The Paisley Kitchen

PEY — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:33 +0000

Paisley is back according to Elle Decor‘s latest trend alert. A traditional paisley may not be terribly exciting, but check out the Raj collection by French Bull. The Raj kitchen knife is a fun way to bring paisley into your home. This is a heavy-duty, high carbon stainless steel knife printed on one side, and is available in three sizes. High fashion for your kitchen!

If this paisley doesn’t fit into your knife block, then consider some of the colorful dish ware. I can’t decide between the plates, lazy susan or serving pieces. Which one do you like best?

Raj dinner plate

Raj lazy susan

Raj salad severs

All the dish ware is made of melamine, which we love, and is perfect for your next outdoor party. Just a couple of candles, great music, and yummy food and you’re ready!

Reusable Cozies for your Food!

PEY — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:00:11 +0000

I love all things graphic and colorful for accessories. And, when possible, I try to minimize my footprint on the environment. So when I came across these reusable food cozies on Branch Home, I was hooked. Correct me if I am wrong, but plastic baggies are a staple in my kitchen and probably in yours? Wouldn’t these be far nicer packaging for your on-the-go food needs?! If Magenta isn’t your color, then check out the other colors and options.

Food Cozy in Green

Food Cozy in Brown

These are sold two in a package, made of LDPE plastic (*LDPE is a low-density polyethylene, and is free of BPE, phthalates, PVC – so safe!) with a Velcro closure, are 13.5″ round, and have a hand-washable surface that can double as a placemat when out and about. And, if you like these cozies but want more options, then check out the Abeego food storage wraps and more on Branch Home.

Bon appétit!

Caitlin Wilson Textiles Brings Classic Style to Modern Times

SOF — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:00:52 +0000

It was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on the patterns of Caitlin Wilson Textiles. This collection of bold prints in bright colors is what I like to call smile inducing. And while it feels modern and bright and fun, it would be equally at home in a private mansion on Bellevue Avenue.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Wilson’s designs are the colors. The combination of pink and orange, pink and aqua, and navy and pink along with the greys, greens, yellows, and more work just as well on their own as they do layered on top of each other which is really great because it means I don’t I have to go in one direction with her patterns (although I must say I’m really partial to the Fleur Chinoise pattern).

Wilson’s designs are currently available as pillows in the very reasonable price range of about $50-$75 and fabrics are $50 per yard. While I love the pillows, the headboard and bench seat pictured certainly exhibit that these fabrics are amazingly fabulous as upholstery.

Fabulous style at fabulous prices–it doesn’t get much better than that!

Etsy Pick of the Week: Shabulous Creations

PEY — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:26 +0000

On a recent episode of Dear Genevieve! this beautiful, handmade turquoise chandelier by Shabulous Creations was the crowning jewel in a living room space. I have been following Genevieve Gorder since her days on Trading Spaces - remember that whirlwind design show where neighbors trusted neighbors to transform their living rooms and bedrooms for $1000 in one weekend?! – and love her eclectic style. With all of the great craftsmanship on Etsy, sometimes it takes a moment of weakness – home design shows for me – to be enlightened about another great Etsy shop.

Shabulous Creations is a unique, one-of-kind destination for lighting. Lori Nelson, based in Atlanta, GA, transforms ordinary objects into amazing lighting fixtures. From table lamps made with golf baskets to stringing semi-precious stones like turquoise or found seashells for chandeliers to beautiful candelabras versatile for dinner parties inside or outside, there is something for every decor.

Since there are so many to choose from, and many more to be made by contacting Lori, I have chosen a couple of my favorites to get you thinking about lighting.

Seaside Blue Rusty Patina Scroll Chandelier Candelabra

Tropical Dreams Orange and Aqua Custom Chandelier

Matte White 3 Candle Chandelier on Garden Shepherd’s Hook

Bucket of Light Large Multi-Colored Pink Aqua and Green Table Lamp

Seaside Collection One Candle Mini chandelier

Thank you Genevieve for choosing a Shabulous Creations chandelier for your room installation!

Monochrome Living in a Multi-Colored World

AMM — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:35 +0000

Sometimes it is as simple as black and white.

