Well, we’re cautiously optimistic about getting the Art of Living Uptown project back on track in January 2009, but waiting a few more weeks to see how construction is progressing before we make that announcement. Meanwhile, the design wheels continue to spin (constantly!) and we’re looking at options for a large art panel for the powder room. I purchased this divine book 5 or so years ago that has lace patterns from the 20’s and 30’s, knowing that SOMEday it would provide the perfect inspiration for a design application. I think that time has come!

What I love about these patterns, and the elements that make them up, is that they are sexy and feminine with a masculine edge. VERY Marlene Dietrich or Greta Garbo. They make me want to pluck my eyebrows into high arches, put on long black gloves and accessorize with one of those long cigarette holders. 

One of our Art of Living Uptown penthouse projects calls for a faux marquetry Modello ceiling in the Media Room. This will be a decidedly masculine room (Barb has dubbed it “the man cave”) but will also be visible from the glam entry so it calls for some decoration that will draw the eye in and add just the proper amount of Hollywood Regency splash. I think I found the perfect inspiration while web surfing today!

This design is actually shown on an old book binding. Isnt’ it perfect!?! The ceiling will have two large, rectangular panels, so I plan to reinterpret this to have one more color in the center stripe so that we can introduce 3 different colors of stain and we will use copper leaf in the circles and half circles. I can also totally see this design being perfect for a paneled floor screen or on the front of armoire doors. Yummy!

Well, yet another year has come where I have skipped the egg dying ritual, BUT I HAVE been looking today at Pysanky egg decorating sites. What an amazing and detailed, classic artform that uses a wax resist and layering method with the dyes. It is actually similar to some of the finishes I do on walls and wood-but without this amazing detail. This is my favorite one, featuring the award-winning art of Patty Wiszuk-de Angelo.

Enjoy a special day!

OK, so I’m a little late to the “I Love Kelly too” party. She’s highly admired by every self-respecting design afficianado and mentioned repeatedly on design blogs everywhere. It wasn’t until I wrote this post, that I ordered her books, though, and now I’m head over heels and desperately seeking a room to decorate in orange and black or somthing.

So much so that I ordered the limited-run version of Domicilium Decoratus. I am the proud owner of number 3,142 of 5,000, thank you very much. This is the exact book “I” would do-if I had her looks, her taste, her talent, her checkbook! Modern Glamour, from 2004, is equally inspiring. Even the writing. I barely read CAPTIONS in most of the design books I own, but I read this cover to cover. Selected photos above. More books in the works. Sign me up!

Whenever I am in New York, which isn’t often enough, I try to carve out a few hours to wander the floors of ABC Carpet&Home. It is THE COOLEST place-the building, the location, the smells, the sights, the feel of the fabrics, furniture, accessories. A total sensory experience. LOVE it! When I saw a page in the Sept. House Beautiful mag this morning featurinig a stack of floor pillows make from sumptious sari silks I hit the website almost immediately for a digital shopping experience. Here’s just a sampling of what can be found if you let your fingers do the walking (over your keyboard, that is).

When looking through magazines I seem to be drawn to the ads more than the articles, as the photos and colors are generally dramatic and I enjoy looking at good graphic design. One such ad that I tore out recently was for a company called Natori. They produce beautiful lingerie, clothing and bedding with a lot of embroidered detailing on silk. Now another design magazine I actually READ recently was discussing a debate amongst deisgners on whether beds should have throw pillows on them. The majority said “no”, but when you see beautifully coordinated ensembles such as these, how can you resist?

Personally I’m committed to having a useless collection of pillows on my bed, even though they just get tossed on the floor each night only to be dutifully arranged again in the morning. I just like the whole design aspect of combining patterns and trims and what better place or opportunity to employ that?

They also have some really pretty clothing and it’s always interesting to read the bio of a woman who left corporate succcess to pursue her heart and passion. Click the Profile link on the site to access that. Darn flash sites are cool but limit linking abilities….

Inspiration saturation! While doing some online research about Jali designs for a post on the designamour website, I came across this website, Paperblanks, that offers amazingly beautiful blank journals, daily planners and address books. Their philosophy is to “combine conscientious bookmaking, elegant designs and careful handwork to produce some of the finest blank journals available.”

Just look at these pretties!! It’s enough to make me want to buy one and fill it with deep thoughts and love poems-or even just lay in on a side table as a pretty accent. Isn’t Christmas just around the corner?

What was I just saying about saving Veranda’s great photo still lifes of beautiful florals and papering them on a wall?

This recent book I ordered Rooms in Bloomshows something very similar-only sticking just to a rose theme. The mirrored panel look is really handsome as well and something that would be interesting to combine with Antique Mirror designs.

There are lots of great ideas in this book on how to use themes in more contemporary ways. You really can’t go wrong with flowers, generally speaking, although I’m not too keep about the headboard shown on the cover. For some reason carrots come to mind! 

Veranda magazine delivers again with gorgeous floral still lifes in their July-August issue, this one put together by style editor, Mary Jane Ryburn.

If you have the magazine, be sure to look really closely at the pretty paisley/feathery wallpaper design behind those yellow flowers.

It took me a good long while to notice that the plants and grass are actually growing out of the drawer in the photo above because the composition is so strong, but what a cool idea! I was thinking that if I had saved all the Veranda floral still life photos over the years and had a cute little potting shed that it would be so cool to paper the walls with the pictures. I didn’t save them, and alas, have no cute potting sheds on my property. Maybe I can start my file now and wait for the opportunity to arise!

But in a very good way. Doing some blog surfing this morning I came across a lot of pretty images that feature blue tones. I guess I am a little more cognizant as I just replastered my bedroom walls in a soft blue and am LOVING it!

from My Marrakesh

from Hostess with the Mostess

from Absolutely Beautiful Things

from Decor8, and lastly-not as much blue but certainly worth looking at for all it’s gorgeousness

from Love Made Visible