The Weekend Design

The canopy hovered above. We scurried with hushed voices seeking the hollow pecking that vibrated in our ears. Gracing our search, to our utter delight, were trailing flutters of red. They played and chased each other in the tree tops unaware of all those around and below. We paused. We then found the pecking but our excitement was otherwise previously captured by the swirling chase of the red feathered cardinals. My heart aches with the brevity of the sweetness, as it is also filled to the brim by the shared delight. The Creator and joy in and among the created.

Snagged this beauty straight from Turkey from a very friendly Etsy shop. We’ve decided to keep the impactful rug small, with the larger rug in jute to provide freedom and flexibility for future adjustments.  This also gets more punch out of your pocketbook, as large (interesting) rugs are pricey.

To celebrate the coming birth of a baby girl, flowers were a must.  Color palette, rather than form, was the focus.  The vision: joy abundant in newness of life.  We are excited for you, baby girl.

Today was a close-to-perfect Saturday.  A sprinkling of activities from the niece’s basketball game (buzzer beater, championship won!), to the upholsterer, to the antique shop to snag a piece that I’ve had my on eyes for months.

I’ve recently been charged with updating our lobby and conference rooms at the law office.  The task has presented the customary challenges–a budget, practical requirements (sturdy chairs, please), and existing items that must be reused and recycled. “Project Lobby Refresh” is officially underway. The chairs I deconstructed yesterday are getting a makeover of new fabric.  Cushions delivered to the upholsterer.  The new fabric is brighter with less overt, clean lines.

I have begun exploring the design world on Instagram.  It’s rich.  I have a host of new favorite interior designers, as well as painters.  To name a few:

@katiehackworth; @katemarkerinteriors; @ashleytstark; @kellyventuradesign; @sallykingbenedict; @alexiswalterart; @dsdixonarchitect; @blakelymade

But, this afternoon, I was reminded that inspiration is never far off.  Look at this orange.

I’ll never know why, but bedding requires the most commitment for me.  I could switch out my dining room table quarterly, but finding any bedding that I am confident in my commitment to is a challenge.  It is either too feminine, complicated, or “matchy-matchy.” Case in point:  I’ve had the euro shams (DwellStudio) and the duvet on our bed for over a year.  I’ve wanted to add and finish the look, but struggled to find the right pillows.  Alas, my husband complained about the number of pillows on our couches and the neurons began to fire.  Instead of the closet, the tiger print (a perennial favorite of mine; bought this fabric years ago to make these pillows–its a cheap knockoff of the not-so-cheap Scalamandre classic) moved upstairs.  They provide a nod to the golden yellow trim on the euros, with the right amount of discord.  Good reminder:

• Check what’s already in stock (in your home) before you head to the store; and
• Let the aesthetic develop over time, the finished product will be more layered and natural.

Never found any clear inspiration for the little man’s room.  So, given my doubts, I went with happy.  I filled his shelf (Target snag under $200) with items others purchased for him and recycled art from other spaces in our home.  I raided Etsy and all the photos we took in his first days to finish the gallery wall.

If you like taper candles and the occasional menagerie of candle sticks, I’ve found your new favorite.  Gone are the days of foil inserts and leaning taper candles.  Stick-Um!  Have to admire the simplicity; their can contains the adhesive and manages to provide instructions and selling points, all in one.

I was recently given a new camera.  Still working with it and grossly underutilizing its potential.  Food (brussel spouts, in this case) and babies provide constant subject matter to work with your camera.  Re-reading the The Unforgettable Photograph by George Lane; his photographs are natural and somewhat underdone, focusing on subject matter as it is in daily life.  Practice!