Decor Home Design

Happy Weekend!
Hello everyone! I’m taking off for the weekend but I hope that you have a fantastic few days! I am going out of town but back on Monday so I’ll see you then my friends! Remember to look for lots of ways to be creative, relax, and enjoy your weekend… Until we meet again… see you [...]

Hello everyone! I’m taking off for the weekend but I hope that you have a fantastic few days! I am going out of town but back on Monday so I’ll see you then my friends! Remember to look for lots of ways to be creative, relax, and enjoy your weekend…

Until we meet again… see you on Monday!

(image: holly becker)

Photographer Nato Welton
Let the talented photographer, Nato Welton whisk you away to his magical land today, one that may not always in our reality but is certainly alive in our dreams… which is why we’re so drawn in, yes? This work space, a gorgeous necklace of pink ribbon and dainty charms, fresh raspberry pie, breakfast with a [...]

Let the talented photographer, Nato Welton whisk you away to his magical land today, one that may not always in our reality but is certainly alive in our dreams… which is why we’re so drawn in, yes? This work space, a gorgeous necklace of pink ribbon and dainty charms, fresh raspberry pie, breakfast with a friend… brilliant.

Can you imagine enjoying your crossiant only to see a tiny guest had fluttered through the window, landing on your butter knife? These photographs are beautiful, but I’ve given you only a glimpse of what Nato can do. Please view hius online portfolio to enjoy dozens more. Each photo tells a beautiful tale if you look closely and allow your imagination to wander…

Nato is represented by Sarah Kaye in London.

(images: nato welton via sarah kaye)

Nymphenburg USA {new}
This is most certainly one of those posts where most of us will feel just a wee bit out of our league… but let’s indulge in the luxury of German Nymphenburg porcelain for a moment, shall we? Nymphenburg just launched a website for the USA and upon viewing it I decided that it’s much like [...]

This is most certainly one of those posts where most of us will feel just a wee bit out of our league… but let’s indulge in the luxury of German Nymphenburg porcelain for a moment, shall we? Nymphenburg just launched a website for the USA and upon viewing it I decided that it’s much like taking a leisurely stroll through a museym — only you can purchase and own everything around you.

Some of the pieces are more affordable than others though; I can’t imagine spending thousands on a single Hella Jongerius dish (oh but I’d do anything to own the fawn or the bird), but I certainly respect and appreciate the perfection of these exquisite pieces as each piece is thrown, cast and decorated by hand and then marked by its maker, some embellish the pieces with gold. I also imagine an assorted collection of plates adorning my dining room wall — what a prized possession that would be, huh? Dreamy!

(images from  nymphenburg usa)

Happy Weekend!
Hello everyone! I’m taking off for the weekend but I hope that you have a fantastic few days! I am going out of town but back on Monday so I’ll see you then my friends! Remember to look for lots of ways to be creative, relax, and enjoy your weekend… Until we meet again… see you [...]

Hello everyone! I’m taking off for the weekend but I hope that you have a fantastic few days! I am going out of town but back on Monday so I’ll see you then my friends! Remember to look for lots of ways to be creative, relax, and enjoy your weekend…

Until we meet again… see you on Monday!

(image: holly becker)

Nymphenburg USA {new}
This is most certainly one of those posts where most of us will feel just a wee bit out of our league… but let’s indulge in the luxury of German Nymphenburg porcelain for a moment, shall we? Nymphenburg just launched a website for the USA and upon viewing it I decided that it’s much like [...]

This is most certainly one of those posts where most of us will feel just a wee bit out of our league… but let’s indulge in the luxury of German Nymphenburg porcelain for a moment, shall we? Nymphenburg just launched a website for the USA and upon viewing it I decided that it’s much like taking a leisurely stroll through a museym — only you can purchase and own everything around you.

Some of the pieces are more affordable than others though; I can’t imagine spending thousands on a single Hella Jongerius dish (oh but I’d do anything to own the fawn or the bird), but I certainly respect and appreciate the perfection of these exquisite pieces as each piece is thrown, cast and decorated by hand and then marked by its maker, some embellish the pieces with gold. I also imagine an assorted collection of plates adorning my dining room wall — what a prized possession that would be, huh? Dreamy!

