned how much I love sheer curtains (and Bertioa chairs)? 

And so does Miguel. 

Tall ceilings in lofts allow for tall indoor trees instead of your typical house plant...

...But it's hard to compete with New England foliage.

There's just something about the mystery of these buildings. Like, what was it before people moved in and started hanging art?

What was this space used for before someone decided to make it their personal gymnasium?

And how is this old building supporting thousands of pounds of water for an indoor pool?

I still vote loft, but there's nothing like a pool with a view.

I think I'll take the third floor of this place for now. 

FUNKY TEXTILES BY FUNKTION

I am definitely consistent with my taste. Flipping through my design binder today I realized I had identical pages torn out of two Domino Magazine issues from November 2005. I probably bought the issue twice (because I do that sometimes) forgetting I already had it. Anyway, the page featured husband and wife Dave and Tara, founders of the textile company Funktion. Their inspiration drawn from flea markets and traveling, together they produce funky, retro style aprons, dish towels, tablecloths and baby blankets to name a few. 

Here are a few items I would like to get my hands on. 

Peony Apron

Dish Towels

Beach Bag

I wonder if they are still doing the textile thing because their website is out of date?
...And, although I'm not great in the kitchen, these pictures have inspired me to get myself a cute, little apron...just in case.

And I know just where to get one...The Cedar Chest!

HOLLYWOOD GLAM

As I sit through episode one of the show I love to hate...or hate to love (Dancing with the Stars) I am reminded of how much I love Hollywood glam decor....so here's a little interior glitz to snack on.

Okay...back to the dancing.

SCANDINAVIAN PENDANTS

 Searching for pendant light inspiration today and came across this great website: scandinaviandesigncenter.com. Also...check out the furniture selection. The Sir Elton Headboard is fantastic!

LOVE this one! Reminds me of a ruffly skirt.  

Love the hat pendants also...for a retail store. 

scandinaviandesigncenter.com