Image credits:

Every Guyed, Gent’s Life, Image Kind, Fashgasms, Inspiration Crave, Radiant Republic, NY Times, Movie Beauty

Mattie Luxe for Personalized Placemats and Trays

AMM — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:06 +0000

I am always on the hunt for a great gift idea and these customizable place mats and Lucite trays by Mattie Luxe hit the mark. Better still, they have a wide range of colors and patterns. I am particularly fond of the many shades of blue in the line. Navy is a great color choice when giving a gift, especially when uncertain of the recipients tastes or decor style. These are a few of my favorites.

Collectable Iconic Designs

PEY — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:46 +0000

If modern furniture isn’t suited for your decor, but you have an eye for iconic design and a passion for collecting objets, then check out the Vitra Design Museum’s miniature collection. If not only for a need to brush up on your design knowledge these reproductions are beautifully made and perfect for inspiration in a studio space, library or reading nook. Some of my favorites include the miniature Plywood Elephant by Ray and Charles Eames and the Butaca chair.

These reproductions are exact in construction, materials and colors; each miniature corresponds to the historical Vitra Design Museum collection original, right down to the last detail. The Vitra Design Museum was founded in Weil am Rhein, Germany, in 1950 by Willi Fehlbaum, and includes a fascinating collection of over 224 modern chairs which are all icons of modern furniture. At 2-6+ inches in size these miniatures are valuable collector’s items, and represent the important modern furniture classics in a miniature scale.

Without making a statement about our favorite designers, we have gathered a couple more chairs for your enjoyment. And remember, these all fit into the palm of your hand!

Vitra Miniature Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia

Vitra Miniature Panton chairs by Verner Panton

Vitra Miniature Stuhl No. 14 by Michael Thonet

Vitra Miniature DSW Chair by Ray and Charles Eames

Vitra Miniature Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio

Vitra Miniature Wiggle Side Chair by Frank Gehry

She’s Daffy Bedding

PEY — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:00:22 +0000

If you have a green thumb, then you probably know how to force a little Spring into your decor – I am just trying to keep my houseplants alive on a day-to-day basis! Garnet Hill’s new Lilly Pulitzer She’s Daffy bedding is a bright and cheery solution for those of you looking forward to Spring. The comforter cover and sham are made of pure Eqyptian cotton piqué with printed Daffodils, and have yellow and white wavy pinstripes on the reverse side. Two colorful looks for the price of one without leaving your bedroom.

Me Casa Sue Casa

AMM — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:00:14 +0000

I took a quick trip to Bristol the other day to visit one of my favorite shops in Little Rhody, Sue Casa. This shop is full of great home accessories, art and furniture. What I love most about this shop is the neutral back drop that showcases the bright pockets of color you find throughout.

The soft palate of quiet gray and cream colors give balance to the loud zebra rug and bold greens and yellows you find around the shop. With this neutral pallet, texture can also be played up. Shaggy pillows, cashmere throws, papier-mache end tables and bamboo frames look rich and luxurious in this setting.

I enjoy walking into a shop like this, one that is engaging my senses in a calm and soothing way, as opposed to a chaotic and over energized way that some stores tend to make me feel (think loud music or over-merchandised and cluttered showrooms). It inspires me to clean up and tone down my own home.

Etsy Pick of the Week: Vintage Industrial to Pop your Decor

PEY — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:00:48 +0000

In need of vintage, eclectic finishing touches for your decor and no time to get to Brimfield? Then Haven Vintage is the Etsy shop for you. The range in goods is tremendous (glass jars to wood crates to a wool blanket) and some are uniquely re-purposed. The vintage Sap Bucket (above) is the perfect vessel for branches or flowers, a waste basket, and more.

Or are you in a need of an additional shelf, but haven’t found the right inspiration? How about these large architectural salvage corbels. Great brackets for a shelf, or to use as a detail under an existing bar or island, or just on their own as decoration.

Still not committed to a bulletin board (or Pinterest?), but need a place for your pictures, invitations and notes? This vintage salvaged wire & wood frame is a great solution. If too rustic, then paint it your favorite color and it will be an organizational jewel.

While I do not advocate cluttering your home with stuff, it is important to have contrast in materials, textures and vintages as well as creative decor alternatives to big box stores. Aptly named, Haven Vintage does have a wide variety of vintage items that can be carefully selected to fit in any area of your home. Even if you have a very specific aesthetic surprise your guests with something out of the ordinary!