(images from  nymphenburg usa)

Stylist Jeanne Botes
Jeanne Botes is a freelance interiors stylist for magazines though, surprisingly, she once worked in the film industry where she was involved in set design for international and local commercials in South Africa where she lives! What a fascinating background. In addition to commercials, Jeanne has experience working in the interior design profession and has even [...]

Jeanne Botes is a freelance interiors stylist for magazines though, surprisingly, she once worked in the film industry where she was involved in set design for international and local commercials in South Africa where she lives! What a fascinating background.

In addition to commercials, Jeanne has experience working in the interior design profession and has even had her hands in teaching (high school level) from everything from painting to sculpture, art history and graphic design. These experiences have no doubt influenced her styling work, her eye is definitely well-trained and she’s a master at editing in my opinion. She knows how much is exactly enough.

After studying each of these images I have made one decision. I must have a shelf in my bathroom someday simply for displaying beautiful soaps and girly things vs. the current towels and bleached coral that I currently have. I will keep looking at the top photo over and over again — the product packaging on each of these things delights me to no end.

Jeanne is represented by Bird on a Wire in Cape Town, South Africa.

(images from bird on a wire)

Wunderlust
How badly do we need this? Not so much. How badly do we all want this… Oh yes, very. And in the end, does not filling a want ultimately fill a need you did not realize you had, namely to feel joy? This charming nest is handmade by Wunderlust. Lovely. Lovely. Lust away! Only a few [...]

How badly do we need this? Not so much. How badly do we all want this… Oh yes, very. And in the end, does not filling a want ultimately fill a need you did not realize you had, namely to feel joy?

This charming nest is handmade by Wunderlust. Lovely. Lovely. Lust away! Only a few nests left…

(images: wunderlust)

Etsy Take Five Tuesdays
Interested in seeing what’s on the menu this week for Etsy Take Five Tuesdays? A lovely discount, a little art, some handmade books and mixed media jewelry, a dash of linen, and a touch of retro 1960s and you’re on your merry way to discovering pretty things to fancy up your life! Featured seller: Stephanie Levy Stephanie [...]

Interested in seeing what’s on the menu this week for Etsy Take Five Tuesdays? A lovely discount, a little art, some handmade books and mixed media jewelry, a dash of linen, and a touch of retro 1960s and you’re on your merry way to discovering pretty things to fancy up your life!

Featured seller: Stephanie Levy

Stephanie Levy, a talented and popular artist loved by many blogs and blog readers alike, is offering decor8 readers a 15% discount off of anything in her shop, including originals. Simply enter the words “decor8 reader” in the checkout notes and once you finalize your purchase Stephanie will send you a revised invoiced reflecting the discount. Yay! Offer valid until May 10, 2009.

Looking for a unique way to transform standard photos into art that oozes with style, life and color? I can’t think of anything I love more right now than seeing photos transformed into quirky digital illustrations inspired by the 60s. Graphic designer Sadie from Emmie Bean makes me really happy today — I have several photos I want to have her work on for m. I see a collection in my office… Bright and happy, but also very personal and sweet.

Lisa Occhipinti from The Shop House is a New Hampshire-based fine artist, teacher and expert crafter (what talent!) who knows how to breathe life into what others may overlook or discard, giving them a new purpose and use. Lisa can recycle anything from old books, found papers, yesterday’s paper and surprise you with her creations — she’s a mixed media goddess. With a whimsical eye for color and pattern coupled with a trained sense of pairing old with the new, Lisa gives everything a unique character. You can see this in her paintings, jewelry, art boxes, book mobiles, and well… anything else she sets her mind and heart on she executes in the most brilliant way. I know Lisa personally and can testify that her product is as authentic and charming as the lady herself.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t get enough of linen. I see purses! I see shirts! I see memo boards and pillows! I love the way linen looks and feels, especially when transformed into home interiors objects and soft furnishings. Variegated just stocked up on tons of gorgeous linens that are absolutely worth a peek for those of you looking for affordable, high quality remnants. There’s Egyptian cotton shirting, too.

Finnish designer Nuka has some simple, clean designs that she screenprints onto pillows, from vintage Alice in Wonderful illustrations to doilies, that feel surprisingly fresh and modern.

