Charming Cameos

When I was in 3rd grade, my teachers assistant drew our silhouettes. She shone a light on our profiles and traced the shadow. And I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Cameos have obviously been popular as artwork and jewelry forever but recently they've become a staple in modern interiors. You've surely seen some great examples but here are a handful more (concluding with the lovely idea of layering your cameos for a romantic and stylish statement piece).



Images from: Simply Silhouettes // Occasional Enthusiast // Coco Cozy // Dear Designers // Country Living // Jeanie and Jewell

Living with Beci Orpin

Beci Orpin is a Melbourne, Australia based illustrator/artist/designer/inspiration. I became familiar with her work after exploring the Australia-based design blog, The Design Files and must admit that I became obsessed with her house before her work. Although they really are one in the same.—the inclusion of a design studio and the fact that she decorates with a lot of her own work result in a space that could actually double as a gallery. All of it is so fun and happy. Let's start with her house:


I love that she not only uses her own art to decorate her walls, but she uses her children's. They go together really well!
Speaking of her work, here is some of my favorite stuff of hers:


I especially love the wooden, die-cut brooches. I'd wear the heck out of that fox brooch.
Images of her home are from the Design Files. Beci is represented by the amazing Jacky Winter Group and you should definitely check out Beci's website (where you can also get to her blog and online shoppe).

Woodland Interiors

It's amazing what a little outside-inside will do for a room. The addition of some faux antlers or a container of sticks adds a sense of whimsy and energy to a space. The problem I normally have with a more "rustic" interior is how dark it usually is—I've tried to keep the inspiration images on the lighter side, but wood has the tendency to be rich and dark. Everything in moderation dear ones. And read through to the end for an awesome tutorial on making a patterned dear head for your wall. It really is so fun!




Images from: arthound // garrendeny lane // creamy line // room envy // momoy // design is mine
And here is the lovely mounted deer how-to that I promised. Send me a picture if you make it, I'm sure it'll be stunning on your wall.

Images from Chronicle Books and Remodelaholic

Diane von Furstenberg

I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the classic beauty that is Diane von Furstenberg. If you've ever worn a wrap dress you have this lovely lady to thank for it. Ok, that's probably a bit of a stretch but she is very well-known for this fashion staple. She became a designer in the 1970's, left the fashion scene in the 80's (for Paris) to become a publisher then returned to NYC in the 1990's where she relaunched the brand to wide acclaim.
Her portfolio is timeless. Any one of the dresses could be worn at any time during her 40 years of designing and will probably be worn for decades to come. And they're not ridiculously expensive. Expensive, yes, but not totally unobtainable. She's a lovely woman with a heart for other women entrepreneurs and is definitely an inspiration. Here are some pictures from her recent collection.

So beautiful. I love the flowy, belted, printed top with the leggings. Gorgeous. And timeless right?
Here are some older pictures of her, pictures of her home in Connecticut and of her Manhattan office. You can get a sense of her as a designer by looking at what she surrounds herself with and chooses to wear.



She's recently announced that she'll be designing housewares, to launch in the Spring of next year. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with - it's bound to be amazing. Especially after creating rooms for the London hotel "Clarigde's". She did a wonderful job layering textures and patterns and colors. I can only hope that her housewares will have the same personality.

Images from: Coco and Emma // DVF site // Claridge's // Yatzer // InStyle

Nina's Pretty Dishes

Nina Invorm combines two of my favorite things—sweet, vintage dishes with lovely hand-drawn elements. Her addition of birds or bunting or hearts to the already delightful ceramics result in a charming piece of art I'd love to showcase. Luckily you can purchase her art at her Etsy shop.


Ugh. So stinkin cute it makes me scrunch up my face.
While I was looking at some of her other work on her Flickr page I happened across some photographs of her darling house. The interior matches her creations so perfectly.



I love the random dresses and high heels and the fact that she has her own artwork splashed throughout the space. Did you see the nursery? What a fun place to be a child!
Visit Nina's website, her Etsy and her Flickr there's tons more to see!

Little Ladies

I love paper dolls—always have and probably always will. I love the easy outfit changes and those funny tabs and the fact that they were cheap enough that I could afford an entire wardrobe! I also have always been a fan of the Colorform playset. Those were generally more focused on environments than clothing options but the fun to be had was glorious. When I ran across these wall decals from Mae I was in love. They're paper dolls that are actually vinyl decals for your wall! They are adorable and would be so fun in a little girls room or a not-quite-so-little girls room. I was thinking they'd be so great in my office! Can't think of a creative solution to a problem? No worry! Just dress up these cuties until you've figured it out. Or until it's quittin time...


These childhood memories got me thinking about little girl's spaces and I just knew the ol' internet would have some lovely rooms to inspire or admire. I was certainly not disappointed!



