Jumat, 28 September 2012

Lovely Little Lots

Hey babes! Today I'm sharing my 'Lovely Little Lot' over at Glamourmash!
Get a detailed look at my new rental and find out a little bit more about yours truly!
Holly is one of my daily reads, so hop over on over and check it out, you'll love her blog!
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What's on my desk

Hello there lovers,

We are working away on a home here in lovely LA La land.

here is the chaos that is "my side" of the desk

Just getting real!


Happy Friday Lovers!!!

Kamis, 27 September 2012

Pearls of Craftsmanship

 

Because I always try to introduce the world to our Belgian artisans or craftsmen, I really have to tell you something more about a new Quality Label, founded by one of our famous Belgian craftsmen.

'Pearls of Craftsmanship' is a Quality Label that promotes craftsmanship of the highest quality and consists of carefully selected members and crafts.

Label logo

Pearls or Craftsmanship is founded by the Belgian ornamental woodcarver Patrick Damiaens. The company consists of seventeen Belgian and three Dutch craftsmen, who all wish to carry out the same high level of craftsmanship. Among them there is an arms engraver, another artisan restores paintings, and another member makes contemporary tailored suits.

Picture 1

Patrick Damiaens explains : “ Since a few years I have noticed that for highly skilled craftsman, even some of them who are unique in their specific sector, it is extremely difficult to convince our society of the need for the preservation and nourishing of this artisanal part of our colorful heritage.”

With this label Patrick wants to offer an alternative for the unsatisfying standard solutions you have to settle for (sometimes for no apparent reason) in our modern day consumer society.

This site brings together extremely gifted artisans with an exceptional knowledge of their trade and with historically grown traditional crafts, neatly balanced with contemporary originality.
This is a place where the visitors are confronted with their search for a personal touch and where they have an opportunity to get acquainted with skilled experts, who have turned durability and tradition into their passion.
True pearls among the crafts that manage to stimulate and inspire through their originality and broad perspective.

'Pearls of Craftsmanship' is for those who wish to surround themselves with the highest degree of perfection and taste.

Let me introduce you to the Members of 'Pearls of Craftsmanship' !

Angel Barrero
Master of Stuc-marbre and Scagliola

barr1Website : www.angelbarrero.be

 
Aravinda Rodenburg Tailors
Tailors

arra3Website : www.aravindarodenburg.be

 

Atelier Mestdagh
Handcrafted stained glass

mes5Website : www.ateliermestdagh.be

 
Atelier Tratteggio
Restoration and conservation of Art

trat2Website : www.kunstrestauratie.be

 
Dorothea Van De Winkel
Handwoven – Tapestry

dor1Website : www.galerij-theaxus.com

 

Eddie Van Hoef
Faux Finish painting Techniques

vanhoef1Website : www.vanhoef.com

 
Els Robberechts
Hat Design

els3Website : www.acesoir.be

 

Emysfeer
Furniture Upholstery

emy1Website : www.emysfeer.be

 

Franz Iliano
Stonemason

franz3Website : www.franziliano.be

 

Gregor’s Framing
Manufacture of frames

greg5Website : www.gregorslijsten.nl

 

Intarsio
Exclusive furniture – Urushi

inta4Website : www.intarsio.nl

 

Jean-Paul Boucquet
Lighting

bouq5Website : http://johanclompen.be/

 

Kunstsmederij De Bruyn

Traditional ironwork

debr1Website : www.smederijdebruyn.be

 

Lutson
Gilded Leather

lut1Website : www.lutson.com

 

Mestrom Kroonluchters
Mestrom Kroonluchters / Chandeliers

strom1Website : www.mestromkroonluchters.nl

 

Atelier Menchior
Plaster Ornaments

mench1Website : www.menchior.be

 

Patrick Damiaens
Woodcarving - Liège style Furniture

pd2Website : http://www.patrickdamiaens.be/eng/index.html

 

Pierre Création
Canes – Diamonds

pierre4Website : www.pierre-creation.be

 
Pieter Boudens
Sculptor of letters

boud5Website : www.pieterboudens.be

 
Roland Baptiste
Master engraver

bap1Website : rbaptiste.com

 

In future this group will still be extended with other sectors, but the new members will have to meet the same standards to guarantee the credibility of the label.The members are selected not only for their unique craftsmanship, but also because they are unique in their sector, in their metier (whether in Belgium, Europe or even in the world) or by their long existence (already many generations).They are passionate professionals, practicing their metier full-time and are prepared to demonstrate their craft to the public by regularly taking part in events or exhibitions.