(images from sellers listed above)

Jena Ardell Photography
Let’s visit the beach today, shall we? I’ll bring a basket with sparkling juice, mini veggie wraps and some watermelon… yes and enough change for ice cream on the boardwalk. I will order my usual vanilla and you can get a scoop of those ‘exotic blends’ as I like to call them. You’re funny like [...]

Let’s visit the beach today, shall we? I’ll bring a basket with sparkling juice, mini veggie wraps and some watermelon… yes and enough change for ice cream on the boardwalk. I will order my usual vanilla and you can get a scoop of those ‘exotic blends’ as I like to call them. You’re funny like that, you like your ice cream just as you like your men: sweet and complex. Don’t forget to bring your camera and we’ll shoot the things we see and touch like last time. Where shall we meet?

Not the pier. Too packed. How about this: look for my little green bike. I’ll prop it alongside the fence so you know exactly where to find me.

I wonder what we’ll find today? I’ll look for sea glass and I bet you’ll be off hunting for fallen feathers from the gulls — you call them their little gifts to humans, a token of their appreciation for the breadcrumbs we leave behind after lunch… I remember once you told me that feathers made you more conscious of the inability humans have to do all things, as some things we simply cannot do — flying for one. It’s true, you’re deep like that. But you added that soaring is something we all can do… that you try to remember that whenever you feel limited. We cannot do certain things but for those we can do, we’re able to perform at our best if we want - to soar. I love how you look at life, how you approach things matters to me. I hope you know that the way your words dance in the air as you’re speaking them makes a genuine difference in my life.

Will you look at the time? It’s getting late, we need to meet up soon. Remember, look for the green bike…

Images from photographer Jena Ardell, discovered via Chelsea and her inspirational blog Frolic. Purchase Jena’s work here. The silly words, those are ones that came to mind as I looked at Jena’s photos. I did a lot of creative writing growing up and still engage in this indulgence from time to time in my own personal place at home — my journals. Though I’m not entirely comfortable with creative writing, perhaps I’m unsure if it’s too indulgent or perhaps a bit fluffy… I do enjoy it and hope that you do in your own little way, too.

(images: jena ardell)

Irene Suchocki: Special Offer
Photographer Irene Suchocki is giving decor8 readers a generous 15% off discount until May 15, 2009 just by entering “decor8rocks” (she made that up, not me ha ha!) upon checkout. Perfect time to find a photo or two and freshen up a room in your home! My favorites are shown below, the butterfly and the [...]

Photographer Irene Suchocki is giving decor8 readers a generous 15% off discount until May 15, 2009 just by entering “decor8rocks” (she made that up, not me ha ha!) upon checkout. Perfect time to find a photo or two and freshen up a room in your home! My favorites are shown below, the butterfly and the scene of rooftops in Paris transport me far beyond my desk today. What about you? I want to visit Paris again, for me it has been years. Are you traveling there soon? I will hop into your luggage!

Thanks, Irene.

(images Irene Suchocki)

Lockette Paper Fabric
Happy Monday everyone! This post is partly about Lockette and also a little about my weekend along with some great news about a press mention that I’m really excited about… First, these darling handmade cards by Priscilla Locke of the Lockette {Paper & Fabric} shop on Etsy are a nice way to kick things off [...]

Happy Monday everyone! This post is partly about Lockette and also a little about my weekend along with some great news about a press mention that I’m really excited about… First, these darling handmade cards by Priscilla Locke of the Lockette {Paper & Fabric} shop on Etsy are a nice way to kick things off today. Priscilla (don’t you love her name by the way, so old-fashioned and darling), recently opened her shop where she makes all things by hand using fabric and paper, “I hand cut all the pieces and fuse them to card stock.  This tactile element gives my stationery a unique look and feel, and the combination of fabric + paper is a modern twist on the traditional paper products out there right now.  The fabrics I use range from bold, graphic prints and colors to subtle patterns and simple silhouettes.”

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Okay, now for the more personal from me-to-you bit. :) I hope you are rested and inspired from whatever it is that you did over the weekend. We had beautiful weather on Sunday so we went to a big flea market and to lots of antiques stores (New Hampshire has some great ones) — what a great way to spend a lazy Sunday! The flea market was the first for me of the year and it got me pretty excited about Brimfield (May 12-17) next month and all the fleas I plan to attend abroad this year before the cold weather sets in again. Flea markets are great! I didn’t find much yesterday but simply roaming around was inspiring enough, plus I secured an entire brown bag full of vintage wooden spools for only a $1 so I will soon embark on a crafty project to put those to good use.

