It always happens that at some point within a year I'm over-committed, over-taxed and hating on life. I have an urge to connect with people, to make life easier and better for others, to bring something to the table but it never fares well. This year I tried not to be too hard on myself; I imagined that all this was building character, organizational skills, thinking on my feet. I credited myself for reaching outside of my comfort zone and giving back, all worthy qualities to be sure. What I did learn was that I am a lousy delegator and that I push the little enjoyable bits, like writing my blog, out of my daily to-dos & into that pile of miserable paralyzing tasks. Finally, though, the fog is clearing & I'm so ready for a fresh start!
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Inspired by the Holiday :: Happy Valentines Day!
I will totally admit to being comfortable with my feminine side and these amazing rooms, all aglow in some hue of fuchsia or rose, are today's worthy inspiration. When I think of pink I automatically picture cherry blossoms, which in full bloom against a blue blue sky are breathtaking! That's probably why I like my pink paired with a sort of turquoise best, but as these photos attest, pink in moderation works well with most everything. It's a playful warm color that energizes a room, wether as a wall paint or a patterned fabric. These rooms show a great mix of tailored pieces with vintage finds, certain pinks have that unmistakeable retro appeal that add instant history to a room. Memories of a spring in Paris or a winter holiday break at the Parker Palm Springs? Sure, pink can take you there....
Image credits: gemmbook, mid-century love, world of designers, theLENNOXX, remodelista, jessica bennett interiors, daily mail uk, maria killiam design, houzz, kate lester interiors, etsy, the decorologist, society6
I'm not the only one day dreaming about some cozy homes, check out Design*Sponge's round up of A-frame cuteness....
snow day dreams
The last several days have been amazingly, unusually snowy for Portland. I've only seen it snow a handful of days here in the 15 years I've lived in the city, and hardly anything sticks around, but this is days of puffy beautiful flakes. People snow shoeing, cross country skiing and sledding - everyone is out experiencing the magic. I love lounging in front of our fireplace anytime, but this made me earn this luxury complete with a strong cup of Bailey's and coffee.
All this white made me preoccupied with cabins and rural getaways. I'm a modernist at heart but there's something about a cabin in the woods that makes me yearn for the old school model. Not necessarily log cabins, although those can be very inviting too, but the warm quality of wood, an overstuffed sofa with mismatched pillows, a leather club chair with a knit throw, a ridiculously roaring fire and perhaps a view. My take on a cabin is a place that is purposefully small and intimate, even if it's a family compound there's a sense of a bunkhouse quality where the common spaces are the bulk of the house and the sleeping quarters are minimal.
This is obviously not everyone's take, since my research succeeded in finding many contemporary examples that didn't comply with this scaled down approach. Here are my top 5 sites for finding your dream cabin getaway to day dream about, wether it be a cozy cottage or a grand lodge!
1. We begin small with the very first weeHouse built in Minnesota by Alchemy Architects. A modern prefab take on a rural escape: exterior metal cladding which serves in protecting the cabin from the harsh midwest weather, an interior furnished with a wood plank floor and ceiling, a blackened steel wood stove and an expansive prairie view through floor to ceiling glass doors leading to an exterior balcony.
2. For some over the top escapes, definitely not in the wee category, lose yourself in Architectural Digest's curated gallery of some snowy retreats. I think a little time spent in that heated pool surrounded by crystalized evergreens could persuade me into loving this glam "outdoor" lifestyle.
3. You can't really go wrong with searching for some inspiration via some modern scandinavian cabins. A strong focus on vernacular architecture and styles heavy in textures, woods and pops of color are all trademarks of this nordic look.
4. These cabins do a good job of hiding themselves in the landscape and letting the surrounding terrain be the focal point. The idea of slats and screens to both hide and accentuate certain views is a tool that can be used to its full potential when a house sits alone in it's surroundings.
5. This cottage in Fitch Bay, which is a small town in Quebec's Eastern Townships, completely won me over with it's herringbone brick floor complete with radiant heat, floating upper sleeping loft and liberal use of glossy white paint which allows natural light to bounce within the cabin's vaulted form. This house does such a fabulous job of melding traditional with modern, which allows it timeless appeal. I could spend hours curled up in front of this fire with a good book, daydreaming about a tropical escape!
What are your favorite rustic retreats?
Lighting Roundup :: Pendant Lights
Last week was a crazy hectic week full of meetings, farewell drinks, an excellent pattern workshop with artist Jessica Swift at WeMake and an amazing weekend spent checking out Tacoma and Olympia with my baby sis. I've had an idea to focus on elements that make up a building or a space, and one of my favorite things are light fixtures. So, why not start there?
My friend attended a hospitality trade show last year in Vegas and came back with info about light fixture #1 and I knew it would be the star of my lighting roundup (& not just because it has adorable bronze birds in the mix!). This image does not do the scale of this pendant light justice, it is absolutely huge! There are components in this pendant light common to all these current on-trend fixtures, let's break it down.
The main one is the hand made quality of the paper cloud volumes, which speaks to the heavy influence of the artisan appeal. Elements that are handmade and delicately crafted are resonating with a public that is tired of mass production. The second component are the bronze bird elements, the metal alloys of brass and copper are popular finishes in today's fixtures. The warm, earthy quality of these yellow and amber hues are a departure from the shiny chrome and silver tones prevalent in past years. The third and last element to note is the natural theme of the fixture itself. Today designers are being heavily inspired by the natural world. Choosing materials like glass, wood and metals and carefully highlighting their natural imperfections. As well, creating fixtures reminiscent of DNA strings, spider webs or water droplets which conjure a deeper connection to the lighting piece than one might initially expect.
What do you see as trends in lighting today? What are your favorites? Let me know!
Lighting sources: 1. Candelabro S-22, 2. Triad 9, 3. Sola chandelier, 4. Minaret pendant, 5. Beat pendants, 6. Array pendant, 7. Pendant 209