INSPIRED BY// Not Your Grandmother's Lace

Happy Monday!!! It was a gorgeous sunny weekend here in Seattle, and as I've been deep into making tapestries for our upcoming Fall display, I've been inspired by cut out lace in the sunlight...



sources found here

That second to last photo is a little snapshot of a killer little display moment at Free People Rock Center. It was so inspiring to me, I've been fusing some of the same materials into my pieces for the Northwest's fall display. We'll be installing in the next couple weeks so I'll be sure to share the outcome soon!

Artful Interiors: The Power of Green

As you may or may not have noticed, I've been contributing to the brilliant design blog, Design for Mankind, curating 'Artful Interiors' for a while now and I wanted to share some of them with you here...and since I've pulled inspiration from the whole spectrum I thought I'd start with some pairings in one of my favorite feel good hues, mighty green...

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The color of female empowerment, green makes a room instantly fresh, modern and invigorating. I think I'll be painting my next thrift shop find in this happy hue...Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Modern Bohemian

Happy Friday!! I wanted to go into the weekend with a couple lovely ways I'm inspired by the new applications of the vintage bohemian aesthetic. Such as taking the age old craft of crochet and decorating a tree with it, making it a living piece of art...

via Bohemian Punk / Spell and the Gypsy

And I love the way this vintage chair is given a fresh look with a bright white finish and metallic seat...Enjoy!!



Style + Living: Blushing Kilim

Lately I can't get enough of vintage Kilim motifs, and surprisingly for me, I'm loving them in warm, bright, and even blushing hues. The Persian patterns add the perfect amount of rhythm and texture with a worldly feel. And I'm so inspired by the unique ways the motif is popping up in art, fashion and interiors...

sources from top: Rejoice the Hands / Penabranca / Design Sponge / aplaceidliketocallhome / Sabo Skirt / All Saints

 James Rowland Shop / YASTK / Loom Rugs / Urban Outfitters / Down Home Honey / YASTK

Here are some of my current favorites from around the web. I'm seriosuly considering infusing these warms hues into my life a bit more, they might be just the fix for the Winter chills...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!

Artful Interiors + a Ditty Drops DEAL!

Hi friends! Lately you can find me over on Design For Mankind on Fridays doing a little guest series where I pair gorgeous artwork with equally stunning interiors. This past Friday featured this stellar and affordable print from Ditty Drops aptly titled 'If I Could I Would Give You the Universe"...

And if you love it as much as I do, it is your lucky day! Ditty Drops is graciously offering all of YOU 15% off of the entire site for the next 6 months!! All you have to do is enter the discount code THEDAYLIGHT15 at checkout. A little Holiday surprise a few days early, thank you Meredith!! Enjoy!

A Copper Affair

Happy Friday everyone! I have a confession to make...as you know, gold is my one true love, but I've been having a little affair lately with bronze and copper and I can't get enough of it. I want to wear it for the holidays, accessorize and decorate with it, and put it around my dining table...

images via knight cat, Garance Dore

pendants / chair / clutch / pillow / cords / skirt / ring

images via Desire to Inspire, Little Blue Deer

Oh yes, and I'd love a copper bathtub to replace the extraordinarily ordinary white one we have currently, is that so much to ask? Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Enjoy!!

Colored Daylight 11.15.11

Happy Tuesday my friends! Lately I've been gravitating towards teal and kelly green. [And when I say lately I mean this entire year] In fact it happens to be the main palette in my home and having painted a center wall in this deep teal, I'm thinking I need a bright green door to complete the transformation. It feels rich and decadent without feeling too feminine...

Yves Saint Laurent 1971 / Vogue UK

  coasters / shoes / pillow / earrings / clutch / bracelet / rain boots /chair

And always on the lookout, here are a few of my current favorites from around the web for dressing and living in this gorgeous color combo...Enjoy!