 

To see more about the members of Pearls of Craftsmanship, please watch this video.

Pearls of Craftsmanship members

 

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To know more about Pearls of Craftsmanship, please visit the website at http://www.pearlsofcraftsmanship.com/index.html

Contact : pearlsofcraftsmanship@hotmail.com

I do hope I have made you even more curious about our Belgian craftsmanship and I might hope that maybe one day you will appeal to the skills of these fantastic and gifted artisans.

 

xx

Greet

All images : http://www.pearlsofcraftsmanship.com & http://www.facebook.com/PanelsOfCraftsmanship

Metallic Hide Rugs

I know I'm a bit late on this post, but I haven't been able to get Catherine Sheppard's home out of my head since I saw it on The Glitter Guide back in June.
More specifically, I'm still drooling over her metallic cowhide rug, I mean, how good!
via the glitter guide
via the glitter guide
Then yesterday, I was on Rug USA's website (because I feel the perfect rug for  my living room space would be a faux zebra hide) and I came across this metallic beauty:

I just love it! It's currently half off and an excellent price at $335, but sadly still out of my lowly student budget.
They also offer this one, with silver metallic detailing. It's so subtle and glittery!

Cowhides are probably my all time fave kind of rug (although my guy doesn't like them...he's cray but I MUST convince him by the time we get a place together), and I'm now lusting over these glammed up options!
xo
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Rabu, 26 September 2012

Wednesday's Sketchbook: Dog Art

via Design Manifest and Courtney Apple Photography
 Please don't hate me, but I'm definitely more of a cat person. This is half out of loyalty to my beloved cat, Smokey, and half out of my fear of big dogs and the fact that their noses often find, you know, le crotch.
That being said, I'm absolutely in love with my bf's golden retriever Molson.
 Annnnd me and the man sometimes discuss getting a puppy together in the future. We both want a Boston Terrier ever since seeing the adorable one chilling on the boat in an episode of Swamp people. Seriously guys I can't make this stuff up.
 ^Here he is with his swampy owner.

We've even got the name of our imaginary future pup picked out...but I'll never tell!
Anyways, for now I've painted up a little Boston to keep me company...don't tell Smokey.

If and when we eventually get the real little brute, I will def pull a Naomi of Design Manifest and blow up large pictures of my handsome pet to frame like art. Is it just me, or do dogs look more sophisticated as an art subject than a cat would?
via Design Manifest and Courtney Apple Photography
  Her little pug is the perfect model! I think the key is the black and white photography.
Are you a cat or a dog person?
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Selasa, 25 September 2012

My Dream Fall Outfit

The chilly weather has set in, and I've started to put away the shorts in favour of some warmer wear.
Fall is probably my favourite season. The crispness of the air and the scent of the leaves falling and pumpkin pie baking. Just too good.
If I had it my way, this outfit would be on my body and never ever leave it:
Bring on the moody hues, darker lips, comfy scarves and cute jackets!
What does YOUR dream fall outfit look like?
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What A girl wants

"What a girl wants, what a girl needs

What a girl wants, what a girl needs....yeah c'mon"


I guarantee you will have this stupid Christina Aguilera song

stuck in your head all day because of me.....

you are welcome



Senin, 24 September 2012

Design that Stands the Test of Time

 Trends are inescapable. As a social media driven society, we have consistent exposure to these fads that are pretty, fun, popular, and well received. But for me, really good design is about incorporating those trends in a timeless way... in a way that won't need to be revisited or redecorated in a few months, or even a few years.

When I was browsing the current fall decorating issue of Style at Home Magazine, I was stopped in my tracks by this home:
So beautiful, and SO current. The zebra print, the lucite and butterfly artwork, the grasscloth wall coverings, the use of the color coral, the chippendale chairs, the polka dotted seat cushions - All of it embodies the major design trends of today.

And yet, when I read the article, I couldn't believe that this room was designed 30 years ago and has been unaltered since. That is the talent of the late and iconic designer Ray Staples, who decorated this room in the eighties.

The timeless beauty of this space and the careful and imaginative forethought and talent of Staples has left me truly awe inspired.  Her legacy lives on through her works that withstand the test of time.
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Designing....

