Art Walls

Images from Tumblr.

I'm really into art collage walls right now. I think these are all great examples.

And I've got some big changes happening in my life right now, so bear with me if my posts are short and sweet for a little while!! 

No Room To Spare

Image found via Tumblr.

Now, hear me out about this picture before you judge me. I think that this is a really awesome idea. Granted, this execution of the idea is dreary and dull and just not very nice. But, imagine if your powder room walls were painted a crisp white, or a bright jewel tone. Then you lined your walls with color photos and paintings in interesting frames. Now that could be cool. And in a powder room you don't have to worry about the moisture issues you have in other bathrooms. I'm filing this away in my future house file...

Catskills Cottage

Image from New York Times.

Check this article out. Sandra Foster found this old hunting cottage in the Catskills and renovated it herself into a little personal retreat. It doesn't have heating or plumbing (so, therefore, no kitchen or bathroom). She and her husband actually live in a 1970s trailor on the property. They are definitely free spirits! Be sure to read the New York Times article and see the slidshow with lots of pictures.

Fun Little Craft Project

I had a little craft hour this morning. I've been saving all of the bottle caps from the Boylan sodas I drink because I think the colors and graphics are pretty fun. So, I super-glued round magnets into the back of them. My new bottle cap magnets are going to live on the back of our ugly metal apartment door. It's where I keep all of the little reminders of things I need to do so I see them as I run out the door. Note to self: if you're working with super glue and the tube suddenly busts in your hand, don't try to clean it off with the paper towels that are sitting beside you! I'm still picking off bits of paper!

Coolest Coat Rack

Image from Headsprung.

Have you seen the Ribbon coatrack by Headsprung? I love the simple style of them. The perfect fun addition to a back hall or mudroom.

$20 Per Gallon

Image from Barnes and Noble.

I finished reading $20 Per Gallon by Christopher Steiner this week. It's an eye-opening book, to say the least! Now, I'm not saying that I've bought into this guy's whole program but he's got some valid ideas of how things may look in the future. It boils down to less SUVs, more electric cars, less jets, more electric trains, fewer far-flung suburbs and more active downtowns. Oh, and the end of Wal-Mart as we know it. Doesn't sound half bad to me!

The New Traditionalists

I attended a fun little party after work today at The New Traditionalists showroom. They have some great furniture, but the main feature that I liked most were the fun colors and interesting finishes that they offer for their furniture, like the pink strie pictured on the dresser below.

These are a couple of my favorite pieces.

Images from The New Traditionalists.

DucDuc childrens furniture is represented in the same showroom. Bright, modern furniture is their specialty. Babies who grow up in a DucDuc nursery have no choice but to grow up into stylish people! Check out their stuff here.

McAlpine Booth and Ferrier

Images from McAlpine Booth & Ferrier.

Nashville design firm McAlpine Booth and Ferrier seems to have an uterly timeless style. Their website has an extensive portfolio, and all of the projects are neutral and chic.

Play Me: I'm Yours NYC 2010

Images from Street Pianos.

Kane and I were walking back to my office today after having a nice little lunch date, when all of a sudden we walked past the little park outside of my building and saw a man playing a painted piano smack in the middle of the benches and trees. So, needless to say, as soon as I got back to my computer I looked up what on Earth was going on. Turns out there is an awesome public art installation called "Play Me: I'm Yours" that just started in NYC today!! It consists of 60 pianos set up in public spaces all over NYC. They're out from 9am-10pm everyday from now until July 5. They're there for anyone who wants to play them.

The art installation is by artist Luke Jerram, in collaboration with Sing for Hope. Read more about this really great project here. Oh, and apparently after the installation all of the pianos will be donated to schools and community centers in need of musical instruments. How cool is that?

Tom Dixon Pendants

Images from Tom Dixon.

All of these pendant lights by Tom Dixon are like fine jewelry for any room. They are so glamorous, yet understated. Kind of like hanging a gorgeous emerald or diamond around your neck to compliment your outfit.

Chic Stairwell

Image found via Chattafabulous.

This is one of the chicest stairwells I've ever seen. The combination of the beautiful stair rail and newel post, the soft neutral paint colors and the modern art prints is just perfect. I love it.

Raw Art Letterpress

Images from Etsy.

These screen prints by Raw Art Letterpress caught my attention today. They're hand printed and you can order custom prints with a phrase of your choice. Check out their workspace, too. What a creative environment!!

Hey, I Know That Guy!

Images from Apartment Therapy.

I used to work with Brian, and haven't seen him in a long time. It so great that his apartment showed up on Apartment Therapy today! I think it's just fantastic. The color-coded bookcases are my favorite design element in the loft! Check out the rest of the tour of his Financial District apartment here. 

Candy Stripes

Image from Living Etc.

The thing I like about this bedroom is the contrast between the colorful vertical stripes on the bed, and the black and white diagonal stripes on the curtain panels (plus the blue stripes of the men's tie draped on the bed). Very brave, to say the least!

Happy Birthday Kane Simmons

Happy birthday Kane!! As we enter the second half of our twenties, I have to say that I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to you! If it wasn't for you and your happy-go-lucky personality, I would have already had a heart attack by the age of 25. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

You deserve Baked By Melissa cupcakes, which is exactly what you got!! I love you.

Mmmmm

Tonight's dinner was Papaya King at 86th and Third Ave. We ran in and had a couple of hotdogs with cheese and spicy mustard before catching a movie. This place has the absolute best hotdogs, hands down. They're doing something right, since they opened this place in 1923 and never looked back.

But the funny thing is that I've never tried the papaya juice. It just doesn't sound good to me for some reason! What do you think? Has anybody had it?

Elizabeth Bauer

Image from Lonny.

Elizabeth Bauer Design was not even on my radar until I checked out the June issue of Lonny today. But, I don't know how that's possible! Her studio apartment and her store are featured in the article and they are so much fun!! She is not afraid of color and pattern. The clear glass "half-screen" that's separating her living area from her bedroom area is genius. It delineates the spaces without closing off the bedroom visually. Plus, I've never met a lucite coffee table that I didn't like.

Sensory Overload

Image from Wikimedia.

Well, I'm sorry to have to vent to you all today, but I have this fabulous Macy's gift card that someone (that I love and appreciate) gave to me. I went to Macy's today to try to spend it. The NYC Macy's is just too big for it's own good! I can never seem to focus on finding anything because it is so incredibly huge and there are so many tourists milling around. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind tourists in NYC. It's a cool place to visit. But, I don't want to be surrounded by siteseers while I'm shopping for work clothes!!

That being said, I am officially throwing in the towel when it comes to the NYC Macy's. I'll be saving my gift card for some smaller, more managable store!! :)

Selina Lake, Stylist

All images from Selina Lake.

While perusing Design Sponge today, I came across a great introductory article about Selina Lake, an interior photo stylist from London. Her styled shots are clean, fresh and almost all of them seem to incorporate pink! She mixes great vintage props with interesting finishes and fresh color. No wonder so many magazines are hiring her for her styling work!!