gone fishing....

It's about that time where I sadly say that I'm taking a blogging break for a little bit. Not for a long time, just long enough for me to enjoy my family, maybe finish my back garden, help jay put new windows in, catch a flea market or two, take zoe swimming or to the zoo, visit with my brother and his family, go on a picnic at the beach, and even maybe have a little time to myself along the way. We all need a break from time to time, a time to reconnect, re-energize and clear the mind even if you don't go anywhere, make sure you do this a couple times a year, you deserve it and will feel soooo much better after.

Happy Summer to you all, see you in 2 weeks!

Serve it up!

Just in time for summertime parties, loving these melamine serving trays and plates from olive manna!

Book Review :: DIY greatness

In a time of economic uncertainty and high stress, we as creatives strive to take control of what we want to put in our homes and constantly look for that money saving or recyclable project that can really make our spaces unique and comfortable. DIY is the best remedy for this, and it doesn't have to be a big project, that can take up to two weeks to complete. For instance, see what Lotta Jansdotter is cooking up now in her newest book/ stencil kit for all things surface printing. What can I say, I'm a big sucker for Lotta's work and I've already purchased curtains to print on, now I have the trouble of deciding which lovely stencil design I want to use from this really informative kit of her's!




not only does Lotta give you access to 10 of her own designs via reusable stencils, but she really illustrates and guides you through different techniques and surfaces that you can print on in a very well organized step-by-step guide.




Another crafty lady we all know and love, the very talented Kathreen Ricketson of whipup.net has gained a lifetime of inspiration. After reading her intro, I had a sense of relation to her crafty experiences growing up with her grandmother, a quilter/crafter. I to grew up with a variety of craftsmen (ladies) in my family, my grandmother was a quilter, my grandfather, did stained glass when he retired, my Papa was an architect and my mother, my DIY hero, seamstress... actually anything she gets her hands on is a crafting work of art. This book is a homage to those who have inspired us to use materials that are right under our eyes and turn them into another functional delight... people like my mother, who took apart her mothers wedding dress and reconstructed a totally different gown for her own wedding.





Kathreen includes some great whimsical pattern pieces for you to try and really explains the basics of sewing so even those like me who would love to run their sewing machine more, can just do that!

Both these great books are published by chronicle books and are available now so go get yours and get your craft on!

blank canvases

Funny how yesturday I went wild and out about color and now I'm sharing my love for starkness with you....I am a big fan of color and I am a big fan of white and often times I struggle with just the right balance between the two when I'm in the decorating mindset. The simple shapes and clean white lines of Scandinavian design will always be the closest to my heart, I mean there is nothing more timeless and "trend free" then that, right? So to pay homage to those wonderful blank silhouettes I adore so much, here are some really great inspirational accessories to play around with. Don't forget, COLOR IS GOOD, a touch here and a touch there.....


Ball clock George Nelson $576, Quasi Modo Modern Furniture. Side table Gino Carollo Vanity for Bonaldo $480, OneTwenty Modern. Coffeepot Kaico enamelled $105, Cookie tray Stine Sandwell $148, Mjolk.
(photo by Edward Pond via styleathome.com)


Jewelry stand iron dollhouse chairs $78, Urban Outfitters.
(photo by Edward Pond via styleathome.com)


Floating shelves Kole lacquered $48 each, The Home Depot. Child's rocking chair moulded fibreglass $255, Hourglass $49, Vase ceramic $35, Elte. Jewelry trees metal $24 (top shelf), $20 (bottom shelf); Drinking glass Swirl $10; Urban Outfitters. Sphere shell $8, Shell Murex Ramos $16, West Elm. Glove mould porcelain $16, L’Atelier. Frame Ribba $10, IKEA. Votive holder Jennifer Graham stamped $40, Hollace Cluny. Birdcage $45, Accents de Ville.
(photo by Edward Pond via styleathome.com)


Lamp KleinReid Aubry porcelain $385, Stool Kosoy & Bouchard pressed ceramic $1,600, Hollace Cluny. Vase raised lace pattern $20, HomeSense.
(photo by Edward Pond via styleathome.com)

Color Me :: Tangy Orange

1. "Bird Hoops"  2. "Seaside Wedding"  3. "Vintage Spanish Ceramics"  4. "Day ninety one"

Bursting with color!

I needed a real pick-me-up with this rain today and Poketo always puts a bright shiny smile on my face. check out some of their newest colorful additions...makes me want to redecorate while wearing sun glasses!


Tim Biskup Lamp Set


Wish Come True Blind Box Toys


Chris Bettig Vase

State Food!

We all know that each of the US states are represented with a bird, animal, flower, and even an insect, well now there is a state food! represent with this awesome hand screen printed tote from the Melangerie shop known for their state celebrity totes!

little lovelies from Katie Daisy

I love ringing in the summer season with bright colors and floral motifs such as that of Katie Daisy and her shop The Wheatfield. Katie uses a wide variety of techniques and materials to create her lovely prairie-inspired artwork that is chock-full of optimism. Oftentimes featuring empowering and uplifting hand lettered phrases, Katie's artwork serves as a gentle reminder for us to live authentically and follow our bliss.

it's in the leather....

Some really amazing craftsmanship here from Kara Ginther Leather. I almost wouldn't want to sit on these gorgeous saddles! It's such an exciting feeling when I come across someone who is taking an age old pastime and bringing it into modern times...just goes to show how much we still have to learn from the past.

TYPEFACE :: a disapearing legacy

I totally want to catch this lovely documentary filmed in rural Two Rivers, Wisconsin at the Hamilton Print Factory. It's existence is one of the last and what they do there for the printing industry is a legacy that may be coming to an end. This is a fascinating journey of one man who gave up the digital design world to get back into the craft and art of handmade woodtype printing struggles to keep the museum going. can't wait to see it. read more and watch the trailer here.

What home means to me...

Today I'm excited to post my PIN IT FORWARD :: "what home means to me". There are so many things that I could think of to share but I had to narrow it down quite a bit and hopefully what I chose is a representation of what inspires me day by day. My home is a constant work in progress, it's the biggest creative challenge in my life and I am constantly dreaming of what I would call my "ultimate living environment", then again, aren't we all?

To me HOME is....


... A simple, clean cozy space where there is a mixture of modern meets vintage....


.... Where tere are little hints of whimsy where you'd least expect it...


.... where there is a big open space to gather and cook great food...


... where you can display your favorite things any way you want...


... a reflection of the life you have worked so hard to create for yourself and your family.


you can visit my pintrest board to see the other things of "HOME" that inspire me. Thanks to Victoria for putting together such a great blogger mash up!
Check out the Pins for tomorrow at:
Size too Small
Sunshine on a cloudy day
Krystal Rose blog
Everything Little Miss
Ladies Who Brunch
Lolalina
Lindsey Bee
One Sydney Road
Diana Mini Love
Hey Lady Grey