Along with all the fun browsing I did, we went on a nice nature walk and I spent time cleaning my home, I used a ton of ec0 cleaning supplies which made me feel great about the chore and an added bonus — they worked better than the chemical-loaded stuff I normally use AND they smelled great. I raided the cleaning supply aisle at Lowe’s recently and found a ton of products I’d not seen before, in addition to the full line of Method products (they’ve added some great new things by the way)… so if you have a Lowe’s nearby I suggest checking them out for ec0-cleaning supplies. I couldn’t get over the variety! I also spent nearly two full days offline, which felt great and I honestly recommend it from time to time. It really helps to unplug now and then. But then, right when I was feeling so proud for staying away from the computer, I decided to send a quick email and….

I discovered that decor8 was in the London Financial Times (both print and online in the House & Home Edition) yesterday in an article called A Blog’s Life which quickly reminded me that though unplugging is good, I still really love and value the web and feel so grateful that I’m part of the blogosphere and this wonderful online network of bloggers. This was a really nice way to finish the weekend! The article is here if you’d like to read it. The FT editor, Caroline Taylor, approached me months ago for an interview but like the many interviews I’ve given I only half expected it to ever show up in print — lots of articles get cut. Just when I was beginning to lose hope - viola! there is was! The article spotlights several other blogs in addition to mine so it was nice to be in such great company alongside Susan Serra, Danielle DeLange and of course Patchwork Harmony (this blogger is the same lady who wrote the article - small world!). So inspiring and encouraging to see blogs and their popularity be a subject of interest enough to the FT to run a story on it. What a testimony to all bloggers that we’re making progress in reaching many to share our passions.

(image from lockette)

A Gorgeous New Kitchen
I was over the moon this morning when I woke up to see Danielle’s new kitchen! Yay! I’m so proud of this lady… A little background: I met her three years ago through this blog and so whenever I’m in Germany we get together for a girl’s weekend or a quick visit locally and so [...]

I was over the moon this morning when I woke up to see Danielle’s new kitchen! Yay! I’m so proud of this lady… A little background: I met her three years ago through this blog and so whenever I’m in Germany we get together for a girl’s weekend or a quick visit locally and so I’ve been following her new home project for some time now. Danielle has always wanted a gorgeous country home so I’m very pleased to see her now living the dream — she moved from city life to the peaceful countryside just outside of Amsterdam where she has taken on a gorgeous antique farmhouse in which she’s been renovating since December. I can’t believe it’s only April and her kitchen went from this:

to this:

You can see more photos on Danielle’s blog, The Style Files. Congrats Danielle, you did such a lovely job!

(images from danielle de lange, the style files)

A Gorgeous New Kitchen
I was over the moon this morning when I woke up to see Danielle’s new kitchen! Yay! I’m so proud of this lady… A little background: I met her three years ago through this blog and so whenever I’m in Germany we get together for a girl’s weekend or a quick visit locally and so [...]

I was over the moon this morning when I woke up to see Danielle’s new kitchen! Yay! I’m so proud of this lady… A little background: I met her three years ago through this blog and so whenever I’m in Germany we get together for a girl’s weekend or a quick visit locally and so I’ve been following her new home project for some time now. Danielle has always wanted a gorgeous country home so I’m very pleased to see her now living the dream — she moved from city life to the peaceful countryside just outside of Amsterdam where she has taken on a gorgeous antique farmhouse in which she’s been renovating since December. I can’t believe it’s only April and her kitchen went from this:

to this:

You can see more photos on Danielle’s blog, The Style Files. Congrats Danielle, you did such a lovely job!

(images from danielle de lange, the style files)

New: Parasol Mag Online
What a gorgeous e-mag: Parasol. � Decor8. For personal, non-commercial use only. Feed ID: cdaa5590db8fca9e92d06113ccfa4e5e

What a gorgeous e-mag: Parasol.

New: Parasol Mag Online
What a gorgeous e-mag: Parasol. � Decor8. For personal, non-commercial use only. Feed ID: cdaa5590db8fca9e92d06113ccfa4e5e

What a gorgeous e-mag: Parasol.

