Oct1
After we bought our house and prepared to move in, we realized despite how much furniture we had (bed, kitchen table with chairs, bookshelves, desks, dressers), we were still missing a couch. So we scoured the interwebs and Craigslist on the hunt for a decently priced, mid-century modern type couch.
Well, we never found a decently priced, MCM couch, but we did manage to score a classic MCM piece of furniture: a Broyhill Brasilia Tall Door Chest Dresser. Isn’t it awesome? We got it off Craigslist for only $100! What a steal. It has some dings and scratches, and the owner had it in her possession for 30+ years and she was a heavy smoker. (And so it’s still airing out in our garage). But honestly these are minor “flaws”, and nothing a little linseed oil and elbow grease couldn’t remedy.
The Broyhill Brasilia collection was inspired by the city architecture in Brasilia, the new capitol of Brazil (founded in 1960). This particular parabola-like motif is found on the Palácio da Alvorada, which was designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
{Images via Modern Mobler, and Magellan Architects}
Dec9
Let the countdown begin…with one of these awesome Christmas advent calendars {from PB}. Aren’t they great? I’d love to have one of these. For the past couple years I’ve used a makeshift version and put little notes and treats in the pockets. Then my husband + I would try to do a Christmas-related activity each day in December {until Christmas day}. We’d do things like watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” {I tear up every time!}, make/decorate sugar cookies, create a gingerbread house, donate to a charity, deliver homemade bread to neighbors/friends, etc. It’s a nice way to remember to enjoy the holiday season. This year I’ve kind of dropped the ball, and now I can’t believe there’s only 15 days until the 25th!
{Not really a Christmas advent-advent calendar, but this
wooden wall organizer is a great alternative!}
Sep28
Beautiful, modern-decadent interiors by S.R. Gambrel for a West Village townhouse in NYC. I love how the blue hue walls change from vibrant turquoise to moody midnight.
{Images courtesy of S.R.Gambrel}
Sep27
John Derian’s greatness returns to my shopping mecca, Target! {yay!} I picked up a set of silhouette coasters this weekend, and thought the collection {or what I saw available at my local store} was just as covert-worthy as JD’s 2008 collaboration. I don’t think I want to use these as coasters, per se, but maybe as some stylish-pseudo-paperweights or coffee table decor {aka: clutter}…not sure.
I’m still seriously debating whether I should go back and pick up the colorful phrenology tray {which, as I write this, is probably already sold out}. I’m still very happy with my calligraphy-alphabet tray I got from the last JD-for-Target collection.
Although these are “technically” dinner + salad plates, I still think they can be repurposed as trays or even mini-platters {which I guess is the same thing as a tray} :
{Images via Target}
Jul18
{Update: I just got these in the mail and they are everything I could possibly want in a green plant leaf rip-tie. I’m thinking about getting another pack, maybe in the olive green…}
These are probably the cutest “how-do-I-organize-all-my-computer-wires-and-cables” ties I’ve seen! Very clever and more aesthetically appealing than say a normal rip-stop cord {or those weird according tubes}. Lufdesign, the Korea-based company that makes these leaf ties, just got more in stock so grab them up quick! {They come in six colors: emerald green, olive, espresso brown, scarlet, white reindeer, and kingfisher blue.}
{Photos via Lufdesign and Min.Song}
Jun29
Not that my piles of dirty clothes mulling in my super-plain laundry hamper {great mental image} aren’t enough to make me do the laundry, but wow, this gray ruffle laundry bag would at least make it slightly more enjoyable.
It can be bought here, for a very dirty-laundry price of $36. {But lets be real: I don’t think I could muster the energy to actually shop for cotton voile, let alone sit down and realize how crappy I am at basting ruffles for 2-3 hours, only to churn out a mediocre replica…}
Mar19
I usually don’t like thin/wrought-iron dining tables {like the ones with the glass top that are obscenely heavy and seat about 2.5 people, and never seem to match the kitchen or dinning room}, but wow, make the top out of marble and call it “French” and je l’adore beaucoup!
{nice touch with the Vienna café chairs and faux le creuset;
$1300 @ Crate and Barrel}
{the kitchen island version; $1000 @ Crate and Barrel}
Mar11
Speaking of Target…
{yeah, I know, two posts in 1-day, both about Target; that’s how fascinating my interests are}
I’m kind of excited about their {limited-time} partnership with Liberty of London {spanning from clothing — including menswear!, to shoes, to stationery, to home goods}, arriving March 14th. I just wish their Target collection were more akin to this, or had these prints. Though the prints they used are probably more palpable to the majority of Target’s constituents.
{how cool is this bicycle? i love the brown faux-leather? seat!}
{quilt + sham}
{dinnerware}
{Dunclare Yellow print}
{yes! men’s ties! kind of ’70s but without the extra width/bulk}
Feb3
Surprisingly, when Husband and I discuss our ideal home interior {by “discuss” I mean, I ooh-and-aah at ridiculously expensive items in my Sundance Catalog and Husband is in listening-distance}, we always sway towards the simple, yet modern, yet rustic look of industrial furniture.
I’ll take all of these, please:
{Loft Chandelier, Z Gallerie; $300}
{Turner barstools, Crate & Barrel; only $200-230}
{Wright’s Peak Wire Horizontal Storage, Sundace; only $375}
{Sklyer Cabinet, Sundace; only $1500}
Sundance Catalog, you shall surely be the death of my wallet...as soon as I can afford your splendor.
Jan12
These floral arrangements {seriously, can they even be called that? they are so much more exquisitely ornate} by Saipua are down. right. breathtaking. They’re a little unconventional but they sure do pack a visual punch. If I didn’t depend on my soul-crushing desk job, I’d be a florist in a heartbeat.
{These are definitely reminiscent of my quaint wedding bouquet…}
And their heavenly shop in Brooklyn:
{Oh yes, they also sell their handmade olive oil soap! Makes sense: saipua = Finnish for soap.}
