Come Fly with Me

Happy Monday my friends! It SNOWED in Seattle this weekend [sort of a rare occurrence] and with no place to go and a lovely bright white view, I had plenty of time to reflect, recharge and re-organize in preparation for this brand new adventure I'm about to embark on. I have two weeks until I start my dream job and I can hardly contain my excitement. The more I learn about Free People and what's in store for me, the more I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming! The first two months I'll be jet-setting all over the country meeting the talented women behind the brand, opening up shiny new locations, and soaking in the inspiration of what my fellow display artists have imagined and created in their own stores. I sure hope you'll come along...

source unknown / Prism of Threads

So far on my calendar I'll be heading to Birmingham, New York, Austin, New Orleans, Boulder, Portland, San Fransisco and on my first day, Boston! I am SO incredibly excited to meet the other display artists and to see how the Free People culture has developed in each different city. And as I'll be flying out every other week, I'm rounding up some travel necessities to do it in style...

gloves, watch + sketchbook via Urban Outfitters / duffel, camera case + suitcase via Free People, scarf via Little Paper Planes, boots via Need Supply

I especially love the idea of the 'One Sketch a Day' Visual Journal. You could do it with any blank journal and what a wonderful mental break to see how your feelings come out on the page visually day after day. Hope you're all recharged from the weekend as well and ready to take on a brand new week, I'm starting it with snow angels [as soon as I find a spot with enough snow]...Enjoy! 

Love it / Live it: Texture + Triangles

Happy Friday!!! This gorgeous print by artist Aaron Farley reminded me of the way the bright white mountains looked yesterday against the blue/grey sky. [And it also happens to be one of these affordable pieces of art] I love the juxtaposition between organic texture and geometric depth and all on top of a natural ombre landscape...

And this little coffee table combines the same elements just as beautifully doesn't it? Hope your weekend is all play and no work...Enjoy!

I want to live in...Desert + Sky

Today I'm dreaming of desert getaways and this sun soaked architectural beauty in Joshua Tree. I love when a design creates a perfect marriage with it's landscape and this indoor/outdoor structure takes every grain of sand and patch of blue sky into consideration...

images via Arch Daily

Architect Robert Stone created this rental space with every existing surrounding element in mind and the outcome is extraordinary because of it...Enjoy!

"Somewhere along the way  I became interested in the meaning, as well as the form, in architecture."-Robert Stone.

Free People Office Inspo + VERY BIG NEWS!

So believe it or not, I actually had this post drafted before I found out the very exciting news I am about to share. For those of you who've been following along here, you may have noticed I've been a bit cryptic about the 'uncertainties' and 'big changes' that were ahead for me in 2012. Well, after 3 months of interviews and projects, and much anticipation, I have just been offered the job of my DREAMS at the company of my DREAMS at FREE PEOPLE!!!

Starting in February I will be the display artist for the Northwest District of Free People, creating and managing displays for 10+ stores in Washington, Oregon, Nor Cal and Colorado! I cannot even put into words how absolutely elated this makes me. I've been working so hard trying to create a career and make a living, trying to stay true to both the artist and the designer in me, and to be able to bring it all together for a brand that I absolutely love and respect is a dream come true.

So, since part of my time will be spent working with the other creatives in this amazing environment at the Free People home offices in Philly, and part of my time will be working out of my own home when I'm not traveling around to Northwest, I'm scheming up a way to make my home office feel just as beautiful and inspiring...

pendants via Snob / coasters & wooden office supplies via The Curiosity Shoppe / nuLOOM chair / pencil cups via Suzy Jack / Rug via J.H. Minassian / desk via World Market

Since I cannot seem to track down this chair, I am going to have to whip out the staple gun again and reupholster a Good Will find instead. I already have one in the basement just waiting for re-invention and I'm about to order this fabric for the job. I cannot wait to share everything that is to come and for you all to come along with me as I turn the page to my next life chapter and take on a whole new world of adventures!

Love it / Live it: Artful Flooring

Happy Monday readers!! Today I'm inspired by colored smoke mixing in nature's quiet moments from Floto + Warner. There is something both eerie and optimistic about them that has me intrigued...

And yes, I am still drooling over these over-dyed rugs from ABC Carpet. I am painfully aware how far out of my budget they are but hey, they have to go on sale someday right? In the meantime I'm soaking in the color inspiration and lusting over the way they mix vintage and modern in the most elegant way.

Love it / Live it: Pattern Play

Happy Friday everyone! I'm a huge fan of color, and until recently I had very little if any black in my wardrobe or home, but lately I've been loving black and white textures and patterns. Keeping the palette minimal allows for mixing and layering of a variety of influences without feeling too busy. I love the way this editorial from Russian Vogue was styled and the way it feels like it could fit seamlessly into any culture or time period...

This new ottoman from West Elm would go so perfectly in my home I'm tempted to actually get rid of a piece of furniture to make space for it. I'd love to use it in lieu of an end table so it could double as extra seating when guests come over. All it needs is a gold tray on top and it would be a match made in heaven. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of inspiration and adventure...Enjoy!

My Daylight: Life is in the Details

People often ask me what design style my own home is and well, there really is no good short answer. You might say it is one part vintage, one part Navajo, one part Uzbekistan, one part Abstract Expressionism, three parts thrifted and oh yes, lots of gold...

Just thought I'd share some of my favorite details in my home right now. My man and I are thrifting fanatics and some of our absolute favorite pieces were found in the most unlikely of places. Such as the screen printed burlap piece in the first photo, found for $5 in a tiny thrift store in Napa. And this last piece is the newest addition to our collection, recently found at our neighborhood Goodwill. But it is the eclectic combination of it all, old and new, patterned and textured, that excites me the most. Have you guys had any good thrift finds lately? Enjoy!

Colored Daylight: Smooth Waters

As you may have noticed, my blog got a mini face lift for the new year. I just felt that I needed to begin the new year with a fresh white canvas. I'm in a state of transition right now, on the verge of some very big changes and while the uncertainty of what is to come is a little scary, I'm mostly just excited to dive in head first to whatever life is about to throw my way. So while it may be grey in Seattle, I'm channeling blue skies and crystal waters in hopes of my brightest year yet...

art by Lisa Carney, eames chair, Palaminerals , source unknown

What are your plans for the new year? Is anyone else finding themselves turning the page? Hope your year is off to a smooth and peaceful start..Enjoy!

A New Year, a New Manifesto

Happy New Year everyone! Like many of you I'm sure, I have many New Year's resolutions, some large, some small but today I'm focusing on one thing: to be bold... 

art by Sebastian Vallejo / fashion by Cosmo Australia / interiors by Commune / smoke art by Rebecca Bauman

In 2012 I plan to throw caution, insecurities and playing it safe by the wayside, to take on everyday with passion and gusto and to let second guessing myself be a thing of the past. Be bold, be extraordinary and be yourself, because after all, there is only one you...Enjoy!