Mixtape Zine #7: Pre Sale!
Mixtape Zine #7: pre sale here. � Decor8. For personal, non-commercial use only. Feed ID: cdaa5590db8fca9e92d06113ccfa4e5e

Mixtape Zine #7: pre sale here.

Happy Weekend!
I’m wrapping things up here for the weekend but before I leave I have 12 links that I’ve been carrying around in my back pocket for the past few weeks that I’ll leave for you today. Maybe you’ve come across these things in your travels already, maybe not. In either case, I hope that you [...]

I’m wrapping things up here for the weekend but before I leave I have 12 links that I’ve been carrying around in my back pocket for the past few weeks that I’ll leave for you today. Maybe you’ve come across these things in your travels already, maybe not. In either case, I hope that you enjoy them.

1. So’mace is a design shop in Hawaii that is truly breathtaking… Read about it here.
2. I’m listening to this CD right now, love!
3. Oh Hello Friend blog and etsy shop (her handmade goodies shown above).
4. She also carries crafts supplies in a second Etsy shop called The Loveliest.
5. Artist Kate Durkin is moving and having a sale on her creations here.
6. The new Good To Know project issue 1: Overcoming Stumbling Blocks to Creativity. (Thanks Ez for mentioning this!)
7. Reading this book (my goal is to complete 10 projects from this book by end of summer), and this one, oh and this one too!
8. But secretly, I really want this book, Meet Me At Mike’s, published recently in Australia but am unsure how or where I can order it.
9. These interiors shots from Bird On A Wire are amazing. (Thanks Sarah for the tip!)
10. 3D artist and painter Andrea Shear.
11. An outdoor bench that I would love to own.
12. New prints from NICE.
    

I wish you all a lovely weekend filled with sunshine and beauty!See you Monday!

(image: oh hello friend)

Interiors By Francesca
The lovely designer Frances Herrera Viola who runs the New York-based design firm Interiors by Francesca, sent in a few before and afters of her space and I thought it was so nicely done that you may find it inspirational. Francesca offers decorating services to those living in New York City and Long Island, in [...]

The lovely designer Frances Herrera Viola who runs the New York-based design firm Interiors by Francesca, sent in a few before and afters of her space and I thought it was so nicely done that you may find it inspirational. Francesca offers decorating services to those living in New York City and Long Island, in case you are local and have an interest in hiring out for design help whether that be a one day project, home staging, or a complete redesign of your space she just may be the lady for you to call! The first few photos below are of her recently designed bedroom (before & after) and the others are glimpses of her living space.

Seeing a makeover like this is helpful for those not living in magazine-like homes (most of us!) or around fancy architectural details — in other words people who basically have four blank walls and a floor — normal ceiling height, average windows, mediocre views, and annoying things to deal with like built-in air conditioners. A space like Francesca’s is a terrific example of how you can cozy up an “average” home using furniture, drapes, and throw rugs because not everyone has soaring ceilings, perfect floors, ocean views, and gorgeous fireplaces to fall back on! In fact, it’s much more of a challenge to design a home like this in my opinion. If you have a gorgeous flat overlooking the beach with massive windows, a massive fireplace and ceilings that go on forever well I see this as not much of a design challenge. You can put a sofa and a few chairs in a room like that and editors would be begging you to photograph your space for their magazine. It’s not so easy when you don’t occupy what I call, a home with supermodel good looks. This space is the perfect example of that — even a somewhat boxy room can have style - this ‘before’ bedroom photo below looks like a lot of plain Jane rental properties I’ve toured in my life. Plain Jane was transformed into Chic Chantal. It helps to see spaces like this to be able to train your eye to look for the potential.

I really admire the editing in this space, Francesca clearly knows when to quit. Though I must confess that if I lived here, I’d have a lot more color and art work, that’s for sure! Of course though, my personal taste is not the point — it’s more about foundation pieces. I could really build on a foundation like this. I love the trimmed drapes in the bedroom, and appreciate how the built-in a/c unit was replaced with a newer model in white — way better on the eyes! The pendant over the dining room table looks very chic, and the round table allows for good movement in a small space and enables flexibility with seating, you can add more chairs if needed for a larger gathering. Really nice work, Francesca!

(images francesca herrera viola)