So great right? And there are plenty of ideas in these rooms to inspire adults. I would go crazy for that Funny Girl poster or that cluster of paper flowers/lanterns. Oh the dreaming and pretending you could do in rooms like these!
Sources: Just Say Mo // Design*Sponge // Simply Grove // Oh Dee Doh // Fresh Home // Decor Pad // Sugar and Spice

A Little Bit of Autumn

I love fall. I miss fall, but at least it's been a little cool here lately so I've been able to close my eyes on occasion and think about hot cider and scarves and the orchard. Soon enough it'll be steamy and hot and thoughts of cool autumn breezes will seem so far away. In the mean time, I thought I'd embrace it and put together a mood board to inspire you and remind me.



So many sources! Mikkel Vang // Scrapstudio // Elizabeth Anne Designs // Dandelion and Grey // Mary Ruffle // Bunny Victorious // Studio Choo Flowers // LL Bean Signature // Black Eiffel // You are my Fave // Mi Vida Bonita

The Flatish World of Ann Toebbe

These paintings remind me of the drawings of interiors I used to have to create in Art School. We'd take the flat floor plan and draw each piece (furniture, doors, walls) up at an angle. I'm probably not explaining that properly (and mine never even came close to being this awesome). But they did bring back memories of plastic triangles and graphite pencils. Luckily for you I'm not sharing my work with you, I'm sharing Ann Toebbe's.

Ann is a Chicago-based artist that now teaches in the city (as well as creates these interesting residential gems). I love that it's not idealized—so many of us have that dining room table covered in food and junk mail! Check out more of her work on her site or stop by 20 x 200 to purchase some. (Aside: 20 x 200 is a really, really great place to start or add to your art collection! The art is moderately priced, not mass-produced and helps support emerging artists.)

Mismatchy-Matchy

I love a well put-together mismatch. Whether it's just a hodge-podge of pillows or three different couches, if it works, it works. I think the success of it is dependent on having an underlying similarity: luxurious fabrics; same time period/genre; color cohesiveness. Ultimately I'm of the school that says if you like it and you're confident in it, it's hard to argue against.



Sources: design*sponge // apartment therapy // marie claire maison // lonny magazine // the selby //simply grove

Etsy Labs

Etsy.com is such a fun place to spend an afternoon. You can find all manner of handmade goods that are not only awesome but support artists. A place this amazing would obviously have amazing headquarters. Of course based in Brooklyn.



Gosh. So amazing and inspiring. You can't help but be creative in such an environment! And don't you just adore the plush office from Zooguu? Love that Swingline stapler!
Images from Zooguu // Hangar Architecture // Unplggd // Etsy's Flickr Stream

Herringbone

Fall always makes me yearn for preppy patterns like chevron and plaid and herringbone—they must remind me of tweed jackets and a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or something. Well herringbone is one of my absolute favorites—it's great in fashion and amazing in interiors. Look at these floors!

Stunning right? Now check out these beautiful, white subway tiles and the amazing reclaimed barnwood laid out in a herringbone pattern.

Super fun right? Maybe you live in an apartment and can't rip up (and replace) your floors and walls or maybe you just don't have the time/money/desire to do so but still want to bring some herringbone in (if only for the fall). Grab cushions like these or an ottoman or refinish a chair.
Maybe you have millions and are totally obsessed with herringbone? Take some inspiration from this amazing house.

Via: Plastolux // La Dolce Vita // odi et amo // apartment therapy // life is just so daily

Kitchen Nook

When I was 12 if you'd asked me about my dream house it'd have to have these three things: a wrap-around porch, window seats for reading and a breakfast nook. Don't let me mislead you into thinking those things wouldn't be on my dream house list now as well, but the one requirement that I think I'd get the most use out of would definitely be the kitchen nook. I'd love to drink my coffee/read magazines/chat with you while sitting in this small but comfortable space. I'd take any of these:



Sources: Manolo Home // Just add Dots // Country Living // Rejuvenation // Coastal Living // Living Etc // Home Dzine // Tiny House Talk // Apartment Therapy

Vintage Oil Portraits

Every time I see an interior with a vintage oil portrait I am simultaneously inspired and creeped-out. I think they can add such an element of kitschy fun, but I'm not sure that I'm brave enough to have a stranger staring at me all the time. I'm on the lookout for my perfect oil portrait—I know it's out there for me.




Sources: Plastolux // justamodernguy // designismine // living, etc // apartment therapy // the brick house

Candy-Coated Interiors

I am all over the place with my preferences— one day I'm excited about all white or pale tones and the next (like today) I'm crazy about colors. I don't want to overwhelm anyone who might pop over for a visit, but I do think a colorful space is so friendly and warm. And so stinkin' fun!



Oh man that's good stuff. I think my next place'll go in this direction. Who's going to knit me that awesome aqua tea cozy?
Sources: Pretty Little World // Hidden in France // Home Shopping Spy // sfgirlbybay // sasa antic // The Someday Blog