My Daylight: A Hole in the Room

Hello readers! I'm in a constant design process with my own home, always reworking spaces, re-finishing furniture and pushing the limitations that a rental and a budget sets forth. Currently my focus is on our bedroom. It has a little nook in the back corner lined with windows and built-in shelves, just big enough for a bed and a nightstand. And while it is the space that the fewest people see, it is one of the most important because it is where we get our much needed shut-eye.  So here is the look we have going so far...

elephant / pillow / chest / rug / lamp / pillow / bed

Things finally began to come together when we found this amazing Indian platform bed at our local Good Will and I painted this chest and now I'm just one major step away from creating a cozy and calming nook that also has enough interest to inspire me to rise and shine at the crack of dawn each day. No, an empty frame is not my design solution to a blank wall, rather a placeholder for my next project, just as soon as I decide what that is going to be....

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Maybe some vintage mapping? Both these spaces have the same relaxed, white-washed vibe of our bedroom and I love the way earth tones of vintage maps play into that. And the pieced together framing is a brilliant touch. 

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Or maybe something geometric and sculptural? This wood design could even double as shelving and I love the modern sensibility it brings.

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Or maybe a little writing on the wall. I love the idea of waking up to one of my favorite quotes or starting the day off with a positive mantra and there is something about handwritten text on a wall that makes a space feel like it's really yours. Something that can be hard to achieve in a rental home. Now I just have to decide which one to do...what is your favorite? Enjoy!

Love it / Live [in] it: Feather & Disguise [Jennifer Ament]

One of my favorite parts about the work I do is meeting and connecting with other creatives and Jennifer Ament has been an absolute blast to work with. Not only is she hilarious and incredibly stylish, but she also makes amazing artwork. Her linocut prints are stunning, drawing a variety of eras and influences, lending themselves to any style and aesthetic...

print by Jennifer Ament, interior via sfgirlbybay

 I love this space with its tonal neutrals and organic textures, and it reminds me of Jennifer's own house which is also incredible. If you happen to be in the Seattle area, you have a chance to meet the artist herself and see her work in person next week...

I'll be attending this little soiree and I'd love to see you there. Of course, I'll be the one in the gold masquerade mask so make sure you find me, I hope to see some of you next week!

Art + Interiors: Acid Brights [Yago Hortal]

Lately for both the home and the wardrobe I've been loving acid brights. A neon accent is the perfect way to keep things fresh and modern and with the greyer days closing in, we'll need all the extra pop sunshine we can get. I especially love the way artist Yago Hortal isn't afraid of any acid hue and the way her paint application has a creates so much spontaneous energy in each piece...

Pendant via Anthropologie, Tea Towels and lighters via A+R , Chair by via Architonic, Hanger via A+R, Cup via Canadian Bar Store, Chair by Pedrali via Architonic

And just a few ways to bring the look into your home. Hope you're living bright today wherever you are...Enjoy!

p.s. And find more of Yago Hortal here and here and head over to Apartment 34 for a very special giveaway!!

I want to live in...Chandelier Creative's Surf Shack

Happy Friday everyone! I have to admit I have always been a bit fascinated by surf culture and Chandelier Creative's Surf Shack epitomizes it perfectly. I love the laid back vibe, the organic materials mixed with ocean blues and the way every piece of furniture feels like a blanket wrapped around you at a late night beach bon fire....

I have a feeling the entire space was furnished by Anthropologie (wouldn't that be nice!) but if you don't have the means to make that happen, here are few pieces for a little sun room with the same beach front feel...

pillow via Indian vs. Indian, Wave Photograph via Elgarbo Art, Rug and Chair via Anthropologie, Table via Cb2, pillow via Sukan

This makes me want to pick up and move to Australia and spend my days surfing and sunning. And now that fall and the chillier days are drawing near, that's not looking like such a bad idea. Hope you have a wonderful weekend my friends and you're savoring the last days of Summer, I know I'll be soaking up every last moment of the sun myself...Enjoy!

images via Oracle Fox

Love it/ Live [in] it: Moroccan Mornings [Maiji Fiebig]

Today I'm inspired by the intricately patterned landscapes by artist Maiji Fiebig. This piece is a perfect marriage of some of my favorite elements; geometric patterning and a snow capped mountain scape, and in such a lovely and unexpected color palette, I love the combo of teal and rust...

art by Maiji Fiebig via G. Gibson Gallery

And how would one ever leave the house with a bath this decadent and decorated?? From the richly saturated tones to the architectural details, it is absolutely to die for. Of course, being the Moroccan home of fashion designer Liza Bruce, I would expect no less...Enjoy!