This week I am starting work on a gorgeous Dining Room re-doooo

it's lots of wood tones, some amazing finishes, pretty fabrics and built in cabinets with cremone bolts 

I ain't messin around with the art and the chandelier either..

I mean business!

here is the approved board we are working with


Is white the next big color trend in interior design?

 

According to the famous interior designer Timothy Corrigan, the color white will be the new color trend in interior design for the next coming months.

Visiting Maison & Objet, the big design trade fair in Paris this month, Timothy spotted new launches and new trends and concluded that the color white was seen at the booths of a lot of the world’s leading furniture and design manufacturers. Timothy tells us that the most significant trend he spotted was the bold move away from multi-colored, almost rainbow splash of the last couple of years to the ubiquitous use of white.

‘White is everywhere!’, he explains. ‘Furniture, accessories, carpets, lighting,….’

‘What’s interesting to note’, says Timothy, ‘is that you can do some pretty outrageous design concepts but they somehow seem more accessible when they are pitched up all in white.’

According to Timothy we can expect to see a lot of white in catalogues and home stores starting this winter and extending into spring.

With permission of Timothy I posted some of the pictures he took at Maison & Objet which all confirm his conclusion that the color white was indeed omnipresent.

TC 1Pictures by Timothy Corrigan at Maison & Objet September 2012

 

TC2Pictures by Timothy Corrigan at Maison & Objet September 2012

 

TC4Picture by Timothy Corrigan at Maison & Objet September 2012

 

TC3Picture by Timothy Corrigan at Maison & Objet September 2012

 

I would love to thank Timothy Corrigan for sharing with us his thoughts about new trends he observed at Maison & Objet.

And a huge thank you to Timothy’s assistant Elaine Maltzman, who is always so kind to share with me the latest news about Timothy’s design work, as she did now by sending me usefull pictures and information.

I have always been a huge fan of Timothy’s work and for my readers who are not familiar with his design, please visit Timothy’s website at http://www.timothy-corrigan.com, you will not regret it.

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White is color at its most complete and pure, the color of perfection.

White is purity, innocence, wholeness and completion.

White is a color of protection and encouragement, offering a sense of peace and calm.

White is the color of new beginnings, it is the blank canvas waiting to be written upon.

 

 

Presumed one of my clients asks me to decorate their home in the new trend using white! What would I suggest?

I was curious about the use of white as new color trend and started browsing the web and tried to search for examples of using white in a future client’s project.

These are examples of how I would love to see bringing in the color white into a home.

 

Entry hall source hereHal 180 (VT Interiors)White painted paneling.

 

Living room source hereWhite room 4White slipcovered sofas, white curtains and white carpet.

 

Dining room source here8I just love the way Anouska Hempel created this ambiance by using white in the restaurant at Dansfield House.

 

Kitchen source here13White painted beames, ceiling and walls. White floortiles. White slipcovers for the chairs.

 

Master bedroom source hereWhite room 9White paneled walls and mantelpiece. White seats, white bedlinen, lamps and even a bouquet of white flowers.

 

Bathroom source hereBadkamer 316 (jamesmichaelhoward.com)In the bathroom I defintely would bring in carrara marble and would love to cover the bathtube with white paneling.

 

Children’s room source hereWhite room 10Completely white.

 

What do you think about this white painted attic room? Ceiling, walls and floor painted in white! Even if you don’t want to follow color trends, this room will always be beautiful. White is a wonderful base.No matter which colors you want to bring in afterwards.

‘This room is as a blank canvas waiting to be written upon.’

White room 1

 

Imagine you create this ambiance as Axel Vervoordt did in this white painted attic room!Foto 514Source Magazine MoreThan Classic april-mei 2010

 

If you are not ready yet to make such a significant changes, you can always start with the purchase of some white decorative accessories as the ones I found here :

A beautiful and huge white chandelier for your entry hall.White room 2Source here

 

A Philippe Starck chandelier for your dining room.2012-09-24_113243Source here

 

A work of art to decorate your bedroom.White room 3Source here

 

A white painted mirror for your entry hall.White room 8Source not known

 

A work of art by Lucio Fontana.Foto 139Axel Vervoordt. Source not known

 

White tableware.White room 7Source here

 

Are you happy to see white as the new color trend? Let’s talk!

I wish you all a fresh start of this new week!

xx

Greet