Lights at night

12 Days of Christmas

So my mom made this when she was in high school. She remembers seeing it in a 1960s catalog, maybe from MOMA, but we've not ever found it. It's made of felt pieces glued onto separate cardboard rounds that stack like a cake. My grandfather rigged it so it rotated slowly (but that part doesn't work anymore). Would love to find the original inspiration.

Christmas and cats around the house

Went with a burlap and yarn thing for present wrapping this year.

Obligatory Christmas cactus from E's elementary PTA plant sale

I love this armoire that I strong-armed my best friend into selling to me. I know he wants it back. But he'd have to fight the antlers for it. And while I know antlers are way overused in decorating, I have always liked them and they go with my crusty, cracky house. Plus, they are from my uncle who likes to shoot things.

The twins have obviously spotted something very important from inside their house bubble.

This mantel has way too much on it.

Really bright orange door I painted this fall that I love even if the neighbors wince. It's Farrow & Ball's Charlotte's Locks in high gloss.

Yes, Sueno, it is time for a nap.

Harry Potter Deathly Hallows

Can we pause for just a minute and contemplate a couple of things: Hermione Granger's wardrobe in the two most recent HP movies have been awesomeness. I mean, really. I love the slightly offbeat British tomboy look she's been wearing. Secondly, the color schemes in the movies are perfecto. I wish I could create a diorama for each of the sets (most especially The Burrow), and the color schemes throughout are mesmerizing. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Oh, except one last bit. My favorite scene was the Hermione and Harry dance in the tent. I so love Nick Cave songs.

Color when it's gray out

I've been neglectful in posting, and plan to do better next month. In the meantime, I love the simplicity of the colorful yarn wrapped boxes, from here, and this photo by my husband from a wedding he shot.

Hello, gorgeous house in Chicago

Check it out: Home of artist and bookbinder Amanda Love, owner of LoveLeaf Press. I am dying over her studio in which she chopped up books and made them into wallpaper of sorts. Photos by Tyllie Barbosa for Chicago Home+Garden

This arrived in the mail

I am not even kidding, this book is beyond awesome. At more than 300 pages, it's filled with luscious pictures of Orla's gorgeous patterns plus in her words the inspiration and thoughts behind her work. Totally worth Amazon's price of $23.

High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010

This dusty blue color was a definite color trend this season on fabrics, accessories, and the like. Love these books as props (from the Hickory showroom)

Another trend (from CR Laine) was English-style printed florals and open toiles on fabrics

Plenty of mood boards on hand—how fabulous is this? (from Natural Curiosities)

The Hable Construction sisters have new upholstery fabric for Hickory Chair.

I can't get enough of flocked fabric. I'd like this pair from Lee Industries for my living room!

Beautiful space outfitted by Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair

It's amazing how live music really does set the mood. I was in love with this beautiful piano and the art above it from the Natural Curiosities booth.

Apologies for the iPhone pics. Overall, it was a fun show. Even though traffic appeared to be down, vendors reported that retailers and dealers were buying, so sales were good. There were some obvious trends such as the influence of Mad Men on furniture and styling, and Industrial Chic is still big, as is the French Laundry look. The new color for fall appears to be plum in all its forms: eggplant, amethyst, and fig. Grey/Greige is still big, and blue/purple iris stood out in several leather chairs and ottomans. Furniture in general had good scale—plenty of options for small-space living but also furniture that is right-sized for modest homes.

Back to Mpls next week

Had time for a little house tour last time I was in the Cities. Loved this...

and this...

and this...

and this. The house was very Grey Gardens and the owners were a hoot. We took a tour while sipping glasses of cold Prosecco.

Awesome new book coming in October

cannot wait for this. just look at that cover. look at it!!!

Minneapolis

Obligatory Anthro stop

Creative Connection event--painting class. Note: this is NOT my painting, but one I liked. As soon as I find the artist's card, I'll post her Etsy site.

Painting class and downtown Mpls through the window

It's difficult to see it here, but the blue/gray painted brick and the burnt orange logo were the perfect color combo.

Had a wonderful week in Minneapolis: Met wonderfully creative and inspiring women at the Creative Connection, learned more about opening an Etsy shop, had some lovely meals at Brasa and the way hip boho-Mexican hotspot in downtown called Barrio, stopped at Anthro (two of them, actually), Hunt and Gather, and the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts (needed some book cloth and a large awl). Oh, and how could I forget? We also made a run to the Junk Bonanza. I'm actually headed back to the Twin Cities this week for an event at Target.

Randoms

things around my desktop lately.