Love it / Live [in] it: Pollock Off the Wall

Lately I've been incredibly influenced by one of the first American Abstract Expressionists, Jackson Pollock. I've been referencing him a lot in my own paintings, using metallic gold paint to finish off my pieces with an added bit of energy and spontaneity. And if you're not afraid to get a bit messy it is such a freeing way to paint. I have a print of this particular piece in my house and I just never get tired of it for some reason...

art by Jackson Pollock via MoMA, interior via Anthology Mag

And now I'm inspired to starting splattering off the canvas and onto the furniture. What a fun way to bring some artistic character into a room! I especially love the way the chest is color blocked in black and white first, giving the effect of the black side splashing into the white. Absolutely stunning. I'm going to have to make a trip to the thrift store to find a piece to paint like this ASAP. Happy Friday my friends, hope you have a chance to get a bit messy this weekend...Enjoy!

p.s. make sure to check out today's installment of 'Artful Interiors' over on Design For Mankind!

Love it / Live [in] it: Blushing Ridge [TCHMO]

Ever since moving back to Seattle, the snow capped mountains that surround us on every side here never cease to amaze me. There are so many days where the grey mist is just too thick and the mountains never even 'come out' as we say. But on a clear summer night, when the sun is going down and the sky has only delicate streaks of clouds drifting across it, the mountains are absolutely magnificent against the pink sunset sky. Ok I know that may sound a bit cheesy but I just can't help but be in awe of them...

art via TCHMO, interior via Living Etc.

I love this print so much I had to post it again, and I love the use of tonal pinks and purples in this mid-century modern space. Pink chair and purple rug, a bit off the wall but somehow it works! Happy Wednesday everyone...Enjoy!

Love it / Live [in] it: Colin Pennock + Miles Redd

Happy Friday everyone! You'll have to forgive me for my sparser than usual postings this week, I finally took a whole day off to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and Northwest scenery and spend a little quality time with some of dearest friends in the great outdoors. And after soaking in the lush greenery and deep blue lakes, and roasting marshmallows by a cozy campfire, I am back and more inspired than ever...

And since I'm seeing so much green, thought I'd share a couple inspiring men that use this brilliant color boldly. A stunning painting by artist Colin Pennock and a daring interior by the Miles Redd has me plotting unusual color combos and bold wall decor. I'd leave the bed and throw blanket but love the layered gallery wall and the saturated hues. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get a chance to see some serious green [in nature that is] Enjoy!

Love it / Live [in] it: A Softer Minimal [Simona Pries]

To go in the complete other direction from yesterday's post, I'm inspired by the delicate minimal works of Simona Pries today. Often minimalist art and design can be cold and blunt, but Pries' work has the opposite effect. The almost glass-like transparency and the subtle tonal changes make for a much more inviting feel...

art via Simona Pries, image via Burke Decor

And I love the way the single aqua wall and the sheep skin throws seem to transform this otherwise cold space. Now it feel fresh and light, here's hoping your day feels the same...Enjoy!

I want to live in Liza Bruce's Moroccan home...

Today I'm inspired by the layered spaces of fashion designer Liza Bruce's Moroccan home. Every room is saturated with color and overflowing with pattern. Bruce's eye for interiors is just as bold and unapologetic as her fashion sense...

Each space seems to be filled to the brim with stories as tokens of the couple's life and travels create their own little vignettes around every corner... 

I love the way so many bold colors are thrown together throughout the home while a fuchsia thread ties each space together. And where they lay their heads to rest, the palette is restrained to a white surfaced room, creating a strong sense of serenity and peacefulness among the beautiful chaos...

Though the color pink has never been my cup of tea, I have to say it is really starting to grow on me, especially when set among such rich hues and textures and given an organic edge.

images via Elle Decor, rug  1st Dibs, pendant Wunderley, end table  vivre, tray wisteria, coffee table four hands

I love the way Liza Bruce simply takes no prisoners when it comes to color and isn't afraid to mix in an eclectic array of patterns. While most pieces fit their Moroccan setting, motifs from Southeast Asia to Turkey make their appearances as well, giving the overall space a sophisticated and worldly feel. And I certainly wouldn't mind lounging beneath lush green trees on that deep turquoise pool just about any time of day...Enjoy!